Chapter 12

"Is it just me, or am I feeling a sense of deja vu?" Meredith said in the locker rooms as Cristina tried on several dresses in front of the mirror for the date.

"It's just you." Cristina replied back.

"Oh, is this for the new cardio surgeon?" Izzie smiled in interest when she entered with George.

"So you're moving on already?" George marvelled. "I applaud your actions, Cristina. You're so..so head on in life..."

"She's not really going on a date." Meredith pointed out. "She's only going on a date with Dr Kim in order to get back at Burke."

"It's a dinner with an old friend, this has nothing to do with Burke." Cristina snapped back and for the fifth time took a dress off and put on another one.

"Oooh, it's fun to make your ex jealous." Izze mused. "It's the only best part during a break up."

"I am not making him jealous!"

Finally Cristina settled for a crimson red, velvet dress and quickly threw on a pair of high heels. As she collected all the other dresses back, she found herself clawing at a purple one and recognised the last time she wore it. Her movements stopped as her eyes became glued to that dress.

"You alright Cristina?" Meredith asked.

"I'm fine." Cristina shook the memories away and threw the rest of the dresses back into her bag.

Outside, Henry was wearing a smart, slightly patterned white shirt with black pants, and had a few buttons near his collar undone to give a more casual look. His hair was slightly gelled to the side, and as he leaned against his car parked near the entrance of the hospital, Cristina couldn't help but agree with Meredith that Henry does look slightly hot. Or cute, whichever one. Henry caught her standing at the entrance in a black coat and he happily went over to excort her towards his car.

"Well you look lovely tonight."

"So where are we going?"

"A restaurant near here." Henry said as they walked. "You'll be surprised, they have wonderful steak there."

And when they arrived at the restaurant, Cristina indeed did get a shock of her life. It was the same restaurant she went to on her first date with Burke.

"You alright?" Henry asked when she didn't move into the restaurant.

"I'm fine." she smiled reassuringly and they entered.

The place was still the same. Nothing much changed. Many people, mostly couples, were dining against the candlelight. Memories rushed back as Cristina surveyed the semi-dark room. They were led to their seats on the far side of the restaurant, and Henry swiftly held out a chair for her to sit.

"Nice place isn't it?" Henry commented as they settled into their table and took the menues.

After ordering, they had a glass of champagne and Cristina felt slightly relaxed.

"So, I haven't heard from you ever since we graduated." Henry said. "How was med school? Heard you received a phD from Stanford and Burkley."

"Exactly. And I'm still not performing any surgeries on my own."

"Hm, impatient as always. I've done many independent ones back in Washington. Maybe you don't have the skills to do them."

"Oh I have skills." Cristina retorted. "I'm one of the top residents in Seattle Grace, and I can handle surgeries by myself. Washington is just for juniors."

"Oh really?" Henry laughed. "I assure you, Washington is one of the best hospitals in America with the best leading surgeons. Seattle Grace doesn't stand a chance, let alone a puny resident like you."

"Hey, I'm not puny. I can kick your fat ass anytime. Besides, why did you transfer here if you love Washington so much?"

"To take care of you."
"I don't need taking care of."

"Oh yes you do. You need me." He leaned forward and Cristina recognised the challenge in his eyes. "And since I'm here, lets make the rest of the year more interesting. I bet by the end of the year, I will be able to do twenty independent surgeries myself."

Automatically, Cristina rose up to the challenge. "Oh you're on."

"I bet 50 bucks."

"60."

"80."

"Deal."

Cristina almost forgot how much she'd competed with Henry in the past, and how much fun it was. Especially when they were equally smart and equally competitive. In a way, she was glad to have him back. As they chatted and laughed about the old times, another couple entered the restaurant.

"How many?" the waiter asked.

"Two please."

Cristina's ears pricked up at the sound of the voice and she looked to see Burke and a young, beautiful woman by his side standing at the counter. She was surprised that it was actually nurse Willows. She watched as the waiter walked them to their table, but her heart sank in dread as they came closer. Henry glanced back to see what Cristina was staring at, and saw Burke.

"Dr Burke! What a surprise." Henry exclaimed when they approached their table.

"Kim. Yang." Burke was startled to find them here.

"Good evening Dr Kim, Dr Yang." Willows cheerly replied.

"No need to be polite out of the hospital, just call me Henry." Henry smiled warmly at her.

