"He went down pretty easy."
Abby glanced up as Dave appeared from Ryan's room. "Thanks for seeing to him. I can't wait 'til I get rid of this cast and can actually walk again."
Dave joined her at the kitchen table. He pulled out a chair and sat down. "How's it feel to be finally out of that place?"
"Good. I just hate being so helpless." she sighed.
"Well, you got people to help you out. Me, Susan, Chen are all here for you." Dave leant back in the chair stretching.
"I know. And I'm grateful. It's just…"
"You're sick of the sight of us?" Dave laughed.
"Yeah." Abby grinned.
"Though, you do know just cause you get rid of the cast doesn't mean you get rid of us?"
"Would if I moved to Mexico."
"That would get rid of me and Chen, but I get the feeling Susan would track you down and drag you back to Chicago."
Abby smiled. "And you wouldn't?"
"Nope. I'd just wait for Susan to do it." When Abby raised an eyebrow, he added "What? I'm lazy, ok? It's a long way from here to Mexico."
"It's good to know I'm not worth the effort of travelling to Mexico." Abby glared, pretending to be angry.
"Sorry," Dave held his hands up. "I'd go as far as California, but I draw the line at leaving the country."
"Thanks. That means a lot to me." Abby muttered sarcastically.
"Hey, it's further than I've ever been willing to go for any other woman."
When he noticed Abby look away, Dave quickly changed the subject. "So, anything good on TV tonight?"
Susan knocked again on Abby's door. After the accident, she was always worried if Abby did not answer the door or phone immediately. Before she could knock again, the door was opened by Dave.
"Sorry. I musta fell asleep." He opened the door wider to let her in.
"Where's Abby?"
"Hospital. She's having the cast removed today." Dave yawned.
"How come you've not gone with her?"
"I dropped her off, then brought Ryan back here."
Susan sighed. "You're looking after Ryan a lot lately."
Dave shrugged. "So?"
"It's just that it seems Abby's always got someone else looking after him."
"She can't manage on her own." Dave stated simply.
"I'm just worried that she's relying on other people too much. It's like she's avoiding spending any time with Ryan."
Dave shook his head. "That's rubbish. She takes good care of him."
"Alright. Let her know I stopped by." Not wanting to argue with Dave, Susan quickly left. Something told her that Abby was still not back to her old self, but she did not know what she could do about it. She just wished Carter was there.
"So, Abby Lockhart, tell me how it feels to be able to walk again?"
Abby laughed when she opened the door to find Dave with a bunch of flowers. "What are they for?"
"You." Dave brushed past her and entered the apartment. He held up the bottle he was carrying. "Sparkling water." Dave frowned. "I forgot the chocolates though."
Abby stared at him in disbelief. "Is there a reason for all this?"
"To celebrate you having your cast removed." Dave handed her the bottle and flowers. "And also that I no longer have to do everything around here. Society says that men and women are equal so you can open that, pour us a glass each and put the flowers in water all by yourself."
Abby scowled at him. "Did you know I'm not really a feminist?"
"Tough." Dave removed his jacket. "How's Ryan?"
Abby walked over to the kitchen. "Fine." Placing the bottle on the side, she began looking for a vase. "You know, I'd have preferred the chocolates. Or ice cream would have been nice."
"What's wrong with the flowers?"
Abby stared at them for a second. "They're not dead."
"Huh?"
At Dave's confused expression, Abby rolled her eyes and muttered "Never mind."
"So," Dave glanced across to Abby, who was currently sprawled out on her sofa. "you really weren't impressed by the flowers and stuff?"
Abby took her eyes off the movie for a moment and looked over at Dave. She shook her head, then turned back to the TV.
Dave sat forward in the chair. "So what does impress you?"
Abby shrugged, but didn't turn to face him.
"Come on, help me out here." Dave pressed.
Abby rolled her eyes. "Staying quiet when I'm trying to watch a film."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Dave stood up and moved over to the sofa. He motioned for Abby to move so he could sit down. Abby glared at him, but pulled her knees up to her chest to make room for him.
"I only wanna know so I don't end up pissing you off again."
"I'm not pissed off." Abby sighed.
"So flowers are out. So's water. But chocolates and ice cream's good. Right?" When she didn't answer him, Dave leant over her and grabbed the remote off the coffee table.
"Hey!" Abby protested when he switched off the TV. "I was watching that."
"Well, now you're not."
"Look Dave, We're already good friends, so you don't need to impress me. But if you want things to stay like that, then I suggest you turn the film back on."
"Humour me."
Abby made a grab for the control but Dave easily avoided her and leapt up, moving out of her reach.
Abby gave in. "Ok, I'm listening."
