The Ransom of Dr. Dave

Disclaimer: I do not own the ER cast but I do own Dave's abductors: Rico, Frankie and Dino.

Previously on ER: The ER staff wonders what happened to a comatose Dave. Four months earlier, Carter set Dave and Jing-Mei up on a blind date with surprising results. Jing-Mei learned about Dave's past and Dave learned that Jing-Mei's pregnant. With some regrets in his mind, he decided to be a father to his baby and a husband to Jing-Mei. On his way back from getting an engagement ring for Jing-Mei on her birthday, he is carjacked.

Part 5

During his struggle with his two abductors, Dave rips his arm on the seatbelt leaving behind a blood covered driver's seat and the engagement ring he dropped. Once his abductors have him out of the car, they put his unconscious body into the trunk of one of their cars and drive off.

Back at the hospital:

Carter(at the admit desk): Has anyone seen Malucci?

Randi: He hasn't checked back in from lunch yet.

Carter: Damn him. He knew I needed to leave work early to get ready for the presentation tonight. I'll just call a cab to get me home. When Malucci comes back, tell him to stay put and to call me, I'll come back here and pick up the car, I have to pick Abby up here anyway.

Randi: Sure.

Kerry: Yeah, and IF you see Malucci tell him he's on scut work for the rest of the week for being late and that's just for starters.

After driving around for over an hour, the abductors car finally pulls into a parking lot at the airport. The car stops in front of Hangar # 7. The men get out of the car and open the steel doors. They head for the trunk to obtain their hostage. When they open it, they see a groggy Malucci waking up. He turns towards them and sees a blurry # 7 but before he can focus his eyes on his abductors, he feels a blunt force to the head and is unconscious again. They carry him inside.

Frankie: Now what do we do with Carter?(still thinking that Malucci is Carter)

Dino: Tie him up in that chair and blindfold him. We still have a little time before his family and friends gather at the banquet hall.

Meanwhile Carter back at his house, dressed in a tux keeps looking at his watch. Thinking that maybe Randi forgot to give Malucci his message or Malucci was just being Malucci and irresponsibly didn't call him he calls the hospital. After several tries and getting a busy signal, he decides to take his limo to the hospital to pick Abby up. On his way out his phone starts ringing.

Carter: Well, it's about time Dave.

He answers the phone only to find out it's Abby.

Carter: Dr. Carter. (pause) Oh, it's just you, Abby.

Abby: What do you mean--just me.

Carter: Sorry, I didn't mean that. I was expecting Da... oh, never mind. I'm on my way to the hospital to pick you up now.

Abby: Well, I'm not quite ready yet. I'm going to use the doctor's showers and I have my dress hanging up in the lounge. I should be ready soon. But the reason I called was to let you know that young girl from the MVA that you treated was just getting out of surgery and I thought you would like to know.

Carter: That's good. I'll go visit her while I wait for you to get ready.

Abby: See you later, then.

As Carter dashes towards the door, he forgets Abby's corsage and runs back in to get it from the table. He snatches at it and doesn't realize his pager falls off and rolls under the table.

Back at the hangar, Malucci starts to regain consciousness. He's still a little dazed from the blow to the head.

Malucci: What the hell happened? Who hit me?

Frankie: SHUTUP , PAISAN!

As Malucci gets his bearings back, he realizes he is tied up and blindfolded.

Malucci: What is going on? Who are you?

Rico: You're not the one asking the questions here. Now just shutup, Carter and you won't get hurt.

As Malucci starts struggling with his bonds, it hits him that they called him Carter. Thinking back the last thing he can clearly remember is coming back from the jewelry store in Carter's car. He now knows that they think he's Carter and this was a setup to kidnap Carter. Not knowing what they will do to him if they learn the truth, he decides to keep quiet about his true identity.

The banquet is in full force and most of the hospital staff is in attendance. All are wondering where Carter is. They don't want to start the presentation until he gets there. They tried to page him with no response. They tried calling the hospital but met with busy signals.

Back at the hospital, Abby and Carter are leaving for the banquet, knowing they are late but liking that they get to make an entrance. They get in Carter's limo and start to drive off. Half way there, the engine konks out. The driver looks under the hood to see the problem.

Abby: This is just great. We are going to be later than we already are.

Carter: Tell me about it. Gamma's never going to speak to me again.

Abby: Maybe we should call there and let them know what happened.

Carter: Do you have your cell phone on you?

Abby: No. I forgot to pay last month's bill on it. Don't you?

Carter: I didn't think I would need it tonight, so I left it home to recharge. We can use the phone in the car.

Limo Driver: Sorry, Dr. Carter. The phone won't work without the car engine.

Abby: Of all places to break down. The middle of no where. There's not a store, house or payphone in sight for miles.

Carter(grinning): Kind of sexy, huh?

Abby(disgusted): Give me a break.

So Carter and Abby have no choice but to sit in the car and wait for another car to come by or the driver to fix the problem.

At the banquet hall, Kerry finally gets through to the hospital only to be told that Carter left the hospital over 45 minutes ago.

Kerry: Well, according to Randi, Carter should be on his way here now.

Gamma: I guess I can stall for a little while longer.

Then a nearby phone rings, Mark answers it.

Mark: Hello, Dr. Green here. Can I help you?

Dino: Is this where the Carter family is holding the presentation for the hospital.

Mark: Yes it is.

Dino: Well, keep your voice down and look natural.

Mark: Is this a joke? Malucci, is that you? This is not funny.

Dino: No joke. We carjacked your Dr. Carter and have him here and unless we get 10 million dollars he will be taking a very long nap on a hard slab in your morgue. DO NOT CALL THE POLICE OR ELSE? We will call back with the details. (hangs up)

A dumb-founded Mark hangs up the phone as a small crowd gathers.

Gamma: Was that John, Dr. Green?

Mark(still in shock): No it wasn't.

Elizabeth: Mark, sweetheart, is everything alright?

Mark: No it isn't.

Luka: Then who was that on the phone?

Peter: Mark?

Mark: I'm not sure. They said they had Carter and if we don't pay them 10 million dollars they will kill him.

To be continued. Please read and review.