**I'm not sure of American law; what exactly is considered sexual harassment? I'm not even sure about what sexual harassment is under Canadian law? The whole police thing, just disregard any mistakes, cause I really have no idea if that's how they would act…
**I think this is probably around season 3, but disregard the fact that Doug and Carol were growing closer and becoming friends on the show
**I don't know why exactly Doug cheated on Carol back then. My reason in this story is a bit vague, but oh well. It suffices.
**About the heart murmur thing, I'm not an MD. I would like to be, but the point is, as of right now, I'm not! I'm a bit vague when it came to describing the condition, but oh well. It's a heart disease, that's all I know!
**And there's that one part that might make you go "HUH?" but forgive me I'm not much of a romanticist

Cheating Hardship

     It was an awkward moment between the two ex-lovers. They were trapped in a snowstorm, reluctantly in the restaurant where they had been sent to pick up some food for themselves and their colleagues on this surprisingly slow night in the ER. The restaurant was cozy, but quiet. Seemingly, everyone else in Chicago had been smart to stay at home during the snowstorm warning. They were the only two patrons in the Cozy Corner Restaurant, and had made their way to a booth an hour after being trapped by the snow. The owners and staff were at the other end of the room, eating their dinner, but only after they made sure to serve Doug and Carol. The table at which Carol and Doug were sitting had a candle burning slowly and surely, four placemats and a pale blue tablecloth that had been washed excessively but still looked welcoming. The food that they had ordered was also there, keeping warm in a basket complimentary of the restaurant. Carol sipped at her hot chocolate while avoiding looking at Doug, who was sitting across from her, but not really. He was leaning against the padded wall, which was warmed by the heater right below, and she was sitting as close to the other edge of the table as possible. He nibbled on a breadstick and looked out the window, peering over the snow that had collected on the windowsill. The snowplows were nowhere to be seen, and the street was ghostly deserted. Why were they here? Ah….the nurses had gotten them to go. Because surely they hadn't volunteered, at least not if they would have to go with each other...
     Doug took a small bite off his breadstick. He thought about being trapped here, where he was, right now. He thought about being snowed in. With Carol. Had it been with anyone else, he would've been fine. But because it was she, he couldn't think straight. He got that feeling he always got when she was around. His heart began beating rapidly, his mind flooding with memories and images of her, his stomach churning with guilty uneasiness, his knees growing weak under him; he lost total control of himself. And each and every time he was in the middle of a thought, his mind would automatically lead him to think about Carol. No matter how hard he tried not to think of her, it was inevitable. The fact that he tried to push out of his mind and abolish forever was the fact that he had totally fallen for her since day one and there was no getting up. He had screwed up back when they were together. The fall of their lustful relationship was entirely his fault. He had cheated numerously on her, and didn't have the tiniest shred of consideration in him to even try hiding his affairs from Carol. If she caught him with another, he'd just tell her that it wasn't what it looked like it was. Then he'd coax her into forgiving him. He took advantage of the 'power' he seemed to have over her. It was Carol whom he was dating, but it was practically every other woman with whom he was sleeping. There was a reason for his behaviour, though. Doug wasn't just a sleazy womanizer. He was truly in love with Carol, and wanted so much for her to have the best in life. But Doug knew that he could never give her happiness. He was screwed up. How could he give her a happy life if he couldn't manage his own? Doug reluctantly realized that if Carol were to ever have a happy life, it wouldn't be with him. So Doug decided to let her go, to try to push her away by making her think that he didn't love her. To do this, he cheated on her. Doug had never been good with words; he just used actions. And when Carol finally gave up on him, she ended their relationship. He had felt sorry, and couldn't bear to let her go so quickly, so he asked for second chances. She didn't give him any. And in the end, it was him taking advantage of Carol, and pushing her to the limit. She had tried to commit suicide about a year later. Now, years after their failed relationship, Doug still felt partly, if not fully, responsible for Carol being driven to suicide. He felt unspeakably sorry even today and was scared he might do or say something that would drive her to suicide again. He hung on to the false hope that one day Carol might forgive him for all he had ever done to her. He was still in love with her. He had been since the day he saw her, and he would be till the day he died. He just wished things could be different between them now. He wished he could be with Carol again, cause he knew that now he'd treat her right. He wished he could tell someone, or Carol, that he loved her. He knew he couldn't, though. He was certain Carol despised him greatly and wanted nothing to do with him. This was entirely his fault. He caused this awkwardness between them. He caused this uneasiness and guilt in him. He caused the sadness and sorrow he suffered from. He caused Carol to attempt suicide. He screwed things up. Doug stopped thinking, and looked back out the window, swallowing the last of the warm bread. Then he sighed.
     Carol looked up slightly when she heard Doug sigh. Then she looked down again, into the brown swirls of her hot chocolate. She remembered years ago when she looked down into her hand and eyed the bunch of pills she was preparing to swallow, to help end her sadness. There had been so many of them, she had wondered if she could down them all in one try. Then she had decided to stop stalling and to go ahead with her plan. Her hand had gone up to her mouth, the pills had become suddenly much smaller and had gone down easier, and she had taken more than a shot of Scotch. Or had it been whisky? A pang of guilt had hit her. What about her mom? How could she apologize to her now? Carol had felt selfish. Her stomach had then lurched; the pain seeped in deeper. Her eyes had gone blurry and she had thought about Doug; she loved him, she really did. But he didn't love her back. Maybe she really was unlovable. She had swallowed and moaned. One day, we'll meet again, Doug, she had thought. Then she had shut her mind and collapsed on the floor. Carol shuddered, bringing herself back to the present. Why had she attempted suicide back then? Was it because of Doug? No. She had never blamed Doug. It had been herself; she had had no confidence, hadn't felt like she was a help to anyone, felt liked no one cared, felt helpless and depressed, felt like leaving everything. Doug just hadn't helped her feel any better; but it hadn't been his fault. Thinking back to when they were still together, Carol realised that the fall of her and Doug's relationship was all her fault. She knew how he was, knew that he didn't commit to anyone, so why did she push him? She scared him away, made him run to the countless other women; she fell in love with him. She made it impossible for him to love her back. Was that why she broke up with him, finally? Carol exhaled quietly. No, that wasn't it. She had ended it because she couldn't take getting hurt time after time after time...and she didn't want to burden Doug anymore. He had asked her for second chances, though, although she knew they were all for the wrong reasons. Why hadn't she given in to him? She knew why. She had been too proud. She didn't want him to win. But it made her miserable; she didn't talk to him anymore, despite her yearnings. And even after her suicide attempt, she still ignored him as much as she could let herself do. But now, it had been four years, and she still did the same, felt uneasy around him. She still loved him. If only things could've been different, maybe they could be together now, or she could at least tell him she loved him. But she couldn't change the past, although she really wished things had played out the way she would like them to. She wished she hadn't wrecked it all. Carol closed her eyes and lowered her head, taking a sip. The sound of her sucking only air through her straw rang out sharply at their table, alarming both Doug and Carol.
