Author's Text

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"
"Tests of Life"
Opening Act

Scene opens at County Hospital. Show Doug Ross come through the staff door and pass through the ER on his way to the elevators. As he goes by, he is aware of people whispering and looking at him as he goes by. When he gets to the elevator he punches the button with an agitated look and shakes his head in wonder. Show him get into the elevator and just as the doors close, a nurse runs to catch the car before it leaves. Doug holds the door open for her and lets her get in with him. She smiles at him, but, doesn't say anything and appears to be a little nervous riding with him. Doug keeps quiet until he gets to his floor and the door opens to let him off.

Doug (as he leaves the car, doesn't look back):
Don’t worry...it's only little kids I bash, remember?

The nurse hangs her head embarrassed as Doug disappears down the hall. The elevator closes her back off from view.

Show Doug go down the hall and pass a sign that says PICU. He goes through the doors and over to the crib where Marc is still sleeping. He picks up the chart and reads over it, and looks at all the stats on the machine hooked up to the toddler. He stands looking lovingly down at his son when Abby Keaton comes quietly up behind him.

Abby:
I was told you weren't supposed to see him without supervision.

Doug (doesn't look at her, stays focused on Marc):
Well, Abby, the way I see it, you've got one of two choices. You can either write me up, or you can stand there and supervise me and let me have a minute with my son.

Abby (smiles slightly):
The supervisor has to come from Child Services.

Doug (shrugs):
Then I guess you're gonna have to write me up.

Abby (scoffs):
I'm not going to write you up. I think the whole thing is ludicrous.

Doug (grins):
Thanks, Abby. I appreciate that.
(nods to Marc's machines)
He looks like he's doing pretty well.

Abby:
He is...I'm hoping he'll wake up today.

Doug:
So, he's gonna be OK?

Abby (nods):
Yes, I think so.

Doug:
Rocher been up to see him?

Abby:
Not this morning, but, he was here last night.
(Doug nods)
He's working on his report for Child Services.

Doug:
He'll take good care of Marc...
(reaches down and touches Marc's chest)
Hey, Buddy...how are you doing, huh?
(smiles weakly at the stock still baby)
I'm sorry you go hurt...
(sighs, painful expression on his face)
I'm sorry I'm such a bad Daddy that I let you get hurt...

Abby (shakes her head):
You're not a bad Daddy, Doug. You're a parent. No parent can protect their child twenty-four hours a day...

Doug (gives her a look):
I went to sleep, Abby...

Abby:
You just went home from a 36 hour shift! What did you expect!

Doug:
Carol is right...as tired as I was and knowing Amy wasn't there, I should have called one of the grandmothers for back up.

Abby:
Don't beat yourself up over this, Doug...what happened to Marc really wasn't your fault.

Doug (smiles weakly down at Marc):
That's easy to say for you...but for me...

Abby:
I know...standing there looking at your son makes it a little harder for you. But, he's going to be fine. And both of you will be back home before you know it.

Doug (shrugs):
I hope you're right...
(he leans down and kisses Marc's forehead lightly through the bandages)
I've got to get to work.

Abby:
I'll take good care of him, Doug...

Doug (as he starts out of the room):
I know you will.

Just as Doug gets to the door, he almost runs full force into Carol, who is coming into the room.

Carol (surprised):
What are you doing here?

Doug (nervously, looks at his feet):
I was just checking on Marc.

Carol:
I thought you weren't supposed to see the kids?

Doug:
Beverly said I could see them with supervision.

Carol (looks into the room):
I don't see anyone from Child Services in there.

Doug:
Abby was there.

Carol:
Abby doesn't count.

Doug (annoyed with her attitude with him):
Then turn me in, Carol. I can sit in jail and wait this thing out. It doesn't really matter to me.

Carol (retreats):
I don't want you to go to jail...don't be ridiculous.

Doug:
Give me a break, Carol...I just wanted to see how he's doing. I haven't seen him since I brought him in here yesterday.

Carol (softly):
How IS he doing?

Doug (nods):
Better, I think...Abby says she thinks he should wake up today.

Carol (nods):
Well, I'll be here most of the day. Amy is home with the kids now.

Doug (reaches into his pocket):
When you do go home, I made a list of a few things I'd like to have from the house if it's not too much trouble.
(hands her a list)

Carol (looks over it):
Sure, I'll drop them off at the hotel tonight, will that be OK?

Doug (nods):
That'll be great. Thanks.
(Looks nervously at his feet, hangs his head)

Carol (quietly):
Are you OK?

Doug (nods):
Yeah. I'm fine.
(looks up at her with sad eyes)
I just miss you.

Carol (smiles sadly):
I miss you, too.

Doug (smiles weakly):
Well, as long as we have that, we at least have hope that we'll get this.

Carol:
I just need time, Doug.

Doug (nods):
Yeah...you always just need time.
(pushes himself away from the wall)
I have to get to work. I'll see you around.

Carol (dumbfounded as he starts away):
Yeah...
(quietly, once he is gone)
I guess so.

She watches him as he waits for the elevator and once he is gone she goes on in to PICU as Opening Act fades into Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens in Doug's office. He goes in and closes his office door. He walks slowly over and sits down at his desk. He reaches out and picks up the family photo sitting on his desk and looks at it with a chuckle and sad smile. The photo shows him holding Marc, Carol holding Josh, Amy holding Tina and Lana, with Tatiana, Scott, and Raoul standing in the foreground. His trance is shattered by the ringing phone and he reaches quickly to silence it.

