Thank you to everyone who has left comments and sent pm's. So glad you have enjoyed this story so far. Sorry for the long delay in updating it, I have been really busy with other stuff. This is a long chapter to hopefully make up for the delay.

Inget kalas utan kras.

(No party without shattering.)

Serena sat and watched as Hanssen opened a bottle of wine and poured out two glasses. If anyone had suggested a week ago that she would feel this comfortable in the inscrutable Swede's presence she would have laughed. He was a tough one to figure out, but Serena prided herself on being able to read people and she was almost certain now that she had finally sussed him out.

The serious, cold exterior he portrayed was simply that – an exterior. It didn't run through to the bone, she was certain. He was capable of gentleness, humour, chivalry and, having met Maja she was now certain he was capable of love too. But he was dreadfully unsure of himself when it came to this stuff, almost endearingly so.

She was beginning to think Maja had broken his heart and left him for Nils, or else they'd had an affair and she had refused to leave Nils for Henrik. She suspected he had not had a serious romantic relationship since, which would explain his timidity and nervousness at physical contact. She couldn't figure out whether he knew Fredrik was his son or not. But then as she thought back to dinner the evening before and how Nils seemed to almost purposefully point out that Fredrik was away and that they would not be bumping into him at Karolinska, she realised he probably did. And so Nils must also know. It was a strange situation, that was for sure.

She smiled as she accepted the glass from him and watched him take a seat on the sofa next to her, keeping a respectable distance, she noted. She turned sideways to face him and took a sip of her wine whilst she contemplated her next move. He glanced at her, a little cautiously, and seemed about to say something but took a sip from his glass instead and looked away.

"I've had such a lovely evening." She said gently. "Thank you." She smiled.

"So have I." his lips quirked almost into a smile, he suddenly seemed shy, different to his behaviour at dinner. "Who'd have thought we'd get through a whole evening without argument?" he joked.

'A whole DAY.' She pointed out with a grin and he laughed. 'Do you think we'll manage to keep it up when we get home?'

'Oh I do hope so.' He said almost wistfully.

'We'll just have to make an extra special effort. I feel I owe you now; you've been such a lovely host for the last two days.' Serena said. 'If we ever get sent to Surrey I'll have to make sure to show you the sights!'

Hanssen chuckled. 'I have been to Surrey actually. Grudgingly spent a weekend there once when a colleague invited me to an awful garden party his wife had organised.'

'Ah. You've seen the highlights already then I'm sure.' Serena said with mock seriousness.

'Yes.' Hanssen's eyes twinkled. 'You could always show me the highlights of Holby when we get back.' he suggested almost nervously.

'You live there! You must know as much about the place as I do – probably more.' She exclaimed.

'I must admit that I haven't made much of an effort to acquaint myself with Holby's cultural highlights.' He confessed.

'I'm not sure there are that many to acquaint yourself with!' Serena replied. 'It would probably take all of an afternoon!'

'I'm sure the company would make up for whatever the sights lack.' He said softly and then turned away to take a gulp of his wine.

Serena looked at him in surprise. Was he flirting with her?

'Perhaps we could skip the sights then and just get a nice bottle of Shiraz and do what we're doing now.' She said, watching him carefully.

'Perhaps.'

She noticed him swallowing and he stared at his glass as though it had suddenly become very interesting.

'Tell me, what would your ideal day be like?' she asked lightly.

He shrugged. 'Today would be pretty close I suppose.'

'What would make it perfect?' she asked hoarsely, she wasn't sure why she suddenly felt nervous.

He watched her for a moment and seemed to be debating what answer to give. Eventually he shrugged and turned back to his glass.

'Nothing is perfect.' He asked.

She found herself disappointed with this answer. 'Not in real life, no. But if you suddenly had the power to live one day exactly as you pleased, have everything go the way you wanted it to without any fear of consequences. What would you do?'

'There are always consequences.' He said.

'You're missing the point!' she rolled her eyes. 'Pretend Henrik…'

He glanced at her sharply, suddenly seeming shaken at her use of his Christian name.

'Imagine having the freedom to do whatever you want without worrying about consequences. What would it be?' she pressed on.

'I…' he paused and shook his head. 'No idea.' He said briskly and then glanced at his watch. 'It's late. We have an early flight.'

'Not that early.'

'Well no, but we are working tomorrow.' He stared at his glass sternly.

Serena took the hint. She stood up and left her glass on the table.

'Best get myself to bed then.'

'Goodnight.' He replied stiffly.

Serena headed to her room with a deep sense of disappointment and unsure of why the atmosphere had so suddenly changed.

Serena's mind was too busy to sleep so she decided to have a shower in the hope that her lavender shower gel might calm her and make her sleepy. She went over their conversation again in her mind but couldn't figure out what had made him stiffen up again. She was certain he had been flirting with her. Perhaps he really was just very out of practice when it came to this stuff.

After her shower and dressed in the bathrobe that had been left in her ensuite, Serena decided to check if Hanssen had gone to bed. Making her way from her room she noticed the lights were still on and found Hanssen still sitting on the sofa. The floorboards creaked as she approached and he looked up, jumping to his feet when he saw her.

'I thought you were hurrying off to bed.' She said.

