"Jack! Calm down!" Clarissa tried to get through to her friend.

"I. Can't." He growled through gritted teeth. "Nikki could die, because of me."

The pair, and Thomas had been going to confront a killer when he'd opened fire on them. Thomas had a wound to the shoulder, Jack had gotten away scott-free, and Nikki had been shot twice-in the stomach and the upper chest.

"Come here." Clarissa gave her best friend a hug, rubbing his back in an attempt to soothe him.

"How's Thomas?" Asked Jack when they parted.

"He's fine, worried about Nikki. Trying to keep positive though-at least the killer was caught and she'll never do it again."

"Yeah." He nodded. "I'm to go and sit with Nikki."

"Okay." Clarissa replied, and decided to go and check on Thomas. On the way, she was mistaken for a patient and threatened to run over their foot.

"Hi." Clarissa smiled, making her way into Thomas' room. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay." He said. "How's Nikki?"

"She's stable, for now. She needs another op soon, though." Said his friend, and frowned. "There's something Jack's not saying. Fair enough, she's in danger. But, she's going to pull through, her injuries are non-fatal. I've tried to tell him that but he's not buying it-he's punishing himself extra hard."

"They're close." Shrugged Thomas. "You know how it is."

"Jack and I are close, not that close." Clarissa's eyes widened. "He... He has feelings for her."

"And the penny drops." Chuckled Thomas. "I've known for a while."

"It's been right under my nose." Frowned Clarissa. "They're in love."

"I've known for a while." Replied her colleague.

His friend nodded. "I suppose I never had him down as the type to settle down with someone."

Meanwhile, Jack was sat by Nikki's bedside, holding her hand. She was asleep.

"Nikki, please be okay. I'm sorry, if you don't make ir through I'll never forgive myself. I'm… I'm in love with you. I always have been, and I always will do."

Time passed, and Nikki went for her op. Clarissa and Thomas went home, whilst Jack waited- and slept fitfully.

During the night, Nikki dreamt of Jack. Of all the times he had saved her and been protective of her. Throughout the dreams, she saw herself as the audience to those times, but didn't understand why.

She and Jack were awoken by a nurse coming in to do her obs.

"Nikki." Jack breathed, smiling for the first time in what felt like days.

"Jack." She frowned at him.

"Not the reaction I was expecting." Said Jack. "You didn't knock your head, did you?"

"No, I… Was I asleep before I went into theatre?"

"You were." He nodded, sure that she was going to figure it out.

Nikki's eyes widened. "I heard you, talking to me. You… You said you love me. You said you always have done and you always will do."

"Yes." He responded, welling up. "I am so sorry for putting you in danger, Nikki."

Nikki took his hand. "No one could have predicted what happened, Jack. Also, I realised that I feel the same." She murmured, a smile on her face.

He missed her hand, then kissed her on the lips.

"I love you." Nikki beamed at him.

"I love you too." Jack replied.

"I know that I sound like a damsel in distress, but there is no one else I'd rather have protecting me." She smiled, gazing at him.

"It's my honour." He chuckled, kissing her again.