Author’s Text

This story moves things forward just a few days or so from the last one (The Doctor Is In) and continues the story line with Mark and with the Andrews boy in the ER.

I originally intended to move this story faster than my normal pace and make more than one day pass in it, but, I changed my mind. I guess that means I’ll drag it out a little longer!

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"
"In Need Of A Friend"
Opening Act

Scene opens at the new Ross home. Show a moving truck in the driveway and boxes sitting out on the lawn. There are a couple of bicycles by the garage and a big wheel tricycle, a couple of playhouses and motorcycles. Pan to inside the house to show scattered pieces of furniture and lots more boxes sitting around. Show Scott and Tatiana Ross come through the door, each carrying a box. Scott sits his box down and looks around the house.

Scott:
This is cool!

He goes through the house and looks out through the sliding glass doors at the patio. There is an indoor/outdoor pool for year round swimming, a custom made swing set, and a sandbox in the back yard. Scott smiles and then darts away for another carrying load.

Cut to show Carol Ross unpacking a box in the kitchen. She smiles as Tatiana carries her box in that is clearly marked KITCHEN on it.

Tatiana (reaches box to Carol):
Here, Mama!

Carol (smiles):
Thank you sweetheart...just put it there on the counter for me, please?

Scott (comes in with another box):
So, when will Dad be here?

Carol:
He should be along in a while...he had some things he had to do at the hospital this morning.

Scott:
Cool!

Carol shakes her head as Scott retreats for another load. She goes out of the kitchen and starts to the receiving hall and find Marc toddling slowly and pulling a basket of stuffed animals along with him.

Marc (looks up at Carol and grins):
Me help!

Carol (smiles):
Yes, you are and thank you very much. Take them right down there and we’ll put them in your room, OK?

Marc (tugging basket again):
OK, Mama!

Carol goes outside to see how the movers are doing. Show two men with a refrigerator on a dolly pushing it across the driveway.

Carol:
Oh, good! You can take that around back and in the patio doors!

Worker (nods):
Sure thing, Ma’am!

Carol heads for the truck to see what else she can move herself when she is alerted by a beeping sound. She goes back to the house and pushes a button on an intercom system.

Carol (into intercom):
Yes? Can I help you?

Nina’s voice (on intercom speaker):
Welcome Wagon!

Carol (smiles):
Hi, Nina...
(pushes release button)
Come on through!

Cut to show Nina Pomerantz-Greene drive her car through the security gate which has swung open and start up the secluded road to the house. Cut to show the car pulling into the circular drive and stopping in front of the house. Show Nina get out of the car and walk to the house carrying a planter with flowers in it in her hands. Carol meets her at the door with a smile.

Carol:
Hi, Nina!

Nina (hands her the planter):
These are for the house!

Carol (takes planter):
Oh, they’re beautiful! Thank you! Come on in!
(they walk in together and Carol pulls up two boxes)

Nina (grins):
Oh, I LOVE your decor!

Carol (laughs):
Yeah, it’s sort of ‘early living’ isn’t it?

Nina:
It’s going to be beautiful when it’s finished! How are things going?

Carol (nods, looks around):
Slow...but we’re getting there.
(looks at Nina)
How are things at your house?

Nina (nods):
Oh, not too bad. Mark had his needle aspiration and it confirmed the malignancy. He’s going to set up for surgery next week. He’s OK with it, I guess. He doesn’t want to talk much about it and I don’t want to push him right now.
(pause)
How are things here? How are you doing?

Carol (nods):
I’m OK. I keep busy and that seems to be the answer to it all. I had so much to do taking care of Doug, and now getting this house set up is going to take a lot of energy...I don’t really even think about it anymore.

Nina (nods):
Good...that’s good to hear! What about Doug? How is he doing now?

Carol:
Doug? He’s fine. He still walks with a cane but he went back to work 2 weeks early! So, he’s fine...

Nina:
I guess he figures working keeps his mind off things, too. Plus he has that new intern coming that he has to go to the board about...

Carol (frowns):
Yeah, but he thinks everything will go OK. I think his main concern right now is the Andrews boy.

Nina (nods):
And Mark. He was there for the aspiration. I think this whole thing is really bothering him.

Carol (nods):
I know it is. If it were him, he’d just deal with it but since it’s Mark, he feels helpless.

Nina:
Has he talked to you about it? At all?

Carol (shakes her head):
Not really. But he will, when he’s ready.
(pause)
What about you? How are you doing with it?

Nina:
I’m OK...I know nothing is going to be easy for a while and that’s a little bit of a concern for me...
(smiles)
...because I’m pregnant.

Carol (brightens):
Oh, Nina!
(reaches to hug her)
Congratulations! That’s great news! When did you find this out?

Nina:
Mark and I have been trying...when I was late I just didn’t say anything and I went to the doctor the same day Doug did Mark’s tests. I think Mark was relieved.

Carol:
You seem a little apprehensive...is something wrong?

Nina:
I’m happy about the baby...and I know Mark is too...it’s just that...well...I had a lot of trouble having Emma...and they told me then that pregnancy and me didn’t mix very well. If Mark had known that, he would have never let me get pregnant. But I want this baby, Carol...very, VERY much!

Carol:
Then, you’ll have it...whatever it takes!

Nina (nods, smiles):
You’re right...whatever it takes...

Nina and Carol nod the agreement and then start laughing together as the Opening Act fades into the opening credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens with Mark Greene coming out of an elevator and starting down a hallway at County Hospital. His attention is caught by Doug Ross standing over a child’s bed in a room and he goes in to stand quietly beside him. Doug is checking vital signs and touching the child in comfort. Mark looks down at the little boy, a bandage on his head, a cast on one arm and one leg, and Mark smiles slightly at the sight of the child’s eyes open and glaring back at them. A tube in his mouth prevents him from speaking but his eyes never leave the face of the two doctors with him.

