Story #2

Courtship

by: Courtney

Doug Ross walks into exam room three. Twelve year old Scott Johnson and his mother are waiting, expectantly. Scott's ankle is wrapped in an ace bandage.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Ross," Doug flashes them his famous smile. "So, Scott, you hurt your ankle, bud?"

Scott nods and looks at his mother, then back to Doug. "He was playing soccer," Mrs. Johnson explains. "I thought he'd just twisted it and needed to stay off of it for a while. But, then, it swelled up and turned blue . . . I thought I should bring him in. Did he break it, doctor?" She looks very concerned.

"Well, let's find out." Doug takes off the ace bandage. Scott winces in pain as Doug gently examines his swollen ankle. "Sorry, buddy. Well," he turns to Mrs. Johnson, "it looks like a pulled tendon, but we'll have to x-ray it to be sure. I'll send someone in to take you and Scott to radiology shortly. He'll be just fine, though," he assures her.

Mrs. Johnson nods her head, looking relieved. "Thank you, doctor."

Doug smiles again. "That's my job," he says to Mrs. Johnson. Then, to Scott, "Hang in there, kiddo." Scott nods his head and Doug turns towards the hallway.

"Carter," he calls towards the nurses station, where John Carter is standing.

"Yeah, Dr. Ross?"

"I have a twelve year old in three who needs his ankle x-rayed. Can you take he and his mother up to radiology?"

"Sure, I'm on it." Carter heads towards the door that Doug has just exited.

Doug thanks him as he passes and walks towards the nurses station. Carol Hathaway is standing at the computer with her back to him as he approaches. He begins to sneak up behind her. Just as he is about to touch her shoulder, Carol says, "Doug, I know you're trying to scare me. It won't work this time."

He smiles and wraps his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Okay, you caught me. I surrender!"

He nuzzles her neck and she giggles. "Stop it, Doug!" She spins around to protest and he quickly covers her mouth with his. She lets him kiss her, then pulls away. "I have work to do," she grins and turns back to the computer.

"Me, too!" Doug kisses her neck again.

"Would you stop!" she laughs. "You're incorrigible!"

Carol is still trying to wriggle out of Doug's grasp when Mark Greene approaches the desk. "Harassing our nurses again, Doug?"

"Just one," Doug replies. He lets Carol go and laughs as he turns to Mark.

"You can't be trusted," Mark says with a chuckle. "I think we need a leash, huh Carol?"

"Sure looks that way to me," she laughs and smirks at Doug. He walks over and steals another kiss, then quickly follows Mark, who is heading towards the lounge.

He looks back. "Lunch at 2?" he says over his shoulder to Carol.

"Don't be late!" she calls back.

Doug grins and goes into the lounge. Mark sits on the couch and sighs, removing his glasses. "What a day! I can't believe it's only noon!"

"How long you on?" Doug inquires.

"Until seven," Mark groans. "I can't make it. Just shoot me."

Doug laughs, "Rough night?"

"You have no idea! I've been here since 5am and I was here last night until midnight."

"Why are you working so much?" Doug asks curiously.

"Kerry is at a medical conference in Minneapolis until Friday. So, I get stuck with her job *and* mine." Mark leans his head back on the couch and closes his eyes.

"Sorry," Doug says, trying to cheer Mark a little. He grins, "At least you only have one more day, tomorrow's Friday."

"Believe me, I know. I have Saturday and Sunday off. If I make it that long, that is."

Doug chuckles, "You will, don't worry. We're pretty slow now. Why don't you catch a quick nap and I'll wake you when we need you."

"Maybe I will. Thanks, buddy."

"No problem." Doug sits in a chair to check over some charts. Mark puts his glasses back on and begins to rise. He turns to the door, then looks back at Doug.

"You and Carol seem to be doing pretty good lately," he comments.

Doug smiles and looks up at Mark. "Yeah, we're great."

"I'm glad to hear that. It's nice to see you happy."

"I have never been happier," Doug says. Mark nods and smiles.

He head for the door, calling back, "I'll be in exam one if you need me."

Mark leaves. Doug turns back to his charts. He looks down and tries to work, but his mind keeps drifting back to Carol. Last night, they ordered Chinese and watched 'Casablanca' at her place. He smiles at the memory of lying on her sofa with her wrapped tightly in his arms.

