You Are Invited
To
Doug Ross
And
Carol Hathaway's
Wedding.

December 21st 2000
St. Paul's Orthodox Church
Reception At The

Lucy Knight stared down at the invitation. It was simple. A white card with gold embossed lettering. This was the first time anyone from County had contacted her. She had left, gone back to Boston. Life had not been easy. She still had night-mares, the most recent one, she was trying to warn him but he didn't hear her. Then it had been almost impossible to get off the drugs, Ritalin had been a breeze compared to the pain she had gone threw to get off the pain-killers. But what she hated most was the loneliness. Yes there was her mother but she didn't trust anybody. Old school friends tried to socialise with Lucy, but she found herself paranoid, scared to trust anyone.

"I don't have to go," she sighed. "Besides I don't want to go."

"Hon, I think you should. Take some time off. I swear ever since you got that PhD. you want to cure everyone's depression besides your own." Barbara Knight replied.

"Mom, I am not depressed." Lucy lied. She tried to put on a happy face for her mother, but secretly Lucy couldn't remember a time that she hadn't cried herself to sleep.

"Well it's two weeks away, you don't have to decide now." Barbara smiled, she hated seeing her daughter like this. Her Lucy had been so full of life and charisma, then the accident had completely changed her. Barbara referred it to as an accident, even though it wasn't. It made her blood run cold every time she heard the name Paul Sobricki. She knew he wasn't mentally healthy yet it made her sick to think what he had done to her daughter.

"How about we go see that new Brad Pitt movie, your working the morning shift aren't you?" She offered.

"Nah, I'm pretty tired, I'm just going to go to bed." Lucy gave a faint smiled and headed upstairs. Barbara sighed and waited. The pillow-smothered sobs would be coming soon.

Lucy laid down on her bed. The December moon shone through her window. Shutting her eyes she felt herself drift off into a light sleep.



"So come on baby tell me, come on baby tell me, come on, come on, yes we aim to please!" The song wailed. A familiar tune that ran through Lucy's unwelcome ears often. John Carter's feet were standing on the other side of the bed, then he was staring at her.

"Lu-Lucy" he called. Blood seemed to be everywhere. She was drowning in blood. "Why didn't you tell me, you failed me! Why Lucy! WHY!" He yelled. She tried to help him but the blood was pushing her back. Everything began to clash, the music the blood, Carter's face, Carter's screams, Paul's face, that knife....

"Ahhhhh!" Lucy screamed as she shot up in bed. Beads of sweat dripped down her face. "I'm not at County, I'm not there..."She murmured trying to get a hold of her self. Barbara ran into the room and began to calm Lucy.

"Your Okay, Your with me, shhh," She said embracing her shaken daughter. Lucy sobbed into her night gown. This was not unusual. Lucy often had flash-backs or night-mares.

"Are you okay now?" Barbara asked running a hand through Lucy's hair.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Lucy said calmly, wiping her eyes. A few minutes later, Lucy heard the sounds of her mother snoring across the hall. She couldn't sleep, not after that. She was too afraid to sleep, so she went down stairs and flicked on the tv Infomercials, the solution to insomnia. Hours later she became bored after seeing the infinite dress about 17 times so she flicked around. Nothing much. She wasabout to turn it off when something caught her eye.

"And if my med. student would arrive on time for once, I'd demonstrate a spinal tap." Carter laughed.

"So what's it like teaching someone medicine."

"Well it can be a drag. I personally hated it before. I've had two failures so far but Lucy is different. She's got a lot of potential and I guess she brightens up my day..." Just then Lucy saw herself burst into the doors of exam two.

"I'm here, uh the El was uhhh...broke, um why are there camera's here?"

"PBS documentary. Now will help me with this spinal tap?"

"Ohhh, sure thing." Lucy watched for a little while longer until it became unbearable. A single tear dripped down her cheek. She missed County, but it had been vital in her sanity that she had left as soon as she did. She just wished she had at least said good-bye.

