AN: Well, this chapter is a bit shorter than I usually write, but don't worry. Future chapters will be longer. I wanted to give y'all something since I'm a bit concerned that this computer is going to bite the dust on me as well. Ugh. I am just not having the luck with computers lately. Anyway. Thank you so much to all of you that have decided to follow or comment on this story. It is quite the departure for me and is challenging me in a way that is exciting and scary. The support is very much appreciated! Look forward to your thoughts.

Girl you're getting over him and I'm getting over her
The eyes have it made, ain't gotta say a word
Misery loves company, that's why it's you and me
Buying each other drinks, back at the bar, as thick as thieves
Stealing these little sips
Doing our best to make the best of the worst of it

- "Came Here to Forget" by Blake Shelton

Chapter 2

The Past

If I look back on our first meeting, I would assume that Rachel had absolutely no interest in me at all. No attraction. No spark. I was wrong. However, I would have had to understand that she had her own drama going on. I didn't know that she had moved to Chicago to not only take the orthopedic attending position, but to also get away from her last relationship. That she had spent the last year dealing with her own heart.

She had called Al and I as soon as the guy had woken up and was semi-coherent. She was professionally detached through the whole thing and if I had never seen her again it probably would have ended there. Seeing her at Molly's had truly been a fluke. I hadn't been there in so long due to trying to avoid Kim and Sean. I just didn't want to continue to torture myself. I'd taken to hanging out with my other friends at bars in Canaryville or where ever was not Molly's. This night Atwater had finally convinced me that I needed to celebrate with the team. We were on our second round when I noticed Rachel sitting at the bar. She was nursing a glass of whiskey on the rocks and just observing all the activity. I couldn't help it. I was a glutton for punishment. There was just something about her. Walking up to her, I knew that she was probably going to turn me away. She had that aura going. You know the one women put out that says I do not want company. I'm here to drink and I am perfectly capable of doing that without you. I guess I just figured that I had absolutely nothing to lose at that point.

"Do you come here often because I do not recall ever seeing you here before?"

The death glare that I was getting as she began to turn towards me confirmed what I suspected, but then something changed. I like to think that she saw it was me and decided to take pity on me. The spark that came to her eyes should have told me that she was just looking forward to being entertained for a minute.

"Tell me. Does that line ever work for you guys? Because I honestly cannot see where it would."

I actually had to think back to what I had said. I'm sure the embarrassment was written all over my face.

"I swear I did not mean for that to come out that way. What I meant was that this is kind of known as a firefighter bar and most of the docs that do come in here usually come with Dr. Halstead."

"Oh, so does that mean that I need an invitation?"

"No. That's not what…"

The smile that was on her face gave her away as well as the light in her eyes. She was enjoying this as my ego felt like it was deflating like a balloon.

"Your messing with me. Ok. I understand. If you want to be alone, I can go."

Her laugh is what caused me to pause before getting up off the barstool and bolstered that bruised ego. Her hand went to my forearm to stop me from moving further and I was surprised by her response.

"You don't have to go. You're right. I was messing with you. It was just too easy. Sorry. By the way, you can call me Rachel. If you call me Dr. Allen in here, then I'll ask you to leave."

She never asked me to leave. I can remember talking with her about so much that night. The gangbanger she had operated on and how she knew she would probably see him again. About her upbringing in South Carolina which I found out about after she had a few of those whiskeys and her accent finally made itself known. She pulled stuff out of me as well. I told her about the unit and growing up in Chicago. It was all the getting to know you stuff that you always go through. Hailing her a cab that night, I knew I could count her as a friend. As she got in, she shook my hand and I found her number on a slip of paper. I knew that something was starting. I just had no idea what.

The Present

My little girl was going to make it. She would be coming home tomorrow. The sweetest words I could ever hear. I was just making my way out of the NICU, so I could call Rachel's Dad with the news. He needed to hear something good as much as I had. When I walked out, I saw Kim standing there with a couple bags in her hands. The unit had been taking turns bringing me food and a change of clothes at the hospital. Normally, the NICU had very strict visiting hours, but they had basically thrown those out the window with me. I even had a bunk in the doctor's lounge to use. They had taken me in as family and I would never be able to repay that. This was the first time that Kim had been the one waiting on me. I can remember seeing her at the funeral, but we hadn't spoken since. Not that there had been any opportunity. I pocketed my phone and made my way over to her. She held the bags out to me and I could tell that she was searching for words. Her eyes were watery and I knew I couldn't handle seeing her cry.

"Isabelle is going to be coming home tomorrow."

The smile that spread across Kim's face was as genuine and heartwarming as one could be.

"Really?! That's great news. I'm so happy for you. Do you need us to do anything for you? The unit got caught up on a case which is why I'm here, but I'm sure if you need anything we can take care of it."

Now that I actually thought about it. I needed quite a bit. The nursery was set up, and the car seat was already in my truck, but some supplies were going to need to be bought.

"I mean I was just thinking that maybe you hadn't bought diapers and stuff like that."

"Yeah. I.. I haven't. If it's not too much…"

Kim waved me off quickly.

"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it. Do you want me to leave it in your truck or drop them off here?"

Kim took care of it and I gave her my key to the apartment to drop everything off. I should have thought things through more. I hadn't really been back there since before the accident. It had really been Rachel's condo, but we had tried to make it ours. As I set Isabelle's carrier down on the kitchen island the following day and took in my surroundings, it hit me like a freight train. Rachel was gone and I would be taking care of our daughter on my own. Thank God Isabelle was sleeping because that breakdown was long overdue and inevitable. As I pulled myself together, I knew one thing was true. Isabelle and I were not spending a single night in this place. There were too many ghosts. Too many reminders. Packing up enough to last us for a few days took longer than I would have expected, but that purpose also got me through it. Isabelle slept through the whole thing.

As I drove away from the building, I had no idea where I was going. I just drove. I should have known where I would end up. I left the city and headed out. Away. When I finally pulled up to my Aunt and Uncle's lake house, it was dark but the front porch light was on. I placed the truck into park and as I got out I could see my Aunt coming to stand out on the porch. I swear that woman has a sixth sense. It was like she knew I was coming. I started to get Isabelle out of the back seat and I could hear her footsteps on the gravel as she came to meet me. Shutting the door and turning to see her standing there was the moment I probably felt at my weakest. Aunt Carol reached up and placed her hand on my cheek.

"Oh sweetie. You can stay as long as you need to."

I could feel my aunt's hand reach for Isabelle's carrier and I strengthened my grip on the handle.

"I've got her."

"Ok, honey. Go ahead in. I'll get your uncle to grab your bags."

I did as I was told at that point. It was time to reset and go back to the only place that I felt was a true home.