Chapter 5

"Anton, Henri this is Dr. Preston Burke and Dr. Cristina Yang, they are surgeons at Seattle Grace. Cristina is a surgical intern and Preston is their top cardio-thoracic surgeon. I've been trying to steal him away from Seattle Grace for years."

Anton looked at the couple for a moment, his gaze lingering a moment too long on Cristina for Burke's comfort. After a moment, Anton says hello in a heavy French accent, shaking Burke's hand then kissing Cristina's.

Derek is amused witnessing this brief interaction, grinning at Burke as Addison remarks "He didn't kiss my hand."

Sizing Anton up, Cristina couldn't help but notice how hot he was. Nice eyes, nice hands, nice butt around the same age as Burke and a heart surgeon. He really was the French Burke.

Not liking what he is seeing from Anton or Cristina, Burke maintains a formal demeanor "Hello Dr. Moliere, Mr. Duvall. I've heard great things about your procedures

Dr. Moliere."

Anton cheerfully replies "Merci Preston. First names please we are colleagues. I was just discussing with Derek and Addison a recent surgery involving conjoined twins in Amsterdam. I have heard good things about you as well but know nothing about your beautiful companion."

"Hello Preston. Cristina" Henri looks at Cristina.

Cristina smiles "Bonjour Anton et Henri. Vous sont comment. Agréable pour vous rencontrer." (translation: Hello Anton and Henri. It is a pleasure to meet you.)

Burke glances at Cristina, marveling at the fact that she would try to turn anything into a competition. He had to admit that he was impressed she would risk throwing out the little bit of French she knew but hoped she wasn't starting something that would result in her feeling embarrassed because she couldn't keep up. He knew she'd studied French in college but that was awhile ago and there were few things Cristina Yang hated more than not being able to keep up.

"C'est un plaisir pour vous rencontrer aussi!" (translation: It is a pleasure to meet you as well!). The words leapt out of their mouths. So excited they were to have an American to speak French with.

Anton, remembering to be respectful of his hosts, speaks in English "You speak French so I know that you are smart as well as beautiful."

Witnessing this interaction, the Sheppards exchange amused glances with each other, Elizabeth Riley is visibly angry that Cristina was indeed fluent in french, and Ben Riley has a silly grin on his face as he enjoys his drink.

Cristina returns his smile well aware that she has just stunned the small crowd including Burke then continues in French "Merci. Est-ceci votre première visite à Seattle ?" (translation: Thank you. Is this your first visit to Seattle?).

Anton responds with a sexy look at Cristina "Non, mais clairement j'ai manqué les meilleures parties de la ville durent le temps. Vous parlez le très bon français." (translation: No, second but obviously I missed the best parts on my first visit. You speak very good French.)

"Merci!" (translation: Thank you!)

"Avez-vous étudié longtemps à l'étranger ?" (translation: Did you study long abroad).

At this point, Burke has moved on from being shocked at Cristina's bold use of her linguistic talents to quite clearly losing his patience.He takes a step closer to his date, positioning his tall frame just a bit straighter, placing his hand on the small of Cristina's back and keeping his eyes fixed on Anton.

Feeling Burke's hand on her back, Cristina is surprised that he is jealous "Oui. Deux années à l'étranger et un degré dans la littérature française." (translation: Yes, two years abroad and a degree in french literature.).

"Ahh, qui il explique! Je pense que votre ami est jaloux." (Translation: Ahh, that explains it! I think your boyfriend is jealous.).

Cristina is not wanting to give Anton's ego the satisfaction of acknowledging that he was right "C'est votre imagination. Il sait il y a de rien être jaloux de. Votre dernier article fascinait. Je me demande, cependant, qu'il est pratique pour utiliser un bras robotisé dans la plupart de pièces d'opération à cause de ce qu'est eu besoin de le soutenir." (translation: It's your imagination. He knows there's nothing to be jealous of. Your latest article was fascinating. I wonder, though, how practical it is to use a robotic arm in most operating rooms because of what is needed to support it.).

Henri looks at her amused "Donc sérieux vous êtes Cristina. Tout travail n'est pas bon pour vous. Ceci est un parti!" (translation: So serious you are Cristina. All work is not good for you. This is a party!).

Cristina starts to say something but Anton laughs and, again realizes that they are being rude to the others around them "I apologize for the French but it is so rare that we encounter an American who can speak our language as flawlessly as Cristina. So Preston, it seems the four of us have much to talk about in English of course. First, though, I must steal one dance with your beautiful companion."

Quickly and confidently, Anton grabs Cristina by the arm, scooting her away before Burke can even comment. Cristina looks over her shoulder and shoots Burke a reassuring look. Burke stands there, jaw clenched, as he tries to temper his growing dislike for the man who called his girlfriend beautiful three times in less than 10 minutes. He is not reassured.

"I have to warn you Preston, Anton loves beautiful, young surgeons" Burke turns and looks at Henri who is walking away in pursuit of a pretty blonde then looks back at Anton dancing a little too closely to a very comfortable looking Cristina.

Derek walks up to Burke and states the obvious "Preston, I believe you may have lost your date for the evening."

Burke looks down at Derek trying to hide his disappointment at being separated from Cristina "If you keep comments like that up Sheppard we're going back to using last names only."

"Seriously?"

Looking back at the dance floor, Burke catches Cristina's eyes fixed on him as Anton turns her around "It's one dance. Anyway, as long as she's going home with me I'm fine."

Burke watches them move on the dance floor staring in amazement at Cristina. If someone had told him that Cristina, the same woman who leaves a trail of wet towels, clothing, magazine and candy wrappers behind her on a regular basis would be speaking French like it was something she did everyday of her life he wouldn't have believed it. He couldn't believe that or that she was now schmoozing this guy like she'd known him for years. How did he not know this about her?

Faintly, he hears those around him expressing similar thoughts and as he looks around sees a stunned Elizabeth Riley take not one but two glasses of champagne off of the tray of a passing waiter and start drinking them. He couldn't help but laugh to himself at the bizarreness of it all. Cristina will have quite a story to tell her friends tomorrow.

Just then Addison walks up and leans over to Burke "And you were worried that she'd feel uncomfortable tonight why?"

Burke really didn't have a good answer for Addison. He was still trying to figure out if he was feeling jealous, proud or annoyed "You know Cristina…full of surprises" was the best he could come up with.