ER Season 16 Episode 9: "All I Want for Christmas"

Starring:

Noah Wyle (John Carter)

David Lyons (Simon Brenner)

John Stamos (Tony Gates)

Leland Orser (Lucien Dubenko)

Linda Cardellini (Samantha Taggart)

Scott Grimes (Archie Moris)

Alexis Bledel (Julia Wise)

Emily Rose (Tracy Martin)

Hallee Hirsh (Rachel Greene)

And Angela Bassett (Cate Banfield)

Special Guest Stars:

Jennie Garth (Nurse Lindsey Morgan)

Courtney B. Vance (Russell Banfield)

Guest Stars:

Abraham Benrubi (Jerry Markovic)

Laura Ceron (Chuny Marquez)

Julian Morris (Dr. Andrew Wade)

Dominic James (Alex Taggart)

Chloe Greenfield (Sara Gates)

Scene 1:

"Dr. Banfield, are you sure you don't want to stay for our annual Christmas Eve celebration?" Jerry Markovic asked the Chief of Emergency Medicine. Ever since Jerry had been shot a couple years ago, he did not take holiday celebrations for granted. And, due to his size, grey hair, and beard Jerry currently bore a striking resemblance to jolly old Saint Nick.

"As tempting as that offer sounds," Cate Banfield said with a dose of heavy sarcasm attached, "I think I would much rather spend my Christmas with my husband."

"Merry Christmas Big Jerry!" Russell Banfield said with a smile as they left the ER for the night.

Scene 2:

"What seems to be the problem Mr. Harvin?" Tracy Martin asked her patient while reviewing the man's chart. Bruce Harvin was an elderly man, mid 60's by what was shown on his chart, with a long grey beard and greyish-blue eyes. Dr. Martin was hoping the elderly man would fill her in on what ailed him as she could not tell what it was at first glance.

"Oh, umm…" Bruce Harvin started. "I fell down the stairs this afternoon and my hip has been bothering me ever since," he said hesitantly. "I am hoping I didn't break anything…"

Dr. Martin started to apply pressure to Mr. Harvin's injured hip, gradually increasing it as she went. "Well, I don't think it is broken, so that's a good sign," she stated matter of factly. "And I don't see any swelling or bruising. It looks like you are fine to go back home if you ask me."

Bruce's facial reaction could not hide his disappointment at the news that this young doctor was letting him go. "Are you sure you can't do an x-ray?" Bruce pleaded with Dr. Martin. "I really think something might be wrong. I mean," he started before pausing. "I don't want to leave here prematurely."

Dr. Martin was puzzled at why this man would want more tests instead of being able to go home on Christmas Eve. She knew she would much rather not be working tonight if she had a choice. "I guess I could ask my attending if he has any suggestions on further tests if it's something you really want…"

Bruce Harvin seemed to be relieved by the doctor's decision. "Thank you," he said very genuinely. "I really appreciate it. You have no idea."

"You're welcome…I guess," Martin said with a brief pause. "More tests means more money. I don't think Dr. Brenner is going to authorize more tests because of it."

"I have the money," the old man insisted. "I'll pay whatever you want me to pay. Money really is no concern of mine at all. Just please do not make me go home. Not tonight."

Tracy Martin assured the older man that she would wait until she could get a second opinion before she discharged him. She had no idea why he was so hell bent on staying in the ER. Who in their right mind would choose to spend the night in the ER when they could spend it in the comfort of their own home instead? The fact that tonight was Christmas Eve made this case all the more puzzling.

Martin exited Exam 1 in search for Dr. Brenner. "Jerry, have you seen Dr. Brenner?" she asked the front desk clerk.

"Simon Brenner is a selfish bastard who keeps way too many secrets!" Lindsey Morgan declared vehemently as she was putting away a few charts. "You would be better off going to Dr. Morris. He won't get your hopes up just to push you away without any reason or explanation! Brenner is a pig!"

