Authors Note: For any of you that are still interested, the lack of updates is down to me. I lost all interest in this fic but, thankfully (or not, depends on how you look at it!) I've decided to carry on with it.

Part III

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There was a fluttering of applause slightly covering the sound of the many camera flashes clicking. The sun was shining on what was a glorious day in June as near one hundred people stood outside the brand new building for what was to be Chicago's first aids clinic. Hospital executives and doctors stood on a small stage outside the door smiling; generously allowing for photographs to be taken. A small cluster of doctors stood in the audience, smiling at the faces they knew on the stage; full of pride that this day had finally come.

"…on behalf of John Carter and his donation from the Carter Family Foundation; you are all standing before what we hope will become the first of many – county run aids clinics." A man spoke from the podium.

There was then a shuffling of people before a much younger man took the stand.

"Thank you Dr. Anspaugh. I want to take this moment to thank you all for coming down here today; especially when I know you'd all much rather be at the beach or at the pier." There was a slight laughter in from the crowd. "But, anyway. This centre has become my special project and it means a lot to me; and if you know me you'll know why." He said, nodding his head in the direction of the doctors in the audience; his friends. "Today marks a very special moment in not only my own life; but in the history of county hospital and with that in mind I'd now like to declare the centre open!"

A strong applause emerged from the audience as John Carter stepped off the podium and stage; heading for his friends – politely shaking peoples hands on the way.

He had seen her from the stage; not that it was hard. She wasn't easy to miss. She had stood next to him the whole time; leaning into his side, holding his hand and smiling any time he so much as moved. To say Carter was jealous would only have been the tip of the iceberg. He put it down having never seen her with anyone else after they had broken up; that guy on the motorcycle didn't count even though he felt awful after seeing that.

He smiled as he approached them; reaching his hand out to offer her a small hug.

"Hey! You made it" He beamed, grabbing her at her waist and pulling her in; kissing her cheek.

Before she could respond he had moved onto shaking Luka's hand before quickly hugging his Croatian friend.

"You're looking good!" Carter said to him; smiling as he gripped his shoulder.

Luka smiled.

"You're looking great too!" Luka replied, happy to see the face of a friend he had never forgotten.

Soon Pratt, Neela and Morris tailgated each edging their way in to greet their friend and ex co-worker.

Carter busied himself greeting the others; exchanging quick hugs and compliments between them before returning to the side of Abby.

He looked down at her; smiling as she returned his smile. He found himself watching her for a bit longer than he should have done; especially considering who he was in the company of. He soon realised this and that he also had a lot more people to meet.

"Hey, I've got to meet some more people…can you guys stick around?" He asked the small grouping of doctors.

Before any of them could reply Carter was approached by an older man in a tweed suit. He soon wandered off in conversation with him; leaving the others alone.

The five of them shuffled their feet; eager to get back to work before they noticed for being late from lunch.

Soon, after noticing their discomfort at the situation Abby spoke.

"Do you guys not have to be back?"

"Yeah…" Pratt sighed before turning to look at Luka who was nodding his head.

"Are you sticking around?" Morris asked.

Abby smiled. "Yeah, you know I think I will" She said looking at Luka in a way; whether she had noticed it or not, asking his permission.

--

So go past the lights and all the excuses.
You could have left, sincerely yours.
Don't you think it's obvious that I want to say more?

--

He had heard "congratulations" and "well done" more times that any one person should in a day and it had only hit mid-day. It grew tiresome; the perpetual conversations of what good this will do for the city; the county; for medical care…but what good was it doing him. He was wasting what little time he had "back home" with people he didn't know; people who we're interesting in him, only his money. He knew his centre was "doing a good thing" and that it was "beneficial" but he didn't want to hear it; at least not from them.

As time went on the conversations died out; as the crowd moved indoors for a more detailed look at the building and all its equipment. Before he knew it he was left alone for the first time all day. Part of suspected that there would be someone else waiting to creep out and approach him – so he turned his head over his shoulder and he looked; glancing in both directions…and that is when he saw her.

Truth be told he had forgotten that his friends had come to wish him luck on this important day. She was standing alone, back turned away from him, looking up at the building that lay before her. She must have been comparing it to the last time she visited the site, when nothing more than foundations stood and heavy wired fencing blocked off the entire area.

Since that time it had grown; not yet having become what he wanted it to be – it will take time for that. But it had grown up from nothing and now, once again, he was able to see what his name and his family could really achieve. For that he was very proud.

He made his way over to her and caught her attention.

"Hey" He smiled as he walked towards her.

"Hi" She replied; lifting her hand and giving a small wave.

He began to look around; curious as to where the others had seemingly vanished to.

"…they had to get back to the ER. They were only out on their lunch break" She smiled.

He nodded.

"What about you?"

"I'm not on today" She replied hastily.

"Maternity leave?" He asked; smiling and focussing his eyes on her belly.

She caught him looking and smiled as she placed her hand over her bump.

"No; not yet"

"How come you didn't go inside?" He asked.

"Well I didn't think I'd fit in" She smirked. "I've not got any elbow pads"

He laughed at this remark.

"Come on! I'll give you a tour and we can really catch up!" He continued before placing his hand on her back as he walked into the brand new building.