Author's Text

OK, this is a story I never really thought I'd write, but, due to demand (at least five of you asked me about it as early as last week) I decided to give it a try. Now, this story may not run true to the ER lines, but, it's my story, OK? Take it for what it's worth...entertainment!

I will warn you that Act Four gets a little hot. Just because I don't write it, doesn't mean I can't! LOL! I hope it doesn't offend anyone or be too much for some of my younger readers. And I'm telling you this here for the ones of you that I know will probably want to go forward and read it first! LOL!

This story is a little shorter than mine have been recently but it's still average. As with the one about bonding between Mark and Doug, there was just only so much I could do...

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

Robin

"Family Center/ER"
"Unlikely Beginning"
Opening Act

Scene opens at the Ross home, interior, daytime. Show Scott and Tatiana sitting looking dejected out the window as rain pours against it. Pan back to show Mark and Doug playing cards at the kitchen table and Carol feeding Marc as he sits in his high chair.

Carol (coaxing):
Come on, Marc...it's good for you.

Doug (chuckles):
He's already learned young that if it's good for you, he doesn't like it.

Carol:
Yeah, he takes after his father!

Mark (laughs):
Oooo...she got you!

Doug:
Touche!

Carol:
You kids get away from that window and go play a game or something!

Scott:
We've played all our games...we're bored! It's been raining forever!

Doug:
Blame El Nino!

Mark:
Did you look over that proposal for the Eye Doctor to join us?

Doug:
Yeah, it looks OK to me. Is it OK with you and Nina?

Mark:
I think it'll be a good idea. He'll have a totally separate practice...he just really needs the space. And we can use the income. I think it will work out well.

Doug:
We don't need the downstairs so we might as well get some use out of it. He can move in whenever he's ready.

Mark (nods):
I'll call him and tell him.
(pause)
When do you guys meet with the Realtor again?

Doug (chuckles):
A week from tomorrow, Mark...patience! Let us get out of this house before you buy it, OK?

Mark:
I'm sorry...I'm just getting excited. That's all.

Carol (gives up feeding and starts cleaning Marc up):
When are you and Nina getting married?

Mark:
As soon as I close on this house!
(laughs)
No, I'm kidding. We haven't set a date yet, but, when we do, you two will be the first ones to know after Emma and Rachel.

Doug:
How do they feel about it?

Mark:
They seem to be all for it! They get along really well and Emma is really excited about moving into a house. Rachel even asked me if she could come and live with me when I got married...that was a shock.

Carol:
Wow! I bet! What did you tell her?

Mark:
I told her I'd talk to Jen about it...and I will...after Nina and I get married and settled...but I don't think she'll go for it.

Doug:
Probably not...but it's worth a shot. It's nice that Rachel at least feels that way.

Mark:
Yeah.

Carol:
I'm real happy for you and Nina, Mark. I hope you'll be as happy as Doug and I are.

Mark (chuckles):
It's so odd to hear you say that...considering the way you used to feel about him.

Scott (turns his attention):
You mean you and Dad weren't always so lovey dovey, Mom?

Carol:
Oh, no, honey. Your Father has changed a lot since I met him.

Scott:
Well, what was he like when you met him?

Doug and Carol (look at each other...in unison):
Different.

Scott:
Well, what was he like?

Carol:
Well, he still had a lot of fire and I was attracted to him, but he wasn't the same kind of a person he is now...

Doug:
You weren't attracted to me at first...

Carol (laughs):
Doug, how can you say that! You remember how we were on our first date!

Doug:
I'm not talking about our first date...I'm talking about the first time we met.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Yeah...you were a little cocky at the hospital that first day...

Doug (grins):
I'm not talking about the hospital, either...you mean you don't remember the first time we met?
(looks at Mark)
You were there, too...don't you remember?

Mark (gives him a confused look):
The first time I met you, you were strutting around the ER like a supervisor and I busted you down...

Doug (shakes his head):
No, that wasn't it either...you mean neither one of you remember the first time you ever met me? I know I never forgot it!

Scott:
Why don't you tell us about it, Dad?

Carol:
Yeah, Doug...you're Mr. Memory Lane here...tell us your story.

Doug:
Are you real sure you want to hear it?
(chorus of 'yeah' and 'tell us' follows from the group)
OK...everybody pull up a chair...

Everybody sits around the table with Doug as he begins his story...fade Opening Act into Opening Credits of the show.

"Family Center/ER"

"Unlikely Beginning"

Act One

*****FLASHBACK*****

Scene opens at County ER, early morning, busy with action. Show doctors and nurses rushing up and down the hall, to and from trauma rooms, and buzzing about the main desk. Show Mark Greene come dashing into the center area with a perplexed look on his face. He stops at the desk and begin whining to anyone who will listen.

