Reclining in the bubble bath, she dipped her had underneath the water just so her ears were submerged. It was amazing how peaceful it was when all sounds were shut off, just the water surrounding her. She was relaxed and happy but excited all at the same time. The long run earlier had released some of the nervous energy, and now she was going to take her time getting ready for him arriving. She couldn't really believe her luck at being invited back to Sweden so soon, and she was so happy that he had kept his season pass to the Swedish Opera that he never used, because now she was lucky enough to get to go with him. Deciding that she had been soaking long enough, she climbed out and wrapped her dressing gown around her. Walking up to her closet, she opened the door and started to flick through the clothes, trying to decide what to wear on the flight when suddenly she jumped as her doorbell rang. Sighing, she walked to the door ready to shoo away whoever it was. She was halfway into 'I don't need anything…' when she swung the door open to find it was Hanssen standing there, not the neighbouring child she thought it was who appeared periodically to try to sell her cookies. She stopped mid-sentence in shock, then she realized that she was at the door in front of him in a dressing gown and her hair sopping wet. 'Hanssen. I wasn't expecting you yet.' 'So I can see Miss Adams. I am early though. I do apologize. I'll leave and come back when you're ready.' He turned and went to walk to his car which was parked next to hers in her driveway. Her stomach sinking at the thought of him leaving, she called after him, and shouted, ' No, please stay. I won't be long if you don't mind waiting on me in the living room. There's coffee if you like.' 'Ah, but are there biscuits Miss Adams?' She laughed out loud as she remembered the last time she had invited him in and told him she was only offering coffee and no more. 'Anything for you,' she replied as he smiled and walked past her into her home.

She closed the door behind her and swung around to find him still standing, hands clasped around his back, his eyes flitting around the room as he took in the pictures on the walls. She stood for a moment taking in the sight of him here in her house and she smiled, enjoying the scene, thinking how right it looked, and then he turned to face her. There was a momentary silence where they just looked at one another before she found the words to say, 'Sit, please. Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything?' She blushed as she again became acutely aware of the fact that she was in front of him in nothing other than her dressing gown. 'No, thank you. I'll just wait here. We'll get going as soon as you're ready.' She smiled then quickly exited into her bedroom, now in a panic as to what to wear and trying to do everything as fast as she could knowing her was there waiting. Lifting countless items of clothing off of the rail she threw them aside, stopping when she saw her skinny black jeans, and gold sparkly tank top she always wore with them. She pulled on her favorite black patent peep toe high heels, and rushed to dry her hair and put on make up. When she was all but done, she took a glance into her floor length mirror, assessing whether she was happy enough to present herself to him. There was no doubt in her mind that she was dressing to try to impress him, just like she did at the conference.

Grabbing her pull along case, she made her way into the room where he sat, legs crossed, hands clasped, deep in thought while staring out the window. 'All ready to go if you are…' she said, and at that he jumped up from her sofa and turned to look at her. He momentarily said nothing but rather just stared at her before finally saying, 'Very well, we'll be on our way then. I hope you've eaten today Nicole, because by the time we arrive in Stockholm, I'm afraid we'll only have time to briefly leave our cases at the hotel and then leave for the opera. I've booked us somewhere for dinner afterwards if that suits.' As they made their way towards his car, she replied, 'Of course. I'm looking forward to every minute of it.' Hanssen took her case and put it in the boot of the Volvo before opening her door and closing it after her.

She basked in the fact that she was once again so close to him as she sat beside him in the car, stealing glances at him as he drove. She didn't know whether to ask him about work, and so instead she quizzed him about opera. As he passionately spoke about one of his favorite subjects, she couldn't resist admiring the way in which he spoke, the way his eyes lit up, and the fact that he was still the noble man she knew from work, but so much more relaxed. Her stomach still fluttered with the excitement of the day ahead and the promise that came with it. Before she knew it, engrossed in her thoughts, they were parking at the airport.

As it turns out there was only enough time to check in before heading straight for the gate. It wasn't long after that they were called for boarding and once again, he had upgraded them. 'Henrik! You didn't have to do this!' she exclaimed as they found their seats. 'Oh, but I did, Miss Adams.' He shot her a smile that went straight to her heart and as they settled down into their seats, slipping into easy conversation, her mind kept drifting to night ahead and she hoped that the easy manner she was witnessing in him stayed and that he was ready to let down his guard and give something of his emotional self to her, because she needed him to more than ever.

After a swift taxi journey to the hotel, she was eager to get changed. She had brought a dress not quite as formal as the one she had worn to the ball, but that she hoped was appropriate for the opera. Since she hadn't ever gone before, she wasn't sure what the proper etiquette. She was worrying about this and only half listening to him talk. He was checking in for them, and speaking in Swedish. Suddenly, she thought to herself that since she didn't have a clue what he was saying, she had no idea whether he had booked them one room or two. Her stomach flipped and her mind raced as she thought about it, and she had no idea how she could ask him without sounding far too forward. The only option was to wait. He would have to tell her at some point. Finally thanking the man behind the desk, that much she could work out, he turned and nodded his head in the direction of a corridor ahead. 'This way.' Still unaware of the arrangements, she sheepishly followed him, saying nothing for fear of embarrassing herself. The elevator climbed and stopped on the 4th floor, the button he had pressed, and he held the elevator to let her step out first. 'To the left,' he said, and they walked along together, stopping after a half dozen doors had passed. 'I took the liberty of booking two rooms Miss Adams. I hope that's quite alright with you. It seems we're opposite one another. Handy indeed.' 'Yes, indeed. Handy,' she squeaked. 'Well, we better get a move on. We'll have to leave in half an hour to make it on time. You did bring something formal, didn't you?' 'Yes, of course. You can let me know if it's suitable in half an hour.' At that she smiled and opened her door, pulling her case in behind her. She took a deep breath once the door had closed. She didn't know how she felt since the nervous energy from wondering what was going to happen had gone completely and she didn't know whether she more disappointed or just relieved that she finally knew. Deep inside, she really knew that there was no way he would have been that presumptuous, but she hoped that it wouldn't be awkward later. Realizing she didn't have time to dwell on it any longer, she quickly unzipped her case, and took out the knee length black dress and slipped it on. It was elegant with layers of taffeta on the bottom and extremely fitted at the top, accentuating her shape, but not too revealing. Happy with her choice, she quickly grabbed the clutch that matched, and fixed her hair and make up before making her way back out to meet him.

When she stepped out into the corridor outside her room, he wasn't there. She hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to knock his door, go back inside her room, or just stand there in the corridor until he emerged, but as it happened, she didn't have a chance to do either. The door to his room opened, and he stepped out. 'Ah, you're ready. I hope you haven't been there long…' His voice trailed off and he stood staring at her. She blushed as realized he was taking her in. At that moment she wished she could just steal him away and have him all to herself. 'Will I do?' she finally managed to say. She smiled her most seductive smile up at him and he shook himself back to life and managed to reply, 'Perfect, Miss Adams, you look perfect.' She shuddered and it reached all the way down her spine. She thought to herself she had never felt such a need in her before for anyone, and she wanted to kiss him more than she ever had before. She lent forward and took his hands in hers, lifted them to her lips and kissed them one by one. She looked up at him and he was smiling at her. She felt a surge of pride at the thought of escorting him to the opera and being by his side as people saw them. He was hers and she was shocked to realize that made her feel happier than she ever had before.