February 18th

John Carter pushed himself in that chair. Walking was too painful and too slow. Today was the day. He needed to talk to Lucy. She had been on his mind ever since he had woken up 3 days ago. Unfortunately she had been in and out of surgery for the past 3 days. Benton had gone through hell to arrange this meeting but Carter wouldn't have taken no for an answer. He needed to tell her everything, that he was sorry, that he was afraid he had lost her, how he couldn't have lived with himself if she had gone.

"May I see Lucy Knight," Carter asked a nurse who stood outside the recovery door.

"Sorry sir, she left this morning," The nurse replied.

"What do you mean, she just had surgery. How could she be discharged!" Carter yelled. Anger was filling inside his weak body.

"Her mom wanted her home, so they sent her by chopper an hour ago," The nurse said blankly.

"What, I mean where is she going!" Carter asked, his heart was aching more then his back.

"Sir, due to circumstances....such as the press. Mrs. Knight asked that her daughter's location wasn't shown. Now Dr. Carter if you don't go back to your room I'm gonna get you restrained!" The nurse yelled. Carter was too hurt to fight, he wanted to be with Lucy but everything was holding him back.

"I'll find her," He grumbled, he knew he had too.



10 months later...

"I absolutely LOVE this dress, I can wear it anywhere, formal, casual, it has infinite possibilities!" The tv rambled. "Call now to receive the Infinite dress for the incredibly low price of..." The tv paused "$49.99" Carter and the tv said in unison. This was getting boring, he thought. Carter pushed the empty pizza boxes and Chinese food cartons away to look for the remote. This was his life, work, come home, get drunk, eat something, watch tv, shower and then back to work. People had literally given up on him. The drugs were done but his depression stayed. Carter looked around the channels hoping to find something to soothe his soul. He almost gasped when he saw her on tv.

"I've always wanted to be a doctor," She said running a hand through her thick blonde hair.

"And what is it like being taught at CCGH," The camera guy asked.

"It's been an experience. Cart- I mean Dr. Carter is a great teacher, just don't tell him I told you that, okay?" She laughed, the harsh beeping sound interrupted her.

"Gotta go, trauma's a calling me," Lucy smiled. After that, Carol Hathaway and a few other nurses were interviewed, but Carter barely paid attention. His mind was locked on Lucy. He had expected a call, a letter something, but nothing came. A few months ago Kerry found her address but he assumed she had moved on. And who would want to have been reminded of this?

Still, he'd give anything to see that smile once again.

Barbara Knight decended down the stairs to see a sleeping Lucy wrapped up in a blanket in front of the tv. She didn't want to wake her, yet she knew how Lucy felt about work. So she turned the coffee machine on before patting her daughter on the head.

"Hey mom," Lucy yawned, trying to hide any evidence of tear stains.

"I wish you could stay home with me bunny," She smiled sitting down next to her on the couch.

"Mom I have to go to work, I can't lounge around the house in flannels all day," She replied. Although the idea did sound pretty tempting.

"Who said anything about flannels, ya think your mom can't whoop it up in her old-age?" Barbara joked handing Lucy some coffee.

"Mom, there isn't a shred of doubt in my mind that you can still 'whoop it up.' You probably have a more active social life then me at the moment." Lucy replied, a little saddened. Guys had asked her out since coming to Boston, it's just she didn't want to go out.

"Well hon, you'll meet someone. Even if you know it's going nowhere you can still have some fun..."

"Ughh, you know it's bad when your mother starts talking about casual sex!" Lucy moaned.

"Well, ya' know..." Barbara added. The truth was, Lucy did need a man. As much as she loved having her daughter living with her, she knew that a 26 year old should be having fun.

"I'm taking a shower," Lucy said getting up and heading upstairs. This conversation with her mother was making her a little uneasy. She could hear her mother checking her stocks downstairs as she undressed. Her mother had taken an interest in the business world, now she was a head executive of a web-stock brooking. Her mother normally did business from home yet sometimes she travelled to meet high customers. She had a meeting in Chicago next week. Lucy stepped into the shower and felt the steamy hot water hit her body. She always kept her eyes locked on the ceiling when she bathed or if she was naked Seeingher scarred body scared her. Even now 10 months later, when she had gone for doctors appointments, the scars ultimately scared her. So it was unintended when she glanced down at her chest and saw that long jagged scar. Images of that knife plunging down on her ran through her mind.

