Fear Of Flying

Lewis momentarily overcomes her fear of flying when she and Greene travel in a rescue helicopter to help a family of four, the Herlihys, who were in a gruesome traffic accident in a rural area. When Lewis and Greene bring the victims back to the hospital, the father suffers temporary memory loss from severe head trauma, and the mother's condition stabilizes. Their two children--seven-year-old Zach (recurring guest star JONATHAN PATTERSON/JOSHUA PATTERSON) and infant Megan--are seriously injured but expected to live.

With one of the nurses on vacation, nurse Rhonda Sterling (recurring guest star JENNY O'HARA) is brought in from another department. Because of Sterling's complete lack of experience in the emergency room, the other nurses expect the worst, but Hathaway gives her a chance. Unfortunately, Sterling proves not only incompetent but annoyingly lazy. When Sterling's carelessness with medication almost kills Zach, Hathaway orders her to restock supplies and stay away from the patients.

Under Keaton's supervision, Benton performs exploratory surgery on Megan. Assured of Benton's competence, Keaton leaves for another emergency, allowing Benton to finish operating on Megan without her. However, Benton becomes overconfident and bungles the surgery, leaving the baby in extremely critical condition. Keaton castigates Benton, saying that it will be her responsibility but Benton's fault if the baby dies. Although Benton insists--erroneously--that he followed correct procedure, he is extremely agitated.

Elsewhere in the emergency room, Greene and Lewis continue to behave awkwardly around each other due to their mutual attraction. And Jeanie must deal with an elderly man's dying wish--to be cryogenically preserved with his deceased wife.