<P> In Season 5, after a fiasco with Doug Ross, a dying child, and an overdose of medication, Carol is forced to step down from her position with the clinic, and step down from being Nurse Manager . </P> <P> Eight weeks after her suicide attempt, Carol returns to work . Although she later denies it, the staff suspect that her suicide attempt was brought about by her failed romance with Doug Ross, a womanizing pediatrician also working in the ER . Carol keeps Doug at a distance in both professional and private matters, which becomes difficult as Doug continually tries to win her back, on one such occasion showing up drunk on her doorstep, with flowers . While Carol harbors animosity towards the brash pediatrician, it becomes obvious to the viewer as well as the staff, that there are continuing feelings for him . </P> <P> In an attempt to move on from her fractured relationship, Carol becomes engaged to orthopedic surgeon John "Tag" Taglieri (Rick Rossovich). The relationship is tumultuous from the start, since Carol cannot commit fully to Tag, and against his wishes, tries unsuccessfully to adopt a Russian child suffering from AIDS that was abandoned in the ER . Right before they are about to walk down the aisle, Tag leaves her at the altar, telling her he cannot commit to someone who cannot reciprocate those feelings . While hurt, the ER staff much like they have in a brazen attempt to save her life, continue to do so at the wedding reception, with food, drinks and music . </P> <P> Carol, in an attempt to become more independent, purchases a run - down row house, which she plans on renovating . She later becomes involved with paramedic Ray "Shep" Shepard (Ron Eldard), who moves in with her . Despite a promising start, their relationship is severely strained after Shep goes through a drastic personality change after the death of his work partner . Shep and his partner had decided to enter a burning building to save children who were trapped by the fire . Shep's partner was badly burned and later died in the ICU . Shep becomes abrasive, and despite Carol's attempts to get him professional help, he refuses, so she ends their relationship, refusing to watch someone she cares about self - destruct . </P>

What episode of er do carol and doug get together