Kind of a short one this time, sorry. Please review =]

Chapter Four: Life's Motives

Steve sat in the lounge of Gabrielle's neat little house. His mind was restless and longed for something to do. He grabbed the TV remote and flicked through the channels. After finding nothing, he inspected her DVD collection. Some movies he'd never heard of, two seasons of House, yoga DVDs and some music ones. Nothing really interested him. Even though he liked a few of the bands, and he kind of liked House, he couldn't bring himself to be interested.

The numbness he felt was overpowering. Even thinking of his happiest moments-- the first time he met Gabrielle; or the day he gratuated-- coulnd't change his mood. He felt nothing.

Steve was amazed at how quickly he had sunk into this kind of emotional mess. He wished he could show all the hurt that swelled up inside him, but had no release. He'd promised Gabbi that he'd stay away from her booze, but did that mean he couldn't go buy some?

Dammit Steve, don't think like this. You can't crawl into a freaking bottle everytime something goes wrong. You're better than that. And think about Gabbi, what would she feel if she found you passed out on her floor?

That seemed to do the trick. Alcohol was out f the question. But what was in question? What could he do to just... express anything. No-one was home. Gabbi wouldn't be for a while. Thoughts Steve had never had flooded into his head. He shut his eyes tight, trying to make them go away.

Gabrielle stared lazily at the wall of the tea room. Her focus had worn thin the past few days, and she was trying to relax before going back to the ED and pretending that nothing was wrong. Steve was at her house, doing god knows what, trying to cope with the possible loss of his mother, the only family member that had not abandoned him during his 'problem' times. The rest of them had been to straight-laced to try and help. They just decided that alcoholism was incurable and he was now deformed or something. He tried to talk to them, but they treated him like a retard, patronised him until he decided to not call again. Gabrielle's eyes prickled with the beginnings of tears. She heard a soft knock on the door.

"Yep, coming." She stood and tried to cmpose herself.

"Gabrielle, it's okay it's just me." The NUM sighed at the sight of Charlotte. Her short blond hair fell against her shoulders, her face full of worry and compassion for the younger woman. "What's going on? How is everything?"

Gabrielle put a hand to her mouth. She was not one to let loose her feelings, but something about Charlotte's whole... aura, made her want to tell everything. A single tear strolled down her cheek. Charlotte stepped forward and hugged her. She knew that Gabbi didn't like to show these kinds of emotions.

"Hey... It's okay. Come on, tell me what's happening." Charlotte released her, and looked into her sad but fairly dry eyes.

"I don't know what to do Charlotte. Steve is losing the only person who stood by him, he doesn't know what to do with himself."

"Gabrielle, correct me if I'm wrong, but you were beside him the whole way too!" Gabbi nodded gently. "And I know he is a bugger at showing much emotion, in that way you are very similar, but he wants to be around someone he can trust. He picked you." She nodded again. "Now, what is freaking you out? Because I have never seen such a strong woman doubt herself like you are."

"I just... I don't know what I'm thinking. Why am I doing this? I keep saying the same thin gover in my head: What are your motives? Isn't there anyone better for this?"

"You're scared you have other motives?" Didn't think of that one, Charlotte thought to herself, that makes more sense. I would freak out too.

"I don't know, honestly." Her tears had vanished, and now a strong concerned face was left.

"Do you still love him?" Charlotte knew it was a touchy question, but it mattered, a lot.

Gabrielle's answer was slow, as if she had to think about every word, "No, of course not, that's... that's just insane. Right?"

"There isn't a right answer Gabrielle." Charlotte chuckled at the insecurity of the woman who has always been so stable, so grounded.

"That's not what I want to hear." Gabrielle smiled for the first time today. Two faces fell as they heard alarms ring out in one of the patient beds. Charlotte took a deep breath.

"And that's not what I want to hear." Gabrielle flashed a quick smile before heading to the disruptive sound.

A/N: Hope I set this out right, I'm not sure about my emotional scenes... Tell me what you think? I'll give free cookies to anyone who reviews. Any type of cookie you want!