She'd broken up with Matt.

It had happened in America, they'd both been busy prior to Nikki's visit, and had agreed to part on good terms.

At home, Nikki has buried herself in work. Staying late every night, getting paperwork done, coming in early- anything to distract herself from the labyrinth of thoughts that were her mind.

Jack was worried about her- sure, she was a workaholic, but not to that extent.

It was the end of another day, the team were wrapping up their work.

"Nikki…" Jack approached his friend. "I was wondering if you fancied pizza and beer tonight? C'mon, it's Friday."

"Um, sure." Nikki nodded, knowing that he's concerned and she cannot back out.

Thomas and Clarissa didn't say anything, simply exchanging a look. Jack would bring her back, just as she did him.

Nikki and Jack went back to his, she'd taken a cab to work.

Although there had never been anything sexual between them, she'd always kept a change of clothes at his.

She made her way into his house first, feeling as comfortable as if she was at home.

He followed soon afterwards, and made them both a cuppa. "Bed's made up if you want some shuteye now?"

"I'm okay."

"Nikki... You're not. Go and have a nap, I'll order us some pizza in a while."

"Alright." Nikki decided, and made her way into the spare room.

She napped, and Jack watched TV. He finished off the paperwork that was still in her bag, so she could have the weekend off.

Nikki woke up an hour or so later, feeling a lot better.

A few minutes later, Jack knocked on the door.

"Come in!" She called with a smile.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, making his way into the room and handing her a cup of tea.

"Better." Nikki responded.

He sat next to her, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Nikki..." Jack said, and considered what to say next.

Nikki answered his silent question. "Matt and I, we broke up."

"Oh, I am sorry." He apologised.

She sighed. "Wasn't your fault. We didn't see very much of each other, we both agreed that it wasn't working."

"Ah. Did you part on good terms, at least?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, we've agreed to keep in loose contact, just in case we want to give it another go. I don't want to, but he's hopeful."

"Ah. And you don't want to hurt his feelings?" He guessed.

"That is correct." She responded. "What's for tea"

"Pizza, of course." He smiled. "Pepperoni and meatball okay for you?"

"Sure." She replied, and Jack got his phone out to order pizza.

Jack had had feelings for Nikki for a while-he'd been upset when she'd told everyone about Matt.

She had feelings for him too, but had got together with Matt in order to try and get over it.

"Jack..." Nikki begun. "Can we talk? Properly, I mean?"

"About...?"

"Us. There's something that there's been left unsaid between us for way too long. I think that you know what I'm talking about."

"The elephant in the room." Jack replied. Nikki nodded.

"Listen, I don't want to ruin what we have. This friendship that we've built up, this repertoire we have. If we act on our feelings, we could ruin it." She said.

"I don't think we will. We'll still be Jack and Nikki, only we'll be a couple." Jack responded, taking her hand.

"Yeah..." She turned her gaze towards his own. "Jack?"

"Yes?"

"I love you." Nikki admitted. "I have done for a long time now."

"I love you too." Jack said, and they kissed.

After they broke apart, the doorbell rang, it was the pizza.

The new couple ate their dinner in front of the telly, and cuddled, safe in their own little world.