Abby knew he was right. She simply had to be strong for Susan. God knows how many times that Abby had leaned on Susan, and that Susan had been there for her.

“Go get something she can sleep in, she not leaving tonight, babe.” John said.

Abby went to the bedroom and John went out to Susan in the living room. She had changed the channel to Cartoon Network.

“I just love Dexter’s Lab,” she said, not looking up.

“Coffee’s almost ready, yeah, Dexter rules,” John said as he sat down on the couch with her.

John looked over at her. He had never seen Susan so vulnerable, so fragile before. She was always so confident, so beautiful, so self-assured, so in control. As he looked at her now, her eyes all blackened, her makeup smudged, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for his friend. “My God, how in the hell could Susan of all people, fall for such a fucking bastard like Romano?” He thought. “Susan, I…”

“Shh!” “Watch this part, this is so funny, I’ve seen it before” she said now laughing.

John knew better than to push Susan. He wasn’t going to pry, or even act as if he knew anything about this whole horrible ordeal. Luckily, Abby arrived with one of John’s t-shirts, a pair of sweats, a pillow and blanket.

Susan looked up at Abby, trying to not let John see her face that way - ugly, sad, pitiful. “What’s that?” Susan questioned Abby.

“What does it look like?” Abby said sarcastically.

She and Susan would always be sarcastic with each other; it actually helped to bond them together. In that aspect, they were exactly alike, more like sisters than just friends.

“It looks like I’m spending the night.” Susan snapped back, forcing a grin.

“Good!” “We’ll order a movie, have popcorn, it’ll be just like a slumber party!” Abby exclaimed, as she looked over at John as he winked at her.

“I’m gonna go check on that coffee” John said as he walked towards the kitchen.

Abby sat down next to her friend on the couch, putting her arm around Susan’s shoulder. “You know Sus, you look like shit right now, you do know that, right?” She asked with a smile.

“Yeah, I know, what can you do, ya know?” Susan nodded, now smiling as well.

Abby took her hand in hers, “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” Abby led her to the bathroom and started a bubble bath.

“I hope you like Mr. Bubble” Abby stated smiling.

“I adore Mr. Bubble!” Susan said as she started to undress.

“Susan, let me go out and close the door.” “My God, if John saw you naked, he’d leave me in an instant!” Abby said seriously.

“Ok, shut the door, just don’t leave me alone with my thoughts, ok?” Susan begged.

“I won’t.” Abby said as she turned around so that Susan could disrobe and get into the tub.

“Ok, I’m in…” “Ahhhh, this feels like Heaven.” “Come sit with me.” Susan urged.

Abby came and sat on the edge of the bathtub. “Sus, I’m so sorry for what I said in the restaurant, I never wanted to hurt you, I swear.” Abby said apologetically.

“Believe it or not Ab, you didn’t tell me anything that I didn’t already know.” “I was drinking to forget what I knew, I got dressed up to be noticed, by ANY man.” “I needed to be reminded that I’m attractive to other men, now that I know…” she trailed off, now silently crying.

Abby grabbed a sponge, got it soapy and began to wash Susan’s back as Susan sat in the tub, hugging her knees to her chest.

“Ab, I don’t want you to think of me as a slut.” “I asked Robert how he really felt about Elizabeth before we…” She looked up at Abby, “He lied to me, he told me that they were just friends….” “He was so sweet and charming that night, I know that you and Carter wouldn’t believe it, but it’s true.” “It really seemed special, not cheap, he made me feel so special.” Susan said, crying again.

“Shh now.” Abby whispered as she grabbed a washcloth and began washing Susan’s face of the makeup and mascara.

Silence, just the sound of Susan sobbing and then, “Abby, I love him, I just know it.” “Why else would this break my heart so badly?” Susan asked as if Abby knew the answer.

Abby swallowed hard, fighting the tears as she looked down at her crushed friend. “Have you talked to him about this yet?”

“I tried, several times, he just doesn’t want to hear it.” Susan replied as Abby lathered her hair with shampoo now.

Susan then began to tell Abby about Romano’s wife and child, everything that had happened prior to Romano’s surgery.

Abby rinsed Susan’s hair and sat in silence, simply not believing everything that Susan had told her about Romano’s young family. “My God Susan, I would have never thought, no wonder he’s such an asshole.” She said, unthinking.

