Author’s Text

Well, it’s been smooth sailing for Doug and Carol for several stories now. You guys should have figured that couldn’t last for long. I just don’t operate that way! LOL!

I get a lot of email from readers and that is always very much appreciated. I enjoy feedback and I also enjoy suggestions that come on almost a daily basis. One thing I get asked about more than anything else is about Tatiana. So this story deals with some of the things I get asked about all the time. I hope it meets the satisfaction of the ones who always ask! :-)

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

Robin

"ER"
"High Winds"
Opening Act

Scene opens at the Ross home, interior, night time. Open focus on Marc, standing up in this crib, both hands on the top rails, tears running down his face, still bawling, and calling out consistently...

Marc:
MaMa! DaDa!

Cut to the master bedroom. Show Doug and Carol in bed, both of the sitting up and leaning against the headboard, reading. Doug is reading an article in a Pediatric magazine, and he is hooked to the dialysis machine beside his bed...Carol is reading over something in a folder. Doug has on a T-shirt and is wearing his reading glasses. Carol has her hair tied up on top of her head and is wearing a night shirt.

Doug (doesn’t take his eyes off his magazine):
How long are we gonna let him stand in there and scream like that?

Carol (doesn’t take her eyes off her paper):
Probably until he gets tired of yelling and climbs out to come in here and get us.

Doug (still reading):
I hate hearing him yell like that.

Carol (also still reading):
Well, I’m not crazy about it either, but he has to learn that he has to go to bed just like everybody else does!

Doug (chuckles):
Right about now, I don’t think you’ll be able to convince him of that very easily.

Carol:
Well, you’re the pediatrician! And you’re the one that said just leave him in there and let him yell until he gets tired!

Doug:
Sounded like good advice at the time.

Carol (puts the paper she’s reading down):
I’m just always so afraid he’ll hurt himself climbing out of that crib...afraid he’ll fall or something.

Doug (shakes his head):
He’s like a cat...he always lands on his feet.

Carol:
You know, this proposal they sent you from the Children’s Hospital in New York is pretty incredible.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, it is.

Carol (looks at him):
Are you considering it?

Doug (shrugs):
Not really.
(puts his magazine down and looks at her)
I’m really happy where I am. I’m not looking to go anywhere else. I mean, I’m flattered they think that highly of me, but I’m just really not interested in going anywhere else right now.
(leans over and kisses her gently)
My life is just about perfect right now.

Carol (grins):
Listen...do you hear that?
(Doug listens, and grins)

Doug:
Yeah, he finally quit yelling in there...maybe he’s asleep.

Carol (grins):
Ummm....I wouldn’t bet on that!
(puts her hand on his face, gazes into his eyes)
Are you feeling OK?

Doug (shrugs):
Sure! Why?

Carol:
You just seem a little run down lately...I think you might be working too hard.

Doug (shakes his head):
No, I think my potassium level is just down. I’ve been running a little sluggish lately. I better go back to orange juice and bananas on my breakfast cereal again.

Carol:
I think the trip to New York was a little too much for you.

Doug (gazes into her eyes, smiles):
No way...that was the best week I’ve had in a LONG time. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

They are nose to nose, gazing deep into each other’s eyes, and both of them almost giddy with each other when suddenly their door bangs open. Startled, they look up expecting to find Marc, but instead, they see Tatiana standing in the doorway in her nightgown, holding a stuffed animal in her arms, and looking very serious.

Tatiana (low voice):
It’s dark in there.

Carol (does not pick up on the tone, half scolding):
Hey, haven’t you been taught to knock first?

Tatiana (near tears):
I’m sorry...but, it’s DARK in there.

Doug (comforting voice):
Come ‘ere, Punkin...
(motions her into the room)
What’s the matter.

Tatiana (comes over to the bed, stands in front of Doug):
It’s DARK in there.

Carol:
It’s always dark in there at nighttime, Sweetie.

Tatiana:
Can I stay in here for a little while!
(pleading look)
Please!?
(Doug and Carol glance at each other, Doug gives an ‘ok’ look from his eyes)

Carol (nods):
OK...come on...climb in here.

Carol helps her up and Tatiana climbs into the middle of the bed between the two of them and Doug opens the covers for her to snuggle in under them.

Doug (smiles down at her):
You know, when we turn the lights out, it’s gonna be dark in here, too.

Tatiana:
But you’ll both be here with me and you won’t let the monster get me.

Carol (laughs):
Monster? What monster? There are no monsters in this house.

Tatiana:
There’s a monster in my room...I can’t see it...but I know it’s there! I can feel it!

Doug:
What kind of monster, Punkin?

Tatiana (matter-of-factly):
A sick monster.

Doug and Carol look at each other with a concerned look. Tatiana snuggles securely under the covers between them and seems content. Show Doug reach out and put his hand on Tatiana’s head as the Opening Act Fades into the Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens still in Doug and Carol’s bedroom. Doug has his hand on Tatiana’s head and looks over at Carol with a concerned look.

Doug:
She’s warm.

Carol (immediately reaches to feel Tatiana’s forehead):
Is she?
(painful expression)
Oh, God! She is.

Doug (taps Tatiana’s shoulder gently):
Tatchie? Do you hurt anyplace?

Tatiana (rubs her chest):
Hurts in here.

