There was a loud crack as hand connected with cheek and Nikki stumbled backwards.

"Oh my God! Nikki I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it." Harry spluttered, both shocked and appalled at his own actions.

He walked over to Nikki who looked at him with what seemed to be fear in her eyes. She was scared of him, he thought. Harry had seen that look from his friend once before when they were investigating the Flannery case and he pushed her against the wall. It was the look that killed him inside.

"Stay away from me!" She cried, clutching her cheek.

Harry backed away, not wanting to cause her any more pain. "I am really sorry Nikki. I never meant to hurt you."

She turned away from him so that she was facing the microscope again and Harry took this opportunity to approach her. Slowly he walked forwards and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Sorry." He repeated quietly.

Hesitantly, Nikki turned her head round to face Harry and he could see a red mark on the side of her face. He gently lifted his hand up and ran his fingers softly over it, quietly apologising over and over.

Nikki flinched away from his touch, but never broke eye-contact. Both pathologists were sure they felt something there between them but were equally positive that the other person didn't even notice it.

"I need to... ummm... go and do that... urmmm... report thing for Leo" Nikki stuttered, forgetting that the door was still locked.

"Nikki, wait!" Harry cried after her and followed her towards the door, gently grabbing her arm to stop her walking away. When she looked round she could see tears in his eyes and he looked so lost. Her heart went out to him for a moment and he lent forwards and hesitantly pressed a gentle kiss on her lips.

She responded for a second and then pulled away, shocked.

"Harry. What did you do that for? Get away from me!"

"I didn't... it's just... I'm sorry" He stuttered.

'There it was again.' Nikki thought. 'He kept saying sorry. Over and over.' She had lost count of the amount of times he had said it in the past few minutes. What was he sorry for? Really? Kissing her at the conference and not saying anything about it? Shoving her against the wall? Kissing her when they were drunk on Friday? Sleeping with her? Shouting at her? Hitting her? Kissing her just then? Did he even know what he was sorry for? He never explained and that made Nikki doubt how much he meant it. She knew he hadn't intended to hurt her. They were best friends. If only he would explain; show her that he understood how much he had hurt her.

This was it. She was going to have to get him to explain properly. She needed to know what Harry really thought of her. Surely if they were friends he wouldn't keep hurting her so much. Would he?

She walked over to one of the stools, sat down and watched as Harry made his way over to her and perched on the counter.

"We really need to sort this mess out." She stated.

"I know. It's all my fault. I should never have kissed you. I'm sorry."

"Which time?"

"What do you mean which time?" He asked, slightly confused.

Nikki sighed. She knew this was a bad idea - dragging up the past like this. But she'd started now, so she had to finish.

"Which kiss?" She elaborated, desperately hoping that he hadn't forgotten about the one at the conference or on Friday night.

"All three. I'm really sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry? Sorry about what? It's all you've said since we came in here. Do you even know what you are sorry for? Are you going to explain or do you not really mean it? I'm sick of this Harry. I'm sick of you messing with my head. I never thought you could hurt me. I've put my life in your hands God only knows how many times yet time and again you mess me up. I don't think I can stand it anymore!" She screamed and burst into tears. Her body was shaking with sobs, only then did Harry realise the true damage he had done to their friendship and to her: the woman he loved.

She turned away from him self-consciously, not wanting him to see her crying again.

"I'm sorry for all the times I've hurt you Nikki. I never did it intentionally, I swear. You mean the world to me and I hate seeing you upset like this. I messed up. I know that now." Harry walked over to her and gently turned her head so that she was facing him. "I didn't mean to hit you, you know that right? It was stupid of me and I promise it will never happen again."

Nikki interrupted him with a single word. Meaningless to many but one that broke his heart. "Flannery" She stated, in a quiet, yet cold voice.

"You do think I'm violent, don't you?"

"I don't know, Harry. I don't know what to think any more."

"Are you scared of me?" He asked, dreading her response.

Nikki shook her head and looked him in the eye.

"I'm not scared. I'm just upset. We've made such a mess of our friendship this past week. I know I've been blaming you the whole time but it was my fault as well."

"No it wasn't. None of this was down to you."

"I didn't stop you when you kissed me, did I? I walked back to your apartment. I haven't talked to you all week. I'm as much to blame as you are."

"Do you think Leo will let us out now? I'm hungry" Harry said, trying to change the conversation and get them back to how they used to be, afraid of what he might say if they didn't.

"Do you ever think of anything but your stomach?"

"No." He said bluntly, making Nikki giggle. The sound was music to Harry's ears, especially knowing he had caused it. It always made him feel warm inside.

Just at that moment Leo unlocked the door and Nikki made her way swiftly towards it. The older man smiled at her as she went out.

"I love you." Harry whispered, quiet enough so that neither of his colleagues could hear him.

Sorry this chapter took a bit longer than usual to upload. It was a challenge to write but I really wanted it get it right for you. I tried a couple of different versions but none of the others gave them opportunity to talk. Hope you liked it, please review and let me know what you think.

Georgie xx