NOTE FROM AUTHOR: Wow, I didn't know I would have alerts so soon =) Thanks to those who've commented and enjoyed reading the previous chapters! Personally when I read it after a year, I never knew how many grammer mistakes I made, lol. When I wrote this, I wanted to make Henry a good, friendly guy, and pictured him to be like those hot Korean celebs (such as Siwon or Kibum from Suju; but if you don't know what I'm talking about, just ignore me! Lol). However when I read this again, he actually seems kinda wierd for Cristina, haha...(but that's the point, heheh :]) Anyways, enough of me rambling, enjoy!

Chapter 9

Whilst Cristina and Lexie injected IV liquid into their patient, Lexie picked up her courage to talk about Henry.

"Dr Kim seems nice. Is he a close friend of yours?"

"Grey, don't talk unless I either ask you to, or if there's a better case other than injecting IV's into patients all day and you're telling me that there's a guy down at the pit missing his arms and legs after a freak accident and is still alive."

"Um..." Lexie faltered a bit and continued her job. After a few moments, she started off again. "Was that other doctor Dr Burke? Is he staying?"

Perhaps at the worst of time to mention his name, Cristina jerked her hand whilst injecting her patient's arm, making the patient yelp in surprise and pain. Cristina ignored him. Lexie looked nervously up at her and received a cold, icy glare.

"Sorry, sorry, none of my business." she quickly apologized and finished her job, shifting away from Cristina as far as possible.

The next time Cristina caught Henry in the hallways was when she sent Lexie off to do some tests and caught Dr Kim reading off some charts whilst coming down towards her. She quickly grabbed his arm and shoved him into an empty on-call room.

"Ow, ow, now what did I do?" Henry innocently exclaimed when she pushed him hard down onto the bed.

"Henry, even though my reputation is high here in Seattle Grace and I don't want to leave the job that I love most, I will not hesitate to wring your neck and leave you here dead in this room, telling the Chief that you accidentally fell off the bed and broke your neck."

"Now that's un-called for."

"Why are you doing here? Why is-" she stopped and leaned forward in a sharp whisper. "Why is Burke doing here?"

"I told you, I came here to achieve what I want to do." he then added with a cheeky grin. "To take you out."

"That's just ridiculous! Go back to Washington!"

"I also want to forward my career here."

"That's bull Henry!"

"Do you have a problem with me being here, or with Dr Burke being here?"

This made Cristina stop, as suspected by Henry.

"Why is Burke doing here?" Cristina repeated coldly.

"Dr Burke is my mentor, he has his reasons. Why don't you go up and ask him if you're so interested? Now, if you'll excuse me, if you have nothing else to talk to me about, I shall go and check on my patient."

Henry got up and left Cristina standing there, fuming over the answers that she'd received from him. When he opened the door, he turned back and added, "Unless you've decided to go out with me?"

Cristina turned to him in disgust.

"Ok, maybe not now." And he closed the door.

"It's good to have you back, Dr Burke." the Chief smiled as Burke sat down opposite him in his office.

"And I'm happy to be back in Seattle Grace." Burke acknowledged proudly.

"Your departure was a great liability to our hospital. It's grateful now that we can have you back. But of course, for your return I can't immediately give back your position as chief of cardio surgery."
"That I understand sir." Burke nodded.

"Good. I believe you will easily settle back into Seattle Grace without any problems." the Chief then leaned forward, addressing a more private and personal matter. "But Preston, let me tell you that even though your reputation as a surgeon is still instact, there are some here who will look to you differently than before."

The indication was clear to Burke. His whole body went rigid at the thought of Cristina.

"You know what I'm talking about, don't you? Now, I know I don't allow personal matters to interfere with the work in this hospital, but as the Chief I too have some personal feelings and doubts. I'll be lying if I didn't doubt you after the actions you took when you left."

"Chief," Burke clearly interrupted. "I had to leave due to unforseen circumstances in my life and career. This has...this has nothing to do with her."

The Chief sighed and leaned back, looking exhausted. "I know, Preston, you had your reasons and you can keep them to yourself. However, for the hospital I need to make sure that you and Cristina can effectively work together. She is going to be one of the most successful surgeons of our hospital, and I don't want any more interuptions in her career."

He paused as he studied Burke's solid and unexpressionless face. But in his eyes there was a hint of sadness and guilt.

"I understand sir. I will do the best I can."

"Good. Now, Dr Hahn is busy doing a surgery elsewhere from Seattle and she won't be back for a few days. The position has been given to Dr Linkin."

"If there's nothing else sir, I will go back to my rounds." Burke started to get up. The Chief nodded and he left, sensing Burke's power and pride drain from him as he went.

As Burke made his way across the bridge, he decided that he needs to act quickly and talk to Cristina. But what about? What can he say to his ex-fiancee after leaving her on the alter and letting her suffer whilst he was gone? He didn't deserve to face her again. But if he tries to explain to Cristina the reasons for his departure, perhaps she could show a bit of sympathy? But it still wouldn't lead her to forgive him after what he'd done.

Confused about what he should do, when he reached the end of the bridge, Cristina unexpectantly came out. They stopped and stared at each other for a while, thinking about what they should do next. Say hello? Smile? Ignore? Nod? Give some sort of gesture or indication about what they were feeling or wanting to say?

"Dr Yang." Burke replied.

"Dr Burke." she answered and they walked off in opposite directions.