Abby walked into the lounge to grab a cup of coffee and put her jacket in her locker. As she was walking out she saw him, she could recognize that hair, that back, and that butt anywhere. It was him, it was Carter. She inhaled quickly from the surprise of seeing him.

Is it really him? It can’t be. Why is he here? He doesn’t work for a few more days.

“John?” she asked shyly and questioningly

He turned around to look at her and she saw the most beautiful face she had seen in a long time. There was not much emotion, but she could tell from his eyes that he was happy to see her. Then, once he realized who had called his name, his face lit up.

“Abby” he said with a loving sigh. “I’ve missed you. How are you?” He asked as he gave her a hug.

She was a little surprised but hugged him back and held on to him for as long as he would let her. Oh how she missed those hugs. When she finally released from him, she let how a breath that she realized she had been holding since the day he left.

He’s ok, he’s really ok. I’m so glad. I was so worried. She just looked at him and smiled.

“John, I’ve missed you too. I was so worried about you. No one heard anything from you. I’m doing ok. God I’ve missed you.” She said as she hugged him again. Her head on his chest listening to his heart. It could hypnotize her.

“Shoot I have to go, I’m sorry, I just got on and Kerry is going to have a fit. Will you be here for a while?”

“Well I just came by to check on the schedule. Not sure what time I’m leaving.” Carter replied.

Abby looked at him rather confused from his answer, but shrugged it off. He was probably just tired. She went to triage to check the board, then made her way to chairs to check on some patients.

“Hey Susan, come over her.” Carter whispered to her from the lounge.

Susan looked around to where she heard the voice coming from and smiled. “Carter!! Hey how are you?” She asked excitedly as she gave him a friendly hug, then a not so friendly tap. “You know how worried she was don’t you? Why didn’t you call? She has been so upset, she wasn’t even sure if you guys were still together!”

“I know Sus, that’s why I called you in here. I want to do something for her, something big. I need your help.”

She shrugged “Sure Carter, whatever you need. What can I help you with?”

“Well first off, I need to know what time she gets off tonight.”

“Hmm, let me go find out…8, she gets off at 8” She answered when she returned shortly after. “Why? What are you going to do?”

“Ok that doesn’t give me much time. Next, I want you to try and stall Abby for a little while after she gets off. I have something big planned, but it has to be perfect”

“Ok I’ll do my best” She said giving him a sly smile.

“Thanks Sus, you’re the best. I’ll see you later.” Carter smiled, almost childlike, at the thought of his own ideas.

Carter went to a department store and found the perfect dress.

This is perfect, it will look absolutely beautiful on her, on that body of hers. He thought to himself, suddenly getting very excited about the thought of her wearing that dress.

It was dark blue, cross backed and high slit. He found some earrings and some shoes that matched perfectly, not only the dress, but would also bring out her eyes, those beautiful eyes of hers.

He looked at his watch, it was 5 pm. There was still much to do, but not a lot of time.

“Hey Abby, can you help me with something really quick in here?” Susan asked, trying her best to stall her as Carter had asked.

“Sus, I’m off.” She yelled on her way to the lounge.

“Please Abby, I need your help, it’s important.”

She reluctantly walked back to curtain area 2. “Yes Susan, what do you need?”

“Umm, I need you to go get me a catheter and a trac tube.”

“That’s it, you couldn’t get it yourself?” She asked, starting to get annoyed.

“Well, yeah, I mean, I’m trying to finish up this chart, and the patient needs it and I know you can find it faster than me. PLEASE Abby!?”

“Ok, OK, don’t beg, it’s pitiful.” She said as she went to go get the supplies.

“Thanks Ab, you’re the best!”

Abby rolled her eyes and headed back towards the lounge. She reached her locker and opened it. Out fell a note.

It rings and rings, yet no one gets it.

“What?” Abby thought to her self, highly confused. “Hmm, it’s a riddle, but what does it mean?” She walks out of the lounge to the desk and spots another note.

Up and down all day long

She walks towards the stairs and looks around, but doesn’t see anything. Abby then goes to the elevator and hits the up button. On the floor is a third note.

You’re getting good at this, but the next one is harder. They wait and wait there all day long, waiting to find out what is wrong.

“That wasn’t so hard, I thought it was going to be hard.” Abby whispered to herself, almost smiling now.

She goes over to chairs and finds a fourth note.

One more clue is left to find, but this is where you put your behind.

Abby chuckled at that one. She walked to the men’s room and knocked on the door. No one answered so she entered and began to look around. Not seeing the note, she left and entered the women’s room. Searching the stalls she finds the final note.

You’re perfect in every way, so exit through the ambulance bay.

Abby walked out the door towards the ambulance bay and waiting for her there, with a big sign, was a limo. She smiled and walked towards it. The driver opened the door for him.

“The master said to wait for you here and to tell you to put these on and don’t ask any questions.” He said as he handed her the dress and shoes.

She grinned widely as she saw them. They were beautiful. She got into the limo and began to change. The limo was moving and she was desperate to find out what was going on.

“Excuse me, sir, where are we going?” She tapped on the back seat window.

“The master said not to tell you, it’s a surprise. Now sit back, relax and have a drink. We’ll be there shortly.”

Abby looked around and found a bottle of sparkling Cider. She smiled and poured a glass. She was just about to relax when the car came to a stop. The driver opened the door for Abby and took her hand.

“Here we are Ma’am. He’s right through those doors.”

Abby began to walk through the doors when the crowd parted and Carter stepped through. He looked sexy in his tuxedo and he was holding a single red rose. He stepped toward her, grabbed her hand and kissed it. She looked up at him and smiled shyly.

”Carter, what is going on? Where are we?”

“We, my love, are going to have a night on the town. First, dinner, here, at the fanciest restaurant in town. Next, dancing. After that, I was hoping to be able to accompany you home on the lovely evening.”

“Aww John, what is all this for?”

“Abby,” He said to her, more seriously this time, as he looked into her beautiful eyes. “I am so sorry. I’m am sorry for leaving you, I’m sorry for blaming you, but most of all, I’m sorry for making you worry. I shouldn’t have pushed you away like I did. I just wanted to apologize for everything that I’ve put you through.”

“John, it should be me who is sorry, I should’ve been more attentive and considerate about Gamma. I should’ve been there for you.”

“No, honey, it isn’t your fault, but you know what, from now on, I want us to discuss what is bothering us, I don’t want to be angry any more, I want you to be happy and I want to be the one who makes you happy.”

“Ok, it’s a deal, I’ll try to talk to you instead of pushing you away. I’m so glad you are back John. I didn’t know what to do without you here.”

“I know, and I’m back…so are you ready for your night on the town?” He asked with a big grin, still holding her hand.

“Of course I am. I’m starving. Oh yeah, John, I have one question. How did you manage to get into and out of the women’s bathroom without being seen?” Abby asked slyly.

“That, my dear, is my little secret.” He replied playfully as they made their way to the restaurant.