He returned two weeks later in season 10. When Kovač is reported killed in Africa, Carter went back to retrieve his body but found Kovač ill with malaria. He arranged for Kovač to be sent home, and sent a letter for Abby ending their relationship. Dr. Carter remained in Africa for several months and worked in Makemba "Kem" Likasu's AIDS clinic. Carter and Kem develop a relationship and when she becomes pregnant he asks her to accompany him to Chicago where he introduces her to his colleagues.