Chapter 17
"I just performed a very awesome heart surgery just then." George exclaimed cheerfully as he joined his gang in their usual dark and deserted hallway where they could study, sleep or gossip to themselves. "And on the subject of hearts, are you guys going to Burke's cardio lecture this afternoon?"
"No"
"No"
"Yeh, wouldn't miss it."
Meredith and Izzie casted evil glares at Alex.
"What? Oh right, Cristina..."
But Cristina appeared unmoved as she continued reading a copy of Dorlan's Medical Dictionary. "Look guys, I don't care if you all went and wore matching jumpers with Burke's face on it with a banner spelling out his name and cheering like a bunch of crazy fan-girls, if you wanna go, just go."
"Cristina-"
"I'm going too."
All four of them were hit back by the response. They didn't expect that coming out of her so soon.
"What?" Cristina looked up. "I told you, I'm over him. Since this is a cardio lecture which is in my field, it is relevant for me to go right?"
"Why..yes..yes" they all muttered and nodded, exchanging nervous glances at each other.
But still, Cristina didn't want to discuss any further on the subject.
"Good." she firmly replied.
"Good." the others agreed.
There was a long, uncomfortable pause. Thankfully, all their pages went off simultaneously to save them.
The newly refurnished lecture room in the south wing still had the faint smell of new paint and furniture, but that didn't disturb Cristina like it used to when she entered that afternoon. The room was already full so she had to stand near the doorway as the chief was about to announce Burke. Both Henry and Burke were sitting behind him. The room automatically died down when the lights dimmed, illuminating the chief and the large slide screen at the back.
"Most of you may recognise him along the hallways recently as Washington Hospital's chief cardiothoracic surgeon, or known him back when he used to work here in Seattle Grace. Today is his last day here, and he's here to give a special lecture to you all. I give you Dr Preston Burke."
Although there was a loud applause as Dr Burke took over the stage, Cristina's world turned quiet and it seemed like forever when Burke finally reached the microphone and began to speak. Interns already had pens poised against their notebooks, ready to note down any wise words uttered by one of the top heart surgeons in America.
"Welcome," he beamed out to the audience, and that was the only thing Cristina heard in that lecture. Instead, familiar words came out of his lips.
"But you don't want to do this. I'm up there waiting for you to come down the aisle, and I knew you don't want to come...but that you'll come anyway because you love me. And if I loved you...you're not the woman that I'm trying to make you be, not the woman that I hope you'll become."
It was all coming back to her now. The scene that she forced herself to forget after all this time.
"I wouldn't be up there waiting for you. I would be letting you go."
But I wanted to be with you, Cristina thought. I really thought that it would work.
"And I really wish that you didn't think. I wish that you knew."
It pains her to admit the truth in those words. She was angry at him for leaving her like that, but she was also angry at herself for not being at the same level as Burke. If it wasn't for that, he would still be working at Seattle Grace. On the other hand, somehow it also freed her - leaving a very bitter taste. She couldn't even handle hearing or seeing a single trumpet without it reminding her of Burke.
Someone was shaking her shoulder and she snapped out from her thoughts. Thank god, I needed that.
It was Meredith, and she was pointing to the stage. "-collapsed! Dr Kim just collapsed!"
The sudden change in atmosphere hit Cristina hard as the lights were turned back on and people were talking and standing up, trying to see what had happened. Between the gaps, she could see the chief and Burke hovering over Henry, his body limp on the ground. Cristina's first instinct was to run down the stairs and rush over to her friend, but there was too many people and she couldn't get herself down quick enough. When she reached the stage, Henry was already hoisted onto a bed and the nurses were taking him away with Burke and the chief in toe.
"Cristina!" Meredith called from behind.
"What happened? Why did he collapse?" Cristina rounded to her, desperately trying to made sense of what she missed.
"I-I don't know. He just suddenly fell from his chair-"
But before she could finish her sentence, Cristina was already heading off after Henry and the doctors.
"Seattle Grace huh?" Henry replied after hearing Cristina break the news to him. It has been half an hour since Cristina received the letter from Seattle Grace hospital, fully confident that she was accepted. I mean, judging from the timing of the letter and how well I impressed them during the interview, it was obvious that I was in. She thought smugly to herself.
"Well that's not so far from Washington..." Henry trailed off on the other end of the phone.
"Henry, from kindergarden to high school, somehow we've always ended up in the same institution. God knows how much I want to be accepted in a place where I don't have to see your face full of sunshine everyday."
"You do remember that I never really got to see you during the college years?"
"Yes, but after seeing you at Christmas last year you haven't changed a bit and you're still frustratingly annoying."
"And you still have your charm as always."
Cristina looked out of the window from the 19th century European lounge that was newly furnished from her mother. God, by next week, she will leave all this. All the ridiculous furnishing, the constant sunshine, the constant warmth...
