"Changing Roles"

Opening Act

Scene opens at C.A.R.E. Center, interior, daytime. Show Mark Greene and Carol Hathaway working together in a supply room as they stock it with fresh supplies. Mark is doing all the movement...Carol is just handing him things a few at a time. Carol is very obviously pregnant now and wearing a maternity scrub uniform.

Carol (quietly):
Mark, can I ask you a really big favor?

Mark (nods his head):
Sure, Carol...ask away.

Carol:
If I pay for the tickets, would you be willing to take Doug to a Bulls game tonight?

Mark (laughing):
Gee, Mrs. Ross...you don't have to pay me to play with Dougie...he's a pretty cool dude...I'll play in the sandbox with him anyway!
(Carol rolls her eyes as Mark giggles)

Carol:
I'm serious, Mark...will you take him away for a few hours? Please?

Mark (knowing nod):
He's driving you crazy, huh?

Carol (sighs):
He's great. He really is. And I love him dearly. I honestly do. But, he's just always THERE, you know? I know there are probably plenty of pregnant women in the Chicago area who WISH they could say that about their husbands, but right now, I'd be happy with just a few hours!

Mark:
And tonight's a good night, huh?

Carol:
Tonight is perfect. Scott is sleeping over with a friend tonight...Sarah is taking Tatchie to a ballet...if I can get you to take Doug to the ball game, then, I can have the house all to myself for just a couple of hours and that's really all I want! Please, Mark? It's a real favor...

Mark:
Big plans for the night, huh?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
I just want one evening for me, you know? An evening where I can sit in my bathrobe and soak my feet and read a trashy romance novel and not have to hear 'Mom', 'Mama', or 'Honey' for a couple of hours!

Mark (grins):
Well, I'd say a woman in your condition deserves that much! I actually already have the Bulls tickets and was going to ask Doug about going anyway...we haven't had much time together lately that hasn't been spent working on the nursery...I felt like maybe we should do something else for a change.

Carol:
I just hope he'll go with you...he's been a little overprotective lately...

Mark:
Don't worry...he knows not much can happen in the few hours in takes for a ball game. He'll be fine.

Carol hands Mark the last item on their tray and they start out of the supply room together. Follow them into the main room of the clinic where Doug Ross and John Carter are standing with Eleanor while she sorts mail at the front desk.

Doug (looks up nonchalantly):
Mark, you should have asked me to help you with those supplies, Buddy...

Carol (snaps at him):
For your information, he did not ASK me...I asked him! As last I checked, supplies WAS still part of my job, was it not?
(Doug gives her a taken aback look)
Honestly, Doug! You treat me like I'm some kind of china doll sometimes! I am PREGNANT...not FRAGILE.

Doug (sarcastically):
Is this the part where you're going to tell me that Prairie Women used to have their babies in the field and go back to plowing the same day?

Carol (defensively):
Maybe!

Doug (grins at her):
Well, last I checked, this wasn't 'Little House on the Prairie'.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Give me a break, Doug.

Mark (clears his throat):
So, Doug, I've got Bulls tickets for tonight...what do you say I treat you to a guys night out? We'll go to the game...we'll drink some beer...and just unwind for a while.

Doug (shakes his head):
I don't need to unwind...I'm fine...

Carol (snaps at him):
Well, maybe YOU don't need to unwind, but I do! I think you should go.

Doug (gives her a knowing smile):
You want to get rid of me, don't you?

Carol (quietly):
Just for an evening...

Doug (grins at her):
Then, why didn't you just tell me that instead of dragging Mark into it?

Carol (truthfully):
I didn't want to hurt your feelings.

Doug (kisses her forehead lightly):
And you think I think you're fragile...
(chuckles lightly)
OK, Mark...you picking me up? Or vice versa?

Mark:
My treat...I'll pick you up about seven?

Doug (nods):
Seven's good...that's after dinner and everybody will be leaving about the same time...

Mark:
Did I hear Sarah is taking Tatchie to a ballet?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...I think my Mom is getting a real kick out of having a granddaughter...all the things she never got to do with me...

Mark:
Scott's staying over with a friend? Not that Treavor kid is it?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...not Treavor...although I imagine Treavor will likely be there, too. No, this kid's name is Daniel Wallace...

Carol:
He's Tom Wallace's kid...they run the sports shop over on Cashman...

Doug:
They are friends from Blackhawks Camp and I they go to school together now, too. He's a good kid.

Mark:
Did he ever ask his little girlfriend to the sweetheart dance?

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah...we passed that milestone now...the dance is this weekend...guess who's elected to drive?

Mark:
How fast they grow up, huh?

Doug (shakes his head):
Too fast in some ways and not fast enough in others...
(winks at Carol)
Guess you can start planning your evening, Hon...

Carol (closes her eyes in thought):
Already planned, my Love...already planned... Mark (quietly, to Doug):
You didn't stand a chance...you know that, don't you?

Doug (chuckles):
I never do, Mark...I never do...

The boys chuckle between them while Carol just shakes her head at them as the crew gets ready to begin their work day.

Fade into Opening Credits of the Show.

Act One

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home. Doug and the kids are helping Carol clear the dinner dishes away from the table and take them to the kitchen.

Carol:
OK, Tatch, let's go get ready for Nanna to come and get you...

Tatiana (bouncing with delight):
I took a nap today!

Carol (takes her by the hand as they start for the stairs):
I know you did...and that's good...because you're gonna need it to get through tonight...

Doug (quietly to Scott):
You got your stuff together, Sport?

Scott (nods):
Yeah!

Doug:
OK, Mrs. Wallace is picking you up, right?

Scott (nods, almost annoyed):
Yeah, and then she'll drive us all home tomorrow...

Doug (grins at him):
Relax...I'm just making sure...

Scott (rolls his eyes):
You're always sure, Dad...

