"No Secrets"

Opening Act

Scene opens at County ER. The staff is assembled loosely around the front desk. Mark Greene, Kerry Weaver, John Carter, and Carol Hathaway are visibly present, but, others are in the background.

Mark (casually):
So, Carol, how is Iggy getting along at your house?

Carol (giggling):
Oh, Mark! You should have BEEN there when Tatiana saw him the first time! It was absolutely priceless! Have you ever seen the movie "ET"?
(staff nods...grunts of 'yeah' and 'uh huh' abound)
Well, you know when the little girl, Gertie, sees ET for the first time? That blood curdling siren scream she let out?
(more nods and agreement sounds)
Well, that's what Tatchie sounded like. It was just SO funny. She just STOOD there, screaming her head off. Doug ran in there to her and told her it was OK and she stopped screaming and the quietest, tiniest little voice she said 'what is it?'
(scattered snickers and laughs)
I thought Doug was going to bust a gut trying to keep a straight face. He asked her what she was screaming about if she didn't know what she was screaming at and she told him she thought it was a snake. You should have HEARD him explaining that snakes don't have legs.

Mark (chuckling):
For some reason, I have a hard time picturing Doug as a man of patience and composure.

Carol (in all sincerity):
You should see him with the kids. He transforms into a totally different person when he's with them.

Kerry:
So, do you two have your parental duties divided up?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Oh, sure. Doug isn't very good at helping with homework, and he's a LOUSY disciplinarian...

Mark (snickers):
Well, I gotta sympathize with him there! I'm not very good at that either...

Kerry (offering):
Most men aren't.

Carol:
Yeah, but, Doug thinks ten minutes in a 'time out' chair is torture!

Mark (soft chuckle):
Rachel bats those big brown eyes at me and I just can't stand it. I just back down.

Carol:
About all Doug is good at is passing football and reading bedtime stories. And going to tea parties.

Mark (nods):
Well, those things are important too!

Carol (smiles and nods):
Yeah. They sure are. There's just one thing I don't understand, though.

Kerry:
Oh, yeah? What's that?

Carol:
We have two kids living in our house, Doug gets to be 'Dad' and 'Papa' and I'm still just 'Carol'. What's WRONG with this picture?

Mark (amazed):
Tatiana calls him 'Papa'?

Carol (nods):
Yeah. She started that just a while ago. You should have seen the look on his face the first time she called him that. I thought he was gonna cry. His eyes welled up and he got a lump in his throat. His voice even cracked when he answered her.

Kerry (offering):
She just bonded with Doug first, Carol. That's all. She'll bond with you, too.

Carol:
I know. I just have to be patient.

Mark (offers as well):
Well, you know, Doug has a way with kids. Part of his job.

Carol (laughing):
And the fact that he's still just a big kid himself!

Mark (nods in agreement):
This is true!

Kerry:
So, how is Scott getting along? Is he adjusting OK?

Carol:
He seems to be doing really well. He really likes school... he has a little girl friend already...

Mark (laughing):
Just one? Doesn't sound like a Ross man to me!

Carol (grins):
Just one so far.

Cut to show Doug Ross coming out of an exam room with a young patient and a parent. The child looks to be about 12 years old. She is wearing her right arm in a sling. The parent has an agitated look on her face as she takes the child by the left hand to lead her away with her.

Parent:
Come along, Millicent.

Doug (as they start away):
Good bye, Millicent. You'll be good as new in no time. I promise.
(strolls up to the desk to join the staff there)

Mark (nods towards his patient):
I see it wasn't broken.

Doug (shakes his head):
No, but, as far as her mother's concerned she would have been better off it was! All she cares about is whether or not her 'child prodigy' will still be able to play the violin with it when it heals.

Mark (teasing Doug):
Suppose one of your kids wanted to play the violin, Doug. Would that injury concern you?

Doug (nonchalantly):
If one of my kids wanted to play the violin, I'd invest in a pair of ear plugs and make the best of it. And no, the injury would not concern me.

Kerry (smiling):
I gotta agree with Mark, it's just really bizarre to be standing around talking about kids and families with you, Doug. You're the last person on this staff I ever thought would turn into a family man.

Doug (chuckles):
Who says leopards can't change their spots, huh?

Kerry:
So, what about the wedding? You two don't even talk about arrangements anymore? Have you decided not to do it again?

Carol:
No, we're definitely doing it again. We want to be married in the Church. We just have to get time to find out about the classes...

Mark (confused):
Classes?

Doug (offers):
Pre Cana classes...although I think they're going to waive pre-cana in our case.

Kerry:
Will the kids be in the wedding?

Carol:
I don't know if they'll be in it or not, but they'll both definitely be there.

The group is interrupted by a man approaching them. He is dressed in a three piece suit and a tie and carrying a brief case. He stops at the desk with the group.

Mark (helpfully):
Help you, Sir?

Man (opens briefcase and takes out a letter):
Yes, I'm looking for
(reads from envelope)
Douglas Steven Ross.

Doug (looks up):
I'm Dr. Ross.

Man (smiles, hands Doug the letter):
Could you sign here, please?
(Hands Doug a log to sign)
Thank you very much!

As quickly as he came, he is gone. Doug splits open the envelope and scans over the letter quickly.

Mark (reads the look on Doug's face):
Bad news?

Doug (sighs):
It's the notice to appear in court. The Claymonts are contesting my Custody rights.

Pan camera for reactions. Carol gives Doug a coaxing look. Mark and Kerry simply sigh and nod. Stay focused on Doug with a distraught and perplexed look on his face and fade into opening credits of the show.

"No Secrets"

Act One

Scene opens on the hospital roof, near the medivac landing. Doug is pacing back and forth, pounding his fist into one hand. His expression is pained, and angry. Cut to show Mark opening the door from the hospital and looking out onto the roof. He sees Doug pacing and Mark rolls his eyes, ambling slowly out onto the roof to join him.

