"Just how did you convince me to help you move?"

"Because you're a selfless generous person who can't resist helping out a friend in need. Abby struggled to get the cardboard box up onto the table, then searched around for the whole of duct tape to seal it with.

Susan crossed over to the coffeepot and refilled her mug. "No, I don't think that's it."

Abby found the roll under a pile of ironing that was never going to get done, but quickly abandoned it again to get her own caffeine fix. "Seeing as you're not really being all that much of a help, then no, maybe not."

Susan had collapsed onto the sofa. "I've been helping all morning. You promised coffee, and men to do all the lifting. Seeing as I don't see any men, I'm gonna take twice as much coffee."

"Dave was here yesterday and he'll be back tomorrow to help get the truck loaded up." Abby joined her on the sofa. "I did try Luka but he claimed he was working."

"Maybe you should have asked Carter."

Abby laughed at the idea of how that conversation would have progressed. "Yeah, would certainly have been interesting." Susan was about to say something, but anticipating the subject about to be raised, Abby cut her off. "Yes, I know, you think I should talk to him before leaving. You don't need to tell me again."

"I didn't think a gentle reminder would hurt."

"I seem to remember you promising not to interfere again."

"Ah but see, this is still the same situation so it doesn't count, right?"

"I'm not sure that's how it works."

"Well it should be." Susan was silent for a moment, staring down at her mug. "I'm kinda gonna miss you."

"Can't say that'll be mutual. I'm not gonna miss your interfering that's for sure."

"Jeez, I can't keep apologizing for that."

"I don't see why not."

"Because you won't be in Chicago to apologize to?"

"Good point." Abby stood up, making a move towards Ryan's room to check he was still sleeping. "You know, strange as it seems, I will miss you."

"How could you not. And don't worry I'll be up there every holiday I get."

Abby ducked inside the bedroom. Ryan was still out cold so she simply pulled his blanket over him more then returned to the living room. Susan was just returning from the coffee pot with two fresh cups. She handed one to Abby then reclaimed her seat on the sofa.

They sat there in silence for a while until they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Both stared at each other, neither making a move to answer it.

Abby tilted her head to the side and tried giving Susan a pleading look.

"Hey, it's not my apartment."

"But as a guest, you could help a girl out." Abby sighed but gave in and moved to answer the door. There was a second knock before she got there. "See if you'd got up straight up right away, they wouldn't get impatient like this." She checked the peephole and saw that it was Dave in her hallway and turned back to Susan. "You'll be pleased to know the cavalry's here." She swung open the door. "Hey Dave. Come to rescue a couple of damsels in distress and take over the packing?"

"I have actually. I'm here to offer my services and help move any boxes you need moving." He stepped inside. "Susan."

"Hey Dave." She stretched. "You know, we really could have done with your help three hours ago."

"Ignore her. She might as well as not been here, the amount of help she's been."

"I was supervising."

"Well, you weren't doing a very good job of it."

"I'm doing you a favour by being here and if all you're gonna do is moan about it, then I'd rather be at work."

"I kept up my end of the bargain. You've got coffee." Abby pointed at Dave. "And men, well man. Yet I don't see you helping."

"I've done lots to help. I'm allowed a break, right?"

Dave's head swiveled between them and he made no attempt to interrupt their conversation. He did remove his jacket and dumped it over the chair arm.

Abby dropped back down onto the sofa and said to Dave, "See what I've had to put up with?"

"Oh, don't bring me into this chick fight. I'm just here as slave labour." He sat down in the armchair. He eyed up Susan's mug. "Is that fresh coffee?"

Abby stood back up and crossed into the kitchen. "A slave who's gonna sit around and drink all my caffeine?" She took a clean mug out of the cupboard and filled it up. "I've already got one of those."

Abby rejoined them in, handing Dave his drink, then sitting back down.

"Can't we call it a day?" Susan sighed.

"It's not even noon,"

Dave seemed intent on siding with Susan. "She has a point. No good rushing a job, right?" He took a swig of coffee, then slid his cup onto the table. "Take the day off."

Abby glanced from one of them to the other, pointing a finger first at Dave, then Susan. "Now you two listen to me. I need everything ready to be loaded onto that truck tomorrow, and if you two don't become more helpful, then you can just get the hell out of here."

