A/N hi! Not much left. I have no idea if I'm out of character with this story or not. Even if you hate it please review; it makes the writing better. Oh DCI Nikki Paige is my invention - she pops up in my BUGS and HUSTLE stories too

Safe House

It was dark when Nikki had left them. The south London flat the complete antithesis of the quaint and idyllic windmill Jonathan loved so much. He locked the door as Nikki had told him to, returning to the living room to see Maddie laying on the sofa, apparently asleep. Jonathan sighed as he watched her. He hoped she did manage to rest; seeing her have a panic attack had shaken him. It wasn't like Maddie to panic. He had always seen her as ballsy and headstrong so seeing her as fallible had shaken him. He watched her a moment longer, certain that somehow the answers to their problems would miraculously appear.

"Stop staring at me."

Jonathan laughed.

"I thought you were asleep."

"Thought wrong then, didn't you." Maddie smiled.

"Yeah." He nodded, his curly hair falling into his eyes. "I'm worried about you."

Maddie got herself into a sitting position as Jonathan sat next to her on the old battered sofa.

"Don't you trust Nikki?"

"Of course I do. I just don't like being sat here not doing anything. Not when he's out there." Jonathan sighed as she took his hand. He nodded.

"There is something I can think of. That er we could do." She touched his face as he turned towards her. Her lips collided with his as he closed his eyes.

Xxxxxx

Adam sat in the dressing room staring at the laptop. He knew his brother was bad news but he hadn't thought him capable of blackmail and murder. He ran a hand over his face, knowing Jonathan believed he was more than capable. If Maddie had been threatened there was every chance Jonathan would be like a dog with a bone.

He tapped the screen waiting for the Skype to connect.

"Finally!" He spat as the image of his older brother filled the screen.

"Well, hello to you too. How's the show? Still suspending bimbos in mid air."

"Melinda is not a bimbo."

"Adam. What do you want?"

"Leave Madeline Magellan alone. Leave Jonathan Creek alone. In face, just leave us all alone."

"No."

"Listen. Jonathan is the best at what he does. That means he makes me the best at what I do. Kill him and you'll ruin me!"

"Kill him? Don't be so absurd! Why on earth would I kill him? The man has done me no wrong! Adam. You have a fanciful imagination."

"I wish I did. But I know you! You're set on something and for the life of me I've no sense what it is." Adam glared. "Stay in America. Stay away from us and leave me and my friends alone."

"Friends?" The image became fuzzy. "That's a bit rich."

"I care more for them than I do you. So that makes them friends in my book." He ended the call, slamming the laptop shut. He ran a hand over his face as exhaustion kicked in. He had done his best to help Jonathan and Maddie but feared he had made the situation worse.

Xxx