Chapter One

(Disclaimer: I own no rights to Silent Witness. All characters belong to the BBC)

"So Nicola, why do you think you're here?"

Nikki said nothing. She didn't even flinch at the use of her full name, something that usually made her correct whoever had used it. She merely sat there, gaze levelled at the bandage on her hand.

"Nicola. I can't help you if you don't speak to me," the tone were stricter now. Like a schoolteacher telling a naughty pupil off.

Nikki still said nothing. She felt a ripple of tension pulse through her body as she struggled not to scream.

"Nicola, do you think it's got something to do with Mexico?"

That was enough.

Nikki stood up, pushing the chair backwards and forced the door open with all her might. She heard it slam shut behind her and she felt a small amount of satisfaction at the thudding noise.

"Nikki?" a new voice this time. Softer. Kinder "What's wrong? Hey slow down!". This new voice followed her as she swept down the corridor and turned off suddenly.

Nikki flung herself down on the nearby bed and finally, after all this time the tears came streaming forth. Hot, sticky tears fell down her face and suddenly she felt like Alice in Wonderland.

Would she drown in her tears?

"Doctors are arseholes," the voice cursed "Sorry Nikki, I forgot you were one of them. No offence,"

"None taken Emily," Nikki said, her voice thick with tears "Were you waiting for me outside that room?"

"Yes, but not eavesdropping. I just know that Doctor Redford likes to push buttons to get you to speak. I guess she did that to you huh?" Emily said sitting down next to Nikki

"Why though?" Nikki said "It's a cruel way to try and help someone,"

Emily nodded thoughtfully "Like I said, doctors are arseholes. Except forensic palaeontologists,"

"Pathologists," Nikki corrected

"Pathologists," Emily agreed "When's that pal of yours coming back in. He's kind of good-looking,"

"Not my type," Nikki told her "He's not even the same species,"

"He's too tall for me," Emily gestured to her four foot eleven frame "But I guess that wouldn't make a difference in bed. We'd be lying down and doing it-"

"Emily Hooper!" a voice scolded but as the pair turned they saw that Anna was trying to suppress a smile "Wash that filthy mouth of yours out!"

"I never said anything. You just have a dirty mind," Emily called back with a mischievous grin on her face

Anna ignored her and straightened her uniform "Nikki, Jack's waiting in the day-room as well if you want to see him,"

Nikki shook her head.

"Go and see Jack, Nikki," Emily told her "Talk to him,"

"He's the reason I'm in here,"

Emily cocked her head on one side and looked at her sympathetically "Talk to him," she said, pushing up off Nikki's bed and retreating to her own bed-space

Nikki paused for a moment before getting up off the bed, wiping her eyes and exiting the room. She wandered slowly down the corridor pausing for a moment to look out of the window. It was raining outside but the weather want the thing that caught her eye. It was the blue and white NHS sign past the high fence.

Fairview Psychiatric Hospital.

Author's note: What do you think? I'm not sure if I want to carry this on, but leave me a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.