The Jeep pulled to a stop in front of the ER entrance and the two occupants sit there in silence. The short drive from Lucy's apartment was made in silence, each wondering what the day would bring and how they would be welcomed back. Dr. Weaver, knowing they could use the moral support each other had to offer the other, scheduled their shifts at the same time. �Are you ready?� Carter asks. �I guess, as ready, as I'll ever be, and you?� Lucy asks with a hint of pessimism in her voice. �Yeah, I think so,� he continues, �You go ahead, I'll park the car, then meet you in the lounge.� �Are you sure, you don't want to in together?� �Are we changing our mind?� he smiles. �Yes. No, you're right. We made the right decision, not to let them know we're a couple yet. We'll be under enough stress trying to fit in, then have to worry about the hospital rumour mill. I'll just say we're good friends,� she laughs. �Friends, huh?� he jokes. �Please,� she says as she rolls her eyes and smiles. �I'll see you in a few minutes,�, he gives her a kiss and helps her open the door to let her out. Standing in front of the ER doors, she takes a deep breath to summon the courage, that would give her the strength to face whatever the future brings. As she enter, �Hey Lucy, looking good, welcome back,� Chunni says. �Good to be back,� adding under her breath, �I think.� �Well, look what the cat dragged in,� remarks a sarcastic Mallucci. �Shut up,� snaps Lucy. �Glad to see you too, Dr. Knight,� a stunned Mallucci replies. *Thinking to herself, she shouldn't take it out on poor Dave, he was just being himself, �Sorry Dave, give me break, I'm under a lot of pressure,� she apologised. �Where's Carter, I thought you two would be coming in together.� �We did, he's parking the car.� �How's he doing?� Mallucci keeps pumping for more information. �You know Dave, you should just ask him yourself.� �Sure,� he replies, obviously disappointed no to be getting any more information from her. �I really got to go,�I don't want to be late my first day back,� she says as she head to the lounge. Carter arrives a few minutes later, just as paramedics bring in a patient, �Mallucci, get off your ass and take care of this poor soul,� yells Weaver. Carter thinks to himself, how some things never change. �Carter, welcome back man,� says Mallucci on his way to the trauma room. Haleh, Lydia, and Chunni notice him, �Looking good,� Chunni says. �A lot better then when you left,� Lydia adds. �Don't worry, you'll do fine,� reassures Haleh. �John, you better get settled, your shift starts in fifteen,� Weaver announces. �Is Lu-?� he begins. �She's already in the lounge. I imagine she could use a little reinforcement right now,� Weaver said sympathetically. As he enters the lounge, he sees Lucy nervously trying to open her locker. He goes over to her, �I can't do this,� she cries as she hits her head against the locker door. �Just calm down, one number at a time, now what's the combination?� �25-15-30� He dials the combination, and the lock pops open, �There, nothing to it,� he smiles. As she puts her bag and coat away, he turns to what he thought was his locker. Much to his surprise, it had been given to someone else. �You can share with me, if you want too,� Lucy says. �I Guess I'll have to, at least for now,� he smiles. At that moment, Mark and Elizabeth walk in, �Lucy, you're looking well,� Elizabeth says in her classy British accent. �Thanks to you and Dr Ramono.� The women exchange a warm embrace, then Elizabeth turns to Carter, �And Carter, how are things with you?� �Fine, thank you. Ready to get back to work. Mark, about my locker?� �The Medical Board went through it after you left. I'll see what I can do to get it back for you. You can share mine, if you like?� Elizabeth silently points out to him that he is already sharing with someone else. �Thanks anyway, but Lucy's letting me use hers until then.� �Ok, well, here's your things,� he says, as pulls down a box full of Carter's possessions left in his locker the night he left for Atlanta. �Mark, Dr. Corday you're both needed in exam two, for a consult, interrupts Malik, �By the way, glad to see you both,� he says and leaves. �Well, it's time. you ready Luce?� �I'm right behind you, Dr. Carter.� Carter walks out the door, to the admit desk, �Any interesting cases?� �John, strictly minor cases, for the time being,� Weaver reminds him. �Great, so why am I here?� �To get a second chance at practising medicine. Where's Lucy?� �She's right behind me.� �No, she's not.� �I'll see what's wrong.� He returns to the lounge to find Lucy on the sofa, holding her head in her hands, near tears, �Hey what's wrong?