From his spot standing in the doorway of the trainer's room, he could see she was shaking like a leaf.

It started as a little tremor in her hands as she struggled to zip up her little suitcase. It took her a few tries, but she finally managed to get it zipped up all the way. Over the course of a couple minutes he watched as the shaking her hands turned into a full-body tremor. Her breathing was slow and deep. He could hear her murmuring under her breath, but he couldn't make out what she was saying. Dr. Rios and the other medical personnel were long gone for the night, leaving Serena alone to tidy up and leave. Tonight she was dressed in a black quarter-sleeved turtleneck and blue jeans. He wondered just how many turtlenecks were hanging in her closet. In all the time she had been working for them, he'd never seen her neck. He realized it was a strange, random thought.

She turned, as if she could sense him behind her. The shriek of surprise that escaped her lips said otherwise. He watched as she became unhinged in front of him, her breathing going from labored to full-on panic attack. She began to gasp, her face draining of color. He rushed into the room as she doubled over, her hand tightly gripping the tabletop to keep herself on her feet. He put his arm around her, gripping her shoulder tightly, wedging her against him and the table to keep her on her feet. "Come on, love," he coaxed gently, leading her to the closest chair and sitting her down. He rummaged around the room as she sputtered and gasped, rocking back and forth, her arms wrapped around her stomach. He found a paper bag in a drawer and thrust it in her face. "Breathe, Serena," he told her. She took the bag and began to breathe into it. "Breathe," he soothed, stroking her back.

After a few minutes she began to catch her breath. With Wade's assistance, she found herself calming down, though there was still a slight shake in her hands. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he offered. She forced a smile on her face, but it did nothing to quell the guilt he felt. There was an unfamiliar emotion he noticed in her eyes. "I really need to stop sneaking up on you, don't I, dear?"

"That'd be great," she breathed.

"Can I get you some water or something? You look like you're ready to pass out."

"I'll be all right," she assured him. She tried her best to regain her composure, but Wade could tell she was still frazzled. "What are you doing here so late? I thought everybody was gone by now." She was still clutching the paper bag in her hand. She looked at the paper bag with disgust in her eyes and sighed. "You must think I'm a real wimp."

"Not at all," he assured her. She ran a hand through her hair. "Do you want to talk about it? I'm not really good at this sort of thing, but I could listen if it'll help make you feel better." He watched as a smile spread across her face. He realized she had a beautiful smile, one that made her entire face glow, in spite of the terror in her eyes and the shake in her nerves.

"I appreciate that, but I'll be all right. Really, I will," she told him. There was an uncomfortable beat between the two of them. "I know it's uncomfortable to be around me."

"What? No…" Wade started, but she put her hand up.

"It's okay. I know everyone here talks. They think I don't hear it, but I do." She stood, throwing the bag into the garbage. "It bothers Dean the most, but I'm used to it." She picked up the case. Wade rushed in and took it from her. "You don't have to do that…"

"It's fine. Are you doing anything tonight?"

"It's one in the morning. I'm heading back to my hotel room to sleep," Serena told him. She realized quickly that it was Wade's attempt at idle conversation and felt stupid. "I'm sorry. My head isn't right tonight. It's no excuse, but it's really the only explanation I have." She turned off the light and together they walked down the hall, towards the back doors that would lead to the stairwell that would take them to the underground parking lot. "What about you? Are you off to drink the Miz under the table or something?" He laughed.

"Not at all," he answered. "I just picked up a new book. I might get the first chapter or two read tonight."

"Is it a good book?"

"Just a band biography," he told her. He felt like the conversation was beginning to stall. "Are you reading anything interesting?" She shook her head.

"I haven't read a book in a while." She snickered. "Well, outside of a medical textbook, anyway."

"What was the last book you read?"

"I finished The Hunger Games trilogy a while back. I liked it, but I don't seem to have the attention span that I used to have," she confessed. "I distract way too easy." He held the door open for her. She thanked him softly and began the descent to the parking lot. He followed close behind.

"What do you do for fun?" he asked. The conversation felt awkward. What she had been through was always going to be the elephant in the room until she talked about it, but he wasn't about to press her for details.

"I don't do much. I bought a cottage a while back, so I've just been doing repairs and renovations. It's in Roselle Park, New Jersey." He nodded. He had already assumed that she left New York after the trial had concluded. Wade didn't know how anybody could stay in the same place where such horrors happened. "Have you ever been there?"

"I can't say I have," he told her.

"It's really quite beautiful." He held open the door for her that led into the parking lot. She thanked him as she walked through. "Right now it's just covered in snow. It looks so pretty." They walked towards her rental car, a white Chrysler. They stopped in front of the driver's side door. "Thank you for walking me to my car," she said with a smile.

"I'm really sorry for scaring you," he apologized. She dismissed it with a wave.

"It's not your fault. I'm still just very jumpy. I probably will be for the rest of my life," she confessed. "Maybe for the future, though, we could get you fitted for a bell or a whistle or something." Wade roared with laughter. Serena couldn't help but laugh with him.

"I didn't mean to scare you, Serena."

"I know you didn't. I'm not lying, Wade – I am trying to work through it. It's been a little tough."

"Did you want to talk about it?" he asked. She shook her head.

"Maybe one of these days," she answered. "But I just can't right now."

"Well, I could give you my number. That way if you need to talk, I'll be a phone call away," he offered. She smiled. Dean, Roman and Seth had made her the same offer. He pulled out his cell phone and went into the new contacts. "What's your number, love?" She smiled and gave it to him. "If I'm ever in Roselle Park, maybe I'll get you to give me a tour."

"That sounds like a plan," she said. She pressed the button on the keychain and unlocked the car. Wade opened the door for her. She shot him a strange look. "I didn't know men still did that."

"What?"

"Opened doors. And here I've been thinking chivalry is dead," she said with a smirk. She got into the car and buckled her seatbelt. Serena flashed him a smile. "Have a good night."

"You, too."