Where We Are
Chapter Nineteen
Thirty minutes of John's allotted hour with Zach had past, and Doug and Carol still sat in the lounge. They had sat in silence for a long time, not an awkward silence, but a comfortable one, both glad they were able to hold each other again. Carol had stopped wrestling with her emotions and had admitted that having Doug around is what was holding her together. However, that was as far as her emotions would let her go. She couldn't yet admit that she still had feelings for him, that she still loved him. It had been only a little over a week since her marriage had crumbled and her heart wouldn't allow the crossover just yet. But she knew that sometime, and maybe sometime soon, she would confess her love for Doug, but it would be after her divorce was finalised and when Zach was hers forever.
Having Doug back shed some light on what was coming. She could see herself coming through it now because she had Doug back in her life. And somehow, she knew that Doug would not leave again, that this time, he was back in her life for good. The thought made her smile and a little bubble of hope had grown in her chest and she carried like a talisman, now sure that everything would turn out okay for her.
'What made you decide to come here?' Carol spoke, breaking the silence.
'Honestly?' he asked, Carol nodded, 'It was this woman I had kind of been seeing on and off for a while. As soon as I left you at the airport, I regretted it, but how I could fix it? You were gone and I just told myself I had to accept it. But then I got back to DC this morning. I had some appointments scheduled and the first one was the little girl of the woman I had been seeing, Eden was her name. I've been treating her for over two years. After I checked Eden over, she left with a nurse and Alicia, her mother, kind of tried it on with me. I kept trying to dodge her because I knew it was you I wanted to be with. Eventually she figured out what was wrong. She told me she knew I was in love with someone else and that I should go to you. And I did, straight away. I rang my boss and asked for time off. He refused but I left anyway and came straight here.'
Carol was smiling. Doug had said he was in love with her. And she liked it, a lot. It didn't even annoy her that he was talking about being with another woman.
'What?' he asked, watching her smile grow wider.
She shook her head. 'Nothing. I'm just really glad you're here' she said.
'Mark said you guys checked into a hotel last night. I still have my old apartment here and you and Zach are welcome to stay with me' he said. When Carol raised her eyebrows, he chuckled and added, 'I'll sleep on the couch, of course.'
Carol smiled. 'I'd like that. And I think Zach would too' she said.
'Where is Zach anyway?' Doug asked.
Carol's smile slipped away. 'He's with John' she admitted. She saw the anger flash across Doug's face. 'He was crying for his dad, Doug, and what's going on between us doesn't mean Zach should suffer. It's only for an hour, which is almost over. I've to pick him up in twenty minutes' she said.
Doug sighed. Carol smiled. 'So, you think you get to be protective of my son now too, huh?' she asked, sarcastically, nudging him.
Doug smiled too. 'Well, it's kind of a package deal, isn't it?' Carol smiled again.
Just then the door of the lounge burst open.
'Do my ears deceive me or is Doug Ross actually back at County?' Peter Benton asked. Doug and Carol both smiled and stood.
'Peter' Doug said, shaking the surgeon's hand.
'What are you doing back here, man?' Peter asked.
When Doug's eyes slid over to Carol, Peter smiled, 'Never mind' he said. 'Now, I would leave you two alone, but I would guess it's going to be about thirty seconds before someone else barges in. Everyone is dying to see you, Doug.'
Doug sighed dramatically but smiled. 'Well then let's go see some old friends' he said. Carol smiled in agreement and all three left the lounge. A swarm of doctors and nurse engulfed them straight away and Carol, as happy as she felt now, slipped away, trying to avoid questions. No one but Weaver knew what was happening with John.
She leaned against the Admit desk and watched as Doug greeted old friends and colleagues. She didn't notice that Peter was with her until he spoke.
'You two back together?' he asked, leaning against the desk next to her.
'No' Carol replied simply.
Peter smiled and said, 'Good, because I was under the impression you were married.'
Carol lowered her head and didn't reply. Peter didn't miss her reaction and he sighed.
'Carol, you know I'm not one to butt into other people's business but nobody has missed the fact that you disappeared a few days ago. And now you show up here with Doug? People are going to asking questions' he warned her.
She sighed. 'I know' she said.
'So, those sutures look like they could come out now. Why don't we go down to the suture room and I'll take them out. That way you can avoid those questions' Peter suggested.
Carol smiled. She was grateful for the excuse Peter was giving her to leave and she took him up on his offer. They left the admit area, walked down the corridor and into the empty suture room.
Peter set to work in silence, removing the few sutures on Carol's face. When the last one was out, Peter looked at Carol. 'You walk into a pole or something?' he asked, smirking.
'No, my husband's fist actually' she let slip. As Peter had worked, she became anxious to get back to Zach, knowing that if John got word that Doug was here, it could cause her more problems. She hadn't anticipated the question and answered without thinking.
'He hit you?' Peter asked, incredulously. Carol nodded.
'So that's why you disappeared?' Peter said. Again, Carol nodded.
'I'm really sorry, Carol. If there's anything I can do' he said.
'Thanks Peter, but I'm okay. How's little Reese doing?' she asked.
Peter smiled at the mention of his son. 'He's great. Nearly two years old already.'
'Don't remind me. We share a birthday remember. The closer Reese gets to a year older, I do too' Carol said, smiling again. Peter chuckled.
Both of them stood up. 'Thanks Peter' Carol said, gesturing to her face.
'No problem' he assured her.
They left the suture room and rejoined the group gather around Doug. It had quietened since Peter and Carol had left. Only Carter, Jeanie, Haleh, Chuny and Malik remained. Susan and Mark were there too. Peter joined them, told Doug he'd talk to again before he left and was walking away when someone shouted loudly, 'Doug!'
Carol watched as her son darted into the crowd around Doug, Doug swung the youngster up into his arms and offered him his hand in a high five, which Zach returned, giggling loudly. Then Carol's eyes travelled back up the corridor until she spotted John, staring down at the man holding his son, a murderous glint in his eyes.
AN: Just three more chapters left :)