(I think I should probably start wrapping the story up soon...maybe...enjoy!)

Chapter 19

"Wow, Ms. Campbell aren't you a vision!" Douglas smiled as he greeted them at the Reception with 3 other Consultants. "I believe we all know each other, but just in case Ms. Campbell and Mr. Hanssen - Holby City, meet Ms. Nelson, Mr. Wylde and Mr. Vernon - St. James." They all shook hands as Douglas placed an arm around Ms. Nelson's waist, squeezing her tightly. "Who's hungry!?" he exclaimed as the group began chatting and exiting the building. As they stepped onto the street, Douglas told them of a wonderful Italian within walking distance, Serena and Hanssen smiling knowingly at one another as they set off. Once they were a little ways down the street, they fell into pairs as they walked, Hanssen and Serena at the back. He reached his hand out to hold hers and relaxed when he felt her squeeze his in response. They reached the restaurant within minutes and Douglas called over to the barman, clearly knowing him.

"He must come here regularly for conferences." Serena muttered quietly as Hanssen nodded in agreement. They were shown to their table, Hanssen taking a seat next to her and shuffling closer so their legs were touching beneath the table.

Once they'd finished the meal, they ordered a round of coffees and continued talking animatedly, the alcohol they'd consumed having gone to their heads.

"So how long have you two been together?" Serena asked Amelia Nelson as she smirked, turning to glance at Douglas before looking back at Serena.

"Almost 10 years." she sighed as Serena's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"10 years! Wow, I would never have thought it was that long!" she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Because of the chemistry? Yeah, Dougie and I have always been lucky in that respect..." she lowered her voice as she leant closer "...we both have high sex drives." Serena laughed as Amelia reached for her coffee and took a sip. "So how long have you two been together?" she asked innocently as Serena blushed and shook her head.

"We're not, Mr. Hanssen is CEO at Holby City." she explained as she picked up her own coffee, taking a sip.

"Come off it, I have eyes. You two have been mentally undressing each other all night!" she whispered, leaning close. "So I'm guessing no-one knows?" Serena sighed and shook her head, making sure Hanssen wasn't listening in. "Well, I'm not about to tell anybody, but between you and me...he's looked at his watch 8 times in the past minute. Someone's keen to get back and I don't think it's for sleeping." she smiled, raising her eyebrows at Serena and sipping her coffee. Serena looked to her left at Hanssen who raised his arm and checked his watch, continuing to listen to what Mr. Wylde was telling him. She turned back to Amelia and smiled knowingly before leaning back in her chair. Reaching her hand under the table she felt Hanssen stiffen as she allowed her hand to drop between his thighs. She left it there as she sipped her coffee, dragging it out longer than was necessary. As she finished, she realised her fingers were drawing patterns on his leg and he looked about ready to bolt from the restaurant. She turned to face him and smiled.

"Should we be heading back for that video call?" she asked him as he nodded quickly, pulling out some money to cover their share and bidding the others goodnight. Serena leant down to embrace Amelia, who whispered in her ear.

"Have a good night." She winked at her as Serena rolled her eyes and followed Hanssen from the restaurant. As they hit the fresh air, he took her hand in his and began to walk quickly. She slowed her pace slightly, causing him to have to slow down and look at her, frowning.

"You do realise that unless you speed up, I may be forced to throw you over my shoulder?" he quipped as she laughed and smiled coyly.

"Promises, promises, Mr. Hanssen." He clenched his teeth as he pulled her along with him, picking up speed. As they reached the hotel reception, they saw the lift was currently on the top floor. Turning to her, he nodded towards the stairs and she agreed. Reaching her floor, he walked down the corridor behind her, holding onto her hips and pushing against her as she stood at the door, searching for her key. Opening the door, she turned and kissed him, hooking her arms around his neck as she pulled him into the room with her. He pushed her up against the wall with more force than he'd intended, a dark look in his eyes. "Oh dear, have I been teasing and keeping you waiting too long?" she purred as he pulled his jacket off, followed by his tie, keeping eye contact with her. Stepping closer so their bodies were pressing against one another, he kissed her urgently, moving down her neck and to her shoulder as he pushed the strap of her dress off.

