Burke stood in the hallway, in front of the door to the apartment that used to be theirs. His gaze remained fixated on the gold toned number eight centered on the door. Thoughts raced through his mind as to how he was supposed to forget her when he found himself standing here again.

He never thought he'd find himself at a point where he didn't want to see her.

Knocking at the door, he let out a deep breath and tried to compose himself. He would be cold, decisive and quick. Whatever it was that she needed him to get would be collected and he would be gone within a matter of moments. He would not make small talk; he would not make eye contact.

He would ignore the dull ache that had taken residence in his heart.

Meredith pulled open the door and stepped out into the hallway with a forced smile on her face. "Hi."

"Hello." His voice was already wavering and he wasn't even facing Cristina. "Is there—"

"You will listen to her and not speak. You will not try to touch her or hug her or do that thing you do that makes her stop using her intelligence or whatever. It's her turn. Got it?" Meredith rambled off at him, "And that's not a request."

Dumbfounded was the only word that could explain the look he leveled on her, "What is going on?"

"Just do what I said and go in there." Meredith sighed and stepped out of the way, "Listen to her!" She hissed after him before pulling the door shut.

She considered for a moment standing at the door to listen. She wanted to witness the argument, to be able to step in for her friend and defend her if she needed it. She also knew that Cristina was strong enough to fight her own battles. With a heavy sigh she stepped away from the door, silently hoping that it would all work out for Cristina.

Even though she wouldn't admit it, Meredith believed in meant-to-be and Meredith believed that Cristina and Burke were meant to have their fairy tale.

Burke stood just inside the door of the apartment. It was still clean and quiet. The air was still stagnant and he felt as if he were going to choke on it. His eyes traced her petite frame pacing back and forth by the very counter where she'd said yes to him. He opened his mouth to utter her name but paused when she held up her hand.

"She gave you rules." Cristina started softly, "She gave you rules and you have to follow them."

Clenching his jaw, he gave her a soft nod. "Okay."

Pressing her lips together for a moment, Cristina gathered her thoughts. She evened out her tone and she looked up to meet his gaze. She had to look into his eyes. He had to understand everything she was saying. "When you left me on our wedding day, you didn't leave me. That's what you thought then. It's what I know now."

"Cristina –"

"I'm speaking." She interrupted him, "So you left. You said that if you loved me that you wouldn't be waiting for me and all that stuff. You said you'd let me go. And maybe…maybe, I wasn't me then. But I'm me now. I'm me and I know what I want." Her eyes traced to his expectantly as if he may be able to decipher exactly what it was that she was saying.

Burke was silent as he pondered her words. He knew what he wanted her to be saying. He hoped what he thought he had heard was what he wanted it to be, but with Cristina he could never be sure. Not when it came to what she wanted.

He'd learned his lesson from that the hard way.

"You can speak now." Annoyance rang clear in her voice.

"I will…as soon as I figure out exactly what it is that you're trying to say." He answered honestly with a wry grin on his face. Watching her slowly, he advanced towards her. "I turned in my resignation." He mumbled quietly.

"I know." Her confidence wavered for the first time as he neared her. She wanted nothing more than to lean into him. She wanted to know that he wanted this too.

That he needed it.

"I've been looking at offers." He continued, "I haven't accepted anything yet. I haven't been able to."

"Why?" She asked softly, knowing what she wanted his answer to be. Hugging her arms around herself she looked up to him.

"I don't want to leave; I don't want to be that far away from you. I know that it's what you need, though. I know that you shouldn't have to see me at work; I know that you shouldn't have to hear the rumors. And for once, I want to do what you need me to." His body was inches from hers, "But if you're saying what I think you're saying; if you're saying what I want you to be saying…" His voice trailed off.

"You don't need to accept an offer." She finished his sentence. "I don't need you to leave. What I need you to do is listen to me. I need you to be ask me what I think before you just do something. I need you to argue with me instead of walking away." Frustration started to seep into her voice, "And don't make the decision to just end our relationship because it's what you think is best. Because you've done it twice and I'm starting to look a little desperate."

A smile spread across Burke's face and he reached out to her. He was surprised when she stepped back. His eyebrows raised in question as he studied her, "Am I misunderstanding?"

"No. You're not." She answered shortly, "But we're going at my pace this time."

"Okay, I can do that." He nodded confidently.

"Good. Now leave." She knew that he was going to get mixed signals, but she was testing him. She was testing the waters again. She wasn't going to be hurt again.

"You don't want me to—" He paused for a moment, "You want me to leave." He echoed her words.

"Yes."

"Okay. I'm leaving. Should I call you?"

It took a great deal of restraint for her not to laugh at his spastic movements as he made his way to the door, "No. Tomorrow you can buy me coffee on your way to work. Then after you speak with Dr. Webber and get your job back, maybe I'll let you buy me another cup of coffee if I'm feeling generous."

"Coffee in the morning."

"You're not leaving." She feigned annoyance. His childlike excitement made it hard for her to push him away, but she had to be careful this time.

Burke pulled open the door to the apartment and glanced back at her with hopeful eyes. He wanted so badly to kiss her, but it was not what she wanted. Closing the door softly behind himself a grin plastered itself across his face.

The ache that had resided in his heart not even a full hour ago had dissipated and it was replaced by palpitations. He couldn't help but feel as if there was progress being made despite the fact that they were still sleeping in separate locations.

Their wounds were starting to heal.