� he asks as he sits next to her and puts a arm around her shoulder. �Maybe I'm making a mistake coming back here, maybe mom was right, this place has too many memories, maybe-� �Maybe� you need to work with me today. I remember, we made a pretty good team, once,� he says smiling �Do you think Weaver would mind?� �They have you down for light duty don't they?� �Yeah, that was one of the things that we all agreed on . No traumas, until I felt sure of myself. It I'm not mistaken, similar to your restrictions, right?� �Just about, no handling instruments or narcotics. We'd be the perfect team.� �We might as well ask, she might have her own plans for me.� �Now, you ready?� �After you,� she replies with a lot more confidence. They head to the admit desk, where Weaver was patiently waiting for them to return. �Dr.Weaver, would it be alright if John and I work together? Just for a few days, until we get, I mean, he could be with-� �Sure, as long as he doesn't do any procedures. And Carter?� �Yeah?� �Don't let anything happen to her this time, okay?� �Don't worry, I won't let her out of my sight,� he tells her. Under her breath, Weaver says, with a smile, �I bet you won't.� The first few days went well, they worked together so good, the staff couldn't believe they had been a part for eight months. Carter would assess the patient, and when needed, would give Lucy the confidence to treat. Then either Mark or Kerry would sign off the chart. Their private life was now becoming a hot topic for the hospital rumour mill. It was common knowledge, they arrived together, worked together, they would even take their break together, so they must be- yet no one had the nerve to come right out, and ask them if they"were" together. However, that all changed a few weeks later. As they entered the ER, �Maybe you should have called in sick today, you look like-� �I know how I look, for your information I feel the same way,� she snaps back at him, �Besides, I can't afford to miss any more work, I've already lost almost a year as it is,� she continues. �Thanks to me, right?� �Come on, let's not get into that, I don't feel like going through it again, okay?� �Sure. Do you think that polish sausage with sauerkraut�you had last night, could be the reason?� �I don't think so, it didn't seem to bother you-� she stopped mid sentence, only to have a pale look come over her face. Running to the restroom, she barely made it to the tiny stall before she lost dinner *and* breakfast. She had a feeling she knew what was happening to her, and would soon find out it was true. Fortunately, no one else was in with her, so she didn't have to explain to anyone. She felt, she had to confide in someone, but had to make sure it was someone she could trust, not to spread it around the hospital and John hear it through the rumour mill. And she just thought, who that was going to be-Elizabeth. But it had to wait, they were on in five minutes and still needed to get ready, �Are you okay?� Carter asks as she leaves the restroom. �Yeah, I am, thanks.� �You've seemed pretty tired lately, why don't you let someone check you over, how about Dr. Corday? You'd feel comfortable with her , won't you?� �That's a good idea, I'll ask her later.� She should have known Carter would think of her, they have both been having the same thoughts lately. �Good, now let's get ready for work, and gives her a tweak on her nose, which brightens her mood considerably. As Lucy finishes putting on her lab coat and getting her stethoscope ready, she slams her locker door, turns around and lands in Carter's arms. �Hey, what are you doing? Aren't you afraid someone might walk in?� she smiles. �Let them,� he says quietly and held her close. It was the first time either one had not been afraid to show any real affection toward each other at work. They were just about to share a kiss, when, �Carter, Kerry would like for you to help her in exam three,� says a smiling Elizabeth. �Go, I'll catch up with you in a few minutes,� Lucy says giving Carter a light kiss on the lips, then wiping off any lingering trace of lipstick with a smile. As he leaves, Lucy turns to Elizabeth, �Dr. Corday?� �Elizabeth, please.� �Elizabeth, I need a favour,� Lucy says quietly. Together, they sit on the sofa, Elizabeth giving Lucy her complete attention. �I think. No, I know I'm pregnant. I need to find out for sure. Would you be able to run pregnancy test? I need to know for sure.� �Of course, does Carter suspect anything?� �I don't think so, we've both been pretty stressed about coming back. I may be wrong-� �But you don't think so, do you?