Author's Text

Well, you know how it is with me...sometimes I just pull things out of the blue and make them into something awful for Doug! Someone recently told me it was a good thing I liked him...they'd hate to see what I'd do to him if I didn't! LOL!

I tried something different in this story...I hope it isn't too weird for some of you.

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

"Family Center"
"Don’t Look Back"
Opening Act

Scene opens at County General, interior, hallway. Show Doug and Carol are walking down the hall together. He has a baby bag over his shoulder and a HUGE smile on his face. Carol is carrying baby Josh in her arms. They pass Kerry Weaver on their way to the door and they stop as she edges close to them.

Kerry (happily):
Going home today?

Carol (smiles happily):
He sure is!

Kerry (peers in at the baby):
How's he doing?

Doug:
About as well as can be expected. We have a SIDS machine at home for him and we'll be keeping him in our room for a long time, but, he's going to make it.

Kerry (smiles at the baby):
Any lasting complications?

Doug (shakes his head):
He hasn't developed any yet but I'm expecting asthma, so, I'll be watching for it.

Kerry (to Josh):
Well, you are just a lucky little boy, Joshua, that your Daddy is a Pediatrician and your Mommy is a Physician's Assistant.
(looks at Doug)
Speaking of PAs, when do you plan to send Jeanne back to us?

Doug (grins):
I think that's Jeanne's decision, isn't it? If she comes back, I mean.

Kerry (sarcastic smile):
I MEANT how much longer do you think you'll need her?

Doug (looks down at Carol):
Well, that's up to my current PA...and I don't think she's ready yet.

Carol:
It'll be at least three months before I go back, Kerry...

Kerry (groans):
That's what I was afraid of.

Doug (looks around at his carryings):
Damn! I left the hospital gift for Josh upstairs! I'll be right back!
(he darts back down the hall quickly)

Kerry:
So, Carol, rumor has it you may not go back to work at all. Is that true?

Carol:
I promised Doug I wouldn't make any decisions about anything like that for a while yet...but I've been thinking about that, yes.

Kerry:
That would truly be a loss to medicine...not to mention I'm sure Doug and Mark would miss you.

Carol:
They'd get by...and I'd still do the books and things...and still work in the free clinic Carter is running.

Kerry:
How is the private practice going, anyway?

Carol:
They do very well...they're always busy...that's a good sign.

Kerry (nod):
Yeah, that's what they say. How is Doug getting along?

Carol:
He's doing really well...feeling a lot better.

Kerry:
Has he started his transplant profile yet?

Carol:
No, he's been a little busy!
(both laugh)
But, we have a Nanny starting to work with us, so, that will make things a little easier.

Kerry (surprised):
A nanny?

Carol:
Yeah, Doug and I thought it wouldn't be fair to ask our Mother's to take care of 6 children 5 days a week!

Kerry:
And how do the Grandmothers feel about this?

Carol (laughs):
They each want one day a week!
(Kerry laughs with her)

Kerry (sees Doug coming back down the hall):
Well, good luck with that...and it was good to see you... ALL of you...

Doug (grins as he open the baby bag and stuffs a small teddy bear inside):
Good to see you, too, Kerry.
(once she steps away he mumbles quietly)
Now that I don't have to.

Carol (scolding voice):
Doug!

Doug (big grin):
Sorry.

Carol (takes him by the arm):
Come on...I want to get Josh home.

Doug (nods, starts walking with her again):
Yes, ma'am...

Cut to the Greene/Pomerantz home. Mark and Nina are all moved in now but are still decorating the interiors of the house. Show Mark hanging drapes in the family room and Nina standing giving him directions.

Nina (motioning):
No, Mark...they need to come over this way!

Focus on Mark as he sighs heavily and moves the drapes along the rod to the direction Nina wants.

Nina (looking, frowns):
No...that's not good either...

Mark (agitated voice):
Nina...I have been standing on this chair for a half an hour and I have moved these drapes 100 times...would you PLEASE make up your mind?

Nina (stern look):
Don't use that tone of voice with me, Mark...
(smiles)
...but all right...get down from there and we'll take a break.

Mark (jumps off the chair):
Thank you!

Nina (wraps her arms around him):
Do I drive you crazy?

Mark (grins):
Sometimes.

Nina:
What time are we supposed to go to Doug and Carol's for Josh's coming home party?

Mark (looks at his watch):
Just about the time we get there, I think!
(pause)
I wanted to talk to you about something...

Nina:
Sounds serious.

Mark:
Doug will be starting his transplant profile pretty soon...

Nina:
Oh, is he!? Well, that's great! I was wondering when he was going to do that.

Mark:
I'm going to have them test me to see if I might be a suitable donor for him...
(gives her a curious look)
...what do you think about that?

Nina:
You're asking me?

Mark:
Well, sure I'm asking you! You're going to be my wife, aren't you? Your opinion is very important to me. Besides, that's a decision that could effect you, too.

Nina:
Well, I appreciate you asking, but, I think the person you really need to be asking about that is Doug.

Mark (nods):
Yeah, I intend to talk to him about it, too.

Nina:
And don't be surprised or get angry if he turns you down.

Focus on Mark's confused expression and Fade into the Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens with Mark and Nina in Mark's car in route across town. Focus on Mark, deep in thought.

Mark (suddenly):
What do you mean he might turn me down?

Nina (gives him a confused look):
What?

Mark:
Talking about Doug...you said he might turn me down as a donor...why did you say that?

Nina:
Because I think he might refuse you and I don't want you to let it hurt your feelings if he does.

Mark:
Well, why do you think that? I think he'd be thrilled to get a match for a kidney.

Nina:
I'm sure he will be...if it comes from somebody he doesn't know.

Mark (confused look):
I'd think he'd feel better if he DID know who it came from...

Nina (sighs):
Doug is very low key...and his self esteem sometimes leaves a lot to be desired...and I just don't think he'll be too excited to take something as vital as a kidney from a friend who is still living. Just a gut feeling I have about it.

Mark:
He's not asking me for it...I'm offering it to him.

Nina:
That's all well and good, Mark. And I think he'll be truly touched. But I still think he might turn you down and I want you to be prepared for that.

