Author's Text
"Nowhere To Run" focuses on some of the aftermath of Carol's ordeal (see: Overprotective) at the same time it deals with Doug's back surgery (see: In The Line Of Duty, Eye on The Future, and Overprotective). Mostly, it deals with tying up all your loose ends while you have a chance...because no one knows what the future holds (except me, of course, because I'm writing it!).
Special thanks to Sara (SarePhina) for her help with the surgery part of this story.
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"
"Nowhere To Run"
Opening Act
Scene opens at the Ross home, interior, early morning. Show Carol Ross standing in front of the mirror brushing her hair. She still has a bruise on her face and a couple still on her arms and she pauses to gaze at them sullenly. Then, she shakes it off and turns around to call into the bathroom.
Carol (calling):
Doug! What time are we supposed to meet with Lizzie over at the hospital?
Doug's voice (calling back, not seen):
Two o'clock!
Carol (picks up her purse and puts it on her shoulder):
OK...I should be back by then.
Doug (dashes out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, hair wet):
Wait! I thought I was going with you?
Carol (laughs, shakes her head):
Oh, no...I don't think so!
Doug (hurt look):
Why not? I thought you'd want me with you...
Carol:
Fact one...you've already seen this tape...fact two...I've already LIVED this tape. I can
do this, Doug...I don't need you to hold my hand...I'm OK.
Doug:
I don't want you to go through this alone...
Carol (snaps):
Why not? YOU did!
(she retreats at his hurt look)
Oh, Doug, I'm sorry...
(goes over to him to stand close)
...I didn't mean that. I just really want to do this on my own, OK? Can you let me do
that?
Doug (nods):
If I have to...
Carol (smiles, kisses his cheek):
Besides...you already blew up the TV in your office over this tape...I don't think you
need to exhibit that kind of behavior at police headquarters...
Doug (frowns):
I guess not...
(brightens quickly)
..but Mark has the gun now, so, that can't happen again.
Carol:
I'll be OK...OK? And I'll be back in time for us to meet with Lizzie...OK?
Doug (nods):
OK.
Carol kisses his cheek and smiles at him, then turns and walks out of the room. He sighs, and heads back into the bathroom to continue getting ready for the day.
Cut to the Greene home. Show Mark Greene opening the front door to find his ex-wife, Jennifer, standing on the porch.
Mark (grins):
Hi, Jen...come on in...I'll call Rachel for you.
Jennifer (comes into the hallway):
Thanks, Mark...I appreciate you getting such an early start for me...
Mark (heads for the stairs):
No problem...
(calls up the stairs)
Rachel! Come on, Honey! Your Mom's here!
Rachel (calls down from the top of the steps):
I'm NOT going!
Mark (confused):
What do you mean you're not going? This is your Mom, Honey...you have to go with her...
Rachel:
I don't HAVE to if I don't WANT to...you promised you wouldn't make me go if I didn't want
to...and I don't want to!
Jennifer (frowns, looks up the stairs):
Nice going, Mark...
(goes to the bottom of the stairs)
Rachel, Honey, come on...I don't have time to play around with you this morning...
Rachel (shouting, angry):
That's just it, Mom...you don't have time for ANYTHING and you don't have time for ME! And
until you do, I'm NOT going with you anymore!
(jumps up and runs out of view)
Jennifer (angry at Mark):
Well, that's just great, Mark! What have you done to turn her against me now?
Mark (sighs, shakes his head):
I'm not the culprit this time, Jen...you are...
(starts up the stairs)
Just have a seat in the living room and I'll see what I can do with her, OK?
Jennifer frowns, but, goes into the living room while Mark climbs the stairs to the second floor.
Cut to show Carol watching a tape on a VCR at Police Headquarters. The Captain stops the tape just after the attacker blows a kiss at the monitor watching him.
Carol (shakes her head):
Arrogant son of a bitch, isn't he?
Captain:
Do you recognize him?
Carol (nods slowly):
Yeah...I know who he is...he's a paramedic...he works out of 71 precinct...his name is
Gordon Howard.
Captain (sits on the edge of his desk, looks at Carol):
Any reason why he would want to hurt you?
Carol (nods):
I have a couple of theories, yeah...
Captain:
Care to share any of them with me?
Carol (ticks her head):
Not until I have a chance to check them out, no...
Captain:
Well, all you have to do is sign here and we'll go pick him up...
(hands paper to her)
Carol (pushes paper back, shakes her head):
I don't want to press any charges...
Captain (sighs):
Mrs. Ross, there's no other way to get this guy off the street...unless you cooperate,
you're going to be at risk again...
Carol (shrugs):
That's a chance I'll have to take...I don't want to press charges.
Captain (nods slowly):
That's your choice, of course...if you change your mind...
Carol (rises, smiles, shakes his hand):
I won't...Thank you, Captain, for your time...
Follow Carol as she goes through the police station and out the front door. Show Doug pacing by the curb in front of the police station waiting for her. He smiles when he sees her come out and she smiles at him as she goes slowly down the steps.
Carol (grinning):
Just couldn't stay away, could you?
Doug (sincerely):
I was worried about you...are you OK?
Carol (nods):
Yes...I am OK.
Doug (touches her face):
Did you know the guy?
Carol (nods again):
Yeah...I know him...
Doug:
So, now they just go get him, right?
Carol (shakes her head):
I'm not pressing charges, Doug...I can't...
Doug (shocked expression):
Not pressing charges? Why the hell not?
Rather than argue, Carol walks away and heads for the Van. Doug is in hot pursuit of her, waving his arms and ranting 'not pressing charges' in ad lib over and over as the Opening Act Fades into the Opening Credits of the show.
Act One
Scene opens at the Greene home. Show Mark knocking on the door of Rachel's bedroom and coaxing with her through the door.
Mark (knocking):
Rachel...come on, Honey, open the door...
(no response)
Come on, Rachel...we can't talk about this if you don't open the door!
Rachel's voice (through the door):
There's nothing to talk about!
Mark:
Yes, there is, and I don't want to do it through a closed door!