Mark (quietly):
How’s he doing?

Doug (looks over his shoulder and grins at Mark):
He’s got a long haul ahead of him.

Mark:
Did you get the information you needed on him?

Doug (nods):
His name is Colin Andrews...he’s five and half years old. He was the only child of Chris and Mary Andrews and he was adopted by them when he was 4 months old. They neither one list any family. Child Services is working now trying to find any living relatives.

Mark:
Who’s authorizing for him now?

Doug (turns back to the child):
Beverly Watters at Child Services signed a release for us to do whatever is necessary for him.

Mark (nods):
Good...that’s good.
(pause)
If they don’t find any relatives, he just goes to the home, right?

Doug (sighs, nods):
Yeah, but, his chances of getting adopted will be diminished by his age and the fact that he’s got a lot of rehab ahead of him from this.

Mark (frowns):
Well, we’ll just have to hope for the best for him, huh?
(pause)
Hey, have you got a minute? I need to talk to you...

Doug (nods):
Sure...
(touches the boys chest)
I’ll be back, Buddy, OK? You take it easy...

Doug steps away and the child’s eyes follow him until he is out the door with Mark. Once in the hallway, Mark holds up a folder.

Mark:
You want to tell me what this is all about?

Doug (confused):
Well, considering I have NO idea what you’re talking about...

Mark:
I’m talking about Trent Jacobs doing an ET procedure on that little boy in there while he was down in the ER!

Doug (shrugs):
It was needed...he was there...what’s the problem?

Mark:
The ‘problem’ is that he is not on staff at this hospital!

Doug (getting annoyed):
The ‘problem’ is that this hospital will not allow me to hire an adequate number of Pedes to staff the wing so that I have a doctor down there round the clock! Max Rocher had to be paged. John Carter wasn’t on duty yet. I was here but I wasn’t supposed to be and I also had to be paged. Trent Jacobs was standing there when they brought the kid in and he acted quickly and properly until a member of staff could arrive and take over. I really don’t see the problem here, Mark!

Mark (sighs):
Yes, you do...you just don’t want to.

Doug (still annoyed):
I assume Kerry Weaver filed for a hearing?

Mark:
No, she simply reported that a doctor not on staff here performed a procedure on a Pedes patient and you’re going to have to answer to the board for it. That’s all. I just wanted you to be prepared!

Doug (sighs):
You know, Mark, if I spent as much time taking care of patients as I do dealing with paperwork and board meetings there would be a lot healthier people walking around!

Mark (grins):
Welcome to the real world, Doug! You knew that was a side of this job when you took it!

Doug:
Yeah, but I didn’t know how much of a side to it there really was!

Mark:
Yeah, well, you might as well get used to.

Doug (nods, frowns):
Yeah, I guess...
(changes his tone):
What about you, Bud? How are you doing?

Mark (nods):
I’m holding up...you got a minute to talk? I’ll buy your lunch...

Doug (grins):
Sounds good to me!

Cut to the Ross home. Show Emily Lincoln going through the house with Carol, looking around at the rooms as she goes.

Emily:
Oh, Mrs. Ross...this is just wonderful!

Carol:
I hope you’ll like your room...it’s adjacent to the nursery and has a built in intercom for you. It’ll give you some privacy and some time to yourself for a change.

Emily:
I wasn’t complaining...

Carol (smiles):
I know you weren’t! And we appreciate that.

Emily (nods, smiles):
I’m very happy here, Mrs. Ross.

Carol (grins):
Well, that’s good, because from the looks of my family, you’ve got a lot of years left here with us! (both laugh)

The two of them stop in a doorway and the sight of Tatiana and Scott going through bags and boxes with Marc standing in the middle of the room bawling his eyes out.

Carol (leans into the room):
What’s going on?

Scott (over his shoulder):
We can’t find Mr. Cuddles.

Carol (goes into the room with them):
Oh, Lord...well, I’m sure he’s around here someplace!
(leans down and picks up the crying baby)
It’s all right, Marcus...we’ll find your elephant!

Marc turns towards Carol and wraps his arms around her, crying loudly on her shoulder. Carol pats his back to comfort him with no avail. She puts him back down on the floor and starts helping Scott and Tatiana with the search. The go through all the bags and boxes of stuffed animals but don’t find the elephant. Then, Scott takes the basket Marc was earlier pulling through the house and turns it upside down. Stuffed animals spill out all over the floor and the last one to fall is a blue elephant, which Marc snatches up quickly, suddenly silent of his crying. He looks around at all the eyes focused on him in a scolding look and giggles, clutching his toy.

Marc:
Uh oh!

Carol (picking Marc up):
Come on, "Doug Jr."... think you need a nap...

Emily (reaches for the baby):
I’ll put him down for you, Ma’am.

Carol (hands him over gently):
Thank you, Emily.
(Carol chuckles)
I swear that child gets more like Doug every day...
(Emily exits carrying Marc)

Scott (looks curiously at Carol):
Am I anything like Dad?

Carol (nods):
You got all the good things...his love for women...his love of sports...his passion for motorcycles...Marc seems to have inherited his personality traits! I’ll let you know a little later if that’s good or bad!
(Scott laughs)

Tatiana:
Boy, these little kids sure get attached to things, don’t they?

Carol (pokes fun at her):
Just the little kids? I seem to recall a certain BIG kid who couldn’t go to bed without her favorite Beanie Baby not so long ago.

Tatiana (giggles):
Well, I was younger then!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
What? By about 2 weeks?

Tatiana (sophisticated voice):
I was just a child then!

Carol:
Thank God that elephant turned up...I hate to think what Marc would do it we didn’t find it.

Scott (matter-of-factly):
He’d forget about it sooner or later. I had a stuffed lion when I was little that I loved like Marc loves this thing and it got lost on vacation once. I cried about it for a while, but, eventually, I just got over it and forgot about it.

