Walking After You
Part Five - Being Carter
By Kitty
angelpixiedust@bolt.com

Ok, it is almost over *Sighs with relief*. And well in the event that you liked any of it, feel free to send me E-Mail, because you'd make this sleep deprived bunny very happy. And if I truly do suck, and you want to see the back of my depraved talent then also send me an e-mail, save the both of us having to go through this again, OK?

And oh yeah, mostly listening to Jewel when I wrote this, especially "Morning Song." And also ‘I wanna be your underwear’ by Bryan Adams (don’t ask) and ‘The Last Beautiful Girl’ by Matchbox Twenty. And maybe, perhaps, you can see it in some scenes. You decide. No idea why I told you that. But it’s nice to have in the background I guess…

And, perhaps, my final disclaimer that I will ever have to write, so here goes; I am not making a bomb writing this, nor do I intend to sell it on the black-market for a profit, (like that would happen even if I did), and the characters are not mine, minus the ones that I have created, but I intend to return, Dave, Weaver, Mark, Randy, et al right back to the studio where they belong once I have finished with them…apart from a one John T. Carter, who is being held hostage in my bedroom. Thanks for reading, its totally appreciated back here. So sit back, enjoy...and have a nice day.

Bent

If I fall along the way
pick me up and dust me off.
and if I get too tired to make it
be my breath so I can walk

Matchbox Twenty

"Nice place," Dave muttered sarcastically as they approached Jamie’s driveway. Carter parked his black jeep in front and eyed the building with a frown.

The place was in the bad area of Chicago, the hot spot for all those with a penchant for shootouts and noisy, foul-mouthed neighbors. Dave and him stepped outside, giving each other a wry look before approaching the entrance. Dave stopped carter as he made his way in.

"Slow down, we still haven’t decided what we’re going to say," Dave muttered, "I mean what do we do, just go up to the guy and say, ‘Leave Amy alone, or else,’ or maybe he’d react better to a simple dosage of his own medicine. Prescribed by yours truly."

Carter smiled, "We’re just going to talk to him. Y’know, see what he has to say for himself-"

"-And then beat the crap out of him, right?"

"Something like that," Carter mumbled, walking through the apartment doors, Dave tagging behind him.

He tried to create a visual image of Jamie in his mind; about as tall as him, medium build, a little scary, but nothing that he and Dave couldn’t handle. Not that they were hoping to handle anything; just a few small words to get their point across. But woe betide if he even threatened a repeat occurrence.

"Yo Carter, I said is this the place?" Dave whispered, motioning towards the door number.

Four. "Yeah, this is it," he said, ringing his bell.

They heard some movement from inside and then braced themselves as the door opened. Jamie paused, eyeing the two men on his doorstep. "Um, Amy’s not in at the moment. She’s at the hospital."

Jamie was sober. Sober and in a suit, looking nothing like the woman beater he’d envisioned him to be. "We actually wanted to talk to you." Dave told him coolly.

His forehead creased, "Me? Why? Has something happened to Amy that I should know about?"

"I think you know why we’re here," Carter replied, his hands reaching for his front pockets.

Jamie gave a small polite chuckle, "No, actually I don’t."

Carter smiled wryly, "Yeah, beating your girlfriend up until she’s a quivering wreck’s just one of those things that slipped your mind huh?"

Jamie’s good-natured smile was replaced with anger. "Has Amy being telling you things? And you actually believed her? Do I look like someone who would assault a lady?!"

"From where I’m standing you look like a lot of things…" Dave muttered, through clenched teeth.

"Y’know what, I’m not going to stand here and listen to this, so if you don’t mind-" Jamie said, retreating back into his apartment, his hand reaching to shut the door. Dave held it open.

"And y’know what, you’re going to listen to every damn thing we have to tell you," Dave retorted, his eyes flashing with pure hatred. "Is it hard huh? Being on the receiving end? Bet you don’t feel like such a tough guy now."

Jamie remained motionless for a few seconds, withdrawing further into his apartment. He picked up his phone and held it out towards them. "I’m calling the police. This is harassment, and I will-"

"Be my guest." Carter replied, grinning as he dialed the number, "I wasn’t sure if I should call them, but seeing as you already offered…"

Jamie looked up at Carter, then at Dave, hesitating on the numbers. "Who the hell do you think you are? Judging me like that? You have no fucking idea who the hell I am, and yet you come to my house, insulting me-"

"No, no, no," Carter muttered, correcting him, "Y’see we don’t give a damn who you are. Doesn’t bother us. Just stay the hell away from Amy, because if you so much as lay a finger on her again, I swear I’ll-"

Jamie approached Carter, dropping his phone, his face and his body angry. His eyes narrowed. He had taken the bait. "You’ll what?"

