Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, as they all are owned by Shed Productions,

This is the first story I have ever properly written and published for anyone to see so any reviews I would be grateful for. I do not have a Beta Reader so if anyone could point out spelling or grammar it would be much appreciated.

Thanks for all your time

Tilly xxx

My thornless white Rose

Chapter 1

A couple of months had passed since Nikki's release from Larkhall Prison and through the nightmares and awkward counselling sessions life was finally looking up. She had returned back to the club she owned with her ex-girlfriend and business partner and only did fewer hours as she gradually gave herself back into her old routine. The biggest and by far the best change in her life had to be from her former wing governor and now partner, Helen Stewart. The woman had completely switched her life around from actually being able to find her a new and better lawyer who got her out of prison in the first place to being able to love a stroppy ex con lifer and lesbian. Nikki didn't know how Helen managed it but she wasn't going to complain. Now laying on the sofa in the living room and scanning over the events of "The Sun" she smiled to herself as she thought about her love. As if on cue Helen shuffled into the room, walked to the sofa, lifted Nikki's feet and sat down, placing Nikki's feet on top of her own legs. She then stretched her body out so it lay beside Nikki's on the sofa and jiggled a little to get a better position.

"Comfy?" Nikki asked her a little sarcastically, raising an eyebrow.

"Yup" She grinned tucking her tongue behind her teeth briefly in a cheeky grin and began lazily drawing patterns on Nikki's stomach.

"Good. Let me finish this article and then we can both do something if you want." She said her eyes re-reading the same sentence again and again.

"Mmm. Do you think you could maybe speed up the reading for me?" Helen asked seductively as she felt the tummy beneath her fingers quiver and goose bump.

"If you keep doing that then it will take me longer. You're distracting me!" As she said it she threw the paper down on the floor and pulled Helen so she was laid out right on top of Nikki.

"I seem to appreciate you better from here so I can see you below me, completely helpless," Helen grinned as she sat herself up right continuing to straddle Nikki.

"I wouldn't use the word completely but I'm enjoying my view too." From her position Nikki could view Helen at her best, feel her against her and see every perfect piece of her body. Helen just rolled her eyes at Nikki.

"I would, there is no chance of you leaving me," She leaned down resting her hands either side of Nikki's head and on the arm of the sofa. She softly whispered in her ear making it tickle slightly. "Especially if I don't want you too,"

Nikki shuddered at the feeling and Helen smirked at the effect she held on her partner.

"Oh woman what you do to me!" she groaned her eyes shutting tightly as she tried to hold herself together. Helen whipped off her top in one quick and swift movement before leaning down to Nikki again and she kissed her forehead. Nikki blinked her eyes open and her breathing hitched in her throat and her eyes bulged as she saw Helen's great cleavage in front of her. "Okay maybe you do make me helpless," She stuttered as her pupils dilated with want.

"Touch me Nikki." And just like that the amusement had left the room and a pleasant seriousness took its place.

Reaching up Nikki hooked a hand around Helens neck to bring her face down towards her own to meet their lips in a rich, passionate kiss, whilst her other hand reached to cup Helens breast. Slowly, she began to massage it and the small peak let itself known to show just how aroused Helen was becoming. Helens fingers also drifted to the top of Nikki's blouse and began fumbling with the tiny buttons. Everything was quickly heating up and it was obvious where they were heading, Helen managed to open the top few buttons on the shirt and Nikki had begun on the second breast when the doorbell began ringing. Helen froze for a second whilst Nikki carried on with the quick little kisses on the corner of the other woman's mouth. Helen looked down at Nikki clearly showing her she wanted to carry on with their intentions but when the bell insisted on ringing she simply gave up and pushed off the sofa sighing and grabbing her top before pulling it over her head. Nikki also pulled herself up and began straightening herself out but instead of following Helen to the hall she remained in the living room attempting to plump the pillows in a faint attempt to hide what they had been up to.

"One minute!" Helen called irritation clear in her voice as she scurried down the hall to the front door and unlocking it. Pulling it open she stared at the person opposite her.

"Karen! Wha- What are you doing here?" Helen exclaimed her voice rising in obvious shock and surprise.

"Helen, I wouldn't have come otherwise but I needed to- I-I- Oh my God Helen, you were so right!" and with that the usually strong self held blonde threw herself into Helens arms and began crying.

Helen gently pushed the door closed and walked Karen into the living room. Upon hearing Karens voice Nikki took the adjoining door into the next room so she was not seen, she headed for the kitchen to collect wine and glasses for the two women but decided to stay out the way herself.

"Sit down Karen and tell me what's going on." They both sat on the sofa and Helen put her arm around the woman in comfort.