Doug (puts his hand on her chest):
Hurts in here? When you breathe?
(Tatiana nods, Doug looks over at Carol)
Get my stethoscope, will you, please?

Carol (nods, starts climbing out of bed):
Sure.
(she goes over to the dresser and gets the stethoscope)

Doug (soft voice, to Tatiana):
Tatchie, have you felt like this for very long?

Tatiana:
Not this bad...

Carol (brings the stethoscope to Doug):
But, you’ve felt like this before? Recently?
(Tatiana nods)
Well, why didn’t you tell us?

Tatiana (matter-of-factly):
You weren’t here.

Carol (concerned):
Well, then, honey, you should have told somebody else...one of your grandmothers or something.

Tatiana (nods):
I did.

Carol:
Oh...OK then...it’s all right, Sweetheart.

Doug (puts the scope in his ears):
OK, Tatchie, I’m just gonna listen to your chest, OK? Can you take a deep breath for me?
(Tatiana nods)
OK, suck it in and hold it for me.
(he places the scope on her chest and listens carefully)
Is that as deep as you can take it?
(Tatiana nods)
OK, Punkin...that’s OK.
(looks at Carol and shakes his head)
Can you sit up a little bit so I can listen to your back?

Tatiana (nods):
OK.
(she sits up and Doug puts the scope on her back, moving it around and listening carefully)

Doug (pats her back):
OK, Punkin...you can lay back down now.
(Takes the earpieces down around his neck and reaches to pick up the phone)

Carol:
Who are you calling?

Doug:
My Mom....

Carol:
What for?

Doug:
I just want to ask her something...

Sarah (on the other end of the phone receiver):
Hello?

Doug:
Mom? Hi! It’s me...listen, when you were with the kids last week, was Tatchie not feeling well?

Sarah:
Well, there was one day she said she didn’t feel well, but it was only that one day.

Doug:
Was she running a fever or anything?

Sarah:
A little one, maybe. Not enough of one to be concerned about.

Doug (short laugh):
Mom, in Tatiana’s condition, 98.7 is enough to concern me...

Sarah:
Oh, Doug, I’m so sorry! I didn’t know...

Doug:
It’s OK, Mom. It’s not your fault. I was just asking...that’s all.

Sarah:
Is she all right?

Doug:
I don’t know...but I’ll be back in touch with you, OK? Thanks, Mom.
(hangs up the phone, looks over at Carol)
Mom says she was running a slight fever while we were gone. She didn’t think it was enough to be concerned about.

Carol:
So, what should we do?

Doug:
Let’s just let her sleep here with us tonight and if she doesn’t feel better in the morning, we’ll take her to the hospital.

Carol (nods):
OK.

Doug and Carol go back to their reading with Tatiana snuggled between them in the bed. The little girl closes her eyes and lays her head over against Doug’s side. Doug reaches down and puts his arm around her and gives her support to lay there. He looks over at Carol with a concerned look and Carol returns his concern.

Cut to show time lapse. Tatiana is asleep now. Doug has gone to sleep with his magazine on his chest. Carol puts the proposal she was reading back in the folder and puts it on the night table beside the bed. She reaches over and takes Doug’s magazine off his chest and carefully slips his glasses off his face, folds them, and puts them in their case on the table on his side.

Carol (taps him carefully):
Lay down, Doug...you’re asleep.

Doug (grunts):
Huh?

Carol (taps him again):
Lay down. I’m turning out the light.

Doug (sliding down under the covers):
OK.

Doug puts his head on the pillow and Carol pulls the covers up around him. Then she leans over and kisses him lightly on his cheek.

Carol:
Good night, Doug.

Doug (grunts):
‘Night.

Carol reaches to turn out the light and settles herself in bed. No sooner has she closed her eyes until Tatiana is sitting straight up in bed, eyes wide with fear.

Tatiana:
It’s DARK in here!

Doug and Carol both sit up quickly. Doug reaches to turn the light on and Carol gathers Tatiana into her arms, rocking her.

Carol:
It’s all right, Sweetheart! The light’s on now! See?

Tatiana (starts to cry):
I don’t wanna go away, Mama! I don’t wanna leave!

Carol (holds her close):
What are you talking about, Honey? You’re not going away anywhere!

Tatiana (clings to Carol):
Yes, I am! The sick monster is gonna take me away!

Carol (gives a horrified glance to Doug):
No, Baby...it won’t. Your Papa and I won’t let it.

Doug (soft voice):
Hey, Tatchie, how about if we leave the bathroom light on? Will that chase the sick monster away?
(Tatiana nods quickly)

Carol (smiles, kisses the top of her head):
OK, then, you stay here with your Papa and I’ll go turn on the light, OK?
(Tatiana nods and goes quickly to Doug)

Doug (trying to lift the mood):
We’ll chase that monster right out of here!
(tickles her lightly)
No monsters in here!
(Tatiana giggles)

Tatiana:
Stop it, Papa! That tickles!

Carol goes over to the bathroom and flips on the light. Then she pulls the door closed until there is just a small crack showing the light.

Carol (looks over at the bed):
How’s that, Tatchie? Is that good?
(Tatiana nods)
OK, then...
(goes back and gets into bed)
Let’s try and get some sleep.

Tatiana (snuggles between them):
OK, Mama.

Cut to show Tatiana sleeping and Carol carefully toying with her hair. She looks over at Doug, who has his eyes closed and his arm around Tatiana.

