Sorry for the delay in posting this update. Have been busy plus I just could not find the inspiration to write this next chapter at all – but thankfully, inspiration returned today, so here it is. Hope that you enjoy it. Based on episode "Undercover" by John Hugginson and John Banas.

Disclaimer: I do not own City Homicide or its characters.

7.

With morning came renewed concern about the events of the previous day.

Nick had not slept. All night, his mind had raced at a hundred miles per hour, going over what had occurred that day, and trying to come up with a solution to get them out of there safely. Things had become dangerous enough and Nick didn't want to take any more chances. Jen had already been injured, he couldn't risk her being hurt again.

Jen had also had a restless night, the combined effects of being in pain and being concerned about Hartono and Abbott coming for them at the house. She did not feel safe any longer, and she agreed with Nick – they had to get out of there as soon as possible.

After Nick had helped Jen dress, they sat together to eat breakfast. Jen still had very little appetite – constant pain seemed to decrease hunger significantly. She attempted to eat the piece of toast that Nick had offered her, but soon gave up. Instead, she cradled a steaming hot coffee, the sweet hotness exploding in her chest with every sip.

She glanced across at Nick, who sat quietly, tucking into his cereal and flicking through yesterday's paper. She wondered how to approach him, once they were out of this house, off this assignment. Or even whether she should approach him at all.

During their first undercover assignment, she had been incredibly attracted to him and had definitely developed strong feelings for him. Now, on this second assignment, with so much shared history between them, Jen had realised just how strong her feelings for him were. And he had made it obvious that he still felt something for her, too. Still.

Jen wondered how their feelings had managed to withstand the test of time. What should they do from here? As it became clear to Jen that there probably wasn't much time left on this assignment, that things were coming to a head, her thoughts were dominated by Nick, and their changed relationship.

Nick, too, had been thinking a lot about Jennifer. Seeing her shot before him, bleeding profusely and unconscious – well, it had made him realise that he didn't want to lose her, he couldn't lose her; but he also knew how headstrong and independent she was, and he knew that he would have to tread carefully with her, not push too hard. As much as it pained him, he thought that he would probably have to sit back and let Jen make the first move.

He had revealed his hand, she knew how he felt about her. Now he needed to wait. Some time ago, Nick had resolved to sit back and wait for her. He knew that there would never be anyone else like her for him, so he was happy to wait. He just hoped that he didn't have to wait too long. Being close to her, working with her, it was driving him crazy. Every day, he was like a starving man who had before him a feast that he could not eat, and it was driving him to distraction.

Nick cleared away the breakfast dishes, and went to the bathroom. When he came out, Jen had grabbed her handbag, informing him that she was going to the shops. Nick said that he would go with her also. This was what they had hurriedly decided upon earlier that morning. That they both would pretend to go to the shop, and from there, away from prying SIS eyes and ears, they would make a run for it, and look for Abbott on their own.

As they went to leave the house, however, they were almost bowled over by Dom Ratcliffe. In a hushed tone, he told them to come with him.

Nick and Jen looked at one another with confusion in their eyes. What was going on now? Where was Dom taking them?

Had SIS caught wind of their plan to make a run for it?

Safely bundled into Dom's car, Nick asked "What's going on? What's this all about?"

"We need to get you guys out. McAllister's currently being relieved of his duties. He put you guys in the firing line and he doesn't give a rat's. If we don't get you out now, who knows what Hartono will get Abbott to do."

Jen swallowed hard. So McAllister had definitely set them up. They could have been killed! She was thankful to finally be out of there.

"Where are we going?" Jen asked quietly.

"Back to Homicide. But first off, you need to get sorted out. I'll take you both by your homes so you can get changed, and then my orders are to personally deliver you to Homicide headquarters. There's a meeting in about 45 minutes."

Dom stopped first at Nick's home, where he and Jen waited in the car while Nick raced inside and quickly changed into work attire – dress pants, with a long sleeved shirt and tie. He felt half human again, but thought that the transformation would probably be complete later that night after work, when he could kick off his shoes, loosen his tie and sit back with a cold beer.

When Dom pulled up outside Jen's house, Nick turned to look at her. He raised an eyebrow and she nodded. "I'll go in with her, mate. She needs a bit of extra help at the moment."

Jen smiled gratefully and they made their way into her home, while Dom waited in the station wagon, listening to the radio.

Nick helped Jen out of her clothes, and assisted her in pulling on a pair of work pants, and a shirt, which he fastened up at the back. He then re-adjusted her sling and they stood, looking into each other's eyes. "There."

Jen smiled her thanks.

Nick wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. "It's almost over, Jen" he said quietly into her hair. Jen squeezed Nick tightly in response. He knew that she wouldn't feel safe until Abbott was caught.

Nick pulled back and stood looking at her. He reached out and lightly touched her cheek with the back of his hand. The urge to grab hold of her and kiss her was overwhelming; instead, Nick leant his head towards hers, and planted a small kiss on her forehead.

"Come on, we better go, or we'll be late". Nick took Jen by the hand and led her back out to the waiting car. He promised himself that he would do everything in his power to get Abbott and that he would make him pay for what he had done to Jen.