At the same time at the surgical floor
Peter surprised: Oh hey Elisabeth, what are you doing here?
Elisabeth: Catching up, I know it's late but I left Ella with the nanny and Rachel works her first nightshift so I thought why not pop in.
Peter: You know I am not normally like this...
Elisabeth: I know
Peter: I mean, I never knew I would miss you so much and after you and Mark but then you came back and...
Elisabeth smiles, puts him in a corner and kisses him
Elisabeth: I missed that, you know!
Peter: Well, that and more
Peter: So why are you up here? I mean there is always a catch with you when
Elisabeth: Oh you know me better than most of the people. I wanted to talk to you about
Peter: About what?
Elisabeth: Well Ella, Rachel and I are moving in here and Rachel well she might want to live alone but Ella and me and because you live with Reese and I thought
Peter: Are we talking about moving in after all those years? One day and you are ready to make such a big decision? Are you we didn't even have...
Elisabeth blushes knowing what she is about to ask from Peter
Elisabeth: Well, I am not good at living alone although I had to the last years and
Peter kisses her
Elisabeth: You are crazy and wonderful and
Elisabeth: May I look for a new home? Please? I mean I think your apartment is too small and I we need a big
Peter: Bedroom, where we can put a mirror over the bed than it's like this time we did it right here in the OR, do you remember that?
Elisabeth: Oh Peter I am so
Peter takes her in one of the empty operating rooms
Peter: I am praying the guys down there don't page me for a moment as that wouldn't be
Elisabeth grabs him and unbuttons his shirt, Peter pushes her on the OR table.
8 hours later at the hotel
Elisabeth: Rachel, why are you packing? Where are you going? What are you doing?
Rachel: I am moving in with Carter! There I said it!
Elisabeth: Carter, why that? I mean did he invite you? Why are you moving in with Carter, I don't understand!
Rachel tries to hide her anxiety, in the end Elisabeth is like a mother for her
Rachel: Because Elisabeth, because it's closer to the hospital and that's all! He is a nice guy and was one of the few who recognized me!
Elisabeth: But you don't know him, I worked with him and you are Marks daughter, he was his student and...
Rachel: I know him since I was six years old Elisabeth. I know what I am doing...
Elisabeth: But he is
Rachel: Listen Elisabeth, this might sound cruel to you but he is a nice guy and I need somebody my age not yours!
Elisabeth: But Carter is only 7 years younger than I am, how can you say something like that?
Rachel: See
Elisabeth: That doesn't make a big difference, Rachel I thought you like living with me and Ella who is your sister!
Rachel: Elisabeth, you are a great mom and I love you and Ella but do you really wanna move in with me again? I am 23, I am supposed to move out at the age, everybody does that!
Elisabeth: Well, I thought more about Peter, Reese, you and me and Ella
Rachel: You met Peter 2 days ago and after all those years you are still
Elisabeth blushes and turns her head away
Rachel: You didn't!
Rachel bursts out into laugh
Elisabeth: Hey I am an adult I am allowed to do that and why are you laughing? Is there something you wanna tell me?
Rachel: Because that s not a very grown-up thing to but as you are doing it, maybe, can you be my friend instead of my mother for a few seconds?
Elisabeth: Of course! Go ahead I am listening, I knew there would be more, what is it? Is Carter giving you and your new love shelter?
Rachel: It's not like that! I wanted it to keep it a secret but as you and Peter are doing it and because I think in this hospital it will be difficult to keep anything a secret
Elisabeth: What is it, tell me!
Rachel: I slept with Carter
Elisabeth: Excuse me but you did what?
Rachel: I slept with John Carter and he is the most wonderful man on earth, he is funny and loving and cute and I have a crush on him since I am 13 years old. He is a great guy believe me!
Elisabeth: But he was married to another woman and had a son with her, the centre we just opened is named after his son, the son he had with Cam who was there as well!
Rachel: I know all that Elisabeth, we talked about that!
Elisabeth: He had a kidney transplant and
Rachel: Believe me I saw the scar, I am a doctor as well, remember?
Elisabeth sits down on Rachel's bed
Elisabeth: Why him? I mean he is older and you had guys your age when you were in college.
