Previously on ER: Neela and Gallant were pen pals while he served in Iraq. Gallant's buddy was involved in an explosion and died, and Gallant fought the brass to get a young girl who suffered severe burns in the same explosion a trip to Chicago for treatment. Gallant won, and he got to go with her.
Frank walks in and tells Neela that her "favorite patient" is waiting for her. Neela complains to Abby and Shane West about "Back Pain Guy," who is there for the third day in a row. Abby says that Neela can sign all of her patients out to her, except for Back Pain Guy, and Neela agrees. Pratt says he heard that the Iraqi girl is coming in, and Neela says that she hasn't heard any updates. Pratt says that when she does, he wants to talk to Gallant.
Pratt spots a pretty lady talking to a patient and asks who it is. Shane says that it's Tito Escobar, who came in with "a superficial stab wound to the right flank." Pratt was asking about the lady, not the patient. He sleazes over and pretends he needs to examine the patient, in order to try to impress the lady. He introduces himself to the woman, Olivia Evans, who works with Ceasefire, a violence prevention program. Pratt has never heard of it, but tries to pretend that he has. Olivia isn't buying it, so Pratt takes the hint and leaves. Shane asks Pratt what Olivia is like, and Pratt replies, "She's a health professional, [Shane]. Don't be such a dog." Way to project authority, Pratt.
Sam and Alex are stuck in a traffic jam. Alex asks the date, and Sam points out that it's right on the newspaper he's currently reading. Alex notes that it's the 27th, which means that his father will be coming soon. Sam is surprised to hear that Steve is coming, and even that Alex has been in touch with his father, but tries to casually ask Alex, "You heard from him?" Alex says that his dad wrote him a letter, but Alex never said anything because the letter was for him, not Sam. Sam sighs and tries to gently ask Alex how many times his father has promised to visit and then flaked out. Alex looks sad, but doesn't answer.
Neela talks to Back Pain Guy, a.k.a. Mr. Kirkendall. Dubenko spots Neela and runs up to her to congratulate her because the Iraqi mother and daughter arrived that morning. Neela is pleased. Dubenko asks if Gallant is around so he could be introduced to the Plastics Attending. Neela is shocked to hear that Gallant was in the hospital. Dubenko, as usual, misses out on the signals and asks Neela to send Gallant upstairs to meet everyone. Neela agrees, but looks confused, puzzled, and hurt as we crash to credits.
Carter meets with some sort of architect or other woman who carries around plans for buildings. The Maybe Architect Woman explains the layout of some sort of medical center or other health clinic to Carter. I don't know why they actually had to go to the site of the planned building to discuss this; couldn't Carter use creative visualization to see it from the comfort of his home? Carter is surprised to hear that one section of the building will be commercial space, and will be filled with fast food vendors. That does seem a little antithetical to the goals of a health clinic. Anspaugh (!) huffs and puffs up and asks Carter what he thinks of the plans. Carter is impressed. Anspaugh says that Public Relations will send out a press release about the contribution of the Carter Foundation. Carter interrupts to complain that there's no comprehensive HIV care. Anspaugh says that they can't afford that kind of specialty. Carter throws a hissy about the sculpture garden and the food court, and stomps off. Remember when Carter was dorkily likable? Ever since Benton left and Carter inherited the family fortune, he's just insufferable.
A twelve-year-old gunshot victim is rolled in. Pratt asks who shot the kid, and the kid says that he shot himself; he had the gun in his pocket and it accidentally went off. Pratt asks why he had a gun in the first place, and the kid says that he needed it for protection. I feel like we've seen this storyline before.
Neela leaves a hesitant message on Gallant's voicemail, asking if he's in town. Abby walks into the lounge and says that Neela's Back Pain Guy is still waiting. Neela snaps that he can wait. Abby says breezily that she heard Gallant was there, and that Neela didn't mention it. Neela acts as if it doesn't matter. Abby figures out that Gallant didn't stop by, and asks if she should continue acting like Neela isn't freaking out about it. Neela asks if she's built up her relationship with Gallant in her mind, making it into something it's not. She says that letters allow you to be speculative and imaginative, but that they don't mean anything. Abby starts to say that it's okay if Neela's mad, and Neela interrupts, "Mad? More like furious. I'm furious that he didn't tell me he was coming. I'm furious that he could just walk away like that. I'm ridiculously desperate to see him, none of which is based on anything more substantial than the inner workings of my neurotic brain." Abby says that Neela seems to have it covered. Neela asks if she's so pathetic that she concocted a love life out of nothing. Abby tells Neela that she's not crazy to have these feelings.