Susan looked up at her, her eyes filled with tears and fury at what Abby had just said to her.

Abby knew instantly that she had said the wrong thing.

When Susan was pissed, it was written all over her face. She had the “Pissed” look down pat, it permeated every part of her face, her eyes, her lips, her face literally screamed, “Fuck you! Fuck off!” when she was pissed.

“I’m so sorry Susan, what I said was totally insensitive and totally uncalled for.” Abby said honestly.

“Could you just leave me alone now?” “I’m gonna finish up here and I’ll be out soon, ok?” Susan stated blankly, not even looking at Abby.

“Uh, sure, yeah of course, there’s the towels” she said, pointing to the towels. “The blow dryer is under the counter….”

Susan cut her off, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ll find what I need. Just get out for now.” Susan said shortly.

As Abby exited the bathroom and closed the door behind her, she just stood there, her hand and head on the door, she again heard Susan begin to sob, and then crying uncontrollably. Abby walked out of the hallway and ran to John, now crying herself.

“Oh John, she’s so hurt, I just made everything worse!” Abby sobbed, now totally enveloped in his arms.

“How could you possibly make it worse, babe?” John asked sympathetically, stroking her hair.

Abby told John everything that Susan had told her about what had happened to Romano so long ago, about his wife, his baby, all of the horrific details.

“Jesus Christ!” John said, unbelieving just what he had heard. “My God, no wonder he’s the prick he is now.”

“That’s just it John, I told her the same thing, but I called him an asshole instead of prick.” “Believe me, that went over like a fucking lead balloon.” “Now she’s in there, pissed at me and all I wanted to do was make her feel better. You should have seen all of the pain in her eyes John, I betrayed her trust in me.”

“No, she’s just hurt, she’s pissed at Romano, not you baby.” Carter reminded her. “And he’s not here for her to take it out on, but we are, but that is gonna help her feel better, get better. We’ll be here for her, she can yell at us, scream at us, whatever it takes, and we’re not gonna take it personally, we’ll let her take it out on us, we just won’t take it personally, ok honey?” John asked as he kissed her forehead.

Susan emerged from the bathroom, her hair still wet, wearing John’s Harvard T-shirt and a pair of sweats.

“Abby, I simply adore this t-shirt, can I have it?” Susan asked almost like a child.

“I don’t know Sus, that t-shirt will cost you - big time” John replied, smiling. “It’s mine, and yes, you can have it.” John said, smiling at her. “I’ll go get us some coffee, you take yours black, right Sus?” He asked.

“Yeah, that’s great.” Susan replied, looking over at Abby sitting on the couch, looking down at the floor.

Susan went to her, sat next to her on the couch, “Ab, I’m so sorry for treating you like that, I can’t expect you to understand Romano like I do.” “Forgive me for being a bitch to you?” Susan asked.

“Oh Susan, of course I forgive you” Abby said, as she threw her arms around Susan’s neck as they hugged each other.

The three of them ended up ordering a pizza and watching “Ghost Ship” together.

Susan was wide-awake, as she looked over at John and Abby, sleeping peacefully in each other’s arms.

“Hey you two, time for you to go to bed!” she said as she nudged Abby.

“Wha?” “Oh yeah, come on John, let’s go to bed” Abby said, shaking John into awake ness.

“Night Suz, are you sure you’ll be comfortable on the couch?” “Need another blanket, anything?” Abby asked.

“I’m fine sweetie,” Susan said as Abby and John walked towards the bedroom, “Oh Abby?” Susan asked before they were out of sight.

“Yeah?” Abby asked sleepily, letting go of John and turning to face Susan.

“Thank you Ab, for being my friend, I really love you, you know that?” Susan replied.

“I love you too Suz, now get some sleep, ok?” Abby said smiling as she began walking back to she and John’s bedroom and closed the door.

Susan made herself as comfortable as she could, her eyes were so puffy and they burned, but soon, she was sound asleep.

John awoke first.

As he and Abby lie in each other’s arms, he could have sworn he smelled bacon and coffee. “Hey Ab, you smell that?” as he gently nudged her, kissing her cheek, then her neck.

“No Carter, we can’t do it, Susan’s here, remember?” Abby muttered.

John smiled to himself, “No baby, do you smell that?” He asked, now really nudging her, trying to wake her up.

