Luka Kovac/Abby Lockhart (ER)

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Title: A Masochist's Glut of an Affair
Author: cloudillusion
Fandom: ER
Pairing: Luka/Abby
Spoilers: Season 6 - present (11), though focusing mainly on seasons 6-9. Brief anectdotal references for seasons 10 and 11. Nothing that's never been aired, of course.
Email: sombra.alma @ gmail.com
Thanks: Many, many thanks go out to all my Lubies. They know who they are. The original Luby Yahoo! group and the original Luby thread on FanForum taught me so much of what I know and love about this pairing. Specifically for this manifesto, I need to thank ktothelo and annuscka, who contributed "you must not miss this"s, fic recommendations, and general advice, reminders, and beta-reading.
I apologize for the lateness of this essay; thank you to the mod for being understanding and granting me an extension on the due date.

**Image heavy. But most are text linked.

The title of this manifesto comes from a wonderful New York Times article, written by Steve Vineberg in October of 2001. The article has become legendary among Luka/Abby 'shippers, and it is a manifesto in its own right. "It was a seasonlong masochist's glut of an affair, and in the hands of the remarkable Maura Tierney and Goran Visnjic it was - and continues to be, in the stormy aftermath of Abby and Luka's breakup this season - singularly compelling."

Titles of sections are direct quotes from the show.

All screencaps used are from Bleu Profond, except for those marked by a star (*), which are from The Love Shack, and caps from Season 9, which are from http://membres.lycos.fr/delpierofan2003/.

Episodes will be referred to by their number (season.episode) and name. If referred to repeatedly, they will be referred to by acronym (ie, 8.2 The Longer You Stay = TLYS).

Didn't take you long to get sucked back into this insanity...
a short introduction

ER, just finished with its 11th season as television's top-rated medical drama, follows the doctors, nurses, and med students of Chicago's Cook County General Hospital emergency room. I have been an ER fan from its beginning in 1994, but no one couple (not even, *gasp*, the heralded Doug and Carol) has ever resonated with me as much as Luka Kovac and Abby Lockhart. It has often been said by Luka/Abby 'shippers (hereafter known as "Lubies" - the plural of "Luby": Luka + Abby) that The Powers That Be must have been smoking something strong to actually let such a relationship not survive for the entirety of the show.

Why so compelling, though? Well, let's start with the characters themselves.

That's me, Nurse Firecracker!
Abby Lockhart

*

Abby Lockhart (played by Maura Tierney) first appeared on the show in 6.8 Great Expectations as the OB nurse who helped deliver Carol Hathaway's twins*. She returned as a regular cast member in 6.12 Abby Road as a med student doing her ER rotation. Raised in Minnesota by her bipolar mother, Maggie* (played by Sally Field), she had a rough childhood. Her father left when she was seven and she visited him once when she was ten, unbeknownst to her mother. Maggie was often off her meds or gone completely, leaving Abby to care for her younger brother, Eric (played as an adult by Tom Everett Scott). In 7.6 The Visit and 7.7 Rescue Me we learn young Abby was often afraid of Maggie; her mother came at her with a knife once, and she often had to beg from neighbors to feed herself and Eric.

Not much is known of her teenage and young adult days, but we do know that she was married to a man named Richard*. Reportedly Abby was depressed during their marriage, she put Richard through medical school, and he cheated on her. Abby got pregnant, but fear of the baby being bipolar or of becoming bipolar herself compelled her to abort the baby, never telling Richard (revealed to Maggie in 7.21 Where the Heart Is). In Abby's words, the abortion was "the beginning of the end" of her marriage, and she and Richard "just stopped talking about everything." They divorced but she kept his last name (Lockhart being much easier to spell and pronounce than her maiden name, Wyczenski). In 7.1 Homecoming, Abby discovers that Richard has failed to pay her med school tuition, so she is forced to drop out and return to nursing, this time in the ER. We also know that Abby is a recovering alcoholic; she'd been sober for 5 years in 7.2 Sand and Water, she sponsors Carter for a short time during season 7 and relapses during season 8 (on her birthday, January 10), although we never see her drinking get out of control.

Abby's career in medicine comes full-circle in season 10 when she returns to medical school; she graduates and comes back to intern in County's ER.

Tall, dark, handsome, and mysterious
Luka Kovac

*

Luka Kovac (played by Goran Visnjic) first appeared on the show in 6.1 Leave It To Weaver, as a moonlighting doctor, filling in for absent doctors. He was hired by Kerry Weaver as a full attending in 6.7 Humpty Dumpty. Growing up in Croatia, near the Adriatic coast, he was raised Catholic by his father, a train conductor and artist, and presumably his mother (though she is never mentioned on the show, in the fandom she is generally believed to have died several years earlier). He has one brother, with whom he spent a lot of time as a child wreaking havoc on his grandfather's farm.

