Carter fanfic
Terry Stacey
I'm determind to finish the other one before I post it. This however,
I'll leave to you guys to tell me if I should carry on or not as I
can't decide.
I discovered the world of fanfiction pretty recently and then was led
on into the world of slash!
I knew the internet could be fun but hey this new discovery is pretty
cool I have to admit!!
I searched the web in despair as I got back into ER (yes I lapsed for
a bit don't look at me in that way!) just as series six drew to a
close. Sigh, I always seem to arrive too late.
Anyway, I'm Julie despite the fact the signature says Terry. I'm home
from uni and clogging up Daddy dearest's email with this newsgroup
(lol). Not that he can complain, he has plenty already and this one
is by far the most superior!
Anyway, enough chit chat and on with the story.
Spoilers for season 6.
Story starts at what could be the beginning of series 7.
Carter has returned from rehab, Benton's making an effort and Dale
Edson is out to make trouble, of what kind I'm still not sure... also
would like to explore the Abby/Carter relationship later on.
Here it is. Characters not mine by the way in case you got confused.
------------------------------------
Peter Benton marched through the ER feeling more than a little pissed
off. He'd been called down for a surgical consult that had proved to
be a false alarm, he'd been on his feet for hours and he needed a
rest and a cup of coffee, a strong cup of coffee. He pushed open the
lounge doors and without even glancing around headed straight for the
coffeepot.
'Uh, hey Dr Benton'
Benton wheeled around recognising the familiar voice.
'Carter! What are you doing here? I didn't think you were back until tomorrow!'
Carter smiled at him as he closed the door to his locker.
'I know, I wasn't supposed to be but Dr Kovacs' off sick and Dr
Weaver asked me how I'd feel about filling in. I think it was her way
of making me feel like you guys still need me around here'
He laughed softly and looked past Benton shyly.
Benton grinned unable to keep his pleasure at seeing him off his face.
'You know you're needed Carter, it's good to have you back'
Carter returned the grin.
'Thanks'
Benton looked at him warmly, he had been kept informed of Carter's
progress over the last few months and the results had been promising.
His addiction to the painkillers had proved to be a direct link of
the physical pain he was experiencing and had not been given enough
time to develop into a more serious mental addiction. Time away from
work had been spent on physiotherapy and had allowed for further
healing of his injury and increased ease in movement. With Carter's
medication lessened and strictly controlled his sleeping patterns had
improved but not returned to normal. Further counseling had been
needed to allow Carter to talk about what had happened and what had
made him decide to increase and try to control his own medication.
Gradually the dark circles that had been around Carter's eyes his
last few months at work had disappeared and his manner improved. The
therapist had expressed concern that Carter still appeared quiet and
sometimes withdrawn but had suggested the best thing for him now was
to return to work. He had no doubts over Carter's ability to interact
with his patients and realised he was more than ready to see his
colleagues and friends.
'You're sure he'll be ok?' Benton had asked.
'Dr Benton he'll be fine' the therapist had reassured him.
Benton hoped to god he was right, he didn't doubt Carter's ability as
a doctor for a second nor did he doubt the strength of his character
to handle all that was thrown at him. However Benton did doubt his
own ability to spot if something was going wrong, he found it
frustrating to care so much for someone and not have the first clue
about how to help them. When Carter had been stabbed he had done
everything medically in his power to help him, when he found out
Carter had been doing drugs he had known all the buttons to push to
force him into rehab. However as he had held Carter in his arms
outside the hospital that day, having no choice but to let him cry
and tell him everything would be ok, he had experienced the same
feeling of helplessness he felt now as he looked into the quiet
hurting eyes of his former student.
Benton noticed Carter glance up at him nervously and realised he had
been looking at him intently for a while.
'I never said sorry' Carter said swallowing awkwardly 'for hitting you'
Benton found himself smiling remembering, the punch had knocked him
for six that was for sure. He still wasn't sure which had surprised
him more, the sudden blow to his face or that fact that it had come
from Carter.
'Don't worry about it'
Carter shook his head. He realised how out of control he must have
been to hit Benton. This was someone he looked up to whom he trusted
with his life, who had been trying to stop him ruining his career and
killing himself in the process. Carter felt more than a little
guilty, Benton could easily have overpowered him but he hadn't. In
fact Carter mused, he'd never actually seen Benton strike anyone. In
the moment when he had punched Benton, if he thought about it, he had
probably known Benton would never strike him back.
