Let It Rain
Part Three
By Kitty
angelpixiedust@bolt.com

DISCLAMER: "ER," the characters and situations depicted within are the property of Warner Brothers Television, Amblin Entertainment, Constant c Productions, NBC, etc. They are borrowed without permission, but without the intent of infringement. The story presented here is written solely for entertainment purposes, and the author is making no profit.

This takes place a few weeks after "May Day". John Carter is in Rehab in Atlanta, GA: Let it Rain

Rated R for consenting heterosexual situations.

John Carter lay in bed waking up from his first night back in Chicago after rehab in Atlanta.



John opened his eyes to the sunlight streaming through the window of his room in Gamma’s house. Squinting, he realized that due to his exhausted state, he forgot to draw the curtains last night. He rolled over and saw that it was almost 7:00am. Well, better not stay in bed all day, he thought to himself. Better get use to getting up early again.... back to work in 3 days. Then he remembered that he had to meet with Kerry and Mark first to talk about the conditions of his return. Continued therapy, regular tox. screens. No problem. Been doing that for weeks now. Well, better get up and get a shower.

First he did the stretching and strengthening exercises for his back then took a long, hot shower. While he got dressed, he was trying to find a way to tell Gamma that he wanted to find his own place today. She’ll worry about me but I have to get back to my own life, be on my own again, but never alone; I’ll never have to be alone.

John enters Gamma’s kitchen

“Good morning John.” Gamma said as she greeted him with a kiss. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. The best nights rest I’ve had since....well, a long time.”

“I’m so glad. Would you like some breakfast? Coffee?” she asked pleasantly.

“Yes. I’m starving. No, don’t get up. I’ll get it myself.”

As John sat down with his food and coffee, Gamma began to ask about his future. “So, when do you return to work? What are your plans?”

“I go back Monday after I meet with Kerry and Mark. Mmmmmm. Since you’ve brought up the subject of my plans, I’d like to talk to you about my living arrangements. You know how comforting it has been for me to be here, living here with you. I really appreciate it. But, I can’t go on living here indefinitely. I’d like to start looking for my own place starting today.”

“Yes John. I assumed you would want to find separate living accommodations as soon as you were recovered. A young man needs his privacy and independence. Of course you know that you are welcome to stay just as long as you’d like but are free to go too. I’d like to help you though. Would you let me set up an appointment with a broker to help you find a suitable place to live?”

“Gamma, that would be wonderful. Yes, please do. Set up the appointment. Let the broker know that I’d like something near County if possible. With a courtyard too. I’d like to have a place for a garden.” John grinned as he sipped his coffee.

“A courtyard? Why a courtyard? You’ve never shown any interest in gardening before. She paused and looked at John inquisitively. Of course, whatever you’d like.” Gamma replied as she made her way out of the kitchen to her office to make the arrangements.

John sat quietly, finishing his breakfast. Twenty minutes later, Gamma walked back into the kitchen handed John a business card and said, “Here’s the address of the broker. Mrs. McNeil will meet you at her office 1:00pm. The address is on the card.” In a more serious, concerned tone she asked, “Are you absolutely sure you’re ready to be on your own again so soon? I’d be happy to notify the staff that you’ll be staying a bit longer.”

“No thank you Gamma. It is time for me to build a new life.” As John put the card in his pocket, he pulled out a small figure and grasps it tightly in his hand. He unclasp his hand, looked at the figure and thought to himself...Start a new way of life – Start living.

McNeil and Associates – Real Estate Broker

John walked into the well-appointed offices and announced to the receptionist that he was here to see Mrs. McNeil at 1:00 o’clock. “Mrs. McNeil. John Carter is here to see you.” “Send him in please. Thank you Alice.”

After talking about prospective properties, Mrs. McNeil drove John to several apartments and homes. John seemed rather disappointed until she took him to a charming three-bedroom townhouse not too terribly far away from County. Immediately, he knew – This is it. This is home. Outside, it was red brick with dark green shutters. Inside, hardwood floors and a marble entrance hall. After seeing the French doors leading to the balcony off the bedroom looking down on the courtyard below, he just knew. This is home. My home.

Back at Mrs. McNeil’s office

“Here, take the key and go back if you’d like. It has been unoccupied for months now. I’ll make your offer to the owners and get back to you later today or tomorrow. Give my best to your Grandmother.”

John got back into his jeep and grasped to key tightly in his hand. Home. A place of my own.

John stood in the middle of the courtyard. Amazing how beautifully the garden was maintained with no one living there for so long. He sat down at the wrought iron cafe` table and admired the view. She would love it here. He was lost in thought, lost in the garden again.........

Atlanta. Monday, June 5. John’s waiting for Ash under the big oak tree.

Where is she? She’s 30 minutes late. Every day for two weeks, the same time and today of all days she’s late. Maybe she’s not coming. No. She said she’d be here. Nervously looking at his watch about every 30 seconds.

Just as he was about to give up... “Hi, are you John?” asked a tiny gray-haired woman.

“Yes, I’m John Carter.”

“Dr. Ashley said I’d find you here. She sent this.” she handed over an envelope. “I knew it must be you. You are as handsome as she described.”

“Thank you”

I ripped open the envelope and began reading:

Dear John,

Uhhhgggggg! Dear John. This is starting out very bad. Wonder if I should keep reading or just rip this up and go back? Keep reading, just keep reading...

