(Thank you so much for all the reviews! Penultimate chapter...hope you like it! :))
Chapter 8
Standing at the sink in the midday sun, looking out at his so-called garden...Serena decided it definitely needed some TLC. She gazed forlornly at the forgotten patio furniture, currently being strangled by weeds and thorns, sighing. Sipping her coffee, she jumped when she felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around her waist as Hanssen came to stand behind her, planting a soft kiss on her neck.
"Nice shower?" she asked as she smiled at the feeling of warmth coming from him.
"Mhmm." he replied as he continued to kiss her gently, snuggling into her neck. She tilted her head slightly, allowing him better access and giggled softly. "You smell wonderful." he breathed as he rested his chin on her shoulder, looking out into the garden with her.
"Coffee?" she asked as he tightened his hold on her and groaned.
"In a moment." he answered, keeping his face buried in her neck. They both stood in silence until Serena put down her mug at the edge of the sink and turned to face him. He looked down at her, a serious look on his face as he bent and kissed her delicately. Pulling back, he smiled down at her and released his hold as he moved towards the kettle. Serena shook her head in wonder as she headed through to the living room, hunting for her phone. Finding it stuffed down the side of the sofa, she checked her messages, sending a quick one to her daughter.
Hope you didn't get up to mischief last night, I'll be home by 7 x
Placing the phone down on the coffee table, she turned to see Hanssen entering the room, coffee mug in hand.
"I was just texting Eleanor." she explained unnecessarily as he nodded in understanding, leaning against the doorframe and sipping his drink. She turned to face him as he watched her closely, an unreadable expression on his face. "What?" she asked him as he tilted his head to the side, pondering something. He started to speak, but paused for a moment, a smile creeping onto his lips.
"I was simply going to point out that we don't need to be at the hospital for another 2 hours at least." he stated as she folded her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Did you have something in mind, Mr. Hanssen?" she asked as he looked her over.
"Well it would be a shame to waste that time, don't you think?" he asked almost nervously as she stepped towards him.
"Now that you mention it, I probably should be getting out of this coffee-stained shirt." she said coyly as she began to unbutton it, continuing to move towards him. Hanssen swallowed nervously, watching her fingers make light work of the buttons as she stood before him, shirt hanging open. His eyes were transfixed on the pale, smooth skin in front of him as he said distractedly
"But your shirt isn't coffee-stained." She reached for his mug, splashing warm coffee onto herself.
"Clumsy me." she commented, as she put the mug on the table next to them as Hanssen stepped forwards, unsure, reaching his hands to her shoulders. He allowed his arms to slowly slip down the length of her arms, taking the shirt with them, until it had fallen to the floor. He stared at her, as he pulled her closer, running his hands down her back as he leant in and their lips met. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her closer by her waist. Kissing hungrily, he felt the familiar desire for her burning inside him. He had never wanted anyone this badly before, he realised as he manoeuvred them towards the sofa. He had found himself beginning to look forward to their night-shift encounters, ensuring they shared at least one a week. He heard Serena moan, as he pushed her gently down onto the sofa, following her.
Michael sat in his office, head in his hands, focusing all his efforts on not throwing up. He took deep breaths as he heard the door open and then close again. He didn't bother to look up, simply waiting for whoever it was to begin speaking.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes!?" Michael groaned loudly as he raised his head to look at the rather gleeful Consultant stood in his office.
"You don't have to sound so happy about it." he moaned as he felt another wave of nausea wash over him. Serena moved towards his desk, a sly smile on her lips.
"Now, I don't know what you think you were doing last night, turning up to the Hospital under the influence of alcohol and proceeding to use the On-call room for what I can only describe as 'drunken fornication'..." she said quietly and dangerously as he slowly raised his eyes to hers "...but on MY watch, this is never to happen again. Understood?" she asked him, glaring as he shrunk backwards, nodding dejectedly.
"Just for the record though, there was no fornication...we'd played strip poker." he explained as Serena smiled darkly and removed her mobile from her pocket, retrieving an image and turning the screen to face him.