Carol (softly):
Doug? Are you asleep?

Doug (softly):
No.

Carol:
Please tell me you’re not thinking the same thing I’m thinking.

Doug (ticks his head, touches Tatiana’s hair):
I wish I could.
(looks over at Carol)
We’ve been real lucky, Carol...we haven’t had any trouble for a long time.

Carol:
I knew it couldn’t last forever, but, I guess I was secretly hoping it could. Do you think she’s out of remission? Do you think it’s Aids?

Doug (shakes his head):
I don’t want to guess anything until we can take her in and check her over good.

Carol:
But, what do your instincts tell you?

Doug (looks over at her):
You don’t wanna know.

Carol (closes her eyes and leans her head back):
Oh, God!
(sighs)
I guess I always knew this was going to happen...I just never really thought about it much.

Doug:
We didn’t have to...we didn’t have any reason to...she was doing OK and she seemed healthy...

Carol:
Do you think she’s in pneumonia?

Doug (nods):
She’s pretty congested...we’ll take her in tomorrow and get a blood count and a chest x-ray...take it from there.
(Looks over at Carol’s perplexed look, smiles, reaches to pat her shoulder)
Don’t worry, Hon...we’ll get through this.

Carol (smiles at him, reaches her hand over to him):
You’ve always been there for me, Doug...in the beginning with Tatiana...when nobody else at the hospital thought getting her was a good idea...and then when I didn’t get her you were there for me then, too. You filed an appeal for me and everything.

Doug (shrugs):
I believed you were what she needed.
(smiles)
And I was right, too.

Carol:
One thing I always wondered about, though. You had been trying to tell me for months that you loved me and trying to get me to give you another chance...but when I came to you that night, you turned me away. Why?

Doug (chuckles):
Well, it wasn’t because I didn’t want you, because God knows, I did. I wanted you so much it hurt!
(shakes his head)
But, it wouldn’t have been right to take advantage of you that night. You were so crushed...if I’d let you stay then you would have known I was exactly what you thought I was...

Carol:
No, I wouldn’t have! I wanted to be with you! I NEEDED to be with you...

Doug:
You were engaged to marry another man...your place was with him.

Carol (scoffs):
He didn’t care. When I told him about it after you took me home, he just said it was probably for the better that it happened that way. He didn’t even care how I felt.

Doug (grins at her):
And that’s probably why you didn’t marry him.

Carol (smiles over at him):
I have no doubts that I married the right man.
(Doug chuckles)

Focus on both of them looking down at Tatiana, sleeping soundly, and Fade Act One to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens at County Hospital, interior, ER front desk. Show the desk busy with doctors and nurses bustling about. Cut to show Doug and Carol coming through the staff entrance. Doug is carrying Tatiana and she has her arms wrapped around his neck. The get to the front desk where Kerry Weaver is working on a file.

Doug:
Kerry...could you page Max Rocher for me, please?

Kerry (looks up, sees Tatiana, gives them a concerned look):
Something wrong?

Doug:
That’s what we want to find out.

Kerry (nods):
Sure...I’ll page him.

Doug:
Thanks...we’ll be down in Pedes...

Kerry:
Of course.

Doug carries Tatiana on down the hall and Carol walks close beside him. He takes Tatiana to a table and sits her down on it, then, he leans down on the table, supporting his body weight with his hands, so that he is eye level with her.

Doug:
Now, when Dr. Rocher gets here, he’s gonna take a blood test...you’re used to that, right?

Tatiana (nods):
Oh yeah...I’m used to that!

Doug:
And they’ll take you upstairs and do a chest x-ray...you’ve had those before, too, right? And you know they don’t hurt...

Tatiana (nods again):
I’m OK with it.

Doug (smiles):
That’s my good girl...
(kisses her forehead)
...now what they have to do after that depends on what they find...

Tatiana (rolls her eyes):
I know!
(looks at Carol)
Can you go with me when they take me upstairs?

Carol (smiles):
Of course I can....I’ll be right there with you the whole time, OK?

Tatiana:
I’m not afraid...I just don’t want to be alone.

Carol:
It’s OK...I understand.

Cut to show Max Rocher coming into the room with them. He is carrying a clipboard and comes over to the table beside all of them.

Rocher:
And what have we here?

Doug:
This is our daughter, Tatiana...

Rocher (smiles at Tatiana):
Well, hello, Tatiana, it’s very nice to meet you.
(Tatiana just grins at him)

Doug:
Tatiana is HIV Positive and not feeling very well. She’s running a fever...it was 99.8 at the house, which is not high, I know, but, I don’t like to take chances...

Rocher:
I don’t blame you...the sooner you check these things the better.

Doug:
We need a CBC and a T-Cell check and a chest X-ray...I suspect pneumonia and we need to check the type on that, too.

Rocher:
Well, then, I guess we better get busy! Hadn’t we, Tatiana?

Tatiana (giggles, nods):
Yeah.

Rocher (grabs a rubber tourniquet from a tray):
OK then...I bet you know the ropes on this, huh?

Tatiana (offers him her arm):
Oh yeah...I sure do...
(Max ties the band around her arm and rubs an alcohol prep on her skin. As he comes in with the needle, she reaches her free hand to Carol and mutters in a very small voice)
Mama...