Carol (smiles):
You didn’t forget about it, you just learned how to get along without it. I think Marc’s a little young to have to learn that just yet...

Scott (grins):
Yeah, me too.

Carol (looks curiously at Tatiana, who is still going through boxes)
Hey...
(taps her daughter’s side lightly)
We found Mr. Cuddles.

Tatiana (looking through box, doesn’t look at Carol):
I know.

Carol (grins, knowingly):
So, what are we looking for now?

Tatiana (shrugs):
Nothing.

Carol (knows better):
OK....I’ll help you look...but if you’re looking for Raggedy Ann she’s in a box going to your room.

Tatiana (looks at Carol, smiles):
How did you know?

Carol (grins):
Because I know you! I packed her myself! I know she’s very special to you because your Papa gave her to you when you first came to live with us.

Tatiana:
Thank you, Mama...
(reaches to hug her)
I hope if I grow up I’m smart like you!

She races away to get more boxes leaving Carol in awe of her statement ‘IF I grow up" but she shakes it off quickly and gets up out of the floor to go back to unpacking.

Cut to show Doug and Mark leaning on the rail on the hospital roof. Mark is eating a sandwich and Doug is eating a soft taco. Both are drinking from a can of soda with a straw. The wind is blowing lightly but the sun in warn. Mark is wearing a lab coat over his shirt, tie, and slacks, Doug is just wearing a long sleeved T-shirt under his scrub top with this dockers. He is still carrying a cane. Mark takes a bite of his sandwich and then grins lightly.

Mark (quiet voice):
Nina is pregnant.

Doug (brightens):
No kidding!
(claps Mark on the shoulder)
Well, that’s GREAT!

Mark (nods):
Yeah...she told me after Anna and Max’ wedding the day we found out...she had gone to the doctor while I came here.

Doug:
Well, that has to make you feel better. You must be thrilled!

Mark (sarcastic tone):
Be thrilled that this could be the last child I ever father?

Doug (shakes his head):
That’s not always true, Mark. Statistics show...

Mark (cuts him off quickly):
Statistics, schmuck, Doug! You and I both know that every case is different.
(pause, sighs)
I’m scared to death that when they get in there they’re going to find out it’s worse than they think.
(Doug doesn’t say anything, just listens, and nods)
I don’t want to die, Doug. I have too much for live for...

Doug (shakes his head quickly):
You’re not going to die!

Mark (shakes his head):
You don’t know that...

Doug (quietly):
We’re all going to die, Mark. Sooner or later. And even if this cancer is meant to do you in, it’s not going to happen right away. Just like this kidney problem is likely to do me in before I’m ready but it’s not going to happen anytime soon.

Mark (sighs):
No, probably not...I’m just going to be sick as a dog and more trouble than I can ever be worth to Nina and she doesn’t need that kind of stress in her condition.

Doug:
Now you’re starting to sound like me...and you know what you always tell me when I talk like this...marriage is a partnership and you have to learn to lean on your partner. Lord knows I should be an expert at it by now.

Mark (chuckles shortly):
Yeah, I guess you are. But, I’ve never had to lean on anybody before. I’ve always relied on myself...

Doug (shrugs):
Maybe that’s your problem....maybe you need to learn to lean a little.

Mark (shakes his head):
That’s not my style, Doug. I don’t know if I even know how to lean.

Doug:
You can lean...everybody can lean when they need help. And you’re going to need help, Bud. Let her help you! You help everybody all the time...let us return the favor!

Mark:
I’ve never been sick in my whole life, Doug...
(shakes his head)
I don’t know what kind of a patient I’m going to be.

Doug:
Whatever kind of patient you are, we’ll take care of you. I think it’s a clause in the oath we take that we have to, no matter what!
(winks at him, Mark grins)

Mark (nods):
I’m really scared, Doug.

Doug (nods):
I know. I’m scared, too. You’re my best friend and I can’t help you. I’m a doctor and there’s nothing I can do to help somebody I really care about! But, hey, Carol, and Nina and I will be right there with you, every step of the way! Don’t worry.

Mark:
You have enough on your plate as it is, Doug. You’re moving into a new house, and you have a new intern coming in just a few weeks away...

Doug:
You let me worry about me, OK? I can handle it. Besides, I’m not walking out on my best bud in his hour of need, OK? I’m gonna get you through this...that’s a promise.

Mark nods, but, he glances out over the city lost in thought. Doug stares out with him, but, casually slips his arm around his shoulder in support as Act One Fades to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens back in Colin Andrews room. Show Doug working over the little boy when Abby Keaton comes quietly into the room. She goes over besides Doug and looks down at the child and smiles.

Abby:
You know about the upcoming surgery, don’t you?

Doug (nods):
To relieve the pressure on the brain....yeah. I know about it.

Abby (confused):
I thought he was Max Rocher’s patient.

Doug:
He was, but I took him over. I’m not back 100% yet and have to limit my work. PICU is just down the hall from my office so Max is working the ER and I took over here.

Abby (nods):
Oh, I see...
(smiles a knowing smile)
No special interest in this child on your part?

Doug (chuckles):
Maybe just a little. This little guy has a rough road ahead of him...I just wanted to let him know he has a friend to help him through.

Abby (nods again):
Well, that’s a good thing for him to know...
(puts her hand on Doug’s shoulder)
And if you ask me, he couldn’t have a better friend.
(Doug looks over his shoulder at her and grins)

Doug:
Thanks. I hope the board feels the same way this afternoon.

Abby:
What’s the board want now?

Doug:
Trent Jacobs did an ET tube on Colin when he was brought into the ER. He was in severe respiratory distress and there wasn’t another Pedes down there at the time and he just acted on instinct. My trouble is that Trent is an Intern Interviewee...he isn’t officially on staff here.

Abby:
But, he’s coming, right?

