Sorry for the long wait for an update to this. Hopefully it will be worth the wait. Thank you to everyone who keeps reviewing and/or reading. This is probably the final chapter and the bit at the end about the fox and the scorpion relates to what Hanssen said in the first chapter.x

Hanssen had been incredibly quiet after the incident with Cunningham. Any communication they had was mainly done through his personal assistant and staff meetings were brief and to the point. He was clearly trying to avoid Serena altogether and she was finding it difficult to cope with.

Cunningham had sent her a bouquet of red roses the day she had returned to work with a note, once again apologizing for his overreaction and begging for her to meet him for dinner in order for him to make it up to her. She felt she owed him an explanation. He had never been anything but kind to her before and he seemed to have genuinely become quite fond of her.

She tossed her pen across her desk, rolling her eyes as it slid over the folders and landed on the floor. She sighed as she shoved her chair aside and climbed onto the floor to retrieve it.

She heard the door to her office open and she grunted in annoyance. "And to what do I owe the pleasure?" she called over her shoulder.

"Is this a bad time?" Hanssen's voice was unexpected and Serena jumped in surprise, thumping her head against the edge of the desk.

"Ow!" She growled, rubbing the small bump that was forming.

"I didn't mean to frighten you," Hanssen observed her with a grimace.

"Oh, it's fine," she got to her feet. "With the number of bumps I've had to the head lately, what's one more, right?" She said sarcastically.

"I'll give you some space," Hanssen turned to leave.

"No, wait," she called, watching as he slowly turned around. "I'm sorry, I thought you were Michael. I was expecting him to come see me about his annual leave."

"I see," Hanssen nodded.

"Did you need me for something?"

"I wanted to inform you that we've been invited to a fund raising dinner for the hospital. The dinner should result in a high number of generous donations for Holby and I felt it necessary for us both to attend."

Serena stared back at him. "Are you asking me or telling me?"

"Well, if you wish to lose potential donors to St James, then you're certainly welcome to stay at home, curled up with the latest staff management report," Hanssen said drily.

"When is it?"

"Tomorrow night."

"And they've only just mentioned it to you?" Serena raised an eyebrow.

"No, I've known about it for several weeks."

"Then why are you only telling me about it now?"

"Oh I was certain the news would reach you sooner or later," Hanssen said cryptically, watching her closely.

"I haven't seen Terence since his little outburst," she suddenly said. She wasn't sure if Hanssen seemed relieved by her admission or surprised. The flicker of emotion was gone as quickly as it had arrived.

"I will pick you up tomorrow evening at six thirty."

"That's it? That's all?" Serena wasn't entirely sure what she expected of Hanssen. He was a private man at the best of times. Did she expect him to smile happily at her revelation? She had, after all, broken his trust once again.

"Is there any more information you need?" Hanssen observed her for a fraction of a second before turning to leave.

"I don't know how many times you want me to apologize," she mumbled, turning her attention to her laptop as she had seen him do so many times. "I'm happy to do it again."

Hanssen paused in the doorway. "There's nothing to forgive. You did nothing I wasn't already aware that you were capable of doing," he said before stepping into the corridor.

His words stung her and she took a deep breath, as if filling her lungs with air would lessen the pain.


Serena had been sulking for most of the day after her very brief interaction with Hanssen and she was hardly in the mood for a pretentious dinner with a room full of people she had to be extra nice to in order to get her hands on their cash. She had just finished pulling on her black lacey shawl when she saw Hanssen's car pull up into her driveway. She wasn't at all surprised that he was fifteen minutes early. She had expected it and had therefore rushed back from the hospital for a very quick shower, knowing she had very little time to get ready.

She stepped out into the cold air and pulled her shawl tight, hoping it would be warmer at the dinner. Hanssen looked much like a tall version of James Bond in his tuxedo. Serena found the thought quite amusing for some reason and she tried to suppress a chuckle.

Hanssen was looking at the front of his car and only turned around when he heard her heels clicking against the concrete floor. His eyes ran over her for a split second and Serena was quite pleased when his cheeks seemed to flush slightly.

