A/N: Total filler chapter – it's taken me a while, due to MH reasons and exams but I hope you enjoy! The next update should be up later this evening or tomorrow! As always thank you for the lovely reviews, to those who are liking the Jasia there is much more coming up in the next few chapters. x
Back at the hotel, Morven and Jas were sat on the bed in their room, going through Jasmine's makeup bag to choose her makeup for the evening. They still had almost three hours until they were due downstairs for the opening meal, but as it was such a formal event they both wanted to look absolutely perfect.
"Jas, this would go perfectly with your dress!" Morven spoke excitedly, holding up a champagne coloured nail varnish from the bag.
"Oh my God yes, It's perfect! Will you paint them for me once I've had a shower? I'll do yours as well if there's a colour you like." Jas replied, pleased to have solved the problem. It was the first event like this she'd attended, and although she wasn't nervous as such, she was keen to make a good impression on the many experienced medics and researchers who were also attending.
"Perfect, ok, you go in the shower first whilst I get my dress sorted and then I'll have it after." Morven laughed, taking in the childish excitement on Jasmine's face. The chance to dress up, paired with a fancy London hotel and the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the leading doctor's in their fields was exciting to her, and her enthusiasm was catching.
Jasmine picked up some of her new lush toiletries, casting one last glance at her dress, which was hanging on the wardrobe door, before going into the en suite and turning on the luxurious shower.
In the room next door, Serena and Bernie were also beginning to get ready, albeit at a much slower pace. Bernie had lay down on the bed, and now was very reluctant to get back up, something that Serena was struggling not to find amusing.
"Bernie darling come on, I know you're tired but we have to get ready for this! Even if you just lay your outfit out and have a shower, please come and get ready." Serena sighed, she knew Bernie was tired and she appreciated that fully, working until the early hours of the morning and then being awake for a whole day on minimal sleep was bound to take its toll on the big macho army medic.
"Serena I'm just sooo tired. I need a little sleep, but I promise when I get up I'll get ready! Wake me up in half an hour?" Bernie asked softly, turning over to face the brunette who was stood by the dressing table, laying out her jewellery and makeup ready for when she was out of the shower.
Serena rolled her eyes lightly towards the ex-army medic. "Ok, are your clothes in this bag? I'll lay them out for you if you want." Serena offered, pointing to the smart black roller case, lying on the ground next to her own luggage.
"Yes. Thank you, I love you." Bernie murmured, rolling back over and burying her face in the pillow. Moments later and her breathing slowed, her chest rising and falling to the rhythm of her breathing as she slept. Serena resisted the urge to take a photo, she simply looked adorable as she slept, and instead laid out her clothes, before collecting Bernie's toiletries and taking them into the bathroom.
Going back to her own luggage, Serena unpacked her dress, hanging it over the back of the chair and smoothing the fabric. It was black, to the floor, with small pearl embellishments over the bodice. It would match perfectly with Bernie's perfectly tailored suit and pressed white shirt, and she was looking forward to the opportunity for them to attend an event together, as a couple. Smiling to herself, Serena went back into the bathroom, beginning to run a bath for Bernie.
Jac and Zosia were also in their room, thinking about getting ready. Zosia was stood in the light, holding up the dress and scrutinising it, looking for any imperfections. The dark blue gown was floor length, fitted at the top but with a flared skirt. It looked amazing, the colour and cut both looked expensive to Jac's high standards.
"That's a really lovely dress, it must have cost a fortune!" Jac commented, taking in the quality fabric. It was the sort of thing she could imagine Zosia being able to totally pull off, and she ignored the small part of her that couldn't wait to see it on her, putting it down to nothing more than support for a colleague.
"It did at the time… Dad brought it for me when I finished my A-Levels, my college had a sort of prom, and I saw it… well, I fell in love with it. It was £300, but I've worn it so many times since." Zosia explained, picking some fluff off from where it had stuck to the fabric and carrying it back over to the wardrobe. Slipping it inside, Zosia closed the door to the large wardrobe, not without noticing another dress hanging inside. Opening the door, Zosia took another look at the dark green dress.
"Wow Jac, are you wearing that tonight? It's lovely!" Zosia exclaimed, looking towards the redhead for conformation as she reached in to pull it out.
"Yes, I think so – I just hope it looks OK!" Jac sighed, uncharacteristically self-conscious.
"Of course it will. You always look great." Zosia smiled, cursing in her head when she realised how it sounded.
Jac raised an eyebrow, nodding towards the younger doctor. "Thank you." She smiled slightly, before placing the dress back into the wardrobe.
"Right, you can have the first shower if you'd like?" Jac offered, passing a towel to Zosia. The bathroom was exquisite, with a powerful shower, and Zosia visibly relaxed at the thought of the warm water, and the luxurious towels.
"Thanks Jac, that would be lovely." Zosia nodded, moving to her bag to find her toiletries. Pulling out her shower gel and face wash she sighed, running a hand through her hair. Jac, who was stood near the window with a bottle of water, picked up on the sigh and turned towards Zosia.
"What's the matter?" She asked, facing the doctor.
"I don't have my shampoo. I'm going to have to run out and get some, you have the first shower. There's no point waiting for me." She sighed, and Jac shook her head.
"No need. I've got some, you can borrow it." Jac replied simply, going over to her suitcase and pulling out a bottle of herbal essences shampoo, handing it to Zosia before retrieving a matching bottle of conditioner. Zosia thanked her gratefully, before moving into the en suite and switching on the shower.
In the other room, Bernie smiled softly as Serena sat down beside her, gently waking her up.
"Hi. I've run you a bath, go and get in, darling." Serena spoke softly, taking Bernie's hand and smoothing her hair away from her face.
"Oh thank you, that's exactly what I need!" Bernie replied, swinging her legs out of bed. She stood up, walking to the bathroom, taking off her clothes as she went and leaving them in a pile on the floor. Serena rolled her eyes, her messy behaviour would never change, but it was a mystery how she'd managed such a glittering medical career with such untidiness, and next to no organisational abilities, it really was beyond her.
Morven and Jasmine had both showered, and Morven was sat on her bed in her towel as Jasmine sat at the dressing table, drying her hair. Morven hadn't washed hers, there was no need, and she'd already styled it, so she could relax for a few minutes until she needed to finish getting ready.
Bernie was very much ahead of Serena, sat on the bed in her underwear as Serena applied her makeup in front of the mirror. They still had an hour until they were due downstairs, so they weren't rushing but Serena was conscious that she did have to hurry up.
Zosia sighed as she stepped into her dress, pulling it up and positioning it. Her arms reached behind her back, zipping up the first half of the dress with ease. Jac, who had just finished straightening her hair, spoke softly from behind her.
"Do you want a hand?" She offered, her hands finding the zip and pulling it up in one fluid motion. Zosia murmured a thank you in reply, as she ran her hands over the dress, smoothing out the material. She turned to face Jac, who was standing next to the mirror.
"Wow, Zosia that looks beautiful! It really suits you!" Jac smiled, before removing her dress from the hanger. Zosia went into the bathroom, to finish her makeup, and Jac pulled on her dress, fastening it with expert ease and picking up her bag. Slipping on her shoes she checked herself in the mirror, she had already done her hair and makeup so she was ready to leave.
Zosia returned from the bathroom, and Jac nodded.
"You look great." Jac smiled, passing Zosia her bag.
"Thank you. So do you. Shall we go?" Zosia asked, trying to hide the blush growing on her cheeks.
"Thank you. Right, I've got everything… Ok, let's go." Jac smiled, and with that they were out of their room and standing in a group with their other colleagues, waiting for the lift at the end of the lobby.