Bert accuses Sharon of spying on him when he comes to his evaluation. She agrees to back off.
Zola shows up and is not interested in coffee from the stand at the hospital. Sharon interrupts. There is now a temporary hold on the use of the medication Zola is worried about. A board member was worried about it and changed his mind. Marcel congratulates Zola.
Ripley has a gunshot wound victim to deal with. The guy is bleeding and can't bleed. He uses a foley clamp, which is an unusual use of the device.
Maggie has been sleeping in the on-call room.Maggie and Archer see a teenage boy and his mother, visiting from Oakland, the boy has a prolapsed something on his abdomen. He has scars from being shot last fall. He says he used to be a basketball guard. Archer says they can do surgeryl But Caleb's regular doctor has said not for 10 months. Caleb is upset about that.
There is an intoxicated guy the cops have brought in who is all agitated. The cop says that he is asking for RIp. He refuses to let the nurses take his vitals and wants Rip.
Charles asks Ripley about Sullivan. Ripley knows him and asks what happened. Sullivan is continuing to refuse to have his temperature taken in the meantime.
Ripley says he and Sully used to run the streets together but are not close. He goes in to see Sullivan, who says he can finally relax. Sullivan tries to light up a cigarette. Ripley confronts Sully about his nonsense. Sully says that he got in a fight with someone who put down his Bulls. He laughs at Ripley saying he used to ahve to save him from ass kickings. Sully is short of breath and says he's had a cough since the holidays. He insists on a chest x-ray.
Zola sees a patient with a sore throat who says she thought she picked up a cough at a gaming convention but it's worse. It hurts to cough and to breathe deeply. Zola says it could be flu, COVID or pneumonia. The woman just got her shots. Zola orders a bunch of tests and goes The nurse asks about the CAT scans. Zola says to page her when the tests are back.
Archer comes back and says he thinks they need to do the surgery ASAP. Caleb is happy about this and is excited. The mother asks to speak with Dr. Archer. She says her doctor was adamant she wait. Archer says the recurring prolapses are a serious problem. She doesn't want to take the risk. Unless Dr. Davis says otherwise she's not discussing surgery any further.
Zola asks Marcel for his opinion. She was right about a pulmonary embolism which was a long shot. The CT scan shows something strange. Swab came back as strep. Zola asks if this is Lenniere Syndrome. Yes, it's a blood clot in the neck and is dangerous. Marcel says to give her meds and antibiotics. Zola asks why not surgery? Marceel says not yet.
Sully is wandering around coughing. Charles tells him that patients can't wander around. Sully wants to go smoke. Ripley returns and Sully is annoyed that Ripley tells him he should have stayed put.
Ripley has the chest x-ray. There's a nodule in his left lung and a low white blood cell count. Early signs of lung cancer. Sully can't believe it. Ripley says it may be treatable. Sully says he feels fine and doesn't want to talk about this. He's done. He agrees to have his hand splinted but that's all.
Caleb's mother wants to go to the cafeteria. She tells Maggie that after Caleb was shot she basically lived at the hospital. But they figured out a routine. Caleb hates it but it's a version of normal.
Maggie and Archer work on Caleb, Caleb asks about the surgery recovery time. Archer says they have to talk with his mother. Caleb says but it's his life. Maggie tries to tell Archer privately he can't do this. Archer is upset because Caleb wants the surgery. The mother comes back and is upset with Archer. She wants her son discharged.
Ripley wants Charles to put a psych hold on Sully because he's resfusing testing. Charles asks him if he would be pushing for this if he didn't know him.Ripley admits he's trying to save his friend's life.
Marcel and Zola's patient crashes. Marcel and Zola work on her. They get her blood pressure and stats up. Marcel tells Zola she was right. Archer comes up to Zola and complains the new med is more expensive and that this is her fault because she soudned the alarm off limited data.
Maggie comes in and sees Caleb being annoyed with his mother. Maggie gives them discharge paperwork. She hears Caleb say that he doesn't have much of a life. Maggie tries to tell Deb that Archer wants to help. Maggie says she understands she's afraid and is trying to hold on to what's familiar. Deb admits she's scared of something going wroing.
Sharon goes to talk about the neurologist. He says she is still Bert's emergency contact. She is surprised to hear that. The neurologist that Bert has Alzheimer's. He gives her some info that Bert left behind. He tells Sharon the door is always open to her and her children. She thanks him.
Archer watches as Caleb is taken into surgery. He looks at Maggie than walks off.
Sully wants to leave. He insults Ripley and leaves. Ripley follows him. Sully shoves Ripley. Rpiley gets in a fight with him as security is called. Charles tells Doris to wait a few minutes before calling Archer.
Ripley is all upset and not in the mood for a lecture. He says that there's one way to deal with Sully and go ahead and file the complaint. Charles says so you can lose your job? Ripley says if he hadn't left Chicago, he would have been right by Sully's side fighting at the bar. He wanted out and got out. Charles says that can be hard. But Sully trusts Ripley. Ripley says but he won't listen to me. Charles thinks Sully is just looking for his friend.
Caleb's surgery went well. Archer says a few days and fe weeks at home, and he'll be back on his feet. In 8 weeks he can play basketball. Caleb's mother thanks Maggie for pushing her and gives her a hug.
Charles tells Sharon he's so sorry. Sharon says at least she knows what she's dealing with. Charles says there are promising clinical trials and maybe we can navigate this. Sharon says we mean me. Decisions, appointments, treatments, that'll fall on me. She doesn't want to burned t he kids with this. But how can she do it when she's running a hospital and a new relationship? Sh eknows she's being selfish but… Charles says it's not. Sharon says she can't do this.
Marcel talks to Adriana about the surgery. Zola says they can wait. Marcel says it's unlikely the clot will resolve without surgery. Marcel asks her why she is undermining him. What is this? Zola says everyone says she's too impulsive. Marcel tells her to stop. She needs this procedure and tells Zola to clear her head.
Maggie tells Doris she's actually going home. It's time to move on.
Tara calls and tells Sharon Bert is not answering his phone. Sharon is worried he is trying to kill himself. Charles comes with her.
Marcel goes to see Zola after the surgery. The procedure went well. Zola asks him if he knows that guy. He says Everett James? She says that James owns the company that sells the new medication. Zola says this is because of her. Marcel tells her the patient is more important than anyhting else and she is alive and well because Zola listened to her instincts. If saving a life isn't good enough, she should consider another career.
Ripley comes to see Sully at the bar. He gives him an inhaler to help out with the cough. Sully worries it's a trap to put him in surgery without permission. Ripley says if you need anything, you know where I'm hi ding. Sully says he'll see him around and leaves.Bert is not answering his door. Sharon opens it. She finds Bert sitting on the couch staring into space. He tells Sharon he's scared. He doesn't want to make this anyone else's problem. Sharon says she's here for him.