Mark (quietly):
I thought I might find you here.
(Doug doesn't answer...just keeps pacing)
Something you want to talk about?
(again, no response, only a slight pause and a glance, then, pacing again)
Doug, it's not like you weren't expecting it! You knew this was coming!

Doug:
Why can't they just leave me alone, Mark? I never did anything to those people! Why do they have to haunt me so much?

Mark (mock serious):
Well, because then, you'd have a perfect life, and we all know that can't ever happen. It wasn't destined for you when you were born...

Doug (cuts him off angrily):
That's not funny, Mark!

Mark (nods, apologetically):
I'm sorry. I was only kidding.

Doug (quietly, turns away to peer out over the city):
You're probably right, though. I was never meant to have a perfect life. I wanted to just marry Carol and live 'happily ever after', you know?

Mark (leans on the rail beside him):
Well, this isn't a fairy tale, Doug. This is real life. Nobody lives 'happily ever after' in real life much anymore.

Doug (sighs):
Everything just happened so fast. I filed that appeal for Carol with Tatiana almost three years ago! It never even dawned on me that something like that would come through so soon after we were married...

Mark (shrugs):
Are you sorry?

Doug (thinks a minute, smiles, and chuckles):
No.
(shakes his head)
Not at all. She's a doll. And I adore her. She can light up the room faster than anything I ever saw in my life.

Mark (chuckles):
Little girls have a way of doing that.

Doug:
I guess now I can see how much you really miss Rachel.

Mark:
She's growing up every day. And I'm missing the biggest part of it.

Doug:
Like that song? 'Cat's in the Cradle'?

Mark (nods):
Yeah.
(pause)
So, now, you have Scott to take care of. Are you sorry about that?

Doug:
Not, sorry. Not really. But, scared. And this custody thing has me really uptight...

Mark:
Well, if it calms you down any, I had a lawyer friend of mine do some research. You got nothing to worry about.

Doug:
Not legally, maybe. I checked with my lawyer, too. He said there's no way a judge will overturn the will. I'm not as worried about that, I don't guess, as much as everything he's going to have to hear about me.

Mark (confused):
I don't think I understand.

Doug (sighs):
Fred's intention with this hearing has nothing to do with custody. He wants Scott to know his father is less than desirable as a person.

Mark (shrugs):
And you think that matters to Scott?

Doug:
I want him to be proud of me, Mark. I want him to be able to look up to me. I don't want him to be ashamed to be my son. I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of, Mark.

Mark (nods, knowingly):
We've all done things we're not proud of, Doug.

Doug (scoffs):
Yeah, well, some of us have more things than others. I wonder if maybe I shouldn't just let the Claymonts win and save Scott from having to hear all that stuff.

Mark (taken aback):
Doug Ross give up without a fight? I didn't think I'd ever see the day that would happen! You're not a quitter, Doug. Do you honestly think it would be easier to let him walk away from you than it would be for him to hear some bad things about you?

Doug (lost in thought):
Could get pretty heated.

Mark:
Then, tell him what to expect. Take him off someplace just the two of you and tell him everything you think is going to come up at this hearing. Don't let there be any surprises for him and the two of you talk about it now. Get it out in the open and put it behind you.

Doug (shakes his head):
You say that like it's easy.

Mark:
I didn't mean for it to sound easy. It surely won't be. But, I guess you're just going to have to make up your mind what's important to you here.

Doug (confused):
More important?

Mark (nods, as he starts away):
Yeah...your reputation or your son.

Mark walks away and leaves Doug standing at the rail in thought.

Cut scene to action in the ER. Doug comes out of an exam room with a chart and carries it up to the desk to leave it for filing. He pauses while he writes something on it. When he looks up, he sees a parent standing in front of him, backing her child away from him. He hears the parents say 'I prefer another doctor...I don't want this monster touching my child' as she pulls the child away. Doug ticks his head with a confused look. When he looks up again, he sees Carol standing in front of him trying to take the chart from his hands.

Carol (smiles):
Doug? Hey? Something else you need this chart for?

Doug (ticks his head again):
Huh? Oh! No!
(releases chart)
Sorry.

Carol (confused look):
You OK?

Doug (nods):
Yeah.

Doug walks away and into the staff lounge. Carol follows him in.

Carol:
I wanted to talk to you anyway...when does that letter say the hearing is?

Doug:
Does it matter?

Carol:
Well, yeah, I need time to rearrange my schedule so I can be there with you.

Doug:
You don't need to worry about it.

Carol (agitated now):
I wasn't 'worried' about it. Are you saying you don't want me to go?

Doug (trying to avoid an argument):
I'm saying it's not necessary for you to go. This isn't your problem. Scott is not your child.

Carol (growing angry):
Oh, so, that's how it works, Doug? What's yours is yours and what's mine is mine? And it never combines?

Doug:
I didn't say that...

Carol:
Well, that's what it sounded like to me! If this were about Tatiana instead of Scott, I guess I'd be on my own because Tatchie belongs to me! Is that it?

Doug:
I didn't mean it that way...

Carol (stands face to face with Doug, pointing her finger at his chest):
We stood together in front of a judge and made a vow of togetherness! I meant that vow, Doug. I thought that you did, too...

Doug:
It has nothing to do with any of that...

Carol:
I don't know what to believe with you anymore, Doug! You never talk to me! You don't tell me anything that's going on with you! I don't know what you're thinking! Or feeling! Now, you don't even want me to share something with you that I think is really important. Well, fine! I'll call the lawyers office and find out when the hearing is. And I won't be there for you! I'll be there for Scott. Because that little boy needs to know that somebody's on his side...

Doug (quickly):
I'm on his side...