Susan was the first to speak. "Okay, jeez. There's no need to yell."

Dave laughed but a glare from Abby quickly silenced him. "Yeah, okay, we'll help."

Satisfied, Abby smiled. "Good. Back to work."

Susan stood up. "You know what we need? Donuts. I'll go get us some." She grabbed her jacket and was pulling it on before Abby could object. "And I'll grab some decent coffee while I'm at it."

"Sounds good. Donuts and good coffee are never a bad thing."

That earned Dave another black look from Abby. "There's nothing wrong with my coffee. And I don't like you two ganging up on me. I think I preferred it when you hated each other's guts."

Dave turned to Susan. "We never hated each other, did we?"

Susan simply shrugged. "And on that note, I'll make a hasty exit." She started towards the door. "Feel free to make a start on the packing. You don't need to worry about leaving any for me to do. I won't mind." She dashed out of the door, leaving a heavy silence after her.

They sit and drink for a while but eventually Abby tires of the quiet. "So, what's your real reason for stopping by? You can't have wanted to help with more packing."

He leans forward. "Truth? I wanted a moment alone with you." That made her nervous, she'd thought he'd said all he wanted to by now. He emptied his mug, then continued, "Figured there'd be other people around tomorrow."

There will be but she doesn't bother to confirm it. "What's up?"

He reached down and picked up a shopping bag she hadn't even noticed him carry in. "I got Ryan a present." It was definitely a non-sequitur but she decided to go with it. "You didn't need to do that."

"I wanted to."

He held out the bag to her and she took it from him. Pulling out a baseball cap, she frowned. "Isn't he a little young for this?"

Dave shrugged. "I just don't want him growing up supporting any Boston teams. You gotta make sure he remembers his roots. Starting with a Bulls hat."

"But you're not even from Chicago? Hell, I'm not from Chicago."

"But he is, right?"

The way he says 'he' made her think he might not be referring to Ryan. "I'm sure he'll love it." She studied the cap for another moment, then rested it on the couch arm. "When he's old enough to understand what basketball is anyway." She finished her own drink, then stood, picked up his cup and headed for the sink. "So we gonna do any work or wait for Susan to get back?"

He followed her into the kitchen. "There's something I need to say before you leave."

She turned to face him, leaning against the counter. "Dave, is this gonna make things more..."

"Awkward?" he finished for her. "Maybe. Hope not, but maybe." He took another step towards her but when she sighed, he stopped and retreated slightly. "Do you want me to just not do this?"

She toyed with telling that was exactly what she wanted, but decided to go with a slightly more diplomatic answer. "Depends what this is, Dave."

"What if I don't know what this is?"

"If you don't know what you're doing, maybe it's not a good idea to do it."

"Maybe, but life would be pretty dull, right?"

"Might also be a lot simpler."

"Simple's overrated."

"Like your life has ever been simple."

"You got me there. But maybe you're right. Maybe this is it, some thing's just shouldn't be said, right?" He smiled and moved back towards the sofa.

He'd started her thinking and though she wished he hadn't, there was something she needed to do. "Can you watch Ryan for a few hours? For old times sake? Hopefully the last time I'll need to dump him on anyone."

"Yeah, I think I can spare a few hours for the kid."

She grabbed the phone and dialed a number she still knew off by heart.

"Guess I don't need to ask what this unfinished business is, do I?" He excused himself and moved through into Ryan's room.

After four rings, she got an answer. "Hey, I need to see you."


It had been threatening rain all morning. The storm clouds were there, hanging around above her, they don't seem willing to go away and somehow it seemed fitting.

She glanced at her watch, annoyed that he was taking his time, making her wait. She finally heard footsteps. She didn't bother to turn around, she knew it was him. "John Carter makes an appearance." She wasn't sure why she was thinking about that moment right now, there was no real reason for her to do so.

"Abigail Lockhart sits alone." He slid onto the bench beside her, following her lead and staring out over the river. "I was surprised when you called."

"I was surprised when Susan told me you'd moved back to Chicago."

"Yeah, I probably should have mentioned that."