When the movie was over, Doug had left. He and Carol had been seeing each other for over two and a half months now. He knew this was right. They were meant to be together. Still, though, he felt he had a lot to prove to her. Their last attempt at romance had ended badly. Doug could kick himself now for what he had done to her. 'What was I thinking?' He has asked himself this question too many times to count. It always comes back to the same conclusion: fear. He had felt himself falling in love with Carol and it had scared him. 'Things are different now, though,' he thinks. 'This time, nothing is going to go wrong.'

His thoughts are broken as Maggie Doyle enters the lounge. "Dr. Ross, we have a trauma coming in. Have you seen Dr. Greene?"

"Um, he's taking a break. I'll take it." He rises from the chair, leaving his charts on the coffee table. He and Doyle exit the lounge and head for the incoming gurney.

At two o'clock, Doug approaches the nurse station. Carol is filing some paperwork. "Ready?" he asks.

"Almost, let me get my coat." She turns and goes towards the locker room. Doug is waiting outside the door when she returns and he helps her put on her coat.

"Where to?" he asks.

"What sounds good to you?" she says.

"Whatever. Just not the cafeteria. You want to go to Doc Magoo's?"

"Sure, that's fine." They head for the door. Doug holds the door opened for Carol, then follows her out. They walk towards the diner, which is adjacent to Cook County General Hospital.

They approach Doc Magoo's, arm in arm, and enter the familiar establishment. They sit at a booth near the back of the restaurant. A waitress named Minnie approaches and takes their drink orders. As she goes to get their two iced teas, Doug and Carol survey the menu.

Minnie returns a few minutes later with the teas and asks if they have decided.

"I'll have the chef's salad with ranch dressing," Carol says. Doug orders a turkey club and Minnie disappears again.

"So," Doug turns to Carol, "do you still want to do something tonight?"

"Sure," Carol responds. "What did you have in mind?"

"Nothing, really. We can do whatever you want. Do you feel like catching a movie?"

Carol thinks for a moment. "Why don't we rent one, like last night. I have to work early tomorrow and I really don't feel much like going out."

"Okay, that's fine. Should I stop by the video store on my way over or do you want to stop on your way home?"

"Um, I'll stop. I'm off at six, so how about meeting me at my place at 6:30pm. Is that okay?"

"Sounds good," Doug says. "I'll stop and pick up some dinner on my way over."

"Great. So, have you had a good day so far?" Carol inquires.

"Yeah, pretty good. Not too busy, anyway. Mark, on the other hand . . .,"

"I know. With Kerry out of town, he's really working a lot."

"Yeah, I told him to get some rest earlier, because we were slow. He was still sleeping when we left. Carter will wake him if they need him."

Carol nods and starts to say something else when Minnie appears with their food. They have a nice lunch, talking about their plans for the weekend, and a few other things. At 2:45pm, they get up to leave. Doug insists on paying the check.

"Why do you always have to buy lunch?" Carol asks as they leave the diner. "I could treat you sometimes, you know."

"I'm a sexist pig," Doug grins. Carol playfully punches his arm. He laughs, then shrugs, "I don't know, I invited you to lunch, I figure I should pay. Besides," he grins, "I'm trying to buy your affection."

She shakes her head in mock disgust. "And who says chivalry is dead?" she kids.

He takes her hand as they make their way back to the hospital. "I had a really good time last night," he says, now serious.

"Me, too." She inches closer to him. "I wish you had stayed, though."

"We've talked about this," he replies.

"Oh, Doug, when will you stop feeling like you have to prove yourself to me?" She stops him and turns him around to face her.

"I don't," he says, even though it is not entirely true. "I just want things to be perfect." He cups her face in his hands.

She brings her hands up and places them on his. "They already are."

He leans down and kisses her, then steps back to look at her. "What?" she smiles.

"I love you."

She stares at him a moment, astonished by the look of love in his eyes. Then, a slow smile spreads across her face and she says, "I know. I love you, too." She shrugs, "We can take things as slow as you want." She puts her arm around his waist and he slides his arm across her shoulders. They walk, slowly, back towards the hospital together.

At 6:30 that evening, Carol's doorbell rings. She opens the door and there stands Doug, a pizza in one hand and a six pack of soda in the other.

"Hi," Carol greets him as she takes the soda and waves him inside.

"Hi." He leans down to give her a quick kiss, then heads to the kitchen with the pizza. "I hope pepperoni is okay," he says. "I forgot to ask you before I left work."

"Yeah, that's fine." She takes out some plates while he gets glasses of ice for the drinks. He fixes them both a soda while she gets the pizza. They head to the living room with their dinner.

"So, what movie did you get?" Doug asks.

"Roman Holiday."

"Have I seen that?" he asks her.

