CHAPTER 6

lots of carby - also introduction to Abby/Susan friendship which will
feature strongly later on

...............................................

"So, does this mean you'll go steady with me?"
Abby smiled, and leaning in for another kiss whispered
"I'll think about it"
She could feel his lips tighten into a smile as she kissed him, pulling away
just to have him pull her back for another kiss.
They were interrupted by Carter's pager.

"o oh"
"what?"
"It's from Susan"
Carter held the message up for Abby to read.
""Weaver's gunning for you both" .. oh God, I was supposed to be back half
an hour ago"
"You and me both"
Carter smiled at Abby. She was his Abby now. Holding out his arm for her in
a regal gesture he said
"shall we ???"
Abby played along, linking her arm with his as they headed back to the ER.

.......................................

As Carter and Abby entered the ER, they immediately got busy. Carter
grabbed a chart and disappeared as quickly as he could. Abby was looking for
something to do as Gallant approached her.
"Abby, Dr. Lewis could use some help in two"
She smiled cheerfully at him and replied
"sure"

Gallant watched her suspiciously. What was she so cheerful about all of a
sudden?

Abby entered trauma two to find Susan and Malik working on an elderly man.
"Where have you BEEN ?" Susan quipped "Weaver's been after you"
Abby avoided the question "SATS are dropping"
"okay, low breathe sounds, we need to intubate"
"he's crashing"

.............................................

Susan threw her gloves in the bin, ripped off her scrubs and headed out of
trauma 2 with Abby.
"So, where were you?"
"If I told you, I'd have to kill you"
"Trust me Abby, it would be worth it - just to find out what's going on with
you guys!"
"Well, lets just say, things are good"
"Good? is that it? ..... things are GOOD?"
"fine! - more than good, they're ... very good" Abby couldn't keep the smile
off her face as she said this, her own words finally sinking in.
"So, are you like, going out? - I mean it's not as if I even care in the
slightest, it's just I've got twenty resting on you guys getting it
together"
Abby snorted "You're kidding, right?"
"Well, yeah. I mean I do care about you guys. But no, I really did bet a
twenty"
"Then my lips are sealed" quipped Abby, raising her eyebrows
"why for Christ's sake?"
"Because you're rich enough!"
They both laughed at this. Just as Susan turned away, Abby started.
"Susan?"
"hmm?"
"oh, ah .. it's nothing"
"what?" Susan asked, smiling as if expecting a cheeky comment from the nurse
"we should go out sometime, for a coffee I mean, ... if you want"
Susan smiled fondly at Abby.
"Sure, I'd like that"
Abby nodded and headed off down the corridor. Susan watched after her, just
thinking about how wrong she'd got Abby at first. She realized that Carter
was right - Abby was "complicated", but she also thought for one second what
great friends they could be. What great friends they were becoming.

......................................................

Abby discarded her scrubs and paused for a brief second to rub the back of
her neck. It had been a long day. She smiled as she thought about how
differently she felt from this morning. It was funny how her whole life
seemed to have changed for the better in twenty four hours. It was eight
pm. John finished at seven, and she was supposed to finish half an hour later
so he agreed to wait for her. As it happened she'd got stuck in a trauma so
he'd been waiting an hour up to now. Abby entered the lounge quietly to find
him sat on the couch, his head propped on one side, fast asleep. Abby
laughed through her nose at the sight - he looked like a baby. Quietly, she
sat down beside him, stroking his face and brushing his hair back.
"John...." she whispered "John .... wake up" He didn't even stir.
"Carter !"
He woke with a start, making Abby laugh again.
"What time is it?" he asked groggily
"eight o clock"
Carter looked confused
"What have you been doing?"
Abby smiled, putting her hand to his face and moving closer to him.
"Watching you sleep"
"For half an hour?" Carter smiled as the distance between them was getting
smaller. Abby pulled back quickly, pretending to lose interest.
"No, I got stuck in trauma"
"Oh"
Abby moved closer again, this time much closer so that her lips were almost
touching his, her hands behind his head
"You look lovely when you sleep, I'll have to call you sleeping beauty"
She moved in to kiss him when he put his hand to her mouth, stopping her
"Are you coming on to me, Nurse Lockhart?"
Her look changed from one of annoyance into that smile. That smile that took
his breath away.
"you betcha"
And they kissed, and nothing was lost.
There was still the same passion, still the same urgency.
They pulled apart slowly.
"do you want to come back to my place?" Her voice was tender, almost unsure.
He looked at her intensely, his eyes shining with desire.
"Come on" he said, taking her hand firmly, kissing it, and leading her out
of the lounge.

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END OF CHAPTER SIX

Hope this is okay - as the story gets longer it's hard not to lose the plot
/ over do it / go off on a tangent.

I always appreciate reviews - helps me to get the next chapter up