Jack
She looked so freaked out, when he almost lurched towards her with the power tool - and the red mist came down. When it lifted, she was on the ground – bleeding, and I realised that the bastard had punched her.
That was last night.
I can't sit at my desk, because it's opposite her, and I can't bear to look at her bruised face. I can't speak to her, because I keep remembering the sound of her yelling my name as I laid into Hawke. I wasn't particularly aware of it last night.
But I am now.
Nikki
I tried to cover it with make-up – this ugly black eye, but it doesn't matter whether it's obvious or not. Jack knows it's there. I had hoped to get away with a small bruise to the nose, but it was quite a punch. The impact to my nose caused a huge black eye – which shows up vibrantly against my blond hair.
I had to make a decision. I didn't want to, but it was necessary.
I had Jack – I had him back finally, but now he's gone again. I keep trying to reach out to him, but there's nothing. Nothing at all, and I can't live like this. Jack can't live like this.
"I'll resign if it makes it easier for you." I offer quietly.
I get no response from him – in fact he doesn't even look up from his paperwork. I take his lack of reaction as agreement – or maybe he just doesn't care either way. I stand up and take my coat off the back of my chair.
"I'll go at the end of this case." I conclude, putting my coat on. "I'm owed leave anyway."
"And where exactly do you intend to go, Nikki?" Clarissa comments from her desk, as Jack gets up and leaves the room, seemingly unaffected by the conversation.
I watch him go and turn back to her. "Dunno – I'll go back to Africa, I guess. I know when I'm not wanted."
"We do want you here." She protests.
"I know, Clarissa." I answer. "But Jack doesn't."
She sighs. "Stay there."
I shake my head. "Clarissa, I just want to go home."
"I've got some rope in my desk drawer, Nikki." Clarissa informs me sternly. "Do I have to tie you to your desk?"
"No." I go back over to my desk and sit down obediently. "I guess I'm not going home then."
"Good girl!" She smirks. "I'll be back in a minute – you can make yourself a cup of tea while you're waiting."
"Gee, thanks!" I answer sarcastically.
Jack
"Talk." Clarissa demands as soon as she enters the meeting room – where Thomas and I are clearing up in silence.
I look up. "There's nothing to say."
"You idiot!" she growls at me.
"Do I need to separate you two, Clarissa?" Thomas asks. "Or are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"Nikki's threatening to resign." Clarissa states. "Because she believes it's what Jack wants."
"I didn't tell her to leave." I reply sulkily.
"No." Clarissa agrees. "But you didn't tell her you wanted her to stay either – and that's more the point, I think, Jack. Nikki took your lack of response to mean it was what you wanted."
"She can do what she wants." I mutter stubbornly – ignoring the two sets of eyes that are glaring at me.
"It doesn't sound like this is what she wants." Thomas comments bluntly.
"She's planning to go back to Africa." Clarissa informs me - to my horror. "Did you know that?"
"No."
"Well, she is." Clarissa repeats. " – and then you'll never see her again, Jack – because something tells me she's intending to book a one way ticket. Is that really what you want?"
"No!" I snap, my heart sinking.
"Then maybe you should tell her that." Thomas suggests.
"I can't."
Thomas shakes his his head at me in exasperation and turns to Clarissa. "Where is Nikki now? Has she gone home?"
"She's in her office having a cup of tea." Clarissa informs him. "I said I'd tie her tie her to her desk if she tried to leave." She adds brightly.
"You said you'd do what?!" He retorts indignantly.
Nikki
I sit drinking my tea miserably. I never thought I'd have to leave the Lyell – at least not until retirement. I thought I'd found my job for life and it was my home. Losing my best friend has rather taken the joy out of it though – and if I stay, I'll still have lost him. I can't see him wanting anything to do with me again – and I don't want him to be unhappy, which he will be if he has to put up with having me here against his will. I don't want to be a constant reminder of his guilt. On the other hand, , if he's forced to work with me, he might come to resent me. Or worse, hate my guts. I don't think I could cope with that. It's best if I go – for him and me.
I hear Thomas and Clarissa, and hurriedly wipe my eyes. It wouldn't do for them to see how much I've been crying.
"You're still here." The latter comments. "Good."
"I wasn't aware I had a choice in the matter." I retort crossly. I'm not cross with her – I'm just fed up and I want to go home.
"Are you ok, Nikki?" Thomas asks me. He clearly knows what's happening here, so if you ask me – that question is totally redundant.
"I'm fine." I'll have to be, won't I.
Thomas sits down in Jack's chair and shakes his head at Clarissa. "I just don't understand it. I thought things were getting better, then Nikki gets punched and Jack- Usually, if she gets hurt, he's straight there, checking she's ok."
"He was." I mutter blankly. "At first."
They stare at me.
"So what happened?" Thomas questions eventually.
"I don't know. I had blood dripping out my nose. He was staring at me horrified – and then he just...shut down completely." I shrug. "There was nothing." I stand up. "Can I go now?"
Thomas nods with a sigh. "Yes, Nikki."
"Nikki, don't be upset-" Clarissa starts as I turn to leave.
"I'm not. Jack doesn't care about me – so why should I care about him?" I answer bluntly.
"Nikki!" Thomas exclaims.
"Sorry." I mutter. "Look, I know that you both want me here – and I appreciate you trying to change my mind, but I can't stay if he doesn't want me here, so please don't ask me to."
"What do we do, Clarissa?" Thomas shakes his head, sighing. "I can't force her to stay – and I don't know what's going on in Jack's head, but I can't force him to talk to her either."
Clarissa smiles, patting his shoulder. "Don't worry, Thomas – I have a plan."