Doug (into receiver):
Doug Ross...

Beverly (on other end of the phone):
Are you speaking to me at all this morning?

Doug (grins):
Sure, Beverly,...I'm not mad at you.

Beverly:
I'm glad to know you got out of jail so quickly...

Doug:
I've got a good lawyer.

Beverly:
You know that's just a formality, don't you? I mean, if the investigation goes the way I think it will, the charges will be dropped.

Doug:
I understand.

Beverly:
I just wanted to let you know that I placed Raoul in a home temporarily. As soon as this is finished, you and Carol will get him back.

Doug:
This home you placed him in a good one?

Beverly:
They were very happy to have Raoul, yes.

Doug:
How is he doing? OK?

Beverly:
He seemed to be, yes.

Doug:
I want to work it out with Carol to see the other kids sometime soon.

Beverly:
I'll be glad to supervise the visit.

Doug:
And I want this cleared up, Beverly...soon.

Beverly:
I'm working on it as we speak. As soon as I get the attending physician's report and the employee report from Mark, we should be able to close this thing within the week.

Doug:
I hope so...this whole thing is a nightmare.

Beverly (sighs):
I know...it's always the ones who aren't guilty that this thing rips apart...never the ones that are guilty. Hang in there, Doug.

Doug:
Thanks, Beverly.

He hangs up the phone and looks back down at the picture and sighs. In his mind, he recalls putting Marc down on the deck and watching him climb down the steps and into the yard. His mind focuses on the big yellow playball Marc began playing with. His mind flashes scenes of Marc chasing after the ball and squealing delightedly to seeing Marc lying half in, half out of the sandbox, but his mind zeros in on the ball in a corner of the yard just off from the sandbox. Thinking about it, he picks up the phone and dials a number.

Doug (into receiver):
Beverly! It's Doug Ross...who's doing the investigation on my case?

Beverly:
I'm handling this myself. I want to be sure it's done right and quickly.

Doug:
Have you been to my house to look in the yard yet?

Beverly:
No, I'm going there today.

Doug:
OK, when you go, check the yellow ball in the corner of the yard and see if there's any sand on it...I have a feeling about something.

Beverly (nods):
OK...will do...what's your theory?

Doug:
Check the ball first...meantime, I'll have Rocher check Marc...if I'm right, it won't make me feel any better, but, it might make things easier for you.

He hangs up the phone still locked in his thoughts.

Cut to PICU and show Carol standing over Marc in his crib. She is stroking his chest and smiling at him when he opens his eyes and begins to cry.

Carol (looks up at nurse):
Page Abby Keaton or Max Rocher for me, please?

Nurse (nods):
Yes, Mrs. Ross...

Carol (lovingly to Marc):
Take it easy, Marc...it's going to be OK!
(pats his chest)
Shhhhhhhh....Mommy's here, Marc...Mommy's here.

Cut to show Max Rocher rushing through the halls to answer the page to PICU when he runs into Doug getting off the elevator.

Doug:
Hey! Max! I wanted to talk to you...

Rocher (getting into the elevator):
Yeah, later Doug...I've got a page...

Doug (concerned):
PICU?

Rocher (nods):
Yeah.

Doug (getting into the elevator):
I'm going with you...

Cut to show both doctors rushing down the hall but only Rocher goes into PICU. Doug stands in the hall and watches painfully through the glass, not allowed to be with his son and having to wonder what is going on inside.

Rocher (comes up beside Carol):
What happened?

Carol (hopeful):
He woke up...but he started crying as soon as he was awake. I didn't know if he was in pain or what...

Rocher (shakes his head, listens to Marc's chest with his stethoscope):
Probably just scared...and confused...and needs a clean diaper...
(looks at all the monitors)
Everything looks good...
(leans down and smiles at Marc)
Hey, there, Big Guy? What's your problem, huh?
(Baby continues to cry)

Carol (chuckles):
When he cries like that at home the only one who can calm him down...
(loses her thought briefly, Max looks at her)
...is Doug.

Rocher (grins):
Well, let's see if that holds true here...
(turns to see Doug standing behind the glass and motions him in)

Doug (rushes into the room):
What is it, Max? What's wrong?

Rocher:
Carol says you have a calming effect on the little guy...
(motions to Marc)
...so show me.

Doug (leans over the crying toddler):
Hey, Marcus...what's your problem, Bud?
(places his hand on the baby and he begin to stop crying)
There you go...isn't that better, huh?
(Marc fixes his eyes on Doug and reaches his hands to him...Doug kisses them gently)
You're gonna be OK, Buddy!
(smiles at Marc)
You're gonna be just fine.

Rocher (grins):
Now that's a father-son bond if I ever saw one.

Carol (nervously):
Doug isn't supposed to be in here...

Rocher:
Relax, Carol...everything's cool.

Doug (still looking at Marc):
I better go...

Doug steps away and as soon as he is out of his sight, Marc begins to cry again, loudly, and reach for Doug. Doug starts back, but Rocher puts a hand to his chest and pushes him towards the door.

Rocher:
I'm a rebel just like you are, but, unless someone form Child Services is in here, I really don't think you should be.

Doug (painful expression):
My son needs me...

Rocher (pushes him on):
Your wife can take care of him...come on...you said you wanted to talk to me about something...

