Okay, so this is the first fic I have written in about 10 years. Literally. I'm a little rusty... probably a lot, actually, but hope you enjoy anyway. Thanks for reading.

Six weeks. That's how long it had been since Bernie had left her stood in the middle of her very own ward. Heart-broken. Humiliated. The rumour mill was certainly in full swing but, honestly, she could deal with that. The whispers in the corridors by the porters or the giggles from the nurses sat in Pulses, didn't bother her. What bothered her, what she couldn't deal with was the constant ache in her heart and knot in her stomach. Even when she found out Edward had been unfaithful, she didn't feel this hollow. This was an all consuming, I think my heart is going to explode pain. She had absolutely no idea how to deal with it.

The first week was the worst. Trying to carry on like normal and sorting out everything Bernie had left behind, while ignoring the looks and gossip, seemed impossible at first. She spent as much time in her office as possible, blinds and door closed, only leaving when absolutely necessary. In fact, looking back now, she's surprised she didn't lose her job. Most mornings she'd come in with a hangover, the result of polishing off at least a bottle and half of shiraz the night before. Slowly, very slowly, she learnt how to get through an hour, then a day, then a week without every single thought in her head, well... about Bernie. Sure, it still hurt and the anger was still there, but now she had some control over it. Now she was better at pretending she didn't need Berenice Griselda Wolfe.

As Serena entered AAU, having had the weekend off, she scanned the ward hoping to find everything running smoothly. Morven, Raf and Fletch were all stood at the nurses station, deep in conversation. Intrigued and somewhat annoyed that no work was getting done, Serena marched over to them.

"Is this a private conversation or can anyone join in?" Morven slowly turned to face Serena, her fingers locking together nervously. Serena raised an eyebrow, tilting her head to the side, "what's going on?"

"Well...," Raf started nervously, rubbing the back of his head, "you've got a visitor. In your office." He glanced to the office door, then back at Serena. He watched as the colour drained from her face. This is exactly what he was afraid of. If Bernie was ever coming back, she needed at least a weeks notice to prepare herself. To make sure her Bernie proof walls were strong enough.

"Bernie...?," she whispered, holding on to the desk for support.

"No!" Morven and Fletch both said at once.

Raf placed a hand on Serena's shoulder, trying to offer some kind of support. He glanced at the others, signalling for them to leave him to it. This was so much worse then Bernie. In fact, he'd give anything to be able to tell her it was Bernie. He led her slowly over to the office door, still holding on to her shoulder.

"It's Edward...," he finally spoke, grinding his teeth as he waited for Serena's reaction. He knew this would be the last person she wanted to see, "I don't know why he's here, he wouldn't say. Just walked in like he owned the place. If you need me to call security and have him removed, I will."

"It's... it's okay, Raf...," she breathed, a small smile on her face. She was so grateful to her friend for being there for her through all the pain and mess that Bernie had left behind. She honestly didn't know what she'd do without him, "I can handle Edward, he doesn't scare me. Just keep people away for now, yes?"

He nodded at her request, squeezed her shoulder and walked off back to the nurses station. Serena placed a hand on the door handle, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This is all I need. Serena entered to find Edward sat in her chair, his legs crossed at the ankles and stretched out in front of him. His head resting comfortably on the back of the chair and his hands resting in his lap.

"Comfortable?" Her voice was low and steady. She slammed the door shut, pulling her bag from her shoulder and dropped it onto the desk.

"Quite. Thank you." He smirked, unmoved.

"Up," she kicked his feet to the side, her arms crossed tight against her chest, "Now!"

"Alright... alright," he chuckled and held his hands up. Serena smacked him on the back of the head as he passed her, "still as feisty as ever I see." He wasted no time sitting in Bernie's chair, making himself at home again.

Serena sat slowly, biting the inside of her cheek to stop herself from screaming at home to get out of her chair. Bernie's desk hadn't been touched since she left and no one had sat in her chair. Somehow it felt like it was tainted now he'd touched it.

"What do you want, Edward?"

He sat up straight and cleared his throat, "Well... I just came to see how you were. We haven't spoken for a while."

"Yes, well... I was rather hoping it would stay that way." Unapologetic, Serena started her computer up and began to empty the contents of her bag.

"Oh come now, darling... don't be like that"

"Your wife know your here calling me darling, does she? Why are you really here?" Serena refused to look at him.

"I told you... to see how you are," he paused, scratching the back of his head, "I spoke to Elinor last night," Serena's head shot up, her eyebrows furrowed, "she's worried about you."

"Well she needn't be," she sat back in her chair, rolling her pen between her fingers, "what exactly did she say?"

"Just that you seemed really stressed with work recently and she thinks you're having... men trouble"

"Oh I see. So you thought you'd come here, to my place of work, to find out about my love life. Not that you're concerned about my well-being."

"So there is someone?"

"What? No!" she threw the pen on the table, slowly losing her patience, "even if there were, you would be the last person I would tell."

"Look," Edwards tone suddenly softened, his eyes showing the caring side she used to see when they first met, "I know I've been an utter bastard. I know. I haven't come here to pry or cause you more stress. Ellie is generally concerned, and so am I. As hard as that may be for you to believe, its true." He paused, got to his feet and perched on the side of Serena's desk. "I love you Serena, I always will. If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Without another word, Edward quietly left the office. Serena just sat there. What the hell just happened?