Mark:
What is this? 'Bombard the ER Day' or something?

Jerry (bustling by him):
Could be...

Mark:
We were supposed to get a new doctor in here this morning...
where the hell IS he?

Carol (stepping by him to put a file on the desk):
What makes you so sure it's a him?

Mark:
Well, I'm just assuming that someone named Douglas Ross is a male...
(Carol laughs)

Carol:
Is he supposed to report to you?

Mark:
Today he is...I'm the only one in charge that's here.

Carol (going back by Mark the other way now):
Well, if he shows up, I'll let you know.

Mark (disgruntled):
Thanks, Carol.

Jerry (holding up MICN microphone):
Dr. Greene? Flight Corp is requesting a doctor to ride along to an accident site?

Mark (sighs):
I'm coming...
(Mark goes over and takes the microphone away from Jerry)
This is Dr. Greene..

Voice:
This is flight control...

Mark:
Go ahead, Flight Control...

Voice:
We have a two car collision on County Road 17 with limited access ability...nearest ambulance or fire station is twenty miles away...at least two people are injured...request a doctor to ride out with us...

Mark:
I'll be on the roof in two minutes, Flight Control...

Voice:
Roger!

Mark (slams up microphone and turns to Jerry):
Jerry...I'm going up....if anybody needs me tell them to hold their water until I get back!

Jerry:
Yes, sir, Dr. Greene.

Mark (as he goes through the ER):
Carol! I need you to go with me on this flight run. There's no one else I can get right now and I need an assistant.

Carol:
But, I'm just a nurse...I won't be much good, will I?

Mark (takes her by the arm and guides her with him):
You're better than nothing...

Carol (scoffs):
Ummmm....thanks a lot...

Mark (calling from the elevator):
Jerry! Hathaway is going with me!
(Jerry nods that he got the message as the elevator door closes)

Carol (nervously as they ride up):
You know I've never done this before, don't you?

Mark:
It'll be OK...do you have any fears about flying in a helicopter?

Carol (shrugs):
I don't know...I've never been in one before!

Mark (as the door opens):
Well, we're about to find out...

Cut to show Carol and Mark on the roof in flight gear waiting for the chopper to land and pick them up.

The chopper lands on the roof and the doors fly opens. Mark and Carol duck their heads and run under the blades to climb into the back. As they lift off, Mark starts going over instructions with her.

Mark:
When we land, just go as fast as you can and evaluate the situation and then I'll do anything you can't handle, OK?

Carol (nods):
OK.

Mark:
I wish the new doctor has shown up...we're short-handed as it is.

Carol:
He was due today?

Mark (sighs):
Yeah. He's a Pedes doctor...doing a Fellowship...

Carol:
So, why is assigned to the ER?

Mark:
Doing his specialty in ER medicine...

Carol:
With Pedes?
(Mark nods)
Brave man...

Mark:
I don't think he's starting out very well...at least not with me...
(looks out the window)
There's the wreck...
(Carol strains over his shoulder to see out his window)

Carol:
Oh, man...one of those cars is a Corvette...bound to be somebody hurt from that one!

Mark:
Nope...doesn't look like it was involved...it's parked on the shoulder...see?

Carol (looks again):
Huh...so it is...

Mark (as the chopper starts down):
We'll know soon enough...

The chopper touches down and sits on the ground near the accident scene. Mark and Carol wait until it is completely down and then run quickly out of it. Mark goes to the first car and Carol goes to the other car. The front end of the first car is slammed into the rear end of the the other The Corvette is parked and doesn't have a mark on it, apparently not involved.

Mark (calls over his shoulder to Carol):
There's nobody in this car!

Man (standing outside the car nearby):
That's my car...I'm all right...it's the idiot in the Corvette that caused all the trouble...weaving in and out of traffic like and idiot...

Carol (reaching the other car):
There's nobody in this one either!

Mark (points and starts in her direction):
Behind you!

Carol looks in the direction Mark is running and sees someone bending over someone prone on the ground. The person on the ground is unconscious. The person bending over them is administering CPR. Mark rushes up to him and drops to his knees...

Mark (attempting to take over):
OK, Buddy...I got it now...I'm a doctor...

Doug (snaps):
So am I, Pal...and I've got everything under control. You can get right back in that whirly bird of yours and go back where ever you came from.

Mark (attempts again to take over):
I'm the doctor that was called to this situation...I think you should let me do my job...

