Well, it's been a while hasn't it? I have really been struggling to write anything lately and I am not 100% happy with this but here it is. For those asking about Counterparts, I am trying to update but Ric simply refuses to play ball!

Hanssen diced some vegetables, still silently berating himself for not having started dinner sooner. Serena had brought an expensive bottle of wine which he had opened and poured her a glass of whilst he cooked. He couldn't seem to rid himself of the unfamiliar flutter in his stomach and knew he was being bad company, keeping his back to Serena and chopping the veg with as much concentration as he would in surgery.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his lower back and Serena was beside him. He felt a surge of warmth go through him.

'Anything I can do to help?' she asked.

'No, no. You enjoy your wine.' He said hurriedly, glancing briefly at her from the corner of his eye and narrowly avoiding slicing his finger. He paused and took a deep breath.

Serena watched him silently for a moment. 'What's the matter?' she asked eventually.

'Nothing.' He replied.

Serena put her hand on his arm and forced him to face her.

'I wasn't expecting dinner you know. You don't have to…' she squeezed his arm and moved closer to him.

'I want to.' He cut her off. He looked her in the eye for a moment before turning back to the chopping board.

'Showing off are you?' Serena teased.

'Why would I need to do that?' he asked.

Serena shrugged but her eyes sparkled boldly. 'It's what people do on dates isn't it? Put their best foot forward and show off all the things they're good at.'

Hanssen paused and turned to face her again, raising an eyebrow curiously. 'Date? Is that what this is?'

Serena suddenly looked uncertain. Why had she said that, she asked herself. In truth she had no idea what this was, what any of what had happened between them lately was, but she knew she was enjoying it.

Slightly startled at this revelation, Serena turned away taking a sip from her wine glass. She enjoyed Hanssen's company. Good lord, she actually liked spending time with the Swede. She had, without difficulty, acknowledged to herself that she had enjoyed sleeping with him. More than enjoyed in fact… Serena felt a slight blush rise to her cheeks, and if she were honest that was what she had been expecting from this evening. When she had invited herself to his home her main motivation had been not wanting to go home to a group of hysterical girls. She wanted to unwind and after the day they'd had she thought Hanssen could do with getting rid of some tension too. She hadn't expected dinner nor how absurdly pleased she had been when he told her he was going to cook. She had come there for sex, she shouldn't be so girlishly happy at the idea that he might want to play at being an actual couple for the evening. She certainly shouldn't be enjoying simply sitting in his kitchen with a glass of wine staring at the aloof Swede's back.

She took a second sip of her wine before turning back and finding Hanssen still watching her with a questioning look.

She shrugged. 'No idea, I haven't been on a date since the last ice age!' she tried to brush it aside with a joke. She saw his lips quirk slightly.

'If this were a date…' Hanssen turned his gaze to the floor suddenly looking bashful. 'Do…' he paused, clearly struggling with his wording. 'How do you think one could best go about ensuring it was a success?' He gaze flicked nervously towards her again.

He was so endearingly nervous that Serena was momentarily distracted.

'Um, well… a little more conversation perhaps?' she suggested. Were they acknowledging that this was a date now, she wondered.

Hanssen nodded. 'Yes, I have been remiss. My apologies.'

'It's alright; you're cooking that earns you considerably more brownie points.' Serena smiled.

Hanssen tilted his head. 'I can do both.' He turned back to his chopping board.

'Don't worry, I don't doubt your multi-tasking skills in the slightest.' She teased. 'We might actually get to eat this side of Christmas however if you let me help!' she stood next to him again, brushing against him slightly and saw him put his knife down.

'Yes, but I think I might be less likely to lose a digit if you're not standing so close.' Hanssen murmured.

Serena's eyes shot up in surprise before being replaced by a mischievous look. 'Am I distracting you Mr Hanssen?'

'Just a little.' He nodded.

'In what way am I distracting you Mr Hanssen?' she purred, turning and leaning towards him.

'Oh I think you know quite well Ms Campbell.' he replied with a twinkle.

'I'm afraid I don't, as I don't recall this problem ever… arising before.' Her eyes twinkled and a lazy smile spread across her face as Hanssen glanced sideways at her with a raised eyebrow. 'For instance, we've been this close in surgery many times and no one has ever lost a digit or any other appendages as far I know.'

'Ah, but in surgery there are in place precautionary measures to prevent such distractions. Most notably the inglorious raspberry scrubs.'

Serena gave a short throaty laugh. 'Should I be offended? Are you saying I'm not worth looking at in scrubs?'

'Offended? Certainly not. It is in fact a credit to the hideousness of the raspberry scrubs that they manage to curtail even the pleasure that is gazing upon you Ms Campbell. Without them I dread to think of the consequences to my morbidity rates.' Hanssen spoke solemnly.

Serena laughed again and stood on tip to lean in and place a kiss on his cheek. Hanssen felt himself blush.