Late afternoon

Ann looks up from setting the table to see Kimble freshly showered and dressed.

"You look a lot better."

Kimble looks down at his clean clothes and smiles ruefully. "I feel like a new man."

Changing the subject, he asks, "Will Paul be home soon? I'm anxious to talk to him."

As she grows suddenly silent, he looks at her with alarm. "What is it?"

She pauses to sit down before continuing. "Do you remember during the trial when Paul started having pain in his legs?"

"He said it was just his osteo-arthritis acting up," Kimble answers slowly.

"That's what we thought, but….it was prostate cancer."

Kimble is stunned and wordlessly sits down at the table beside her. Looking at her, he asks, "Why didn't he tell me?"

"He said you had troubles enough. He responded to the treatments and for a few months, he was in remission." She reaches out to hold his hand. "After the trial was over, the cancer came back - aggressively. He went through the radiation and the chemo, but in the end nothing helped. We were going to try an experimental transplant with his brother Jim as donor, but he just wasn't strong enough…I wanted to tell you, but I just couldn't add to your troubles and there was nothing you could do. Then you escaped."

"That's why I didn't hear from him those last few monthes in prison. I thought…."

"I'm sorry, Richard. I should have told you. He never doubted you! You were like a son to him. He was so pleased when you asked him to be best man at your wedding."

Trying to hold in his emotions, Kimble stands up and walks over to the sink, his mind flooded with memories.

Chicago General emergency room - fifteen years earlier

Richard Kimble sits wearily in a chair. Finishing his cup of coffee, he crumples it in frustration and throws it in the wastebasket, as another doctor walks in.

"Hard night, Doctor?"

Kimble looks up in surprise and nods wearily.

The doctor extends his hand. "I'm Dr. Bowers. Call me Paul. I hear you're one of our new interns. I was watching you out there. You did a good job."

"Except the patient died."

"You can't win them all, doctor."

"I know. It's just…I thought I could save him …he was so young. It seems like such a waste.."

Paul reaches in his pocket and pulls out a card. Kimble takes it and reads "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can…"

"And the wisdom to know the difference. No, keep it," Paul motions. "It's a prayer they teach in AA, but I've found it helps me when I have nights like this."

"Has anyone seen Dr. Kimble?" a harsh voice sounds in the hallway.

Kimble jumps up as a woman doctor enters the room.

"Have you finished that project I gave you to do, Dr. Kimble?"

"I'm working on it, Dr. Thayer."

"Well, work a little harder! You'll find your patients sometimes don't have time to waste, even if you do. I want to see those results before you leave tonight."

"Yes, Dr. Thayer." Kimble watches her as she leaves the room and looks at the card with a wry smile.

"She's pretty hard on you, isn't she?" Paul comments. " I don't always agree with her methods, but we do have one thing in common."

"What's that?" Kimble asks.

"We both know an excellent doctor when we see one. And we try to help them be even better. You get to work on your 'project'. I'll see you around."

Kimble shakes off his memories. "I wish I could have been here. He was always there when I needed him. Especially with Dr. Thayer."

"I know. He told me about that during the trial. She was a good friend."

"She helped me again when Maggie…when she needed a bone marrow transplant."

"Your sister?" Ann asked, understanding the implications immediately. "How is she?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't been able to talk to her for a while."

"But she must think…You have to call her at let her know you're OK!" she says, reaching for the phone.

"I can't," Kimble says, moving to stop her. "Gerard is sure to have the phone tapped."

"Gerard! I despise him!" Ann says vehemently. She reaches past him for the phone. "I'll call her and let her know you're all right. I can make up a story, something she'll understand." She pauses, struck by a new thought. "Richard, …would you like to see her? Have her come here?"

Kimble turns to her, his eyes full of longing, but the brightness fades. "I can't. It would be too dangerous for her."

Ann gets up and walks over to grab his arm. "Maybe you should let Maggie decide that. Maybe she needs to see you right now as much as you need to see her."

Kimble stands silently for a second, then nods.