     They both looked up, and their eyes met for the first time that day. Only then did they notice how inexplicably sad the other looked. Maybe, just maybe......
     No. Carol was the first one to shake off the idea and look away, painfully tearing herself away from Doug's gaze.
     Doug's heart sank even lower than it already had. He hung his head and thought about how sad Carol had just looked. He wanted to help her, but held himself back. She wouldn't want his help anyway. She didn't want anything from him, and he got the message loud and clear.
     The snow continued falling, never stopping one bit. And the roads looked just as empty as they did before when Doug looked outside. He glanced at his Jeep. Ah, his trusty hunter green Jeep. It was his reliable friend, always ready to be put to the test. He'd driven in nasty weather, and had survived. It had gotten him through many storms, and he knew that it would get him out of this. Cause he had to get Carol back to the ER. Safe and sound. Nothing was more important to Doug than that.
     Carol cast her eyes to the window, and her gaze fell upon Doug's Jeep, the same one that they had once spent a warm summer's night in, together. She remembered it clearly, though she knew it was so long ago. But she kept thinking. The green Jeep. The same Jeep that had once saved her from walking home in the pouring rain. Doug had seen her leaving the hospital for the day, and it suddenly started raining in buckets of water, soaking Carol immediately. She remembered the Jeep's headlights shining brightly through the blanket in front of her eyes, and coming to her rescue. Doug had opened the door for her, and gratefully she climbed inside, and was pulled into an envelope of Doug's warmth as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, caressing her gently. That Jeep, she thought. Doug's Jeep. She felt so safe when she was in it, knowing that Doug was driving, knowing that he'd keep her safe and protect her. She loved being in there. It smelled of him, just him. Oh boy, Carol thought now, why am I thinking like this?
     Another ten minutes passed in silence at their table, during which Doug had been pondering whether to ever let Carol know of his feelings for her now. He couldn't face the rejection. Not from her. It'd be better off for him to keep quiet and keep his feelings bottled up inside, if she were to turn him down. But then again, if she felt the same...
     Carol, meanwhile, was wondering whether to come right out and confront Doug about them. Or should she just keep her feelings inside? What if Doug didn't feel the same? What if he didn't love her? What if he said that she never meant anything to him? She couldn't bear to hear that...
     They had nothing to do with each other now; they didn't talk much, didn't spend time together. It always made them feel uneasy; anyone could tell. But if they hadn't really talked to each other for years, why did they both have this sudden urge to talk, now?
     Half an hour later, one of the owners, a seemingly nice elderly lady came over to Doug and Carol's table and gave them some coffee, fresh from the pot. They both thanked her politely and quietly, and then looked down into their cups immediately.
     The woman shook her head, and then said, "I haven't heard a word exchanged between you two this whole time. And I don't mean to meddle, but it's my restaurant, and..." She took one hand from both of them and put them in each other, then continued, "...you're going to talk to each other. No one in the Cozy Corner Restaurant ignores the people at their table!" Then she smiled sweetly, like she felt like she was doing them a huge favour, and returned to the staff's table.
     Doug and Carol were both surprised by this, and by the time they realised that they were still holding hands, they had both subconsciously clasped their free hands over them. And before they knew it, they were drawing nearer and nearer, when finally their lips met. Sweetly, but shyly, they kissed.
     Until Doug suddenly pulled away, and let go of Carol's hands. Stammering nervously, he said, "I--I didn't mean to, Carol...I...wasn't---I'm sorry...I..."
     Carol immediately felt tears come to her eyes. Doug had pulled away. Did this mean that he didn't love her? She looked at him through her tears of anguish. "I..." She tried to talk, but her throat felt dry and she couldn't get the words out.
     Doug felt horrible; had he made Carol cry? It pained him to see her like this. She probably really hated him, but Doug was too scared to try to comfort her. He had totally screwed up. He lost control of his impulses, kissed her, and got himself into this. Would Carol hate him forever? "I'm so sorry..." he whispered sadly.
     She wept quietly, never once looking up at him. The tears of despair kept falling, until he said sorrowfully, "Yell at me. Insult me. Tell me everything you hate about me--please..."
     Then Carol sniffed, wiped her tears gently, and bit on her lower lip to stop from crying. "Have you ever loved someone?" she said softly, looking at Doug, who was hanging his head in shame.
     He looked up slightly, paused, then looked down and said matter-of-factly, "My mom. I loved her. But not him." Doug despised his dad.
     She sobbed, "No--not--not family love....but--but...have you ever been in love? Loved someone?"
     He looked away, his heart beating rapidly. He had to decide now. Should he confess to Carol his true feelings for her, or lie, and avoid the question? Doug blinked, and then he looked down. "I had her once, but...I was a fool to let her go. I..." He paused.
     Carol suddenly had a pang of hope in her heart; perhaps Doug loved her? She hoped, but didn't dare to look at him. She swallowed. Then she thought, she must've been with you before me, Doug...you didn't seem to be able to commit when we were together, let alone with someone after me...She must havebeen before me... And she said just that.
     Doug could feel his heart pounding through his head now. "I...she was...between 'before' and 'after' you, Carol..." What a way to put it, Doug, he thought, disappointed in himself.
     What did he mean? She hoped that's what he meant, but why wouldn't he just tell her right out? Maybe Doug didn't love her. Carol slowly started to feel lightheaded. The tears lingered in her eyes, threatening to fall. She slowly tried to get the words out. "She's......."
     "Sh--she's beautiful, wonderful in every way. And I...I..."
     After Doug said that, Carol immediately destroyed the idea in her mind that the one Doug loved was she. For she wasn't beautiful at all, and she was far from wonderful. Feeling helpless, she said in resignation and disbelief, "You fell in love with...with one of those women you cheated on me with...?!?"