Doug watches over his shoulder as Rocher hauls him on out the door and Carol leans over to comfort Marc. Once out in the hall, Doug keeps his eye on the glass.

Rocher:
Now, what did you want to talk to me about?

Doug (still looking into PICU):
Did you give Marc a full exam? I mean, did you look him over real close?

Rocher:
Sure, I had to...I have to fill out a report for Child Services.

Doug:
You didn't find any other marks on him, right?

Rocher (shakes his head):
Just a bump on his head.

Doug:
Could you look again?

Rocher (laughs):
Let me get this straight...you WANT me to find some other marks on him?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...

Rocher:
Doug, are you nuts? Other marks on him would amplify abuse! That's the LAST thing you want...

Doug:
Not necessarily...I keep thinking about that ball he was playing with and where it was in the yard when I found him. From the position it was in, I'm almost betting it was in that sandbox and I've already asked Beverly to check it for sand when she checks the yard...

Rocher (nods):
OK, and your point would be?

Doug:
Well, I assumed Marc was climbing on the swing set and fell, but, now I'm not so sure...

Rocher (gets his angle):
And you're thinking he may have just tripped and fell?

Doug (nods):
I think it's a possibility. Rocher (nods):
OK...sure...I'll check him again and look carefully for anything that might back up that theory.

Doug (claps Max on the shoulder):
Thanks, Max...let me know what you find out, OK?

Rocher (nods):
You'll be the first to know...

Doug nods and goes on down the hall to the elevators. Max watches him go and then goes back into PICU to Marc where Carol is still comforting him and trying to ease his crying.

Rocher (grins as he comes up beside Carol):
He's a real Daddy's boy, huh?

Carol (grunts):
Has been since the day he was born. I was taking classes to be a PA when Marc was little and Doug was the one that took care of him most of the time and he sort of bonded more with Doug than he did with me.

Rocher:
You sound sorry about that.

Carol (looks at Marc):
I'm sorry about a lot of things right now.

Rocher:
Well, I need to examine Marc, so, we don't you go grab some breakfast...or offer your husband a little support...or something...

Carol (steps away from Marc's crib):
Yeah...
(starts for the door)
Or something...

Rocher shakes his head as she leaves and then he leans over to start examining Marc.

Cut to show Carol coming up to the coffee machine in the cafeteria and running into Doug who is just leaving with his own coffee.

Carol (smiles shyly):
Hey.

Doug (grins at her):
Hey...are you still mad at me?

Carol:
I was never mad at you.

Doug:
Carol, I don't think I need to tell you we both need to sit down and talk about this...

Carol (nods):
Yeah...and we will...I promise...you just need to give me time...

Doug:
I will always give you time, Carol. I'll give you anything you need...will you?
(Carol gives him a confused look)
Will you give me the benefit of a doubt that I just might not be the monster you're trying to make me out to be? I know you need to blame somebody because you need this to be somebody's fault...but if we find out this whole thing was, truly, just an accident...
(ticks his head)
I hope you'll be able to accept that.

Having said this, he walks swiftly away, leaving her standing and watching him with a blank expression on her face as Act One Fades to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens at County Hospital in PICU. Max Rocher is just finished his exam of Marc Ross when Mark Greene comes into the room.

Mark (watches Rocher put Marc back in his crib):
How's he doing?

Rocher (grins):
He's doing great.

Mark (smiles):
He's going to be OK then?

Rocher:
He's going to be just fine.

Mark:
Beverly Watters will be in my office this afternoon...I was hoping you could have your report filed by then so we can help Doug get this behind him.

Rocher (nods):
Sure, I can have the report ready by then...but I think it's going to take more than a piece of paper for Doug to put this behind him very quickly.

Mark:
Well, sure, I understand that, but, if we can just get this part of it done I think he can work on the rest of it by himself.
(Mark and Rocher start out of the room and into the hall)
Care to drop me a hint as to what that report is going to say?

Rocher:
Looks like the baby just tripped and fell.

Mark:
He didn't fall off the swing set?

Rocher (shakes his head):
Doesn't look like it...there's a bruise on his toe like he ran into the side of something...most likely the sandbox.
(Pause)
Mark, you didn't really think Doug hit that kid, did you?

Mark (shakes his head):
I know a lot of things about Doug Ross, and he and I have had our battles in the past, but, hitting a child, ANY child, is something I would never suspect him of.
(chuckles)
I'll page you when I'm ready for you, Max...thanks.

Mark touches Max's shoulder and goes on off down the hall.

Cut to show Carol in Nina Pomerantz's office. She is nervously looking at her feet while she and Nina talk.

Carol:
Thanks for seeing me on such short notice, Nina...I appreciate it.

Nina (smiles):
Whatever I can do to help, Carol...you and Doug are like family to me.

Carol:
I don't understand my feelings in this whole thing, Nina. I don't understand why I am so hostile towards Doug. I know he would never do anything intentionally to hurt Marc...he loves that child...he loves all of our children...I know that! I don't understand what's wrong with me. He's hurting...just the same as I am...and he needs me to comfort him...why can't I do that?

Nina:
Because you're hurting, too.

Carol:
Always before when I was hurting, Doug was there to comfort me...he's not there now. Child Services made him move out of the house...

Nina:
He didn't have to. He could have stayed.

Carol:
But, he moved out to keep the kids from being taken out...he sacrificed his own feelings for the good of the children...

Nina (smiles):
Isn't that what a good parent does?