Doug (soft smile):
I'm a father, Scott...that's part of my job...something you're just stuck with...would you rather I was like Treavor's Mom? And never cared where you went or who you were with?

Scott (thinks for a second):
Nah...you're OK, Dad...

Show with no audio the family breaking up for the evening, starting with Scott leaving the house, backpack on his back, and waving behind him as he climbs into a van full of other boys. The driver honks the horn and waves to Doug and Carol, who are standing on the porch watching him go. The next to leave is Tatiana, hand in hand with Sarah, both of them dressed for an evening on the town.

Doug is the last to leave. Show him standing in the hallway with Carol and Mark, pulling into his jacket.

Doug (to Carol):
I do have my beeper if you need me.

Carol (laughs):
I won't need you!

Doug (ticks his head):
Well, you might...you don't know...

Carol (defensively):
Doug, you'll only be gone for a few hours! What can possible happen that I would need you? I'm barely even at six months...the baby is a long way from coming...nothing can happen!
(kisses his cheek)
Please just GO...and have a great time, OK?

Doug gives her a grin and tick of his head, but, he lets her see that he does still have his beeper with him as he goes out the door with Mark. The two of them wave back to her from the curb, climb into Mark's car, and drive off together.

Follow Carol as she closes the front door of the house and locks it, throwing her fists in the air in a YES triumphant motion. She goes up the steps and opens a hallway closet, taking out a large soaking pan from a shelf and carrying it with her. She goes into the master bathroom and turns on the heat, places the pan on the floor. She takes the mobile spray from the shower and holds it over the pan, turning the water on and regulating the temperature while the pan fills up. Once the pan is full, she turns off the water and slips into the bedroom for a minute. When she comes back, she is carrying a bottle of Apple Juice and a champagne glass and a romance novel in her arms. She stops and drags a chair into the bathroom with her and she is now wearing just an old bathrobe wrapped around her. She sprawls into the chair, pours a glass of juice, plunges her feet into the pan of water, and opens her book.

Carol (aloud to nobody):
Ah, yes...finally...a slice of the good life...

With a contented smile, Carol snuggles down into the ecstasy she worked hard to get and relaxes with it.

Cut to show Mark and Doug at the Bulls game. They are at their seats now and checking out their view.

Doug (looks toward the court):
These are great seats, Mark...

Mark (nods in agreement):
Yeah, I did do pretty well, didn't I?
(looks for a concessions person)
Buy you a beer? Popcorn? Anything?

Doug (shrugs):
I think one of us should be the designated driver at least...and I kind of promised Carol I'd take it easy...better make mine carbonated.

Mark (nods):
I got it.

Mark gets their refreshments for them and then they settle into conversation together.

Mark:
So, you had an ultrasound yesterday, right? The first real ultrasound?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, first good one.

Mark:
So, what are you having?

Doug (deadpan expression):
A baby, Mark...we're having a baby...

Mark (scoffs):
I know you're having a baby! What about that baby?

Doug (grins):
It's a human baby, Mark...at least as well as they can tell it's human, anyway!

Mark (sighs):
Is it a male or a female baby?

Doug (chuckles):
We couldn't tell...it's a typical Ross...showing it's ass before it's even here yet!

Mark (grins):
Wasn't turned so you can tell the sex, huh?
(Doug shakes his head)
Well, maybe next time...

Doug (nods):
Yeah, we'll have a few more chances to find out before the main event.

Mark:
So, what do you guys want? Do you care?

Doug (shakes his head):
As long as it's healthy, it doesn't matter. We've already got one of each anyway, so, there's no preference now.

Mark:
What about the kids? What do they want?

Doug:
Remarkedly, they both would like to have a brother! I don't think Tatchie is too excited about giving up the 'only girl' status in the family, and Scott has wanted a brother for a long time, he told me.

Mark (chuckles):
Well, it's not a slot machine...you take whatever you get.

Doug (nods):
Fine with me.

Cut back to the Ross/Hathaway home and Carol relaxing in her cocoon. She turns the page in her book and sighs a contented sigh, wrapping her arms around her and standing up by her chair. She goes over to the bathroom mirror and looks at her reflection, rolling her eyes at what she sees. She takes her toothbrush and toothpaste to begin brushing her teeth. She looks back into the mirror and her eyes go blank for an instant. Then, before she can catch herself, she goes limp and topples to the floor in a heap.

Cut to show Doug and Mark cheering the Bulls at the basketball game...show them 'high five' each other as they watch the on court action...

Cut back to show Carol passed out on the bathroom floor and Scrubs the dog licking her face. She opens her eyes to find the dog wagging it's tail and whining at her and realizes what has happened. She pulls herself to her feet with the help of the chair, and then slides back into it, leaning back in it quickly.

Carol (aloud to nobody)
Oh, God...just what I need...something for Doug to be right about...

Cut to show the basketball game is over and the crowd is filing out of the stadium. Show Mark and Doug walking slowly and talking on the way to the car.

Mark:
Some game, huh?

Doug (as he rips open the car door):
Jordan IS awesome...what can I say?

Mark (slams the door on his side):
How you been doing lately, Doug? OK?

Doug (nods):
I'm fine, why? I'm not the one that's pregnant! I'm not the one you need to be worried about!

Mark:
I meant with some of your personal problems...about your Dad...have you talked to Nina about any of them?

Doug (doesn't look at Mark):
I guess you'd know, wouldn't you? Since you and Nina are an item...

Mark (shakes his head):
That's not fair...and you know it...you know she doesn't discuss professional cases with me. She's just always been somebody you could and would talk to in the past...I was just wondering if you still were...that's all.

Doug (sighs):
I haven't really talked to anybody much about Ray...

Mark (wondering):
Don't you think maybe you should?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I think I should...but I don't know who to talk to...or even where to start...