Carol (nods):
When it's convenient for you! Now that something bad might come out about your past, you want to cut and run. Like you always do when the going gets tough. You just don't know how to deal with conflict and problems, Doug! You never have!
(Doug wants to respond, but, doesn't have the words, so, he just stands and takes it as Carol continues to hammer at him)
There is NOTHING in your past that can shock me, Doug! Surely you know that by now. No matter what terrible thing you think you've done, it isn't going to change the feelings of the people who love you. I don't know why that's so difficult for you to understand.
(calms her voice, but, not her tone)
I'll come to this hearing and I'll be there for Scott if you don't want me to be there for you. I will never be that little boy's mother. He will always know I'm not his 'Mom. But, I'm going to be the best step-mom I can be for him and I'm going to be there for him so he'll always know he has somebody to fall back on in case you decide to cut and run later.

Carol turns sharply and walks away. Doug turns back, obviously flustered, but too late to catch her.

Doug:
I didn't mean....Carol!
(see she is gone, turns around and kicks locker behind him in frustration)
Damn it!

Cut scene.

Open next scene out at the front desk. Doug is working there along with Mark and Carter, with Carol nearby. She moves by Doug a couple of times and gives him a glare, but does not say anything to him. He gives her a sheepish look, but, likewise, stays quiet.

Mark (tries to clear the air):
So, Doug, will you be needing some time off for the hearing?

Doug (shrugs):
No, I can probably work around it. Should work out OK.

Mark (continues):
Because, you know, if you need some time, I'll be glad to let you have it.

Doug (looks up...grins):
I can handle it, Mark. Thanks.

Carol (sarcastically):
Sure, Mark! He's super human! He can handle anything and everything all by himself. He doesn't need anybody for anything.

Mark gives Doug a silent 'O-K' look with his eyes as she slams a file down close to where Doug is standing.

Mark:
What about you, Carol? You planning to need some time off for the hearing?

Carol (nods):
Yes, Mark. Thank you for asking. I've put my request in already.

Carter (helpfully):
You know, Dr. Ross, these things can get kind of stressful. You might want to consider taking some time away until it's over. If you're worried about your work load, I'd be happy to fill in for you.

Doug (looks carefully at Carol):
I might think about that, Carter. Thanks.

Focus on Carol and Doug casting tension lines between them with their eyes and Mark looking nervously on at them and fade act one to black.

Act Two

Scene opens in the staff lounge. Carol is there, stirring coffee and leaning against a table. She looks somewhat dejected or at least very tired. Show Mark coming into the lounge. He sees her, but doesn't speak right away. She gives him a careful look, but, likewise, doesn't speak. Mark gets coffee and sits in a chair close to where Carol is standing.

Carol (quietly):
Doug gave me his letter. I asked him when the hearing was and we had a little argument over it.

Mark (truthfully, shrugs):
None of my business.

Carol:
Are you going to do the test?

Mark (confused):
Test?

Carol:
The letter says he and Scott have to take a paternity test.

Mark:
I'm sure he'll mention it to me later.

Carol:
What is it with him, Mark? He can stand on the roof of this hospital and talk to you about anything in the world, but, he can't share one thing he's feeling with me?

Mark (smiles, sincerely):
He doesn't sleep with me.

Carol (scoffs):
Oh, what's that got to do with anything?

Mark:
He doesn't think he has to be strong for me. He doesn't think he has to be a hero to me.

Carol:
He doesn't have to be those things to me, either!

Mark:
But he thinks he does.

Carol:
Well, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Surely Doug knows I'm stronger than that.

Mark:
Not to him, you're not. Remember how he was when you first came back to work after the pills? He went around to everybody on the staff asking them to be considerate of you and your feelings. He went out of his way to make things as easy for you as he possibly could. You didn't need it. We all knew that. But, he thought you did.

Carol:
Well, Doug should well know by now that I am not some delicate little flower that needs protection all the time. He knows better than that. And that's not what he wants in a woman anyway. I just need to find some way to pull away that shield of his and get to the marshmallow inside.
(pause)
What do you think is bothering him about this? Did he say anything to you?

Mark (shakes his head):
He didn't say. Just that he doesn't want Scott to be ashamed of him.

Carol:
Scott's never going to be ashamed of him. The kid is crazy about him.

Mark:
It's all just really new to him right now. I think once things get settled down and into a more normal routine, he'll be better with all of it. But, right now, even you have to admit, the two of you have been hit with an awful lot, awfully fast!

Carol (sighs):
Yeah. I know. I can carry the load OK, but, I'm worried about how he's handling it. If I could just get him to talk to me, so I could know what he's thinking, or feeling, it would help.

Mark:
Just be patient with him, Carol.

Carol:
I'm trying, Mark. I just wish he would too.

Carol puts down her coffee cup and quickly walks away. Mark shakes his head with a sarcastic smile...

Mark (as he starts out of the room):
Mark Greene...ER Attending...Camp Counselor...and Resident 'Dad' open for business...

Cut scene back to the hospital roof. Doug is leaning on the rail looking out over the city, lost in thought. Show Mark opening the door and stepping into the Chicago wind. He goes over beside Doug, leans on the rail with him, and sighs.

Mark:
Should I start sending your patients up here now, Doug? You've been up here more than you've been in the ER today.

Doug (sighs):
I know. I'm sorry. That letter just got me really uptight.

Mark:
Were you gonna tell me the part about the paternity test or not?
(Doug gives him a quick look)
Carol mentioned it.

Doug (nods):
Well, at least she's talking to you.

Mark:
She'll talk to you, too, whenever you start the conversation.

Doug (sighs):
I want to talk to her, Mark. I really do. I just don't know what to say.
(looks at his hands nervously)
I'm really afraid Carol thinks she might have made a mistake.

Mark (surprised):
Made a mistake? With what?

Doug:
Marrying me...or at least marrying me so fast. I mean, we were barely engaged when we ran off to Winnetka. Less than six months later we have two kids to take care of. We barely had time to get to know each other...now we never have any time alone.

Mark:
Then, take time alone, Doug! Get a sitter and you and Carol go out together! Other people do it. Just because I set a lousy example doesn't mean you have to follow it! Don't make the mistake I did...don't let those rings on your finger cut off the romance you two have always shared.