Carol (takes her hand, moves close to her):
Mama’s right here, baby.

Tatiana bites her lip and turns her head as Max eases the needle in and begins to draw blood. Max smiles at her once he returns the syringe to the tray.

Rocher:
You’re a real trooper, aren’t you, Kiddo?

Tatiana (grins):
Piece of cake.

Rocher:
OK, then, we’ll send this to the lab and while we’re waiting for it, we’ll get that x-ray over with...

Carol:
I’ll get an orderly to take her upstairs.

Rocher (nods):
That’s fine.

Tatiana:
Then after the x-ray can I go home?

Doug (grins at her):
Now, come on, we talked about that...

Rocher:
It’ll depend on what the results tell me, OK? We’ll see. I don’t make any promises.

Carol returns with an orderly and a wheelchair. Doug lifts Tatiana off the table and she climbs into the wheelchair to ride away.

Tatiana:
Bye, Papa!

Doug (smiles):
Bye, Punkin...I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.

Doug watches as Carol and the orderly take Tatiana towards the elevator. Max puts a label on the blood vial and starts out with it.

Rocher:
I’ll put a rush on this, Doug...we’ll know soon.

Doug (nods):
Thanks.
(starts walking out with Max)

Rocher:
How long has she been in remission?

Doug:
Almost three years.

Rocher (nods):
That’s a long time...that’s a good sign.

Doug:
Doesn’t feel so good right now.

Rocher (smiles, touches Doug’s shoulder):
Try not to worry, OK? This could be nothing.

Doug (mumbles as Max goes on down the hall):
Or it could be the beginning of the end.

Cut to show Doug and Carol sitting together in the waiting room. Carol is watching the door and Doug has his legs stretched out in front of him and looking at his feet.

Carol:
Why is it taking so long to get the test results back?

Doug (chuckles, reaches to hold her hand):
It’s not taking any longer than it ever does...it just seems like it when you’re sitting out here.

Carol (sighs):
I never really realized what the patients must go through while they’re waiting.
(looks over at him)
When it’s you, I’m always in there with you.

Doug:
You could be in there with Tatchie...

Carol (shakes her head):
She asked me not to stay. I think she needs a little time to herself.

Cut to show Max Rocher coming in the doorway of the waiting room, carrying a chart with him.

Rocher (waves chart):
Doug? Carol?
(Doug and Carol both jump up and go to him quickly)
Let’s talk out here....
(he guides them into the hallway away from the other waiting people)
OK, the x-ray shows clearly that she has pneumonia...

Doug (nods):
I figured as much.

Rocher:
The blood count...
(shakes his head)
...is not good.

Carol (puts her hand to her mouth):
Oh, God...
(Doug reaches over and puts his arm around her for support)

Rocher (continues):
Her white cell count is 2500...her T-Cells are outragious...very high...

Doug (nods slowly):
I was afraid of that...

Carol (looks at Max):
And the pneumonia? You know the type of it?

Rocher (nods grimly):
She is in neumocystic pneumonia.

Carol (sucks in her breath, clings to Doug’s arm):
Oh, God! She’s gone into full blown Aids?
(puts her hand to her mouth to curb her rising emotion)

Doug (painful expression):
OK, so, what’s your suggestion?

Rocher:
Well, I’d like to run a few more tests...determine the stages of a few of these results. Then, I can refer you to a hemo expert upstairs...if you have a preference, please tell me.

Doug (shakes his head):
No preference. I trust you.

Rocher (nods):
OK...I’ll send everything up to Pauline West...she’s done a lot of studies on Aids and has all the up-to-the-minute procedures and treatments. I’m sure she’ll see you just as soon as possible. Do you want me to talk to Tatiana?

Carol (shakes her head):
No...let us talk to her.

Rocher (nods):
OK...sure.
(touches Doug’s shoulder)
I’m sorry...I wish I had better news for you both.

Doug:
It’s OK, Max...it’s not anything we haven’t learned to expect.

Rocher:
OK, then, I’ll be on the floor if you need me for anything.

Doug (nods):
Thanks, Max.

As soon as Max walks away from them, Carol turns and wraps her arms around Doug, burying her face in his chest and begins to cry. He puts his arms around her to comfort her, laying his head against hers and holding her close to him.

Doug: c Shhhhhh....it’s going to be all right.

Carol (sobbing into his chest):
I know we’ve been living on borrowed time with her for a long time...but I still didn’t want this to happen!

Doug (forcing back tears of his own):
I know...
(pulls her back by the shoulders to look her in the eye)
...but we can’t give up! OK? We can’t let this get us down. This is a set back...it’s not anything else...

Carol:
It’s a death sentence!

Doug:
Now, Carol, come on! She had a death sentence when we got her and we knew that! We took this little girl because we thought we could make a difference in her life! And we’ve done that! We’re not gonna give up now, are we?
(Carol slowly shakes her head, wiping tears away)
OK, then...whatever it takes, we’ll do it!
(leans his head to look her in the eye)
OK? We’ve got plenty of money...if we have to use every penny of it to help her, we will. Let’s just don’t panic, OK?

Carol (calming down):
OK...
(nods)
You’re right...this is just a set back...

