Chapter 1
"Stop it!"
"What?"
Bernie shifted slightly in her chair, not taking her eyes off the chart she was currently working on. "You're distracting me.."
"But I'm not doing anything!"
"Yes you are, you're staring.. I can't concentrate"
"No, I'm not". Who was she kidding, of course she was staring. She was sat opposite Berenice Wolfe, what else could she really do? "And besides, how would you know? Your eyes have been glued to that precious chart of yours, for the past, what, 9 minutes?"
Bernie slowly moved her eyes from the chart to Serena, meeting her eyes. "Have you been staring at me for 9 minutes straight?" She smirked.
"No, I wouldn't say 9 minutes exactly.. I’ve been here a bit longer, so probably more like… 15-16?" Serena could feel her cheeks reddening under the other woman's stare. "What did you expect? What, me to keep my eyes off those lips of yours, when you're sitting this close to me? Sorry Pal, that's not happening.. Especially not after last night"
"Serena.." Oh, there it was. That unbelievable feeling she got when Bernie said her name in a special way. It was kind of a warning for Serena to back off a bit, but at the same time it was so full of lust. It made the butterflies, now permanent inhabitants of Serena's abdomen, do cartwheels.
"No... Serena, don't give me that look!"
"There's no look, it's just my face"
"Pffft, that's the look you usually give me before we end up having to lock our bedroom door!"
"So?"
Bernie looked back at the chart again. She hadn’t really done much work since Serena had entered the office, she was far too occupied trying not to act on her urges. "Serena, no, we agreed to keeping it to ourselves for a bit remember?"
A few seconds passed before Serena mumbled a reply. "We can close the blinds?"
"No, that's too suspicious, and as you said yourself, it's not appropriate workplace behaviour."
"I knew I'd regret that, the moment I said it" Serena grumbled.
Bernie dared to look back into her eyes again. "It'll just have to wait until we get home. In the meanwhile: Shhoooo!"
"You can't make me leave my own office?!"
"OUR office, and yes I can... Stop pouting! See you at the coffee break? Yes? Good. now, get out of here"
"Fiiiine...spoilsport" and with that, Serena got up and left their office, her hands thrown up in mock surrender.
-----
Serena had spent most of her day in theatre, or out on the ward doing her rounds. She was really looking forward to seeing Bernie again. They had barely seen each other since they drove in together earlier that morning. Except for those 16 minutes that is, and it had taken its toll on her, they hadn't seen each other for several hours after all! Oh Campbell, you lovesick teenager... What have you become.. She thought to herself as she was walking towards the office.
Bernie jumped at the sound of Serena's voice. She had been working so intensely on updating her paperwork and putting together a summary from the last meeting with the department heads, that she hadn't noticed the brunette opening the office door.
"Do you want to get some coffee? It's fairly quiet out here, and Raf said he'd page us if we're needed". Serena was leaning against the doorframe, her hand still on the handle, just smiling at Bernie.
"Yes, sure, I'm just going to sign this last part here... There.. All yours"
A barely audible "I was hoping you'd say that" slipped out of Serena, as Bernie got up and passed her in the doorway.
Their hands would sometimes brush each other as they were walking down the corridor together. Neither of them talking, just enjoying being together.
Bernie was the first to break the silence "I do hope they have milky bars in Pulses"
"Getting a bit ahead of ourselves are we?"
"Yes, well, when was the last time you saw either Morven or Cameron?" Bernie was right of course, but Serena was never going to admit it until they knew for sure. Although, Morven and Cameron had been all giggling, teasing each other and completely oblivious to all the looks they got lately, and especially today.
Serena gave her a wink and a smirk. "No, I haven't. They're probably just enjoying each other's company"
"There it is again!'" exclaimed Bernie.
"What is?"
"That look!" And then suddenly it dawned on her. Pulses was in the opposite direction.. "We're not really going for coffee, are we?"
"No, not really" came a low-voiced reply from Serena, as she grabbed Bernie by the elbow and propelled her into the supply closet. The door slammed behind them.