Chapter 39

Abby had searched all over the ER. Carter was no where to be found. She was making another sweep thru the ER. She looked in all the exam room, on the board was his name but his familiar initials were not next to any patients. She walked into the lounge. His coat was in his locker, but his lab coat and stethoscope weren't there. God, where could he be? She had checked the roof and he wasn't there. The CT people said that they hadn't seen him either. She walked out and sat down at the admit desk. She reached over and dialed his pager number one more time. She laid her head down on the desk and waited.

Doug watched Carol walk away. He hoped that she just needed some time to think it over. He couldn't imagine that she was already serious with this new guy. He knew she was right about Anna. He was sure she wouldn't understand. He walked back into County. He would never sleep tonight, he might as well work. Doug needed to take his mind off of this. He looked around a little to find Weaver but instead saw Abby laying her head on the counter. "Hey," he said. "You alright?"

"I can't find Carter Doug," Abby said as she lifted her head up off the desk. "I've page him dozens of times he hasn't answered and I have turned this place upside down."

Doug saw she was worried. He wasn't doing much and he wanted to take his mind off himself anyway. "Come on." he said to her "lets go look around. I'm sure we'll find him. has probably just hiding from weaver." Doug joked.

Carter was nervous, he didn't know where this man was taking him, it was cold out, and here he was in scrubs and his lab coat and stethoscope, the man still had him held up to the gun. "Lets go in this warehouse, now i finally faked being a patient to pay you doc's back, worried your little girlfriend won't find you?" he asked carter. Before carter could answer, his mouth was taped shut. Why couldn't it be normal day, he wanted it to just be a normal day. the man then tied him to chair. "Maybe they find your stupid pager, that I broke" he told him. "But I want money from them, i want money for them to get you back" The man said. All Carter would do would nod, He was scared. He could only think of Abby right now, what was she thinking

Robert got off the elevator. This was not his night. "Doug," He said trying to put on a compassionate face, "Can I talk to you for a minute please." He didn't know how he was going to break this news to him.

Doug turned to him. "Yeah Sure Dr. Romano." he turned back to Abby for a second. "Don't worry, we'll find him in a second." he walked over a few steps with Romano. Robert wasn't ever this nice to him. Doug didn't know what was going on but he knew he was going to find out. He folded his arms and stood in front of Romano. "What's up?"

"Doug, when Anna woke up she was extremely altered," He started in, "we took her in for a second CT. From what I got out of her, she hit her head again yesterday. There's a bleeder that we can't reach, it's formed a clot. She doesn't have much time, but she's asking to see you. I'm sorry."

The color drained from his face. He could have been sick right there. He didn't even say anything to Romano. Moved past him at a full out run up the stairs to the SICU. Doug Froze when he saw her and walked through the door slowly. She was awake but looked tired. "Hey" he said to her softly. He didn't know what Romano had told her if anything. "I'm here."

She tried to smile the best she could. "I'm glad you're here." She said. She was starting to get sleepy. "Robert was here just a few minutes ago. I'm sorry." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Would you do something for me please? I would ask someone else, but..." She choked on her words.

Doug sat down and took her hand in his. He couldn't help crying...it was all he could do. "I'll do anything Anna...I'll do anything for you." Tears were streaming down his face. He couldn't loose two people he cared about...not like this...

She was fighting to stay awake. "In my jeans under the bed there's a key to box in my locker. The money that I was saving to leave max is in there. Give it to the ped's unit please." She asked him, "I know I don't have the right to ask you this, but you're kisses have meant so much to me. Can I have one last one, please stay with me Doug, I'm scared." The tears were rolling down her check now.

Doug held her hand tight. He nodded and held her hand against his face. He could feel her grip getting weaker. 'How could this be happening?' he thought to himself. He sat up and brought his face next to her. "God I love you...you'll always be with me Anna." he gave her a long kiss. Even though it was separated by the tears and sobs from them both, it still held the feelings he had for her. He had lied to Carol when he said that Anna and him couldn't have been more than friends. He knew they could have...they might have been. All he wanted to do now was be there for Anna one last time..."Please forgive me...I'm so sorry." he held her hand and kissed her again. He hated a god who would do this to them both.

"I...I...love... you." She said as she gave up. She couldn't hold her eyes open anymore as she faded into the night.