Ok this is in fact chapter 9, it's a long one and I am really not happy with it but I hope it isn't too awful. Thanks for your reviews.
As Hanssen made his way upstairs to his bedroom he remembered Eleanor's words.
"Mum's boyfriend"
He was surprised at how easily the girl seemed to accept the idea. Not that he agreed with the label, obviously the terms of his relationship with Serena were yet to be specified. He thought about her vehement denial.
Unaccustomed as he was to such situations he could not quite decide whether Serena's behaviour this morning had been unusually strained or appropriate considering her teenage daughter was present and knew that they had slept together.
Teenage girls were another thing Hanssen was unaccustomed to but he found that he quite liked the girl. She appeared to have a confidence and maturity that he had seen lacking in even some of Holby's F1's.
He began to undress and prepare to have a shower. As he unbuttoned his shirt he had a flash of memory from the night before – Serena pushing his shirt off his shoulders and kissing his chest. Other images flashed before his eyes too, almost causing him to gasp out loud even then.
After his shower he sat eating breakfast and still trying to get his head around events.
A mutually beneficial relationship.
What did that even mean?
He understood it in terms of their work together, of course. It meant neither would try and shaft the other anymore. Or, as he had thought to himself when they first agreed the idea – they wouldn't do so until it was absolutely necessary. He was quite certain, should the opportunity arise again and the leadership of the hospital were to be within Serena's grasp she would shove him under the proverbial bus.
Despite knowing that however he had become increasingly reliant on her. No perhaps, he thought, reliant was not the correct word. He was perfectly capable of running Holby alone, he had done it before – of course some would argue as to his success in doing so…
No, he didn't need Serena by his side, he wanted her there.
And it has nothing to do with easing your workload, he thought to himself.
Unbeknownst to him he had become attracted to the infuriating woman. He even, heaven forbid, was beginning to like her.
He sighed and took a sip of his coffee.
After an hour of pacing around his house, unable to concentrate on anything but trying to figure out his current situation with Serena Campbell, Hanssen got into his car and drove to the hospital. Work was always his saviour in times of personal uncertainty.
Unfortunately, the only work to be done by the CEO – who was not rostered on shift – was to review a report by his second-in-command, which did not aid him in pushing Serena out his mind.
Eventually he went downstairs to get himself a coffee and came across Elliot Hope.
'Mr Hanssen.' Elliot greeted him with surprise. 'I didn't realise you were on shift today.'
'Professor.' Hanssen replied. 'I am not.' He ordered a coffee, aware that Elliot was studying him curiously.
'Nothing wrong I hope.' Elliot said worriedly.
'Nothing at all.' Hanssen replied brusquely.
Elliot sighed knowingly and half chuckled to himself. 'The problems of being a workaholic.' He said. 'I know only too well. Why do we do it?'
Hanssen raised an eyebrow at him.
'I suppose,' Elliot seemed lost in thought suddenly, 'We do it because we lack anything better to do.' He said sadly.
Hanssen suddenly felt uncomfortable. This was one of the things he most disliked about Elliot Hope, his personal sloppiness aside – Elliot was always so introspective. Hanssen tried to avoid too much introspection, he found it rarely added any positive value to his life, it simply reminded him what a shambles he had made of everything.
'I find I come here when the silence at home becomes too much sometimes. Or on the contrary when my own mind refuses to be quiet and cease with thoughts of 'what if'!' Elliot continued, oblivious to how uncomfortable Hanssen looked.
Hanssen knew those were the same reasons that he often found himself returning to his office out of hours, but rather than examining the reasons, he always found it easier to ignore them. In spite of himself, he found himself following Elliot to a nearby table and taking a seat.
Elliot was even more surprised by this. He had never seen the CEO sitting at the coffee shop, he rarely saw him purchase a coffee there as he usually had his own in his office.
'Are you alright Henrik?' he asked gently.
'Hmm?' Hanssen had been lost in thought, again thinking about Serena.
'You seem distracted. Are you sure there is nothing wrong?'
'No, nothing.' Hanssen snapped out of it and took a sip of his coffee.
'How are you and Ms Campbell fairing with this new partnership of yours?' Elliot asked as he prepared the scone he had bought.
Hanssen looked at him sharply and Elliot wondered if he had said something wrong.