As Morgan left the front desk Jerry leaned over to discuss Dr. Brenner with Dr. Martin. "I get the impression that Lindsey and Dr. Brenner are having a few issues," he said half jokingly.

Scene 3:

"How long are you and Sam going to fight this time?" Sara asked Tony as he was preparing dinner.

"We…we aren't fighting," Tony scoffed at the notion that he and Sam were having issues.

"Could have fooled me," Sara replied as her phone vibrated, diverting some of her attention away from the conversation. "All I know is what I can see."

"And what is it that you see?" Tony asked curiously. "And who keeps texting you? You haven't put that phone down all day."

"It's Alex," Sara said without looking up from her phone. "We are talking about what our plans are while school is out for Christmas."

"Alex, eh?" Tony said with a smirk. "You two seem like you've gotten close." Tony put some rolls in the oven while he thought over just how close the two of them have been recently. "Sara…" he started with a hint of worry in his voice. "Just how close have you two been?"

Sara still had most of her attention with her text conversation. "What do you mean Tony?"

"You two haven't been having…" Tony started and then stopped, hoping that he would not have to finish his question. Gates was responsible for Sara and loved her very much, but that didn't mean having a conversation about sex with the teenaged girl any less awkward.

"Having what?" Sara asked him. "And why are you acting so weird?"

"Sex," Tony answered abruptly. "You're much too young to be having sex…"

"Tony!" Sara exclaimed. "Where did that come from!?"

"I just think we should have the talk," Tony said trying to take control of the situation. "I don't want you to be doing anything that you aren't ready for."

"I am not having this conversation with you!" Sara stated firmly. "What Alex and I do or don't do in our free time is none of your business!" She got up from the table and started to move towards her room. "Call me when dinner is ready."

"Sara, wait," Tony said. He was definitely surprised that this conversation had gone south as quickly as it did. He did not anticipate her to have such a strong negative reaction to his innocent question. "I was just trying to talk to you. We haven't really talked for a while. I feel like I don't know anything that's going on in your life."

Sara stopped where she was and turned around. "You haven't talked to anyone since Thanksgiving. You've been sulking around here ever since Sam didn't come home for dinner that night. Don't think you can pry into my personal life just because you are sad and lonely."

"Where did all that come from?" Tony asked shockingly. "And I haven't been sulking. I've just been busy with work."

Scene 4:

Tracy Martin finally found Simon Brenner looking at an x-ray outside of one of the exam rooms. "Dr. Brenner, I have a situation over in Exam 1 that I need some help with."

"What seems to be the matter Tracy?" Brenner asked as he continued to examine the x-ray.

"I have this old man over there that is complaining of hip discomfort…" she started. "So I did a routine workup and I can't find anything that is wrong with him."

Brenner did not want to dismiss the young doctor without giving her his full attention, but also did not want to pass up an opportunity to have a teachable moment with one of the residents. County General was, after all, a teaching hospital. When Brenner first arrived at County he was very reluctant to act as a teacher—he didn't feel like he had the time or patience to hand hold young doctors. Now that he had spent more time here, his view on teaching had changed.

"Tracy, tell me what you notice about this x-ray," Brenner asked her.

Martin was confused for a second. She had come over to find Brenner for help on her case. Now the attending was asking for her opinion about one of his patients.

"It looks like an ankle," Tracy started before looking at the x-ray closer. "Oh…and it is broken. The talus looks fractured to me."

"Very good Tracy," Brenner said with a smile. He started walking back into Exam 2, presumably to break the news to his patient. Martin, realizing that she had not gotten any of the help she was looking for decided to follow him.

"Mr. Harris, this is Dr. Martin," Brenner said, introducing the blonde doctor to his patient. Mr. Harris appeared to be around 40 years old. He was a big man, probably 6'5 and 250 pounds or so. Dr. Martin surmised that this man was probably an athlete when he was younger.

