Let It Rain
Part Seven
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

John Carter has finally drifted off to sleep the night before he is to return to work in the ER. His dreams were filled with the memories of Ash and their last few weeks in Atlanta.

You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you
You’d be like heaven to touch
I want to hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I’m alive
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you.



Atlanta, GA
Under the oak tree in the garden

“I’m anxious to see this place where you grew up. Tell me about it.” I said as I lay next to Ash on a blanket underneath our oak tree. I ran my hands through her long, dark blonde hair as she stared up into the blue cloudless sky.

“Well, the property has been in my father’s family since before the Civil War or the War of Northern Aggression as the old-timers call it. The house was burned to the ground by Union soldiers during the war and was rebuilt by my Great Grandfather, Beaufort Ashley. It’s about an hours drive south of Atlanta. If we leave right after I am off duty on Friday, we can be there right before the sun sets for a late supper. Twilight is magical there. I’d love to share that with you.” She said as if she were traveling there in her mind.

She turned to face me and gazed deeply into my eyes. She raised her hand and began to touch my face lightly. First she brushed the lock of hair that had fallen across my forehead away and traced a line from my temple down my cheekbone to my jaw. I felt as if she were tying to memorize every feature of my face. Her fingers at last grazed my lips. I closed my eyes savoring her delicate touch. Feeling an overwhelming sense of emotion, I could no longer passively participate in this act of love and admiration. I grabbed her hand as she removed it from my lips and began to kiss every one of her fingers. Working my way to the palm of her hand and up the length of her arm. Finally, to her neck as we embraced each other tightly. I felt the words just about to bubble up from deep within me and spill over. I was pretty sure she already knew that I love her but something held me back from saying it. Not that I wasn’t sure that I did, but something told me to wait just a bit longer. At the same time, we both breathed deeply and sighed. I propped myself back up on one elbow and looked down on her contented face.

“I have to get back. Like I’ve said before, Dr. Knight gets a bit testy when anyone is late for rounds.” She said as I could feel her body start to get up.

“Not just yet” I said as I held her down gently and kissed her. She only resisted slightly and then succumbed to my request.

“I really have to get going.” With one last kiss she was up and gone.

Late Friday afternoon.

The afternoon heat was absolutely stifling as I waited outside for Ash. ‘Guess I’ll go back inside’ I thought to myself as I heard the sound of wheels squealing and the gunning of a car engine. From out of nowhere, a black Ferrari whipped into the drive in front of the rehab center. ‘My God, what kind of an idiot would drive like that around here?’ I thought as I shook my head.

“My idiot!” I exclaimed out loud as I saw Ash getting out of the car.

“Ash, where’s the fire? Any particular reason why you are driving like a bat outta Hell?”

“No time!” she said as she grabbed my hand and dragged me inside.

“OK! OK. Where are we going?” I said as she hurried down the hall.

“I promised to meet with your doctor. You OK with that?”

“Sure. I gave him permission to discuss my treatment with you. Why?” I inquired.

“You’ll see.” She said as we walked into his office.

“Hi Ash. Come in John. Sit down. John, I guess you are wondering why I’m giving special permission for you to be gone over night. Well, first and foremost, you have made such progress in your therapy that I feel it is earned. Secondly, you are almost done with the program and you will have to be prepared to be back out in the real world again soon anyway. Thirdly, because you will have a qualified doctor with you in case you have any difficulty. I’m sure that you will not but it will be good to have safety net. Of course you know that you will have a drug screen as soon as you come back.” Dr. Anderson stated authoritatively with a smile on his face.

“Of course. I expected no less. I feel I’m in very competent hands.” I said as my mind drifted off imagining myself in Ash’s hands.

We signed out and were off.

“Ash, where’s your car?” I said as we put my bag in the car.

“Well, this is my car. Sort of. I’m so tired. Would you mind driving? You can drive a manual transmission, can’t you?” She said as she handed me the keys.

“Yes, really? Oh boy!” I said as I opened the door for her and eagerly ran around the front of the car and got in the driver’s seat.

“Oh, she purrs like a kitten” I gushed as I turned the key and put her in gear. I’m not normally into cars but this one was so unbelievable. “This car is so not like you Ash. What ever made you buy this car?” I drove off in the powerful and nimble machine.

“I didn’t. This was Bobby’s car. He loved whipping around the country roads near home in it. I inherited it when he died and I’ve never had the heart to get rid of it until now.” She said and she reached over and placed her hand on top of mine on the gearshift.

