I had a really busy week so didn't get to write much. This chapter is slightly longer than usual. I'm aiming for 20 chapters and no more with this fic because it's getting a little to long now. Hope you enjoy. Thank you as always for the comments/reviews.

Serena spent the rest of the day in theatre, emerging onto the ward only briefly to see to patients and for a quick sandwich. Each patient she ticked off her list of electives gave her a deep feeling of satisfaction. This was why she had become a surgeon, not to sit at a desk writing reports.

She barely noticed the hours flying by and thoughts of everything outside of her patients she pushed to the back of her mind so completely it took her a moment to realise why a nervous Jonny Maconie had done a rapid u-turn in the corridor when he had seen her coming as she made her way to grab a coffee. When she remembered, she smirked to herself at the look of terror on the nurse's face.

She didn't quite have the heart to give him a rollicking anymore given recent developments with Henrik. To deny a relationship now would be a lie and one that might come back to haunt them both. It was probably best to let the matter drop.

How on earth had this happened, she wondered to herself. She had always presumed the man detested her at worst, at best was extremely irritated by her. As she paid for her coffee she thought back to the morning in the stairwell, when Henrik had brought her a cup. She smiled to herself. He had looked so timid, so unsure of himself. He really was an enigma and she should probably be trying to talk herself out of all this but… she couldn't. She didn't want to try.

Jac was on her way to get a coffee when she saw Jonny rapidly hurrying in her direction, whilst nervously looking over his shoulder.

'Watch it!' she snapped as he almost bumped into her.

'Sorry.' He apologised. He looked back over his shoulder again.

'Who are you hiding from?' she asked.

'Ms Campbell.' He gulped. 'She's after me.'

Jac smirked. 'Oh grow a pair Maconie.' She rolled her eyes and began to walk away.

'It's true! Malick told me.' Jonny said defensively.

Jac simply sighed and kept going. As she made her way towards the coffee bar she saw Serena approaching. The woman looked like she was miles away and was smiling at her coffee.

'Hi?' Jac said quietly as Serena walked by her, completely oblivious. Jac looked puzzled for a moment and wondered what had the other woman so distracted but then decided she really didn't care.

Hanssen sat in his office. Maja had still not called him back. He was not used to waiting for other people to decide matters which affected him.

He checked the time. Serena's shift would soon be over. She was going to that bar, Albie's, with the others. For Ric Griffin's birthday.

He wondered fleetingly, why there was always a Ric. A Greg. A Rafi. A Nils.

There was always someone better than him, more suitable, in the wings. It was probably for the best, because no matter how he tried he was simply incapable of taking care of anyone. Of not hurting those closest to him. So, it was probably a good thing there was always someone else waiting in the wings to make things better.

'Is there a party I haven't been told about?' Michael Spence asked as Keller staff made their way out of the hospital talking about Albie's.

'It's just a quick drink.' Ric told him.

'For Mr Griffin's birthday.' Chantelle added.

'Ah! Hey, happy birthday Ric.' Michael slapped him on the back. 'So, is it a big one? Sixty?'

Ric gave him a look of disgust and Michael burst into laughter. Then Michael turned his attention to Serena.

'Hey Serena, what was up Hanssen's butt this morning?' he asked, putting his arm around her shoulder which she shrugged off.

'I have no idea.' She replied in a bored tone.

'Well he was all smiles until you turned up and then… bam! The old Hanssen was back in a flash.'

Serena gave no response and noticing she looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable, Ric changed the subject asking Michael about a patient.

Hanssen watched from the window as Serena and the others from Keller left the hospital. He saw Michael Spence put his arm around her shoulders. He was pleased when she shrugged him off. But she still walked closer to Ric.

The "quick drink" turned into several and before Serena knew it Albie's was closing. Chantelle and Digby had already gone. Serena was sat between Malick and Ric. The barman began clearing up and they got the hint.

'Will we all share a taxi?' Malick asked. 'We're all going in the same direction right?' They nodded and he went to call one.

Serena finished up the last of her wine and noticed Ric was watching her very carefully.

'What?' she asked suspiciously.

He shrugged. 'Nothing.' But continued to watch her.

'Then why…' she leaned towards him, 'are you staring?' she asked in a whisper.

He smiled. 'Is there really nothing going on between you and Henrik?'

Serena froze at the directness of the question. She straightened up.

'I think that answers my question.' Ric said smugly.

'I…,' Serena didn't know what to say.

'I won't deny I'm surprised.' Ric said.

Serena avoided his gaze.

'I take it you are keeping it quiet for the time being?' he asked.

Serena looked at him eventually. 'Do you think it's… I'm making a mistake?'

'Do you?' he asked.

Serena rolled her eyes. Typical Ric, turning her question back on her. Before she could say anything further Michael appeared.

'Malick's got us a taxi.' He paused, noticing there seemed to be an atmosphere. 'Have I interrupted something?'

They both shook their heads and stood up.

Hanssen sat at home trying to read a research paper a former colleague had asked him to take a look at. He had been sitting at his desk for hours rereading the same passages. He sighed and sat back in his chair.

Maja had not called.

He had not spoken to Serena since that afternoon.