Mark:
Oh, I don't think you know Doug as well as you think you do.
(Nina shakes her head with a laugh)

Nina:
Maybe you're right, Mark...

Cut to the Ross home, exterior. There are brightly colored balloons on the mailbox post as Doug pulls the van into the driveway. There are also balloons on the front door. As soon as the van stops, Sarah, Helen, Scott, and Tatiana come rushing out of the house, with Sarah carrying Marc. Doug gathers the baby bag and Carol gets Josh out of his car seat as the group crowds around her.

Carol (walking):
Come on, everybody inside and we'll all ogle over him together!

Everybody goes with her and she sits down on the sofa with Josh.

Helen (reaching for the baby):
Oh, Carol, he's so tiny...

Carol (shifting Josh into Helen's arms):
He weighs 5 pounds...that's 'home' weight.

Sarah (peers in at the sleeping baby):
Look at that little angel...
(looks at Doug)
Is he going to have problems, Doug?

Doug:
We've got him covered. He'll be fine.

Carol:
Where are the girls?

Helen:
They are in their beds asleep. They both ate like little pigs and now they're sleeping it off.

Doug (chuckles):
Sounds like they get that from me!

Carol (scoffs):
Only the 'sleeping it off' part, Doug.
(all laugh)
I'm going to go check on them...I'll be right back.

Tatiana (looks in at Josh):
He never opens his eyes!

Doug:
Well, he's little. He'll have them open more now that he's home.

Marc toddles over and climbs up on the sofa with Helen. He looks in at the baby and pats his face with his chubby little hand.

Helen:
Do you like the baby, Marc? That's your little brother. Can you say Bay-Bee?

Doug (chuckles):
He doesn't say anything yet...except to babble his own language...but I suspect once he starts he'll be like Tatchie and we'll never shut him up...

Tatiana (protesting):
Papa!

Doug (reaches down and tickles her):
Well, it's TRUE!
(Tatiana screams happily and tries to get away)

Sarah (scolding):
Doug, you shouldn't do her that way...

Tatiana (teasing him):
Got you in trouble with your Mama!

Doug:
Well, don't think it's the first time!

They are interrupted by the doorbell. Doug goes to the door and opens it to find Mark, Nina, and Emma standing on the porch.

Mark:
Are we late? Or early?

Doug (smiles, opens the door wide):
You're right on time! Come on in!
(as she passes through the door)
Hi, Emma! I'm glad you could come!

Pan slowly to show festivities of the party...everyone crowded around the new babies...people taking turns holding them...cake...ice cream...laughter...etc.

Cut to show time lapse. Doug is standing on the deck in the back of the house gazing out blankly over the back yard when Mark passes by the sliding doors and sees him. Looking over his shoulder to be sure the party is not effected, Mark slips out on the deck and leans on the rail beside Doug.

Mark:
You know, not to be a critic or anything, but, you hardly look like a man celebrating the coming home of his premature infant son.

Doug (chuckles):
Oh, I'm glad the little guy is home...don't even worry about that.

Mark:
Something on your mind?

Doug (shrugs):
Just thinking about things.

Mark:
Wanna talk about it?

Doug:
Oh, it's nothing...just some things Carol and I will need to talk about later!
(turns to Mark with a smile)
So, did you get moved in?

Mark (nods, chuckles):
Yeah...but we're living out of boxes right now.

Doug (chuckles):
I know that feeling...

Mark (scuffs his foot on the deck, looks down):
Something I wanted to talk to you about, though...

Doug:
Uh oh...sounds serious.

Mark:
Well, it is, kind of...I know that you are starting your transplant profile...I was thinking about starting a donor profile.

Doug (nods his head, looks at his feet):
Yeah, I thought you were thinking about that.
(sighs)
Mark, I really wish you wouldn't...

Mark (Nods):
Yeah, Nina told me you might say something like that. Why?

Doug:
Well, suppose you match and you want to give me one of your kidneys and then something happens to the one you have left? You have any idea how that would make me feel?

Mark:
Well, Doug, I'm well aware of the risks involved before I even start. I think that should be my concern...not yours.

Doug:
You know what I mean. I don't think I'd take your kidney, Mark.

Mark (grins):
What's the matter, Doug? Don't want a Jewish kidney inside that Catholic body?

Doug (laughs):
You know better than that!

Mark:
Well, you wouldn't know who the donor was anyway. They don't tell you things like that.

Doug:
Ummm, I'll ask to have you assist in the surgery...that way I'll know!
(Mark laughs)
We're a long way off from that right now, Mark. I'm not even thinking about that right now.
(pauses)
Something I wanted to ask you about, though. While the babies are so little, I thought I'd switch over to manual exchanges so I can be loose from the machine at night and help Carol with them. Will it be a problem for you if we stash some of my supplies at the office for the afternoon exchanges? I'll have to do two of them at the office.

Mark (shakes his head):
Shouldn't be a problem...

Doug:
It only takes about a half hour to do them...I can just go to my office and close the door. Will it bother you?

Mark:
I'm sure it won't. I think that's a noble thing you're doing...to help Carol.

Doug (grins):
She needs it. Now that we have a nanny, it'll help, but, Carol and I will still do most of the work with the babies ourselves...

Mark (surprised):
You hired a Nanny? I didn't see her around anyplace...

Doug:
Yeah...her name is Amy Pattick...she's taking care of the girls and she's just a little bit shy. You'll meet her, though...

Mark (nods):
Yeah, a Nanny might be a good idea.

Doug:
She comes highly recommended from the agency...Carol did all the interviews...we must have had 50 women here...everybody from Mrs. Doubtfire to Mary Poppins...
(both laugh)
...I didn't meet this one, but, I trust Carol's judgment. She'll be fine, I'm sure. She's young, so, that's probably good. She's really good with the babies and Scott and Tatchie like her too...

Mark:
Everything OK with you?

Doug (gives him a strange look):
Yeah...why?

Mark (shrugs):
I don't know...you just don't seem to be yourself.

Doug:
Ah, just a feeling I can't shake...like there's a storm coming...you know?

Mark (nods):
Yeah, I know...I feel it too. But, whatever it is, I'm sure everything will be OK.

Doug (nods...looks out over the yard):
Yeah...

