Over the next few months the two women spent an increasing amount of time together outside of work. They enjoyed many cinema trips together, several more dinners, even going as far as venturing to the park for a picnic on a couple of occasions. The one downside of this was the increased difficulty they found themselves facing everyday at work. To say they found it harder, with every passing day, to stay as professional as possible was an understatement to say the least. It also didn't help that when it came to their work that they were both fiercely outspoken individuals of equal talent which lead to them butting heads on several occasions.
One particularly stressful shift which had led to rising tensions found Raf practically in the middle of world war 3. It hadn't escaped his or Fletch's attention that the two woman had slowly but surely become more than just friends. Neither he or Fletch dared ask, much to the disappointment of Fletch's curios nature. Instead they went on each day, happily accepting the shift in the two women's relationship, knowing that they would say something when they were ready.
Today however, he knew it couldn't end well if he didn't step in and take over one of the women's roles on a hard cause they had taken on together. As much as he was in awe of how well they did manage to work well together, complementing each others styles rather well, of how brilliant the two experienced doctors were, he knew the patient's care came first. As much as they would hate his intervention at first, he was happy in the knowledge that under the bravado, they would accept that he was doing the right thing.
Raf scanned the ward, his eyes found Serena consulting with her patient in the side bay, he assumed she was talking to him about all his operation options. He could tell by the way she was holding herself, her tense shoulders, that she wasn't quite herself, trying her hardest to maintain professionalism infant of her patients. His eyes moved over to the consultants office and found Bernie sitting in there, seemingly engrossed in paperwork. He sighed heavily to himself before walking over to the closed door and wrapping lightly on it three times before hearing a short, 'Come in,' from Bernie. He entered softly before gently closing the door behind him, turning to look down at the blonde sat at her desk.
'What can I do for you Raf?' Bernie asked as she looked up, a not so well disguised look of tired frustration in her eyes.
'Listen I hope you don't mind me commenting but, I couldn't help but notice the tension between you and Serena today.' Bernie just stared at him quizzically wandering where he was going with this.
'Look I think it would be best if I help Serena today. Give the two of you some breathing space for the rest of the shift,' he continued quickly yet never taking his gaze away from Bernie's. The blonde just stared at him for a few more seconds before she visibly deflated, letting out a long sigh, resting her head in her hands for a moment before looking back at the younger doctor.
'I think we can manage, we're both adults and professionals at that after all,' she replied a little sharper than she intended to sound. Noticing the look on the scot's face she sighed heavily before continuing, 'sorry Raf, long day, difficult case, you know how it can be.'
'Yes I do. But one question though, simply out of pure concern, Are things Ok between the two of you?' he asked gently.
'Let's just say it's harder than I thought it would be. Working with your partner I mean.' The words had slipped out her mouth before she had even realised what she was saying. She looked up at Raf and saw a knowing but kind smile in his eyes and felt herself relax, returning his smile. With that Raf exited the office leaving Bernie to her thoughts. Raf smiled knowingly. However his features were soft and understanding.
She and Serena had never really discussed the topic of labelling their relationship. It was what it was, nothing more nothing less. They were happy with just being together. But thinking about it now, Bernie felt uncomfortable at the prospect of calling Serena her girlfriend. If she was ever pressed to label it partner felt much more natural to her, much more acceptable for what they had. In her minds eye the word girlfriend didn't seem to fit what the brunette meant to her. It almost felt as if the offending word was degrading and something only to be used if they were much younger. Partner, however, had a much nicer ring to it. She knew that at the end of this the two of them would need to talk. Not about the whole labelling themselves issue but about what happened today. She heaved a sigh of tension at the thought of the enormity of it all.
What she had was so completely different, so much more, than her and Alex's relationship and she didn't want to ruin it by inadvertently putting a name to it.
'Thank you Raf. My head's just all over the shop at the moment.'
'Listen you and Serena are such great surgeons but you need to let us help sometimes. You guys don't have to do this alone you know?'
Bernie couldn't help but smile at that she knew the younger man was right and it would be foolish of her not to accept his help really. So with a nod of her head she let him know she knew he was right and wanted his help.
Raf walked across the ward and quietly slipped into the side bay, Serena hadn't yet finished going through things with the young man. Raf coughed slightly, catching Serena's attention. The brunette turned to face Raf with a look of confusion crossing her features.
'Dr. Di Lucca, what can I do for you?'
'Can I have a quick word please?' was his only response as he went to open the door. Serena followed him to a slightly quieter corner of the ward.
'I'll be working with you on this case from now on,' Raf blurted out before Serena could get a word in edgeways.
'What?' Serena's face was a picture. In any other situation it would have been rather funny. The mixed look of anger, horror and hint of amusement at the scot's forthrightness plaguing her features.
'Who gave you the authority to come and intervene?' She asked, anger winning out. All Raf could do now was stand his ground. He knew Serena to well at times. She hated feeling undermined, like others were taking control, looking over her shoulder.
'Ms. Campbell.' he stopped her before she could continue. 'I'm doing this because it's in the patient's best interest. You and Ms. Wolfe have practically been at each others throats all day and I would hate to think that you would blame yourselves if anything happened to that young man in there because …' he stopped himself not wanting to reveal that he pretty much guessed at the growing personal relationship between his two colleagues and friends which had only moments before been confirmed by her co-lead.
'Because?' Serena asked daring him to continue. Raf knew to well that he had pretty much stuck his foot in it and Serena was like a pit bull, she wouldn't let this go until he told her what he was thinking.
'Fletch and I… well… well lets just say that because you and Bernie are not only our colleagues but our friends we couldn't help but notice that there was something far greater then friendship growing between the two of you. I for one would hate to see your professional and personal relationship take a knock because of a hard day.'
All Serena could do was stare at him in astonishment. Not only because he knew but because he, and she gathered fletch as well, hadn't said a word to them of their suspicions. They had decided not to make a big song and dance out of the whole situation, although that would have been a rather amusing sight, instead letting the two women find their feet in their own time.
An overwhelming sense of relief washed over her at the fact that neither men had wanted to treat them any differently, respecting their privacy. The fact that two of the most important people to her didn't care if she was involved romantically with another woman made Serena appreciate how lucky she really was.
She was painfully aware that she was staring at Raf he mouth practically on the floor. She shut it quickly and swallowed hard before asking,
'Have you run this by Bernie?' With a small nod of his head Raf drew the brunette in for a quick hug before returning to doctor mode and asking for as much information as was possible.
The rest of the shift was a lot smoother from that moment on. It wasn't until the end of the shift and both women returned to the office to collect their stuff that they properly got to see each other again. They both went to speak at the same time, laughing awkwardly at that.
'You first,' Bernie enquired.
'We really need to talk about today don't we?' Serena replied, her voice uncharacteristically small and shy. Sensing her nervousness Bernie couldn't help but walk round the desk and embrace the Brunette in a strong, loving embrace feeling Serena resting her head against her shoulder as her arms snaked around her waist. Bernie's hand went the brown hair that always had her senses a light as it tickled her check.
'How about I drive us home and we can hash this all out hmmm?' Bernie asked into the brunettes hair. At that moment Serena looked at her, straight in the eye with such an intense gaze full of love and worry that Bernie couldn't help but feel a tear or two make its way down her cheeks. As they made their way down to Bernie's car, Serena's hand slipped into the blonde's and squeezed it gently wanting her comfort.
Home. That one simple word set Serena's senses alight. Just the thought of creating a home with Bernie made her feel the need for that stability and security that happiness could bring.