A/N: Here's part three. Burke is alive and well, don't worry.

Preston Burke finished scrubbing his hands after his second successful surgery that day. Turning to his colleague he lifted an eyebrow.

"Big plans for the evening, Dr. Grey?" He tossed the towel carelessly into the bin and straightened up.

Meredith smiled as she dried her hands with a towel.

"Derek and I were planning to go watch the ferryboats, maybe see a movie."

"Are we still on for dinner tomorrow?"

"Are you kidding? Derek and I have been looking forward to it all week. That is, unless the new case needs immediate surgery. We're not sure yet."

"Is that the rennin-angiotensin case? Richard mentioned that he was flying in some hotshot specialist from Los Angeles."

"Yeah, Dr. Yang, I think her name is. She's supposed to be the best in the field, and together with you and I Richard thinks the surgery should go smoothly."

"It had better, the eyes of the medical world are watching this one." He grabbed his coat and slung his stethoscope around his neck.

"See you later, Meredith."

"Bye, Preston."

Burke happened upon Drs Stevens and O'Malley later that day, loitering by the nurses' station. As he walked up he caught the tail end of O'Malley's complaint.

"I mean, she's just two years out of residency, how could anyone be so famous so fast? I want to be famous."

"George, she's not famous just cause she's famous, she's a great surgeon, apparently. Next time you pioneer a new surgical method I'm sure they'll all be rushing up to interview you."

O'Malley kicked the leg of the desk in frustration and sent a pile of papers spilling all over the floor. As he and Stevens hurried to pick them up Burke kept walking, now definitely intrigued by this new doctor. He'd heard the name; of course, everyone had kept up with the frequent articles in the more prestigious journals, either written by her or about her. Cristina Yang was the darling of the scientific community for her work on the effect of renin-angiotensin aldosterone systems of vascular arrhythmias. She was lauded as the next great surgeon, the shining star of this generation. Burke couldn't help feeling a little professional jealousy that someone so young was so widely acclaimed, but he was looking forward to seeing her in action. He was interested to know if her skills could back up the hype.

After briefly checking in with the Chief, who informed him that tomorrow they would start prep for the surgery, Burke was on his way home for the evening. He stopped off first at Joe's, as was his habit on Thursday nights. When the choice was between a cold bed and the congenial atmosphere of Joe's – Joe's always won.

Sliding into his favorite booth, the one with the best view of the room, Burke caught Joe's eye and motioned for his regular drink. Casting a glance around the room, taking in the sight of the new group of interns socializing in the corner and the nurses congregating in the typical opposite corner, his gaze fell on a stranger. She was sitting at the bar, alone and unconcerned, it seemed. Her long, wavy black hair spilled over her shoulders as she sipped her drink and paged through a manila folder. If he squinted he could read the words "Seattle Grace" on the back of the folder. He knew almost all of Joe's regulars by sight – this woman was a complete stranger. He sipped his drink and watched her for a while longer. She turned a little in her chair and her hitherto unseen face was revealed to him. For a moment he sat as if paralyzed – she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Finally the folder she was still holding clicked into place. Could this be Cristina Yang, M.D? She looked so young … but then again she was young. More than 10 years his junior, but if the rumors could be believed she was twice the surgeon he was. He couldn't believe that, but he could believe that she was at least his equal. A beautiful, accomplished surgeon – what wasn't to like?

He sat lost in his thoughts for some time, and was only dragged from them when he realized that she had approached him and now stood, awkwardly, near the extra chair by his booth.

"The bartender said that you were Dr. Burke…"

She sounded arrogant and unsure at the same time, as if completely confident in her surgical skills but wary of personal interactions.

"Joe. His name is Joe." Burke's gaze was assessing, and she shifted minutely under his scrutiny.

"Right. Joe. Whatever."

He gestured towards the empty seat, and she sank into it gracefully.

Later, had you asked him, Burke would have had no explanation for the series of events that led to him waking up beside Cristina Yang the next morning. No explanation whatsoever.

He remembered staying at Joe's till last call, discussing the case, residency, surgery, life, all manner of things. He remembered that Dr. Yang – well, might as well call her Cristina now, since her weight was currently making his right arm numb – had had some very interesting ideas about cardiac hypertrophy. He also remembered the way her face had glowed in the dim light of the bar. He remembered kissing her, her dark hair tangled in his fingers as he pulled her closer in the taxi ride to his apartment.

When they were introduced two hours later in Richard's office, Burke tried not to grin, but he wasn't entirely successful. He was remembering their awkward conversation that morning, when it became clear that Dr. Cristina Yang was not a people person. That was ok though, he liked a challenge. He was comforted by the fact that Cristina failed to hide her amusement as well, a spark of humor lit up her eyes and caused Richard to look back and forth between the two of them in confusion.

Later that morning, as they scrubbed in for surgery, Burke addressed her.

"So, Dr. Yang. You're awfully famous for someone so young. Only out of residency by two years, if I'm correct?" He glanced at her as he finished rinsing his hands.

"What can I say? I'm a hard worker." She replied. She preceded him into the OR and he pretended not to see the look that Meredith shot him as he followed her.

Later that day he cringed when he saw Dr. Yang eating lunch with Meredith and Izzie. He was pretty certain that if anyone would find out what had transpired between him and the beautiful visiting doctor, it was those two.

His suspicions were confirmed when Meredith approached him as he crossed the northwest walkway late that afternoon. She fell into step beside him and when he glanced at her her smile had overtaken her whole face.

"Dr. Grey." Better get this over with.

"Oh don't be like that Preston. I like her. She's smart, and she's ambitious. Perfect for you." Burke stopped, and decided that his business to discuss with the chief could wait.

"I have no idea what you're referring to, Dr. Grey," he said with a smile as he turned and walked in the other direction.

He ran into her a few hours later, exiting Richard's office, and fell into step with her as she crossed the balcony.

"You're friends are quite the interrogators," she commented with a small smirk.

"They interned under me, but the fear I inspired then seems to have evaporated once they finished their residencies. Unfortunately for me." He cast a sidelong glance at her.

"I suppose you're heading back to L.A. soon?" He was trying to be nonchalant, trying to play it cool, but he could tell from the gleam in her eyes that he was failing miserably.

They had reached the door to the stairs by now, and paused, a little off to the side.

"Actually, Chief Webber asked if I wouldn't mind staying for a little longer, to consult on one or two other cases. And I've always wanted to see a little more of Seattle, I almost came here for residency, you know."

His heart leapt at that.

"In that case, can I take you out to dinner tonight?" The afternoon sun was glinting on her hair and the wall he was leaning against was cold against his back.

She laughed at that. "I think that could be arranged." An instant later she was through the swinging door and he was left staring into the setting sun.

Oh yes. Good thing he liked a challenge.