Preston Burke quotes from Grey's Anatomy

Burke

What was that?

Cristina

That was my smug, passive-aggressive, limey ex-boyfriend trying to show me I picked the wrong guy.

Burke

Oh, I know, and I'm fine with it, as long as I'm learning something. I was actually talking about you. What was that?

Cristina

You're going to have to put up with me being nice and sweet for a little while.

Burke

That'll be a nice change of pace.

Cristina

Shut up.

Burke

That's more like it.

Webber

So, how you feeling, Preston? You ready?

Burke

I'm always ready for surgery.

Derek

I think he's talking about the wedding.

Webber

Yeah, tomorrow's a big day.

Burke

And apart from the fact that Cristina hasn't written her vows, my best man just cancelled, and it's still raining.

Derek

He's not ready.

Webber

You're never ready. I certainly wasn't. And then, the minute I saw Adele coming down that aisle... Well. Have you picked your best man?

Burke

Actually, Chief...

Derek

You can't be his best man!

Webber

Why not?

Derek

It's unethical; it's a conflict of interest. The man wants to be Chief of Surgery.

Burke

Actually, Derek...

Derek

Not that that's why you're asking...

Burke

I was going to ask you.

Derek

Ask me what? [pauses] Oh! Really?

Burke

We have been through a lot this year.

Derek

And everybody else turned you down. Alright, what do I have to do?

Webber

Well, traditionally, the best man plans the bachelor party.

Derek

Drinks at Joe's after work.

Burke

I knew you were the man for the job.

Addison

This is what you invited me to? This is your big bachelor party?

Derek

It was last minute, I needed some more bodies.

Mark

Which would explain why I'm here.

Addison

Why am I the only girl, by the way? What am I, the entertainment? I am not stripping.

Derek

[referring to himself and Mark] That's okay, we've seen it already.

Mark

True.

Burke

I haven't.

Derek

You're a lucky man, Burke. Cristina's great. She's there. She's sure. She's willing to commit. You're a lucky man.

Burke

And you're not?

Mark

There he is. T minus five hours. And how's the best man? Up to the challenge? I was an excellent best man.

Derek

[scoffs, looks at Burke] Worst case scenario, I sleep with your wife in ten years.

Burke

Cristina; I could promise to hold you, and to cherish you. I could promise to be there in sickness and in health. I could say 'til death do us part', but I won't. Those vows are for optimistic couples, the ones full of hope. And I do not stand here on my wedding day optimistic or full of hope.

Addison

Okay, um...

Burke

I am not optimistic, I am not hopeful. I am sure. I am steady. And I know I am a heart man, take them apart, put them back together. I hold them in my hands. I am a heart man. So this, I am sure. You are my partner, my lover, my very best friend. My heart, my heart, beats for you. And on this day, the day of our wedding, I promise you this. I promise you to lay my heart in the palm of your hands. I promise you, me.

Burke

Too trite? Because I can rewrite it.

Izzie

No, no it's...

Addison

I think I speak for every woman in this room when I say... dump her. Dump Yang and marry me. [They all laugh.]

Cristina

I am wearing the dress. I'm ready. And, and maybe I didn't want to before. But I want to now. I really think I want this.

Burke

I really wish that you didn't think. I wish that you knew.