� �No, I'm pretty sure.� �I'll be down later, and we can do it then. It shouldn't take long.� �Elizabeth?� she says with a worried look. �Don't worry, your secret is safe.� �Thanks.� �Your welcome,� she smiles. �No, I mean thank you for everything you've done for me, if it hadn't been for you- and Dr. Ramono, I wouldn't be here today.� They give each other a hug and head off to work. As Lucy reaches the admit desk to clock in, a man carrying an unconscious woman jogs into the ER, �I need a doctor!� he yells. Lucy looks around and notices, she's it, �Lydia get a gurney, and someone get Dr. Weaver, now! Take her to trauma one.� Turning to the young man, Lucy begins to ask the necessary questions, �What did she take?� �I think Valium. She got a new prescription yesterday.� �So you don't know how many she took?� �No.� �Lucy, come here. Smell,� says Lydia. �Alcohol on the breath. Order a blood alcohol, CBC, and tox screen. I'm going to tube her.� �Are you sure you don't need any help?� �Not with this, but you better hurry Weaver up, I think I'm going to need it soon.� �Sure thing, but Lucy, you're doing a fine,� Lydia says giving her a pat on the shoulder. Kerry comes rushing in with Carter following close behind. He starts in but Kerry stops him, �John, you need to stay out, I'll be there if she needs help.� All he could do was stand there and wish he was the one helping her, �Okay, doctor, what have we got?� �Twenty five year old, ingested unknown amount of Valium and alcohol. Ordered blood alcohol, CBC, and tox screen. Intubated, breathing was laboured, blood pressure being monitored, was about ready to administer activated charcoal.� �Do you� want to do the honour?� Kerry asks with a smile. �That's okay, I'll just help.� After the patient was stabilised, she was admitted on a 72-hour hold, to make sure the effects of the drugs had worn off and she could get the help she needed in the Psych department. As she's being wheeled out of the trauma room, Carter comes in, �Hey good job!� he congratulates. �What? Praise from Dr. Carter? That's a first,� she jokes. �Not bad for your first time,� Weaver says, �Why don't you take a short break, you're looking a little tired, are you feeling okay?� �Yeah, something like that, took more out of me then I thought.� �I'll write up the chart, and you can check it over later.� �Thanks.� �You're welcome. Lucy, welcome back,� she says leaving Carter and Lucy alone. �You know you do look awfully tired, did you talk to Corday about giving you the once over?� �We'll hook up sometime today.� �I want to know what she finds out, if you don't mind,� he smiles and continues, �I'd do it myself, but that would be violating my probation.� �And we wouldn't want to do that, do we?� she replies. �Come on, let's get some juice, then you can get back to helping me,� he laughs After their short break, they returned to the routine of Carter evaluating and Lucy treating minor cases. Lucy began to grow more and more confident in decision making, as she begins taking the initiative in the complete treatment of patients, which made Carter feel somewhat frustrated, but happy for her, knowing she was finding it easier to adjust to working again. Carter gets a page, �6195, looks like I'm wanted at admit, be right back.� As he's leaving the exam room, he sees Dr. Corday, �Are you down here for a consult?� �Actually, I have some time, so I thought I'd see to Lucy, so you know where she's at?� �I left her in exam three. Elizabeth, if you find anything...� �Carter, Lucy's my patient, I need to respect her privacy.� �But-� �Carter, please, I'm sure she'll let you know, but I have to respect the doctor/patient relationship.� In the background, �Carter, your dad's on the phone, and he sounds pissed,� yells Randi. �On my way,� he yells.
In Exam three
�Well, you ready Lucy?� �I guess, where do you want me?� �Up on the bed will be fine, I want to start by taking your vitals.� Lucy gives her a puzzled look, �It's been a while, we really should update your chart.� �Okay.� �Heartbeat, good, blood pressure, a little elevated. Now take off the lab coat, let's get the blood drawn. What name shall I write on the sample?� �Christine Whyte.� �Lucy?� �Yes?� �Have you given any thought about what you're going to do?� Lucy gives a sarcastic laugh, �That's all I've been thinking about for the past few weeks.� �Have you come to any decision?� �Yeah, I have. I'm going to keep the baby. If things don't work out, I can always go home. Mom wouldn't be too happy with the circumstances, but she'd support me. She wasn't thrilled with me coming back anyway,� she says quietly. �How do think Carter will react?