Author's Text

Continuing the story started in the last fan fic...sorry to leave you all hanging like that but I just had too many things to put in one story, so I had to break it up into two parts...I hope you guys will forgive me! :-) I don't like cliff hangers either, but, for this particular story, it was necessary.

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

Robin

"Family Center/ER"
"Don't Look Back - Part Two"
Opening Act

Scene opens in Doug Ross' ICU room at County General. Show that Carol has hooked him up to his dialysis machine and the machine is on and working. Pan around the room to show Carol sitting in a chair beside his bed dozing with her hand supporting her chin. Cut back to the door to show Kerry Weaver coming into the room. She doesn't bother Carol and goes about checking Doug's stats and IV drip, but, Carol senses someone is with her and looks up.

Carol:
What's happening?

Kerry (smiles at her):
Nothing...just checking him. I'm sending someone in to set up an EEG, though. We should be able to tell if there's any brain damage then.

Carol:
How will you be able to tell? Don't you have to have something done prior to now to compare it with?

Kerry:
We have one...he had some tests run just a while back for his migraines...we can compare it to those.

Carol (looks at Doug):
He stays so still...

Kerry (starting out of the room):
It's good he's so reserved now...he's going to need all the energy he can get later.
(stops at the door)
Can I get you anything, Carol?

Carol (stands up):
No...I think I'm going to go get it myself. Thanks, Kerry.

Kerry:
You mind if I join you?

Carol (smiles):
Not at all! I'd like the company. Thanks.

Carol goes out of the room with Kerry and flash of light pans back across the room to find Doug and Ray standing by the wall and watching everything that's going on. Ray walks over to the bed now that the room is empty and gazes down at Doug lying there.

Ray:
Are you sure he's breathing?

Doug (nods, comes up behind him):
He's breathing...he has to be...I'm not dead yet.

Ray:
Hey, did you hear what you called me a while ago?

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah, Ray...I called you 'Dad'...don't get all maudlin on me...

Ray:
I think it's the first time in your adult life you ever called me that.

Doug (softly):
I know.

Ray (points around to all the things Doug is connected to):
What are all these things? What are they doing to you?

Doug:
There's an EKG for the heart rate, and the dialysis machine for the kidneys...the IV is giving me medicine...the oxygen is helping me breath...they're bringing in a EEG machine for the brain waves...everything has a purpose.

Ray:
And you know how to use all those things?
(Doug nods, Ray whistles)
How'd you get to be so smart?

Doug (chuckles):
I'm not really sure...sometimes I wonder about that myself!

Ray:
I was so proud of you...I told everybody who would listen about my son, the hero doctor.

Doug (looks him in the eye):
Yeah, I kind of got that idea when I went out to California to clear things up and the owner of the hotel even knew I was a doctor...
(pause)
...how come you never told me, Ray?

Ray (sadly):
I guess I always thought there'd be plenty of time...that or I thought you knew how proud I was of you.

Doug (laughs):
How could I know, Ray? What clue did I have?

Ray (looks him in the eye):
You had clues, Dougie...you had plenty of clues...you just missed them because you were too busy being mad at me all the time...

Doug gives him a confused look and they turn their attention back to the patient on the bed, with a steady heartbeat beeping in the background.

Cut to the hospital cafeteria. Kerry and Carol are sitting down at a table, both with coffee.

Kerry:
You look exhausted.

Carol (grunts):
I was up most of the night...every little sound I looked to see what was happening. I guess I kept hoping he'd wake up.
(pause...looks at Kerry)
Is he going to wake up, Kerry?

Kerry:
Oh, yeah...I think he will. His vitals are a little more stable this morning.

Carol (sighs):
He stays so still. I think that's what bothers me. He doesn't even move...not even a muscle. You don't think he's...?
(can't finish her sentence and stops)

Kerry (smiles, knowingly):
No...he's not paralyzed. We checked all that when he came in and everything was negative. He's just let his body shut down so it can heal.

Carol:
I guess I'm a little worried about what you told me yesterday...about the brain damage possibilities.

Kerry:
That's why I want to run this EEG...so we can see what the possibilities of that actually are.

Carol (sighs deeply, puts her hand to her face):
I can't believe this...this whole thing is like a nightmare.

Kerry:
Accidents like this usually are.
(takes a sip of coffee)
Have you heard anything from the police?

Carol:
They're trying to trace the car...they only had 4 digits of the license number, but, they also have a car description.

Kerry:
I hope something turns up...I can't imagine what kind of person runs somebody down in the street and then just keeps going.

Carol (shakes her head):
They said Doug probably never even had a chance to get out of the way...that the car just flipped him right over.

Kerry (shakes her head):
Must have been going powerful fast.

Carol:
Yeah, well, the driver better hope the police find him first...

Kerry chuckles at Carol's remark, but, focus on Carol's serious look and cold eyes as the Opening Act Fades into the Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens in Doug's ICU room. Show Mark Greene come into the room and go over to the print out from the EEG running on Doug. Doug is still very quiet and still on the bed. Pull back to show Ray and Doug standing off behind Mark as he compares the current EEG readings to the one he brought with him.

Ray:
What's he doing?

Doug (looks):
Well, he's comparing the EEG reading on that machine to one that was done on me about six weeks ago when they diagnosed my migraines.

Ray (chuckles):
Migraines, huh? I figured those would have to get you sooner or later...

Doug:
I'd have opted for later.

Ray:
OK, why is he doing this?

Doug:
He's checking to see if there might be brain damage from this accident.

Ray:
He's a good friend to you...

Doug (chuckles):
Well, it wasn't always that way...

Ray:
No?

Doug:
Oh, no...we used to knock heads over everything...

*****Flashback*****

Scene opens at County ER. Mark is working at the front desk on a file, writing and looking over his personal notes, when Doug comes threw and flops a file on the counter beside him.

Doug:
I need you to sign that for me...

Mark (annoyed with Doug's attitude):
Please.