Carol (nods):
Yes...of course it is. I know Doug is a good parent. I know he didn't let Marc get hurt on purpose. But I can't help feeling angry at him anyway.

Nina:
Because he was the one that was there when it happened. And you can't help thinking that maybe he could have done something to prevent it...

Carol (Nods):
If he hadn't dozed off...yeah.

Nina:
Let's say he couldn't have done anything to prevent it. Let's say you were home, too, and the same thing happened...would you feel the same way?

Carol (shrugs):
I don't know. I think what bothers me the most is that we don't know how long Marc laid there needing medical attention...I don't know how long Doug was asleep.

Nina:
Are you afraid you can't forgive Doug for this? That your marriage may be in danger because of this?

Carol (thinking):
I don't know.
(pause)
I know I love Doug...that much I'm sure of...

Nina:
And you love your child...that's only normal. It's easier to give up someone who holds your heart than it is to give up your flesh and blood. I'm a mother, too...I know what I'm talking about. Divorcing Colt was hard, but, giving up Emma would be harder.

Carol:
Doug and I have had a lot of trials...before we were married, and during the past three years. There have been times when I didn't think we would ever see the end, but, we always managed to work everything out...

Nina:
Because you love each other...and you trusted each other...maybe now you don't trust Doug as much as you used to?

Carol:
That's crazy, you know? Because I know in my heart than Doug didn't let Marc get hurt on purpose...

Nina:
Then just let your heart talk to your head.
(Carol gives her a confused look)
You know you love Doug...you just have to learn to trust him again. It'll take time, Carol, but, if you truly love him and you really try, you will find a way to get through this.

Carol (sadly):
I can't even touch him right now...or let him touch me. He didn't do anything to me and I'm treating him like a leper...

Nina (smiles):
You're just looking for someone to blame for Marc getting hurt...and Doug is easy because he's the one that was there when it happened. But this whole thing is going to be behind you very soon...and you and Doug will have to either go back to being a couple again...or go your separate ways. That choice, Carol, is going to be up to you.

Carol:
Doug always beats himself up over things like this so much. He's always so hard on himself...he takes the blame for things whether he's really to blame or not.

Nina:
What's because he's used to things being his fault...it goes back a long way...you know that...and you know why.

Carol:
So why am I punishing him, too? I mean, one half of me wants to crush him in my arms and smother him with kisses and promise him everything is going to be all right and that I still love him...but another part of me thinks he's not being punished enough for what he did.

Nina:
What would be punishment enough, Carol? To lose his job? To lose his family? To have to stay away from his children forever? To lose his wife? Would that be fair to a man who the only crime he committed was close his eyes for one minute because he was so exhausted he couldn't hold them open any longer?

Carol (shakes her head):
No, of course it wouldn't.

Nina (smiles):
Marc is his son, too, Carol. And he's hurting just as much as you are...probably more so. The best way for the two of you to get through this, is together.

Carol (smiles):
I think you're right...
(stands up)
I'm going back to the hospital and see if I can talk to Doug...thanks, Nina.

Nina:
Good luck, Carol...

Cut back to County hospital. Show Max Rocher and Beverly Watters in Mark Greene's office. Mark is sitting behind his desk facing the two of them in chairs.

Mark:
Thank you both for coming...I really want to get this thing put aside as quickly as we can. Dr. Rocher? You have a report for us?

Rocher (nods):
It was first believed the child may have fallen, possibly off the swing set, but, upon further examination, I found a bruise on his right big toe, indicating more likely that he simply stubbed it on something hard and fell forward, hitting his head.

Beverly (smiles slightly):
My investigation of the yard also indicates the same thing. There is a tiny handprint on the playball that shows he likely hit it and knocked it out of the sandbox when he fell forward.

Rocher:
Also, there was very minor swelling when the child was brought into the emergency room. If he laid unconscious for more than ten minutes before Dr. Ross brought him in, I'd be surprised.

Mark (smiles):
So, your conclusion?

Rocher (shakes his head):
There's been no abuse in this case.

Beverly:
I think we all already knew that...
(snickers)
I truly hate that we had to put Doug through this but every case reported has to be followed up.

Mark:
I think all parties involved understand that much.

Beverly (smiles):
Well, I think we can close the case on this one...I'll find Doug and tell him...and I thank you gentlemen for your time.

Beverly gets up and leaves the office quickly. Mark and Rocher just look at each other and chuckle.

Cut to show Beverly rushing down the hall to catch Doug as he gets of the elevator.

Beverly (excited):
Doug! Doug, wait!
(Doug stops and turns to her as she approaches him)
I just came from Mark Greene's office...you can move back home with your wife and children anytime you're ready...and I'll be bringing Raoul back tonight!

Doug (smiles):
That's great news, Beverly.

Beverly:
I'm going right back to my office now and get all the paper work done...I'll call you later!

Doug watches her go with a smile and goes on his way on down the hall.

Cut to the ER. Show paramedics coming in with a child on a stretcher and Kerry Weaver meets them in the hall way.

Kerry:
What have you got?

Paramedic:
Ten year old...foster father says he fell down a flight of stairs...

Kerry:
Take him to three...Jerry! Page Max Rocher and Doug Ross, STAT!

Kerry goes on off with the paramedics as Act Two Fades to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens in the ER. Show Max Rocher running from one direction and Doug Ross rushing off the elevator and both of them arriving to trauma three at about the same time. Kerry is there and working with the patient waiting for them.