Dave watched them from the doorframe, a little stunned by Carter’s angry reaction and a little fearful of what Jamie was capable of, because based on size alone, Dave was not too pleased with the odds. He waited on tenterhooks for the break he needed to kill the guy.

"I’ll kill you." Carter said, his voice cool and controlled.

Jamie allowed himself to smile. "Be my guest, asshole. That bitch had it coming to her-"

Carter wasn’t even aware of what he had done, until the ringing in his ears and the world spinning around him stopped. Jamie lay sprawled against his floor, more in shock than pain, rubbing his jaw with one hand, clenching the other. Carter’s fist was sore, and he shook it, to distract him. Jesus, had he just done that?

Dave was staring at him, his mouth hanging open, he watched as Jamie attempted to stand, "I think that’s our cue Carter." He said, reaching over and pulling on Carter’s shoulder. He hesitated for several seconds, still in shock, and then followed Dave into the hallway. He turned one last time to see Jamie’s eyes flaring with anger, but he remained on the floor.

If I need some other love
give me more than I can stand
and when my smile gets old and faded
wait around I'll smile again

"Ok, 17 yr old boy, blunt chest trauma, tension pneumothorax and remains hypotensive with absent breath sounds to the left." The paramedic said as the Doctors took over the gurney.

Carter glanced over at the nursing station, "Amy you wanna pitch in?" he called out to the small figure huddled over the coffee machine. She looked up sharply, grabbing a pair of gloves, and hurrying over to assist with the patient.

"What’ve you got?" She asked one of the technical assistants. She informed her of his vitals, and Carter began ordering the necessary medication, tests and equipment. "It looks like internal bleeding, that’s bringing his pressure crashing down like that." She murmured as the gurney was wheeled into Trauma.

"Ok, 1, 2, 3," Mark said as they shifted the boy onto the hospital bed. "So what would you suggest we do Amy?" Mark asked her, in his ‘lemme-see-if-the-med-student-revised’ voice.

She searched both of their faces, before allowing her mind to add up all the info, knowing that she had been put on the spot. "Um," she watched the pair assist the wound, assistants and nurses scattering around her. <I hate it when they do this to me> "A chest tube, right?"

Mark looked up at her a little surprised, "Nice one Amy."

Carter turned to face him after inserting the tube, "Nope, pressure’s still low. So it could be an-"

"-Intrabdominal bleed," Amy cut in, feeling stupid once she had said it. "So we should get an ultrasound in, right?"

"Intrabdominal bleed?" Carter repeated looking over at Mark, he took his expression to mean what he had felt, "Looks more like fluid around the heart."

"Yeah?" Amy muttered, feeling even more stupid. "Look I’m pretty sure the guy’s got a bleed." She turned to face one of the assistants, "Can we have an ultrasound?"

"Whoa Amy. I’m the Doc here, y’know the guy with the license. I didn’t order an ultrasound."

Amy sighed, "The guy seriously looks like he has an intrabdominal bleed."

"No breath sounds to the left, low pressure: it’s fluid around the heart," Carter said, sounding as though he were getting bored of the conversation.

Amy paused, taking a step back. "Y’know what? If you don’t want me to help, there’s a pile of paperwork that’ll be happy to see me," Amy muttered coldly at Carter.

He was removing the chest tube, and looked up at her, questioning her anger. "I just think that maybe you should ask a Doctor before jumping to conclusions. It’s what we live for."

Amy gave him a dirty look, "And I live to learn, so why don’t you perhaps teach me what fluid around the heart actually looks like?"

"Ah, I see you’ve been doing your homework." Carter retorted sarcastically, "Maybe if you actually-"

Mark watched the pair squabble, amused. "Hey, you guys maybe want to take five. I’ll get Luka to help."

They both looked up at him from their cold, competitive silence, "Fine," Amy muttered the sound of her gloves falling against the bin as she left.

"Jesus," Carter mumbled, following her.

Lydia looked round at Mark, "What was all that about?"

Mark shrugged, "No idea."

Amy was leaning against the door to the supplies room, running a hand through her hair, sighing in frustration. Carter paced around the boxes of saline and gauze.

