Here's the next bit...next chapter will be updated soon enough. Sorry if this one took a while for me to update, hope you like it.


Nick had never seen Claudia's car before, but just like all the other goverment cars, it was black. It was one of the latest Volvo's with the rear lights up the side of the car.

'Volvo...classy.' he commented as Claudia unlocked it.

She grinned, 'Just get in the car.'

Nick did as he was told and slid in beside her, she did the same. Starting the engine she frowned, the car shuddered beneath them, 'what's wrong, Claudia?'

'The car's engine is stalling, damn.' She shook her head, catching Nick's eye.

Nick couldn't explain it, Claudia Brown plagued his dreams, she sent shivers down his spine and yet he tried to deny that he was in love with her. Perhaps it was the thought of a relationship, it scared him a little...the last intimate relationship he had had was with Helen. Helen had hurt him, badly; she had ripped his heart from his chest whilst it was still beating and stood on it. The fact she had left him for the anomalies and satyed away eight years only deepened his resentment towards her. There was an open wound on his chest where his heart had once been.

Not only did Claudia heal his wound, she filled the hole left behind by Helen. She wasn't controling, she wasn't uptight and certainly wasn't cruel. She wasn't Helen, she was her own person, she wasn't afraid to fight for what she belived in, or to let her true colours show...and her true colours were so bright, they seemed to blind Nick. He loved her for everything she was, independant, head strong and intrepid...well, she tried to be intrepid but her fear showed through sometimes. Claudia Brown was brave, maybe not fearless, but spirited.

Nick lent across her and carefully took the keys from her hand, 'Let me try.'

He immediately wished he hadn't, he could feel the closeness of their bodies.

Claudia was a little taken-a-back, but he did it so tenderly that she felt more at ease. Nick Cutter was a man she had never seen herself loving, there were times when she thought that Nick actually invented the word "Maverick." He was the kind of man who said thinks like "I know where you can put your orders" or "stuff professionalism," she smiled at the last thought; that was something she could see him saying with a smile on his own face. Being completely unprofessional was something Nick had taken to heart, something which tugged at her heart strings for some unknown reason.

The car burst into life, dragging Claudia from amoung her thoughts and back to the situation at hand.

'Thanks Nick.' She said, beaming at him as he straightened up.

'Er...no prob.' He looked a little awkwardly at her before grinning himself.

-

The motorway was jam packed, rush hour. Claudia sat back in her seat and sighed as the traffic ground to a hault.

'We'll never get there.' She moaned slightly, looking at the car beside them. Nick looked too and realised why she had; four youths were beside them, music blaring out and eyeing up Claudia.

She turned away, slightly embarrassed. The wolf whistles started and she sank further into her seat, her complextion turning rose red.

'Oi, hottie!' one of them yelled. Claudia's eyes opened wider, her embarrassment even more eveident.

It lasted for a few more minutes before Nick felt the anger rise inside him.

'Right, that's it.' He said, opening the door.

Claudia grabbed his arm, 'What? No Nick, just leave it.'

'No, I don't want to leave it. People have no respect these days and I'm not going to let them treat you like this...I hate it when you're upset.' And with that he got out the car, ignoring Claudia's protests that she'd be happier if he just got in the god damn car. Claudia started to yell at him, wishing that he'd come back to her, she didn't want him to get himself into trouble.

Nick could hear it in her words, she didn't want him to get hurt...or worse. He walked around the front of the car, aware of Claudia's eyes on him. He walked straight up to the youths packed into the fait.

'Watch out, here's the husband!' one of them yelled, the others jeered.

'Stop it right now! You carry on and I'll sort you out myself.' He spat in disgust at them.

One of them got out the car and walked up to Nick, 'Oh yeah? Come on then old man.'

'Who are you calling old?' Nick shot back in fury.

'Nick.' He felt the anger soothe slightly at Claudia's touch. He turned to face her, her dark brown eyes meeting his.

'Yeah, you better do as your missus tells ya.' The addolecent taunted along with his mates.

'Fine Claudia.' He said, gently catching her lips in his own. She was shocked at the kiss; he pulled away too quickly for her to even enjoy it.

Nick had used the kiss as a distraction, as soon as he reluctantly pulled himself away from Claudia's warm presence he turned and puched the guy in the face.

'Bitch!' the man yelled, blood dripping from his broken nose.

'So sue me!' he shouted back, turning and leading Claudia back to the car as the traffic began to inch forward once again.

Claudia set the car in motion, her mind racing with what Nick had just done. She turned to face him, and realised his right hand was badly bruised.

'Nick...' she said slightly annoyed, '...you got yourself hurt.'

'It was worth it though.' He said, looking back at her.

'Why? Because you thumped an idiot?' she asked raising her eyebrows at him.

'No...' he whispered, a smile in the corners of his mouth.

'Why then?' she asked, growing confused.

'You don't want to know...'

'Come on Nick, I'm a big girl, I can handle it.' She said, smiling when he did.

'I rescued you.' Their eyes met again, seriousness visible in his.

Claudia paused, 'My hero.'

They broke the eye contact, Nick feeling something rising in his chest, 'We've still got a bit to go.'

Claudia nodded, the moment still hung between them in the confined space of her Volvo.


please review, I hope this chapter is good, hopefully the next gets even better (it will)!

GPR