Luka was married to Danijela (cap by pjevacica), and with her had two children, Jasna (cap by pjevacica) and Marko. In 8.16 Secrets and Lies, Luka reveals that he lost his virginity to Danijela on their wedding night because "we were very young and she was religious, so we waited." He and Danijela were very much in love, and they lived in Vukovar, Croatia while Luka was finishing med school and his internship.

In 1991 (the year is never referenced on the show, but it is generally believed to be '91 since, historically, November 1991 is when the seige of Vukovar occured), Luka and his family were living in an apartment in the city when war broke out. Luka remembers his children becoming restless because they were not allowed to go outside for safety reasons. There is a slight continuity problem at this point in the show, as in 6.10 Family Matters, Luka tells Kerry Weaver that his family was taken and killed during the war, and in 6.19 The Fastest Year he tells Carol Hathaway that they were killed when artillery hit their apartment while he was out buying food. The latter ends up being the more accurate story; Luka relives the harrowing experience in 7.15 The Crossing to Bishop Stewart, a patient of Luka's who is dying of lupus. Luka reveals his feelings of guilt to the Bishop, as Danijela reportedly wanted to move from Vukovar but Luka wanted to stay so he could finish his internship. Luka returned to the apartment from buying food to find the building had been shelled; he found Marko dead in his crib and Danijela and Jasna dying in another room. He did CPR on Jasna for hours but was unable to save her. He also feels guilty for not trying to save Danijela - he thinks if he had carried her to a hospital immediately she could have had surgery and lived, but "I couldn't leave my little girl." He has only one picture of his wife and daughter, and none of his son.

There are some 'lost years' between 1991 and Luka's arrival at County in 1999. Fandom is in disagreement over whether he stayed in Croatia, left and traveled/lived in Europe, or came immediately to the United States, and the show has yet to enlighten viewers of this mystery. We do know that he has at least one (fairly distant) relative in Chicago, Herb, his second cousin's wife's brother-in-law. In early season 6, he lives on a boat, but he later sells it to buy a car. He has a brief relationship with Carol Hathaway in season 6, most likely attracted to her because of her resemblance to Danijela and the "insta-family" factor: she has infant twin daughters who Luka takes a shine to. They share a couple of kisses but Carol soon leaves him in 6.21 Such Sweet Sorrow to join her daughters' father in Seattle. Luka eventually moves into a hotel, getting a break on the rent in exchange for being a doctor to the tourist guests of the hotel. Later, in early season 8, he moves out of the hotel and into a two-story apartment.

You mean like a date?
season 6-early 7

Luka and Abby's first meeting occurs in 6.12 Abby Road, where Carol introduces them. Abby is (understandably!) attracted to Luka from the start, calling him "tall, dark, handsome, and mysterious" and remarking, "Well, we never had doctors like that up in OB." Haleh replies, "Easy on the eyes, isn't he?" and Abby comes back with an affirmative, "I'll say!" Their relationship throughout season 6 is purely professional.

It isn't until 7.3 Mars Attacks that we see a relationship between them beginning. Abby has a bad day at work and finds Luka sitting in the ambulance bay. He encourages her, saying she is a good nurse and would be a great doctor; she just needs a little bit of confidence. Spontaneously, Abby leans forward and kisses him, which prompts surprised laughter from both. Luka's reaction is a huge smile, and when they are interrupted by Chuny and Abby goes back inside, she tells Carter that her day just got better.



In 7.4 Benton Backwards, Abby gets up the courage to ask Luka out:
Abby: Um...I was just thinking, ahh...I was just wondering, if you wanted, maybe we could, um...
Luka: We could, what?
Abby: Go out sometime.
Luka: Oh, you mean, um, like a date?
Abby: Uh, yeah, that's sorta what I was thinking.

Luka readily agrees, and they go out that night to a bar, where they play foosball. (Luka suggests dinner and a movie, but Abby "was thinking of something a little more physical.") Their moods are playful and they're obviously enjoying themselves; they tease each other jokingly over the foosball game. Later, as they're sitting and talking, Luka inadvertently invites Abby to his hotel room:
Luka: It...it's great; you have to come and see it.
Abby: Your hotel room?
Luka: Yeah! I...I mean no, I mean...argh. I'd never ask of such a thing from a lady, especially after just one kiss.
Abby: No, I'd hope not.
This is, of course, Luka's cue to lean in and kiss her, afterwards remarking with a slight smirk, "Of course, that makes it two."