Gallant sits in a car outside a house, in uniform. With his moustache. He walks up to the door and rings the doorbell, and then pulls a knickknack out of his pocket. It's the item his dead friend gave him to deliver to his daughter. A little girl peeks out the door.
Pratt examines the GSW Kid, Victor. Pratt notices a big scar on Victor's stomach, and Victor claims that he got hurt last summer. Sam asks if Victor was shot before, and Victor replies, "Just some kid at school. I'm not that popular." Dude, neither was I, but kids didn't go around popping a cap in my ass. Thank God. Victor's mom shows up and asks what happened. Pratt tells her that Victor had a gun, and Victor's mom claims she knew nothing about it, but not very convincingly. Pratt asks her where Victor got the gun, and Victor's mom reminds him that she told him to keep the safety on. Sam looks at Pratt like, "Every day I work here, I move higher up on the list for Parent of the Year."
Susan calls out to Neela, and Neela immediately apologizes for abandoning Back Pain Guy. Susan just wanted to know if Neela had seen Gallant. Neela runs off. Sam asks Susan to sign off on a drug order, and explains that Victor's mom gave him the gun. Susan tells Sam to call Social Services, and then more quietly tells Sam that somebody called for her, sounding agitated, and that Frank said the same guy called yesterday. Luka lurks in the background, eavesdropping. Sam thinks it was just some veteran she helped last week. Susan offers to call Security, but Sam blows it off and says that it's fine. She files a chart, and Luka asks her what's going on. Sam tries to blow him off too, but Luka won't drop it. When he finally does, she pulls him back and suggests that they go get a coffee so that she can fill him in.
Neela talks to Back Pain Guy, and reminds him of the treatment she's already suggested for his problem. She also tells him that a muscle spasm can take weeks to heal, so she wonders why he keeps coming back. He says very sincerely, "I believe in you. And I think maybe you can fix me." Neela just looks at him like, "Really? You're really saying that minus any irony at all?" She agrees to do a full exam. He removes his coat, and when she pulls up his shirt, she finds that he's wearing some sort of bright blue spandex thing underneath his clothes. He explains, "It's a unitard. Like a, a bodysuit." Neela, all business, says she'll step away and let him don a gown. She pulls the curtain shut and rolls her eyes. Back Pain Guy tells her that he can't. Neela pulls the curtain back and asks why not. His shirt is open, and he has a small lightning bolt on his chest. It's like a superhero outfit. Maybe he's the Greatest American Hero? He asks Neela not to laugh, and she agrees. He explains that his wife used to call him "Clark," like Clark Kent. Neela tries to tell him that she can't examine him unless he disrobes. Back Pain Guy adds that his wife thought she could see his underlying secret strength. He concludes, "On Tuesday, it'll be nineteen weeks since she died." Neela softens and offers condolences. Back Pain Guy explains that she was allergic to nuts and accidentally ate an almond in someone's birthday cake. So, he bought the suit, and wears it under his clothes on bad days, and it makes him feel better. Neela swallows and says he wasn't wearing it yesterday. He says simply, "Well, yesterday was a good day." He asks if Neela thinks he's crazy. Neela says that she can examine him in his suit, and moves behind him to begin the exam.
Luka and Sam return from their coffee. Sam is wearing a huge furry hood, so that you can't even see her face. That will be a recurring theme in this episode. Sam tells Luka that Steve wrote Alex a letter promising a visit, and now he's been calling, so she thinks he must be in town. Luka asks how she wants to handle it, and Sam says that she's not going to run away again, and then tells Luka that it's her problem to deal with. Luka says that it's their problem.
Carter checks in on Victor. Pratt explains that they're waiting for an x-ray, and Shane throws in that they're also waiting for a Social Work consult, because Victor had a gun. Victor's mom explains that when kids tease him, Victor mouths off right back. Victor says that he mouthed off to the biggest doof at his school, and got shot for his trouble. Carter is shocked that he got shot at school, and Victor says it was on the way home. Victor's mom says that the perpetrator went to juvie and was back in school four months later. Pratt thinks a gun is not the answer. Victor's mom didn't know what else to do. Sam hands off the x-ray, and Carter examines it and says that Victor needs surgery.