CHICAGO - MAGGIE'S HOUSE

Maggie gets up from a chair beside Emily's bed, setting down a copy of 'Madeleine'. She leans over to give her a kiss. "That's enough for tonight." She turns off the light and goes out into the living room to sit distractedly on the couch, when she is jarred out her thoughts by the phone ringing. She reaches for the portable phone and sees the out of state area code. Anxiously, she answers, "Hello."

"Is this Maggie Kimble-Hume?"

Even more alert at hearing her maiden name, Maggie cautiously answers, "Yes."

"Hi, Maggie. This is Ann Walker. I just wanted to remind you about the sorority reunion.. I know you said you couldn't make it, but lots of the girls from first floor are coming, even Calamity Jane, and we can relive old times. Do you remember that character that drove us all nuts our senior year, the one who called himself 'IM Superior'?" Hearing Maggie's gasp, Ann hurries on. "You won't believe it, but Calamity married him!"

Maggie takes a deep breath to contain her excitement. "I don't know. Things are really hectic right now. Why don't you fax me the directions again at school, in case I change my mind. I think I've misplaced them. Do you still have the number?" she says, playing along.

"You better give it to me again." Maggie dictates the fax number and the caller responds, "Thanks. I hope you can make it… we'd all love to see you again. Bye now."

"Bye." Maggie hangs up the phone, blinking away tears.

TASK FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Kari Holmes is in her office with her door closed. Her cell phone rings and she once again reaches for it anxiously.

"Holmes."

" Kari, it's Maggie. Can you talk?"

"Yes! Tell me you've heard something!"

"Yes, I have. I'm going to see him. He wants to see me!"

Kari, looking like she wants to cry, says, "Maggie, no! The reason I was called back to the office is because Gerard wants your house staked out. If you leave, you'll lead them right to Richard."

Maggie shuts her eyes in agony and then says, "Kari, I'm begging you! Please fix it so I can leave undetected. I have to see him. I have to know he's OK!"

Kari biting her lower lip, takes a deep breath and says, "The surveillance is starting as we speak. However, you may be able to sneak out on a shift change. Let me get back to you, I've got to figure out some kind of a distraction."

"Thank you, Kari. Richard and I will be eternally grateful."

The hospital next morning:

A boy is lying in a hospital bed, flipping through the TV channels. He pauses as something on CNN catches his eye and he listens to the story of the search for a fugitive doctor in Rochester. He is about to flip the channel when his eyes widen in recognition as a picture of Richard Kimble flashes on the screen.

As Ann walks in, he hastily switches the TV channel.

Ann picks up his chart and reads through it, noting his name. "Well, Alex, you look like you're doing pretty well today."

"Are you my doctor?" he asks.

"No," says Ann, shaking her head. "The surgeon will be in soon. I just wanted to see how you were doing. You were in pretty bad shape last night."

"Were you there last night?" he asks eagerly. "The man that brought me to the hospital, do you know what happened to him…" He pauses to read her name tag. "Dr. Bowers? Is he still here? Can I see him?"

"No," Ann answers nervously, putting down the chart. "He was released last night. He's not here," she adds unnecessarily. "Is he a friend of yours?"

"Not really." he adds, looking down. "I just wanted to thank him….I didn't want him to get in trouble for helping me."

"Why would he get in trouble?" Ann asks anxiously.

"Something bad went down last night. I just didn't want the cops to think he had anything to do with it. He just happened to be there, that's all," he adds earnestly.

Ann relaxes on hearing his explanation. "No, he didn't get into any trouble," she reassures him. "You take care of yourself and you'll be out of here soon," she says turning to leave.

Alex watches her leave, a puzzled look on his face.

Outside Maggie Kimble Hume's house - Friday afternoon

Kari waves at the two policeman in the police car pulling away from the side of the house, then reaches for her cell phone. "Hi guys, you all in the back of the house can take off. The A Team has arrived……No don't worry, Maggie Hume just came home, the guys out front said the babysitter showed up about 9:00 AM so I anticipate that she'll be leaving shortly." She hangs up.

