by Doc
'Henry's sound asleep.' Kerry said as she entered the kitchen. 'I'll bathe him in the morning, he's all changed and looks like an angel when he's sleeping.' Kerry added with a smile. Abby leaned against the counter watching Kerry check on the coffee and get a couple of mugs from the overhead counter. 'Cream and sugar?' Kerry asked over her shoulder. Getting no response from Abby Kerry turned to look at her.
'Uh, sorry what? Um, black is fine thanks.' Abby quickly recovered from only half listening to Kerry. Knowing she'd been caught out Abby blushed and apologized. 'Sorry Kerry, I was just thinking. Is Henry sleeping?' Kerry nodded with a small smile. 'You already told me?' Abby asked although she knew the answer. Kerry only nodded again.
Turning fully to look at Abby Kerry saw just how sad and tired the young doctor looked. 'Do you want something to eat?'
'Thanks but I'm not that hungry.'
'I was going to have a sandwich myself, I'm not very hungry either but still should eat something. It's no trouble to make you one too.'
Abby gave a small smile, she was now very aware that Kerry wasn't just looking at her but she was watching her. 'That would be nice, thanks. Can I help at all with it?'
Smiling Kerry said, 'Good, you've got to keep your strength up.' Pausing before continuing, 'God, I sound like my mother.' Both women laughed. 'But it's true Abby.' Abby just looked without saying anything. She was touched by Kerry's concern she also knew she'd have to explain herself to Kerry soon. 'Have a look in the fridge and see what you want on your sandwich.'
Abby pushed herself from the counter and opened the fridge door. Something inside her made her look at Kerry. Abby noted the look of serious concern on Kerry's face before Kerry smiled to cover the look and turned back to the coffee. 'This should be ready in a few minutes.' Kerry said.
The two worked in relative silence making the sandwiches and coffee. They took their meal into the living room where Kerry put on her Soul Legends CD quietly playing in the background.
Apart from the music the meal passed in silence. 'Do you want anything else?' Kerry asked Abby.
'No thanks. That was nice. I didn't think I was hungry, turns out I was, just a little bit.' Abby got up and picked up the plates.
'Leave them Abby, I can get them. You're the guest you don't have to clear up.'
'It's fine Kerry. Do you want some more coffee?'
'Yeah, thanks.' Kerry said with a small nod of her head.
Abby took the time in the kitchen to think. She got the coffee and went back into the living room.
'There you go.' Abby said handing the coffee filled mug to Kerry.
'Thanks.' Kerry wondered if she should ask Abby what was going on but didn't want to scare the younger woman.
'Kerry.' Abby said, it wasn't a question or a statement it was just a way to start the conversation. Of course starting a conversation and finishing one seemed to be a new concept to Abby who couldn't think of another word to say.
'Yes Abby.' Kerry said noticing Abby wasn't about to finish whatever she was going to say.
Abby decided it was now or never.
Taking a deep breath Abby spoke to her host. 'For the last three night's I've had a drink. Not just one but a few.' Abby didn't look at Kerry and paused a few seconds. 'And yesterday I had a drink at lunchtime. Well it was more like four or five drinks.' Abby still didn't look at Kerry but paused again to see if Kerry wanted to jump in and say something. 'I wasn't drunk at work but I could have been. Actually I probably was, just because of how much I had the night before.' Abby again paused and still Kerry said nothing. Taking a deep breath she continued, 'I don't know why. I don't know what would make me do it. I'm a drunk I know but I've never drunk while on duty, well not like that. I've never gone to a bar during working hours.' Abby stopped talking and waited but there was no response from Kerry at all. Abby finally looked at her, expecting to see Kerry's face to be full of rage but instead it was the exact opposite.
'Did you drink today?' Kerry asked softly.
Abby wanted to lie but didn't see the point, she'd been honest so far why be a liar on top of being a drunk. 'This morning.' Abby said turning her head away from her boss. Kerry could not only see the shame on Abby's face but hear it in her voice too.
'Just the once?'
Abby nodded.
'OK.' Kerry said, taking a moment to think before she continued. 'We can't have you drinking and working.' Abby let out a sound that indicated she knew and that's why she was there. 'Sorry Abby, I know you know but...' She trailed of. 'Are you going to meetings?'
'No. I haven't been for a while.'
'Right. Well tomorrow you'll go to a meeting then.' Abby was about to protest and remind Kerry she was working when Kerry cut her off. 'I know you're working but not anymore. You'll go to a meeting and work the nightshift.'
'You think that's going to stop me from drinking?' Abby asked almost sarcastically.
'No.' Weaver replied very curtly.
Abby looked up at her. 'Sorry Kerry, it's just I can see this getting out of control and I don't want to go there again.'
Kerry just nodded sympathetically. 'I'm covering tomorrow night and will be there if you feel the need to drink. You can come to me and we can talk or I can have you put in soft restraints.' Kerry added with a small chuckle.
Abby laughed out loud. 'And hard restraints if I get to difficult?'
Kerry laughed, 'You got that right.'
Both woman sat a while before Kerry spoke.
'We'll get through this Abby. I'll help in anyway I can. I'm here for you.'
Abby looked up at Kerry. The use of the word 'we'll' hit her hard. She didn't expect anything from Kerry and to hear her say she'd be there for her made Abby smile.
'Thanks Kerry.'
'Anytime.' Kerry added with a smiled.
Abby felt a flutter inside her belly and a warmth she hadn't felt for a long time. It was then that Abby figured out why it was Kerry she turned to instead of anyone else in the hospital ... she had a crush on the older woman.