Doug:
Yeah? Well, it sure took you long enough to get here, didn't it? The little girl over there...
(motions to the side of the car...Mark looks to see a little girl about six years old sitting up, leaning against the car, and watching. Carol is with her checking her over)
...would have died with an obstruction in her throat if I hadn't been here when I was...who the hell is that with her?

Mark (looks around):
That's an associate of mine, Carol Hathaway. She's a nurse.

Doug (nods):
OK.

Mark:
Where did you come from, anyway? Were you in one of the cars?
(Doug doesn't answer...just continues to work on his patient)
Did you see anybody else when you got here?

Doug:
No, this is it...
(stops his CPR as the patient begins to roll her head and groan)
OK...she's coming around...you got supplies with you?

Mark (annoyed):
Yes, and I'd appreciate it if you'd let me USE them...

Doug:
Then, I need an IV and an ambu bag if you've got it...
(Mark gives him a perturbed look)
NOW if you don't mind!

Rather than protest, Mark just gives him the equipment and helps him apply it to the patient. But, Doug is pretty much in control and Mark watches in awe at how well he handles the situation.

Cut to show Carol looking around in the Corvette, hoping to find something to help them find the owner. She gets into the glove compartment and finds the registration card and reads the owner information.

Owner: Douglas S. Ross, MD
Address: 79 Brenton Way #5
Weston, IL 62636
and she gives the doctor working with Mark a peering look. Just as she starts to close the door, something catches her eye under passenger's seat, so, she leans down to get a better look. She reaches under the seat and takes out an empty beer bottle. Curiously, she takes the registration card and the beer bottle over to Mark.

Mark (to patient):
You're going to be all right, Ma'am...

Woman:
My little girl...Melissa was in the back seat...

Mark:
She's going to be fine, too...she's right over there...
(takes her face and shows her)

Mark gets a board to transport the woman on and Doug helps him secure her on it while the flight team carries her to the chopper.

Carol (standing with Mark):
I still can't find anybody...the car is registered to the doctor you were expecting in the ER this morning, though...

Mark:
So, THAT'S why he's late...

Carol:
...and I found this...
(hands him the beer bottle)

Mark (sarcastically):
Oh, great...no wonder we can't find him anywhere...he's probably long gone from the scene...

Doug (belligerently):
I wouldn't bet on that. Doug Ross might be a drunk and a lout, but, he's not somebody that runs away from trouble.

Mark:
Oh yeah? Personal friend of yours is he?

Doug:
You might say that...
(taps his chest)
...he's me.

Mark (totally shocked):
YOU'RE the new doctor I was expecting in the ER?

Doug:
You're Mark Greene?
(Mark nods)
Then, I'm the one you were expecting...

He reaches out his hand to shake, but, Mark is just shell shocked in front of him. Cut to show Carol looking back and forth between them and Fade Act One to Black.

"Family Center/ER"

"Unlikely Beginning"

Act Two

Scene opens with Mark, Carol, and Doug heading for the helicopter. Mark and Doug are arguing and Carol is in the middle, listening.

Mark:
We'll give you a lift to County with us...

Doug (protesting):
What about my car...

Mark:
We'll send somebody back for it...this way I'll at least get you where you belong...

Mark gives Doug a gently shove towards the chopper and Doug gives him a burning look, but, climbs in anyway.

Mark (gives the pilot a thumb motion once every one is in and strapped down):
Take it up...

The pilot gives Mark and "OK" sign and takes the chopper up. Nobody talks for a minute, and then Mark starts things.

Mark:
So, what happened down there?
(Doug doesn't answer...just looks out the window at the scenery down below)
You were driving the Corvette, weren't you?

Doug (doesn't look at him, continues to look out the window):
Yes, I was.

Mark:
So, how come you have beer in your car and your car doesn't have a scratch on it?
(again, no answer and Doug watches out the window)
The guy on the ground said the Corvette was weaving in and out of traffic...you caused that accident, didn't you?

Doug (annoyed, still not looking at him):
You know, unless you're an Insurance Agent, a Police Officer, or my boss, that's really none of your business!

Mark (angry now, reaches over and grabs Doug by the arm):
I'm usually the one in charge of the ER, wise guy! That makes me essentially your boss in a sense of the word!

Doug (smirks at him):
Wrong! My boss is somebody named Neil Bernstein...

Mark (sarcastically):
Oh, yeah, and Neil is just going to LOVE a guy like you! You won't last one day at County!

Doug:
I'm in for a year whether they like it or not!

Mark:
Oh, I wouldn't be so sure of that, not with that attitude!

Doug:
Oh, you don't judge your doctors at County by their work? Nobody told me 'personality' had to be part of my resume!

