Sorry it's been awhile since I updated. I've been busy with another fanfic, which you should all read if you like House, Greys Anatomy or 24.

Chapter 5

"Are you going in?"

"I'll be back in two hours. I need to talk to Anspaugh."

"I thought you were going to talk to Weaver?"

"She resigned. I've been e-mailing Luka." She leaned in for a kiss, which was gladly returned.

"Good luck."

"Thanks Kem." Carter grabbed his car keys and headed to his car parked outside.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Carter walked into the ambulance bay. He could still remember Mark Greene's pep talk after he walked out of a trauma. He couldn't believe that was fourteen years ago. It felt like yesterday.

He walked into the triage area holding onto a backpack just like he had four years ago when he returned from Africa the first time. This was his third.

"Dr. Carter?"

"Morris?" Carter was amazed he was there. That was a big shocker. "Wow, you must be an attending now."

"Yeah, the boards are coming up."

"Good luck."

"How long are you in town for?"

"Umm…a few months. The Joshua Carter Center is just about done being built."

"So, you're not here to see Abby?" Carter jerked his head towards Morris. He was concerned.

"What?"

"She was in a car accident the other day, but she is doing fine." Carter's heart skipped a beat, but when he heard she was fine he was ok.

"That's good. What room is she in? I'll go visit her after my meeting with Anspaugh."

"412."

"Thanks Morris." Morris waved at him and Carter checked his watch. Realizing he was running late, he ran up the stairs praying it would be faster than the elevator.

- - - - - - - - -

Carter poked his head into room 412. "Hey stranger."

"Hey Carter!"

"Wow, you look like crap."

"Thanks, so does your beard." Carter chuckled. Same old Abby.

"So, what happened?"

"Luka went to Croatia."

"I know, we email."

"So I've heard."

"How's Joe?"

"He had an accident in the park. He's fine now, but I wish Luka was here." Carter sat on the edge if her bed. He took her hand into his own.

"I know. What happened?"

"I don't know."

"Abby." He was concerned. "I heard you're drinking again."

"Carter-"

"No Abby, don't do this. Don't relapse. You have hope. You have Joe and Luka. Don't mess this up." He was being harsh, but he had to. Seeing his old sponsor fall down hard, it wasn't right. Not after what she did for him.

"What am I supposed to do John? Luka is gone, and Joe could have died. My mother is off her meds again."

"Everyone has crazy families Abby."

"Susan said the same thing."

"Susan was here?" She nodded.

"Came by yesterday. She's working in the E.R. again, well, she's starting to in a week."

"I promised Kem I would get back quickly, but Abby, go to more AA meetings. Don't bow everything you have worked so hard to gain." He saw a tear roll down her check. This was something he had never seen her do before.

- - - - -

"Hey John. How did the meeting go?"

"It was fine. The finacial aspect has been taken care of. Anspaugh found investers."

"What's wrong John? You seem upset." She touched her hand to his check and ran it down.

"It's Abby." Kem pulled her hand away. Abby had always been a touchy subject.

"Yeah."

"She's drinking again." Kem understood.

"What are you going to do about it?" He could only shake his head. He had no idea what to do.

"I don't know."

- - - - -

Well? I know good people. It has been a long time since my last update. Please review if you would like.