She is calm for a minute and then fresh tears start all over again. She puts both hands over her face in anguish and Doug just pulls her to him, holding her, and rocking her as Act Two Fades to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens with Doug and Carol sitting in an office together. They reach across to hold hands as a doctor comes in to go around to the desk. She is an attractive female, about 40, short cropped red hair and green eyes. Her name tag reads Pauline West, MD as she sits down and opens her file.

Pauline (smiles):
It’s not often I can talk to parents and have them completely understand what I’m telling them. I know you both work here, but, I rarely have any contact with either of you. I’d like to first of all commend you for what you’ve done for Tatiana so far. She’s a very lucky little girl to have both of you. I met with her downstairs for a while and I must say she is a very charming young lady. I’m sure you’re both very proud of her.

Carol (nods):
She’s very special to both of us.

Pauline:
I’m sure she is. I also want to commend the two of you for being very frank with her and explaining things to her in a way that she can understand exactly what you mean. My talk with her was very enlightening.

Carol:
We made an agreement to always be honest with our kids.
(smiles at Doug)
And Doug’s job makes that a little easier, too.

Pauline (nods, smiles):
Yes, I’m sure a Pediatrician can always find a gentle way to tell a child anything you need them to know.
(pause)
I would like to place Tatiana in my program, with your permission, of course.

Doug:
What exactly is your program?

Pauline:
My program is an experimental program. We test out new drugs that are introduced and evaluate their results. Tatiana would be the only juvenile I would have in this program. I have a couple of teenagers but no one under the age of 12.

Carol (concerned):
These drugs...they are legal, right? I mean, she wouldn’t be a guinea pig, would she?

Pauline (Shakes her head):
Absolutely not. These are FDA approved drugs they just aren’t available to everyone yet. They are still in experimental stages, which in my work means they have proven in laboratory testing to have some effects on some stages of Aids and now we just need to see how they work on people.

Doug:
OK, because these drugs are not yet perfected, there’s no way to know how the patient will react to them, right?

Pauline (nods):
That’s correct.

Carol:
In other words, the treatment might make her sick, or whatever.

Pauline:
Yes, that’s right.
(takes out a form)
Because Tatiana is a minor, the two of you would have to sign a consent form for her. This consent form takes liability away from us making us not responsible for anything that happens as a direct result of the treatments.
(Hands the form to Doug and he begins to look over it)
I would not expect you to make a decision about this right away. I would hope you would talk it over together and read over this form together before making any kind of a final decision.

Carol:
We’d also want to talk to Tatiana. We always let her make some of the decisions that effect her life.

Pauline:
Very admirable. As I said, I commend you both for the way you’ve handled things. And there’s always, a chance, of course, that she will go back into remission.

Carol (quietly):
What are her chances right now? Is she going to die?

Pauline:
Not at this stage, no. Dr. Rocher will treat her for the pneumonia and she should be able to go home inside a week. Her disease is, of course, advanced but it is still capable of being controlled to some degree. And if you get her in this program, there’s no way to predict what might happen.

Doug (hands form to Carol):
What exactly does that mean?

Pauline:
It means the results could be anywhere from no change at all to remission. There’s no way to tell how a patient will respond until things get started.

Carol:
What about school? Will she still be able to go to school?

Pauline:
I would personally opt for home schooling for her...at least until we know how she’s going to respond to the program.

Carol (looks at Doug):
That’s gonna break her heart. She loves school!

Doug:
We can explain to her that’s it’s probably only temporary.

Carol:
So, you’re telling me we’ll be able to take her home from this?

Pauline:
I don’t see why not. And please don’t take this as grim news. Yes, she’s in Aids now, no longer just HIV positive, but we have lots of new drugs to combat with now that we didn’t have three years ago when you first started with her. I think you could be looking at quite a bit of time before you have to start worrying.

Carol (stands up):
Well, we certainly thank you for your time, Dr. West. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from us very soon.

Pauline (nods):
Good luck to both of you...and good luck to Tatiana, too.
(smiles)
She’s really quite a little girl.

Doug and Carol nod shortly and go out of the office together. Once out in the hallway and in private, Carol turns to Doug with a concerned look on her face.

Carol:
What do you think?

Doug:
I think this program is probably the only chance we’ve really got.

Carol:
Doug, I’m so scared! What if we make the wrong choice?

Doug:
We can’t make the wrong choice, Carol. Any choice we make gives her chances that she doesn’t have now. We have to try. What other choice do we have?

Carol (nods):
I know you’re right...
(sighs)
I think we should go get something to eat and then go in and talk to her later...what do you think?

Doug:
I think that sounds like a good idea...why don’t you go out and get something and bring it back? I’ve got a few things I need to do up in my office...a couple of things that have to get out today.

Carol (nods):
Yeah...OK.
(Doug kisses her on the head)
Are you sure you’re OK?

Doug (nods):
I’m fine...

Carol:
OK...
(kisses him quickly)
...I’ll be back.

Carol goes on down the hall and Doug gets into the elevator and punches the button roughly to close the doors.
Show Carol starting through the ER to leave the hospital when a familiar voice calls to her.

Mark (off camera):
Carol! Hey! Carol!! Wait!

Carol stops and turns to the sound of the voice. She smiles as she sees Mark coming towards her.

Carol (smiles):
Mark!

Mark (comes up to her):
Kerry told me you brought Tatiana in...what’s going on?

Carol (frowns):
She’s out of remission.

Mark (painful expression):
I am so sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?

Carol:
No more than we can, Mark. But, I appreciate your concern.

