(After MUCH deliberation, I have decided this will be the FINAL chapter in this story. I want to thank everyone for reading and reviewing and hope it won't leave you feeling too abandoned...as there will be a sequel! Watch this space :) Kaysia...to answer your question...never say never ;))

Chapter 27

"Ms. Campbell, we have another referral from ED." Mary-Claire said hurriedly, handing Serena a file.

"Wonderful." she said dryly, opening the file and scanning through the notes. She looked up as a bed was wheeled onto the ward and she directed them to an empty bay. "Right, Mrs. Lawson, suspected cracked ribs and wrist fracture..." She looked up at the woman in the bed before her and saw a flash of panic cross her face as something behind Serena caught her eye. Turning, she saw a man heading across towards them, looking decidedly agitated.

"Sweetheart, I was worried when I got back and you'd gone!" he scolded her as he took hold of her uninjured hand and held it tight, staring into her eyes.

"And you are?" Serena asked, noticing how the woman's demeanour had changed since his arrival.

"Mr. Lawson. Sally's my wife." he said angrily, Serena's gaze flicking back to Sally.

"Well, would you mind waiting over there..." she pointed towards the entrance to the ward as he looked at Sally. "...I need to examine your wife and would prefer to do so in private." she said stiffly as he glared at his wife.

"Do you want me to go!?" he demanded as she shook her head quickly.

"No...of course not! But, I don't want you waiting around here all afternoon...what about the kids?"

"I'll get my mother to pick them up, she can leave work early for one day." he argued as Sally took his hand in hers and smiled lovingly up at him.

"Why don't you pick them up, then come and collect me? I'm sure I'll be done by then?" she looked at Serena for reassurance and she nodded.

"The sooner I begin treating you, the sooner you can leave." she said simply. He looked back at Sally, still unsure, when she nodded her head gently and he sighed.

"Okay, but I'll be back in less than an hour!" he promised, kissing her on the forehead and glaring at Serena as he passed her, leaving the ward. Serena looked down at Sally and raised an eyebrow.

"Shall we have a chat?" she asked as the woman nodded, sighing heavily.

"Come in!" Serena shouted as she continued sorting through the files on the desk, attempting to locate her pen.

"I hope I'm not interrupting." Hanssen smiled as she looked up and rolled her eyes.

"Lost my pen." she muttered, rifling through the folders, bending to look on the floor. He closed the door of the office on AAU and moved towards her, noticing the pen on the seat behind her. He swiftly picked it up, tapping her on the shoulder and brandishing it at her as she turned to face him.

"Where did you get that!?" she demanded, snatching it from him and shaking her head, tutting.

"Right behind you on the chair." he stated, smiling at the chaos that was once a desk.

"Hmm...thanks." she said distractedly as she began to make notes in a patient's file. Hanssen leant forwards, reading the file from over her shoulder when she spoke.

"Stop lurking." A smirk tugged at his lips as he stepped back and waited for her to finish what she was writing. "Right..." she turned to face him and smiled. "...what did you want?"

"Your patient, Mrs. Lawson." he said, without elaborating.

"Ah yes, did the police arrive?" she asked him, looking out of the window towards the bed.

"Yes, but not before Mr and Mrs Lawson had already left the premises." he said regretfully as she threw up her arms in despair and shook her head.

"She was ready to tell us what had been going on...what happened!?" she asked to no-one in particular as she sighed, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.

"She clearly had second thoughts, unfortunately." he said gently, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"It makes me so mad!" she said angrily as he stepped forwards and put his arms around her, holding her to him.

"Sometimes people just need time." She sighed as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her head in his chest. "Serena..." The door opened and they jumped apart as Ric Griffin entered.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..." he said slowly, looking from Hanssen to Serena.

"Don't be silly, what's up?" she asked him as he stepped further into the room.

"I need your charming, dazzling bedside manner with a patient." he smiled as she chuckled, shaking her head and walking towards him.

"Watch it Griffin." she joked as she turned to Hanssen. "Catch up later?" He nodded as he watched her and Ric head off down the ward together, laughing and joking. He reached into his pocket and removed the envelope he'd come to deliver, placing it on the desk where she'd notice it. Staring at it nervously for a few moments, he forced himself to leave the room, knowing that if he didn't, he'd rip it up. They had yet to officially inform any staff members about their relationship, even though there had been rumours circulating ever since the meeting over a week ago. Hanssen exhaled in surprise at the length of time that had passed already. He had spent almost every night of the past week at Serena's house, her staying at his once or twice. He realised that whatever they had was serious and could see them making things more official...until he'd received the phone call from Maja that is. He went to his office and closed the door, logging into the e-mail programme and composing a short note to Amelia Nelson, acting Chairperson.