His mood is quickly changed by Marc toddling out onto the deck from the open door behind them. He toddles over to the rail and reaches his little hands up to Doug with a big smile on his face.

Marc (baby voice):
Da-Da!

Mark and Doug both turn their attention to him and Doug grabs him up into his arms quickly.

Doug (looks at Marc):
He did say what I thought I heard, didn't he?

Mark (excited for Doug):
He sure did!

Doug (attention on Marc):
Say it again, Marc...say "Da-Da"...say it again, Buddy!

Marc (pulls on Doug's nose and laughs):
Da-Da!

Doug (starts for the house with him, Mark follows close):
He won't be a year old for 2 more weeks...
(bursts into the house with Marc in his arm)
Hey, everybody, check this out!
(turns his attention to Marc and taps his own chest)
Who is this, Marc? Who am I?

Marc (claps his hands and smiles at Doug):
Da-Da!

Carol (rushes over and gathers Marc out of Doug's arms):
Oh, my gosh! He's starting to talk!

Everyone gathers around Marc to make a fuss out of his accomplishment...out of the corner of his eye, Doug sees Tatiana step back away from the group with a disappointed look on her face. He goes over to her and gets down on one knee with her.

Doug (softly):
What's the matter, Punkin? Feeling a little bit jealous?

Tatiana (pouts):
I'm trying not to...but it's really hard.

Doug (hugs her):
I know it is...but you know what? This afternoon we're going out...just you and me...would you like that?

Tatiana (brightens):
You MEAN it? No babies?

Doug (smiles, shakes his head):
No babies...I promise! OK?

Tatiana (nods quickly):
OK!

Doug pats her back and she goes back into the center of the group.

Mark:
Hey, Doug, we need to go down to the office for a little while...just some things we need to go over with Jeanne so she can handle the rest of the day.

Doug (nods):
Sure...not problem.
(kisses Carol on the cheek)
Will you be OK here with the troops? We won't be long...

Carol (grins at him):
Sure...go ahead.

Doug (to Mark):
You take your car, OK? I'll take the EL...I want to get a newspaper...

Mark (protesting):
You can get a newspaper across the street from the office...

Doug:
There's a bin there?
(Mark nods)
OK, then...you're driving!

Nina:
Oh, let me go, too! I need to check something in my office as well...
(turns to Carol)
You look great, Carol...and you have a beautiful family...

Carol (grins):
Thanks for coming, Nina...bring him back ASAP, Mark!

Nina, Mark, and Doug head on out of the house and climb into Mark's car. Cut to show time lapse of them pulling up in the parking lot of the office. Mark and Nina head for the staff door, but, Doug heads around the side of the building.

Doug (pointing his direction):
I'm gonna go get a newspaper...I'll see you upstairs, Mark!

Mark nods and holds the door for Nina. Before they can get inside, they hear the screeching squeal of tires and loud "THUMP" sound.

Nina:
What was that?

Mark (shakes his head):
I don't know...sounded like it was out front...

He and Nina go around the building to see two or three teenagers with skateboards gathering around something in the street. As they get closer, Mark realizes what they are gawking at.

Mark (running now):
Omigod! Doug!

With Nina on his heels, Mark gets to the street and drops to his knees beside the victim...focus on Mark's very grim look on his face and Fade Act One to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens with a panning shot of Mark on his knees in the street beside Doug, who is unconscious.

Teenager (over Mark's shoulder):
I saw the whole thing, Mister...

Mark (shrugs him away):
That's fine, Son, you can tell me about it in minute...
(turns to Nina)
...go back to my car and get my crash kit! I carry it in the trunk...

Nina (darts away):
I'm on it...

Mark (leaning over Doug but doesn't move him):
Doug...Buddy...

Mark supports Doug's head very securely in his hands and very carefully rolls him over. Doug has a huge pavement burn on his face and a scrape on his chin. Mark quickly feels for a pulse by placing his fingers on Doug's neck just as Nina gets back with the crash kit.

Nina (drops beside him):
Here you go...how is he?

Mark:
He's got a pulse, but he's not breathing...you're gonna have to help me tube him...

Nina (nods):
OK.

Teenager #1:
We called 911, mister...they're their way...

Mark (nodding):
Good...that's good guys...good going!

Teenager #2:
That's Dr. Ross, isn't it?

Mark (looks up at him quickly):
You know Dr. Ross?

Teenager #2 (smiles):
Heck, Mister...everybody knows Dr. Ross.

Mark pulls a ET tube out of the crash kit, puts his hand under Doug's chin and tilts his head to clear the airway, then he quickly inserts the tube through Doug's mouth.

Mark (never taking his hands off Doug, to Nina):
Hand me the ambu bag...

Nina (handing him the bag):
How is he?

Mark (mumbling):
Not good...I think you need to go call St. Michael's rectory and ask Father Aaron to meet us at the hospital...

Nina:
What about Carol?

Mark:
You better go GET Carol... Nina (nods):
OK...I'll see you at the hospital...

Nina darts quickly away again and we hear a siren in the background as Mark continues to work with Doug. The paramedics are quickly on the scene.

Paramedic:
What have you got, Dr. Greene?

Mark:
39 year old male...hit and run...compound fracture of the left femur...was in respiratory arrest when I got to him...got a knot on his head pretty deep in the back...I'm thinking possible skull fracture...can't tell without a skull series...

Paramedic (drops beside Mark):
Let us take over now, OK?

Mark (reluctantly lets go):
OK...

The paramedic takes an inflatable air splint and wraps it around Doug's leg and pulls a cord to inflate it.

Mark (turns to teenagers):
We're going to County...one of you kids come over there later and fill me in?

Teeanger #1:
I will, Mister!

Mark:
Ask for Dr. Greene, OK?

Teenager #1 (nods):
OK!

Paramedic (puts BP cuff on Doug's arm, gives figures to his partner):
BP is 90/60...pulse very weak and thready...

Mark (softly):
At least he's breathing now...

Paramedic:
Let's transport him...
(looks at Mark)
County?

Mark (nods): Yeah...and I'm riding with him.

Paramedic: Let's go, Doc!

