Author's Text

The characters in this story are not mine and no money is made by me for the use of them in this story.

Robin

"ER"
"Barriers Of Love"
Opening Act

Scene opens at County Hospital. Show Mark Greene roaming through the halls heading for an office door. He gets to the door and reads the heading on it...Dr. Douglas Ross...Chief of Pediatrics...and shakes his head with a soft smile. He knocks on the door, but, doesn't get any answer, so, he pushes the door open and goes on into the office. He finds Doug Ross sacked out on a futon in the corner of his office. He goes over to him and shakes his shoulders gently.

Mark:
Doug?
(getting no response he shakes him again)
Hey? Doug? Time to go home now...
(slowly, Doug opens his eyes and peers up at Mark, who laughs at him)
Wake up...and go home...how long have you been here, anyway?

Doug (groaning, sits up):
What time is it?

Mark:
About 9AM.

Doug (swings his feet around and plants them on the floor):
What DAY is it?

Mark:
Tuesday.

Doug (rubs his neck):
Tuesday? What happened to Monday?

Mark (grins):
I don't know...maybe you slept through it? You didn't go home last night?

Doug:
I covered for Carter last night...I was on call so I figured I might as well just stay here.

Mark (grunts):
I bet Carol loves these new working hours.

Doug (sighs):
We've already had more than one argument about it...

Mark (chuckles):
Trouble in paradise?

Doug (shrugs):
Glitch in the road. We both knew we'd both have to make adjustments when I took this job.

Mark:
Well, no marriage is without trails, I guess.

Doug (chuckles):
Not a trial...just an adjustment we have to make. I'm going home.

Mark (nods):
Yeah.

Cut to the Ross home. Show Carol Ross watching out the window, then looking at the clock, and pacing around the room while she waits. Cut to show Doug pulling into the driveway and Carol watching out the window and sees him. She starts gathering up the triplets, baby bag, etc and putting them into a stroller and meeting him at the door.

Carol (as soon as he opens the door):
Thank God you got here...I was beginning to think you forgot.

Doug:
Oh, no, I never forget.
(pause)
Forgot what?

Carol (agitated):
That you agreed to watch Marc today while I take the babies to the doctor for their check-up.

Doug (groans):
Where's Amy?

Carol:
We gave her the day off, remember?

Doug (nods):
Oh, yeah...I remember...
(confused, ticks his head)
Why?

Carol:
Because her boyfriend is in town and she hasn't seen him in a while. Doug, where IS your mind today?

Doug (sighs):
I think I left it at the office.

Carol (grunts):
That's where it always is anyway.

Doug:
OK, so, I'm here now.

Carol:
OK, Marc is taking a nap and the kids won't be home from school before I get back.
(kisses his cheek on the way out the door)
Thanks for doing this and I'll see you later.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, fine...no problem.

Carol takes the triplets and goes on out the door to load them up in the van...Doug goes over to the sofa and lays down on it, throws his arm up over his head, and closes his eyes to drift off back to sleep.

Cut to show time lapse. Doug is sleeping soundly on the sofa. Show Marc toddle into the room and over to him, patting his face lightly. Marc is 18 months old now...walking well...and talking pretty well too. He is dressed from his nap in just a T-shirt and his diaper.

Marc (patting Doug's face):
Dada up!

Doug opens his eyes slowly and sees his son smiling at him. He grins at Marc and pulls himself into a sitting position, picking Marc up once he is sitting up.

Doug:
I guess you need changed, now, huh?
(feels Marc's diaper)
Yeah, that's about what I figured...come on...

He carries the little boy with him to his bedroom and gives him a clean diaper. He takes his rompers hanging over the back of the chair and puts them back on him and finishes his dressing with socks and shoes and puts him down on the floor. Marc immediately toddles through the house and to the back door, pressing on the glass and pointing outside.

Marc:
Me out, Dada!

Doug:
You want to play outside? OK!

He opens the door and he and Marc go out onto the deck. Doug sits in a deck chair and Marc works himself down the steps and into the yard. Doug watches as his son begins to gleefully play with a huge playball that was left in the yard. As he watches him play, his eyes become heavy and he closes them just for a minute...

Cut to show time lapse. Doug opens his eyes and groans himself awake. He looks at his watch and realizes he must have gone to sleep. Fearful now, he looks out into the yard and doesn't see Marc anywhere.

Doug (stands up, near panic):
Marc? Where are you, Buddy?

He begins to look frantically around the yard, climbing over the railing of the deck and dropping himself into the yard to look.

Doug (calling):
Marc? Answer me, Son! Where are you?

Doug's eye is caught by the yellow playball Marc was playing with in the corner of the yard. He starts running towards it and his eye is caught by something else...under the swing set, half in and half out of the sand box, lies Marc, bleeding at the forehead and unconscious. Doug races to him and drops to his knees beside him.

