Promises Broken

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I'd like to thank those of you who have made comments on my story. Please please please send constructive comments as well as compliments. I love the compliments, but I need the constructive comments in order to get better. I'd also like to thank Dena Holtz, as she is the one who inspired the character of Nicole, and encouraged me to write this story.


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As John Carter drove to work, he had an awful feeling that something was wrong. He just couldn't figure out what. He went through a mental checklist, making sure everything was turned off at his apartment. Satisfied that things were in order there, he looked around his jeep, making sure he had his briefcase and freshly laundered lab coat. Seeing those two items on the front passenger seat, he shook his head. "Carter," he said out loud to himself. "You are losing it man! You have everything you need."

Pulling into a spot in the parking garage, he shut off the engine, grabbed his things, and got out of the jeep. Smiling as he thought about Beth, he began humming a catchy tune and walked toward the ER.

"Boy, someone sure is happy!" John turned at the voice and saw Chuni Marquez hurrying to catch up with him. "Hey Chuni! Yeah, a beautiful woman will do that to you." The two laughed and Chuni said, "How are the wedding plans coming along?"

John replied, "Wonderful! Beth found her wedding dress yesterday. She won't let me see it until the wedding, though." Chuni laughed at the look of mock annoyance on John's face. "Good for her," she said. "When are you two getting married anyway?"

"Oh, in about two months. September 21st, to be exact." John replied. "Wow! You two don't waste any time, do you?" Chuni remarked, surprised. "Well," said John, "When you know it's right, why wait?" By this time they had gotten to the ER and headed toward the lounge.

As John walked into the lounge, he saw Nicole, sitting on the couch, staring into space. "Nicole?" he said. When she didn't answer, he walked over to her. Putting his hand on her shoulder, John repeated her name. Nicole jumped and said, "Oh, hi John."

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Yes," she replied. "I was just thinking. How was your dinner with Beth?" Donning his lab coat, he said, "It was delicious. She makes one hell of a hamburger!" Nicole laughed and said, "That she does! I even like her hamburgers when she cooks them on the stove!"

"That's how we had them tonight," he said. "By the way, do you want to talk about whatever you were thinking about?" A worried look crossed her face as she was reminded of her earlier feelings. "It's nothing really," she said. "I just have this strong feeling that something is wrong. I don't know what, though. I even went and checked on all of my patients making sure I hadn't forgotten to do something." John looked at her, a worried look now on his face, too. "I have the same feeling. My stomach was all in knots a little earlier. I wonder why we both feel this way?" Nicole said, "Do you think it may have something to do with Beth? That's the only reason I can think of for both of us feeling this way."

"I doubt it," he said. "She was fine when I left. Maybe I'd better call her though, just to be on the safe side."

"Why don't you go sign in? I'll give her a quick call before I head back out to work," Nicole replied. "Oh yeah," said John, "Beth asked me to remind you to call your Mom." "Okay," said Nicole. "I'll call her tomorrow. It's too late, now." John left the lounge and headed to the computer to sign in. Nicole went to the phone.

After dialing their phone number, Nicole waited for the phone to be answered. Beth didn't answer the phone, and Nicole was about to hang up when she heard the machine come on. "Hello, you've reached Nicole Reed and Beth Clark. You know the drill." The machine let out a shrill beep, and Nicole spoke to it, "Hey Beth, it's me. I just wanted to call and say hi. I hope everything is okay there. Did I forget to do something? I have a weird feeling something is wrong. Please give me a call when you get this message. Otherwise, I'll see you tomorrow morning. Bye!" Hanging up the phone, Nicole decided that there was nothing more she could do.

Heading out of the lounge, she saw John at the admit desk. "John," she called. He looked up at the sound of his name and walked over to her. "What did she say?" he asked. "Nothing," Nicole replied. "She didn't pick up the phone, so I left a message." Nicole noticed the look of alarm on his face. "She's probably in bed," she said. "I'll see her in the morning." John said, "Okay, you're probably right. I'll just give her a call in the morning, too." With that, they both got to work, though both were more worried than they let on.

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Beth heard the phone ringing, and thought she should get it. She started to sit up, and realized her head was pounding, so she lay back down. That was when she noticed she was on the floor. *What am I doing sleeping on the floor?* she wondered. The answering machine came on, and she heard Nicole's voice. *Wrong?* she wondered. *What could possibly be wrong?* She lay there with her eyes closed, willing herself to get up and to bed.

Suddenly, she felt something cold and wet splash onto her face. Startled, she opened her eyes and sat up, gasping. "I want you awake for this angel, no sleeping on the job!" The gruff voice of Ben Mashburn invaded her head, and she remembered what was going on. She felt a sinking feeling as she recalled him ripping off her clothes and slapping, then punching her. She started to cry. "SHUT UP!" he yelled, kneeling down and jerking her head back. He planted his lips roughly on hers, forcing his tongue inside her startled mouth.