"Have you told your mother?" Henry asked.
"Not yet, she's probably still out buying a sofa or something." she answered with an unmistakeable hint of disgust.
"You don't take after your mother do you?"
"How painful my life would be if I did."
There was a short chuckle from the other end.
"Hey Cris, um..."
She might have sensed him being a little tense, but then again, he could be harbouring another joke as usual.
"What?"
He didn't reply immediately, and she thought she heard him hesitate. Before she could asked again, he
answered in his normal friendly tone,
"Once I become resident, I will visit you in Seattle."
"Well, that would take a couple of years to wait."
She thought she sounded a bit caring for that reply, so before she could allow him to comment, she quickly said "Which is perfect."
"Ooh, I thought I had you then."
"You never will. Ah I see my mother coming up the road. Time to tell her the news."
"Alright. Enjoy Seattle."
Cristina smiled, feeling very triumphant that her life has suddenly started out the way she wanted.
"I sure will."
Sounds of defibrillators, EKG machines, doctors and nurses filled Cristina's head as she watched from the window of the emergency surgery room. Her friend lay motionless on the bed as scalpels and needles plunged into his skin. For once she was scared for Henry. She didn't know what was wrong with him and he never told her about any depletion in his health. He looked fine to her, like normal Henry used to be. Perhaps she missed something? Maybe she wasn't listening when she should've? She griped the sides of the window ledge as she watched the procedure taking place. Burke and Shepherd were in there as well. Was there something wrong with his heart or his brain? An allergic reaction? Henry never mentioned he had any allergies.
Cristina wasn't aware of how long time seemed to drift by whilst watching her friend being revived, but in the end, she wished it went longer. She wished the doctors and nurses wouldn't stop. She wished they wouldn't just stand there and give up, staring at the lifeless body in front of them. She wished the sound of the EKG wouldn't give up either, and just start beeping again to give a chance of life and hope.
She wished to see Henry alive.
"Time of death, 1.54pm." one of the doctors announced inside.
She didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to believe that this has happened all at once. She was supposed to see Henry again tomorrow before he leaves, he was supposed to return to Washington! This is all a lie. This was a prank, a very cruel prank that he was pulling on her. He would never really...
She needed to get in there. She needed to wake him up, telling him that she can see through his act. Telling him what an idiot he was for wasting everyone's time.
Finding her feet, she sped to the door and reached for the handle. But the door opened before her and Burke blocked her path.
"Let me see him!" she declared. "He's not dead, he's just playing a sick prank on me! He's not dead, I'll show you!"
She tried to push past him, but Burke's powerful hands held her back.
"Cristina, stop. We just called the time of death-"
"He's not dead! Henry is fine, why on earth would he just die?"
Burke just stared sadly down at her, realising that Henry never told her about his condition.
"Let me go! He's not dead!" Cristina continued to struggle. Doctors and nurses inside were beginning to pack up and leave.
"He's not dead!"
"Cristina, Cristina!" Burke tried to calm her down. It wouldn't be easy with what he was about to reveal to her, knowing how close she was with Henry. "It's a tumour. He's been growing a tumour in his brain that would eventually block his breathing systems. It was impossible to remove it without endangering his life."
"But...I.." she was lost for words. She stared at the hospital bed, never imagining that she would see her close friend lying lifeless in front of her.
"I'm sorry." Burke said.
So Burke knew. Cristina thought. Henry never planned to tell her about it, knowing very well how she would react. He was always thinking of everyone else, always thinking of her before himself. Stupid Henry. Stupid, stupid Henry.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she suddenly shouted up at Burke. "Why the hell did you keep it from me? What is wrong with you?"
Whether those words were intended for Burke or Henry, she didn't care. It was then that she really broke down, suddenly releasing all her feelings from Burke's sudden appearance to Henry's sudden permanent departure. The world swirled around her, and she clutched onto Burke's arms to steady herself.
"I'm so sorry." he repeated, softer this time, trying not to break his voice. Henry was also a close friend to him ever since he arrived in Washington hospital. He quickly became a close companion and kept him sane and working after painfully leaving Cristina at the alter.
He felt Cristina beginning to shed the first rain of tears, so he held her close to him. At first she seemed to resist, but she gave up and quivered against his body, letting her tears soak into his coat. This might be the only and last time that they would be this close, but at least for the moment, they needed to grieve together. Grieve for the lost of their close friend.
The End
Author's Note: Oh god I've finally finished this after 3 years. I apologize if people didn't like the ending, after reading it myself I thought it was a bit quick to kill off Henry lol. But I had the idea that Henry's death would bring Burke and Cristina together. I guess it seems like the story could still continue, but frankly, I can't be bothered =p
Thanks to those who've favourited and liked the story, I really appreciate it =) Hope your love of GA lasted longer than mine haha XD