"It looks like you broke a bone in your ankle," Brenner continued. "It is going to require surgery."

The big man looked stunned and saddened at the news. "Is she going to be the one to do the surgery?" he asked, motioning towards Dr. Martin. "And how long am I going to be out of commission? I coach the boy's basketball team at Wheaton South. We have a huge game against Wheaton North next week. I can't miss it."

"Dr. Martin is a resident here in the ER," Brenner explained. "She will not be performing your surgery. I will make sure a surgeon comes down to meet with you as soon as possible."

Brenner and Martin left Exam 2 to let Mr. Harris process what happened. "Tough break," Brenner said as the two of them approached the front desk. "Poor guy was trying to get his Christmas lights up at the last minute when he fell off the ladder. Now, what did you need me to look at?"

Tracy had forgotten about her patient for a minute before it came back to her. "Yeah, I have an old man who isn't making any sense to me. Maybe you can help me with a second opinion."

Scene 5:

"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…"Archie Morris sang as he strolled through the ER. Archie was not only singing to himself, he was singing to anyone who would listen, and was getting quite a few stares as a result.

"Are you ok Dr. Morris?" Julia Wise asked him as she erased a name from the board out front. "You are acting a little strange."

"Dr. Morris is always strange," Lindsey Morgan laughed. "Today the only difference is that it is Christmas and he is singing."

"And bah humbug to you too!" Morris jeered. "I'm not going to let anyone get me down today, not even nurses with bad attitudes!"

"Maybe Lindsey's favorite character is Scrooge!" Jerry joked with Archie before immediately regretting it.

"Did you want to say that to my face?" Lindsey asked Jerry. She was not amused at all by the desk clerk's joke.

"I umm…" Jerry started before he was interrupted by a young woman carrying a baby rushed through the doors to the ER from the outside.

"Please! Someone please help my baby!" the woman cried.

"Julia, what's open?" Morris asked, instantly springing into action.

"Curtain 1 just opened up," Wise replied. Morris motioned for the young woman to join him, Julia Wise, and Lindsey Morgan over in Curtain 1.

"Miss, what's your name?" Morris asked. "And what is wrong with your baby?"

"I'm Audrey," the woman said panicking. "And my baby's name is Olivia. She's got a really high temperature and I haven't been able to get it to go down."

"The baby's temperature is 103.2" Morgan stated.

"How long has Olivia had a fever?" Morris asked Audrey.

"I don't know," Audrey replied. "I noticed she was warm and fussy a couple days ago, but I didn't think anything about it. I knew I needed to bring her in once she started screaming though. Please tell me she is going to be ok!"

"We will take excellent care of Olivia," Lindsey promised her. "Nothing bad is going to happen to her."

"Dr. Wise, prepare an IV for our patient," Morris instructed before turning back to the baby's mother. "We are going to set your daughter up with some antibiotics," he informed Audrey. "That should help reduce the fever."

Scene 6:

"Hi Bruce," Simon Brenner said, greeting the old man in Exam 1. "My name is Dr. Brenner. Dr. Martin told me that you are experiencing some hip discomfort…"

"Yes, yes," Bruce Harvin said in agreement with the Australian doctor. "I fell and I think I hurt something in there…"

"Well Dr. Martin told me that she couldn't find anything wrong during the initial examination," Brenner informed Bruce. "We'll get you sent up to radiology just to make sure there isn't anything broken in there."

"Thank you," Bruce said sincerely. "I appreciate all the help you all are willing to do for me."

"Do you have any family I can call for you?" Sam Taggart asked. She noticed Bruce had a wedding ring on. "What's your wife's name?"

With the mention of Bruce's wife, the old man's facial expression instantly became somber. Tracy Martin did not need to wait to hear Bruce's story—she suddenly realized why Bruce might have been so eager to avoid going home.

"Her name is Samantha," Bruce said before taking a brief pause. "We were married for 40 years before…" Bruce couldn't finish his story before getting choked up. Tears began to run down his face.

