Abby stood in the ambulance bay waiting for the car crash victims. She didn't know how to feel. She knew she had planned some time away from Carter but that didn't mean he had to run straight back to Susan. 'Calm down' she told herself. It could have been perfectly innocent. It's just breakfast. 'Yeah right!' She thought 'he looked uncomfortable and guilty which must mean he's not over Susan. And he had the cheek to accuse me of not being over Luka. Of all the hypocritical...'
An ambulance pulled up and Doris began yelling symptoms and the medication the patients had been given on the way over, to Abby and Dr Weaver. Abby held tight to a gurney carrying a 12 year old boy.
"Daniel Armstrong. Neck injury, possible broken leg with deep lacerations to abdomen and left thigh. Father DOA"
Abby sighed, nodded and pushed the gurney towards the ER doors. She saw Carter and Susan heading out. She met his eyes and gave him a cold look. She didn't care! Susan could have him!
***********************
"So...how're things?"
"Things? Things are...I'm not gonna lie. They could be better." Carter replied with a sigh. He was sitting in a booth in Doc Magoos with Susan Lewis, trying hard to forget his conversation with Abby the last time he was in here.
"Why? What's up?" Susan asked. He could hear the concern in her voice.
"Oh nothing really. I'm fine." He didn't really wanted to get into it right now - what was the point? He could see she didn't believe him. "Honestly."
"Oh Come on Carter, spill" she insisted. This was one of the reasons he knew they wouldn't have worked as a couple. She didn't know him. She couldn't read him and know when he wanted to be left alone. Not like Abby could.
"So...you tell her yet?" She asked, hoping to find a way to make him talk. She picked at her muffin. John raised his eyebrows in question, pretending he didn't know what she was talking about. She rolled her eyes. It wasn't as cute as when Abby did it.
"Have you told Abby how you feel about her?"
"Oh yeah I told her." He sighed slowly. She looked up, clearly surprised.
"You did That's..." She was going to say great but judging by his expression she changed her mind. "...bad?"
"Oh God Susan. I don't know. I'm glad I don't have to hide it anymore but..." He trailed off, staring into his half-empty cup.
"Let me guess...she freaked?"
"Completely. It's too late! I hurt her and now...I've lost my best friend. It's too late." He became quieter, willing the tears not to come. Susan put her hands on his and spoke softly,
"John, I saw the way you two were looking at each other at that stupid seminar...and I heard the way she spoke about you..."
"It doesn't matter Susan. I hurt her. It's over." She had never seen Carter look so defeated.
"Do you love her?"
"It doesn't mat..." He began. Susan cut him off,
"Do you?" She asked more forcefully. He looked at her for a few moments before finally saying,
"Yes. More than anything."
"Then it's not too late." She replied simply. Carter stood up slowly.
"Where are you going?" Susan asked. He put some money on the table for breakfast and smiled,
"I've got somewhere I need to be." Susan smiled as he exited and hoped he worked things out with Abby.