Vows and Promises
Part Three
By Susan
lilichild@aol.com

ARCHIVE: Sure, just tell me where
TIMELINE: Well, this part takes place in the summer before season 7 and goes from there, the other parts will take place later, it’ll make more sense once you read the fic.
SPOILERS: I don’t read ‘em. You shouldn’t either J That said, anything that I didn’t beyond the latest aired episode is pure speculation.
DISCLAIMER: The story is mine, the characters aren’t. They belong to Warner Brothers, don’t waste your time suing, I have no money
NOTE: This is part one of a series and is my first fic, be kind J Comments welcome
PREVIOUSLY: In Seattle, Doug and Carol became engaged yet again, and decided upon a post Thanksgiving wedding.

CHICAGO

It was hot. Very hot considering how early in the season it was. He wiped the sweat off his forehead. The heat did little to distract him from the problems at hand. First of course, there had been Carter. He still wondered over that. Of course, his wondering was nothing compared to Kerry. He had a feeling that Kerry was still heartsick over it. Not that he wasn’t of course, he felt that he should have known. God, he knew Carter since Carter was a med student, how could he not have seen it? At least he had Elizabeth to go home to, poor Kerry didn’t have anyone.

He walked through the doors of the ER, and felt the rush of cool air of the air conditioner. It felt good on his hot skin. Chairs was packed. It was something he had expected. They were short a resident, most days were like this with Carter gone. Sure, they got people to fill in and help out, but no one could take Carter’s place. Not to mention, that Carter himself was missed by the entire staff. At least, Carter was getting the help he needed. That made him feel better.

“Phone for you, Dr. Greene” Jerry called to him from the desk.

“Thanks, Jerry” Mark said heading over to the desk, “When do you leave for college?”

“Just a month” Jerry said with pride “I never thought I’d be accepted into the Med Tech program”

“Well, that’s makes two of us” Mark said under his breath “Congrats, Jerry” Mark said louder

“Thanks, Dr. Greene” Jerry blushed “Do you think Dr. Weaver will treat me with more respect now?”

“Don’t count on it Jerry” Mark responded

“Jerry! What the hell did you do?” Kerry screamed from the other side of admit “Why the hell is the floor covered with brown goop!”

Jerry groaned. “I was just making caramel apples, Dr. Weaver.” Jerry tried to explain

“You were making caramel apples?” Kerry said in disbelief, “At admit, in the middle of summer on a day that’s over 90 degrees?!?”

“Uh…” Jerry responded at a loss for words

“Clean this damn mess up now or you’ll get to feel what’s it’s like to be made into a living dessert.” Kerry bellowed

“Yes, Dr. Weaver” Jerry said hastily. Under his breath he muttered, “I sure won’t miss her when I’m gone”

Kerry spun around “What was that Jerry?”

“Nothing, Dr. Weaver” Jerry said quickly “Nothing at all”

Kerry rolled her eyes and walked toward Mark, who had been watching all of this with an amused smile on his face.

“How long until he’s gone, Mark?” Kerry asked

“A month” Mark replied trying not to laugh at the pained look on Kerry’s face

“I think I might kill him before that” Kerry replied “Who the hell makes caramel apples at admit in the middle of summer?”

Mark chuckled then remembered the phone in his hand.

“Hold on, Kerry” Mark said “I should probably answer this”

“Hello?” Mark said into the phone

“Took you long enough” A familiar voice said on the other end

“Doug!” Mark exclaimed “Good to hear from you”

“Likewise, but I think you’d rather talk to me than Weaver in a mood.” Doug chuckled

“Well, you’re right on that” Mark said trying not to laugh at Kerry who was glaring at Jerry while doing charts and Jerry who was frantically trying to scrape rapidly solidifying caramel off of the floor

“What the hell was she yelling about now, it sounded something like caramel apples?” Doug asked

“Jerry” Mark explained not wanting to say the full story with both Kerry and the clerk in earshot.

“Believe me, that explains a lot’ Doug laughed.

Mark laughed, too. Damn, it felt good to talk to Doug. He called more frequently since the birth of the twins. Even when Carol had lived in Chicago, Doug had secretly called Mark weekly for info on her, when Carol wouldn’t take his calls.

“So how’s it going, Doug?” Mark asked, even though he already knew the answer. Doug was happy, very happy. He could tell it in his voice.

“Oh, good you know, the girls are good, the weather is nice, Carol and I are getting married, I got complimented at work today, I bought a new pair of pants” Doug said casually.

“You what?” Mark exclaimed

“I bought a new pair of pants.” Doug explained “They’re pretty nice, they’re the ones those kids wear and sing about in the commercial”

“No, before that, Doug” Mark said. His mind was spinning. Did Doug just say he was getting married? Doug and married were two words he never thought he’d hear in the same sentence.

“Oh, I got complimented at work today” Doug said trying to remain casual. He enjoyed busting Mark, it was almost as fun as busting Carol.

“No, not that” Mark interrupted “You’re getting married?”

“Ohh, that” Doug responded “Yeah, I asked and she said yes. The wedding is going to be after Thanksgiving sometime”

“Oh.. wow.. I think.. I just.. well” Mark stammered.

“Are you surprised?” Doug teased

“To say the least” Mark responded recovering the ability to speak

“So, you aren’t going to congratulate us?” Doug kidded

“Of course, congratulations Doug.” Mark said getting over the shock “That’s really great, I’m really happy for you guys”

“Thank you” Doug responded “Now that brings me to number two on my list. Will you be my best man?”

“Of course” Mark replied “I still can’t believe it. I mean I’m so happy for you, both of you, but I just never thought I’d see this day.”

“Honestly” Doug began “Until a month ago, me neither”

“Doug, congratulations, I am so happy for both of you” Mark said sincerely. He meant it. It was so nice to see at least one of his friends was truly happy.

“Thanks, man” Doug said “I better let you go for now. Weaver’s probably giving you the evil eye by now”

Mark laughed. In reality Kerry had gone to check on a patient, but she soon would return to yell at Jerry again.

“I’ll call you tonight” Mark promised “And congratulations again”

“Thank you” Doug said again “and you better call, you’re the best man”

“Of course” Mark said “Bye, Doug”

“Talk to you later” Doug replied and hung up

Mark hung up the phone and turned around to find he had an audience. Chuni, Haleh, Conni and Jerry were all looking at him expectantly.

“What?” Mark asked feigning innocence

The four looked at each other. Haleh took the lead “Did Doug tell you that’s he’s getting married Mark?” Haleh asked with a no-nonsense look. She had a tell-me-or-die demeanor.

“Uh…” Mark began unsure of whether he should share the news. He decided Doug would know the news would get around by calling Mark at work.

“Yes, they’re getting married” Mark said finally

A scream went out among the three nurses and they all hugged Mark at once.