Original subtitles

[opening theme music playing]

[siren]

She's got extreme lower abdominal pain.

We'll take it from here, corpsman.

How far along is she?

Eight months, a couple days.

The accident happened after she dropped

Lieutenant Steele at his squadron.

The Lieutenant's in the air but has been ordered back to base.

Her blood pressure's dropping, doctor.

Pulse is very irregular.

We've got fetal distress here.

Call the operating room

and tell them to stand by for emergency surgery.

I'm Lieutenant Steele. My wife--

Your wife has to go in for surgery.

The baby?

Step aside, Lieutenant. Please!

[airplane engine]

Aah!

[screaming]

Commander Michaels?

Commander Michaels!

Lieutenant, did you say something?

Yes, the surgery! Can anyone tell me

what's going on with my wife?

Uh, of course.

Dr. Pierson will brief you

as soon as he gets back from OR.

You can go down there and wait if you want.

Great. Thanks, ma'am.

[birds chirping]

-Sergeant Major Hastings? -Yeah.

I'm Mark Gordon, station housing director.

This is Mrs. Sergeant Major,

But she prefers to be called Annie.

-Hi. -Hi, nice to meet you both.

I stopped by to see if you found everything in order.

Everything's fine. It's really a great house.

We're looking forward to getting settled in.

You'd think after 25 years in the corps,

we'd have this down to a real science,

but not us. We never pack the same way twice.

It's not my fault. Talk to your son. He's the pack rat.

Hey, dad.

Look at these magazines on flying I found in the garage.

I'm going to put them in my room till I get a chance to get at them.

I rest my case, councilor.

David, this is Mr. Gordon. Mr. Gordon, my son, David.

Call me Mark. Save that "mister" stuff for somebody else.

All right, sir-- Mark.

I'm afraid David's going to have to get used to

saying "sir" for quite some time, Mark.

He's received an appointment to the naval academy.

Says he wants to be a marine pilot.

That's fantastic! Congratulations!

Thanks. I'm going to stick these in my room.

When I was young,

that's all I could think about. Being a pilot.

You know, racing across the sky.

It just didn't work out for me.

I'd better be going. Nice meeting you both.

If you need anything, just call me at the office.

I appreciate your coming by, Mark.

My pleasure.

I know how tough it is moving from one place to another.

Yeah.

You ever in the service, Mark?

Oh, yeah. Marines for three years.

Of course, that was quite a while ago.

Once we're finally settled in,

I'd like it if you came for dinner.

My pleasure. Thank you.

-Thanks again. -All right.

Lieutenant Steele?

Yes, sir?

Well, we were very concerned at first,

but the surgery went very well.

And my wife, sir, is she--

Your wife and your new baby girl

are doing just fine. Congratulations.

I can't believe it! A girl?

Your wife will be in recovery for some time,

but that baby should be in the nursery by now.

Thank you, sir! Thank you!

Thank you! A little girl!

Oh, sorry! Are you okay?

I'm fine.

A little girl!

That's one excited marine.

You'll have to forgive the Lieutenant. He can't wait to see

his new baby girl.

You must be Commander Rogers.

That's right.

I'm Jonathan Smith. I'm the new psychologist

who's taking Dr. Gleason's place while she's on maternity leave.

Well, it's nice to meet you.

-This your first day? -Yeah.

Well, I think you'll like it here. We got a real good staff.

How long have you been here, Commander?

It's Matt. And I've been here 10 months, 23 days,

11 hours, and 15 minutes.

Yeah, well, excuse me, Matt but are you always that precise?

No, but I'm on my last tour of duty.

I find myself counting the days.

You see, the government paid for my medical training,

and in return, I'm giving them 20 years of service.

It's a good deal for them and a real good deal for me.

Commander Michaels.

Commander Rogers, I heard the operation went very well.

Yes, it did. Mother and child are doing just fine.

It will be a while

before Lieutenant Steele comes down out of the clouds.

Oh, Jonathan, forgive me.

I want you to meet the best nurse in the entire navy,

Commander Kimberly Michaels.

Jonathan Smith. Pleasure to meet you.

Same here.

Jonathan will be acting as staff psychologist

till Dr. Gleason returns.

Mr. Smith, you may talk to our chief surgeon about his obvious delirium.

I'm really not the best nurse in the navy.

Okay, okay. The world, then.

[beeper ringing]

I've got to go. See you later.

Take care.

[Kimberly] You, too.