Mark:
Where’s Doug?

Carol:
He had some things he needed to do up in his office. I’m going out to get us something to eat.

Mark (nods):
OK, then...I’ll just slip upstairs and see how Doug is. Or do you want me to go with you?

Carol (shakes her head):
No...I think I could really use the time to myself right now. Thanks, Mark.
(starts on out the door)
I’ll be back.

Cut to show Doug opening the door to his office. He does not turn the light on and goes over to this desk. He looks at his "Outstanding Achievement Award" on the wall behind his desk and smiles very weakly as he touches it carefully. He sits down at his desk and gazes sadly at an old family portrait...one that still has Raoul in it. He picks it up and looks at it, tears forming in his eyes, and then he puts it back down on the desk. He runs his hand through his hair and then puts his head down, with his hands behind his head almost holding his head down to face to the desk. His shoulders begin to shake as he finally allows his tears to surface, yet he doesn’t make a sound.

Cut to show Mark coming up to the office door out in the hall. He notices the room is dark is starts to turn away. Just as he turns, he sees the door is slightly ajar and pushes on the door handle to open the door. He looks in and sees Doug sitting at the desk with his head down and goes quietly into the office.

Mark (quiet voice):
Doug? Are you OK?

Doug (muffled voice, doesn’t look up):
Do I look like I’m OK, Mark?

Mark (goes on in, sits on the edge of the desk in front of him):
I saw Carol downstairs...she told me about Tatiana. I’m really sorry, Doug...

Doug (looks up, shouting at Mark, eyes still red):
Sorry? You’re sorry, Mark? How do you think I feel? I’ve got an Outstanding Achievement Award and for what? I’m a Pediatrician and I can’t even help my own child!

Mark:
I know how you feel, Doug...it’s just one of those things. We can’t fix everything. They told us that in med school!

Doug:
I don’t want to fix everything, Mark! I just want to fix her! I lost one child already. I don’t know if I can stand to lose another one or not...

Mark (nods sadly):
What happened with Raoul was completely out of your hands, Doug. You know that. At least with Tatiana you have a chance to help.

Doug:
I have to stay so strong for Carol...this is killing her, I know...I don’t know what it’ll do to her if we have to give Tatchie up.

Mark:
Is there any danger of that anytime soon?

Doug (shakes his head):
They don’t know. Maybe not this time, but what about the next time? I knew when Carol took her what we were up against...and I promised myself I wouldn’t live my life with her on ‘what ifs’...

Mark:
And I’d say you’ve both done really well with that. You’ve always given Tatiana as normal a life as you can...don’t take that away from her now.

Doug (looks up at him, tears brimming in his eyes):
I love that little girl, Mark...

Mark (weak smile):
I know you do. And none of that is going to change. Are you gonna love her any less just because she’s gone into Aids?

Doug (shakes his head):
No.

Mark:
Are you gonna stop sharing sodas with her or stop sharing bites of your Danish with her?

Doug (shakes his head):
No.

Mark (smiles):
Then nothing is going to change, is it?

Doug (nods):
Yes, it is. Because I’m going to be more afraid now.

Mark:
You will be at first. But, as time goes by, you’ll get used to it. And forget about it. And not think about it again until the next time something happens.

Doug (weak smile):
I guess you would know, wouldn’t you?

Mark (nods):
That’s the way Nina and I are treating this. It’s the only way to live a halfway normal life.

Doug:
I’m just worried about Carol, you know?

Mark (laughs):
I wouldn’t worry about Carol if I were you. She’s a pretty tough lady. She can handle this. (reaches over and claps Doug’s shoulder)
Come on...she should be just about back with the food by now....let’s go downstairs and wait for her.

Doug (nods):
Yeah...good idea.

Doug gets up and walks around the desk. When he comes up beside him, Mark puts his arms around his shoulders to walk out with him. Doug pulls the door shut and locks it and he and Mark go off down the hall towards the elevator as Act Three Fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at the ER desk. Kerry Weaver is going over a chart with a very serious look on her face. Show Scott Ross come in through the ER entrance doors. He is dressed in his jeans and school jacket and has a backpack on his back. He goes quietly up to the ER desk and stops in front of Kerry.

Scott:
Excuse me...could you tell me where I might find Dr. Ross?

Kerry (looks over the top of the chart):
Aren’t you his son? Scott?

Scott (nods):
Yes, Ma’am.

Kerry:
Well, I know he’s in the hospital somewhere...do you want me to page him?

Cut to show Doug getting off the elevator alone. He starts to head for the Pedes wing, but his attention is diverted down into the ER for a minute. He sees Scott at the desk and starts down the hall with a confused look on his face.

Doug:
Scott?
(Scott turns his attention in the direction of Doug’s voice)
Scotty? Son?
(comes up to him at the desk)
What are you doing here?

Scott (serious voice):
I want to know what’s wrong with my little sister.
(Doug puts his hand on Scott’s shoulder and directs him away from the desk to a quiet corner in the hall)

Doug:
You came all the way down here by yourself? Does anybody know where you are?

Scott (shrugs):
You do!

Doug (frowns):
Don’t get smart with me...not today....not now...

Scott:
I want to know what’s wrong with my little sister!

Doug:
We can talk about it at home tonight...

Scott (rolls his eyes):
Dad, come on! I’m not a little kid! I know something’s wrong and I want to help! Is she sick?

