I completely forgot that Part 2 was already written! I wrote this before knowing about Afghanistan. Thanks to Freya and Owl for the reviews :- ) Enjoy!

Pancakes and Dessert

"Harry?" Your voice trembles slightly and you curse your inability to hide your emotions.

He spins you to the side and kneels in front of you. "Nikki. It's not a marriage proposal (yet) but, we have wasted so much time already, move in with me. I loved waking up with you this morning. I loved coming downstairs and finding your belongings scattered across the flat. I loved seeing you sleeping in my bed. And I want to see that every day. Please move in with me."

You know your answer already but you tease him for a second, "No…" a second's silence and then, "you're wrong." His face relaxes although he still looks confused. "We didn't waste time. The years we've spent being best friends, everything we've been through together can only help our relationship. And yes, of course, I'll move in with you. Or you might want to move in with me. My flat's bigger, nicer and… you wouldn't have to move all of my clothes."

He grins, sweeping you up in his arms. "I thought you'd say that but I couldn't find your own key…"

He then deposits you back in your seat. "Now, what would m'lady like to eat? Pancakes with chocolate sauce, maple syrup, vanilla cream, mixed berries, honey… the choice is yours!"

"God, Harry, did you buy out the entire shop?!"

"Well, half the market stall… I wanted this to be…"

"Perfect, I know." You cut him off and kiss him again. "All of the above, please, and you for dessert," you ask cheekily.

He laughingly serves you and the two of you settle down to eat, chatting and laughing as you had done the previous evening. Before moving on to dessert…

It's only much later as you lie curled up in bed that you think of something. Or several things.

"Harry, what do we tell Leo? HOW do we tell Leo? And what exactly did he know about your plans? I saw his look last night."

You hear Harry sigh softly and he reaches up and touches finger to your lips." "Stop with the 20 questions. He didn't know my exact plans although I think he suspected something last night, you know with the choice of bar and all. We did have… a chat a few weeks ago. It got me thinking and then the offer…" He stops suddenly and his eyes widen.

"And what offer would that be?" Your voice is suddenly chilly.

"The offer I'm turning down and I was planning on telling you about. Just not at this precise moment in time. By which I mean not while in bed…" He continues to stammer as you sit up.

"Details." The word falls from your lips. You don't know what to think. Do. Feel.

"NYU. A full professorship starting in the new academic year. But I don't want it. I don't want to leave London or you or Leo or Mum. My life is here."

You entwine your hands and look down, "I don't want to hold you back… you shouldn't miss out on this for me."

"It wouldn't be right without you…I'm not complete without you and I really just don't want to go. Maybe one day the Lyell will get increased funding and we three can be professors." He wiggles his eyebrows and you giggle.

"I love how you talk about we three. We are a team, aren't we? And Leo, he's the rock, isn't he?"

He nods. "We might not have made it here without Leo's support and he definitely deserves a gold medal for having put up with our various crises over the past few years."

You nod and smile, leaning back into him. "The only father-figure and mentor I've ever really had."

"Yes, he is all that and more. Now, as for how we tell him, I think this deserves some thought."

You pull yourself up, turning and resting your head in your hand." "Why do I get a bad feeling when you say that?"

"Because he will be insufferable when we tell him. So, I'm thinking of the best way of getting a step ahead of him." He grins as you start laughing and nodding in approval. "Now come here, I'm not finished with you!"