Doug:
IF the board clears it. He’s exactly the kind of guy I want on my team, though. He’s young and he’s bright...and he cares about kids. Perfect qualifications in my book.

Abby (smiles, nods):
Then I look forward to meeting him. He sounds like a winner in my book, too. I’m sure the board will approve your recommendation for him.

Doug:
I wish they’d approve about two or three more. We need more doctors to keep the ER adequately staffed. If I’d had that, this whole review wouldn’t even be necessary.

Abby:
Well, you might bring that up to them.

Doug (nods):
Yeah...I just might.

Abby:
You’re administration now, Doug. You have the right to voice your needs. Your plan is what’s best for the hospital...let the big shots know it.

Doug (nods again, grins):
Yeah...I think you might be right...

Cut to show time lapse. Show Mark and Doug going down the hall together towards the board room. Doug is hobbling on this cane and Mark is walking slowly with him.

Mark:
Just present your case, all right? And don’t be hot-headed about it...be professional...

Doug (sarcastic grin):
I can handle it, Mark, thanks.

They get to the door and are met by Kerry Weaver. Doug stops and gives her a sarcastic smile and tone.

Doug:
Well, if it isn’t the vulture of the ER...

Kerry (smiles sarcastically):
Thanks, Doug...coming from you, I’ll take that as a compliment!

Mark (as they go into the room):
You two try to behave yourselves? Please?

Doug:
Oh, come on, Mark...that wouldn’t be any fun!

Mark gives Doug a scolding look as the three of them take their places at the table. David Morganstern and several other doctors are on hand for the meeting.

David (smiles at everyone):
Thank you all for coming...I always appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to make time for these things...

Doug (mumbles under his breath...only Mark can hear him):
Like we have a choice...
(Mark shoots him another scolding look, Doug nods that he understands)

David:
The issue we want to discuss here is the transfer request of Dr. Trent Jacobs. Dr. Jacobs is currently on staff at UCLA Medical Center and has just completed an interview with Dr. Ross...
(turns to Doug)
Doug? How did that go?

Doug:
Great! I’m ready to bring him in right now.

David (nods):
OK, this in mind, we do have a complaint filed about him...would you care to answer that?

Doug (glares at Kerry):
The complaint was filed by someone who doesn’t understand that sometimes in Pedes cases time can be of essence...

Kerry (defensively):
I understand that completely, Doug. The fact of this matter is that a doctor not on staff at this hospital performed an emergency procedure on a patient without authorization from a doctor who IS on staff at this hospital. If anything happens to that child, this hospital could be in for a BIG lawsuit.

Doug:
Emergency procedures are exactly that...EMERGENCIES! The real fact of the matter is that Trent Jacobs reacting as quickly as he did likely saved that little boy from being brain damaged! I don’t care if he was on this staff or not, he did the right thing for that little boy’s future!

Kerry:
What about the future of this hospital? Do you care as much about that as you do your patients? If you don’t have this hospital, Doug, you don’t HAVE any patients!

Doug:
If I don’t have this hospital I’ll go back to private practice where I make my own rules and don’t worry about what you think is right or wrong! And don’t think there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t consider doing just that sometimes!

David (cuts off their argument):
Let’s just stick to the issue, shall we? Doctors? Now, Doug, Kerry is very right in the fact that what Trent Jacobs did was not only unethical, it was extremely risky.

Doug (nods):
Exactly the kind of doctors I need working down in Pedes...someone who’s willing to put his own neck on the line for the sake of the patients. What Trent did was wrong only in the eyes of this administration. In my eyes, which are the eyes of the patient, he was right and I would have done the same thing in his position...I HAVE done the same thing in h is position....let us not forget the Ben Larson case...

David (nods):
How could we ever forget...

Kerry (scoffs):
We don’t need anymore Cowboys down there, Doug...you and Max Rocher are quite enough...

Doug:
At least we care about our patients...

Kerry:
I care about the well being of every patient that comes through that door and you know it...

Doug:
As long as it doesn’t get a black mark on your book of ‘I’m Perfect’, sure!

David (raises his voice about their arguing):
Let’s please just stick to the issue! Can we? Now, Doug, what exactly happened down there that you know?

Doug:
Max Rocher was in the hospital but out of the ER attending to another patient. He had to be paged. I was not officially back to work, but still in the hospital and I also had to be paged. John Carter wasn’t on duty yet. The real problem here is that I don’t have enough doctors to adequately staff the ER so that someone is down there round the clock...

Kerry:
Well, that’s because you INSIST that Pedes doctors handle Pedes cases. If you would allow other doctors to handle your patients you would have enough to go around!

Doug (sighs):
I have very valid reasons for that...we’ve been through this before...

David:
Nevertheless, Doug, you still have to stay within the rules whenever possible. The fact that you allowed this to happen in your department doesn’t say much for your authority there.

Doug (annoyed):
What did you expect me to do? I got there after the fact! Trent had already performed a satisfactory procedure. I’m willing to take full responsibility for his actions but I’ll tell you here and now if I had been in his position I would have done exactly the same thing.

David (sighs):
This hiring of Dr. Jacobs...is that going to help your problem any?

Doug:
It will help it some, but, he’s only an intern. He’s technically still learning. I still need about 2 more doctors to keep someone in authority down there all the time. John Carter is progressing well but he’s not ready to make difficult decisions yet. That leaves only me and Max Rocher and neither one of us can be here all the time. We already alternate way too much for either one of us to have any kind of a life away from here.

David:
Let me go over the budget again...see what I can do for you...will that help?

Kerry (protesting):
Go over the budget? For more Pediatric assistance? We need supplies and equipment in the ER more than he needs more Pediatric doctors!

Doug:
I need more doctors to assure that the patients that come in here get top notch care...

Kerry:
Only because you are so bullheaded as to insist that only Pediatric doctors care for them...we were doing just fine in the ER with children before we had the Pedes wing...name me ONE case that the Pedes wing has made a difference in...

