Encouraged by Carol, Mark finally asks Susan out. Benton tries to save a boy, despite the fact Doug thinks he's brain dead.

After Mark saves a 16-year-old assault victim in a daring rescue, he tries to convince the boy to leave the streets for a shelter. Carter loses his beard when two carpet installers come in covered with glue. Peter consults a deaf physician regarding Reese's hearing condition. Corday is reassigned as Benton's intern. Kerry hears more discouraging news regarding her bid for ER chief. Carter loses his RA job, forcing him to go apartment hunting. He finds one--in Weaver's basement.

Mark Green is in New York on New Years Eve for cancer surgery. Meanwhile a father and son are involved in a car crash.

When a torrential rainstorm pounds Chicago, patients deluge the emergency room while Weaver speeds to an accident site. There, she finds a pregnant woman, Vicki lying injured inside a wrecked ambulance while live power lines spark. Fourth-year student Michael Gallant makes a dangerous decision in order to help.

Dr. Kovac's speeding causes a crash on an icy road. The ER staff treats angry elves and a female hockey player with a head injury.