Set just at the end of 'True Love Waits,' and delves into what could have happened if Jack and Nikki grew closer after some pizza. This is my first Silent Witness fanfiction so sorry if it's a bit OOC and I know this is just basically a rewrite of that last scene but I needed to start somewhere, so enjoy (hopefully)...
"Hey was that good?" Roly spoke looking over at his young daughter who was running over after playing on the swings with Jack.
"Yep. I'm starving, can we get a pizza?" the girl beamed despite the recent loss of her mother.
A smile etched across Nikki's face at the sheer strength of this child to pull through such a traumatising experience. The whole case had brought back harrowing memories of when she too had lost her mother.
She could remember that day so vividly even though she had only been ten at the time; her father, walking into the room, placing an arm around her shoulder and pulling her into a tight hug whilst whispering the words 'I am so sorry," over and over again. That was the last time her father had shown any sort of comfort towards her and not long after, he had sent her over to England to get away from all the ghosts that haunted mostly him in South Africa.
Nikki didn't want that for Emma and after seeing her for the first time in the pub on the morning of her mother's death, Nikki had been flooded by this overwhelming sense of protection to try and help this young girl out and do everything within her power to make sure she didn't lose two parents in one day. And thankfully, she didn't.
"Yeah of course we can," the little girl's father replied, tucking his hands into his jean pockets.
"Can Nikki and Jack come too?" Emma asked looking up towards the both of them with an expectant look on her face.
Roly sighed,"Well, erm, I think they've probably got better things to do."
"Ah never say no to a pizza,"Jack answered with a hint of excitement in his voice as he glanced over at Nikki and then the girl.
Nikki interrupted, placing a hand on Emma's back, "I think we've got to get back to work, I'm…"
"...spoil sport…"Jack mocked lightly.
"...Sorry," She continued, not really taking much notice of Jack's clear disappointment and pulling the girl into a hug, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
Jack felt his heart jump as he watched the interaction take place in front of him, he hadn't known Nikki for long at all but there is one thing he now knew about her, she was great with kids and she would make a wonderful mother one day. He cursed himself for even thinking of something like that and tried to brush the thought away but that didn't stop a small grin sweep across his face.
"Aw, never mind," Roly said, smiling along with Jack at the scene unfolding in front, it was heart-warming to see his daughter be so positive at this time.
Pulling away from Emma slightly and looking down at her, Nikki spoke with a promising tone to her voice, "But we'll see you very soon, okay?"
"Okay," the girl agreed, still holding on to Nikki.
"Erm, thanks a lot, thanks for everything," Roly leaned taking ahold of Nikki's hand shaking it gently before moving to shake Jack's hand also.
"Good luck,"Jack uttered, shaking the man's hand back.
"Cheers, thank you, come on," he directed at his daughter who had eventually let go of Nikki and they both began to walk back through the busy park.
Jack and Nikki watched them as the disappeared into the distance, well, Nikki did, Jack couldn't help himself to steal a gaze at her whilst she wasn't focused on him. She then turned back to Jack with a look on her face that signalled it was time to leave.
"I could take you out for a pizza later if you like, I feel like I should,"Jack spoke as they turned and walked towards the park exit.
"Why's that?" Nikki asked, slightly surprised at this sudden offer.
"Well, without you I wouldn't have a functioning oesophagus,"Jack joked causing Nikki to chuckle as they reached the gate.
Stopping at the exit, Nikki studied his strong figure, noticing how his t-shirt was just that little bit too tight and she could clearly see his defined muscles underneath, making her breath hitch. Thinking it would help, she looked up into his eyes but it only made it worse as she noticed how much they sparkled in the bright sunlight.
"Okay," she let out softly. Feeling her cheeks heating up, she tore her eyes away from him and pushed the gate open.
"It's a date then," Jack laughed, walking in the opposite way to Nikki. "See you later," he waved after her.
Nikki waved back not realising what he had just said and continued strolling in the direction of her car. Then it sunk in, spinning around on her heel she could see him stood there watching her with a huge grin on his face, he winked at her now making the whole of her face turn a dark shade of red.