Nina (come up the hallway and stops behind Mark):
What's going on?
Mark:
Rachel says she's not going with Jennifer, and I can't get her to open the door and talk
to me.
Nina (smiles):
Let me try, OK? Sometimes it's better to talk about these things woman to woman.
Mark (gives in...sighs):
OK...
Nina (knocks on the door):
Rachel? Honey, it's Nina...would you open the door, please? I'd like us to talk about
this...
The sound of the door unlocking follows and Nina smiles at Mark as she opens the door and goes on into the room, closing the door behind her. Mark shakes his head and leans back against the wall.
Cut to show Doug and Carol sitting in the van together, still arguing, in front of the police station.
Doug:
What do you mean you aren't going to press any charges? That doesn't make any SENSE,
Carol!
Carol (turns on him quickly):
Don't TELL me I'm not making any sense! I know exactly what I'm doing!
Doug:
Well, would you care to fill ME in on it?
Carol (shakes her head):
You know, Doug, you really don't need to be fussing with this right now...you need to be
thinking about that surgery you're having in the morning...
Doug:
I'll worry about my surgery...right now I want us to talk about this!
Carol (nods):
Fine...you worry about your surgery and I'll worry about this...
Doug (shakes his head...looks at his hands):
I don't get it, Carol...this may or may not be the same guy that attacked me and we
finally have a chance to nail him and put all this behind us, and you don't want to do it?
(looks over at her)
Why not? Are you waiting for him to come back and finish one of us off? Maybe grab one of
our kids?
Carol (shakes her head):
That's not going to happen...
Doug (looks her in the eye):
How do you know?
Carol:
Just trust me on this, OK?
(Looks over at him with a hopeful look)
Can you do that?
Doug (sighs):
You don't leave me much choice, do you?
(starts to open the car door and get out)
Carol (grabs his arm):
Where are you going? I'll take you home...
Doug (shakes his head):
No thanks...
(steps out of the van)
...I came on the El...I'll get home the same way...I'll see you there, Carol...
(slams door shut and walks away)
Focus on Carol watching him walk down the street towards the El platform with a flabbergasted look on her face. Then, she shakes her head, grumbles under her breath, starts the engine, and drives away.
Cut to the Greene home. Show Nina and Rachel sitting together on Rachel's bed, close together. Rachel is looking at her feet...Nina is looking at Rachel.
Nina:
You want to tell me what's going on?
Rachel:
She never has time for me...I hate going with her...she always tells me things she has
planned for us to do and we never DO any of them! She's always on her cell phone talking
to clients...everything else is more important than me!
(looks over at Nina)
I want to stay here...with you and Daddy...where I'M the one that's important.
(Nina smiles)
I'm not even your kid and YOU have more time for me than SHE does! Why is that?
Nina (smiles, puts her arm around Rachel):
Because I put my family first...your Mother, obviously, hasn't learned how to do that
yet...
Rachel (scoffs):
Because she doesn't want to...
Nina:
She's still your Mother, Rachel...and, regardless of what you think, she does love
you...very much.
Rachel:
How would I know? She never wants to spend any time with me...
Nina:
If she didn't want to spend any time with you, she wouldn't be here at all, now, would
she?
(show Rachel thinking)
She cares enough to try, Rachel...you have to try, too...I know things aren't exactly the
way you want them to be, but, your Mom is doing the best she can...and even if it's not
good enough, it's the best you're going to get right now. She's still your Mom...and she's
making an effort to spend time with you...can't you meet her halfway?
Rachel (sighs):
I suppose...
Nina (pats her on the back):
Good girl...now...get your things...and come on downstairs.
Rachel (nods, smiles slightly):
OK.
Nina opens the door and goes out into the hallway with Mark. Mark looks into the room and sees Rachel packing things into her backpack and follows Nina curiously down the stairs.
Mark:
What did you say to her?
Nina:
We just had a woman to woman talk...
(goes into the living room and smiles at Jennifer, sitting on the sofa, waiting)
She'll be right down, Jen...
Jennifer (looks up suddenly):
Oh! Thank you, Nina...
Mark (quietly):
What did you say to her that I couldn't?
Nina (smiles):
Don't worry about it, Mark...it worked, didn't it?
Cut to the Ross home. Show Carol sitting on the sofa watching the door. Tatiana is sitting beside her looking very pensive.
Tatiana (quietly):
What are we waiting for?
Carol:
We're waiting for your Papa to get home.
Tatiana:
Oh! OK!
(watches the door)
Why are we waiting for him?
Carol:
Because I have to talk to him about something...so, when he comes home, I want you to go
play someplace, OK?
Tatiana:
Are you mad at Papa?
Carol:
I'm a little upset with him right now, yes.
Tatiana:
Are you gonna yell at him?
Carol:
No, your Papa and I are going to talk in a civilized manner like two mature adults...
(mumbles under her breath)
...I hope.
Show Doug coming in the front door. He looks over and sees Carol and ducks his head just
slightly. He knows he is probably in trouble. Carol looks over at Tatiana who nods,
slowly.
Tatiana:
I know...I know...'go play, Tatchie'...
(she starts out of the room and Carol grins at her as she goes)
Carol (stands up, looks at Doug):
I wasn't sure you would come home before your appointment at the hospital. Doug (stays
standing across the room, looks over at her):
You said you wanted to go with me...I try to do the things you want to do.
Carol (stays across the room):
Doug, that's not fair...I have my reasons for not wanting to press charges against this
man.
Doug (shrugs):
Well, I'd like to know what they are.
Carol:
Well, when it's time for you to know, I'll tell you. Right now, I don't want you
concentrating on anything except your surgery...right now it's the most important thing.
Doug:
It's my surgery...shouldn't I be the one to decide whether it should be the most important
thing to me right now?
(Carol gives him a look)
Will you at least tell me who it was?
Carol (mumbles):
Gordon Howard.
Doug (taken aback):
Gordon Howard? Isn't he a paramedic?
(Carol nods)
Well, what would a paramedic have in for us? I've never caused problems for a paramedic.