"Looking very James Bond, Mr Hanssen," she smiled as she finally joined him.

"Hopefully Mr Bond's good fortune will be in our favour tonight then," he said, turning to look at his car again.

Serena raised an eyebrow, waiting for a compliment. When she realized she wasn't going to get one she sighed heavily. "You too look lovely, Serena," she said sarcastically. "What a magnificent dress. Really brings out your eyes."

Hanssen turned back to her, an amused look on his face. "Certainly the great Serena Campbell doesn't require an admiring comment to build up her confidence."

"I suppose not," Serena chuckled.

Hanssen paused for a moment before very quietly adding to his sentence. "You look lovely."

His words took Serena by surprise and she subconsciously began playing with her necklace. "Thank you," she whispered. "What's so interesting about your car tonight?" She changed the subject, suddenly feeling a bit shy, moving around him to see what he had been looking at.

"It might just be my imagination, but I feel the steering is a bit off."

"You know, we could always take my car," Serena suggested.

"Ms Campbell," Hanssen gave her an amused look. "I would prefer to get to this dinner in one piece, preferably with my head still attached to my body and not strewn across the motorway."

Serena glared at him. "Next time you break down, I'll just leave you there to rot."

"Probably better than having to rot after being torn into a million pieces in a collision."

"Well, thank you for that graphic image," Serena grimaced.

Hanssen's lips twitched upwards as he opened the passenger door for her to get in.

Serena was pleased by their light hearted banter as Hanssen carefully drove them to the hotel where the dinner was being held. He had seemed to relax. It was possible he realized that there was no point in ignoring her and they needed to put on a united front in order to get more donations, but she felt herself wanting to believe that he had forgiven her. She enjoyed his company very much, even if he could be difficult sometimes.

Serena waited for Hanssen to park the car further down the street. Most of the parking had already been taken and an usher was having to show the attendees alternative areas to park.

"You look incredible," Terence Cunningham whispered.

Serena spun around to face him. She gave him a friendly smile. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself," she glanced down at the light grey cravat he was wearing. It suited him.

"How have you been?" He took a step towards her.

"Busy," she answered, trying to steer the conversation towards work. "The hospital's been keeping everyone busy. But that's what we like."

"Of course," Terence nodded, smiling warmly at her. "I had hoped you would reply to my emails."

Serena started to fidget with her necklace, feeling uneasy. "I really have been busy," she said. "It's not that I don't want to talk to you, Terence. I think we owe it to each other to sit down and talk things through."

"Why doesn't that sound too promising?" Terence looked down, gently kicking the floor with his polished shoe.

"We had a good run," Serena smiled at him. "I'm very fond of you . . . as a friend," she tried to say the word as kindly as possible.

Terence stared at her. "We were good together."

Serena nodded slowly. "We were."

Terence gave her a sad smile, finally understanding. "I don't suppose there's much of a point in me telling you that my door will always be open."

"It's a lovely thought," Serena gently touched his arm. "But I think we both know that that boat has sailed."

Terence nodded, glancing up as Hanssen cautiously approached them. "Well, we'll always have Paris," he smiled, heading indoors.

Serena turned to Hanssen, noting the unimpressed look on his face. "Did you park alright?"

"Yes," he answered, still looking at her for an explanation.

"Shall we head inside?"

Hanssen nodded, watching as she walked in front of him, pausing every now and again to greet someone she knew. They spent the first hour mingling with acquaintances and being introduced to potential donors. Serena finally reached their table and waited for Hanssen to join her before taking a seat. The food had been served. "Lovely hotel," she said.

Hanssen nodded, glancing around the room. He was still sulking.

Serena sipped her wine and observed him for a moment. She wasn't sure if she was pleased he was affected by her relationship with Terence or annoyed by his childishness. "Are you planning on ignoring me for the rest of the evening?"

"I don't know what you mean," he answered briskly.

Serena sighed. She'd had enough of this. There were only so many times that she could apologize. Each time they took a step forward in their relationship, they would end up taking six steps back. She pulled her napkin off of her lap and gently placed it down beside the plate of food that she had barely touched as she pushed her chair back.