Doug (nods shortly):
Yeah....yeah, son...she is.

Scott:
Well, is she gonna be OK? Can I see her?

Doug:
She’s out of remission.
(Scott gives him a painful look)
She’s gone into Aids.

Scott:
Well, will she be OK?

Doug:
Well, that’s the million dollar question, son. Unfortunately, I don’t really have an answer for you. She’ll be OK this time, if that’s what you’re asking.

Scott:
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I was asking. What happens now?

Doug:
Well, they’ll put her in a special program and do the best they can for her and we just hope for another remission.

Scott:
Are you OK?

Doug (grins at him):
As OK as I can be with it...
(nods)
...yeah.
(looks down at Scott and smiles):
Scotty, I’m sorry...I didn’t realize until this minute just how grown up you’ve gotten. I should have talked to you about this at the house this morning, son, I’m sorry.

Scott (shrugs):
It’s OK. I understand.
(pause)
Is there anything I can do?

Doug (shakes his head):
Not really. Not right now. When she comes home in a few days, then I think you can help.

Scott:
Well, you can count on me, Dad.

Doug (smiles, pats him on the back):
I know I can, son...I know I can. And, thanks! I really appreciate it. The best thing you can do right now is go home and help Emily take care of the little ones...will you do that for me?

Scott (nods):
Sure, Dad. I can do that.
(starts away but then turns back)
Will you be home tonight?

Doug:
Carol or I one will be there...I promise.

Scott (as he gets to the door):
Tell Tatch I said to hang in there, OK?

Doug (nods, grins):
I’ll tell her.

Scott waves quickly and disappears out the door. Kerry starts down the hall and stops beside Doug.

Kerry:
That’s some kid you’ve got there, Doug.

Doug (nods):
Yeah...he sure is.

Cut to show time lapse. Show Doug and Carol going into the Pedes wing together. Doug is holding Carol’s hand. Just as they get through the doors, Carol stops and turns to Doug.

Carol:
What are we going to say to her?

Doug:
The truth, Carol...we’re just going to tell her the truth.

Carol (nods):
I know that’s best...I’m just so afraid...

Doug:
So am I, but, it’ll be OK. Tatchie is a smart kid. She knows about her condition. It’ll be OK.
(kisses her forehead gently)
We’ll get through this, Carol.

Carol (hugs him):
I don’t think I could without you.
(pulls back and looks at him)
You’ve been so wonderful about everything.

Doug (chuckles, embarrassed):
Yeah, that’s me...Mr. Wonderful.
(turns her towards Tatiana’s bed)
Come on...let’s go talk to our daughter.

They go over to Tatiana’s bed together. The rails are up on the sides and Tatiana is resting comfortably under the covers. She has an IV in her arm and is being given oxygen to help her breath with a small tube clipped around her head and resting under her nose. She has her eyes closed, but, when she hears someone come up, she opens them quickly. She smiles when she sees Doug and Carol.

Carol (touches Tatiana’s head):
Hi, Sweetie! How are you feeling?

Tatiana:
Better...
(laughs slightly)
I thought you were another doctor!

Carol (smiles weakly):
Yeah, I know...you’ve seen a lot of new doctors today, haven’t you?

Tatiana (nods):
But they’re all very nice!

Carol:
That’s good sweetheart.

Doug (smiles down at her):
Hey, Punkin...some things we need to talk to you about...

Tatiana:
I’m sick, aren’t I?

Doug (nods, sadly):
Yeah, you are. And the doctors want to start you on some new medicine...you’ve been through that before, too, haven’t you?
(Tatiana nods)
So, is that OK with you?

Tatiana:
Will it make me better?

Doug:
Well, we won’t know until we try it, honey. It’s not sure fire, no. It’s just something they want to try.

Tatiana:
Will the medicine make me sick?

Doug:
I don’t know, sweetie. We’ll just have to try and see.

Tatiana:
If it makes me sick, do I have to still take it?

Doug:
Well, a lot of that will depend on whether it does you any good or not. Let’s don’t buy trouble, OK? We’ll worry about that if and when it comes, OK?

Carol:
There’s a couple of other things you need to know, too, honey. You’ll have to stay out of school for a while...

Tatiana (disappointed look):
Stay out of school? Oh, Mama! No!

Carol:
Honey, I know that you love going to school, but until we get you feeling good again, you really need to just stay home.

Doug:
We’ll get a home schooling teacher to come and keep you up with what your classmates are doing. Then, when you’re ready to go back to school, you won’t be behind or anything. How’s that?

Tatiana (disappointed look):
I suppose it has to do.

Carol (pushes Tatiana’s hair off her forehead and kisses her sweetly):
Everything will work out, sweetheart. You’ll see.

Doug (smiles down at her):
Sure...before you know it, this will all be behind you.

Tatiana (looks solemnly up at him):
Papa?

Doug:
Yes, Sweetie?

Tatiana (serious look):
Am I in Aids now?

Doug (closes his eyes to collect his emotions):
Yeah, Punkin...you are.

Tatiana:
Am I going to die?

Doug (shakes his head, voice cracks just a bit):
Not today, Punkin!

Tatiana (coaxing look):
You promise?

Doug (nods):
I promise...you are definitely not going to die today...and not tomorrow either.