"My name is Samantha too," Sam informed him as she tried to make a connection with the elderly man who was now very sad. "If you want, I can take you up to get your x-rays. I'd love to hear more about your wife, or about anything else you would like to tell me."

That offer seemed to lift Bruce's spirits briefly. "I would like that," he said with a smile. "Hospitals are not my favorite places to be."

Tracy Martin felt bad for Bruce. She was currently single and had no idea what it was like to be married to someone for 40 years, but she knew how lonely she was herself. That was the biggest reason she volunteered to work on Christmas Eve. Spending the holidays alone was not her idea of a good time.

"I would like to go up with you as well," Tracy stated. "As long as that's ok with you, Dr. Brenner."

Brenner took a quick look around the ER before agreeing. "We are having a quiet night. Morris and I should be able to handle it. I'll page you if we need you Tracy."

Tracy and Sam helped Bruce climb into a wheelchair and the three of them made their way to the elevator. Simon went to update the board. "Hey Jerry, have you seen Lindsey tonight?" he asked.

"I think she is in with Dr. Morris," Jerry replied as he tried to hang some tinsel around his station. "I can let her know you were looking for her the next time I see her."

Scene 7:

"IV is in" Julia Wise said as she finished up. She had put in plenty of IV's during her med school rotations, but putting one in for a baby was always much harder for her due to the size of the patient.

"So this is going to help bring my baby's temperature down?" Audrey asked, looking for an explanation.

"Yes," Archie Morris said, trying to calm the young mother. "There is medicine in the IV that will help fight the fever. Once the fever is gone your daughter should start feeling better."

"Oh that's good!" Audrey said, not hiding her relief at all. "This is my first child and I'm not great with kids in the first place. My boyfriend is usually the caretaker of Olivia."

"What's your boyfriend's name?" Julia asked. "Should we give him a call?"

"His name is Kyle," Audrey told them. "And he is out of town for work, but said he was going to try to make it home for Christmas."

Just then, the monitors in the exam room started to go off, which put a quick end to Audrey's feeling that her daughter was going to be ok.

"She's seizing," Lindsey said as she gently tried to hold Olivia down so the small child didn't hurt herself.

"Why!? Why is she having a seizure?" Audrey asked frantically.

"She must be having a reaction to the antibiotics," Dr. Morris said. "We need to stop the seizing before we can take care of the fever."

"Just please, please help my daughter!" Audrey implored. "I really wish Kyle was here. He would know exactly what to say to make everything better."

"Dr. Morris and Dr. Wise will make sure Olivia is just fine," Lindsey said, trying to reassure the distraught mother. "Everything will be ok."

The two of them took a step back and watched as the two doctors worked to treat the sick child. They both seemed very calm, which amazed Audrey, as she was the furthest thing from calm.

"Can you tell me what they are doing?" Audrey asked Lindsey.

"Dr. Morris just gave Olivia a sedative," Lindsey stated. "Your daughter's seizure should stop momentarily.

"Seizures have ceased," Julia Wise said as she looked at the monitors. "Heart rate and blood pressure are now returning to normal."

"This has been the most stressful Christmas Eve I've ever had," Audrey said with a sigh of relief. "I'll be happy when this night is over."

Scene 8:

"So, why don't you tell me a little bit about this amazing wife of yours!" Sam smiled as she exited the elevator on the way to Radiology with Bruce and Tracy in tow. "After being together for 40 years, I'm sure you have some awesome stories to tell!"

"I'm interested in how you guys met," Tracy added. "I haven't had the best of luck on the dating scene myself…" she said to no one in particular before her voice trailed off.

For the first time since Tracy met him, Bruce seemed at peace. Whatever inner demons had been plaguing him, they all seemed to disappear as the elderly man recalled some of the happiest moments in his life.

"Well," Bruce started with a chuckle. "It's a pretty funny story. How we met I mean. She was a lifeguard at the pool, and I…I was not a very talented swimmer."