     Doug was alarmed. Why did she say that? How could she possibly think that? She couldn't see how much he loved her? Doug felt the pain seep into every inch of his body, his heart aching more than words could describe. He knew now that only Carol could help him. "No---No...of course not. I--" He tried reaching for her hand.
     Carol couldn't even keep herself together. She was now as distressed as ever, and the tears of sorrow were streaming down her cheeks. She felt Doug's hand reach for hers, but she couldn't take this. "I'm sorry, I can't..." and she ran off, towards the washroom.
     Doug's heart broke as he ran after her. "Carol, wait..." but she didn't turn around, and ran into the washroom. Doug hesitated. He knocked on the washroom door, and said "Carol?"
     She didn't answer, but when he pressed his ear to the door, he heard her crying. "I know you're in there, Carol. Please come out. We still have to talk..." Doug was trying to decide on whether he should just go inside the women's washroom to talk to her. No one else was in there, anyway.
     She spoke up. "No. There's...there's nothing more to say."
     "There is. We haven’t finished yet. I've got a lot to say to you, I just need--"
     Interrupting, Carol said, as bluntly as she could manage, "Go away, Doug. I don't want to ever see you again. If you won't leave, I'll stay in here forever. I don't care if I starve, I've thought about dying before. I'm not scared to think about it now."
     He froze, his heart pounding heavily. Dying? Carol wasn't going to try killing herself in there, was she? Doug had to talk to her. He had to tell her how he really felt, regardless of whether she felt the same about him or not. It might prevent her from doing something horrible...
     So he said, "Just come out, and listen to me. I've got a lot on my mind, and it has to be said. To you. Please, Carol..."
     Silence. Doug waited for a minute. Suddenly he heard her speak up. "You don't have anything to say to me, do you? It's all a plan to try to get me to come out, isn't it? I'm not going to listen to you, and give you a chance to hurt me again, Doug..." She bit on her lip, but her chin quivered while trying to hold back the tears. She took a deep breath. "Come in, if you've got the guts..." Her voice trailed off.
     From outside, the other owner of the restaurant, a disgruntled old man said harshly to Doug, "You're not going in there, sir. It's the women's washroom. If you step in there, I'll call the police on you, and charge you with something. You kids, think you can do everything nowadays. And if you keep bugging that poor girl in there, the cops are gonna be coming, you can bug them all you want about lettin' you out after they lock you up in jail. The police station's right nearby, I'm warning ya." Then he went to the doors of the restaurant.
     "Carol, I...I can't go in there...it's..." Doug paused. "Please come out...I really need to tell you everything. Please..."
     She really wanted to go outside, but the thought of Doug telling her he didn't love her was too painful. She dabbed at her teary eyes. Waiting for a minute, Carol swallowed uncomfortably. When she believed that she could control herself enough to speak without bursting out into tears again, she spoke."I'm not coming outside to listen to you." She blew her nose. "Just give up, Doug. You're--you're not going to hurt me again....."
     Doug started to speak, but then stopped. He sighed, "Carol, I..."
     The man interrupted him again. "You're still going to do that? That's it, I'm calling the cops."
     Doug thought, He wouldn't do that, would he? Then again, that old man seemed serious... No, I can't leave without telling Carol. She's got to listen to me. "Carol, please, please listen. You don't have to say anything, or come out. Just listen..." He was pressed up towards the vent of the door, hoping she could hear him better.
     Carol thought, Should I listen to him? What if... She blew her nose softly. The police aren't really coming, are they?...
     No response from Carol. Doug decided to just go for it. "Carol, I said stuff earlier, and I think you got the wrong message from it, and you really have to know the truth, cause it's been on my mind for a long time, and it might change the way you think about me." He was nervous, and took a deep breath afterwards.
     Carol said, "You're going to continue talking even if I tell you not to, won't you?"
     "If you don't want me to, then...I can't,"Doug said dejectedly.
     "You can't?" Carol inquired. Her head lowered.
     He said, "If you tell me not to, then I can't go against--"      The old man interrupted again, "The snow's cleared, you wretched kids. And you, boy, the cops are coming for you any moment now. You despicable being, pestering that poor girl." He scoffed at Doug.
     Doug felt horrible. Maybe he was pushing it too far, not letting Carol come out of the washroom, until she listened to him. But he really needed Carol to know how he felt. He sighed. Pondering for a long minute what he should do, he finally made a decision. So he continued, nervously, slowly. "Remember I said that I had someone once, but I was foolish and let her go? Well, she was between 'before' and 'after' you, but..."
     Carol held her breath, clutching onto her shirt. Please, please, please... she thought.
     "...But she wasn't one of the women I cheated on you with. The one I fell in love with was--"      "Back away from the door! You're under arrest for sexual harassment." The doors were thrown open violently and alarmingly.
     Doug turned around, worried. Carol, inside the washroom, was alarmed. What were they doing with Doug? Under arrest?? She couldn't let them take him away.
     There were two policemen in the restaurant, and they were getting out the handcuffs. Doug saw this, and thought, No... Not before I tell Carol. He started speaking quickly. "Carol, I fell in love with you. Ever since the first day I saw you, I was in love. And I've loved you ever since. Even now. I'm so sorry for how I treated you back when we were together, but I was just a jerk. I loved you though. So much that I wanted the best for you and-"
     Doug felt his arms being forced painfully behind his back, and the metal clasped around his wrists. "No, don't arrest me. I've got to tell Carol everything. I've got to apologize...Don't take me yet...Don't.....Damn it, just let me tell her---" he pleaded to the police, who were trying to drag him out of the restaurant as they told him his rights.
     Carol was speechless. Doug did love her. She couldn't believe it, and ran a hand through her hair, tears falling rapidly. But then she heard him telling them not to arrest him, and she panicked, countless thoughts rushing through her mind. They were taking him away. They were taking Doug away. She couldn't let him go. She couldn't...
     Doug was being dragged along the ground, but he still tried. Speaking louder and faster, he said, "Carol, please listen! I love you, I really do...I cheated on you back then because I was a selfish jerk. I wanted to discourage you from trying to get me to commit, because I knew that I could never give you happiness. I knew I loved you with all my heart, but I also knew that I had screwed up my own life and I couldn't do that to yours...But I did, anyway. I made you attempt suicide, didn't I? I'm so sorry, Carol. I've felt guilty ever since. I had been hoping that you'd find someone who'd treat you right, so you could forget about me and what I'd done to you. I...I'm glad you forgot about me and ignored me, though. At least you led a happier life not having to think about me." He fought to return to the washroom, where Carol still was, but to no avail. "I'm sorry!....." Then he sighed, and thought, She's not coming out. Not even after I've confessed. She must really hate me...
