Serena wondered what Hanssen could possibly want with her, so early on a Monday morning. Clutching her coffee cup tightly to her chest, she stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. "Hold the lift!"

Ric's voice caused her to frown deeply, holding the open door button as he jogged over to her and stepped smoothly inside. "Good morning, Ric," she muttered as she jammed the door close button. "I didn't realise that you were on shift this early today."

"I'm not. This is supposed to be my day off, and Hanssen called me in unexpectedly. I really hope…"

His voice trailed off as Serena turned to look at him, her frown growing all the deeper the longer the silence stretched. "What? What do you know that I am oblivious to?" she bit out, wondering if she should just go home now and forget this day ever happened.

Ric took a deep breath as he looked down at the floor. "There's a fundraiser ball coming up soon, and there might be a chance that Holby can pick up some new grants and donations. It's supposed to be a who's who of patrons and wealthy donors. I can see, by the look on your face, that you've also been included in this little meeting."

She was at a loss for words. This was the last thing that she wanted to hear, that she was going to be required to schmooze with completely insufferable people for an unbearably long amount of time in order to bring in the donations. "I just assumed that things were changing on my ward, yet again. Or that Ms Wolfe was not returning from Kiev yet."

The anger quickly dissipated into sadness as she thought about the woman. Though she had worked hard to move past the feelings she was harboring for Bernie, it still made her gloomy to think of her, since a piece of her heart was in Ukraine. Ric reached out and rested his hand on her shoulder, the warmth bleeding through the fabric of her coat and clothes. She tried to keep from tearing up, but it seemed that that was a lost endeavor, as things in the elevator became blurry. "Hey, you've made it five weeks, you can make it another two. And then everything will be running right as rain once more."

Serena nodded as she drew in a deep breath. "That is very true. So, when is this little party?" she asked as she tried to regain her equilibrium.

"I believe that it's next Friday. But Hanssen will be able to tell us more."

Serena frowned as she nodded. There really was nothing she could do about anything until she had heard the words from Hanssen, and then she could turn him down and let Ric carry the evening. He would be much better at this event, anyway, since he wouldn't mope around morosely, counting the minutes until she could be home and away from the press of people.

The elevator stopped on the right floor, and Ric motioned for her to get out first. Serena gave a sharp nod as she exited and made her way down to Hanssen's office. Just behind her, she could hear Ric's soft footfalls, and she pulled up a little to give him the opportunity to walk by her side. "I don't need you to follow in my wake, Ric. I'll most likely need you by my side, if we are strong armed into going to this event."

He gave her another soft smile, and it was very easy to return the expression as they stopped in front of Hanssen's door. Taking a deep breath, Serena knocked on the wood firmly, waiting to hear his low voice. "Enter."

Glancing up at Ric, she slipped inside and took the far seat in front of Hanssen's desk. He was scrolling through something on his computer, giving them no mind as they waited for him to say something, anything. Finally, she cleared her throat expectantly, causing him to look up at them. "You were the one that called us here this morning? I have rounds to make, after all."

A small smile curved his lips upwards as he nodded, leaning back in his chair as he regarded them. "Yes, that I did. I'm certain that Ric has been able to guess at what I'm about to ask of you. There is a fundraiser ball next Friday, and Holby City needs to be well represented there, since St. James' will no doubt be sending their best and brightest as well."

"Isn't this all a bit last minute?" Serena couldn't help but ask, arching an eyebrow as she regarded him coolly.

"Yes, for which I am sorry. However, I trust that the three of us will be able to form an excellent triumvirate, much like the formation of Rome." A bark of laughter escaped her throat she as shook her head. "I take it you don't like that analogy?"

"No, I'm just wondering which of us is Caesar, Henrik. I mean, you do have the perfect patrician nose and all. Though I do think that Madame Pompey has a nice ring to it, don't you?"

"Is that your agreement, then? You'll be there?" he pressed, staring into her eyes.

"Yes, I'll be there, with bells on, if you so wish. Though I shan't be happy about it, believe you me. And I'm only going so long as Ric is there as well. We're all going to go through this together." Hanssen blanched at her hard tone, and she shrugged. "Well, Ric? Are you prepared to get out your tuxedo and dancing shoes?"

"I suppose that I have to be, Serena. And who knows, this could actually be a pleasant evening. After all, there usually is an open bar." He gave her a knowing smile as they stood, and she shook her head a little as she made for the door.

"One moment, please, Ms. Campbell," Hanssen said and she frowned as she paused. Ric also stopped, looking between the two of them. "It's nothing bad, Mr. Griffin, I just need a word with her in private."

He nodded tightly before leaving the office, closing the door a little more forcefully than was necessary as Serena sank back down into her seat, watching Hanssen intently. When it seemed like she would just burst from curiosity, she finally asked, "What is it that you have to tell me?"

"I have some news on Ms. Wolfe and her secondment. It seems that things are taking a little longer than she anticipated, and it will likely cause her to remain in Kiev for extra week or so."

Serena tipped her head to one side as her eyes narrowed. "And why are you telling me this?" she bit out, trying to keep her cool, but failing miserably.

"She asked me to. It seems as if a certain stubborn doctor is refusing to reply to her texts and emails. And I didn't mind being the intermediary in this case. You don't want to lose something precious in your life because of choices made out of pride, after all."

It was almost as if he was giving his tacit approval to a relationship that hadn't ever taken off, and her frown turned sad as she shook her head. "Maybe pride is all some of us have left," she quietly replied as she got up and moved to the door. "But I do thank you for telling me, Henrik." Serena left before she could see his reply, not wanting to know if he was looking at her with pity. She couldn't bear to know that particular truth. And she was already dreading the event to come, but it was made worse by the fact that there was now no way possible that Bernie could join her and save her from her misery.