The Ransom of Dr. Dave

Previously on ER: The ER staff worries about Dr. Dave's condition while Jing-Mei holds vigil at his bedside. They wonder what happened to their colleague and if he will ever come out of his coma after 2 months.

Part 2

Four months earlier:

The ER has finally slowed down and Jing-Mei is sitting in the lounge staring at a picture of her son, Michael. She tries to hold back her tears but can't. Carter enters the lounge and sees an upset Jing-Mei.

Carter: Are you ok there, Deb?

Jing-Mei: I just received a letter from Michael's adoptive parents and they sent me a picture of him at his first birthday. I guess I just miss him so much even though I gave him up right after he was born. He is still my son and there will always be a bond there. Never mind me John, I'm just feeling sorry for myself.

Carter: Everyone has the right to do that sometimes.

Jing-Mei: Thank you. I knew you would understand.

Carter: What you need is to get your mind on something else. You need to go out and enjoy yourself for a night. How long has it been since you had a date?

Jing-Mei: Too long. I don't think I even remember how to have a good time.

Carter: Well then it's settled. I'm going to find you a date and you are going to have a night out.

Jing-Mei: That's alright, John. Besides I'm not even seeing anyone right now.

Carter: Not a problem. I have just the person in mind for you and I can set it up for you. When's your next night off?

Jing-Mei: Tomorrow. But you are not setting me up on a blind date.

Carter: Yes I am and you are going. Doctor's orders.

Jing-Mei: You know that I can't say no to you. Alright, but if I have a lousy time you have to work graveyard shift for me the next time Weaver schedules me.

Carter: But, if you have a great time you have to work graveyard shift for me.

Jing-Mei: Deal. You certainly seem so sure of yourself.

Carter: Well, I can't guarantee you will have a great time but I will promise you that you will have the most interesting date of your life.

Carter leaves Jing-Mei in the lounge and re-enters the hallway just in time to see Dave run by looking over his shoulder, laughing. Then Weaver comes out of exam 1 soaking wet.

Carter: What did you do now, Malucci?

Malucci: Just having a little fun with the staff. It's dead around here. I'm just trying to liven things up.

Carter: By tormenting Dr. Weaver.

Malucci: Hey, I thought Abby was coming through the door in exam 1. She was the one who was suppose to be doused, not Festus.

Carter: You will never learn, will you Dave? If you're that restless I have a friend who needs cheering up. What are you doing tomorrow night?

Malucci: Working. Why?

Carter: If I cover your shift tomorrow, will you go out on a blind date with my friend.

Malucci: This is a joke, right? Has to be. What's in it for you?

Carter: Nothing except to see my friend have a good time and I know if anyone can show her one, it's you.

Malucci: If you cover my shift tomorrow, I will marry your friend. Just kidding. Don't take me up on that. But if this is some sort of joke I have to warn you, you're messing with the king of practical jokes. So don't even go there, Carter.

Carter: Trust me, Dave. This is on the level. Promise.

Malucci: So, who is this friend of yours. Is she hot? Does she work here? What's her name?

Carter: Hold on there a minute, Italian Stallion. If I told you all that it wouldn't be a blind date now, would it?

Malucci: So help me, Carter. If this is some lame practical joke I'll...(smacking his fist into his open hand)

Carter: Relax old friend. Dr. Carter is going to take care of you. (patting Dave's shoulder)

Malucci starts to walk away doubtful. Not paying attention to where he's going he bangs into Jing-Mei coming out of the lounge.

Jing-Mei: Yo! Watch out Malucci. Look where you're going next time. Clumsy adolescent.

Malucci: Well, excuuuuuuse me! Your highness. Not all of us can be as coordinated as you.

Carter(thinking to himself): Yes, this date is going to work out just fine.

Later that night, Carter meets with Jing-Mei and Dave separately and gives them the directions to the restaurant where he made the reservations and the time to meet.

Malucci: You have got to be kidding, LaPierre's. That's French, isn't it? I can't afford that. Besides, I don't like former wear.

Carter: Are you deliberately trying to back out of this date, Malucci?

Malucci: No, it's just that I want to enjoy this night and if I don't feel comfortable... like when they bring over the check and expect me to pay it and find out I can't, I just figured a tuxedo would not be appropriate attire to wash dishes in.