Doug:
Marc? Marcus?
(he carefully places two fingers on the child's junglar vein and closes his eyes, waiting and hoping for a pulse, which he gets)
Thank God...
(he gives Marc a quick examination and then, satisfied nothing is broken and it's safe to move him, picks him up)
We'll get you taken care of, Buddy...

Doug darts back for the house, scribbles a note in the kitchen and hangs it on the refrigerator with a magnet, and rushes out the door carrying his still unconscious and still bleeding son in his arms. He lays him carefully in the car seat, straps him in, and backs the jeep quickly out of the driveway.

Cut back to focus on the note he left for Carol with reads simply...'Carol...At the hospital...Doug' and fade Opening Act into the Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens at County ER. Show Doug come bursting into the ER with Marc in his arms. Kerry Weaver is working at the desk and looks up when she sees him.

Doug (as he rushes through):
Where's Dr. Rocher?

Kerry (coming out from the desk and following Doug):
He's in the hospital somewhere...

Doug (takes Marc into an exam room):
Page him!

Kerry (following Doug, turns to Jerry at the desk):
Page Dr. Rocher, please, Jerry? Stat!

Jerry (nods):
Right away, Dr. Weaver!

Kerry goes into the exam room with Doug. Doug lays Marc down on the table and leans over him. A trauma teams files into the room quickly.

Kerry:
What happened?

Doug (quietly):
I don't know.

Kerry:
You don't KNOW? That's your son, isn't it?

Doug (agitated):
Yes, he is my son, but I don't know what happened!

Chuny:
BP 75/55...

Kerry:
Oh, that's too low...
(she starts working over the baby)

Doug (appalled):
What the hell are you doing?

Kerry (nonchalantly):
I'm taking care of your son.

Doug:
I asked for Dr. Rocher.

Kerry:
Well, Dr. Rocher isn't here yet...

Doug:
Then, I'll wait until he is! Pedes doctors handle pedes cases...hands off, Kerry...

Kerry:
I need CT on hold for a full series skull x-ray...

Doug (agitated):
You are NOT this child's doctor...

Kerry (annoyed with his attitude):
Well, I seem to be the only one here right now...

Rocher (coming into the room):
Sorry I'm late...I was tied up with another patient...what's the problem?

Doug (relieved to see him):
18 month old with a cut on his forehead...unconscious...BP 75/55...reps 110...pulse ox is 79...

Rocher:
What happened to him?

Doug (sighs):
I have no idea.

Rocher (gives him a look):
This is your son, isn't it?

Doug (nods):
I was asleep. I woke up and found him like that.

Kerry (annoyed):
I HAD everything under control in here.

Doug (snaps at her):
You are NOT a pedes doctor...your work here is done, Kerry.

Kerry:
Fine, Doug! But you haven't heard the end of this!

Kerry hobbles out of the trauma room and goes back to the front desk. She steams for a minute, then she picks up the phone and dials a number.

Kerry (into receiver):
Yes, Beverly Watters, please...I want to report a case of possible child abuse...

Cut to show time lapse. Show Carol coming into the ER and starting down the hall towards the elevators. Just before she gets to them, she sees Doug sitting in a waiting room. He has his head in his hands and looks a little ragged.

Carol (going to him):
Doug? What's going on?

Doug (looks up):
Carol!
(jumps up and wraps his arms around her)
You found my note!

Carol:
Yeah, I called Mama to come and stay with the babies...I assumed you brought Marc with you...
(looks around)
So where is he? You put him in the daycare center?

Doug (painful expression):
Carol, I don't know how to tell you this...Marc had an accident...

Carol (alarmed):
An accident?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...he hit his head...

Carol:
Well, is he OK?

Doug (rubs her arms with his hands):
He's upstairs in CT now...

Carol:
What happened? How did he get hurt?

Doug (shakes his head):
I don't know.

Carol:
You don't KNOW? You don't KNOW how OUR child got hurt?

Doug (looks down):
I was asleep. I woke up and found him under the swing set and in the sand box. I guess he must have climbed on the swing set and fell...

Carol (steps back away from him):
You GUESS? Doug, I can't believe you could be so irresponsible with our own child...

Doug (groping for words):
I closed my eyes for one minute...

Carol (appalled):
With an 18 month old child playing alone in the yard? You're a pediatrician, Doug! You KNOW better...

Doug (nods, takes his scolding):
Yeah...I do...you're right...

Their argument is broken up by Max Rocher coming into the waiting area carrying a file.

Rocher:
Oh, good! Carol IS here. I'd like to talk to both of you, please?

Carol (follows him):
Oh, God...that means it's serious...

They follow Max to a private area and he puts the x-ray up for them to see.

Rocher:
Your son has a blood clot...
(points)
...right here.
(Turns to Doug)
You said you don't know what happened? Care to wager a guess?

Doug (sighs): I found him under the swing set half in and half out of the sand box. I'm assuming he was climbing on the swing set and fell and hit his head on the sand box.

Rocher:
What's the sand box made out of?

Doug (painfully):
It's wood.