"Breathe Lucy, Breathe," She told herself, trying to remain in control. Lucy slid down to the floor of the shower. The water continued to rain down on her naked body. Suddenly she was back in curtain 3. Trying to scream. Paul holding her down and then the knife cutting, shoving the cold metal into her chest and stomach. Lucy felt pain enter her stomach and chest.

"Help...me...someone...please." She whispered trying to pull herself up. She ran out of the shower and vomited into the toilet. The pain soon left her, yet inside she felt ragged, like the attack had really happened again. Lucy looked down at her watch and tried to shake off the unwanted flash-backs.

"Gotta get to work," she sighed.

"Doug, I swear he's really changed. He comes to work barely smiles then goes home. He's got no pride in his work at all," Mark rattled on. His eyes were glaring at Carter across the hall in the lounge, who had been staring at the same page in a book for two hours.

"We'll take him to my bachelor party, that'll snap him out of it," Doug laughed.

"Doug I'm serious." Mark replied

"What can I say, he was stabbed he's gonna have to pull himself out of this," Doug answered. Carol and him had decided to have the wedding in Chicago, seeing that most of there friends lived there. Kate, Tess and Carol were all ready on a fligh back, Doug was leaving tomorrow.

"I know, I know, it's just depressing to see Carter like he is now." Mark added.

"Maybe you could set him up with somebody, has he been with anybody lately?" Doug asked.

"Not to my knowledge." Mark paused, Abby was running towards him.

"Dr. Greene, curtain 3 is crashing..." Abby panted.

"Doug, I gotta,"

"Yeah, I heard, well I'll see ya buddy," he replied. Doug began to wonder what was actually going on back at County.

"Now if you need anything, just call me. I'll be back on Friday...I left 30mg of Prozac in the counter. Dr. Robbins is there if you need him." Barbara said piling her bags into the taxi.

"Mom, I have lived on my own," Lucy replied. Barbara shut the trunk and gave her daughter a look.

"I love you sweetie." She said giving Lucy a hug, "Take care of yourself."

"I will, now go, Mom. Your gonna miss your flight." Lucy replied.

"Bye, love ya," Barbara smiled.

"Have fun in Chicago! Bye Mom," Lucy said waving as the car drove away. She headed back up to there little town house. It was small. 3 floors yet very skinny, it was in a long line of other town houses. Big enough for her and mom. Lucy frowned, living with mom did have it's perks but she secretly wanted more. At 26 she had planned to be a budding new doctor, marrie with one or possibly two kids. Now she wasn't ready for kids or marriage but she did want love. Lucy decided to go up and take a nap. She had been on all last night and had come to her packing mother. Now was the perfect time for sleep. After a hot cup of herbal tea, she curled up in her bed and fell asleep.

"Mind if I turn the radio on? I'm trying to hear if I'll ever be able to make it home."

"Sure," he replied, his voice seriously raspy. She made her way over to the x-ray light.

"There's no fracture, not even a hairline," She replied sitting down next to him.

"I feel like an elephant sat on my chest, are you sure you never took martial arts?" He asked.

"Yeah Karate, when I was like seven, oh you gotta cut, let me see it..." She said placing a hand on his forehead.

"Oww!" Carter yelled, surprising her a bit.

"Baby," She joked, leaning up she placed a light little kiss on his forehead. "There, all better."

Something locked between there eyes, something so strong neither looked a way. She found herself coming closer to him.

"I'm the teacher, your the student."

"Mmm-hmm,"

"It ain't gonna work," he said briefly, a last statement before losing his sensible side and giving into both of their urges. In the background music played on the radio as they shared a tantric kiss.