     Carol was in shock after hearing Doug's confession. She never knew this was how he felt, never knew why he had been so horrible to her. But now she knew. She had to tell him how she felt. She listened. There was nothing. Her heart pounded. What if they had taken Doug away already? What if he was hurt? No. No...they can't... She opened the door, and scanned the room, until she saw Doug being forcefully dragged out the door by two cops. She said, "No--please.." and grabbed Doug's coat from the table, as she ran towards him, calling urgently, "Doug!...wait...don't arrest him, please don't..."
     Doug looked up as he fought, seeing Carol, who had tears streaming down her cheeks. His heart ached when he realized how much he must've hurt Carol and made her cry. During that instance, Doug only felt Carol's sadness, rather than his own physical pain. And for a tiny second, he was oblivious to the pain of the handcuffs burning their way into his skin. "I...I've apparently just sexually harassed you, Carol," he said, defeated. "I'm so sorry. Carol, I...I love you, though. Just remember that. Cause I've got to go now, and I don't know when I'll get to see you again." He couldn't take his eyes off of her, afraid that once he did, he would never see her again. He surrendered, and went limp, allowing the police officers to drag him to their car.
     Carol cried in distress. She found herself running to Doug, dropping on her knees and holding on to him, not letting go, in a vain attempt to prevent him from being arrested. Wrapping his coat around him to warm his icy body, she said to Doug, "I love you, I really do...I need you, Doug. I want to be with you forever..." She was hugging him tightly.
"I...Don't cry, Carol. I'm sorry...And I want to be with you, too, but now......" Doug said. He grimaced, his arm felt extremely sore.
     Carol felt her knees being scraped up and winced from the pain of being dragged along the ground. She said desperately to the cops, "He didn't harass me. It wasn't sexual harassment. He was telling me he loved me. I..." She tried to think of an excuse. "I just didn't come out of the washroom because I wanted him to be more romantic when he told me. But please, it wasn't sexual harassment...I...uh, I'm not charging him. Please....." She held Doug's face with her hands, and looked at him. He looked back at her with his sad eyes.
     The dragging stopped. Doug ached all over, especially his arms and wrists. Carol's legs hurt excruciatingly. They were petrified as they watched the cops stare at them and talk. Doug tried to comfort Carol as she attempted to check his injuries.
     Then he felt his wrists being freed, and the metal was no longer burning against his skin. The cops let go of him, and said, "Next time, you won't be as lucky, you s.o.b. [in full]"
     Doug back fell against the ground, and held on to Carol as the police car drove away. When there was no noise left, they went back inside and headed towards the booth with their food, in silence. Doug picked up the food, and Carol, her coat. He paid for the food, and together, they exited, heading towards the hunter green Jeep. Once inside, they both sighed exhaustedly.
     Doug turned the key to start the engine, but Carol gently put a hand on his arm to stop him. "Doug?"
     "What's wrong?"
     "Can we go somewhere and talk?...Maybe...if you're ok with that?"
     "Ok...Whatever you want, Carol. How about after we deliver the food? We'll be off shift by then."
     Carol looked down. "Alright."
     The rest of the car ride was in silence, except for their breathing, and the low hum of the engine of the car. Doug really wanted to go home to a hot shower, and have Carol with him right after he finished. He just wanted to be with her; they had a lot of time to catch up on.
Carol really wanted to be held by Doug, because it had been so long since they'd been close to one another. She wanted to make up for the years they had lost.
     Finally reaching the ER, they climbed out of the car simultaneously, and drudged through the snow, wearily. Carol carried the basket of food. Doug tried to cover up the injuries on his arms and the rest of his body without letting Carol see.
     They went through the automatic doors, keeping their distance from each other, and the staff at the admit desk greeted them openly. "Hey guys," Haleh said, "how was your overly long expedition?" She and the other nurses had obviously sent them both together on purpose. "Oh, and thanks for the food. You want any?"
     Carol managed a smile, and said, "No, no it's alright. We were snowed in the restaurant, and the owner kept us eating. Thanks for sending us to a place in the middle of nowhere where the snow plows don't go...I mean, the food's ok, but next time..."
     Lydia laughed, "Alright, alright. It's been pretty slow, except for hypothermia, and the winter stuff. The usuals. Hey we're gonna call everyone to eat. You wanna stay? It's past your shift already..."
     "Uh, nah...I'm heading home. Unless there are any kids here?" Doug asked, while moving his hand over his right elbow.
     Mark had come over to the admit desk, "Nope. You're a free man. Go home, Doug, you look beat. And get some rest, while you're at it. We don't want you pulling a double and scaring the few patients we have. Thanks for the grub, guys." He looked at Carol and said this, smiling.
     She smiled back, "No problem. I'm tired too. I'll just punch out and try to catch the next El. See you tomorrow, guys."
     "Bye Carol," everyone said at different times, as Carol headed to punch out her shift card.
     Doug watched her walk away, and looked preoccupied as he said, "Yeah, I'll see you guys, alright?"
     "Later, Doug," they said, which sounded like a muddle of voices.
     Doug walked out the doors, and found Carol heading slowly towards the El station direction. He ran up beside her and said, "Hey. I thought we were going somewhere to talk..."
     "Doug, I..."
     "Are you ok? You look flustered. Is there anything wrong?"
     "...It's nothing. Just that...if you want to forget everything that happened back at the restaurant, I'll understand. It's not like I was expecting anything, really. I'm..."
     "Forget? No, Carol...I meant everything I said back there. Honestly. Why are you suddenly mentioning forgetting all that?"
     Carol looked away, "I thought maybe you just said it just because..."
     Doug used his hand to guide her face so that she was looking at him, into his eyes. "Carol, I love you. I love you with all my heart and I'd give up everything just to be with you, just to prove how much I love you and care about you." He saw that her eyes were full of an incredible fear and sadness as she looked back at him. He suddenly knew how she felt. He knew exactly why she looked so scared and sad. A strong wind blew against them, instantly chilling them. Doug led Carol into his Jeep, to which she complied. Then he continued, "I'm serious about this, Carol. And I know that you're terrified of me, cause I might hurt you again, like last time. I can see the fear in your eyes. I know I've hurt you before. But I promise you, that this time will be different. I'll treat you right, and I'll respect you. And most of all, I won't cheat on you. Ever again. I'll be there for you when you need me. Cause you've got a special place in my heart that only you can fill. I'm empty without you." He put his hand on the side of her face gently. "I'll love you the way you need and deserve to be loved, Carol."