Rocher:
Where were you?

Doug (sighs):
I was asleep in a chair on the deck.

Rocher (nods):
OK...well...we can do one of two things...we can give him medication and hope this dissolves on his own...or we can schedule him for surgery and remove it completely.

Carol (looking at x-rays):
Which way is best?

Rocher:
Well, both ways are good...it's up to you. You are the parents.

Doug:
We'll need to talk it over, Max, and let you know...

Rocher (nods):
Sure...I understand...just let me know what you decide.

Rocher goes off and leaves Doug and Carol there alone, still looking over the x-rays.

Carol (looking):
A blood clot...my 18 month old son is in a coma with a blood clot on his brain because his irresponsible father didn't keep an eye on him...

Doug (defensively):
Come on, Carol, be fair. There's no guarantee I could have prevented this even if I'd been awake! He was at the swing set...I was on the deck...there's NO WAY I could have gotten to him before he fell...

Carol (just as defensive):
No, but at least he wouldn't have laid in the sand box for God knows how long before you woke up!
(Doug has no come back...he just nods and looks at his feet)
I can't believe you'd do this, Doug!

Doug:
It's not like I did it on purpose, Carol!

Carol (cuts him off):
Never mind our argument...what are we going to do? What should we do?

Doug (sighs):
I vote for the surgery...

Carol (alarmed):
Surgery!?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, it's the best chance he has...the medication may or may not work but the surgery is a sure fire bet...

Carol:
I am NOT letting them cut my baby's head open! Not unless they absolutely have to...

Doug (annoyed):
Then, I guess there wasn't anything to discuss, was there? You already made up your mind...

He walks quickly out of the room, leaving Carol flustered behind him. She begins to follow him out quickly and they pass Rocher on the way.

Rocher:
You guys decide...

Doug (as he darts by him):
Talk to Carol...

Rocher has a bewildered look as Doug goes by and turns quickly to Carol who is approaching.

Carol (quickly, still trying to follow Doug):
Try the medication first, Max, OK?

Rocher (nods):
Sure, Carol...

Carol goes on down the hall after Doug, trying to catch up with him and dodging people as she goes.

Carol (as she catches up with him):
Don't walk away from me like that, Doug...we're not through talking about this yet...

Doug (as he goes, doesn't look back):
Yeah? Well, I am...

They get to the front of the ER and are confronted there by Beverly Watters who greets them with a stern face.

Beverly:
Oh, good, you're both here...I need to talk to you both...privately, please?

Doug (confused):
What about?

Beverly (carefully):
I'd rather not discuss anything here, Doug. Is there someplace we can all three go? Where it's private?

Doug (sighs, runs his hand through his hair):
Yeah, sure...we can use my office.

He motions both women to the elevators with him and punches the button. They wait for the elevator as Act One fades to black.

Act Two

Scene opens in Doug's office with Beverly and Carol. Carol sits in a chair, Doug sits on the edge of his desk, and Beverly paces the floor between them.

Beverly (nervously):
First of all, I want to know how your son is...

Doug:
He's got a blood clot...subdural hematoma.

Beverly:
Will he be all right?

Doug:
They're going to try to dissolve it with medication first. If that doesn't work within a few days, he may have to have surgery to remove it.

Beverly:
I'm very sorry. I hope everything works out all right for him.

Doug (nods):
Thank you...so do we.

Beverly:
Doug, I want you to know that I don't for one minute believe this, but, an investigation has been called for in this case.

Doug:
Investigation?
(realizes what she's getting at)
For abuse?

Beverly (nods):
I'm afraid so.

Carol (surprised):
Someone thinks Doug abused Marc and hurt him?

Beverly:
Someone from the hospital called with a suspicion. We have to check it out. I hope you understand, Doug...it's nothing personal...

Doug (appalled):
Beverly, you KNOW I didn't do anything to my son.

Beverly:
I'm sure you'll be exonerated, but, we have to check it out anyway.

Carol (alarmed):
You're going to take Marc away from us?

Beverly:
Were you in the house at the time of the alleged accident, Carol?

Doug (scoffs):
Alleged? You're accusing me of hitting my child?

Beverly:
I'm not "accusing" you of anything! I'm only following the book on this! Carol, were you?

Carol:
No, I took the triplets to their doctor for their check up.

Beverly:
And someone can verify that?

Carol (nods):
Yes.

Beverly:
Then, you are not a suspect...

Doug (appalled):
Suspect!? There is NOTHING to suspect...he FELL...

Beverly:
Did you see him fall?

Doug:
No...

Beverly:
Did you do anything to prevent him from falling?

Doug:
I would have...
(Beverly gives him a strange look...he shrugs his shoulders and shifts his weight)
I was asleep in the deck chair on the patio...I didn't see what happened.

Beverly:
I have to investigate this, Doug. I have no choice. A charge has been filed and I have to follow up on it. Now, since Carol is not a suspect, there are two choices...either we can remove all the children from the home, or you can voluntarily leave it until the investigation is complete...

