This was meant to only be a short one-shot. But 2000 words later I want to finish it. I'd been toying with this idea for a while, originally it was just going to be the letter, but then it needed context, and I couldn't see Jack just leaving it. In short, I didn't foresee this being so long, I hope you enjoy it as much as i enjoyed writing it.

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own Silent Witness nor it's characters and all rights go to the BBC and it's respective owners.

Jack had finally got round to cleaning out his desk, Nikki had been going on about the piles of paperwork that made it impossible to find anything for weeks. Because of this insistant questioning as to when he was going to clear it up, Jack planned a full scale clear out, draws and all one late night at the Lyell when lab results were slow and the report writing even slower.

"Jack do you want a drink?" Nikki enquired en route to the kitchen from the cutting room, he had hoped she had gone home so she didn't have to see the sheer mass of mess that he had created. Amongst the mounds of pens, scraps of paper, and a few than edible snacks Jack replied that he wanted a coffee. As Nikki's heels echoed away from the office he found an envelope at the back of a draw, slightly crumpled and bent from being shoved to the back. It had clearly been there for sometime. Intrigued by this envelope and its contents he placed it on the floor, a place where chaos had not yet descended, mentally reminding himself to read it later.

A while later, the Lyell had gone quiet, Jack's coffee cold, and the chaos that was the contents of his desk put away in a more organised fashion than before, Nikki had returned to the cutting room to finish a report not wanting to be there for the reorganising. Staring into space as to what to do next, the slightly brown corner of the envelope caught the corner of Jack's eye. Leaning down to pick it up he noticed the handwriting and address on the front "The Next Occupier" was written in a lavish, slightly disorganised style. Interested about it's contents he opened and started to read.

To the next occupier of this desk,

My name is Harry Cunningham and this desk was mine, and the Lyell my home for a long time. I'm guessing that your wondering why I'm writing this letter, it's about Nikki. Dr Nikki Alexander, the blonde that still has something of mine. Unless it's you reading this Nikki, then this is about to get awkward. In order to fully fulfil your new role here at the Lyell Centre, you need to understand a few things about Nikki. Nikki is this brilliant, extremely intelligent scientist who get's too emotionally involved, and does need saving quite a lot, she's an opinionated, aggravating, annoying, argumentative, desk stealing blonde firecracker. Who makes me want to flip my desk over in anger because she can't see how amazing she is. Nikki is an emotional, daddy issued, fragile woman who has an inability to see how loved, brilliant and respected she is. Nikki gives herself to everything with 110%, she doesn't do less than 110% to Nikki any less doesn't exist.

You've met Nikki, you've worked with her, otherwise you wouldn't be opening this letter. Have you noticed her laugh? The way that once something gets her laughing she'll keep laughing afterwards every now and then because the thought of it still makes her chuckle. Have you noticed her smile? Her beautiful smile that lights up a room and makes anyone in it feel warm and at home. Have you noticed how she is so selfless? She'll do anything for anyone, she gave up half her home for me. Have you noticed her determination? Me and Leo always used to say she was a bloodhound with a scent, once she has an idea, or lead she will always see it through. Although this this often leads to her spending sleepless nights at the lab, so always pickup coffee, a latte with two sugars does the trick, and make sure she doesn't stay all night. If she gets emotionally involved, don't stop her, she won't like it and immediately resent you for even thinking that she would be able to change such a big part of her personality, just support her and tell her you're their if she needs anything. If she is the same with you as she was me, prepare yourself for middle of the night phone calls and tears. Most importantly, make sure she is happy and laughs, I'm always scared that I was the only one to properly make her laugh, the laugh that stays with you long after she's stopped.

Nikki was and still is my best friend. As part of this I have seen her through many moments of emotional distress. A best friend supports their friend no matter how much seeing them with another person breaks their heart and makes them twisted with jealously, because they know that they are so in love with their best friend that she is the only woman he can now imagine himself with. I have seen Nikki pick many the wrong man, so make sure she doesn't pick anymore bad types. She deserves much better. Why didn't I tell her? Because I love her. I didn't tell Nikki that I loved her because I love her. I never found the courage or confidence to tell her and suddenly it was too late and I couldn't face breaking her heart by leaving, it would seem desperate, an afterthought. Whenever you read this, chances are she's moved on, she's found someone amazing, perhaps even you, maybe you found the courage I never did. If so, look after her, treat her well, and tell her that she's loved everyday, because I will never stop loving her.

Treat the desk well, I hope you find a home here at the Lyell. I certainly did.

The previous owner,

Harry Cunningham

P.S: Depending on when you read this, there might still be a microwave meal in the bottom drawer, I'm hoping that Nikki hasn't stolen it!

Jack set the letter down on the table shocked at what he had just read; it was at this moment that Nikki decided to return his shocked look immediately dropped from his complexion.