Kerry (filling them in):
Ten year old patient, foster father says he fell down a flight of stairs...

Doug (annoyed):
Yeah, that's what they all say...

Kerry:
BP is 60/40...pulse ox is 65...no sounds in the right lung...severe depression of the skull...

Doug (standing over the patient now):
Oh my God...Raoul?

Kerry (confused):
You know this child?

Doug (holds back his anger):
Yeah, I know him...
(listens to his chest through his stethoscope)
I need an ET tube and IV push...
(looks up at Kerry)
Get Abby Keaton down here...

Rocher (working on the other side with Doug):
You know this kid?

Doug:
Yeah...I had him before in the clinic...

Rocher:
This is the kid you and Carol were trying to adopt?
(Doug gives him a careful eye)
Better step aside, Doug, and let me handle it...

Reluctantly, Doug steps aside let Rocher work as Abby Keaton comes rushing into the trauma room.

Abby:
What have you got?

Rocher:
This kid's a mess...internal bleeding not confirmed but the swelling of his abdomen indicates it's there...

Abby:
Let's confirm it then...
(she takes out a needle and does the stomach puncture and gets blood)
That's affirmative! What happened to him?

Rocher:
Foster father says he fell down a flight of stairs...

Abby:
Thrown down them is more like it...I'll go set up the OR...get him upstairs as soon as you can...

Rocher (nods):
Five minutes...

Abby (nods, heads out the door):
I'll be ready...

Cut to show Doug watching through the glass in the hall way and show Kerry walk over to him slowly.

Kerry:
Why are you out here? Why aren't you in there working with Max?

Doug:
Because that child was going to be my son, and Max doesn't think I should be working on him.

Kerry (stunned):
That's the foster child you and Carol were adopting?

Doug (eyes fixed on Raoul, doesn't look at her):
Yeah.

Kerry (sincerely):
Doug, I'm so sorry...

Doug (snaps his head to look at her now):
Are you? That kid is laying in there because YOU had him taken out of MY home! If he was where he belonged, none of this would have happened! If you had minded your own business...

Kerry (snaps back at him):
Am I supposed to mind my own business every time a battered kid comes in here, Doug? Just look the other way and let them go home with a parent that's going to knock them around again? Am I supposed to do that?

Doug;
You KNEW I didn't hit my son! You reported me as a way to get back at me...well I hope you're happy now, Kerry! Because I'm not the only one paying the price for your vendetta! That kid in there is paying a hell of a lot more...

Raoul is wheeled out to be taken to surgery and Doug starts walking along with him. Kerry watches with a perplexed look as they all disappear into the elevator.

Cut to show Doug storming into Mark's office and slamming the door. Mark looks up from his desk with a surprised look.

Mark:
Come right in, Doug...something on your mind?

Doug (pacing, angry):
They brought Raoul Fernandez into the ER about a half hour ago...he's on his way to surgery now...

Mark:
What happened?

Doug:
His foster father says he fell down a flight of stairs...

Mark:
And you disagree with that?

Doug:
The kid is covered with bruises...looks like he beat him with a ball bat and THREW him down the stairs! He had that kid less than 72 hours and he's in surgery? Beverly told me she placed him in a GOOD home...

Mark:
Maybe he really DID fall?

Doug:
Uh uh! No way! I've seen enough of these cases to know what kids look like when they fall...

Mark:
Who was the attending on the case?

Doug:
Rocher.

Mark:
What does he say?

Doug:
We haven't talked about it yet...

Mark (hits pager):
Well, let's talk to him about it...

Doug (puts his hands on Mark's desk):
My question is, what are you going to do about Kerry Weaver?

Mark (confused):
I'm not sure I know what you mean?

Doug:
Oh, come ON, Mark! This whole thing is her fault! She's the one that got Raoul taken out of my home to begin with...

Mark:
She was just doing her job...

Doug (disgusted):
Don't HAND me that, Mark! Don't sit behind that desk and hide behind your guidebook! You've been down in that ER! You've seen these kids come through! Think with your heart, Mark! Not your rule book!

Mark:
Kerry was acting within her rights...she didn't do anything wrong...Doug, I know how you feel...

Doug (scoffs):
You know how I feel? Do you, Mark? How could you!? Have you ever looked at your child laying on a trauma table with his face so swollen you hardly even recognize him? Covered with bruises and bleeding from almost every opening in his body? When two days ago you hugged him and told him you loved him and promised him he'd be coming back home soon? Can you possibly know what I'm feeling right now seeing him rushed to emergency surgery?

Mark (shakes his head):
NO, I guess I can't...

Doug:
Then don't patronize me, Mark! And stop hiding behind 'she was within her rights' and think rationally. Kerry Weaver has been trying to find a way to get back at me for as long as I can remember! She found a way to do it...and you're backing her up for it!
(starts for the door)
Neither one of you have heard the end of this...

He storms out the door and passes Max Rocher, who gives him a bewildered look as he goes on into the office.

Rocher:
You paged me?

Mark:
Yeah, Doug was just telling me about Raoul Fernandez...care to offer your comments?

Rocher (shrugs):
The kid's a mess...

Mark:
Do you think he fell down a flight of stairs?

Rocher:
I think he had a lot of help if he did.
(holds up chart)
I've got his x-rays...broken arm...broken collarbone... a dislocated hip...multiple scrapes and bruises...I'd say he took more than one beating over the past 24 hours...

