"It’s not for us to understand, John," she replied quietly, aware that it was a lie as she said it. She was all too cognizant of how emotionally-bloodletting Kim’s relationship with Abby was for the psychiatrist, but it would do the resident no good to know that Kim was seeking oblivion in Abby– the obliteration of a pain of which Kerry herself had been the principal instigator.

"That’s not good enough, Kerry."

"It’s going to have to be," she assured him. "It’s going to have to be."

******

"So was he walking funny when he left the lounge?"

"No funnier than normal."

"And no, Weaver’s crutch wasn’t shoved up his ass."

"Hey, Carter might have enjoyed that."

"Ewww…."

"You going dainty on us all of a sudden?"

"Just a scary visual."

"Weaver’s crutch or Carter and Weaver?"

"If I pay you, will you not go there?"

"So there’s a limit to your…"

"Weaver and Carter are about it."

"But all other combinations allowed?"

"Well, of the Weaver and Legaspi kind, sure."

"You still holding out for that?"

"Never gonna happen."

"Oh yeah it is…"

"I think there’s a little something about five four and brunette standing between you and that particular reality."

"You can’t fight fate, baby. Trust me."

Abby was thirty minutes early for her shift, but she was hoping to catch Kim before the nightcrawlers came out for maybe quick cup of coffee before she went on. Vaguely aware of the inquiring glances cast her way and then quickly averted, she veered her steps away from the admit desk towards the lounge. Undoubtedly Kim, Kerry, Carter, Luka, and herself—or some combination thereof– were what had those heads huddled close together, and quite frankly she didn’t want to be a part of it right now. Mentally tossing a coin between calling Kim’s office directly or wandering up to the Psych floor, Abby’s musings were interrupted by the woman in question poking her head tentatively through the door.

"I saw you come in here," Kim said quietly, tucking her hands into her pockets. "You’re early."

"Kinda bored at home."

"Really?" A skeptical brow tilted heavenward.