I get the impression

you and the Commander there are good friends.

Well...

Yeah.

I guess you could say that.

She's an extraordinary woman.

Served two tours as a combat nurse in Vietnam,

so I wasn't kidding when I said she was the best.

At least in my books.

Two tours--that's a lot of combat.

She had any problems?

She's never said anything about it.

I couldn't say one way or the other.

I guess she has her good days and her bad days, But hey, don't we all?

We certainly do.

Well, if you excuse me, Jonathan, I better go change.

The hospital CO does like to see his chief of surgery

in uniform once in a while.

-I'll see you around. -Buh bye.

[phone ringing]

Jonathan, you're going to like the Hastings.

They're real down-to-earth.

[laughing]

Get it? Down to earth.

That's really funny, Mark.

I thought I'd inject a little angel humor in this conversation.

Very little.

Anyway, their son David's going to the naval academy. Isn't that great?

That's quite an honor. They must be very proud.

Are you kidding me?

Travis was practically busting his buttons when he told me.

David wants to be a marine aviator.

Boy, when I was a kid, that's all I dreamt about... being a pilot.

Really? Well, what happened? You just changed your mind?

No--well, actually yes.

You know, once I found out it was bad for me.

Bad for you? How can flying be bad for you?

I'm afraid of flying, okay?

Okay, well, say you're afraid, not "it's bad for you."

That's easy for you to say. You're an angel. You're used to flying all over the place.

Well, not me.

Which one of the Hastings is our assignment?

Uh, all of them.

What's wrong with them?

I don't know.

I know nothing about Commander Michaels either.

So, what do we do?

Just hang around and wait and see what happens.

I hope we find something soon. Colonel Mahon is not the easiest person to work for.

You're just saying that cos you don't like taking orders from a woman.

I am not! She just happens to be a very tough lady

who doesn't care much for civilians.

Well, you'll just have to convince her otherwise.

I'd rather kiss a rattlesnake.

[rattlesnake rattles]

That's not funny, Jonathan.

Hey, been one of those days, huh?

Rough morning, yeah.

That, combined with very little sleep.

Well, I'm sure you get the picture.

I know exactly what you mean.

May I?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Are you getting acquainted with everything, Mr. Smith?

It's Jonathan.

I've been feeling my way around pretty well.

Well, that's good.

I've been meaning to ask you

why a nurse of your rank

is still working in the emergency room.

I don't understand your question.

It's a little unusual to see a Commander

working in a hands-on capacity

rather than supervising.

Well, for your information, Jonathan,

I'm in the ER because we happen to be understaffed,

But also because I have an extensive background

in trauma care.

Most of which you learned

in your two tours in Vietnam?

Yes.

That's right.

I know you saw a lot of death and tragedy when you were in Nam.

I was just wondering if you had any problem--

Whoa. Wait a second.

I happen to know a lot about the veterans

suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, okay?

So I don't need you or anyone else

telling me, "This is the reason you're feeling bad"

or "This is why you can't do your work."

I'm sorry if my question upset you, Commander.

Just a habit.

It comes with the job, I guess.

Yeah, right.

Well, enjoy your coffee, Mr. Smith.

No, that''ll be okay. Don't worry about it.

Commander Michaels.

Yes?

I just wanted to ask you one more thing.

Don't you ever stop analyzing people?

Well, it all depends on whether or not I think they have a problem.

Oh, you think I may have a problem?

You said you worked in the emergency room here because they were short staffed.

And every assignment you've had since Vietnam

has been exclusively in emergency care.

Well, some people might think that that in itself is a symptom

of post traumatic tress disorder.

You know, Mr. Smith,

that same someone might just take a look at what I've been doing

and consider it just plain old dedication to duty.

[elevator bell dings]

Attention to detail, Corporal.

A pilot can't be calling the auto club at 30,000 feet.

So don't just check the problem once and move on.

You make sure it's been double and triple checked.

Okay?

-No problem, Major, I will. -Carry on.

Hey, Mark.

Hello, Travis.

Boy, this is some airplane.

It's America's best.

Seeing it up close like this, it's awesome.

Just think what it's like to fly one.

I can't even imagine.

It won't be long before David will be able to tell us both.

Yeah. That's for sure.

What brings you here?

The movers forgot to give you your household effects inventory.

I've looked everywhere for this.

I'll bet.

Well, thanks for bringing it by.

No problem. I like to get out of that office as much as possible.

