Carter and Abby watched as the health department official left the room. He had had the nerve to come in and thank them for their help, then quarantine them overnight.

Carter rolled his eyes and took a few steps pulling at the collar of his top. “Awww…man.”

“How much does this suck?” Abby said placing her hands on her hips and looking around the room.

“The department would like to thank you but we can’t bring you a fan,” Carter said sarcastically mimicking the man that had just left the room. “Is it me? It’s like a sauna in here,” he continued as he pulled on the collar of his shirt and shook some sweat from his hands. “I’m soaked,” he said grumpily.

“Do you have a fever?” Abby asked as she walked over and placed her hand on Carter’s forehead.

“No!” he said pushing her hand away.

“Well just sit down,” she said motioning to the gurney.

“I’m fine,” he insisted as he watched her walk away.

“Sit down,” she said more insistently when she returned with a thermometer.

“Take your temperature,” she said holding out the thermometer to him.

Carter gave her one of those looks. “I’m not infectious.”

“Just stick the thermometer in your ear,” she said getting frustrated before she walked over to the cabinet.

“Today started out like a normal day, huh?” Carter asked as he held the thermometer in his ear to please Abby.

She rummaged around through the cabinet and finally found a cold pack. She let out a deep sigh before closing the door and walking back to Carter.

“See…99 I told you,” Carter said holding out the thermometer as if to say I told you so.

“Okay,” Abby said dismissing the thermometer he laid at his side. “You’re still hot,” Abby said quietly placing the cold pack on the back of his neck. “Is that better?”

Carter inhaled as the cold pack hit his skin. “Mmmhmmm,” he murmured lowering his head and closing his eyes enjoying the coolness Abby had given him.

Abby stood silently holding the cold pack to his skin trying to cool him off. She let out a small sigh and rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. Worry was written across her face as she finally closed her eyes tightly as if praying for a miracle.

“Worst of this is over right?” she asked quietly.

Carter looked up gazing into her eyes, not sure of what to say. How could he tell her he wasn’t sure if the worst of it was over? What if the worst of it had only just begun?

“Tell me we’re going to be okay…” she whispered as she stared into his eyes begging for the right answer.

His heart was pounding…her face was inches from his. He had forgotten the hundred degree temperatures…he couldn’t think of anything but being quarantined in this small room with Abby. His breathing quickened as he leaned a little closer to her…his eyes full of desire for her. Another movement and his lips gently caressed hers.

Moments later he leaned back causing her to stumble a step forward with him. She gazed into his eyes almost unsure of what just happened. Not a word was spoken as he stood, her arms still around his neck.

“We’re going to be okay,” he murmured not taking his eyes from her own. We’re going to be okay,” he said more confidently as he leaned down to kiss her again….

Their moment was broken as the boy’s mother began screaming next door. “Nooooooo,” she yelled at the top of her lungs. The machines were screeching and the boy was seizing.

“What happened?!” Carter said as he rushed into the room with Abby in tow.

“I don’t know; he was just lying there and then…Oh God,” the mother begged.

“Lidocane?” Abby asked holding the needle up.

“Push it and charge to 200,” Carter said taking the paddles off the crash cart. He looked at Abby, his eyes full of worry. “Stay with me…stay with me,” he murmured to the lifeless boy.

“Ready,” Abby said.

“Clear!” he said before shocking the boy.

“Asystole,” Abby said quietly.

“Charge to 250,” he said as he prayed for it to work this time. “Clear!”

The machines were silent.

“Is he okay?” the mother asked rushing to his side and taking his hand. “Oh God, is he going to be okay?”

Carter let out a sigh of relief as he stared at the machines. He couldn’t lose this kid…he couldn’t.

“He’s going to be okay for now ma’am,” Abby said as she smiled at the mother. “We’re doing everything we can…” She looked down at the small boy covered with pox and her heart dropped. Would he be okay? Would he live to see another day? Would they be okay? She shyly glanced over at Carter and a confused smile crept across her face as she remembered the kiss. Their kiss. What did it mean?

“Abby! Susan needs you!” She glanced up as Gallant poked his head through the door.

“Be right there,” she murmured as she took one last look at Carter and went to find Susan.

