Summary: Bernie and Serena meet in a bar. They're strangers to one another, and yet, there's a comfortability with each other. || Alternative introduction to 18x20, "All Fall Down."

Notes: Hope you enjoy! Thanks for the reviews so far. If you've any suggestions or prompts, feel free to send them in! So far, these have been pretty short and sweet. I'm hoping to write a longer, more detailed one-shot in the future. Just bad timing right now since the semester is about to start up again. But I'll be back soon!

Serena's been there for almost an hour, quietly sipping on a glass of shiraz, saving each catapult of flavor. Whilst her co-workers mingle amongst each other, exchanging stories from their day on the ward, the brown-haired consultant keeps to herself. Even when Ric pops by for a quick drink, their conversation is kept to a few words.

It's nearly 10 when Serena begins fishing around her bag for her wallet. She's just barely managed to locate the damn thing when a woman takes the empty barstool beside her and lands with a huff. "Shot of tequila," she orders with a single tap on the counter; it isn't forceful or rude, but with enough oomph just enough to convey the urgency. When the small glass appears before her, she tosses it back like a pro and holds up a finger. "One more," she says, somewhat breathlessly.

Somewhat intrigued, Serena beckons to the bartender as he pours another round. "Add it to my tab."

"Oh, you don't need to—"

Serena cuts her off. "Don't worry about."

The blonde gives a slight nod of appreciation before gesturing to Serena's empty glass. "In that case, can I get you another…?"

"Shiraz," Serena reveals.

"Another shiraz it is then." She watches as the red liquid fills to the rim before reaching over and offering a hand. "Bernie," she introduces.

"Serena." As she swirls her freshly topped-off glass, she watches as Bernie swallows the tequila without so much as flinching. "Impressive," she says with a slight smirk. "Mind you, if I could still do that…" she trails off with a slight chuckle. Bernie covers her mouth with the backside of her hand, the burning sensation still on her tongue. "So, let's have a guess then," Serena sighs. "Job troubles or relationship troubles?"

Suddenly, the empty container in Bernie's grip grabs her attention. She examines the way the lights reflect off of the glass, the distortion of her own reflection. "Messy divorce," she murmurs.

Serena nods slowly. "Finalized, is it?" She notices Bernie's wedding band. "Welcome to the club."

"The what?"

"The Embittered Ex-Wives Club," Serena explains. "Surely you've heard of it," she says with a wink. Bernie makes eye contact with the barman once again and holds up her glass. He refills it without a single word. "It doesn't last forever, you know— the embarrassment. Eventually, breathing does get a bit easier."

Again, Bernie swallows the liquor in a single breath. This time, though, she lets out a slight groan. "I'm not embarrassed," she reveals. "I'm relieved."

"Oh, yes, well that sticks around for a while yet," Serena laughs. "It's the only way I knew I made the right decision."

Before she can stop herself, Bernie asks, "You don't regret it, then?"

Serena puckers her lips and gives the question a reasonable amount of consideration. "The only part I truly regret is our daughter feeling as though she had to choose between us."

Bernie scoffs. "I don't imagine that will be too difficult. He is a far better father than I was a mother. I was never there."

As Serena lets Bernie's confession sink in, she can't help but find herself drawn even more to the woman. The way her bangs hang so loosely above her eyes, the messy ponytail she's managed to put together, her slim, black pants. The way Bernie speaks as though she's afraid of her own words. "Are you there now?" Serena hears herself ask.

"Sorry?"

"Wherever your children are, do they know you're there for them now?"

Bernie shakes her head and shrugs. "I don't know," she confesses. "I hope so."

Serena, slightly more confident with a glass and half of wine in her system, reaches out and puts her hand on Bernie's. "Then rest will come when it comes." The bartender returns and offers Serena and Bernie another refill, but they both shakes their heads in unison.

Minutes later, they're standing across from one another in the parking lot, surrounded by a light fog. The neon lights from the sign flicker erratically and cars zoom by. Bernie and Serena, for all intents and purposes, are the only ones who exist. "Have you a ride?" Bernie wonders. Serena holds up her keys and presses a button. Tail lights blinker and a horn honks as she smiles. "You're all right to drive?"

Serena chuckles, and this time, Bernie gets goosebumps. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm just fine."

"Are you sure?" Bernie presses gently.

Raising an eyebrow, Serena says, "Why? Are you offering? You've had just as much to drink as I have."

Her hands in her coat pockets, Bernie simply shrugs. "I was in the army. It'll take a bit more than tequila shots to get the best of me."

Suddenly, Serena narrows her eyes at Bernie and mentally thumbs through the many notices she's received in the last few days. The pieces fit together, even now. "Berenice Wolfe," she finally says. "The Big Macho Army Medic. Well, I had hoped to meet under less… inebriated circumstances but," she holds out her hand, "Serena Campbell. Consultant and CEO of Holby General."

As they shake hands once again, this introduction feels far more friendly than the one in the bar. The ice had long since been broken, but still, Bernie felt her cheeks go red as and said, "Ah, well, I hope I haven't mucked it all up. Especially since I haven't even started it."

Serena adjusts her bag on her shoulder and sizes up Berenice Wolfe. Now that she can get a good look at her, the blonde is rather striking: her posture conveys a confidence her voice lacks. "I suppose that depends," Serena teases.

"On what?" Bernie asks.

Taking a step forward, Serena offers Bernie a gentle kiss on the cheek. "On whether or not I've mucked up the chances of… well…" And with that, Serena walks off towards her car. But, before getting in, she turns to Bernie who's watching after Serena. "I'll see you tomorrow, Dr. Wolfe."