"You drove...me...half...mad." he said between kisses as he reached around and unzipped her dress, watching as it slid off her to the ground. He took in the view in front of him and smiled as he grabbed her and pulled her into him, their kisses becoming more and more erratic as he allowed her to undress him deftly, manoeuvring them towards the bed. He dropped her back onto the bed, gazing down at her as he hooked his fingers over the waistband of her tights and pulled them down, slowly.

"Thank you." Serena smiled at Hanssen as he handed her a coffee and took a seat beside her as she continued talking with Amelia Nelson. "Personally, I believe the less invasive the surgery, the better all around. The patient recovers quicker, we free up a bed sooner allowing us to move our care to our next patient!" she said enthusiastically as Amelia nodded.

"I understand completely what you're saying, but from conducting surveys at St. James's, we've discovered that many patients feel a Hospital is now simply a conveyor belt. 'Ship 'em in, ship 'em out' I believe is the term they used. They simply feel they are not receiving the care they would like anymore."

"Ah see, that's the point...they want the care, but most of the time they don't need it!" she emphasised, sipping her coffee. "If we were forced to continue care for each and every patient, the Hospital would grind to a halt, nobody being discharged and no room for admissions. Surgical Procedures are just that, procedures. Medicine and technology is advancing and there is no longer any need for patients to feel that surgery is a major event." she finished, Amelia smiling.

"We could use someone with your Ethos at St. James's..." she mused as Hanssen leant his arm across the back of Serena's chair, watching Amelia carefully. "...I mean, if it doesn't work out at Holby, or you fancy a change..." she said shrugging her shoulders lightly and laughing.

"There is still plenty of change available at Holby." Serena said simply, sipping her coffee. "Plus, I've grown quite fond of the place, warts and all." She turned her head to look at Hanssen, smiling devilishly as he smiled back at her politely.

"Good morning, not interrupting anything am I?" Cunningham asked brightly as he made to take a seat to the right of Amelia.

"Would it matter if you were?" Serena quipped sarcastically as Cunningham sat down and shifted uncomfortably. His sharp eyes narrowed as he noticed Hanssen's arm across the back of Serena's chair, her leaning towards him ever so slightly. They seemed so relaxed in each other's company, much more relaxed than they had been a few weeks ago. He knew that if he wanted any opportunity with her, he was going to have to remove Hanssen from the equation. Serena began fumbling in her pocket and fished out her phone, smiling and touching Hanssen's arm as she stood up and left the table, phone to her ear and heading for the lobby. Watching Hanssen's eyes track her as she walked away, he knew...he could see it in the man's eyes. Excusing himself from the table, Cunningham followed her and appeared behind her as she was finishing up.

"...yes I know...I love you too sweetheart...bye." she exhaled as she returned her phone to her pocket and turned around. "Oh...Mr. Cunningham!" she exclaimed as he stood staring at her.

"Everything alright?" he asked her, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

"Yes, everything is fine, thank you." The look he was giving her was making her squirm and she cleared her throat, making to head back to the restaurant. "Well I'd better..." He took hold of her forearm and pulled her gently across the lobby towards the stairwell, Serena allowing herself to be led. He brought her through the door and they climbed up a flight of stairs before he let go and turned to face her, a look of concern on his face.

"Is there anything you want to tell me, Ms. Campbell?" he asked, folding his arms as she swallowed and glared at him.

"No..." she said, dragging the word out slowly, watching him closely.

"Look, if he's forcing you, then you can tell me." he said as her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Come on Serena, we all know he's only just hanging onto this job by the skin of his teeth. A complaint of sexual harassment is surely enough to finally get rid of him...and who do you think the Board will appoint in his place? Who is the one woman we brought in to improve the hospital, which is exactly what she has done!?" he asked as he stepped closer to her, her backing away into the wall. "You know as well as I do, the Hospital would be much better under your control..."