Carter watched silently as Abby left the room. What was she thinking? She had responded when he kissed her, hadn’t she? He picked up the thick medical book he had been reading and gave a slight nod to the parents before he left the room.

Abby walked down the hall in a daze trying to push what had happened earlier out of her mind. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate if she couldn’t get that out…

“Susan,” she said walking up behind her.

Susan turned around at the sound of her name. “Oh Abby,” she said with a sigh of relief. “We just need to get this room set up for the vaccine treatment…”

“So it has been confirmed then?” Abby asked worriedly.

“No…not yet, but seeing as how you are supposed to be quarantined we figured this would give you something to do,” Susan said with an apologetic smile on her face.

“But what about Carter?” Abby asked wondering if he would be okay alone.

“We’ll come get you if he needs you,” Susan promised before she left the room.

Abby groaned in frustration as she turned to stare at the piles of boxes scattered throughout the room. “Where do I start?”

“I’m sure we’ll have some food delivered to us soon,” Luka said with a groan as the angry mob in front of him started complaining again. “Can’t you be happy with the drinks they sent in?” he said before he stormed behind the admit desk.

“Great night to be working huh?” Jerry asked from his seat on the floor.

“Yeah, wonderful night…” Luka replied.

HOURS LATER…

Carter had dozed off, the huge book he had been reading lying across his chest.

“Dr. Carter…” a voice called out to him. “Dr. Carter…”

His eyes popped open to find the man from the public health department standing over him. “It’s over Dr. Carter,” he said smiling.

Carter sat up quickly running a hand through his mussed up hair. “It’s over?” he asked questionably.

“Yeah…it’s not smallpox, just a variation of a disease that has all the signs and symptoms of it. The good thing is we have a vaccine for it and the boy,” he said nodding towards the other room, “Is going to be fine.”

“So it’s really over then,” Carter murmured.

“Yeah…you can get your vaccine whenever you want Dr. Carter. I believe your friend is giving them,” he said before he left the room.

Carter smiled as the man left the room. They had beaten it. Thank God. He walked into the adjoining room where the parents and the small boy sat silently. “You heard the news?”

“Yes,” the mother said tearfully as she clutched her sons hand.

“He’s going to be okay,” Carter said reassuringly. He turned to walk out of the room but was stopped by the sound of her voice. “Thank you Dr. Carter,” she said smiling.

“Your welcome.”

“Owww,” the man muttered as Abby pricked him with the needle. He jerked away causing her to drop the needle and knock over her tray of supplies.

“You’re going to have to hold still sir,” she said grimacing.

“I told you I don’t like needles,” he muttered.

“Do you want the vaccine or not?!” she half yelled.

“Just get it over with,” the man said frowning as he turned his head away from the needle.

Abby stuck him, quickly this time and dropped the needle into the red container. “All done,” she breathed in a sigh of relief. She had been at this for over an hour now and it was really starting to get to her.

“Thanks,” the man half-muttered as he stood and walked out the door.

“Yeah…no problem,” Abby muttered as she started picking up the spilled supplies. “Next…” she yelled to the line of people waiting outside.

Carter raised his eyebrows when he stepped through the door and saw Abby on her knees. “Are you sure this is a good time?” he asked grinning.

Her heart skipped a beat when she heard his voice. She turned her head so she could see him and smiled. “Yeah it’s a good time. Sit down,” she said standing up and grinning at him. “You wouldn’t believe the babies we’ve had in here today.”

“That bad huh?” he asked sympathetically.

“I think I’m just tired,” she admitted sheepishly. “Which arm?” she asked holding up the alcohol prep pad.

“You pick,” Carter said, his eyes twinkling.

Abby smiled and pushed up a shirt sleeve and sterilized a small area of skin. Her face was once again inches from his as she prepared to stick him with the needle. “Don’t move,” she instructed.

“I wouldn’t dream of it…”

“All done,” she said as she put a bandaid on his arm. “Try not to rub it or let anybody hit you there for the rest of the day. Takes awhile for the meds to absorb into the bloodstream.”

“Yes ma’am,” Carter said standing up and starting to pull his shirt sleeve down. He grinned when he saw the bandaid. “Scooby Doo?” he asked trying not to laugh.

