The fundraiser was in full swing and they would be seated for dinner shortly. Cristina was shocked that she was enjoying herself. It had been a long time since she'd been to any kind of event like this and usually she hated them finding herself a nice spot at the bar doing serious people watching or, more accurately, people bashing. She couldn't quite put her finger on what was different about tonight but she had her suspicions that it had something to do with her date. Burke had introduced her to what felt like everyone in the room while at the same time making her feel like she really was the most important person in that room. Although she still felt a twinge of uneasiness, she felt that the two of them maintained a very comfortable rhythm as they worked the social circuit.

Cristina notices Burke stop the couple walking past him and readies herself for another introduction "Cristina I'd like to introduce you to Elizabeth and Ben Riley. Ben is the Chief of Surgery at Mercy and Elizabeth is the mastermind behind this amazing benefit."

Ben smiles warmly "Hello Cristina. It's nice to finally meet you. Preston and I sit on an ethics committee together and he's told me a lot about you." Cristina doesn't have time to speak or take a step back as Ben leans over a little too close to talk to her "You've made this man very happy." Cristina can't help but smile and wonder why such a kind man is with such an evil wife.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ben. Your wife and I actually met earlier in the ladies room."
The reference to the ladies room and Elizabeth's uncomfortable look does not go unnoticed by Burke. He had never really cared for Elizabeth and now he felt anger as he began to realize that she was the person who provided Cristina with her initiation that evening.

"Elizabeth, you should have mentioned that when I was asking about Cristina earlier."

Elizabeth tries to answer quickly "Ben, there's so much going on I can't possibly be expected to remember everything."

"Cristina, Preston tells me that you've got quite the fiery personality and I wanted to meet you before the event got in full swing so we'd have time to talk a bit."

Cristina is enjoying that her hostess is feeling awkward and that Burke describes her to people as fiery. She always pictured him describing her as difficult but she liked fiery much better.

Cristina forces herself to be cordial for Burke's sake "Elizabeth, it really is a beautiful event. Preston and I…" Burke looks at Cristina, raising his brow suspiciously at this uncharacteristic use of his first name "…are having a wonderful time." Cristina barely glances at Burke knowing that he was not expecting that and he stands there grinning at this little exchange.

"Thank you. Ben we should really go over and speak with the Martins." Elizabeth is trying her best to remove herself from Cristina's company.

Ignoring his wife and the tension between the two women, Ben continues to engage Cristina "Cristina you're originally from California, right? Beverly Hills I believe."

"Yes and I've lived out East but Seattle is much more my speed. I find the people to be much more straightforward. It's refreshing." Cristina looks at Elizabeth as she finishes her sentence.

Ben looks at Cristina for a moment "Yes, it's nice to have that experience but I have found it to be too infrequent even here. Oh there is Dr. Anton Moliere. Preston and Cristina, come with me and I will introduce you. He is the French Preston Burke." At that moment, Cristina would've sworn that she saw Preston Burke blush.

Elizabeth interrupts her husband "He travels with an assistant, Henri Duvall, who doubles as a translator when needed. His preference is to speak French but his English is very good. It's quite the coup that we were able to get him to come tonight. He leaves early tomorrow morning. I can't wait to speak with him during dinner."

As they walked the short distance to where Anton and Henri were standing with Addison, Derek, and a few people she didn't know, Cristina quickly wrapped her arm around Burke's "Two Preston Burkes…that might be more than I can handle." Her handsome date just shook his head trying not to laugh.