Doug (sighs, rolls his eyes):
I need you to sign that for me, PLEASE, Dr. Greene.

Mark (sarcastic tone):
Would you step into the lounge with me, Doug?

Mark walks quickly to the staff lounge and Doug follows behind him. Once they are in the lounge, Mark closes the door and turns quickly on Doug.

Mark:
You know, I've just about had it with your attitude today!

Doug (sarcastic tone):
What do you mean 'today'. You get teed off at my attitude every day!

Mark:
Yeah, well that should tell you something, shouldn't it?

Doug:
I see it as your problem...not mine.

Mark:
You know, you are a really good doctor but I'm really starting to wonder if you're worth all the added aggravation I have to put up with to have you here.

Doug:
Not your choice, is it?

Mark (gives up, starts away):
You're impossible...
(gets to the doorway and turns back sarcastically)
Oh, by the way, there was somebody here to see you earlier.

Doug:
Oh yeah? Who?

Mark:
I don't remember her name...one of your revolving door sweethearts...do you know any of their names?

Doug (angrily):
That's a cheap shot, Mark! Even for you! Just because you don't have a sex life doesn't mean nobody else does!

Before Doug can duck or move, Mark comes around swinging and connects to Doug's jaw with a solid punch that sends Doug sprawling backwards for just a minute. But, he quickly recovers and thrusts forward, slamming Mark to the wall.

Doug (quietly, in Mark's face):
You don't want to fight with me, Mark...it's a real bad idea!

Doug delivers a solid punch to Mark's stomach that knocks the air out of him and walks away quickly. Mark doubles up and sinks to the floor, his back still pressed to the wall.

*****Flashback*****to present, with Ray and Doug still standing and watching Mark working around Doug's bed.

Ray:
Well, if that's the way things were then, how did you two ever become friends?

Doug (shrugs):
I don't know. Somewhere along the line we just started to respect each other.

Cut to show Carol coming into the room and going over to where Mark is working. She looks over his shoulder trying to make sense out of what he is doing.

Carol:
What are you doing? Mark (doesn't look at her...keeps his attention on his work):
I'm comparing this EEG with the one Doug had three months ago to see if I can determine any differences.

Carol:
To see if there's any possibility of brain damage, right?

Mark (nods):
Right.

Carol (pulls up a chair to join him):
Any luck?

Mark:
They look pretty much the same to me...of course, I'm not a neurologist, but, they still have pretty much the same patterns.

Carol:
And that's good, right?

Mark (nods):
Yeah, that's real good. Usually in cases like this, there's nothing to compare...but in Doug's case, we had a reading less than three months old.

Carol (looks down briefly):
I'm worried about memory loss.

Mark (shrugs):
In concussion and skull fracture cases, that's always something to be concerned about.

Carol:
I don't know what I'd do if Doug didn't remember anything about our life together.

Mark (smiles):
Well, I'm sure he'd fall in love with you all over again.
(Carol grins)

Pull back to Doug and Ray watching.

Ray:
She's some lady...

Doug (nods):
That she is...she's way better than I deserve...

Ray:
She was the judge of that...not you. Your mother was way better than I deserved, too, but she had me anyway...

Doug:
Yeah...no matter how many times you walked out on her...she always took you back. I always felt like that was my fault...that she took you back because of me.

Ray:
You flatter yourself too much sometimes, son. The whole world did not always revolve around you.

Doug (ticks his head):
Huh. I guess not.

Pull back to Mark and Carol starting out of the room together and they are met at the door by Kerry Weaver.

Ray:
Who's the dyke?

Doug (laughs):
That's Kerry Weaver...she was always the biggest thorn in my side that ever existed! Not just at County but when I was doing Residency too.

*****FLASHBACK*****

Scene opens at a busy hospital ER...not County. Kerry Weaver comes up to the counter and slams a file down so hard she makes the nurses working there jump in surprise.

Kerry:
Has anybody seen Doug Ross?

Nurse:
You mean like, today? Or in the last five minutes?

Kerry (sarcastic tone):
Is he in this hospital right now?

Nurse:
I think so...

Kerry:
Do you know where?

Nurse (shrugs):
Try the cafeteria...or a broom closet.

Kerry rolls her eyes and goes off to find Doug. Cut to show short time lapse as she comes upon Doug returning to the floor from the elevator. She catches him quickly and stops him by grabbing him by the arm.

Kerry:
Where the HELL have you been?

Doug (confused):
Excuse me?

Kerry:
You left a patient sitting in the ER for 45 minutes and never came back...where have you been?

Doug:
I turned that patient over to Dr. Relm...he's the nuero expert...not me....I'm Pedes, remember?

Kerry:
As a Resident in ER medicine, you can and WILL treat any and all patients assigned to you, regardless of whether they are Pedes cases or not.

Doug:
But, Dr. Anders called me for a Pedes consult...

Kerry:
Then you should have let somebody know about it...

Doug:
I Did! I gave the case to Dr. Relm!

Kerry:
Well, he didn't tell me that!

Doug:
Well, I'm sorry you need a scapegoat to cover your own ass, but, it's not MY fault Relm didn't tell you anything!

Kerry:
It wasn't HIS responsibility to tell me, it was YOURS! But you wouldn't know anything about responsibility anyway, would you!

Doug:
I think I'd know about it just fine! I handle three times as many cases a day as YOU do!

Kerry:
This isn't about case loads...

Doug:
No, it's really not anymore, is it? It's a personal vendetta you have against me and I'd like to know why!

Kerry:
You hot shot doctors waltz in here like you're God's gift to medicine...

Doug:
It's only MALE doctors you seem to have a problem with Kerry...what's wrong...aren't you getting anything?
(Kerry reaches out and slaps him hard across the face and he grins at her)
I guess that's my answer.

He saunters on off down the hall leaving Kerry boiling mad behind him.

Cut to another time...now at County. Kerry comes up to the counter where Carol is working.