Benton walked over to Carter and touched his arm gently.
'Hey, I said don't worry about it'
Carter looked up and smiled weakly, Benton was standing close to him
and Carter glanced at his shoulder holding back the urge to bury his
head in it once again, to let Benton hold him and tell him everything
would be ok. Sure he felt stronger now, his head was a lot clearer
and his relief at being able to sleep at night was overwhelming.
However he was tired of dealing with things on his own, he had done
that for too long after the attack and the day he had finally broken
down in front of Benton he'd never felt so afraid of letting go. Yet
he remembered more than anything the tremendous sense of release the
tears had provided and the security of having some tell him it would
work out, someone who believed he would pull through.
Benton seemed to read what he was thinking and impulsively reached
out and pulled Carter towards him. Holding his head against his
shoulder he pulled his body close and felt Carter's arms slip round
his waist. He rubbed his cheek gently against the top Carter's head
and stroked his hair affectionately. After a moment he pressed his
lips to the side of his head in a soft kiss.
'You don't go through this alone' he whispered 'ok?'
He felt Carter's nod in response.
'You ready to go back out there?'
Carter pulled gently away and smiled, a more definitive smile than before.
Benton grinned.
'Ok'
He walked over to the door of the lounge and pulled it open. He
nodded his head in the direction of the corridor.
'Let's go'
Carter drew in a long breath and exhaled shakily as he moved forward
grateful Benton seemed to want to walk out with him. He knew he was
going to face many well intended concerned greetings today and he
didn't want to face the first few alone.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Carter finished dealing with his patient and headed out of the exam
room. His first few weeks back at County had flown by smoothly and
without much event. He had settled back into the swing of trauma with
relief and a sense of coming home. Everyone especially Mark, Kerry
and Benton had been really supportive and pretty much let him get on
with things alone. He realised he was probably being watched with
close quarters by each of them but was grateful that they had not
made him aware of it.
'Ah Dr Carter nice to see you're back with us'
Carter turned a little reluctantly recognising the voice behind him.
'Hey Dale' he said flatly.
Dale Edson stood in front of him his hands in his pockets a smug grin
on his face and his stature conveying every bit of arrogance he felt
about himself.
'You don't look happy, what's wrong having a bad trip?'
Carter laughed and shook his head, some things never changed.
'Yeah, that's it, excuse me'
He started to walk away but Dale walked round to block his path.
'Dale' he began to protest but Dale held out his hand to silence him.
'John please I came over to extend my greetings obviously they're not
welcome, I just thought we should try and get on you know, since
we're going to be working together over the next few weeks'
Carter stared at him annoyed. What the hell was he talking about?
'What?' he said irritably.
Dale grinned evidently pleased to be delivering the news himself.
'Oh you didn't hear? Anspaugh's assigned me to cover the ER for the
next couple of weeks. Seems to think I need a higher appreciation of
what goes on down here before the patient meets us in surgery'
Dale shrugged his shoulders his admission to Anspaugh being
displeased with him and the shaky direction in which his career was
heading evidently taking a back seat to his joy at getting to
irritate Carter. He grinned sensing Carter's discomfort.
'Guess I get to keep an eye on you too, like everyone else seems
concerned with doing'
Carter shook his head and sighed.
'Great'
He started to walk off and found Dale walking besides him continuing
to talk at him. Carter frowned in annoyance, the man was unbearable.
'You know I was thinking, people get pissed at me for being too cocky
and I get sent down here for community service or some shit like
that. You on the other hand have been a pain in the ass to hang
around since valentines day, get caught stealing drugs, using them in
hospital time and after a few cozy months in rehab are back into work
with everyone falling over backwards to help you'
Dale reached out and grabbed Carter's arm and turned him round to face him.
'Funny that, don't you think?'
Carter avoided his gaze, he knew Dale was a jerk and feeling spiteful
because he'd been sent down to the ER to do what he hated most, learn
teamwork and compassion. However Dale's words stung more than he had
expected them to, he couldn't help feel he'd had it too easy
considering his behaviour towards his colleagues and indeed hospital
policy. He didn't have an answer for him and stared past him blankly.
Dale's eyes narrowed 'That's what I thought'
Carter silently turned to go and Dale grabbed his arm once again.
