"What's Past is Prologue" - Part 2

CAIRO HOTEL ROOM -- 6:15 a.m.

(NOLA COMES OUT OF THEBEDROOM STILL IN HER ROBE. SHE FINDS QUINTON FULLY DRESSED, SITTING ATTHE TABLE WORKING ON THE COMPUTER.)

NOLA: Morning.

QUINTON: Good morning. What are you doing up so early?

NOLA: I missed you.

QUINTON: I thought you'd sleep better without me tossing and turning next to you.

NOLA: I never sleep better without you.(SHE COMES UP BEHIND HIM AND KISSES HIM.)What are you working on?

QUINTON: Mapping out that last corridor we found. Want coffee? I bought an extra in case you were awake when I got back.

NOLA: You went out?

QUINTON: I was going crazy here, so I thought I'd get us breakfast.

(HE HOLDS OUT A BAG TO HER AND SHE TAKES A BAGEL.)

NOLA: Where did you find these so early in the morning?

QUINTON: Hospital cafeteria.

NOLA: You went to the hospital?

(QUINTON NODS.)

QUINTON: They wouldn't let me in to see Stacy, though.

NOLA: I called; she's still asleep.

QUINTON: The nurse told me.

NOLA: Did she say what time we could get in there?

QUINTON: She said visiting hours start at nine. I can't wait til nine.

NOLA: I don't know how to reach Aidan except at the hospital, but I'll leave him a message asking if we can get in sooner.

QUINTON: He's at the hospital. The nurse told me he was sleeping, and she wouldn't page him because it wasn't an emergency.

NOLA: He stayed there all night? Wow, he's dedicated.

QUINTON: Or worried.

NOLA: Maybe he wasn't staying there because of Stacy.

QUINTON: Do you really believe that?

NOLA: Weren't you the one telling me last night to stop thinking the worst?

QUINTON: I'm sorry, Nola. I came here to help you deal with all this, but I don't seem to be doing a very good job.

NOLA: You don't always have to be my knight in shining armor, you know.

QUINTON: I don't?

NOLA: No. You can let me be the strong one once in awhile.

QUINTON: I thought you were the strong one.

NOLA: You know what I mean.

QUINTON: The last time I wasn't there for you I lost you.

(SHE PUTS HER ARMS AROUND HIM.)

NOLA:That's not going to happen again. We made that mistake and we learnedfrom it. It wasn't a fun lesson and it wasn't an easy one, but thatonly makes it more certain that we won't make that mistake again.

(HE PULLS HER ONTO HIS LAP.)

QUINTON: I love you.

NOLA:I know. That's what's going to get us through whatever happens today.(SHE KISSES HIM.) Give me five to shower and then we'll get Aidan upand start getting some answers.

FADE OUT

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HOSPITAL CORRIDOR AND STACY'S HOSPITAL ROOM -- 7 a.m.

(QUINTON AND NOLA STAND AT THE NURSES DESK AS AIDAN COMES DOWN THE HALL FIXING HIS TIE.)

AIDAN: Good morning.

NOLA: Hi, Aidan. Sorry to get you up.

AIDAN: I was on my way back here anyway. I figured you would be here early.

NOLA: We couldn't wait any longer to check on Stacy. Oh, this is my husband, Quinton Chamberlain.

AIDAN: The nurse told me you were here.(HE EXTENDS A HAND TO QUINTON.)Aidan Bailey. Nice to meet you.

(QUINTON SHAKES HIS HAND.)

QUINTON: How is Anastasia?

AIDAN: She had a bit of a rough night last night. I was just about to look in on her. Why don't the two of you join me?

NOLA: We were hoping you'd say that.

(HE STARTS DOWN THE HALL AND QUINTON AND NOLA FOLLOW HIM.)

AIDAN: Give me a minute and then I'll let you in.

(THEY NOD AS AIDAN GOES INTO STACY'S ROOM. HE FINDS STACY ARGUING WITH THE NURSE.)

STACY:Dr. Bailey, thank goodness. Will you please tell her to take this thingout of my arm so I can get a shower? I feel so disgusting after allthat ralphing I did yesterday.

(HE NODS TO THE NURSE, WHO LEAVES. HE STARTS TO TAKE HER PULSE.)

AIDAN: And ralphing would be vomiting, right?