"Would have been nice." He couldn't have been surprised Susan had passed on that particular information. If they'd learned anything from this entire situation it had to be that Susan couldn't keep a secret.

"So you got everything all packed up?"

She knew he was attempting small talk but she wasn't in the mood. It certainly wasn't the reason she'd asked him here. "I meant what I said, about wanting you to be a part of Ryan's life."

"I kinda hoped you did. Even after I destroyed your marriage."

"You kinda wrecked it before it even got to marriage status."

"Guess so. I'm sorry bout that."

"No, you're not."

"No, I'm really not. You'd have been miserable with Dave."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because you don't love him."

"You know you really can't claim credit for all this."

"But come on, I did play a major part in your decision, right? Give me that much."

She shook her head and opted for a change of topic. "I'm still just kinda hoping you don't plan on suing for custody." It wasn't a conversation she wanted to have with him and she was just hoping to get some assurances that that wasn't his master plan.

"Surprisingly I never planned on taking Ryan away from you. I'd never do that."

"I'm thinking you would."

"Well maybe sue for joint custody."

"You still considering that?"

"Depends on if we can be civil without me doing."

"Apart from the whole moving to Boston thing, you won't have any more trouble from me. As long as you don't mind the constant flying up there whenever you want to see Ryan."

"That's why I moved back to Chicago, save on air miles."

"You having any luck finding a job back here?"

"I've been giving some thought into setting up my own practice."

"You can certainly afford it."

"Yeah. Guess I just fancy working for myself for a while."

"More flexible working hours. Guess I should expect to see a lot of you in Boston then."

"Don't worry, I'll always call ahead before jumping on a plane."

"That'd be nice." She couldn't think of anything else to say that wouldn't lead them into trouble so she waited for him to think of something.

Thankfully he did. "So everything organised for tomorrow?"

"Pretty much. I left Dave in charge. See if he has any more luck getting Susan to help than I did."

"I could come up to Boston this week, help you unpack."

"John, I need some time, space, just me and Ryan for a while. Not just from you. I've banned Susan and Dave from visiting for at least a month." She hadn't, not yet anyway, but it was something she was going to make a point of doing now that she'd thought of it.

"Does it seem weird to you that the last time we were here, I was the one leaving town?"

"A little I guess. I'm just glad that it's me going this time and you're the one stuck here in Chicago."

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with Chicago. I give you three months of Boston, then you'll be back."

"At least there's one thing you and Dave agree on."

"I think there's actually a few things we agree on. Wasn't that the problem?"

"Dave won't be letting Ryan forget his Chicago roots. He bought him a Bulls cap already." Her comment made him fall silent again and she wished she'd stop dropping Dave's name into the conversation quite so much.

"Do you think we're giving up too easy?"

It took her a while to think of an answer. "No. This wasn't the easy choice. If we gave up too easy it was when you left for LA, that was when we should have fought for us, made it work. We've missed our chance, Carter. Now we just need to salvage something for Ryan's sake."

"This isn't about us any more, is it?"

"Nope, everything's gotta be about Ryan from now on. It should have been from the second he was born, but I guess I kinda forgot that."

"You're not the only one if it makes you feel better."

"The opposite actually. Just makes me realise how pretty much everyone's neglected him. We've all been too busy with our own problems to even give him much thought."

"Guess we should be thankful we've got a chance to fix things then."

"Guess we should."

There was silence again and she tried to think of an excuse to leave but he beat her to it. "I need to be heading off, I've got somewhere to be."

She suspected he's lying about that, but it was as good an excuse as any to leave things as they are. "Yeah, I should get back anyway, see if anything's actually been packed in my absence."

"I'd guess not."

"Yeah, me too."

He glanced towards the steps, his escape route from this conversation. "Call me, when you're ready, and I'll jump on a plane."

She nodded. "I know you will."

Thankfully he left it at that and walked away, practically running up the steps. She guessed he was as relieved as she was that that discussion was over with. She watched until he was out of sight, then stared at the water for a while. Those black clouds had finally started to move on, blowing away to the south. Towards Maggie and she suddenly found herself wondering how long it would be until she grew bored of the peace and quiet and chose to invite that particular chaos back into their lives. After all she never had learned how to keep things simple.