He exhaled noisily, finally looking at her. "What the hell was all that about?"

"It was an intrabdominal bleed. Not that you’d care." She replied tartly.

He shook his head, "Yeah? I’ve never seen anyone get so upset about a bleed before."

She slowly glanced up at Carter, her blue eyes ice cold "I just didn’t see why you had to tell anyone."

Progress, Carter thought with relief. "I felt that it was the best thing to do at the time."

Amy groaned, her face revealing her hurt and anger, "Yeah? And you just thought that sticking your big nose into my business was really what I needed? I was handling it."

Carter moved closer towards her, lowering his voice, "Sure looked like you were."

"No Carter. Don’t pull the ‘I did it ‘coz we’re friends bullshit.’ Because friends don’t do that, they don’t go telling other people of their deepest darkest secrets."

"So it was purely selfish huh?"

"Well you weren’t doing me any favors." She paused to look at him, "I happened to be looking for an apartment, but being so eager to make sure that the poor little med student was OK, I didn’t find one. I’ve been living in my car for the past two weeks, which isn’t the best place to sleep, or study," she smiled dryly, "but you can still make my life that little bit more of a pleasure. So forgive me for holding it against you, I’m petty like that."

John’s face softened. "I didn’t realize-"

Amy laughed dryly, walking past him, "You know what-you don’t. So can we just drop it already? There are some heart diagrams that my future patients would appreciate me knowing." She turned to look at him one last time, before shutting the door behind her.

Carter ran a hand across his face, "Nice one Carter."

shouldn't be so complicated
just hold me and then
just hold me again

can you help me I'm bent
I'm so scared that I'll never
get put back together
you're breaking me in
and this is how we will end
with you and me bent

If I couldn't sleep could you sleep
could you paint me better off
could you sympathize with my needs
I know you think I need a lot

I started out clean but I'm jaded
just phoning it in
just breaking the skin

Amy shifted uneasily in her sleep, slowly coming to. Where was she? The familiar scent of IV fluids and sterile equipment, reminded her that she had fallen asleep on one of the Exam beds. She sighed, sitting up. Her head was sore from the severe lack of sleep, and the brutal amount of fatigue she was feeling. But she was awake, and there was no way she could get back to sleep now.

She fell back against the sheets, and saw movement from the corner of her eye. "Carter?" Amy mumbled questioningly, shading her eyes, the bright light blinding her.

He smiled tenderly, "Hey. I wanted to speak to you."

She wiped the sleep from her eyes, "so you decided to watch me sleep?" She asked amused.

"I had some time to kill." He smiled.

Amy looked away, allowing herself to sit up again. She stretched, and picked up her white lab coat, putting it on quickly. "I’m not too sure that I have anything to say to you."

Carter held out a mug of steaming black coffee, "I’ve brought you a peace offering."

Amy accepted it, before looking back at him. "So…"

He smiled at this break, "so…I wanted to apologize. What I did was out of order." Amy pulled a ‘you-don’t-say’ face, he continued, "It was irrational…and I, I behaved like a prick." Amy agreed smiling, "…but Amy, you’re not just my Med student, you’re a friend. And I didn’t want to see you get hurt anymore than you already have been."

Amy took a sip from the coffee, her tired mind mulling over what he was telling her, "And the intrabdominal bleed was a reasonable assumption…"

Carter smiled, "And, yeah, the intrabdominal bleed was a pretty neat assumption."

Amy succumbed to a smile; she got up from the Exam bed, pulled her hair into a bun, and picked up a few charts. She laughed, "I still can’t believe you gave him a black eye."

Carter smiled, "not one of my better moments."

Amy grinned, "Well I was impressed; the good doctor with the mean right hook. I wish I could have seen the look on his face."

Carter chuckled, flexing his fingers, "Well in fairness, the guy’s got the thickest head I’ve ever seen…"

Amy smiled, "You don’t need to tell me that." She paused opening the door for him, and he left with her. She turned to face him, "So you know of any decent apartments, within a Med Student price range?"

Carter grinned, "That was another thing I wanted to talk about. I might know of a place you can stay for a while…"

"So you really don't mind if I stay over tonight?" Amy asked Carter tentatively, "Considering you do only have the one bed…?"

He eyed his bed, "Fist time having only one bed’s working against my favor…"

She smiled, "I’m sure one night in a sleazy motel won’t kill me."