Carol (sighs):
Doug, I really don't think you should be worrying about this right now...
Doug (thinking):
Wait a minute...Howard...wasn't that Greg Powell's step mother's name?
(Carol doesn't answer. She shifts her weight and folds her arms)
It was, wasn't it? This Gordon guy is related to Greg Powell somehow, isn't he?
Carol (sighs, nods):
They're half brothers...
Doug (growing annoyed):
So, this goes back to Powell, then, doesn't it?
(Carol doesn't answer)
What was going on between you and Powell, Carol? Were you having an affair?
Carol (looks up, quickly, angry voice):
That's absurd! And you know it!
Doug:
I'll tell you what I DON'T know, OK? I DON'T know why you continue to go out on a limb for
this guy! He's DEAD now and I thought he could never hurt us again, but here is his name,
right smack in the middle of all of it again! And there you are, protecting him
again...you won't press charges because you want to protect him! And if you want to
protect him, I'd sure as hell like to know WHY! If you weren't having an affair with him,
what other explanation is there?
Carol (trying to stay calm):
There are reasons, Doug, and I will be happy to share them with you once we get you taken
care of first...
Doug (shakes his head, laughs lightly):
You know what, Carol? I think it's time I took care of myself...
(turns and starts away)
...you seem to be real good at it!
Carol:
Where are you going?
Doug (turns back from the door):
I have an appointment with Dr. Corday at the hospital. If you want to come, I won't stop
you.
(rips open the door)
I'm sure you know the way there.
Doug goes on out the door. Carol sighs and puts her hand to her head, shaking it is despair.
Scott (from the doorway behind Carol):
Are you and Dad having a fight?
Carol (whirls around, angry now):
How long have you been standing there?
Scott:
Long enough!
Carol:
Well, don't you know better than to listen in on other people's private conversations? Go
to your room!
Scott (angry now):
You're not my mother! You can't tell me what to do!
Carol (angry right back):
I am the only one you've got right now, Mister! And I CAN and WILL tell you what to do and
right now I'm telling you to GO to your room!
(raises her voice a pitch) NOW!
Scott doesn't hang around to argue. He darts down the hall and Carol hears the door to his bedroom slam shut.
Carol (grumbles as she starts through the house):
Men!
(gets to the door)
Emily! I'm leaving for the hospital!
Mrs. Lincoln (comes into the doorway of another room):
All right, Mrs. Ross...should I prepare dinner?
Carol (nods):
Yes, but just for the children...I don't think Dr. Ross and I will be having dinner
together tonight.
Without further explanation, Carol goes on out of the house as Act One Fades to Black.
Act Two
Scene opens at County Hospital. Show Doug come walking slowly and carefully through the ER hallway. He is met about halfway by Max Rocher.
Max (smiles):
Hey, there you are! Listen, I was wondering if I could talk to you one to one...it's kind
of important!
Doug (nods):
Sure...but I have an appointment with Elizabeth Corday right now...can it wait?
Max (nods, smiles):
Yeah...oh, sure...just look me up before you leave, OK?
Doug (touches his shoulder as he goes on by):
Sure...thanks!
Doug goes on down the hallway and punches the button for the elevator. While he's waiting for it to come, Carol comes up casually and stands beside him.
Doug (lowly):
I wasn't sure you'd come.
Carol (just as low):
I wasn't sure you still wanted me to.
Doug (grins):
I'm glad you're here.
Carol:
Doug, right now I'm asking you to please just trust me...can you do that? I'll tell you
everything after you've recovered from this surgery a little bit.
(Doug looks at her but doesn't say anything)
This surgery is very serious and I want your full concentration on it and recovering, OK?
And afterwards, we'll talk and I'll tell you everything...but right now, I need you to
just trust me, OK?
Doug (nods):
OK.
The elevator opens and they go into the car. Doug punches a button and the door closes.
Doug (turns to her with a coy smile):
You know, I've always wanted to hit the emergency stop button and ravish you in here.
Carol (gives him a mischievous grin):
Well, maybe before you leave here, you can.
The elevator door opens and they start down the hallway together. Just as they get to the door of the conference room, Carol reaches over and takes hold of Doug's hand, supportingly. He looks over at her and smiles, then squeezes her hand in his and they open the door. Before they can get into the room, Mark Greene comes running down the hall to join them.
Mark (coming up beside them):
Hey, am I late?
Doug (shakes his head, grin):
Nope...we just got here...thanks for coming, Mark...I really appreciate it!
Doug and Carol go into the conference room with Mark close behind them. Elizabeth Corday and Peter Benton are sitting at the conference table, laughing and talking together. Elizabeth looks up when she hears the door open and smiles to see Doug and Carol coming into the room.
Elizabeth:
Hello, Doug...come on in!
(nods to Mark)
Hello, Mark! Glad you could join us!
Mark (nods):
Thank you for asking me.
Doug and Carol smile and wave to the surgeons and go in and sit down across from them. Mark sits on the same side of the table with Peter Benton. Elizabeth opens a file as they begin.
Elizabeth:
OK, I've pulled your file so Peter and I could have a little better background for
this...I see you have some problems with anesthesia?
Mark (nods):
Yeah, he had surgery a while back from a hit and run situation and he had some pretty
serious complications after he woke up. We arbitrated a lot of that to the fact that he
wasn't in the best physical condition when we did the surgery, but I guess there's no way
to be completely sure.
Elizabeth (nods):
As a precaution, we'll keep him on a monitor during the surgery and I'll have a crash cart
on hand...
(looks at Doug)
Is that OK with you?
Doug (nods):
Sure...take every precaution.
Elizabeth:
OK, now, we'll making an incision right here...
(holds up a chart graph of a human back with a red arrow pointing out where the incision
will be made)
...and these two vertebrae will be fused together...
(she holds up another graph of a spinal cord with a red circle around the two vertebrae
that will be fused)
Now, I have had experience with this type of surgery before. Peter has not...but he will
be
assisting only in the opening and closing...and this is a good experience for him.
