1Chapter 4

The show Grey's Anatomy and the characters are the sole property of Shonda Rhimes and does not belong to me.

Dr. Burke and George got off the elevator on the 3rd floor and Burke stopped for a moment as George led the way to Cristina's room number 315. They entered the room quietly and George could tell that Burke was really shook up by the sight of Cristina lying on the bed connected to tubes. He watched Burke go closer to Cristina's bed side watched him reach out and touch her face lovingly. His face looked pained and he seems to have aged suddenly, he closed his eyes tightly as if he was trying hard to block out what was in front of him. Watching Burke's reaction fascinated George. He smiled to himself, 'the two of them are so not over,' he thought. George felt as if he was intruding on a very private moment so he decided to leave. 'I'll leave you alone now Dr. Burke but if you need me please page me

George started to walk away but Burke stopped him. 'O'malley,'

"Yes, Dr. Burke?" George asked as he turned around.

"thank you."

'You're welcome Dr. Burke. I'm still your guy.'

As a doctor Burke had seen the best and worse of the human condition and he was never affected, until now. He closed his eyes tightly and appeared to sway a little as if he was going to faint. He finally composed himself and walked around the bed to pull up a chair that was on the other side of the room. He sat down and silently stared at her, his face revealed how much he was fighting to compose himself. He reached out and touched her face. He ran his fingers across her brow as if to straighten them. Then he began to speak.

'Cristina, . . . it's me, Burke, . . . I know that you're in a bad place right now, and I know that you may be tempted to give up, . . . but if you can hear me, please, please don't give up. Please fight this, . . . there are so many people who want you to live . . . so many reasons why you should live . . . so many people who love you. I love you, and I can't imagine this world without you in it. We're not done you and me . . . we need another chance . . . I made a mistake, . . . I left . . . but it wasn't to punish you, and I'm so sorry. You know, there wasn't a day that goes by without me thinking about you . . . I missed you . . . I missed walking into the bathroom and finding your clothes and towel all over the floor . . . I missed coming home and finding you dancing . . . I even missed having to clean the kitchen sink because you brushed your teeth in it. I missed going to sleep at night with you in my arms . . . I missed you calling me Burke instead of Preston . . . I missed you. . . Please come back, your friends are here . . . We're all here waiting for you, so please come back to us.'

Dr. Burke spent the entire night talking to Cristina, he dosed off then woke up and went right on talking to her as if by talking he was willing her to wake up. He finally fell asleep just before dawn and was awakened by Bailey lightly tapping him on his shoulder.

'Dr. Burke when did you get here, Were you here all night. ?' He woke up startled. 'Oh Dr. Bailey, I got here last night, how are you?'

'I'm fine but how about you, how are you holding up? My former suck ups called you didn't they?'

Burke smiled then answered, yes George called but I get the feeling that they were all in on it.

'You know, I have to give them credit, they watch out for each other, they're the best set of Interns we've ever had.'

'You're right Dr. Bailey but right now my favorite Intern is great danger and I don't know how to help her.'

'You're already helping her Dr. Burke, just by being here and talking to her, you never know what she hears. However, you won't be any help to her if you don't go and get some rest, so scoot. If Cristina . . . when Cristina wakes up I don't want her to see you looking like crap.'

'Do you really think she is going to wake up Burke asked cautiously?'

'It's hard to tell,' Bailey replied.

'I do know one thing, Cristina has a very good reason to want to live, so I truly believe that she will fight, so keep talking to her, you may just be that extra incentive she needs. I have to go but I'll be back to check on her later. It's really nice seeing you again Dr. Burke, I just wish it was under more pleasant circumstances.' With that Bailey left and Burke went back to Cristina's bedside. He bent over, kissed her on the cheek and whispered in her ear. 'I have to leave for a little while but I'll come back soon. Remember what I said, fight.