Carter smiled, "But one night at Chez Carter will?"

She smiled, approaching his bed. Carter's bedroom reminded her of her father's bedroom, the pastel colorings and the artsy deco welcoming, yet the neatness and mature atmosphere a little intimidating. She looked away, "So what does Courtney think?"

He played with the corner of his sheet, "Courtney doesn’t want you to stay." He caught her uncomfortable gaze, smiling, "It’s not your fault. She just has a thing against any girl who happens to breathe in my direction. She’ll get over it." He smiled up at her, "So hey, you're gonna be sleeping in here tonight. You like?"

She scanned the bedroom again, "It's awesome... but I am the one imposing remember so I get the couch."

He shook his head, "No way. I get to sleep on this thing everyday of my life, the couch'll be a good change for me."

She smiled sitting on the edge of the bed, "You know what, we either both sleep on the bed, or we both sleep on the couch. It's your call."

"You don't mind?"

"Why should I mind? It's not like you're some leery guy that I picked up on the way home. You’re Carter." She smiled playfully.

"I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted..."

She laughed, "Being Carter? Oh, it's a definite complement."

He smiled, a little self conscious "So, I'm going to go have a quick shower, what with our early start tomorrow," he said getting up and undoing his braces at the same time. He walked backwards towards the shower, "Feel free to browse through my CD collection, books, um..." he searched his room for anything vaguely entertaining "-and if you get really bored, you can always flick through some past Medical Annals."

She nodded, looking mildly interested at the impressive collection of Medical Journals that he had assimilated, before falling against his pillows with a sigh.

Don't do this to me Amy, Carter thought; watching as sleep deprivation took its toll on her. Don't make yourself look endearing, not when we're about to share the same bed. Not when you're all that I can currently focus on for longer than two seconds, please, take pity on my poor sex deprived soul. "-Oh yeah, if you want anything to sleep in, third-drawer down, I have a collection of robes, and over sized casual things. Take your pick." He hesitated at the entrance to the shower, "So you'll be OK?"

She propped herself up on her elbows, dragging a palm across her hair, "I'll be great. Thanks, Carter." He gave one last smile, before shutting the door behind him.

Amy sighed, wearily. She decided to sort her attire out first, rummaging around in his things and coming across an old Mickey Mouse jumper. She slipped out of her clothes, leaving them as a neat pile on his shelf. Putting the jumper on, she decided to do a nosy inspection of all things Carter shaped. She just wanted to get an insight into the life of her teacher.

And friend, she reminded herself, like the only friend that she had actually acquired at County. Nobody else seemed willing to give her the time of day, and she just couldn't shake off the feeling that she didn't quite belong there. Maybe it was something to do with Lucy. Maybe they felt that she had been trying to fill in a blank spot at the hospital that she just wasn't meant to fulfill.

She groaned, Amy, this is like the only time of the day that you aren't at the goddamn hospital, doing manic 24-hour shifts, so give yourself a break. She scanned the photo frames gathered on his mantelpiece. A blonde girl and Carter...no, she looked again, oh yeah, Carter in a Medical student gown. She grinned, the photo confirming what she had believed, <he looks just as goofy as I do>. Another frame, this one more recent, Carter and yet another blonde chick, this time she was the one donning the Med Student attire, she picked it up to give it a closer inspection. "So this is Lucy," she thought aloud. Cute, in a wide-eyed bambi kind of way; she had a big grin plastered across her face, her arm wrapped around Carter's waist. Not an intimate moment, but nice. She put it down.

Her muscles were screaming at her, to just give in to the lack of sleep and collapse onto the bed. But she had an impulse to stay awake, just so that she could have company.

She flicked through the pile of CDs that he had stacked up against his CD player. Jazz...jazz... blues...soft rock...she burst out into laughter.

"What?" his voice said interrupting her moment of glee. He walked over to her, drying his dripping wet hair with a towel, wearing only a t-shirt, and red boxers.

She laughed again, and looked around at him, "Celine Dion huh? Needed something to knock you out after a night shift?"

He smiled his face flashing a light shade of crimson, "Um, a friend of mine...Christmas..."

"I wonder what Kerry would think of her star Doctor chilling out to Celine Dion, I have to show the guys at work this," She said, her eyes shining with her amusement.