STACY: Yes.

AIDAN: See, and my son says I'm clueless.

STACY: You seem okay. Can I get that shower now?

AIDAN: Let me have a listen first.(SHE LETS HIM LISTEN WITH THE STETHOSCOPE.)Sounds better.

STACY: So how about that shower?

AIDAN: Your CT scan is at eight, so you have time for one, but your mom is outside waiting....

STACY: Oh good, I hope she bought me a toothbrush. Hey, she didn't stay here all night last night, did she?

AIDAN: No, I sent her to the hotel across the street.

STACY: Good. Can you take this thing out of my arm? It's starting to hurt.

AIDAN: Where? Can you describe the pain for me?

STACY: Yeah, it aches where this big bruise is.

AIDAN (laughing): Next time I'll let the nurse do your IV. She's much better at it. How do you feel this morning?

STACY: *So* much better. Which means I don't need this thing anymore.

AIDAN: I'll take it out so you can shower, but you're going to need a new one to put in the dye for the scan.

(STACY ROLLS HER EYES AS AIDAN STARTS TO TAKE OUT THE I.V.)

STACY: Wonderful. It's not the same stuff as yesterday, right?

AIDAN: No, this is the good stuff, I promise.

STACY: So can I leave when the test is done?

AIDAN: I'll get back to you on that. Do you want to see your mom? I think she has a surprise for you.

STACY: I hope it's clean clothes. Yeah, let her in.(AIDAN STARTS TO LEAVE.)Oh, Dr. Bailey?

AIDAN: Yes?

STACY: My mom's not freaking out too much about me being here, is she?

AIDAN: No, she's much better today.

STACY: Good, I hate to see her upset.

(SHECLIMBS BACK INTO THE BED AS AIDAN GOES OUT INTO THE HALL. NOLA ISWAITING THERE, BUT QUINTON IS A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE HALL TALKING ONHIS CELL PHONE. NOLA WAVES IN HIS DIRECTION.)

NOLA: Crisis at the dig site. How's Stacy?

AIDAN:Much better. I took out the I.V., and she was out of bed and anxiousfor a shower. I told her you wanted to see her first.

(HE PUSHES OPEN THE DOOR.)

NOLA: Thanks.

AIDAN: I have to check on another patient. I'll be back in a few minutes.

(NOLA NODS AS SHE STEPS INTO THE ROOM.)

STACY: Hi, Mom.

NOLA: Hi, sweetheart. You look so much better.

STACY: I feel better. Although I really could use a toothbrush.

NOLA: I figured.

(SHE FISHES IN HER BAG AND PULLS OUT A TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE.)

STACY: Thanks. You wouldn't have a change of clothes hiding in there, too, would you?

NOLA: Out in the hall.

STACY: Would you mind getting them while I get a shower? I feel so gross after yesterday.

NOLA: Sure, honey. Do you need anything else?

STACY:You want to have this scan for me? Dr. Bailey says I'm going to needanother I.V. for that, and my arms have had it with I.V.s and bloodtests.

(SHE SHOWS NOLA HER BRUISED ARMS.)

NOLA: I wish I could. Do your arms hurt bad?

STACY: Not really. What did Daddy say when you told him we had to stay another day?

(QUINTON ENTERS ON THE ABOVE LINE.)

QUINTON: He said I better get to Cairo and make sure these two aren't playing hooky to go shopping.

STACY: Daddy!

QUINTON: Hello, princess.

STACY: What are you doing here? You can't be here.

QUINTON: I can't?

STACY:No. Not today. Not with everything that I know must be going on at thedig site. They were already shorthanded without Mom and I there, so itmust be an absolute zoo without you there, too.

QUINTON: Kent can handle it.

STACY: But you hate hospitals.

QUINTON: I need to learn to get over that anyway.

STACY: Am I that sick?

QUINTON: What?

STACY: Am I so sick that both of you have to be here?

NOLA: We don't know yet what's wrong with you.

QUINTON:I probably overreacted, but when your mom told me how sick you'd gottenyesterday I was so worried that I had to see for myself that you wereokay.

(STACY HUGS HIM.)

STACY: I'm glad you're here.

QUINTON: I'm glad I came.

(HE CONTINUES HOLDING ON TO HER TIGHTLY.)

