23rd December
She strode into the forensic lab, purposefully as always, and sat down at her desk instead of his for a change. This in itself was enough to make Harry wonder if everything was okay. He looked up from the bookcase, where he was searching for an elusive book he had been searching for for ages now, and saw her put her head in her hands. Her long, curly, beautiful blonde hair shrouded her face as she just sat there, unmoving. At first all Harry could think of was how beautiful she looked, even when she was upset. How he wanted to just race over there and grab her in his arms, knowing that she was all his.
Harry was bought out of his dream-like state when Leo walked out of his office. He saw Nikki (clearly very upset) and Harry (clearly very in love with Nikki) and sighed his signature disapproving sigh. Harry looked up, startled, then sheepish as he realised he had been caught staring at her. Leo jerked his head in Nikki's direction, urging Harry to go and comfort her. As Harry walked over- rather cautiously- Nikki looked up. Her face was tear stained and her eyes red around the rims; Harry wasn't sure if this was from excessive crying, or major sleep deprivation. When Nikki saw she had an audience watching her she just turned her head, trying to hide the tears. Harry quickly closed the gap between them and folded his arms around her.
"What's up Niks?" he asked, trying to be as sensitive as possible but knowing she probably wouldn't tell him with the technicians scurrying around.
"What? Oh, um nothing. I've um, just got, um, a lot of paperwork"
"Ohh... Right..." Harry glances at Leo, both obviously unconvinced- but deciding not to push it.
And so the day goes on with Harry and Leo tip-toeing around Nikki, and Nikki carrying on diligently with her work. At around lunch-time, Leo strolls over to Nikki who is immersed in reviewing a PM report.
"Want a coffee Nikki?" He asks, and on getting no response, he tries again. It is only on the third time of him asking that Nikki snaps her head up, reminding Leo somewhat of a bunny caught in headlights; she clearly hadn't heard the previous callings.
"Coffee? Oh, err... yeah. I mean, yes please Leo, that would be lovely." Leo shot her a worried glance, but she missed it because she had dropped her head again and was scribbling amendments on the report. He walked out, mystified, shaking his head with concern.