Doug (chuckles):
Strong hands to hold me open, huh, Peter?
(Peter chuckles)
Elizabeth:
You know the basics...no food or drink after 8PM...you'll check in here at 6AM...we'll
start the surgery about 7AM. Do either of you have any questions at this time?
Carol:
How long does the surgery take?
Elizabeth:
Four to six hours with no complications...if we run into any problems, it could take a
little longer. I wouldn't anticipate it taking longer than eight hours at the very most.
(Doug winces)
Yes, that's a long time under the knife, I know, but, this is a very delicate operation.
Nothing can be rushed.
Doug (nods):
I understand.
(pause)
How long will I be in recovery?
Elizabeth (shrugs):
I'd say that depends on you...as soon as you can drink water, I'll move you into a step
down, at least. We will be keeping a close eye on you...I will grant you that.
Doug:
Will I be in traction?
Elizabeth:
No, traction is not required for this recovery...we'll just keep you sedated so you will
remain fairly still until you're ready to start moving...within 48 hours.
Doug (cautious):
I'll be moving within 48 hours?
Elizabeth (smiles):
You'll be on your feet within 48 hours. This is the same type of surgery two well known
professional football players had, and both of them walked out of the hospital less than
10 days later.
Doug (chuckles):
Yeah, but, they get paid a lot more than I do to recover quickly!
(all laugh)
Mark (chuckles):
Yeah, Doug...Troy Aikman had this same surgery and he won the Super Bowl about nine months
later!
Doug (shakes his head):
I think my Super Bowl days are LONG gone!
(chuckles)
How long will I be in the hospital?
Elizabeth:
Five to ten days. I'm referring you to Dr. Bitkin for physical therapy...she's had a lot
of experience with back injuries.
Doug (thinking):
Donna Bitkin?
(Elizabeth nods)
OK...yeah...I know her...and she's here so that helps...what are my limitations after the
surgery?
Elizabeth:
You can't drive for six weeks...I don't want you picking up anything heavier than about
five pounds...and you'll have to wear a back brace when you're up during the day...I will
not require you to sleep in it, except for the first week here in the hospital.
Doug (sarcastically):
Sounds like I'm in for fun!
Elizabeth:
All kidding aside, Doug, I do think you've made a good decision to have this surgery. I
don't foresee any problems or complications and I think you'll be as good as new once it's
over.
(turns to Carol)
Carol, your job will be his daily exercises at home...I'll give you a chart that shows
what exercises to add on which days...you can do that, right?
Carol (smiles):
I'm a nurse and a PA...I have degrees in both...I think I can handle it.
Elizabeth:
One other thing...are there steps in your home?
Carol:
Three...yes...up to the split level where the bedrooms are.
Elizabeth:
Can you ramp them? He can't climb any stairs.
Mark (nods):
I'll help you with that, Carol...we'll have it ready before he comes home.
Doug (grins):
Too bad we aren't in the new house...there are absolutely no steps there! Not even into
it...
(Carol nods)
Elizabeth:
That about covers everything, I think!
(closes file, smiles)
Are we ready?
Doug (sighs, shrugs):
About as ready as I'll ever be, I guess.
(stands up, Carol stands up with him)
I guess I'll see you guys at 6AM tomorrow...
(looks at Mark)
You'll be there, right?
Mark (nods):
I'll be part of the scrub in team, yes...
Doug (nods):
OK...
(takes Carol by the hand)
Then, I'll see all of you tomorrow.
The medical crew stays behind as Doug and Carol leave the room together. As they wait for the elevator, Doug starts to slip his arm around Carol, but, she shrugs him off. Hurt, he drops his arm to his side and sighs.
Carol:
I'm sorry, Doug...it's nothing personal.
Doug (nods, keeps his head down):
I know.
Carol (turns to look at him):
Do you? Do you really know that? Or are you just agreeing with me to avoid an argument?
Doug (smiles sadly):
I know. I remember what it felt like to have someone's hands on me, even someone I knew,
loved, and trusted, after that happened to me. It takes a while to get past that.
Carol (looks at her feet):
I guess we have a lot of things to work out between us, don't we?
Doug:
We'll have plenty of time...you're going to be stuck with me at home for six weeks. I
guess you'll be working so you'll get some relief...
Carol (shakes her head):
I'm not working while you're recovering from this. I've already talked to Mark about it. I
don't want a home nurse taking care of you when you're married to a home nurse.
(Doug chuckles)
Doug (sincerely):
At least we don't have sex to have to worry about...
Carol:
And that bothers me...the longer we have to wait the more I'm afraid for what it'll be
like when we finally get back to it.
Doug:
We'll be OK.
The elevator door opens and they step into the car together. Doug pushes the button and then puts his hands in his pockets, standing off away from Carol, still beside her, but, distant. Carol looks over at him and smiles sadly. Then, she carefully loops her arm through his and stands close beside him.
Carol (lays her head against him):
We'll make it, Doug...we always do.
Doug (nods):
Yeah...but we don't have any guarantees it won't happen again...one of us could make that
guarantee...
(the door opens and Doug steps out without looking back...he slips away from Carol and
leaves her standing there dumbfounded)
...if they wanted to.
Carol (rushes after him):
Doug, don't start this...you promised to trust me on this!
Doug (stops, turns back to her with an agitated look):
I promised to trust you...I didn't promise to like it...OR understand it!
Carol (defensively now):
You don't honestly think I was having an affair with Gordon Howard, do you?
(Doug doesn't answer, just shifts his weight and stares at her)
You should know better than that, Doug...you know there is no other man in my life except
you!
Doug:
Then why are you protecting him? And Greg? Again?
Carol (angry now):
Because it isn't going to change anything by making an issue out of it! We have him
arrested...what good does that do?
Doug (matter of factly):
It gets him off the streets for starters!
Carol:
OK, and then we go to trial...suppose they drag you into it? And what happened to you? Do
you want everyone to know what happened to you that night? Do you want our children
subjected to the simple minds that would torment them for what happened to us?
Doug (quietly):
I guess I didn't think about things like that...
