Here With Her
Carter's heart raced with eagerness as he stepped toward the door. He almost stopped when he saw Abby sitting next to Luka on the sofa. Abby was just giggling in the cutest way. It always made his heart stop when she giggled like that. It was so full of heart. The fact that she was sharing it with another man made him jealous. The fact that she was sharing it with Luka made him something else. Beyond jealous.
"Oh, hey Carter." She looked lovingly into his eyes. That's when his heart fell back into existence. He forgot about Luka and focused on her deep eyes looking back into his. If it weren't for Luka, he'd sweep her up into his arms and kiss her. But he was there, so instead he walked past her with a smile to his locker.
"Ready to go?" He called from his locker.
"Yep," she said. She got up and straightened her coat.
"Where are you going?" Luka asked curiously. "Coffee?"
Carter frowned. Hadn't she told him? Or was she just enjoying him too much to remember? He was surprised at this sudden shot and glimpse at jealousy.
"I told you, Luka," she said patiently. "We're going to get something to eat."
Carter smiled at her response. She had mentioned him. She couldn't mention much more, for fear she would release the information about them. But she had told him. Something warm shot through his body.
"Oh, yes, that's right." Luka shifted on the couch as Carter slammed his locker door shut. The thing wouldn't close otherwise. He apologized for the noise and turned to Abby, who was ready to go.
"Let's go," Carter said.
"Do you mind if I come?"
Carter rolled his eyes as they stopped their walk to the door. Abby would let him come, undoubtedly. It was just that 'giving spirit' thing she was born with. She was sweet, sure, but sometimes it didn't necessarily come as sweet. He appreciated it, he loved it, but he didn't love Luka all that much.
"Actually," Abby said to his amazement, "we were going to meet Carter's grandmother there. She's a little under the weather, and she wanted to see Carter." She smiled mock-apologetically. "Sorry."
Carter smiled in his head at the thought of Abby lying just to be with him. It was wrong to lie, sure, but he was grateful for some reason to know that this girl wanted to be with him that much when he knew how close of a friend Luka was to her. His grip on her hand tightened, alerting her.
"Oh, okay." Luka sat up straighter. "I'll see if someone else wants to go. Tell you're grandmother to get well for me." He smiled.
"We will," Carter and Abby replied in unison. They left anxiously and let the hands part as they walked through the entrance. When they were far enough away, their hands snaked towards each other, both of them laughing as Carter took an almost unexpected (but pretty much expected) detour behind a dumpster.
"A dumpster, Carter? Really?" Abby looked at him, smiling.
"Stop complaining," he said jokingly. He pulled a laughing Abby towards him, happily, and kissed her. She gave as much as she could back, both of them gripping each other with fervent passion. Carter pulled apart and looked at her smiling eyes. Her face lit up. He loved that. He kissed her quickly again, almost catching her off guard. "Come on."
They walked towards the restaurant, their fingers intertwined. He loved the feeling of her smaller fingers housing themselves within his hand. It was one of the strangest things in his life. The way that the little things like that mattered. With almost every other relationship he had, he looked forward to sex and thought that that was special. Give him an eternity with Abby's hands and he would die a happy man. He rubbed his fingers smoothly over her cold knuckles to keep her hands warm as her body shivered against his.
All through lunch, he watched Abby pick at her food. He didn't know why he was so fascinated by everything she did. Especially just lately. He loved to see her rest her chin on her hand, with her hair cascading lazily around her shoulders. Even the way she talked to him while she ate her food, not allowing herself to open her mouth. So polite.
It was this part of relationships he enjoyed most. The cute glances here and there. The holding hands constantly while they walked by the river. Of course, their river visits were nothing new. But now, the cute attraction between the two of them had been resolved. They were together, and both of them were so content.
Carter was finally comfortable in a relationship. He felt something about this one. Sure, he'd had chemistry before with other woman. But, this one was different. There were sparks all the time and something else was there. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it was there. It was just that thing that made him all the happier.
Carter found himself watching Abby constantly, memorizing every move that she made from the way she placed each foot in front of the other to walk to the way she blinked and yawned when she was tired. He played even these small moments back in his head when Abby was curled up against him, fast asleep. It was this reminiscing that brought him to a sweet slumber every night.
"You better eat your food, John," she said with a shy smile.
He grinned back and looked to his food. "Can't believe you lied for me."
She shrugged. "I didn't want Luka around, you know. Just wanted to see you." She reached across the table to squeeze his hand and returned to her plate.
He smiled up at her, although she was oblivious to his expression. He knew this, but couldn't help himself. He wanted to laugh, just to release the joy he was holding in. He was embarassed, however and also went to his food.
She put down her fork. It clanged against the plate, bringing Carter's eyes to meet hers. A semi-mischievous grin playing about her face.
"What?" he asked, his mouth finishing the spoonful of spaghetti.
"Come on," she said, taking his hand. "Come with me."
He didn't hesitate and let him drag her outside. They raced together, laughing through heavy breaths as they made their way towards Abby's apartment. When they reached the door, they caught up with themselves. They finally looked into each other's eyes. Carter searched and read both eagerness and slight fear in her eyes. He guessed his eyes were depicting the same image.
Abby sighed happily, keeping her eyes on his. He knew he would have to initiate something. What did he want to do, though?
He reached down to her face and kissed her softly. He felt her coming back to him, gently doing the same. His hands rested on her hips, slowly moving to her waist. Her hands crawled, sliding slowly up his arms where they rested near his shoulders.
He pulled away and looked around. She did the same, returning to his face with a smile. He smiled, releaved. She unlocked the door and pulled him inside. He shut the door. Instantly, their hands were exploring the other's body, feverishly taking the other in. Her hands flew for his coat, as Carter's gentle hands guided themselves through her hair.
The sound of the pager on Carter's waistband broke the moment. Abby parted from him and let her hands fall to her waist. "Of course," she said with a sighing giggle.
"Kerry," he murmured. "And a major trauma."
"Everyone's on!" she said. "Everyone!"
"That's what I thought," he said, readjusting the device to its original position. "I guess they're in need of the fabulous Dr. Carter."
She tittered again. Poking his shoulder playfully, she teased, "Maybe not."
"Coming?" he asked from the door.
"Yeah, sure," she said.
He took his arm and wrapped it around her waist as he shut the door. He kissed the top of her head as soon as they walked out of the apartment. "They're going to need the fabulous Nurse Lockhart, as well."
"Or something close to it."
[Part 4]