"Sure, you know, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert." Doug still looks confused. "She's a princess and he's a newspaper man in Italy and she runs away and he shows her around the city. They end up falling in love. Remember?"

"Oh, yeah. I think I've seen it. My mom used to love these mushy movies." He grins as Carol gives him an evil look and puts in the movie.

"Well, I like mushy, so get used to it," she replies and walks back over to the couch where he is sitting.

"I guess I have no choice, huh?" he says and kisses her cheek.

"Nope." She picks up her plate of pizza and they sit back together on the couch to watch the movie.

More than five hours later, at midnight, the movie is long over and Doug and Carol are both sound asleep on the couch. Carol opens her eyes and looks at the wall clock. She turns slightly to look at Doug, who is snoring quietly. She smiles, then lays her head back on his chest and goes back to sleep.

The next morning, Doug wakes up at about seven and Carol is just waking up. "Good morning," he says as she opens her eyes and squints at the sun coming through the blinds. "I guess we never made it through the movie, huh?"

"I guess not," she smiles. "At least I finally got you to stay over, though," she grins.

"What time are you on today?" he asks.

"Not until nine. What about you?"

"Eight. I'd better get a move on."

Carol frowns as he gets up to leave. She follows him to the door. "Are we still going out next Saturday night?"

He puts his arms around her, "I don't know. Carter switched with me last month and I said I'd work for him until eleven on Saturday night. Maybe we could do something on Sunday?"

"I have to work all day. And," she reminds him, "so do you. I guess we'll have to wait until next week. What days are you off?"

"Wednesday and Friday. You?"

"Tuesday and Saturday," she frowns.

"We need new jobs," he says, as he leans down to kiss her.

"I guess I'll see you at nine," she says as they end their kiss.

"Okay. See you then." He turns and descends the steps and walks towards his car. As he opens the door, he looks back at the porch where Carol is standing, watching him. He smiles and she blows him a kiss. He touches his face as though he feels it land and turns to get in his car. As he drives away, Carol returns to the house to start getting ready for work.

Saturday night, Doug is working for Carter in the ER to repay the favor for their switched shifts. At 9:30pm he looks at his watch. 'If I hurry, I can still get there in time,' he thinks. He scans the ER for Kerry. He doesn't see her so he checks the lounge. Kerry is not there but Peter Benton is sitting by the window, drinking coffee from a Styrofoam cup and reading a very thick medical book. "Have you seen Kerry?" Doug asks him.

"Try exam two. She was in there earlier going over charts," Peter says, barely looking up from his book. Doug thanks him and Peter nods as Doug scurries from the lounge, heading for exam room two.

Entering the exam room, Doug finds Kerry. She is sitting in the corner, hunched over a pile of charts. "Do you have a minute?" Doug asks as he comes in.

"Sure," Kerry says, smiling as she looks up from her work. "What's on your mind?"

"Well, I was wondering, you see . . .," he searches for the right way to phrase his question. "Tonight is a very special night for Carol and I and I was wondering . . ."

"If you might leave early?" Kerry finishes.

"Yeah, could I?" Doug replies, sheepishly.

She looks out the door and glances around the ER. "We aren't too busy, I don't see what it would hurt."

Doug grins at her. "Thanks, Kerry." He gets up to leave.

"Have fun," she calls after him.

That night, at about 10:15, Doug shows up on Carol's front step wearing a tuxedo with a bottle of champagne and a stack of take out boxes. Surprised to see him, she invites him in. He hands her the wine and carries the boxes to the kitchen.

"What is all this," she asks.

"I had Frederico's cater a gourmet meal, I have a bottle of the best champagne I could find, and," he pulls a CD from his coat pocket, "the most romantic music I could get my hands on."

"What's the occasion?" she asks, smiling.

"You mean you don't remember?" He peers at her quizzically. She looks confused. "This night . . . three months ago . . . ringing any bells yet?"

"Oh my God! You did all of this for our three month anniversary? I can't even believe you thought of it! That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard! But, how'd you get off of work? I thought you were on till eleven."

"I was, Kerry let me go."

"I'll have to remember to thank her." Suddenly, a thought crosses her mind and she glances down at herself. She is clad in sweat pants, an old t-shirt and socks. "I should go change!" she exclaims.

"No, don't bother, you're fine just the way you are, really," he assures her. But she won't hear of it. "It'll only take me a few minutes to change. I'll be ready before the food is warmed up, I promise. Be right back." She hurries upstairs and Doug goes to work setting up their meal.