Despite its encouraging start, their first date ends quite poorly. Luka and Abby are walking by the river, holding hands and exchanging good-natured banter, when they are attacked by a mugger who hits Luka on the head with a metal pipe. The man then turns on Abby, demanding her purse and then grabbing her by the coat. Luka takes the man from behind, throwing him against a fence and then to the ground, repeatedly bashing his head onto the concrete. This is the first time we see Luka's temper and his overly protective nature, especially towards Abby. Abby begs him to stop, which he does eventually, with a long, haunted look at Abby. When they arrive at the hospital, the mugger dies in a trauma room as Abby and Luka look on. Luka refuses to let Cleo treat his head injury, and leaves the ER quickly, despite Abby's calling after him.

In 7.5 Flight of Fancy, Luka does not show up for work and a worried Abby spends much of the day trying, to no avail, to reach him. We find out that he is wandering the city, trying to find out who the mugger he killed was. He finally goes to the morgue to watch the autopsy, riddled with guilt. Abby sees him briefly while he's leaving the hospital, but he makes it clear that he does not want to talk about the experience. When Abby gets off work, she shows up at his hotel room. He lets her in and she assures him that he doesn't have to talk. Luka takes her by the lapels of her coat and rests his head against her, receiving comfort. In a beautifully crafted scene (the camera angles, lighting, lack of music, and almost slow-motion movement all add to the haunted yet charged tone), they begin to kiss as the episode fades to black.



It is generally believed in fandom that Luka and Abby first have sex at this time; this is neither confirmed nor denied on the show itself. However, the end of Flight of Fancy does seem to imply it. It is also generally believed that it was neither Abby's nor Luka's intention to end up sleeping together; clearly, Abby's intention in coming to Luka's hotel room was purely to comfort him. However, the sexual tension between the two during the scene is so great that it seems inevitable.

You watch me when we make love
mid-late season 7

As season 7 continues, Luka and Abby's relationship continues, albeit at a slower pace than they might have otherwise taken because of the arrival of Abby's mother in Chicago. Abby is kept busy caring for Maggie, though she and Luka do exchange several conversations and longing looks at work. In 7.8 The Dance We Do, we find out that Abby often stays the night at Luka's hotel room, and when she returns home in the morning, Maggie points out that "When you're not looking, he [Luka] stares at you all the time." Later on in the conversation, Abby confirms, "He stares at me?" Maggie answers in the affirmative, "All the time." Abby seems very pleased, though slightly embarrassed at being told this by her mother. In the same conversation, Abby says of Luka, "I thought I already had him." Maggie responds, "You do; you just don't know it yet." Despite these positive interactions, Maggie's presence is taking its toll on Abby; she's embarrassed when Luka sees Maggie have a breakdown in the ER and he has to take her away and calm her down himself.

Eventually, Maggie leaves and Luka and Abby continue their relationship and keep growing closer. One of the most important Luby episodes is 7.14 A Walk in the Woods; the opening scene has Luka and Abby as they're finishing making love in the early morning. This in itself would be significant, but what is really telling about their relationship is the conversation they have. Some highlights:

Abby: Penny for your thoughts.
Luka: Pardon?
Abby: It means, what are you thinking about?
Luka: Nothing, really...I was thinking about the Bishop.
Abby: Making love with me makes you think of a priest with lupus?

Abby: You watch me when we make love.
Luka: You're beautiful.

Abby: What was her name?
Luka: Who?
Abby: Your wife.
Luka: Danijela.
Abby: Did you love her very much?
Luka: Yeah.
Abby: I'm glad.



While all are significant (Abby refers to them "making love," as opposed to "having sex" or some other euphemism, twice), the last conversation is the most so. Despite Abby's insecurities (and she certainly has some), she is secure enough in their relationship to be able to bring up Luka's wife and not be threatened by her. The conversation also serves as a sort of confirmation to Abby that Luka is capable of love, something she is very happy to discover and he is quick to supply.

7.16 Witch Hunt finds us with Luka and Abby again in the morning, and this time we see a very playful, affectionate side to their relationship. Luka wakes Abby up by bringing coffee and breakfast; they playfully banter about the early hour and Luka's living arrangements and they have a small pillow fight. Later in the episode, Abby is distraught over a missing patient and Luka comes outside to comfort her; he needs a nurse and specifically insists "I want you." When she asks him to leave her alone, he says, "I can't do that," in a role reversal of their scenes in 7.5 Flight of Fancy.

As season 7 goes on, Luka works out his issues with the guilt over his family's death with Bishop Stewart and Luka and Abby's relationship continues to progress. Unfortunately, Abby's mother makes a comeback in 7.19 Sailing Away, when Abby has to go to Oklahoma to pick her up as she's had a breakdown in a hotel there. The fact that Carter offers to drive her across the country creates tension between Luka and Abby, and they fight before she leaves. This episode highlights the maddening "triangle" between Luka, Abby, and Carter (Carter is obviously attracted to Abby, Abby frequently confides in Carter about her mother and Luka, and Luka goes back and forth between being jealous and being seemingly oblivious or indifferent.) The end of the episode finds Abby bringing Maggie, who has attempted suicide, back to County, where Luka is a silent supporter and comforter of his girlfriend.