Kerry:
Where is Dr. Ross?

Carol (looks up):
Doug Ross?

Kerry:
Please tell me there isn't more than one in this hospital!

Carol:
No...only one that I know of!

Kerry:
Do you know where he is?

Carol:
He was with a patient...try down in three.

Kerry hobbles down to the trauma room and finds Doug down there finishing up and heading for the door.

Kerry (backs him up into the room):
Got a minute, Dr. Ross?

Doug (sarcastic tone):
Do I have a choice?

Kerry:
You ordered a skull series for a five year old that came in with a broken arm?

Doug (nods):
Yes, I did.

Kerry:
You want to tell me why?

Doug:
Because I saw some older scars on his back and I suspected child abuse.

Kerry:
You had no right to do that...

Doug:
I had every right to do that. Part of my job is to report any suspected child abuse...

Kerry:
IF you have proof of the abuse...

Doug:
THAT is why I ordered a skull series! You know, Kerry, you have been on my back ever since I can remember and it's starting to get just a little bit old! What is your problem with me anyway?

Kerry:
I think somebody needs to knock you off your high horse...

Doug:
Well, they'd have to pass me to get to yours.

With that, Doug pushes past her and walks out, leaving her seething behind him.

*****FLASHBACK*****to present, with Doug and Ray standing in the ICU room.

Ray:
Man, she's a real prize, isn't she?

Doug:
She's a bitch...but she's a good doctor.

Ray turns shortly and looks over his shoulder at Doug.

Ray:
OK, Son...it's time...you coming with me? Or are you going back?

Doug (nods toward the bed):
I'm going back, Ray...

Ray (nods slowly and sadly):
You know it's not going to be an easy haul, right?

Doug:
I'll get through it...

Ray (smiles at him):
Good choice, Son...good choice. OK...
(points down a long, dark tunnel)
...you just start down that way and keep going forward...don't look back...when you get to the light, you're home.

Doug turns and looks down the tunnel. He turns back to say something to Ray, but, he is no where to be seen. Startled, Doug starts walking down the tunnel. As he walks, on both sides of him like a movie screen, he sees different scenes in his life, from his earliest memories, his childhood and teen years to graduating from Medical School, starting to work at County, scenes with Carol and Mark, his wedding, Tatiana, Scott, Marc's birth, the birth of the triplets, etc. The closer he gets to the present, the faster the scenes start to go by. He sees a light just ahead of him and on the screen he sees himself step off the curb and into the street. Just as he reaches the light, he hears the squealing scream of tires on pavement...

Cut to show Doug lying in his bed and his eyes open slowly. He looks around the room but no one is with him...only the steady beep of his heart monitor.

Doug (weakly):
Carol?

When he gets no answer, he closes his eyes and rolls his head to one side...looking towards the door for Carol to come back as Act One Fades to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens at County General downstairs in the ER. Show Amy Pattick come into the ER through the main entrance with all six of the Ross children with her. Scott and Tatiana are following along with her as she pushes a stroller for quadruplets with Tina, Lana, Josh, and Marc inside it. Marc and the girls are enjoying the ride and being out, but Josh is crying loudly. Amy sees Mark down the hallway heading for an elevator and calls to him for his attention before he can get away.

Amy (calling):
Dr. Greene!

Mark turns to see who is calling him and smiles in recognition when he sees the children. He goes back up the hallway to them and smiles at Amy.

Mark:
Hi...you must be Amy!

Amy (nods):
Yes...I'm sorry I didn't meet you at Joshua's homecoming!

Mark (drops to one knee to the stroller):
That's OK...these are all the Ross children, so you have to be the Ross Nanny!
(looks in at Josh who is still crying)
What's wrong with him?

Amy:
He's hungry and I can't get him to take his bottle. I brought him for Mrs. Ross to see if she has any better luck with him.

Mark (grins, nods):
Oh, well, she's upstairs...come on with me...I'll take you to her.

Amy:
Thank you....come on, Kids...

Tatiana:
Can I push now?

Amy:
Yes, but not too fast, OK?

Tatiana happily takes over the stroller task and Amy follows along behind Mark as he leads them to the elevator and takes them up to the floor where Carol should be. As soon as the elevator opens, they see Carol heading down the hallway back towards Doug's room.

Tatiana (happily):
MAMA!

When she hears this call, Carol turns her attention to that direction and she is very surprised to see everybody get off the elevator. Tatiana is down the hall in an instant to hug Carol tightly.

Tatiana:
I missed you, Mama! How's Papa?

Carol (hugs her back):
Papa's holding his own, Sweetie! What are you guys doing here?

Tatiana:
Joshua will NOT eat...

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Well, thank you for that report!

Amy (approaches Carol):
I've tried everything, Ma'am. He just won't take the bottle. And I know he's hungry...his little belly is growling and he's been crying all morning.

Carol:
OK...I'll take him...

Amy:
How is Dr. Ross?

Carol:
He's doing OK for now...still unconscious...but his vitals are good for now.
(she reaches into the stroller and picks up Josh, who is still crying. He waves his arms and kicks his feet as he is suspended in the air until Carol cradles him close to her)
I'm just going to take him down to the Ladies room. I'll be back in a bit. Why don't you take the kids down to the cafeteria and let them get breakfast down there?

Amy:
Oh, they already had breakfast at home!

Carol (surprised look):
Oh. Well, OK...I'll just be right back.

Amy (smiles, nods):
Yes. Ma'am.

Carol (as she starts down the hall with Josh):
Are you gonna be a fuss budget like your Daddy? And nobody but me can take care of you? Huh?
(she pats Josh on the back and chuckles as she carries him along)
Well, I'll take care of you...
(She takes him into the ladies room and sits in the chair that is in there. Shifting him to her other arm, she opens her blouse and lifts him to her breast. He latches on quickly and starts sucking like there's no tomorrow. Carol smiles down at him)
Yeah, you're gonna be a boob man...just like your Daddy...
(chuckles)

Cut to show time lapse. Carol comes back down the hall carrying Josh, who is now quiet and almost asleep. She puts him back in the stroller and straps him back in.

