I decided to write this instead of continuing with The On Call Room. Hoping to have more opportunity to properly develop their relationship with this. It came to me when I read a tweet by someone I follow commenting on why hotels always play power ballads in the breakfast room (strange where ideas can spring from!). Hope you guys like it!

'Tell me Ric, would you say you are a glass half full or a glass half empty kind of guy?' Serena asked as she approached Ric in the hotel lobby.

Ric looked at her suspiciously. 'Don't tell me there's a problem with our rooms?'

'Only if you consider the fact there is only one room a problem.' Serena replied.

'What?' he demanded.

'Hotel is claiming the mistake was made on our end and they only received a booking for one room. Mine, incidentally as it's booked for Campbell.' She added smugly.

'That can't be right.' Ric huffed. 'Well, have you told them we need two?'

'Obviously.' Serena rolled her eyes. 'Unfortunately, it appears there is some sort of gymnastics convention on and between that and the conference… the hotel is fully booked.'

'I'll have to find somewhere else to stay then. There must be other hotels.' Ric said.

'There are.' Serena nodded. 'But this convention seems to be a pretty big deal and everywhere in town is booked up. Girl on reception says they've been getting calls from people who have tried other places already.'

Ric sighed in irritation. 'So, what am I meant to do? Sleep in the car?'

'Of course not. We still have a room.' Serena reminded him.

'You mean share?' Ric asked incredulously.

Ten minutes later Ric and Serena stood at the foot of the double bed in room 234.

'Do you prefer the left or the right?' Serena asked.

'Left.'

'Oh good!' Serena beamed. 'I prefer the right.' She glanced sideways at him. 'See? We complement each other so nicely!'

Serena placed her laptop case on the coffee table as Ric continued to stare at the bed for a moment.

'How do we explain this to Hanssen?' he asked.

'I'm not sure it really requires an explanation.' Serena said crinkling her nose. 'I prefer the right hand side simply out of habit. My ex-husband always slept on the left and used to get disorientated if he woke up on the other side.'

Ric gave her an unimpressed look. 'You know what I mean.' He said. 'How do we explain us sleeping in the same room?'

'By asking him to check with whichever one of his lackeys made the mistake to begin with.' Serena replied. 'Anyway, I doubt Hanssen is going to be overly concerned with our sleeping arrangements.'

'He'll know the hospital were only charged for one room.'

Serena sighed. 'He's the hospital CEO, do you really think he has time to go through the bills?'

'Last month he questioned Michael Spence about expenses incurred for a daylong conference he went to.' Ric told her.

'Yes, well, that was Michael Spence. He needs keeping an eye on.' Serena replied. 'But you…' Serena smiled sweetly. 'You're Hanssen's favourite little boy scout.'

Ric gave a fake smile. 'I wasn't suggesting it was me he'd be checking up on.'

Serena quirked an eyebrow and smiled, carefully studying Ric for a moment. 'Touche.' She acquiesced. She knew Hanssen didn't trust her and she suspected he and Ric were both keeping an eye on her. 'Perhaps this will help you earn another badge. A few days sharing a room with me and who knows what insights you'll have to share with the scout leader.' She was smiling but Ric didn't miss her point.

They had attended the evening session and had dinner in the hotel restaurant with a couple of other doctors. By the time they returned to the room they were both quite tired. Serena slumped in a chair at stared at her laptop.

'You're not thinking of doing more work?' Ric asked.

'I should.' She replied but she evidently didn't want to.

'It's late. We've had a long day travelling. It's an early start tomorrow. Get some rest.' He advised. He didn't know anyone who put themselves under as much pressure to work as Serena. He stood beside her. She looked tired. 'Why don't you run yourself a bath?' he suggested.

Serena raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to react towards his apparent concern.

Ric shrugged, he had a feeling he was about to be told where to go. 'It's just a suggestion!' he went back to his side of the bed and sat down.

'And a good one.' Serena said gently. Ric turned to look at her and she smiled. 'I think I'll do just that. If you don't mind me hogging the bathroom.'

'Hog away!' Ric grinned.

Serena enjoyed her bath immensely and felt quite relaxed when she emerged from it. She put on her pyjamas, grateful that she had brought her black silk ones instead of one of her comfy flannel pairs. It dawned on her then that she was about to get into bed with Ric Griffin.

She hadn't been to bed with any man in almost two years. The last time had been a reckless, drunken one night stand with an acquaintance she had not spoken to since, not long after her divorce had come through. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and took a deep breath before opening the door.

Ric was hanging a shirt in the wardrobe. He was wearing dark coloured pyjama bottoms and a grey t-shirt. He smiled at her. 'Relaxed and rested?' he asked.

'Yes.' She nodded. She made her way to the bed and got in as Ric went to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

When he came back he eyed the bed warily for a moment.

'Are you sure you're comfortable with this?' he asked. 'I can sleep on the floor.'

Serena rolled her eyes. 'You're too old to sleep on the floor. I won't be responsible for you doing your back in.'

Ric looked un-amused. 'HR would have a field day if they knew…'

'Oh relax Ric! I won't be calling HR up in the morning to lay a complaint.' She rolled her eyes. 'Unless you snore, in which case…'

Ric sighed and pulled back the covers on his side and lay down. They both lay there, wordlessly for a minute, suddenly feeling incredibly awkward.

'Well… goodnight I suppose.' Ric said eventually.

'Right. Night.' Serena turned the light on her side off.

'Oh I've set my alarm for 7.30 if that's ok? It won't bother you?' Ric asked before switching off his.

'Mine's set for 7.' Serena replied. 'But I can change it if…'

'No, no. 7am is fine.'

'Are you sure? Because…' Serena began.

'No, really.' Ric smiled at her. '7 is fine.' He turned out his light. 'Goodnight Serena.'

'Goodnight Ric.'