Mark (sincerely):
You know you can always talk to me...

Doug (nods with a soft smile):
Yeah, I know...I can talk to you...I can talk to Carol...and I can talk to Nina...I know that. The problem is that I don't have my feelings about Ray organized enough to talk to anybody just yet.

Mark (nods, understands):
Well, if you ever do get them organized and need someone to talk to, you know I'll always listen...

Doug (nods...stares out the window in thought):
Yeah...I know...

Cut to show Mark letting Doug out of the car in front of his house. Show Doug wave to Mark from the porch, go into the house, and the front porch light go out. Cut to the interior of the house to show Carol lounging on the sofa downstairs as Doug comes into the hallway. He hangs up his jacket and she puts down her book to greet him when he comes in and kisses her cheek.

Doug:
Did you enjoy your evening, Mrs. Ross?

Carol:
It was nice...yes...

Doug:
Mom get home with Tatchie?

Carol (nods):
She's in bed asleep already...you can tuck her in.

Doug (grins):
Did she like the ballet?

Carol:
Yeah, I think she really did. She couldn't stop talking about it. Sarah said she followed the story really well. I think they both really enjoyed it.

Doug (nods):
Good...my Mom deserves to be able to do some 'girl' things, too...

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Oh, come on, now...you don't think Sarah thinks she missed out on something in life just because all she had was a son now do you?

Doug (pulls her to her feet):
Sometimes...

Carol (wraps an arm around his waist as they start for the steps together):
Well, don't...I'm sure she doesn't feel that way.
(they start up the steps slowly, one step at a time)
How was the basketball game?

Doug:
It was great...the Bulls won and Jordan was awesome.

Carol:
And you managed to even stay sober...what about Mark?

Doug (nods):
We were both sober...
(he pauses and gives her a serious look as they reach the top of the steps together)
Are you OK?

Carol (nervously defensive):
Yeah...why?

Doug (shrugs):
I don't know...you just seem like you're acting a little funny...

Carol:
I'm just tired, I guess...

Doug (chuckles):
Tired? I thought that was why you shuffled me out for the night? So you could rest!
(he kisses her on top of the head)
I'm gonna tuck Tatchie in and I'll be right to bed, OK?

Carol (nods with a smile):
OK.

Carol stands in the doorway to watch the father/daughter scene as Doug goes into Tatiana's room and carefully tucks the covers under his sleeping daughter, kissing her hair lightly and making sure she has her doll in bed with her. He rubs the ears of Scrubs the dog sleeping on the foot of her bed and slips quietly out of the room, running into Carol waiting for him in the hallway.

Doug (quietly):
I thought you went to bed already...

Carol (shakes her head...takes his hand):
Sometimes I just like to watch you.

Doug (scoffs):
Why? Am I amazing in something?

Carol:
To see the man you are now from the man I met five years ago, yes, sometimes you are very amazing. Do you have any idea how much you've changed, Doug?

Doug (grins at her):
Yeah...to the point that it almost scares me sometimes... (he snuggles his face close to her neck and nuzzles her gently as they lay down on the bed together)

Carol (kisses him deeply):
Come on...let me show you how rested I got tonight...

She reaches to turn out the light and the last audio is a contented playful growling sound from Doug.

Fade Act One to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens early morning at the Ross/Hathaway home. Focus on Doug and Carol, both still in bed, but neither is sleeping. Show Carol resting on her back with both hands on her stomach and a huge smile on her face.

Carol (nudges Doug awake):
Doug...wake up...you have to see this...

She takes his hand and puts it over on her stomach, letting the baby kick against his hand. Now he is awake. He sits up slightly and repositions his hand to let the baby kick him, smiling wide at her.

Doug:
That's our baby...

Carol (giggles):
It sure is...

Doug (in awe):
It's alive...

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Well, God, Doug, don't make it sound like some mad scientist experiment or something! Of course it's alive!

Doug:
No, I mean, it's REALLY alive...and in there...and moving...

Carol (nods her head):
Oh, it's really in there, all right! Trust me on that one!

Doug (looks into her eyes):
Are you getting excited?

Carol (sighs):
Not yet...I'm just over five months...a little better than halfway there...I think the real test for us is still yet to come.

Doug:
I talked to Stephanie the other day...

Carol (rolls her eyes):
You're visiting my OB-GYN now without me there? What's wrong, Doug? Don't you trust me to give you an accurate report of my visits now?

Doug (nods his head):
I trust you...I just wanted to be sure everything is going OK. Maybe I'm just a little nervous. I can't help that.

Carol (strokes his cheek):
I think it is darling of you that you care so much, you know? And don't think I don't appreciate it, because I really do. But, honey, there are times when I feel like you're smothering me.

Doug (sincerely):
Well, then, when I DO that, you need to know how to tell me to back off.

Carol (giggles):
I guess you'll be the one trying to figure out what I'm thinking for a change, huh? Instead of the other way around!

Doug (defensively):
I try to tell you what's going on with me lately! I try not to give you anything extra to worry about where I'm concerned.

Carol:
I know you do, but, sometimes when I look into your eyes I can still see shadows and I know there's something hiding in there.
(Doug looks down)
That's just part of you, Doug. It's the way you've always been. You've never been one much for opening up and sharing your problems...I don't expect it to be easy for you now even if it's something you think you want to do.

Doug (chuckles):
What a pair we are, huh? Both of us with deep rooted pasts and neither of us one much to talk about it.

Carol:
That's because neither one of us lives in the past!

She winks at him and climbs out of bed, leaving him along for just an instant before he pulls himself out of bed as well.

Cut to C.A.R.E. Center, day is in full swing. Show John Carter directing a patient out of an exam area as Carol begins the clean up from the visit.

Patient (as she leaves):
You take care of yourself, Nurse Hathaway...

