A/N - Thanks so much for the reviews. Please keep telling me what you think :)

CRISTINA

Walking towards the library and snapping open a can of soda, Cristina turned to Meredith and said "So, you want to work together on this assignment then?"

"Sure," Meredith said, as she scooped her hair back in to a messy ponytail.

Normally, Cristina wasn't interested in making friends or working with other people, she was fiercely robotic and competitive in everything she set her mind to. But there was something about Meredith that interested her, she seemed a little aloof, but also kind of 'cool' and the fact that she had Ellis Grey for a mother was just impressive!

.

Sat on the floor next to Meredith, surrounded by a pile of books, Cristina was tucked away in a corner of the library. Chewing on a pen, she eagerly flipped through pages of medical text, as she said "So, what's with that Shepherd guy then?"

She glanced across at Meredith briefly, to see her cheeks had flushed a light shade of pink and probing further, Cristina added "He kept looking at you this morning?" Turning her eyes back down to return to scanning the text book in front of her.

Meredith sighed and without taking her eyes away from the bulky book in front of her, she said. "He was 'the' guy. The guy from last night at the bar."

Cristina looked up from her book again, as she said "Oh, the guy Barbie was going on about earlier. McDreamey, or whatever?"

"McDreamy, I like that," Meredith said, with a small chuckle. Before she sighed again. "Yeah, it was him. But I had no idea he was a surgeon, or a teacher here for that matter."

"Oh," Cristina said. She flipped through some more pages, as she changed the subject and said "We are so getting top marks for this." Before pausing and saying "So, you sleep with him then?"

"No," Meredith said defensively, before adding "Not that there would be anything wrong if I had. Well obviously not sleeping with a teacher, because that would be a little wrong. But, I have no problem with causal sex in general!"

Cristina held her hand up "Okay, whatever." She said, just as her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she quickly pulled it out and glanced at it.

She smiled briefly, it was Owen, a guy she had met at the bar the night before, he wanted to see her again.

Cristina wouldn't object to maybe seeing Owen again. As she had a flashback to his hot naked body. They had met on the dance floor and although he had been a little intense, Cristina, had instantly been attracted to him and one thing had led to another and they had ended up back at hers. Owen was handsome, manly and very smart and when he had told Cristina he was a trauma surgeon, she had been smitten 'for the night at least.' Owen, had insisted on taking Cristina's number, even though she had kicked him out in the middle of the night. Cristina didn't do spending the night with guys.

Meredith eyed Cristina inquisitively, as she put her phone back and said "So, what about the guy that you met last night then?"

Cristina didn't say anything, as Meredith said "Come on, I told you about my predicament!"

Cristina ran her hand through her hair, as she said "It was no big deal. I met a surgeon too. He's a resident at the teaching hospital, specialising in trauma. He was fun, but a little intense."

Meredith picked up another book, as she said casually "You going to see him again?"

Cristina wasn't actually sure what the answer was to that question, as she said casually. "Maybe, although, he's the kind that could get a little clingy. But the sex was hot though, so who knows."

Contemplating that thought, they were both silent for a moment then, as they turned their minds back to the work assignment.

"So you want to go and get a drink?" Meredith said to Cristina, as they walked out of the library.

Cristina looked at her watch, suddenly remembering exactly where she needed to be. "Nah, sorry can't. I have a meeting to attend over at the hospital."

Meredith raised her eyebrows, as she just said "Oh, with who?"

With a proud smile, Cristina suddenly said "Preston Burke."

Meredith's mouth gaped open. "'Dr Preston Burke' the world class Cardiothoratic Surgeon. How did you manage that?"

Cristina kept up the smug front, as she said "I used my initiative, unlike you I don't have any famous relatives to get ahead. So, I just contacted him and requested a meeting and he accepted. I want to observe his surgeries, find out all about him, and hopefully one day work underneath him. His work is incredible, he's cardio royalty."

Cristina glanced at Meredith, to see she looked impressed. If Cristina was completely honest though, she had been just as surprised as Meredith was looking right now, when after months of emails and unanswered call's Dr Burke's, PA had finally contacted her out of the blue to say he would be more than happy to meet her when she started med school.


Cristina smoothed down her blouse and took a deep breath as she knocked on the large wooden door to Dr Burke's office. She didn't normally get nervous, but she couldn't help her thumping heart rate and uncontrollable rush of adrenaline, as she heard a deep male voice telling her to come in.

'Keep it together' Cristina thought, as she remembered how she had followed the work of Preston Burke since she was fifteen. She was obsessed with every new ground breaking surgery he'd preformed. He had inspired her and helped cement her furious passion to succeed, as a first class cardio surgeon just like him. Plus, she had checked out his photo and he was incredibly handsome too, which had only fuelled her obsession with him further.

As she walked in to his office, Cristina saw that in the flesh, Preston Burke, was every bit a handsome as the photos, as he flashed her a wide smile and stood up from behind his desk to shake her hand "Miss Yang", he said, his eyes locking with hers as he gestured for her to take a seat opposite him.

