<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> <P> Without Shep's extra income she is unable to afford her house . Things get even worse when a labor dispute arises concerning the reassignment of her nurses . As nurse manager for the ER, Carol is privy to management decisions, and she finds herself torn between her friends and the hospital administration . During a nurse sickout, Carol accidentally transfuses the wrong blood into a patient . Although it is unclear whether it was the blood or his other injuries that cause his death, Carol blames herself . The administration initially does not punish Carol for this incident and uses it to cast the sickout in a bad light, but she resents the administration's actions and believes she is not being punished sufficiently for her error, so she talks to the press and gets suspended . </P> <P> During her suspension, Carol is held hostage at gunpoint during an armed robbery at her local grocery store . She treats several injured people and manages to escape the incident, shaken but unharmed . Carol later takes the MCAT with Doug's assistance and assumes she failed, when in fact she did very well . However, she opts not to pursue medical school, having only taken the test to prove she was capable . It was also during this time that Carol and Doug become closer as friends . Doug, the once - womanizing pediatrician, hits rock bottom, leading a life of celibacy after one of his one - night stands dies from a cocaine overdose . As he straightens out his life, Carol begins to see him differently, and after a surprise passionate embrace on her doorstep, Doug and Carol begin to rekindle their relationship . </P>

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