(Llanview, PA... Rodi's)

"Can I get another beer?" John asked as the waitress passed by.

"Sure. I'll be right back." The waitress smiled. "Anything for you, Dr. McBain?"
"Michael, please. And 'no thank you'."

"What's on your mind, Michael?" John asked.

Michael took a sip of his beer. "I got this call yesterday and...I don't know. It kind of freaked me out, John."

"How so?"

"Well, it was from this doctor in Salem, USA. Marcus Hunter. Ever heard of him?"

"No."

"I've never met the guy, but I've read about him online. He's brilliant."

John shrugged. "So what's the problem?"

"He has a patient that contracted the XY virus."

"XY? Isn't that the same virus that-."

"That my patient died of, yeah." Michael finished.

"Wow, that's amazing... How'd that virus wind up all the way in Salem?"

"That's what I can't figure out." Michael said.

The waitress sat John's beer on the table. "Thanks." he said to her.

To Michael he said, "So what did this guy want?"

"He said that he'd heard about our virology unit and wants me to consult one of his patients."

Michael raised his eyes in surprise. "Really? Congratulations!"

"For what?"

"Hittin' the big-time, Mikey. Someone from Salem, USA calls and asks you to consult one of his patients? That's huge, man!"

"I guess." Michael said with little enthusiasm.

"But what?" John questioned.

"Well, I don't know where he got the idea that I'm an expert in the virology field; especially since I lost a patient due to the same virus."

"You can't blame yourself, Michael. You did everything you could."

"But it wasn't enough." Michael said.

"You're not God, either." John pointed out.

"I know. I just don't want to lose someone else to this virus. It was bad enough losing one. This Doctor Hunter... he seemed..."

"What?"

"Well it seemed like he had an emotional attachment to this patient. Like a family member. He's expecting me to save the guy." Michael said.

"I know you'll do your best, little brother." John said, putting a hand on Michael's shoulder.

"Thanks, but if this goes wrong, Marcie will just think I'm a big screw up."
"She loves you, Michael. She'd never think that."
"Dad always thought so."
John smiled. "Well he was a jerk back then. And he doesn't know you now."