Chapter 7
"So you're wishing to tranfer to Seattle Grace, Dr Kim?" the Chief asked, studying closely at the young Washington doctor.
"Why yes sir," Henry confidentally replied back. "I believe Seattle Grace will give my career a great, significant push to gain greater heights, and I assure you, I will surely become an important asset to your hospital."
"Oh really? You sound very sure about yourself."
"Why of course. I'm one of the top heart surgeons in Washington, and after coming here for the previous heart surgery, I have grown very interested in your department."
"And what do you like most about my department, Dr Kim? How is it different from Washington?"
"Well," Henry hesitated, looking around him as he thought. "The uh..place is um.. clean and bright. You have wonderful doctors and nurses. The hospital is well kept, you have very high tech equipment, the beds are wonderful and the coffee is great-"
As the Chief continued to decide if he should accept him or not, someone knocked on the door.
"Ah, Dr Burke, just in time." the Chief exclaimed cheerfully.
"I'm ready to leave earlier today sir." Dr Burke smiled back. "I was just wondering where Dr Kim was so we could prepare our departure from Seattle Grace."
Before Henry could reply, the Chief happily answered for him.
"Well, Dr Kim just asked me if he could transfer here to Seattle Grace."
Dr Burke looked sharply at Henry, to which Henry tried to avoid his gaze by looking at the prize statue on the Chief's desk.
"Oh really? I believe he didn't mention that to me this morning." Burke said, hinting to Henry that he was in deep trouble.
"And as his boss, I believe you have to give him consent to transfer here." the Chief's eyes sparkled as he looked from Burke and back to Henry, amused at how Dr Kim's proud atmosphere around him has changed dramatically.
"Indeed," Burke replied. "Well if you excuse me Chief, I like to have a little word with Dr Kim before we make any big decisions."
"You asked the Chief to transfer here before consulting me?" Burke slammed the door of the empty room behind them, making Henry jump as far away as possible from him.
"Wa-well, Dr Burke, I was quite impressed of Seattle Grace and I believe I could do many things in this hospital that could further my career..."
"Further your career? Is Washington not good enough for you?"
"No! No! Washington is wonderful!" Henry nervously laughed, hands flying up in defence. "Washington has helped me become a skilled surgeon ever since I arrived as an intern."
Burke's anger slowly subsided and he looked away from him.
"We'll be losing a very skilled and gifted surgeon."
Henry also calmed and felt glad that his superior had commented greatly on him.
"Why thank you, sir. It's all because of you sir, you've patiently become a great mentor to me."
Burke smiled and his expression changed as if he's looking at Henry from his student to his friend.
"Henry, if it wasn't for you, you know I wouldn't have fitted into Washington properly after transfering there."
"It was my duty sir." he then paused. "Sir? Why don't you come back to Seattle Grace? You said before, if I leave, then the hospital will be liable of a very skilled and gifted surgeon. I believe when you left, Seattle Grace lost a very gifted surgeon as well."
Burke narrowed his eyes and Henry knew he'd touched a sensitive area. He decided to change the subject.
"Ah sorry sir, I know you have your reasons. Um, if I'm to transfer here, you have to sign this form as my superior."
Henry took out a form from his pocket which was given to him by the Chief earlier before. Burke sighed and slowly took the form from him and a pen from his pocket.
"I regret doing this, Kim."
"I know." Henry smiled back.
As he signed the paper, Burke said, "I hope Seattle Grace will please your career aspects. You are always welcomed back to Washington."
"Thank you sir. It will sir. Besides...I have an old friend who works here, I think she'll help me settle down in Seattle Grace."
"Really?" Henry detected some amusement in Burke's tone. "How convinient of her to generously give that offer to you."
Henry chuckled along with him. "Haha, right. She's actually a practicing surgeon, just like me."
"Oh? What's her name? I might know her."
This was the jackpot. "Her name is Cristina. Cristina Yang."
Like an alarm bell, hearing the name made Burke turn sharply towards Henry, wide-eyed with shock.
"You know of her sir?" Henry amusingly asked.
"Why um...yes. I do. Are you good friends with her?"
"We're old childhood friends." Henry took the filled form from his hands and made his way out. "Well, at least for now." Henry looked back with a knowing grin as his boss's horrified face before closing the door behind him. He stiffled a laugh as he made his way back to the Chief's office, Burke's shocked face at the mention of Cristina in his mind. As much as he knew him, if his boss' actions were just as he has predicted upon working at Seattle Grace, then this game of his will become very interesting. Definitely interesting.