So I actually wanted to post this in the wee small hours of last night but I finally fell asleep. So I'm posting it now and apologising in advance for the extra rambling ramble...

Good day to you all in the Berena fandom! The date was 1885 and Rex was once again unable to slip into the arms of Morpheus even though she was rat arsed the night before because one of her fellow countrymen dared to have a birthday on a work night! Rude!

Anyhoo, the good thing to come from this is that I'm updating! And the final half of this chapter is basically the whole reason I started this fic. That's probably going to say a lot about me once you've read it... hmm... maybe I shouldn't have admitted to that... meh! Fuck it.

I know you didn't ask, but here are some Victorian clothing facts for you. Aren't you glad you came back here to read this fic? So did you know that the process of a woman getting dressed consisted of 12 steps? The order of clothing goes like this: 1. Shoes and stockings, 2. Drawers or bloomers (depending on what you call them), 3. Chemise, 4. Corset, 5. Petticoat (there can be 2 – 3!), 6. Corset cover, 7. Bustle (not everyone wore one), 8. Underskirt, 9. Skirt, 10. Bodice, 11. Capelet, 12. Hat. I know what you're thinking, why the hell are you telling us this? Well, did you also know that because of all of this effort and the amount of layers one had to wear, that most women bought drawers that were open. What do I mean by that? Oh I'll tell you what I mean by that... when the right time comes along :P *evil laugh*

I hope you...

Oh wait, one last thing! This chapter should be rated R or M or whatever it is now. There be stuff in 'ere that be not suitable for young'uns!

I've lost my mind! Enjoy xxx

Chapter 10

After her shift finished at the clinic, Bernie had headed back to her family home to retrieve some bits and pieces. Serena had wanted to stay another hour to finish up with some paper work for Mr Hanssen. With Raf also in the office, Bernie had discreetly brushed her fingers across the back of Serena's hand as she passed her desk before saying goodnight to them both with a smile.

When she arrived at her family home she was relieved to find that neither of her parents were there. Bernie had no doubt in her mind that they had heard what had happened with the Campbell's. Her father will have heard it from the other doctors at his club, the ones who questioned whether the 'smaller female brain was adequate enough to do a man's job'. She wasn't worried about her father, who would defend her even if he had been told she'd murdered Doctor Edward Campbell. The person she didn't want to face, couldn't trust herself to face, was her mother. The women at the tea rooms will have gossiped and judged, taunted her mother for her reckless and masculine daughter. She would be furious.

"What sort a thing would yer like then?" Cook asked when Bernie had explained that she wanted a picnic basket prepared. "Yer not goin' out there are yer? It's blummin' freezin', miss Wolfe!"

"It will be an indoor picnic, Mrs Jones," Bernie assured her. "Food that needs little preparation but will keep. Her daughter will returning home a little later and she will no doubt want something before she goes to sleep."

"Well then," she huffed. "Get that down yer." She pushed a cup of tea at her and Bernie smiled her thanks. Mrs Frances Jones had been with the family for as long as she could remember. She'd come here when her husband had died in the war and she'd never remarried. When Bernie was a child, Mrs Jones would always say 'yer the only babe I need in my life' before she'd kiss the top of her head and give her a stick of Liquorice. When her father was away, it was Mrs Jones who gave her the love and attention she needed. A surrogate mother to a surrogate child.

"Have you heard mother say anything about..." Bernie didn't need to finish her sentence because

Mrs Jones turned to look at her with a frown. "Bout Mrs Campbell?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

"Yes," Bernie felt herself blush.

"People's sayin' yer went in there and dragged her from her house," Mrs Jones turned back to the kitchen counter and continued to prepare the picnic basket.

"I did," Bernie said quietly.

"What yer doin' that for then?" She asked.

Bernie sighed. "Because she asked me to go," she after a moment. "She's my friend, Mrs Jones. She needed me."

Mrs Jones turned to look at her again but this time her eyes were soft. "Don't want yer gettin' hurt miss," she said with a smile.

"It wasn't me that was being hurt," she said and Mrs Jones' eyes narrowed. "Mr Campbell hit his wife, terrified his daughter and would have had no issues with hitting me if I had given him half a chance."

Mrs Jones nodded and turned back to the food. "Be careful miss," she said kindly. "Men like that don't give up what's theirs."

Bernie sighed and drank her tea. She was right of course, Edward Campbell didn't seem the type of man to allow his wife and daughter to run away from him. In his eyes, they belonged to him just as much as his servants and house.

Once Mrs Jones had finished with the picnic basket, Kate had popped into the kitchen to say she would be by in the morning with breakfast and clothes. The two women had followed Bernie into the hallway to say goodbye when the front door flew open.

"Mother..."