Eve, Eddie and Vic turn the corner into view. As they approach, Kari reaches into her car and takes out a box of Krispy Kreme Donuts. With a hearty smile, she turns to face them. "Excuse me, folks, but before we start the mundane work of surveillance, I think birthday wishes are in order for Agent Miles. Not to mention doughnuts always make the work much easier!" She smiles at the three of them, trying to ignore Maggie's house behind them.

"Well, I've got a nice variety here. Happy Birthday, Agent Miles." She smiles, cheerily, while the members of the task force stare at her in amazement.

Overcoming their surprise, all three reach for a doughnut and Eve says, "Happy Birthday, Eddie, how come you didn't say anything earlier?"

Eddie, looking embarrassed says, "I don't think birthdays are a big deal at our age, but thanks Agent Holmes. How did you know?"

"Oh I read your personnel file, just like I'm sure all of you read mine before I came into the task force."

All three of them are looking embarrassed. Their backs are still to Maggie's house. Eddie says, "Well, Agent Holmes, thanks for remembering."

Vic adds, "Ditto to what Eddie said. You know you're really not the Ice Witch that I've heard about." Everybody goes quiet and Kari gets a steely eyed look on her face, looking ready to explode. They all look uncomfortable and begin to look away just as Kari sees Maggie appear on the porch, dressed in the babysitter's coat and scarf. She smiles pleasantly and acts quickly to get their attention.

"Agent Gutierrez, you've been talking to Agent Michael Ballard haven't you?"

Eve and Eddie look at Vic and Eve says, "What's this all about, Vic?"

Kari fights to keep their eyes on her. "Agent Gutierrez, it's all right. I'm surprised Agents Hilliard and Miles haven't heard this story."

Eddie, always curious, asks, "What story?"

Kari answers as Vic hesitates. "I believe Agent Ballard called me an Ice Witch spelled with a capital B. Let's just say he wanted to get much too friendly and I told him no and when he couldn’t take no for an answer I pulled my gun on him. When I reported him, five other female agents came forward with similar stories. He now works very boring white collar crimes."

Kari watches tensely until Maggie disappears from sight. Vic mistakes the cause of her nervousness and says smoothly, "Well, I always thought he was a jerk, but I didn't know how much of one he was. I'm sorry, Agent Holmes. What I said was completely out of line."

Kari smiles and says, "Apology accepted. It’s no big deal really.” She waits until Eve takes a doughnut and then hands the rest of the box to Eddie. "Why don't you and Eddie take the rest of the box around back with you. Agent Hilliard and I really don’t need the extra calories." The two gratefully accept the peace offering and disappear around the corner of the house.

ANN'S HOUSE, LATE FRIDAY NIGHT

"Richard!"

Maggie drops her suitcase on the floor and runs into Kimble's arms, laughing and crying at the same time. Ann watches them for a second, then quietly walks out of the room.

Richard holds Maggie at arms length and stares at her. "I wanted to call you so much."

"I know. My phone isn’t tapped but it was good to have Ann call me, just in case. I know that Kari would have told me the phone was tapped if it was. Are you OK? The amnesia?" she asks, looking at his arm with concern.

Richard shakes off her worries. "I'm fine now." He looks down at his arm. "And this is just a scratch. But you, how are you?" he asks anxiously.

"I'm fine. The doctors say the bone marrow transplant was a complete success. They said it must have been a very good match, but I know your cells are just too stubborn to give up."

"What about Gerard?"

"He's still in Rochester. No one followed me, Kari made sure of that!" she hastens to assure him.

Kimble looks relieved and his ears perk up at the sound of Kari’s name. "How are the kids?"

Digging into her purse, Maggie searches for some pictures. "Stuart is playing baseball again this year, first base, just like you. And Emily is taking dance lessons. She takes it very seriously!"

"I can't believe you're here," Richard says in amazement, reaching out to hug her again. "I can't either," she laughs, hugging him back. "Tell me everything."

"You first."

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