Carol (to Amy):
He should be OK for a while now. Keep trying him with the bottle. If he doesn't take it, just call me. I can come home...I have Doug's beeper so just page me, OK?

Amy (nods):
Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry to had to bother you, but, I didn't know what else to do.

Carol:
No! It's OK! You did fine! I'm just so glad you're there with the kids so I don't have to worry about who's going to take care of them!

Amy:
OK, Kids...let's go!
(To Carol)
We're going to the park for a while.

Carol (smiles):
That's great. I'll check in with you later, OK?

Amy (nods):
Yes, Ma'am. Good bye! I hope Dr. Ross is better today.

Carol:
Thank you...so do I.

Carol waves to Scott and Tatiana as Amy pushes the stroller back down the hall to the elevator and Carol watches until they are gone.

Cut to Doug's room. He is awake, and rolling his head around on his pillow, watching the door.

Doug (mumbles):
Oh, God...

He puts his hand to his mouth trying to ward off the sick feeling he has coming over him. Show Carol coming in the door and Doug reaches his hand to her.

Doug (groaning):
Wife!! I'm gonna be sick!

Carol reacts quickly by grabbing a small basin beside Doug's bed and thrusting it under his chin just in time to catch the bile that comes spewing from his mouth. She helps him sit up a little and supports his back as he lowers his head and continues to vomit. Carol reaches over and pushes the call button, bringing a nurse almost at once.

Nurse (in the doorway):
Can I help you?

Carol:
Get Dr. Greene or Dr. Weaver for me, please?

Nurse (nods):
Right away, Ma'am.

Doug continues to vomit and Carol hears the page for "Dr. Greene or Dr. Weaver to ICU, Please" over the hospital intercom. Finally, Doug relaxes and leans back.

Doug:
Surgery, huh?

Carol (smiles at him):
Yeah...torn spleen and collapsed lung...how are you feeling now?

Doug:
Like I got hit by a Mack truck.

Carol (ticks her head):
Well...that's close anyway!

Mark (coming in the door):
Hey! You're awake! How you doing, Bud?
(reaches his hand and clasps Doug's hand quickly)

Doug:
What happened?

Mark:
What's the last thing you remember?

Doug:
Well, the last thing I had to be dreaming, because my Dad was there...

Mark:
What do you remember before that?

Doug:
I stepped off the curb to go get a newspaper...

Mark:
And that's about as far as you got...car ran a red light and hit you in the crosswalk.

Doug (shakes his head, confused):
I don't remember a car...

Mark:
Well, don't worry about it right now...it'll come back to you later. Right now, you need to just rest.

Doug:
How bad am I hurt?

Mark:
Your leg is broken...it was compound and we had to put pins in it to put it back together...we repaired a tear in your spleen and reinflated your left lung. You have a minor skull fracture and a concussion.

Doug:
Well, that explains the headache...

Carol (sits on the bed with him and strokes his hair):
You've been asleep a long time. We were getting worried about you.

Doug:
I'm at County, right?
(Mark nods)
This looks like ICU...

Mark:
It is...but I think we just moved you off the critical list.
(smiles)
I think you need to rest now...are you feeling any better?

Doug:
Still a little nauseous.

Mark:
OK...I'll give you something for that.

Carol:
Can I get you anything, Love?

Doug:
Some juice if I can have it?
(Carol looks at Mark and Mark nods OK)

Carol:
Yeah, sure...I'll go down to the cafeteria and get you some juice.

Carol kisses his cheek gently and lays her hand carefully to his wounded face and smiles at him before she slips away with Mark. As soon as they are in the hallway, she wraps her arms around Mark and laughs excitedly.

Carol:
Oh, Mark! He's awake! And he knew who we were! He's going to be OK!

Mark (hugs her back, laughs):
Well, he's not out of the woods yet, but, at least he's standing at the edge!

Carol:
I'm gonna get his juice!
(Hugs Mark again)
Oh, Mark! I'm so happy!

She goes on off down the hall to catch the elevator and Mark laughs as he watches her go.

Cut to the ER. Show paramedics running down the hall with a gurney and they are met by John Carter.

Carter:
What have you got?

Paramedic:
White male, approximately 30 years old, GSW to the left temple...apparent suicide attempt...he left a note...

Carter:
Take him to four! I'm right behind you...

Cut to show two police officers coming in close behind the paramedics. They stop at the desk where Chuney is working.

Officer:
Where can we find Dr. Greene?

Chuney:
I'll page him for you.

Officer (nods):
Thank you.

Cut back to trauma room four. Carter is giving the directions to the trauma team assisting him.

Carter:
On my count, ready? One! Two! Three!

The teams lifts the patient from the gurney to the trauma table and are over him at once.

Haleh:
BP is 60/40...

Carter:
Oh, that's too low...

Haleh:
Heart rate weak...

Carter:
Hook him up...let's go! I need a ET tube...
(Before Carter can get good and started the heart line goes flat)
Charge 200!

Haleh:
Charging...
(ands Carter the paddles)

Carter:
CLEAR!

He lays the paddles to the patients chest and releases the charge but without result. He does this several times with times with still no results.

Kerry (comes in to assist):
Let him go, Carter...

Carter:
We can try a manual...

Kerry (sternly):
Let him go...

Carter (sadly, lowers his head):
Time of Death...
(looks at clock)
0943.

Cut to show the two police officers waiting and Mark coming down the hall to them.

Mark:
What can I do for you officers?

Officer:
It's not what you can do for us, Dr. Greene...it's what we can do for you...we found out the owner of the car the hit Dr. Ross...

Mark (delighted):
Great! Did you haul him in?

Officer:
Well, not yet...we're sending someone over to his apartment now. The car was registered to a Gregory Charles Powell...

Mark (stunned):
Powell? Greg Powell?