Beth felt herself shut down. She grew numb and mechanical. Her body did everything Ben commanded her to, but her mind withdrew. She felt as though she were watching herself from a distance. She went down on him and didn't hear him as his sounds of pleasure echoed throughout the apartment. She spread her legs as he went down on her. She heard her own moans of pleasure, and felt betrayed by her body. By the time he entered her, she didn't even feel the pain, as she withdrew further from the situation. Finally, he left, after telling her it had been a pleasure, and he'd be back to "partake of" her "hospitality again."

Beth just lay there, staring, but not really seeing anything. She felt herself floating, and then she once more blacked out.

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John decided he would try calling Beth again. He knew she might not appreciate being woken up at 2am, but he wouldn't feel content until he made sure she was okay. He listened to the phone ringing, then heard the answering machine pick up. "Damn it!" he said out loud. Randi looked at him, curious. He turned his back and waited for the beep. Once it beeped, he said, "Beth, honey, this is John. Are you there? Please pick up if you are, I need to talk to you." He waited for a few seconds, then the machine beeped again, ending the message. He slammed the phone down, once again noticing Randi looking at him. "Everything okay Dr. Carter?" she asked. "I hope so," he replied. "Do you know where Nicole is?" Randi answered, "I think she went over to Doc Magoo's with Malucci. Said something about being hungry." He thanked her and said he was going to run over there for a minute. He also asked her to page him if Beth should call.

Heading over to the popular diner, he continued thinking about Beth, really worried by now. After entering Magoo's, he spotted Dave and Nicole. He walked up and asked if he could join them. "Of course," Nicole said.

"Have you heard from Beth?" he asked. "No," she replied, "I haven't, have you?" His worry was showing on his face as he said, "No. I even called her a few minutes ago. She didn't pick up." Nicole put her hand over his and said, "I'm sure she's fine. I'll be off in half an hour, so I'll be seeing her before too long. I'll give you a call once I get home and know what's going on, okay?" John managed a small smile and thanked her, then got up and left.

Nicole watched him leave, then turned to Dave. "Boy, he really loves her, doesn't he?" Dave remarked. "Yes," she said softly, "he does." Noticing her downcast look, he put his finger under her chin, pulling her face up. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Like you said, I'm sure she's fine. I love you!" Then he kissed her gently on the lips, and Nicole smiled at him. "I love you, too."

Half an hour later Nicole said goodbye to everyone and headed home. Sticking her key in the lock, she was surprised to find the door wasn't locked. She felt a sense of uneasiness at this, and readied her can of mace. She opened the door, cautiously walking in. She saw the light coming from the living room, and called, "Beth?" No one answered her call, and she continued her slow advance into the room.

Suddenly, her face drained of color as she saw her roommate lying naked, bruised, and bleeding on the floor. "No!" she whispered, kneeling down next to her. Placing two fingers on Beth's neck, she felt for a pulse. It was a little weak, but it was there. Nicole could tell Beth was breathing, and she gently shook her, calling her name. Nicole elicited no response from her battered friend. She tried again, this time yelling Beth's name. Still, she received no response.

Nicole jumped up and ran to the phone in the kitchen. Dialing 911, she whispered, "Beth, please be alright! Please!"

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The County General ER radio beeped, and Connie, who was standing nearby, answered it. "This is County." The paramedic's voice came over the wires, "I'm coming in with a 25 year old female rape victim. Her roommate is with her. The roommate says she's a nurse there." Hearing the last part of the sentence, a small crowd gathered around the radio. "What are the names?" Connie nervously asked. "Beth Clark and Nicole Reed," the paramedic said. Everyone gasped as Connie asked the ETA. "Eight minutes," was the reply. Springing into action, Mark Greene, the attending on duty, told Randi to page Carter, as he had escorted another patient to surgery.

Carter's pager beeped as he was handing his patient off to Dr. Romano. Grabbing it, he saw it was a "911" page from the ER. Running to the stairs, he had a premonition that it had something to do with Beth.

Once in the ER, he went straight to the admit desk. Mark was there. Carter told him he had been paged with a "911", and asked what was going on. Mark sighed and looked at the floor for a minute. "Dr. Greene, what is it?" John asked, his face filled with fear. "Carter," he said, "the paramedics are bringing in a rape victim. I don't know how to tell you this." He stopped, looking down at the floor again. "Who is it?" Carter whispered, already knowing the answer. Mark looked up again. "It's Beth."



Part 3
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