Doug:
How about Colin Andrews? He’s still alive! And he likely won’t have any lasting brain damage. Give me six months and I can probably have plenty more cases...the wing hasn’t been open long!

David (raises his voice about the arguing):
Would you two PLEASE keep your personal vendetta against each other out of this for once?
(looks down the table)
Mark? What do you think about all this?

Mark (leans forward):
Think about what? Hiring Trent Jacobs or more Pedes in the ER?

David:
Either one? Both?

Mark:
Well, I didn’t meet Dr. Jacobs, but I did read his file stats from UCLA and he seems to be more than qualified, at least on paper. If Dr. Ross recommends him, then I wouldn’t need any other reason to put him on this staff. Doug is an excellent judge of what he needs and who can get the job done.

David (nods):
OK...

Mark:
As for hiring more Pedes for the ER...I’m afraid I really have to agree with Doug on this one. We keep anywhere from 5-10 doctors on call in the main ER...they only had 4 to start with in the Pedes wing, Abby Keaton is a back up only and now one of the original 4, Dr. Del Amico, has transferred to the clinic. That just leaves 3 and only 2 of those 3 are completely trained in Pedes cases. Dr. Carter is still learning. Even bringing in Dr. Jacobs is going to mean either Doug and Max has to be on call because Trent is just an intern. Carter will be ready before he is. Doug’s unit sees an average of 30-40 kids a day. That’s a lot to ask of 2 alternating doctors.
(looks at Kerry)
I think even you would have to agree with that.

Kerry (nods):
I guess, I had no idea....

Doug:
Tell you what, Kerry, if you let the budget fit in at least one more full trained Pedes doctor for me, I’ll personally buy you whatever equipment you need for the ER. Is that a deal?

Kerry (nods):
That’s a deal! I just need the equipment!

Doug:
We’ve still got a lot of equipment and supplies over at the private office. We’ll go over there and see if there’s anything you need...whatever you need you can just take it and we’ll have it moved over here.
(Looks over at Mark)
If that’s OK with you?

Mark (nods):
I’m not going to be using it for anything!

Kerry:
That sounds fine with me...

David (smiles):
There now, you see? I knew we could come to an understanding if we all just kept our heads.

Mark (softly):
Well done, Doug...
(Doug glances at Mark with a satisfied grin)

David:
That being decided, Doug, I think you can contact Dr. Jacobs and tell him to pack his bags. We will welcome him to our staff.
(pause)
Our other issue of business is that Dr. Greene has requested a short leave of absence...

Kerry (looks at Mark):
Something wrong?

Mark (waves her off):
We’ll talk about it later...

David (continues):
In light of this, I have asked Dr. Holmes to step in as Chief of Staff temporarily...

Kerry (surprised):
Garrett Holmes?

David (nods, smiles):
That’s right.

Doug (stunned):
I thought he was over at Mercy?

David:
Well, he is, but, he’s doing this as a personal favor to me.

Kerry shakes her head with a perplexed look. Doug pushes himself away from the table with a long sigh. Mark gives each of them a confused look but says nothing.

Doug (quietly to Mark):
Hurry back, Bud.

David:
Well, I think that about covers everything I had here. If nobody else has anything, this meeting is adjourned.

Doug is the first one away from the table and hobbles quickly to the hallway, not waiting for anyone to catch up with him as he heads for the elevator and Act Two Fades to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens in the hallway of the hospital with Doug waiting for the elevator. Show Kerry and Mark come up to wait with him

Mark:
You sure got out of there in a hurry.

Doug (shrugs):
The thought of Garrett Holmes being my temporary boss was enough to make me run!

Kerry (scoffs):
You and me both. That guy is a nightmare!

Mark:
What’s wrong with him? He’s been at Mercy for years!

Doug:
That’s because nobody else wants him!

Mark:
Oh, come on, he can’t be THAT bad!

Kerry:
The guy is the worst!

Doug:
Yeah, he’s the type that shoots first and asks questions later...and he hates me.

Mark:
Oh, now, WHEN did you ever have contact with Garrett Holmes.

Kerry:
He was Chief of Staff at Redmond where Doug and I did our Residency...and he’s right, Mark...he really has it in for Doug.

Doug (looks at Kerry):
Yeah, worse than YOU do.
(Elevator opens and Doug steps in)
I haven’t seen my wife in about 2 days...I’m going home.

Mark (nods):
I’ll call you later, OK?

Doug (nods):
OK.
(he waves as the elevator closes them off from each other)

Kerry (turns to Mark):
So, you’re taking a leave of absence?

Mark (nods):
Yeah, a short one...probably just a couple of months. I’m having surgery.

Kerry (confused):
Well, Doug had surgery and he didn’t take a leave for it.

Mark (squirms slightly):
Well, this is a different kind of surgery.

Kerry:
Oh...well...I wish you good luck.

Mark:
Thanks.

Kerry (thinking):
Wait a minute...that test report Doug asked me to back him up on recently...that was you, wasn’t it?
(Mark nods slowly)
Oh, Mark, I’m so sorry.

Mark:
I’d appreciate it if it didn’t go any further than you, and me, and Doug. OK?

Kerry (nods):
Of course.

Mark (softly):
Thanks.

Mark goes on off down the hall alone, leaving Kerry with a worried look on her watching him go.

Cut to show Doug sitting at an ice cream pallor with Emma and Rachel, just the three of them. They are all eating huge sundaes with spoons at a table together.

Doug:
I thought if you girls had any questions about anything it would be good to ask me while there are no other grown-ups around.
(both look at him carefully)
Because, I know, when I was a kid, I didn’t understand a lot of technical things and I didn’t have anybody to explain them to me.
(Looks at both of them)
So, do either of you have any questions?

Rachel:
What are they gonna do to my Dad?

Doug (nods):
OK, they’re going to do surgery...now I know you both know what that is...
(both nod)
...and take the tumor that’s inside him out.