Officer:
Yeah...didn't he used to work for you?

Mark:
Yeah, but, he left months ago for a job in Los Angeles.

Officer:
Well, maybe he left his car here to somebody. We'll check it out, OK? And I'll be in touch.

Mark (nods, still stunned):
Yeah...fine...thank you. The Officers turn to leave leaving Mark standing with a stunned look still on his face as Act Two Fades to Black.

Act Three Scene opens in Doug's ICU room. Doug is awake and Mark, and Kerry are with him.

Kerry:
We just want to check you over and determine what we're working with, OK?

Doug (nods shortly):
OK.

Kerry takes a scope and leans close to look deep into Doug's eyes. Doug winces a little but only on initial contact.

Kerry:
OK, Mark, everything looks real good in there...no detached retinas and the pupils are normal.
(clicks off the light, to Doug)
OK, just follow my finger...

Kerry holds her forefinger up and moves it from left to right, up and down, with Doug's eyes following every move.

Kerry (nods, satisfied):
You don't seem to have any vision problems. I would suggest you have your eyes tested again after you get home, though, just to be sure.

Doug:
My eye doctor is in our center with us...that won't be a problem.

Kerry (puts stethoscope on Doug's chest):
Take a deep breath, Doug...

Doug does as he is told and Kerry listen carefully, repeating 'again' and moving the scope several times to listen in several different places. On a nod from Kerry, Mark helps Doug sit up a little so she can listen from the back. Finally, she takes the ear pieces out and Mark lets Doug lean back again.

Kerry:
A little raspy in there...but that's understandable with that lung not healed yet. I'm going to set you up on some breathing exercises...

Doug (groans):
Oh joy...

Kerry:
And be sure you do them because I'm concerned you might be at risk for pneumonia right now.

Doug (nods):
I'll do them...

Mark:
OK, Doug, I want you to lift both arms up over your head and hold them there, OK?

Doug (agitated):
OK...

Doug attempts to lift both arms up over his head. He has no problems raising the right arm, but, he can't lift the left arm more than just barely off the bed.

Doug (drops his arm):
It hurts.

Mark:
It's just bruised...it'll be OK...

Doug:
It's NOT 'just bruised'! I know the difference between something that hurts because it's bruised and something that hurts because it's HURT and this is HURT!

Mark (reaches to feel Doug's arm):
OK...let's have a look.

Mark begins to feel up Doug's arm from the wrist to the shoulder. He gets no reaction from Doug until he get to the shoulder and then Doug winces.

Doug:
Yeah! There! Right there!

Mark (feeling carefully):
Seems to be slightly out of the socket...we'll send you down to x-ray to be sure, OK?

Doug (sarcastically):
Do I have a choice?

Mark (chuckles):
Not right now you don't.

Doug:
Then why bother asking me if it's OK?

Mark (shrugs):
Just a formality.

Kerry:
The biggest problem you're going to have is this leg. It's broken pretty badly...really about as bad as I've seen in a while. You're going to be in this cast at least six weeks...more like probably eight weeks. After that, you're going to have to go into extensive physical therapy just to be able to walk without a cane. We can't even guarantee you'll be able to walk without a limp when this is over.

Doug:
It's that bad?

Mark:
You have pins in your leg, Doug...

Doug (chuckles):
I better stay away from metal detectors, huh?

Mark:
As old as you are, we can't give you any guarantees on recovery from this one...

Doug:
As OLD as I am? Is that a crack about my upcoming birthday, Mark?

Mark:
No, it's just that when you get to middle age...

Doug:
Middle age?! I cannot believe we are having conversations with words like 'old' and 'middle age' in them now!

Mark:
Well, it's just that your body doesn't heal as well at 40 as it does at 20...

Doug:
Well, in a word from Tatiana, Mark, DUH! How long did you have to study at medical school to figure that one out?

Kerry (grins at their argument):
We're just trying to prepare you for all sides of the situation, Doug. That's all.

Mark (grins):
Yeah,...never mind that I'm going to be a young doctor in my 30s with a partner over the hill at 40!

Doug (points a warning finger at him):
You just be glad you can outrun me right now, Bud.
(Mark laughs)
So, do I get to pick my therapist?

Kerry (nods):
Sure!

Doug:
Then, I want Jeannie Boulet.

Kerry (frowns):
Well, since you already have her, that shouldn't be a problem...

Cut to show Carol coming in the door carrying wobbling red jello in a bowl. She brings it to the bed and puts it on the tray and swings it over to Doug.

Doug (sarcastically):
Oh boy...sick people food.

Mark:
We don't want you eating anything more than soft foods for a day or so...just until you start shaking everything off a little better.

Doug:
So I get jello...mashed potatoes...oatmeal...junk like that?

Mark (nods):
Just for a couple of days.

Doug
And then I get solid food?

Mark:
I promise, I'll be the first one to bring you a cheeseburger when I think you can have it.

Doug (nods):
It's a deal.

Kerry:
Well, we'll leave you two alone and let you eat your jello.

Doug (rolls his eyes as Mark and Kerry head for the door):
Don't do me any favors.
(once they are gone, he reaches up and puts his arm around Carol's waist, pulling her down onto the bed with him)
How are you doing, Babe? You OK?

Carol (smiles):
I am now. I was pretty worried about you there for a while.

Doug:
Did they nail the animal that hit me?

Carol (shakes her head):
Not yet. The police are looking for him.

Doug:
LOOKING for him? You mean, it was hit and run?
(Carol nods)
What kind of a jerk clobbers somebody in a crosswalk and doesn't even stop?

Carol:
I don't know...I'm anxious to find that out myself.

Doug:
Well, I want you to do me a favor...I want to see my babies...ALL of them.

Carol:
They can't come into ICU...not even with me...they're too young.

Doug:
Then, you get a chair and take me to where I can see them, because I want to see my babies.

Carol:
I'll talk to Mark about it, OK? We'll go by whatever he says.