Neela presents her charts to Luka. They get to Back Pain Guy, who is now fully wearing a superhero outfit, complete with cape. Carter runs over and asks if Gallant is really there. He gossips with Lily about Gallant's whereabouts, as Neela tries to continue discussing Back Pain Guy with Luka. Carter totally interrupts to ask where Gallant's parents live, and Neela confirms that they live in Texas, and tries to pretend as if she doesn't care that he totally bailed on her.
Neela heads to the Roach Coach, and the vendor teases her because she orders the same thing every day, like, shut up, Roach Coach Vendor. Maybe she just knows what she likes and doesn't want to chance it on your dodgy doughnuts. "Dodgy Doughnuts" is the title of my first single. Neela glances around as she waits for her order to be filled, and spies Gallant walking toward her. The sappy music starts up and she runs to him. They share a giant hug, and she breaks into a grin.
Neela and Gallant sit in a bar and talk. She says that she didn't know he was coming, and Gallant says that it was last-minute. Neela asks why he didn't call. Gallant says that he had to do something. Neela is silent, and Gallant adds, "But I couldn't leave without seeing you." Neela says that everyone is sad that he didn't come by the hospital. Gallant sighs that it feels weird being back in the world, and that he didn't want to have to answer a lot of questions. Neela asks how long he can stay, and Gallant says that he flies out the morning. Neela's phone rings. It's Frank, and Neela says that she left her orders on the chart, and that she's at lunch. She hangs up and notices a scar on Gallant's forehead. He says it's nothing. Neela's pager goes off, and she sighs and checks it. Gallant admits that he went to see his buddy's family this morning, and that the buddy died, and that he was delivering something to the dead guy's daughter. Neela says that she's sorry. Gallant says tearfully that his buddy's wife saw two officers walking to her door, and she begged them to leave, because they must have the wrong house. Neela tears up herself, and puts her hands on Gallant's.
Abby tells Frank that Neela's superhero won't leave. Frank asks if he should call Security. Back Pain Guy walks in and asks if they can page Neela. Abby says that Neela is home in bed. Frank says that Neela is over at Ike's. Abby smiles to cover her desire to strangle Frank, and offers to try to track Neela down.
Steve walks up and asks Frank lecherously if they have a hot nurse there named Samantha Taggert. Frank says yes. Hey, that's not Steve. They recast Steve! Who's this loser? I didn't think I was that big a fan of Cole Hauser, but at least with Cole Hauser, you could understand why a teenaged Sam would sleep with him and fall prey to his charms. This guy's just a weasel. Nothing against the actor; he just doesn't have Cole Hauser's natural charm. Luka says he's got it, and Steve recognizes him. Steve can't believe that Sam is still working there, and asks if they keep her chained to a bed. Luka asks Steve to step aside so that they can talk.
Olivia walks by, and Pratt calls her over to ask her to talk to Victor. Olivia isn't shocked by the case. Pratt explains that Victor is smart, and not a tough guy yet, and he was hoping she could "do [her] thing." Olivia is all offended, which doesn't make much sense, because isn't this what she does? And now she's offended that Pratt is trying to match her up with kids, where she might be able to make a difference?
Neela and Gallant play pool, with sexy results. "Stuck in the Middle With You" plays, which is a weird song choice, since it make most people think of an ear being sliced off. Is Gallant about to go psycho and soak Neela in gasoline or something? Gallant leans over and allows Neela to use his much-longer arms to her advantage when he acts as her bridge to help her make a shot. Neela gets all flirtatiously competitive. Abby walks in and hugs Gallant. She asks how it's going, and Gallant doesn't know what to say. Abby lets him off the hug and looks at Neela, who is all hopeful that Abby will catch her not-so-subtle cues that she doesn't want to be interrupted right now. Abby catches on, and says that she'll take care of Neela's patient. Neela smiles. Abby asks if Gallant is going to stop by, and Gallant says he's not sure. Abby says that it was good to see him, and that they all think about him. Abby walks out and shoots Neela a wink. Heh.