Carol (still angry):
No, you didn't think...you never think...you just go off half cocked like you always do!
(starts away from him)
I'm going home...are you riding with me or riding on the El?
Doug (softly):
I have to see Max Rocher before I leave.
Carol (nods):
I'll wait.
Doug (nods shortly):
OK...I'll be right back.
Doug goes one way down the hall and Carol looks for a seat in a waiting area as Act Two Fades to Black.
Act Three
Scene opens at the Ross home, early morning, interior. Pan across the room to show Carol asleep in bed, curled on her side. She opens her eyes and reaches across the bed to Doug, only to have her hand fall into an empty spot. Alarmed, she comes fully awake and sits up. Looking around, she sees that the dialysis machine is gone and a note is on the pillow where Doug's head should be. She grabs the note and reads over it hurriedly...
Doug's voice (reading note):
Carol - forgive me for being gone when you read this...I really thought it was best if I
went through this alone. Please know it has nothing to do with you or the fight we had
yesterday...I'm all over that now...you're right about not pressing charges, of course. I
just didn't understand at first. I didn't want you to come to the hospital with me and I
didn't know how to tell you. I'm just so terribly afraid...I don't think I can be strong
enough for both of us right now. I hope you will still love me when this is all over. I
love you always, Doug.
Carol (jumping out of bed):
Damn you, Doug!
Show Carol getting ready to leave in a big hurry, rushing around the room trying to find the things she needs to get dressed.
Cut to County Hospital. Show Doug lying in a bed in the hallway and Mark standing with him. Doug is on his stomach and has a sheet drawn up over his back. Mark is in surgical scrubs with a surgical cap on, getting ready to go scrub in.
Mark (concerned):
You're sure Carol's not coming?
Doug:
I left her sleeping.
Mark:
You know I think this was a bad idea?
Doug:
What? The surgery?
Mark:
No...the not letting Carol come part. You know she wanted to be here.
Doug:
She doesn't need to be here, Mark...she's got enough problems of her own right now.
Mark:
She'll wake up and find you gone and she'll come...she's gonna be mad that you did this.
Doug:
She'll get glad. She's got enough to deal with...
Mark:
I thought you were all over that, Doug...I thought you had grown...
Doug:
I have grown, Mark...I just needed to do it this way...
Show the elevator door down the hall open and Carol dashes out. She looks up and down the hall, sees Mark, and starts down the hall.
Carol (gets up to the bed, leans down and kisses Doug on the head):
What DO you think you're doing?
Doug (sincerely):
I didn't want you to have to sit through this...there's nothing you can do anyway...
Carol:
I can BE here...and I will BE here...what were you thinking?
(Doug shrugs)
Mark? Can you give us a minute?
Mark (nods):
Sure...
(steps away, out of earshot)
Doug:
I didn't want you to worry...don't be mad at me, OK?
Carol (pats his back gently):
Doug, I didn't know you were so scared...why didn't you talk to me?
Doug:
I didn't want to talk about it, Carol...I know the surgery is the right decision, but, I'm
just so scared...
Carol:
It's all right to be afraid, Doug...there's no shame in that...but you should have talked
to someone...Nina at least...
Doug:
I know...but talking about it only worried me more. I don't want to be paralyzed,
Carol...I don't want to be a burden to you!
Carol:
Oh, Doug! You could NEVER be a burden to me! I'm the one that's a burden right now...
Doug:
That's why I didn't want to talk to you...you have so much to deal with on your own right
now...
Carol:
Doug, I told you taking care of you was my escape...
Mark (comes back beside them):
It's time...you guys ready?
Doug (nods):
Yeah...let's do it before I lose my nerve.
Carol (kisses his head again):
I'll be waiting, OK? And don't you think we're not going to talk about this little stunt
later!
(kisses him again)
Good luck, OK?
Doug (as Mark wheels him towards the surgery door):
I love you, Carol...
Carol (quietly, once Doug is through the doors):
I love you, too, Doug.
Carol goes over to the waiting area and slides slowly into a seat, folding her hands, and looking worried.
Cut to inside the operating room. Lizzie Corday is there with Peter Benton and several nurses when they bring Doug in. Mark follows in and Doug is already getting groggy from the prep shot he received earlier. Mark leans over and places the mask over Doug's face.
Mark (quietly):
Just breathe deep, Doug...then relax...and count to ten, OK?
Doug is asleep almost at once and the surgery begins. Elizabeth looks over her mask at Mark.
Elizabeth:
I want you to keep an eye on the heart monitor and his blood pressure, OK?
Mark (nods):
OK.
Elizabeth begins her procedure and vocalizes for the watching students. Show both surgeons working over Doug with intense looks from their eyes. Show Mark watching the heart monitor and keeping a close eye on Doug on the table.
Elizabeth:
Making a lateral incision..
. (show her make the incision down the center of Doug's back)
Caultery...
(reaches as the caultery is handed to her by a nurse. She carefully fuses the broken blood
vessel with this to clear her work way)
Cutting the bicep muscles now...
(show everyone watching carefully as she does this)
Cut to the surgery waiting area. Show Carol sitting alone with her head in her hands. Show
the feet on someone coming in to sit beside her. Pull back to show Nina Pomerantz-Greene
touching Carol's shoulder carefully.
Nina (quiet voice):
Carol?
(Carol looks up quickly at her)
Are you all right?
Carol (on the verge of tears):
I don't know, Nina...right now, I'm just so numb I don't know if I feel anything.
Nina:
I'm here if you want to talk...
(smiles)
Mark and I thought you might need someone with you. Doug's going to be in there quite a
while.
Carol (wringing her hands nervously):
He's scared to death in there, Nina...I didn't know it until this morning but he is
terrified of this surgery and just as terrified not to have it. He's regressed into his
old secretive nature again...I'm worried that our lives may be going backwards.
Nina:
I don't think you're going backwards...I think you've just had a lot to deal with lately.
This back injury has been very hard on both of you...
Carol:
You don't know the half of it, Nina.