Mark (sighs):
Any idea what he might have been beaten with?

Rocher (shrugs):
Some kind of blunt object...a club or a stick...

Mark:
Document everything for me, will you, Max? I may need it later...

Rocher (nods):
Sure. Anything else?

Mark:
No that's all for now...thanks.

Cut to show Doug standing in the surgical waiting area staring blankly out the window. In his mind, he sees flashes of Raoul at the Ross home...watching TV with Tatiana and Scott... at the dinner table...playing ball in the yard with him and Scott...his smile...and Doug hugging him...his thoughts are interrupted by Carol coming into the waiting room and coming over to him quickly.

Carol (touches his shoulder):
Doug?
(he pops his trance and turns to her)
They told me downstairs you were up here! What's wrong? Has something happened with Marc?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, Marc's fine...
(shifts his weight and clears his throat)
It's Raoul.

Carol (stunned):
Raoul?

Doug:
Paramedics brought him into the ER about an hour ago...he's pretty beaten up.

Carol:
Beaten up?

Doug (nods):
His foster father said he fell down a flight of stairs...but I think different.

Carol (covers her mouth):
Oh, God! Is he going to be OK?

Doug:
He's in surgery now...internal bleeding...Rocher's got a whole list of broken bones...they'll have to do some major patching...

Carol:
When Beverly took him the other night, I hugged him and I told him I loved him...that he'd be coming home soon...

Doug (shakes his head):
I don't think it's going to be very soon...

Carol:
I saw Beverly downstairs when I came in...she said this case with Marc is closed now?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, just a little while ago. I was going to tell you, but, I couldn't find you.

Carol:
I had something I had to do.

Doug (Looks at her):
Are you OK?

Carol (nods):
I'm fine. The kids will be glad to get you back home.

Doug:
What about you? Will you be glad to have me home?

Carol:
I think we have a lot of talking to do, but, I think we can work all this out.

Doug (grins):
You didn't answer my question.

Carol gives him a weak shrug and he turns and stares back out the window. Carol wraps both her arms around one of his and rests her head on his shoulder to stare out the window with him.

Cut to Abby Keaton in surgery with Raoul. She is working with Elizabeth Corday to patch up the injuries.

Nurse:
BP 55/40 and dropping...

Abby:
How's his heart rate?

Nurse:
Weak and falling...

Abby:
Get the crash cart ready just in case...

Corday:
We're losing him...

Abby:
Then we just have to try a little harder...
(looks down over her mask at her patient)
Come on, Kiddo...you were going to be a Ross...you're a fighter...hang in there!

Focus on the heart monitor line going flat as Act Three Fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens in surgery, Abby Keaton is working over Raoul. We hear the audio of a flatline in the background.

Abby:
Get that crash cart over here!
(cart is quickly beside her and she starts rubbing the paddles together)
Charge 200....
(watches the numbers register)
Clear!
(she lays the paddles to Raoul's chest and releases the charge. Raoul's body lurches upward but the heart monitor stays flatline)
Charge 300...
(watches the numbers register)
Clear!
(she lays the paddles to Raoul's chest and releases another charge)
Let's try a manual!

With Corday's help, Abby reaches into the child's chest and begins to massage the heart with her hands. Both doctors keep a watch on the flatline of the monitor.

Cut to show Doug and Carol sitting in the waiting room. They are sitting across from each other and both of them sitting forward and toying with their hands. Show Abby Keaton come into the waiting area with her surgical mask down around her neck. They both stand up as she gets to them.

Abby (sadly):
Raoul had extensive internal injuries...he went into cardiac arrest...I did everything I could... (Doug nods sadly and keeps his head down)

Carol (covers her mouth and turns away):
Oh God...

Abby:
I'm very sorry, Doug...I did everything I could...he just wasn't strong enough to shake it off...

Doug (nods sadly):
It's OK, Abby...thanks...I know you did your best.

Abby touches his shoulder gently and goes on back out of the room. Doug walks over to where Carol is standing, staring out the window, her hand over her mouth, and sobbing quietly. He walks up behind her and puts his hands on her shoulders to rub her comfortingly, but she pulls away from him.

Doug (quietly):
Carol...I....

Carol (turns on him quickly):
Don't talk to me right now! This is all your fault! If you hadn't let something happen to Marc, none of this would have happened!

Doug (hurt look):
That's not fair, Carol...

Carol (through tears):
Don't tell me what's fair! That little boy is dead...go tell him about fair!

She starts to say something else, but, just waves her arms in despair and she rushes out of the room and disappears down the hall to the ladies room. Doug stands shell shocked for just a minute, then he storms out of the waiting room and heads for the ER. He spots Kerry Weaver working at a desk and charges up to her quickly.

Doug:
You self righteous BITCH! Are you happy now?

Kerry (startled but not shaken):
What's your problem now, Doug?

Doug:
Raoul is dead...he died in surgery...that little boy's blood is on YOUR hands! YOU are the one that had him taken out of my home! If he were where he belonged he would be alive right now!

Mark (steps in quickly from out of nowhere):
Let's don't display this all over the ER, shall we? Let's take this up to my office!

Doug (turns on him quickly):
Oh, it was OK to chew my ass out in the ER but not hers? Why not, Mark? Are you screwing her now?

Mark (angry now):
Take it upstairs, Doug! NOW!

Reluctantly, Doug heads out on his own for Mark's office. Mark and Kerry follow along behind him.