"I didn't know who else to come to, Helen, I'm so sorry I've been such a stupid cow, I should have listened when you told me..." She rambled on quickly not making much sense and then finally finishing in another fit of tears.

"Shhh. Its okay now Karen. You're here; now tell me what has happened. Was it one of the girls on the wing?" Helen asked beginning to rub her hand over the woman's back in another attempt to calm her. Nikki cursed under her breath when she banged the wine bottle against the counter side, she held her breath for a couple of seconds before exhaling. In the living room Karen looked up from where her head had been in her hands.

"I should go, if you have someone here, I should leave. I'm so sorry Helen for everything." She began picking up her blue coat before Helen caught her hand.

"No. Don't go," She looked at her for a moment before shouting through the door. "Darling could you bring through three glasses please?" Nikki silently came into the room with a bottle of red wine and placed it on the coffee table before sitting in the corner chair out of the way. Karen shook her head violently, missing the tall figure that had just entered the room, then she looked straight to Helen her blue eyes watering with more tears threatening to fall and mascara smudged down her face.

"He raped me Helen," The words came out so quietly that both Nikki and Helen had to strain to hear them.

"Who did?" Helen asked trying to refrain the shock showing through her voice.

"Fenner." Nikki said in a dead tone. Her gaze threatening as she glanced at Karen.

"Is this true? Karen did he assault you?" Helen asked trying to bring the attention away from her partner.

"What is she doing here?" Karen's tone was quite hash considering what had just been said.

"I live here." Already Nikki was becoming defensive as she unconsciously sat up straighter and squared her shoulders.

"Nikki..." Helen drew out her name like she usually did when she was going to tell her off. Nikki glowered at Karen a while longer and then sank back down in her chair. She turned back to Karen and raised her eyebrows. Karen nodded her affirmation. Her lip quivering and threatening for her to break down again.

"Shit." Helen said as she fell back against the pillows, she stared in front of her, not seeing anything in particular. Karen looked down at her hands which were fiddling with each other.

"But you were in a relationship with him? Last I heard you were getting engaged." Nikki asked her, her voice softening a little with her concern.

"Still have inside contacts then." She replied sarcastically.

"Oh I like to keep up to date, never know the next time I'm going to have to be sent down, do I? " Nikki replied just as sarcastically.

"How did you know?" Karen asked her voice and hands trembling as she reached for the wine.

"Besides the fact he's the biggest bastard around? He abused Rachel Hicks and Shell Dockly- some might argue that it was karma but even she didn't deserve that." She quickly glanced at Helen and her voice softened and broke slightly at the end "And then there was Helen too."

Helens head snatched up at the mention of her name and she was met by big brown eyes which were glistening with regret and hopelessness. She quickly crossed the room to her and wrapped her arms around the taller woman and began reassuring her that she was fine with little kisses. Karen shifted a little uncomfortably but didn't comment on action.

"So what you're saying is it was obvious it was going to happen but I was stupid enough to not see it." Karen stated flatly.

"No. I'm saying he was always doing it but this time he took it too far." Nikki replied. There was a pause were they all sat thinking about Fenner, Larkhall and the abuse that had taken place. Karen cleared her throat.

"What shall I do now?" She began shaking as she thought of what she was getting herself into.

"Well you're going to have to call the police and report it, also write an account of what happened. You need to do something about it and we are both here to support you too." Helen smiled up at her reprovingly.

"I don't get you two. I call you every name under the sun Helen for warning me about Jim, I file your report but nothing really got done and I never pushed it further then, I come here asking about you Nikki and why you're here. That's not fair so why are you helping me?" She questioned as her face scrunched up with confusion.

"Believe it or not love, we care and Helen has this disorder where she has to help everyone." Though the words should have sounded harsh they came across gently and the amusement in Nikki's eyes as she looked at Helen who slapped her playfully.

Karen nervously cleared her throat and looked at the two of them a little ruefully.

"So then what happened between you two?" She asked.

"Helen came to congratulate me on my getting out, so I asked her to stay for a few drinks, then for lunch a few times and finally managed to pluck up the courage for a date." She shrugged.

Helen glanced at her narrowing her eyes and silently giving Nikki a "tell me later" look but didn't say anything different. Helen then turned back to Karen and smiled at her even though the worry lines were still visible on her face.

"Don't worry Helen I won't say anything. I wouldn't want to damage your reputation, so long as you say it is what Nikki said." She fixed her with a stern look almost daring Helen to say different and with the tone implied that she didn't believe a word Nikki had said.

"What, don't you believe me? Don't you believe that I was a miscarriage of justice or do you believe I am a cold blooded murderer?" Nikki glared at Karen her eyes wide showing her fury in a deadly gaze.

"I never said that Nikki. In fact it wouldn't have surprised me anyway; I suppose there was just something there between you too." She smiled her hands shooting out to gesture that she was trying to make peace.

