DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of the characters from "ER". They belong to NBC and Warner Bros. The only characters I do own, are Lucy and Carter's twin daughters, Gabriella and Annabelle.
A Knight of Comebacks
PREVIOUSLY ON ER:
Lucy- I took two Ritalin.
Abby- Did you tell Dr. Greene?
Lucy- I can't! I'll get fired.
Abby- I think you have to.
Lucy- What am I going to tell the girls?
Abby- Tell them you got sick, it happens.
Lucy- I'm not going to lie to my daughters. I love them too much.
Abby- Then you'll have to do it.
Carter- I have to go into work. Do you mind waiting until tonight to tell me whatever it is you wanted to tell me? Is it important?
Lucy- Nope. Not really.
Carter- Are you sure?
Lucy- I'm positive.
Carter- Okay. If you're sure. I'll see you later. (He kisses her and leaves. After he is gone, Lucy puts Gretel back down for a nap and cries herself to sleep.)
*********************
Two weeks later...
Lucy walked into the ER, feeling nervous for some reason. So far, nobody had found out about what had happened. So far, she was in the clear, but for some reason, something didn't feel right.
As Lucy walked through the hallway, she approached the admit desk and took a look at the board. No new cases had arrived, but Lucy had been there long enough to know that that could all change in a matter of time. And did it ever!
Within twenty-five minutes of Lucy's arrival to work. Four traumas came in. Three involving children and one involving a drunk driver who hit a lady's car on his way to work. It was a mess.
During one of the traumas involving a little girl named Anya, Carter came in and said, "Lucy, when you get a minute, I need to talk to you."
Lucy nodded and continued what she was doing.
******************
When the trauma was over and Anya had been sent up to the ped's OR, Lucy went in search of Carter. Shivers ran down her spine, but she knew she had to talk to him. She couldn't wait any longer.
As she entered the lounge, she saw Carter sottomg at the table.
"You wanted to see me, Carter?" Lucy asked as she came in and tried her best to act as nonnervous as possible.
Carter nodded.
"Yes, I did."
"Well what about?"
"I think you know what this is about, Lucy." He held up the bottle of Ritalin and hten slammed it down on the table which made Lucy jump back a little.
"I can't believe it!" Carter said quietly, shaking his head. "I can't believe you did that and didn't even come to me for help. When you knew damn right well that I would have helped you as muc has I could. For goodness sake! I love you, Luce! Does that mean anything to you? Of course the whole fact that I helped you when you first told me you were on it. But that doesn't matter now does it? You had to go to Abby for help instead of me. Your own husband. A person who you are supposed to love for the rest of your life. I-I just don't understand it, Lucy. Why? Why did you do it? And WHY didn't you come to me for help when you knew you were in over your head? WHY!?"
Lucy sighed as she tried to fight back tears and figure out what she was going to say in response to her husband's ouburst of truth and hurt that he was feeling.
"Are you finished now?" Lucy asked quietly as she gazed into his brown eyes that were filled with hurt and betrayal.
Carter nodded and sat back down.
"Okay, here goes," Lucy began. "I didn't tell you because I didn't feel safe telling you. I know that sounds silly, but it's the truth. And for another thing-"
"Why wouldn't you feel safe telling me?" Carter asked, interrupting her.
"Can you let me finish? I didn't interrupt you when you were ranting and raving. So don't you think I deserve the same respect?"
Carter nodded.
"Yes you do. I-I'm sorry. Go on."
"It's okay. Anyway, as I was saying, I didn't tell you because I feared that as Cochief of emergency medicine, you would fire me or turn me into Weaver."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because usually when a personal domestic case comes up in the ER, they tell you to use your PROFESSIONAL judgement first."
"The hell they do! And you me all twoo well, Luce. I would NEVER do that to you!"
"I think we need some cool-off time," Lucy suggested. "I'll be up top."
"Fine, whatever."
Lucy didn't respond, she just left.
********************
On her way up to the roof, she stoped at the admit desk and spotted Abby doing some paperwork.
"You told didn't you? You ratted me out!"
Abby shook her head.
"No I didn't honest!"
"Then how does John know then? HOW?"
Abby sighed in frustration.
"Can you just let me explain?"
Lucy nodded.
"I'm sorry, go ahead."
"Thank you. Anna found the bottle of Ritalin in the bathroom and gave it to Carter. She thought that it was a half-used prescriptions from one of his patients who is on it. That's all. And that's the truth. I promise."
Lucy nodded.
"I-I'm sorry, Abby. I shouldn't have accused you of telling Carter. I knew you wouldn't do that."
Abby nodded an gave her friend a hug.
"it's okay. I know you're under a LOT of stress right now."
Lucy nodded and then left for her destination.
***********************
When Lucy got to the roof, she let the tears of guilt and pain fall from her eyes. She felt so guilty and scared about everything that had happened.
A few minutes later, she started praying.
*****************
Meanwhile back in the ER, Carter was having trouble concentrating on his cases. He fumbled on an IV and almost didn't complete a cross-intubation. All he could think about was Lucy and how he had tore her apart verbally. It was fair. She must be feeling worse than he did and he knew he shouldn't have treated her the way he had.
After his iast case was over, he went up to the roof.
As he came through the door, he saw her sitting on the roof, crying. Her face was turned towards the street, but he could see tears coming down her cheeks. He also could hear her talking. It sounded like she was talking to God.
"I was just scared that's all. Scared of what might have happened if I did say anything. I'm sorry though. I truly am so sorry. If you could help John realize that, it would be like a miracle in itself."
Carter gritted his teeth when he heard this. He deserved it though.
As she finished her prayer, he walked over and put his arm on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, John," she said through her tears. "I was just scared. I din't know if-"
"Shh, Luce, it's okay. I'm sorry too," he said sincerely as he began to stroke her hair and rock her back and forth. "I am so sorry. We'll get through this together, I promise. The way I see it, if Abby is helping you too, I'm happy about that. The more people helping you through this, the better chance you have of coming out on top."
Lucy nodded as she layed her head on Carter's shoulder and let the remaining tears fall.
It flet good knowing that they were going to be able to work it out. And Lucy knew deep down in her heart that it would work out for the best. She just knew it.
THE END