"Oh my gosh…you didn't stage a potential drowning just to meet her I hope!?" Tracy Martin said with a hint of sarcasm.

"No, no, nothing like that," Bruce reassured the two young women that were being nice enough to keep him company. "I was home from college for the summer, and one of my fraternity brothers dared me to do a flip off the diving board…"

"Alright, looks like it's your turn to get an x-ray," Sam informed them, effectively interrupting Bruce's story. "But don't lose your train of thought. I want to hear more of this story!"

Bruce paused as they set him up with the x-ray. Once the examination was complete, Sam grabbed the films and the three of them headed back to the elevator. Sam would have Tracy examine the findings once they got back downstairs.

"I'm ready to hear the rest of this story!" Tracy said as she wheeled Bruce back to his area in Curtain 2. "I hope it ends up being so romantic!"

Sam laughed sarcastically for a moment. "Love is overrated in my opinion. And men are stupid. If I didn't like sex so much, I wouldn't even attempt to date again!"

Tracy noticed the stunned look on Bruce's face and didn't want the nurse's cynicism to keep Bruce from telling the rest of his story. "Don't mind her," she stated. "I am sure how you met your wife was very sweet. After all, 40 years of marriage is a long time!"

"That it is," Bruce said, agreeing with the blonde doctor. "Where was I? Oh yeah…I tried to do a flip off the diving board. I was not very successful in my attempt. Luckily, a cute blonde 18 year old was there to rescue me!"

"Everything seems to work out the way it is supposed to," Tracy stated. "How long did you guys date before you got married?"

"I asked her to marry me the minute we both got out of the water," Bruce said with a deep laugh. "There was something about her. Fate put us together that day. Never disrespect fate."

Scene 9:

Simon Brenner entered Exam 2 once again, this time with a surgeon in tow. Granted, it was not a seasoned surgeon, but it was a surgeon nonetheless.

"Mr. Harris," Brenner stated as he entered. "I would like to introduce you to Dr. Wade. Dr. Wade is a member of the surgery team that will be fixing your ankle."

The big basketball coach glanced at the young surgeon and couldn't help but let out a laugh. "No offense son," Harris said with a chuckle. "How old are you? You don't look much older than the kids I coach at Wheaton South."

"I'm…28…" Wade stammered. "I am a first year resident." The young doctor tried to think of something that would make him sound more qualified to do this surgery than he currently came across as. "I haven't been in high school in ten years!" he said confidently.

"Ok sonny," Harris said with the same smirk on his face. "I didn't mean to offend someone who went to medical school. Most of the surgeons I know are quite a bit older than you are, that's all."

"How many surgeons do you know?" Chuny Marquez asked curiously. "And why do you know so many of them?"

"Well little lady," Harris said as he turned in his hospital bed to face the nurse. "I played sports in high school and college. Football, basketball, baseball, track. I was always on the field," he said before a brief pause. "Unless I was injured of course…"

"So you've had surgery before then?" Dr. Wade asked, clarifying with the big man.

"Son," Harris replied. "I have had almost as many surgeries as you have had birthdays. 12 knee operations, including ACL surgeries on both knees, I've ruptured my Achilles, torn a labrum in both my hip and my shoulder, and have had Tommy John surgery on my elbow."

"Wow!" Chuny said in amazement. "That is a lot of surgeries. Have you ever thought about giving up sports?"

Mr. Harris laughed a deep belly laugh. "Now that would be blasphemous," he replied. "Sports are life! The day someone tells me that I cannot get back on the field or the court is the day they probably need to find a body bag big enough to fit a big fella such as myself. A life without sports is a life that is not worth living."

"I know just what you mean," Brenner confirmed. "I have some rugby mates that would agree with everything you said."

"You're an Aussie, aren't ya doc?" Harris asked Brenner.

"Born and raised," Brenner replied. "I try to go back as often as I can."

