Mickey's life hangs in the balance after he's shot by a bullet that was meant for Lu, who now faces the difficult decision of whether to keep her fireman beau alive on a respirator or donate his organs for transplants. Meanwhile, Andy tries to work the system for the benefit of a mother in need of a heart, and offers support to the parents of a baby with "bubble boy" disease. Meanwhile, Jesse (Michelle Horn) comes out of back surgery and is faced with her parents' break-up. Dr. Morton: Richard Biggs.

Lu's confronted with the brutal memory of being raped when Dr. Rand Kilner (Gregory Harrison) is brought to the ER suffering from serious heart problems; Lana takes a young girl from the local Big Sisters program under her wing; and Peter makes a date with a kidney-dialysis patient. Meanwhile, a prominent couple use their money and influence to adopt a baby.

Chemistry develops between Andy and Dr. Morton (Richard Biggs) when they work together to help a patient with an enlarged heart. Meanwhile, Lu needs a bone-marrow donor for a baby with leukemia; and a senior citizen with an active sex life gets a dose of bad news.

The murder of Mickey has shaken Lu's once-clear standing against the death penalty; and Andy wonders if it is too soon after her breakup with Les to accept a dinner invitation from Dr. Morton (Richard Biggs). Meanwhile, a TV chef develops a mysterious rash. Aneesha: April Grace.

Lu determines that a young patient has developed the symptoms of respiratory illness as a result of being stressed over her parents' bitter divorce. Andy, meanwhile, is occupied with her own domestic situation after Lizzie (Morgan Flynn) attempts to orchestrate a family reunion with Les. In addition, two daughters have to deal with the tragic consequences of their mother's Huntington's disease; and Peter counsels a coworker's pregnant wife.

The mysterious disappearance of an abused expectant mother causes Lu to wonder if she should breach doctor-patient confidentiality in hopes of finding her alive. Elsewhere, Andy deals with youngest daughter Lizzie's sudden behavioral problems, and confronts a chauvinistic doctor about his unhealthy attitude towards women. In other happenings, Peter offers guidance to the teen parents of a terminally ill baby, while Nick is busy in the ER treating sick passengers from a cruise ship.

Patients include a child who becomes painfully ill in reaction to a smallpox vaccine; a mother who's about to deliver a premature baby; and a teen who's suffering from a severe stutter. Meanwhile, Lu teaches a chauvinist male about the importance of a woman's right to say no to sex, as Andy moves forward in her relationship with Milo (Richard Biggs).

A heat wave strikes Philadelphia at the same time Andy's feeling pressure from Milo (Richard Biggs) to tell her daughters about their romance. At the hospital, she copes with a stressful situation involving a woman with Alzheimer's disease who's trying to get pregnant, and assists in a risky operation that involves stopping a baby's heart in order to repair it. Meanwhile, a girl with Down syndrome is the principal suspect in the gang-related shooting of a teen.

Lu takes it upon herself to make sure that a female boxer (guest star Laila Ali) is sidelined after suffering a serious concussion. But, needing the money for her family, she goes against Lu's advice and fights in an underground match.