Rachel takes her hand: You always told me what a fantastic guy he is and that dad loved him like a son. Well for me he is the best man I could think of and I didn't plan it, it just happened and I am happy , really happy and he is as well. It's like coming home, being with him makes me complete!
Elisabeth: Well he just spent a good portion on family money on the centre.
Rachel: I know but that s not it. When he smiles I think the sun is going up and when he kisses me it's like we would kiss for the first time ever and the other things you don't wanna know, he is a great teacher as well, a great doc like you and he is really a guy that I could imagine spending the rest of my life with. He is the one!
Elisabeth: Well than I am going to shop a house for 4 and not for 5, well maybe for 5 as a guest room! You will always be welcome!
Rachel: Thanks! I really appreciate that and Elisabeth thank you for not being like my mother would be right now!
Elisabeth: Oh I know what you feel, because as a friend I am telling you that I had sex in OR 2 today and it was like being in heaven, not the same like with your dad but different and
Rachel: You did what?
Elisabeth: Oh don't be so shocked I am sure that you and John did something similar in the on-call room, like I did with your father and Doug and Carol and so many others...
Rachel laughs: We should stop here right now!
Both are giggling like big sisters
Rachel: So I can pack?
Elisabeth: Yes but promise me you are coming to be if there is any problem...
Rachel: Of course, are you going to help me now?
Elisabeth: Yes and I ll help you but I need you to help me to find a proper home if you have the time, because you are a really great advisor and your sister needs the best place and I need you and
The doorbell is ringing and Rachel opens the door, its Carter and with a kiss of lips she lets him in.
Carter: Hey I thought you wanted to keep that, hey Elisabeth!
Elisabeth: Oh it's alright she told me everything because I couldn't stop asking questions why she was packing and moving in with you so...
Carter: Oh yeah? And you are ok with it?
Carter is insecure because he thinks highly of Elisabeth
Elisabeth: I am ok with it but don't go to Africa again or something crazy that would hurt her, I am in a way her mom and although I am your friend, if you hurt Rachel
Carter: Promised! I really, these times are over, I found the place I wanna be.
Carter holds Rachel in his arms
Elisabeth: Good because otherwise, you know I am a doctor as well.
Carter: Spoken like a lioness, I know that Elisabeth but I heard a rumour while I was in the Carter Centre talking to a certain Peter Benton, is it true?
Elisabeth: Yes it is and I need to find a place to live for the 4 of us!
Carter: I might have something that solves all your troubles in a heartbeat! You could have the old house where my grandmother used to live when she was a young girl. Before she met my grandfather and moved into the Villa that represents the fortune of our family. It's in a nice area not far from here; you can have it rent free when I get 7 hours of your time and Peters for the Carter Centre each week.
Elisabeth: That sounds great! Can I have a look at it first?
Carter: Of course! Good, then it's a deal, should we go right now? I mean, I want your time straight away and the first months of every new hospital are critical and there are so many things...
Elisabeth: Peter?
Carter: I ll page him!
Elisabeth: But that's not appropriate, paging somebody is only for emergencies!
Carter: Isn't it? Getting a new home isn't an emergency?
Elisabeth: Well if he is mad I ll find a way to calm him down, I am sure about that...
Carter laughs and pages him
Elisabeth: So you two are together, I think Mark would have approved that. The more I am thinking about it, the more I think you two are perfect for each other...
Carter: Thank you for saying that Elisabeth!
Elisabeth: I think we all need a lot of talking
Carter: Yes but that comes with time...
Elisabeth: Yes!
Rachel: Are we going? Ready?
Carter: Yes, I think we will meet Peter at the house and let me take your bags. Jeez they are heavy...
Rachel: I am a woman
Carter: I know
10 minutes later at Grandma Carters old house
Elisabeth is wandering through the rooms
Elisabeth: This is gorgeous, I didn't know that, wow in the middle of Chicago and
Rachel: Wow, this is great I think I should move in with you guys.
Carter: Would you like to live here?
Rachel: No its ok, Elisabeth already loves it and it will be good for Ella and Reese, I am sure you can afford something like this for us as well...
Carter grins and whispers
Carter: I can, easily.
Rachel: See, I like the penthouse for now!
Carter continues: Reese school is about 10 minutes walk from here and the primary school I went is about 5 minutes from here...