Hanssen looked at her, surprised by her sudden reaction.

"I need some air," she mumbled as she moved away from the table and through the crowded hall. The cold air was like a shock to her system and for a moment, she considered heading back inside, but she couldn't face the feeling of suffocation. She carefully descended the stairs, smiling at the doorman as she headed down the pavement and leaned against the end of the building.

She was angry with herself for letting her emotions get the best of her. Her career had always been incredibly important to her and as a single mother, she had fought as hard as she could to keep a well paying job. She knew she could come across as being uncaring and cold at times when it came to her career, but she had learnt to put that wall up. Throughout the years, she had been treated as the little lady doctor who couldn't possibly do a man's job and she had clawed her way to the top to prove herself to everyone who thought she wasn't capable.

"Ms Campbell," Hanssen spoke from beside her.

"I don't know what you want from me," she heard herself say. "I try my best to do what's right for the hospital. I try my best to do what's right for the staff. I'm pretty sure I haven't disappointed you with my work."

"No, you haven't."

"My life is about my career," she said, taking a deep breath. "So why do I feel like the most important thing right now is to make you happy?"

Hanssen stared back at her, unsure of how to respond.

"I made a mistake. I make mistakes. We all do. I've apologized. I've ended things with Terence . . . and for what? I don't even know what you want."

"You ended it with Mr Cunningham?"

Serena looked up at him. "I don't know what I'm doing here," she sighed.

"We're trying to procure funds for the hospital," Hanssen answered simply.

Serena chuckled bitterly, covering her face with her hands. She shook her head, annoyed at her little meltdown. "I need to go home."

"I will drive you home."

"No," she held up her hands. "No. I think I should just be alone."

"This isn't a good neighbourhood," Hanssen glanced around them. "Let me drive you home."

"What for?" She looked up at him. "So that you can ignore me for the trip back?"

"I would feel more contented to know that you got home safely."

"Why?" She asked, watching him closely, waiting for a reply.

He seemed to hesitate with his answer. "I . . . The hospital needs you."

"Really?" Serena huffed sarcastically and started walking down the pavement. She couldn't believe that she had imagined the man had a heart. He was clearly incapable of anything remotely emotional.

"Ms Campbell," Hanssen called after her.

She kept walking, ignoring the man who was asking her for spare change. She felt confused and annoyed with herself. A hand on her shoulder made her jump and she spun around, expecting to see the homeless man standing behind her. Instead it was Hanssen.

"I don't want you walking here by yourself at the dead of night," he said gently. "If anything were to happen to you I would never forgive myself."

"Oh, we wouldn't want you to feel guilty over anything," Serena snapped. "I might take a page out of your book and never let you forget about it."

"I apologize if I have made you feel that way."

Serena felt like slapping him. "Because obviously you've never made a mistake or hurt someone."

"I have, actually," Hanssen's eyes darkened. "I have made many mistakes and I have hurt a few good people along the way."

Serena wasn't sure what to say to him. She was curious, but too upset to ask him about it.

"I can only hope that they have been able to forgive me. And therefore I truly am sorry if you feel I have been holding a grudge."

Serena was speechless. He was actually apologizing to her.

"Now please," Hanssen held his arm out for Serena. "Allow me to escort you home."

Serena took his arm without a word and started heading back down the street with him. They walked in silence until they reached his car. Hanssen opened the door for Serena.

"Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy," Serena suddenly said.

Hanssen turned to look at her. "Care to explain?"

"All my wounds are self inflicted."

"I believe that's true of most people in the world," he said gently.

"Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it," she smiled sheepishly.

Hanssen took a step closer to her. "Everyone makes mistakes. It's how you deal with the consequences that matters."

"I'm the scorpion," Serena whispered. "What if you were right? What if it's in my nature to destroy the people around me?"

"A fox is a cunning thing. He knows when to duck and when to dive," Hanssen smiled. "And some scorpions aren't as poisonous as they are painful. The fox will always be its lifeline."

"Are you the fox?" Serena smiled as she took a tentative step to close the distance between them.

"Indeed. I am the fox," Hanssen answered as he pulled her in and pressed his lips to hers.