A Chinatown tradesman is critically wounded in a shoot-out and requires a kidney transplant, and his brain-dead attacker may be the only suitable donor. Meanwhile Dr. Kay O'Brien's parents breeze into town, adding to her already hectic schedule.

Dr. Kay O'Brien makes critical decisions on a pair of emergency patients: a young woman who refuses surgery due to her parent's religious beliefs; and a terminally ill photojournalist who wants to get the most out of his remaining days.

Nurse Rosa's friendship is tested when Kayo sides with a doctor who gives arrogant orders to the staff.