(Final chapter...quite sad really! I've enjoyed writing the story but really don't want to drag it on. A new one is forming in my mind! Thanks for all the support, keep reviewing and check out my other stories :) )

Chapter 8

It had been a week since Hanssen's stabbing and Serena had hardly seen him. She had been forced to cover on AAU after Michael had to fly out to America when his daughter fell ill. She threw down the folder she was reading and leant back in her chair, feet up on the desk, stretching. She heard a knock at the door and wondered what possible emergency she was needed for this time.

"Yes, come in!" she said tiredly, reaching for her pager, as she looked up and saw Hanssen enter. They both stared at each other quietly for a moment, not knowing what to say. He was quicker to recover than her.

"Ms. Campbell, how are you?" he asked formally as she took her feet off the desk, sitting up straighter.

"I'm fine thank you, busy. How are you? Recovering well?" He reached a hand down to his waist subconsciously and nodded.

"Yes thank you. I haven't seen you much this week." he stated as she sighed, piling the files up on her desk.

"Well as you know, I've been covering here on AAU since Michael's been away. That hasn't allowed me a great deal of free time." she shrugged her shoulders, looking thoughtfully at him. "When did you come back to work?" She hadn't been told that he'd been back and she wondered how on earth she'd been kept in the dark.

"I haven't returned yet, Ms. Campbell." When he offered no further explanation, Serena looked at him questioningly.

"Well why are you here?" she asked, her eyebrows rising. Of course she had missed him over the week but she felt he had needed some time to heal and she had barely had time to eat let alone chase after him.

"I came to see you." He shifted uncomfortably as she exhaled, dropping her shoulders and shaking her head.

"I'm sorry. I should have called or popped over but I've just been completely snowed under here, and of course I know I shouldn't have simply left things..." she began to speak quickly as Hanssen moved towards her, cutting her off by kissing her. She didn't respond at first, simply standing in shock as she felt his lips on hers and his arms enveloping her. She gradually allowed herself to sink into the kiss, pouring all the worry and stress of the past few weeks into it, her passion taking over. When they pulled apart, Hanssen smiled at her and held her tightly, a twinkle in his eye.

"What?" she asked cautiously, not quite sure why he was looking at her in that way.

"I was just checking something." he said innocently as she raised her eyebrows.

"What, exactly were you checking?" He smiled coyly at her as he held her as close as he could.

"Whether my memory had served me well." he said simply as he leant in again, kissing her softly.

"And was it how you remembered?" she asked breathlessly as she felt his hands slide lower down her back.

"Oh no, Ms. Campbell...this is much better." She laughed as he leant in and kissed her neck gently.


"No, I'm off duty. Any problems, call up to Mr. Griffin...otherwise Mr. Levy should be here any minute." she told a young nurse as she and Hanssen headed for the double doors at the end of AAU. "So...what do you fancy doing?" she asked as he held the door open for her, furrowing his brow as he thought.

"How about we go to the pub...what's it called...Albie's?" he looked hopefully at her as she stood still and chuckled.

"Have you ever been to Albie's?" she asked lightly, raising her eyebrows.

"No, but I had never been stabbed before either...or dated a work colleague." he said thoughtfully. She turned to him, smiling innocently.

"Is that what we're doing...dating?" she asked quietly, stepping closer. "Because I don't remember us ever going on a date." She stood with her arms folded, a deadpan expression on her face and Hanssen smiled.

"Didn't I just suggest we go to Albie's?" She narrowed her eyes and smirked.

"Touché, Mr. Hanssen. Very well, lead the way." He headed to the stairwell, her close behind him. As they stepped out into the car park, Serena headed to her car to drop off her coat and briefcase before turning to a waiting Hanssen. "Shall we?" she asked, flashing him a cheeky smile as he took her hand in his and led the way across the car park. As they neared the pub, she gently took her hand from his and he nodded his understanding. He held the door open for her, following her inside.

Serena's eyes were instantly drawn to the far end of the bar where Jac Naylor was currently dancing around, singing at the top of her lungs. She turned to look at Hanssen whose raised eyebrows and wide eyes made her giggle.

"See, this is what you've been missing." she said quietly as he turned to her, stunned. Leading the way to the bar, she ordered them both a glass of lime and soda before turning and handing one to Hanssen. He stared at the glass quizzically, then at her.

"First we were trapped in a lift together, then you were stabbed...It seems we don't have the best of luck in each other's company, so how about we stick to the soft stuff today...hmm?" she asked, winking flirtatiously at him. He laughed, sipping his drink and nodding his approval.

"I can't say this is something I've tried before, but I could get used to it." he commented as she looked up at him.

"You're certainly having a great deal of 'first times' lately aren't you?" she asked, her eyes flashing coyly.

"There is something else I have always wanted to do." he said suddenly, leaning closer to her ear. "I've always wanted to take home a beautiful, funny, intelligent woman with a fantastic body, who I cannot stop thinking about." His voice was low and his breath tickled her neck. She thought for a second before bringing the glass to her lips and gulping down the entire contents. Turning to face him, she took the glass from him, grabbed his hand and pulled him closer. His eyes lit up as he saw the look of mischief on her face.

"Well then Mr. Hanssen...I'd hate to disappoint." she smiled wickedly as he swallowed nervously and followed her out the door.