Author's notes: Thanks to mossib, tia and laubella88 for your reviews, and everyone who is reading the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Nick call's Jenny at noon to say that he's swamped and he's not able to meet her for lunch.

"You sound strained Nick are you all right? How's your head?"

In truth it hurts even though he's taken some more tablets, he probably needs the stronger ones the doctor gave him but he's reluctant to use them. He would love nothing more than to meet Jenny for lunch, or even better, to relax at home with her for the afternoon, but, the morning has gone badly, he had to go to the courts and help out one of his lawyers who was having a serious problem with a client. His morning appointments were moved in to the afternoon but he has two cases that need bringing up to date ready for court the next day.

"I'm doing okay."

"You're not feeling well are you?"

"Okay, truth is it hurts a little."

"Nick, you need to look after yourself, you should go home."

Nick rubs his temple with his hand.

"I wish I could, I promise to finish up as quickly as I can.

"Shall I come over tonight?"

"Of course, checking up on me."

"No missing you."

Nick smiles.

"I miss you too."

"Take care and I'll look after dinner."

"Thanks, Love you."

"Love you."

There's a knock on the door as Nick hangs up the phone.

"Come in."

Emily walks in. Nick leans back in his chair with his hands clapsed on his lap.

"What is it Emily?"

"I'm sorry Nick.."

Nick's appearance stops her in her tracks. His face is pale and his features are tight, his eyes sunk in to his skull.

"You look terrible, you should go home."

"That's what I intend to do as soon as I can, what is it you're sorry about?"

"It doesn't matter."

Nick leans forward and rests his hands on the table.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"Carrie Mason is here wanting to speak with you. I told her she needed to make an appointment but she refuses to budge."

Nick groans inwardly, the woman has become the bane of his life. After helping her with a custody issue she's been in and out of his office with one problem after another and she's very hard to get rid of. If he lets he into his office, he wont get anything done for the trial. He stands up sending his headache in to overdrive. He has to wait a moment to let it settle.

"I'll come out and see her, I'm not letting her into my office."

He picks up his coffee cup, walks around his desk and follows Emily into the reception area. As soon as he enters he hears her.

"Nick, Nick, you have to help me you won't believe what my ex has done now."

Nick moves behind the reception desk and pours coffee in to his mug.

"Good afternoon Carrie. I'm really busy today.."

"He sent me this threatening letter."

She's waving a sheet of paper in her hand.

Nick looks at her for the first time. She has her long black hair tied back in a ponytail that reaches halfway down her back. She's dressed in a pair of worn jeans and a brown top with thin straps and a black jacket. But the look in her eyes he recognises from his past and from when he first met her. He places his mug on to the counter.

"He's threatening to take Bobby away from me again."

Nick holds his hand out and she gives him the letter. He scans through it.

"It's just a threat Carrie, there's nothing I can do until he files something."

"Can't you stop him?"

"No, he has every right to file what he wants."

"There must be something you can do."

Nick reads the letter again and shakes his head.

"Nothing, he hasn't threatened violence, just that he'll file for custody if you..."

He reads directly from the page:

"...don't clean up your act."

He hands her back the letter and lowers his voice so only Carrie can hear him over the rest of the noise.

"I would suggest you do as he says. You're using again and it will only lose you your son. I can get you into a program..."

"They'll take him away from me if I do that."

"They'll take him away if you don't."

She angrily shoves the letter back into her purse.

"Thanks for nothing Nick."

Nick spreads out his arms.

"I'm sorry Carrie my hands are tied until he does something."

"Well mine aren't."

She turns and walks away the elevator is waiting and she gets straight in. Nick watches as the doors close taking her down. He takes a sip of his coffee wondering what she means. He's interrupted by the receptionist.

"Nick, Mr. Kimura just called and cancelled his four- thirty appointment. He says his daughter's been taken ill."

Nick nods, perhaps he'll get off a little earlier than he expected today.

"Thanks, I don't want disturbing until Mrs Nettini arrives."

"Sure Nick."

Nick closes his office door behind him and sits down at his desk. He takes a sip of his coffee and puts it down. He rummages through his top drawer and takes out some headache tablets. He washes two down with another swallow of coffee and resting his elbow on the desk and rubbing his head with his hand he opens up the Delacy file.