Thank you so much for the reviews, this is the first story I've written on here so thanks for the encouragement.
Hanssen tried to concentrate but thinking was a rather painful process for him at present. His usually sharp mind had been dulled by the concussion and he was not enjoying the experience.
"Er, I came down here and made my way to the storerooms where I came across a young man, I believe he was attempting to steal hospital property".
'So he did this to you?".
"No but I did reprimand him and was about to call security when", he stopped and closed his eyes as disjointed imagines of what had happened flashed through his mind.
"So there was someone else down here and they caught you unawares?, she said studying his face, he looked a little shell shocked.
"Yes I think so, that must have been what transpired", he looked up at her with a slightly bewildered look in his eyes.
"Well I guess you weren't exactly in the best position to tell at the time were you", she said watching him closely, he was becoming very pale and drawn.
Right only one thing for it Serena thought to herself, she really needed to find out what she was dealing with. Thankfully he hadn't asked why they were still in the room, concussion did have its blessings then.
"I really need to find out how you're doing so I'm going to give you a full examination ok?", Henrik looked up at her a little uncomfortable at the prospect.
"Well you've managed to unbutton most of my shirt already Ms Campbell", he replied eyeing her like a hawk.
Serena decided to ignore that comment and press on, she felt awkward enough without him watching her every move, christ even in this situation he was getting to her.
"I know Mr Hanssen but I had to make you comfortable and assess the damage".
He regarded her, of course anyone else would have done the same.
"I do apologise Ms Campbell, I know you would never be anything less than totally professional do carry on".
"Ok I need to fully access the abdominal wound, so I need to undo your trousers alright?", she stated awkwardly and was greeted with a look of abject horror.
Although he realised of course that's what the situation warranted and had performed hundreds of such examinations over the years, he had never been a hospital patient before and was beginning to realise the sense of powerlessness and loss of dignity that came with it.
"Oh don't tell me you choose today to go commando?", she smirked.
"Commando, Ms Campbell?", he asked looking puzzled.
"Don't they use that term in Sweden? Oh never mind", she replied a playful look dancing across her eyes.
"May I?"
Hanssen regarded her for a second then nodded.
Right focus, stay professional and just get on with it she told herself. She reached down and slid down the zip, Henrik it seemed was a brief man and was wearing a rather trendy black pair at that. I bet you didn't imagine you'd be doing this 40 minutes ago she told herself, thinking back to when he'd reprimanded her his office but managed to quickly refocus her attention.
She pulled down the waistband slightly, noticing that Hanssen hadn't moved a muscle she tried to lighten the mood.
"No need to be shy Henrik, you haven't got anything I haven't seen before you know", she teased and was rewarded with a glare and was that a hint of a twinkle in his eyes, my goodness was that a reaction?
She pressed his lower abdomen, it was definitely swollen.
'Is that tender?", she quizzed and was rewarded with a hiss of pain that was a yes then.
"Ok I'm going to take your pulse", she told him picking up his hand and looking at her watch.
His pulse was rapid and quite weak, she put her hand on his forehead his skin was cool and moist and she swore he was even paler than before, all signs of significant blood loss. Oh christ Henrik you could be in a lot of trouble here she cursed to herself.
"So what's your diagnosis Ms Campbell", he asked with as much authority as he could muster.
Serena noticed he had suddenly began to shiver, another symptom of internal bleeding she observed. Right she needed to keep him calm, a little white lie would do no harm in this situation, he was no fool but he did seem a little out of kilter so hopefully he wouldn't pick up on it.
"The wound is very tender as you'd expect but otherwise no cause for concern", she lied.
"So the fact that my abdomen is tender and swollen, my pulse is rapid and I feel feverish is nothing to worry about then", he said glaring up at her.
"Concussion or no I still recognise the symptoms of serious internal bleeding Ms Campbell, please do not try to protect me it doesn't suit you", he snapped at her looking around the room to the closed door.
"Pray tell why you haven't sought assistance Ms Campbell is there a problem?", he looked up at her and for the first time she saw fear in his eyes, he was becoming anxious yet another sodding sign of internal bleeding she concluded.