     She was touched by his meaningful words, moved by the fact that Doug Ross, the womanizer, the one who wouldn't surrender himself to anyone years ago, was saying these words to her. Carol realised that he loved her. The one thing that she had waited so long for him to admit to her, he had admitted to her right then and there. Her heart was ecstatic. "Oh Doug, I love you so much. I don't ever want to be apart from you...You're a hard habit to break. I feel complete when you're near, and I can't bear to be away from you for any longer, Doug." She brushed her hand delicately through his hair, and touched his cheek cautiously. But she thought of something, and suddenly her hand slid from his face back down to her side. She looked away from Doug, again, and bit on her lower lip, her eyebrows expressing her worry. "Doug, what if......"
     Doug sensed something was wrong, and gingerly held Carol, trying to avoid aggravating the pain in his arms. "What's the matter?" he asked, truly concerned.
     "Aren't you scared that I won't love you as much as you love me? Like......"
     Doug knew exactly what she was talking about. "Like Tag?"
     Carol nodded. "I mean, I always do this to people. I tell them what they want to hear, and I force myself to believe the same, until it comes to the point where I actually do believe it when I tell them I love them. Then, later on, I'll come to my senses and realise that I had been fooling them, and myself at the same time. I'll realise that I don't love them like they love me. What happens if this is exactly what I'm doing to you now, Doug? I don't want to hurt you, honestly. I mean, what if this is all a dream?" She brushed a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, then she held onto his hands.
     Doug was indeed very scared that Carol was right. The thing that would break his heart to pieces he wouldn't be able to ever mend was if Carol told him that she didn't love him, when she knew clearly how he felt about her. He looked down and said, "I don't want to force you to feel anything for me, Carol. Always remember that...but the moment you realise that you've made a mistake with me, just do me a favour and......just tell me. Please. Cause I'd want to know about it, so I could let you go free. I would never want to keep you anywhere you didn't want to be. Or with anyone, for that matter...." He was suddenly very silent, afraid to say any more, afraid to look at her. Afraid of how she felt about him.
     He started the car, and drove towards Carol's house. Carol didn't know what to say, cause frankly, she didn't want to say anything to make Doug feel uncomfortable, or make him make assumptions. God, she loved him...didn't she?      Halfway into the car ride, at a red light, Doug had an urge to look at Carol, reassure himself that she was still there with him. So he took a chance, and turned to the passenger seat slightly, gazing at Carol. She noticed this, and looked back at Doug. This scared him, because he thought that she was going to tell him that she didn't love him at all. He nervously looked away, and tried to focus on the road, instead. The rest of the ride was silent.
     When they reached her house, Carol paused for a moment before she opened the Jeep door. She thought, I love Doug, don't I?...I'm not just telling myself that just because I haven't found anyone yet, am I?
     Doug watched her open the door. I shouldn't bother her about all this. I should just back off a bit and give her time to think things through...and maybe even give her time to decide that she doesn't love me at all...... Doug sighed.
     Carol heard Doug's sigh, and froze. Then she stepped out of the car. She paused for a second, and then said, "Goodnight, Doug..."
     Doug said, "Goodnight..." And before she shut the door, he called out softly, "I love you, Carol." Then the door closed. Doug didn't know if Carol had heard that last sentence or not. He exhaled slowly, and watched her make her way up to the porch. She's just so beautiful.
     Carol had heard his last sentence professing his love for her, before she closed the car door behind her. Then she walked up the stairs onto the porch of her house. She turned around, and looked at Doug, managing a small smile at him, before turning around and letting herself into the empty house.
     Doug sighed, and leaned back against the seat of his Jeep. What if Carol really didn't love him?
     Carol sighed, and closed her eyes, leaning against the closed door.
     Ten minutes later, after sitting in his Jeep outside of Carol's house, Doug woke up from his vivid dream of him and Carol, where they were so happy together, and it seemed as though nothing could come between them. When his eyes blinked open, he moaned in dismay when he realized that he was actually apart from Carol, in his car, outside Carol's house. He took a last look at the house, started the car, and drove home.
     Carol, meanwhile, had made herself some warm chocolate milk and curled up on the couch under a blanket, absentmindedly watching the tv. She looked down into her warm cup, and suddenly had an image of earlier that day at the restaurant, with Doug. She blinked back the tears of sadness, and took a sip, as a teardrop fell into the milk, and became lost forever. Like her heart, falling into Doug's soul, never to escape, never to be anywhere else. Belonging to Doug forever. She swallowed, and was out like a light. Carol nodded off for a while, and awoke to the sound of the phone, about fifteen minutes later. Perhaps it was Doug? She kept her hopes up as she picked up the receiver.
     "Hello?"
     "Hello, is this Carol Hathaway?" said the female voice.
     Carol's heart sank. It was her doctor, not Doug. She knew he wouldn't have called her...
     "Yes, speaking."
     "Hi, Carol...It's Susannah Ford. How are you feeling?"
     "...I'm fine. Tired. It's been a long day. What's new?"
     "Well, remember your checkup last week? We've got some results. I'm afraid you're going to have to sit down..."
     "What--What's wrong?"
     Susannah sighed. "Carol, we've discovered something with your heart. The heart murmur was more than we expected...you--" She paused.
     Carol knew right away, what was wrong. She had said this explanation so many times to patients, but now it was happening to her, and she knew all the details. She hated being a nurse. Why was this happening to her??
     Susannah said, "You know, don't you..." she paused. "Don't discourage yourself yet, Carol. We're not sure about this. I'll get a second opinion, then I'll tell you. You can overcome this. You're a strong young woman."
     Carol inhaled, and slowly said, "I--I'm ok. It's just such a shock...I...When should I come in for………"
     "How about in 3 days? Anytime you want. Just call and I'll be there...Carol? I want you to do something for me, and most importantly for yourself. Share this news with someone. You're a nurse, you know how it goes, don't you?" she said gently. "Don't keep it inside you, Carol. Tell someone. It'll help you, really. It will."
     Carol collapsed on the couch, and said, "I---I'll think about it, Susannah...ok?...I've got to go n-now. 3 days, right?" she sniffed. "Bye." And she hung up.