Carol:
Both of you STOP IT! You're acting like two little boys fighting over marbles on the playground!

Doug (scoffs, motions to Mark):
He started it.
(Carol rolls her eyes)

Mark looks out one window and Doug looks out the other one. Carol looks down and sees that Doug's hands are cut. She reaches over and take hold of one of them, getting into their emergency kit and getting alcohol preps to clean it with. Doug turns and looks at her while she is cleaning his hand and smiles at her. She smiles back and him and takes his other hand to clean it.

Carol (softly):
When we get to County, you really should let a doctor look at it.

Doug:
Got a doctor here, but, I guess he's rather push me out than treat my hands...

Mark sighs and looks over at the cuts on Doug's hands. He takes a bottle of Betadine and treats a couple of the more severe cuts.

Mark (quietly):
You don't need stitches...but we should cover a couple of them.

Doug:
I'll be wearing gloves...I'll be fine.

Mark:
I'll patch it better when we get to the ER...

Doug:
No, thanks...I can handle it myself.

Mark:
Do you do everything yourself?

Doug:
When I can...

Mark:
We believe in teamwork in the ER...

Doug:
I'm a team player...but when I'm not working its different...

Mark gives up the conversation and looks back out the window as the chopper starts down. Carol looks over at Doug and smiles. Doug smiles back at her and keeps his eyes fixed on her. He finally makes her uncomfortable staring at her so she looks at her feet.

Doug:
What did you say your name was?

Carol:
Carol...Carol Hathaway.

Doug:
Pretty name for a pretty lady...

Mark (rolls his eyes looking out the other window and the chopper touches down at County):
That's the oldest line in the book...

Doug (as he climbs out last):
Just because it doesn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't work for any of us.

Mark (once they are on the roof):
You know, I've had just about all of you I can handle for one day...

Doug:
Too bad! You're stuck with me for a year!
(goes on across the roof and opens the door)

Mark (still standing with Carol):
This is my test...I see that now...

Carol giggles and she and Mark start across the roof and she goes through the door. Doug goes in behind her and lets the door close before Mark can get through it. Show Mark yanking open the door with an exasperated sigh.

Cut to show the three of them spilling into the ER, which is still bustling with action.

Jerry:
Dr. Greene! I'm glad you're here! I got three year old in two wheezing and broken out in a rash...

Mark (turns sarcastically to Doug):
A three year old...isn't that your area of expertise?

Doug (nods):
Yes, it is...but I figured you took care of everything down here by yourself, seeing you're the 'big boss man' here.

Mark (gives him a glare and pushes past him):
Give it to Dr. Ross, Jerry...

Jerry (confused):
Dr. Ross?

Mark (going on into the staff lounge):
Yeah...he's the new Pedes doctor.

Jerry (hands file to Doug):
There you go!

Doug (snatches file):
I'm on it.

Doug disappears into the trauma room. Carol goes to her station and Mark stands watching Doug work with his young patient. He is not in the room and cannot hear what is being said, but, he seems to see something in Doug that he might have missed before. He smiles and nods and then turns away.

Mark (stepping over to the desk to Carol):
Be sure you show him where everything is, OK?

Carol (looks up, dumbfounded):
Me? Why me?

Mark (stepping away with a file in his hands):
Because I don't have time...

Mark disappears and Carol stands with an exasperated look on her face at their conversation.

Cut to show Doug coming out to the main desk and putting the chart in the basket where it belongs. He stands and watches Carol working at the computer, just looking at her in awe. His trance is popped by the ringing phone which Carol grabs at once.

Carol (into receiver):
County ER...
(she laughs)
WHO?
(she laughs again)
I don't think we have anyone here by that name...
(ticks her head)
OK...
(holds receiver out and laughs again)
Do we have anyone on staff here who will owe up to being Pooh-Bear?

Doug (reaches for the receiver):
I'll take it...
(Carol hands him the phone and the staff snickers around him. Doug is annoyed as keeps his voice low and we hear only his side of the conversation)
Yeah...uh huh...how did you find out where I was? Uh huh...I can't talk right now...no...no...I don't have a place yet...no I don't have a phone yet...uh huh...yeah...I'll call you...yeah... sure...bye.

He hangs up the phone and goes back to his work. Carol moves closer to him and cannot resist teasing him.

Carol:
What was that all about?

Doug (slamming files around the desk):
Someone who obviously doesn't know what the words 'it's over' mean.

Carol:
The girl you left behind?

Doug (smiles at her):
There's never one left behind with me!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Well, let me show you your locker...
(she walks away and he follows her to the staff room)
There's only a couple of empty ones, so, you can just pick which one you want.