Carol (looks up quickly, smiles):
Thank you, Mrs. Dalton, you too!

Patient (points a finger at her):
And you're going to have a girl!

Carol (laughs):
Well, it won't be long now...

Carter gets the patient out and hands the chart to Eleanor to file, then he goes back to help Carol clean up the exam area. They are working together putting things on trays and Carol leans over to pick a towel up off the floor. When she stands up, she reaches her hand quickly up to the side of her head and reaches to steady herself with a hand on the table. Carter looks up to see that she is suddenly wobbly and goes to assist her quickly.

Carter (alarmed):
Carol!

Carol (assuringly):
I'm OK, Carter...

Carter (directs her to a chair):
I think you better sit down...
(he gets her to a chair and helps her slide into it)
I'll go get Dr. Ross...
(He starts to step away from her to go find Doug but Carol keep a hold of his hand tightly)

Carol (emphatically):
It is not necessary to go get Doug, Carter...I'm fine.

Carter (taken aback):
Don't you think he should know about this?

Carol:
About what? That I stood up too fast and got a little light-headed? You never had that happen to you before, Carter?

Carter (nods):
Well, yeah, but, I've never been pregnant when it happened...

Carol:
Why is it that when a woman gets pregnant every sense of logic a man has goes out the window? I'm fine, Carter...it's no big deal.

Carter:
All the same, I think Dr. Ross should know...

Carol:
Doug will know when I'm ready for him to know.
(Stands up)
I'm fine now, Carter...forget about it.

Carter (nods, carefully):
OK...this time...

Carol rolls her eyes and goes back to her work. Carter edges out of the room, giving her a suspicious look as he goes, but, says nothing.

Cut to show Doug and Carol working in an exam room together with a young patient, Adam Clerek, who is a frequent visitor to the clinic and Doug is concerned about his series of accidents. Adam is accompanied by his father this time and Doug takes time to talk to the man about this son.

Doug (to the father):
Mr. Clerek, this is about the tenth time Adam has been in this clinic inside of three months...

Father (nods his head...soft voice):
I know. I told my wife I hated to bring him here again...you probably think we're abusing him. But, Dr. Ross, I swear to you, he honestly fell down the basement stairs...

Doug (looks into Adam's eyes with a penlight flashlight):
Did you just not see the stairs, Adam? Or just miscalculate how many there were?
(Adam shrugs. Doug directs his attention to the father)
Has he had his eyes checked recently?

Father (nods):
Yeah, just a few weeks ago. Everything is fine.

Doug:
Has the school tested his reflexes or his muscle coordination or anything like that recently?

Father (shakes his head):
No, not that I know of.

Doug (nods):
OK, tell you what, I'm going to send you over to County General and refer you to Dr. Del Amico there. I think Adam may need some tests to see if we can determine WHY he falls down so much.

Father:
You think there's a reason for that?

Doug (nods):
I think there has to be.

Father:
He's not just being a kid?

Doug (chuckles):
Oh, some of it is maybe just being a kid, but, I think there's something causing his lack of muscle control. It's time we find out what it is.

Adam (carefully):
Do the tests hurt?

Doug (assures him):
Nope, won't hurt a bit, partner! In fact, some of it is even fun! OK?
(Adam nods, Doug roughs his hair)
OK, I'll set you guys up with Dr. Del Amico and I'll confer the tests with her.

Father (shakes hands with Doug):
Thank you, Dr. Ross.

Doug (smiles):
No problem...
(Father lifts Adam off the table)
You take it easy, Adam, OK?

Adam (nods):
OK, Dr. Ross. Bye!

Adam and his father leave and Carol starts picking things up in the exam area while Doug makes his notes on the patient chart. He takes the chart out to Eleanor and by the time he gets back, Carol is leaning on the table, trying to steady herself. Doug goes to her immediately and helps her into a chair.

Doug:
Whoa! Whoa! What happened?

Carol:
I just got a little light-headed...no big deal...just stood up too fast...that's all.

Doug (concerned):
You OK now?

Carol (nods, weak smile):
Yeah, I'm fine.

Doug (pats her shoulder):
You take it easy for a minute, OK? Don't over do it.

Carol (nods):
OK.

He winks at her and goes on out of the room. She slowly and carefully resumes her clean up duties. Cut to show Doug at the front desk with Carter, both of them going over files.

Doug (quietly):
Hey, Carter, kind of keep an eye on Carol when I'm not around, OK? She had a little bit of a dizzy spell just now and I don't want to play around with it much.

Carter (quietly):
Dizzy spell? You mean she had another one?

Doug (alarmed):
Another one? What do you mean 'another one'? When did she have the first one?

Carter:
This morning when we were cleaning up from the Hamner patient...she said she just stood up too fast...

Almost before Carter can finish his sentence, Doug has abandoned the file he was working with and is heading quickly back to the exam room where Carol is working. She is fine now, but Doug goes in and quickly directs her to the exam table, taking her scrub coat off and taking her arm for a blood pressure check.

Carol (insisting):
What do you think you're doing?

Doug (matter-of-factly):
Checking your blood pressure.

Carol:
Why? Because I had one little dizzy spell?

Doug (looks her in the eye):
No, because you had two...that I know of...
(Carol shoots a quick look at Carter, standing behind Doug)

Carter (shrugs):
If you were my wife, I'd want to know.

Doug (taking the BP):
Any other episodes I need to know about?

Carol:
Don't you think I'd tell you if it was something I thought was serious?

Doug (listening through his stethoscope):
Obviously not...
(takes the ear pieces loose from his ears)
OK, I don't like it. I want you to just sit there for a little while and see if it goes down...

Carol (slightly alarmed):
Why? Is it high? What is it?

Doug (professionally):
145/95.

Carol (alarmed now):
My blood pressure's never been that high...ever!