He eyed the CD, "Oh no you don't" he said lunging for it. Amy clutched it to her chest, laughing as she dodged his attempts to reclaim it; they both fell off the bed together, laughing, Carter laying awkwardly over her. Their eyes held for several moments, their laughter subdued by this fixation they were finding themselves in. Carter eyed her gently before slowly and hesitantly placing his lips onto hers.

She inhaled sharply, surprised at how tender and soft his kiss would be. His lips tasted of aftershave and fruits, the smell of his recently washed hair enveloping her, and before she could help herself she found her lips entangled with his, her mouth enjoying and savoring his sweet taste and passionate ambition. Carter ran his hands along her back, pulling her a little closer. He needed to feel her, all of her. She sighed with pleasure as his hands explored her.

She pulled away abruptly as her tired mind regained control. She looked away, the passionate embrace they had enjoyed, leaving them both cold and unsatisfied.

He sat down at the foot of the bed, his hands scraping across his wet face. "Amy..."

She remained where she had fallen. Where they had kissed. She didn't know what to feel, what to say. She had enjoyed it. She had even wanted it. She wanted Carter to hold her some more, his fresh smell smothering her. But it was wrong. She had just gotten out of a bad relationship, he was in a relationship, still recovering from an attack, a lost friend, the timing was wrong, and so was the place. But all the words that seemed to come to mind were, "Hey Carter, no need for an explanation...These things just happen I guess. I mean, I just got caught up in the moment, and I'm sorry." She couldn't see what expression he was making, but from the pause, she appreciated that it might be bad. "Look...I'll find a hotel open now, y'know, if this is going to be awkward between us." She hesitated again, "But I have to admit I was beginning to enjoy Chez Carter."

He turned around, talking to her, and yet avoiding her at the same time. "Yeah, it's just like you said...Over-worked, over-tired, screwed up people having fun... Just got caught up. There is really no need to find some place else. Seriously. No hard feelings OK?"

Amy nodded apprehensively; she couldn't help but feel that he was holding back on something. "No hard feelings." She smiled, climbing onto the bed, and sitting down. "But I'm not sure if I can look at you in the same way...I mean Celine Dion?" He laughed, and she felt relief flow through her.

He sat down next to her. "So you want the right side or left?"

"Left," she murmured, lying down where she was. Carter nodded, pulling back the covers so that they could both seek the warmth beneath the duvet. He pulled the bed sheets over Amy, and then did the same for himself.

She turned to face him, her eyes closed, her red hair showering the pillow beneath her. "Carter..."

He looked at her, smiling, "Yeah Amy."

She waited for a few seconds to pass so that she could collect her thoughts, "I don't want this to spoil anything...y'know...anything between us...I mean you're like the closest friend I've had in a really long time...I don't want to lose you...So...promise me you won't...promise me that you won't let this affect our relationship..."

He nodded, "I promise."

She smiled, "Night Carter."

"Carter?" Amy murmured drowsily, her hands reaching over to the vacant space next to her. Her hands found nothing. "Carter?" She mumbled again, this time attempting to open her eyes. She was still tired, but had been woken by the sound of running water. Her eyes slowly adjusted to her surroundings, last night’s events slowly returning to her. I kissed Carter. John, she corrected herself ‘and you liked it too’ a small voice in the back of her head told her.

She heard feet padding against the floor, and looked up, Carter was putting a shirt on, "Morning sleepy head," he said smiling.

She ran a hand through her tangled hair. "What time is it...?"

He was still smiling at her, putting his braces on, "Does your hair always do that in the morning?"

She smiled, attempting to flatten her hair again. "Shut up," she said laughing, "What time is it?"

He looked back down at his watch, "We have to be outta here in fifteen minutes."

Amy groaned falling back against the bed; she ran her hand along his wardrobe, picking up her pile of clothes. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"

He was putting his shoes on; "You looked pretty happy where you were."

"...I have to admit," she said heading off to his shower, "-I slept like a baby. Best night's sleep ever."

"You sure look like a million dollars," he looked up at her, his smile reaching his eyes, something she had never really noticed before.

"Shut up," she muttered laughing as she closed the door behind her.

"It was a Christmas Present," Carter said laughing as Amy pulled another face. They were checking out patients’ charts by the Admin. Desk. The morning was almost silent, which was pretty unusual, but nonetheless grateful.

"Good morning Amy, Carter," Kerry said wearily. Kerry silently eyed the pair up, "Why are you two so happy?"

"Oh, it was just something-" Carter nudged her with his chart, grinning. "Nothing."

