At the Stroke of Midnight
Part Seven
By: Amanda
amanda_miller33@hotmail.com

This is a Interactive fanfic.

Thanks to Cathy and Kritter for voting on this fic. Gee. I think this is gonna have to end soon. The whole excitement of the story is over. I'm gonna have to think about this story's future.

" Carter, I have to go to work. Why don't you come in with me?" invited
Mark.

" Why?"

" I think you should go into counseling. Anspach won't let you work until
you do."

" But you promised!!"

" Do you want to keep your job?"

" Yeah."

" Then I suggest you go see a counselor."

" Who?"

" Nina Pomerantz might be willing to see you." stated Doug. " She's good at
counseling."

" Okay. So lets go."

They all head out to their respective cars, Carter catching a ride with
Carol. Carol was on at nine as well. Carol, Mark and Carter headed indoors.
Mark used the phone at the admit desk. Nina said she had time to see Carter
right away. Carter headed towards the elevator.

" Do you think that he'll be okay?"

" Yeah. I'm sure he'll be fine."

" Anything could set him off right?"

" It's possible. I hope he gets over it."

Nina Pomerantz sat in her office waiting for John Carter. She had seen him
around but didn't ever meet him. He walked in the door. She took one look
at him and knew something was wrong. His hair was a mess and his clothes were
rumpled. He looked miserable. She shook his hand adn he sat down. She
offered him coffee but he refused. He also looked tired. " Do you want to
tell me what happened tonight?"

" Sure."

" Go ahead. Just so you know, I'm taking notes for a report to Anspach. I'm
forced to do so."

" Okay."

" You can tell me now."

" I went to the party with a gun that belongs to me. I don't know why I
brought it. At midnight I just snapped and took the whole party hostage. I
told them why. They responded with support. I let whomever wanted to leave,
leave and the others stayed. I told Carol about how I was thinking about
suicide. She helped me past that."

"It was good for her too. I'm not sure that she has told a lot of people
why she tried to commit suicide. Do you feel suicidal now?"

Carter thought about that one. " No. I'm not."

" How do you feel?"

" Angry."

"At whom?"

" Myself."

" Why is that?"

" Because I held my friends hostage. I scared them. I never wanted that."

" I'm sure you didn't. You just felt trapped. What would have happened had
you not done this?"

" I'd probably be wheeled into the ER, dying or dead. I would of had no
one's support. I wouldn't have to see you. I'd get to keep my job."

" You can keep your job now, because you spoke to me and your colleagues."

" Really?"

" Yup. If policy were that strict some people I know would have lost their
job a long time ago. You can go now, but you have to confide in someone."

" What about Dr. Weaver? I live in her basement."

" I'm sure she'd love to listen. At least confide in someone."

" Okay. Thank you very much Nina."

" You're welcome Dr. Carter."

Carter left the office.

" There's Carter, Mark."

" How'd it go?"

" Pretty good. She says I should be okay. Can I come in at two?"

" Sure Carter. Get some sleep."

" I need a ride home. Is Carol available?"

" I think so. Carol, would you give Carter a ride home?"

" Yeah. Let's go."

They headed out to her car." Carter, are you really okay?"

" Yeah."

" What happens if you feel suicidal again?"

" I talk to my roomate."

" Will he/she know how to handle it?"

" I should hope so! I live in Dr. Weaver's basement."

" Oh. Then you should be okay. Here we are. Bye Carter!"

He got out and headed into the house. Kerry and Anna greeted him.

" So, what happened?"

Okay. It's that time again! This one requires thought! Sorry!

1. What does he tell them?

2. Anna obviously has something big to tell him
What does she have to say? Why did she come back?

You can tell me whatever you want for this. The events are not necessarily the same as the show.
Well that's it! (FINALLY) I got over my brain freeze.