Victor's mom talks to Olivia, explaining that everyone at Victor's school has a weapon. Pratt butts in and asks if she really wants her son walking around with a gun. Olivia is like, "Pratt, I don't need your help," but more professionally. Victor's mom says that she can't protect her son every minute, and that he's a good kid. Olivia says she can tell, but that she thinks Victor can be tough by staying away from tough situations. She gives him a pep talk about avoiding the bad kids. Victor doesn't know how that will work, because the bad kids follow him to school. Olivia promises that Pratt will walk Victor to school every day for a week. Pratt's like, "Wait, what?" Which is sort of understandable. I mean, what if he's scheduled to work? Or mack on ladies? Olivia adds that she'll find big, bad dudes to walk Victor to and from school every day thereafter.
Steve is still looking for Sam. Luka tells him to wait in the lounge. Steve is all snippy and disrespectful. Luka promises that Sam will be out to see him as soon as she's free. He starts to escort Steve down the hall, but Steve shoves Luka's hand off, like, what is he, sixteen? And does that make Luka the principal? Imagine if Luka was your principal. Everyone would be bad just to get sent to his office. Wow, I just launched a fanfic in my own mind.
Sam examines Victor and discovers that he doesn't have much feeling in his lower leg. Shane arrives to take Victor up to surgery. Sam checks the X-ray and calls Shane over to point out that there's a chip missing in the bullet embedded in Victor's thigh. Shane doesn't think it's a big deal, but Sam thinks the bullet fragment is a problem, because the surgeons might be operating in the wrong spot. Sam calls for an x-ray. Shane protests, and Sam orders him to show Carter the films and postpone the surgery.
Sam walks out into the hall and sees Luka talking to Steve. Her first instinct is to run away, but she stops herself, turns, and walks back. She tells Luka that she's got it, and she and Steve walk down the hall. Luka keeps an eye on them from afar.
Sam and Steve walk back from getting coffee, and Sam has her stupid hood up again. It can't be that cold out. Steve doesn't even have his jacket zipped up. Steve asks if things are serious with Luka, and Sam says that they are. Steve pretends he's happy for her. Sam asks what he really wants to discuss, and Steve gets all shady and asks if anyone has been looking for him, because he owes a guy some money. Then he asks Sam to borrow some cash. Sam acts like she can't believe he'd even ask. Steve says that he's going to take Alex on a little trip, because he might not see Alex for a while. Sam says that Alex is in school, instead of stating the obvious -- that she would never let Alex go "on a little trip" with Skeevy Steve. Steve thinks Alex is in third grade, and won't miss much. Sam explains that their son is actually in fifth grade. Steve thinks that Alex is still his kid, and Sam says that Steve knows this is a bad idea. Steve reluctantly agrees. Sam puts out an olive branch and says that the three of them could get some dessert together, and Steve and Alex could catch up. Well, maybe not an olive branch so much as she knows how much Alex is counting on seeing his dad. Steve says that he has to hit the road, and promises to call. Sam looks incredibly sad as she nods. Steve manages to ask again if he can borrow some money. Sam doesn't look surprised, and they head off to an ATM so Steve can "borrow" a few hundred dollars.
Neela fills Gallant in on her identity crisis. Gallant asks if she doesn't like who she is. Neela says she doesn't like how people see her. Gallant advises her to be someone different tomorrow. Neela smiles and tells Gallant that they're going to Millennium Park, and then dinner.
Frank tells Luka that he doesn't mean to butt in (which he does), but that he checked Steve out and discovered that Steve is wanted in Colorado. I was going to get all het up about Frank's invasion of Sam's privacy, but this subplot had to be advanced somehow, and it is in Frank's characterization to do this, so whatever. Sam walks in and asks for the films on Victor, which Frank heads off to retrieve, leaving Luka holding Steve's rap sheet or whatever. Luka asks Sam how it went with Steve, and Sam says that he just wanted money and now he's gone. Luka says he has more to discuss, but Sam is distracted by Victor's being wheeled up to surgery, and she runs off. Shane tells Sam that she was totally right about the x-ray. Sam is psyched to learn that she's good at her job. Victor's mom and Shane both thank Sam, and she grins.