Mark works the ambu bag while the paramedics bring a gurney and carefully lift Doug to it. Once he is covered and strapped in, the wheel him towards the ambulance with Mark following close behind. Mark stays in the back with the paramedic as the doors are closed.

Paramedic: How soon after it happened did you get to him?

Mark: Within minutes. I was out back in the parking lot. I heard the tires squeal and heard the hit, but, I didn't see anything.

The ambulance screams away from the scene...Mark rides quietly never taking his eyes off Doug. Doug is very still, still unconscious, and the scrapes look angry in the better light. Mark continues to work the ambu bag as they go, keeping a close eye on things as he does. Suddenly, he stops squeezing the bag.

Paramedic:
Something wrong?

Mark:
He's on his own...
(take the bag off Doug's face and listens closely)
Yeah...he's breathing on his own...

Cut to show them arriving at County ER and running down the hall. They are met by Kerry Weaver.

Kerry:
Mark...what are you doing here...
(looks at the gurney)
Oh, my God! What happened?

Mark:

Hit and run outside the office...he was in respiratory arrest when I got him, but, he's on his own now...

Kerry (takes over the gurney):
Let's take him to three...Mark? Are you working with us?

Mark (following her in):
You bet I am!

Kerry (once they are in the trauma room):
OK, on three...ready? One...Two...Three...LIFT!

With the help of the trauma team, Doug is lifted from the gurney and placed on the table. Kerry on one side, Mark on the other, with John Carter coming quickly to assist.

Carter (shocked):
That's Dr. Ross! What happened?

Mark:
Hit and run in front of the office...I got to him just a minute or two after it happened...he was in respiratory arrest then...

Kerry:
Breathing is labored now...

Mark:
Let's start an IV of D5 and ringers...

Carter (listens to Doug's chest through his stethoscope):
Diminished breath sounds on the left side...possible collapsed lung...

Kerry (looking into Doug's eyes):
Pupils are real sluggish but do react to light...there is papilledemia, though...

Mark (looking in Doug's ears):
Blood in the ear canal...probable skull fracture...we're gonna need a full skull series, cross table c spine, and a surgical consult...

Haleh:
I'm on it...

Mark (over his shoulder):
Who's on call?

Haleh:
Dr. Romano today...

Mark:
No! I want Lizzie Corday...Romano's not touching him!

Kerry (looks up over her work):
Don't you think that should be Carol's decision? Not yours?

Mark:
Carol will agree with me...

Carter (feeling Doug's stomach):
Abdomen is hard and swollen...probable internal injuries...

Kerry:
We need somebody from Ortho to set this leg...

Haleh (returning):
All ready called them...they're on the way.

Romano (coming into the room):
What have we got?

Mark (looks up quickly):
Nothing for you...I specifically requested Dr. Corday...

Romano:
Dr. Corday is in surgery...

Mark (blocks Romano from Doug):
Then Call Peter Benton...you're not touching him...

Romano (tries to push past Mark):
Don't be insane...

Mark (pushes him back):
I mean it, Romano! You're not touching him! I'll operate on him myself before I'll let you touch him!

Romano (sternly):
I suspect we'll talk about this later, Dr. Greene.

Mark (confidently):
I doubt it...
(turns back to working on Doug)
Let's get those tests running!

Cut to show Carol opening the door back at the Ross house and finding Nina standing on the porch.

Carol (frightened look):
Oh, God...something's wrong.

Nina:
You need to come with me, Carol...is someone here to watch the kids?

Carol:
Amy's here with them...something happened to Doug, didn't it?

Nina (nods):
Yes...

Carol:
OK...let me tell Amy I'm leaving...

Nina:
I'll wait for you in the car...

Cut to show Carol rushing out of the house and climbing into the car with Nina. As she slams the door shut on the passenger's side, she turns to Nina with her heart in her throat.

Carol:
What happened?

Nina (as they back out of the driveway):
He got hit by a car out in front of the office going after a newspaper...

Carol (covers her mouth):
Oh, God! How bad is he hurt?

Nina:
Mark was with him and they took him to County...he's pretty scraped up but I don't know the extent of his injuries...

Show Carol with her hand to her mouth and watching out the window blankly and Nina speeds them to County.

Cut back to County and show Mark and Kerry looking over a series of x-rays together.

Kerry:
Gonna take pins to put that leg back together...

Mark:
I'm more concerned about the skull series....there is a skull fracture...

Kerry (pointing):
...and mild swelling of the brain...that's my biggest concern.

Mark:
Carter took a puncture...there's a lot of blood...

Kerry (pointing again):
Tear in the spleen right here...that can be repaired...

Mark:
You think he's strong enough for surgery?

Kerry:
I think he's got no choice...he's going to have to be. Is Carol here yet?

Mark:
Should be...

Kerry:
OK...let's go talk to her...

Mark and Kerry take the x-rays and go down into the ER to find Carol. She is just coming in the door with Nina and she goes to them the instant she sees them.

Carol (concerned):
How's Doug?

Kerry:
He's not good, Carol...we're going to send him up to surgery...can you sign the forms?

Carol:
I want to see him before you take him...

Kerry:
That's not a problem...

Mark:
Romano is on call...I requested Lizzie Corday...

Carol (nods):
Yeah, that's fine...

Mark and Kerry take Carol down to Doug's room. Father Aaron is there with him and Carol puts her hand to her heart when she sees the Priest.

Carol (quietly to Mark):
You called a Priest?

Mark:
He was in respiratory arrest when I got to him...I thought a Priest might be necessary.

Father Aaron steps aside as Carol goes over to Doug's bed. Carol smiles at the Priest, but then turns her attention to Doug. She carefully places a tuft of his bangs and touches his wounded cheek gently.

Carol (never taking her eyes off Doug):
How bad is it, Mark?

Mark (quietly):
He has a compound fracture of the left femur, which, I see they've set now...

Doug is still very quiet and unconscious. His leg supports a soft cast to hold him until a better one can be applied. His breathing is very labored and the heart monitor beeps out an unsteady rhythm.

Mark (continues):
He has a skull fracture, a concussion, a torn spleen, a collapsed lung, and multiple lacerations and abrasions.

Carol (softly):
So, he may not live through the surgery?

Mark:
He's pretty weak...but we can't wait...