After an hour of interstate driving and lots of chitchat, Ash told me to take the next exit. I did and began the last leg of our journey. We took many twisting and turning country roads. The scenery was absolutely beautiful.

“You really lived out in the country, didn’t you?” I said with a slight chuckle.

“Yes we are almost there. Not too much longer. Turn right here. That is the beginning of the drive.” Ash pointing towards the opening in the road with a brick wall and a sign that read Ashley Manor.

I don’t know what I expected but not anything like what I saw as we approached the house. Mansion. PLANTATION! Ash had always been so unassuming. I guess I thought she grew up more modestly than she obviously did. But why should that surprise me? People had always said the same about me.

The tree lined drive that seemed to go on for miles ended and opened up to a huge white house with pillars. Just what a Southern plantation should look like. About then, I started to get suspicious and feel a little creepy. It was as if we were stepping back into the old south. I was beginning to wonder if the Ashley family had been slave owners and started to wonder what I had gotten myself involved in.

“Ash, you never told me this was a plantation! Not that I’m judging you or your family but, were you slave owners?” I blurted out.

“Yes John. We were. But if it makes any difference, the slaves owned by my family were freed before the Civil War. It’s not what you think.” She said as she began to get out of the car.

“I’m sorry if I seem overly concerned but really Ash, slaves?” I commented as I got out of the car and got our bags.

Ash didn’t wait. She began to quickly walk to the door as if she were drawn there. The front doors opened and a very large black woman in a calico dress and apron came out onto the porch. This really made me feel uncomfortable as I made the worst assumptions about Ash and her family. ‘Oh my, she has a mammy! It’s not what you think she says, HA!’ A broad grin broke out over that woman’s face and she stretched out her enormous arms as she saw Ashley run up the steps. I started to realize that maybe I did misunderstand this relationship.

“Miss Ashley, you’re home,” The large woman said as she enfolded Ash in her arms and rocked her back and forth like a small child. “I’ve missed you. This place has missed you. Get your gentleman friend and get inside before we melt in this heat!”

Just as I walked up to where they were standing, I heard Ash say through her tears of joy, “I’ve missed you so much, Lucia. I’ve missed home.” Breaking from their hug, she realized I was right behind her. “Lucia, this is Dr. John Carter. John, this is Lucia. Lucia has taken care of me my whole life. She’s the closest thing to a mother I’ve had since…well, she’s my mom now.” Lucia beamed with pride at this acknowledgement and put her arm around Ash in appreciation.

“This child is like one of my own. I’ve raised her since she was the prettiest baby in Georgia. I’m so proud of her. Beautiful and a doctor no less! It is so nice to meet you Dr. Carter. Won’t you please come inside?” Lucia graciously invited us to come in out of the overwhelming heat.

This situation was not at all what I thought. I truly was like seeing Ash come home and being greeted by her own mother. I was glad and ashamed all at the same time. Ashamed that I didn’t give Ash the credit she deserved. There seemed to be a deep and soulful connection between these two women; beautiful each in their own right.

Inside, the house was cool and calm, just like Ash. The only thing that was as I had anticipated was the inside of the house. It looked just as I would have imagined a Southern plantation should. The marble entrance hall was breathtaking as it led to the winding staircase to the upstairs quarters. I set the bags down at the end of the stairs in anticipation of carrying them up later. hen it hit me ‘What were the sleeping arrangements going to be?’ The thought of sharing a bed with Ash, making love to her, waking up with her….

“Dr. Carter, you must be overheating. You are as red as the Georgia clay! Here have some iced tea.” Lucia said as she handed me a tall glass of tea with lemon and plenty of ice. I should have poured it over my head or at least down my pants. I grinned and thanked her and began to sip this Southern concoction.

“Man, that’s sweet!” I exclaimed.

“I’m sorry Dr. Carter? Did Annie make the tea too sweet for you?” Lucia asked while frowning.

“No. I like it. I guess I wasn’t expecting it.” I said apologetically for my outburst.

“Well, I’ going to go see about your supper.” And Lucia was happily rambling down the hall.

“House wine of the South a little too sweet for you John Carter?” Ash teased me.

I set down my glass of tea, grabbed Ash, pulled her close enough for her to feel the effect she was having on me physically, “No and neither are you, too sweet for me!” I growled as I assaulted her neck with greedy kisses.

She gasped at my swift attack and replied, “You are so bad! You were just waiting until Lucia was out of sight to do that. Do you think she’d stand for you seducing her baby right here in the middle of the parlor?” she replied with an enhanced Southern drawl and a wicked grin on her face.