I know what you mean. Pushing papers can be a pain in the neck.

Yeah, among other things.

Annie's been after me about having you over for dinner.

No problem. Tell me what day and I'll be there.

How about tonight around 7:00?

See you tonight around 7:00.

Hey, Mark.

I've been meaning to ask you.

Does the name "hopalong Hastings"

mean anything to you?

Hopalong Hastings?

I haven't heard that name in...like 20 years.

Then you must be Flash Gordon.

How did you know that?

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Hastings. Are you related?

I'm Ted's younger brother.

You got to be kidding.

I've heard so much about bubba's barn,

I almost stopped in Laporte on our way out here.

Well, I'll be! How's hopalong doing?

He's doing great.

Hastings report to maintenance control.

I gotta run. We'll catch up on everything at dinner.

And tonight, I'd like to hear what really happened.

Hey, tonight Flash Gordon will tell it all.

Good afternoon.

Hi.

I heard you were having a bad day,

So I thought a nice dinner would be just the thing to cheer you up.

What is this?

Have you been talking to Mr. Smith, too?

No. Dr. Pierson told me on the lounge

you seemed to be on everybody's case today.

Yeah, well, I guess I'm pretty rough to be around today.

What's this with Jonathan?

You have a little run-in with him, too?

Kind of, but it was no big deal.

All right. How about dinner?

Antonio's sound okay to you?

I'm afraid I wouldn't be much company, Matt.

Let me be the judge of that.

If you're smart, you will follow the doctor's order.

Oh, my gosh! A smile.

I believe my patient is on the road to recovery.

All right. Dinner at my place.

I'd like that better.

Excuse me.

Commander Michaels?

Yes, Lieutenant?

My wife wanted me to give this to you.

Just a little "thank you" for being so nice to us.

This is really thoughtful of you.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Oh, it's my pleasure.

I hope you don't mind, but, uh...

we named the baby after you.

Kimberly Erin Steele.

No, I don't mind at all.

Well, I better be going.

It looks to me like my patient is getting better by the moment.

Yeah.

[baby crying]

And here's to, um...

to cereal.

May it never get soggy.

Matt!

We have toasted everything from dog food to astrology.

Our food is getting cold.

I promise this will be the last one.

Here's to us.

May all our children have wealthy parents.

Kim, I don't understand it.

I mean...

You seem to enjoy my company.

God knows we've had some pretty good times together.

The minute I start talking about us and the future...

you shut me out.

Oh, Matt, I'm sorry.

If I could explain

why I do the things I do,

it would probably be a miracle.

I really do enjoy the time we spend together.

And I do consider you a very close friend.

But I don't want the pressure

of having to make a deeper commitment now.

At least not right now.

Well, Commander, one thing I always admired about you

is your candor.

I'm sorry, Matt. I don't know how else to say it.

Kim, I really care for you, and...

I'm willing to accept whatever you feel comfortable giving.

Okay?

Okay.

Here's to...

understanding...

As difficult as it may be sometimes.

Thank you.

Oh, yeah, David.

Sounds great, yeah.

Look, David, can I get back to you on this?

Uh-huh. Oh, can't wait.

I don't believe it.

David wants to take you flying.

How'd you know?

That's why I'm here. To make sure you go.

What? Are you nuts? You got to get me out of this.

I can't get you out of this. It's part of the assignment.

Jonathan--

It's very important you get close to David.

Can't we be close on the ground.

Take advantage of this. It will help get over your fear of flying.

Thanks, but no, thanks.

Gordon, please file these.

Oh, yes, ma'am, sir.

Oh, Colonel Mahon, this is my friend, Jonathan Smith.

Nice to meet you.

You're the new psychologist. Nice to meet you, too.

I've been working with Mark, trying to get him past the phobia he has about flying.

Oh, is that so?

I was hoping to take him flying this afternoon, if it's all right with you.

Uh, Colonel, we have an inspection coming up.

I should stick around and probably catch up on the filing.

Listen up, Gordon. In my book, a person's health comes first.

You go on and take the afternoon off.

But, Colonel--

There are no buts. You go ahead and beat this thing.

And after you conquer that, you and I will work on this.

He's all yours, Mr. Smith.

Thank you, Colonel.

Welcome to the friendly skies.

I think you'll really like my friend's plane. It's a really safe to fly.

It-- well, you'll see it.

Really sounds like fun.

How long you been flying, David?

I got my pilot's license when I was 16.

