She was there, lurking around the corner of the pub. Serena could see her. Immediately her heart plummeted and she felt nervy again. She hated what the sight of this woman did to her.

'I'm sorry I slapped you but are you that desperate for attention? What are you going to do, spread rumours about me? By morning everyone will know about how Bernie and I got together so give it up and go home.'

'I would have liked to have taken you to bed. We could have had so much fun together. But you had to go all frigid on me.'

Now that was a new one on her. Serena had never been accused of that before. 'I was thinking of the woman I could have had a chance with, had I spoken up. Even the knowledge of having lost her didn't change my mind about not wanting to go home with you. I didn't want you.'

'Yes you did. You couldn't wait to try me out. You were desperate to see what a woman could do for you.'

Leah's tone was low and hypnotising and Serena froze with those bright blue eyes boring into her. She couldn't deny how much it had been on her mind and she hated that Leah knew that and had exploited it.

'You weren't her first choice so drop the attitude and back away' came the unmistakable voice of the Major. She came strolling out of the doorway to size up her shrimpy opponent. She knew she could break several bones in that elfin figure. Leah knew she was beaten when she found herself spun around and slammed up against the wall with her arm behind her back. Bernie found this scarily easy. She kept her in a light but firm hold and leaned in to talk quietly.

'The lady said no. I think you'd better go now.'

'You lay a finger on me and I'll report you' she muttered through gritted teeth.

'Think again. We've all clocked off from work. So there's no point in reporting something that has happened off shift. Go home and don't come near us again.'

She let Leah go and watched her stumble away.

'Bloody hell. I didn't realise you could be so violent' muttered Serena.

'I could say the same for you.'

'I'm not proud of it.'

'I would have done the same' Bernie assured her. They sat outside in the cold air to clear their heads.

'I didn't realise you'd do that for me.'

'If anyone hurts you, I'll be there like a shot. Edward is lucky that he doesn't make a pass at you anymore.'

They shared a slight wry smile.

'Nevertheless, we can't do this again.'

'She won't talk.'

'If she does, we're screwed.'

'We'll just have to take the chance' Bernie told her.

They leaned against the wall in silence, fingers linked. Tomorrow they knew that the porters would gossip and both AAU and the ED would explode with the information about their intimate acquaintance. Donna wouldn't keep her mouth shut for long and Jason would candidly tell anyone who asked that his auntie kissed girls now. Ellie would have a fit and Edward would be on her case but it would be worth it, Serena thought. Because she loved no man more than she loved Bernie.

Bernie knew she'd fight to protect but hoped never to do that again. Not for someone like Leah, underhand though her tactics were.

Love was a dangerous thing but sometimes, risks had to be taken.