Thanks again for the lovely reviews and the story subscriptions, it's a huge boost in terms of writing, knowing you all want to read more, so reviews are very much welcomed. Anyway, this chapter is perhaps a little slow and short but I thought it was a nice little scene between them all. It does get a bit more exciting and dramatic, just keeping you hanging on =D xxx
As the pair walked into the pathology department at the Lyell Centre, Leo was already there waiting in his office. Traffic had been surprisingly non-existent that morning to the pair's fortune, however they had left Harry's flat sometime after rush hour. Hearing the click of Nikki's heels, Leo jumped up and walked out of his office,
"Ah, Harry, Happy Birthday!" he said opting for a handshake, followed by a hug.
"Thanks Leo" replied Harry.
"Did Nikki give you your present?…Janet and I are quite looking forward to it" smiled Leo. Harry's gaze swopped around to meet Dr Alexander's eyes as she simply shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes. Leo noticed "Oh, she didn't tell you we were coming too…". He shot a quick glance at Nikki.
"It's fine…to be honest, I can think of nothing better than going out with you all this evening…but I presume that there is plenty to be getting on with before that?", there was a hint of irony that tainted his otherwise contented tone but his ambition to get on with his work seemed genuine.
"Indeed there is, Zak is prepping a body right now, 38 year old male, suspected suicide…" explained Leo. Harry interrupted before he could go any further.
"You know I think I might leave that one to you later, anything else?" he said as he sat down at his desk and typed his password into the computer.
"There's a homicide case but there's been a few complications so it's on hold. Paperwork?" chuckled Leo.
"Actually I think…" Harry responded, bouncing up from his seat again and walking towards the locker room to change.
"I think you will too…Nikki can I speak to you in my office for a moment, please?"
"Yes you may." beamed Nikki, throwing an intrigued look towards Harry. The blonde pathologist followed Leo into his office and closed the door behind him as Harry went to get changed.
Leo leant on his desk, folded his arms and looked at Nikki.
"Is everything alright with Harry? He seems a bit…" said Leo.
"Yes…I think so, come on Leo, it is his birthday after all. Harry doesn't enjoy getting a year older, never mind being reminded of it, and well… his mother doesn't make it any easier on him." she replied, the message his mum had written playing on her mind.
"Do you think we should cancel tonight?" asked Leo.
"No…I think it'll do him some good…" exclaimed his colleague. Nikki was adamant that tonight would be good for him; it was an opportunity for him to enjoy himself and forget the world for once, without the consequences of waking up with a hangover and girl in his bed who he can't remember the name of. Okay, so the bit about the hangover was probably still true but she was looking forward to tonight even if he wasn't.
"Okay, fine…Well, me and Janet will be getting a cab, and we'll meet you there?" Leo suggested.
"Harry will drop in at mine at around 8ish, so we'll make our way there together. I should get some work done anyway…do you mind if I.."
"…leave early?...of course, your free to go when everything's done, I understand how long it takes you ladies to get ready" replied her boss.
"Thanks Leo, I'll get these reports written up now and there's the homicide PM to do later." She answered.
"About that, something's come up, and I've been told to hold off on the PM, no clear explanation, something about the family? Anyway I'm leaving it for now."
"Okay, well I'll get on with this stuff then." She picked up a few files from Leo's desk.
Her heels clicked on the floor as she made her way towards the door, and onwards towards Harry's desk. She'd much rather complete the reports there, with the faint scent of his aftershave from the jacket that lay across the back of his chair. She leant back a little to appreciate it longer before starting her work.