Carol (nods):
I know...
(looks down at Doug, still touching his face softly...tears on her cheeks)
OK...you can take him now.
(she leans down and kisses Doug gently)
I love you, Doug...

Focus on Carol as Doug is wheeled away for surgery. She watches painfully as he disappears from her sight. Then she turns with both hands over her face to hide her tears as Act Two Fades to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens at County ER. Mark is coming down the hallway with Carol when John Carter calls for his attention.

Carter:
Dr. Greene!
(Mark turns to him)
There was a kid came by, said he had some information on the accident. Police are here, too. They're all in the waiting room.

Mark (touches Carol's arm):
You go on up to surgery with Doug...I'll be right there, OK?

Carol (nods):
OK.

Carol walks on down the hall where Doug is being taken to surgery in the elevator...Mark goes to the waiting room and walks over to where two Police officers are talking with the teenager from the street.

Mark:
Thank you all for waiting...

Teenager:
How's Dr. Ross?

Mark:
He's on his way to surgery...
(to Police officer)
I can't give you any information...I didn't actually see the accident...just was able to get there right after.

Officer:
That's OK...this young man was able to give us a description of the car and for digits of the license plate. We'll find him. He said Dr. Ross was in the crosswalk and walking with the light. The car came down the street wobbling and going fast...it ran the red light and never even stopped when he hit Dr. Ross.

Mark (winces):
Oh my God...

Officer:
Kid said it threw him completely over the car...

Mark (nods):
Yeah, his injuries show it...
(to teenager)
I really appreciate you coming down here...and for all your help.

Teenager (grins):
Hey, it's OK...I hope Dr. Ross will be OK!

The teenager goes on away and Mark walks slowly with the officers as they start away as well.

Mark:
Keep me posted on any findings, OK? Dr. Ross' wife is here, too.

Officer (nods):
Will do, Dr. Greene.

The officers leave and Mark makes a dash for the open elevator doors.

Cut to show Mark running down another hallway looking for Carol. He finds her standing with Doug's bed just as they are ready to roll him into surgery.

Mark:
The police have a description of the car and 4 digits of the license number...they think they'll be able to find it.

Carol:
What kind of an animal runs a person down in the middle of the street and doesn't even stop?

Mark:
I think you just answered your own question...

Mark's attention is caught by Dr. Romano heading into the scrub area and he reaches out to grab him by the arm.

Mark:
Where do you think you're going? Don't be thinking you're going to scrub in! I don't want an arrogant asshole in there with somebody I consider family!

Romano (sarcastically):
I didn't realize you and Dr. Ross were related...

Mark:
I said LIKE family...not that I think you'd have any idea what something like that even means...

Romano:
I really believe you are out of line here, Dr. Greene...after all, you're not even on real staff here anymore...

Mark:
Oh, I'd expect about that much out of you...

Carol (waves her hands in the air):
Stop it! Both of you! Just stop it! That is my husband they're wheeling in there! My children's father! I think his well being is a little more important than your petty arguments!

Romano:
Mrs. Ross, I am the most qualified surgeon in this hospital...surely you want the best for your husband...

Carol:
Yes, I do...and Lizzie Corday will do just fine.
(Romano gives her a confused look)
My husband means everything to me, Dr. Romano...that's why I want someone working on him that thinks of him as human being and not another notch in their belt of research rewards.
(looks at Mark)
And I want you in there...I know you can't assist, but, you can at least be there with him.

Mark (nods):
Are you sure you'll be OK?

Carol:
I'll be fine...I'll feel better knowing you're with him...go.

Mark steps past Romano with a smirk. Romano shakes his head and walks away. Carol goes down to the waiting area and sits alone. Cut to show time lapse. Carol folds her arms and walks over to the window, gazing blankly out it at nothing. She closes her eyes and we fade into her thoughts...

*****Flashback*****

Scene is County ER, five years before. Carol is carrying supplies into a stock room and placing them on a shelf when Doug comes in behind her.

Doug (surprised to see her):
Oh, hey! Sorry! I didn't see you here...

Carol:
Just doing the grunt work...

Doug (reaches to aid her):
Need some help?

Carol (shakes her head):
No, thanks! I got it.
(Doug starts helping her stack things anyway and she grins at him)

Carol (continued):
I didn't think Doctors did this kind of thing.

Doug (shrugs):
Keeps me out of Mark's hair...
(chuckles)
...what little bit he's got left.

Carol:
Are you in trouble with Mark again?

Doug:
I'm ALWAYS in trouble with Mark...
(pauses...looks at his feet...his eyes are sad)

Carol (coaxing):
Something wrong?

Doug (quietly):
I had a kid today that I know was abused...but he set fire to his baby sister and they took him away.
(Shakes his head)
God, I wish I could have reached that kid.

Carol:
Where will they take him? To an institution?

Doug (nods):
First...and test him. If they can't find anything psychologically wrong with him, they'll send him to JDH. And I wouldn't wish that on any kid. Nobody deserves that.

Carol:
What do you know about JDH?

Doug:
I was in JDH when I was a kid. It was a big mix up and I really didn't do anything to get put there...
(voice starts to crack)
...but it was the worst year of my life. And I hate to think about a kid that's already been abused being put someplace where abuse is a daily thing.

Carol:
You were abused in JDH?
(Doug nods quietly)
Doug, I'm so sorry...

Doug:
Don't be sorry for me...be sorry for that little kid that hasn't got a fighting chance...
(he keeps his head down, but Carol sees tears on his cheek)

Carol (pulls him into her arms):
You can't save them all, Doug...no matter how hard you try...

Doug (wraps his arms around her):
I know...it just hurts sometimes...

Focus on Carol holding him in her arms and comforting him and *****Flashback***** to present with Carol standing alone with tears on her cheeks.

Carol:
I bet you never knew that I fell in love with you that day...You have to be OK, Doug...who's going to stand for all the kids if you don't?

Cut into to surgery room. Lizzie Corday is in charge and Mark is standing back away from the table, but still where he can see what's going on. Things go routinely for a while and then we hear the heart monitor begin to beep irregularly. Mark moves closer to see what is happening.

Nurse:
Heart rate is dropping...

Another Nurse:
BP is 80/50...we're losing him...

