Hey everyone thanks for reading and reviewing. Thanks to Lotte Lizzi and Izzy for reviewing you are lovely and make me smile!

Sorry this chapter took a little longer than normal I actually had a life this week! Here is Chapter 10 for you and I'm just starting work on Chapter 15 in the writing stage so trying to get ahead so I can share more with you!

Previously Nikki has received a harassing text from Gareth which triggered a panic attack Harry soothed her and promised to sit with her till she was asleep. He had just been about to leave when she stopped him and asked him to stay!

On with the story!

Harry froze shocked.

Had she really just asked that.

He knew she was scared, the panic attack and fear of the previous night's nightmares would only be adding to that but had she really asked him to stay with her, in the bed.

"I'll only be next door Nikki, he can't hurt you any more … I won't let him I swear..." he knew he couldn't say no to her, he struggled to do that in normal circumstances but when she was scared and vulnerable …. it would be impossible.

On the other hand there was absolutely no way that if he settled down, deliberately to share a bed with her for the night that certain problems wouldn't arise between them that could, would destroy everything.

"...P..please Harry … I know logically that he cant get in but … I'm so scared, he always said if I...If I told people he would hurt me and them …. I'm scared but you make it feel safe..." she was trembling again now her cheeks beginning to wet with fresh tears.

Guilt washed over Harry, he had caused those tears if he hadn't questioned it she wouldn't be crying.

He leant back down, sitting close to her. He brushed away the tears that were streaking her cheeks with his thumbs.

"Its OK Nikki, if you really want me to stay I will, I just …. I wasn't sure you needed it or it would help you … I thought you might need space." he said quickly coming up with the most suitable lie he could think of. He couldn't tell the truth nor could he appear to suddenly change his mind therefore a quickly thought up lie would have to do.

"I don't think space helps I mean I was OK early this morning wasn't I … and I didn't have another nightmare after that ….It … I just want to feel safe … … its not something I've often been used to in my life …. but … I don't quite know why …. you make me feel safe Harry"

"Well I'm very glad of that, everyone should feel safe... OK I'll stay but I need to go get changed , I'm not sleeping in jeans ….not even for my best friend" he smiled softly stroking her hair back off her face.

"OK and thank you Harry, I know however much you deny it I'm disrupting your life a lot. You are at least missing out on all your pretty young blondes"

"I'm not so don't worry but thank you for caring … now you, go to sleep I'll be back in a minute." he smiled shifting off the bed and toward the door.

As he changed for the night he forced his mind to focus on the fact that she was his friend. She was scared, hurting and vulnerable not the fact that she was the only pretty young blonde he wanted in his life. Well, unless they ever had children.

His own thoughts shocked him back to reality and he knew that he needed to have a long, long chat with Leo the next day …. he needed help and fast.

He slipped under the covers next to her laying down and praying to the God he didn't believe in that he would have a dreamless sleep and wouldn't destroy his whole world.

"Night, Harry …. painkillers are working now … hopefully I will stay asleep" she spoke softly as he switched off the lamp.

"Night Nikki I hope so …. and if you wake up and need anything even just someone to talk to wake me up OK" he replied as he turned his back to her curling on to his side.

Why had she asked him to stay? This was beyond awkward. She knew that it was the vulnerability that the pain and fear was bringing that had led to it. She was so desperate to feel safe, to feel wanted, to feel something positive that she had reached out for it in any way she could.

It was one of the few ways she did feel wanted, it was the reason she had all her 'unsuitable' men. They may only want her for one thing but at least they wanted her for something , it was why she had let her father back in all those times, it meant she wasn't alone.

She craved love and comfort with all of her being she just needed to start looking in the right places.

She had Harry and Leo and the friendship and care they showed her helped even if she would never have want she wanted, needed, with Harry because she did so desperately want so much more than they had right now. She never would though because there was no way someone as special and perfect as Harry would look at a messed up tart like her. She sighed as sleep overwhelmed her hoping her mind would turn to happier thoughts as she slept.

Hope you liked I thought it was time to get in their heads a little more in this chapter. The chapter covers barely half an hour of Nikki and Harry's lives yet , I hope, reveals so much.

Please keep reviewing lovely people!