- In many respects, Smith sees the Storeys - parents David and Marcy, and children Ryan and Rachel - as the perfect example of a truly loving family. Ryan had thought about going to seminary school, but decided instead to go to medical school in an effort to save his father, himself a general practitioner. Dr. Storey underwent a simple heart valve replacement surgery, but complications from several surgeries later resulted in him suffering permanent brain damage. Ryan feels responsible as he both convinced his father to have the surgery, and now wishes that his father had died instead. Ryan wishes that he could go back and convince his father not to have the surgery, which would result in what Ryan considers two quality years instead of the eleven years David has lived with the mental faculties of a child. Ryan does get his wish as Othniel sends him back as Dr. Thomas, the heart surgeon on his father's case. Smith makes Ryan realize that it isn't only letting his father make his own decision on his fate, but also for Dr. Thomas, with Ryan's thoughts and feelings, to do what is truly in his heart.—Huggo
- Ryan Storey (Wil Wheaton) regrets forcing his father to have a surgery that extends his life, but leaves him crippled.
After his own death, Ryan travels back in time to become "Dr. Thomas," who is his father's specialist. He is determined not to make the same mistake of getting his dad to live longer, but with a decreased quality of life. After the senior Storey has a massive heart attack that didn't occur in the original time line, Ryan realizes that he can't let his dad die so easily after all.
As he walks through the OR doors to operate, the scene shifts, and he and Smith find themselves back in the present day. Ryan is a priest, as he had wanted to be before feeling responsible for his dad's operation going awry, which made him go into medicene. From behind, he hears his father bellow, "What's the matter? Didn't think your old man would make it?" He runs to give his dad a hug and say that he loves him.
The story ends with the family - Mom, Dad, Ryan, and his sister Rachel - ice skating. Ryan tells Smith that he'll always remember him, in his heart. As the two men's hands extend towards each other, Ryan's memories of the past three days are erased. His sister catches up to him and asks if he doesn't feel as if their guardian angel is watching them.
The episode concludes with Smith telling Judge Othniel what a fine warrior he was. We see Al Waxman in the starry night sky, followed by the tribute "In loving memory of".
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