Doug (nervously):
I just don't think I'm the kind of man Carol wants to be married to. She wants a man who talks to her about his inner most feelings and shares them with her. I'm not sure I can do that.

Mark:
You love her, don't you?

Doug:
More than anything in the world! I guess I just don't show it very well.

Mark:
And why is that?

Doug (shakes his head):
I'm not sure I'm capable of that kind of emotion, Mark. I don't think I have it in me.

Mark (nods with a confident smile):
You've got it in you. I saw it written all over your ace that night they brought Carol in OD. It's there. You're just afraid to show it much.

Doug (sighs):
Bad thing is, I see Scott doing the same thing. He lays awake in bad at night and I can hear him crying, yet, he won't talk about what's bothering him.

Mark:
Do you go into his room and talk to him? Do you ask him about it?
(Doug shakes his head slowly)
Well, then how do you expect him to think you care why he's crying?

Doug:
I want to go in and talk to him, but, I don't know what to say.
(sighs sadly)
Is that incredible or what? I can patch up every kid that comes through this door, but, I can' help my own son.

Mark:
You just have to learn to open up a little, Doug. I know that's hard for you because you've always been a very closed off person. But, your life isn't your own anymore. You made the choice to share it with someone else. It's about time you started sharing it.

Doug (chuckles):
Do your minor in psychology, did you, Mark?

Mark (chuckles with him):
No, that's a degree I picked up from the ER.
(both laugh lightly)
I'll be glad to do the paternity test for you, if you want me to.
(Doug nods, but, doesn't say anything)

Mark (continues):
Is that what you're so uptight about?

Doug:
I don't doubt that Scott is my son. That's not a problem.
(pauses carefully)
Mark, is there anything in my past that can hurt me now? Anything that you could find out about that could get me thrown out of this hospital?

Mark (shrugs):
Have you killed somebody, Doug? Are you on the run and using an alias name or something?

Doug (laughs lightly):
No. You know better than that.

Mark:
Then, what is it? What's bugging you so much that you don't want your son to know about?

Doug (sighs):
When Sam told me she was pregnant, I completely panicked. was in my second year of medical school and I was hanging on by a thread, on probation, you name it. She dropped this on me and it was just like the last straw. I didn't know what to do...

Mark (almost knowingly):
Let me guess...you recommended she have an abortion?

Doug:
Makes me a monster, doesn't it? That I would suggest killing my own child...

Mark (shakes his head):
Doesn't make you a monster. Makes you exactly what you were...scared and not able to think straight.

Doug (continues):
My roommate performed abortions in an underground clinic.
(eyes Mark carefully)
Something else that's bugged me for a long time. I knew about this, and never did anything to stop it.

Mark:
Did you ever assist him? Participate in the procedures?

Doug (shakes his head):
No. I don't even really know that he truly did this. I never saw him do any of it. Just knew the rumors on campus. Anyway, I offered for Sam to have this done...that I would pay for it...but, she refused. When she said 'no' I told her she could just have the baby without me and she said 'fine'. I blew out of town for a few days to think it over. I decided I wanted to try and make a go at it, only, by the time I got back, she was no where to be found. Nobody would tell me anything...least of all Fred or Kate. I didn't know anything else until months later when I got her postcard telling me 'you have a son'. I didn't see them again for 10 years.

Mark (almost laughing):
You mean, that's it? That's all that all this is about? You think your son is going to hate you because you wanted to abort him?

Doug (almost embarrassed):
I guess it doesn't seem like much to you...

Mark:
I didn't mean for it to seem like I was making fun of you, Doug. I'm sorry. It's just that it doesn't seem like the worst crime in the world. And you said you changed your mind...you just couldn't find Samantha. Everything turned out OK in the end. She had the baby, and you found both of them.

Doug:
For all the lousy things Ray Ross did to me when I was growing up, he never tried to kill me. I guess even he would be a better father than me, huh?

Mark (emphatically):
You didn't try to kill your son, Doug. You may have thought about it in the beginning, but, you didn't pursue it. You didn't try to hurt Samantha and you didn't try to hurt the unborn child she was carrying. Now, if you had thrown her down a flight of steps, or beat her up in a drunken rage or something, I might see where you could think you tried to kill Scott. But, you did what any young, unmarried medical student would do in your position...you panicked...and came up with the first option that sounded reasonable. As for being a better father, well, seems to me you're there for Scott right now, so, I think you know the answer to who's a better father. You were scared...you were in medical school...you didn't know if you could support a wife and a child...you came up with the only easy answer you could find quickly...

Doug:
You did it. You met Jennifer when you were still in med school. And Rachel came before you graduated.

Mark (nods):
And if I had it to do over again, I would have waited.

Doug (quietly):
You talk to Carol before you came up here?

Mark (nods):
We talked a bit, yeah.

Doug:
Is she mad at me?

Mark (shakes his head):
I don't think 'mad' is really the word you want to use, Doug. You just need to talk to her. That's all.

Doug (sighs):
You say 'that's all' like there's nothing to it...

Mark:
Well, I don't mean to. Because it's not that easy. Take it from a guy who screwed it up royally, Buddy...marriage takes both partners working together to survive.
(pats Doug on the back)
Can I expect you back downstairs soon?

Doug (looks at his watch):
Yeah. I'm on my way with you.
(starts walking across the roof with Mark)
Helen is going to pick up the kids at school and bring Scott here. We can do the test then, OK?

Mark (opens door for both of them, nods):
OK. Just be sure you explain everything to him, Doug. He's an intelligent kid. He'll understand if you just talk to him.

Doug nods and starts through the door. Once he is inside, Mark rolls his eyes and shakes his head, following him through the door to the inside.

Focus on door closing shut and fade act two to black.