Mark (whispering):
Come on, Doug...hang on!

Nurse:
BP is 75/40...pulse is very weak...

Monitor beeps in a uneven pattern for several seconds and then goes flat.

Corday:
Paddles! Charge to 300....
(she takes the handles in her hands)

Nurse:
Charging....

Corday:
CLEAR!

She lays the paddles to Doug's chest and releases the charge. Doug's body lurches upward and then lays back to rest. All eyes are on the monitor...the line is still flat.

Mark:
Come ON, Doug...you can make it, Buddy...

Corday:
Hit him again...Charge to 300...CLEAR!

She releases the charge again and Doug, again, lurches upward and lays back to rest on the table. Mark closes his eyes and shakes his head...all eyes go back to the monitor but the line is still flat.

Pan back to show a bright light. When the light dims enough that we can see, Doug is sitting on the end of the operating table and Ray, his father, is sitting with him.

Ray (looking at the table):
What's happening to him?

Doug (looks at the table):
He's dying.

Ray:
A room full of doctors and no one can save him?

Doug (shrugs):
I guess not.

Ray:
That's you down there, you know...

Doug (nods):
I know...I've been watching for a long time.

Ray:
I guess you've got a decision to make then?

Doug:
I don't think it's up to me...
(motions to the team still working over the table)
...it's up to them. My life is in their hands. It's out of mine now.

Ray (shakes his head):
Now, that's a miserable feeling...

Doug:
Well, you didn't have to worry about that, did you? You made that decision for you as well as an innocent person.

Ray (nods his head):
Oh, here it comes. You just can't ever let anything go, can you, Doug?

Doug:
I never got a chance to say good bye. You took that away from me, too.

Ray (shrugs):
I didn't figure you'd care. We weren't exactly friends, you know.

Doug (nods):
I know...but I understand a lot more than I used to...

Ray (looks at the table):
Doesn't look too good...

Doug looks down at the table and around the room. He spots Mark standing off by himself, watching in agony as the crew continues their life saving efforts.

Doug (motions to Mark):
See that guy over there? The best friend I ever had in my life. His efforts on the street are probably the only thing that saved my life this long.

Ray:
Saved it for what?

Doug:
For my family...I've got six kids to take care of now, Ray...

Ray (smiles, (nods):
I know...and I thank you for the little namesake you gave me. I guess I was surprised you'd even want to remember me...

Doug (chuckles):
I cant ever forget you, Ray...there's too much of you in me.

Ray (shakes his head):
Used to be...but you did something I never did, Dougie...you grew up.
(pauses, stands up)
Well, they sent me to get you...but they told me the choice is yours. You can still go back...but there's no promises how good it's going to be.

Doug (looking):
Be a lot of pain...and a long road on rehab...

Ray:
Or you can come with me...no pain there...no rehab..

. Doug (shake his head):
I can't do it, Ray. I've got a family that needs me...and a wife that loves me. I've got to be there for my family...no matter what it costs me...

The light flashes brightly and Ray and Doug are gone from where they were sitting. The heart monitor starts to beep in a steady pattern again and Lizzie Corday's eyes show relief.

Lizzie:
He's back...let's get him closed up and out of here!

Cut to show Mark's eyes also relieved. Pull back to show Doug standing behind him in image...Mark does not see or hear him.

Doug:
I'm not going anywhere, Buddy...not yet…you're stuck with me for a LONG time yet to come.

Cut to show Doug being wheeled out of surgery and Carol coming quickly to get the news.

Carol (to Lizzie as she takes her surgical mask off):
Well?

Lizzie:
We had some complications, but, he managed to come through it OK.

Carol:
What's the outlook?

Lizzie:
I'm going to keep him sedated and in ICU for a few days. I want him to come out of this slowly.

Carol:
Do you think he'll be all right?

Lizzie:
From the repairs that I made, yes...I can't tell you much about the head injury and concussion. Those are just things we'll know more about when he wakes up. I'm sending him to recovery and you can go to him for a few minutes. Then, you can see him later, OK?

Carol (nods):
Thanks, Lizzie...

Cut to show Carol going into the recovery unit to where Doug is resting. He is not conscious and is lying very still. He has a bandage around his head and the eye on the side with the scrape has turned black around it. His broken leg is supported in traction and has wires sticking out of the plaster cast now. Carol touches his hair carefully and cannot stop her tears from falling on her cheeks.

Carol (strokes his tousled bangs lightly):
Less than two hours ago you walked out the door to 'be right back'...look at you now. You've spent so much time taking care of me...guess it's my turn now.
(leans down and kisses his cheek carefully)
I love you so much, Doug...I'm going to take care of you and we're going to get through this...we just have to believe that everything will be all right.

Pull back to show Doug standing behind her in image, watching her with him. He reaches his hand out to touch her but can't feel her. The seems worlds apart even though they are very close and Doug's expression is pained by this realization. Focus on Carol stroking his cheek as he lies perfectly still on the bed and she smiles weakly at him as Act Three Fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at County ER outside the door marked Intensive Care Unit. Carol is pacing in front of the doors, looking towards them even other step. Finally, Mark and Kerry come out and go to her.

Carol:
OK...give it to me straight...I want to know how he really is.

Kerry:
He's holding his own right now...his vitals are stable.

Mark:
But, he went into cardiac arrest on the table and his heart rate is still a little weak.

Kerry:
Since we already know that Doug has a low tolerance for anesthesia we're keeping him out...

Carol (concerned):
A drug induced coma?
(Kerry nods)
Well, isn't that dangerous for him?

Mark (assuringly):
No, not at all. It really gives him a better chance. It'll be fine.

Carol:
Can you give me a prognosis at all?

Kerry (shakes her head):
It's just really too early to tell anything right now, Carol. Give him a couple of days and then we'll know more.
(touches Carol's arm)
I have to get back to the ER. Mark will be Doug's doctor, but, I'll be backing him up, so, if you need anything, come to either one of us, OK?

Carol (nods, folds her arms across her chest):
OK...thanks, Kerry.

Carol walks away trying to stay calm. Mark follows her into a corner in the hallway where they are alone. She is not facing him, and he takes her by the shoulders and turns around to face him.