7.20 Fear of Commitment is perhaps the one episode that most fully goes through each aspect of Luka and Abby's relationship. We see tension between the two at the beginning, brought on by Abby's involvement in Maggie's problems and Carter. She goes to court to try and get her mother committed, and we are shown Luka's unwavering support as he shows up in court to be with Abby. In a very telling scene, Abby asks Luka why he thinks she's there [in court]. Luka replies, "Because you know she needs your help, even if she doesn't want it." On the surface, he's speaking of Abby and Maggie, but the statement is also a commentary on his relationship with Abby: Abby often does not want his help, but he knows she needs him so he's there. The end of the episode is another "famous" Luby scene. It finds Luka surprising Abby with a homecooked, candlelit dinner. She teases him about watching Martha Stewart, then walks into his arms for a long embrace:

Abby: Thank you.
Luka: For what?
Abby: For being there. And here. Everything.



Unfortunately, the tender moment is interrupted by Maggie, who shows up at Abby's door unannounced. However, despite the interruption, Maggie remains a vocal supporter of her daughter's relationship with the "Euro doctor," as evidenced in 7.21 Where the Heart Is. Maggie encourages her to "get married, have a baby," and after Abby has opened up to her about her past marriage and abortion, she goes with her to a staff softball game in which Luka is playing. Together, they cheer for Luka (although he clearly does not know how to play the game) and Maggie convinces Abby to join in the field; the episode ends in a positive resolution to both Maggie and Abby's issues as well as Luka's and Abby's.

Season 7 ends in 7.22 Rampage with Luka offering to pay for Abby's return to medical school and to send in her application. She takes offense to this, her aversion to being helped getting the better of her. The season ends on a tense note for Luka and Abby, but even throughout their tension, the attraction and caring for each other is evident.

Not that pretty, not that special
early season 8

8.1 Four Corners (a singularly confusing episode, by the way) has things still tense between Luka and Abby. Luka appears to be trying too hard for Abby's liking; he mentions an apartment listing that he'd seen and says he visited and there are already two people interested. Abby interprets this to mean he's talking about moving in together, although Luka neither confirms nor denies this assumption. Abby nervously excuses that she can't afford the rent in that area, to which Luka says, "Don't worry about it." In Luka's mind, offering to pay for her rent is no big deal and is an expression of his caring for her; in Abby's mind, it is something else entirely, namely, unwelcome help.

The episode of greatest controversy in the Luby fandom is 8.2 The Longer You Stay. Abby returns from work to Luka's new apartment, tired and hungry, to find Luka hunting zombies on his new Sony Playstation. She pointedly asks when he's going to get a bed in his new place, and at first one might think she's warming up to the thought of moving in together. Luka essentially blows her off at first, finally agreeing to go out to dinner with her. They arrive at a bar only to find that the kitchen is closed; their waitress is a French woman named Nicole, who will later be of some importance in Luka and Abby's relationship. Luka again blows Abby off at the bar to play pool with some friends; Abby takes a call outside from Carter which, needless to say, does not please Luka.

Their frustration with each other escalates into a full-blown fight, during which many harsh things are said. Luka says Abby has "an insect in your anus," which Abby chillily corrects him to be, "bug up my ass," compelling him to tell her to stop being such a bitch. The English mistake lends a humorous angle to the fight, but it is short-lived. Luka's next insult is, "You play games like a schoolgirl who can have any boy and treats them all like crap." Obviously he is referring to Abby's frequent confiding in Carter; throughout the fight he proves wrong a previous episode's assertation by Abby that "Luka doesn't get jealous, ever." Following this, he continues with, "You're not that pretty, you're not that special." This one line is the most controversial of the entire episode; it is very out of character for Luka immediately brings to mind Luka's "You're beautiful" in A Walk in the Woods. Abby looks shocked at the words and responds, "I'm pretty enough in the dark, though, aren't I?"

The back and forth insulting continues, with Luka calling Abby depressed, ashamed, and angry, and Abby saying that Luka is married to a ghost. This is Abby's most out of character moment; in the past she has shown very few insecurities in regards to Luka's past (see, again, notes on A Walk in the Woods) and Luka has since dealt with his "ghosts." Luka then references "Carter, your mother, your moods..." as things he "puts up with," and the scene ends with an angry exchange that is somewhat of a foreshadowing:

Abby: If I’m such a horrible person, how could you possibly want to be with me?
Luka: I don’t know how to be with you. I don’t know how to help you. I-
Abby: I don’t want help! I don’t want help. I don’t want to be pitied, I don’t want to be saved.
Luka: I give up.
Abby: Okay, what does that mean? What does that mean? What does that mean? Why don’t you just say-
Luka: I’m done! I’m done, okay? Carter can have you!