Carol returns just as Doug is setting the plates on the table. Soft, romantic music is coming from the stereo. He turns as she enters the room and is taken aback. "You look absolutely gorgeous," he exclaims. She is wearing the sexiest black dress he has ever seen. His eyes are glued to her.

Blushing, Carol allows him to pull out her chair and then he joins her at the table. They have a wonderful dinner. The food is terrific and the conversation is even better.

"I don't remember the last date I enjoyed this much," she says as they leave the table. They walk arm in arm into the living room and sit together on the sofa. Doug leans over and kisses her and she feels herself begin to fall into him. They stay there, on the sofa together, for what seems an eternity. Finally, Carol pulls herself away. " I have something for you," she says and she gets up quickly.

"What is it?" he asks.

"You'll see, be right back." She goes quickly up the stairs. Doug watches after her, wondering what this could possibly be about. A few moments later, she calls down to him, "Ready for your surprise?"

"Sure," he responds, very curious by now.

As Doug watches, Carol descends the stairs. She is wearing a black negligee and looks even sexier than she did in her dress. His eyes nearly pop out of his head. She walks over to the sofa and sits in his lap. "What do you think of your surprise?"

"I . . .uh, I think that . . .wow. Wow," he stammers, obviously at a loss for words. She bends down to kiss him. She gets up, still kissing him, and pulls him off the couch and towards the stairs.

"Wait, Carol, are you sure about this?" he questions between her hungry kisses.

"Oh, yes, I am definitely sure! I've never been more sure in my life, Doug."

He looks into her eyes and his feelings are clearly as strong as hers. He lifts her off the floor and into his arms, then carries her up the stairs towards the bedroom, their kisses growing more demanding. When they reach the bed, he lays her gently down and she starts unbuttoning his shirt. Once, it is off, she unfastens his trousers. He unties the back of her negligee and in no time at all they are both completely naked. He caresses her body with his hands while they continue to kiss with an almost unquenchable desire. His mouth leaves hers and moves to her neck and further down her body. As he reaches her bare breasts, she moans in pleasure. They discover every part of one another as though for the first time. When he finally brings himself to her, they are both enraptured by one another. Their love making is tender and caring but also very passionate. When it is over, they fall into each others arms. He looks at her and tears form in his eyes," I love you so very much. Do you know that?"

"Yes. I do. I love you, too." Carol's eyes are also bright with joyful tears as Doug wraps her in his strong arms and they drift off into a blissful sleep.

The next morning, Carol wakes up with Doug's arms still around her. She feels warm and safe and wishes this could last forever. She opens her eyes and looks right into his eyes. "What are you doing," she smiles sleepily.

"Watching you sleep. You're so beautiful, sometimes I can hardly believe I'm here with you. There is no place on earth I'd rather be."

She smiles and leans in to kiss him. They make love again, and it is every bit as wonderful as the previous night.

They regretfully tear themselves away from one another and get up to get ready for work. Doug goes in the bathroom and turns on the shower. He has just stepped under the water when Carol joins him. They take a longer shower that usual, both enjoying it much more than usual.

As Carol begins to dress for work Doug comes up behind her and hugs her waist. He kisses her neck and says, "I hate to leave, but I have to get home and change or I'll be late for work."

She turns and gives him one last kiss before he goes and they reluctantly say goodbye.

While Doug stands at his locker that morning, Mark walks in. "Hey, where were you this morning? I called to see how your date went but no one answered."

Doug smiles sheepishly and averts his gaze.

"That well, huh? You even go home last night?"

"This morning, actually," Doug confesses. He can trust Mark, they are best friends.

Mark slaps Doug's back and shakes his head, "You lucky dog," he mutters and leaves to get back to his morning's work.

Doug pulls on his scrubs and goes out to join Mark. As he walks out, he sees Carol standing at the nurses station. Smiling, he saunters over to her and threads his arms around her waist from behind. She giggles as he begins nibbling her ear. "Doug," she cries, "this is not the time for this!" But she can't stifle her giggles.

Carter approaches the counter and picks up a clipboard from the desk. Upon seeing Doug and Carol, he smiles and asks, "So, how's the happy couple this morning?"

"Wonderful, Dr. Carter, how about yourself," Doug says cheerfully.

"Not as good as you two, I'm sorry to say," he laughs to himself and walks away.

Doug kisses Carol and heads off to exam two to check on a child with a fractured arm.

The rest of the day progresses much the same, they steal as many moments together as possible, which come few and far between. By that night, they are dying to be together and spend the night much the same as they did the last.

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