“Oh yes! She’d want me to carry you upstairs to where I assume your bedroom is. Then she’d want me to remove those confining clothes off your luscious body and take all of you. Make you mine because that’s what you are!” I said thinking that tonight she and I may give into the passion that had built up since the first day we met. My hands, having a will of their own, moved down below her waist and caressed her bottom before giving it a little squeeze.

The glimmer in Ash’s eye’s told me that she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. There were no protestations to my aggressive sexual advances until she said slyly, “Oh, do you think so? That sounds more like what YOU want. Lucia’d skin your hide if she knew you were in here seducing me!” Ash said sarcastically.

“Well, Miss Ashley, what do YOU want?” I asked hoping that she would say what I hoped for.

Ash began to lick her lips and leaned in closer to me, sliding her hands down to rest on my rear and giving it a little squeeze said, “Well, dear sir, what I want is………

“What are you to up to!?” Lucia said with a bound as we jumped away from each other.

“Nothin’ Lucia! Is supper ready yet? I’m starving.” Ash said so sweetly that Lucia quickly forgot her displeasure.

“Yep. Almost ready. Dr. Carter, won’t you have a look around while Miss Ashley, Dr. Ashley and I go to the office to discuss some family business?” Lucia requested while we walked in the direction of the office. I watched Ash and Lucia walk into the office as I began to explore.

This place is as big as Gamma’s! I looked around at the family treasures and keepsakes. It reminded me so much of my Grandparent’s home. There were antiques, American and European. Fine leather bound books and family pictures. The only difference is that the people in the pictures looked as if they really loved each other. About ten minutes after they entered the office, Lucia emerged and closed the door behind.

“Miss, I mean Dr. Ashley, will be out directly. She’s signing some checks and attending to some other family affairs.” Lucia said to explain Ash’s absence. “How long have you know Dr. Ashley? Where do you know her from and just what are your intentions, sir?”

“Uhhhhh, well let’s see. I’ve known Ash, Dr. Ashley, for several weeks now. We met at the hospital.” I said as Lucia glared at me. Judging me. Sizing me up. I squirmed and this met with her approval. “As for my intentions, well, I love her. I don’t know what will happen in my future but I’m planning on having Ash as part of whatever it is.”

“Sorry to put you on the spot Dr. Carter, but she’s the only little girl I’ve got left. I love her so much and I’ve been so worried about her since her blood family went up to be with the Lord.” Lucia’s voice began to crack as she wiped a tear from her face with her apron. “I just want her to be happy. She was such a joyful, carefree child. I’d like to see her like that again.” She’s coming out of the office so let’s just keep this little conversation between us.”

“Let me go check on your supper.” When Lucia returned she stated, “Annie’s got it on the table. It’s all your favorites as she could remember. Y’all go eat now before it gets cold and stiff.” Lucia led us to the dining room.

Ash must have grown up very much like I had. Her family must be very wealthy. She did seem however, to have the one thing I lacked and wanted most from my family; Love. She draws great strength from the love she gets from Lucia. From the way she described her parents and her brother, they loved her just as much as Lucia does. What a wonderful thing to rely on. Before the end of the weekend, I’m going to make sure she knows that she can add me to that list.

“John, this food may seem a bit strange to you if you’ve never had true Southern cooking. Don’t feel like you have to eat it just to be polite. Annie knows you’re a Yankee and won’t be hurt if you do not like her cooking. But I guarantee, you will.” Ash told me as I helped her with her chair.

“I’m adventurous. I’ll try anything once.” I said as I pulled up my chair to the table. ‘I wonder if she knows I mean adventurous and not just with food?’

“Yes. I am too. Anything once and several times if it’s good to me.” She replied and winked at me from across the large dining table.

‘Oh God, she does!’ I thought as I reached down to cover my rising interest with my napkin.

“So what do we have here?” I asked as if I’d never seen any of these foods before. Well, I hadn’t seen most of them but wanted to hear Ash describe the food in that sweet Southern tone.

“Of course, fried chicken. Annie makes the best fried chicken. If you think the Colonel makes good chicken…collard greens, black eyed peas, corn bread and if I don’t miss my guess, sweet potato pie for dessert.” Ash explained to this ignorant Yankee boy. “These are no longer my favorite foods but they were when I was a child. Annie is so sweet to remember. She’s getting on in years and I’m surprised she remembers my name. She has called me Angel or Sugar or Honey or Darlin’ for so long, I think she may have already!” We broke out into laughter as we began to eat.

After we were done, we made our way out to the veranda off the dinning room to enjoy the night air.

