Goodbye Kiss

30. It's All in Your Head

It's All in Your Head
Season 8 x 15
February, 2002:

for the past few weeks abby had been living with me.
it wasn't that bad having a roommate, and i'm sure she had gotten used to being cared for.
i cooked her every meal, washed her clothes, and made her bed for her.
i clipped my hair up as i heard my front door unlock.
"welcome home" i smiled
"your bruises are looking better everyday"
"thanks" she smiled
i checked my watch. i had to leave for my night shift in a couple minutes.
"how was work?"
"not so good actually" she smiled
i titled my head
"the trial is put off"
i raised my eyebrows "what?"
"yeah"
"i talked to my lawyer and apparently carter and luka went a beat the husband up after i left the hospital"
"they did, what?"
"they attacked my attacker" she smiled
"god, i'm so sorry, abby"
"you have two men defending you" i wowed, she nodded her head, smiling.
i don't know if i was more angry at carter for ignoring me or beating that guy up.
"speaking of carter"
"haven't seen him?" she asked
"no"
"i will tonight though" i shrugged
i zipped up my winter coat.
"i can talk to you in the morning"
"sure" she shrugged
"dinners on the stove, i'm gonna lock the door behind me"
"don't open it"
she rolled her eyes "thanks mom"
"goodnight, abby" i smiled, shutting the door behind me.
——
as i walked toward the ambulance bay, i saw mark sitting on a bench. when i for closer, he nearly collapsed when he stood up.
i grabbed his shoulder before he could.
"you alright?"
we sat back down.
"you know, you don't look too good" i said, trying to get a better look at his pale skin.
"yeah, heading off early" he nodded
"waiting on elizabeth?"
he shook his head "no, susan"
"you're still not good, huh?"
ever since the incident with baby ella, mark had been in the doghouse. elizabeth wouldn't even look at him.
"not really"
"sorry" i muttered
"you're probably wondering what's up with me"
"you don't have to tell me anything"
all i knew, was he went off to new york for a couple days.
"i started chemo"
my face went blank.
his tumor was back.
"jesus christ, mark" i sighed, rubbing my eye.
"it seems like all i've heard is bad news lately"
"i'm really sorry" i added
he tilted his head "don't tell anyone"
"i wont" i shrugged
"you gonna be okay?"
he looked at me blankly.
"i'm here for you is what i mean" i nodded
"thanks, gianna"
"you better get inside"
"goodnight, mark"
he nodded his head
wow.

i clocked in and was working for twenty minutes.
still in worried disbelief, i went over to the admit desk and dialled the phone to transfer patient.
that's when i saw carter walk out of the lounge.
"hi, i have a patient down here who needs to be transferred up to medicine"
"okay"
"yeah exam three in the er"
"bye"
i hung up the phone and looked over. he was sitting on a stool looking at a chart.
i walked over to the cabinet and started a chart for the man who was waiting in chairs. that's when i felt a foot on my back.
still squatting, i turned my head.
"you gonna say anything?" he said, his mouth was full and he was chewing on something.
"waiting for you to"
"i haven't seen you in ages" he added, swallowing his food.
i stood back up.
"i know what you've been up to"
"and what's that?"
i got closer to him.
"you went and beat up that man with luka"
he gave me a smirk
"she's staying with you, right?"
i nodded, walking toward the waiting area.
jesus this was gonna be a long night.