TITLE: Vows and Promises
PART: 22/?
AUTHOR: Susan (lilichild@aol.com)
ARCHIVE: Past editions can be found at my website
http://www.geocities.com/suechru/er/fics
DISCLAIMER: The story is mine, the characters aren't.  Suing me is a complete
waste because I am incredibly broke
NOTE: Feedback does a body good! Thanks to everyone who's responded so far. 


CHICAGO

"Kerry, I would like to see you again" Kim said as Kerry stood and pulled her
crutch under her for support. 
"Uh huh" Kerry replied absently smoothing her labcoat.  "Perhaps when I get
some time"
"Well, okay."  She pulled a card from the holder on the desk "Call me if you
need anything, Kerry."
"Thanks, I will" Kerry smiled unconvincingly.  She turned and left the office
before Dr. Legapsi could say anything further.  
Kerry crutched down the hall and into the nearest ladies room.  Once inside,
she crumpled the card and tossed it into the nearest wastebasket.  She looked
at her expression in the mirror.   God, how long have I been this sad?, she
wondered looking at her own reflection.  Well, she knew the answer to that one.
 It all had to do with that horrible day.  A day she hoped time would erase all
memories of, eight years had yet to do so though. 


***********************************

CHICAGO - EIGHT YEARS EARLIER

"Good job, Dr. Weaver" Dr. Lawrence said pulling off his gloves and tossing
them into the biohazard bag. 
Kerry blushed.  "Thank you Dr. Lawrence" she replied flattered as she tossed
her gown into the bag.  She'd been at Northwestern for the past two years. 
Hell, she STILL wasn't used to being called "Doctor". 
"Hey, Kerry, what do you say you and I go out dancing tonight?" Dr. Williams
came up to her taking her hand and proceeded to dance the pretty young redhead
around the desk. 
Kerry broke away, her face flushed "Didn't you hear?" She held up her left
hand "I'm married"
"Well, your husband is a lucky guy" Dr. Williams said looking down at her with
a grin
"I'll tell him you said so" Kerry replied with a smirk. 
"Well, since you're taken, I guess I'll have to go track down a date for
myself" Dr. Williams said with a sigh.
"And don't you think your WIFE wouldn't like that?" Kerry mock warned. 
"I don't know, I'll have to ask her." Dr. Williams teased "What do you think
she'd say?"
"I think, she'd kick your ass for hitting on random women" Kerry teased. 
"Then it's a good thing, I'm hitting on my wife huh?" He explained. 
"Yes, it is Stephen" She replied smiling at her husband.  He always played
these kind of games. 
"So.... are you done yet?" He asked. 
Kerry stifled a yawn "Finally, you?"
"Yup, 36 hours and I am out of here" Stephen perked as they headed to the
lounge.
"Stephen..." Kerry began worried "When was the last time you slept?"
"Sleep, the amazing resident Dr. Williams should not be troubled by such
things as sleep" Stephen took on the air of a superhero as he said those words.
 
"You didn't" She whispered fiercely to him. 
"Relax, Ker-bear" He said brushing off her worries "I only took enough to
function.  This is temporary"
"Damn it, Stephen" Kerry whispered "You promised"
"Yes, and I'm NOT high am I?" He whispered back "I'm just awake.   Really
awake" He grinned at her.
"What was it this time?" She asked not wanting to know but needing to at the
same time. 
"Just a little speed" He lowered his voice
"Just a little?" Kerry shrieked.  People around them turned and she lowered
her voice "And how the hell much is a little?"
"Enough to function" Stephen said as they headed to the parking lot. 
"Damn it, you promised to stop" Kerry swore.
"Kerry, it'll be okay.  Look, as soon as I get out of residency..." He began
"By the time you get out of residency, you'll what, Stephen?" Kerry
interrupted.  "Hmm? Cut down? Stop using meth, speed, narcs?" 
He opened the door of the car that they shared and climbed into the driver's
seat.  Kerry stood there with a stern expression on her face. 
"Come on, honey" Stephen pleaded "Get in the car"
"You're high, you shouldn't be driving" Kerry started
"Yes, and you're exhausted and you'd fall asleep at the wheel." Stephen
interruped "Besides, I CAN drive, I'm okay.  You know it and I know it."
Kerry sighed.  She didn't know why she bothered fighting with him when he got
like this.  "Fine" she sighed and got in the passenger's side door. Stephen
started the engine and pulled the car out of the garage.  By the time they
reached the street Kerry felt her eyelids starting to droop.   The next sound
she'd heard was a horn beeping.  She awoke with a start. 
"Stephen, what's going on??"  She asked looking around frantically to find her
husband speeding down the road. 
"Just a shortcut honey" He replied and pressed down harder on the accelerator.
 
"Stephen?" Kerry asked with fear in her voice.  It was then that she saw the
truck heading straight for them "Stephen!" she shrieked. 
~ 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>