I'm back… This is a shorter chapter, but I'm super excited for Chapter 8 so I wanted to get this chapter out of the way. I have two additional disclaimers. 1) I don't guarantee that any medical information is right. I did some research but I'm not a med student, nor will I ever be one. Tell me if there's a huge error so I'll know for future reference. 2) I don't know Spanish, so that is only an internet translation. I apologize for any grammatical mistakes. I provided a translation at the bottom of the story, but it's not an integral part of the story. There is no song this chapter, because I couldn't find one that fit the chapter. Instead I've included a quote. I've already started Ch. 8 so look for that later this week. Please leave a review and I'll try to get it up faster.

Thank you and as always thanks for reading- Jen.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or quotes from Grey's Anatomy.

Chapter 7: First Impressions

It is not only old and early impressions that deceive us;

the charms of novelty have the same power

~Blaise Pascal~

As the interns approached the first room they all felt nervous. This would be their first patient on their first rounds on their first shift. How they presented could effect the rest of their medical careers. In the hospital bed laid a slight, heart faced woman. By her side with a look of expectation was Christina Yang in a white coat and dark blue scrubs, denoting her proper position as Seattle Grace's cardio-god. "Who's presenting?" she asked in an aloof voice.

Reilly brought her chart to the top of the pile and began, "Maria Corizone, age 26. She was brought in last night with angina. We're still running tests to see what her diagnosis is. We ran an EKG last night but found the results of it to be inconclusive. The only thing it eliminated was an ordinary heart attack"

"What are some possible diagnoses?" Yang asked trying to be a decent teacher. "You," she pointed at Clark. His eyes opened wide with panic. "Do you have any thoughts?"

"If it's not a case of coronary blockage, my next instinct would be to do a chest x-ray in order to eliminate the possibility of tumors on the heart or lungs," he said in a grasping tone, avoiding eye contact.

"Are you sure," Yang asked. "How about you? What do you think," pointing at Melanie.

"It's likely a case of valvular stenosis. I would proceed by doing an echocardiogram and from there we could explore treatment options based on the severity of the condition," she replied with a cool confidence.

"Arrange the test then. Dr. Reilly, I'd like to see Dr. Cassidy here on my service today. The rest of your interns may proceed to the next case." Following behind Reilly the rest of the interns filed out of the room.

After they had left Melanie began work, "Don't worry ma'am. We're going to take good care of you," smiling at the patient. Within hours Melanie was able to get Maria in and out of the test. Results in hand she then went to find Christina. "Dr. Yang, I have the results back." Turning from her cup of coffee, Christina looked over the results as Melanie narrated. "The test reveals that her mitral valve is leaking."

"What would you do?" Christina asked.

"I would advise surgery," Melanie said. "Though if need be the patient could wait."

"Then let's go talk with Ms. Corizone." Christina said abandoning her coffee.

As they walked in Maria was talking on her cell phone. "Entiendo, mi amor. Es sólo un mes extra," she noticed the doctors come in. "Me tengo que ir, los médicos están aquí. Si, te amo demasiado."* She flipped the phone shut. "It was my husband. He was supposed to be coming back from Pakistan in a week but the army didn't grant him his leave yet."

"I'm sorry to hear that. We found out what is wrong with your heart. You have what is termed as vacular stenosis, which is basically a leaking valve. It can be repaired with a simple surgery." Christina said. "This is something that we like to fix sooner rather than later, so we can have you in surgery as soon as this afternoon."

"Do you have any concerns ma'am before we schedule an operation?" Melanie asked.

"I realize this should be on my charts but I forgot to add it yesterday in all the hubbub. I'm two months pregnant. I just found out the other day. I just told my husband today."

Christina paused. "That may be a problem. We can't do the surgery while you are pregnant and this is something that may become much worse as your pregnancy progresses."

"What options do I have?" asked Maria, her skin growing paler.

"One option would be to terminate the pregnancy and receive the operation. It would be a simple procedure. Otherwise, your only option is to wait and hope that it doesn't kill you in the next seven months." Melanie said.

"I can't. I simply can't." Maria said her eyes welling with tears.

"We'll let you think about it for a while," Christina said. The two doctors left the room. "I don't think there's going to be a surgery for this case."

"She does understand that this is probably going to kill her before the baby can be born? We could get a translator and make sure." Melanie said. Her first day and already she couldn't help her patient. "What would you do?"

Christina thought for a moment. "If I were her age, I would probably go for the surgery. If someone asked me that question now, I would probably take my chances."

"I would get the abortion. There can always be more babies." Melanie said, trying not to think back to the choices she had made.

"I understand what she's thinking. Her husband is in a war zone, and God only knows if he'll be back. In her mind this may be the only part of him she can keep." Christina countered. "Just give her a few hours and see if I'm not right. If she says no though, that's going to be the end of it. Have her discharge papers ready, because there won't be anything we can do. Understand, Dr. Cassidy."

"Yes, Dr. Yang," Mel said to her back. She then went to find the papers she hoped she wouldn't need.

* "I understand, love. It's only an extra month…I have to go, the doctors are here. Yes, I love you too."