The fandom controversy over TLYS occurs because the episode is at the same time very out of character for both Luka and Abby (even Goran and Maura protested, unsuccessfully, some of the lines in the script) and very revealing about their relationship's flaws. The out of character-ness can be somewhat explained, on Abby's side, by her fatigue, her bad day at work, and her frustration at coming home hungry, having expected a date with her boyfriend only to find him with empty pizza boxes and playing video games. The out of character-ness is a bit harder to explain away on Luka's part, though one could make the case that things had just been building up for him and he'd previously been too polite ("Come on, I'm European, we like to be gallant.") to bring them up. I'm of the opinion, though, that despite these "excuses," the writers dropped the ball on this episode. If a breakup had to happen (and I'm not disputing the fact that it did), it certainly did not have to be this harsh.

What now? You tell me.
mid-late season 8

Almost as if the writers were acknowledging their mistakes in TLYS, the rest of season 8 reads as a buildup to a Luka/Abby reunion. In 8.3 Blood Sugar Sex Magic, already Luka apologizes to Abby at work: "I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't want to hurt you." In true Abby fashion, she returns, "You didn't hurt me," but it's obvious the opposite is true. Before leaving the room, Abby asks Luka, "What now?" Leaving the ball in Abby's court, Luka replies, "You tell me." It's obvious Luka will take her back if Abby is willing. The next episode, 8.4 Never Say Never, shows more of Luka and Abby's attempts at reconciliation, at least as friends. Abby offers to replace Luka's angelfish that have died. Then, after a humorous exchange with a patient which leaves both laughing, Luka remarks, "Haven't seen you smile in a while; forgot how pretty you are." Abby's expression is one of surprise and pleasure, as if she's not exactly sure what to do with this statement but is glad he'd made it. There are echoes of Luka's "not that pretty, not that special" in TLYS, and we get the sense that Abby has now forgiven him for that.



As the season continues, a new complication is introduced in the form of Nicole, the French waitress Abby first met on the night of the breakup. Luka takes it upon himself to take Nicole under his wing, helping her get her green card and a job as a runner in the ER, as well as a place to live (in his apartment, no less). It soon becomes obvious that Abby is jealous. In 8.6 Supplies and Demands, Abby confronts Luka, "It just seems like you're doing an awful lot for someone you barely know. Is she, like, your girlfriend now?" In the same episode, we also get a beginning of a resolution of sorts to the "triangle" between Luka, Abby, and Carter, with Carter confronting Abby and essentially telling her that she's still "stuck on" Luka. In a disappointing twist of events, we find out in 8.8 Partly Cloudy Chance of Rain that Luka has been sleeping with Nicole, and that she's pregnant. To her credit, Abby does not show her displeasure and instead just shows her genuine concern for Luka. This shows Abby's growing self-worth, as well as her continuing caring for Luka. In 8.9 Quo Vadis?, this is shown even further, when Abby finds out that Nicole aborted Luka's baby and lied to him about it. She confronts Nicole: "I don't want to see him hurt," then confronts Luka, trying to get him to see what Nicole is doing to him.

We see Luka's and Abby's relationship continue, at least in the friendship form of it, during 8.10 I'll Be Home For Christmas. First we get some friendly banter between the two, then Abby notices Luka is down, and takes his hand outside of a trauma. She is the only one who understands why he's upset:

Abby: You miss your kids?
Luka: Yeah...It's kind of worse at Christmas.



In 8.14 A Simple Twist of Fate, Luka returns from a Doctors Without Borders trip to Bosnia. He and Abby are clearly happy to see each other. Abby says she was "getting worried" and that she thought she'd at least get a postcard; Luka jokes that she needs to get email. Later in the episode, Abby's involvement with a neighbor's violent domestic disputes come back to haunt her. Joyce, her neighbor, is beaten up by her husband and Abby lets her stay with her for a night. Brian gets angry and comes after Abby, beating her up and leaving her unconscious. When Abby is taken to County, Luka and Susan treat her. Luka's genuine concern escalates when Susan mentions that Abby may have been raped. He's angry and upset even after he finds out she was not raped; he leaves work early and goes to a bar Brian frequents. He finds Brian and starts punching him, asking him if he hits women "for fun" and urging him, "lose your temper with me!" It becomes clear that Luka is not just referring to any women, but Abby, when his last words to Brian before leaving are "You touch her again, I'll kill you."

