The sound of the coal bucket clanging on the floor, the contents scattering when it slipped from Harry's hands snapped him swiftly back to reality. He blinked several times and then stared at Nikki who was still standing before him although now shivering in her towel, her flesh goosepimped, her bottom lip slightly quivering. He dropped to his knees in embarressment, praying she hadn't noticed the increasing bulge in his trousers.

"Shit" he cursed and began grabbing lumps of coal off the floor.

"Sorry Harry" Nikki said softly and was at his side in three quick strides to help him clean up, one hand holding the towel to her chest. The warmth of the fire calmed her shivering and she sighed, breathing in Harry's aftershave as she bent down close beside him. Harry could smell his body wash from her, mixed with her scent and he truly believed he was going out of his mind with desire. Or he was just going out of his mind.

"I'm such a bloody clutz" he mumbled as he dropped the last piece of coal back in the bucket. Harry and Nikki stood together and he took the sight of her in.

"Jesus youre freezing" he said slightly disgusted with himself and hastily made for the door "Ill grab your things".

"Put a coat on first Harry you'll get soaked" Nikki called after him as he scampered out of the room wiping his filthy hands on his jeans. The rain was pounding down in heavy sheets, it would only be a matter of seconds before Harry was soaked to his skin. Nikki moved the towel up around her shoulders and moved to the couch. Her mind was racing. Had she imaged that? Had she imagined that? Such a long moment of silence when she had entered the room and startled Harry and the way he had looked at her….she felt his eyes roving hungrily over her…didn't she? Even in the half darkness had noticed his jeans tighten around his pelvis…hadn't she?.

Nikki swallowed, her mouth dry and she licked her lips. She felt like a teenager. "Stop being so bloody ridiculous" she said out loud, softly to herself. Had her desire for Harry become so intense that whenever he looked at her she was imaging that he himself was barely restraining himself from taking her?.

The front door slammed shut aided on its way by the wind and Harry's foot. He dropped the bags beside her, water dripping from his clothes and hair, forming a puddle on the wooden floor. The old Harry would have made a smart comment about her having a major shopping spree blow out but he was too preoccupied with guilt about the fantasy he had about his best friend moments before. He noticed she had moved the towel about her shoulders, hiding one of his most favorite parts of her but instead revealed more thigh. She looked up at him and wanted to smile her thanks but found herself unable to. The atmosphere had distinctintly shifted between them and they were totally unable to engage in the usual friendly banter, the usually friendly ribbing. This had been simmering ever since their return from Eastern Europe.

Harry towered over her and laughed coldly, never taking his eyes from hers.

Nikki suddenly felt defensive, was he laughing at her? Could he tell she was aroused and was laughing at how pathetic she was?.

"What's so funny Harry?" she asked unable to keep the edge of annoyance from her voice.

"Nothing. Nothing is funny at all Nikki. Funny is definitely not the word I would use to describe this situation" he was breaking, he was unable to hold back now, the dam was beginning to creak…

"Pathetic maybe…..yes…sad maybe oh yes…very much so. So sad and utterly depressing".

Nikki narrowed her eyes in confusion and waited for him to continue, drops of water ran from his hair onto her face.

"You….you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. I thought that from the very first moment I saw you but have I ever told you that before? No because I am a complete arsehole. A total and utter complete fucking arsehole!" Harry was shouting now.

"I have stood back and watched the most beautiful person in the world to me get trampled on by fucking tosspots and not done anything. I have not treated you the way you should be treated Nikki, I haven't treated you the way I have wanted to". Harry was pacing around the room now, forming more puddles. Nikki stared after him speechless. "So much wasted time, wasted time on women who could never in a million years come close to measuring up to you".

His whole form was heaving with energy and frustration, his fists clenching and unclenching. The blood was pounding in Nikki's ears, the only sounds now his heavy breathing, the rain and the clock in the corner. A piece of coal cracked loudly in the fire and Harry turned to her "you are so fucking beautiful. I am completely and utterly, devastatingly in love with you" he whispered. He then held his hands to his face and wept, exhausted. With his hands covering his mouth he mumbled "but I am so very unworthy of you. And I don't….I just don't know what to do". Harry sank down onto his knees. That's it. There was no going back from this. He had nothing now. His best friend would be no more to him.