� �I honestly don't know,� Lucy says softly now, with tears running down her face. �I'm sure everything will be fine, he seems to genuinely concerned about you.� �I know he does, but I don't know if he really cares, or if it's out of guilt.� �You love him don't you?� �Yeah, who would have thought, huh?� she smiles through the tears. �Well, if you ask me it was inevitable, you two always struck me as a cute couple.� �Oh please,� she rolls her eyes, but gives a little laugh. �Seriously, I think you underestimate Carter's feeling for you. You'll see. Now, we'd better get this to the lab, so we can get some results back, as soon as possible.� �Thanks a lot,� Elizabeth. I think I'd better wash up before John comes back. I don't want him to see me like this,� indicating her tear stained face. �You're a little late, he's been pacing outside the door for some time. I'm going to talk to Kerry, to see if you can take off early, you need the rest.� �Thanks, I'd appreciate it.� As soon as Elizabeth leaft, Carter came in, �Are you okay? What does she think's wrong?� �I'm fine. We won't know till the lab work comes back, She's going to ask Kerry if I can leave early.� �I'd offer to take you home, but that was my father on the phone. I'm expected to be home for dinner. They blow into town whenever they decide to, and expect their son to clear his calendar when they do.� �So, give me a call later?� �You bet.� She starts to leave, but he takes her by the hand and pulls her to him and gives her a light kiss on the forehead Lucy makes her way to the lounge to put away her things, when she overhears a quiet conversation between Chuni, Lydia, and Connie, �So, you're pregnant again?� Lydia asks. �Yep, number three,� Connie replies. �Remember the beet soup?� laughs Chuni. �I do, that was five years ago,� Connie says. That was about the time when Carter was with that�med student, wasn't it?� Chuni asks. �Rumor has it, she thought she was pregnant, but wasn't. Can you imagine Carter a father?� They all laugh about it. Deep inside, Lucy started feeling sick and runs out the door. As soon as Lucy enters her apartment, she throws her jacket on the table and heads straight to the phone and punches in the familiar Boston number, �You've got the answering machine of Barbara Knight, please leave your message (beep).� �Mom, it's me, thought I'd call and see how things are going. I'll call back tomorrow. Love you, bye.� Trying to relax, she decides to take a long hot shower, as she was drying off, the phone rings, and she grabs the first thing she can find to put on, a pair of sweat pants and a Northwestern t-shirt. She just reaches the phone, right before the answering machine picks up, �Hello?� �Lucy, it�s Elizabeth� �Well?� �You ARE pregnant. Do you need to talk?� �No, I'm fine. We pretty much figured that was it, didn't we?� �If you need to talk, call my service, I'll tell then to put you through and we can talk or I can come over. Tomorrow, I'll give you my home number. Are you sure you'll be okay, tonight?� �Yeah, I'll be okay, thanks for everything.� As she hangs up the phone, she collapses on the sofa, cries and falls to sleep . Only to awaken by the phone, she decides to let the machine pick it up, �Luce, it's me, pick up. (pause) I guess you're asleep, good. Listen, I'm really worried about you, please�call me on my cell.� She just laid there and cried all over again. The events of the day had finally caught up with her, and she fell asleep until the next morning. She woke to find two more messages on her machine, one from her mom and another one from Carter, �Lucy if you're screening, pick up. I really need to talk. Guess I'll catch you at work. Bye.� She took the El to work that morning, it felt strange not going to work with John as she had in the past month, she realized just how much she had depended on him for everything. When she arrived, Carter was waiting for her outside the ER entrance, �What's up?� she asks. �I was going to ask you the same question, thought you'd call back last night.� �Sorry, was really wiped out when I got home, took a shower and went to bed.� �Everything check out okay?� �Yeah, just exhaustion and stress, that's all,� she lied. Changing the subject, they walk in, �How was dinner with the family?� she asked sincerely �That's a story in itself.� As they get to the admit desk,�Randi informs Carter, �Weaver wants to see you upstairs ASAP.� �Sure, listen we need to talk later,� he says. �We'll see, depends what's going on.� �See you later.� �Yeah, see ya.� They part ways, Lucy to the lounge to get ready for work and Carter upstairs to meet with Weaver.