In 8.15 It's All In Your Head, Abby is looking for a new apartment to get away from Brian, and Luka offers to have her stay with him until she finds a place. He jokes that "you'd only have to sleep with me on weekends." Abby at first declines; then at the end of the episode she gets scared when she returns to her apartment and sees Brian outside. She shows up at Luka's apartment and he practically insists she stay with him. In 8.16 Secrets and Lies we find out that she is indeed staying with him; we see her waking up on his couch in the morning. A tender moment occurs between the two when Luka lingers longer than necessary while checking the bruising around her eyes. Stage notes from the script say of this scene, "It's still there, that thing they had. They both feel it."



The season continues with more friendship and unresolved sexual tension between the two; we frequently see banter and friendly touches between them. In 8.17 Bygones, Abby has tried to convince a girl Luka is taking out (but doesn't know if he really likes) that she's "just his roommate," but she apparently was not too convincing. There is also frequently tension between Carter and Luka, always revolving around Abby; Carter accuses Luka of allowing Abby to start drinking again, while Luka will have none of his passive-aggressiveness. In 8.19 Brothers and Sisters, Luka helps Abby move back into her apartment after Brian has moved away; he fixes the lock on her door and both Luka and Abby seem annoyed when Carter shows up unannounced. The end of season 8 is a major departure from the earlier parts of the season, with a seemingly out of character shift from rebuilding a relationship between Luka and Abby and the beginning of a relationship between Abby and Carter. There is little buildup to this change; it's obvious that the writers were heading towards a Luka/Abby reunion and for some unknown reason decided not to go that way.

I miss you, Abby.
season 9 and following

Season 9 brings some unwelcome and unpleasant changes - Abby continues with her (seemingly immature) relationship with Carter, and Luka becomes what has come to be known as a "man-whore" in fandom, sleeping with patients' mothers and prostitutes, "living fast" as he describes it. They both seem to be on the rebound from their relationship, and even throughout the puzzling changes in behavior, there remains a connection between the two that is undeniable. They share several long looks, which at least on Luka's part could be described as longing.

However, the beginning of the season is sadly devoid of much Luka/Abby interaction, until 9.10 Hindsight. Abby's genuine concern for Luka and his newly self-destructive lifestyle is evident when she encourages him to go home early from work. Then, at a staff Christmas party, we are treated to a chemistry-filled scene between the two. Luka comes into a bedroom where Abby is alone, retrieving her coat. She shows him the gift she'd gotten from the Secret Santa gift exchange. It's a snowglobe, and Luka takes it from her, showing her how it plays music. Obviously, he is the one who's given the gift, though he never says so. The music that plays is "Greensleeves," and though the version in the snowglobe is only instrumental, the lyrics to the song are quite fitting: Alas, my love, you do me wrong/To cast me off discourteously/For I have loved you well and long/Delighting in your company. Abby notices something is wrong, and asks if Luka is okay. His response: "We don't talk much anymore...Like we don't know what to say." Abby admits that "we should fix that." When Abby's back is turned, Luka then reaches to caress her arm, telling her "I miss you, Abby." Abby is frozen in place for a moment, emotion crossing her face.



She eventually turns around and tells him he's been drinking, but tipsy Luka turns out to be honest Luka, and the following exchange occurs:

Abby: Maybe we should talk about this some other time?
Luka: You don't look happy.
Abby: I'm happy.
Luka: That's, that's good. I want you to be happy, I'm just saying that if you're not...
Abby: I should go.
Luka: I made mistakes, a lot, a lot of mistakes.
Abby: Don't make another one.

Throughout the scene, the unresolved sexual tension between the two as well as their still obvious chemistry is apparent. Abby seems uncomfortable with the exchange, implying that her defensive assertation that she's happy without Luka is untrue.

9.11 A Little Help From My Friends has Luka and Abby defending each other at a Morbidity and Mortality hearing, indicating that the writers are still linking the two in canon. In 9.13 No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, Luka is the one to tell Abby that her boyfriend, Carter, is going to the Congo, Africa on a trip with Doctors Without Borders, and when she's not happy with Carter for it, he shoots back, "You thought it was cool when Luka went [to Bosnia on another Doctors Without Borders trip]!" It's a slightly amusing nod to the fact that Abby is still "hung up on" (to quote Carter) Luka. In 9.16 A Thousand Cranes, we get more of honest Luka. He's at an appointment with a shrink, and he admits, "I was in a relationship with someone I cared about, which I then ruined." It's obvious he's speaking of his relationship with Abby. His regret over the end of their relationship is obvious. In a season in which neither Luka nor Abby smile much at all, 9.17 The Advocate shows that they still make each other smile.