Carol (rambling):
I need to go home for a while...I have to pump some milk so Amy can feed the babies...

Mark:
Carol...

Carol (cuts him off):
And I need to bring his PD machine over here. He was doing manuals but obviously, he can't do that now...

Mark (a little more sternly):
Carol...

Carol:
And I have to tell Scott and Tatchie something...no easy way to do that...

Mark (shakes her for attention):
Carol! It's all right! I'll go with you and we'll get it done together...

Carol:
No...you need to stay here. If he would wake up, I want one or the other of us with him. I'll be all right, Mark. This is just a shock. He walked out of the house with you just hours ago and now I don't know if he's going to live to see morning.

Mark:
Now, you listen to me...Doug is strong and he's a good fighter. He's got everything to live for and he's not going to give up without the old college try.

Carol (puts her hands over her face and leans into Mark's chest):
I'm so scared for him, Mark! He looks so bad...his face is all swollen and black and blue. How in the world could someone just hit someone in the street and drive on off?

Mark (puts his arms around her to comfort her):
I don't know, Carol...I really don't know. There's a lot of sick people out there...

Carol (composes herself...steps back and wipes her eyes with his hand):
I'm OK...just a little break down time. I'm going to go on home and get the things done there and I'll be back, OK?

Mark:
OK...and don't worry about Doug...I'll keep a good eye on him for you.

Carol (smiles weakly):
I know you will, Mark.

Mark watches with a sad face as Carol goes on down the hall and disappears into the elevator.

Cut to the Ross home. Show Carol coming into the family room where Scott and Tatiana are sitting and waiting for her.

Tatiana (quietly to Scott):
What did we do?

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

Carol (sitting down with them):
You didn't "do" anything. I need to talk to you guys.

Scott:
Something wrong?

Carol (nods slowly): Yeah...your Dad has been in an accident and he's in the hospital...

Tatiana:
Papa's sick?

Carol:
No, Sweetie, Papa's hurt. He got hit by a car and he's hurt real bad...so bad that you can't even see him right now, but in a few days when he's feeling better you can go see him, OK? Right now he just needs to rest...

Scott:
Is he gonna die?

Carol:
The doctors don't think so, but right now, they just really don't know. He has a lot of injuries, and some of them had to be surgically repaired. But, I wanted you kids to know what was going on...
(Carol's eyes brim with tears as she looks into the sad and concerned faces of her children)

Tatiana (goes over and hugs Carol tight):
Don't cry, Mama...Papa will be OK.

Carol (hugs her back and laughs through her tears):
Oh, I know, Sweetie! I just feel so bad for him right now...

Scott (goes to stand beside Carol and hugs her too):
Dad's pretty tough, Mom...he'll be OK.

Carol (pats him on the back):
I need you to help Amy as much as possible, OK?
(Pats Tatiana on the back too)

Carol (continued):
Both of you, OK? I'll be home from time to time, but, I'm gonna stay with your Dad as much as I can.

Tatiana (nods):
It's OK, Mama...we'll be good.

Carol:
Kind of watch after Marc, too, OK?

Scott (nods):
OK, Mom...

Tatiana (kisses Carol's cheek):
Give that to Papa, OK?

Carol (hugs her through fresh tears):
Oh, I will, Baby...I sure will.

Cut to show time lapse. Carol is back at the hospital in Doug's ICU room. He has a heart monitor hooked to him and the beat is slow and irregular. He has an IV drip in his arm and his leg in traction. His face is swollen, black, and blue and he has bruises and scrapes on his arms as well. Carol is setting up his dialysis machine on a table beside his bed and Mark is with her.

Mark:
You know, I'm a doctor and I don't know the first thing about this machine...

Carol:
Doug didn't either...he had to be trained how to use it. I learned too, as a back up. There's really nothing to it.

Mark:
Kerry said the hospital will supply the dianeal and clamps and anything else you need...

Carol (nods):
That's great. I brought a bunch of exchange unit caps from the house...

Mark:
Would you teach me how to set this thing up? I think it might be a good idea for me to learn...

Carol (grins):
Sure...when I'm ready to set up, I'll let you know.

Mark (nods):
OK...well...I'm not leaving, OK? I'll be somewhere in the hospital...just ask Kerry or Carter...one of them will know where to find me, OK?

Carol (nods):
OK, Mark...thanks.

Mark:
Kerry said you can stay in here with him...you're medically trained and sort of still hospital staff.

Carol:
I'll be sure to tell her how much I appreciate that.

Mark (from the doorway):
You going to be OK?

Carol (nods, smiles):
I'm fine, Mark. Thanks.

Mark nods shortly and goes on out the door. Carol pulls up a chair beside Doug's bed and sits with him. She touches his hand and touches his cheek. She plays with his hair and just watches him lay stock still on the bed without moving a muscle except for the rise and fall of his chest as he breaths quick, shallow breaths.

Carol:
Doug, your daughter said to give this to you...
(she leans over and kisses his cheek gently)
...we all love you very much.
(she watches him lay with no response...his eyes closed and she smiles a little)
Do you remember, Doug, the first time I ever took care of you? You had the flu? Remember?

*****Flashback*****

Scene is County ER on a very busy day. People are bustling about and Carol is working the desk without time to even look up. Doug stops by the desk, pulling into his coat.

Doug:
Take my name off the board, Carol...I'm OUT of here!

Carol (looks up):
You sound terrible!

Doug:
And I feel even worse! I've been here for 32 hours...I'm going home to BED!

Carol:
Well, take care of yourself, OK?

Doug (nods, starts away):
Yeah.

Doug goes on out of the ER and Carol shakes her head with a laugh.

Cut show time lapse. Scene is at Doug's apartment. Doug is in bed under several covers and propped up against the headboard. Beside his bed on the night stand are several cold remedies...cough medicine...etc. He is having a coughing fit when Carol appears in the doorway.

Doug (surprised):
What are you doing here?

Carol:
I came to see how you were feeling...obviously not any better!

Doug:
How did you get in here?

Carol (dangles a keychain):
You gave me a key? Remember?

Doug (ticks his head):
Oh yeah...so I did.

Carol (goes over to his bed and puts her hand on his forehead):
You're burning up...did you take anything for the fever?

