TITLE: Vows and Promises
AUTHOR: Susan (lilichild@aol.com)
PART: 21/?
ARCHIVE: Feel free to archive this, just tell me where. Past editions can be
found at the Lounge http://www.neoxer.com and the
Golden Kingdom of ER
http://goldenkingdomofer.cjb.net and of
course, my site
http://www.geocities.com/suechru/er/fics
TIMELINE: Summer after season 6, post "May Day", pre "Homecoming"
SPOILERS: Some very minor spoilers for Season 7 if you haven't seen it yet.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything, I don't have any money, draw your own
conclusions
NOTE: I know it's been MONTHS since I've written, but this morning my muse
grabbed me by the neck and told me to write. Of course, I must listen, she's
armed <G>. Seriously though, I apologize for the really big gap in parts.
The good thing is that since it's summer I should be able to keep this going as
long as I have the inspiration. So without further adieu, here's Part 21
CHICAGO
Kerry walked the hall and found the door to Dr. Legaspi's office closed. She
considered turning around then and going back downstairs to work or perhaps
she'd go across the street to Doc Magoo's for a half hour. All she needed to
be gone is the allotted period of time to keep Mark's suspicions at a minimum.
How would he know if she never went inside? Then again, he COULD call and
check up on her with Dr. Legapsi but the question is WOULD he? She couldn't
picture Mark Greene doing anything of the sort, but then again she couldn't
picture him sending her up here in the first place. She sighed. Of all things
for Mark to grow a spine over it had to be THIS. Sure, she could understand
where he was coming from. No one wanted another member of the staff to fall
through the cracks like Carter had. Damn it though, did it have to be HER that
he focused his energy on. After all, Luka always seemed depressed, couldn't
Mark play savior to HIM instead?
She knew she was only delaying the inevitable. With a sigh of defeat she
knocked on the door. Please don't be here, she silently prayed. At least then
she'd get out of this and not have to lie to Mark. Unfortunately, luck wasn't
on her side. The door soon swung open and a tall blond stood there.
Mark's
right, Kerry mused, she DOES look like Ally McBeal.
"Dr. Weaver?" She said smiling warmly and extending her hand.
"Kerry" She corrected taking her hand. It was soft and perfectly
manicured.
Of course she has a manicure, Kerry mused, she doesn't have her hands in
people's chests most of the day.
"Okay, Kerry" She continued to smile much to Kerry's dismay. "You can
call me
Kim. Please, come in"
Kerry followed Kim into the small but nicely decorated office. Kim settled
herself behind a desk and motioned for Kerry to take a seat in front of her.
"So Kerry, what brings you up here?" Kim asked as she pulled a notepad out.
***********************
ATLANTA
"Well, John." The middle-aged man began "It seems you had another nightmare
last night"
"Oh, it SEEMS, I had a nightmare" Carter replied sarcastically. He was
pacing
the room. His typical style for therapy since he'd been here. God, he hated
this. Why couldn't they come right out and ask him if he had a nightmare? Why
all the games?
"According to the nurses you were screaming in your sleep again."
"Yeah, so?" Carter responded with annoyance. That was what he hated most
about this place. The constant watch they kept on him.
"Would you like to tell me what the dream was about?"
"Would I LIKE to, no, I wouldn't LIKE to" Carter's annoyance was growing.
Why
the hell do they think he'd LIKE to talk about something like that. Who in
their right mind would LIKE to talk about something like that.
"What was the dream about, John?"
"What is it always about?" Carter answered and continued pacing.
*************************
CHICAGO
"So, Kerry, why don't you tell me a bit about your family." Kim began.
"I have no family" Kerry responded bluntly. I'm alone, all alone, she
thought, are you happy you Calista Flockhart look alike?
"Parents?" Kim inquired.
"I was adopted. They both died a few years ago" Kerry replied sadly.
She
missed her adoptive parents, especially her mother.
"Siblings?" Kim continued the line of questioning.
"None" Kerry responded. At least none I know of, Kerry thought bleakly.
"Spouse or significant other?"
"I WAS married... once" Kerry trailed off.
"How long ago was that?" Kim jumped on that immediately.
Kerry did some mental math in her head. "Eight years ago"
"How did it end?"
*************************
ATLANTA
"Tell me about the dream, John"
Carter looked up at Todd, his therapist here. Do I have a choice?, he thought
dismally.
*************************
CHICAGO
"Tell me about your husband, Kerry"
Kerry sighed. Of course she'd jump on THAT issue. It was so much easier NOT
to remember.
*************************
ATLANTA
"I really would rather not" Carter stopped pacing.
*************************
CHICAGO
"Just HOW is this relevant?" Kerry evaded.
*************************
ATLANTA
"There was blood on the floor" Carter began
*************************
CHICAGO
"His name was Stephen. We met as med students...."
*************************
ATLANTA
"The room was dark, I looked down for just a second..."
**************************
CHICAGO
"Married shortly after graduation. We lucked out and matched at the same
hospital for residency. He was in surgery, I in emergency medicine....."
**************************
ATLANTA
"He was behind me, I didn't see him...."
***************************
CHICAGO
"I should have warned him earlier. I just let it go. I knew he had
a
problem and I just let it go...."
***************************
ATLANTA
"Do you need a moment, John?" Todd asked handing Carter a box of tissues.
Carter nodded, his eyes red.
***************************
CHICAGO
"Kerry, do you need a moment?" Kim asked gently
"No, I'm fine" Kerry responded struggling to keep her composure.
~ Susan (lilichild@aol.com)
Proud to be Head of the International Society of Carterholics Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/suechru/er/carterholic
"Why do you chose your pain if you only knew how much I love you" - Sister
Hazel <HONK>