As season 9 ends, Luka is making plans to go to the Congo with Carter to work with Doctors Without Borders. In an emotionally charged scene in 9.20 Foreign Affairs, Luka and Abby say goodbye. Abby is worried for Luka's safety, and Luka tries to be strong for her. They step into a long hug, during which Abby is obviously fighting back tears. He tells her to "hold down the fort," and she implores him to "take care of yourself...I mean it."



Season 10 opens with the ER getting bad news that Luka has died in the Congo. In 10.1 Now What?, another nurse breaks the bad news about Luka to her. Abby visibly crumples in grief and disbelief, and is later comforted in an almost widow-like manner by Susan Lewis. Of course, later we find out that Luka has not died; he returns to Chicago, recovering from malaria. In 10.3 Dear Abby, Abby is visibly jealous of Gillian, a more-than friend who has come back with Luka from the Congo (Abby: "Must be nice to have a personal nurse."), but is very obviously excited and relieved to see him back.

In 10.4 Shifts Happen, Abby arrives at Luka's apartment, and the two take a walk near the river. They chat about the Congo and Luka's recovery, then Luka asks if Abby is happy. She says she's "getting there," which Luka seems pleased about. She doesn't want to tell him what the "decisions" she's made are, in hopes of not "jinxing" them, and when her pager beeps Luka mischeviously tells her to pretend she didn't get the page, obviously wanting to spend more time with her. Abby reluctantly declines, saying she needs the money, and when Luka asks if he'll see her soon, she answers in the affirmative, smiling. The scene shows their true affection, with traces of their previous romance and growing friendship.



As seasons 10 and 11 go on, it's obvious that Luka and Abby will not be together in canon again. (Of course, given TPTB's turn-on-a-dime switch from Luka/Abby to Abby/Carter, nothing's impossible.) However, their friendship continues; in 10.21 Midnight, Luka encourages Abby when she hasn't passed her boards yet, and later cheers proudly for her at her med school graduation. In 11.9 it is Abby who is excited for Luka when he's looking forward to a good Christmas celebration. There are other small moments that showcase their friendship, and while we Lubies would much prefer a romantic relationship between the two, their connection still remains and it's wonderful to see.

Anybody else need anything? Bring it on!
fanfic and other recommendations

Websites

The Love Shack - The original Luby fansite. On permanent hiatus now, but still has a wonderful archive of fanfic, screencaps, and other fan necessities.
Every Rose - Another fansite that's also on permanent hiatus, but again with a good archive of fannish goodies.
Yahoo! Luby Group - The original Luby group. It's more or less quiet now, but if you're looking for a lot of fannish overanalyzation, fanfic, episode reviews, etc., the archives from the season 7 and 8 eras are priceless.

Fanfiction

There is a lot of Luby fanfiction. This is just the best of the best of the best (Sir! With honors!).

Fire and Rain by Carolina - An alternate universe fic that actually manages to stay wonderfully close to the characters. Set five years after Luka has left Chicago after breaking up with Abby.
Reconcilable Differences by Mrs. Eyre - An amazing Luby epic that everyone MUST read. I can't say enough good things about it.
Strings Attached by Mrs. Eyre - A sequel of sorts to Reconcilable Differences. Takes place between RD and its epilogue.
Critical Path by Mrs. Eyre - Follows Reconcilable Differences and Strings Attached.
Once More, With Feeling by Californiagirl2 - Companion piece to Critical Path, in Luka's POV.

Comments

[ramdonomo.livejournal.com]

LUKA! ABBY!

OMG, so I love you, right?

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Haah. Do you now?!

Did I know you're an L/A fan?

[ramdonomo.livejournal.com]

You did not, no.

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Well, like the dork that I am, I'm happy you are.

[ramdonomo.livejournal.com]

*squee* Me too. This was very well done. *goes to check out community*

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Thaaaaank you :)

[hugsiez.livejournal.com]

Ok, so I can just post this in your journal, but I'll post it here. Because...wow, that was just...wow. It didn't even seem as if it was that long! And the caps. Everything was perfect. Amazing job, really. :D ::is so proud of being a Luby right now:: XD Thank you so much for writing this.

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Aww. Thank you, hon!

[sombras-azules.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, woman!

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Sigh. Insomnia does scary things to me, apparently.

[misoneismic.livejournal.com]

May I please use your Luka profile on my new SAMKA (muahahah) site? It's very well written.

I can take no for an answer, too.

I just never could write a profile that good. *sniffles*

Am envious.

But not a Luby.

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Samka? ::cringes::

But yes, go ahead. Credit would be nice since the damned thing took me so long. But not necessary.

But not a Luby. ::shakes fist::

;)

[misoneismic.livejournal.com]

Samka. *evil laughter*

And of course, of course I will credit you. It's not like anyone would believe *I* wrote that anyway. What name would you like me to use when crediting you?