Doug (grins):
Mark can be persuaded...
(he reaches to touch her face and pulls it to him, kissing her lips tenderly)
...just like somebody else I know.

Carol (makes happy sound as she kisses him back):
Ummmmmm....I missed you!

Doug (kisses her again):
Well, I'm baaacckk!

Carol (makes more happy noises):
Ummmm...are you ever!

Doug wraps his arms around her and pulls her closer to him, she eases herself closer to him on the bed, being very careful not to hit his leg.

Carol:
I don't want to hurt your leg...

Doug:
I'll worry about my leg...you just take care of the rest of me...

Carol (giggles):
Doug, I am NOT having sex with you in a hospital bed!

Doug (chuckles):
Why not? Wouldn't be the first time...

Carol (sighs):
No...it wouldn't be the first time...

Cut to Mark approaching John Carter in the ER. Carter is working on a file at the front desk and Mark stops beside him quietly.

Mark:
Carter, I heard you had a GSW in the ER this morning that expired?

Carter (doesn't look up):
Yeah, that's right.

Mark:
You have an ID on that victim?

Carter (looks up at him now):
Can I ask why you want to know?

Mark:
Yeah, they said he left a suicide note.

Carter:
And this has to do with....?

Mark:
The police were here this morning and they said they had located the car that hit Doug. When they sent forces to the apartment, neighbors said they had heard a gunshot earlier and that the person had been taken away in an ambulance. I just wanted to see if it was the same person that the car was registered to.

Carter:
Well, he wasn't a stranger,...in fact, I think he worked for you and Doug for a while...Greg Powell?

Mark (stunned look):
It was Powell?

Carter:
Yeah...we tried to revive him but he did a pretty good job.

Mark:
Does anyone have the note?

Carter:
Yeah, I think Dr. Weaver has it. She was trying to locate family.

Mark (nods):
Thanks, Carter...

Mark looks across the ER and sees Kerry Weaver and steps quickly away from Carter.

Mark:
Kerry! You got a minute?

Kerry (turns shortly):
Just about...

Mark:
The GSW victim that died this morning? The suicide? They said there was a suicide note?

Kerry:
Yes, what about it?

Mark:
Could I see that note a minute?

Kerry:
I'm sorry, Mark, but, that's really none of your business. I'm holding that note for his family...

Mark:
Could I speak to you? Privately? Please? It's important...

Kerry nods reluctantly and she and Mark go into the staff lounge together. Even in there alone, Mark keeps his voice quiet.

Mark:
Listen, Kerry, I need to see that note for just a minute. The police told me the car that hit Doug was registered to Greg Powell...

Kerry:
And you think the note might have something about that in it?

Mark:
I don't know...you don't know it, but, I do...Greg and Doug have had some other problems in the past before this...please, Kerry. I just want to look at it. If it doesn't have what I'm looking for then that's all I want to know.

Kerry:
What you're asking me to do in unethical, Mark...

Mark:
Well, how many unethical things have I ever asked you to do?

Kerry (sighs):
All right...
(she gets into her locker behind her and takes out the letter and hands it to Mark)

Mark (looks at the front of it):
I can't open this...

Kerry (grins, reaches to take it back):
Just can't do something that unethical, huh?

Mark (jerks the letter back away from Kerry):
And you can't give it to his family, either.

Kerry:
Why not?

Mark (holds it out to show her):
It's addressed to Carol.

Kerry (looking):
What? I didn't notice that...

Focus on Mark and Kerry looking at each other with stunned expressions and Fade Act Three to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens in Doug's ICU room. Show that he is eating a candy bar from it's wrapper when Mark and Carol come in. He hide the candy at once but not fast enough to keep from getting caught with it.

Mark:
What are you eating?

Doug (mumbles with candy in his mouth):
Nothing.

Mark (goes over to the bed to inspect what Doug is hiding behind him):
Something...hand it over!
(reluctantly, Doug hands Mark the candy bar)
Where did you get this?

Doug (sheepishly):
I bought it off the cart when it came by.

Carol (confused):
How could you buy it? You don't have any money? I took your wallet home!

Doug (grins):
I didn't say I bought it with money, did I?

Mark (nods, knowingly):
In other words, Miranda the flirt was pushing the cart today.

Doug (nods):
Pretty much!

Mark (takes the candy away from him):
I'll have to have a little talk with the nurses...so they won't send anything else like that in here until I'm ready...

Doug (protesting):
Ah, man!
(pouts)
You're no fun, Mark!

Mark:
I'm a doctor right now...I'm not SUPPOSED to be any fun!
(turns his tone professional)
OK, we have the x-rays back and you have a slight dislocation in the shoulder...I'll call ortho to...

Doug:
I don't need Ortho...you can pop it back.

Mark (shakes his head):
I'm not an Othopod...I'd feel better if Ortho did it...

Doug:
Well, I'm the patient and I'D feel better if YOU did it. How many times have we done this when we worked in the ER? We don't need Ortho...just do it, Mark!

Mark (teasing him):
You sure you won't sue me later when you can't juggle anymore?

Doug:
I can't juggle now, Mark! I'll never know the difference!
(reaches his arm to him)
Come on...let's do it.

Mark (take his arm just about even with the elbow and slips his other hand under his shoulder):
It's gonna hurt, you know.

Doug (nods):
I can handle it, Mark...come on...before I change my mind.

Mark steadies both of them and then pulls quickly on Doug's arm. We hear a loud 'POP' and Doug bites his lip and winces.

Doug:
OW! Damn it!

Mark:
I'll get you a sling...be right back...

Carol (as Mark leaves the room):
Mark says you can get in a wheelchair and go out to the waiting area to see the kids...so I'm going to go home and get them, OK?

Doug (smiles):
Great...OK...I just want Tatchie and Scott to know that I'm all right...the babies won't know, but, I want to see them, too. How's Josh doing?

Carol:
Amy's having trouble getting him to take a bottle...I've been nursing him...but the girls will eat no matter what it comes out of!