Doug (nods):
I know...but, there are a number of things that contribute to that, so, let's just see if it goes down with rest, OK?
(Swings her feet around and lets her rest on the table)
You just rest here, OK?

Carol (nods):
Yeah, OK...

Doug (smiles softly at her):
I'm gonna call Stephanie just to be safe...

Carol (nods, nervously):
Yeah, OK...

Doug (kisses her forehead lightly):
Don't worry, OK? Everything's gonna be OK...I won't let anything happen to you or the baby...I promise!

He pats her hand and leaves her there alone to rest. Focus on Carol nervously shifting her weight on the table, with her had on her stomach protecting the baby and Fade Act Two to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens at C.A.R.E. Center focused on Carter and Doug working at the front desk with Eleanor. Cut to show Mark Greene coming in the back staff door, rubbing his arms against the cold of the outside. He hangs up his coat and stops to check patient charts at the front desk with Carter and Doug.

Mark:
Afternoon, Doctors.

Carter (nods, stepping away with a chart):
Hey, Dr. Greene...

Doug (doesn't look up):
'Afternoon, Mark.
(pause)
Could I get you to take a look at Carol for me?

Mark (gives him an alarmed look):
Carol? What's wrong with Carol?

Doug (makes a calming motion with his hands):
Now, don't panic yet. She had a couple of dizzy spells this morning. She didn't pass out or anything, but, she got a little light-headed...her blood pressure is up a little...

Mark (nodding shortly):
How high?

Doug:
When I took it about a half hour ago it was 145/95.

Mark (nodding):
Did you call Stephanie?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...she told me to have Carol lie on her left side for a while...I've done that...

Mark (nodding):
OK...let's go see if it's done any good.

Mark and Doug go together into the exam room where Carol is resting, curled on her left side, and watching the door.

Carol (rolls her eyes at Mark):
Hey, Mark...

Mark (grins at her):
How are you feeling, Carol?

Carol (sincerely):
Right now, I feel great!

Mark (puts BP cuff on her arm):
Let's see what this says, OK?

Mark takes the blood pressure...Carol watches his eyes and Doug's eyes. Doug is standing right beside Mark and can see the numbers...she can't see them. Mark listens carefully through his stethoscope and shakes his head, then starts the procedure over again.

Doug (quietly):
Something wrong?

Mark (quietly):
Just want to be sure that's right...

Doug (nods):
It's right...that's the same thing it was before...

Carol (deflated):
It hasn't gone down any? At all?

Doug (shakes his head):
'Fraid not, Babe. Let me call Stephanie and see what she says to do, OK? Will you do whatever she says?

Carol (nods nervously):
Yes...absolutely.

Doug takes her hand and pulls it to him, kissing the back of it softly and winking at her on his way out of the room. Mark stays behind with her.

Mark (quietly):
This came on suddenly?

Carol (lowly):
Started last night...

Mark (surprised):
Last night? While we were at the basketball game?

Carol (sighs):
I blacked out in the bathroom last night...

Mark:
Did you tell Doug about this when he came home?

Carol (shakes her head):
No.
(Mark frowns at her)
I honestly didn't think it was any big deal! Not until Doug took my blood pressure. Now, I'm worried it's been that high since yesterday or even longer and I may have risk hurting the baby!

Mark (grins at her):
I think everything will probably be OK...

Carol:
You going to tell Doug what I told you about last night?

Mark (shakes his head):
Not up to me...not my place to tell him...I never tell him anything you tell me in confidence...you know what by now. If you think he needs to know, you tell him. But, be prepared for him to be upset when you do the longer you wait to do it.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
He's usually the one hiding something from me...I feel guilty keeping something from him, you know?

Mark (sarcastic smile):
I'm sure.

Doug (comes back into the room quickly):
OK, Stephanie wants to see you and she'll see you as soon as we get there...Mark? Can you cover for me?

Mark (chuckles):
Don't I always?

Doug (chuckles with him):
I'm gonna owe you my life by the time the baby gets here.

Mark:
You owed me your life long before that, Bud! Good luck you two...let me know, OK?

Doug (nods):
You got it.

Doug gets his jacket and tugs into it, bringing Carol's jacket with him and helping her sit up on the table. He carefully helps her put her arms into the jacket and gives her steady support as she slips off the table slowly. He keeps one arm around her to steady and support her as he walks her to the door. Mark stands watching them go with a smile and a shake of his head as Carter comes up beside him as Carol and Doug go out the back door.

Carter:
Everything OK?

Mark (nods):
Oh, I think it will be...I don't think it's anything too serious...

Carter:
Still nothing to play around with...

Mark (agrees):
No...surely not something I would play around with...

Cut scene to show Carol sitting on another exam table across town in another office. Doug is standing beside the table, holding her hand, and giving her all the mental support he can offer. Dr. Stephanie Russell is listening for a heartbeat as she takes Carol's blood pressure and all eyes are fixed on her. Doug tries to see the numbers, but, Stephanie blocks him with a scolding look.

Stephanie (shortly):
I'm the doctor now, Doug.

Doug (sheepishly):
I was only trying to see...

Stephanie:
You don't need to see...it's not good for you to know so much all the time, either. That's one drawback to dealing with people in the medical profession.
(takes the ear pieces loose from her ears and looks at Carol)
OK...what happened?

Carol (almost defensively):
Nothing that I know of! Nothing that stands out, anyway.

Stephanie:
These dizzy spells today at work...these the first ones you've had?
(Carol doesn't answer...just gives her a stammering look)

Doug (growing annoyed):
They're NOT the first ones you've had?

Carol (sheepishly):
Well, not exactly...

Stephanie:
Well, when did they start EXACTLY?

Carol:
Well, I don't know EXACTLY...

Stephanie (annoyed):
Then give me a calculated guess, Carol!

Carol (reluctantly):
Well, OK, I felt a little out of it for the past couple of days...

