Jac

Well. There it was. The quaint little cottage sat silent and still, surrounded by a dusting of snow. It certainly looked idyllic. Jac would probably be enjoying the sight more if she hadn't just walked about a mile, after her taxi driver ditched her. Jac was frozen. She'd been prepared for horrid weather, for she had grown up in the UK, but after years in the Californian sun, a harsh British winter was a bit of a shock to the system. Limping her way up the path, Jac dragged her matching luggage set towards the wooden front door.

Bernie

'Holy shit.' Was all Bernie could manage as she handed over some cash to the taxi driver and stared at the palace before her. It was so bright. The white walls reflected the midday sun, giving the building an almost halo. Everything was so neat and tidy. The garden was trimmed to perfection, the windows shiny as could be. It must have been at least ten times the size of her own home. The next two weeks were certainly going to be more enjoyable now.

She headed up the driveway and pushed open the front door. 'Holy shit.' She found herself repeating, as she took in the magnificence of it all. Bernie released her inner child, as she sprinted around the house spying a gym, a home cinema and best of all, a pool! Whatever this Jac did for a living it certainly paid well.

Jac

It took her around thirty seconds to tour the small cottage. She could tell it was well loved, the personal touches in the little nooks and crannies made her smile, and she shook her head and possibly the smallest bath tub she'd ever seen. She unpacked her clothes and shoved her suitcase underneath the bed. Now what?

Eyeing the car keys on the kitchen side, she decided it was time to purchase some supplies to keep her going over the festive period. She intended to start with wine. Plenty of it. Driving Bernie's tiny car was a task in itself, Jac hadn't driven on English roads in quite a few years, and she was not enjoying the narrow country lanes directing her to the city centre. Several near death experiences later, she pulled into a big Sainsbury's carpark.

Jac headed straight for the alcohol aisle. She stocked up on red and rosé, and was eyeing up the spirits, trying to decide between a small or big bottle of vodka. Her heart one the battle, and a large bottle of vodka entered her trolley. She then headed for the ready meal section, grabbing a weeks' worth of curries, pasta dishes and pies.

'Someone's having a party!' The cashier winked at her, eyeing up the large collection of alcohol aligning her checkout. Jac just raised her eyebrows in response, and handed over a wad of cash. Too right she was having a party.

Bernie

Bernie was currently lounging in the sun, letting the rays soak into her skin. It was complete and utter bliss! She'd taken a dip in the pool and was now contemplating what to order for dinner. It was a toss-up between pizza and Chinese. Her thoughts were interrupted by a rather loud buzzing. It seemed someone was on the other side of the main gate. Bernie located the buzzing sound and saw an intercom system, like those you find in a block of British flats. She pressed the button with a speaker stamped on it, and was greeted by a woman's voice.

'Jac? It's Serena, I'm sorry to bother you but I seem to have broken down. My car is just up the road from your house, would I be able to wait inside for the repair guys to arrive?' As opposed to letting the poor woman in, Bernie decided to try and help. Time in the army meant she knew her way around an engine. She grabbed a light jacket, and the keys for the front door, then headed for the gate. She opened up and stepped outside.

'Well you certainly aren't Miss Naylor.' Serena raised her eyebrows and folded her arms.

'Engine been whining or growling? Any intermittent smell of hot or burning rubber?' Bernie asked, slipping on her jacket. Serena looked surprised.

'Define intermittent?' She started towards her car further up the road.

'Alternator might be faulty.'

'Funny, you don't look like a mechanic.' Serena queried, looking at the woman beside her. Blonde hair, tall, British accent. Rather good looking.

'Oh I'm not, I'm a trauma surgeon.' Bernie smiled at her companion.

'And what are you doing in Jac Naylor's house?'

'Ah, well you see, she is in my home in England. We've house swapped for Christmas. Who are you?'

'Serena Campbell. Deputy CEO of Los Angeles Community Hospital. I work with Jac.' Bernie grinned slightly as she realised the similar careers they both had. Although, Bernie thought, she would hate all the political paperwork crap Serena must have to deal with in management. By this point they'd reached the car, and Bernie wasted no time in opening the bonnet.

Ten minutes later a tow truck arrived. Bernie greeted the man driving and explained what she felt was wrong with the engine. The man was grateful and he began the process of getting the car onto the truck immediately.

'Thank you for your help.' Serena smiled and held out her hand for Bernie to shake.

'Are you going to be ok to get home?' Bernie asked, shaking the hand. This woman had beautiful hands, and she found herself not wanting to let go.

'Oh yes, my Husband is on his way. Not to worry.' Serena bowed her head slightly, ducking from Bernie's gaze. It was as if her eyes were searching for something. Bernie let go of her hand, and nodded.

'Well, I'll be on my way then. Nice to meet you Serena.' She smiled and turned, heading up the road. Bernie was almost at her gate when she noticed an old fellow on the other side of the road. He was walking with a frame, and seemed confused.

'Can I help?' She called as she crossed to greet him. 'Are you lost sir?'

'Oh hello there. No dear, I'm not lost. Just not quite sure where I am, that's all. This damn area has changed so much over the past few years, I seem to have misplaced my home.' The gentleman gratefully took the arm on offer and followed Bernie's lead.

'Well how about I give you a lift mister?'

'Arthur.'

'Arthur then.' Bernie smiled, and guided him towards her driveway.