Doug:
Josh wants his Mommy huh?

Carol:
He's a boob man...just like his Daddy!

Doug (reaches to feel her):
Ummm...yeah...I always have liked yours anyway...

Carol (slaps his hands away):
Behave yourself!

Doug:
Kill joy!

Mark (returning):
Here we go, Doug...
(hands him the sling)
That'll help until the swelling goes down a little more.

Carol:
OK...I'm going to go home and get the kids...I'll be back in a little bit...can I bring you anything?

Doug:
My sweats...and a t-shirt...nobody could be comfortable in these thing...
(tugs on his hospital gown)

Carol (kisses his forehead):
I'll be back soon.

Mark:
I'm gonna grab something to eat, Buddy. I'll see you later, too, OK?

Doug (nods):
OK...thanks, Mark!

Mark follows Carol out into the hall and once they are away from Doug's room, he speaks quietly to her.

Mark:
Carol, something we need to talk about...
(Carol gives him her attention with a concerned look)
They found out the car that hit Doug was registered to Greg Powell...

Carol (angered):
I thought he was in LA...

Mark (nods):
I did, too, but apparently, he's not.

Carol:
That son of a bitch! I'll kill him...

Mark:
You don't have to...he already beat you to it.

Carol:
What do you mean?

Mark:
He came into the ER this morning with a GSW...died on the table about twenty minutes after he got here. The Paramedics found this...
(hands her the letter)
Kerry was going to give it to family, but then we noticed who it was addressed to.

Carol (looks at the envelope):
What's this?

Mark:
I don't know...I didn't read it...

Carol opens the letter and begins to read over it silently. Her eyes flash anger and then sorrow. She hands the letter to Mark without a word. Mark reads over it also silently.

Mark (folds the letter back into the envelope):
Well, what's done is done...nothing we can do about any of that now.

Carol:
You think I should let Doug read it?

Mark:
I think that's up to you.

Carol (nods):
I'll think about it while I go get my kids...will you be here later?

Mark:
Yeah...I'm not going anywhere...

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

Cut back to Doug's room. Doug is lying in his bed with his eyes closed, resting. There is a flash of light and Ray is suddenly sitting on the bed with Doug, patting his hand.

Ray:
Wake up, Dougie...I don't have much time.

Doug opens his eyes and smiles at Ray, squeezing his hand gently.

Doug (smiles):
Hey, Ray! What are you doing here.

Ray:
You told me before you never got a chance to say good bye...I thought I'd better give you that chance this time.

Doug:
You mean...?

Ray (nods):
I mean you won't be seeing me anymore. There's some things I wanted to tell you, though, so, listen up. You need to let go of some of the things in the past, Son. You need to let go of the pain and the hurt you've been carrying around with you. It's just going to eat you up inside...and it's not good for any of you.
(Doug listens intently to what Ray is telling him)
That Psychiatrist you're seeing...you keep seeing her...she's doing you a lot of good...but once you give her your secrets, Son, let them go. Let go of Uncle Don and JDH and all those other things that are hurting you...let go of Greg Powell...he's not ever going to hurt you again anyway...

Doug:
What do you mean?

Ray:
You'll find out more about that later...don't worry about it...just let it go, Doug! You've got a long haul ahead of you and you're going to need all your wits to get through it. Another thing...lean on that woman of yours. She's a strong pillar and she loves you and supports you...LET her. Get rid of that macho attitude of yours. A marriage is supposed to be a two way street...stop hogging the road. (Doug chuckles)
And the most important thing I want to tell you, Son...I love you...I always did...and I was always so proud of you that I couldn't keep my mouth shut about you. You took every bad thing that happened to you in your life and rose above it to become something good. I never did that...and I was proud of you for it.

Doug:
You became something, Dad. You left me a hotel that's worth millions! That's a great accomplishment.

Ray:
Well, you take good care of it...I left my heart and soul in that place...

Doug (chuckles):
Well, maybe one of these days I'll find it.

Ray (pats his hand and stands up):
I gotta go, Dougie...I just wanted to tell you that you made the right choice. That's a beautiful family you've got. You be sure you take good care of them...don't screw it up like I did.

Doug:
Will I see you again, Ray?

Ray:
I'll be watching...if I think you need me, I'll be near by. Just remember what I told you before, Dougie...don't look back...just keep going forward. You'll be fine if you can just do that.

Doug (quickly as Ray starts to fade from his sight):
Ray!

Ray (turns back):
What is it, Son?

Doug (softly):
I love you, Dad.

Ray (smiles):
I know, Dougie...
(nods)
I know.

And that quickly, Ray is gone. Doug opens his eyes to see that he is alone in his room except for the nurse who is there checking his lines and figures.

Nurse (smiles):
Are you all right, Dr. Ross?

Doug (smiles...nods):
Yeah, I'm fine...thanks.

As soon as the Nurse is gone, Doug reaches under his pillow and takes out another candy bar and begins munching it happily with a big smile on his face.

Cut to the Ross home. Carol is sitting alone in the master bedroom, reading the note Mark gave her at the hospital over again.

Greg's Voice:
My Dearest Carol...If you are reading this, then my life is finally, completely over. I didn't want to leave this world without explaining to you that I never meant to hurt you or your husband...I just wanted you so badly I didn't know what to do when I realized you didn't want me too. Your husband is a lucky man to have such devotion from you.

Greg's Voice (continued):
I was the one that arranged for the sexual attack on him two years ago...

Cut to show Carol cover her mouth and blink back tears.

Greg's Voice:
It wasn't until I went to LA and worked with a rape patient that I fully understood what I had done. I can only hope that Doug is strong enough to overcome the mental scars I had inflicted on him for my own selfish reasons.
Yesterday, I ran him down in my car. It was absolutely an accident and I didn't even see him...but with everything that has already happened, I just didn't think anyone would believe me.
Besides...it doesn't matter...I can't have you and that's the only thing in my life I ever wanted. I do love you, Carol. That's why I'm getting out of your life...and your husband's too. I wish you a bright and happy life...