"Good." Dave sat back down in the armchair. "So, how does a guy impress you?"
Abby paused for a minute. "I honestly don't know. There's nothing specific." Abby smiled at him. "Sorry, I can't be more helpful. Can we have the movie back on?"
"Fine. Keep your secrets." Dave, surrendering, held up his hands. "I'll figure it out myself." he muttered under his breath.
Susan shook her head. "Oh come on. Are you so stupid that you'd agree to marry the guy?" She lay back on the couch and rolled her eyes at the television as the woman on screen accepted the proposal. Popping another chocolate into her mouth, she mumbled "Come on, Sadie. Go after Dwayne instead." Susan sighed as someone knocked at her door. Sitting up, Susan quickly turned off the TV and headed across to answer it. She was surprised to find Abby stood on the doorstep.
"Hey." Abby stood awkwardly, glancing around the corridor.
"Come in." Susan stood aside to let Abby past.
"You busy? Hope you don't mind me turning up like this." Abby entered the apartment, hovering just inside the door.
"Not at all. Is something wrong?" Susan closed the door.
"You tell me." Abby pushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes. "I ain't seen much of you lately."
"Well, yeah. I figured you'd be glad of the space now you're mobile again." Susan paused. "Plus it gives you more time to spend with Dave."
"What are you talking about?"
"Who's looking after Ryan?"
Abby folded her arms. "Chen. And don't change the subject."
"It was just a question. Don't you think that other people are taking care of him more than you?" Susan walked past her and headed for the couch. "It just seems that you spend little time with him."
Abby crossed her arms. "That's not fair."
"Just telling you how it looks. I mean, last time I went over to yours, Dave was looking after Ryan."
"What's the problem you have with Dave?"
"I don't have a problem. You can spend time with whoever you want."
"There's nothing going on between us." Abby moved to join Susan on the couch.
"I know."
"Then what's up? Have I done something to make you mad at me?"
Susan sighed in frustration. "Listen Abby, have you considered that I just need some space. I helped you out with Ryan; took care of him til you got better. Now I just want some time for my own life. Ok?"
"Fine. I'll leave you alone." Abby jumped up and bolted for the door.
Susan made no attempt to stop her. She could see what was happening between Abby and Dave, and did not want to be there when it all went wrong.
"Ice cream for m'lady."
Abby shook her head. It was becoming a regular occurrence to open her door to find Dave had stopped by unexpected. "More ice cream? I still have the stuff from last night."
"I thought you liked ice cream." Dave looked disappointed by her reaction.
"Yeah, but there's only so much I can eat."
"You ate more than this when you were pregnant."
"Yeah." Abby admitted. "That was a craving."
"If you say so." Dave smiled.
"I guess you'd better come in." Abby led him to the kitchen table and gestured for him to sit down. She forced the tub of ice cream into the freezer, squashing it beside the three tubs she still had left from Dave's previous visits. Closing the freezer door, she joined him at the table. "So any particular reason you're here tonight?"
Dave shrugged. "I had nothing better to do, so thought I'd come and keep you company."
"Am I becoming a charity case?" Abby questioned.
"No." Dave laughed. "Ok, I confess. I like spending time with you."
"I like you too."
"You wanna watch another film tonight?"
"Depends on if you'll be quiet throughout and if the TV stays on this time."
"I'll be on my best behaviour. Promise."
"Ok then. Is there anything on TV or are we making a trip to the video store again?" Abby stood up and crossed over to the TV. Dave watched her for a moment, leaning back in the chair. "I can't do this anymore."
Abby turned quickly to face him. "Can't do what?"
"I'm sorry. I thought I could handle it, but I can't. I'm just gonna go." He started to walk towards the door.
"Hey, I'm kinda confused here. What's this about?"
Dave stopped in the doorway, but kept his back to her. "It's about you… About us."
Abby walked across to him. "Dave, don't do this. I couldn't cope with you not being in my life right now."
He turned to look at her. "Cause you need me as a friend? Or cause you need me to look after Ryan? Where are we going Abby? Am I just a babysitter to you?"
Abby broke eye contact with him. "You know you're not."
"I don't feel it." Dave sighed. "I can't figure you out. And I don't think even you know what you want right now. I thought you were in love with Carter, but when he shows up, you tell him to go back to LA."
"I do know how I feel. And I don't regret Carter leaving again."
"Then what about me? You know how you feel there?"
Abby moved so she was stood directly in front of him. He started to say something else but she did not give him chance. She leant in and kissed him gently. He responded, deepening the kiss. He moved his hands to the small of her back and pulled her closer to him. Abby began to unbutton his shirt. Without breaking the kiss, she led him to the bedroom.