"No Secrets"

Act Three

Scene opens in an ER exam room. Doug is working with a young patient, little girl, looks to be about 5-6 years old. Her mother stands nearby, looking on. The injury is minor, the child has a burn on her left forearm.

Doug (nonchalantly):
How did this happen...
(looks at chart to get name)
Megan?

Megan:
I got too close to the oven.

Doug:
And why did you do that?

Megan:
I was chasing the kitty.

Doug (nods):
And did you catch the kitty?

Megan (frowns):
No, the kitty got away.

Doug (shrugs):
Well, then, it wasn't worth it, was it?

Megan (shakes her head):
No.

Doug (stands up, turns to the mother):
Nothing to worry about, Mrs....
(looks at chart)
Mrs. Holton. It's just a minor surface burn. She'll be fine. Shouldn't even leave a scar.

Mother (hand to her heart):
She's OK?

Doug (smiles):
She's fine.

Mother:
I guess I just panicked! She was just screaming like crazy...I'm glad she's not hurt as badly as it seemed!

Doug (nods):
Easy to panic when a child is in pain.

Doug walks out with his patient and her mother. They go on their way, with a wave from Doug. On their way out, they pass Helen, coming in with Tatiana and Scott. Tatiana sees Doug and bolts away from Helen to race to where Doug is standing.

Tatiana (calling as she run):
Papa!

Doug (smiles and boosts her up to sit on the counter):
Hi, Sweetie. How was school?

Tatiana (shows him a drawing):
I made this for Carol...

Doug (looks it over quickly):
It's very nice. I'm sure she'll like it very much...
(to Scott, who has now joined them at the counter)
Hey. Slugger. How was your day?

Scott (all smiles):
Great! I made the soccer team!

Doug (brightens):
Yeah?
(gives his son a 'high five')
Way to go! We'll get Dr. Greene to give you the sports physical for that.

Scott:
Yeah, and you and Carol have to sign a permission slip.

Doug (nods):
Not a problem... (voices trails off, turns to Helen)
Helen, listen, Carol is with Mark and they are with a patient. She shouldn't be much longer. Could you just watch Tatchie until she gets out here? I need to talk to Scott...

Helen (nods):
Sure, Doug. I'd be happy to.

Scott (as they start away):
Am I in trouble?

Doug (laughs):
No! Why would you think that?

Scott:
Because usually when somebody wants to talk to you, you're in some kind of trouble!

Doug (grunts):
Huh! Don't I know it!

Doug takes Scott on down the hall to a quieter area of the hospital where they can talk, just one to one.

Doug (quietly):
I got that letter from the lawyer today...the one I told you was coming? About the custody hearing?
(Scott nods that he understands)
There's a clause in it that says before the hearing we have to take a test to determine proof of paternity.

Scott:
What does that mean?

Doug:
That means we have to take a blood test and let them run a test to determine whether or not I am genetically and biologically your birth father.

Scott:
Why?

Doug (shakes his head):
Just something the court has requested.

Scott (scoffs):
The court? Or the Claymonts?

Doug (truthfully):
I don't know which it is. I only know we have to do it.

Scott (looks at Doug in wide eyed innocence):
Do you think you're my father?

Doug (smiles):
I KNOW I'm your father.

Scott:
Then, why do we have to take a test?

Doug:
Because I want us to do everything right and the way it's asked of us to be done. That way, nobody can come back later and say we didn't do something we were supposed to do. I want this thing to be over, Scott, so that you and I can get on with our lives.

Scott:
How do you know you're my father?

Doug (clears his throat):
Well, for one thing, you look just like the pictures of me when I was your age that my Mom has at her house...

Scott (lowly):
How would I know? I've never seen one. I've never even met your Mom. Or your Dad.
(looks at Doug quizzingly)
Are you ashamed of me?

Doug (emphatically):
No! Absolutely it is not about you. It's a very complicated story about my family, and I will explain it all to you in due time. And, I promise, you will meet my parents very soon. I'm just trying to get everything sorted out. You see, Scott, an awfully lot happened in my life in just a very short time...just like it did yours. I just need some time to learn how to balance it all.

Scott:
Am I part of your problems?

Doug (assuringly):
No, you are NOT any part of the problem. Not in the sense you think, anyway. I'm just afraid I may not be exactly that model father that you're used to.

Scott:
What does THAT mean?

Doug:
That means, I don't think I quite stack up to what Dennis was. I know you and Dennis used to go to movies, and he was your baseball coach, and things like that. I don't know if I can do those things exactly the way he did for you.

Scott (shrugs, with a grin):
So, you can teach me first aid. It doesn't matter what we do, I just wanna be with you, Dad.

Doug (chuckles):
Thanks, Scott. I appreciate that.

Scott (quietly):
You want me to live with you, don't you? I mean, because, if you don't, I can go live with my Aunt Trish...

Doug (cuts him off quickly):
Scotty, I want you with me more than you know. No matter what ever happens between us, don't ever think I don't want you.

Scott:
Well, how are you sure I'm your son? You weren't there when I was born. I could belong to anybody...

Doug (shakes his head):
No. You belong to me.
(looks at his feet, keeps his voice low)
Your mother was a few years younger than I was. And she came from a really devout Catholic family. Your mother was a virgin when she met me.
(watches Scott for a reaction...doesn't get one)
Do you know what that means?

Scott:
Yeah, I think so. That's someone who's never had sex, right?

Doug (nods):
Right.

Scott:
Like me...I'm a virgin...

Doug:
You're ten years old! I certainly HOPE so...
(clears his throat again)
Anyway, there was no one before me and your mother wasn't seeing anyone else. So, when she told me she was pregnant, I had no reason to doubt that the baby was mine. But, I wasn't quite ready to be a father, or so I thought, and I kind of panicked when she told me...

Scott (quietly):
Is that why you told her to get an abortion?

Doug (shocked):
She told you about that?