Luka catches up with Sam and first checks on Alex's whereabouts. He's with his after-school tutor. Luka reveals Frank's find. Sam must have never learned to read, because after handing her the paper with the information, Luka just tells her that Steve robbed a convenience store and hurt the cashier. Sam is shocked, since Steve has been in trouble before, but nothing this serious. Luka thinks they should call the police. Sam says that she can't be responsible for getting Alex's dad locked up. Bad Timing Susan picks that moment to stomp over and ask Sam to work overtime. Sam says that she can't. Susan won't take no for an answer. Carter interrupts and Susan pretends like Sam said yes and runs off. Luka says that he'll go home and handle the situation, and Sam asks him to call as soon as he gets there.
Susan tells Carter that she and Chuck are ready to be social, so she invites Carter and Wendall over for dinner. Dude, hire a sitter! Get out of the house. Because otherwise the whole night is going to become all about Cosmo, and isn't he cute, and look at his tiny fingers, and watch what he does when I make this face, and his poops are really regular. Forget it. The night will be like that anyway, except they'll just show photos instead of Cosmo's being there in person. Anyway, Carter says it's a nice offer, and then drops the bomb that he and Wendall are through, like that wouldn't have hit the hospital grapevine ten seconds after they broke up. Haleh would have been all over that shit. Carter admits that Wendall isn't speaking to him. Susan laughs (!) and asks if he's all right. Carter says that lately, he feels like he's "fallen off the tracks." And how do you react to someone saying that? Susan decides to pull a face, like, "Bummer. Hope you don't start abusing drugs again."
Olivia asks Pratt to call and tell her how Victor made out. They can also set up a schedule for Pratt to walk Victor to school. Pratt chases after Olivia, because he can't believe she was serious about that. She was. Olivia draws an analogy between violence and any other epidemic. Have I mentioned that Olivia has an awesome afro? She explains how the program works, and invites Pratt to come by and see for himself how well it's working.
Neela brings Gallant back to her place and apologizes for the mess. She asks where he's staying tonight, which is totally not subtle. He's staying with a friend. Neela says she's hungry, and he takes a minute to figure out what she means, then agrees that they should both change into other clothes. Neela heads into her room to change and yells out, "What are you craving?" Also not subtle. Gallant can't hear her, so he heads over to the stereo to play some music, the better to not hear her by. And also have sex to. They agree on pizza, and Gallant has moved closer to Neela's doorway so that they can hear each other, and he totally spies her in her bra and gets all embarrassed. Neela finally remembers to shut her bedroom door, which was also not subtle.
Luka finds Steve outside their apartment with an El Camino full of stuff. Steve claims he's just been picking up his stuff, and Luka asks if Steve broke into their apartment. Steve says that Alex let him in, and that he sent the babysitter home. Luka orders Steve to put everything back, because it's not Steve's stuff. Steve pulls out a jacket and says that he gave it to Sam. Luka asks about the TV and the stereo. Steve tells Luka to keep whatever he wants, and they stare at each other for a minute. Luka breaks the stare, and says he's going to check on Alex. Steve tries to stop him with a hand to the chest. Luka quietly says, "You don't want to do that," which was super-hot. Steve throws a punch, which Luka blocks, and then Luka slams Steve on the car's hood. Alex comes out and yells at Luka. Steve says it's no big deal. Another annoying thing about the new Steve? He talks like he's wearing dentures. Luka asks why Alex has a backpack. Alex says they're going to Florida, and that his mom said it was okay. Luka orders Alex back upstairs, and Alex refuses. Steve reminds Luka that Alex isn't Luka's kid. Luka turns and, quietly enough that Alex can't hear, says that Steve can take whatever he wants, but that he can't take Alex. Steve is silent. Luka asks, "Think about it. You really want to get him into all that?" Steve rolls his eyes and tells Alex that he can't go. Alex protests, and Steve pretends as if it's because Alex would miss too much school. Alex is crushed. Steve asks him not to make this any harder than it already is. They hug, and Alex heads back inside. Steve gets into his El Camino (which is totally the perfect vehicle for Steve to drive) as Luka watches.
Gallant has changed clothes. Neela walks out, wearing a dress with a plunging neckline, and boots. Gallant is impressed. Neela says that she needs to turn out the light, because that's the first thing you do when preparing to leave your apartment. In the dark. With the stereo on. Again, not too subtle. As she walks by Gallant to turn off another light, he starts to make a move to grab her, but stops himself. But when she walks back by, he grabs her arm. She stops. She turns to face him. They slowly move toward each other and kiss. And then he lifts her up and pushes her against a wall as they continue making out, which was really, really hot.