Doug:
You're making me out a villain and I didn't do anything wrong...

Beverly:
No one has to know about this, Doug, except your supervisor. We can keep it pretty private.

Doug (nods, understands):
OK...I'll leave the house...I don't want you taking my kids and shoving them in a shelter someplace when they didn't do anything wrong.

Beverly (nods):
That's a good move on your part...
(pause)
There's one other thing...since he does not legally belong to you, we will have to remove Raoul.

Carol (alarmed):
You have to take him away?

Beverly:
We'll have to send him back to the center until the investigation is complete.

Carol:
How long will that take?

Beverly:
It could only take a few days...or it may take several weeks. It's hard to tell on these things.

Carol:
And Raoul can come back when it's over?

Beverly:
If everything goes OK...yes.
(touches Doug's shoulder)
I'm really sorry, Doug...I know this is a shock to you.

Doug:
I'm the Chief of Pediatrics...and I'm under investigation for child abuse...how is that going to look?

Beverly:
No one in the hospital has to know...only your immediate supervisor...

Doug:
Word travels fast, Beverly...this hospital isn't that big.

Beverly:
Well, if you didn't do anything wrong, you don't have anything to be ashamed of, now do you, Doug?

Carol:
How soon does Raoul have to leave?

Beverly:
I'll come and get him tonight...that will give you both time to tell the kids what's going on and for Doug to get his things together and be gone by the time I get there.
(Doug and Carol both nod that they understand. Beverly goes over to the door and starts out)
I'm really sorry, Doug...

Doug (nods, sad smile):
Yeah...me too.

Beverly leaves, Doug goes around the desk and slams his fist down on it.

Doug:
I can't believe this! You can bet I'm going to find out who called her!

Carol:
Why didn't you ask her?

Doug:
She wouldn't tell me...she can't...it's confidential information...but I'll find out! You can bet on that!

Carol:
You want to tell the kids what's going? Or do you want me to?

Doug (hangs his head, sad look):
I'll tell them. I'll come home and get everything together when they're home from school.

Carol:
I'm going downstairs and check on Marc...
(starts for the door...turns back to see Doug with his hand to his head)
You OK?

Doug (nods, doesn't look at her):
Yeah...I'm fine.

Carol isn't sure what to say, so, she simply leaves his office. Cut to show her down in the ER with Marc and Max Rocher comes in.

Rocher:
We gave him the first dose...but there hasn't been any response yet.

Carol (smoothing Marc hair on his head):
He's so still...I don't think he's ever been this still.

Rocher:
I really think he'll be OK, Carol.

Carol:
What do you think happened?

Rocher:
From the looks of things, I'd say he fell from a high area and hit his head...
(pause)
...and that's what I'll tell child services when they ask me, too.

Carol (gives him a quick look):
You know?

Rocher:
I saw Beverly come through...I didn't have to guess what she was here for. That's absurd, Carol...Doug would never hurt a child and everyone in this hospital knows that.

Carol:
Well, obviously someone has doubts.

Rocher:
Well, they shouldn't. Anyone who knows Doug should know better than that.
(pause)
How is he? He OK?

Carol:
Yeah, he's fine.

Carol continues to stroke Marc's hair and gaze down at him with a concerned look.

Cut to show time lapse. Cut to the Ross home. Show Doug sitting with Scott, Tatiana, and Raoul in the family room. The children look at Doug with a pensive look which he folds his hands and clears his throat.

Doug:
Marc had an accident today...I was sleeping in the deck chair and I don't know exactly what happened, but, he's hurt pretty bad and he's in the hospital...

Tatiana (softly):
Is he gonna be OK?

Doug:
Well, we don't know yet...we really hope so. But, because he got hurt, there has to be an investigation of the accident...
(pause)
and I have to move out of the house until it's over.

Scott (confused):
Why?

Doug:
Because somebody thinks I might have hurt Marc. And they have to be sure that nothing happens to any of you. So, either you have to leave, or I do. And since you didn't do anything wrong, I think I should be the one to leave.

Scott:
Did you do something wrong?

Doug:
No, of course I didn't.

Scott:
Then why do you have to leave?

Doug:
Because that's just the rules, son. And I want to do everything right so things will go as quickly as possible.
(Scott nods)
There's one other thing...
(voice wavers)
...because he doesn't legally belong to us, they will remove Raoul until the investigation is over.

Raoul (stunned):
I have to leave?

Doug (looks at him with misty eyes):
I'm sorry, Pal. There's nothing I can do about this. But, they said you can come back as soon as it's all over...

Raoul (sadly):
Yeah, they always say that.

Tatiana (starts to cry):
I don't want you to go away, Papa...
(children all go to Doug and hug him)

Doug (forcing back tears as he hugs them):
I know...but it won't be long...I'll be back before you know it...
(kisses each one of them)
Now, come on! No tears! It's going to be OK...
(pulls back and smiles at them)
I promise!
The children nod and start out of the room, Doug pulls Raoul back to him by the arm.

