The rest of Serena's shift carried on the same way it started. An absolute disaster. The red phone rang 5 times, they were under staffed and Mrs Jones in bed 5 vomited on her... twice. After having a shower and changing into her second set of scrubs, Serena finally managed to sit down in her office, blinds and door closed as usual.

She couldn't get her conversation with Edward out of her head. He was his usual irritating, pig-headed self and the fact that he told her he loved her was no surprise... but she couldn't shake the look in his eyes. What had Elinor actually told him? Serena hadn't mentioned what had happened with Bernie. Just that she'd left on a secondment, and was understaffed. She had only seen her a couple of times in the six weeks Bernie. In fact, she hadn't even mentioned that there was someone special. Was she really that transparent? If her daughter had picked something up, what had Raf and the others figured out?

Tapping her fingers on the arm of her chair, Serena closed her eyes. She needed wine and she needed it now. Thoughts of Bernie crept in her mind, the memory of Bernie telling her how she cared for her and didn't want to her. She couldn't understand why Bernie, the woman she loved more then anything else in the world, would still walk away from her after she could see how desperate she was for her to stay. Surely that showed Bernie that she was sure, that she knew exactly what she wanted. Barr getting down on her knees in front of all her colleagues, there wasn't much more she could say. It had slowly dawned on her through the weeks that Bernie wasn't running from her, she was running from herself. She was running like she always did. Bernie was scared.

"Serena?"

The sound of Rafs voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she was grateful for it. Going over the same thing again and again was exhausting. She needed a break from her mind.

"Sorry, Raf... I was miles away. How can I help you?" she sat up straight, reaching for the mouse of her computer. She brought her emails up, refreshing the page. This had now become an automatic thing when she was at her desk. With each passing day the hope of finding an email from Bernie faded.

"I just... I wanted to make sure you were okay. You've had a bad day... well, a bad month really and I just thought you could use a friend. Someone to talk to-"

Cutting him off, Serena held up a hand, infuriated, "I'm sorry but why does everyone all of a sudden think I need a friend or someone to talk to? I'm fine, I'm a grown woman for God sake! I don't need looking after, I-" Feeling the tears brim in her eyes, Serena cut her self off. Her voice began to shake and she could feel her face burning. Raf slowly shut the door, perched on her desk and placed his hand on hers.

"It's okay," he felt her hand tremble and suddenly she was sobbing, "come here..."

He rose to his feet, never letting go of her hand and pulled her into his arms. She didn't fight. She was too tired. She needed some kind of comfort, even if it wasn't from the person she most needed it from.

"I miss her, Raf..." she mumbled through the tears into his neck as he stroked her back.

"Shh... I know, I know... its going to be okay, Serena" he stroked the back of her head, "come on, ill drive you home."

Serena tried to argue and assured Raf she was fine, that she was capable of getting her self home. He was having none of it of course and pulled his phone from his pocket as they entered the lift. He text Fletch quickly, letting him know he would be home late and he'd try not to wake the kids up when get got home. He took Serena's keys from her tight grip and placed the strap of her bag over his shoulder.

The short drive was quiet apart from the odd sniffle from Serena. Raf glanced over to her a few times, wondering how on earth he could make this more bearable for his friend. Bloody Bernie Wolfe he thought as he pulled into Serena's drive. They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither knowing what to say.

Finally Serena whispered, running her fingers through her hair, "I'm sorry you've had to see me like this...," she gave him a small smile, "I appreciate it."

Raf shrugged his shoulders, "That's what friends are for." He paused, unsure of how the next thing he was going to day would sound, "Listen, Serena, don't take this the wrong way... but I don't think you should be alone tonight. I think I should kip on your sofa?"

"No, Raf, I'm fine... honestly, I-"

"Hey," he cut her off, "you don't need to pretend with me. We both know I know you and Ms. Wolfe were more then friends. I know she hurt you more then words can describe and I know you've been dealing with it as best as you can, alone. Well," he paused as he got out the car and walked round the to passenger side, opening the door for his friend, "you're not alone anymore." He took her hand, helped her out the car and closed the door.

"Thanks Raf"

Ten minutes later after checking Jason was sound asleep and fetching Raf the spare blanket and pillow, Serena said goodnight and headed upstairs to her bedroom. She had no energy for food, drink or more conversation. Raf understood and wished her a goodnight as he sat on the edge of the sofa. Once he knew Serena was well out of ear shot he pulled his phone once again from his coat, this time making a phone call. After a few rings, the person on the other end picked up.

"This can't carry on. She's in a bad way, she's not coping," he stood up and closed the living room door just to make sure no one heard his conversation, "its now or never. She doesn't deserve this and neither do you. It's time. You need to come back, Bernie, now."