Stephanie:
Out of it, meaning tired and run down? Or meaning out in left field with black outs?

Carol:
Tired and run down...I thought I just needed a little relaxation time, which is what I engineered last night...time alone just for me. Turns out I should have had someone around. I had a spell last night and I blacked out in the bathroom.
(Doug turns away quickly in anguish and Carol gives him a quick look)
But, I was only out for a second! The water didn't even get cold!

Doug:
That's not the point, Carol! You could have hit your head! Or anything could have happened!

Carol (protesting):
But, nothing did!

Stephanie:
None the less, it means your blood pressure was likely up yesterday and last night as well. What I want to do is watch it, very carefully. And I want your activities monitored and restricted for a few days to see if that brings things back into focus...

Carol:
Meaning?

Stephanie:
Meaning, I want you taking it easy. I'm not putting you to bed yet, because I'm not certain that's the answer yet. But, if this trial run yields the results I'm looking for, I doubt you'll be working the rest of your pregnancy...

Carol (protesting):
But, I'm only half way through...

Stephanie (shrugs):
So, you spend the second half of it at home...

Carol:
I can't do that!

Doug (gives her a surprised look):
Why can't you?

Carol:
I have people who depend on me at work...

Doug (growing angry now):
I can hire a medical temp to come in and fill in for you as a nurse...nobody needs you more than this little person in here does!
(touches her belly quickly)

Stephanie (puts the ear pieces back in her ears):
He's right, you know. Your first obligation is to this baby. Everybody and everything else comes second.
(grins over her shoulder)
I thought that's what you had this guy for...to help you out.

Carol looks away quickly, on the verge of tears of all the happenings going on. Doug stays with her, holding her hand and giving her encouraging looks. Stephanie moves the stethoscope around and listens to Carol's stomach several times from several different angles.

Stephanie (quietly):
That's odd.

Doug (alarmed):
What's odd?

Stephanie (listens again):
I distinctly hear three heartbeats.

Doug (confused):
THREE heartbeats?

Stephanie (listens again):
One would be Carol's...one would be the baby...the third one is very faint...

Carol (flabbergasted):
Does that mean we're having twins?

Stephanie (still listening):
Well, I didn't think so, but, I think I'd better schedule another ultrasound...a better one...I better take time to really look around in there!

Doug:
How could you have missed a twin at the ultrasound we just had?

Stephanie:
Well, sometimes twins can be stacked so that they are undetermined clear up until time for the birth. I've read about cases like that. I'm not saying you ARE having twins...the third heartbeat is so faint it could just be an echo of either Carol's heartbeat or the baby's. Don't get excited yet. But, I do want you in for another ultrasound first thing tomorrow, OK? We'll do it at County, OK?

Doug (nods):
We'll be there.

Stephanie (smiles at both of them):
OK, then, just go home today and stay off your feet the rest of today...I'll check everything tomorrow, OK?

Carol (nods, still somewhat shell shocked):
OK...thanks, Stephanie.

Doug (as he helps Carol off the table):
Yeah, thanks, Stephanie...
(short pause...low voice)
I think.

Cut to show Doug and Carol sitting side by side in Doug's jeep, both still a little shell shocked from Stephanie's news. They sit without moving right away.

Carol (doesn't look at Doug, stares straight ahead):
Twins?

Doug (tries to be cheerful):
That's what the lady said.

Carol:
Doug, what in the world are we gonna do with twins?

Doug (quietly...sincerely):
The same thing we were gonna do with just one...take them home and love them...and raise them.

He reaches over and pats her hand comfortingly. Then, he starts the car and drives it off the lot and into Chicago traffic.

Fade Act Three to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home. Show Carol standing in the doorway of the nursery, looking around at the room. She walks in and runs her hand along the crib that is now together and standing in one area of the room. The crib is white, just like she wanted, with blue and yellow Teddy Bears stenciled all along the outside edges. She walks over and stares down at the changing table. She smiles and reaches down in a pretend motion that she is changing a baby on it, anticipating when this will be a reality in her life. Cut to show Doug coming down the hallway and passing by the room. He looks in at her and stops, gazing from the doorway unannounced to just watch her. He folds his arms and leans on the door facing, smiling as he watches he acting out caring duties with a stuffed animal substituting for a baby. She picks up a stuffed Elephant from the chest of drawers and cuddles it close to her face. Then, she looks up and catches Doug watching her from the doorway.

Carol (embarrassed):
How long have you been standing there?

Doug (soft smile):
Long enough.
(walks into the room with her)
Penny for your thoughts?

Carol (looks around...sighs):
I was just wondering if this room is big enough for twins?

Doug (looks around, shrugs):
Sure, it is.

Carol (looks around, then looks at him):
You really think so?

Doug (nods):
Sure. Just put another crib over here...
(points)
...and they'll be fine until they move into beds. There's room for twin beds while they're little and then bunk beds when they get bigger.

Carol:
Well, that's fine if they're both the same sex! What if they're mixed?

Doug (shrugs):
Well, then, it probably is a good thing this is a big house! We can always break the attic into two rooms if we have to.

Carol (sighs):
God, Doug...what have we done?

Doug (wraps his arms around her, laughs):
Oh, well, you married a Ross! And we never do anything halfway! And neither do you! You should have figured we were a deadly combination!

Carol:
It took so long to get pregnant...now we may have done it TOO well.
(pause)
Can we handle twins, Doug?

Doug:
Sure, we can! Two adults...two kids...and two babies! What could be better odds than that?

Carol:
And this is OK with you? Two babies, that is?

Doug:
Would it make any difference if it wasn't? What can I do about it to change it?

Carol (nonchalant expression):
I guess you have a point, there.

Doug (assures her):
If we're getting twins, then, there's a reason why we're getting two. I will take whatever the good Lord gives us.