Doug:
I'm really sorry, Buddy...but everything will be OK and you'll come back here for good. I promise.

Raoul (shakes his head):
No...I won't be back...not ever. But, thank you anyway.

He pulls loose from Doug and trudges on out of the room slowly. Doug glances at the ceiling, his eyes misted with pain and frustration as Act Two Fades to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens in the ER. Show Carol standing over Marc's crib, touching him gently and watching the monitors around him when Doug comes in.

Doug (quietly):
Hey.

Carol (smiles weakly):
Hey.

Doug:
I got a room at the Drake.

Carol:
OK.
(pause)
How'd the kids take it?

Doug (shakes his head):
Not well. Tatchie started crying. Raoul thinks he'll never come back...
(pause)
What about you? Does my wife think I hurt my son?

Carol:
I know better than that.

Doug:
You say that with your mouth...but your eyes don't convince me.

Carol:
It bothers me that you let this happen, Doug. And you DID let this happen. If you weren't going to watch him, you should have been inside the house.

Doug:
He could have gotten hurt inside the house as well...fallen down the basement steps...jumped off the sofa...anything like that.

Carol:
Then you should have been watching him.

Doug:
I didn't MEAN to go to sleep, Carol! I was just so tired...

Carol:
Then you should have called for back up...one of the grandmothers could have come and watched Marc while you slept. This could have been prevented, Doug. We both know that.

Doug (nods):
So, you think I'm guilty as charged, huh?

Carol:
You didn't do it on purpose...but you are responsible.

Doug:
I get the message, Carol.
(heads for the door)
You know where to find me if you need me.

Doug goes out and heads down the hall to find Max Rocher. He finds him and waits until he has him alone to talk to him.

Doug:
Point Blank question, Max, and just because I need to know...did you call Child Services?

Max (gives him a look):
Come on, Doug! You know me better than that! Marc is not an abused child! He has a bump on his head and not another mark on him...anyone with any brains knows he's not abused.

Doug:
So, you didn't call them?

Max (shakes his head):
Absolutely not.

Doug:
Then who did?

Max (looks over his shoulder at Kerry Weaver working at the desk):
There was only one other doctor in the room...
(points over Doug's shoulder as he walks away)

Doug turns to see Kerry Weaver and starts to fume. He storms over to the desk to talk to her in a quiet but firm voice.

Doug (demanding):
Did you call child services?

Kerry (nonchalantly, doesn't look up at him):
Yes, I did.

Doug:
Why would you do that? You know Marc is not an abused child?

Kerry:
It's procedures, Doug...any time a doctor suspects Child abuse, they are required to report it.

Doug:
You KNOW I did not abuse my child...he had an accident...nothing else...

Kerry:
You have a temper, Doug...everybody knows that...who knows what could happen if you lost it with a child...

Doug:
That is garbage, Kerry, and you know it!

Kerry (looks him in the eye):
That's not for me to decide, Doug...it's up to child services.

She slaps her notebook shut and walks away, leaving him fuming at the desk.

Cut to show time lapse. Scene is in Mark Greene's office. Kerry and Doug are both there and they are in a heated argument with each other while Mark tries desperately to get a word in edgeways.

Doug:
You had NO RIGHT to drag child services into a case where it doesn't concern them!

Kerry:
I had EVERY right! It was my obligation to report this!

Doug:
Even though you KNOW there is no abuse in this case?

Kerry:
I don't KNOW anything!

Mark (puts his hands up):
OK! That's enough! Both of you! Sit down! And let's discuss this in a calm rational manner, shall we?

Doug (slumping into a chair):
You didn't belong in there anyway! It didn't concern you...you aren't supposed to be working pedes cases anyway...

Mark (gives him a stern look):
Doug!
(Doug shuts up and folds his arms across his chest)
OK, now, I have already been contacted by child services and I know what's going on, and Doug, I will tell you up front, you will get my full support on this.

Doug (grunts):
But?

Mark:
No buts...you will get my full support. I've known you a long time and I know what an advocate you are for kids...I will be happy to tell all that to child services when they ask me.

Doug:
I'm being investigated for nothing, Mark...except the personal vendetta of a vindictive bitch!
(glares at Kerry)

Kerry (defensively to Mark):
I was only doing my job, Mark. The rules state that if a doctor suspects child abuse they are required to report it. If I didn't report this and something happened, it would reflect on me...not Doug.

Mark (offers to Doug):
She has a point...
(nods to Kerry)
...Even though you KNEW there was no cause to suspect abuse.

Kerry: I didn't know any such thing...

Doug:
Well you WOULD have if you knew anything about pedes. Marc has a bump on his head...he doesn't have another mark on him...not a bruise...not a cut...not a scrape...any doctor worth their salt knows what to look for when you suspect abuse.

Kerry (defensively):
Are you saying I don't know what I'm doing?

