Author's notes: Thanks to mossib and everydayisa10 for their reviews and to everyone who is reading. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

When Nick blinks open his eyes, he can see light coming through the curtain, the bed is empty beside him. He lays his arm in the empty space and it's still warm so she hasn't been gone long. There's no sound from the shower and the door to his en suite is open. He pulls himself up into a sitting position, bringing only a slight dizziness, an improvement from last night. He listens carefully and he hears movement downstairs. He eyes glance at the clock and it's past eight o'clock. He can't remember the last time he slept this late. He hears footsteps on the stairs and smiles.

Jenny pokes her head through the door to find Nick sitting up in bed smiling at her.

"Good morning sleepy head."

She walks over to him, she has a mug in her hand that she sets down on the bedside table. She sits down on the bed next to him and kisses him. She tastes of coffee and he licks his lips as she pulls away. She strokes the side of his face.

"How are you feeling? Be truthful."

Nick stops what he's about to say and she smiles at him and gently traces his jaw line with her finger. He closes his eyes enjoying the sensation. Her finger moves down to his neck and she sees the ugly bruises that have developed from his encounter with Nathan. She looks up at Nick and he can see the distress in her eyes.

"Nathan hurt you. I'm sorry."

Nick wraps his arms around her and pulls her into his body.

"It wasn't your fault. I'm just glad he didn't get to you."

He gently moves her so he's looking in to her eyes, tears are glistening in them."

"Shhh everything's okay. To answer your earlier question, my head hurts a little still, but it's a lot better than yesterday. Now I have a question. I haven't eaten since yesterday lunch so is there any breakfast to go with that coffee?

Jenny smiles.

"I have some batter waiting to make into pancakes."

Nick's eyes light up.

"That sound fantastic – especially the part where they're waiting."

She sees the gleam in his eye, she kisses him and stands up.

"Not until you're feeling better."

"I am feeling better."

"Not better enough."

"You're a mean woman"

"Yes, but I'll also have a plateful of pancakes waiting for you when you come down the stairs."

Nick accepts defeat.

"Okay, but pancakes are just not the same."

Jenny laughs at his disappointed tone.

"I'm glad to hear it."

Nick stands up and sways unsteadily on his feet. Jenny rushes forward.

"Nick are you okay?"

As she reaches out to him he grabs her pulls her down on to the bed and kisses her. She resists reacting at first but then gives in to his insistence. When he pulls away she playfully scowls at him.

"You're incorrigible Nicholas Fallin."

"Only on some things."

He smiles and kisses her again and she pulls him in to her.

Jenny makes him sit on the couch with the rest of his coffee while she washes the dishes. Having breakfast has helped his headache and he's feeling pretty good. He switches on the tv and leans back and listens to the news. Hearing the headlines he knows he doesn't want to watch any more and switches it off. He swallows the last of his coffee and stands up to take it back in to the kitchen, he stops in the doorway content to watch Jenny work. He loves to watch her move, even housework she accomplishes with grace. She starts as she turns around. He grins and she walks towards him.

"You think that's funny scaring me to death. What are you doing off the couch?"

He holds up his cup.

"Bringing more washing and I'm bored."

"Already?"

Nick shrugs.

"I'm not very good at doing nothing."

"Let me finish up and we can take a gentle stroll around the neighbourhood and stop at the store, you've nothing in the cupboards."

"Things got in the way of shopping and it sounds a great idea."

He leans down to kiss her, suddenly he feels wet and cold on his neck as she pulls him down to meet her with her soapy hands. She feels him smile against her lips.

"Nice."

Nick and Jenny are wrapped up against the cold. They've walked around the local streets looking in the store windows, Jenny can feel Nick lagging a little and suggests they buy the groceries and get back. When she doesn't get an argument she knows she's right that he's not feeling well and looks at him with concern.

"We can go home first and I can come back for the groceries."

"I can wait while we do the shopping."

"Are you sure?"

He reaches out and strokes her hair, loving her more for her concern.

"I'll be fine, promise."

"We'll just get a few things."

"Sounds good."

Nick looking over he shoulder sees a brown sedan parked down the street, he gets an uneasy feeling about it, but he doesn't know why. He keeps in sight until he enters the store.

When they come out of the store with a couple of bags of groceries, Nick looks in the direction of the car and relaxes when her sees that it's gone. As they approach Nick's door a man steps out in front of them, Nick's surprised when Jenny knows him. Everything happens so fast. He barely has time to register the fear in Jenny's voice when he's aware of someone behind him. Jenny's also aware and turns. He hears Jenny's voice laced with panic while he's turning too.

"No, don't hit him!"

Then his head explodes and darkness follows.