Chapter Text
Monday - 9:00 a.m.
John had a busy schedule ahead of him. Though nothing as busier as County General Hospital. Luckily, this is fun for the rest of the week and all of next week. No work. No worries besides showing up on time and having things ready.
Everyone thought it was a good idea for him to get out and take a break after the incident. He really didn't want to though. Just keep on working. Keep himself busy, and he was till his friend decided to get married. Telling John he was going to be one of the groomsmen, and now he had to go. Out of respect and for Marie.
Now as he settled his bags on the full bed in his hotel room, he wasn't sure if he could do this. Show up with a smile and hide the pain searing through his body. Hide that he wasn't interested in celebrating.
He puts the thoughts away. Letting his future self deal with it. He decides not to bother unpacking and looks around. It was a simple room with one bathroom, a small table near the door with a coffee machine. A large window by the bed, almost covering the whole wall, gives a good view of the beach in front. Tying it up with a beachy vibe and decor. Very blue and white. He moves over to the window, closing the curtain shut.
Tuesday - 10:00 p.m.
John's ear is shot. The loud pop music blasting all around him. He's having a conversation with a guy, one of the groomsmen. Barely. He could only pick up a few words. Tried to piece it together. Tried to understand. But gave up midway and nodded his head to whatever the guy was saying.
He looks over at the dance floor, watching the others dancing and jumping with other people here. Everyone laughing and cheering. Liquor being spilled.
He took a sip of his beer. Wishing he used the excuse of not feeling well to skip the bachelor party. Though he had to admit it was better than being alone in his hotel room with his thoughts.
The groom-to-be, Kevin, walks over while calling his name several times. "You've been sitting there all day, man! C'mon, join us!"
"Oh I don't know-"
Kevin scoffs. "If I come back to Benton or Greene that you weren't having fun. They'll be on my ass. Mainly yours. Do you really want that?"
He didn't. It was the last thing he wanted. People hovering over him and watching him. Seeing if he's okay.
He gave in and got up. Kevin shouts happily 'attaboy,' giving John's shoulder a firm pat.
He didn't start dancing when he got on the dance floor. His eyes wandering around at everyone. Strange faces and a few familiar faces among the crowd. All happy and howling with the music.
Someone, drunk and loud, harshly bumps his shoulder. Knocking him back a few steps. The stage light hits his eyes. Brighter than he remembered.
He almost trips trying to find his balance. His eyes blinking a few times. Seeing doubles. Many even. The world swaying and shining with so many pretty colours. His heart pounding. His breath short and rapid.
He tries to calm himself down. It's a party. A completely safe party with people here to witness if shit goes down. Yet his body is conflict about whether to move, despite his mind screaming to run.
"Don't tell me you're drunk already, Carter!" Kevin guffaws in his face.
John ignores what he said as a sudden wave of nausea hits him. His eyebrows scrunch together, not sure if it was because his back is throbbing or the booze not settling well. He moves away, pushing past people. Trying to get to the bathroom as fast as he could.
Slamming his body into the pink door. Letting the weight of his hand turn the knob and pushing the door open slowly. His eyes examined the empty bathroom. Then behind him to the busy partying crowd. Unaware he wasn't doing well.
The door closing on its own as he trudges towards the first sink. He stares at himself in the large mirror. His hair sticking to his forehead and out in odd places, his skin paler and flush, sweat building up in all the wrong spots.
His hand went to his jacket pocket, fishing out his orange pill bottle. Knowing this will help relieve his pain.
John curses under his breath at the sudden difficulty opening it. Finally, it pops open after a couple of seconds. He dumped the usual two onto his open palm, but he didn't take it. He starts to think. Think two wouldn't be enough. So he shakes out one more and pops all three in his mouth.
He turns on the faucet. Leaning over while his hand collects enough water. Swallowing it alongside with the pills.
His hands lay flat on both side of the sink. His eyes close. His uneven breathing become even which each deep breaths he takes. His tense body relaxes. The pain slowly but surely going away.
"Yo, Carter," Kevin calls from the door. "You good?"
He looks over, a smile tight on his lips. "Yeah. Fine."
"Good. We doing shots. It might help loosen you up."
"I'll be there."
Kevin threw a thumbs up and left. John threw water on his face, preparing himself for the long night ahead of him.
Thursday - 5:00 p.m.
John rubs his neck, not liking the news he's getting over the phone.
"And if that doesn't work?"
"Then maybe what your feeling is more psychological than physical. In which I would recommend a good therapist."
"I don't need a therapist, doc. I need something stronger."
His doctor sighs. "I'm sorry, John, but I can't prescribe anything stronger without risking you getting addicted. As a doctor yourself, you should know my hands are tied."
John's hand fell to his hip, nodding. "Yeah. Thanks."
He hung up before his doctor could say anything else. Taking out his pill bottle and putting three in his mouth. Swallowing 'em dry.
Letting out a deep sigh before opening the stall door and leaving the bathroom.
"Carter! Oh my god, there you are!" He turns around to see the bride to be, Marie, fast walking towards him. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Bathroom."
"I know rehearsals are a pain in the ass, but I need you to do what you do best."
"Save lives?" He jokes, although that was the reason he was selected to be the standby doctor during the wedding.
She rolls her eyes affectionately. "No. I need you to stand with the other groomsmen and look pretty."
He nods, following alongside her back to the main area.
Friday - 4:47 p.m.
John finished tying Kevin black tie and adjusting it within the collar. Making sure it's centered and looking good.
"You are a lifesaver, man," Kevin chirps, turning around to look at himself in the mirror.