'Watch your back Carter, I mean it'
Carter frowned looking at Dale. There was contempt and a definite
threat in his tone. Threat of what Carter wasn't sure and he didn't
wait to find out. He shook his arm out of Dale's grip and walked quickly away.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Abby walked over to reception and dropped her chart into the stash at
the desk sighing quietly. She had been on for just two hours and
received more abuse in that short spate of time than in the past few
weeks put together. Sometimes she doubted if patients were ever
grateful for her help at all. As she massaged the back of her neck
slowly and gazed wearily around the corridor she wondered what on
earth had possessed her to agree to work a double shift. Her eye fell
on Carter talking to a doctor who looked vaguely familiar, Carter's
body language seemed to indicate he was extremely agitated and
uncomfortable and she watched only with mild interest until she heard
Doctor Greene's voice besides her.
'Oh shit'
She turned and looked at him slightly amused.
'Evening Dr Greene, something wrong?' she smiled.
Mark sighed and shook his head.
'No, well yeah I guess, I'd forgotten Dale Edson was to be working
with us for the next few weeks'
He nodded over towards where Carter stood talking with the doctor.
Dale Edson, Abby remembered why the doctor looked familiar now.
'Oh right, he's the one nobody likes?'
Mark grunted a reply but his gaze was fixed on Carter. What exactly
was Dale saying to him that was making him look so uncomfortable, if
he remembered correctly Carter usually had no trouble handling him at
all. Mark frowned as he watched Dale pull Carter round to face him,
he stared closely at Dale's mouth wishing he was a better lip reader.
Abby noticed his look of concern and followed his gaze. She looked
over in time to see Dale grab hold of Carter's arm for the second
time and mutter something that, in view of the look on his face and
his body language, could only be described as a threat. She watched
with concern as Carter pulled his arm away and walked away from Edson
quickly his face flushing red, he didn't look in the direction of the
reception desk, unaware that people had noticed anything.
Edson stared after him a smug look across his face.
'What was that about?' she asked quietly.
Mark shook his head slowly.
'I don't know, I don't think Dale's run into Carter since he's been
back and I know the two of them have never got on' Mark sighed 'I
hope he's not going to make life difficult for Carter over the next few weeks'
* * * * * * * * * * *
David Chadder
for part 2!
Megan :-)
"A person who takes care of everybody else don't ever end up alone, and pitiful,
and old." -Mama Lorraine, MacGyver
Roberts
Of course, after you made that comment about slash and then having Benton hug and
kiss Carter again, my mind began to wander....
A very nice chapter all around.
Cathy
loraineee
Remarq.com. I love a good Carter fic.
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colleen
>Could someone repost or send me the story? It didn't show up on
>Remarq.com. I love a good Carter fic.
>
Nanagose
>Can't wait
>for part 2!
Ditto! Loved the story!
~Christina Sanderson
Terry Stacey
from Roberts <hunter...@yahoo.com> contains these words:
> Cathy
Oh you realised exactly where my mind was when I wrote that!!!!! I'm
not intending this story to have any slash in but I couldn't resist a
bit of intimacy between Carter and Benton(!)
Thanks for the support everyone, makes me want to stay off work and
write more (sigh).
Ah well, I shall be sure to try another chapter this evening.
Cheers,
Julie.
FallenLilac22
hate Dale! But I loved how you wrote his part, I mean, aren't we supposed to
hate Dale?
I loved that Benton/Carter part. I actually wasnt thinking of slash *wink*,
honestly, but I love their relationship together more than anyone else's on
television, and I knew it would be just right for Benton to hold him once more
like he did that night, to tell him things would be ok.
I cannot WAIT for Chapter 2!
Emily
SIRIPA
read my mind :)
Kristen999
Carter would cope during his time back, but the catch you
created with Dale was really original!
I can't wait to see what happens and to see how Peter and Mark
react to the whole thing. Yea, I liked Peter's reactions to
Carter's return, I thought you might be Cathy in disguise. : )
Kristen
pam
very good and I would love to read it.
Kim G.
>and
>kiss Carter again, my mind began to wander....
>
>A very nice chapter all around.
>
>Cathy
Since when didn't your mind go there, Cathy? :)
But in all seriousness to the author, great start. Looking foreward to the
next part, though you don't have to tell us all of your plans ahead of time.
It's nice to be surprised :)
Kim
QUACK!
"Can't see nothin... nothin'...
'Round here."
~The Counting Crows