Emma:
Then what do they do with it?

Doug:
Well, they send it to a lab to have it analyzed.

Rachel:
Why? They already know what it is.

Doug (nods):
Yes, they do, but they have to do this anyway, so they can be absolutely sure.

Rachel:
Is the surgery gonna hurt him?

Doug:
Well, he’ll be asleep for the surgery. He won’t feel any pain until he wakes up afterwards, and yes, it’s going to hurt him some. But, we can give him medicine to help that. He’ll be OK.

Rachel:
Dad says he has to take Radiation...will that hurt him?

Doug:
Not really...he won’t have real physical pain from it, but, it might do strange things to his body.

Rachel:
Like Chemo will?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, like Chemo will. You know, Rachel, your Dad’s not going to feel very well for a while...and he might say things that he doesn’t really mean or he might be grouchy with you guys sometimes. You have to understand that when people feel bad, it can do all sorts of things to them. You just have to ignore them and love them anyway....know that they don’t mean to hurt you...they’re just lashing out.

Rachel:
Dr. Doug? I’ve never seen my Daddy sick before.

Doug:
I know, Honey...I haven’t either. Your Dad has always been the one that took care of everybody else...now it’s our turn to take care of him.

Emma (quiet voice):
But, he has cancer...doesn’t that mean he’s gonna die?

Doug (shakes his head):
Not everybody that has cancer dies from it. Some forms of it are curable. And Mark has a form of it, and it’s been caught very early, that I think he has a good chance of us getting it all and he can lead a long and normal life after this is over.

Rachel:
Is he gonna be different?

Doug (smiles):
No,
(shakes his head)
He’ll be the same old Mark he’s always been...he’s just going to need our help for a while.

Emma:
Is there anything we can do to make him feel better?

Doug (nods):
Don’t treat him any different than you always have and try to be as good as you can be for him and for Nina. They’re both going to really need you to do that for a while.
(smiles at them)
Now, I think you two can handle that for a little while, can’t you?

Emma (nods):
Yeah...

Rachel (smiles):
We can.

The three of them go back eating the ice cream full force as Doug chuckles watching them.

Cut to show Mark sitting alone in his office behind his desk. He is cleaning things up for the new acting Chief of Staff when Kerry Weaver comes back through the door. She knocks lightly at the same time she pushes the door open. Mark looks up and gives her a weak smile.

Kerry:
It’s only temporary, you know...you’ll be back.

Mark (nods):
I know...just taking some personal stuff I don’t want anybody going through out.

Kerry (sits in the chair across from his desk):
Who’s doing the surgery?

Mark:
Peter Benton.

Kerry:
I guess a man would choose a man to do that kind of surgery...like a woman choosing a woman to do breast surgery...
(Mark nods and chuckles)
Are you OK?

Mark (nods):
Yes, I am OK.

Kerry:
Is there anything I can do?

Mark (grins):
Yeah, try to keep Doug out of trouble while I’m gone.

Kerry (grins):
Why don’t you give me something hard to do, Mark?

Mark (quiet voice):
Seriously, you kind of keep an eye on him, OK? I know none of this is easy for him...he’s going to be a little bit lost around here without me.

Kerry (nods):
Don’t worry...I’ll keep him busy.

Mark (serious tone):
So, really, what’s the story with Garrett Holmes that has Doug running scared?

Kerry (frowns):
He just has it in for Doug. He made his life pretty miserable when we were at Redmond together. I was sure at one point that Doug was going to quit medicine all together because of him. Unless he’s changed a lot, I look for Doug to take quite a bit of vacation time while you’re gone.
(chuckles, Mark frowns)

Mark:
I hope things work out for him...I’ll be around for him to talk to...he should be OK. Trent Jacobs will be coming before I’m discharged so that will give him something to focus on.

Kerry (rolls her eyes):
I can just see Garrett now with Doug, and Max, and this new kid to drive him crazy! Should be interesting around here.

Mark (stands up, puts all his things in a bag):
Well, I’ll be checking in for surgery in a day or so...I guess I’ll see you then, Kerry.

Kerry (nods):
Take it easy, Mark...
(reaches her hand to him to shake)
...and good luck.

Mark (shakes hands with her, smiles weakly):
Thanks.

Mark goes out of the office and starts to pull the door shut. He looks back into office with a look that wonders if he is leaving it for the last time. He lowers his head slowly and pulls the door shut completely, locking it behind him.

Cut to show Doug coming through the patio doors of the new house carrying a pizza box. The patio leads into the kitchen, and he find Carol there, still unpacking boxes.

Doug (smiles):
I figured the dishes weren’t unpacked yet, so, I got paper plates at the pizza place.

Carol (turns, surprised to see him, smiles):
You brought pizza!

Doug (holds up a bad):

And a 2 liter of soda...paper cups...napkins...the works!

Carol: I knew you were a smart man when I married you!

Doug (puts the pizza on the counter):
Yeah, I just deteriorated over the years, huh?
(calls through house)
KIDS! PIZZA!

Scott (comes running in from another room):
All right, Dad! Just what I wanted!
(opens box)
I get the hot peppers!

Tatiana (comes in and stands behind him, looking into the box):
Yuck! You can HAVE them!

Doug:
So, how were things around here today?

Scott (mumbles through a piece of pizza):
We lost Mr. Cuddles!

Doug (looks at Carol):
Oh, Lord! Did you find him?

Carol (nods):
Oh, yeah! We found him! Marc bawled until we did and he’s been cranky every since!

Doug (weary look):
Sounds like a day I’m glad I missed.

Carol (knowing grin):
Rough day at the hospital?

Doug:
Colin Andrews is going in tomorrow for surgery to relieve pressure on the brain.

Carol (frowns):
Poor kid...he’s really going to have it rough for a while.

Doug (nods, lost in thought):
Yeah...and he’s not the only one...