Margaret Wolfe stormed into the house. She ungraciously threw her cloak and bag on the floor and grabbed Bernie by the elbow. "You selfish girl!"She all but pushed her into the living room and slammed the door closed behind her. "What on earth do you think you're doing?"

Bernie tried to steady her breathing as her anger threatened to take over. "He had her locked away in that house! He was beating her..."

"That is none of your concern!" Margaret raged. "She is his wife and belongs at his side. You had no right to get involved."

"She asked me to get involved!"

"You insolent girl!" Margaret's hand collided with Bernie's cheek and all of a sudden the room fell silent. Bernie lifted her hand to her sore cheek but refused to look at her mother. "You will take Mrs Campbell and the child back to Doctor Campbell right this minute. If you don't I will never speak to you again!"

Bernie shook her head and tried to keep herself from smiling. Her cheek stung furiously but she would never give her mother the satisfaction of knowing she'd hurt her. "You say that as if it's some kind of threat," she turned to look at her mother.

Margaret was taken aback for a moment. "You ungrateful girl," her eyes filled with tears. "I have given you everything. I tried to do my best for you and this is how you repay me?"

"The best thing you did for me mother is to show me how I didn't want to live my life," Bernie said honestly. "I don't want to be a wife. I don't want to run a house or give birth. I don't want to spend my days in the tea rooms gossiping with other idle and mindless women. I don't want to marry someone out of convenience or arrangement. I do not want your life mother. I want my father has."

Margaret's tears poured freely across her cheeks. "Get out of this house Berenice," she said a cold voice. "You are no longer welcome here."

Bernie nodded and was saddened that she felt only sorrow for leaving Mrs Jones and her father. She felt nothing for her mother. "I hope," she began. "That there will come a time when you see what real value women have. How strong and independent we are." She headed toward the door. "And I hope, more than anything in the world, that one day will you care more about my own happiness than those of the society women."

With that Bernie opened the door and left the living room. Mrs Jones looked furious and Kate looked frightened. "I hope you'll come visit," she smiled at the cook.

"Every Sunday," she said, giving her a big hug. "I'll even come down to that clinic if I have to."

Bernie swallowed the lump in her throat. "When I can afford it, perhaps..."

"Am not leavin' yer father dear," she took hold of Bernie's hand and squeezed it tightly. "but I'll keep yer offer in mind."

Bernie kissed Mrs Jones' cheek and then turned to Kate. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said, squeezing her shoulder.

"I don't want to stay here miss," she said quietly.

"You must," Bernie hugged her. "You must serve out your notice and train the new girl that replaces you."

"I'll take care of yer dear," Mrs Jones put her arm around Kate's shoulders when Bernie pulled away. "Go miss Wolfe, best not stay here much longer."

"Thank you," she said as tears welled up in her eyes. "For everything."

Leaving the house wasn't difficult but leaving the people was the hardest thing she'd ever done. She stood out on the front steps, the door to her family home closed behind her forever. What would her father think? What would Serena think? Her breathes came short and fast and she clung to the basket of food she held in her hands.

Bernie looked up at the dark sky and focused on the ghostly clouds that blocked out the stars. Life hadn't quite turned out the way she had planned but this is what she'd been given and she knew she would do the best she could with it. Just as she always had. She counted to three and took a deep breath before she forced her feet to start moving.

One step at time at old girl, she thought as she felt a smile pull at her lips. One step at a time.

Bernie knew that when she arrived at the town house that she wouldn't have much time before Serena appeared. She lit a fire in the fireplace and hoped it would get rid of some of the chill that had crept into the empty house through the day. She gathered the blankets and pillows from the bed and the throws that Kate had left at the bottom of the bed in case she got cold through the night. She carefully arranged them in front of the fire and was in the process of taking the food out of the basket when she heard the door open and close. She turned to see Serena who had her back to her was in the process of shedding her coat. Bernie stood up and smoothed down her skirt before she made her way toward the other woman.

"Hello you," she said. She grimaced at the nerves she heard in her voice.

Serena turned to look at her. She was all smiles and bright eyes and Bernie felt herself drift forward. Serena's coat fell to the floor in a heap and her hands grabbed at Bernie's hair again as their lips met. Each time Bernie kissed her, she was repeatedly surprised by how soft her lips were. Warm and slick as they slid against her own. Bernie clutched at Serena's waist and brought her closer until they were pressed tightly together. She wanted to stay like this, locked together with this woman who seemed to spark something deep within her. She wanted to rebel against the world, defy all conventions and shout it from the roof tops.

Instead she broke the kiss and felt her stomach flutter at the small laugh Serena gave. Her eyes were still closed for a moment and Bernie committed her smile and flushed cheek to memory.

"Hello," Serena said as she opened her eyes.