Kerry watched both of them suspiciously. Weren't they supposed to hate each other? "Well OK, um, there's a patient in Exam Room 4 waiting to be cured. You want to get onto that?"

They both nodded, suppressing their laughter until she was making her way out of chairs, where they fell into a fit of hysterics.

The nurses at the office eyed each other curiously. It was 5am, what could there possibly be to be happy about?

"Did I miss something?" Abby asked the nurses watching the pair leave.

"Yeah a miracle." Randy muttered.

Amy felt sincerely happy. She guessed that it was because she had finally left Jamie, and found a friend. No more endless arguing and uncomfortable glances as they worked on patients, no, they worked well together now.

She fumbled with the box of some Saline. She didn't want to admit it to herself but whenever she couldn't feel his presence around her, she felt somehow lost, helpless. Like she was unsure of everything. His smile had that affect on people she figured, denying that it was anything more than that.

"Amy? You need any help with that?" He asked her teasingly, and she realized that she had been playing with the corners of the box for the past ten minutes.

She looked away, reprimanding herself for thinking about the kiss. "Fifty milliliters right?" she said handing him a sachet. He brushed past her on his way out, and Amy couldn’t help but find herself sighing.

"You OK Amy?" Carter asked her, his eyebrows creasing with concern.

She looked up at him quickly, feeling about one tenth of her size. He heard that didn’t he, she thought cringing. "I’m…I, um, just need some more coffee."

Carter nodded, watching her turn to leave. "Aren’t you forgetting something?"

She turned to face him sharply, "Oh yeah. You want some?"

Carter shook his head, with a curious smile, "No thanks, I’m all caffeined out at the moment." Amy nodded, turning to leave again, "I mean the patient. You haven’t inserted his IV yet."

Amy looked over at where the patient lay, and then the IV bag. Well duh Amy. "Um, yeah. Just got a little sidetracked for a second…"

He laughed teasingly, "I noticed."

She felt her face flushing, "So yeah…IV’s…"

"Well hello there sweetheart…" Courtney said, her hands sliding over his eyes. "Guess who?"

Carter smiled, "Um, Benton?"

"No silly," Courtney said, giggling. Carter cringed, was her laugh always that irritating? "It’s me."

He turned to face her. "Hi Courtney, how’s it going?"

Courtney smiled, planting a kiss on his lips, and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Great, now that I’ve finally had a chance to talk to you. I left some messages on your machine. Guess you didn’t get them huh?"

"Yeah? I haven’t checked," he saw Lydia and Amy walk past; he returned his focus back onto Courtney. "Actually this is a pretty bad time. Amy?"

Courtney watched as Amy turned and approached them. "Yeah, Carter, what can I do for you? Need a five-minute break for…" she trailed off, catching the cold stare that Courtney was giving her. "Well?"

Carter took his arms from around Courtney and brushed his hair back, sensing Courtney’s iciness. "You got the ultrasound for the patient in Trauma Room 2?" Amy nodded, "you want to, um, set it up, and I’ll be right with you." Amy gave another nod, giving him a strange look as she left.

"I’m sure she can take care of herself for five minutes," Courtney said, purring against Carter’s neck.

He pulled away from her, "What was all that about?"

She frowned, "All what about?"

He sighed in frustration, "Is Amy that much of a threat to you?"

Courtney looked away, "I just don’t see why you seem to spend more time with her than you do with me."

Carter smiled, "More time with her? Maybe it’s because she doesn’t act like a spoilt two-year old whenever I’m with her."

Carter knew he shouldn’t have said that. Well at least not in front of all his colleagues, knowing that he had indefinitely unleashed the drama queen with her. "Me? Acting like a two year old? Well let me see, I’ve seen you once in the past week, and she’s staying nights now, isn’t that right? Don’t you see enough of each other during the day? But no, I’m acting like the two-year old-" She lowered her voice, coldly, satisfied by all the attention she was drawing. "-But at least I can handle an adult relationship."

Carter sighed, and then cocked his head back in a smile, "Courtney, what relationship?"

Courtney’s eyes widened, her mouth slowly falling, "Excuse me?"

He groaned, beginning to walk away, "Y’know what, lets not discuss this now, OK?"

Courtney trailed after him, "No. You tell me whatever it is you have to tell me now." She lowered her voice so that only he could hear her. "With everybody watching."

He smiled, "I’ll speak to you later Courtney," he murmured, without facing her, he left.