Dear John,
Sorry that I am unable to meet you today. Something has come up suddenly and I will not be able to make it. I will make every effort to come tomorrow but cannot make any promises. Please understand.
~Ash~

So she isn’t coming. I should have known! My guess is that she’s avoiding me. Boy you really messed things up this time Carter! Way to go! Should have gone slower.

Next day. Same time same place.

Late again. I wonder if this is her way of breaking it off? Naaaahhhhh. Not her style. But half an hour late, again. Maybe I should give up?

Just as I got up to walk back, I saw her coming. Watching her was walk across the lawn, I stopped breathing just like I had the first time I lay eyes on her. Her dress and her hair blew softly in the breeze. White petals from the flowering trees lining the path fell all around her as she made her way to me. Our eyes met and a smile broke out over both our faces. I wanted to run to her and scoop her up in my arms. Cover her in kisses. Run my hands through her hair. Then I noticed the sparkle in her green eyes was not there.

“Hello John” she said in a low, reserved voice. She kissed me on both cheeks as the French do when greeting a friend or loved one. I found this very charming at the same time I was disturbed by her casual, aloof manner. I tried not to get angry with this and waited to hear her explanation.

I held both of her hands in mine and kissed them tenderly. She seemed receptive to this gesture.

“Ash, your hands are so cold. Are you alright? You look a bit pale. Here, sit down.”

“I’m fine. I haven’t had much sleep. Can’t eat. I’m........” her words trailed off as she turned away from my stare.

“Ash, come on. What’s up? You can talk to me. Tell me anything.” I said in hopes that she would open up to me. I put my hand under her chin and raised her delicate face up so that she had to look into my eyes and so that I could look into hers.

“I was called into work Sunday night after I dropped you off. I haven’t been home since. A young girl was sent over from the ER to the adolescent unit that night. Suicide attempt. I’ve been with her almost every waking hour. She’s my patient and I couldn’t leave her. That’s why I couldn’t meet you yesterday. Doris, our volunteer, was the one who bought you my note.” I could see how affected she was by this patient and wondered why. She must see quite a few suicide cases. Why was she so affected by this one?

“It’s OK. I was concerned when I thought you weren’t going to show up today either. But you’re here now.” I drew her body into my chest and she lay her head right over my heart. She seemed as limp as a rag doll. I could tell she was exhausted as I had been there many times. As I stroked her hair I thought briefly about the subject we agreed to talk about. This is not the right time to bring up her scars and what happened (or didn’t). I’ll wait until she’s had some rest.

“Ash, if you are off duty and not on call, you should really go home...” I looked down and she had fallen asleep in my arms. I kissed the top of her head and leaned back against the tree. Later. We’ll talk later.

Thirty minutes later, we were awakened by the sound of her pager. She slowly looked at it and said, “I have to get back”

I was still cradling her in my arms and didn’t want to let her go. I knew about duty calling. However, she wasn’t going to get away without a kiss.

What started out as an innocent kiss, turned out to be something all together different. Nearly erotic. I looked around to see that no one was watching us. Seeing that there was not another person in sight, I bent my head down and I brushed her lips with my own. Sleepily, she reached up, ran her hands through my hair, stared deeply into my eyes and grabbed the back of my neck. Something snapped like static electricity in us and between us. She pulled me closer, parted her lips and began to kiss me with a passion that was extremely intense. Her tongue slowly working, searching to meet mine. I put up no resistance and met her with great fervor. Her body was warm again and our mouths hungrily devoured each other. Forgetting where we were, I ran my hand down her back, over the curve of her hip and to the back of her thigh. Grabbing it as she had the back of my neck, I pulled her closer to me and into my lap. I was getting very aroused and began to pant from desire. I broke away from her mouth and made my way to her neck. She moaned softly as I felt her breast through her clothes and started to trail kisses from the front of her throat down her chest. Not thinking, only feeling and needing, I started to unbutton the front of her dress........Beep, beep, beep, beep.........................

We were startled as we realized where we were and that her pager was going off again.

“Oh my God, what are we doing? I’ve got to get back.” she said while getting to her feet and straightening her dress.

“I’m sorry to get so carried away. You have that effect on me, Ash.”

“It’s OK. I think maybe I got carried away first. Your kisses start a fire in me that I haven’t felt since........well never felt before.” she said shifting her feet nervously running her hands through her hair.

I stood in front on her wondering what she was going to say.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, OK?” I said as I placed my hands on the sides of her face and kissed her.

“Yes, I’m going to go see about my patient then go home to get some much need rest. Until tomorrow.” She turned away and ran back in the direction in which she’d come.

I sat back down under the tree until I was under control from our episode and walked back for my group therapy. All the time thinking that I would not let that happen again no matter where we were. Not until she opened up to me. How can I be in love with someone I know so little about? I’ll think of a way to ask her tomorrow.



Back in the courtyard of the townhouse in Chicago

Ring, ring...Ring, ring....
“Hello” answering his cell phone, “Hi Mrs. McNeil. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Yes actually I’m sitting in the courtyard now. Uh huh....really, they did. They accepted my first offer. Wow! That’s great! Sure no problem. No I won’t need financing. I should be able to make arrangements with my accountant and lawyer. I’ll have them contact you, OK. Alright, I’ll tell Gamma you said hello. Goodbye and thanks.”

John hastily dialed the phone. “Gamma, hi. Guess what? Yes, I found a place, a home of my own. Thank you for contacting Mrs. McNeil. She says hello and sends her best. OK. See you when I get back. I will. I’ll drive safely.”

Johns reached into his pocket and pulled out the small figure and said, “Start a new life, a new way of life. Start living.” I will Ash. I am.

To be continued...