Greg

Carol (mumbles as she folds up the letter):
I'm so sorry, Greg...you should have talked to someone...the way Doug did. But thank you for letting me go...

She wipes her eyes and walks across the room to the nursery, reaching in to pick up one of her daughters and cuddle her close to her. Then, she smiles and puts the thoughts behind her. Carol:
Come on, Lana...we're going to get ready to go see Daddy!

Tatiana (passing by the doorway overhears her):
We get to go see Papa??

Carol (turns to her, smiles):
Yes! Dr. Mark said you could come and Papa can see you. Go get cleaned up!

Tatiana:
Will you tie a ribbon in my hair? Papa LOVES my hair in ribbons!

Carol:
Of course I will, Sweetheart!

Tatiana races off and Carol starts selecting clothes for the triplets to wear as Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens in Doug's ICU room. Carol is there with him, and she combs his hair a little. He is his sweats and t-shirt and Carol even helped him shave a little bit.

Doug (grins at her):
Do I look presentable?

Carol (smiles, kisses him):
You look great.

Doug:
Now, they know I'm banged up, don't they?

Carol:
Yes, I explained that to them and Mark is explaining it to them as well.

Mark (coming into the room pushing a wheelchair):
Hey, hey! Somebody here call for a taxi?

Doug:
Very funny.

Mark:
I got you a good one...this one is motorized...think you can drive it?

Doug (matter-of-factly):
I can drive anything on two wheels!

Mark:
OK...let's get you in here!

It takes Mark and Carol both to get Doug out of bed and into the wheelchair. He only has one arm to hang on with as the other arm is in a sling. And he can only hop on one foot as the other leg is in a cast. Mark helps him keep his leg extended straight out in front of him and Carol helps him plop into the chair. Once he is in the chair, Mark fixes the leg rest so that his cast is resting on it and his leg is extended the way it should be.

Mark (showing him):
OK, to go forward, you push the lever this way...
(pushes it forward)
...to back up you pull it back towards you...to go left...push it left...to go right...push it right...

Doug (sarcastically):
Geez, a chimpanzee could figure this out, Mark.

Mark (grins):
Yeah, but I'm not showing a Chimpanzee...I'm showing an almost 40 year old gimp.

Doug (nods, sarcastic smile):
Keep it up, Mark...just keep it up...
(to Carol)
Let's rock and roll, Babe!

With Carol and Mark behind him, Doug pilots himself out the door and down the hallway in his chair. Carol opens the doors out of the ICU unit and the first thing Doug can see is Scott, Tatiana, and Amy standing with the stroller containing Marc, Lana, Tina, and Josh. Tatiana rushes to Doug, but, bursts into tears when she gets to him.

Doug (collects her quickly and pulls her on his lap):
What's the matter, Punkin?

Tatiana (pats his face):
You're hurt!

Carol:
Now, Tatchie, I told you Papa was hurt.

Tatiana:
You didn't tell me how bad!

Carol (laughs):
Yes, I did! Now, it's OK...

Tatiana (to Doug):
Does it hurt?

Doug:
No, Sweetie...Dr. Mark has me so pumped full of Demerol I can't feel anything!
(looks over at Scott and holds up his hand for a high five)
How you doing, Slugger?

Scott (high fives him):
I'm OK, Dad. It's great to get to see you.

Doug:
It's great to get to see all of you, too! Let's get over and see those babies.

Tatiana (scoffs):
Oh, they don't do anything...they just lay they!

Doug laughs and rides her on his lap as he rolls over to where Amy has the baby stroller.

Doug:
How are you doing, Amy?

Amy:
I'm fine, Dr. Ross...it's good to see you doing so well.

Doug (reaching in and picking up one of the girls):
It's good to be doing so well! How are you doing, Little Tina? Are you Daddy's little girl?

Tatiana (pouting):
I thought I was Papa's Little girl!

Doug (grins at her):
You are...but I have more than one little girl now...

Marc (reaching, bouncing):
Da-Da!

Doug (laughs, puts Tina back down and reaches for Marc):
Oh, come here, you!

Marc (as Doug lifts him out):
Da-Da-Da-Da-Da!
(everybody laughs at him)

Doug (looks up at Carol):
I was afraid he might forget...

Carol (smiles):
You weren't gone that long, Love.

Doug takes time to cuddle Lana and Josh, but, he begins to tire very quickly and Carol notices this right away.

Carol:
OK, Kids...tell your Dad good bye...he needs to get back to his room.

Scott (hugs Doug):
Take it easy, Dad.

Doug (hugs him back):
You're the man of the house until I get home, OK?
(winks at him)
You keep these women in line and watch your brothers, OK?

Scott (laughs):
Yeah...OK.

Tatiana (hugs him):
Bye, Papa...feel better!

Doug (hugs her):
Already do, Punkin...I already do!

Cut to show short time lapse. Carol has Doug back in his bed and she is sitting on the bed with him, playing with his hair.

Carol:
Tatchie's right...you do look pretty banged up.

Doug (chuckles):
I got hit by a car, Carol, what do you expect?

Carol:
Even as bad as you look, you sure look pretty good to me. There for a while, I wondered if I would even get a chance to tell you that.

Doug:
I was pretty bad, huh?

Carol:
You went into cardiac arrest in surgery.

Doug:
Well, you know what they say...only the good die young.

Carol (teasing him):
Yeah, but, you're gonna be 40 in a couple of months!

Doug (nods, sarcastic smile):
You know, you and Mark are REALLY asking for it.

Carol:
Yeah, and what are you gonna do about it?

Doug (grins): Oh, something like...THIS!

He pulls her into his arms and she shrieks with surprise as he wraps his hand in her hair and pulls her to him to kiss her sweetly and tenderly as Closing Act Fades into Closing Credits of the show.

April 14, 1998