Carol gives Doug a weak smile as he starts into a slice of pizza. He peers at her with a sad expression as Act Three fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at the Ross home. Pan into the master bedroom and show it stacked with boxes and things lying about. There are sheets tacked up over the windows. Show Doug sitting on the edge of the bed, the only thing in tact in the room. He is hooking himself to his dialysis machine and Carol comes into the room just as he leans back on the bed to relax. She climbs onto the bed beside him and cuddles on his shoulder.

Carol:
Thank you for bringing the pizza. It was a big help.

Doug (chuckles, slips his arm around her):
I knew things would be a mess here...but it really looks like you got a lot done today.

Carol:
The kids were a big help...
(grins, kisses him sweetly)
...and so were you.

Doug:
Me? How was I any help?

Carol (smiles):
You were gone all day.

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah, I guess that’s about the best help I could be, huh?
(chuckles again)

Carol:
How were things at the hospital?

Doug:
Well, I got a nice reprimand for letting Trent Jacobs work on the Andrews kid even though he’s not on staff...Mark filed for his leave of absence and we’re getting Garrett Holmes as a temporary replacement for him while he’s gone...

Carol:
Garrett Holmes? I thought he was at Mercy?

Doug (nods):
He is...and now he’s going to be at County for a while....he’s also, most likely, going to be a thorn in my side...I’ll be glad when Mark comes back...and he hasn’t even left yet!

Carol:
How he is doing?

Doug (sighs):
He’s nervous...and he’s scared. Same as anyone else would be facing what he’s facing. I just wish there was something I could do for him. I took Rachel and Emma out today and talked to them...

Carol (brightens):
Well, that was really nice of you!

Doug (ticks his head):
Well, kids usually have questions of their own and adults don’t always have time to answer them, so, I thought I would.

Carol (gives him a coy smile):
You can do something for me?

Doug:
Oh yeah? What’s that?

Carol cuddles close and runs her hands through Doug’s hair. Doug chuckles lightly and kisses her sweetly. She comes alive quickly, kissing him and pushing her body close to his. He wraps his arms around her and pulls him to her, kissing her, and holding her close to him.

Doug (smiles at her):
Ummmm....this is nice...

Carol:
And a change of pace...
(pause)
I’ve really missed you, Doug...it’s been too long since we spent any real time together!

Doug:
I agree with that.

Carol:
I want things to be different for us here in this new house...we have a new start...I want us to take it.

Doug (gazes into her eyes):
I can live with that.

He pulls her to him and takes her face in both his hands, kissing her tenderly. They are neither one aware that Scott is passing by their door from the hallway.

Scott (looks in and sees them):
Oh, PLEASE! Nobody needs to see that!

Doug (sarcastic grin):
Then close the door....
(winks at Scott)
...please.

Scott smiles and pulls the door shut. Doug turns back to Carol with a wide smile.

Doug:
Now....where we were?

Carol (giggles):
Not far enough...

Doug (chuckles):
You’re really passionate tonight...I like it!

Carol (sighs, lays her head on his shoulder, keeps fondling his hair):
Doug, I love you so much...we just have been so far apart lately...

Doug:
And that’s my fault...

Carol:
No, it’s my fault. I used your back as an excuse to keep away from you instead of dealing with my own fears.
(looks him in the eye)
I don’t want to stay away from you anymore, Doug.

Doug (confused):
You were afraid of me?

Carol:
Not you, so to speak...just afraid I couldn’t give you what you needed...

Doug (takes her chin to make her look at him):
Listen, you can always give me what I need, no matter what it is. Because all I need is you beside me...
(tightens his grip on her)
...and in my arms. All I need is to know you’re always going to be here.
(kisses her, looks into her eyes)
That’s all I need.

Carol:
You know, when I met you, you never said things like that.

Doug (chuckles):
I was young...and foolish.

Carol:
So, now you’re just old?
(Doug chuckles and squeezes her lightly)

Doug (chuckling):
You just give me a little time, woman...I’ll show you how ‘old’ I am.
(Carol giggles and takes his face in her hands as she kisses him)

They are so wrapped up in each other that they notice the door to their room has opened. Show a tiny hand come up over the bed and flop a stuffed elephant on Doug. This alerts him quickly and he turns his attention to see Marc climbing up onto the side of the bed.

Doug (chuckles as Marc crawls towards him):
You really know how to kill a mood, Buddy...do you know that?

Carol:
I didn’t know he knew how to open the door!

Doug (chuckles):
I guess we’re gonna have to start locking it now, huh?

Carol (nods):
Yes, we are...we can’t have him coming in if we’re in the middle of....well....you know...

Doug (nods):
Yeah...no kidding....I want him to learn about sex at home but I don’t think he needs live demonstrations!
(both laugh, Doug picks up the elephant to look at it)
Mr. Cuddles! I heard you caused quite a shake up today.

Marc (reaches for the elephant):
Gimme.

Doug (starts to hand it to him, seizes an opportunity to ‘teach him’):
Give me, please?

Marc (coaxing look):
Pees.

Doug (shrugs):
Close enough...
(hands him the elephant and Marc cuddles it close to him)

Marc crawls over and leans up against Doug, whining and flopping himself against him. Doug reaches down and pats him gently, putting his hand on his head.

Doug (looks down a bit concerned):
How long has he had that fever?

Carol (reaches over quickly, concerned):
What fever?
(feels Marc’s head)
Oh, my God! He didn’t have it a little while ago!

Doug (calming voice):
It’s OK...it’s not that high...he’s probably fine...but that explains why he’s been fussy all day...you said he was cranky.

Carol (touches Marc’s back):
Poor little guy...

Doug (listens carefully, then leans down close to Marc’s face):
He’s wheezing...does he sound like he’s wheezing to you?

Carol (listens carefully):
Yeah...he does! You suppose he’s taking a cold?