'Not at loggerheads are you?' he asked.
Hanssen shook his head. The more he had thought about it, the more he realised he had no idea what they had started last night. If they had started anything. She had definitely wanted to get rid of him this morning.
'Professor Hope…' Hanssen began and then stopped. He couldn't, he couldn't have this conversation with Elliot, it wasn't appropriate.
'Yes?' Elliot asked patiently.
On the other hand, Hanssen thought, perhaps if he could discuss it with someone else he might see things more clearly…
Elliot observed as Hanssen clearly debated whether or not to continue and say what was on his mind.
'You can tell me anything. It won't go any further, I promise.' He reassured him.
Hanssen's lips twitched. He had no expertise in this area and if he truly wanted to avoid making a mess of things, then perhaps enlisting Prof Hope's opinion was the best option.
He just wasn't sure how to begin to explain.
'Ms Campbell and I…' he began. He paused and took in Elliot's expectant look. 'Ms Campbell and I,' he began again, 'went to a dinner party last night.'
Elliot nodded slowly. So far he couldn't see any problem and waited for Hanssen to continue.
'We…' Hanssen sighed, this was ridiculous. He couldn't believe he was actually about to have this conversation with Elliot. Presuming of course that Elliot didn't run away in horror as soon as he heard all the details. 'Well, you know of our current working arrangement.'
Elliot nodded again.
'We've been spending more time together.' Hanssen wondered if he couldn't perhaps get around having to actually tell Elliot the full story.
'Go on.' Elliot said. He had presumed things between Hanssen and Ms Campbell were amicable but obviously things had taken a turn for the worse, probably at this dinner party he had mentioned.
Spit it out, Hanssen told himself, just get it over with.
'We slept together.'
Elliot stared at him in stunned silence for thirty seconds as he wondered if he had misheard.
'You and Ms Campbell?' he asked.
Hanssen nodded, avoiding eye contact.
'You and Ms Campbell slept together?' Elliot said in a daze.
Hanssen glanced around nervously in case there was anyone within ear shot.
'Well… um.' Elliot didn't know what to say so he said just that; 'I don't know what to say. Does this mean, you are in a relationship?'
'I don't know.' Hanssen shrugged, he sounded pathetic to himself. 'This morning she clearly wanted me to leave and I'm not sure…' he trailed off.
'And.. how did this come about?' Elliot asked. 'I mean, this dinner party, was it a date? Has this been on the cards for some time?'
Hanssen explained about the night of Tara's death and Elliot suddenly thought things made a lot more sense. He had thought there was something strange about Serena that day.
'So, what do I do?' Hanssen asked finally.
Elliot didn't think he had ever seen Henrik Hanssen look so unsure, or so directly ask for help. He wished he could offer some.
'I really wish I knew Henrik. But I'm really not au fait with these… situations.' Elliot explained. 'I suppose you should talk to her.'
Hanssen had feared that would be the reply. But Henrik Hanssen never liked to enter into a discussion without being forearmed with as much information as he could. Having relived last night's conversation on the sofa he was beginning to think he and Serena might have been at cross purposes and he did not want to make a fool of himself by revealing his thoughts before he was certain of hers.
'Prof! Mr Hanssen!' Jonny Maconie walked by to order himself a coffee.
They greeted the nurse in return and suddenly Elliot's face lit up.
'Now there's someone who knows about romantic relationships.' He said.
Hanssen looked at him, appalled as he realised what Elliot was suggesting.
'No!' he said firmly.
'It couldn't hurt to get the opinion of someone who has actually had a relationship within the last twenty years!' Elliot said.
'I do not want my business spread around…'
'Oh he won't say a word.' Elliot cut him off. 'Trust me Henrik, I wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't certain that Jonny can keep a secret.'
Before Hanssen could say another word, Elliot summoned Jonny to their table. The nurse sat down a little warily. Being asked to join a senior consultant and the hospital CEO couldn't be good news.
'Everything alright?' he asked, forcing a cheerful grin.
'Yes. Uh, we were wondering if we could get your advice on a certain matter.' Elliot began.
'No we weren't.' Hanssen said, glaring daggers at Elliot.
'Yes. We were.' Elliot insisted.