“Oh gosh, that was so good. I ate too much though.” I said while rubbing my bloated stomach. “It’s still so hot out here.” I’m going to fall asleep if I don’t keep moving.”

“Well then, do you think a swim might do you good?” Ash asked.

“Sure. Sounds good.” I said as we made out way back to the entrance hall where I left our bags.

When we arrived at the bottom of the stairs, I began to think back to when we first arrived and I wondered what the sleeping arrangements would be. I noticed that the bags were gone and as Ash went up the stairs, I assumed she knew what had become of them. I watched her rear end sway back and forth as she climbed the stairs and began to think of what the inside of her bedroom would look like. What her bed would feel like. How her body would feel when she’s underneath me as I………

“John, here we are. This is my bedroom.” She opened the door and turned on the light. It was as sweet as I would have imagined. Not at all like the room of a little girl but the sleeping chamber of a princess. Everything was white and pure except the exquisite European antiques that I assumed were from her mother’s family. “Let me show you where you’ll be sleeping tonight.”

“Where I’ll be sleeping?” I couldn’t help but sound disappointed.

She stepped closer to me and said, “Yes, where you’ll be sleeping, tonight. You know that everyone will be in the house tonight and watching every move I make. If you hadn’t already guessed, they are my family. They are also very protective.”

“Sorry,” I said “but I thought that you wanted, that we would. Oh God Ash!” I hung my head, as I knew that the moment of truth about what would and would not happen this weekend was about to be out in the open.

Ash took her hands and placed them on the sides of my face, looked at me with smoldering green eyes and kissed me softly at first and then drawing me in with a deepened kiss. “Don’t get frustrated with me please. I’m frustrated enough for both of us. Patience lover. Patience.” She whispered through her seductive kisses.

“Lover? Am I your lover?” I couldn’t help but sound a bit on edge as we had been down this road so many times.

“I’ve made love to you so many times in my mind that I almost believe that you are. That you have been for a long time. You must know by now how much I want to be with you. Thank goodness that no one could read my thoughts, as I’d probably be put in jail for the things I’ve fantasized about you. Me. What I want to do to you. What I want you to do to me…” her word trailed off as I realized that we were exploring the other’s body with roaming hands. For the first time, I felt her as she was a woman with a desire as great as mine. Her hand made its way to the front of me and felt how much I wanted to be with her. In her. I hadn’t been with a woman in so long that my once very much in control body was on the verge of having an orgasm just from her brief contact. She began to moan as I ran my hand up the back of her leg and underneath her skirt. I could feel that she had on the same type of panties that I had seen her in the night she left for Paris. My fingers slowly traced the outline they made and started to reach around the front. I felt myself coming dangerously close to going over the edge. God this hasn’t happened to me since I was a teenager.

I whispered in her ear, “Mmmmmm Ash, we’ve got to, I’m going to….if we don’t stop soon. I don’t know if all be able to……” we were both panting and in one more second, we were going to fall on her bed and finally satisfy our aching needs. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK…

We were startled and broke apart still panting. “Dr. Ashley, if you don’t need anything else, I’m going to go on to bed.” Lucia inquired from the other side of the door.

“No. I’ll be fine for the rest of the evening. I have everything I want right here.” Ash said as she looked deeply into my eyes. We were silent as we listened for Lucia’s footsteps to get some distance away from us.

“Ash, I think we’d better go for that swim. I can’t stay in here one minute without having you.” I said trying to regain my composure.

“OK, let me show you Bobby’s room, uh hum, I mean your room, next door. The room are connected by the veranda outside.”

Ash left me in the room to change. I unpacked the clothing she advised me to bring along with the things she had bought for me. The bathing suit fit nicely. After I was through changing, I waited for her outside the door.

When she stepped out, I was mesmerized. She was wearing a two piece bathing suit that showed just enough to get me excited again. We walked hand in hand down the stairs and out to the pool.

It was a hot and balmy night. There was not a sound except the singing of the crickets and a faint train whistle as we were all alone by the water’s edge. Even though many minutes had passed, I still felt very aroused from our last encounter. Ash took me by the hand and led me down into the pool. The water felt so refreshing as our bodies, for whatever reason, had become hot and began to sweat in the heat.

Ash began to swim around the pool and dove under the surface of the water. She stayed under so long that I began to worry about her. Unexpectedly, to me and to her, she resurfaced right in front of me. Ash gasped for air and then seemed pleasantly startled as she realized she misjudged our distance. I took her in my arms and kissed her firmly, opening my mouth to claim her with my tongue. Only letting up for a minute I growled hungrily, “Where were we?”..........

To be continued..........................