Doug (motions to the table):
Whatever's over there...

Carol (looks at the medicine):
Oh, for heaven's sake, Doug! You're a doctor! Would you prescribe this for a patient as sick as you are?
(Doug gives her a blank look and a shrug)
I'm going to go get something that will help, OK? I'll be back...

She goes out of the room and he smiles a satisfied smile...almost as if he's getting what he wants out of this.

Cut to show another time lapse. Carol is rubbing Doug's arm with an alcohol swab. He watches as she fills up a syringe with medicine.

Carol:
Mark prescribed this, OK? He said you should sleep, and then you'll feel better when you wake up...when are you back on duty?

Doug (watches with a wince as she injects him):
I'm off two days...

Carol:
Good! Me too! That should give us plenty of time to get you feeling better...

Doug:
You don't have to stay with me...

Carol:
I know I don't have to...but somebody has to take care of you...you obviously take better care of everybody else than you do yourself.

Doug (chuckles):
Well, that's the way doctors are...

Carol:
Well, doctors are still human...you have to take care of you, too.

Carol gets on the bed with him and leans against him, playing with a wisp of his hair.

Carol (grins):
Besides, I've never seen you weak and helpless..

Doug (reaches, pulls her close to him and chuckles):
I may be weak, but, honey, I am NEVER helpless...

Carol (pretends to beat him away from her):
Don't kiss me, Doug! I don't want your flu!

Doug (laughing, keeps her close to him):
We're supposed to share and share alike, aren't we?

Carol (laughing):
Doug! I mean it! I don't want to get sick!

Doug grabs her face and kisses her playfully, but the minute their lips meet, it turns into something more serious. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him back. The kisses extends into her running her hands under his shirt to touch his chest and he puts his hands under her sweater to feel her breasts, both of them still locked in heavily and deep kissing.

*****FLASHBACK***** to present, with Carol smiling at the thoughts she was remembering, and still looking at Doug's still body on the bed beside her.

Carol:
I didn't get your flu from that, either...must have been a sign. I never could keep my hands off you...still can't.
(sighs, tears form in her eyes)
You have to come back to me, Doug...you just have to. You're the other half of my soul. I never knew that until we got married...makes me wonder why I waited so long...
(strokes his hair and fingers his head bandage)
...rest and get well, but then come back to me, OK?
(she leans over and kisses his cheek gently)

Show a flash of bright light and pan across the room to show Doug and Ray standing and watching everything going on with Carol.

Ray (ticks his head):
That little lady really loves you, Boy...

Doug (satisfied smile):
Yeah...I know.

Ray:
You're a lucky, lucky man, Doug...

Doug (nods):
Yeah...I know that, too...

Across the room on the bed, Doug suddenly stops breathing. Carol doesn't notice it at first, but, in an instant, she realizes he is not breathing and hovers over him instantly, pushing the call button beside his bed.

Carol:
Doug! Don't you leave me! Do you hear me!
(she charges to the door and looks for help)
I need Kerry Weaver or Mark Greene in here STAT!

Carol darts back to Doug to see if she can assist him herself while she waits for Mark or Kerry to come to her aid as Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens in Doug's room with Carol still over him trying to assist his breathing without any aids. Show Kerry Weaver come rushing in with Mark right behind her.

Kerry (takes one look at Doug):
Tube him!

Mark tilts Doug's head back and Carol watches painfully as Kerry inserts the tube. Within an instant, he is breathing again.

Kerry:
That's just where the lung is not completely working yet. I'm sure that will pass.

Carol:
Kerry, I have to know...is he going to die?

Kerry (looks at Mark, then at Carol):
I can't give you anything concrete right now, Carol. He's not doing very well, but, of course, I'm sure you already know that.

Carol:
I have children to think about, Kerry...I need to know...is he going to die?

Mark:
Until he wakes up, Carol, he's on the critical list. We're watching him very closely...

Kerry:
The thing we're the most concerned about is the swelling on the brain...
(Carol listens carefully)
...we're giving him medication to reduce it, but, until it goes down, there's always a danger of brain damage.

Carol (slowly):
Brain damage...

Kerry:
Yeah, and there's just no way to tell about those kind of things...that's just something the body has to work out on it's own. And until he wakes up and can tell us if he knows us, or remembers anything, there's just really not much we can do except watch him and give him medicine to help the things we do know about.

Mark:
Carol. I wish we could offer you something better, but, right now, that's just about the best we can tell you.

Carol:
No, it's all right...I want you to tell me. Please promise me you guys will tell me everything straight, OK? Because I'll know if you're lying to me.

Mark (nods):
You got it.

Kerry (nods):
Absolutely.

Carol (nods):
OK.

Mark and Kerry go on out of the room and Carol goes back to her chair. She reaches over and takes Doug's hand in her and holds it to her cheek, letting her tears fall onto it.

Carol:
Don't leave me, Doug...I need you...and I love you...

Show a flash of light and go back across the room to Ray and Doug standing together watching. Doug has a pained and anxious look on his face.

Ray (looks over at the body on the bed):
Doesn't look too good...

Doug (looks, shakes his head):
No, it doesn't...

Ray:
What are you doing, Boy? I thought you said you were going back!

Doug (desperately):
I'm trying, Dad! I just don't know if there's enough left to fight with...

Ray (takes him by the shoulders):
Then you dig down in your soul, Boy, and you FIND the strength to fight with! Don't you give up! Don't you dare EVER give up!
(Doug gives him a confused look)
I didn't know what I had, Doug, until I lost it...you know what you've got...

Doug:
But, I'm not losing it because I WANT to...this wasn't my fault...

Ray:
That's right! That's why you have to fight! You reach down and find whatever you need to fight with and you start scrambling for the top, Boy. Because if you don't, you're going to go under...

Doug (looks at Carol, tears in his eyes):
She's hurting so much...I know...because I've been in her shoes and it wasn't so long ago either...
(turns desperately to Ray)
It can't be my time yet, Ray...I've got children to raise...and Carol needs me...

Ray (shakes him by the shoulders):
Then FIGHT, Boy! Fight!

Doug looks back across the bed at the body on the bed with a desperate look on his face as opening act fades into the closing credits of the show.

End of Part One