(looks around to be sure they are alone)
I was attacked in the parking garage the same way Doug...do you remember that?
Nina (concerned):
Of course I remember that! Doug and I had many sessions over that.
(touches Carol's shoulder)
When did this happen?
Carol (sighs):
Just a few days ago.
Nina:
Does Doug know?
Carol (nods):
Yeah...but I kept him away from it pretty much...I wouldn't let him in the exam room or
anything. We haven't talked much about it yet...I've been trying to keep him focused on
this surgery instead of me...
(sighs)
The truth is, I don't want him to relive it again...I'd rather deal with this myself. So,
I guess I can't be mad at him for wanting to deal with this surgery himself.
(looks at Nina, sad smile)
Can I?
Nina:
Without hearing everything, I don't think I can answer that.
Carol:
I wouldn't let him hold me...he just wanted to be close to me and give me security and I
pushed him away...I know that must have hurt him...
(puts her hand back to her head)
God, I didn't want to hurt him! The truth is, I couldn't stop thinking about him and what
he went through with this...and now I know exactly what he DID go through. And I don't
know how he got through it...
(looks Nina in the eye)
...I really don't.
(looks across the room to the doorway)
And now he's in there alone...and scared...and there's nothing I can do for him.
Nina (smiles, touches Carol's hand):
He's not alone...Mark is in there with him...and we both know Mark won't let anything bad
happen to him...
Cut to the operating room. Elizabeth and Peter are working intensely over Doug on the table while Mark keeps a steady watch on things behind the table.
Elizabeth:
Making an incision through the meninges now...
Mark (slightly concerned):
Blood pressure is 112/74.
Elizabeth:
Keep an eye on it, Mark...
(turns to nurse)
Bone saw...
(a bone saw is handed to her quickly):
There's the problem...
(points)
I'm cutting the protruding disk away now...
Elizabeth continues to work, with Peter assisting her, and Mark keeping an close watch on everything. Focus on Doug, on his stomach, with a tube in his mouth, and he is completely under and unaware of what is going on.
Mark (concerned):
Heart rate is rising...
(Elizabeth looks quickly over at the monitor)
It's too fast! He's in tachycardia!
Elizabeth:
We have too much time left...we'll have to slow him down...Mark, run a line and start an
IV...
Mark (nods):
I'm on it...
Mark takes an alcohol prep and swabs Doug's neck with it. Then he inserts the needle for the IV carefully and hangs a bag of clear medicine on a IV pole beside Doug.
Elizabeth:
Does that help?
Mark (nods):
It's slowing down...
Elizabeth:
What's his BP?
Mark (looks):
120/80.
Elizabeth:
Keep an eye on it...
Focus on Mark watching the monitor and numbers very intently.
Cut to Nina and Carol sitting in the waiting area. Carol stands up and walks across the room to stand close to the door, peering down the hall toward the door to surgery.
Nina (comes up behind her):
Something wrong?
Carol:
I've got a bad feeling about this...I've got a pit in my stomach...
Nina (smiles):
It's just nerves...
Carol (shakes her head):
No...it's intuition...you know how it is...when you just KNOW something's wrong?
Nina (rubs her shoulders):
He's in good hands...everything will be fine...
Cut back to the operating room. Mark is watching the monitor and the number and shaking his head.
Mark:
BP is dropping...110/74...heart rate is rising again...
Elizabeth:
We need to slow him down, Mark...
Mark (nods):
I'm on it...
Show Mark preparing a syringe and injecting it into the IV bag. Show Elizabeth glancing sideways at Doug with a concerned look in her eyes.
Elizabeth:
Keep an eye on him, Mark...we've got a long way to go...
Focus on the heart monitor, with the line starting to slow down from the rapid heartbeat as Act Three Fades to Black.
Act Four
Scene opens in the operating room with Elizabeth working and Mark keeping a close eye on the monitor hooked to Doug.
Elizabeth:
How are we doing, Mark?
Mark (shakes his head):
BP is not coming back up...
Elizabeth:
How's his heart rate?
Mark:
Falling.
Elizabeth:
Keep watching it...I'm working as fast as I can...
(looks at Peter)
This muscle tissue is not needed, so, I can cut this away...that will leave more room for
the fusion...
(Peter nods)
Mark (watching monitor):
He's in Bradicardia! BP is 90/60...
Elizabeth:
Give him more oxygen...and some sodium bicarb...
Mark (nods):
I'm on it...
Mark increases the oxygen level Doug is receiving and injects sodium bicarb into the IV bag, all the while keeping a close eye on the monitor.
Mark (nods):
Heart rate is increasing...BP is 95/67...
Elizabeth:
Keep watching it, Mark...we've got a long way to go...
Cut back to the surgery waiting area. Carol is pacing around now, and Nina is sitting watching her.
Nina:
Can I get you anything, Carol? Coffee? Soda? Anything?
Carol (shakes her head):
No thanks...
Nina (sighs):
Why don't you come and sit down...talk to me...it'll help take your mind off it...
Carol (sighs, goes over and sits nervously beside Nina):
I wish I was in there...at least then I'd know what's happening...
Nina (pats her hand):
You're better off out here.
Carol (frowns):
I'm not so sure...
(pause)
Did Mark tell you the whole attack was on video tape?
(Nina shakes her head with a surprised look)
After Doug was attacked up there, they put in a security camera. Doug went upstairs and
got the tape while I was in the exam room...
Nina:
Have you seen it?
Carol (nods):
He and Mark turned it over to the police...I went down to headquarters yesterday and
watched it.
Nina:
That must have been very difficult for you...
Carol:
Harder when I recognized the guy...
Nina (surprised):
You know who it is?
(Carol nods)
Well, did you tell the police who he was?
Carol (nods again):
Yeah, but, I told them I didn't want to press any charges...Doug wasn't too happy about
that. That's another thing bothering me right now...Doug and I have been fighting a
lot...we don't have that 'bond' we always have when I need him to know I'm there for him.
(sighs)
I just hope our relationship is strong enough that he knows it anyway.
Nina (smiles):
I'm sure he does.
