Ben Bairstow is a busy general surgeon whose life is filled with routine cases and life-threatening emergencies. Into that life comes a beautiful young woman, the wife of his partner, who needs his medical attention. He struggles between his attraction to her and his need to maintain a distance if he is to help her get well. She is also attracted to him, which complicates Bairstow's life. In his private life, Bairstow has three children, one of whom has been arrested for shoplifting, and a devoted wife. Developing conflicts in the family challenge each member, threatening to drive them apart while Bairstow strives to keep them, and himself, together.