Carol (scoffs):
The Good Lord? I don't think I've ever heard you string those two words together quite like that before.

Doug (shrugs):
That was before he let you back into my life.

Carol (gives him a wink):
You had more to do with that than God did.

Doug (shrugs):
Depends on how you look at it.

Carol (looking around the room):
I just hope we're not in over our head. That's all.

Doug (wraps her in his arms and rocks her back and forth):
We're not. I promise. Like that Ricky Van Shelton song I heard on the radio says...'I'm right here beside you and you're gonna be fine'. I won't let you down, Carol. I promise.

Carol (sighs, pats his hands, leans her head back against his chest):
Did you get an appointment from Stephanie for the ultrasound?

Doug (nods, kisses her hair):
We're at County at 9 in the morning. She'll meet us there.

Carol (sighs):
So, we just have tonight to worry about twins, then?

Doug:
We're not going to worry about it...we'll just wait and see what tomorrow brings.

Carol:
Well, maybe the baby will at least be turned so we can sex it this time...I think I'd like to know what to expect...what about you?

Doug (nods):
Sure...that would be OK.

Carol:
Then, maybe we can start working on a name...

Doug (groans):
Let the games begin! I just KNOW that's gonna be an adventure!

Carol:
Now, why would you say something like that?

Doug:
Well, think about it, Carol...we never agree on anything! What makes you think we'll agree on a name?

Carol:
So, you're saying one of us is going to be disappointed with the name we pick?

Doug:
Not one of us...
(taps his chest)
...me! You know I'll be the one to give in.

Carol (defensively):
YOU give in? I'm always the one who gives in!

Doug (laughs and rocks her in his arms again):
Let's don't fight about it, OK? I'm gonna go call Mark...

Carol (teasing him):
Sure...sure...weasel out of it!

He laughs and pats her bottom on his way out of the room. Once he is gone, she stands alone still gazing around the nursery, shaking her head in wonder.

Cut to show time lapse. Show Mark and Doug on the front porch together, both wearing jackets against the cold.

Mark:
I was just on my way home and thought I'd see how things went...

Doug (steps onto the porch with him):
Yeah, I didn't get a chance to call you yet...sorry...Everything's fine. Carol's OK for now. Stephanie just wants to keep an eye on her and she has to rest.

Mark:
Is she watching for anything specific?

Doug:
You mean like maybe Toxemia?

Mark:
Among other things.

Doug (nods):
I don't know if Stephanie is thinking about it, but, I know I am. We'll just have to keep an eye on things for a while if her blood pressures doesn't go down.
(pause)
We might have another problem, though.
(Mark gives Doug an attentive look)
Stephanie thinks she heard a third heartbeat today. We need a more complex ultrasound and a fetal monitor hook up to be sure, which we'll get tomorrow morning at County, but, there's a possibility we might be having twins.

Mark (very surprised):
Twins?

Doug (nods shortly):
There's a chance. Stephanie can't tell if the heartbeat is another baby or an echo of one already there, so, we're going in to make sure.

Mark (repeats...still surprised):
TWINS?

Doug (sighs):
God, Mark...what are we going to do with twins?

Mark:
The same thing you'd do with one, I guess...times two.

Doug (shrugs):
Carol is really nervous about it. I didn't want her to know that I am, too, so, I made out like that it's really OK with me, but, geez, Mark! One is going to be more than I think we can handle with the two we've already got! What if we have two? In a years time I would go from being a single man to a father of four?

Mark (chuckles):
Well, what about that couple in Iowa? They went from a family of three to a family of ten in nine months...

Doug:
That's not having a baby, Mark, that's having a litter! I don't want Carol to have a litter.

Mark (smiles):
Two is not a litter. And this would be a natural occurrence with no genes for it...that's a rare thing...it would be big event, really.

Doug:
I know...
(pause)
...I guess I'm just scared.

Mark (pats his back):
Understandable, my friend. If a doctor told me my wife might be expecting twins, you can bet I'd be plenty scared about it. But, not about having twins. I'd be worried about my wife.

Doug (quietly...sincerely):
I AM worried about my wife...and not because of twins, either.

Mark (comforting tone):
Everything will be all right, Doug...

Doug:
I don't know, Mark...I guess I keep waiting for the bomb to drop, you know? Like everything in my life has been going along too well and it's time for the bottom to fall out...

Mark (laughs out loud):
Going along well? Doug, have you taken time to tally up some of the things that have happened in your life in the past year? You got married on the spur of the moment...within three months after you got married you inherited two children...you've had a cancer scare...you've been shot...you've had a career change...your Dad died...now your wife may be having twins! I don't know anybody who has more happen in their life than you do! And you think there's something waiting out there to BOMB you?

Doug (chuckles):
Well, when you put it that way...

Mark (pats him on the back):
You let me hear from you tomorrow, OK?

Doug (nods):
I'll be in after the ultrasound...

Mark (starts down the steps):
Don't feel like you have to and don't hurry, OK? The main thing is to take care of Carol.

Doug (as Mark gets to the end of the walk):
You know, Mark, you've been really great about the working part of all this...I don't know if I would be able to do this without you.

Mark:
That's why I'm glad we're out of County and working at C.A.R.E. because we can do it this way there. If we were still at County, you'd be having real problems. You don't need problems right now. And neither does Carol.
(waves to him and walks around to get in his car)
Call me.

Doug (nods, waves to him):
I will.

Doug turns around and goes back in the house, starting back up the steps to the second floor. He gets about halfway up and hears the voice of his son floating to him softly.

Scott:
Did I hear you tell Dr. Greene Mom might be having twins?

Doug (stops, looks...see Scott peering through the stair railing at him...laughs):
Don't you know it's not polite to listen in on other people's private conversations?

Scott (nods):
Yeah, but, sometimes when you're a kid that's the only way you can find out what's going on!