I've been up there ever since,

flying through the clouds, exploring the skies.

I feel like I'm seeing a little bit of heaven.

My friend Jonathan would agree with you.

Oh, yeah? Does he fly?

Oh, yeah. All the time.

Oh, boy! This is a big airplane.

I like big in an airplane.

It's big. I like big.

I'm sorry, Mark. This isn't ours.

My friend's plane is right there on the other side.

This isn't our plane?

It's a nice big plane, I like...

Oh.

There it is.

Isn't she a beaut?

Uh, no, uh...

We've got to talk about this.

Come on, Mark. Grab your parachute.

Let's fly! Yeah!

Oh!

I can't believe this has happened.

All the naval academy needs is a birth certificate.

And they get two certificates with two different names.

If I find the fool who's responsible, I'll personally break his neck.

You can't be mad at anyone.

Annie, somebody screwed things up.

Now the academy want to see David's adoption papers.

We'll just send them the papers, okay?

We're to blame for this, Travis. You and me.

No one else.

Annie, I know it was wrong to keep this a secret.

Now it's out.

What the hell are we going to do?

We're going to have to tell him.

I wish you'd told me you had chili for lunch.

I'm sorry you got sick.

That's all right.

Forget it. I...

I should have waited for another time.

I'll tell you what, next week, I'll teach you how to do barrel rolls.

Barrel rolls.

I'll call you, okay?

Okay.

I'll see you later.

Boss, if I ever make angel,

we're just going to pass on the wings, okay?

Hi. I have a feeling Flash Gordon isn't gonna make it to flight school.

I've never seen anyone get as sick as he did today.

We weren't in the air for two minutes, and he started barfing--

Mom?

Dad, is something wrong?

Sit down, David. Your mother and I have something to tell you.

David, we got a letter from the naval academy today, and

there's a problem with some of the paperwork.

Oh, no! Am I being turned down?

No, it's not that. It's just...

It's a question about your birth certificate,

and, uh...

It's all my fault, David.

I should have told you all about this a long time ago.

Birth certificate? Dad, I don't know what you're talking about.

The academy wants to see the final decree of my adoption?

Is that what you both wanted to tell me?

That you adopted me?

For years we wanted to tell you, but...

It was just easier to put it off.

Then as you got older,

It was even harder to face.

David, we were just plain scared.

That's the only excuse I can give you.

I'm adopted?

I'm sorry, David, we didn't tell you sooner.

We're sorry.

Yeah, I, uh...

I have to be alone for a while, okay?

There's a problem with some of the paperwork.

It's a question about your birth certificate.

You adopted me?

I'm sorry, David, we didn't tell you sooner.

We were just plain scared.

I'm adopted?

I'm adopted?

[horn honks]

Get a reading on his vitals.

We could use a hand, Commander.

[crashing sounds]

Commander?

Commander!

What's the matter with you?

You better carry on without me.

I'm not feeling very well.

Excuse me. I'm Sergeant Major Hastings.

My son David was in an accident.

I'm the doctor who will be handling David.

How bad is he hurt?

He's got a dislocated shoulder

and severe abrasions,

but there are no internal injuries.

He was complaining of dizziness but it turned out to be negative.

All in all, I'd say that your son was pretty lucky.

Thank god.

When David was brought in he was incoherent,

but he kept repeating the word "adopted" over and over again.

It seemed to upset him every time he said it.

Travis, I just heard about David. Is he all right?

He'll be okay, Mark.

Mr. Smith, an hour ago, we'd told David he was adopted.

Needless to say, it was quite a shock to him.

Doctor, can we see him now, please?

Of course. Follow me.

[monitors beeping]

We're so sorry, David.

So very, very sorry.

We love you so much.

I know...

And I understand.

I understand.

Dear god, please help me.

Please help me.

Hello, Kim.

What brings you here, Mr. Smith?

Prayer or analysis?

Neither.

I just came in to offer you a friendly ear, that's all.

Well, I'll keep that in mind.

Thank you.

Don't you think you've tried to go it alone long enough?

Jonathan...

Yeah?

Jonathan, I need to talk.

Please.

What do you say, David?

Oh, hi, Mark.

I brought you these.

Figured if you're gonna b grounded for a while, at least you could read about flying.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

No problem.

So what's with the sweat suit? You got a day off?

Don't I wish.

The Colonel ordered me to meet her at the gym.

We are gonna work on this.

I'm not looking forward to it, I tell you.

Feeling all right?

