Alarm was ringing through her ears. She didn't want to get up but, then again, there was a risk of her being late. Sunlight was peeping through her curtains, lighting up her room, which was filled of mementos from home. A picture frame her mother made for her, a lamp from IKEA in her favourite colour both standing on an oak desk beside her bed. Her room was very tidy, as she hated for anything to be out of place. Her heart was aching for her mother. She missed her so much. Elea made her promise to call every few days to make sure that she was alright. She was so proud of her daughter. She wasn't the type to brag about Asta's talents to everyone. She didn't spoil her by saying how clever and brilliant she was, that wasn't Elea's style.

Overprotective towards her daughter was to be expected as Asta's father wasn't around. Although Elea wished that the circumstances were different, she never wished for Asta not to have been born. She sent Asta some Icelandic food so that she wouldn't get homesick. That feeling grew in her heart. She was homesick, making her miss her móðir even more.

Anyway she couldn't sit and dwell on it. Work was calling. A week had passed since Asta arrived at St Jude's and she was loving it. Nearly all the staff were pleasant towards her and didn't care about her age. As she suspected, there was a small group of 3 individuals who were being bitches, saying that she was hiding behind Professor Gaskell and that she would be too scared to handle a big case on her own. She either ignored them or whipped out a sarcastic comeback. She had strong shoulders, inherited from her mother.

Asta pulled back the duvet and pushed herself off the warm, comfy bed. It was the last week of shadowing the Professor. She was a little worried about it, but the Professor said that, if she had any worries about anything, his door was always open for a chat and a cup of tea. He told her that she would begin as an F1, spending a couple of months in each department to help make up her mind about what department she wanted to work in. Even though both her heart and mind were set on Neuro, she understood that she needed to try each department just to make sure that she wasn't setting herself up for disappointment.

Dragging back the curtains, Asta was blinded by the sun. It felt so warm and lovely on her skin. She decided to have a shower in order to fully wake herself up. In the bathroom, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was sticking up in all directions and was as greasy as hell. Small bags appeared under her eyes.

Nothing a little makeup can't fix.

As the cold water hit her body, making her jump and curse, her thoughts turned to the Professor. He made her feel very welcome at St Jude's. He was firm but fair, just like Mrs Anders had said. He always asked for her opinion on medical cases and what would she do as a consultant. Even though she had been with him for a week, she could sense a good bond forming between them. She would make the most of the last week, as she was going to Nelson Ward to do cardiothoracics. She was looking forward to it as the Clinical Lead was a good friend of her mother's.

The water washed away her worries about the day. Professor Gaskell told her that this week would be a little more challenging. She felt as if she could do anything. Her confidence was growing, and she was happier for it.

Wrapping towels around her body and hair, she returned to the bedroom to pick an outfit. Yanking open the wardrobe doors, she examined her shirts, skirts, trousers and dresses. A pastel pink blouse with white lace caught her eye.

That would be perfect.

After thinking for a brief moment, she decided to wear black bootcut trousers and her ankle boots. Grabbing a brush and hair bobble and placing them on the side, a gust of warm air blew straight through her dampened locks. After water was removed entirely from her hair, she plaited it into a French plait chignon. Dousing it with hairspray, she went over to the mirror and applied light makeup. Light brown eyeshadow and mascara for the eyes, tinted lip balm for the mouth and a dash of liquid eyeliner to finish. She was ready. Looking at the clock, she rushed downstairs, put everything she needed in her bag, grabbed her helmet and coat, then set off in her moped.

….

"Good morning, Miss Sjersen."

Asta was queuing at the cafe when John appeared behind her, his smooth voice purring in her ear. She turned to him and smiled. With him wearing a navy-blue trench coat, black suit with black tie and dark brown brogues, Asta felt a little light-headed. She shook the oncoming thoughts from her mind. He was her mentor and colleague. She thought it inappropriate to think of him in that way as he was 19 years her senior.

John, however, thought Asta looked gorgeous. With her hair and outfit just right, she was a dream in his eyes. Naturally, he had to be professional about it. He was one to have a strong working relationship with her before things got intimate. She represented something exciting and new in his life. He relished it. She was a breath of fresh air in the hospital and he would do his utmost best to help her achieve her potential.

"Good morning, Professor. How are you?"

The Icelandic burr was music to John's ears. Asta was different and he liked that. She brought new ways of thinking, different perspectives and ideas. It would be hard for him to see her go to Nelson Ward as he had grown fond of her. He was hoping, in his heart of hearts, that she would take him up of his offer to join Neuro permanently.

"I'm alright, thank you. Today marks our last week together."

"Indeed, but it won't be forever."

"Well, that highly depends on which department you decide to go to, Miss Sjersen."

"Very true. Anyway, what would you like to drink? My treat."

"I couldn't possibly allow you to do that. What kind of gentleman would I be? I shall treat you."

Asta could feel her cheeks burning up. She turned away before John could notice, focusing her sights on the drinks board.

"I insist, Professor. To say thank you for putting up with me."

John feigned a hurt expression as he moved a little closer to Asta.

"You make yourself sound like a burden, Miss Sjersen. I can assure you that you haven't been. Not in the slightest. However, if you're insisting, I will have an espresso please. I'll find us somewhere to sit.

"Alright."

While Asta was ordering the drinks, John scanned the room for a quiet spot for them to pass the time before their shift started. He found a corner where there were comfy sofas and a table between them. He placed his leather satchel beside him then went to help Asta with the drinks but, she was already on her way back, so he sat down. As she was coming towards him, John was curious about her full background. Although he knew a few things, he would like to know more. Her reasons for coming here, her interests and so on.

