The Magical Legend Of The Leprechauns? Find me the guy who green-lighted that. Find him, and kick his ass.

Carter enters the surgical clinic and sees Brassy, all in white (including, might I add, white pumps after Labor Day). He greets her: "I heard you were coming in today." Brassy, icily: "Did you? I asked you to leave me alone." Carter, taking a seat: "Yeah, I know, I know that you did, and I'm sorry, but I really needed to talk to you, because it's -- because I don't want you to have the wrong idea about me." Brassy, obviously wanting to rid herself of him, says quickly, "I don't," but John doesn't catch his snap: "I want you to know that I'm here for you, and for me, this wasn't just about --" Brassy interrupts, "Sex?" Carter says it "wasn't about that," and Brassy says crisply, "It was for me." She goes on to say that she doesn't need tenderness or worry or anything else from him; she just needs him to go away. Carter shakes his head and says, "I don't wanna go away." Brassy stares at him, livid. Carter stares back. I've probably seen plots similar to this one handled in a clumsier and more uncompelling fashion, but I can't think where.

Lucy and Luka examine Loren's X-rays. Luka has pulled her records and discovered that Loren has a bunch of old injuries. Lucy says that Loren wants to leave as soon as her arm gets splinted; Luka tells Lucy that Loren has only come to County a couple of times, but she's gone to other area hospitals several times each, and he doesn't want her to go home. He clearly thinks Loren's getting knocked around. The Ls enter Loren's room, and Loren's husband Paulie -- played by a "Hey, It's That Guy!" actor who usually fills sleazy roles like this one, and who therefore is a dead giveaway that Luka's hunch is probably correct -- thanks them for looking after Loren "so well." The Ls eye Paulie with suspicion. Lucy says gently, "Loren wasn't clear on how the accident exactly happened." Paulie says, "Maybe that's because she's a little bit embarrassed, isn't that right, Loren?" Paulie gives Loren a menacing grin, and she nods the brightly eager nod of the stone terrified. Lucy asks Paulie what happened, and he says Loren fell off a ladder while hanging drapes in their bedroom, and he'd asked her not to do it herself, "didn't I, honey?" Paulie strokes Loren's head, and Loren agrees with what Paulie said. Lucy gives Luka a look and asks, "Should I splint her?"