"Thanks Ric!" Serena shouted after him as she entered the office on AAU and dropped into her chair, sighing tiredly. She glanced at the desk and noticed an envelope that hadn't been there before. Frowning, she picked it up, instantly recognising Hanssen's handwriting on the front. She began to tremble as she ripped it open and pulled out a single sheet of meticulously folded paper. Opening it out, her eyes scanned the contents, her breathing becoming quicker the more she read. Looking up towards the door, she jumped up from her chair and all but ran off AAU towards his office, taking the steps two at a time. As she reached the office, she pushed the door to find it locked. Her eyes widened in panic as she spun around and headed towards the stairs, racing to the ground floor and flying out of the building. Her eyes flashed over to Hanssen's parking space, but it was empty. Panic began to rise in her chest as she took out her mobile and dialled his number, biting her lip as she listened to the ringing sound, willing him to pick up. Cursing as it went to the answer-phone, she raced back into the building and to AAU, grabbing her handbag from the chair and turning back around. She shouted over to Michael that she was leaving as she charged back towards the entrance, reaching her car and climbing in, pulling quickly out of the car park and heading to Hanssen's house.

She pulled up quickly outside his house and noticed his car was present, but that didn't mean he was. Turning off the engine, she exited the vehicle, slamming the door and ran up to the front door, knocking frantically. She stood back, listening for any sounds of movement...but there were none. She stood still, unable to think as her breath caught in her throat. She stared at the front door and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Opening her eyes and mentally shaking herself, she tried to think of her next step. If he wasn't here, he'd already gone. She'd missed her chance.

Sticking her key in the lock, she opened the door slowly, removing her key and closing it heavily behind her, leaning against the dark wood. She hadn't felt this empty in a long time...not since she had left Edward. Taking a breath, she staggered towards the living room and dropped down onto the sofa, staring straight ahead. Eleanor came bounding down the stairs but stopped upon seeing her mother's state.

"Mum, what's happened!?" she asked worriedly, kneeling in front of her, grabbing her hands.

"He's gone." she whispered, staring at her daughter. "Henrik. He's gone." Eleanor's brow creased in confusion.

"What do you mean he's gone?"she asked, shocked.

"I mean he's gone. To Sweden." She sighed, leaning back into the cushions and staring at the ceiling.

"What? Why!?" Before Serena could answer, the doorbell rang and Eleanor jumped up, heading to see who it was. "Dad! This really isn't a good time..." Serena heard her daughter say before Edward suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"Rena?" She turned to look at him, her eyes welling with tears. "Oh sweetheart." he said as he rushed to sit beside her, pulling her into a tight embrace as she sobbed into his chest. Stroking her back and making soothing sounds, he looked up worriedly at Eleanor who was biting her nails and looking equally as concerned at the sounds of anguish coming from her mother.

"He didn't even...say goodbye." she managed to choke out as she gripped his t-shirt tightly and Eleanor left the room. Breathing deeply for a few moments, calming herself, she continued. "I understand why he went...but he didn't even say goodbye." she said dejectedly as the tears slowed.

"Maybe because he knew it wasn't goodbye." said a voice from the doorway as Serena's head snapped up and she stared in disbelief as Hanssen stepped into the room and stood awkwardly in front of the sofa.

"Come on kiddo, we'll go for a spin." Edward said to Eleanor, kissing Serena's forehead as he stood up and glared at Hanssen, who had the grace to look ashamed. Once they'd left the house, Serena stared at Hanssen in silence before he spoke.

"What are you thinking?" he asked quietly, unsure of how she was going to react.

"I'm trying to decide whether to hit you or kiss you." she said eerily quiet, her eyes aflame as they bored into his.

"Can I explain?" he asked as she scoffed loudly.

"I think your little letter did all the explaining necessary!" she snapped, getting to her feet and pushing past him, heading to the kitchen.

"Come with me." he said suddenly, stopping her in her tracks. Turning around slowly she looked at him in confusion.

"You're still going?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

"Yes." was all he said as she continued to stare at him. He walked towards her and took her in his arms, even though she resisted and tried to struggle from his grasp.

"Henrik, so help me if you don't let me go right now..." she threatened as he ignored her and pulled her tighter. "Henrik...stop it..." she said, faltering slightly, feeling her emotions getting the better of her. "Henrik..." she sighed as she allowed her body to go limp in his embrace. "Don't go." she whispered, grabbing hold of his suit jacket and pulling him closer.

"Come with me." he countered as she chuckled and looked up at him.

"You know I can't do that." she replied, staring at him sadly.

"Yes you can. The Hospital will be taken care of, surely Eleanor can stay with her father?" he asked, clutching at straws as she shook her head slowly.

"I can't." He lowered his gaze, bringing his forehead down to rest on hers as he closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry." he whispered as she reached a hand to his cheek and looked into his eyes.

"I understand." was all she said as she removed his arms from around her and stepped backwards. He looked at her in despair before swallowing and turning to leave the room. As he reached the front door, he realised she had remained in the kitchen and he could hear her crying quietly. Reaching out for the door handle, he paused, frowning. Spinning back around, he stalked back to the kitchen, causing Serena to look up startled. Crossing the room, he took her in his arms and gripped her tightly.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not taking no for an answer." he said as she smiled through her tears, wrapping her arms around him and closing her eyes.