Doug:
When it comes to Pedes, yes!

Mark:
Now, HOLD IT, you two! I've had enough of this petty arguing! You two are going to have to find a way to work with each other and find it pretty damn quick! Because I'm not going to have one or the other of you up here every day complaining about the other! Do I make myself clear?
(Both nod reluctantly)
All right, now, Kerry was acting within her rights when she reported this...

Doug (scoffs):
Sure...take her side...

Mark (continues):
I'm not taking anyone's side! I'm stating facts...she was acting within her rights. Can you honestly tell me you might not have done the very same thing?

Doug (frowns, sighs):
No, I can't.

Mark:
All right...all of us in this room know that you didn't hurt your son. And child services will find that out when they do their investigation. Everything will be fine.

Doug:
Except that there shouldn't even be an investigation...

Mark:
Well, it'll be over soon. I told Beverly I didn't want this thing to drag on and she promised me she'd make it a top priority.

Doug:
They're going to take Raoul away...
(glares at Kerry)
...did you know that?

Kerry (stunned):
Take him away? Why?

Doug:
Because he does not legally belong to us. To 'protect' him, he has to be removed from the house.

Kerry (shakes her head):
I'm sorry...I didn't know...

Doug:
You should have thought about things like that, Kerry. That little boy's world is going to be turned upside down for no good reason.

Mark:
Will you get him back?

Doug (shrugs):
Once I'm exonerated, we should get him back, yeah.

Mark:
Well, it shouldn't be long. Maybe it won't alter things for him too much.

Kerry (sincerely):
I'm sorry, Doug, really I am...

Doug (gets up to leave):
You should have thought about how your personal vendetta against me was going to effect other people, Kerry...
(stops at the door)
Is that all, Mark?

Mark (waves him on out):
We'll talk again later, Doug, go ahead...
(once he is gone)
Why did you call Child Services, Kerry? You know Doug didn't hurt his son...

Kerry (shrugs):
I guess I just wanted to teach him a lesson...I didn't think about the children...

Mark:
Doug had to move out of the house until the investigation is complete...did you think about that, too?

Kerry (shakes her head):
No, I guess I didn't.

Mark:
I think the next time you need to think about the consequences of your actions before you do something rash...and be sure of what you're doing before you report something that might not be true.

Kerry nods slowly as the scene cuts out.

Cut to the ER. Show two uniformed police officers come into the ER and stop at the desk.

Officer:
We're looking for Dr. Ross?

Jerry (motions over his shoulder):
Down the hall...try four...

The officers go down the hall and Doug comes down the other way. He meets them in the center of the hallway.

Doug:
Can I help you officers?

Officer:
We're looking for Dr. Ross?

Doug:
I'm Dr. Ross...
(Carol comes to the doorway of Marc's room to see what's going on)
Can I help you?

Officer (takes out hand cuffs):
Put your hands behind your back, please, Dr. Ross?
(Before Doug can react, the officer has his hands behind his back and putting the cuffs on him)
You're under arrest for suspected child abuse. You'll have to come down to the station with us for some questions...

Focus on Carol's horrified expression and pan back to Doug, who simply closes his eyes as the miranda of rights is read to him and Act Three Fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at County ER...show Doug being led through the ER in handcuffs with the police officers, and Carol rushing to Kerry and Mark as they get off the elevator.

Carol:
He's been arrested! Mark! Did you know this was going to happen...

Mark (trying to calm her):
It's a standard procedure, Carol...they'll take him down town and book him and he'll be out by evening.

Carol:
He's going to jail?

Mark (nods):
Until the Judge sets bail, yes. Then, he can post bail and go home...

Carol:
No, he can't go home...he had to take a room at the Drake.

Mark: He'll be OK...
(intercom pages Dr. Greene and Mark rolls his eyes)
I'll talk to you later, Carol...but, don't worry! Doug will be OK!

Carol (glares at Kerry once Mark is gone):
You did this, didn't you? You're the one that called Child Services?

Kerry:
I was only doing my job...

Carol:
You know Doug is not a child abuser! How could you even think that!?

Kerry:
He may not have put that bump on Marc's head, Carol, but, he caused it just the same. He wasn't watching him. That's the same as child abuse in my book.

Carol:
If Doug failed to watch our son and something happened to him, I think it should be up to me to punish him for it...not you. At least he wouldn't be on his way to jail!
Having said her piece, Carol stalks off to go back to Marc's room. Kerry stands shell shocked by the turn of events in the hall way before duty calls her back to work.
Cut to show Doug at the police station being finger printed, photographed for a mug shot, and then led to a cell. His emotion is shell shocked and blank and he never utters a word nor resists what is done to him.

Officer (as he opens the door):
Sorry about this, Dr. Ross...

Doug (steps into the cell):
You're just doing your job...it's OK...I understand.
(the door slams shut with a clang and Doug closes his eyes to the sound)

Officer (as he starts away):
I'll let you know as soon as the judge sets bail.