"It's okay; sorry I guess I'm still a bit tetchy and defensive." Helen beamed a smile at Nikki and pulled her into her a side for a little hug.

"Anyway, I suppose I'd better get going, I'm sorry to have kept you both up and thank you." Karen said pushing herself up from the sofa. Helen looked at the clock and raised her eyebrows at the late time.

"Karen, why don't you just stay here for tonight? It's too late to go anywhere now. Come on, stay in our spare bedroom?"

"I've already stayed too long and ruined your evening. I couldn't..." she began but was soon cut off.

"Please Karen, it hardly ever gets used, you'll feel safer and I'll feel better knowing that you are okay too." Helen smiled at her and began leading her towards the guest bedroom. "Now feel free to use anything you want and I'll just fetch you some clean towels."

Helen scuttled out of the room to collect the things Karen needed and Nikki was left awkwardly stood in the doorway of the bedroom.

"I truly am sorry about how I treated Helen back in well, Larkhall, I just wish I'd listened. I feel awful that she was hurt too and even worse that I didn't believe her." She pleaded again and then burst uncontrollably into tears again, this time to Nikki. Nikki responded by coming up to her and wrapping her arms around the blond, she sank down so they were both perched on the side of the bed.

"shh, Karen it's okay you've realised now, you didn't want to believe because you thought you loved him- that he loved you, shh now..." she continued the soothing gestures for twenty minutes until her sobs had stopped and she was left with tiny hiccups. Helen stood in the doorway and smiled to herself as she looked fondly at her lover soothing her friend. She felt so proud of her and pulled the towels and pyjamas that she had found tighter to her chest as she thought about possible future children with this spectacular woman. Never before had she seen her so maternal and caring. Karen yawned against Nikki's shoulder as her body sagged in tired defeat, Nikki continued stroking her hair before reaching behind her to pull back the cover and gently rest Karen's head on the pillow. She then slowly stood up from the bed and knelt to take off Karen's shoes before tucking her legs on the bed and then tucking the woman who looked so vulnerable at the moment into bed. Nikki walked over to Helen who was stood leaning against the door frame. She held out her arms towards her which Helen accepted gratefully.

"Thank you sweetheart," she whispered against her chest.

"What for?" she asked nuzzling her ear and then nipping it.

"For looking after Karen, for looking after me, for just being you," she smiled up at her and gently kissed her lips before turning to place the towels and pyjamas on the chest of drawers before heading towards their own room to get ready for bed. They both showered quickly before slipping under the covers.

"I hope she is okay, I'm a little worried about her," Helen murmured as she chewed her bottom lip in concerned thought.

"She'll be fine, I'm more concerned about you darling," she stroked her cheek. Helen lifted her hand to kiss Nikki's she then turned onto her side and brought Nikki's hand with her.

"If I have you, I'll get through anything Nikki, I mean that." She said letting her body slump against Nikki's.

"I know, I love you Helen," Nikki said pulling Helen closer to her.

"I love you too Nikki," She replied sleepily with a yawn.

Half an hour later Nikki was struck awake when she felt Helen shaking and screaming beside her. She looked at her partner in horror as she saw the sweat she had broken out into and the obvious fear and pain written on Helens face. Her own panic was rising as it began to torture her not being able to help. She began shaking Helen, telling her to wake up, a little roughly in her alarm.

Helen bolted upright from her position, eyes wide open in pure fear, hot sweat dripping from her brow and panting. Nikki immediately took a hold of the smaller woman in her arms and pulled her in for a hug. She gently moved her hand and began soothing her lover by gently caressing her face and hair.

"Shhh Darling, Shhh I'm here, your safe sweetheart." She repeated as the Scott burst into fresh tears on her shoulder and clung onto her so tightly like her own life depended on it.

"He was there again, Nikki, He did it again, and then he wanted to hurt you too," She sobbed broken as Nikki held onto her tighter assuring her she was safe.

"He is not going to hurt you Helen; never again, we're out of that place now. Far away from it darling." She soothed brushing Helens hair away from her face and kissing her forehead softly.

"It wasn't that, that scared me Nikki, he wanted to hurt you and he nearly did." She whispered as her head dropped in defeat. Nikki lifted her chin to see that the light brown eyes glistened with tears which were rolling down her cheeks. She looked so young and childlike that it made Nikki's heart ache.

"He's not going to get you or me, Helen. We are both safe away from him now." She said sincerely before pulling Helen back so that they both lay down again. Helen rested her head on Nikki's chest sniffling as she calmed down and cuddled into her. After a while both Helen and Nikki had drifted back to sleep still wrapped up in Nikki's arms who held on to Helen tight refusing to let her go.