'My advice?' Jonny asked in surprise. 'Is this about the various pastries on sale here? 'cause if so, I admit that I have built up quite a knowledge but I still don't think it would surpass yours Professor Hope!'
Elliot chuckled. 'No, no. It's a rather delicate matter actually, and Mr Hanssen requests your discretion.'
So, this was a favour for Mr Hanssen, Jonny thought. Well, if it earned him some brownie points.
'Sure. You have my word that not a whisper of what you tell me will pass these lips.' He said solemnly and then balked a little at Hanssen's glare.
Elliot waited for Hanssen to continue but when he just sat there moodily he sighed and decided to start himself.
'Mr Hanssen…' he paused considering how he could word this. The simplest way was the bluntest way. 'And Ms Campbell slept together last night.'
Hanssen's jaw clenched. Jonny's breath caught in his throat and he coughed slightly. He glanced from Elliot to Hanssen who was avoiding his eye.
'Is this a wind-up?' he asked.
'No. It is not.' Elliot assured him. 'Again I must stress that word of this goes no further.'
'If it does I'll know exactly who to look for.' Hanssen said threateningly.
'I promise – I won't say a word!' Jonny said hurriedly. 'But – why are you telling me?'
Elliot looked to Hanssen but once again it was clear he was not going to speak.
'Mr Hanssen is a little unsure of how best to proceed, given the events of last night and… a previous occasion. We are neither of us very in tune, so to speak, with the intricacies and protocols of modern romantic relationships. So I thought perhaps, given that you are a young man of the world, you could advise Mr Hanssen on how best to handle the situation.'
Jonny was stunned. He still slightly suspected this was a wind-up.
'Well, I don't know what to say.' He told them hesitantly.
'Right.' Hanssen nodded and made to stand up. 'That's fine Nurse Maconie you can…'
'Henrik!' Elliot said sternly and Jonny was surprised to see the Swede back down and remain seated.
'Um well, why are you so uncertain?' Jonny asked. 'Having you been dating for long?'
'We haven't been "dating" at all.' Hanssen answered, clearly embarrassed.
'Ah.' Jonny tried to get it clear in his head. 'Ok, so when you say you "slept together" does that mean you…?'
'Yes. It does.' Hanssen replied with a glare. If Maconie was going to start digging for details…
'As in you…?' Jonny persisted.
'As in we had sex!' Hanssen hissed.
'Right!' Jonny heaved a deep sigh. This was one of the weirdest situations he had ever found himself in, and that was saying something!
'Just the once?' he asked.
Hanssen's eyebrows shot up.
'I mean, just this one time – I don't mean how many times last night!' Jonny rambled. 'Prof Hope mentioned a previous occasion!' Please don't hurt me, he prayed silently to himself.
In order to calm the situation Elliot relayed all of what Hanssen had previously explained to him. After a moment's thought Jonny spoke again.
'So you're…' he hesitated, unsure of whether or not Hanssen would be offended. 'Friends with benefits?'
Elliot looked baffled. Hanssen was aware of the term but unsure of the exact meaning. He gave Jonny a questioning look.
'You know…' he whispered, 'fuck buddies.'
Elliot looked startled and Hanssen developed a glazed expression.
'What on earth does that mean?' Elliot asked.
'It's when two people…' Jonny glanced nervously at Hanssen, he wasn't sure if he had just offended him or not. 'get together for no strings attached sex on a regular basis. Friends by day, sex partners by night.'
Elliot was stunned and looked at Hanssen. 'Is that your arrangement with Ms Campbell?'
'Given that Ms Campbell and I have never been friends…' he began but trailed off. The more he thought about it, the more it fit with what Serena had said last night. A mutually beneficial arrangement.
'See now, you don't seem so sure Mr Hanssen and friends with benefits tends to be a mutual decision…' Jonny watched him carefully. 'I take it you haven't spoken to her since this morning?' Jonny asked. Hanssen shook his head. 'Well, that's your first move. Call her. Don't leave it til Monday or it'll just get more awkward. See if she wants to meet up tonight. Maybe it is the beginning of a beautiful…' the look he was getting from Hanssen made him pause. 'You need to talk to her.'
'That's what I'd said!' Elliot said sounding pleased that he had given the correct advice.
Hanssen however did not look convinced.