Resusitation...Bringing me round.

Lucy awoke a little startled, it was probably the most pleasant dream she had ever encountered. A warm glow filled her cheeks as she sat in the snowy sunlight. But the good feeling passed when she realized that he was out of her life. Lucy glared at the wedding invitation that sat on her bed-side table.

"Well, I should give them a gift..." She said to herself. Lucy barely left the house for anything besides work. Normally her mother had to practically drag her out of the house, but today she decided she'd take a trip to do some Christmas shopping.

John Carter walked along the streets of Chicago, feeling particularly ragged. He had just come back from seeing Chase after a long long day. It scared him how lonely he was. Nobody could make him feel happy. Abby and Benton had tried so hard to be caring after he was brought back from Atlanta, but neither of them could hold such a desolate feeling that Carter was possessing. He finally fell into his chair in front of the tv. He had given up the drinking, it didn't help anymore. Moments before he could shut his eyes for a long-awaited sleep the phone began to scream.

"Hello," he muttered, running a hand through his tousled hair.

"John, it's me," The voice replied. Carter sighed, it was Gamma.

"What is it Gamma?" He asked, hoping it wasn't another 'family dinner.'

"Can't a grandmother check up on her grandson, I called to talk to you." She said softly. This somewhat surprised Carter.

"Oh, so um, what's up?"

"John I'm worried about you. I saw you walking in the streets today and I nearly fainted. Are you okay?" She asked concerned.

"Gamma, I'm fine." He protested.

"John, Peter Benton tells me otherwise, he says your getting worse and worse. Do you take your anti-depressants, I mean-"

"When did you talk to Benton?" He asked, a little intimidated, his grandmother did have a history of prying.

"Don't give me that tone." She paused, trying not to sound angry. "John we are all worried about you. A stab wound is a serious ordeal. Don't think you need to be alone, were here for you..."

"Gamma for the last time I am fine. I'm over the drugs so you have nothing to worry about! I'm okay! Got it?" He yelled.

"I think I do have something to worry about..."

"Gamma, good-bye!" Carter slammed down the phone. He felt angry and annoyed yet inside he felt scared and lonelier. It was there he finally admitted to himself... "I'm not fine."

"Excuse me," Lucy protested to the girl in the MACY'S uniform.

"So then Rosie goes, Quinn, hon, you only think that because your what I call a mislead troubled teen and I was like laughing my ass off..." The counter girl said into the phone at the counter. "Nat, I'll uh call you back," She said finally putting the phone down. Lucy noticed the name tag which read Anna MacArthur.

"Your not going to tell the manager, it's my first day," she asked worridly.

"No, don't worry." Lucy laughed.

"Good, so what can Macys's offer you today, they make me say that..." Anna replied.

"I'm looking for a wedding gift," She replied trying not to laugh at the teen-ager's charisma.

"Well the Macys's Gift Idea sheet says flat wear...but if I was going to get married, I'd want something wild, exciting, different...

"What do you have in mind?" Lucy asked curiously.

"I'm thinking matching monogrammed bath robes!" The teen-age sales clerk said pointing at the catalogue picture.

"I'll take them, when can I pick them up?" Lucy questioned getting out her credit card. She handed it over and the girl read the name on the Card before swiping it.

"Lucy Knight, pretty name," She said as she handed back the card. "Just wait a few minutes, I'll have someone get it out of storage and monogram it here, What's there names?" Anna asked as she picked up the company phone.

"Doug and Carol," Lucy replied. Anna proceeded to give the information over the phone while Lucy stared at a mannequin. 'That has got to be the coolest dress I have ever seen. It was tapered to the body and came to the mannequins knees. The midnight black silky fabric looked magnificent and the straps were thin to add a seductive air to it.

"Nice dress, isn't it..." Anna chided.

"Yeah, it is," Lucy replied, her eyes still admiring the dress.

"I'd get it if Mr. Klein didn't have a thing about prices, plus my mother would drop dead if she saw me in that." Anna added. "Hey you could wear that to this wedding thing, just wear a cardigan or something over it during the wedding part and lose it during the reception."

