Chapter 3

Carter watched as they left the patients, they were now stabilized. He smiled at Abby. "Hey. Are you going to have girl's night out with Susan and Carol?" He asked her. "I got kind of asked to go somewhere with Doug if you don't mind," He said to Abby, he just wanted to stay there with her in a longer moment. They walked into the lounge talking.

They saw Doug in there at his locker. "Hey, Abby," Doug greeted her. "I guess we really haven't met properly yet. I'm Doug Ross. Plans are getting all mixed up, do you know if we are all going out tonight or what?"

Before Abby could answer, Doug's cell phone rang. "Hello, umm yeah. I know. I'll take care of it. Damn it I said fine!" Doug hung up his phone and rubbed his eyes. It had been a long first day back. he quickly shut his locker and walked out of the lounge. He threw on his coat and left the hospital. it was only after he was out that he realized he hadn't taken off his scrub top yet. "Oh well. I'm not bloody or anything." He walked about half way to his car and then remembered his plans with Carter. "Ahh, that's right." As he started to walk back he looked up at the sky. Snow was just beginning to fall and you could see the stars perfectly. 'What a great night.' This made Doug smile. He always liked to think of the bright stars as his friends in heaven watching over him. He knew that tonight Lucy was watching over them all. As he entered the hospital again he started looking for Carter, but found Carol instead. She was finishing up and didn't see him. He came up behind her and gave her a big hug. "Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetie. I just saw the sky. It's beautiful. Why don't you come outside with me for a second and look?" As much as he wanted her to see the beautiful stars he also wanted a moment alone with her to talk. He loved Carol, so much. He knew no matter what happened with him, she would always be there.

Carol laughed as Doug crept up behind her. "Well happy Valentine's Day to you too Doug," She said to him. "Sure just a second and then I got to find Susan and Abby." She followed him outside.

"What's this about Doug?" She asked him. She was kind of curious what he was up to.

Doug smiled as they both looked up at the stars. He brought her into a hug and put his mouth near her ear. "I was going to wait to give this to you tonight, but I thought now was as good a time as any."

From his pocket he brought up a ring. It was a silver ring and inside it was inscribed with, 'Like this circle, you complete my life. Always, Doug.' Doug looked at her again. "Happy Valentine's Day, Carol."

He would wait to tell her the more serious news he had later, he didn't want to ruin a good moment.

Carol smiled as she looked up at the sky, and he hugged her. Then she turned around as Doug told her about something. She knew he was serious, then she read the ring. It was so beautiful. "Oh Doug," She said as she kissed him softly. "This is so beautiful. Happy Valentine's Day, Doug. This night seems to be perfect for us, doesn't it?"

"It is perfect." He smiled as they both looked up at the sky. After a few minutes he let go of her and said, "Well I guess you need to find the girls so you can all go out! I should be back by 11 so try to be around then too. Once you all get done with girl talk call me on my cell and I'll see if Carter wants to meet up. If not I'll see you at home, OK? I got some movies and popcorn, its going to be fun!"

He made a half smile. All he really wanted to do was be home with her and get into a fuzzy blanket and watch TV. However, he knew Carter needed someone to talk with too. He was looking forward to helping Carter get over tonight. Although tonight was a wonderful night for him, it would always be a painful reminder for Carter.

As Carol and Doug walked into the ER again he pulled her into a kiss. "Don't forget to call. I'll see you in a few hours." He walked down the hall to find Carter.

"No worries Doug," Carol said to him. She had put the ring on. "Now you boys don't get to wild." She knew this male bonding with Carter might be good, She went into the lounge to see Carter was asking Abby for a date, and her accepting.

She decided to back out and rammed into Susan and Doug at the same time. "Give those a two a moment," She said. "I just overheard Carter asking Abby out tomorrow night."

Susan looked at Doug, "All right, you guys be good now OK? Are you ready Carol? I cant wait, margaritas woo hoo!"

Carol laughed at Susan. "Yep, I'm so there," She said to her good friend. "Umm we got to wait on Abby and Carter," She said to her.

"Hey Susan! Carol, haven't seen you in awhile." Doug smiled, he thought he was funny.

Doug motioned for Carol and Susan to come sit by him and wait. as they all sat Doug put his arms around them both. "Ahh, I got me two girls now, HaHa I'm such a stud!" He laughed as he looked a Carol. Well how long are we going to wait for Carter and Abby? they have been in there for 15 minutes!"

Carol gave Doug a slap on the shoulder softly. "Watch it mister. We got to wait, and I rather be patient, and you got to be patient too."

"OK, OK, but pretty soon I am going in after them! I am starving cause by the time I got to eat my chicken fingers, they were cold." Doug hung his head expecting some pity, but didn't get any.

"Ahh, I am the most impatient person I know." After a glare from Susan and Carol he decided to sit back down again and be quiet. "Dum, dum, dum," He began to hum. "So, how do you girls like the movie You've Got Mail? I heard it was a good romantic comedy but I don't get to see movies that often."

Doug's friends could always tell when he was bored just because of the dumb things that came out of his mouth. "Well I am going to get a Twix, can I get you guys something?"

Carol looked at Doug. "Doug Ross if you dare go in there, you will defiantly know that you won't be in a good word with me," Carol said to him. "You can get me a soda."

"Yes Ma'am!" Doug snapped into a salute and headed off to the vending machine. he came back with two colas and a Twix bar. "Well I am fired up, Baby! Let's get the party started. Soon we are going to get sucked back into the ER vortex and we might not get out alive! I mean, COME ON!"

All Doug wanted to do now was go home. He looked at his watch, "You know what? I'll be right back." He ran his hands through his hair as he got up and started for the men's bathroom.

He splashed his face with some water and looked into the mirror. "Man, I'm getting old!" As he walked back to Carol he asked, "Oh my, do I look as old as I feel?" he sat down with a thud. "You know what, pretty soon I am going to eat my shoe! It's going to be bad!"

Carol saw the lounge door open. "Well we can go now," She said as she saw Abby and Carter coming out. Carter smiled, he had the nerve to finally ask Abby out. He saw that Doug, Susan, and Carol had been waiting for them. "I'm ready Doug," Carter said to him.

Doug looked at Carol. "Well gee, I am ready too!" He said sarcastically as he slapped the chair and stood up. "Did you drive to work, Carter, or take the EL? If you took the train then I will give you a ride to the restaurant." Doug patted his stomach. "I am hungry!"

Doug looked at Carol as she stood up and he gave her a kiss. "OK, just call all right? Otherwise I will see you soon. Nice to see you again, Susan" He said as he leaned over to give Susan a kiss on the cheek.

"I don't think Carter and I are going to be drinking, so if you need a DD call or just take the EL." He leaned over and kissed Carol. "Bye Susan happy Valentine's Day. Bye Carol. Have fun! OK, Carter let's go!"

Carol smiled. "See you later," She said giving him a kiss back. She watched Carter and then she turned to head out with Susan and Abby. "Have fun you two," She said hoping they would. Carol followed Susan and Abby.