"Gee, that went a lot easier than I thought it would be," Amy told Carter with a smug grin.

Carter nodded, watching the patient getting wheeled up to the OR. "Most things are once you do them," he said sharing her smile, "you handled that like a pro."

Amy smiled, "That’s ‘cos I’m being taught by one."

He grinned at the complement, "I especially loved the improvised use of the catheter. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone use it quite like that before."

Amy winked at him, pulling her bloody surgical gloves off, "Well, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. So do you think he’ll be OK?"

Carter nodded, "All thanks to you. Very nice work." He gave her a pat on the back, and began heading for the doors out of the trauma room.

"Hey Carter," Amy called out to him. She braced herself as he turned to face her. Was it really her place to say anything?

"Yeah, Amy? I was just going to find Mark and tell him what a great job you did," he watched her expectantly. She smiled again, avoiding his eye contact. "What is it Amy?"

She sighed, "Look…Carter…I heard you and Courtney earlier." Carter nodded, running an anxious hand through his hair. "-And I really don’t want to be the cause of any unhappiness between you guys. So I was thinking," she paused, taking a deep breath, "I was thinking that maybe my working with you is not a good idea. I’m sure Dave or Luka will take me on, and I’ll be fine." She paused, noticing his silence. "It’s what Courtney wants."

Carter gave out a dry laugh, "What about what I want?" He sat down on the empty exam bed, with another sigh.

Amy joined him. "And what’s that?"

Carter looked at her. "What I want is for you to be my student, and for Courtney…for Courtney to grow up. She shouldn’t presume things-"

"We kissed." Amy said abruptly. "So maybe she is right."

Carter nodded after some consideration, "She is right." He looked over at a stunned Amy and stood up. "I need to find her."

Amy watched him leave, falling against the bed with a groan. Gee, Amy that really went well. Exactly how you expected. *Stupid, stupid, stupid*

Start bending me
It's never enough
I feel all your pieces
start bending me
Keep bending me until I'm completely broken in

shouldn't be so complicated
just touch me and then
just touch me again

Ok, you can deal with it. Not being Carter’s friend. Easy as pie. Professional. A purely professional relationship. The way he smiles, and the way he pulls you really close when he kisses you, do not matter at all. He is your teacher, and you are his student…and that makes him forbidden territory. Not even sniff-able territory. Completely-

"Hey, Amy," she cringed; now, I’m even hearing his voice. "Amy? You ok?"

Amy jumped at the feel of his cool hand on her shoulder. "OK? I’m great," she told him quickly. Amy smiled, searching the halls for an interruption. "Yeah, everything’s just great with me. You?"

"I was wondering if we could talk for a bit…" he paused, noticing her eyes sink, "About earlier. Courtney and I-"

"Ok, clear trauma 2, we have a hit and run coming in. Carter, Amy, Dave, I want you to handle this one. Now," Kerry called out at them, nurses, and physician assistants passed through them into the trauma room. Amy and carter held their gaze, "I said NOW Amy, Carter, ETA’s only 2 minutes." Amy looked away, following Carol and Lydia into the trauma room. Carter watched her briefly, needing Kerry to again remind him, what he was supposed to be doing.

Dave felt the relief that the cold night air gave him. The stress and responsibility for lives and people’s well-being slowly eating away at him. He took several more sips of his coffee. "So you kissed her?"

Carter gave a guilty nod.

"You’re dating Courtney, but you’re attracted to Amy? And the only reason you went out with Courtney, was because of this thing you have for Amy?" another nod.

"I am open to suggestions."

Dave contemplated silently for a few seconds, "Tell Courtney it’s over, and then…and then seduce Amy."

Carter laughed, "You make it sound so simple."

"That’s only because you make it sound so complicated," Carter smiled, "You know what, Amy likes you. You like her. Quit wasting time and screw each other already. It’s inevitable."

"And it’s that obvious?"

Dave rolled his eyes, "Oh yeah."

Start bending me
It's never enough
I feel all your pieces
start bending me
Keep bending me until I'm completely broken in

shouldn't be so complicated
just touch me and then
just touch me again

"Amy?"

Amy smiled, "Carter? You need something? Maybe a scut to do all your dirty work?"

Carter shook his head, closing the exam room behind him. "No. I wanted to talk. To you. I haven’t seen you in ages."

Amy emptied another syringe into the drain, marking something on a pad. "Yeah? Hadn’t noticed."