Show Carol looking back at the door with a worried look.
Cut back to the operating room. Elizabeth is working now with a steel rod...Mark is maintaining his watch on the monitors.
Elizabeth (looks at Peter):
The rod goes between these two discs...it takes the place of the missing one...we'll fuse
them now...you can do that...
Peter (nods):
OK...
Mark (watching monitor):
BP is 90/62...heart rate is dropping again...
(Show Elizabeth watching, Peter continues to work)
BP is 85/60...he's back in Bradicardia...
Elizabeth:
Give him more oxygen and a little more sodium bicarb...I don't want to have to shock him
if I can help it...flipping him over with his back open is a big risk...not to mention
what the shock will do...
Mark (nods):
I can't give him much more sodium bicarb, though...
Elizabeth:
I know...just keep watching him.
Mark increases the oxygen again and injects more sodium bicarb into the IV bag. The monitor responds favorably but he and Elizabeth both show concern from their eyes.
Peter:
Fuse is complete!
Elizabeth (moves back across the table from Peter):
OK, now, we just close him up...start with the meninges and work your way out.
(Looks at Mark)
How's he doing now?
Mark (nods):
He's stable...BP is 90/70.
Elizabeth:
That's lower than I'd like it...just keep an eye on him...we'll be done very soon.
Cut to show Mark and Elizabeth coming into the surgery waiting room. As soon as Carol sees them, she gets on her feet to hear the news about Doug.
Carol (nervously):
Well?
Elizabeth:
OK, he's in recovery...
(sighs)
Carol (knowingly):
Something's wrong?
Elizabeth:
He had a lot of problems...his heart rate kept rising and falling...and his blood pressure
stayed pretty low through most of the surgery.
Mark:
The real bad news is that the stress of the surgery has sent him into kidney failure.
Carol (shocked expression):
Kidney failure? But, his kidneys were already damaged!
Mark (nods):
Yeah, but, this was just a little too much for them...they aren't working at all right
now. We're hoping the dialysis will zap them back, but, there's no guarantee on that.
Carol:
Well, will he be any worse off kidney wise than he already was?
Mark (shakes his head):
Probably not...he was already on dialysis. It might increase the levels of dianeal for a
while, but, I think he'll be all right.
Carol (looks carefully at both of them):
Anything else I should know?
Mark (sighs, looks nervously at his feet):
There is a possibility...a very SLIGHT one...due to the low blood pressure and bradicardia
that he could have some brain damage.
Carol (hurt...shocked):
Brain damage?
(shakes her head and backs away)
No...wait a minute...when everything about this surgery was discussed NOBODY mentioned
brain damage. You mentioned paralysis...nothing else!
Elizabeth:
Carol, we had no way of knowing how he was going to react...
Carol (snaps):
No way of knowing? You had his file on the table yesterday...you said you knew his past
history...
Elizabeth:
There was still no way to know what was going to happen in there...we took every
precaution...I had him on monitors...I even had a crash cart in there if I needed it...
Carol:
Well, it wasn't enough, was it?
(walks away to stare out the window. Elizabeth looks helplessly at Mark)
Mark (offering):
She's going through a rough time emotionally with something personal right now...let me
talk to her...she'll be OK.
(Elizabeth nods and Mark walks over to stand close behind Carol)
Carol? I think he'll be all right...he's strong...
Carol (crying now, doesn't look at Mark, stares out the window):
Will you STOP saying that, Mark? You and I both know he was scared to death before he went
in there...that has to cut down on his ability to fight.
Mark (carefully touches her shoulder):
Yeah, but, I know Doug...and I know he doesn't quit.
(turns her around to look at him)
And I know that he loves you and he's not ready to leave you yet.
Carol (covers her face with her hands, crying):
I can't take all this, Mark...I can't be strong for him when I'm breaking apart inside!
Mark (pulls her to his arms and lets her cry into his chest):
He knows that, Carol. He knows you have problems of your own right now. That's why he
slipped off this morning without you...he didn't want to be a burden to you...
Carol (sobbing):
He's not a burden to me, Mark...he's my whole world! He's the only thing keeping me from
going completely insane over this!
Mark:
Listen, Carol, you let me take care of Doug, OK? And you take care of you? You've got to
talk to Nina about all this...you need to start getting yourself together over what
happened so you can start putting it behind you.
Carol (nods):
I know...and I know Doug is hurt that I wouldn't talk to him about it...but I just didn't
want him to relive his own ordeal, Mark! I don't know if he understands that or not. Now,
you're telling me he may never have a chance to understand anything again...
Mark:
I think Doug will be OK...all right? I'm going to make sure he gets everything he needs
and I'm going to watch him like a hawk. Why don't you go with Nina and I'll come and get
you when you can see him, OK?
Carol (nods):
OK.
Mark (motions for Nina to come to Carol):
Everything's going to be OK...OK?
(Carol nods, Mark looks at Nina)
Just take her to my office...nobody will bother you there.
(Nina nods)
I'll come and get you when Doug wakes up, OK?
Carol (quiet voice):
OK.
Show Mark go on out of the room and Nina and Carol start walking slowly for the door. Nina reaches to put her arm around Carol as they head for the elevator. When the elevator door opens, Kerry Weaver starts out, but, she is startled to see Carol so upset.
Kerry (concerned):
Is everything OK?
Nina (nods):
Yeah, we're just going up to Mark's office for a while.
Kerry (still concerned):
Did Doug's surgery go OK?
Nina:
He had a few complications but Mark thinks he'll be all right.
Nina and Carol get into the elevator and the door closes them off from Kerry, who stands looking with a concerned look.
Cut to show Kerry coming into the recovery room where Mark is studying the monitors attached to Doug carefully. Doug is resting on the bed, on his stomach, a large white bandage around his back. He still has a tube in his mouth and is now attached to his dialysis machine. Kerry goes over and stands close to Mark, looking at the monitors herself.
Kerry:
What happened in there?
Mark:
He had a lot of problems with BP and heart rate.
Kerry:
How long was he without oxygen?
