Thank you all for your reviews and sorry for the delay in posting this I've been really busy. Also as a warning I might not get to post anything else until next week. Hope you enjoy this. Also, big thanks to SDbubbles for making a video of Ric/Serena scenes, it helped a lot :)
Serena lay in the dark unable to sleep. Normally she turned onto her right side, facing the centre of the bed, to fall asleep but to do so now would mean facing Ric and she was already too acutely aware of his proximity.
Perhaps sharing had not been a good idea. She had never denied to herself, though she would strenuously do so to anyone else, that she was attracted to Ric. She had realised that very quickly on her first day on Keller. She knew that day that he was apprehensive of her and she had done what she always did in such situations – she had turned on the charm. Flirting came naturally to her and she often did it quite without realising, but in Ric's case she had enjoyed it. It gave every day an added thrill.
She was not quite sure at what point the thrill of flirting had turned into something else, into a need for him to like her but she found herself wanting his approval. Whilst his wariness of her had been amusing at first and gave her something to spark off, after a while it felt like a barrier. She liked Ric, she respected him. Sure his methods were often frustrating to her but she knew Ric was the backbone of Keller and in her more fervent moments it was Ric who kept her grounded, like he did with so many others.
But he still wouldn't let his guard down with her and she scolded herself for her teenager-ish desire to win him around. Serena Campbell did not fear confrontation. She did not care what other people thought about her. So why did Ric Griffin's harsh opinion of her sting so much? She had asked herself this a number of times and then, at Christmas, she had been struck by the answer that it was more than simply a physical attraction.
When Ric had announced his resignation via Round Robin she had been shocked. And then, when her attempts at talking him out of it appeared to be failing, he had kissed her. A quick peck on the cheek, nothing more but it had sent a shiver down her spine and left her speechless. She had gone back to her office quickly, hoping Malick had not seen her blush. She had sat down and realised that if he really did go she would miss him. Terribly. She couldn't imagine Holby without him. And perhaps, if he had taken that moment to kiss her then, she thought, maybe the attraction was not one-sided. She knew then if he wouldn't help himself keep his job she would have to deal with Imelda for him.
It had worked, he remained at Keller and she risked a quick Christmas peck in return that evening, hoping that all this meant a new beginning for them. Hoping he had learned to relax and trust her now, knowing that she was on his side.
That had not been the case however. Instead things had worsened between them and she was certain he was now in cahoots with Hanssen to keep her under control. She felt her jaw clench, getting angry at the thought. She sighed, suddenly overwhelming tired.
Ric lay in the dark unable to sleep. Normally he turned onto his left side, facing the center of the bed to fall asleep. But to do so now would mean facing Serena.
He should try and find another room tomorrow. This really was not appropriate. If anyone from Holby found out… he winced in the dark imagining the jokes people like Michael Spence would make if they got wind of this. He was sure Hanssen would not be very amused either.
Serena had been very still so far. He wondered if she was asleep. He thought about her emerging from the bathroom in her pyjamas and smiled to himself. She had looked almost adorable. It proved she was a real person after all! He wondered why she always had to cover up any sign of humanity behind that unflappable façade of hers. He knew she was not without feeling. He knew she was not without empathy. He had seen brief flashes of both.
Ric sighed to himself. If he didn't get some sleep soon he would be a zombie tomorrow.
Simultaneously they both turned towards the center of the bed and then froze realising the other had done the same. They could not see each other in the dark except for an outline.
'Still awake?' Serena whispered.
'Yes.' Ric answered. 'I need to lie on my left to fall asleep.' He explained.
'I need to lie on my right.' She replied.
He noted to himself how they always seemed to be opposites.
'Goodnight.' He whispered again.
'Night.' Came her muffled reply.
Serena's alarm went off at 7am waking them both to find they had both moved towards the centre of the bed and Serena's arm lay across Ric's chest with her head right beside his on the pillow. Ric's hand was holding onto Serena's arm.
'Oh.'
'Ah..I..'
They both pulled away quickly mumbling 'sorry'.
Serena cleared her throat as she reached to turn off her alarm. She really could have done without waking up in such an awkward position. She had been practically lying on the man! And they had been closer to his side of the bed which meant she had moved towards him. She turned back, hoping her cheeks weren't pink, and smiled.
'Morning.'
Ric looked extremely uncomfortable. Oh god, Serena thought, he's going to want to have one of those PC talks. Somehow a movement of the covers caught her eye and she glanced down the bed distractedly whilst trying to think of something to break the ice.
'Do you want to use the shower first?' she asked, she pulled slightly at the covers to bring them tighter up to her shoulders as she suddenly felt a bit chilly and noticed Ric pulled back as if he wanted them looser.
'No, no. You go ahead.' Ric said.
There was something about his tone. And he looked nervous. Serena eyed him carefully.
'No.' she replied slowly. 'I took over the bathroom for ages last night, it's only fair.'
'No really. I insist.' He replied.
Serena said nothing for a moment. She looked him up and down. There was something…
'Oh'. She bit her lip to hold back a laugh.
Ric avoided her eyes.
'Giving a morning salute are we?' she asked, her eyes twinkling.
Ric sighed and rolled his eyes.
'It's nothing to be embarrassed about.' She said, still holding back a laugh. 'It's perfect natural.'
'I know!' he snapped.
'At your age it's a good sign that everything is in working order.' She added.
'There has never been any question of things not being in perfect working order!' he grumbled.
'Very glad to hear it.' She said with an unabashed smile. 'Are you sure you wouldn't like to use the bathroom first? A cold shower perhaps? I promise I'll avert my gaze as you make your way across the room.'
Serena could hold her laughter in no more and burst. Ric gave dirty look.
'Oh very mature.' He said grumpily. 'Hurry up and use the bathroom or we'll be late.'
Serena got up and picked up her laptop. 'Can you open up the file for that presentation whilst you're… waiting for the situation to resolve itself?' she left the laptop down very gently on his chest but gave a pointed look to his groin with a slight smirk.
'Yes.' He said firmly.
'Thanks.' As she entered the bathroom she called back, 'Give me a shout if you need a hand.'
Ric looked up sharply from the laptop. She had closed the door but he could hear her laughing.