Carter bit his lip, sensing her coldness, "You wouldn’t be avoiding me by any chance?"

Amy shook her head, dropping the suture equipment she was carrying. Carter helped her pick it up. "Why would I want to do that?

"You tell me," he asked their eyes catching.

Amy let herself sink into his eyes for a bit, before looking away. "Courtney…"

"And me are over."

Amy nodded, standing up, "You sound like your Ok with it."

He turned to face her, his eyes looking tired, lonely. She held their intensity for a brief moment, before needing to look at her shoes. Carter nodded. "I am."

She nodded, "Good. Good for you Carter. So…is that all you wanted to talk about, because I need to find Kerry, she wanted to know something about...a patient I was dealing with," She mumbled, the silence between each word echoing around her. Jesus, just face him. Just stand there and tell him exactly how you feel. About everything.

He nodded soberly, distracting himself from her tired, lonely eyes. He brushed a sluggish hand through his hair, "Sure."

She returned the nod, biting at her lip. She continued to sink into the depths of his silent charm. Go. Her mind pleaded with her, you spoke to him. He replied. Now go. You shared a smile. Live off that for a while and go already. Her heart finally gave in with a groan, and reluctantly she turned to leave.

"Amy," He said hesitantly, placing a hand on her shoulder. She turned to face him, and his confidence melted away. "Look, I..." She eyed him curiously, hopefully.

"You?" She whispered.

He shook his head, "I... I-" he smiled, his eyes searching hers, "Have a good shift Amy."

She nodded, eyeing him with a slight, curious smile. This time, she did move, leaving him standing alone in the Exam Room. As the door shut behind her, he cursed. Dragging his sweaty palms against his forehead, he sat down on the empty bed.

He cursed at the lovesick teenager who had possessed him. Why was it so hard? You kissed her before. He groaned again, thinking about it. She hadn't wanted you then, what makes you think she's changed her mind? He swore loudly this time, and was startled to hear the door open again.

"John?" Amy muttered walking back in, "Look, I..." she walked over to him. She smiled, before thrusting her lips upon his. He fell back on the bed surprised. He sighed, his hands encircling her waist, bringing her closer. Their lips and hands feeling and exploring.

All thoughts of patients, medicine, Courtney, or Jamie were forgotten. Buried beneath the desire they had for each other. The heat of their bodies left them breathless and desperate.

Amy's lips tasted sweet, and he welcomed them greedily, playing with her bottom lip with his tongue. Amy's hands softly caressed his back, sighing as his kisses became more intense, more passionate, and more hungry.

She pulled away, and breathlessly he watched her. "…Are you sure this is what you want?" He nodded softly, before returning his lips to hers, gently pulling her towards him.

"Dave." Abby muttered at the doctor. He didn't respond. "Hey Dr. Dave," Abby called out, irritated.

He looked up from his chart, "Yes, Ms. Lockhart, what is it that you need?"

"I need to talk to Carter-"

"Then your best bet would probably be with irritating him then," he told her returning to his chart.

She smiled half-heartedly, "That's my problem. Have you seen him anywhere?"

He nodded vaguely, "Um, sure. I think I saw him head into Exam room 2."

She muttered a thanks, as she made a left over to the Exam Rooms. Carter's a little more preoccupied than usual, she thought to herself, if he's forgetting to sign out patients. She was just about to open the door, but had to take a double take.

"Hey Dave," she whispered quietly.

"Yeah Abby, what is it now?"

She beckoned him over with a finger, and unenthusiastically he approached her. He gasped as he shared the same sight that she had met; Amy, and Carter in a passionate embrace on the Exam bed. He broke out into a smile.

She reached out her hand to open the door, but Dave stopped her grinning, "Leave them."

She eyed him enquiringly, but did as he said, following him back into the reception area. He nudged her cheekily, "You think maybe when they're done, we-"

"No," she replied impulsively.

He nodded, "Thought so."

…And they all lived happily ever after…

THE END

I apologize for the obscene amounts of mushiness on which I ended it. I wanted to give Carter something else to focus on for a change, and well, I basically wanted him to get some. But based on all those wonderful age regulations I decided to keep it clean. Maybe next time huh? So, tell me what ya think. Go on and hit me with your best shot. I could always conjure another ‘lil story from up my sleeve…and oh yeah, before I forget, HAVE A NICE DAY, already. Luv kitty