Scott:
Mom told me everything about you. When you found us and called that first time and we came down here to meet you, after we went home, she gave me a photo album and letters you wrote to her, poems you wrote to her and everything. She told me everything about when she met you and when you dated. And, yeah, she told me you asked her to have an abortion.
(pause)
Are you sorry she didn't do it?

Doug (relieved):
No! Not in the least! You see, after I said that, I was really sorry I'd even suggested it. And I came back to tell your Mom that, only I couldn't find her. I went to Fred and Kate but, they wouldn't budge. All they would tell me was that the situation was taken care of. They wouldn't tell me anything else. Then, I got that postcard, telling me 'you have a son' and that was the end of it. I moved away from that apartment...I couldn't tell your mother where to find me because I didn't know where she was, and then...

Scott (nods, understands):
The mail she sent you started coming back...

Doug (nods):
Yeah. The rest just drifted apart.

Scott:
But you didn't give up! I mean, you found me later! That's what counts!

Doug (sighs):
But, it doesn't make up for anything.

Scott (touches Doug's arm casually):
It does to me.
(Doug roughs his hair gently and smiles at him)
When do we take this test?

Doug:
Dr. Greene will do it as soon as we find him.

Scott:
Is it gonna hurt?

Doug (shrugs):
A little, maybe. How well do you tolerate needles?

Scott (truthfully):
Not very well, actually...

Doug (smiles):
Well, I'll be there with you. It'll be OK.

Scott:
Will Carol be there, too?

Doug (nods):
She can be, yes.

Scott:
When this is all over, and the judge says I belong to you and I get to stay with you, there's something else I want us to do, if you want to.

Doug:
Oh yeah, what's that?

Scott:
I want to be a Ross. I want to have your name. Can we do that?

Doug (stunned):
Well, I'd have to look into the legal aspects of that, but, I'm sure we can do that if you're sure you want to.

Scott:
I've never belonged to anyone except my Mom. I had the name Claymont, like her, when I was born. Then, she married Dennis, and became a Lyons, like him. And they had two kids, both named Lyons, like them.

Doug (chuckles):
Well, if it makes you feel any better, nobody has the same name in this house either! Carol stays Hathaway for professional reasons, even though she is legally a Ross...Tatiana was adopted under the name Hathaway, not Ross. I will have to legally adopt her as Carol's spouse. That's a way down the road yet. Now, we have you...

Scott:
You have to adopt Tatiana?

Doug (nods):
To legally be her father, yes.

Scott:
Does that mean you'd have to adopt me?

Doug (shrugs):
This is a case of paternity. I'm not sure what all the legal ropes are. But, we can look into it. I promise.

Scott (smiles):
Then, I could really 'belong' to somebody!

Doug (puts his arm around his son and starts down the hall with him):
Let's go find Dr. Greene and get this test done, OK?

Scott (nods, enthusiastically):
Yeah!

Focus on Scott and Doug walking down the hall back towards the busy ER together and fade act three to black.

Act Four

Scene opens in an exam room. Doug is there, with Scott and they are both sitting on an exam table. Mark and Carol are there preparing to draw blood from each other them for the paternity test.

Mark (holds a swab in his gloved hand:
OK, Doug, give me your arm.

Doug extends his arm for Mark, who rubs it roughly with the swab while Scott looks on. Mark takes the needle and injects it carefully into Doug's skin, causing Scott to suck in his breath quickly. Mark draws blood into a vial and covers the point of entry with gauze, which Doug holds in place. Mark hands the vial to Carol, who labels it and places it on the tray.

Scott (looks up at Doug):
Did it hurt?

Doug (shakes his head):
Not much. It's your turn, OK?

Scott (nods, nervously):
OK.

Mark prepares Scott exactly the same way he did Doug, but when he gets ready to insert the needle, Doug reaches over and pulls Scott's head into his chest.

Doug:
Don't watch. It doesn't hurt as much if you don't watch.

Mark inserts the needle, Doug and Scott both wince, and Scott sucks in his breath really hard. Doug rubs his shoulder briskly as Mark takes the needle out and leaves him gauze to hold.

Mark (to Scott):
Just hold that there a minute or so and it'll be fine.

Scott nods. Mark hands the second vial to Carol, who labels it, and places it on the tray with Doug's. Mark picks them both up and starts away with them.

Mark:
I'll put a rush on these, Doug. And I'll let you know as soon as I have the results.

Doug (slides off the table):
Thanks, Mark.
(to Scott)
I'm going back to work, but, you're welcome to just rest here for a while if you want to.

Scott (nods):
OK.

Doug starts away. Carol picks up the few things used and puts them where they belong and starts out behind Doug. She gets to the door and gives him a glare before stepping around him to go into the hall.

Carol:
You should stay with your son.

Doug (defensively):
He doesn't need me to stay!

Carol (snaps):
How do you know? Did you ask him if he wanted you to stay?

Doug sighs and goes on into the hall. Randi holds up a file for him almost at once.

Randi:
Got a nine year old in two possible fracture...

Doug (grabs file):
Got it!

Doug goes in and finds the child in tears, clutching his hand close to his chest. His father is with him, standing close to the exam table beside him.

Doug (cheerfully):
Hey, Buddy! It's gonna be OK!

Boy (sniffling):
It hurts...

Father (gruffly):
Suck it up, David! Be a man and let the doctor look at it!

Doug (turns the father):
It's OK if it hurts. He's just a little kid.

Father (defensively):
I just want him to be tough...

Doug:
Being tough is one thing. Being a kid is something else. Doug starts walking out of the room, the father gives him a bewildered look.

Father:
Where are you going? Aren't you going to fix his hand?

Doug (shakes his head):
No. I'm going to send someone else in to do it. I've got something more important to do.

Father:
What's more important than fixing my kid's hand?

Doug (matter-of-factly):
Making sure my kid doesn't turn out like me.
(walks out into the ER and hands chart to John Carter)
Take over for me here, will you, Carter? I have something I need to do.