     Then all the tears of despair, anguish, sadness, fear, sorrow, pain that had built up throughout the past few years of her life, but mostly today, fought free and fell, with no stopping in sight. She wept in solitude in her own world, which all seemed to be crashing down on her at once. Why couldn't she get anything right? She had screwed up today with Doug, by second-guessing herself when she knew that she loved him. She couldn't save a few of her patients today because she was with less critical patients. And now she couldn't even take care of her own health. "Doug..." she called out in distress.
     When Doug had arrived home to his apartment, he slung his coat on the chair, and flopped down on the couch, turning on the Bulls game. Before he knew it, he was sound asleep. But an hour later, the phone woke him up. He groaned, rubbed his eyes and picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
     "……………………………………………D-Doug……………..I……………..need you......can you c-come over……………I'm s-sorry, I………………………………………" Carol was crying and hiccuping and hearing this broke Doug's heart. Did something happen to Carol? Maybe it was something he did, or didn't do. Or maybe someone had just hurt her? Doug sprang up at the thought of Carol being hurt. He said softly, "Carol, don't cry. I'm on my way over. Wait for me...I'll be right there, ok?"
     Carol didn't answer, but she hiccoughed, and hung up.
     Doug thought as he hung up, Carol……I'm coming for you. And he ran to the door and grabbed his coat, then left.
     Arriving at Carol's house, he saw no lights on. He knocked on the door, and had no reply. Panicking slightly, he knocked harder. Still no response. He turned the doorknob, and the door opened. Doug was alarmed. Carol would never leave the door unlocked. It wasn't like her. What was happening? And why would she call him sounding so desperate? Doug stepped inside. A small light was on in the living room. Warily, he called, "Carol?"
     "Doug…………" she called out. "I'm so...I'm so sorry. You should go..."
     Doug walked into the living room, and saw Carol on the couch, crying. He rushed over to her and sat down, gently. "What happened, Carol? Why are you crying?"
     Carol turned away from Doug, afraid to pour her heart out to him, but wanting so much to ask him to take her. She wiped her tears, but when she looked at him through her tears, she just broke down. She grabbed on to Doug, clinging on to his coat, arms around him, not letting go. "Doug………" she sobbed, "hold me...please..."
     So he held her, wrapping his arms around her tightly and warmly, and rested his chin on the top of her head. It was an enormous strain on his bruised wrists and aching arms, but he bit down on his lip to divert the pain, and concentrated on comforting Carol. After a while, when Carol had calmed down, but was still weeping softly, Doug pulled away and looked at her. "You want to tell me what's wrong?"
     Carol looked up at him and felt a bit comforted. He really cares, she thought. She was so worried that she was being a burden to him right now, though. Swallowing, she said, "My doctor called………she said that…………………………s-she said that," Carol's lip quivered, "………my heart…………..the heart murmur…it……………" She tried so hard to finish the sentence, but she just couldn't. She broke down in tears again.
     Doug knew exactly what Carol had tried valiantly to say. It was her heart. The murmur was more than it seemed to be. As of now, there was no medicine for this heart disease, but there was a risky operation. Death was a more likely outcome, though. Doug shook his head. Why Carol? Of all people, why her? Not now, especially. They were just at a turning point, why take Carol now? He stroked her dark curls soothingly, "Ssh…don't cry, Carol. It's all right. You'll be fine. Ssh…………Don't worry….I'm here for you."
     She cried herself to sleep, consoled by the fact that Doug was there with her. She hoped he'd still be there when she woke up….
     Later, Carol stirred, and opened her eyes. She was warm and snug, but groggy, and for a while wondered where she was. Looking down, she saw a pair of arms wrapped around her and became scared. Carol looked up at the face, and was brought back to consciousness, relieved when she saw it was Doug. He had fallen asleep, too, and was breathing deeply, chest rising and falling slowly. Carol felt so safe in his arms; she got the same feeling she had when Doug was driving them back to the hospital from the restaurant. Then she thought about all Doug had said to her earlier. He said he loved her. He loved her since the very start. And he wanted to be with her, promising that he wouldn't cheat on her. Carol sighed. She had to tell Doug how she felt. It wasn't fair to him to lead him on, if she really didn't feel anything for him--
     Carol stopped. Doug had respected her privacy earlier at the restaurant and hadn't come into the washroom when she was crying. And just last week, when she had been complaining about having to do the safety check in the ER again, she had later seen Doug with the yellow safety check clipboard, but had shrugged it off. Later, Kerry had thanked Carol for doing the check so quickly. Carol realized now that Doug had done the safety check for her. Another memory came to her. Last Thursday, there had been an explosion in the storage room. It hadn't been too bad, and fortunately, no one was hurt. But Carol had been extremely scared; she hadn't figured out why. But now, thinking back, Carol knew exactly why her heart had jumped when she saw the smoke and the glass shards fly everywhere. It was because Doug had been in the next room. She had seen him just enter the exam room when the explosion happened. Carol thought to herself, I was scared for Doug……I cared about him, about whether he was hurt. She paused. When she had received the call from Susannah, she had called Doug, asking him to come be with her, and he had come right away to comfort her. She remembered, he sounded like he had just woken up when he answered the phone. It had been a long day. Poor Doug, she must've woken him up…………and she knew that in a few hours, he'd have a double shift. She looked at him, sleeping peacefully. When she took Susannah's advice and decided to tell someone about her heart condition, she hadn't thought about telling her mom. The first person who came to her mind was Doug. She wanted Doug to know. And there had been a million thoughts racing through her mind at the time. She wanted Doug, the one she loved, to be at her side during this battle of hers. She wanted Doug to know how much she cared about him and loved him, in case she wouldn't make it. She wanted him to know how she felt about him, so she could spend her last days with him.
     Because she loved him.
     Carol shifted in his arms, and remembered the handcuffs around his wrists earlier. She slid his sleeves up a few inches, and saw the bruises starting to show. Her heart aching as she imagined the pain that Doug was enduring as she leaned on him and put pressure on his arms, Carol gently slid the sleeves back down, and turned to look at Doug. She moved her weight off of him, hoping to ease his suffering. Studying his handsome face, she felt her own face grow warm, and cupped his face with her hand. She moved up and gently kissed his lips, then pulled away. Still looking at Doug, the man who held her heart, she managed only a small smile. At the back of her mind was still the growing fear that had developed in her after the phone call with Susannah.
     Ten minutes later, after closing her eyes and resting while in Doug's arms, Carol sneezed by accident, shaking herself and Doug. He stirred, and woke up.