Harris suddenly took a much more serious tone with the ER attending. "Doc, promise me this young gun over here will do a good job with my ankle."

Scene 10:

"Well Bruce," Dr. Martin came in holding Bruce's x-rays. "We did an x-ray of your hip and it was negative."

"Negative?" Bruce asked for some clarification. "That means there really is something wrong with me?" Bruce's question had a hint of hope in it.

"No," Martin responded. "That means that everything checked out perfectly. There is no damage to your hip other than the normal wear and tear that someone your age puts on it."

"So what does that mean?" Bruce asked nervously. He had a good feeling he knew what the doctor's response was going to be.

"That means we are free to discharge you," Martin told the elderly man. "You can go home at any time."

The older man slumped in the hospital bed that he was sitting in. A very somber, empty look now filled his face. He lifted his head and gathered his thoughts before he spoke again.

"Dr. Martin," he started. "Do you think I can have a minute alone to think about some things before I go?"

"Yes of course," Martin replied. "I'll go get your discharge papers and I'll be back in a few minutes."

Dr. Martin left Bruce's room on the way to the admit desk when she was stopped by Sam. The nurse pulled her aside and appeared to have something very important to say to the ER resident.

"Tracy, let the old guy stay," Sam pleaded with her. "At least overnight. He clearly does not want to go home to an empty house on Christmas Eve."

"Who doesn't want to go home on Christmas Eve?" Simon Brenner asked as he overheard the conversation between Sam and Tracy.

"My old guy complaining of hip pain," Martin informed Brenner. "X-rays came back negative. There is nothing wrong with him."

"The man is lonely," Sam said, now talking more to Brenner than to Martin. "He misses his wife and doesn't want to spend Christmas Eve alone. I would hate waking up on Christmas morning and not have anyone to wake up to."

"I'm shocked!" Tracy said without hiding her sarcasm. "Didn't you just say not too long ago that men are only good for sex!?"

"Ladies," Brenner interjected, trying to stop an argument before one started. I'm the attending on the case and I say that we can keep him here overnight. We have the beds."

"Dr. Brenner, I'm surprised," Martin said with a hint of disbelief. "Why?"

"Where's your holiday spirit?" Brenner asked her with a charming smile. "It's Christmas Eve."

Scene 11:

"Excuse me," Kyle Holderman said hurriedly as he rushed into the ER and found himself at the admit desk. "I'm looking for my fiancé. Her name is Audrey. She should be here with my daughter Olivia. Can you tell me where she is?"

Jerry looked up at the board and attempted to locate where the young woman and baby were. "I know they are in with Dr. Morris," Jerry told the anxious man. "Its going to take a minute or two for me to figure out exactly where they are."

"Can you at least tell me if they are ok?" Kyle asked impatiently. "Please! I need to know!"

"I'm sure Dr. Morris is…" Jerry started before getting interrupted by Lindsey Morgan.

"You must be the boyfriend," Morgan stated as she came up to introduce herself to Kyle. "My name is Lindsey. Audrey and your daughter are in with Dr. Morris and Dr. Wise. I'll take you to them."

"Two doctors!?" Kyle asked with a hint of fear in his voice. "It cannot be a good thing if my daughter needs two doctors!"

Lindsey detected how scared Kyle was and did her best to reassure him. "Your daughter is just fine," Lindsey stated calmly. "This is a teaching hospital so it is common practice to have multiple doctors in on most of our cases."

Lindsey and Kyle entered the curtain area where Dr. Morris was giving instructions to Audrey on how to keep her daughter's fever down should it start rising again in the future. When Kyle saw that his daughter was ok, he let out a huge sigh of relief and ran over to hug his family.

"You must be Kyle," Archie Morris said and extended his hand to offer a handshake to Audrey's fiancé. "Audrey has been telling Dr. Wise and I a lot about you."

"It looks like you have a great family," Julia Wise added. "I hope I am lucky enough to find love like you guys have for each other one day."