Doug (nods):
Great...I'll have to get a lock...

Carol:
You can decorate it however you want once it's yours...
(Doug nods, but, keeps staring at her. Just like in the helicopter, this makes her nervous)
Why do you do that?

Doug:
Why do I do what?

Carol:
Keep staring at me like that?

Doug (moves closer to her):
Because I can't take my eyes off you.

Carol (moves back against a locker):
What are you doing?

Doug:
Nothing...

Carol:
Yes, you are...
(pushes her hands out and slams them against his chest)
You're getting too damn close!

Doug (pushes her up against the locker):
Do I make you nervous?

Carol (nervously):
A little...

Doug:
Good...then that means you'll have dinner with me tonight.

Carol:
Why would I want to do that?

Doug:
Because you're curious...be sure you give me your address...

He smiles sweetly at her and turns to leave. She stands shell shocked and watches him go and as soon as he's out the door, she puts her hand on her chest to recover.

Carol (mumbles):
And the bad news is he's right...

She collects herself and goes on out of the lounge to go back to work as Act Two Fades to Black.

"Family Center/ER"

"Unlikely Beginning"

Act Three

Scene opens at County ER. Show Carol and Mark working at the front desk when two uniformed police officers come down the hall and stop in front of them.

Mark (looks up):
Can I help you, Officers?

Officer (reading from a paper):
We're looking for a Douglas Stephen Ross? His last place of employment told us to try here...

Doug (coming up to the desk suddenly):
I'm Dr. Ross...what can I do for you?

Officer:
Is there a private room where we can talk?

Doug:
No...there isn't. And you can say anything you need to say here...this is
(grins sarcastically at Mark)
...my boss.

Officer:
Well, we have a witness that says your vehicle, license number R24648, may have been the cause of an accident on Highway 17 this afternoon.

Doug:
I believe the vehicle was left parked there, wasn't it?

Officer:
Well, yes it was...

Doug:
And did you Gentlemen see it there?

Office:
Yes...yes, sir, we did...

Doug:
And does it look like it's been in an accident?

Officer:
Well, no, it doesn't.

Doug:
I came upon the accident after it happened...
(Mark rolls his eyes behind the officers at Doug's story)
...and since I'm a doctor, I stopped to see if I could help.

Officer:
Well, we have to check out the witness' story. And we did do a profile check on you...you have a conviction for DUI in Shamarus County?

Doug:
Yes, I do...I was in college at the time...surely everybody is entitled to one mistake?

Officer:
Well, we have to check out the story. We're going to at least need you to give us a statement down at the station.

Doug:
No problem...except that this is my first day at work here and you'll have to wait until I'm off duty.

Officer (nods):
That's not a problem, Dr. Ross. You just come on down to Prescient 21 and we'll take care of it.

Doug (smiles, shakes hands):
I'll be there.

The officers leave and Mark steps closer to Doug, who is working on a chart.

Mark (quietly):
You know you're going to flunk their sobriety test, don't you?

Doug:
Maybe...depends on which one they give me.

Mark:
And you aren't worried about that?

Doug (snaps file shut and smiles at Mark):
Won't be the first time!

Doug steps away quickly, leaving Mark shaking his head.

Carol (quietly behind Mark):
Yeah...he's something else, isn't he?

Mark:
I swear to my soul that I have never seen anything like him before! If I live through this year and get rid of him, it'll be a miracle!

Carol:
How can you be so sure you'll get rid of him at the end of a year?

Mark:
Well, in the first place, he'll never last here a year. And if he does, this ER isn't big enough for both of us. One of us has GOT to go...

Carol:
He's good with kids, though. I was in there with him and he's really good with kids...

Mark:
How can such a jerk be such a good doctor?

Carol shrugs...Mark just walks away to go back to work.

Cut to show time lapse. Show Doug sitting at a table in a Police Station with a uniformed officer, and the officer is filling out a paper.

Officer:
We have two witnesses who say the same thing, Dr. Ross...your Corvette was weaving in and out of traffic. Now, I did a check on you, and I know you are a Holy Terror...but since I can't prove anything, I can't nail you for this.
(Doug gives him a blank stare as he takes this lecture)
Will you submit to a sobriety test?

Doug:
What does it have to do with anything?

Officer:
I can't nail you for DUI...and I can't prove you caused that accident...it's your word against someone else's...but if I'm right, I can nail you for Public Intoxication and get you off the street for one night...
(smiles sarcastically)
Welcome to Chicago, Dr. Ross...I don't like smart alic punks in my district...
(motions to another officer)
Take him back and see if he's sober. If he is...let him go...if he's not...lock him up.