"So, I believe from your emails that you have a keen interest in cardiothoratic surgery."Burke went on to say, his voice warm and polite, as he added, "can I ask why?"

Cristina shifted in her seat, staggered by such a personal question, as she swallowed and said. "It's all I have ever wanted to do. It's been my burning ambition ever since I can remember. The human heart fascinates me. How majestic, stunning and powerful it is. Its the one single organ that keeps the entire human body functioning and to have the skill and power to be able to handle it expertly, to me would be the best thing in the world."

Burke nodded his head, as he stared at her appraisingly, and he said "So you've just started med school?"

Cristina nodded eagerly and to her annoyance she found herself blushing, as she said "That's right, and I really admire your work. Especially the Burke method you devised and I want to learn from you."

She looked back at him, as his eyes gleamed at her, his expression was unreadable, but Cristina suddenly felt very unnerved as she wondered just what he was thinking.

Burke locked his fingers together and said steadily "You are aware that I do teach the occasional class at the university, you could attend those?"

Cristina inhaled sharply and said quickly "I will be sure to attend all your classes Dr Burke. But I was hoping to possibly have the opportunity to shadow you sometime and observe your surgeries?" As her eyes looked at him expectantly, Cristina felt her heart rate accelerate further and her cheeks burn even more.

Burke raised an eyebrow and looking slightly bemused he said "Well Miss Yang….."

"Oh, call me Cristina," Cristina said excitedly, as she anticipated just what he was going to say next.

"Very well, Cristina, I have to say this isn't something I would normally consider, you being just a first year student. But, I will be more than happy to make an exception for a 'student' as willing and keen as you are, to learn about my speciality." He paused, fixing her with an intense stare and vague hint of a smile.

Cristina's face suddenly lit up, as he leaned across the desk. "Here is my business card. I will have my PA contact you to make the suitable arrangements." He said, handing her the card, lightly brushing the top of her hand with his thumb, causing a jolt of electricity to run through her, as Cristina smiled back at him.


Walking up to the front door, a huge smile still on her face, as she clutched Dr Burke's business card, Cristina, sensed a male presence behind her.

She immediately turned around to see it was Owen, the guy she had met the night before. He was wearing khakis and a blue shirt accentuating his muscular upper body. His manly aftershave instantly hit her, as he moved closer towards her and his thick fair hair smelled freshly washed, he was enough to give any woman a hormonal surge Cristina thought, as he held up a bag to her saying "You weren't answering your phone, so I thought I'd drop by with some beers and see how your first day went?" He leaned in to kiss her neck and Cristina froze. Just looking at him for a second, contemplating whether to ask him in or not.

Cristina inhaled slowly and steadily, as much as she wanted to spend the night with Owen again, having incredible sex and basking in his attention. Him just showing up at her house 'was a little full on' and borderline stalkerish, she thought. Plus, she didn't want him to get any ideas. She did not do relationships or emotional attachments. Tonight, she had really just wanted to chill out, assess the day and get an early night to re-charge. After the roller coaster of her first day at med school and meeting Preston Burke.

Owen started at her blank face, clearly not getting the reaction he wanted, as he said coldly "Or maybe not. Bad idea."

"No – No it's not that," Cristina said, as she took in the wounded look on his face. "I'm just really tired. I wouldn't be good company tonight. Maybe tomorrow?"

He raised his eyebrow and nodded. "I'm working tomorrow, but I'll call you."

As he turned his back and walked away. Cristina just stared after him and her heart sank, as it hit her, he wouldn't be calling her anytime soon.


Sitting cross legged on her bed, glancing through her notes from earlier, Cristina swigged her beer and looked up, as she heard a loud knock on the door. Before she had the chance to say anything, Meredith bounded in, climbing up next to her on the bed, as she said. "So how did it go with Dr Burke?"

Cristina smiled smugly, as she said " Lets just say, he was so impressed with me, he's going to let me observe some of his surgeries."

Meredith's jaw dropped open, as she said "Now, I'm jealous." She paused then, before saying dramatically. "Okay, so after you left me outside the library earlier. McDreamy comes up behind me, and drags me in to an empty office, saying that we need to talk, with this deadly serious look on his face. I mean the cheek of it. He said he wanted to be apologize for last night and that he didn't realize I would be one of his new students. But, he wanted to let me know, that his door is always open if I ever want to talk or need any advice about anything and that although he needs to remain professional, he would like to think of us as friends, 'Friends' I mean seriously 'freaking' friends' after last night, he's my teacher! He then asks to buy me a drink again. Like he didn't buy me ten, freaking drinks last night and then kiss me on my doorstep, and it was one hell of a kiss!"

