Summary: Perry's first day as an intern at Sacred Heart.
Notes: I've based this story on when JD was an intern and Jordan mocks Perry for saying he didn't want to be a doctor any more, so he obviously met her early on in his life and at Sacred Heart. I'm also basing Perry's reaction to his first day a little bit on what John C. McGinley's said about when he auditions for a role (specifically, the one for Scrubs). Some language and sexual references too. I couldn't remember what the old Chief of medicine was called, but when I find out, I'll change it.

2. Heart of a Doctor

Perry didn't feel like it was his first day at Sacred Heart.

He was surrounded by fellow interns at the hospital, as their resident, Bob Kelso talked them through the first few stages of their new life at the hospital. The man wasn't very friendly and used the word 'sport' far too much for Perry's liking.

Once he had gone, the Chief of medicine reassured them all that if they remembered their training they'd be fine and how they all had a lot to give. Perry rolled his eyes a little at what was supposed to be a pep talk and was subsequently asked the first question while they performed rounds. He knew the answer. In all honesty, he wasn't half as nervous as most of the people here. He thrived seeing others struggling, it gave him confidence. He knew that he could ace being a doctor. Damn, he knew he was a cocky little prick to most of the others, but he didn't care. Just like everyone else there, he was out for himself.

It was when they went for their lunch that he ran into the Chief of medicine again.

After taking a quick look at Perry's name badge, he spoke. "How you doing Dr Cox?"

"Fine." Perry replied. He wasn't sure why anyone would be scared to speak to their resident or Chief of medicine.

"So, what got you interested in becoming a doctor?" he asked.

"There was no one reason for it." Perry replied.

"Well, I've seen your work today and you're good. I know it and so do you. But, if you don't have the heart to be a doctor, you've made a terrible choice." With that he walked away.

Suddenly Perry didn't feel hungry any more. He saw the other interns gathered together, but he walked away. Deciding that fresh air was what he needed, he moved through the halls, trying to remember where he was going.

"Lost something?" One of the maintanance guys asked.

"My bearing." Perry replied. Spying the sign that pointed out the exit, he walked towards it. "Never mind."

The Janitor watched the intern go, knowing that he wasn't the right choice to be his yearly victim.

Once outside, he leant against the wall and just watched the people walk past, his mind drifting back to his past. Most people had a grand story about wanting to be a doctor. It would be something heroic like 'I saved someone from drowning when I was 10, and decided I wanted to dedicate my life to helping others.' or the very sad 'I watched my mother choke to death on a peanut butter sandwich and I never got over the fact that I couldn't save her life. But dammit, I'll save the next person'. Perry wasn't sure if either reason meant that any person would be a better doctor than him.

"Hey, you look new." A woman said, walking up to Perry and standing opposite him.

"I'm not brand new." He replied. "So what are you?"

"I'm on the board. My names Jordan Sullivan. Pleased to meet you." She extended her hand.

He took her hand in his. "Perry Cox."

"Cox." She repeated. "Nice. Is it your first day?"

"Yeah."

"So why are you out here?" She asked.

"I'm thinking." he replied.

"You're hard to talk to." Jordan said at his short answers. "What made you come out here and stand brooding against the wall, all thoughtful?"

"I just don't know if I want to be a doctor. Maybe I've made a huge mistake."

"Oh." Jordan said. "Well, if it helps, I'd let Dr Cox give me a physical anytime."

And that was when he saw it. The spark in her eye. "Maybe he'll take you up on that sometime."

"Why wait?" Jordan walked back into the hospital, making sure Perry followed behind.

She walked through the halls until she located an empty room. He followed her in. "You're not a virgin are you?" she asked him, as she started to undo her blouse.

"I'll let you find out for yourself." Perry replied. They didn't waste anytime stripping off and the sex was good. They went together well, there was something between the two of them.
Afterwards, Perry looked at his watch. "I best get back." He got up off the bed and started to dress.

"So, have you decided whether you made a mistake or not." Jordan asked following suit and getting dressed herself. "Because for what it's worth, I think you'd make a good doctor. Your bedside manner is fantastic."

Perry smiled. "Yeah, I think I know what I'm going to do."

"Gonna tell me?"

"You'll have to wait and see." With that, Perry left the room. He realised he had time to get a coffee before he was back on his shift and on the way to the cafeteria, he passed the Chief of Medicine again. "Oh, sir?" Perry said before the man could walk past him.

"Yes doctor?"

"I was thinking about what you said, about having the heart to be a doctor and you're wrong." Perry watched the composure change ever so slightly.

"And why's that?"

"Because having a personal motive for keeping people alive will only serve to destroy that person emotionally if things don't go well. I want everyone of my patients to walk out of here alive. I know it's not always going to happen. I know that sometimes you can't stop it. But when it does happen, it won't send me into a deep spin of trauma because it reminds me of the puppy I didn't save when I was 6. I'm gonna be a damn good doctor, and I will outlast every one of those other interns. And I'm not saying this just because I want to prove you wrong, or impress you. It's because this is what I'm supposed to do. And I'm gonna be damn good at it."