The ER staff is gathered around the admit desk with Kerry Weaver instructing them about what is expected of them, on this one day of the year, when she knows things could very well get out of hand.
“I need to remind ALL of you we are here to help others, not to satisfy your own juvenile need to take part in playing practical jokes on each other.” Directly looking at Kovac and Malucci, “No unauthorized drug use will be tolerated. Carter, can I see you a minute please. Everyone, there are patients to see, let's get to work.” John and Kerry go to the lounge, where they can talk alone, “John, as Chief Resident, the behavior of your staff will reflect on your ability to keep them under control and acting professional. Besides, you're going to be a father soon, and with that goes responsibility, the same responsibility that goes with your position.” “Thanks, I'll remember that,” he says sarcastically. “It's time to get to work, I'll see you in a few minutes.” As Weaver leaves, Lucy enters the lounge. “Did I miss anything important?” “No, just the usual April Fool's Day lecture about being responsible adults. She even brought up the fact that I will be a father soon,” he laughs, pulling her to him. “See what you missed during that bathroom break?” “Give me a break. You try carrying around two kids inside you, always kicking your bladder.” “That would be a medical first, wouldn't it?” “Well, it sure would make me a whole lot happier,” she smiles. “Carter, Lucy, multiple MVA, on the way in,” Lydia says, poking her head through the door. Going into the ER, Carter, and Lucy observe that things are beginning to get busy. “I'll take a team of Lucy, Deb, and Chunni in trauma two. Carter, you take Susan, Kovac, and Haleh in trauma one,” Weaver orders. The trauma's went well, but Lucy had some problems. When she was turning to do a procedure, her large stomach knocked over a tray of instruments, she found herself not being able to move as fast as she felt she needed to, and most importantly, her feet were beginning to hurt after only a short time. Not wanting to face the prospect, but knowing all too well, the time was getting closer to make a change in her work related activity. Offering to go upstairs with the patient, Lucy observes Weaver talking to her husband, hoping she was wrong, as to what, or who they were discussing. Returning to the ER, there were only a few patients who needed attending to, and it seemed Weaver had given them to Malucci and Deb. “Lucy you really looked wiped out,” observes Connie. “Yeah, my feet are hurting like you wouldn't believe.” “Oh yes I do. I've been through it three times.” “If anyone wants me, I'll be taking a five minute break.” “Okay,” Connie says, leaving Lucy sitting on a gurney, resting her feet. “You alright?” John asks, as he comes up to her. “Yeah, I just need a rest. I think it's about time to rethink, my schedule. I suppose Weaver told you about what happened in the trauma room.” “Yep, told me you knocked over a tray, with your big belly,” he smiles, giving her stomach a pat. She pushed it away, not in the mood to be played with. “Give me a break, I've still got three months to go, I'm as big as a cow, I'm not sleeping good, and we haven't had sex for a week,” she says, starting to cry. “Shh, come in here,” he whispers, leading her to an empty room. “I don't know how you can still love me,” she says, through her tears. “Why not?” he asks quietly, taking her in his arms. “Cause I'm so... fat,” she cries, burying her face in his chest. “Come on, Lucy, you're pregnant with twins, and-“ “You DON'T have to tell me how I am,” she snaps. “Lucy, you know I love you and our babies,” he continues to whisper. Drying her tears, she slightly smiles, “I guess, I've been a pain in the ass lately, haven't I?” Shaking his head, “No… Well, yes you have,” he nods and smiles, “Why don't you go and get something to eat?” “Only if you can join me?” she says, sniffing and wiping her eyes. “I'd really love to, but I have to lecture a class of students later, and I need to go over my notes.” “You didn't say anything about that last night?” “Just found out about it.” John smirks. “If you have to, you have to,” she sighs disappointed. “Then just MAYBE if you're a good little girl, we might be able to take care of your "other" little problem later,” he grins. “Now go, you've only got thirty minutes,” he says, giving her a kiss goodbye. “See you later,” she smiles, returning the kiss and heading to the cafeteria. In the cafeteria, Lucy is sitting quietly picking at a salad, when Dr. Weaver comes up to the table. “Mind if I join you?” “Sure. Are things downstairs that quiet, that you can take a break?” Lucy asks. “Yeah… We really haven't talked much lately. How are you feeling?” “Oh pretty good,” she sighs. “I noticed, you were having a little trouble in the trauma this morning.” “Yeah well, it seems I grew overnight,” she answers, rubbing her stomach. “Things that were easy to do weeks ago, are getting a little more complicated to do.” “Are there any problems?” “Nope. Coburn says everything is right on target,” she smiles. Thinking to herself, Weaver begins to put it all together, “Oh my God! You guys are having twins, aren't you?” she says quietly. “Please don't say anything. The one thing we don't want is both of our children becoming the subject of another