Doug (nods):
Thanks.

Cut back to County ER. Carol is sitting with Marc when his body suddenly begins to jerk. Alarmed, she pushes the call button at his bed, but, then runs quickly into the hallway.

Carol (near panic):
Someone page Dr. Rocher! STAT!

She rushes back to Marc and leans over him. She knows better than to pick him up but she quickly shoves something into his mouth to keep him from swallowing his tongue as Max Rocher rushes in.

Rocher:
What happened?

Carol:
I don't know...he just suddenly went into convulsions...

Max leans over Mark who is now quiet and calm. As he looks into his eyes, the seizures start again.

Rocher (turns to Chuny):
Alert Abby Keaton for emergency surgery...

Chuny (nods):
Right away, Dr. Rocher...
(she exits quickly)

Carol (fearfully):
What's wrong with him?

Rocher:
The blood clot is pressing on his brain...we have no choice but to operate now...

Carol (rambling):
Doug wanted to do the surgery in the first place...I didn't listen to him...God, WHY didn't I listen to him! He's a Pedes doctor! He KNEW what he was talking about...

Rocher (touches her shoulder):
It's going to be OK, Carol...

Carol:
Will he be all right?

Rocher:
I won't kid you that this surgery is risky...especially now...but I think he's got a good chance because I know Marc is a strong kid...

Rocher goes out to get Marc moved up for surgery. Carol wrings her hands together and a tear slips down her cheek.
Cut to show Doug sitting alone on a bunk in a jail cell, totally unaware of what's going on at County with his son.
Cut back to County Hospital. Show Carol walking down the hall with Marc as he is wheeled to surgery and meeting up with Abby Keaton.

Abby:
Hi, Carol...how are you doing?

Carol (stroking Marc's hair):
I'm OK...what about him? Is he going to be OK?

Abby:
I'm going to do my very best for him, Carol...I think he's got a good chance.
(looks around)
Where's Doug? Isn't he going to be here for the surgery?

Carol:
He's in jail...they arrested him for child abuse...God, Abby! This whole thing is a nightmare...

Abby (surprised...almost laughs):
Child abuse? Doug?? What idiot would report Doug for child abuse?

Carol (sighs):
Kerry Weaver.

Abby:
Amazing the things people will do for revenge...
(shakes her head)
Don't worry too much, OK? Marc will be fine...
Abby takes Marc on with her and Carol goes off to the waiting room to pace
. Cut back to the jail. Show a uniformed officer come down to the jail cell with another man with him. The man is Clark Adams.

Officer:
He says he's your lawyer?

Doug (looks up and grins):
Yeah! He is! Thanks!

Clark (once the officer walks away):
Mark Greene called me...

Doug (stands up, laces his hands through the bars):
Thank God for small favors...

Clark:
Bail's been set at $500...I'll have you out of here in ten minutes.

Doug (sighs):
Thanks, Clark...

Cut back to County Hospital. Show Carol sitting in the surgical waiting area with her head in her hands when Mark comes in and sits down quietly beside her.

Mark:
How are you doing, Carol?
(puts his arm around her)

Carol:
I've been better...
(leans her head on Mark's shoulder)

Mark:
I called Clark Adams to go get Doug out of jail...he should be out very soon.

Carol:
I hope he's OK...

Mark:
He'll be fine, I'm sure.

Carol:
Is this going to effect his job?

Mark:
No, because I know he's not guilty. It'll all blow over...

Carol:
Blow over? It's already all over the hospital...plus everyone saw him led away in handcuffs...they won't forget that anytime soon...

Mark:
Well, it won't make the papers or anything...no one outside the hospital will know and the scuttlebutt will die as soon as the case is put to light.

Carol:
He doesn't even know about Marc...God, Mark! This whole thing is a nightmare.

Mark (nods):
I know...this is what happens when things get out of control.

Carol:
Why would Kerry do this, Mark? She knows Doug would never hurt a child...ANY child...much less one of his own. I talked to my Mama a while ago...she's staying with the kids until Amy gets back...she said the kids are all upset and haven't come out of their rooms...the whole family is torn apart over this.

Mark (nods):
I know...it's a mess.

Carol:
I know Doug acted irresponsible but he didn't do it on purpose. He would never hurt Marc intentionally.

Mark:
I know that, too.

Carol:
This job is just taking a lot out of him...he stays tired a lot...
(sighs)
I guess I haven't been much help to him, either...nagging him all the time about everything...

Mark (chuckles): That's part of being married, Carol...

Show Abby Keaton come into the waiting area fresh from surgery. Carol and Mark both stand up to greet her.

Abby: I got the clot and there were no complications. I can't tell if any damage has been done, but, there doesn't appear to be any. Still, until he's awake, we really won't know much.

Carol: Can I see him?

Abby (smiles, nods): Of course.

Mark (as Carol starts away): Thanks, Abby...