Nikki sat still for several long moments and watched Harry who was now beginning to shake. Eventually she stood and walked slowly over to him. His breath was now choked with loud sobs. Tears, snot and rain cascaded down his face. Nikki reached down slowly and wrenched one of her hands of his knee. Her hand was so soft and warm, he wanted to turn and bury his head in her chest but couldn't move. Nikki pulled at his arm gently, urging him to rise to his feet. He eventually stood shakily, his eyes tightly shut. Nikki turned and led him slowly out of the room, down the hallway and into the bathroom. The room was still warm and humid from her shower, steam enveloped them but Harry continued to shiver violently. The tears had stopped and he watched from red rimmed eyes as Nikki let go of his hand and reached in to the shower and turned on the water. As it ran in hot streams, filling the room with more steam Nikki knotted the towel under her arm before turning to him and moved her hands to the hem of his jumper. Slowly she lifted it up his body, standing on her tippy toes to lift it over his head. His shirt was plastered to his body and he looked very pale. Nikki deftly began undoing buttons with her delicate fingers. Harry observed her closely, noting the care she was taking with him. She wore the same expression when beginning an autopsy. When she reached his bellybutton warmth began to stir in his belly and slowly radiate down his legs and groin. She held his gaze as she pushed the shirt off his shoulders and down his arms. Nikki placed her hands flat against his pecks for a moment, admiring his chiselled form then dragged her fingertips down to his belt buckle. Harry was unable to breathe. As she pressed against him to gain purchase on the button and zip he almost cried out. Utterly unashamed now that she could clearly feel the effects she was having on him. Physical evidence. Physical evidence Dr. Alexander of how much I love you. Harry had experienced lust before but this….this could not be described as lust. This almost transcended the sexual. This need was much more visceral. He needed her like he needed oxygen. He knew he would no longer be able to live, to breathe, to function without her. Nikki dragged his wet jeans down off his thighs and he stepped out of them unsteadily. Nikki bent down and removed his socks before rising again and stepping closer to him, her eyes never left Harry's as she hooked her fingers into his white boxers and slowly moved them down his legs. His erection sprang back against his stomach as she moved the elastic away. He was so hard it was almost becoming painful. Nikki then stepped back from him, her expression solemn and without her eyes leaving his undid the knot on the towel and let it fall away from her body. She had never, never, felt like this before, felt so desired, so comfortable, so connected, so wanted, so accepted, so beautiful. Harry drank in the sight of her. He had imagined she would have a beautiful body underneath those figure hugging clothes but he was totally unprepared for how truly beautiful she was. How utterly flawless. Her skin was gorgeous white, her breasts full and heavy, her nipples pink and hard. Harry was somewhat relieved. She wanted him too. He was still unable to move until she stepped towards him, placed a hand on his hip and guided him into the shower. As the hot water cascaded over them Harry pulled Nikki into a tight embrace, burying his face in her neck. The feel of her soft skin pulled tightly against his body was incredible. He knew he would never, never be able to let her go. They stayed like that, just holding each other for quite some time before Nikki took Harry's body wash and placed some in her hands. She then stood on her tippy toes and began treading her fingers against Harry's scalp. The sensation travelled throughout his entire body, Jesus Christ how could it feel so bloody good, she's just washing my hair. Taking more body wash Nikki turned her attention to Harry's shoulders and back, testing the sinewed muscles under her fingers. When Nikki ran the inside of her wrist up his length Harry hissed as if he'd been slapped. He was over sensitised and almost in pain. Nikki washed his pubic hair and gently rolled his balls between her fingers. "Nikki….." Harry warned, bending down to press his forehead against hers. She moved her hands away and continued to wash his thighs then his lower legs. As she moved away he became less sensitive and the need for her was threatening to boil over. She continued the tortuously slow ablutions of his body. The meticulous Dr. Alexander he smiled to himself…

