A/N: If only they'd had a few more minutes!! Well, I would have liked it to happen this way ;) Please R&R :)
As Harry walked towards the car, he could see Nikki getting out of it, and could tell that she was tense. Either she had some bad news, or, more likely, she was dreading this meeting.
Sure enough, in a low, almost submissive tone that he particularly objected to, she began, "Harry, Iā¦"
He refused to let her continue with what he knew would be an apology, not until they were on equal footing and she'd lost that meek tone which didn't suit her. "I missed you," he interrupted, pulling her into a hug.
As she hugged him back, as if clinging to him for dear life, he realised how right Leo had been about patching things up with her. He held her tightly, not wanting to let go. It's okay, he thought, as if she could hear the words. It's all okay, Nikki. Everything's fine.
As if in response, she burrowed a little closer to him, hugging him more tightly. Eventually, he pulled back a little, his hand still on her arm, squeezing it gently as he looked down at her, thumb giving a gentle caress. He very nearly kissed her, and knew she could see it in his eyes, but the tone of her voice was still unsure when he moved away to get into the car when she asked him, "what did you miss about me?"
"Oh, you know. Everything," he replied, knowing that joking with her was the only way to get her back on track.
"Everything?"
He grinned to himself as he heard the lighter tone, a hint of mocking disbelief ā mocking herself as much as him, he suspected ā and went on teasing her. "Even your cast-iron, pig-headed stubbornness," he replied, as he got into the car, turning his head to look at her, and noting the smile on her face as she turned to do the same. His eyes locked with hers for a moment, and knew that this was the moment. Holding her gaze, he said, very quietly, "I'm sorry."
She didn't look away, knowing that they needed this moment more than either of them really wanted to admit. "Ditto," she whispered, before looking down.
"Doesn't count."
She had to smile then, and looked back at him. "Okay, I'm really, really sorry."
He caught her gaze again, and smiled, then reached out to take her hand, and gave it a squeeze.
"I missed you, too," she said softly, still looking at him. "I really missed you."
"I'm back now," he said quietly.
She nodded, and reached over to hug him again, despite the awkwardness of being in the car. It wasn't comfortable, but he didn't care, as he held her tightly. "I'm sorry," she sighed again, looking up at him.
He smiled, cupping her face in his hand as he brushed his thumb over her cheek. "Did anyone ever tell you, you talk too much?" he queried, before placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
She smiled back. "Only you."
He nodded. "And as always, I'm right." Before she could argue with him, he kissed her again, slowly, gently, but leaving her in no doubt of his feelings.
As he pulled back, Nikki looked up at him with a teasing smile. "Glad to be back?"
He laughed. "Very."
