Adult Content Warning

This work could have adult content. If you continue, you have agreed that you are willing to see such content.

• Yes, Continue
• No, Go Back

If you accept cookies from our site and you choose "Yes, Continue", you will not be asked again during this session (that is, until you close your browser). If you log in you can store your preference and never be asked again.

1. You Can Never Know What Happens Behind Closed Doors by TheTimetravellerCat

   Fandoms: ER (TV 1994)  

   • Mature
   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • Gen
   • Complete Work

   22 Jun 2025

   Tags

   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • Jack Carter & John Carter
   • John Carter & Susan Lewis (ER TV 1994)
   • Peter Benton & John Carter
   • Mark Greene & Susan Lewis (ER TV 1994)
   • Minor or Background Relationship(s)
   • John Carter (ER TV 1994)
   • Susan Lewis (ER TV 1994)
   • Mark Greene (ER TV 1994)
   • Peter Benton
   • Kerry Weaver
   • Jack Carter (ER TV 1994)
   • Original Female Character(s)
   • Robert "Bobby" Carter (ER TV 1994)
   • Minor Characters
   • Whump
   • Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
   • POV Multiple
   • Hurt
   • Angst
   • Hurt/Comfort
   • Past Child Abuse
   • Survivor Guilt
   • Physical Abuse
   • Emotional/Psychological Abuse
   • abuse of a young adult man by his parents
   • mostly his father
   • Bad Parenting
   • Carter is being abused by his family
   • that's most of the fic
   • Protective Susan Lewis
   • Protective Peter Benton
   • Protective Kerry Weaver
   • John Carter needs a hug
   • John Carter Gets A Hug
   • eventually
   • Hopeful Ending

   Summary

   Carter comes from a wealthy family, that much is true. Materialistically, he has never truly lacked anything. But appearances can be deceiving. Very deceiving.

   What could be hiding behind Carter's smiles, his clumsiness, his goofy exterior, his cheerful mood and his neverending optimism?

   And who will notice the shadows lurking beneath?

   Susan slowly made her way to the central station, looking for her next case, but her mind was still somewhere in the distance. She turned to look at the pair of them, happily chatting as Carter cleaned, disinfected and stitched the wound his former nanny had sustained.

   But she couldn't unhear it. She couldn't forget Rose's tone and her words, and everything they implied. And she didn't know what to do with it, or where to put it.

   She watched Carter, saw his smiles, his ‘all-in’ persona, and his cheerful demeanor and she wondered how far and how deep the abyss beneath it went.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   12,944

   Chapters:

   1/1

   Comments:

   7

   Kudos:

   187

   Bookmarks:

   26

   Hits:

   2,295