Their eyes were fixed to their computer screens and the only noise made was the rustling of paper as they looked through files and journals that they were using.

"When do you move to Cambridge?" Ric did not look over to her, trying to act as though he was asking a general question that meant nothing. He ended up failing and simply coming off as unfeeling and harsh. Since she had told him at the event about her job offer they had avoided the subject, only speaking if it was deemed necessary in the hospital.

"Soon," She could not bring herself to tell him the truth when he was still visibly angry with her.

The exasperated sigh he released caused her to glance at him again.

"Serena, I was not the one to walk out that morning." He was tired of the atmosphere that was now present each time they were close. There was not any other reason in his mind for it and although she was leaving Holby, he did not wish to part on such awful terms.

The pitch and volume of her voice surprised him when she stood up and walked towards the door, "I know! Do you not think I bloody well know that?!" She had not finished her work but had made the mistake of letting her feelings get the better of her once more.

Ric winced as the door slammed behind her, a picture on the wall shook in reaction and threatened to fall, fixing itself seconds later before sit could smash into pieces. He tried to continue with the work at hand for another ten minutes which only resulted in poorly written sentences as his mind wondered why she controlled his thoughts to such a high degree.

Knowing it would be futile he still glanced around the bays on AAU - she would not have stayed on Keller after arguing these days - and then found someone who he hoped would be able to help. Colette Sheward was on the computer as he approached, "Have you seen Serena anywhere?" If anyone were to notice Serena it was this woman as they seemed to have become fairly good friends in recent months.

The dark haired nurse thought for a second before looking apologetically at him, "Nope, sorry. Is she okay?"

"She stormed out after we had a disagreement." He was unsure if she had any knowledge of Serena's plans to relocate so did not go any further.

Colette gave him a sympathetic smile, knowing Serena must have been in a bad mood if she reacted that intensely. Usually she would shout and end up distracting herself with a patient, not disappearing like she had. She knew all about the pregnancy after Serena had underestimated the hospital grapevine and told her not to tell anyone a week later. Colette had nodded her agreement although she already knew what had happened from the admission onwards, a mental note had been made to try to stop the gossip before she got the blame.

Leaving her where she was, Ric exited the ward and considered where she would have gone - having seen that her distinctively coloured car was still in the parking space. He eventually found her in the shelter built for smokers with her head resting back on the glass. There was a cigarette butt still smouldering by her foot which he presumed was hers, realising she must have taken up the habit again enough to have bought her own packet. He could see that there were tracks down her cheeks made by tears that he watched continue to build up and fall.

"I'm sorry." If one of the pair was in the wrong most of the time they would avoid apologising but he knew this was a moment in which he had no idea how to get her to speak. Had he done otherwise he was confident she would launch into her tirade again or actually hit him.

Closing her eyes tightly at his appearance she commented, "Not everything is about the great Ric Griffin."

Colette had tried to phone her but she had declined to answer, knowing that the only reason she would do that instead of paging would be if it was not a ward emergency. After that Serena guessed it would be a matter of time before she was found by the other woman or another. She had no idea which she would have preferred as the one who was only a friend did not know the whole story yet the other who did know, was the person who she was still hugely conflicted over.

"What is wrong?" It made sense that there was more to her attitude than just the situation between them that was now feeling tiresome.

"I'm just being silly." She was annoyed by him but under everything else Ric was the only one she could bear to be this honest with. He knew almost all there was about her and she didn't have many others she could turn to.

Ric sat down next to her, clasping his hands in front of him with his forearms resting on his thighs, in silent confirmation that he was determined to uncover what was troubling. "Serena?"

The tears that remained on her face were brushed away by the back of her hand as she took control of herself, looking quickly at her watch. "It is Eleanor's twenty week scan today, actually right about now. This is happening all too quickly, Ric."

"She's pregnant - the next eighteen years will go fast, or do you not realise how long it has been since you were expecting a child yourself." His own history with his children growing up was not perfect but he still could not believe the current age of each of them and his grandson.

Her concerns had not been voiced to anyone - she even avoided thinking it as much as possible - but if she allowed it to build any more she would lose her ability to function. "What if there is something wrong with the baby? I do not mean because of the spleen removal so you don't have to worry that I will sue you but what if they find a complication?"