"Oh, I'm not going, it's umm to far away," Lucy lied.

"Where is it?" Anna asked, suddenly realizing she was beginning to pry. "Never mind, let's go pick up those bath robes, I'll throw in gift wrap for free." She said pulling Lucy towards the store room. Lucy followed, but not before taking one final look at that dress.

Millicent Carter waited patiently in the cafe, sipping her coffee and watching the busy streets of Chicago. It hadn't snowed yet, the weather man predicted a green Christmas. Yet everybody seemed to be in the Christmas spirit, everyone except her grandson. She really worried about him. After the incident he barely opened up to anyone.His addiction to pain-killers had led to a detox clinic. But now he was falling apart. She needed to be positive and optimistic for John. It was the only way to help.

The doors to the cafe flew open as a pretty women in dark curls pushed a stroller into the cafe. Millicent immediately recognised the face.

"Carol Hathaway? Is that you?" She asked. Carol looked up and smiled. Millicent Carter, as much as Carter was afraid of this elderly women, Carol found her interesting.

"Hello Mrs. Carter," She replied, "How are you?"

"Call me Millie, I'm fine but how are you?" She questioned noticing the radiant glow about her.

"I'm getting married next week," Carol blushed.

"Really, that is wonderful are these your children?" She asked looking down on the two sleeping babies in the stroller.

"Tess and Kate, in person." She replied.

"John told me about them, he used to tell me about everyone in the ER untill the incident," Millicent said with a saddened tone.

"How is he?" Carol asked when she left Carter had been seriously wigging out. Mark had told her about the drug clinic.

"He's literally falling apart and he won't let anyone help him let alone care." Millicent revealed. Just then the door opened to a vibrant 50-something women with blonde-hair and blue eyes. Carol thought she looked familiar but couldn't think why.

"Are you Millicent Carter?" She asked the elegant looking older women.

"Yes, you must be Barbara, sit down dear, this is Carol Hathaway, we were just discussing my depressing grand-son," Millicent said pointing to the chair. She wasn't in the mood to talk about stocks and bonds but neither was Barbara.

"Believe me, I know what you mean, my daughter is the same," She informed.

"You should see John, he's become a hermit and barely speaks to anyone," Millicent added. Carol kept looking at Barbara, she looked so familiar.

"I practically have to drag her out of the house. Ever since the incident, Lucy has never been the same," Barbara replied. Carol nearly spit out her coffee when Barbara said this. After coughing it down she burst out...

"What's your daughter's name?"

"Lucy Knight, why?" Barbara asked curiously.

"John Carter and Lucy Knight! I can't believe this!" Carol exclaimed.

"What?" Millicent and Barbara asked in unison.

"Lucy was John's med. student before they were..." Carol informed. Millicent and Barbara both gave each other a look.

"You mean they were stabbed, together?" Millicent said, she couldn't believe this. Her stock broker's daughter and her grandson shared a burden, unknown to everyone but them.

"Umm, Carol, is it, were John and Lucy ever, 'together'?" Barbara asked, a plan forming in her head.

Carol gave a small laugh, "There was a rumour, but they argued too much..."

"Is John going to this Wedding that your having, by the way congratulations." Barbara said realizing that this was the Carol Hathaway on her daughter's invitation.

"He was invited but I have doubt that he will attend." Millicent answered, then she saw the plan that was forming. "But if you can persuade your daughter to come, I'm sure I can get drag John out."

"Do I smell a scandal or what?" Carol joked, just then her watch began to beep. "Sorry but I have to leave early, gotta pick up the groom from the airport," Carol smiled. Millicent and Barbara said there good-byes as Carol frantically pushed the stroller down the busy streets.

"So you think it will work?" Barbara asked.

"Yeah, I think it will," Millicent smiled, "Just don't tell them we planned it." The two women gave each other a look before bursting into laughter.

MORE TO COME! I JUST GOTTA WRITE IT...FEED BACK
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