Disclaimer: Shoot! I forgot to put this on the first chapter. Well, this goes for this entire story. I do not own any of these characters, except Deb's uncle, so… uh…I wish I owned them though…

And sorry, as of yet, I don't think Deb and Malucci are going to get together, but keep on reading please. And review , of course. This is my first fic, so help out.

Carter came out of the doctor's lounge, fiddling with his tie. " A lunch date with Malucci?" he mumbled.

"What? You have a lunch date with Malucci?" Abby said, running up behind him. "Wow, Carter, I never knew. I mean, I knew you had a thing for blondes, but not that kind of blonde if you know what I mean…"

"Very funny, Abby. No, no, not me, Deb…I mean, Dr. Chen."

Abby threw him a quizzical glance, waving to Kovac across the ER that she would be right there. "Jing-Mei has a lunch date with Malucci? You sure?"

"Course. She told me herself."

Abby knuckled Carter lightly on the head. "You sure she wasn't joking? Cause as far as I know, Malucci is on duty during lunch. I mean, he's right there. Why don't you ask him?" she said, as she hurried off to talk to Kovac.

Carter walked up behind Malucci, who was sticking a tongue depressor into a patient's mouth, and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, Malucci, I was just wonderin -"

"Hey, Carter, could you talk to me some other time?" Dave asked, looking around nervously to make sure a certain redhead wasn't lurking about. "Cuz, uh, if Weaver sees me talking to you…well, let's just say that whatever stick's stuck up her ass, she'll take it and shove it up mine."

"That serious, huh?"

"Yeah, so, uh…"

"Just tell me, do you have a lunch date with Dr. Chen?"

Dave grinned, "Nah, I wish…besides, why would she? I thought she had the hots for you, eh, Carter?" He nudged Carter in the side and followed it with a rather obscene gesture.

Carter blushed. God! Why am I blushing? "Hey, Dave, I think I hear Dr. Weaver coming," as he hurried away from a potentially weird conversation. He hope Dave hadn't seen him blush.

"Hey Carter, were you just -"

No such luck, Carter thought, as he ran to assist in a multiple GSW that had just been wheeled into the ER.

Dr. Chen placed her Jones New York coat over the back of the brocade chair and proceeded to hug the older man who had stood up from his seat to assist her. "Uncle David," she said, "it's been too long. Why don't you visit us more often here in Chicago?"

"My question is why haven't you visited me in California. Who likes dreary old Chicago anyway." He gave her a peck on the cheek, then, motioned for the waiter to bring some more bread and a menu.

After ordering their entrées, Uncle David clasped his hands together and peered at Jing-Mei. "So, how have your parents been?"

"Good. Still mad over the incident," she sad, indicating her stomach.

"Oh, the ill wind will pass soon enough. I'm talking to them tonight anyhow." He gave her a piece of bread. "But more importantly, have you decided? I mean, we are talking about California sun versus Chicago bleakness."

"And leaving my friends and colleagues…not that I don't want California. Don't tell me you came all the way here just to try to convince me?"

"Nah, I'm just here to enjoy the non-sunny weather…"

"Uncle David…" Jing-Mei chided lightly.

"Look, I just need your decision. The Board is getting a little, well, impatient."

"It's just that leaving is a notion I'm going to have to get used to, you know. I'm not sure if it's a notion I want to know." She sighed, picking at her salad, as a waiter filled her water glass.

"Ah, I understand, but uh, you'll always make new friends in California," and laughing, he added, "besides, I know of many eligible young, SUCCESSFUL bachelors there. Besides, the pay at Stanford is more than you'll ever get at County General."

"Uncle David…you know it's not about the money."

"No, just the Chief Resident thing," he said matter-of-factly.

"Uncle David, you know the pressure…"

"I know that. What I want to know is if this is what you want, if this Chief Resident thing is really that important to you."

"It is. It is exactly what I want." Just like that, she had said it. No more weighing Chief Resident position at Stanford against the friends she had made in County since her return. But what if she would have gotten Chief Resident at County? No, Jing-Mei admonished herself, don't think about that.

Uncle David leaned across the table and clapped her on the shoulder. "Then, welcome to Stanford. We are more than willing to have you." He sipped his champagne. "Good thing for you the position was open, and of course, the fact that I could pull a few strings. You know this transfer is sort of unorthodox."

"Of course."

"I want to know this is what you want, FOR SURE. I don't want any regrets."

"County has nothing to offer." Jing-Mei stated clearly. "Just because I got pregnant, I have to make up all this damn work, and however much I love my work, I can't do it anymore. I'm just too tired. Trying to make it all up is just not worth it, and that's what Dr. Weaver wants - me on 24 hour shifts before she'll even present my application the Board." She laughed. "Besides, I don't think John Carter could stand being my subordinate, so I guess I'm also doing this to save him a lot of bitterness and grief."

"Jonathan Carter's grandson? Rich family. Why is Jr. Carter practicing medicine?"

"Why am I?"

Uncle David nodded in realization. "Ah, two peas in a pod…I see now. He's a good friend?"

"Yeah, I known him for quite a while."

"Yeah, well, don't get too attached, 'cause you're coming to Stanford, and I don't want any complications to arise during the transferal period. I pulled a lot of strings to do this. I personally don't want them snapping me in the face in the end." He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her reply.

She nodded.

"Good, oh, uh, here are the filet mignons. Eat up, Jing-Mei, you're looking a bit skinny…"