Asta sat on the opposite side, thinking that if she sat next to John, she would probably faint. She noted that John's eyes were looking at her. Cheeks were tempted to blush again, but she overcame it. Passing the espresso over to John, she could tell that he wanted to ask her something. Something about his ocean blue eyes made her feel powerless in his thrall. She observed that he didn't wear a wedding ring, but that could be for a multitude of reasons. She wasn't one to pry, but she was curious.

"May I ask you something, Miss Sjersen?"

The velvet purring went straight through her body. She couldn't understand why she was getting herself in a tizz. He was old enough to be her father. However, she was happy in the fact that he didn't see her as a child, but as a young woman. It would be nice for her to go to other departments in order to show John that she could stand on her own two feet.

"Of course, Professor."

"What made you decide to be a doctor?"

Thank goodness. An easy question.

Asta was quite reserved about her history. Her mother said that she should be open towards people. In the past, she was always bullied for being the smart one. It led her to becoming withdrawn from her peers and preferring her own company. John knew this and so he would gently push her out of her comfort zone.

"Well, a few people in my family have neurological problems and I wanted to help them as they were suffering so badly."

"That is very understandable. I trust your parents are proud of you."

"My mother is. She always rings me to see how I'm getting. Naturally, she is worried about me being away from home."

The words struck a chord in John's heart. He never had the parental support for his career. His mother wasn't here, and neither was his father. His heart ached for his mother to be here, to give him support and parental affection. As for his father, he couldn't care less. It was good that he was gone.

"What about your father?"

Her expression changed. With John, she felt like she couldn't lie to him. It was something that she felt ashamed about. She never confronted the problem. There was nothing she could do to change it. John could see her face falling and started to regret asking the question.

"Forgive me, Miss Sjersen. I didn't mean to cause offence."

He smiled to let her know that he was sorry. He felt awful for broaching a subject that was clearly sensitive to her. He felt that the bond between them would start to break because of it.

"Don't worry about it, Professor. It's fine, really. I've never really talked about it with anyone. I feel humiliated about it.

John leaned forward towards Asta. She was relieved that the table was in the way otherwise, the following situation would have been very awkward.

"You have nothing to be ashamed for, Miss Sjersen. Whatever your father has done, you can't change it. Why not talk to me about it? That's what I'm here for."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. It's clear to me that you've kept it within yourself for a long time. Sooner or later, it will consume you and lead you to dark places. It's best to get it off your chest."

Asta understood what he meant. It could twist her way of thinking, causing her to lash out. She was a little unsure about sharing her past with her mentor. But, like John said, that's what he was there for.

"Whatever you tell me, it will be strictly confidential between us, unless of course, there's a threat of you being in serious danger, in which case, I will have to inform the police. OK?"

"OK."

Asta took a few deep breaths to steady her nerves. She relaxed her posture to make herself more comfortable.

"I don't know who my father is. I was born óviðurkenndur. Illegitimate. A result of a one-night stand.

John's face dropped. He had no idea. How could someone do that to her mother, to her? He could tell that her mother was a strong woman through the way Asta presented herself. To some extent, he could empathise with her. Even though he had a father, there was no love between them at all. As a child, he felt that there was just another man in his house. He was forced to call him Dad, but he didn't feel that he was a dad to him.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Your mother must have been devastated."

"She was 17 at the time, so near enough my age. When she told him, he said that he wanted nothing to do with her or the child, me. So she raised me with help from my grandparents, as she was going to college."

"Your mother is a strong woman, Miss Sjersen. And so are you."

"Thank you, Professor."

A weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It was choking her from the inside. Now that she had shared it with someone, she would start being open to everyone if they felt that something was bothering her. There was so many things that she wanted to ask the Professor but felt that some of her questions were too personal. She took a sip from her drink, which was starting to go cold.

"I am glad you shared that with me, Miss Sjersen. On the subject of getting things out of the open, is there anything you want to ask me?"

Asta coughed as the mouthful of drink went down the wrong way. He wanted a question from her? What could she say to him? She really didn't think it was her place to ask him about his personal life. To intrude on the workings of his mind.

"Miss Sjersen?"

Hypnotic sapphires were staring blankly at her. She felt a little uncomfortable, thinking that John wasn't the type of man who was an open book. She would wait until she got to know him a bit better.

"No. Not at all, Professor."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

John glanced at his watch, it was 8:45. He finished the remnants of his cold espresso and placed on the table. Grabbing his satchel, he placed the strap across himself.

"Well, Miss Sjersen, it seems we must be on our way. Time is upon us."

Asta followed suit and got her things together. As they both headed to the lift, John noticed that a part of Asta's hair was over her eyes.

"Could you look at me please, Miss Sjersen?"

As Asta turned to face him, he brushed the lock of hair to behind her ear. To Asta, it felt that time had stopped. Their faces were a hair's breadth away from each other. She hoped that no one would push past her. Then again, she wouldn't mind if they did.

John was holding her face in his hand. His heart was feeling love for the first time. This young woman, his mentee made him feel the happiest he had ever been. Her skin, so soft and supple, like a juicy peach. As her cheeks went rose, he found himself tempted just to peck her on the cheek. There was something that prevented him from doing so. He felt that he would scare her away if he proceeded. Instead, he smiled at her and she reciprocated it.

"Doors opening"

The lift bell brought them back to reality. Both of their cheeks were flushed. They both laughed it off. John allowed Asta to enter the lift first, with him following behind. She pressed the button for Carson Ward. As the lift doors closed, John would make Asta's last week a special one. He knew he would see her again and they could continue strengthening their bond. Until then, he would wait patiently for her to come back into his world again.