(What's bothering the Big H!? Reviews please :) )

Chapter 16

"It will only be until Sunday evening, are you sure you're going to be okay on your own?" she asked as Eleanor rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time.

"Mum, I'm going to be fine, stop worrying!" Serena smiled and turned back to her wardrobe, trying to decide on an outfit suitable for an evening meal. "So Mr. Hanssen's going too?" Eleanor asked, not very subtly.

"Seeing as he is CEO of the Hospital, yes he will be going." she said in measured tones, holding up a grey dress in front of her.

"He's nice." she said as she stepped forwards and took the dress from her mother's hand, returning it to the wardrobe. "If, hypothetically, you wanted to really drive him mad, I'd wear this." she smiled, pulling a black, knee-length, figure-hugging dress from the wardrobe and handing it to her mother. "You'll be irresistible to him...hypothetically of course." she added as Serena sighed, frowning at her.

"He's my boss Eleanor, and this is a work's weekend." she emphasized as she held the dress up in front of her, biting her lip.

"You must think I'm stupid." she laughed, flopping down onto the bed. "If he's not staying the night here, you're staying the night there, whenever you talk about him your eyes light up and you blush...like now!" she pointed as Serena turned her face away. "There's nothing wrong with liking somebody and having them like you back, mum. In fact, it's about time you let yourself just have some fun!" Serena looked at her daughter and laughed, heading over and sitting on the bed beside her.

"Am I being silly, getting involved with somebody at my age? And not just anybody, my boss!" she said exasperatedly as Eleanor growled, taking the garment from her hands and taking them in her own.

"Listen to me, mother. You are never too old to fall in love, if that's what this is. You are a lot more desirable than you think you are, you never notice the looks you get from men when we're out and about, but I do. You are a chronic flirt and you use it to your advantage, you simply fail to realise that most men remain enamoured with you! Mum, you're intelligent, strong, caring, beautiful and actually..." she leant back and scrutinised her. "...you have a fantastic body. So stop complaining, stop worrying and just go for it." Eleanor smiled at her as her face lit up and she smiled back at her daughter, filled with pride.

"How did I manage to raise such a chip off the old block, eh?" she asked jokingly, pulling her daughter into a tight embrace. "You make me prouder every day." she said, kissing the side of her head and exhaling into her. Pulling apart, she looked down at the black dress and smiled mischievously. "It's not too revealing, is it?" she asked, holding the material up to her daughter.

"Mum! Mr. Hanssen's here!" Eleanor shouted upstairs as Serena was just packing her toiletries.

"Tell him I'll be down now!" she shouted back, heading over to the wardrobe and bending down to pick up a pair of shoes. Pulling them on, she grabbed her bag and switched off the light, heading for the stairs. She could hear Hanssen before she could see him, entering the living room to witness him sat on the sofa next to Eleanor, both laughing at something on TV. It was the simplest of things and Serena found herself filling with love at the sight. She cleared her throat and he snapped his head around, standing up.

"Ms. Campbell, I'll take that for you." he said emotionlessly as he picked up her bag and turned back to Eleanor. "It was nice to see you again, have a nice weekend." With that, he left the house and headed to the car. Serena stood staring after him, worry rising in her chest...he'd gone back to calling her Ms. Campbell. One thing she had learned about him was he reverted to formalities when he was uncomfortable or pulling up the shutters. She sighed as she kissed Eleanor goodbye, making her promise not to touch a drop of alcohol and then followed Hanssen to the car. Climbing in and putting on her seatbelt, Hanssen started the engine and pulled away, as she waved back at Eleanor.

"Come on then, what's wrong?" she asked him as he tightened his grip on the steering-wheel, clearing his throat.

"Nothing is wrong, Ms. Campbell. Why do you ask?" She snorted and turned to look out the window, shaking her head.

"Never mind." They stayed in silence for an hour of the journey, Serena sitting rigidly staring out the window. Hanssen kept his eyes firmly on the road, he could tell his behaviour was upsetting her, but he didn't know what to say. "Do you mind if I turn the heat down?" she asked him and he shook his head. "Look, I'm sorry, but are you going to be like this all weekend? Because if so, stop the car right now and you can go on alone." she snapped at him, finally having enough of the tense silence. "At least tell me what I've done wrong!" she pleaded as he checked his rear view mirror before signalling to pull off the motorway. "I give up." she spat as she turned back to face front and folded her arms. He held his tongue as he pulled into a lay-by just off the motorway and switched off the engine. She looked at him in surprise as he suddenly exited the car, slamming the door behind him. Exhaling in exasperation, she leant her head back against the head rest and jumped when he yanked open the passenger side door, leaning across her to unclip the seatbelt and pulling her out of the car.

"What on earth...!?" she complained angrily as he grabbed her, pulling her to him and kissing her deeply. She relaxed in his embrace, allowing him to hold her tight, before she remembered what had lead to this. She raised her hands to his chest and pushed him backwards, scowling at him. "Now will you tell me what the hell is going on!?" she asked him as he turned away from her and let out a breath. "Henrik...is it us? Have you had second thoughts?" she asked quietly as he turned back towards her and took her by the hands, shaking his head.

"No. It's...I'm not good at these things." he said as she looked at him in confusion.

"By 'these things', you mean..." she prompted, holding his hands tightly.

"THESE things!" he said, holding up their joined hands and dropping his head.

"Henrik, I don't understand. What's changed between earlier and now?" she asked him as he shrugged his shoulders. "Please talk to me." she urged him as he raised his eyes to hers and saw the confusion in them.

"I just, it's real now, isn't it? Whatever we have, is real." He paused, a pained look entering his eyes. "I can't let myself feel things for you because one day, it will hurt. One day, we're all left alone and it hurts." he said quietly, dropping his gaze. She looked at him in shock, reaching a hand up to his face.

"What do you mean?" she asked him gently, stroking his cheek.

"I mean, I can't let myself love you because when you leave, it will hurt."

"Hey, hold on a minute...who says I'm leaving?" she asked him, tenderness entering her voice as she stepped closer to him, wrapping an arm around his waist.

"One day, one way or another, you will. I feel so much for you, and quite frankly, it frightens me." he admitted as she looked up at him sadly. "I always keep a distance, to stop anyone from getting hurt, but with you..." he stared deeply into her eyes "...with you I couldn't help it."

"Henrik..." she said as he shook his head and reached out taking her face in his hands.

"I'm sorry." he said as he kissed her and she realised he was trembling. "I'm sorry. Let's carry on our way." he said, taking a step towards the car.

"Absolutely not." she replied sternly, grabbing his arm. "Either you tell me exactly where all this has come from, or I drive. I will not allow you to drive in this state." she said harshly, folding her arms, an expectant look on her face. He thought about it, then headed to the passenger side, climbing in and closing the door. Serena stood still, thoroughly confused and wondering just what on earth was going through his mind. She walked slowly around to the driver's side and realised she was going to have to drive a foreign car. Settling in the front seat, making the necessary adjustments, she pulled back onto the road and returned to the motorway. She glanced across at Hanssen who was unusually quiet, even for him, staring out the window. She decided she wouldn't push him to talk to her, he would do so in his own time if he felt he needed to. She wondered whether he was trying to tell her he wanted to end things...it had certainly sounded that way. She swallowed, feeling a sadness creeping across her chest as she returned her focus to the road.