“Yeah, I smell coffee..” Abby moaned and buried her face into her pillow.

“Wake up babe, let’s go see if Susan slept alright.” He said as he climbed out of bed.

“Wha?” Abby sat upright in the bed, “Oh God, I forgot Susan’s here, what time is it?” She asked John.

“It’s about 7:45, come on!”

They both walked towards the kitchen, saw Susan busily cooking something, they weren’t sure what it was, but John was sure he smelled bacon.

“Morning!” Susan screamed, smiling. “You’re just in time, come, sit down, I’m serving you guys breakfast this morning!” Susan said excitingly.

Abby noticed the table: Somehow Susan had found a tablecloth? Or was that a bed sheet, she wasn’t sure. There was a vase in the center of the table, and a bunch of daisies in the vase. There were three place settings.

As John eagerly went over to pour himself a cup of coffee, Abby walked over to Susan as she busily cooked. “Susan, you didn’t have to do this, you know.” Abby said, reminding her.

“I know that sweetie, but I figure, you guys put me up for the night, and YOU paid for our lunch, it’s the least I can do, now go sit down!” Susan ordered.

She served John and Abby, scrambled eggs, homemade biscuits, bacon, orange juice, coffee and milk.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” “Dig in!” Susan said happily.

John dug in eagerly, he seemed as though he was starving, Abby was more apprehensive; she never was really that hungry, usually she just had toast and coffee for breakfast. “Aren’t you gonna sit down and eat with us?” Abby asked.

“Sure, just a sec.” Susan said as she scooped herself some eggs, a piece of bacon, a biscuit, and some orange juice. She then joined them at the table. John had already finished his, and got up for seconds.

“I got up really early, I had a hard time sleeping, so I went to the grocery.” “I just wanted to pay you both back for your hospitality.” Susan said.

“This is great!” John said happily. “These have got to be the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had.” He said as he took a huge forkful.

Susan didn’t finish her place, but got up, scraped it into the trashcan, and rinsed the plate. “I’m on early this morning, I better leave, so I can get ready.” “What time are you guys on today?” Susan asked.

“I’m on at noon,” Abby said.

“I’m on around 10:00,” John said, with a mouthful.

“Let me just get my things, and I’ll be out of your hair in just a sec. Ok?” Susan stated, walking towards the living room. She gathered up her dress, her shoes. “I’ll return your sneaks later, ok Ab?” Susan asked, not really waiting for an answer as she grabbed her keys and headed for the door.

“Wait!” Abby exclaimed. She ran over to Susan and gave her another hug. “I’m glad you could stay, I hope you feel better.” Abby said, meaningfully.

“Ab, I’m fine, really. Please don’t worry about me, please don’t look down on me, just continue being my friend, ok?” “No matter what happens, ok?” Susan asked looking outside of the door.

“Of course, nothing could change that!” Abby said.

“See ya later guys,” Susan said as she walked out of the door.

“See ya Sus, see ya later, and thanks for breakfast!” John said, shouting so that Susan could hear him.

Abby stood in the doorway, watched as Susan got in her car, and sped off.

Abby walked back to the kitchen table where John continued eating, as Abby’s plate had gotten cold.

“John, you know this isn’t over.” “She’s never gonna confide in me again, she knows that I don’t approve of she and Romano.” “Did you hear what she said as she left?”

“Sort of, what do you mean?” John asked as he finished his last bite and took a sip of coffee.

“She asked me to continue being her friend, no matter what happens.” Abby reminded him.

“Well, maybe she just meant that she’s gonna talk to Romano, you know, get the truth, and continue to see him, that way, ya know?” John said matter-of-factly.

“Sure.” Abby said, not believing what John said, as she sipped her coffee.

She suddenly felt very scared for Susan, her once strong, independent friend, now seemed so weak, so frail, so dependent on how Romano felt about her.

Abby knew what it meant when someone said, “No matter what.” She had never seen Susan weak in any way, but a chill suddenly ran down Abby’s back, and she thought to herself that surely, Susan wasn’t so in love with Romano that she would try to hurt herself over him, or rather, not having him. Suddenly Abby thought that Susan might feel as though she had nothing to lose, and Abby was worried.

John looked up at her, Abby smiled at him, all the while panicking on the inside for her best friend’s well being.