STACY: Daddy, I can't breathe.

(HE PULLS AWAY.)

QUINTON: Sorry.

STACY: I'm okay. Stop worrying.

QUINTON:I'll try.(HE HANDS HER THE BAG ON HIS SHOULDER.)Sharonda packed a bad for you, some things she thought you might wantwhile you're here. She didn't know how long you'd be, so she packedenough for a couple days.

STACY:We won't be here that long. I hope we can leave right after I have thisscan, so I can get back in time to do some work this afternoon.

NOLA: Don't rush into anything.

STACY: Can you imagine what they must be thinking at the dig site? They probably do believe Mom and I took off to go shopping.

NOLA: Who cares what they think.

QUINTON: The people who matter know what's going on. The rest you don't need to be concerned about.

STACY: Yes I do. I hate when they talk behind my back, calling me a princess and stuff.

NOLA: So tell everyone why you really came here, that you weren't slacking off.

STACY:I don't want anyone to know I'm sick. It will only give them anotherexcuse to treat me differently. So when we get back tonight, act likenothing's happened.

NOLA: *If* we go back tonight. We're notleaving here until Aidan gives the OK. And if anyone at the dig sitedoesn't like it they can come talk to me.

QUINTON: Uh oh, I think your mom is looking for a fight.

STACY: She's dangerous when she gets in her mother lioness mode.

(AIDAN ENTERS.)

AIDAN: Sorry to interrupt, but I need to get you started on that new I.V. soon, Anastasia.

STACY: Not before I get my shower. Sorry Mom and Dad. I'll be right back.

(SHE HOPS OUT OF BED, GRABS HER BAG AND DISAPPEARS INTO THE BATHROOM.)

QUINTON: She seems like herself again.

NOLA: We should make her sleep like that more often. Aidan, can we go with her when she has the scan done?

AIDAN: Are you sure you want to after yesterday?

NOLA: As long as you promise not to make her sick like that again.

AIDAN: You make it sound like I did it on purpose.

NOLA: It *was* a good way to make sure she stayed here overnight.

AIDAN: Maybe so, but it wasn't planned.

NOLA: I know. Stacy thinks she's leaving here when this test is over. Is that going to happen?

AIDAN: I told her she'd have to wait for an answer about that.

NOLA: That's what I told her, too.

QUINTON: Do you think you're going to find a reason to keep her here?

NOLA: You can be straight with us, Aidan. I did some research on the computer last night, so we know this could be cancer.

AIDAN: That's a hell of an assumption to make, Nola.

NOLA: Are you telling me I'm wrong?

AIDAN: Yes.

NOLA: Remember what you promised me last night? Totally honesty, no matter how bad it is.

AIDAN: I remember.

NOLA: Then tell me honestly -- are you doing this scan to look for tumors?

AIDAN: Nola....

NOLA: Honesty, Aidan. I can't trust you if you're not honest with me.

AIDAN:Yes, that's what I'm looking for.(QUINTON INSTINCTIVELY SLIPS AN ARM AROUND NOLA, WHO HOLDS HIM JUST ASTIGHTLY.)That doesn't mean we'll find anything. I'm an oncologist, so cancer isthe first thing I look for when someone has presenting symptoms. But itdoesn't always turn out to be that.

NOLA: Jim didn't tell me what kind of doctor you were.

AIDAN:I know. He didn't want you to get upset over the fact that he wassending Anastasia to see a cancer doctor. Because that's not why heasked that I see her. He wanted someone you could trust, and I happenedto be closest.

QUINTON: When will we know if....when will we know what's wrong?

AIDAN:If the CT scan shows anything, then we'll do a biopsy. There's asurgeon here who can do it today, but it will take a day or two to getthe results back.

NOLA: Isn't there anything you can do for her before then?

AIDAN: I can't start treatment until I know what to treat, Nola.

(STACY INTERRUPTS THEM. SHE'S NOW DRESSED IN SHORTS AND A TEE SHIRT, HER HAIR WET.)

STACY: Much better.(SHE SEES THE SERIOUS LOOKS ON THEIR FACES.)God, it's like a funeral parlor in here.

NOLA: Stacy!

STACY: Well you all look so serious. What were you talking about?

NOLA: Nothing.

STACY: You mean you just stood here and stared at each other while I was showering?