The officer takes Doug away by the arm. They go back to a room and the officer hands Doug a plastic cup.

Officer (points):
Take that in there and fill it up.

Doug goes into a small bathroom. Camera from the waist up only, Doug unzips his pants and we hear water filling the cup. He zips his pants back with a sigh and takes the cup out of the room and hands it to the officer.

Officer:
Have a seat...I'll be right back.

Dejected, Doug slides into a chair to wait it out, tapping his fingers on the table. He reaches into his pocket and feels a piece of paper. Confused, he pulls it out. When he opens it, he smiles...it has Carol's address and phone number on it. He carefully folds it back and puts it in his wallet.

Officer (coming back into the room):
Congratulations, Dr. Ross! You pass. You're free to go.

Doug (breaths a sigh of relief):
Thank you, Officer.

Officer (as he passes him at the door):
Sorry for any inconvenience, Doctor.

Doug (smiles, pats him on the shoulder):
No problem, my good man! You were just doing your job.

Doug goes quickly out of the police station and goes down the steps quickly. When he gets to the street and starts walking, he hears someone whistle to stop him. He turns in the direction of the sound and sees Mark leaning against his own car, waiting for him.

Doug (walking over to him):
What are you doing here?

Mark:
I was figuring on having to bail you out...

Doug:
Well, you lose the bet! I passed the sobriety test and they released me with my statement.

Mark:
So, you really lead a charmed life, do you? Do you always walk with fire?

Doug (goes over to him, leans on the car with him):
Usually. I don't really know much else.

Mark:
Look...we had a rocky start...I think you're probably a pretty decent guy you just need to knock that chip off your shoulder...

Doug (grins):
Before somebody knocks it off for me, huh?

Mark:
I saw you working today...you're a good doctor...

Doug (chuckles):
But that doesn't make up for the rest of it, huh?

Mark:
Look, you're kind, and caring...you're very comforting with the young patients, and very thorough. I can't find fault with anything you do as a doctor...

Doug:
Well, just be sure you put that on my review, OK?

Mark:
Look, Doug, I want to help you get a good start here...but you're going to have to settle down a little.

Doug:
So, do you always go out of your way to welcome in new doctors?

Mark (shakes his head):
No.

Doug:
Then what makes me so special?

Mark (distantly):
I wish I knew...maybe I see something in you that warrants it. I don't know. But I'm not your enemy, Doug...I may not be wearing the sweater that says it right now, but, I'm your friend.

Doug:
Well, we'll see about that later, won't we?

Mark (motions to him):
Come on...get in...I'll drive you to your hotel.

Doug (delighted):
Great!
(gets in and slams the passenger door)
I didn't know I had one!

Mark (sighs as he puts his hands on the wheel):
You don't have a hotel?

Doug:
I just got to town...you took me to the hospital in a helicopter...how would I have a hotel?

Mark:
All right...I'll let you stay in my guest room tonight...

Doug:
I don't want to put you out...

Mark:
It'll be OK...but I have a wife and a five year old daughter, so, please...be on your best behavior.

Doug (crosses his heart with his finger):
Promise...your wife work?

Mark (nods):
Yeah...she's an attorney.

Doug:
Great for malpractice suits, huh?
(Mark gives him a sarcastic look)
By the way, can you tell me how to get to this address?
(hands him the paper from his wallet)

Mark:
Yeah, you can catch the EL train close to my house and get off at 77th Street. It's around the corner from the train station...and apartment building and she's on the first floor.
(pause)
Going out with Carol Hathaway huh?

Doug:
Yep!

Mark:
You work quick, huh?

Doug (smiles wide):
Always.

Mark shakes his head and pulls the car into traffic as Act Three Fades to Black.

"Family Center/ER"

"Unlikely Beginning"

Act Four

Scene opens at Carol's apartment. She is rushing around inside responding to the knocking at the door. When she doesn't answer the first knock, the knock comes again.

Carol (shouting):
OK! OK! I'm coming! Keep your shirt on...
(she rips open the door to find Doug standing on the other side holding a small bouquet of flowers)

Doug (smiles):
Actually, I'd rather take it off.

Carol (laughs):
Doug! I wasn't expecting you!

Doug (confused):
I thought we made a date...was I mistaken?

Carol (puts her hand to her head in thought):
No...I guess we did! I'm sorry! Come on in...
(she opens the door wider and he steps into the room with her)

Doug (hands her the flowers):
These are for you...

Carol:
Oh, thanks! But, you really didn't have to...

Doug (smiles at her):
I wanted to.