one of the ER's notorious betting pools. Before Weaver could answer, the sound of a single beeper went off, “Look's like mine,” Lucy sighs, as she head to the nearest phone to dial the ER admit desk. “ER.” “It’s Lucy. So? What's up?” “Carter's had a little accident,” he informs. “Oh God, what happened?” Lucy panics. “He was coming out of an exam room, didn't see the ‘Caution: Wet Floor,’ sign, slipped and fell. Malucci has him in X-ray now, should be back by the time you get here,” he lies through the donut in his mouth. “I'm on my way,” she says, hanging up the phone. Returning to the table, “John slipped and fell, it's his back, I need to get back downstairs.” “I'm coming with you,” Weaver says, jumping up and going with Lucy to the elevator. Pushing the button, they both decide, it's taking too long. “Lucy, you really should wait for the elevator, it's a long flight of stairs down to the ER, you need to take it easy.” “Forget it, I need to know how John is. Besides, I need the exercise, she says, running out of the room. Jogging down the steps, Lucy almost slips backwards, but Weaver, who was following her, was close enough to catch her. “Slow it down, we don't want any thing to happen to you too.” Finally arriving in the ER, Lucy goes straight to the desk, where Jerry, without saying a word, points to an exam room. Rushing into the room, she finds John (supposedly) sleeping in a hospital gown, nasal oxygen, and IV in. Malucci, standing beside him studying his X-ray. As you can see, nothing is broken, just a bad sprain,” he says, successfully suppressing a grin, “I'll just leave you two alone,” he leaves the room and secretly locks the door. “What the hell is going on Malucci?” acknowledging his suspicious actions. “Uh, well, Carter slipped and fell?” “Try again… Come one, out with it,” she pressures with a motherly tone. “Okay, Carter said, Lucy's been a little down lately about being so ... big, he just wanted to well...lift her spirits, that's all.” “All of this was Carter's idea?” “Well, we all had...” “Kerry, give the guy a break,” Luka interrupts. “Carter and Lucy have been through so much, don't you think they deserve a few minutes of fun?” “I know for a fact, Lucy's not going to think it's very funny. You should have seen her face when she heard, what supposedly happened, she was scared to death.” “Come on Chief, give them sometime alone, please?” Malucci pleads. “Don't you guys ever say I don't care, because I do. Okay, but you guys are on your own when she finds out. It wouldn't hurt my feelings any if she let you guys all have it. All of you.” Meanwhile, Lucy gives John a little kiss on the lips, which wakes him up. “Hey, you alright? You had me worried,” she whispers, softly touching his cheek. “Yeah, Dave didn't see any fractures, I just need some rest.” Studying the numbers on the machines, she moves to check his IV, “John, this doesn't seem to be working,” she says, noticing the IV wasn't dripping. “That's okay, I'll just press the call button.” “No, that's okay, I can do this you know,” she smiles. Realizing the needle was just taped to his arm, she soon realizes this was the ultimate joke, and it was on her, “So you think this was funny?” she says really pissed. “Just listen to me a minute before you get all worked up,” he pleads, pulling all the tubes and monitor wires off. “I'm listening,” she says, tapping her foot and resting her hands on her stomach. “You've been so unhappy lately, I just wanted to see your smile again.” “So, you made me a fool in front of the entire ER?” “No, just the guys,” he says, under his breath. “How could you? she says, raising her voice. “All I want to do is spend some time with you, that's all. Not just at the end of the day, when we've both been so tired.” “Are you suggesting we.....?” “Well, I'm game, if you are,” he persists. “I might have to be persuaded,” she finally smiles. Getting up off the bed, he begins to slowly remove Lucy's lab coat. “John, we really shouldn't be doing this, she whispers, but not fighting him. “Mm hm,” he mumbles, continuing to undress her. Pulling her over to the bed, he gently pulls her down on top of him...........AN HOUR LATER-
Laying in each other's arms, they continue to caress each other. “I love you John,” she whispers. “I love you too kido,” he whispers back, softly moving his finger down her nose. “Why Mr. Carter, you've seem to have made a remarkable recovery,” she smiles, tracing his jaw line with her finger. “Well, I had a pretty good doctor,” giving her a kiss. “You know, as great as this has been, we're still on the clock, and I really don't think Weaver will be too happy.” “Don't worry about her, I'll take full responsibility," he whispers, still lightly caressing her arm. “I gotta go,” she smiles, giving him a quick kiss. “Now, if you'll help me up?” she laughs. After they both dress, they leave the room, and are greeted by whistles and catcalls, John heads down the hall smiling while Lucy hurries to the lounge, totally embarrassed, not able to look anyone in the face. “Hey girl, he got you good,” Haleh smiles, “How's his back?” “Oh please,” Lucy says, smiling and flopping down on the couch. “Well, I'd be smiling too, if I'd just had spent an hour, having sex with my husband,” Chunni laughes. “What makes you think we....you know,” Lucy smiles back. “For one thing, you've