Carter gives Doug a strange look, but, takes the chart and goes into the room Doug just came out of.

Doug goes back to the exam room where Scott is still sitting on the table. He is alone and dejected, but, otherwise OK. Doug goes in and slides onto the table to sit beside him. Doug is not aware that Carol is standing in the doorway eavesdropping on their conversation.

Doug:
How's your arm?

Scott (shrugs):
It hurts.

Doug (puts his arm around his shoulders):
Are you OK?

Scott (shrugs again):
Everything's just all jumbled up in my head.

Doug:
Want to talk about it?
(Scott just shrugs again)
Don't do that, Scotty, OK? Don't be like that. Don't be like me. Don't keep everything all closed up to yourself and think you can work everything out on your own like I do. I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong. You have to talk to me...you have to tell me what's going on with you. Then we can work it out together.

Scott (sniffs...trying not to cry):
I miss my Mom. I miss my Mom a lot.

Doug (rubs his shoulders):
I'm sure you do. I don't know what I would have done at your age if I had lost my Mom. I wouldn't even have had my father to fall back on.

Scott:
Does it ever stop hurting?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, it gets easier. But, I don't think you ever really get over it. You never forget. But, the best thing is, to always remember the good things. When you think about your Mom, and Dennis, think about all the fun things you did with them. Don't think about the bad stuff.

Scott (nods):
Yeah. That makes sense.
(quickly wipes his nose, running from the misting tears in his eyes)
Guess you think I'm a wimp now, huh?

Doug (smiles, shakes his head):
No, not at all.

Scott:
Do you ever cry?

Doug (sighs):
Not much anymore. Mostly because I'm afraid if I ever start, I might not be able to stop for a long, long time.

Scott reaches up and hugs Doug around the neck. As Doug returns the embrace, he sees Carol watching them and she smiles weakly at him. He grins back at her and pats his son's back gently.

Doug:
You gonna be OK for a few minutes? I need to talk to Carol.

Scott (rubs his nose again and nods):
Yeah. I'm OK. Thanks, Dad.

Doug goes slowly over to Carol and follows her into the hallway. They start down the hall together and find an empty medic room to slip into and talk.

Doug:
I owe you an apology...

Carol (shakes her head):
No, you don't owe me anything...

Doug (nods):
Yes, I do. I wasn't very open with you. And I'm sorry about that. I'm just not used to leaning on somebody else.

Carol (smiles sadly):
I know. You don't know much about marriage being a unity because you weren't exposed to much of that when you were growing up. I just need to be a little more patient with you. I know you're not used to being crowded for space, and let's face it, our house got real crowded, real fast!

Doug (looks at his feet, nervously):
It's not the kids. I love having the kids around. It's just that I'm not sure I know how to lean on you, Carol. I know that's what you want...I just don't know if I can do that yet.

Carol (shrugs):
We'll just have to work on it.

Doug (looks at her quickly):
Are you sorry you married me?

Carol (shakes her head):
No, not at all. I could never be sorry of something I am so sure about! I just get so frustrated with you sometimes. You can stand on the roof and talk to Mark all day, but, you can't even tell me something as simple as you wanted your girlfriend to have an abortion.

Doug (gives her a careful look):
Who told you?

Carol (shrugs):
I figured it out. That's the only thing I could think of that you would think made you out a monster where Scott was concerned. Quite obviously, Samantha had other ideas.

Doug (chuckles):
She was just as strong willed as I was, I guess.

Carol:
And together you produced one real tough little boy.

Doug (shakes his head):
I don't want him to be like me, Carol. I don't want him to close himself off and end up alone.

Carol (laughs slightly):
Why were you so afraid for me to know about wanting Sam to get an abortion? That's not the most terrible thing you could ever have done. If you had performed the abortion, that might be a different story...

Doug (shrugs):
I don't know. I should have figured you'd expect about that much out of me. I just want Scott to be able to look up to me and I guess I thought he'd think I didn't want him

Carol:
Can't you see how crazy he is about you? He's not going to let something that happened ten years ago change how he feels about you now.

Doug:
You know what I mean. I just don't want him to end up like me, you know?

Carol:
Then we won't let him. We'll work on setting time aside for both of the kids to talk about things and we'll just try to deal with it. It all takes time, Doug. Nothing comes over night.

Doug:
I know I'm not what you want in a husband...

Carol:
You're fine, Doug. I just expect too much out of you sometimes. I guess I forget that Rome wasn't built in a day!
(Doug chuckles, Carol smiles)
I don't expect you to be perfect, Doug. But, I do expect you to try.

Doug (nods):
I need to start working on that a little better.

Carol (nods in agreement):
Yeah, you do.
(takes him by the arm)
Come on, let's go see if Mark has those results back yet.

They leave with a silent understanding that things between them are patched up and go back into the ER together.

Cut to show Mark explaining patterns to Scott as the four of them look over the test results together.

Mark (pointing):
So this pattern comes from your Mom, and this pattern comes from your father, which, if Doug is your biological father, you should be able to put one over the other and not tell any difference.
(lays results together and they are a perfect match)
Congratulations, Dr. Ross...you have a son!

Doug:
There was never any doubt...

Scott (happily):
No, but, it never hurts to be sure!
(hugs Doug quickly)

Doug (smiles):
Thanks, Mark.

Mark (nods):
Hey, I didn't do anything! I'll just send these results in to the judge and that should take care of everything on your end.

Scott:
We did everything right, right?

Doug:
Absolutely! We did everything just the way we were supposed to.

Scott (as they start out of the room):
So, now, what happens at the custody hearing?

Carol (puts in quickly, answer for Doug):
Well, the judge will just look over everything and he will make the determination if there is any reason to reverse the provision of the will. If he doesn't see any reason why you shouldn't remain in Doug's custody, then, he will rule as such and that will pretty much be the end of it.

Scott:
And then I get to stay with Dad and you?

Carol (nods):
And then you get to stay with Dad and me!