Mark:
Not long...but longer than I was happy with.
Kerry (looking):
He looks pretty stable now.
Mark (nods):
Yeah, but, he's not waking up and that bothers me. He should be coming out of it by now.
Kerry (frowns):
The longer he's out...
Mark (nods again):
Exactly...the more at risk he is.
Mark looks over his shoulder at Doug, resting soundly. Focus back on the heart monitor, beeping pretty steadily as Act Four Fades to Black.
Closing Act
Scene opens to show Carol sitting in a waiting area outside of Recovery. She is sitting calmly, wringing her hands, and watching the door. Show Kerry Weaver come up slowly and offer her a cup of coffee. She looks up and smiles weakly at Kerry, accepting the cup and sipping it slowly.
Carol (quietly):
Thanks.
Kerry (sits down with her):
I'm working with Mark...Doug is stable.
Carol (nods):
Yeah, but, he's not awake yet, and he should be...
(looks at her)
Shouldn't he?
Kerry (nods):
He should be showing some signs of coming out it by now, yes. But that doesn't mean
anything is wrong, exactly.
Carol:
But the longer he's out the more chance there is that something is wrong...I know that.
Kerry:
Doug is very strong...
Carol (snaps):
Why does everybody keep saying that? He's not that strong! You people don't know anything
about Doug...you don't know him like I do...you haven't seen him like I have...
Kerry:
I know that anyone who can work through a sexual assault the way he did would have to be a
pretty strong person...and have stock in a pretty strong relationship.
Carol (gives her a surprised look):
What are you talking about?
Kerry:
I'm talking about Doug...and the sexual assault he went through several years ago.
(Carol continues to give her a blank stare)
I was working in the ER that night. Nobody told me anything...and I never read his chart
or anything...but the scrapes on his face and stitches in his lip were pretty much a
giveaway
Carol:
You never said anything?
Kerry (shakes her head):
No...why should I? All it would have served to do was make him more uncomfortable than he
already was with it.
(grins)
I guess that's why you feel more comfortable talking to him than anyone else right now. At
least he knows what you're going through.
Carol:
I want to talk to him...I really do...but I just don't want him to go through all that
again.
Kerry:
He won't...he's over it...and he's healed. The pain he will have now will be for the fact
that it happened to someone he loves and there's nothing he can do to change it.
Carol:
I don't think he ever thought anybody else in the ER knew about that. But, you know, I
always wondered if people were whispering behind his back.
Kerry:
No one was going to make an issue out of it, Carol. It was a devastating thing for him to
go through. I never told him, but, I always kind of admired the way he handled it. It
could have destroyed him. But, he didn't let it. And you can't let it destroy you, either.
Carol:
It won't. I have Doug. And I have my children. I'll be fine...just as soon as I know he's
going to be all right.
Cut to Doug's recovery room. Show Mark watching the monitors and standing close to the bed. Focus on Doug's hand flexing slowly on the pillow beside his head. The movement catches Mark's attention and he turns to see Doug's eyes are open.
Mark (smiles):
Hey, Buddy...how you doing?
Doug still has a tube in his mouth so he can't answer, but, his eyes shift and he nods slightly.
Mark:
Carol's outside...you ready to see her?
(Doug nods slowly, Mark pats his back gently)
OK...I'll be right back.
Cut to show Mark come out into the waiting area where Carol is still sitting with Kerry.
As soon as she sees Mark, she gets to her feet quickly.
Mark (smiles):
OK, he's awake...but we have a tube in his mouth, so, he can't talk to you, but, you can
go see him for a few minutes, OK?
Carol (nods):
OK...
(starts away, stops and kisses Mark on the cheek)
Thanks, Mark...
Mark (confused):
For what?
Carol (smiles):
For taking care of him for me.
Carol goes into Doug's room and walks slowly to the side of the bed where he can see her. He smiles weakly when she sits down beside him and she reaches to take his hand in hers.
Carol:
Hey...
(she smoothes his hair with her hand and kisses his forehead gently)
You had me pretty scared there for a while.
(Doug can't talk, but, his eyes reflect sorrow)
But, it's OK now. You're OK...and I'm going to be OK. I know we have a lot of things to
work out, Doug. We need to talk...and talk a lot. And as soon as you're out of here and
home, we will. I promise.
(Doug squeezes her hand in his)
I know you think I was shutting you out. I wasn't trying to. I was just trying to protect
you. But, I realize now that's not the way to go. I need your support, Doug...and I need
your strength. I always try to be so strong and just take everything in stride, but, I
can't do it this time.
(Doug's eyes focus on her, reflect pain and hurt for her)
I'm going to talk to Nina...and I'm going to talk to you. And I'm going to lean on you. I
always try to hold up because I always think you need me to be strong. But, I know now
I'll never be as strong as you always are.
(Doug shakes his head slightly)
Yes, you are.
(Carol smiles)
No matter what happens to you, you just take it on the chin and find a way to keep going.
(Doug squeezes her hand and motions to her)
No, Doug...I don't make you strong. You made yourself that way from everything you've gone
through in your life...your Dad...and all the hell of your childhood...you're a survivor.
I tried to chicken out once, remember?
(Doug squeezes her hand)
But, I won't ever do that again. Because I know that no matter what, you're always going
to be there for me.
(smiles)
We've got a long road ahead of us with your recovery, and with mine. As long as we stay
together, we'll make it. But, it's not going to be easy, and we're going to have to really
be patient with each other. But, I know one thing above everything else...
(she leans down and kisses his head sweetly)
I know that I love you, Doug Ross. Don't you ever forget that, OK?
(a single tear slips out of Doug's eye and onto his pillow. Carol brushes it away quickly)
We'll talk about everything as soon as you're able, OK?
(kisses his head again)
You get some rest, OK? I promised Mark I wouldn't stay long.
She touches his back gently as she starts out of the room. His eyes watch her until she is where he can no longer see her.
Show Carol go out into the hallway where no one is around her and she covers her face with her hands as the Closing Act Fades into the Closing Credits of the show.
July 22, 1998