On an overcast Monday morning, Serena walked through the Holby entrance with a spring in her step. Even Hanssen look surprised by her obvious cheerfulness. Previously, she may've drunk herself into a Shiraz - induced stupor after spending a week in her arrogant ex-husband's company. In contrast, this weekend she had found herself unexplainably happy - in fact so happy that she met up with a few old uni friends. She felt like she was on a drug; Serena simply couldn't understand why she was so content.
Unfortunately, her blissful morning was abruptly halted as soon as she walked into AAU. A huge RTC involving a cargo lorry and a minibus had occurred earlier this morning, and 4 ambulances were on their way with 1 patient in a critical state. Those requiring minor medical attention were being diverted to triage at St. James hospital.
"From the four patients on their way, two have leg injuries, one has a head contusion and the other has developed a critical traumatic aortic rupture." Raf hurriedly explained to the AAU team. "To avoid ischemia to the spinal cord and possible paraplegia, the cardiac patient will be immediately taken into emergency theatre, whereas the other 3 will receive examinations first. AAU will take on the two leg injuries, and Keller will receive the neuro patient under Guy's supervision. Let's go!" Raf smiled encouragingly at the AAU team, before promptly answering a ringing telephone. As the congregation of doctors and nurses dissipated, Serena still stood at the doors. Just as she was about to help with preparation for the other incoming patients, Serena's pager buzzed to life and began vibrating against her waistband. A page directly from Jac Naylor urgently requested Serena in the emergency theatre on Darwin.
Reflexively, Serena ran out of AAU and sprinted up all 6 floors, going 2 steps at a time until she reached Darwin. Racing down the corridor, she burst into the scrubbing room and collided head-first into no one other than Zosia Marsh. Blushing, Serena straightened herself out and brushed down her maroon blouse. Topaz eyes slowly gazed up at Serena's body, stopping slightly at her breasts and then continuing to meet her hazel eyes.
"Are you okay?" Zosia asked, her eyebrows knitted in worry. Serena's heart rose when she heard the unmistakable concern in Zosia's voice.
"Y-yes I'm fine thank you. I'm so sorry I ran into you, it's just I was in a rush and-"
"No harm done Serena, honestly. Let's scrub up, Jac's been waiting for you. She won't admit it, but I think she actually needs you." Zosia nodded as she reassured a still cherry-red Serena.
"Really? I'm not sure I believe that..." Serena laughed, happy to take her mind off her previous embarrassment.
"It's the truth!" Zosia exclaimed, grinning at Serena. Strangely enough, Zosia felt a true connection to her, even though they had only spoken a few times before. As the F2 scrubbed her hands, her eyes sneakily glanced over at Serena. Zosia didn't think this very often, but the person standing next to her was actually extremely beautiful. Long, black eyelashes shrouded curious, glimmering eyes. Her shirt hugged the silhouette of perk breasts and voluptuous curves; all of a sudden, Zosia felt quite flushed and quickly turned her attention back to diligently scrubbing her hands.
As the scrub assistant had left for the night, they had no choice but to tie up each other's scrubs. Serena gently pulled on Zosia's blue gown, her fingers dancing against a slightly arched back. However, when Zosia pulled on Serena's gown, she wasn't quite so delicate. Rough pulls and tugs on the lace thrilled Serena. Every draw on the string left Serena's skin tingling and wanting more contact with the F2. The palpable tension in the air became all-too apparent when their eyes met; it was almost too much for Serena to bear, whose whole body longed for more contact from Zosia. Although her face didn't betray her, Zosia also wanted nothing more than to feel Serena's graceful hands stroke her skin once more. Hands were now encased by latex gloves; simultaneously, they walked into the operating theatre, a faint flush still upon Serena's cheeks.
The surgery was a success. Jac fixed the tear in the proximal descending aorta and Jesse's attempt at keeping the patient's blood pressure low worked well. Serena skilfully fixed the DVT in the patient's lower right leg that had developed after the blunt force trauma. Zosia assisted Jac, but every so often her eyes would drift to Serena's swift hands, which were somehow elegant and deadly at the same time.
Sunset was still a couple of hours away, but the scrubbing room was filled with streaks of gold and orange. Sunlight glinted off the shiny, sterile surfaces. Once again, Serena and Zosia were the only two in the room; somehow, they had been left alone again. Maybe it was fate, Zosia thought.
Serena's breath hitched as the F2's fingers lingered on her back. Her mind was filled with uncharacteristically lewd thoughts. Meanwhile, Zosia was revelling in the effect she clearly had on Serena. But when the consultant touched Zosia's laces, the younger woman shivered impulsively - obviously, Serena had a similar effect on her. She knew others saw her as dangerously flirtatious, but she couldn't care less – she felt something she had never felt before when she was around Serena. For Zosia, there were two states of impulse; there, or nothing at all. Most unusually, she felt an unparalled, burning passion to find out more about Serena Campbell. The consultant's warm hands heated up the F2's icy skin - a perfect contrast.
"What time does your shift finish?" Zosia asked, her iridescent eyes brimming with eagerness.
"I'm done after we're finished here. I think I'm just going to go home." Serena replied. Strangely, she found herself wanting more of the F2's company as it couldn't be compared to anyone else's. She was the complete opposite of her father in that she could relieve stress rather than create it by talking calmly no matter what the day had entailed.
"I'm going for a drink at Albie's if you'd like to join me." Zosia offered. She wasn't usually this forward, opting to let others make the first move, but she knew she'd regret it if she didn't at least ask Serena.
"S-sure, I'd love to. Meet you there?" Serena replied, a smile lighting up her whole face. Unfortunately, she still has some loose ends to tie up at the hospital before she was about to join the striking young doctor.
Zosia nodded and walked out of the room. Shaking her head to break free of the trance the F2 had put her under, Serena walked out of the room and headed back to her office to quickly finish some paperwork - she honestly couldn't wait to see Zosia again.