Scott:
What if the judge doesn't think I should stay with you?

Carol (shakes her head):
Shouldn't be a problem. We've already talked to someone about that.

Scott:
Yeah, but, what if...

Doug (cuts in quickly):
Then we file an appeal. And we keep filing appeals until we find a judge that rules in our favor because I don't care how far I have to fight, nobody is taking you away from me!
(Scott smiles up at Doug, Carol gives Doug an astonished look)
That much I promise you.

Scott:
So, how soon can we get this over with?

Doug (truthfully):
Definitely not soon enough for me!

Carol and Doug laugh with a shake of their heads over Scott's excitement and Tatiana rushes up to join the family as they head down the hallway together.

Carter (standing close beside Mark, admiring this scene):
Looks like a warm and fuzzy family moment, doesn't it?

Mark (shakes his head with wonder):
Yeah, but, I get the feeling it ain't Ozzie and Harriet!

Mark and Carter laugh at this joke and fade act four to black.

"No Secrets"

Closing Act

Scene opens in a court room...hearing is in session. Everyone is in place and the Judge is seated at the bench.

Judge:
May I please remind everyone that this is not a trial...this is only a hearing to decide custody of said minor child, Scott Douglas Claymont...is the minor child present?

Lawyer:
Yes, Your Honor.
(motions to Scott)

Judge (shuffling papers):
I have read and reviewed all the arguments in this case presented by Mr. And Mrs. Claymont and at this time, I will allow Dr. Ross to present his answers to these accusations. Dr. Ross?

Doug (stands up nervously):
Yes, Your Honor.

Judge:
This petition in front of me says you have a reputation as a womanizer and an alcoholic, yet, I have a document in front of me from your supervisor at County General Hospital that you have received awards of community service for your work. Now, Dr. Ross, what you do in your off duty hours is none of my concern, unless it interferes with the welfare of this minor child. Do you have an answer for this allegation?

Doug:
Those allegations used to have truth to them, Your Honor. (out of the corner of his eye, he looks at Carol and smiles)
But, those days are all behind me now. My Supervisor can vouch for the fact that I haven't had a drink in months. So can several other of my coworkers.

Judge:
This petition also states that you are living out of wedlock with a nurse who works with you at County...do you have an answer for that?

Doug (reaches a document to the Judge):
Nurse Hathaway and I were married in a ceremony in Winnetka several months ago. This is a copy of our Marriage License.

Judge (looks over the license and nods):
Everything seems to be in order with this.
(smiles)
Relax, Dr. Ross. You're not on trial here. This petition also states you have an HIV Positive Child living in your home, is this correct?

Doug (nods):
Yes, Your Honor.

Judge (shuffling more papers):
Well, who better than two people in the medical field would know how to educate a child on dealing with this situation. The fact that your and your wife would take this child into your home I find rather commendable.

Doug (nods):
Thank you, Your Honor.

Judge:
Now, this morning, in my chambers, I had a very private conversation with the minor child in question. I find Master Claymont to be a very bright young man, certainly well adjusted and very happy in his surroundings. The last issue in question on the Claymonts petition is that the minor child is leaving a strong religious background and they are unsure his religious education will continue in this new surrounding. Dr. Ross? Do you have an answer for this?

Doug:
Scott is already enrolled in St. Michaels Angels of Mercy School.
(reaches document to the judge)
I have been in private conference sessions with a Priest at a nearby Parish. I can't speak for my own religious encounters, but, I can assure you and the Claymonts that Scott's will continue.

Judge (nods):
Well, then, based upon everything I have in front of me, and the answers provided here, back up with documentation, I see no reason to pursue this any further. The minor child is happy and in no line a harm either physically or emotionally in the environment under which he is now living, I see no reason to change any of that. It is the opinion of this court that the basis for this hearing had nothing to do with concern over the welfare of the child and thereby custody of said minor child, Scott Douglas Claymont, is to remain solely with his biological birth father, Douglas Steven Ross. Case dismissed.

The gavel bangs heavily and Scott rushes to embrace Doug quickly. Carol comes up behind both of them, kisses Doug on the cheek and puts her arm around Scott.

Doug (steps away):
Just a second, Scott...

Doug quickly follows the Claymonts into the aisle and stops them quickly.

Doug:
Fred, it really didn't have to come to this...we could have talked it all out...

Fred (pushes past him):
I got nothing to say to you, Dr. Ross...

Doug (desperately):
He's still your grandson, Fred. Are you just going to walk out on him? Walk out of his life forever?
(Fred gives Doug a suspicious look...Kate gives him a hopeful look)
I don't want to take him out of your life, Fred. I want him to know you. And Kate. You're his mothers parents! You're all he has left of her now. I want us to find a way to be civil to each other...for his sake.

Fred (in awe):
You mean, after everything else, you'd still let him come visit us?

Doug:
You just live in Winnetka, Fred. That's close enough Scott could still have connections with you. But, I won't force him to do something he doesn't want to do. You're going to have to make up for the damage you've caused on your own. I won't do that for you. But, if I can make up for my multitude of mistakes, I know you can make up for yours...if you want to.

Fred:
You'll need to give me some time on this, Ross...

Doug (nods):
You know where to find me.

Doug reaches his hand to shake, but, Fred doesn't return it. Instead, he just turns and walks away. Carol and Scott come up behind Doug and Carol rubs his shoulder gently.

Carol:
At least you tried. You extended the effort. The rest is up to him.

Doug (nods):
Yeah! Well!
(puts his arm around Scott)
What do you say we just go home, huh?

Scott (smiles happily up at Doug):
You don't have to go to the hospital or anything?

Doug (grins):
Nope! I got the whole day, just you and me, OK?

Scott (as they start away):
How soon can we look into the name thing?

Doug:
I'll get right on it...

Focus on the three of them leaving the courthouse together and walking down the many steps and fade into closing credits of the show.

August 23, 1997