He wondered what she was doing now. It was the first night this week he had not spent in her company. He missed her.

He laughed out loud at himself. You are being ridiculous Henrik, he told himself.

He checked the time and realised how late it was. He got up and began switching off the lights. His foot was on the second step of the stairs when the doorbell went. He paused. Who on earth would be at his door at this time of night. Warily he went to the door and opened it a crack.

'Henrik…'

Serena was leaning against the wall looking sheepish.

'I lost my keys.' She said.

He let her in and fixed her with a stern gaze when he realised she was how inebriated she was.

'I was locked out.' She said sadly.

'Wouldn't one of your friendly neighbours take you in?' he asked dryly.

'Probably.' She said with a twinkle. 'But I thought I'd come wake you up instead.'

'Ah. I hate to disappoint you but I haven't been to bed yet.' Henrik replied. He helped her out of her coat.

'Am I bothering you?' Serena asked suddenly looking worried. 'Do you want me to leave?'

Henrik relented his sternness and gave her a half smile. 'Of course not.'

Serena looked relieved.

'You go on up to bed and I'll bring you some water.' He told her.

Serena nodded and took a step on the stairs before pausing and turning back to him.

'Which… room?' she asked.

Henrik stepped towards her, she was face level with him now. 'Mine of course.' He said. He placed his hands on her waist and kissed her cheek. 'Go on, and careful on the stairs.'

As he got her a glass of water and some paracetamol, he considered how much she seemed to drink. Luckily she was not working tomorrow. He made his way upstairs and found her already asleep. Her clothes were in a heap on the floor. He noticed she had put on his dressing gown. Quietly he left the water and paracetamol on the bedside table and proceeded to get changed for bed.

After he slid beneath the covers beside her, he paused to watch her for a moment. He brushed her hair off her forehead gently and she stirred, with a sleepy smile and muttered his name.

He couldn't put into words the feeling this provoked in him.

'What on earth is that?' Serena croaked as a loud sharp beeping sound pierced her ears. She snuggled closer to Henrik in hopes of blocking out the noise.

'It's my alarm.' He replied brightly. Turning to switch it off.

'Dear, god, it could wake the dead.' Serena grumbled.

Hanssen looked in amusement at her snuggled tightly against his chest.

'How's your head this morning? Or should not I ask?' he barely supressed a smirk.

'Your alarm hasn't helped it any.' She huffed.

He leaned and kissed the top of her head gently. She smiled at him.

'Sorry.' She mumbled. 'About last night. Turning up on your doorstep like that…' She could only imagine what state she'd been in.

'Did you have a good night?' he asked.

'Bit too good.' She straightened up, wincing slightly. 'Taxi dropped me off, got to the door and realised I didn't have my keys. I had to call another taxi and… my first thought was to come here.'

Hanssen stretched for the water and painkillers and handed them to her.

'Any idea where you lost your keys?' he asked.

She shook her head, swallowing the paracetamol. Hanssen put his glasses on.

'I must look awful.' Serena said self-consciously.

'Not at all.' And truthfully, she didn't to him. 'Rest for a while. I'll shower and then make some breakfast. And then, we can figure out what's happened to your keys.'

Serena groaned. She dreaded the hassle of getting a locksmith. She watched as Henrik got up and collected some clothes from his wardrobe.

'Nice pj's.' she said mockingly, looking him over. It was her first time seeing him wearing pyjamas.

'What's wrong with them?' he asked, looking down at himself.

'Nothing.' Serena eyes sparkled. 'I just prefer you when you're out of them.'

'You are incorrigible Ms Campbell.' Hanssen replied, jutting his chin out and proceeding to the bathroom. Serena laughed.

Whilst Hanssen was showering Serena received a call from Michael Spence.

'Hey Serena! Lose anything last night?' he asked cheerfully.

'How do you know?' she asked suspiciously.

'Keys?' he said. 'I was the last one out and there were keys on the seat in the taxi. Thought they might be yours. I've got them in case you're worried.'

'Why didn't you bloody call me last night and tell me?' she demanded.

'I meant to but…' he fallen asleep as soon as he got inside his house. 'Anyway, you're ok? You got in?' he asked.

'Where can I meet you to pick them up?' she asked grumpily.

They arranged a place and time and Serena struggled out of bed just as Henrik was emerging from the bathroom, fully dressed.

'Michael Spence has my keys!' she announced.

'That's a relief.' He said, although from the look on her face she seemed annoyed.

'Hmm.' She said. 'Mind if I shower?' she asked.

'Of course not. I've left clean towels for you.' He replied. He remembered the pile of her clothes on the floor. 'Perhaps, if this is going to be a regular occurrence, you should consider leaving some spare clothes here.'

Serena stopped and stared at him in surprise.

'What?' he asked.

'Well… It's just most men would run a mile at the idea of that so… soon.'

'Why? It's far more practical than you having to rush home every morning and being late for work. Or showering and then having to put your worn clothes back on.' To him, having spare clothes here seemed the obvious solution.

Serena grinned at him. 'You really are something aren't you?' she stood on tip toe and pulled him down to kiss his lips before heading to the bathroom.

Henrik shrugged, he really didn't see what she found so surprising.