Doug (shakes his head, listen close to Marc’s face):
No...that’s congestion...
(sits up and pulls Marc close to him)
Without a culture I can’t be sure, but it sounds like he’s had an asthma attack!

Carol (sits up with him):
Asthma? That’s impossible! Marc doesn’t have asthma!

Doug (ticks his head):
Some kids don’t develop it when they’re infants...they wait until they’re toddlers...I did.

Carol (surprised, looks at him):
You had asthma?
(Doug nods)
I never knew that!

Doug (shrugs):
I outgrew it, like most kids do...had my last attack when I was about 10 or 11...I guess Marc is gonna take after me, huh?

Carol (smiles):
I called him ‘Doug Jr’ just today! He gets more like you every day.

Doug (chuckles):
Mom said the last time she kept him she called him "Dougie" three times!
(chuckles again)
I guess he is a lot like me.

Carol (smiles weakly):
Scotty asked me if he was anything like you...

Doug (grins):
Oh yeah? What’d you tell him?

Carol:
I told him the truth....he’s a lot like you. He shares your love for sports, and motorcycles...and girls!
(Doug chuckles)
Truth is, Scott is just as much like you as Marc is...and that’s pretty incredible seeing that you had nothing to do with his formative years.

Doug:
I guess you can’t fight genes, huh?
(smiles)
Mark recently pointed out to me that Tatchie is even a lot like me...

Carol (nods):
She is. She is so attached to you...she wants to do everything you do...it’s really pretty cute. You just have a magnetic personality where children are concerned.

Doug:
Good thing, considering the profession I picked to go into, huh? Why don’t you take him and put him back in his bed and set up a vaporizer for him...he’ll sleep better and then tomorrow we can take him in and let Max or somebody look at him.

Carol (nods):
OK.

Carol gets up and goes around the bed to pick Marc up where he’s lying against Doug. The minute she picks him up he reaches his arms back for Doug and starts crying again.

Marc (reaching):
Papa!

Doug (laughs, reaches to take him back):
Papa? Where’d you learn a word like that...as if I don’t know...
(looks sheepishly at Carol)
I guess he wants to stay here.

Carol (smiles):
OK...I’ll go get the stuff and set it up in here and he can just stay with you...
(smiles as she starts out of the room)
One of those triplets better turn out to be a "Mama’s" kid...I’m telling you that much now!

Doug laughs at her remark as she goes on out the door. He reaches down and cuddles Marc close to him, kissing his head softly.

Doug (to Marc):
Good thing your Mom and I still aren’t up to snuff, Buddy...or you’d get packed off to the nursery with Mrs. Lincoln!

Marc looks up at him with wide eyes. Doug just chuckles and pulls his son close to him as Act Four fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at County hospital sometime the next day. Show Doug checking over things in Colin Andrew’ room when Carol comes in to stand beside him.

Carol:
How’s he doing?

Doug (nods):
Came through the surgery well....looks like he’s going to make it.

Carol (frowns):
Make it for what? To be sent to a home and live there for the best years of his young life?

Doug (puts his arm around her):
What would you say if he came to our house?

Carol (looks at him):
Our house? As what? Another foster? I thought you said you didn’t want to do that again?

Doug:
What if we just adopt him? He’s got no family...no place to go. We have the money and the medical know-how to take care of him.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Do we have an extra bedroom? He’s too young to put in with Scott...too big to put in with Marc...

Doug:
We have extra rooms....we were planning on the twins sharing a room and Marc and Josh sharing a room....we have 7 bedrooms but we aren’t going to use them all....we have room in our house...
(turns to her)
Do we have room in our hearts? Is it too soon after Raoul?

Carol (smiles):
I’ve thought the same thing about this little guy every since I laid eyes on him...that we should take him. I think we should talk about it, at least...

Doug (nods, smiles):
We’ll do that.
(kisses her lightly)
What did Max say about Marc?

Carol:
Exactly what my last Pediatrician that saw him said...that he had asthma.

Doug (winces):
Damn it....I was hoping none of the kids would get any of the bad stuff from me.

Carol:
Have to take the good with the bad, dear...at least his Daddy is a doctor and his Mommy is a nurse and we’ll know how to take care of him until we can teach him how to take care of himself...

Doug (nods):
And by then, he’ll probably outgrow it...I need to ask Scott if he had asthma when he was little.

Carol (pats Doug on the back):
It’ll be OK.

Doug (starts slowly away with her, using her instead of his cane to lean on):
Let’s go upstairs and see how things are going for Mark...

Carol (as they start out the door):
When is the surgery?

Doug (looks at his watch):
They should be wheeling him almost any time now.

Cut to show Doug and Carol coming down the hall where Nina is standing by a bed against the wall holding Mark’s hand.

Doug (stops by Mark’s bed and peers down at him):
Hey....how you doing?

Mark (nods nervously):
I’m OK.

Doug:
I talked to Peter already and he assured me if he slips and cuts something he’s not supposed to he can tie it back on and you’ll never know the difference.

Mark (sarcastic nod):
Thanks a lot.

Doug (clasps Mark’s hand in his):
I’ll be right there with you, Buddy...
(taps his chest)
...in here, OK?

Mark (nods):
I appreciate you two coming to stay with Nina...

Nina (smiles):
I’m a big girl, Mark...
(smiles at Doug and Carol)
But I appreciate you guys being here anyway.

Carol:
You knew we’d be here.

Show Peter Benton coming up to the table. He nods to the crew and looks down at Mark.

Peter:
You all ready to go, Dr. Greene?

Mark:
As ready as I’ll ever be!
(looks at group)
See you guys later!

Nina (leans down and kisses his cheek):
Good luck, Love. I’ll be waiting.

The three of them stand together in the hallway and watch as Mark is wheeled towards surgery. Focus on the three concerned faces and Fade the Closing Act into the Closing Credits of the show.

August 20, 1998