He had the grace to look sheepish. 'I got thinking.'

'Oh? May ask what about?' Serena asked with a raised eyebrow as she moved closer to him.

Hanssen leaned against the arm of the sofa so she didn't have to crane her neck as much to talk to him.

'A world without consequences.' He said with a hint of amusement. 'On reflection it could prove quite chaotic.'

'I suppose it depends on what your deepest darkest desires are.' Serena purred.

Hanssen twitched his head slightly and took in Serena's appearance, suddenly realising she was in a dressing gown.

'Did you come up with an answer?' Serena asked, noticing the way he looked her over. She also noted that he had finished the bottle of wine.

'Hmm?'

Serena smiled.

'Oh eh…' Hanssen looked sheepish again. 'You're not giving up on that are you?'

Serena shook her head, her eyes twinkling. Hanssen cleared his throat and looked at the floor for a moment.

'I suppose there are many things I might like to do in such an instance.' He replied.

'Such as?' she tilted her head and took a step closer.

Hanssen breathed deeply. He could smell the scent of lavender from her.

'I might… like to see what's beneath that robe.' He whispered, then looked at the floor again, a blush rising to his cheeks. His heart was beating rapidly.

Serena stepped even closer.

'Well that, you can do.' She said.

She held one end of the belt of her robe and offered it to him. Hanssen looked at her in surprise. He shouldn't, he told himself, they would regret this.

Slowly, he took hold of the belt and tugged gently at it until it was undone and the robe parted slightly revealing a glimpse of skin.

'We shouldn't.' he said aloud as he reached out and touched her collar bone with his fingers. He dragged his hand down and parted the robe some more.

Serena's heart rate quickened and she felt a shiver go through her as his fingers moved over her skin. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his; running her hands through his hair and felt his hands slip inside the robe and around her waist.

They kissed hungrily and pressed against each other.

'Take me to bed Henrik.' Serena whispered huskily.

He paused and she feared he was going to reject her. She took his hand and urged him to follow her, leading him to her bedroom.

They lay side by side, breathless and unsure. Serena turned her head to look at him in the dim light of the bedside lamp. She never would have imagined he could be so passionate. He had mumbled in Swedish as he climaxed, she was curious as to what he had been saying but too embarrassed to ask. She wondered if he was regretting it already.

Hanssen stared at the ceiling as he tried to contemplate what they had done. He turned and saw Serena looking at him with a look of trepidation. He had never seen her look so unsure.

'Are you alright?' he asked gently.

She nodded. He turned and ran his hand down her arm, kissing her forehead gently. She smiled, her whole body suddenly relaxing.

Hanssen reached out and turned off the light.

The ringing of the phone woke him up. He was momentarily puzzled to find Serena's arm resting on his chest. He turned and reached for the phone, Serena stirred and rolled away.

As his thumb hovered over the 'accept' he noticed the name of the caller 'Michael Spence'. Oh god, what's happened now, he wondered. 'Hello? Mr Spence? he answered croakily. 'Have you any idea what time it is?'

'Hey… uh…' the voice on the other end paused, sounding confused. 'Mr Hanssen?'

'Who else?' Hanssen snapped. 'What's the matter?'

'Ummm… what?' Michael sounded inebriated.

'I presume you had a reason for calling me?' Hanssen stifled a yawn.

'Umm… I… sorry. I obviously dialled the wrong number. Sorry.' Michael said.

Hanssen sighed. 'Goodnight then Mr Spence.' He hung up.

Serena stirred, vaguely aware that Hanssen was on the phone.

'Wha's matter?' she mumbled sleepily.

'Nothing. Wrong number.' He told her. He smiled as he realised she had dozed off again immediately.

Serena stretched out her arm, as she awoke, pleasant memories of the night before the first things to enter her mind. The other side of the bed however was cold. She opened her eyes and discovered she was alone and judging by the coolness of the sheets, she had been for some time. She looked around the room. Hanssen's clothes, which had been scattered on the floor last night were now gone.

She sat up. Had she dreamed it?

Dressed in the bathrobe again she made her way to the kitchen and discovered Hanssen dressed in his suit, waistcoat, minus jacket. He was making breakfast.

'Good morning.' She said cheerfully.

He turned in her direction but avoided her gaze. 'Good morning.'

Something wasn't right.

'There's coffee if you want some.' He nodded towards the pot. 'Breakfast will be a few minutes.'

She noticed a newspaper on the table. He had gone out obviously.

'What time did you get up?' she asked.

'Six.' He replied. 'You have time for a shower before this is ready,' he said indicating to the food, 'if you want.'

'What's the matter?' she asked bluntly.

He paused, his back to her at the sink.

'Henrik?'

'Last night.' He said slowly turning around.

Ah, Serena thought, so it was regret.

'Michael Spence called.' He continued.

'What?' Serena vaguely remembered the phone ringing. 'What did he want?'

'He claimed he called the wrong number.' Hanssen replied.

'Ok.' Serena didn't see anything significant about that.

'It was your phone.' Hanssen said.

Serena shrugged.

'I answered your phone.' Hanssen spoke, slowly, deliberately.

It was then that it dawned on Serena what was worrying him.