Yeah, yeah. I'm fine.

I've been giving a lot of thought to my situation,

about being adopted and all.

And I realized there's two people out there who helped created me.

I don't know who they are or what they're like.

I could have a brother or sister out there somewhere.

It's really strange, Mark, but I want to find and meet these people.

Do you think I'm wrong?

It's your decision to make, Dave.

What about Travis and Annie? How do they feel about it?

I haven't told them yet.

I love them, Mark. They're my parents.

But I have to know who my real mother and father are

so I'll know who I am.

Sometimes I just start crying and I don't know why.

But I can't stop it myself either.

Then there's the periods of depression.

I just feel so bad...

That even the littlest thing or even nothing,

it just sweeps over me.

That's when I drink.

It numbs the feeling,

Makes it a little easier to live with.

Are the nightmares always the same?

Yeah.

I met a navy pilot on my first tour in Vietnam.

Lieutenant William Campbell.

We were on a three day R&R in Saigon,

and we spent every minute together.

There we were, in the middle of a war, thousands of miles away from home.

We were kids, Jonathan. Scared kids.

We fell in love with each other.

Well, I was the happiest girl on earth

when he said we'd get married.

But that never took place.

Bill's jet was shot down over north Vietnam.

And he's still listed as missing in action.

That's how my nightmare always ends.

With Bill's jet exploding.

How long have you been having these dreams?

Ever since I came home from Vietnam.

Jonathan, I told you

that I knew about post traumatic stress disorder,

And I got mad when you suspected that I might have it.

Well, I've always known...

that what happened to me,

and what I saw over in Vietnam

would stay with me forever.

And that's why you always work in emergency care...

so you could hide inside the same work you were doing in Vietnam

And still pretend that a problem doesn't exist.

Yeah, but you don't understand. I'm a nurse.

I am trained to heal people.

But you're also a human being, Kim.

A human being with a lot of pain inside.

It's just that I feel so... alone.

But you're not alone, Kim.

There are a lot of women suffering from the same problem you are.

Will you help me, Jonathan?

You bet I will.

[airplane engine whirring]

Thinking about taking this puppy for a spin?

I guess my mind was at 30,000 feet.

I haven't had a chance to see David. How is he doing?

Oh, he's fine.

Getting stronger every day.

And what about you, amigo? How are you doing?

Well, after everything that's happened, I guess I'm doing all right.

[sighs] No, that's not true.

The fact is, David told us He wants to find and meet his...

his birth parents.

I tell you, I can't believe how one stupid clerk somewhere

has been able to cause all this unnecessary grief.

David was doing just fine.

Just... Just fine.

My god, Mark, he wants to meet his real parents.

And that scares you?

Hell, yes, I'm scared. Wouldn't you be?

What's there to be afraid of?

You're missing the point, Mark.

Suppose these people turn out to be,

I don't know, super rich or...

More interesting than me and Annie?

I mean, they're his real parents.

Travis, listen to me.

You and Annie have loved David for over 17 years.

He knows he's your son.

There isn't anyone or anything that is going to change that.

Yeah, well...

I just wish I could be sure.

Well, I am sure you're not the first adoptive parents to feel this way,

But you can't let your fear of the unknown stand in David's way. You can't.

I know. I know.

Something else you might want to think about.

Yeah? What is that?

If David locates his birth parents,

that will give you and Annie a chance to say thank you.

Because if it wasn't for them,

you never would have had this great boy for your son.

That really is the bottom line, isn't it?

Yeah.

Come on. I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

There now. That didn't hurt too bad, did it?

No, sir.

This pretty much covers what you need to know.

The main thing is to keep the wound as clean as possible, okay?

And since you didn't cry,

I hereby make you an official member of my heroes club.

Congratulations.

Look, mommy, I'm a hero.

You sure are, honey.

And you get a lollipop, too.

You be a careful girl now, okay?

I will.

Thanks for being so kind, Commander.

You're welcome. Goodbye.

Daddy will be proud of me cause I got this hero button.

Oh, you bet he will, baby.

Looks like you made her day.

To be honest with you, it's more the other way around.

You having a good day then?

Let's just say they're getting better.

What brings you down here?

They're forming a veterans' outreach group in Seabrook.

They're all women suffering from PTSD.

I think it would be good for you.

Sounds a little scary.

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't scary,

But I think it's what you need, Kim.

Okay.

I'll let you know when I hear back from the director.

[theme music playing]

Sferastudios