Now firmly entrenched in her life in Atlanta, Denise Luco must face new challenges. Pregnant with a child she feels she cannot raise, she must deal with both the physical and emotional burden. But there is a bright side. One of her patients, Number Six, is improving. What's responsible for the patient's health and can Dr. Luco reproduce its effects before the government takes drastic steps to constrict the spread of the plague.

Still reeling from the effects of Ms. Huang's personal attacks, Abby has picked up the pieces of her career and settled back into place. But a new surprise is in store for her. It was inevitable that her empty patient slots would be filled, but who fills one of them creates a problem she cannot solve on her own.