I've been without her for 1 day.

I told her to get out of the apartment. That I didn't want to cast my eyes upon her anymore.

I am Preston Burke. And she?

She reduced me to a weak, pathetic, stand-in on my own surgeries.

I've been without her for 2 days.

Her undershirt is strewn on the bedroom floor. I haven't picked it up yet.

Maybe it's my proof that she's gone...I'll pick it up later.

My life is going to get better.

But then she was in on my surgery today. I could get rid of Bailey if I wanted to for doing that.

I'm Preston Burke, and I have that power.

Especially since she's gone.

I've been without her for 3 days.

I ran into her in the hall, and she fell back flat on her butt. I just kept walking.

Serves her right for taking over my life.

She was in my surgery again.

It's hard for me to come up with questions she doesn't know the answer to, so I snap at her for not holding the retractor properly. Even when she was.

I've been without her for 4 days.

I heard a rumor that I was sleeping with another girl in the call room.

It was strangely disheartening, and I could see that it bothered her.

I leaned over the patient in surgery and whispered low, "It's just a rumor."

I don't know why I cared.

She stole my life.

I've been without her for 5 days.

Her shirt is still in the bedroom. Except I put it over her pillow.

I saw her in the hallway today.

I wanted to talk to her. I needed to talk to her.

She walked away.

I've been without her for 6 days.

I haven't seen her today.

She hasn't been in surgery, she hasn't been in the cafeteria.

I've even checked the on-call room every night before I go home.

I've been without her for 7 days.

She was crying today.

I am Preston Burke. I fix hearts.

But I broke hers.

I've never gotten this upset over a woman.

There were tears in my eyes when I saw the tears in hers.

She's always been too proud to cry.

I've been without her for 8 days.

I found her in the call room tonight.

I opened the door, trying not to disturb anyone that may be in there.

And she was lying in our bunk, sleeping, her unruly black hair strewn over her pillow.

She looked sad.

I leaned in, just to be close to her, then thought better of it.

"I miss you, Cristina." I whispered.

I've been without her for 9 days.

We were just talking about a patient's death. That's all.

And her hair, that unruly black hair that I love fell in her face, and I absently pushed it back behind her ear, my hand trailing softly down the side of her neck.

Then I kissed her, not so absently.

She ran out the door.

I've been without her for 10 days.

I am not Preston Burke.

I am a shadow of the man that I used to be.

Without her I am nothing.

I wait in the call room in the dark, lying against the wall in our bunk, and she slides in without noticing me.

I pull her close, and wrap my arm around her waist.

I apologize. For everything.

I kiss her shoulder.

I kiss her lips.

I yearn to make love to her.

And we do.

I whisper I love you.

And she whispers it back.

A/N: I'm very nervous and reserved about posting this, just so you guys know. I don't do the greatest Burke, IMHO, but I had to do the companion piece because my Muse is threatening me with a 10 blade. I hope you enjoyed it.

My pieces will all be on hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday-ish under the pen name Bangs Nurse if you're interested:)