Cristina didn't say anything, as she just looked at Meredith, raised her eyebrows and handed her a beer too. Before she said "Owen just showed up here, wanting to celebrate my first day or 'whatever' and I told him to go." Cristina was surprised at herself, being so open with someone that was practically a stranger. But there was something about Meredith, she felt a connection to her.

Meredith sipped her beer, as they both looked at each other and laughed. "McDreamy is so in to you." Cristina said playfully. "I saw the sly glances he was giving you in class."

Meredith sighed. "Well, I don't care. I think he's arrogant and he's my teacher…" she stopped briefly, then said "You're not interested in the trauma guy then?"

Cristina tore at the corner of the label on her bottle of beer. "I wouldn't say not interested exactly, just not interested tonight, he's too full on. But I may see him again if I feel like it. I mean he's hot, he's a surgeon, he's just my type."

However, if she was completely honest, Cristina had never actually dated a surgeon before and she went to bed that night thinking about Owen and his rugged handsome face and awesome job. Then her thoughts drifted to the enigmatic Dr Burke and what the possibility of observing one of his surgeries might bring and she felt a sudden rush, as she remembered how she'd felt when Burke had gazed at her so intently, and how excited she had been at the prospect of all the things he could teach her.


Two weeks later, Cristina was buzzing. She was sat at the kitchen table facing an envious looking Meredith, Izzie and George, as they all shared a cheap bottle of red wine.

Taking a sip of her wine, Cristina said "So, if you experience such a high from just sitting in the gallery observing open heart surgery, imagine what its going to be like when you actually get to hold the scalpel."

Izzie's face lit up, as she said "cool", and George added, "I still don't get how you managed to observe one of Preston Burke's surgeries?"

"Oh, it's obvious he wants to get in to her pants", Izzie said quickly, as Meredith giggled.

Cristina looked exasperated. As much as she knew she had a huge crush on Burke, she really didn't want to think 'that' was the reason he'd taken an interest in her and not her great potential to become a top cardio surgeon like him. Plus, she'd been a bit disappointed, as she'd hung around to catch him afterwards but his PA had said he was too busy to speak to her.

"Well, I vote we all go to Jacks tonight and have a few drinks, seeing as there are no classes tomorrow" Meredith said, sounding unusually upbeat for once.

Cristina eyed her suspiciously, there was clearly some ulterior motive for Meredith to suggest this. But a drink at Jacks would be a good idea she thought, seeing as she hadn't seen or heard from Owen since that night a few weeks ago when he'd turned up to see her and she'd sent him away, and she'd secretly been hoping that she would bump in to him again soon. If she was honest, Cristina was starting to regret how she'd treated Owen. As annoyingly, she had thought about him pretty much every day since.

Izzie pulled a hand mirror out of her purse and putting on some lip gloss, she said "I can't tonight, sorry. I'm seeing Hank. He'll be here to pick me up any minute."

"Still seeing the hockey player then?" Cristina said amused, as Izzie's face glowed and she said "Yep and it's going really well." 'Well at least one of us is getting some" Cristina thought irritatingly, as she looked at Izzie's bright expression. Just as Alex walked in to the kitchen and they all ignored him, as he said "Did someone say something about drinks?"

Cristina looked at the others as she said sarcastically. "Ooh, are you guys going for drinks?"

They all shook their heads, as Meredith said "Nah, are you?"

"Nope, washing my hair I think," Cristina said, forcing Alex to quickly grab a drink and turn to walk straight back out of the kitchen. Just as the doorbell rang.

"That'll be Hank." Izzie said, a huge grin spreading across her face, as she leapt up and rushed straight past Cristina, hitting her with a sharp waft of her sweet perfume. Without saying anything, Izzie then walked past Alex in the doorway, as he stopped for a second and Cristina caught him giving Izzie a short longing glance, as her long blonde hair brushed against him.

Cristina's ears pricked up then, as she heard Izzie say her name and then what sounded like a deep male voice talking back to her on the doorstep. Causing Cristina to step out and in to the hallway, right in time to hear Izzie say sweetly. "I'll just go and get her."

As Cristina approached the front door, she couldn't hide the surprise on her face, as she saw Izzie was stood talking to Preston Burke.

Cristina's mouth gaped open briefly. Burke looked immaculate, dressed in a crisp white designer shirt and suit trousers. He smiled as he saw her and swiftly turned back to Izzie, saying "It was a pleasure to meet you Isobel."

Izzie backed away grinning annoyingly at Cristina. As Preston turned to her and said. "Cristina, sorry I didn't have a chance to speak to you after the surgery. But I was wondering, if it isn't a little presumptuous, whether you would like to discuss it with me tonight over dinner?"

Cristina was even more speechless then as her heart rate spiked, and she glanced back at Izzie, to see her still staring at them with wide eyes, and raising her eyebrows at Cristina, with an excited smile on her face, Izzie retracted back in to the kitchen.

Cristina turned back to look at Burke's expectant face staring back at her, as she eventually stammered. "Okay sure."

TO BE CONTINUED….