(Lovely reviews guys, very grateful! I feel Cunningham needs a cape and his own villain soundtrack...)

Chapter 21

"He fixated on me once, years ago." Amelia said quietly, leaning close to Serena. "He decided that the only reason I was sleeping with Dougie was because I wanted to further my career!" she laughed and picked up her glass of wine, shaking her head. "He does not take rejection well...as you've just witnessed." Serena leant back in her chair, fiddling with her wine glass as she looked up at Amelia.

"How did you get him to stop?" Amelia looked at her and pulled a pained expression.

"I didn't do anything, he moved off to someone else. I will say this, be careful. You may think he's harmless enough, but we all have a darker side." she warned, taking another sip of her drink. Serena sighed as she felt Hanssen's hand firmly on her lower back, letting her know he was there.

"I mean, I suppose I may have flirted in the beginning, but only a few times!" she protested as Amelia chuckled.

"With him, that's all it takes. All I did was offer him a lift once...nothing more. Ever since then, he wouldn't leave me alone, kept calling me, asking me out repeatedly. It got to the point where I would open my front door in a morning expecting to see him there." Serena saw the haunted look in her eyes as she spoke and reached her hand out, placing it on hers.

"Didn't you ever tell anybody? Make a complaint?" Amelia snorted and turned to her, giving her a long-suffering look.

"Who would the Board believe? Me, or the Chairman?" she shook her head taking a gulp of her drink as Serena leant back in her chair, feeling troubled. She could handle him herself, but not if he was doing the same to other women. She cringed at the thought of him as she took a drink of wine and felt Hanssen's eyes on her. She turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

"What now?" He continued looking at her, smiling innocently.

"Nothing." She finished her wine and placed the glass next to her empty plate.

"Shouldn't we be heading off soon?" she asked, and Hanssen had the good grace to look slightly guilty. "What?" she asked slowly as he raised his eyes to hers.

"Well, I wanted us to be able to enjoy our last night here before we return to the chaos of Holby, so I booked your room for an extra night." She looked at him, slightly stunned for a moment, before she understood entirely what he'd said.

"You booked my room for an extra night? What about yours?" she asked him feigning innocence as he cleared his throat and shifted nervously in his seat.

"Well of course, I can return and book my room for a further night, it's no problem at all..." She reached over and rested a hand on his leg as his eyes slowly raised to meet hers.

"I'm sure one room will suffice, Mr. Hanssen." His eyes darkened as he placed his hand on top of hers.

Reaching the hotel lobby, Serena realised she may have had a glass of wine, or two, too many. She giggled as Amelia leant and whispered something in her ear about how soundproof the walls were here.

"Well, I'll bid you goodnight. It was lovely getting to know you, please...call me when you get back and we'll have to arrange to meet." Amelia smiled as she handed Serena her card, pulling her into a hug. "Take care of yourself." she said, kissing her cheek. "Mr. Hanssen." she nodded her head formally and extended a hand to him, feigning a stiff-upper lip expression. Serena laughed hysterically as Hanssen looked thoroughly perplexed by the gesture. Watching them head to the stairs, Hanssen took hold of Serena's hand and lead her to the lift. Once inside, she leant back against him as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I think somebody had one glass too many." he said softly, kissing the top of her head.

"I think somebody gave me that glass too many." she countered, knowing it was Hanssen who had ordered the final glass for her.

"Come on." he said as the lift doors opened on her floor. She stumbled slightly as she exited the lift and Hanssen sighed, feigning long-sufferance as he turned and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the room. She giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and nestled her head close, smelling his aftershave.

"Mmm." she murmured as he opened the door and carefully carried her through. Heading straight for the bed, he placed her down gently, looking down at her. He knelt down beside the bed and took off her shoes, laying them neatly by the wall. He then reached for the zip of her dress, running down her side, unzipping it slowly so as not to catch any skin. He gently pulled her arms through the straps as he pulled the dress down over her behind and down her legs. He hung it up neatly before reaching for her overnight bag and finding a nightdress in the bottom. Perching on the edge of the bed, he reached out to a near unconscious Serena, helping her sit up as he pulled the garment down over her head and covered her body. He gently lay her back down as he pulled the duvet out from under her and tucked her in gently. He quickly undressed, reaching for his bag which he had left in the room earlier and took out his pyjama bottoms, pulling them on. He brushed his teeth quickly before filling a glass with water and placing it on the bedside table beside Serena. He climbed into bed and snuggled up to her, his head resting on her chest. He felt her chest rise sharply as she took a breath.

"You scared me earlier." she whispered as he sat up quickly, looking down at her, concern in his eyes.

"When?"

"At the restaurant." she said, shifting so she was lying on her side, one hand under the pillow. "I'd never seen you violent before." She said quietly as her eyes held his, wariness and confusion present in hers.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, but I couldn't stand the way he was talking about you." Serena chuckled, fiddling with the pillowcase.

"Believe me, people have said much worse. A woman with a great career? Well respected and high up in her job? She must have screwed her way there." she said sourly, sighing loudly. "I've had that all my life Henrik, it's only words. But what you did...you lost control." she whispered the last part as she looked up at him and he reached out a hand to her cheek, looking at her with his eyes filled with remorse.

"I am so sorry I frightened you, that was the last thing I wanted to do." he said gently, seeing her smile up at him. He lay down and pulled her into him so her face was buried in his chest.

"Promise me that won't happen again." came her muffled voice as he stroked her hair softly.

"I promise." He kissed the top of her head and felt her arm snake around his waist as she relaxed into him and they drifted off to sleep.