Carter: Don't worry. I'm taken care of everything. This night is on me. But any other nights out are at your own expense.

As Carter starts out the ER doors and heads for his car, he is stopped by Haleh.

Haleh: Dr. Carter, you forgot to sign your last patient's discharge papers.

Carter: Sorry Haleh, I just have something else on my mind.

Haleh: You've been hanging around Dr. Dave too much.

Carter: It won't happen again.

Haleh: See that it doesn't. I don't get paid to follow you doctors around doing your job.

Carter starts to head towards his car and just misses seeing a man who had jotted down his license plate number and the make and model of his car. With the darkness setting in for the night, Carter jumps in his car and remains totally unaware that he's being watched.

The next night at LaPierre's, Dave dressed handsomely in his rented tux waits patiently for his date to show up. Within a few minutes he hears a waiter approach him from behind.

Waiter: Doctor, your party has arrived.

As Dave stands up and turns around, he notices who his party is at the same time Jing-Mei sees who her blind date is.

Malucci and Jing-Mei(thinking to themselves): I'm going to kill you Carter.

Deciding not to make a scene and realizing the meal is already paid for, the doctors go ahead with the date, although both are obviously very uncomfortable.

Dave holds Jing-Mei's chair out for her as she looks at the wine list.

Jing-Mei: I'll take a chardonnay.

Malucci: Same here.

The waiter leaves to get their drinks, Dave breaks the silence.

Malucci: I hope you don't think I set this up with Carter. Believe me I'm just as surprised as you are.

Jing-Mei: No, I don't blame you for this one, amazingly. Carter conned you just like he conned me.

As the evening progressed, their seemed to be little conversation between the two.

Jing-Mei: Is something wrong, Dave? (noticing him tugging at his bowtie)

Malucci: Well, I'm just not use to formal wear. But what about you? You keep squirming.

Jing-Mei: Are you as uncomfortable as I am here?

Malucci: Yeah, but I thought you were use to being in places like this.

Jing-Mei: True, but not on a blind date with a colleague.

Malucci: If it's all the same to you, I'd like to get out of here and go somewhere fun, more casual. Are you game?

Jing-Mei: Yes, let's get out of here.

Dave and Jing-Mei drive back to their houses and get into more casual wear. Then they decide to go miniature golfing. Around 1 am, Dave drives Jing-Mei home.

Jing-Mei: Believe it or not, I really had a great time tonight.

Malucci: You're not just saying that to please Carter and so I won't kill him tomorrow.

Jing-Mei: No. I really did have fun. Carter lives and has nothing to fear from either of us.

Malucci: Good. Because I enjoyed myself, too. Maybe we could go out again, sometime.

Jing-Mei: I'd like that very much. Except I have to cover Carter's graveyard shift next time he's scheduled for one.

Malucci: We will work it out somehow. Goodnight, Jing-Mei.

Jing-Mei: Goodnight, Dave.

Dave leans over Jing-Mei to give her a subtle kiss goodnight, but they lock lips and stay poised in that position for several minutes. When they both start to realize what just happen they stop kissing and part ways. Jing-Mei enters her door as Dave heads towards his car.

Malucci: (Putting a fist in the air and pulling it down)YES!!! Thank you, Carter.

Jing-Mei: (Leaning against the inside of her front door, smiling)Thank you, Carter.

Meanwhile at the hospital, Carter can't help but wonder how the blind date is going and how much trouble he's in for later that day when he sees his colleagues.

The phone ringing brings Carter out of his daydream.

Randi: Cook County ER. How may I help you? (pause) Yes, he's right here. Dr. Carter, phone call.

Carter reaches for the phone and hears a muffled voice on the other end.

Carter: Dr. Carter, here.

Voice on phone: Is this Dr. John Truman Carter III?

Carter: Yes, who is this?

Voice on phone: I'm going to get you. (hang up)

Carter: Hello. hello. Is someone there? (he shrugs his shoulders and hangs up)

Randi: Is something wrong, Dr. Carter?

Carter: Just a wrong number I guess. But it's the third one I got tonight.( thinking for a minute than shaking his head and laughing it off) Malucci!!!

To be continued. Please read and review.