"Hey Dr Carter. I thought you were off." He heard Lydia say.

"Yeah I am." He paused. "Have you seen Abby?"

"I think she took a break. She had to tell some kid his dad died. He took it pretty bad."

"Is she okay?" He asked concerned.

"I'm not sure."

"Thanks" Oh god! She was hurting - his instinct to protect her took over. He knew exactly where she'd be and he had to be there too. She needed him.

*******************

Abby stood on the roof smoking her third cigarette in the past ten minutes. She had to tell Daniel about his Father. That was the worst part of the job. Breaking the bad news to kids. What was the point of doing this if she couldn't save that little boy that kind of heartache? She hugged her scrub top tighter around her small frame and fought back the tears. She heard the door open behind her. By the silence she knew it was Carter. What was he doing here? Probably coming to tell her it was too late. He was in love with Susan not her. If she heard that right now it would kill her.

"Carter please, I can't do this now." She whispered, not trusting her voice. He felt her pain and heard the desperation in her voice.

"Hey," he said gently, "It doesn't matter."

And he was telling the truth. She need him now. The other stuff could wait.

He watched her standing there. She looked so small, so alone, like she was about to break. It hurt him to see her like this and know that he couldn't take her pain away. He reached out and gently touched her shoulder. She spun round and buried her face in his chest, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.

"It doesn't get any easier" she mumbled.

"No. It doesn't." He wrapped one arm aound her back and held her head with his other. "Ssh Abby. It's okay." He just held her, giving the support she needed. After a few minutes, her sobbing stopped. She lifted her head slightly looking into his eyes, his arms still holding her and said,

"I'm sorry. You'd think I'd be used to breaking that kind of news by now"

He raised a hand and wiped her tears away with his thumb.

"It's okay Abby. It's okay." She looked up gratefully.

"Thank you." He continued to look down at her intently for a few moments. It felt so good to be in his arms. Like home. She suddenly rememberd their conversation last night and felt guilty. He was there when she need him. She eventually willed herself out of the embrace.

"Look Carter..."

'That's it' he thought 'strong Abby is back.' She had let her walls down, shown that she needed him but now they were back up. He was grateful she had let him in even if it was only for a second.

"The things I said yesterday..."he opened his mouth but she held up her hand. "No! Let me finish. I...I didn't mean tem. You've been a great friend. The best I could ever possibly ask for. I just wish we could go back to how we were...but I'm scared it's too late." She looked down, fighting back tears for the second time. He knew what he had to do. It wasn't what he wanted but it was better than being without her.

"It's never too late. I miss you. I miss out friendship and if that's all you're offering then I'll take it because I can't be without you." Abby smiled. It was one of her real smiles. A smile not many people got to see and he was one of the lucky ones.

"Can we go back?" She asked.

"We can try." He knew it was what she needed to hear and he was willing to at least try. She nodded and continued smiling.

"Okay" They stood for a few seconds looking out into the horizon, both wondering what was gonna happen now.

"Well..." Carter began light-heartedly "I need to go, my bed's calling!" She nodded. "You gonna be okay?" She nodded

"I am now" He smiled and turned to leave. "Thanks Carter"

"No problem" He walked out of the door.

He walked down the stairs not sure how he was feeling. He was sad that things hadn't moved forward but happy at the possibility of them being close again. She needed him and he needed her and if all they had was friendship...it was enough - wasn't it?