Elisabeth: Good, good oh have a look at this terrace and my god we will never able to afford something like this on our own. Carter that's too much!
Carter: Just get me funding and your time, this house was empty for quite a while and I don't wanna sell it because it belongs to the Carters and if would be so sad if it remains empty, this house needs people and laughter, so just live here and have the time of your life. Aren't we nearly a family? I mean
Rachel hits him and Carter kisses her
Rachel: He is right Elisabeth, we are nearly family and the house is perfect for my little sister and you already love it.
Peter: Hey guys what's up, what emergency is that? I came here as fast as I could and
Elisabeth: Do you like this house?
Peter: Why?
Elisabeth: Do you like this house?
Peter: It looks nice but why on earth I was, is Reese ok, are you and Rachel ok? Carter you? Where is Ella?
Carter: Everything is ok! Calm down!
Peter: So why did you page me?
Carter: Because this house was my grandmother's house and you could have it rent-free, just offered that to Elisabeth when I can have 7 hours of your time and 7 hours of Elisabeth time in addition to your working hours for the Carter Centre.
Peter: Are you kidding me?
Carter: Nope, I just need 7 to 8 hours a week of your time and Elisabeth than you free to live here.
Peter: Seriously?
Carter: Yes!
Peter hugs him
Peter: Man you are fantastic, this area is great. I always wanted to live here and the house
Elisabeth: Don't you wanna see the other rooms?
Peter: No, I saw that the garden has a tree where I can build a tree house for Ella and Reese and where I could sit in the sun and relax, it's near the river, close to County General and the Centre...
Elisabeth: So we are taking it?
Peter: Yes of course we are taking it and Carter I ll help you in any way possible not only because the house is great but because the Centre is part of the dream we all had and you fulfilled it!
Elisabeth freaks out: Yeahahahah
Elisabeth hugs Peter
Carter: Good here are the keys, move your stuff in, I have to go!
Elisabeth: Why? I thought, we need to celebrate this occasion! Carter you are the best, I really, I am going to cook for all of us.
Carter: That sounds nice.
Rachel: So why do you have to go?
Carter: Carrie and Doug are alone so I have to see if they are still alive.
Elisabeth: They have grown up, they don't need a mediator.
Carter: Really? Didn't you see realize that I had to cut in because they wanted the corner office? Its Doug and Carrie...
Elisabeth: Well you are right like most of the time, go and have a look thou that they don't destroy everything because of a simple technicality!
Rachel: And I have to go to my next shift unfortunately it is that late!
Elisabeth: Rachel, take it slow. Don't do too much! This is your first year and you haven't even really started!
Rachel: Mom, remember when you started, don't make it any easier for me, I am just a student like the others I don't want any freebies!
Carter: Ill look after her later on.
Rachel: Yes you do...
Carter kisses her: Elisabeth, I ll take care of her, ok? Mark always looked after me and protected me, bought be a donut when I needed.
Elisabeth: Its ok, Rachel you are young, just don't forget to say something if it is too much. The guys you work with all know how hard it is, and you have the advantage that we all love you because we knew you when you were little, so yes in certain areas life might be easier but in others harder...
Rachel: Because I am daddy's girl, don't worry, I am going to be fine and now let me leave.
At the ER
Susan: Rachel you know more than most of the 1st year med students I know. I am so impressed, where did you learn all this? This can't be just talent, I mean...!
Frank: She is like her daddy, Mark I am
Frank gives her a donut:
Frank: Here, for you they are on the house! I, your daddy was a great guy...
Rachel: I just watched old tapes of dad and Elisabeth that's all! I think that was a good prep and I want to be a good doctor so I thought that instead of going to the movies that would be better...
Susan: Well than you must have watched them very closely. Your technique is fantastic and your mind extremely fast and Elisabeth, did she let you practise on herself? Because you are sewing like a real pro, more like plastic surgeon, I am so impressed.
Rachel: Sometimes I practised on some dead animals yes I did practise people. But first
Susan: I promise not to tell anyone.
Rachel: I sewed Ellas knee one day!
Susan: Really?
Rachel: Don't you tell anybody like you promised but Ella is crazy like me. She will go into medicine as well, that's all she talks about. All her dolls are her patients and while all her friends are playing "hair – dresser" well her dolls always had serious injuries...
Susan laughs