Chapter 4

…

After their meal, Henrik and Roxanna were sitting side by side in his study, soft music playing in the background, a glass of wine in each of their hands, as Roxanna leaned against Henrik, her head on his shoulder, Henrik's eyes closed as he listened to the beats to the music.

"This is lovely." Roxanna said softly.

"Mm-mm, certainly my idea of a perfect night in."

"I agree."

Henrik's eyes opened when he felt Roxanna move from her place on his shoulder, watching her closely as she sipped her wine.

"How are you feeling now my dear?"

Roxanna looked at him, a warm smile on her face as she saw the concern in his eyes.

"I feel a lot better now, thank you for tonight."

"You know you never have to thank me, we're friends, I am always going to be here for you."

"Yes, I know you are."

Henrik could see the sad look in her eyes, reaching out to cover her hand as she got herself comfortable in his arms again.

"How was your first day back?"

"It was actually better than I thought it would be, everyone's been wonderful, though I get the feeling you might have given everyone their instructions."

"I just didn't want to rush you back in to the fold, not after everything you've been through."

"It wasn't just me he hurt Henrik, I know you feel betrayed by him. You were very close, closer than he and I ever were."

"Yes well, as it turns out. The length of time you know a person doesn't really mean anything, when they can turn around in a heartbeat and try to murder the woman you…"

Roxanna's wine glass stopped halfway to her lips when Henrik didn't quite finish his sentence. Putting the glass on the coffee table, she turned back to him, her hand covering his, forcing him to look at her.

"Henrik, what were you going to say?"

"It's, I…it's not important."

"Please Henrik, tell me what you were going to say."

She could see the worry in his eyes as he looked back at her, almost afraid to say the words, just in case they weren't reciprocated.

"You know I've always loved you Roxanna, but you were happy with David and I wasn't going to come between your relationship. You were happy and both dear friends, after he died it didn't seem like the time to tell you and then the longer time went on, it became more difficult for me to tell you. When you were hurt, and unable to communicate with us, the regret I felt and never having told you tore away at me."

"Oh Henrik…"

"And then John…when he gave you that overdose and you coded, I've never felt such pain, such loss and the thought of you never knowing how I felt about you, the life we would never have together, it broke me."

Henrik didn't look up for several moments, almost afraid that he would see rejection on Roxanna's face. When he finally mustered up the courage to look at her, he saw the silent tears that fell from her beautiful green eyes, before he felt her arms going around his neck and hugging him tightly as she cried. They remained in their current position for a few minutes before Roxanna eventually pulled back, her eyes a little puffy from crying, but still smiling back at him.

"Well…it took you long enough." she finally replied, as she kissed him.

…

Jac and Fletch were in Albi's sitting on the couch in the corner, Jac on her second glass of wine as Fletch put down his beer and tuned to face her, noticing that she was still on a mood, because of their argument earlier in the day.

"Are you just gonna sit there and sulk all evening?" He stated.

Jac downed the rest of her wine before turning to him with a pissed off look in her eyes.

"Excuse me, I think I have ever reason to be angry at you. How dare you bring up our problems in front of Hanssen of all people, I've never been so embarrassed."

"Really? Because I'm sure you've been in far worse situations." He said jokingly.

Jac rolled her eyes at him, seeing the big grin on his face as she shook her head.

"You really are impossible." She replied, giving in to her anger at him.

Fletch moved a little closer to her, his arm coming around her shoulders, smiling when he felt her lean in to him.

"Look, I'm sorry okay. I was a bloody idiot. If you don't want people knowing about us then…well then it's fine by me."

Jac could tell by the tone in his voice that he was only saying what she wanted to hear, and felt a little bad for being horrible to him. She looked around Albi's, seeing most of AAU at the bar, Bernie and Serena, sitting at the end of the bar, Shiraz in both their hands and Bernie leaned on Serena, as the laughed about something Serena was saying.

"Oh screw it." Was all Jac said, as she turned around, her arms going around Fletch's neck and giving him a proper kiss. Hearing a few whistles behind them, as some of their colleagues spotted them.

"My my, they kept that one quiet." Serena smiled.

"I think it's lovely." Bernie replied.

"You really are a hopeless romantic, aren't you Ms Wolfe?"

Bernie took Serena's wine glass from her hand, Serena looking as though she was about to kill her for taking her wine, until Bernie took tight hold of her hand, leaning in to kiss her before pulling her up from her chair.

"Let's go home." She smiled.

"I was just going to suggest that myself."

"Lead the way."

Serena put her arm around Bernie's waist as they two women exited the bar and headed for home.

…

To Be Continued…