Jac

Jac was suitably intoxicated. She'd drunk a bottle of wine and was currently perusing Bernie's CD collection. A little old for her taste, but she was sure she'd find something. Finally selecting a disk, she placed it in the stereo and turned the volume up loud.

'Jealousy! Turning Saints into the sea!' She screeched at the top of her voice, pulling her hair out of its ponytail. She danced around, sliding in her socks, metaphorically and literally letting her hair down.

'Bernie! Miss Wolfe! Let me in!' A scream interrupted Jac's enthusiastic performance, and she turned the volume down. 'Miss Wolfe can you please open the door, its bloody freezing out here!' Jac slipped slightly as she made her way to the front door. She pulled it open a crack, and found herself being pushed backwards. 'Finally! Thank god! I was freezing my tits off out there!'

Jac still stood with a glass of wine in one hand, the other on her hip, waiting for the stranger to introduce herself. The woman had dark hair, and she was currently untangling herself from a deep burgundy coat. Once she'd extracted herself, she threw the piece of clothing across the sofa and turned to Jac.

'You're not Bernie.' The woman said in embarrassment, wondering internally if she'd barged into the wrong house. 'Shit.' She mumbled into her hands, as they covered her face.

'No I'm not.' Jac was somewhat amused by the woman cringing in front of her. She'd clearly been drinking. 'Bernie is in America.'

'What?' The brunette looked up in shock.

'House swap for Christmas.' Jac explained, taking a sip of wine. 'I'm Jac Naylor.'

'Zosia.' The woman responded, collapsing onto the sofa. 'I'm really sorry. It's just, Bernie was always great at letting me crash when I didn't want to go home and face my empty flat. It didn't even occur to me that she'd have made plans for Christmas. I'll get out of your way.' She suggested, but didn't move. She shut her eyes instead and melted into the cushions surrounding her.

If Jac hadn't drunk as much as she had, she'd have asked Zosia to leave immediately. However something was niggling at the back of her mind saying she shouldn't leave.

'Look, there's no rush. You can stay on the sofa.' Jac offered, filling up her wine glass. 'I mean, if that's what you normally do.'

'Thank you.' Zosia gave a sigh of relief and shifted up on the sofa to provide room for Jac to sit. She repeated her thanks when Jac passed her a full glass of wine.

'So, what brings you to crappy old Holby?' Zosia mused, after a gulp of wine.

'My crappy life.' Jac replied with a sarcastic smile.

'Can't be as bad as mine.'

'Try me.'

'Okay, so my best friend died a few months ago, my other best friend has completely forgotten I exist, my boyfriend left me for someone else, and my Dad values his career over me.' Zosia was staring at the ceiling as she ranted her list of grievances.

'My partner cheated on me, tried to deny it, then blamed me for it because apparently I work too much and we don't have enough sex. Pair that with not having any relatives, or friends close enough to talk to about it, and you've got my crappy life.' Jac heard a deep exhale from the other side of the sofa.

'Call it even?' Zosia tilted her head slightly, and grinned when Jac chuckled at her.

'I'm sorry your friend died.'

'Thank you.' Zosia gave a small smile. 'I'm sorry your boyfriend cheated on you.'

'Well, he wasn't getting anything from me, guess he needed to satisfy himself somehow.'

'How long has it been? Since you last, you know…'

'Honestly?' Jac grunted slightly, snorting as she tried to recall. 'I can't actually remember. It always seems to be such a chore, and with my job, by the time I get home from work I'm too knackered to do anything.' Jac felt slightly odd spilling her heart out to a woman she'd only just met, but something felt just right about this whole situation.

'Well sex definitely shouldn't be a chore. It should be something you look forward to. Something you anticipate…' Zosia didn't miss the blush creeping up the redhead's cheeks as she spoke. 'It should be enjoyable for both parties, you should both get something from it.'

Jac snorted.

'Yeah, sex with Jonny never really had that element.' She chuckled as she reached for the bottle of wine on the floor. It seemed Zosia was planning to refill her own glass and their hands met around the neck of the bottle. They both turned and found their faces inches apart.

'So if you can't remember the last time you had sex, there must be a lot of pent up frustration buried within you.' Zosia breathed, noting their still clasped hands.

'You could say that.' Jac raised her eye line to meet Zosia's. She silently assessed her levels of intoxication. Would she regret her decisions in the morning? 'I mean, this is my first holiday is years. This is what it's about right? Throwing caution to the wind?' She raised one hand to rest on Zosia's shoulder. A woman she'd spent less than half an hour with. Why did this feel so right? Jac stared into Zosia's eyes, getting lost in how deep they seemed. Although she was young, Jac could tell there was something haunting Zosia. Like an age old tale of sorts. She could see it slightly in the creases of her face, and felt the need to comfort, to support.

'Right.' Zosia whispered, inching closer. Taking the plunge she pressed her lips against the redhead's. Softly at first, tasting the wine, cherishing the feeling. Marvelling at how good it felt to be kissing her. How perfectly blissful everything seemed. She pulled back.

'Do that again.' Jac's darkened eyes quietly demanded, and Zosia was only too happy to comply. Zosia explored Jac's face, her forehead, her prominent cheekbones, and those lips. 'I have to warn you.' Jac spoke between kisses. 'I – I'm not very good at this.'

'At what?' Zosia moaned against Jac's lips.

'This. Sex.' Jac pulled back, looking down, almost ashamed. She felt a hand tilt her chin up.

'Now I find that hard to believe.' Zosia grinned at her and captured her lips in another kiss, filled with searing passion.