"Thank you Dr. Morris, Dr. Wise," Audrey said as she wiped the tears from her face. She was crying again once she got surprised by Kyle's appearance. She seriously doubted that he would be able to make it to County in time to be with her and Olivia on Christmas Eve.

"Glad we could help," Dr. Morris said as he filled out the chart on the baby. "Feel free to bring Olivia back in after the holidays. Dr. Wise will check her out to make sure she is fully healthy."

"It would be my pleasure," Julia Wise said, nodding in agreement. "Your daughter is very well behaved."

The two doctors left the young family alone, and Lindsey Morgan was about to do the same before Audrey stopped her with a statement.

"I hope you get what you want for Christmas Nurse Morgan," Audrey said with a smile. "I got all I want for Christmas…my family is together!"

Scene 12:

"So I've got some good news and some bad news for you Mr. Harvin," Dr. Martin informed Bruce as she re-entered the exam room.

"You probably should give me the bad news first," Bruce said with a dejected tone. "That way the good news can be a nice pick-me-up."

Tracy Martin still did not fully understand, nor agree with the decision that was made regarding her patient. This was a hospital, not a hotel, and keeping someone who was perfectly healthy here overnight just because the man was lonely did not make much sense to her.

"Well the bad news is that we are going to have to keep you here tonight for observation," Dr. Martin said firmly. She was trying to convince herself that this was the right course of action as much as she was trying to convince Bruce.

"If you think that's for the best," Bruce said with his best poker face. Truthfully that was the result that Bruce had been hoping for ever since he arrived at County General early this Christmas Eve morning.

"We should be ready to release you first thing tomorrow morning," Martin said as she made a note on the man's chart before putting it down and making her way back out to the lobby of the ER.

"Dr. Martin…" Bruce said, stopping the doctor in her tracks before she could leave. "You still don't understand why I want to be here, do you?"

Tracy turned back around to face her patient. She had seen plenty of patients in her short time as an ER resident, but never had she encountered someone who wanted to stay here. The goal should be to leave, not to hang out with all the sick people.

"Do you remember my story about my wife?" Bruce asked her. "Do you remember what I said about fate?"

"Yes," Martin said recalling the story. "But what does that have to do with staying in the ER?"

"I do not expect you to fully understand," Bruce said as he repositioned himself on his hospital bed. "Fate tells me that this is where I'm supposed to be tonight."

"But why?" Dr. Martin prodded. "How do you know that this is where you are supposed to be?"

Bruce smiled and handed Tracy a picture of him with his late wife Samantha. They looked so happy in the picture that looked like it was taken a lifetime ago. "She wants me to be here," Bruce stated. "I have never been more sure of anything."

"I guess I'll have to take your word for it," Tracy said. "Get some rest Mr. Harvin. Sam or I will be back to check on you later."

"Thank you Dr. Martin," Bruce said sincerely. "All I want for Christmas is to be here where my wife wants me to be…" he paused before continuing. "Thank you for giving me the chance."

Scene 13:

"Alright Mr. Harris," Dr. Brenner said as they got off the elevator on the surgery floor of the hospital. "This is where I leave you. I assure you that you will be in very capable hands."

"Thanks doc," Harris replied. "Maybe once I get healed up, you and your boys can teach me a thing or two about the great sport of rugby."

"Rugby seems like a dangerous sport for a man with a broken ankle to be playing," Lucien Dubenko said as he came to introduce himself to the sports enthusiast.

"Dr. Dubenko, I was not aware that you were working tonight," Brenner said with a surprise. As soon as it came out of his mouth, he knew that Dubenko would not be performing the surgery.

"I'm actually on my way to my sister's house for dinner," Dubenko informed them. The Chief of Surgery was wearing a nice buttoned up shirt with some slacks and was not at all dressed for work. "I just needed to come in to touch base with Dr. Crenshaw about the schedule in the OR for next week."