“Well it was either that or Barbie and I didn’t figure you for the Barbie type,” Abby said jokingly.

“Scooby Dooby Doo it is then,” Carter said smiling at her.

They continued staring at each other for a few more moments before they heard arguing outside the room. “Well I guess I’ll get out of here and let you get back to work,” Carter murmured, not wanting to leave.

“Yeah…” she said quietly.

“Okay then…I’ll see you later,” Carter said as he walked out of the room in a rush.

“I don’t care who is sick. We are short staffed down here so send me somebody!” Kerry slammed down the phone and continued barking out orders. The staff was running around like crazy trying to get things back in order.

“Good job Susan…Carter,” she murmured before she walked into the lounge.

“Did I just hear that?” Susan asked looking around at Luka and Carter.

“I do believe she is delirious,” Carter said as he walked up behind her.

“Must be,” she replied.

Luka grinned and started walking down the hallway. “I’ll be in exam four examining Stan if anyone needs me.”

“Have fun,” Susan called as he walked off. She turned around and stared at Carter.

“What?” he asked.

“You’ve got some lipstick right there,” Susan said grinning as she wiped off a smudge of lipstick.

“Oh,” Carter said blushing.

“Congratulations Carter,” Susan said as she gave him a hug.

Abby took a deep breath of fresh air as she walked out onto the roof. The vaccines were given and everyone had gone home. The ER was back to it’s normal routine with Kerry barking out orders.

She leaned against the concrete ledge and gazed up at the billions of stars that were shining brightly. She couldn’t stop thinking about it. About him. What had happened between them?

“Beautiful night isn’t it?”

She jumped at the voice behind her, but was relieved to see it was Carter.

“I figured you’d done be home in bed by now,” she said trying to calm her nerves.

“You know me…always the last to go,” he said laughing.

“Yeah that is true…always the last one,” she murmured as thoughts of their kiss crept into her mind.

They stood silently side by side for awhile. A breeze was blowing, the stars were twinkling, the moon was shining bright upon them.

“Abby…” he started. “Carter,” she started at the same time.

“You first,” she said insistently.

“You sure? I don’t mind,” he said nervously.

“Go ahead…what were you going to say?”

Carter shifted uneasily on his feet and took a deep breath. “About what happened earlier,” he started slowly. “I just wanted to apologize for catching you off guard like that. It won’t happen again,” he finished in a rush. He had fumbled terribly over his words and now he felt like a complete fool. Beep, beep, beep. He smiled nervously as he reached for his pager. “Gotta go…ER needs me,” he said grinning as he held up the pager. “I’ll talk to you later…”

Abby watched in shock as Carter started walking across the roof. He had just apologized for kissing her? What the? She didn’t know what to say or how to feel. Did he think she was still in love with Luka? ‘It won’t happen again.’ She kept hearing him saying that like a broken record in her mind. What if she wanted it to happen again?

She watched as he opened the door to go inside. Her heart was racing as she took a few steps after him. What am I going to say? Maybe it was a mistake? What if he didn’t mean anything by it? All these questions and more were racing through her mind as she kept taking a few steps closer. “Carter!” she called out before he went through the door. She broke out into a run across the roof when he didn’t stop. “John!” she yelled louder.

He stopped and turned when he heard her call his name. He smiled and cocked his head slightly to the left as she came to a stop in front of him. He didn’t say a word as he waited for her….waited for her to make the first move.

Her hands were shaking as she gazed into his eyes. She didn’t know if she was ready for this. She didn’t know if he was ready for her. She didn’t know how the future would turn out. She didn’t know what her life would be like tomorrow. But she did know that she couldn’t go another day like this…wondering what it would be like.

“I want it to happen again John,” she whispered as her arms crept around his neck. “I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered as she pulled him down for a kiss….

He pulled away from her and stared at her intently with those eyes. Eyes that could see into the depths of her soul. He smiled at her, not saying a word, and it was at that very moment that Abby Lockhart knew that he would never leave her…that she was truly loved.

Here is a link to where you can hear the song I used within the story. Hope you like it!

. http://www.towerrecords.com/product.asp?pfid=1507625&AID=14497&PID=96600