Chapter 5

In the Intern Clubhouse

Alex and George walk up to Cristina, Izzy and Meredith sitting on hospital beds. Cristina is sitting holding her head with her hands. "What's going on? Is that an engagement ring?"

"No!" Cristina doesn't even raise her head to look up as she sits with her head against her knees on the bed.

Quickly Izzy updates the guys "Cristina thinks Burke's going to propose. She found the engagement ring, tried it on and now can't get it off."

Alex chuckles "Serves you right Yang. That's what happens when ovaries snoop!"

George innocently asks "How did that happen?" Izzy elbows George and Meredith looks at him like she can't believe he just asked that.

For the first time, Cristina lifts her head up and jumps off of the gurney "It doesn't matter. What matters is how it's getting off of my finger and back into its box!"

"It was just a question. Can't a guy ask a question?" George as usual doesn't realize the problem.

Cristina is losing her patience "Not a stupid one."

Alex chimes in "Was that a stupid guy or a stupid question?"

Cristina is leaning against the wall eyes closed holding her hand up "Remember me...over here with the swollen unengaged finger."

Alex puts in his two cents "Too bad Yang…you're screwed!"

"Thanks for the help Evil Spawn. Don't you have a patient to kill?"

Alex has a big grin on his face "Nah I'd rather watch you suffer, Wifey"

Izzy's had enough of their banter and is hungry for details "So are you going to say yes?"

"How can I answer when there was not even a question?" Cristina is eerily calm now.

Meredith is looking at Cristina's finger again "She's in denial"

Alex offers the practical solution "We could just cut the ring off."

"No!" they all say in unison

"Well if you're not going to say yes what does it matter. He can't return it anyway. I'm out of here I've got work to do. Transplant surgery with the Chief" Alex scurries down the hall.

"But if you are going to say yes you could just leave it on and show it to him. You could propose to him."

Cristina is panicking "You are not helping Izzy. Think! There has to be a way. I am running out of time!"

"Surgery Mrs. Burke?" George has a silly grin on his face.

Cristina hops off of the gurney "George you're brilliant! We could drain my finger."

"That's sooooo not a good idea."

Cristina is now pacing "Of course it is, Mer. We'll drain the fluid above the knuckle then the ring will come off."

Meredith is leaning against the vending machine looking at Cristina like she's lost it "That's great but what if we hit a nerve. None of us have done that before. "

"I have!" Cristina blurts out.

"Well, too bad you don't have three hands so you could do your own procedure. You should just tell Burke."

"Izzy, Nobody' is telling Burke." Cristina glares at George "We just need someone else to help us who will stay quiet."

"Callie?" George suggests shyly.

"Seriously? She hates us"

"Right. Bailey?" Meredith asks.

Cristina sighs loudly "Bailey told me I can't have any more problems this week or it's a month of enemas"

"Well, this definitely counts as a problem."