Bernie felt herself blush and she took Serena's hand. "Come with me," she said as she led her toward the living room. They stopped in the doorway and Bernie grew concerned when Serena's face faltered. "What is it?" She asked, unsure if she wanted the answer.

"You..." Serena's breath caught in her throat. "You did it..."

Bernie frowned at her and looked back at the space she'd set up in front of the fire. "Of course I did," she said. "Should I..." the look on Serena's face made Bernie wondered if she had been joking. Perhaps this hadn't been what she wanted at all. "If this... isn't... I can clear it away if..."

"No!" Serena finally turned to look at her. "I just... I didn't think you..." she looked back at the picnic setting and smiled. "It's very beautiful."

Bernie smiled, a rush of relief spread through her body. "You must be hungry," she said, holding her hand out for Serena to take. She led them to the blanket and she let Serena sit down first before she moved to the opposite side and sat down.

"Where did you get this?" Serena asked when Bernie began to pass her food.

"Cook put it together for us," she tried to keep her sorrow at bay but Serena's hand caught her wrist which stopped her from passing more food.

"What happened?" She asked.

Bernie shook her head. "I had an argument with my mother," she said. "Just one more in a long line of arguments."

"Because of what happened last night?" Serena asked, her eyes dropped to the blanket.

Bernie took hold of the hand Serena had placed on her wrist and squeezed it. "We've done the right thing," she said. "I don't care what people say, I don't regret getting you and Ellie out of that house."

"Things will be harder now," Serena looked up and their eyes met.

Bernie smiled. "We're female surgeons," she laughed. "Life is already hard and we've done just fine so far."

"And we did all that alone," Serena smiled. "Imagine what we can do together..."

Bernie's stomach flipped, her heart beat increased. Together. "We can do whatever we want," she said after a moment.

Serena laughed. "Nothing and no one will ever stand in our way again," she said.

Bernie smirked. "You sound just like one of those rebellious suffragettes," she teased.

Serena smirked. "Takes one to know one," she winked and Bernie laughed.

"You are certainly my kind of lady," she said but wished she could take it back. There was a flash or worry in Serena's eyes once more and Bernie shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.

"No," Serena said, her voice barely a whisper. "I erm... I'm still just getting used to this..."

Bernie nodded. "Perhaps we should eat," she turned away from Serena and focused on the food again. "You must be famished..."

"Bernie..."

Bernie froze at the sound of her name. It was the first time Serena had ever called her by her first name.

"Do you... you don't mind do you..? If I... if I call you that?"

Bernie turned to see a hopeful smile on Serena's lips. "Not at all," she said. "Only if I may call you Serena..?"

Serena gave a nervous laugh. "I really rather like that."

Bernie smiled and felt herself blush even before she asked her question. "Will you... could you say it again?"

Serena smiled, the firelight twinkling in her eyes. "Bernie."

It was Bernie's turn to laugh. "Yes," she sighed. "It is rather nice isn't it?"

The tension crackled in the air between them and Bernie watched as Serena placed the food back into the basket and put it to the side of the fire. Before she knew what had happened, Bernie found herself on her knees with Serena in her arms, their lips once again pressed together. This time, this time she wasn't letting go.

Bernie circled her arms around Serena's waist and held her close. Their lips slipped against each other until Bernie could no longer resist the urge to swipe her tongue against Serena's bottom lip.

"Bernie..." she breathed out her name and Bernie deepened the kiss.

There was no battle of control between them. There didn't need to be. They encouraged each other, showed each other what they wanted. When Serena's hands came around the front of Bernie's chest she drew away. "Are you sure?" She asked even though Serena had already begun to unfasten the buttons on her bodice.

"I've never been more sure," she smiled.

Bernie helped her untuck her bodice and shrugged out of her skirt and petticoats before they turned their attention to Serena's bodice. "Turn around," Bernie whispered against her lips. Serena smiled and did as she was asked.

First of all, Bernie helped Serena out of her skirt and petticoats and they laughed when they threw them onto the growing pile of clothes. When Serena got back down on her knees, Bernie moved up behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist. Serena leaned back into her and Bernie grazed her lips across her shoulder and up her neck. Serena's breath hitched when she reached the back of her ear and Bernie smiled. She placed a kiss there before she pulled back and began to let down Serena's long dark curly hair. It spiralled down her back and Bernie ran her fingers through it, pushing it over one shoulder so that she could return to kissing Serena's neck.

Serena leaned back once more and her head fell onto Bernie's shoulder as a soft moan escaped her lips. From this vantage point, Bernie could see the deep rise and fall of Serena's chest. While she continued to kiss Serena's neck and shoulder, Bernie loosened the lace at the back of Serena's corset. The deep rise and fall of Serena's chest hastened as Bernie's hands moved around her waist and moved smoothly up the bones of her corset. Serena gasped when Bernie released the top hook, by the second her hand was tangled in her short hair, by the third she had turned her head and had begun to kiss Bernie with such passion that she almost forgot about the corset.