"They say a picture speaks a thousand words...I wonder what this one could be interpreted as saying?" she asked as his eyes widened and he made a grab for the phone, but Serena was too fast. "Now, I know why you were in there and if there is even a hint of whispers about Mr. Hanssen and myself in this hospital, I will not hesitate to send this image to each and every member of staff. Understand?" she asked him angrily as he nodded his head, holding up his hands in surrender. "Good." She smiled sweetly as she returned the phone to her pocket and headed for the door. "Oh, and Mr. Spence..." he looked up warily at her "...I think you owe Mr. Griffin a new bottle of whiskey." she said simply as she opened the door and exited his office. He groaned as he allowed his head to fall to the desk, resting on his forearms as he blotted out her harsh warning, and the harsh lights.
Serena was immensely pleased with herself as she returned to Keller, making a beeline for her office. As she entered, she saw Ric had been replaced by Hanssen who was stood waiting by her desk.
"Well hello, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked as she went to stand in front of him.
"I wanted to enquire about your little chat with Mr. Spence. I presume he's still living?" he asked as she snorted.
"Yes, I daresay he is...although I doubt he'll be getting up to those kinds of shenanigans again anytime soon." she said, pleased, as he nodded at her.
"Good." he said, reaching to straighten a pencil discarded on her desk.
"Was there something else?" He looked at her thoughtfully, clearly wanting to say something. She stayed silent, allowing him to find the words in his own time.
"Tonight." he said quietly, before clearing his throat and speaking louder. "I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight." His eyes held hers as she chewed her lip, thinking.
"Where?" He smiled at her, realising she'd all-but accepted.
Jac stood staring at her patient, discussing his options with his father. She sighed impatiently as he glanced at her and she cleared her throat.
"Look, if you don't have this procedure, you will die. I need to operate to find out exactly what's going on in there." The young boy raised a hand to his chest as his breathing faltered momentarily.
"I don't want another one. Please, you have to fix this one." he panted as she stared at him.
"If you allow me to operate sooner rather than later, there is a greater chance of repair, considering the Hertzig is not too badly damaged." she explained. The boy nodded his head as he reached for the consent papers, signing them. His father smiled and nodded in thanks at Jac. Snatching the forms and spinning around, she headed to the ward desk, dropping them in Jonny's lap. "Get him prepped, Maconie." she ordered as she headed to the office she shared with Elliot Hope. Bursting through the door, she saw his hand stop midway to his mouth, a large sugar coated doughnut grasped in it. "He's consented." she said as she spun and left the room, Elliot dropping his snack and heading after her. As he caught up with her at the doors to Theatre, he spoke up.
"How on earth did you change his mind?" he asked, truly impressed she had managed to get consent from the patient who, that very morning, had told them there was no way he was going to allow them anywhere near him.
"I simply spelled out for him how potentially life-threatening his condition was and what an idiot he was being." she stated as she began to wash her hands. Elliot frowned disapprovingly, joining her in washing his hands.
"I'm sure he was very grateful to you." he joked as she gave him a withering look.
"So I was just meant to let him die, taking up a bed in the meantime?" she asked as Elliot exhaled, shaking his head.
"Of course not." he agreed, as they began to dry their hands. He looked over as the young patient was wheeled into the Anaesthesia room, looking slightly more than nervous. Elliot glanced at Jac as she rolled her eyes, marching out to no doubt tell him to get a grip.
"Look, I wasn't trying to scare you earlier, but I had to let you know the severity of your condition." she explained as she stood next to the bed, arms crossed. "It's my job to deliver the facts...not fantasy." He nodded his head in understanding and gave her a wan smile.
"It's fine, I understand. Thank you for being straight with me." She smiled stiffly as she returned to Elliot.
"Everything alright?" he asked her as she reached for her scrub cap.
"It will be once we get him opened up." she stated, dropping her arms dramatically and heading into the OR.