Cut to Mark's office with the three of them spilling into it. The minute the door is closed, Doug starts back up again, zeroing in on Kerry.

Doug:
You KNEW I didn't abuse my son! WHY did you report it?
(Kerry stands unable to say anything giving Doug a blank look)
I had to leave my home...my kids cry themselves to sleep at night because I'm not there...they took a kid that truly KNOWS what abuse is out of my home and gave him to someone who....
(voices breaks and trails off briefly)
...someone who killed him because YOU have a problem with me.

Kerry:
Doug, believe me when I tell you, I am truly, very sorry...

Doug:
Are you? Are you sorry, Kerry? Are you as sorry as that little boy laying in the morgue? Are you that sorry? You killed that kid, Kerry! Just the same as if you smashed him with a ball bat yourself...his blood is on YOUR hands...

Mark (cuts in):
OK, Doug, that's enough! Now, just calm down!

Doug:
You gonna tell me again how she was within her rights, Mark? You gonna stick your head in your ass and ignore this as being 'by the rule book' like everything else?

Mark:
Look, Doug, I know you're upset...

Doug:
Hell, yes, I'm upset! I have every right to be upset! That kid had a life! And he had a future! He was going to be one of the ones that made it out and I was going to see to that but SHE took it all away! Is this revenge enough for you, Kerry? The only thing that would make it better for you would be if it was ME laying down on that slab in the morgue instead of an innocent 10 year old kid! Well, too bad! I'm still here! And I'm going to be a thorn in your side from now until eternity! I will NEVER forgive you for this...not EVER!

Mark:
DOUG! I think you need to go someplace and cool off and you and will talk again when you can think a little more rationally.

Doug (rips open the door):
Sure, Mark...I'll be back...in about 100 years...

He goes out and slams the door loudly. Mark sighs and turns to his desk. Kerry raises an eyebrow and laughs nervously.

Kerry:
He really gets keyed up, doesn't he?

Mark (sighs):
His child is dead, Kerry...I don't blame him for being upset.

Kerry:
Well, it wasn't like it was HIS child...not like Marcus...he wasn't even legally adopted yet...

Mark:
Well, Doug couldn't have loved him anymore if he was his blood son. Raoul and Doug had a very special bond. Doug's worked hard with him. This is bound to be a hard blow.
(pause)
Kerry, when you called Beverly Watters to report Marc as a child abuse case, you knew in your mind and in your heart that it wasn't true, didn't you? You knew Doug didn't hurt that child...you just wanted to shake him up a little.
(Kerry nods slowly but doesn't answer)
Did you know he would have to move out of his house? And that he would have to spend time in jail until bond could be raised? Did you think, for one minute, about the other people who were going to suffer for your revenge tactics?

Kerry:
Mark, you know that we are taught that if we suspect abuse we're required to report it...

Mark:
But you KNEW it wasn't an abuse case, didn't you? You knew that in your head...and in your heart...that no matter what you think of Doug Ross as a person or a doctor, you knew he would never hurt a child...you knew that...didn't you?
(Kerry nods slowly)
Yet, you did it anyway?
(Kerry nods again, slowly. Mark turns to her and gets right in her face)
Then you are going to be DAMN lucky if I don't recommend the board suspend you for this...your actions were not only unprofessional, they were irresponsible, vindictive and with total malice...conduct VERY unbecoming of a doctor, wouldn't you say, Kerry?

Kerry:
Mark, you're just upset because Doug is upset...

Mark:
I am upset because a little boy is dead, Kerry! And I'm holding you responsible for that death...you'll be notified of the investigation as soon as I get the paperwork done on it...

Kerry (scoffs):
Investigation? I didn't have anything to do with Raoul's death...

Mark:
Indirectly, you did. I will make the board aware of your involvement with this case. Now, get out of my sight before I say some things I might regret later.

Kerry turns and slowly walks out of Mark's office, heaving an exhausted sigh and shaking her head in wonder once she is out the door.

Cut to show Doug sitting in his office with his head down on his desk. Show Carol come into this office and close the door behind her. He looks up when he hears the door close and smiles weakly at her when he sees her. His face is long and his eyes indicate he has been crying. c Doug (weakly):
Hey.

Carol (softly):
We need to talk.

Doug:
I guess you're going to tell me I'm not coming home yet?

Carol:
I don't think I'm ready for you to be home yet, Doug. I need time to sort all this out.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, OK...I understand. You want me to tell the kids about Raoul?

Carol (shakes her head):
No, it's OK...I'll tell them.

Doug (nods shortly):
OK...well...you know where I am if you need me.

Carol:
Are you OK?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...no, I'm not OK. I'm just about as numb as I can get. I can't go home to my kids that ARE OK. A child I loved with all my heart is dead. And my wife doesn't want me at a time when I need her more than I ever have. How 'ok' could I be, Carol?

Carol:
It's not that I don't want you...

Doug:
I know...it's just that every time you look at me you see the monster that killed one child and tried to kill another one...

Carol:
I never said that!

Doug:
You didn't have to say it, Carol...just drop off that list of things I needed at the hotel and call me when you want to see me...I'll try to stay out of your way the rest of the time...

Carol (crying):
Doug, don't do this...don't be this way! I can't help how I feel right now...

Doug:
I know that, Carol...but at least I can consider how you feel...until you can do the same for me, we have nothing to talk about.

