Mei-Li, Megan, and Claire admitted Oliver the next day so they could get a biopsy of the mass in his lung to test for cancer. Unfortunately, when the results came in, they showed that Oliver had stage three lung cancer and it was too entangled in the blood vessels to remove it safely at the moment. The most they could do was refer him to an oncologist for further treatment to see if the tumor shrank enough for them to remove it, "The results show stage three lung cancer," Claire told Oliver, "Unfortunately, it's too large to remove safely and there's a high chance if we tried to operate now, you would bleed out and die on the table."

Oliver absorbed the news and asked, "How did this happen? I don't smoke, I've never worked anywhere that had asbestos, no smokers in my immediate family."

"Sometimes, it's just bad genetics," said Megan bluntly.

"Megan," Mei-Li scolded, "He was just told he has cancer. Be a little more sensitive."

"Dr. Lim-Melendez, Dr. Augustine," Claire warned, "There is a possibility that, if you undergo chemotherapy and it shrinks the tumor, then we could discuss possible removal at a later time. But for now, we feel it's best to refer you to Dr. Mariana Blaize, one of the top oncologists here at St. Bonaventure. With your permission, I can make sure she visits you for a consultation before you're released."

Oliver sighed and said, "Do I have any other options?"

Mei-Li and Megan looked at each other and Mei-Li said, "There is the option of doing nothing and just letting nature run its course. Also, the use of a surgical robot to remove the tumor…"

"I want to do that," said Oliver.

"Well, we'd have to run the decision by our Chief of Surgery first," said Claire, glaring at Mei-Li for even bringing up the surgical robot, "It's a very risky procedure, Mr. Stevens."

"I'm willing to take it. I'd rather not go through chemo if I don't have to," he said.

"Well, we'll talk to Dr. Melendez," said Megan.

In Melendez's office, Melendez looked over Oliver's CT scans and asked, "So which one of you presented Mr. Stevens with the option of the surgical robot without running it by me first?"

"Mei-Li did," said Megan pointing at her.

"Rat me out, why don't you?" quipped Mei-Li.

"Is this true, Dr. Lim-Melendez?" asked Melendez, looking at Mei-Li.

"You and Mom…Dr. Lim-Melendez have done it before," argued Mei-Li.

"Once, and it was a very risky surgery which I do not normally recommend. I believe shrinking the tumor with chemo first would have been the safer option, but thanks to Dr. Lim-Melendez, we have to respect Mr. Steven's choice, no matter the risk or outcome."

Melendez left his office, leaving the three surgeons standing there, "I guess you don't get special privileges as the Chief's kid," said Megan.

"It's a viable option, Neil, and Mei-Li was right to present it," said Lim.

"Audrey, you remember how difficult it was the last time we did this surgery? We almost lost our patient," Melendez reminded her.

"And we learned. I believe if we team up again, we can do it," said Lim.

"And what about Mei-Li?" asked Melendez.

"Well, we raised her to think for herself and stand up for what she believes in; now it's coming back to bite us in the ass," said Lim, "But schedule Mr. Stevens's surgery for 7 AM tomorrow morning: you, me, Mei-Li, and Augustine."

"Will do," Melendez quipped a little bitterly, but went to change the schedule anyways.

As Mei-Li was getting ready to leave after her shift, she ran into Caroline at the nurses' station near the locker room. Mei-Li smoothed out her hair some before approaching her, "Hi Caroline," she said.

Caroline looked over at Mei-Li, smiled, and asked, "So how's working with Augustine?"

"Oh, same old, same old," said Mei-Li, "And now, I'm assisting on a risky surgery tomorrow morning thanks to my big mouth."

"I'm sure it's not that bad," Caroline placated, leaning in closer to her.

"I'm assisting on a surgery with both of my parents and Megan; three people who expect a lot from me. No pressure," said Mei-Li.

"I'm sure you'll do great," said Caroline, smiling at her once again.

"And if I don't?" asked Mei-Li, turning to face her.

"Then you learn," emphasized Caroline, "I have to get going. Park wanted me to drop off these test results to him before I left for the day. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Mei-Li said softly and gave Caroline a final nervous smile before Caroline walked towards the elevators. It was only then did Mei-Li realize her mother had seen the entire conversation.

Mei-Li arrived home, sincerely hoping her mother wasn't still up and ready to discuss her earlier observation, but as luck would have it, Lim was sitting on the living room sofa with two glasses of bourbon already poured, "I don't want to talk about it Mom," Mei-Li said.

"God, you're just like me when it comes to talking about your love life," Lim smiled and sipped her drink.

"That's because my last three relationships ended in disaster. Danielle was the typical high school romance where we drifted apart after graduation, Liam turned out to be a huge jackass, and Jenny and I had been together since sophomore year of college and through med school. Then, one night I think she's going to propose to me, only to tell me she's moving to Miami for her residency. Lucky duck," said Mei-Li, "And may I remind you that I swore I was never going to get involved in a romantic relationship again?"

"That's what I said after I got divorced and look how that turned out," said Lim, tossing Mei-Li a bag of peanut M&M's, her favorite candy.

"That's different," protested Mei-Li.

"Why?" asked Lim.

"You and Dad were friends for years before you started dating. Caroline and I barely know each other," said Mei-Li.

"Doesn't mean you both can't form a solid friendship first like your Dad and I did. If it's meant to be, it'll work out," said Lim.

Mei-Li guzzled her whiskey and asked, "Since when did you become an expert on romance?"

"I didn't. I just know what I saw," said Lim.

"I'm going to bed. We have a complex surgery tomorrow morning," Mei-Li excused herself.

"Nice talking with you," Lim said jokingly.

Lim finished her bourbon and went upstairs to change for bed. An hour later, Melendez arrived home and joined her upstairs. He kissed her temple and said, "Sorry I'm later than expected. I was in a surgery that turned out to be more complicated than originally planned."

"That's fine. It gave me the opportunity to talk with Mei-Li anyways," said Lim.

"About bringing up a risky surgery without clearing it with me first?" asked Melendez.

"Shit, I forgot to mention that," said Lim, "No, about who seems to be her latest crush."

"Crush? Oh my God. What's his name? I'm gonna kill him," said Melendez.

"It's Caroline Cho," said Lim.

"Wait, Caroline Cho? I'm gonna kill her…"

"Neil," Lim interrupted and rolled over to face him, "It hasn't gone anywhere yet."

"Audrey, may I remind you the heartbreak our daughter went through with her last relationship?" he mentioned.

"And she was devastated, but she got through it. We've been through breakups too, and eventually, we both moved on. And Mei-Li needs to as well. So please don't go into protective Daddy mode and make Cho do scut work," Lim wrapped her arm around him and snuggled closer to him.

"Fine," said Melendez, "But I'm still going to keep an eye on Mei-Li and Caroline."