I would like to thank everyone who has left comments and reviews about this fic. I am so glad that people are enjoying it and very grateful for all feedback. There is one little thing which has niggled at me however and that's the number of comments simply demanding updates. I am flattered that people are waiting to see how this story progresses with such anticipation but the tone of some of the comments is impatient and pushy. Perhaps they are not intended to come across like that but that is how they have come across when I read them and it's off putting. Fic writing is not my only occupation! I do not always have time to update as was the case this week when real life consisted of some pretty serious distractions. I write fic as a pasttime to relax. Constant demands for updates has the opposite effect.

Anway, all that aside I do appreciate everyone who reviewed and I hope you like this shorter chapter.

Hanssen sat in his office staring at the neatly lined up pencils on his desk. He had done very little work all morning except to go over and over recent events.

Henrik Hanssen did not do anything without careful consideration and planning. Yet in the last few days he had embarked on a surprising and, he couldn't help but perhaps think, unwise relationship with Serena Campbell. If one could call it a relationship. He wondered if there was a certain timeframe involved before you could refer to something as a 'relationship' or if the term applied to the deeds undertaken as opposed to the length of time those involved had been undertaking them.

He drummed his fingers on the table. Whatever it was called, the whole thing had disrupted his usual equanimity. In a reckless and rushed move this morning he had called Maja and agreed to meet with Fredrik. Maja said she would call him back when she had spoken to Fredrik and arranged a time. He would have preferred to be the one deciding the where and when but Maja had subtly but definitely hinted that the decision would be Fredrik's.

He detested this lack of control.

Henrik walked on Keller holding two cups of coffee. It was only when he received a strange look from Mr Malick that he realised this had perhaps been a mistake. Yet another thing he had done without proper consideration.

'Mr Hanssen.' Serena's voice caught his attention and looked towards her to see a slightly curious look on her face as she observed the coffee in his hands.

'Ms Campbell.' He approached her quickly. 'I…' he offered her a cup. 'I didn't think.' He said almost apologetically.

Serena smiled, accepted the coffee and tugged at Hanssen's elbow urging him to follow her to the stairwell.

'I'm afraid Mr Malick saw me with the coffee.' Hanssen began. He sighed. 'He's bound to wonder why I would be buying you coffee. I am afraid I have just added fuel to the flames of rumour.'

Serena smiled. 'Malick won't say a word.'

'How can you be so sure?'

Serena arched an eyebrow. 'Because he knows the risks of incurring my wrath.'

Hanssen looked at her in amusement. She was probably right. Serena stepped closer and leaned against the wall beside him, taking a sip from her coffee. They were both quiet for a moment. Hanssen wondered, not for the first time, what it was about Serena that had a calming effect on him. Even whilst he had suspected her loyalty during the media storm that followed the disastrous non-referral scheme and he had been sent a media 'fire wall' he had asked Serena to accompany him because she relaxed him. He had felt stronger simply by having her at his side. He suspected this was why her betrayal had stung so much, even more so than Jac Naylor's.

'You know I had to spend most of this morning's meeting imaging you in your birthday suit!'

Serena's voice interrupted his thoughts. He turned to look at her with a questioningly raised eyebrow.

'As a distraction from throttling you I think we can now safely say it does work.' Serena continued.

'Ah.' Hanssen smiled faintly. 'Perhaps I allowed Naylor to rile me a little.'

Serena looked sceptical. 'That's all there was to it?'

'What else?'

Serena shrugged. Hanssen moved to stand in front of her making her crane her neck to look at him. Serena took a deep breath at his proximity. Hanssen raised his right hand slowly and smiled as Serena held her breath before his hand even reached her cheek. He let his knuckle graze her skin so lightly had her eyes been closed she might have thought she imagined it.

A door banged on the floor above and Hanssen sprang away to a safer distance. Much like she had been the night before, Serena was left breathless. After casting a nervous eye towards the stairs leading upwards to ensure no one was coming, she took a sip from her coffee before speaking.

'It's Ric's birthday. Keller staff are taking him for a drink this evening.' She said.

Hanssen nodded stiffly and turned to look out the window.

'Do you want to come?' she asked.

Hanssen gave her a sideways mocking glance without saying a word.

'What?' Serena demanded. 'It's just Albie's.'

Hanssen gave a short dry laugh. 'In all my years here I have yet to set foot in Albie's.'

'You've never been to Albie's?' Serena asked incredulously.

Hanssen shook his head. 'Another one for the bucket list.' He said sarcastically, referencing her comment the day before regarding "fumbles" in storerooms.

Serena laughed. 'Well, now is your chance to cross something off that list'

'The store cupboard?' Hanssen asked in faux surprise, deliberately misunderstanding her.

Serena gave him a coy look and stepped closer to him. 'Albie's.' she said dryly. 'But… if you prove yourself up to that challenge then perhaps we could… get a little more adventurous.' She added seductively.

Hanssen felt goose bumps and his pulse quicken. This time it was Serena who smiled smugly at the effect she was having on him. 'So, what do you? Will you come?' she asked.

'I'm not sure I'd be welcome.' He answered.

'Nonsense.' Serena dismissed this answer.

'Wouldn't it raise more questions?'

'So?' Serena challenged.

'I don't think it would be wise.' Hanssen said. He turned to face her fully. It was time to be sensible.

Realising he wouldn't change his mind, Serena nodded slowly just as her phone began to ring.

'I should get back.' She said before answering.

Hanssen nodded and watched her walk away as she answered her phone. He leaned against the wall and sighed.