"If there is then you both will deal with it as best you can," The conviction in his voice only served as a reminder of why she should try to take on board how he managed to balance any argument, "How long will you be away from Keller for the appointment?"

"That's another thing, she doesn't want me there. Thinks that I would only be my 'usual self' and worry over whatever was said." Ric made an 'ah' expression with his mouth and could tell there has been words had between the females on the matter. He understood the frustration, having relatives in medical scenarios was unthinkable because they knew how it worked and what the long words meant. But he also could tell Serena was trying her utmost to be a good parent.

Taking a large breath in she spoke, "I didn't tell you the truth about Cambridge back in the office. I refused the job last week."

It took a moment for his brain to process the words, "Why?"

Unsure whether he was asking the reason behind the lie or for the act itself she went for the latter, "Eleanor said there was no chance she was moving away from Liam... and I realised I couldn't be happy leaving my mother alone where she is now; saying goodbye to her and certain other people," she subconsciously glanced across to him, "would be a mistake."

He smiled at her without saying anything until, "Who is Liam?"

"Exactly! That is what I asked yet I got yelled at. He is the father and he has been over a few times to our place. They have some theory that the baby brought them back their perfect soulmate. Actually though quite sweet with his 'How are you today, Ms Campbell?', 'Can I help you with anything, Ms Campbell?'."

The young man in question had been on eggshells since Eleanor had told him that he would be accompanying her to the house. The conversations ever since had been stilted and often came to abrupt endings as they reached a topic close to the unborn child. Serena was not certain of how to talk about it as she feared how she may start questioning their disregard for precautions. She believed that if they did as they were then it prevented arguments between herself and Ellie as they tentatively found common ground.

"He calls you by your surname?" He could not imagine any teenager or young person doing so out of personal choice.

"You have to let me have some fun with the boy!"

Ric rolled his eyes back as he laughed, while she smiled sweetly at him, enjoying the sudden civility. Unsure what possessed him to, he reached across and laced his fingers through hers. It was the first contact they had shared since they had danced together and it was more forward than he would usually have been, especially knowing the temper of the woman next to him. Her palm was still on the metal bar that constituted as the seat and it stayed there even after the touch occurred.

They only moved when both their pagers started to beep in unison. Pulling away as she stood up he turned the other way also, neither knowing what there was to say. He tried to disguise a smile while thinking about her decision to stay, regardless whether they returned to being firm friends or not this was music to his ears.

"Guy Self's office too?" He asked, motioning to the number on the small screens.

"He must be wondering why Keller only has two missing consultants on the rota compared to AAU's army - not that it would matter as we would be in the office anyway doing work."

As she quickly raised her eyebrows her mobile alerted her to a new message in her pocket. She took her time to pore over what she was reading which caused Ric to take a step forward.

"Everything okay?"

Looking up at him with a smile she replied, "Yep, it's a text from Eleanor saying all seems to be well. And hurrah love's young dream are having dinner at mine after they pop in and see Edward." Even with the mention of her ex, Ric could see the relief on her face and he was happy for her and her family.

"Do you want to see a picture of the scan?" He moved over to the side of her, not quite touching the other's body but able to feel their body heat. She made the new picture full-screen and held it in front of him, he had to move her position as his glasses were still in the office upstairs but he could see at least the outlines of the shapes.

Neither of them cared to move apart this time while he asked the next question, "How does it feel to look at the person that makes you a grandmother-to-be?"

Her index finger was in between them as soon as he had finished, making her refusal clear, "Shh, we don't say that word please, ever."

"It doesn't mean you are old if that's what you are concerned about. I would testify to that."

"Ric..." Hearing the warning in her voice was overshadowed by the brightness in her eyes.

"I was joking as you know perfectly well." She bit her bottom lip and smirked.

"We should head back inside before he gets security to hunt us down." She was not exactly scared of what would happen if they stayed together there - joking and hinting towards their previous encounters - but on this specific day she chose the side of caution. The thought of an evening talking about Edward was enough to out her off men again.