Chapter 3

Harry's heart was hammering in his chest as he slowly stood up and met Nikki in the middle of the circle of people. Behind him Helen was staring in the pair's general direction with a disgusted look on her face. Nikki stood at the centre of the circle waiting patiently on Harry. As Harry approached slowly he considered how perfect and beautiful she was. He came to a stop about a foot in front of her. Nikki gave him a calculating look and peered obviously at the distance that Harry had created between them. Leo and Charlie were holding their breaths both hoping that something would happen with fingers crossed tightly.

Nikki spoke softly, "You know Harry…I think your too far away." With that she grabbed the soft material of Harry's crisp shirt and pulled him towards her and kissed him full on the lips. Explosions! Fireworks! Magic! The lot! Their bodies were moulded into one as they pressed themselves even closer to the other. Nikki's hands were around Harry's neck pulling him even closer and Harry's hands were in her hair tugging it softly. The others in the room were forgotten. Harry and Nikki were in their own little bubble together that no one could penetrate. Nigel coughed audibly hoping to stop the pair kissing and bring them to attention but neither Harry nor Nikki heard it.

Charlie was smiling excitedly at Leo and Leo motioned to the door trying to get Charlie to understand that they should leave and give the kissing couple privacy as neither Harry nor Nikki looked like they would be stopping anytime soon. Charlie understood and mouthing to the others and pointing to the door got the others to understand. On hands and knees Leo, Charlie and the other three slowly crept from the room and headed for Leo's office.

Harry was shocked and also immensely relieved. Nikki had initiated the kiss. Of course, the whole point of the game was to kiss, but a kiss on the cheeks fulfilled the requirement. However, this surpassed the kiss on the cheek. He thought that it was by far the best kiss he ever had, except his very first kiss in that bar with Nikki. It felt so right to be with Nikki. The kiss was so passionate and tender. But, that would mean…she liked him too? He loved the feel of her in his arms as he supported her weight against him. Her lips moulded on his made him weak at the knees. He could feel Nikki's erratic heartbeat against his chest.

Nikki could not get enough of Harry. She was surprised at her earlier actions of initiating a full on kiss…in front of Leo! He was like her dad...for goodness sake! She should have controlled her emotions better. However, she found that she wasn't too angry at herself. She was finally kissing Harry! Not to mention the kiss was fantastic. It was so Harry, gentle yet demanding, coy but dominant. He was kissing her back and pulling her closer…not pushing her away.

Slowly, the pair broke apart and looked into each others eyes. Nikki became aware of the silence in the room. She pulled away from Harry but placed her hand in his. She contemplated the empty room.

"Well, we can clear a room at least." Harry said softly.

"Harry?" Nikki questioned.

"Yes, Niks."

"I think…I think…no, it doesn't matter. Don't worry about it." She had just been about to admit her new found feelings for Harry that clearly ran deeper than she thought.

"Nikki…what is it? Tell me." Harry said concern and worry in his eyes.

"I-" Nikki began but became lost for words. She was staring at the floor unable to look into Harry's eyes and be met with the rejection she knew was about to come.

Slowly, Harry reached out and gently tilted Nikki's chin up so she was looking into his eyes.

"I'm gonna go out on a whim here Niks," Harry began, "I know your probably going to say that that kiss was a whopping great mistake and you don't want to ruin our friendship."

Nikki opened her mouth to speak and Harry, seeing this put a finger to her lips saying, "Let me finish or I'll never admit it. I…I love you Nikki."

Nikki gasped audibly and was staring at Harry with a surprised look on her face.

"You what!" she squeaked.

"I love you Niks. Always have, always will, but have been too stupid, scared and stubborn to say anything. I just thought you should know."

Harry let his hand drop from her face and let his head droop. He stared at the floor preparing for her negative and pitying response.

Nikki was still in a state of shock. How to reply? He, Harry, God of her world loved her? It couldn't be true…could it? Nikki felt dizzy and ill. The room swam before her eyes and she could not see as everything around her was blurry and unfocused. The last thing Nikki knew was the world closing around her…then blackness.

***

"Nikki! Nikki are you okay?" Harry asked worriedly holding a pale and still unconscious Nikki tightly in his arms. He had caught Nikki as she fell forwards before she hit the hard ground. He was staring at her pale and clammy face with concern etched on his face. He was now shaking her gently trying to wake her up.

Slowly, Nikki's eyelids fluttered. Harry repeated his earlier question more demanding this time. "Nikki are you okay?" Nikki's blue eyes focused slowly on Harry's muddy brown eyes.

"What happened" Nikki whispered.

"I told you I loved you, then, you fainted." Harry said directly getting straight to the point as per usual.

A slow blush was creeping up on Nikki that Harry thought looked adorable. His heart was pounding in his chest as he held his Nikki close.

Nikki started to close her eyes again, but before she fell asleep, she whispered quietly, "I love you too Harry." With that she was unconscious.

Harry was grinning wildly. This was the best day of his life yet. He was already thinking of when and where he and Nikki would have their first date. A romantic meal? A picnic in the park? He looked forward to the many dates to come.

***

Meanwhile, Leo was sitting in his office alone with Charlie. Helen, Sophie and Nigel had gone on a walk some five minutes prior.

"Professor," Charlie began, "I win," she said smugly.

Leo then did a very unprofessorish thing and stuck his tongue out at his employee.

"Whatever Charlie" Leo said. "I find myself not to annoyed you know. Harry

and Nikki together at last. It's like a fairytale romance."

"I want my desk Prof" Charlie stated simply.

"I repeat, whatever Charlie" Leo said with a smile on his face.

One Week Later

Charlie was sitting at her new desk that had been delivered only yesterday. Now that she considered it, she really did not need a desk. Her desk was empty of possessions as she didn't work with case notes, computers or anything of the sort.

Professor Dalton walked slowly past with a sarcastic grin on his face, "Wow Charlie, You're putting the desk to great use aren't you!"

"Oh shut up Leo," Harry and Nikki said together as they walked by on the way to lunch, hand in hand of course.

Harry and Nikki smiled lovingly at each other as they walked on. Good times would come. Bad times too, but at least they had each other.