Cristina avoided their glance and busied herself with the wine menu. She really needed more alcohol.

"I didn't know you're coming here." Henry continued. "Do you like this restaurant as well Dr Burke?"

"It's been one of my favorites." he answered, trying to keep his eyes on Henry but he would at times slide over towards Cristina. "If you'll excuse us, we're going to settle on our tables."

They turned and continued following the waiter. But they didn't go far, as they were only a few steps away from Henry's and Cristina's.

"Well isn't this nice? Meeting our colleagues in the same restaurant." Henry said.

More like a huge coincidence, Cristina thought annoyingly.

"I never knew nurse Willows can dress up so nicely."

Cristina managed a glance back at Burke's and Willows' table. Willows was laughing at something that Burke had said. She remembered that she didn't laugh or flirt here on their first date. She watched as Burke leaned forward to whisper something into her ear, making Willows blush and giggle. The sight almost disgusted her and she turned back. Maybe Henry was right. Willows was pretty and a perfect match for Burke.

"You ok?" Henry asked. "You look pale."

No, Cristina thought to herself. I must be strong. I must show that I have moved on and have forgotten about Burke.

"I'm fine. Where's the food? I'm hungry now."

After finishing their main course, Cristina was full and exhausted. But throughout their dinner, she couldn't help but look behind at Burke's table, wondering what they were doing and talking about. And every time, she would see Willows' sweet smile and Burke's calm and pleasing expression. If it wasn't for Henry asking and initiating conversations, Cristina would be looking at their table the whole night.

"Did you enjoy tonight?" she overheard Burke from behind.

"It was great. The food is wonderful here." Willows happily replied. "I see why you love this place so much."

"Did you enjoy your lobster?" Henry asked Cristina.

"It-It was fine." she managed a smile, but her ears still stood alert.

"Do you want to go see the ferryboats after?" Burke asked Willows. "Maybe we can catch one if you want."

"That would be wonderful! And the night is so beautiful as well."

Her voice was beginning to annoy Cristina, and her fingers began to dig deep into her napkin. Especially her laugh.

"I'm sorry, I haven't asked you how you felt." Willows apologized. "Maybe you're already tired from tonight."

"No, no, I'm not tired. You don't have to apologize."

"Really? Sorry, I've never been on dates. This is my first one." Willows shyly replied.

"Your first? Well I'm surprised, since you look like you know how to dress yourself up. I'm glad that I'm the first to ask you out."

Cristina furiously looked back to see Willows blushing deeply. Disgusting.

"Henry." Cristina said loudly, making sure that Burke can hear her. "Is there anywhere else you want to go after?"

"Well, anywhere you want Cristina." he answered.

"Then why don't you come back to my apartment?" she emphasized.

Not surprisingly, Burke heard and he twisted his head around towards Cristina's table.

"Your-your apartment?" Henry repeated, with a hint of disbelief.

"Torres is away so I'm the only one living in there. Lets go back to my apartment and enjoy ourselves there instead."

"Um..ok then." Henry said with a smile, but was quite unsure about Cristina's tone.

Cristina smirked when her eyes caught Burke's expression from the corner as they began to leave the table. She was so proud of herself now. This whole dinner thing was so worth it. As they made their way out of the restaurant, she didn't see a napkin that had fallen to the ground, so when she stepped on it, her legs gave way and she fell back. Crying in surprise, she thought that she was going to hit the ground and suffer a terrible head concution. But something saved her fall, and when she looked up, it was Henry. She realised she had landed into his arms instead. The customers applauded for Henry's catch, some whistled.

"You ok?" Henry asked, his face closed against her's.

"I'm-I'm fine." Cristina flustered and quickly got herself back up. Her heart was pounding and her face has suddenly got red. She was confused about her reaction, wondering if it was because of Henry or the shock of the fall.

"That was a close catch." A waiter said from behind, arming playfully at Henry.

"Do you know that I can suffer serious damages if I fell?" Cristina snapped at the waiter, who immediately apologized and felt cornered by her icy glare.

"Come on, Cristina, lets get out before we draw any more attention." Henry urged her away. Cristina quickly looked to where Burke was sitting, and he, like the rest of the customers, had seen what had happened. She couldn't read his expression, but before he turned his head back slowly, she thought she saw some longing in his eyes. Sighing to herself, she turned and left the restaurant with Henry.