Carol:
We have to just take life one day at a time, Tatchie...none of us knows when we’re going to die.

Doug:
That’s right...and if we live our whole lives worrying about dying, well, then, we might miss out on a lot of good things.

Carol (grins at her):
That’s right, Tatch. So, nothing’s really changed. They’re going to treat you and make you better and you’re going to come home and things are going to be just like they were before....

Doug (grins):
With a few minor changes. Now, you can live with that, can’t you?
(Tatiana nods, Doug chuckles)
That’s my girl!
(leans down and kisses her lightly)
Now, your Mama is gonna stay here with you and I’m going to go home and take care of the little ones.

Tatiana (nods):
And Scotty!

Doug:
Yes, and Scotty came to see you but he didn’t get to come in. He said to tell you hello...and I’ll make sure he gets to come in next time, OK?

Tatiana (nods, smiles):
OK, Papa.

Doug:
You sleep well, Punkin.
(leans down to kiss her again)
I love you.

Tatiana:
I love you, too, Papa.

Carol:
I’ll walk you out.

She tucks the cover around Tatiana and puts her arm around Doug as they start out of the wing together and Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens with Carol walking out into the hallway in front of the Pedes wing with Doug. They stop outside the door and he turns to her.

Doug:
Will you be OK here alone with her? c Carol (nods):
I’m fine. Will you be OK at home alone?

Doug (chuckles):
Five kids, a dog, and a housekeeper? I hardly think I’m going to be ‘alone’.

Carol (puts her hand to his face):
Are you OK?

Doug (nods):
I’m fine.

Carol:
Mark told me you were beating yourself up in your office earlier today.

Doug (frowns):
Remind me to tell Mark to mind his own business.

Carol:
I was glad he told me. Doug, please don’t think you have to be strong for me. I can hold you up if you break down.

Doug (weak smile):
I know you can.

Carol (strokes his face with her fingers):
Go home and get some rest, OK? After we all get a good night’s sleep, things will look a lot better in the morning.

Doug:
I’ll be here early, OK?

Carol (smiles):
OK...we’ll have breakfast together.

Doug (nods):
OK.
(kisses her gently)
Call me if you need me.

Carol:
We’ll be fine.
(Kisses him again)

Carol stands and watches until Doug is completely out of her sight and then she goes back into the wing to Tatiana.

Cut to show time lapse. Show Carol lying on the bed beside Tatiana and reading a story book to her. She has her arm around Tatiana and she is laying up against Carol’s shoulder, looking at the book with her.

Carol (turns page):
The end!

Tatiana (looks up at her and grins):
You forgot to say ‘and they lived happily ever after’!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Oh, yeah....’and they lived happily ever after...the end’!
(puts her forehead down on Tatiana’s forehead and looks her in the eye)
And you know what THAT means.

Tatiana (nods, rolls her eyes):
I know....I know...time to go to sleep!

Carol (laughs):
That’s right!

Tatiana (concerned):
Where are you gonna sleep?

Carol:
Right here beside you, sweetheart.
(covers her up and climbs off the bed to put the rail back in place)

Tatiana (thinking):
Mama?

Carol (leans back to her):
Yes, sweetie?

Tatiana:
Who’s going to take care of Papa?

Carol (smiles):
Don’t you worry about Papa...your Papa will be just fine! And we’ll see him first thing in the morning!
(kisses her forehead)
Go to sleep, sweetheart.

Tatiana closes her eyes and Carol goes over to gaze out the window. She folds her arms and closes her eyes.

Cut to the Ross home. Show Marc standing up in his crib and bawling, tears running down his face. Show his nursery room door open and Doug comes in, walking over to his crib.

Doug (lifts Marc out of his crib):
OK, Buddy...tonight...you win...come on.

Doug carries the little boy in his arms back to his bedroom with him and lays him down on the bed with him.

Doug (as Marc fidgets):
No, now, you have to lay down, OK? Daddy’s tired...and he needs to get some rest.
(Marc sits up on the bed and pats Doug’s face with his hand)
Daddy’s tired.
(pulls Marc back down in the bed)
Lay down here with Daddy and be good, OK?

Marc (grins up at Doug):
Good boy!

Doug (grins down at him):
I certainly hope so.
(he is distracted by a knock at the door)
Come in.

Emily (opens the door):
I just wanted to tell you, Dr. Ross, that the triplets are all asleep now.

Doug (nods):
Thank you, Emily.
(she nods and closes the door. Doug looks down at Marc)
You hear that? Your little sisters and brother are asleep! Why don’t you follow their example.

Marc (laughs):
Good boy!

Doug (shakes his head):
Not even close.
(grins at Marc...there is another knock at the door)
Come in.
(the door opens and Scott is standing in the door way)
What’s up, Sport? I’m just trying to get this wild monkey settled down so we can go to sleep.

Scott (shrugs):
Want some company?

Doug (smiles):
What’s wrong, Buddy? Can’t you sleep either?
(Scott shakes his head slowly)

Scott:
Am I too big to sleep with my Dad?

Doug (grins):
Do you care if you are or not?
(Scott shakes his head and Doug pats the bed beside him)
Come on...

Scott shoots across the floor and dives into the bed to lay down on the other side of Marc across from Doug. Pull back to show Doug playing with Marc and Scott looking on and fade the Closing Act into the Closing Credits of the show.

September 30, 1998