"Hey doc, let me ask you a question before you go," Harris said, engaging Dr. Dubenko in conversation for a minute before the two of them went their separate ways. "How long do you think I'll be out of commission with this ankle problem?"

"Standard recovery time is 4-6 weeks with your type of injury," Dubenko informed him. "It is a pretty straightforward surgery. I have talked it over with Dr. Wade and we do not anticipate any complications."

"No offense doc," Harris said abruptly. "My basketball team has a tournament next weekend. I am going to be there. There is no way I'm going to miss it. My boys have worked too hard for me to not be there for them."

"You should be out of the hospital in a couple days," Dubenko said. "But you will not be able to put any weight on your ankle for a few weeks. Anything else is unrealistic."

Harris laughed, still in very good spirits despite being scheduled for ankle surgery before the night was over. He had gone through so many surgeries in his life that they did not really stress him out anymore. Just another day's work.

"I'll make you a bet doc," Harris said with a grin. "I saw that there is a basketball hoop in the ambulance bay outside. When do you work next?"

"I'm back here on December 28th," Dubenko answered. He was not sure where Harris was going with this.

"Ok doc, I bet you that when you come back to work on the 28th that I will be able to make a 15 foot jumpshot," Harris said, stating the terms. "And when I do, you will join me and Dr. Brenner for a game of rugby. All I want for Christmas is to be able to coach my kids next weekend."

"Fair enough," Dubenko said as he glanced at Brenner. Rugby was not his sport. At all.

Scene 14:

"Hey Jerry, I hope I'm not late for the Christmas party," John Carter said as he entered the ER carrying a sack on his back.

"No, not at all," Jerry confirmed. "Lindsey and Dr. Wise are decorating the doctor's lounge as we speak."

"Thanks Jerry," Carter said with a smile. "Oh and before I forget, Merry Christmas." Carter reached into the sack and pulled out a snow globe and handed it to the desk clerk.

"Thanks Carter," Jerry said as he shook the globe. "What is that on the inside?"

"Iditarod sled dogs pulling a sled," Carter explained. "I know you spent the last few years in Alaska, so I wanted to get you something to remind you of the time you spent there."

Jerry smiled and watched the globe fill with snow as he shook it. Carter, satisfied that he had made Jerry happy proceeded to enter the doctor's lounge. Julia Wise and Lindsey Morgan were hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree. Both were surprised to see Carter when he walked in.

"I didn't think you were working today Dr. Carter," Wise said. "Aren't you off here until the 26th?"

"Correct Julia," Carter confirmed. "But today is Christmas Eve. I decided it was time to spread some holiday cheer!" Carter noticed Lindsey exit the lounge and head towards the ambulance bay and decided he should follow her to make sure she was ok. "Julia, tell Archie I'm outside," he said before leaving.

Snow had started to fall when Carter got out to the ambulance bay. "Rough day?" he asked Lindsey. "Care to tell me why you insist on being out here in the cold by yourself on Christmas Eve?"

"Do you believe everything happens for a reason?" Lindsey asked Carter without looking at him. She was looking up into the sky watching the snowflakes fall.

"I've seen pretty much everything in my 16 years in this ER," Carter answered. "I have learned that sometimes you shouldn't try to figure things out because sometimes there are no answers."

"Why did you come back here?" Lindsey asked. "Your wife is overseas, and you are here in Chicago. On Christmas. By yourself. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I saw Kem over Thanksgiving," Carter explained. "I know why I am here. I am trying to figure out what has you so upset."

"The holidays are stupid. Simon is stupid," Lindsey said angrily. "All I want for Christmas is a normal boyfriend who doesn't hide everything from me. Is that so much to ask?"

"Perhaps you should talk with Brenner," Carter said sincerely. "Maybe, in the spirit of Christmas, you two will figure out whatever this is." Carter went back inside leaving Lindsey with her thoughts. When she turned around to go in herself, Brenner was waiting for her.