His eyes flash excitedly at Carol and she can't take her eyes off him. He moves closer to her and she looks up at him quickly.

Doug:
We can go out for dinner...or...

Carol (finishes his thought):
We can stay here.

Doug:
Which would you prefer?

Carol (looking into his eyes):
Which would you?

Doug (grins):
Well, I'm not really hungry...

Carol (quickly):
How about some coffee?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, coffee's great...

Carol (steps away, still looking at him):
I'll just go in the kitchen and make some...

Doug (steps with her):
I'll come with you.

Carol (starts for the kitchen with Doug on her heels):
Mark seemed to think you were going to be in jail tonight...

Doug (shrugs):
Mark was wrong. I passed two sobriety tests so they let me go.

Carol:
You caused that wreck didn't you?

Doug (grins):
No, I really didn't. Somebody up front swerved to miss a dog in the road and that's what caused the accident.

Carol (looking in the cabinet for coffee):

And that's what you told the police?
(Doug nods...Carol looks up to the top shelf and frowns)
Oh....damn it...
(she starts reaching for the can on her tip toes)

Doug (moving over to the cabinet):
Here...let me help you...

Doug stands behind her and reaches over her hands. Their hands make contact with each other and the coffee can at the same time and it's like electricity flows through both of them. Carol turns to look at Doug and he looks down at her almost mesmerized. He leans down to kiss her and she readily meets him halfway. The kiss starts out simple, but, as soon as their lips meet, the passion rises. Short, simple kisses turn quickly into deep, long kisses. Carol is making happy sounds and wraps her arms around Doug's waist. He wraps his arms around her and leans her against the counter behind them, giving her lots of tongue as he does. Carol's eyes are closed to the pleasure and so are Doug's. They can't seem to let go of each. Doug pulls back from the kiss to give them some breathing time, but almost as soon as he stops, Carol grabs his face with her hands and starts them back all over again. Doug pulls her away from the cabinet and starts edging her to the floor, never letting up with his kisses. She lets him ease her to the floor and she pulls him down to her by grabbing his shirt front. Once they are on the floor together, Carol reaches up and quickly unties his tie and pulls it off him. He reaches for the buttons on her blouse and she doesn't refuse him. He unbuttons them carefully and runs his hands inside to caress her breasts gently. When he does, she grabs his face and kisses him hard and deep, leaving him almost reeling with excitement. Carol reaches up and starts unbuttoning his shirt and puts her hands on his bare chest, never letting him from kissing him. He reaches for the button on her jeans and she stops him by pushing his hand back.

Carol (looks into his eyes):
Not here...let's move into the bedroom...

Doug:
You don't have to tell me twice...

He stands up and lifts her to a standing position by pulling her hands but she doesn't stop kissing him. She keeps kissing him all the while she is pulling him towards her bedroom. Once in the bedroom, she reaches for his belt buckle and quickly unbuckles it. He starts to undo his pants, but, she takes his hand away, reaching to do it herself. He smiles and doesn't resist, letting her have her way with him. She reaches into his undone trousers and smiles at his obvious excitement. He reaches for the button on her jeans and she doesn't refuse him this time, letting him undo her jeans and run his hands inside her panties to touch her. She pushes him back towards the bed and he pulls her down on it with him.

Carol:
How wild do you like to get?

Doug (confused):
What did you have in mind?

Carol reaches over into a drawer beside her bed and takes out a pair of handcuffs and dangles them in front of him. He laughs and reaches out to take them in his hands.

Doug:
I had you figured for a wild one the minute I saw you...

Carol:
I gotta tell you...I'm not usually like this...it's something you do to me...

Doug (smiles at her):
Is that good or bad?

Carol (truthfully):
I don't know yet.

Doug:
So, you want me to chain you up? Or do you want to chain me up?

Carol:
Which would you prefer?

Doug (chuckles):
No, no, no...a gentleman always lets the lady choose.

Carol (snickers):
Umm...well, I don't think either one of us fall in those categories...

Doug (hands the cuffs back to her):
Have your way with me, Carol...

Carol (takes the cuffs and puts one around his wrist):
I want you to know, I've never done this before...

Doug (watches her put the other cuff around the headboard rails of the bed):
Then why do you have the handcuffs?

Carol (embarrassed):
It's kind of a fantasy of mine...

Doug (laughs):
Do you always act out fantasies on your first date?

Carol (looks him right in the eye):
No...that's something you do to me.

She takes his face in both her hands and kisses him hard and deep with lots of tongue and Doug is oblivious to the passion between them. Carol climbs on top of him and he holds her around the waist, inviting her to him.

