Carter was suddenly jolted awake as the plane hit slight turbulence. He glanced at his watch, quickly calculating the time until they landed in Chicago. Sighing, he leant back in the seat. Since he had left, he had imagined himself coming back under a thousand different circumstances; none of them had involved this situation. She has to be ok. Somehow I know that she will be. I honestly couldn't say why. I know that'll it be awkward seeing her again, but I had to come. Even if she is fine, I still need to see her, to make sure. God, this is gonna be so difficult. Part of me just wants to talk to her; so I know that she's coping with this. The rest of me is so pissed off with her for doing this. I couldn't believe it when Susan told me she was drinking again. After I knew about Ryan, I convinced myself to stay here and not go back; that Abby would look after him, that I'd only get in the way. Now it looks like I made the wrong decision…again. Would this still have happened if I'd gone back?

He sat forward now and held his head in his hands. I shouldn't be thinking like this. I know that it's a waste of time thinking about all the 'What ifs'. I've had so many regrets in my life, especially where Abby is concerned; things I should have done, things I shouldn't. I can't change any of them. Oh god. Please let me have the chance to make things up to her.

Dave hung around outside the room, deliberating whether to go in or not. He had stayed away since Abby had first woken up, not feeling that he could face her. What are you doing Malucci? What're you planning on doing if you don't go in? Hang around here forever? Taking a deep breath, he opened the door. Abby appeared to be asleep. He began to retreat out of the room.

"Aren't you gonna at least say hello?"

Abby startled him and he jumped slightly in surprise. "Jesus. What are you playing at? I thought you were asleep."

Abby sat up. "Nope."

"So you're just resting your eyes, right?"

"Just bored of staring at this room all the time."

Dave crossed over to the bed. "Ok. I remember from last time not to ask how you're feeling, so I don't really know how to start this conversation, except for talking about the weather, and I'm not too sure that'd go down well either. What with you being stuck in here."

Abby laughed. "When did you become such a babbler?"

"Right about the time, one of my best friends gets pissed, tries to kiss me and then runs off and nearly gets herself killed." Dave folded his arms, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

Abby's face fell. "So, there's no chance we can pretend it didn't happen?"

Dave shook his head. "Why? That's what I can't figure out. Why would you wanna do something like this?"

"Which part?" Abby sighed. "Carter phoned me. We got into an argument and I just couldn't handle it. I didn't mean to get drunk. And I didn't mean to get run over."

Dave studied her for a second. When she did not continue, he asked "And me? What was that about?"

Abby looked away. "I don't know. I was drunk. There's nothing more to it than that."

Dave sat down now. "Ok, then. That's that."

Abby cautiously glanced up at him. She got the feeling that this had affected him more than he let on, but not being able to cope with anything more right then, Abby changed the subject. "Susan tell you she phoned Carter?"

Dave nodded. "Yeah. She was worried you were gonna die. Thought he should know."

"I can't believe her. What did she expect him to do?"

"What he did do. Come back."

"Yeah, but what if I don't want him here?"

Dave leant forward. "You were the one who told him about Ryan."

"Ok, fine. It's all my fault." Abby muttered sarcastically.

"No. No one's saying that. Susan just did what she thought was best. And it could have been worse."

"How?"

Dave smiled slightly. "She could have phoned your mom."

"I think I would have preferred Maggie to Carter."

"Susan was only trying to look out for you."

"Great job she did. Let's have Carter come here and take Ryan away."

"He wouldn't do that, Abby. You know he wouldn't." I can't believe that I'm sat here defending Carter. I know that someone needs to though. As much as I wish she wasn't, Abby's wrong bout this. "I think you told Carter cause of two reasons. One, because you know that Ryan deserves to know his father and that Carter would make a good dad. And two, you're still in love with the guy."

Abby glared at him. "So now you suddenly know me? What I'm thinking?"

Dave stood up, and headed towards the door. He paused before leaving. "Listen, Abby. Take some advice from a friend. Try and sort things out with Carter. And if I'm wrong and you don't love him, then I'm sorry. But still try and at least get on civil terms. For Ryan's sake."

Abby watched him leave. He's picked a hell of a time to be right for the first time in his life. Doesn't mean that I have to listen to him though. I know what's best for me and Ryan. And that's not giving Carter the chance to leave us again.

Carter hesitated outside the doors to the ambulance bay. He was not quite sure why he had headed to the ER instead of just going straight up to see Abby. As he turned and began to walk away, he noticed Susan coming towards him from across the street. He briefly considered hiding from her, but she had already seen him.

She ran the remaining distance. "Hey." He smiled half-heartedly.

"Hey." Susan hugged him briefly. "I'm glad you're here."

"Least someone is."

"Have you seen her?"

"Not yet." Carter sighed. "How is she?"

"Conscious. She'll be ok."

"Thank god." Carter glanced around nervously. "I don't think this is a good idea."

"Why not?" Susan stood with her hands on her hips.

"She told me not to come. She hates me."

"Then seeing her can't make things any worse, can it?"

Carter stared at her for a moment, then glanced back towards County. "You sure about that?"