"I don't believe you," Harry stated calmly.

"So, the great Nikki Alexander is scared to admit she finally has a chink in the armour, and might finally have to be honest with someone and let them in and let them help. Really Nikki? Is that what this is all about?"

"No, Yes, No."

"It's not what you think Harry," she managed to say between the tears.

"Then please feel free to enlighten me," because this is not carrying on.

"You really want to know? You want to know why I don't want you here, and why I can't let you near me. Because I am desperate for a good night's sleep, Harry. I don't know if you can comprehend how strong that desire is. It is the driving force behind my whole existence at the moment it seems. And as I lay awake imagining scenarios of me drifting into a dreamless sleep. You are always there Harry, and it would be so easy, just so easy."

Harry was not sure he was following, but stayed where he was.

Nikki stood up and took a step towards him.

"So easy," she continued. "Oh Harry, the nightmares are so bad." She said using a caricature of her voice.

"Please help me!" I'd say, and you would take a step towards me and hold me in your arms. You'd kiss the top of my head like you always do, and just when it was time for you to pull away, I'd look you in the eye and ask you to stay, and then I'd so lightly brush your lips with mine and you'd look at me and.."

"Nikki! Stop this at once!" Harry demanded. It was his turn to clap his hands over his ears and back away from her.

"How dare you, how dare you think you could use me like that? Are you out or your mind?"

"Very probably," she admitted sadly.

"That's why you wouldn't let me in?" he asked incredulously.

There was a small nod in reply.

"Just how bad is this Niks?" he asked more sympathetically but he was unable to keep all the anger out of his voice.

"it's bad Harry," she admitted.

"You won't tell Leo again," she stammered.

"Just be quiet for a minute, I need to think." Harry said.

Harry walked out of the kitchen purposefully and across to the bedroom. He heard her shudder as he opened the bedroom door.

"Come in here and get ready for bed," he demanded, disappearing into her bathroom area.

Nikki did as she was told. She had no care that she was undressing with nothing more than a beaded curtain between them, she had no idea if Harry was going to take her up on her offer or never speak to her again. So she silently changed into her pyjamas.

Harry was anything but silent. He was rooting through her medicine cabinet, opening boxes and stuffing pills into his pockets. When he was finally satisfied that he had removed temptation from her he came out.

"You can go brush your teeth now, you can have these back a sheet at a time when you show me the ones I've left you are empty," he stated.

"Harry!" Nikki scoffed.

"I'm not taking any chances," he replied frostily.

"Well don't take my kitchen knives, the way my day's going you'll be arrested on the way home and you'll have a hard time explaining why you have a pocket full of painkillers and a collection of knives," she said.

It wasn't a great sentiment, but it was the closest Harry had come all evening to talking to the real Nikki.

"Come on," he said, as if cajoling an unwilling child. "It's bedtime, clean those teeth and get into bed."

Nikki went into the bathroom. She could hear Harry crashing about the rest of the flat, but had no idea what he was up to.

"Ah, found it!" she heard him say.

He returned to her bedroom and dropped a dog-eared book on the bed.

"Agatha Christie?" she asked.

"Harry I've read it a million times."

"Exactly", he said "You'll be asleep before Chapter 3."

There was no way she could ask him to stay. Not after what she had said. Why couldn't she have just picked a fight with him and made him go. It would be so much easier to apologise for tomorrow.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Harry said.

"Tomorrow," yawned Nikki.

And with that he was gone.

Nikki wandered through to the kitchen for a glass of water. Her cutlery drawer was sellotaped shut and there was a post it stuck on the edge.

'I need you' was all it said.

All characters and situations belong to the BBC.

A bit of a departure from my usual stuff, not entirely sure I'm entirely comfortable with it, but then it's not exactly comfortable material. I'd love to know what you think, even if you think I'm way off base. Any feedback is always hugely appreciated. Thanks D