Cut to Neela and Gallant totally doing it, but it's so dark you can hardly see anything, which I'm sure made the actors happy, but cut me some slack, lighting director! Although now that I'm watching this scene again, some more, I notice that Neela isn't opening her mouth at all when they kiss, which is bothersome in a sex scene, so maybe it was good that it ended quickly. (The scene, not the sex.)
After. Gallant sits at Neela's desk and puts a letter into an envelope. He tucks it into his pants pocket. (He's not wearing his pants, by the way.) He touches a bracelet on Neela's ankle and she wakes up. He compliments her bracelet. She asks if he can't sleep, and he says he can't. She notices a scar on his arm and asks about it. Gallant tells her, and we see in flashback, that he had to go into a firefight to try to save some guys, and that he got hit by a bullet. We see that the same firefight was the source of the scar on Gallant's forehead. And then Gallant kills an Iraqi soldier who was about to kill him. Gallant tells Neela that he knows Neela wants to be someone different, but that he wants to go back to who he was. Neela thinks they can only keep moving forward.
Neela drives Gallant to the hospital and says she wishes he didn't have to go back. Gallant says that soon he'll be home for good. They confirm that the Iraqi mother and daughter are in the burn unit, and then they both sit in the car, hoping to extend the moment.
Neela and Gallant head up to the burn unit. Dubenko is there. Gallant introduces Neela to the patient. Dubenko says that the patient is improving. Neela's pager goes off, and she says she needs to go down to the ER. Gallant says he'll wait in the burn unit. Neela suggests that he come down, but Gallant doesn't want to, since he has to leave shortly. Neela understands, and promises to come back up when she's done.
Downstairs, Back Pain Guy is crashing. Pratt reports that he had a ruptured abdominal aneurysm (I think). Neela protests that his pain was "musculoskeletal." Carter, Pratt, Abby, and Chuny work to save the guy. Carter assures Neela that she didn't screw up, and Abby agrees. Neela has sex guilt, and keeps harping on it.
Alex works on some homework. Sam knocks and enters his room, but he won't talk to her. She says that she knows he's mad, and that Steve is his father, and that this won't change anything. Alex starts throwing his books into his backpack. Sam says that she and Alex and Luka are a team now, that Luka had to make a decision about what was best, and that Sam thinks it was the right thing. Alex tries to walk out of the room. Sam grabs him and begs him to talk to her. Sam says that it's okay for him to be sad, and Alex starts sobbing and hugs her.
The doctors are still trying to save Back Pain Guy. Neela has scrubbed in and asks Chuny to call the Burn Unit for her. She doesn't says that she needs to tell Gallant what's holding her up. Pratt makes Neela hold the aorta. Abby offers to take over, since she's the only one in the room who knows why Neela needs to go. Gallant walks up outside the doors and watches. Neela sees him. So does Pratt, who runs outside to make some calls and greets Gallant, who says he can't stay. Pratt wants to buy Gallant a beer, but Gallant asks Pratt to give a letter to Neela. Pratt is still busy on the phone, but he takes the letter. Gallant doesn't want Neela to open it unless something happens to him. Pratt says that nothing will happen to him. Gallant still wants Neela to have it. Pratt asks if everything is okay, and Gallant doesn't answer. Carter and the team rush out of the room and wheel Back Pain Guy into the elevator. Neela is still holding the aorta, so she's kind of stuck. Carter greets Gallant and tells him to take care of himself. Neela and Gallant make eyes at each other, sad that they can't properly say goodbye. The elevator doors close, and Gallant turns and walks out of the ER.
Luka gives Alex a ride to school. Alex is clearly not speaking to Luka, and Luka is sad.
Neela lies in bed and gazes at the letter Gallant wrote to her. She puts it in a box on her bedside table and turns out the light. Man, she has a lot of willpower. I would totally read it.
Gallant returns to Iraq. He finds an envelope in his bag that says, "For You." Inside, he finds Neela's ankle bracelet.
Neela stands on the heliport and watches a helicopter fly away. Gallant stands in the desert and fondles Neela's bracelet as he waits for an approaching helicopter. What is it with this show and helicopters?