He had restrained himself from touching her as she washed him simply because he was paralysed with desire but when she was finished he was so touched that she had showed him such care he pulled her again into his arms and broke down. Harry held Nikki tightly to him, emotion swelling in his chest, choking in his throat. As he buried his face in her neck, revelling in her smell he felt her breathing quicken, her breasts heaved against his chest. His erection pressed into her stomach as he let his hands slip down her arms. He was moving to finally kiss her when his fingertips grazed the side of her breasts and Nikki moaned softly, involuntary and Harry was pushed instantly over the edge. He came, sending his hot seed all over her stomach and breasts, his mouth latched firmly onto her neck, muffling his cry. No man had ever made Nikki feel so desired in her life. At that moment with Harry's seed hot on her skin she felt both dominating and claimed at the same time. Equal. She was totally his and he was totally hers. He held her tightly to him, allowing the pulsations subside and his breathing return to normal. Harry then took his body wash and slowly massaged the liquid into Nikki's skin. Harry's rough fingers gently, lovingly cleaned her body. Harry moved his hands in slow circles over her stomach, washing his seed away before moving to her breasts. Harry lifted the weight of her left breast in his hand and watched as Nikki let her eyes close. He gently washed her, allowing his thumb to slip over and over her nipple as he did so. Nikki was so close. No man had ever had this effect on her…Harry hadn't even kissed her yet…hadn't moved below her waist. Moving to her right breast, taking his time, enjoying the feel of her in his hands Harry could feel himself getting hard again. Nikki felt him stir against her stomach and her eyes fluttered open.

When they looked at each other tears pricked at Harry's eyes "I love you Nikki, I love you, I love you so so much". His forehead pressed against hers as he urgently moved his hands to her hair. Harry began kissing her eyes and cheeks before her soft mouth opened under his and they kissed. Their tounges slid against each other as they drank each other in hungrily. Harry cupped Nikki's face in his hands as the kiss deepened. Both were amazed at the emotion which surged from them as a result of this kiss. It was like a promise, a statement, an apology, a declaration.

"Harry!" Nikki cried softly hugging him to her "Harry I love, love you. I love you". Harry could literally feel her life force entering his body, repairing his fragmented spirit as he lifted her off her feet and in a smooth movement entered her. Harry held Nikki still against the wall of the shower for a long moment before he began to move inside her. This has taken far too bloody long he thought. They melted together blissfully, a perfect fit. Her slender body fit snugly against his muscular form as he took her. They marvelled at the sensations, the emotions. This was new for both of them. This is what making love should always feel like, not some anonymous, quick, shame filled shag. Harry moved slowly, controlling the pace, he wanted Nikki to know how much she was worshipped. This would not be rushed. This was about her. She was gripping his shoulders tightly, the tips of her nails digging into his skin. The slight stinging sensation spurred him on and he slipped back gently almost completely removing himself from her before thrusting forward when she protested his absence. She was so wet he slipped easily back inside her tight walls and gasped in pleasure when she reached down his back, over his ass and began stroking his balls.

"Oh jesus Nikki…..Jesus" he groaned and upped his pace.

"Harder Harry….harder….please" she whispered loudly into his ear. Her hot breathe against his ear and her begging almost made him lose it and he held his breath before releasing it slowly. "I'm so close…" she whimpered moving her mouth to his lips before thrusting her tounge back into his mouth. They kissed passionately as Harry thrust harder inside her before bending his head down to swirl a hardened nipple around his mouth. A few short seconds later he felt Nikki clench around him and cry out his name.

"Harry! Harry! Harry! Harry! Harry!" Nikki cried as her orgasm washed over her, sending waves of pleasure around her body down to her toes. Harry screamed her name and clutched one of her breasts as he emptied himself inside her. Her skin was now ultra sensitive and she bucked against Harry again as he massaged one of her breasts between his fingers.