     "Mmmhmmmhph……?" he said, rubbing his eyes.
     Carol smiled. He was always so cute when he was awoken by someone. She touched his cheek. "Doug, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up," she said softly.
     Doug opened his eyes fully when he heard Carol's voice. This wasn't a dream… Then he remembered where he was. "Carol, are you ok? Did I move and wake you up? Are you hurt? Did I do something wrong?"
Carol shook her head no. "I think I was the one who hurt you, Doug," she said. When Doug made a confused face, she exposed his arms.
     He mumbled quietly, "That's nothing. It just looks bad. It doesn't hurt. It's not your fault."
     She said, "I'm sorry." And when he was silent, she said,"I was just watching you sleep, and………thinking, too."
     Doug shifted on the couch. "Thinking about what?" he asked cautiously, casting his mind back to when he had dropped her off here earlier that day and remembering what she had said in the Jeep. Maybe she was going to tell him now. I knew all along she never loved you, his conscience said, but you had to tell her. Think about it, Doug, do you think she could love you after all you did to her? Ha. Thought so, Dougie boy. Doug was disheartened by what his mind was telling him, and it showed on his face as he looked down at the floor.
     Carol saw this, and said, "About you."
     Doug inhaled and thought, This is it. He said, "Oh," and prepared himself for the rejection, his heart sinking slowly. He quietly and gradually lifted his hands from around her waist, afraid to touch her if she was going to tell him she didn't feel for him.
     "Doug, I love you." She looked at him, but didn't see any change in his expression. She continued talking. "I was thinking about all you've done for me, the past few years. And I thought about how I felt after my doctor called. She told me to do myself a favour and tell someone, so I wouldn't keep it all inside. And the first person that came to mind wasn't my mom, or anyone else. It was Doug Ross. Cause I wanted you to know. I wanted you to be with me and help me through this. I wanted to tell you how I felt about you, in case something did happen to me…………Doug, I haven't been able to take my mind off you for the past few months or so. I love you, Doug. Really. I'm not just telling myself that I believe it, cause I really feel this way. You're the one I fell in love with and I can't imagine myself with anyone other than you, because it would have no meaning anyway. You're a part of me, the one I want to share my life with, and I want to be with you forever, Doug. The past was the past. We were both at fault, but we were young and naïve. This time we can do it right………"
     Doug had been surprised at first by Carol's words, but then it all sank in. Carol loved him. She really loved him. He had waited so long for this, and finally it was true. She loved him. He was elated and smiled in sheer happiness, but decided to ask her about it, so he could have peace of mind. If he had been the reason she had tried to kill herself, he could never forgive himself, never let her near him so he could harm her again……never be with her without fear. "Carol, what about…………your suicide attempt? Was it……was it me?" He looked at her in sadness, afraid that he might've been the reason for her suicide attempt years ago.
     Carol looked down, then said, "It wasn't you, Doug. I was just lost. I felt useless, and stupid. I thought that there was nothing left of my life that made it worth living, and I felt as if no one really paid much attention to me. It was like I did everything wrong, like with you, for one thing. I thought that I had screwed up, and that's why you cheated on me. But I didn't attempt suicide because of the way you acted, or treated me, Doug. Don't get me wrong. It's just that you didn't really help me feel any better. It wasn't your fault at all……"
     He said, "I...really? I just……I felt so guilty about your suicide attempt ever since that night you came in, Carol. I was going to die right there in the ER if you hadn't made it. Ask anyone, they'll remember me saying 'sorry, Carol, I'm so sorry' every five minutes when I looked at you lying there……on the gurney……I felt so horrible. I felt like I was the one who caused you to do that to yourself. My heart broke when everyone was talking and wondering why you, of all people, would try to OD……and I was thinking, 'I killed Carol……it was my fault…' Cause I still loved you. I know that cheating on you was cowardly of me to try to get you to leave me, but I didn't know any other way. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't made it. I probably wouldn't be here right now. I would've probably went to your mother and apologized for everything I'd ever done to you……and shot myself right there or something. I really did think of ways to repay you, and I'd been thinking of driving into a pole or jumping onto the El tracks or something." Doug looked down at his hands. "I never told anyone, but--but I actually stole a scalpel from the supply room. And I sat there practicing where to---to stab myself for the fastest death. All I cared about was giving up my life for yours, and hoping that it would work. Cause I figured, then everyone would be happy with you alive, and me dead. I--I don't know. I just felt really guilty. I still do. I'm so sorry, Carol. I--" He didn't know what else to say.
     Carol was shocked at all this that Doug was admitting. He had really felt that way about her OD? Would he really have died for her? He sounded truthful. She never knew; she had always thought he felt just a bit guilty that's why he asked for second chances, but never knew this was how he really felt. She said, "It's ok Doug. I'm here right now, and it wasn't your fault. And we can be together now…"
     Doug thought, She's so wonderful. She doesn't blame me for the hell I put her through. I love her so much. Doug smiled a bit, and took her hands in his.
     She felt his hands take hers, and looked up and saw him smile. This was a good sign, she thought.
     And they gazed, and then kissed. It was sweet, and it was a continuation of what had happened earlier that day. But this time, there was no restriction, no uneasiness between them. When finally they pulled away, they held each other, both laughing and giggling in contentment.
     Then Doug said softly to Carol, "I've missed you."
     Carol smiled, and replied just as quietly, "I've missed us." Carol just sat there, rocking back and forth in Doug's embrace, thinking about their future together, and how she would overcome this heart condition of hers.
     Doug noticed that Carol had become quiet, and could tell what was worrying her. He hugged her, and said, "Don't worry. You'll recover quickly, and be back to normal, in good health again. I'll be by your side always. You won't be alone."
     She said, "Oh Doug…" and kissed him. But the fear had already been instilled in her.
     They spent the next two hours on the couch, sharing a bowl of Chunky that Doug had heated, and watching Whose Line is it Anyway? episodes Carol had taped but never watched. When the last episode was over, Doug looked at his watch. 5:51 pm. "Damn," he said. If he didn't leave right away, he'd be late for his 6 o'clock shift. He turned to Carol and said, "When's your shift?"
     "7, I think," she replied.
     Doug said, "Do you want me to give you a ride right now? I could, if you want..."
     Carol smiled, and said, "No, it's alright. I'd still have to get dressed and then you'd be late."
