(Thank you for reviewing/viewing! Ah Manchester...)

Chapter 17

Walking across the hotel lobby, Serena reached the reception desk and checked in first, taking her key and stepping back to wait for Hanssen. Accepting his key, they both turned and headed to the lifts, not having the energy to tackle the stairs. They were silent during the lift's ascent, as they had been for the remainder of the journey after their stop. Serena stepped from the lift wearily and noticed Hanssen had remained. Turning around, she raised an eyebrow at him as he held up the key.

"Next floor up. I'll collect you in 30 minutes." he said as the doors closed and she was left alone. She stared at the lift doors, feeling tears of anger forming in her eyes. Blinking them back harshly, she looked around her, spotting her room further down the hall and stormed towards it. Entering the room, she threw her bag into the corner of the room and slumped on the bed, lying back and staring at the ceiling. Hanssen was clearly keeping something from her, something that was causing him immense inner-turmoil. She wished he could find it in him to confide in her, but she'd worked with him long enough to know how closed-off he could be. She understood now that the remote, cold, lifeless person was his default setting, one to which he would return at a moment's notice. She sighed loudly as she climbed off the bed and went to her bag, taking out a clean shirt and her toiletry bag and heading for the bathroom.

Hanssen was sat on his bed, staring at the wall in front of him. He knew he'd handled today very badly indeed, but he had felt his emotions running away with him and it scared him. He hadn't allowed himself to feel properly for years, not since... He cleared his throat and checked his watch, 26 minutes had passed. Standing and straightening his tie, he picked up his key and headed to fetch Serena.

Reaching her room, he knocked and it was instantly opened as she stepped out into the hall, smiling at him.

"Okay?" she asked as he nodded stiffly and turned towards the lift, her following. "Can I ask where we're going?" He pressed the call button and turned to face her.

"We have been summoned to dinner with a group of Board members. Mr. Cunningham's idea." he said dryly as she grimaced.

"I'll bet it was." she said as she clenched her fists at the audacity of the man.

"Everything alright?" he asked as he noticed an angry look crossing her face.

"Fine." she snapped, stepping into the lift. They stood side by side in silence as the lift made its' descent, both staring straight ahead. As the doors opened, they exited together and immediately spotted Cunningham across the lobby, motioning for them to join him.

"Ah Mr. Hanssen, Ms. Campbell, good evening!" he welcomed them as he took hold of Serena's hand. "Didn't I tell you we'd be having dinner together?" he said quietly, but not quite quietly enough for Hanssen not to overhear. He looked at Serena and noticed the momentary look of disgust on her face as she snatched her hand back.

"Why don't you show us where we're sitting?" Hanssen asked as Cunningham nodded and led them through to the restaurant. He approached a large round table and pointed at two seats around the other side. "Ms. Campbell, you're over there, Mr. Hanssen, you're here." he said, pulling out a chair in front of him. Hanssen looked at Serena and she looked back at him, desperation in her eyes.

"If it's all the same to you, Mr. Cunningham, Ms. Campbell and I will sit together." he said loudly, staring the man down. Cunningham was about to protest when Serena stepped in.

"I'm sure that will be okay, won't it Mr. Cunningham? After all, it's only a seat." she smirked as Hanssen followed her around the table and they took their seats without waiting for a reply. Cunningham visibly bristled as he puffed out his chest and headed to the bar. "Thank you." she whispered to him as they settled into their seats.

"Not at all." he replied, smiling lightly at her. She turned her attention to the table full of people and began making introductions and greetings.

As the evening drew to a close, Hanssen decided he would probably end up hitting Cunningham by the end of the weekend. He watched in amazement as the man tried once again to flirt with Serena.

"You know, I have a very nice, very expensive bottle of whiskey in my room, if you fancy a nightcap?" he asked her as he leant closer and she tilted her head at him, a look of complete disinterest on her face.

"You really don't give up do you?" she asked him as the finished her fourth glass of wine, knocking it back.

"Not where you're concerned." he smiled expectantly at her as she patted his arm and turned to Hanssen.

"I think it's time I turned in." she told him as she made to stand up, Cunningham jumping up too. "Alone." she emphasized as his face filled with frustration and disappointment. "Coming?" she asked Hanssen as he nodded, glancing at Cunningham and noticing the outrage on his face. "Why don't you go and drink that very nice bottle of whiskey?" she smiled sweetly at him. Smirking at the irate man, Hanssen bid him goodnight and left with Serena.

"He really won't give up on you, will he?" he asked her as she rolled her eyes and shuddered.

"Repulsive man." she spat, stepping into the lift with him. As they reached her floor, she resigned herself to the fact things between them probably had come to an end. "Well, thank you for the rescue earlier, I'll see you in the morning." she smiled as he made no move to follow her from the lift. She reached her room, unlocked the door, sat on the edge of her bed and took out her phone.

Hanssen reached his floor but couldn't step out of the lift. He knew he had to tell her, he was being completely unfair to her. He had to give himself a chance, give her a chance. Reaching out, he pressed the button for the 3rd floor and the lift began its' descent. Stepping out, he turned to the right and headed to her room, knocking on the door. The door opened to reveal Serena stood with her overnight bag in her hand and her phone held to her ear.

"...hold on... What?" she said holding the phone to her chest and looking tiredly at Hanssen.

"Where are you going?" he asked in shock, looking at her bag.

"Home." she stated as she put the phone back to her ear. "...yes...I'll be home soon, okay? Okay, bye." she hung up and looked up at Hanssen. "Was there anything you wanted? Only, I have to go and find a taxi." she said coldly.

"You can't." was all he could say as he looked at her, despair rising inside him.

"I think you'll find I can." she commented, stepping into the hall, but Hanssen took hold of her arms and pushed her gently but firmly back into her room. "Get out of my way." she told him firmly, but he shook his head.

"No, I've let this go far enough. I want to tell you." he said as she looked at him sceptically.

"What if I don't want to hear it? What if I'm sick and tired of being used and then discarded without a second thought!?"

"That's not..." he began, but she interrupted.

"I'm not finished!" she shouted, dropping her bag and pointing a finger at his chest. "You have treated me with nothing but disdain all afternoon and I won't stand for it! I don't need this, I really don't. If you can't trust me enough to tell me what the hell made you act the way you did, then that's it!" she finished, poking him in the chest. "I can't believe I allowed myself to do this...AGAIN!" she exclaimed as she laughed and turned around, pacing back and forth. "I never, ever learn! I always go for the one person who will hurt me more than anyone else..." He moved with a speed she hadn't thought possible, grabbing her by the shoulders and raising his voice.

"STOP!" He was trembling as he gripped her shoulders tightly and she stood, frozen to the spot in surprise. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please...don't leave." he said urgently, bringing his lips to hers. She reached her hands up to his face, holding him gently, feeling his tongue slip into her mouth. He kissed her with all the hurt, anger, happiness and sorrow he was feeling as he felt her kiss him back just as passionately. She couldn't think about anything, she didn't care about anything, she just needed him. She pulled his jacket off quickly, reaching for his shirt buttons and undoing a couple before stepping back and pulling it over his head. He yanked her coat off her shoulders and, hoping it wasn't one of her favourites, ripped her shirt open, dropping his lips to her chest as she moaned. Holding her tightly, he undid her trousers, slipping them off as she reached for his belt buckle, doing the same. His hands roamed her body with a sense of urgency as he manoeuvred them to the bed, lowering her onto it and climbing on top of her.

"Henrik..." she murmured as he kissed her neck, heading down her torso.