"Faster," Serena whispered as she pulled away.

Bernie smiled against her cheek as she continued to unhook the corset. "I thought you wanted to be slow," she teased.

The hand Serena still hand in Bernie's hair clenched slightly and Bernie laughed softly. "Not with you," she turned her head and looked into her eyes. "Never with you... not when it's just us..."

Bernie kissed her, long and deep whilst her hands made quick work of the corset. Once it was unfastened, Serena pulled it away from her and quickly turned around. Bernie reached behind her back unfastened the lace on her own corset while Serena showered her chest with kisses. As soon as the lace was loose enough, Serena's hands flew to the hooks. Her impatience and inexperience showed in her fingers as she fumbled with the last two and Bernie took hold of her hands.

"There's no rush," she smiled. Serena nodded and let out a breath before they worked together to relieve Bernie of the corset.

"May I?" Serena asked as her hands hovered over the straps of her chemise.

"Be my guest," Bernie smiled at her and Serena rolled her eyes.

Serena leaned forward and placed a kiss on Bernie's shoulder before removing the first strap. She then did the same thing on the other side and Bernie closed her eyes as Serena pulled the chemise down her arms. The air felt cool against her skin and she felt her nipple harden as Serena leaned forward and caught one between her teeth.

Bernie gasped and her back arched as Serena took her nipple into her mouth. She swirled her tongue over the hardened flesh and then let go. "Am I..." Bernie kissed her which put an end to her question. She knew what she was going to ask and she hoped that this kiss would let her know how she was going.

"Lay down," Bernie whispered and Serena lay on her back; their eyes never lost contact as they moved.

Bernie crawled over Serena's body and dropped a kiss to the base of her neck. She arched her back when Bernie pulled down her chemise enough to massage and taste her dark nipples. When Serena groaned in frustration, Bernie crawled back over her and lay between her legs. Their breasts touched and Serena groaned while Bernie smiled at her. They kissed again, their tongues and teeth explored each other's sensitive spots until Serena wriggled underneath her.

They giggled while they each unfastened their boots as quickly as they could and kicked them off. Serena lay back against the blankets again and held her arms open for Bernie to follow. She kissed Serena's lips, dragged her tongue along her jaw and kissed her way down her neck. She teased Serena's nipples into tight peaks once more before moving further down. She felt Serena tense underneath her and she looked up to see Serena watching her. Her eyes were dark and hooded but she was watching curiously, wantonly. As she grew closer to the open drawers she could smell Serena's arousal. A heavy musk that made Bernie's mouth water and a rush of arousal between her own legs. She lay on her stomach between Serena's legs and pushed them further apart until she fully open to her.

"Bernie..." her voice was thick with lust. "Please."

She didn't need to be asked twice. In one swift movement Bernie brushed her tongue through her folds. Serena's head snapped back and a cry left her mouth. Bernie did it again, relished the salty fluid on her tongue and the delicious smell she was surrounded by. Never had she had this before. Never had she been so consumed by a person, by their smell and their taste. By their every movement and sound. She sucked on the bundle of nerves that had been begging to be touched and Serena's eyes flew open just as Bernie looked up at her. Serena reached a hand down and grasped one of Bernie's tightly.

"Bern..."

The pleasure Serena experienced was in every movement her body made and Bernie was mesmerised. A flush crept up her chest, her nipples tight. She stomach clenched as she neared her end, her thighs tightened and shook on either side of her neck. Her breaths came out as pants and groans that sounded as though they were pushed from her stomach. But Bernie's favourite part was the deep guttural sound that emanated from Serena's chest as all of a sudden she tensed. A gush of salty liquid spread over Bernie's tongue as she felt Serena trembling underneath her lips.

When she looked up, Serena's eyes were on the ceiling as she tried to catch her breath. Her stomach and chest were covered in a thin sheen of sweat and the flush over her skin had deepened. She looked like she was glowing. When Serena finally lifted her head and looked down, Bernie knew that she could never send her away. She could never be apart from this exquisite woman. This was it for her. This was the woman she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

Woah! That got out of hand FAST!

Isn't history fun? Aren't you guys glad you know that many woman essentially wore crotch-less drawers? Now I let you go forth and be free unto the world to have your own Victorian lesbian crotch-less drawer fantasies. I'm so kind!

Ha! Don't worry, this is so not the end of this fic. Not by a long shot! Hope you don't mind that this is going to go on for quite some time! And in case you're wondering (you're probably not), the scene that inspired the fic is when Bernie unfastened Serena's corset. Let that speak for itself... *blushes*

Thanks for reading and please do let me know what you thought. I don't write love/sex/smut scenes very often and I'm not all that confident with them so feedback will be most welcome!