been hormonal all week, now you're all smiles, if that doesn't indicate, sex, I sure don't know what does.” “I think you should get even,” suggests Lydia. “No, I don't think I'd better. Even though he does deserve it,” Lucy smirks. “Well, I think they ALL deserve it,” Chunni adds, “Anyone who would take advantage of someone's feelings, deserves payback.” “If I may offer an opinion,” a voice from the other side of the room quietly says. All eyes turn to see Dr. Weaver, who had been listening to her staff's discussion about what they should do. “I think something should be done to teach those guys a lesson once and for all,” she offers. “So, what do you suggest?” Lucy asks anyone. “How about you faking labor pains?” Lydia suggests “I don't know, that seems a little extreme, don't you think?” Lucy wonders. “I know how scared you looked when you got that phone call,” Kerry reminds her. “So?” “So, what do you think?” Kerry studies Lucy closely. Looking around at all her friends, each nodding their encouragement. “Okay, I'll do it,” she sighs, half heartily. Unknown to the women, a certain male desk clerk, had overheard everything, and left to tell John what he had heard. But before leaving the lounge, Lucy suddenly has a change of heart. “Guy's, I know you all mean well, and yes, his joke deserves revenge, but I'll just think of something else to do. I'm not going to use my pregnancy to get back at him. I just can't do that.” “God, you can tell they haven't been married long,” Lydia grins. “Going to the desk, Lucy takes a chart and begins the last of her shift. As Weaver leaves the lounge, she finds John coming out of a trauma room. “John, did you work up a patient, Mr. Townslee, this morning?” “Yeah, sent him upstairs with a stab wound to the belly. Why?” “Romano wants to see you, ASAP. It seems he has a secondary infection, and he wants to go over his chart with you. Also, which way did Lucy go? I need to talk to her about something.” “She went to exam three. Tell Romano, I'm on my way.” “Okay, Thanks.” After talking to Romano, John returns downstairs and goes in search of Lucy, who was nowhere to be found. Going to the admit desk, he sees Chunni and Randi quietly talking. “Hey, have either of you seen my wife? It's time to leave,” he asks drumming the desk. “Yeah, she's in the lounge,” Randi says, sadly. “Great,” he says heading that way. “Carter, I wouldn't go in ........” Randi advises. Not taking her advice, he goes in and notices something is obviously wrong. There he finds Lucy standing in front of her locker, removing personal items, and crying uncontrollably. “Hey, what's wrong, Luce? Hormones again?” “No, I've been fired,” she cries. Talking to herself, “I don't need this job anyway. I'm going to be a mom, of twins no less. I'm going to be busy enough.” Holding her in his arms, he asks, “What happened?” “Weaver got pissed because of what happened in the trauma room this morning and then that little exam room tryst, she said was totally unprofessional.” “Shit, it was as much me as it was you. I was the one who encouraged it. How come she just fired you?” he quietly asks, taking her in his arms and comforting her. “She said, it was easier to replace an intern, then her Chief Resident,” she cries, burying her face in his chest. “Where the fuck is she?” “John, please don't.” “She might as well been talking to herself, because he was already out the door. “John, please don't make this any worse than it already is, she pleads, running after him. Finding Weaver in the hallway, he begins, “What the hell is going on?” he yells. Suddenly everyone in the ER, was staring. “John, we just can't have her working in trauma's, knocking over things, when time and efficiency is of the up most of importance. AND I've ALWAYS looked the other way each time the two of you decided to indulge in your extra-curricular-exam-room-activities. After all, we're here to help others, not to indulge in adolescent urges.” “Well then maybe you need to find another Chief Resident too, because if Lucy's gone, I am too,” he says firmly. “I'm sorry you feel that way John. I have no choice, but to let you go,” Weaver says quietly. “Come on Lucy, let's get out of here,” he says, pulling her away by the hand. “Carter!” Kerry yells, “I'm not finished with you yet.” Turning slowly around, he quietly says, “I think you've said enough. “John, don't make this any worse then it is, you need to think of me and the baby, please reconsider,” Lucy quietly pleads. “No, if you're not good enough to be here, I'm not either.” “Carter, one more thing,” Weaver announces. Facing his former boss, he looks her straight in the eye, who returns his look, only with a hint of the slightest smile coming to her face. “Yeah, what?” he replies, seething. “April Fools!” Turning to Lucy, “Gotcha!” she smiles, giving him a kiss. “Way to go girl,” Haleh yells, giving her a pat on the shoulder. “Lucy?” he smiles, “Okay, I deserved that one,” he smiles, giving her a kiss on her forehead. “Damn straight, you did,” she smiles. “Let's go home.” “See you all tomorrow,” he grins. “That is of course, if we still have our jobs?” “Absolutely, be in by nine,” Kerry smiles. Heading out to the Jeep, with their arms wrapped around each other's waist, they break out into uncontrollable laughter about an April Fool's Day, they'll not soon forget.