Cut to show time lapse. All the passion has settled and Doug and Carol are resting side by side on the bed. Doug reaches over and puts his arm around her, pulling her close to him.

Carol:
I want you to know that I am not in a habit of having sex with men I don't know on my first date with them.

Doug:
I'll take that as a compliment.

Carol (laughs):
You should.
(looks at him softly)
I've never felt like this about anyone before...it's almost scary...

Doug (grins at her):
Well, I'm at County for a year...we can get to know each other...

Carol (smiles):
I'd like that, I think.

Doug:
You can show me around Chicago...

Carol (excited):
Oh, I KNOW I'd like that! I'll show you some of my favorite places!

Doug (chuckles):
It's a good thing we didn't go out to dinner...I wouldn't have known where to take you anyway!

Carol:
Oh, I could have made some suggestions...but this was better...
(pause)
I could go back to your hotel with you...if I'm not being too forward.

Doug:
You could never be too forward for me...
(chuckles)
...but I'm not staying at a hotel. I didn't have time to get one, so, Mark said I could stay with him.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Oh, joy! You'll get to meet Jennifer...

Doug (chuckles again):
Already have! I think Mark deserves an award for staying married to her as long as he has!
(pause)
What's with him, anyway? I've never really met a supervisor like him...

Carol:
Mark's a great guy...he's a good guy to have on your side... you should take advantage of the fact that he obviously likes you...

Doug:
Ah, guys like him like everybody...they don't want to make any enemies...do gooders are always like that...

Carol (a bit agitated):
Mark's not a do gooder...

Doug (laughs):
Oh no? Then how did he get to be in charge of the ER?

Carol:
He works hard...he's good at his job...

Doug:
He does everything right.

Carol:
What's wrong with that?

Doug (shrugs):
Nothing...if that's the way you want to get what you want.

Carol:
I'm guessing you don't do things that way?

Doug (ticks his head, chuckles):
Never have...probably never will.

Carol:
Well, sooner or later, Doug, all little boys grow up...

Doug (nods):
Yeah...I guess...

Carol snuggles back down on his shoulder and he kisses her hair softly.

Doug (chuckles):
But not until they have to...

He pulls her close to him and kisses her sweetly.

*****End of Flashback*****

Fade Act Four to Black.

"Family Center/ER"

"Unlikely Beginning"

Closing Act

Scene opens back at the present at the Ross home, with everyone still gathered around the table.

Mark (chuckles):
You know, I actually HAD forgotten about that accident site.

Scott:
Well, did you cause the accident, Dad?

Doug:
I never really knew if I did or not, to be honest. I was drinking that day. And I was speeding. But, there was a car up front that swerved suddenly, so, I never really knew. If I did, I'm sure I paid for it somewhere along the line.

Tatiana (scoldingly):
You were bad, Papa!

Carol (grinning at Doug):
Oh, he was! He was cocky, and egotistical, and obnoxious...
(Doug chuckles)
...and I fell in love with him the second I laid eyes on him...
(kisses him sweetly)

Scott:
If you loved him like he was, why did he change?

Doug:
I had to change, son. The way I was didn't work in the real world.

Scott:
Must have taken a lot to change you...

Doug (smiles, looks at Carol and Mark):
No...just the love and support of two good friends.

Mark:
Ah, now, we can't take that much credit. You did all the hard work yourself.

Doug:
Yeah, but, I had to have a reason...and you guys gave me plenty of reasons.

Scott:
Good friends are important, huh?

Doug:
Good friends are hard to come by...people who support you when everybody else turns their back on you...people who tell you when you're wrong and pat you on the back when you're right...people who care enough to tell you you're wrecking your life...I've never known anybody in my life like the friends I have at this table.

Scott:
I think Veronica is a friend like that...

Doug:
Then hold onto her, son...because I'm going to promise you that you won't come across too many of them in your life.

Carol (thinking):
So many things have changed...for all of us. I mean, Doug made a lot of personal changes, but, all of us have made professional changes.

Mark:
Kind of makes you wonder what's left to come, doesn't it?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Sometimes I wonder if I really want to find out! I'm so happy with things the way they are...I hope they stay this way for a long time.

Their party is broken up by the sound of Marc crying on the baby monitor on the counter.

Doug (gets up):
My master's voice...I better go get him.

Doug goes out of the room and heads for the stairs to go up to the second floor to the nursery. As he mounts the steps he hears Carol's voice saying 'I hope things stay the way they are now for a long time' and smiles softly.

Doug:
Me too, Babe...me too.

Doug mounts the steps and disappears up them as the Closing Act Fades into the Closing Credits of the show.

March 25, 1998