     "Ok then." He stood up. Then he took Carol's hands and said, "Will you be ok? I don't want to leave you here with nothing to distract you…"
     "I'll be fine, Doug." She smiled a bit, touched at his concern. "Now, go. I'm not going to be blamed for your tardiness, Doctor…" she said playfully.
     Doug laughed, "How can I not follow my Nurse's orders?" He kissed Carol, and said, "Find me after you come in?" He looked at her, silently worrying about her.
     Carol nodded. She sensed his apprehension and said, "Doug, don't worry. I won't scare myself or anything. In fact, I think I'll watch tv and not think about anything. Ok? Now don't worry about me." She smiled, trying to make him feel better.
     He complied, and said, "Alright, Carol. I've really got to go now or Weaver will have my ass. I'll see you later." He responded to Carol's kiss, then left quickly.
     Carol watched him close the door behind him, and sighed happily. She loved Doug with all her heart, and now they could be together. Finally. Her years of waiting were over. Carol smiled; she couldn't help it.
     And as Doug drove to the hospital in his Jeep, he thought about Carol. He loved her like he never loved before, with all his heart. Finally they could be with each other. He promised her that this time, he'd do it right. He smiled; he had waited so long for this day.
     Around 6:45 during a lull in the ER, Doug was in the lounge and looked at his watch, wondering when Carol would arrive. He missed her and couldn't wait to see her again. Also, he wanted to be able to watch out for her so she wouldn't think about her heart condition. "Where is she?" he said in impatience and anxiousness.
     "Who?" said a voice from behind him.
     Doug spun around. Carol was there, with a grin on her face. "Awaiting someone, Doctor Ross?"
     Doug smiled and said, "Not anymore, Nurse Hathaway." He put his arm around her waist and cautiously pulled her near. "I've just spent the longest 45 minutes waiting for you…"
     Carol said, "It beats waiting another four years…" She grinned, and kissed him sweetly.
     Her pager beeped moments afterward, and they had to pull away. Doug touched her chin as she checked her pager message, making her laugh. Suddenly her expression darkened. He sensed who the message was from. More news from Susannah Ford.
     Carol said slowly, "Susannah wants me to call her. She's got to tell me something." She felt her knees grow weak, and her stomach churned. What else could Susannah possibly tell her? Maybe her health was much worse than they had initially thought? She reached out blindly for Doug.
     He held on to her, and said softly, "Do you want me to come to the phone with you?"
     Carol looked out the lounge window and saw a child being wheeled in from the ambulance bay. "No, it's alright. There's a kid they're bringing in. They need you out there."
     Doug said, "But I want to be with you. I need to support you, Carol……"
     "Go…Doug, go save that kid. I'll be fine. I'll come find you right after, ok?"
     "But--Mark's got it. Carol--" he pleaded.
     Carol gently guided Doug to the door. "Go, Doug. You're the best pediatrician here. They need you." She tried to stay strong as she led him out the lounge. But the truth was, if that kid hadn't come in, she would've wanted Doug to accompany her.
     "I...ok……Come find me……trauma 2, ok?" he said quickly as he ran to the trauma room.
     "I will!" Carol called after him. She watched him run off, and then headed dreadfully and fearfully towards the phone. She picked it up, and dialed Susannah Ford's number. One ring. Two rings. Three rings.
     "Hello, Dr. Susannah Ford's office."
     "Hi, this is Carol Hathaway down in the ER. I'm responding to a page from Dr. Ford…"
     "Oh yes, Nurse Hathaway. I'll forward you to Dr. Ford right away. Please hold."
     "Thank you."
     Two seconds passed, and Susannah came on the line. "Hi, Carol?"
     "Hi Susannah."
     "Carol, how have you been doing after I last talked to you?"
     She thought about Doug. "I'm alright. Remember I once told you about my former boyfriend? Well, things are good between us. He's loved me ever since..."
     "Oh, that's great! It's nice to see you happy with him, finally after such a long time," Susannah said.
     Carol smiled sadly, "It is. He's so wonderful. I really love him." She paused, then took a deep breath. "Ok, Susannah, what's wrong with me? Did you find anything else that needs surgery? What else is wrong with me?"
     Susannah was silent for a second, and then she said, "Carol, the heart diagnosis I told you about earlier was wrong. It wasn't your CT. My new assistant got them all mixed up. Your CTs and MRIs are fine. You're fine. I'm so sorry about the mix up, it won't happen again, Carol. I hope this takes a whole load off of you, and I hope you didn't have to worry too much over this. I'm so sorry."
     Carol was extremely relieved, and overwhelmed with happiness. She laughed happily and said, "Oh, no. It's fine! I mean, I did cry. I cried a lot, in fact, but remember you told me to tell someone about it? I did. That's how I admitted to myself that I still loved him. That's how we got to where we are now. Susannah, I'm so glad your assistant got this wrong. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be so happy with Doug now!"
     Susannah said, "Oh, I'm so glad that something good came out of this! Well, I've got to go now. Just telling you again, the diagnosis was not yours, and you're perfectly healthy! Your next checkup will be a few months from now, but you can always call to talk. Bye, Carol."
     "Bye! And thanks," Carol said. She hung up, and hurried to find Doug. She found him outside trauma 2, anxiously waiting for her. When he saw her, he looked at her, not knowing what to expect.
     "Hey……the kid……he made it," Doug said. He looked at Carol.
     Carol said, emotionless, "That's great………" She looked away. "Susannah had more news about me. She said that---" Carol paused and looked down.
     Doug was anxious. "She said that…………"
     Carol looked up slowly and said, "I'm fine! The diagnosis wasn't for me. Her assistant mixed up the x-rays. Mine was fine, I'm perfectly healthy! Doug I'm so relieved!" And she smiled and threw her arms around Doug.
     Doug was relieved, too. He grinned and hugged Carol tightly. "Don't ever scare me like that again, you hear me?"
     Carol nodded willingly. She laughed and said, "Oh I'm so happy right now! I'm healthy, I'm finally with the man of my dreams, my soulmate, and I'm happy with my work. What more could I ask for?"
     Doug kissed her blissfully, and then whispered in her ear, "I love you, Carol."
     Carol whispered back, "I love you too, Doug."
     And as they gazed at each other and laughed in delight, the same thought was rushing through their minds.
     It took the threat of two potentially life changing incidents--jail time and sickness--that brought them to a second chance at this romance that they both believed they were destined for.
     A second at happiness.
     A second chance at love.