A/N: This is one of my versions of Season 3. It does not follow what happens in the show, because I started it as the fan-fic contest entry back in August.
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Ch. 15
"Did you find some black panties in the hospital again?" George was catching Callie completely off guard as she was holding the black plastic bag Cristina handed her earlier.

"It's a secret," Callie smirked.

"You're becoming one of them, secretive and mysterious," George bit his lips.

"They're your family. I thought you'd like me to be just like them, George."

"Well—"

"Cristina says she and Dr. Burke are busy today. Maybe we'll invite them over for dinner next week?"

"Sure."

It baffled George that Callie was so insistent on asking the couple to join them. Dr. Burke had been his friend, as was Cristina. After his injury and leave of absence, however, George was feeling a little awkward with the two.

"They need that. We still go to Meredith's house from time to time. Izzie has all of you checking up on her. But Cristina and Dr. Burke, it's only the two of them. We all need social support," Callie said in her neutral voice.

George stood transfixed by his clingy girlfriend, who actually was pretty rational at the same time.

"Ok. I will go find him. He is...my friend."

"That's why I like you, George. You're the sweetest guy on earth," Callie pointed her finger at his heart with a look of mischief on her face and walked away.

Walking down the hallway, Burke kept his eyes on the spotlessly white tiles, trying to avoid all eye contacts. He had to get ready. He could not be distracted. He had to stay focused. This was the day to prove himself worthy again. Nobody was ready for any bad surprise.

"Dr. Burke."

"Hi, O'Malley."

"Callie and I are thinking if you and Cristina might want to come to our place for dinner next week?"

"Thanks, O'Malley. You better check with Cristina. She's a busy woman," Burke smiled slyly. "By the way, are you scheduled for any surgery this afternoon?"

"No, Dr. Burke."

"Would you like to scrub in on a valve replacement procedure with me?"

George blinked. "Of course… I thought you'd have asked Cristina."

"She's already taken by Sheppard."

"Ok, then I'll scrub in with you."

"Thanks, O'Malley. You'll always be my guy." Burke gave him a gentle slap on the shoulder.

A year ago, Burke would not have had that much trust in George O'Malley, the least brilliant of his class, who almost killed a patient on the first day. It still puzzled Burke to realize how they had become friends, he thought as he went to the OR to practice the procedure mentally.

"Hi, Dr. Burke."

"Good afternoon, Dr. Torres." Burke was surprised to find O'Malley's girlfriend in the OR. "Are you looking for George?"

"No," Callie blushed.

Burke smiled. Everyone at the hospital knew about the two lovebirds. Callie Torres might appear icy and intimidating sometimes, but she would always give her boyfriend a good luck kiss before any major surgery.

"The surgery is scheduled for 2pm. He must be elsewhere right now."

"You're really early then, Dr. Burke." It was barely after noon.

"I want to be prepared."

In the past, all Preston Burke did was to walk in, do his thing, and walk out. If they could find a robot with the same level of skills, they could probably replace him with it. It had been a while since he last witnessed the whole thing from scratch.

"I heard it's your first major surgery since your come-back," Callie followed his gaze geared towards the scrub nurses and technicians. "It's good that they're already getting ready."

"Yes. They probably always did. I just never paid attention in the past." Burke almost felt compelled to thank everyone in the OR for setting things up today.

He might possess skills that few could master, but in the end, the success always depended on the team. His injury taught him not only to be humble and appreciate others' efforts, but to learn to lean on others. If he asked, most people would help.

Especially Cristina. Their relationship did not start in the healthiest manner. He started out being the one who gave a lot. In his overbearing way of giving, Burke overlooked Cristina's ability to give back. Then when he was injured, he pushed her away. The fear of being abandoned by her was so intense that it surprised him a great deal when he later found out how she had never for a day wanted to walk away. He didn't know why at first, but now he's learned to appreciate it.

"Seattle Grace has some of the best nurses and aids. I've met some really nasty ones from my previous placements," Callie pulled him back to the conversation.

"Yes, they are fairly nice and helpful," Burke laughed lightly, "as long as you don't mind the gossip."

"Really?"

"Everything is under their scrutiny, not only medical records. They know who is safe to torture and who isn't; who is going out with whom and what they do. Stuff like that. They're Richard's spies, only they also spy on the Chief," Burke smirked.

"No wonder," Callie said to herself as she thought about Cristina, not realizing that Burke heard her.

"What?" Burke looked at her with curiosity.

"Nothing," Callie blinked nervously. "Well, actually, I was talking to Cristina earlier."

That remark alone made him anxious. He's only seen her once this morning and everything seemed fine. He didn't recall hearing Cristina talk about Callie Torres often and he hoped there was nothing wrong with her.

"Oh, no, don't worry. Everything's fine," Callie saw the mild panic in the man's eyes. "She's just very busy."

"I bet Dr. Sheppard is working her really hard today?"

"That's what I heard. 50 labs to take care of and Bailey doesn't allow her to wander around."

"What's on their mind?" Burke shook his head and smiled.

No wonder Cristina said she would not be watching from the gallery. In fact, she might not even get to eat or go home tonight, Burke thought as he touched his eyebrow.

"It's complicated," Callie paused. "Anyway, she told me to hand this to you. She said it is no surprise and told you not to laugh."

"Why would I do thatt?" Burke took the bag and appeared amused.

"I don't know what's in there—"

Burke pulled out a note that read: "You don't need it, but I need you to know that I'll be with you."

"Thank you, Dr. Torres."

Burke was in high spirits for the rest of the hour before the surgery. It was very unlike Cristina, but it made him want to go to her immediately to kiss her.

It was his scrub cap, the one Cristina had taken possession of since they first met.