"I know no such thing!" she spat at him, her eyes narrowing. "What is it you have against Mr. Hanssen? Short man syndrome?" she asked him mockingly as he shook his head and his eyes flashed in anger.

"You have the power to get rid of him, once and for all." he said darkly as she laughed and looked at him in revulsion.

"And why on earth would I do that!?..." He opened his mouth to interrupt but she continued. "You brought me in to improve the Hospital, to do what I thought was best in the running of Holby City...well without a shadow of a doubt, Mr. Hanssen is the single most important cog in the workings of the place." she said angrily. "He has, and always will have, the full backing of myself as well as every single member of staff. Am I getting through to you?" she asked him as he reached a hand to her shoulder. "Don't touch me. You may find this difficult to believe or understand, but Mr. Hanssen and myself only ever do what we believe is best for the Hospital...not for personal gain!" she snapped as he glared at her.

"Look, you stupid woman...do you really think he'll be able to keep his job once I inform the board of his gross misconduct involving his deputy?" Serena looked at him nervously, swallowing.

"You wouldn't do that." she whispered as he stepped closer.

"Oh wouldn't I?" He raised an eyebrow, bringing his face within inches of hers.

"Please..." she said, before he reached a hand to her face. "...don't. He doesn't deserve that." she said , fighting back the urge to hit him, as Cunningham's eyes linked with hers.

"Well, I may be able to be persuaded to keep quiet." he stated, allowing his hand to fall to her chest as she held her breath, anger and repulsion entering her eyes as she readied herself to bring her knee up between his legs.

"Get away from her." A dangerously quiet, authoritative voice filled the stairwell as Serena's head snapped to her right and she saw Hanssen stepping slowly onto the landing where they were stood. Cunningham stepped away from her and she allowed herself to release the breath she'd been holding. Hanssen stared at her, a blank expression on his face as he turned to face Cunningham who was backing away and attempting to puff out his chest, smiling nervously.

"Now Mr. Hanssen, you're really in no position to tell me what to do, especially once I inform the Board about your misconduct." He tried to act confident, but the quiver in his voice betrayed him and Hanssen smiled dangerously.

"Considering what I just witnessed, I seriously doubt you'll remain Chairman of the Board for much longer." he threatened, stepping closer to the nervous, spluttering man. Serena hadn't seen Hanssen this angry before and she was stunned into silence, not knowing how he would react to her interrupting him.

"As if they'll believe you over me...besides, nothing happened." he said defensively as Hanssen turned to look at Serena, eyebrows raised, then back at Cunningham.

"Oh really? Well as far as I'm concerned, you had Ms. Campbell cornered in a deserted stairwell, had your hand on her chest and inferred she should sleep with you in order to keep you quiet." Serena was shocked to hear it said aloud, especially the way he stated it so factually. "To me, and I'm sure the Board will agree, that is tantamount to Sexual Harassment, maybe even assault." Cunningham's eyes widened and he began to stutter his excuses as Hanssen raised a hand to silence him. "You may leave now." he said coldly, Cunningham rushing past them and back down the stairs. Hanssen turned around to Serena to see her leaning against the wall, a wary expression on her face. "I should have hit him." he said regretfully as she laughed and tilted her head back against the wall, breathing deeply. He stood at the top of the stairs, shuffling awkwardly as she watched him, her eyes narrowing.

"What?" He looked up at her and spoke formally.

"I heard what you said." He held her stare as she cleared her throat.

"Yes, well." she muttered, smoothing down her shirt, avoiding his gaze.

"Do you really believe those things?" He asked her suddenly as she looked up and saw he had returned to CEO mode.

"Yes Mr. Hanssen. I know we have our disagreements and misunderstandings, but it's only ever about what's best for the Hospital." she sighed, standing up straight and looking at him quizzically. "We argue when we think one of us hasn't done our best, which is how it should be. You care about the Hospital just as much as I do...if not more!" she smiled, heading for the top step and reaching out to touch his arm. "We should head back." she said gently as he turned to look at her and nodded in agreement, both making their way down the stairs, Hanssen reaching for her hand and squeezing it tight.