But I'll still never be a Luby. :P

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Um...It doesn't really matter. Katie, I guess. Just please don't link to email; if you're linking you can link to my LJ.

[pjevacica.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is lovely, and I'm not even one of those Luby kids... Must have taken a lot of work, hun. Beautiful.

(And I've got some larger and clearer caps of Danijela and Jasna if you care to have them.)

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

And I'd *love* better caps of D&J, if you've got them.

[pjevacica.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm a nerd and I had nothing better to do the other day but cap The Crossing and A Walk In The Woods, so.... Here you go hun. Jasna (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/lutkabeba/screencaps/crossing12.jpg) and Danijela (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/lutkabeba/screencaps/crossing14.jpg)

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

::bounce:: Thaaaank you!

[pjevacica.livejournal.com]

No problem at all, dear. If they're too dark for your liking, just let me know and I'll jump into Photoshop really quick, yeah?

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

They look great to me :)

[asaresquares.livejournal.com]

I'm both Luby and Samka (although more Samka) so......I can appreciate it. Lol.

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Heh. I'm both too, just more Luby.

[huntersglenn.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely not a Luby, never was and never will be, but I do want to let you know that your essay was very well done. It's definitely interesting to see the different spin people can put on the same scenes.

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much :) Good to know it can be appreciated by non-Lubies as well.

[tragicamente.livejournal.com]

BRILLIANT. BRILLIANT. BRILLIANT.

I just wish you could be doing the same to season twelve, because THERE ARE SO MANY MOMENTS.

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

:) Thank you!

And I'd like to do season 12, but it's not over yet...Probably will wait until then, if I do it at all. It would take forever, though.

[tragicamente.livejournal.com]

Oh, but wouldn't it be so much fun?

hehe. I love just getting into the fandom. I'm trying to find a place to buy the DVDs of Season 7 so I can watch the development of the relationship, but I can't find the episodes anywhere! woe.

well, thanks again for writing this. It was what introduced me to the pairing, I would have never thought of it otherwise! So, you rock.

I read this essay when I just started watching ER halfway through season 11 because I just love Luka and I love Abby, so I was all: oooh and now, I'm obsessed.

x

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Fun, yes. Conducive to participating in real life, no.

Season 7 isn't on DVD yet. I believe just seasons 1-4 are out right now. You might be waiting a while. Check TNT's listings; I have no idea where they're at now in their reruns, but season 7 will come up eventually.

Whoo, glad it brought you to Luby! Glad you like.

[paulingui.livejournal.com]

I've already read it a long time ago, but don't know why i didn't post...anyway..It's just perfect, i love it, it describes every moment bewteen them, you did a great work!

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you! Glad you liked it!

[gossy16.livejournal.com]

*SQUEE*

I must've had a blind episode, or something, because I completely missed this when you posted it... *calculates* Hah, no! I was away in England! I'm still a good luby! *lolz*

Anyway - you did such a great job with this! It completely does them justice, and just wow!

I did find your closing remarks very amusingly ironic in retrospect. Heee, ain't them writers sweet?

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Heeee. Thanks, Ade!

And yeah...closing remarks make me laugh. Love the irony. Yay writers ;)

[garfpooky.livejournal.com]

Wow, I've just started reading some of the posts in this community and I'm so in awe of how incredibly well-written this is! I've always rooted for Luka/Abby more than Abby/Carter...though Luka/Carol was kinda cute while it lasted. :P

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[mysimpletruth.livejournal.com]

found this through L-A.com.. Very well done! =) Lovely to read through their whole history! Loved it!

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you! :)

[wickedandcruel.livejournal.com]

Ok, only now I had curiosity enough to read the essayand i have one thing to point out:

As seasons 10 and 11 go on, it's obvious that Luka and Abby will not be together in canon again

I'm, so glad you were wrong! *g*

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Me too :)

[almasen.livejournal.com]

Love reading this manifesto and I too was really glad that you were wrong :)
I think it would be awesome if there'll be a continuation or a part II of this manifesto. *hint, hint* :0

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked :) I won't be doing a continuation, but perhaps someone else will.

[malmo.livejournal.com]

The fandom controversy over TLYS occurs because the episode is at the same time very out of character for both Luka and Abby (even Goran and Maura protested, unsuccessfully, some of the lines in the script)

^ Source??

I'm curious!

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Not sure...I wrote this on my old (now dead) computer, which had all my links.

[sassenach888.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this. It was nice to see what happened with Luka & Abby in earlier seasons since I've only been watching for a few years. You did an awesome job with it. :)

[cloudillusion.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) Glad to hear it helped you to get to know Luby v1. Everyone should be acquainted with them. I wouldn't love Luby v2 now nearly as much were it not for their first relationship.