Doug (chuckles):
OK...you got me there...Yeah, Buddy...you heard right.

Scott (blown away):
Wow! That's cool!

Doug (laughs, sits on the steps with him):
Cool? Why is that 'cool'?

Scott (shrugs):
I don't know...it just is. I always think twins are cool. I wish I was twins sometimes.

Doug (scoffs):
Believe me, Bud, one of you is more than we can handle most of the time! We don't need you to be twins.

Scott:
Well, when will you know?

Doug:
They're doing an ultrasound and fetal monitor in the morning. We should know then.

Scott:
Well, will you let me know?

Doug:
Absolutely.

Scott (jumps up and smiles wide):
Cool!

He races off and Doug shakes his head, muttering an ad lib about 'cool' under his breath.

Fade Act Four to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at County ER in an exam area. Doug is there with Carol and Stephanie is setting up for the ultrasound. First, she takes Carol's blood pressure.

Stephanie:
Let's see if you're down any this morning...how were things last night?

Carol (shrugs):
Fine.

Stephanie:
No dizzy spells? No black outs?

Doug:
I was there all night...nothing happened.

Stephanie (listening through her stethoscope):
Good...that's good...

She listens to the sounds in her stethoscope and then takes the ear pieces loose, nodding her head and making notes on a chart.

Doug (peering to see the numbers):
Well?

Stephanie (nods):
It's down. Now, the idea is to KEEP it down. I want to take some blood and run some tests...

Doug (knowing nod):
Looking for toxemia?

Stephanie:
I'm looking for anything that could be causing the blood pressure to fluctuate like that...but, I won't lie to you...Toxemia IS something I'm leaning towards. Carol is over 30 and this is her first baby...no sense taking any unnecessary chances.

She brings the ultrasound machine around and smears the gel on Carol's stomach, also hooking up a fetal monitor to record the heartbeat.

Stephanie (watching monitor):
Only one heartbeat...

Doug (looks over her shoulder):
For sure only one?

Stephanie (checks monitor and nods):
Yes...for sure...there's only two registers on the monitor...one is for the baby and one is for Carol...only one baby.

Carol (relieved):
So, we're not having twins?

Stephanie (smiles):
You're not having twins.
(turns her attention to the monitor screen)
But, let's see if we can see what you are having, OK?

Carol (nods...wide eyes and smile):
Yeah, OK!

Stephanie (highlights fetus on monitor):
Here's the head...
(She points, Doug and Carol both turn their attention to the monitor and follow her direction)
That'a a hand...and that's a hand...
(she points out both of the baby's hands to them)
This is a foot...
(points)
...and this is a foot...and this...
(she smiles with a tilt of her head)
...this is a boy.

Doug (looks closely):
What?

Stephanie (smiles...points out to him a grey shaded area on the screen):
That's a boy...this is your son, Doug.

Carol (very happy):
We're having a boy?

Stephanie (nods):
Congratulations...

Doug (looks at monitor in awe):
And, he's OK?

Stephanie (nods, keeps moving the picture around):
He looks just about perfect to me...

Doug (quietly, stares at monitor):
Is he sucking his thumb?

Stephanie:
Trying to...sure looks like it. I've made a video for you...you can take it home and share it with your other children.

Carol:
Thank you...

Stephanie:
OK, I'm gonna let you work half days the rest of this week and see how things go. If your blood pressure goes back up, then I'll have to take you off work completely until after the baby is born.

Carol:
You think I'm going into Toxemia, don't you?

Stephanie:
I think there's a strong chance of it. And if you do, don't panic. We'll have caught it early and it shouldn't be a problem. I've been on the lookout for problems anyway. You have an uneventful pregnancy for five months...now we get down to the real nitty gritty.

Doug:
Don't worry...she has you and me and Mark and Carter taking care of her...

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Yeah, I'm surrounded by medical personnel.

Stephanie:
Well, in this case...I'm glad.
(shuts off machine, towels Carol's stomach off, and hands a video tape to Doug)
OK, Mom and Dad...you're all done. Carol...I'll see you for our regular visit on Monday, but, if you need me before then, you call me, OK?

Carol (nods):
I promise.

Stephanie:
Keep an eye on that blood pressure for her, Doug...

Doug (nods, helps Carol off the table):
Don't worry...

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Yeah, don't worry, Steph...he'll guard me like a mother hen now!

Stephanie (nods...laughs):
Good...I'm counting on that.

Cut to show Doug and Carol sitting in Doug's car, waiting to pull into traffic, both still thinking of the news they just received from Stephanie.

Carol:
So, we're having a son, huh?

Doug (leans over and kisses her):
I think you are incredible.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Not like I did it all myself, you know. You helped.

Doug:
You gotta talk to me, though, Babe. You should have told me about these dizzy spells when you first started having them.

Carol (nods):
I know.

Doug (stares at the steering wheel):
I guess I don't have much room to talk do I? Talking isn't exactly something I do well either.

Carol:
At least not to me...you seem to talk to Mark pretty well.

Doug (laughs):
Maybe we should make Mark the designated medium between us!

(Carol laughs...Doug scoffs and winks at her):
And having a boy now just ruins everything, doesn't it?

Carol (taken aback):
What do you mean?

Doug:
We had a name all picked out for a girl...a name we both agreed on! Everybody we know said we were having a girl! Now we're having a boy and you know as well as I do we're NEVER gonna agree on a name for a boy!

Carol (grins at him):
What makes you think so?

Doug (groans, looks into traffic to pull the car to merge):
Trust me...I just KNOW this is the start of a whole new adventure for us...

Carol (laughs, stares out the window):
Yeah, and not just for picking a name for him, either...

Doug pulls the car into traffic and we hear and over audio of both of them laughing as they speed away.

Fade into closing credits of the show.

December 29, 1997