"I can't believe he's real."

Susan glanced over Carter's shoulder. "Well he is."

Carter looked up, grinning. Carefully he carried Ryan over to the sofa. "I know."

"Is it weird?" Susan sat down in the armchair at the side of them.

"Yeah, a little bit. I mean, I didn't get the nine months warning you usually have before becoming a father."

Susan leant back in the chair. He'll make a great father. He's only been with Ryan for ten minutes and he's already a natural. "You were really mad about that, weren't you?"

"Wouldn't you be?" Carter gazed down at the baby. "But I guess I understand why she didn't tell me."

"How are things between you and Abby?"

Carter sighed. "Not too bad. She let me see Ryan so that's a good sign."

"Yeah. I was surprised though. After the hell she gave me for telling you about the accident." Susan mused. "I'm also surprised that you're leaving tomorrow. You only just got here."

"I have to get back to work."

"Don't you want to stay a while? Spend some time with Ryan? You could at least stay 'til Abby gets out of hospital."

Carter shook his head. "I have to get back to work."

"Surely they'd give you time off for something like this?" Carter looked away. "What's the real reason?"

Carter hesitated. "Cause of Abby."

Susan rolled her eyes. "I don't believe this. The two of you are hopeless. You said yourself, things are better between you. She let you see Ryan, so she won't mind you hanging around for a bit. If you talk to her about it, she'll…"

"That's not what I mean." Ryan had fallen asleep, so Carter stood up and carried him back to his cot, Susan trailing after him. "Things are gonna always be complicated between us. Too much history, I guess." He placed Ryan in the crib, taking care not to wake him. "Staying here is too hard on both of us. Course I want to be with Ryan. If I thought that Abby would let me take him back to LA 'til she recovers, I'd do that." He turned to look at Susan. "Once things have settled down and Ryan's older, we'll sort something out."

Susan looked sceptical. She was about to say something when she heard the front door open. She knew that Dave was the only other person who had a key to Abby's apartment. She hadn't been expecting him though. She was supposed to be staying with Ryan until the next day. She left the room, leaving a confused Carter.

Dave was placing some groceries in one of the cupboards. "Hey. I got some shopping. We were running low on a few things."

"I didn't think I would see you today." Before she could say anymore, Carter entered the room.

"What's he doing here?" Dave dropped the rest of the bag of shopping on the table, and took a step towards Carter.

"What am I doing here? How come you're here?" He turned to Susan. "How come he has a key?"

Dave folded his arms. "Abby gave it to me. I'm staying here half of the time, so she thought I might as well."

"Yeah. Dave's been helping out with Ryan." Susan moved in-between the two of them, remembering Carter duelling with Luka when he had been jealous of his relationship with Abby.

Now though, Carter seemed calm. He just nodded. "Makes sense. Sorry, Dave. Just surprised to see you." Carter offered Dave his hand.

Dave ignored him. "Does Abby know he's here? That you let him see Ryan?"

Susan rolled her eyes. "Yes. She told me Carter could see him."

"Ok then. I'll just leave you to it." Dave started towards the door.

"You don't have to leave cause of me." Carter told him.

Dave stopped and turned around. "I'm not."

"Then stay. Have a cup of coffee or something." Carter shrugged.

Dave studied him for a moment. "Ok. I got time before I need to be at work."

Susan stayed silent, watching the two of them. Oh fun. Coffee with Carter and Dave. Shouldn't Abby be the one dealing with this? It's not like either of them's in love with me. I guess that it's down to jealousy that Dave's being so cold. If he was just a friend then he would want what's best for Abby. I'm surprised Carter's being so reasonable, but he knows that Abby and Dave have become close lately. Plus he probably thinks he has nothing to worry about. I'm not so sure though.

"Well, that was fun. We have to do it again some time." Susan muttered sarcastically as she closed the door behind Dave.

Carter was lying on the couch, he looked up and laughed. "I take it you're not a big fan of Malucci?"

"Not really. I mean he seems nice enough. He's good to Abby. And He's great with Ryan."

Carter frowned.

"It's just…he's just not you."

Carter laughed again. "Thanks." He sat up. "It's nice that someone misses me."

"Everyone misses you. The ER's not the same without you. And I know that whatever she says, Abby misses you too."

"I know she does. She can't lie to me. Even now."

"Then stay."

"I can't. Plus I think that she needs some space right now." He stood up. "I'd better go. I have a flight early tomorrow and I said that I'd spend tonight with Gamma."

He quickly went to say goodbye to Ryan and then grabbed his jacket and crossed over to the door. He paused and hugged Susan.

"I don't want you to go." she confessed.

"I miss you too."

She let go and looked up at him. "Are you really not gonna fight for Abby? I mean I gave you up so you could be with her."

Carter smiled. "Now's not the time. But it's ok. Me and Abby, we'll be together one day. Probably in Boston."

"Huh?"

He didn't answer. He just grinned, winked at her and left.