John smiles, quite pleased with himself. Today- he knew for a fact- was going to be a good day. Not because the wedding is happening soon. Well yes, but beside that. He slept like a baby and never felt more energized. His back hasn't given him much problems today either. Though he doesn't want to jinx it.
"Carter." He turns around to the maid of honor, Silvia, head popping out of the door. "Marie needs to talk to you. Now."
John glances over at Kevin with widen eyes and hand in his chest. Kevin lip curve one end and shrugs. John gulps and left with Silvia.
She lead him down the hall to the bride dressing room. Opening the door for him. "Pretty boy is here."
"Thanks, babe."
John walks in, the door being closed behind him. His eye widen upon getting a full turn of the dress. Long flowy white dress. The V dip behind shows half her back. The strapless top curving a heart on her chest. The long lace sleeves is off her shoulders. Two loose puffs held by a fabric band. Her jewellery kept simple - long dangle earrings with little flowers and pearls.
"Wow," Was all John could muster.
"I know." She lets out a small chuckle with a big smile. Giving him a twirl.
The moment was ruin when she spotted his outfit and hands went on her hips. "You haven't tied your tie yet? The ceremony is starting soon, Carter."
He looks down, seeing his tie dangling around his collar. A little embarrass that he forgot. So busy with guests and helping the groom.
Marie walks towards him. "I'll do it."
She unfolded his collar and began. Speaking softly: "How are you doing?"
"Good."
"Are you lying to me?" She half jokes with a small smile.
"No. I'm happy. Excited for you."
Her smile never left. "I'm happy you're doing good. After what happened I was worried. Well everyone was. We still are. Have you talked to a shrink or anyone about it?"
He shakes his head side to side while she puts the fabric in a hole.
"You know I'm here if you don't want a shrink or anyone in General."
He nods as she pulls the fabric down. Fixing up the tie to fit nicely around his neck and under his suit jacket. Finally putting down his collar. Fixing that as well. Her hands linger around his neck.
"We care about you, Carter. If you need anything and I mean anything. Give us a call."
He smiles, appreciating the thought. "The only one you should think about is you. It's your big day."
"God… I'm getting married." He joins in her nervous burst of laughter, less nervous than hers.
She settles down and stares at him with such fondness. He loved seeing her happy and not dead tired, wanting to choke the most frustrating patient admitted.
Her arms wrap around his neck and pulls him into a hug. His smile grew big within her embrace. His arms wrapped around her tight.
"Mary, ceremony starting soon. Carter is needed somewhere else," Silvia's voice popped in, and she left elsewhere.
"Going." She pulls away, her hands sliding down to take his hands in her. "Behave."
"Yes, ma'am."
She gently slaps his shoulder and tells him to get out. He left. Closing the door behind him and his eyes caught a man down the hall leading to the main area. Wearing shades and a nicely fitted black suit with matching tie. Really shaping his chest and arms well. And other parts he's trying not to stare.
He found the guy's brown curls adorable and the way he kinda looked like a deer in headlights. The whole sight left John breathless and stomach fluttering. He knew he shouldn't. Not after her. It's too soon, but there was nothing wrong with admiring.
The guy walks away after a minute. John looks away, tucking away his own feelings. Displease with himself.
8:50 p.m
"Carter! Carter! There you are, man!"
John turns around to see Kevin approach him with two guys. One is a tall guy with a short rugged beard and brown hair picked up in a ponytail. The other guy- a little shorter than the tall guy- has a short beard and medium light brown hair.
"I want you to meet good friends of mines. Craig." The tall guy mumbles a 'sup.' "And Deran." The other guy raised his hand for a moment.
"Guys, this is John Carter. He's our standby doctor in case anything goes sideway, but also one of my groomsman."
"Call me Carter. Pleasure to meet you both."
"Likewise, man," Craig says.
"Sorry we couldn't make it to your bachelor party, by the way. Some family stuff came up," Deran apologizes.
"All is cool. As long as you guys are here."
"Are you still doing the after party?" Craig asks. Kevin nods mid sipping his beer. "Don't do it. We'll throw the after party at our place tomorrow. Least we could do for missing the party."
Kevin got riled up at the offer, almost spitting out his beer. John zoned out them talking. Observing around the crowd. The many folks dancing, chatting and laughing, or drinking. A bit of all. Not sure what he's looking for, but something in him wants to. Determined really.
"Yo, Carter."
John snaps a dumbfound look at Kevin. "Hm?"
"You coming to the party?"
"Yeah. Of course. What time?"
"Four in the afternoon."
John nods. "I'll be there."
9:36 p.m.
John's outside, helping himself to his pain meds and beer.
"Why did I have a feeling you'll be out here."
He's a little startled by Marie's voice. Quickly hiding his pill bottle in his inside breast pocket. She joins beside him, putting her arms on the rails with his. Enjoy the nice breeze.
"I heard you were coming to the Cody's party tomorrow."
John hums to confirm it's true. Turning his head to look at her. She looks back at him. Worry tainting her happiness.
"You sure about this, Carter? All this partying can't be good for you."
"Just having fun."
"I'm glad, but it seems like you're avoiding the real problem."
He sighs, looking forward at the view of the beach late at night. A few surfers out and a couple of folks roaming around the shore.
She wraps a hand around John's bicep, leaning her head on his shoulder. "All the good doctors and nurses end up mess up or dead. Either because of the job or life. Or a mix of both. I don't want that for you, Carter."
He understood what she meant. They've both seen crazy shit in their work and have been through some crazy shit. But he knew for certain he wasn't going to go haywire. He's functional. He has his lows and highs. He's human after all and he always managed.
His head leans to the side, pressing his cheek on Marie's head. His hand resting on top of hers. Enjoying the view with her. Not wanting to think about all that tonight. He wants to live in this moment a bit longer.