Carol turns slowly and sadly for the door. She puts her hand on the door knob and turns it slowly, turning back to Doug with tears on her cheeks.

Carol (softly):
I really do love you, Doug...I hope you know that.

Doug (smiles sadly):
I love you, too, Carol.

Carol goes on out of his office and walks slowly and shell shocked through the hospital in a daze. When she gets to the ER she is confronted by Beverly Watters with a sad face.

Beverly:
Carol...I just heard...I am so sorry...

Carol (pushes her back, shakes her head):
Don't talk to me right now, Beverly. Your system ripped my family apart and caused the death of a child who was finally making progress for a better start in life...I don't even want your condolences right now.

Beverly:
Carol, you have to know I never wanted this to happen...

Carol:
You took that little boy out of a home that you knew he wasn't in any danger in...

Beverly:
I had to do things by the rules, Carol...I can't make exceptions in any case...

Carol:
Screw your rules! Your rules don't care about people! That man upstairs in the Pediatrics office...HE cares about people...and no one will let him. Just don't talk to me right now, Beverly...I'm really not up to it...

Beverly stands aside and painfully watches as Carol trudges on out of the ER alone and disappears out into the parking lot. Cut to show Doug standing by his office window watching her go. Once she is out of sight, he goes back over to his desk, and puts his head down on his folded arms, his shoulders shaking from the sobs now wracking his body as Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens with Doug in the morgue with Raoul's battered body. The coroner pats his shoulder comfortingly as he gazes at the little boy on the slab.

Doug:
Can you give me a couple of minutes?

Coroner (nods):
Sure...just close it up when you're done.
(Doug nods as the Coroner leaves the room)

Doug (weak voice, sad eyes, glares down at Raoul's body sadly):
I'm really sorry, Buddy. I never meant for this to happen. You deserved a lot better...really you did...
(forces back tears as he continues)
I just wanted you to know that, uh, I really loved you, Pal...you were just like Scott and Tatchie and Lana, and Tina, and Marc, and Josh to me...you were part of my family, Raoul...
(voice breaks, tears fall silently to his cheeks)
If you ever knew love at all in your short battered little life, pal, I hope you knew it with us...because all of us loved you, Raoul...and we're all going to miss you...very, very much.

Doug leans down and softly kisses the little boy on the forehead, covers the body back up, and pushes the drawer back in to trudges slowly out of the morgue alone.

Cut to the Ross home. Show Carol sitting in the family room with Scott and Tatiana...all of them are crying.

Tatiana (sadly):
Raoul isn't coming home?

Carol (shakes her head):
No, Baby...he's in heaven now...and nobody can ever hurt him ever again...

Scott (angrily):
Nobody hurt him here...he was just fine when he was here!

Carol (nods):
I know, Scotty...it's complicated to explain to you right now...

Tatiana:
When is Papa coming home?

Carol:
Well, Papa and I have some things we need to sort out, but, you'll see him, I promise.

Scott (scoffs):
You mean you're mad at him and won't let him come home...

Tatiana (confused):
Did Papa do something bad?

Carol:
No, Papa and I are just having some problems right now and we need some time away from each other to work them out...

Tatiana:
Who's gonna take care of Papa?

Carol:
Oh, he's a big boy...he can take care of himself for a while...

Cut to show short time lapse. Show Carol go into the room that Raoul shared with Scott and looking around. Most of Raoul's things are gone as he took them with him, but her attention is caught by the stuffed dog Doug gave to Raoul still lying on his bed. She walks over and picks it up, holding it close to her and smelling it for his scent.

Scott (suddenly in the doorway):
He left it here because he thought he was coming back...

Carol (sadly):
Your Dad told him he'd be coming back...we were both really sure he would be...

Scott:
Are you mad at Dad?

Carol:
Not mad...we just both have some problems right now and we need time to work them out.

Scott:
Are you gonna get a divorce?

Carol (sadly):
I hope not. I love your Dad very much, Scotty...I just have some problems with him that I need to work out right now.

Scott:
Is he gonna be OK by himself?

Carol:
He'll be fine...he lived on his own a long time before he had all of us. And I promise, you guys will see him very soon, OK?

Scott (nods):
OK.

Scott goes on out and Carol buries her face in Raoul's dog and begins to cry uncontrollable. Cut to the Drake hotel room Doug is living in. He is unpacking a duffel bag Carol brought to him and laying things out on the bed. When he gets to the bottom, he picks up a note written sloppily in crayon...

Tatiana's Voice (reading note):
Papa, I love you and I miss you. I am sending Cuddles to help take care of you until you come home because I don't want you to be all alone. Love, Tatchie

Sadly, Doug reaches into the bad and pulls out a stuffed teddy bear. He smiles at it, chuckles lightly, and then the tears well up in his eyes as he lays it on the bed. He composes himself and goes out of his room, heading for the elevator. He goes into the elevator and the car opens on the lobby. He walks across the lobby to the bar and sits at a stool.

Bartender:
What'll it be, Sir?

Doug:
Give me scotch...
(The bartender nods and steps away. Show Doug thinking deeply about what he is doing and then he holds up his hand for attention)
Bartender?

Bartender (turns back):
Yes, sir?

Doug:
Make it a double.

The bartender serves him the drink. Doug holds the glass and peers into it for a minute, then he turns it up and takes a drink, making a bitter face before he takes the next one. Pan back to show him sitting alone at the bar and drinking as Closing Act Fades into Closing Credits of the show.

May 26, 1998