Conference Room
�John, have a seat, it's time for your thirty day evaluation. How do you think things are going?� �Pretty good. No, actually really good. I believe I've met every one of the conditions agreed upon at our initial meeting. When can I expect to return to full duty?� �John, we need to make sure there will be no slip-ups. The hospital could be held libel, if you treated patients, and even made the slightest mistake, then the knowledge of your addiction could come out and-� �I've done EVERYTHING you've asked. I haven't handled instrument, narcotics, even taken the random drug screenings every time you've asked, and I even have my former med student treating my patient.� �Carter?� �Lucy's doing great, and I'm really happy for her, but I'm trying to rebuild my career also.� �Tell you what, we'll take it on a week by week basis.� �Son of a-� he says as he storms out. In Carter's mind, the day couldn't have gotten much worse. His parents were again pressuring him to leave the ER and go into a more lucrative private practice, he had the lousy meeting with Weaver, and the one person he thought he could turn to, seemed too busy trying to get accustomed to being back to work. And when they did talk, it was about things that weren't very significant and she always seemed to have something else on her mind When he arrived back in the ER, he goes looking for Lucy, �Anybody seen Lucy?� �Curtain two.� Before he reaches the room, he hears laughter coming from it and immediately recognizes it as Lucy and Chuni's . It had been such a long time since he'd seen her smile or heard her laughter, he hesitated before going in. Just wanting to see her being happy. As he enter, �What's going on?� �See you later Lucy,� says Chuni, leaving. �How'd things go upstairs? Do you need to talk?� she asks, as she sits on the bed. �Yeah,� as he begins to pace the floor in front of her, he continues- �It's hard, watching you fit in like you haven't been gone at all.� �John, we both knew it would be hard coming back, especially for you.� �I'm sorry,� he replies, seriously. �For what?� she asks with a puzzled look on her face. �For everything I put you through as a med student, I'm finding out how miserable life can be, when all you want to do is� help, but there's always people holding you back. You know my parents are here.� �Yeah, I heard.� �Oh?� �You should know by now, nothing get's pass the nurses,� she says with a little smile, �Besides nobody's parents are that bad.� �Mine are, they want me to leave the hospital and start a more glamorous practice here in town, one *they* can be happy with.� �John, I've never known you to give in to anyone, without a fight.� �Maybe I'm just tired of fighting with them, we never have had a close relationship. I'm beginning to think, what the hell, maybe it would make everyone concerned happier if I did leave.� �What about you? How do you feel?� �If you're asking, am I happy? I'm not. Not the way things are going here... and with us. Look, I can tell something's been bothering you the past few weeks Now, I've just unburdened my soul to you about my life, now it's your turn,� he says trying to lighten the mood. �I told you before, there's nothing wrong.� �And I told you, don't ever lie to me again!� �Listen-� she's saved by the sound of her pager, �I got to go.� �I'm not letting you go until I get some answers.� She defiantly gets up to leave, and as she does, he grabs her at the elbow and spins her around to face him. �Lucy I want to know, what the hell is going on,� he demands. At that moment, Lily comes in the door, �Dr Weaver says, if you want to do a central line, you'd better get in to trauma one NOW.� She turns away, �I've really got to go, we'll talk later,� she says. �Whatever.� As she leaves, he suddenly realized, that her worst fear, had come true. They had returned to their old love/hate relationship that almost cost them their lives. She was right about one thing-he's not going to give her up without a fight, she is too important for him to loose, he finally had to admit to himself- he loved her. Returning from checking on a patient upstairs, Lucy clocks out, and asks Randi, �Have you seen Carter?� �No,but he told me to give this to you. She handed Lucy an envelope. She reluctantly excepted it and and went into an empty room, slowly opening it:
I know thing haven't gone the way we had hoped, but you were there for me, now I want to be there for you. You know where you can find me. -John.
She goes to the lounge and grabs her jacket, and not wanting to wait for the elevator, takes the stairs to the roof to, for better or worse, to tell Carter about the pregnancy. As she reaches the roof, she looks around for Carter, but doesn't see him, maybe she misunderstood, or maybe he changed his mind, after a moment of logical thinking, she realized he was just late. While waiting, she thinks of all the other times they've shared up there, which brings a smile to her face. �Haven't seen hat smile for a long time, he says, �Here have some coffee.� �Thanks.� �I take it, that you coming, means you're ready to talk?� �Mm, maybe,� she says still smiling. �I've missed you Lucy,� he says, holding her lightly in his arms. �I've missed you too John.� �So?� �Taking a deep breath, she begins, �Do you remember that very first day, we saw each other after being gone all those moths?� �How can I forget,� he replies with a mischievous grin. �Well-� Just as she begins to get up enough courage to tell him, an incoming helicopter begins it final descent to unload a critically injured patient to be taken down to the ER.. Out of the door rush, Weaver, Kovak, Cleo, and Lydia rolling a gurney towards the landing aircraft. �Carter, do you want to help?� yells Weaver. �Sure,� he answers enthusiastically, then looks at Lucy. Knowing his eagerness to participate in a trauma, she nods her approval. �But we were-� �It can wait. go ahead. Good luck,� she smiles. �Give you a call later?� �Well, I'm expecting a call from mom, then going to call it an early night. I'll just catch up with you at work tomorrow, okay?� �That's fine, I've got family obligations anyway. See you tomorrow.� �As he leaves he gives her a tweak on the nose. Well, tomorrow was her birthday and she was bound and determined to let John know about the baby.