NOLA: Of course not. We were making small talk, that's all.

STACY: Whatever, Mom. Ready to stab me again, Doc?

AIDAN: Ready when you are.

QUINTON: Why don't we wait outside?

STACY: My dad's not a hospital person.

NOLA:It *would* be better for us to wait in the hall, so we don't get in theway. You'll be okay, honey? (STACY NODS) We'll see you in a few minutesthen.

(SHE LEADS QUINTON INTO THE HALL.)

NOLA: Are you okay?

QUINTON: Fine.

NOLA: Liar.

QUINTON: She already looks better just from getting a good night's sleep. I don't think this is as serious as we thought.

NOLA: I guess we'll find out in a few hours. What did you think of Aidan?

QUINTON: He seems very competent. How long did the two of you date?

NOLA: What?

QUINTON: You heard me.

NOLA: How did you....

QUINTON: I can tell. How long?

NOLA:We only went out a few times. He really liked Maureen, but she startedgoing steady with Ryan Curran because Aidan wouldn't admit he likedher. So I helped him make Maureen jealous. We were never more thanfriends, though. I was only 15.

QUINTON: So I don't need to be jealous?

NOLA: Like I could ever love anyone but you. (SHE KISSES HIM.) Although he is just as cute as he was back then.

QUINTON: Stop. I'm too tired to be tormented.

NOLA: You should go to the hotel and try to sleep while Stacy's getting this test done. It could take awhile.

QUINTON: No. I'm not leaving this hospital until we find out what's wrong with Stacy.

FADE OUT==============================================================

AIDAN'S OFFICE -- 11 a.m.

(THE NURSE SHOWS QUINTON, NOLA AND STACY INTO AIDAN'S OFFICE.)

NURSE: Dr. Bailey will be here in a few minutes. Can I get you anything while you're waiting?

(QUINTON LOOKS AT NOLA AND STACY, WHO BOTH SHAKE THEIR HEADS.)

QUINTON: No thank you.

NURSE: Okay. Let me know if you change your mind.

(AS SHE EXITS STACY FLOPS DOWN ON THE SOFA.)

STACY (sighing): More waiting.

(QUINTON SITS DOWN NEXT TO HER AND PUTS AN ARM AROUND HER.)

QUINTON: It will be over soon, princess.

STACY: I don't think so, Daddy. I think we're only at the beginning.

QUINTON (hugging her): Since when do you think so negatively?

STACY: I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic.

QUINTON: You sound like your mother.

STACY: Why? What have you been saying, Mom? Do you have a few guesses about what's wrong with me?

NOLA: I don't know anything more than you do.

STACY: Dr. Bailey didn't tell you anything specific?

NOLA: Like what?

STACY: I don't know, something he thought I wasn't old enough to hear about?

NOLA: No.

STACY:I wonder why he's taking so long to tell us what the scan showed.Shouldn't he be able to see right way if there's a problem?

NOLA: I would think so.

QUINTON: Relax, sweetheart, he's probably tending to other patients.

STACY: No, we're his first priority. He and Mom go way back.

QUINTON: So I've heard.

STACY: He must have bad news and he's trying to figure out how to break it to us.

QUINTON: Anastasia, stop!

(STACY PULLS AWAY, SURPRISED BY HIS ABRUPT TONE.)

STACY: I'm sorry, Daddy.

NOLA: No, your dad is the one who's sorry. He didn't mean to snap at you like that.

QUINTON: Your mom's right. I'm sorry, honey.

STACY: It's okay, I think we're all a little on edge. I wish Dr. Bailey would hurry up.

(SHE GETS UP AND STARTS PACING AROUND AS AIDAN ENTERS.)

AIDAN: Just as figidity as your mother, I see.

NOLA: You know how we Reardons feel about waiting, Aidan.

AIDAN: Sorry about that. I had to consult with another doctor about a patient.

STACY: Am I the patient?

AIDAN: Why don't you all have a seat?

STACY: Uh oh, it's news we have to sit down for?

AIDAN: Sit down and I'll explain everything.

(HEMOTIONS TO THE SOFA AS HE LEANS AGAINST HIS DESK. NOLA SITS DOWN WITHSTACY, AS QUINTON PERCHES ON THE ARM OF THE SOFA ANXIOUSLY.)

FADE OUT

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