3

Jackie did not like the blank expression on Cristina's face. The cardiothoracic surgeon lacked the self-awareness to acknowledge it was a mere reflection of her own visage.

"What do we have, Yang?"

"Rachael Reyes. 15-year-old. Fainted during ballet performance. No history of asthma, panic attack, or any heart conditions. Lungs are clear. EKG comes out fine. Blood work is normal. Reflex is unremarkable."

"Then why are you in my office? Discharge her."

"Her parents want to make sure she's fine." Cristina paused. "Rachel's twin sister died of congenital heart failure last year during their ballet performance. I believe she was your patient."

"Her sister's Rita Reyes?" Jackie took off her glasses and snatched the chart from Cristina. "I saw her at Hopkins. I already had a thorough check on the sister and she's strong as a horse."

"So?"

"I'm not gonna waste my time again."

"But they crossed the country to see you."

Whether she had sailed through the turmoil in her short-lived romantic life or not, Cristina Yang was still the same fiery intern, ready to stand up for what she thought was right when it came to medicine.

"If I think she's Ok, she is." Jackie insisted without raising her voice.

"Apparently she's not. Her parents said she refused to walk." Although the series of unfortunate events had humbled Cristina considerably, she did not lose her sharp tongue.

"Maybe she's lazy, maybe she's attention-seeking. Who knows?"

"Her sister died last year." Cristina did not know why she brought that up spontaneously. In the past, she would not have understood what it meant to have lost someone.

"People die everyday, Yang. Is that a big deal?"

"Is it not?" Cristina taunted. "The girl is only 15."

"Fine. Do something to cheer her up and make her walk. You don't want her parents to think we're incompetent."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Anything. Drug her, hug her, threaten her. I'll be back to Hopkins' soon. I want her to be up and dancing again before I leave."

"You're leaving?" It gave Cristina an unfathomable thrill that the devil would finally be gone.

"Summer's long gone. I have students to teach."

"That means Burke is fine now?" Cristina mindlessly threw in the question.

"Didn't they say news spreads faster than disease here?" Jackie's lips curled up maliciously.

"What news?"

"The board is thinking of replacing him. It's taken longer than they expected for him to recover. Who knows if he can still cut?"

"But he's the best. They know it." Cristina went slightly pale.

"Don't worry. There're plenty of good-looking surgeons for you to date. Preston Burke might soon become history."

Cristina was grossed out by Jackie's coldness. How could she call Burke her favorite student and then trash him that way?

"Yang, you aren't young anymore. If you want to find yourself a surgeon husband, you gotta hurry up." Jackie smiled venomously.

"You aren't young either. If you want anyone by your death bed, you better stop carrying that wickedness around you like a gold medal." Cristina fought back.

"You realize I'm still your boss, don't you?" Jackie rolled her eyes in astonishment. "Is there any reason why you want me to dislike you further?"

Jeopardizing her career had not been Cristina's priority, but the arrogance in Jackie Ames made her glow in rage. "Even if Burke can't operate again, he's still a much finer surgeon than you are. He has a good heart. And you, you're nothing but evil."

Folding her arms leisurely, Jackie squinted her eyes in amusement. "Why do you have to boil over that? The last time I heard, you two aren't together anymore."

Cristina bit her lower lip so hard that she could taste blood in her mouth.