Cut to show Carol hovering over Marc's crib in recovery. The baby has his head bandaged and a tube in his arm. Carol's eyes well up with tears when she sees him and she touches his arm gently.

Carol:
Marc? Mommy's here?
(strokes his face gently)
Mommy's right here with you, Marcus...you're gonna be just fine...Mommy won't let anything hurt you ever again...I promise...
(mumbles as she glances to the ceiling)
God, Doug...I love you with all of my heart, but I will never forgive you for this...

Cut to show Doug and Clark walking down the steps of city hall an Doug pulling into his jacket.

Doug:
Thanks...I'll get the money over to you first thing in the morning.

Clark (smiles):
Don't worry about it...Mark explained everything to me and I'm not worried about the money. Can I drive you home?

Doug:
No, I've got a room at the Drake and I'll just walk...

Clark (nods):
OK...well...call me if you need me, OK?

Doug (nods):
OK...thanks, again, Clark, for your help.

Clark goes off to get in his car and Doug starts walking up the sidewalk alone. He gets about halfway to the Drake and rain starts falling from the sky. He turns his collar up against the rain and keeps trudging along slowly as Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at the Drake hotel. Show Doug opening the door, obviously expecting room service, and finding Carol on the other side.

Doug (lowers his head):
Oh...hi...come on in.

Carol (as she goes into the room and closes the door):
You seem disappointed to see me.

Doug:
No, not at all...I was just expecting room service with some dinner...I'm kind of hungry.

Carol:
I came to see if you were OK.

Doug (nods):
I'm fine.

Carol:
You didn't bring any of your dialysis equipment with you...why not?

Doug:
I guess I wasn't thinking.

Carol:
Well, I brought it and a bell hop will be bringing it all up to you shortly.

Doug (nods):
Thanks.

Carol:
Mark told me he called Clark Adams to get you out of jail.

Doug:
Yeah, he did.

Carol:
Are you sure you're OK?

Doug (shrugs):
I'm fine.

Carol:
Marc had a complication...

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I know...I called the hospital when I got here and Mark told me about it. Is he OK now?

Carol:
He's still out...Abby says we won't know anything until he wakes up.

Doug:
Well, I'll stop by and check in on him tomorrow when I get to work.

Carol (nods):
They came and took Raoul tonight...

Doug (winces):
Was he OK?

Carol:
He was a trooper. I guess he's been through this so many times he's used to it. Tatchie and Scott were pretty upset though.

Doug (sighs):
I'm sorry, Carol. I really am. I'm sorry I tore our family apart like this for a nap.

Carol:
I know it's not your fault...and it could just as easily have happened to me...but I can't forget the fact that you were the one that was with him.

Doug (nods):
I understand. I don't blame you for being upset.

Carol:
We'll get through this, Doug. The investigation will prove you didn't do anything wrong and you'll be back home where you belong.

Doug:
Even if the investigation proves I didn't do anything wrong, it's not going to take away that look in your eyes when you look at me.
(Carol ducks her head)
I don't think there's anything I can do to take that away. I think you're always going to have a little bit of the feeling you have right now no matter how long it takes.

Carol:
I can't help how I feel, Doug. My little boy is laying unconscious in a hospital crib not even moving. The last time I saw him today, I put him down for a nap.

Doug (nods):
I know...I don't blame you for how you feel. I don't know that if the situation were reversed I might not feel the same way. I just hope sooner or later you can forgive me.

Carol:
I do love you, Doug. I know that much.

Doug (chuckles lightly):
Yeah, but you don't like me very much right now.

Carol (shrugs):
But I still love you.
(pause, Doug nods)
Are you going to be OK here by yourself?

Doug (nods):
I'll be fine.

Carol (nods, turns for the door):
Well, OK, I just wanted to stop by and be sure you were OK...bring your dialysis stuff...
(pause)
I can bring it over here, but, I can't make you use it...you will use it, won't you?

Doug (nods):
Sure...I don't want to get sick.

Carol:
Well, OK, then...
(starts for the door)
Will you be coming by to see the kids?

Doug:
I'm not allowed to see the kids...not until this is over.
(Carol closes her eyes painfully)
Will you tuck them in for me? Give them a kiss good night for me?

Carol (nods):
Sure...

Doug:
Be sure you play Candy Land with Tatchie...she sleeps better if you do...

Carol (nods again, forcing back tears):
I know.

Doug:
And don't read her fairy tales...they give her nightmares.

Carol:
Yeah, I know that, too.

Doug (nods):
OK, then...everything should be OK.

Carol (as she starts out the door):
Take care of yourself, Doug...I'll see you at the hospital.

Doug (nods):
Yeah.

Carol goes on out the door and heads for the elevator. While she waits for it, she wipes tears away from her eyes.

Cut back to Doug alone in his hotel room, staring blankly out the window and the rain falling against the pane. Pan back to show his reflection on the glass and you can't tell if it's rain on the window or tears on his cheeks as the Closing Act Fades into the Closing Credits of the show.

May 25, 1998