DISCLAIMER: I'm going to stop writing disclaimers. It's getting kind of old. In the future, just refer back to any of the other chapters. I DON'T OWN THEM! Okay.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the 8th chapter of LAR and takes place several hours after chapter 7. Please r/r!

HOLD ME

Abby sat alone in the booth of Doc Magoo's, a cold cup of coffee untouched in front of her. She had no idea how long she had been there, but Carter had left long ago. Her head was still reeling from their conversation. Lately, every conversation she'd had with Carter had been tiring, but this one was, by far, the most exhausting yet. She absently traced the rim of the coffee mug as she thought of what the coming days and weeks would bring. Healing? Friendship? More awkwardness? More long silences? She honestly didn't know.

Staring out the window, Abby knew that there was reason to hope. Carter had, essentially, let her go. Told her that she was better off with Luka. Promised to support her decision to be with Luka. ("I may not come to the wedding, though.") And the most amazing thing of all – despite his hurt, he had wanted to rebuild their friendship. That meant more to Abby than anything.

And then there was Luka. Another reason to hope. His animosity towards Carter had been replaced by an understanding that was beyond Abby's grasp. She had always known that, had circumstances been different, the two men in her life would have probably been good friends. It would take a long time, but Abby was hopeful. It could still happen. She was filled with gratitude towards both these men.

Abby was startled by a voice calling her name. She looked up and was surprised to see Cleo Finch standing beside the booth. "Abby, are you okay?"

Feeling slightly disoriented, Abby nodded and slowly got up. "I was just leaving…" She headed towards the door, leaving Dr. Finch to puzzle over her strange behavior.

Later, Abby would have no recollection of her short exchange with Cleo or of walking through the streets of Chicago. She found herself standing in front of Luka's hotel room door, watching the doorknob turn. She must have knocked, but did not remember that either. Luka opened the door wearing only his boxer shorts. Abby was finally brought out of her daze by the sight of her fiancé dressed for bed. She had forgotten it was so late. She was about to apologize for waking him up, but he just held the door open wider. An invitation.

Abby stepped into Luka's room and whispered, "thank you." Somehow he knew that she was not just thanking him for letting her in. "Thank you," she repeated again, and then said, almost shyly, "Would you just hold me, Luka? Please?"

Unhesitatingly, he complied. With his arms around her, she felt the tension of the past weeks slowly fade from her body and soul. She leaned into him, letting him comfort her in a way that only he could. She felt a peace settle around her heart as he guided her to his bed and they lay down.

There are times when just being in someone's arms is so much better than kissing, or even making love. And so, as Abby drifted off to sleep clasped in Luka's arms, she felt more complete, more whole, than she had ever felt before. They slept side by side, never moving, so content they were in that position. And when the morning sun finally crept across the bed, Abby awoke to a new day, a new beginning. She snuggled closer to Luka, savoring the feeling of being held by him.