"Oh it still feels incredible" she breathed as Harry lowered her gently, still holding her tightly to him as he slipped out of her. He kissed her lazily as he moved his hand from her breast down her stomach to between her legs. When Harry's rough fingers made contact with her sensitve wet folds Nikki moaned into Harry's mouth and dug her nails into his shoulder. Harry stroked her slowly before slipping a thick finger inside her, his own seed beginning to seep from her. Every nerve ending in Nikki's body was on fire and screaming in pleasure. She had never been able to come so many times before. Not with anybody. "Dr. Cunningham!" she grinned up at him, her eyes glazed. Harry made a come hither motion with his finger and the grin disappeared from Nikki's face "Fuck Harry….fuck". Spurred on by these words slipping from Nikki's beautiful mouth Harry's face adopted an expression of pure concentration and he removed his hand from her and moved both his hands down her buttocks and thighs. Harry kissed his way down Nikki's breasts and stomach before burying his face between her legs. Harry's unshaven jaw felt wonderful against her skin as he began to gently suck and kiss her.

"I can now die a happy man" Harry Cunninham mused to himself as he worshipped Nikki with his mouth. She twisted his hair between her fingers and quivered against his lips moments later. "Harry is very very good at that" she thought and a twinge of sadness struck her for only a split second as she thought of all the wasted years between them, of the other women he had fucked. But that's all it was. Fucking. What had just occurred between them could definitely not be classed as just that and her lips turned up into a happy, contented smile. She looked down at Harry who was running his hands up and down her perfect legs and looking up at her, his handsome face smiling reverently. A rush of love so intense it burned her chest rose up inside her. She loved it when Harry smiled at her. But this smile. This smile was the most wonderful smile he had ever given her. Harry felt warm inside. Properly warm, the hot water continued to pound their bodies and Harry felt lightheaded and delirious. He stood and took Nikki back in his arms and kissed her, he should be exhausted but felt unable to stop. This is how I want to die he thought, running his hands through her hair. "You are so beautiful" he murmered, peppering kisses on her lips "you take my breath away, you have no idea how many times I have walked into the lab and have been unable to speak because of how you looked. How I wanted to take you in my arms and make love to you right there on a mortuary slab". Nikki giggled at his confession and he shook his head in exasperation "Christ woman. You are trying to kill me aren't you?. Do you know how much it turns me on when you laugh?". Nikki giggled again, her laugh bouncing off the tiles straight to Harry's groin. An erection was painfully rising to half mast. "Poor Harry" Nikki said out loud to his raised eyebrows before pulling him into an embrace, kneading his buttocks and letting his hardening erection press into her. Harry honestly didn't think he had anything left in him. Nikki went down on her knees on the floor of the shower and looked up at Harry, she smiled as she looked into his eyes before taking him completely in her mouth. Nikki very gently sucked the tip of Harry's cock for a quick moment before sliding her mouth up and down his shaft. Harry groaned and grabbed a handful of her hair. She responded by rolling his balls between her fingers and sucking him faster.

"Oh stop Niks stop" he said urgently, he gently gripped her shoulders and pushed her back off him "Its too much, its too much. Its painful now, if you keep going you'll have to perform my autopsy…cause of death grossing excessive ejaculation".

"There are worse ways to go" she laughed rising to her feet "I couldn't do it anyway, it would have to be Leo".

Harry hugged Nikki to him and turned the shower off. "Poor Leo, he'd have a heart attack if he knew what had just happened".

"Yes I'm quite sure his head would explode" Nikki added.

Harry kissed her nose "I love you…..even if you are starting to look like a withered old prune". Nikki made a face and he grinned and held up her hands which were wrinkled from their excessive escapades in the shower. Nikki giggled and he slapped her bottom gently in admonishment before stepping out of the shower. Harry grabbed a clean towel from the rack and wrapped her in it before picking her old one up off the floor and wrapping around his waist.

"Lets sample that casserole shall we? I'm starving!" he declared before padding down the hall. As Nikki was about to leave the bathroom something sticking out of the pocket of Harry's discarded jeans caught her eye. A packet of presciption drugs.