I wasn't planning on putting this up now, but I really should be revising, so I thought I'd upload now, then go back to the books :P

Just another shortish one that's still setting up for whats to come... I've written most of the later chapters, but the yellow brick road to get there is longer than I imagined :)

THANK YOU, as always to everyone reading :)

And to gem.S, EmmaJ1996, Lizziginne, pinkswallowsun, dinabar and Thyqua... huge hugs are being sent your way :D

Oh, and I promise, no matter what else happens in this fic, Harry will NOT be with Julia at the end :)

xXx

Chapter 21 - Smiles

"I want a full list of everyone who has been reported missing in the last three months," Maddox shouted through the office to no one in particular.

Immediately three officers began rapidly typing on their computers, as if trying to compete with each other to find the results first although they had received little information from the DCI.

Maddox's presence in the office was undeniable. He liked to ensure that his authority was felt by everyone, and as a result, most of his colleagues kept their distance unless necessary. He had been a DCI for nearly nine years, and not once had he gone for after work drinks or attended an office get together, and that was exactly how he wanted it to stay.

He loathed social gatherings. He had no interest in the personal lives of his colleagues, and there was no way that he would even think about sharing any of his personal problems with someone from the office.

He liked to keep his personal life personal. Simple as that.

He just wished that his colleagues felt the same way. If he had to listen to one more person complain about their other half, or their children, or their neighbours dog barking at three in the morning… such trivial matters should not enter the work place, especially one where such serious matters were discussed.

He had worked with countless colleagues in the time he had been in the police force, some better than others, and yet it was only now that he seemed happy with his team. They all kept out of his way, only talking to him when they had found relevant information on a case, and were good at using their initiative to solve difficult cases without needing the reassurance from Maddox that they had done the right thing. Even Maddox could see that a few of them were destined to go far in the police force.

But there was one member of the team that Maddox did not get on with…

"Why are you interested in the missing person's files?" Shaw's voice carried across the office and Maddox felt irritated immediately.

To put it simply, Shaw was a royal pain in the arse.

He was liked in the office. Maddox could see it, especially with the female members of the team. His position meant that he was easily accepted with his male colleagues, and his casual sense of humour was appreciated by most.

From a physical perspective, Shaw and Maddox weren't too different. Shaw was possibly taller than he was, yet his shoulders weren't so broad, and his presence wasn't as immediately noticeable. Shaw was one of those people who seemed to constantly have a sickly sweet smile on his face, and Maddox had the impression that he was one of the few people who could see just how false the smile really was.

To say that they were like chalk and cheese was an understatement.

"The last time I looked Shaw," Maddox almost growled as he turned to face the detective. "I was the one running this place. What I want with the missing persons files has nothing to do with you."

"Wow," Shaw threw his hands up above his head, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "It was only a harmless question."

He could see Shaw roll his eyes at Angela, one of the officers who were currently flicking through case files, who giggled as he passed her desk.

Although Shaw was at least ten years younger than him, it was that kind of behaviour that really irritated Maddox. Shaw could crack a joke about a murder investigation, or prance through the office as if it were a playground, and yet he still seemed to hold the respect of his colleagues. He knew that Shaw was a good Detective, he just didn't like some of his methods.

"Oh and while your at it," Shaw announced to no one in particular. "Print me off a copy too please. I want to try and work out which blonde we're going to find next."

Shaw seemed to make a loop of the office and returned at Maddox's side again, his arms crossed.

"Finally realised that there's a connection have you Shaw," Maddox muttered under his breath so the rest of the office wouldn't hear. "I could have told you that days ago."

"How I run this investigation has nothing to do with you," Shaw replied, his voice equally quiet. "I'll have you know that we have many possible leads already. I still don't know what you'll gain from having the missing person's report for the Yates' case though. I highly doubt that someone from the list was involved in a lover's quarrel that went too far."

"Well like you said," Maddox turned to face Shaw. "I'd like to work out which one will be found next. But surely, if you have so many leads, you'll be able to stop that from happening, won't you. And stay out the Yates' case."

Turning on his heels, Maddox made his way to the exit before shouting over his shoulder for the office to hear.

"Full list, on my desk in the next five minutes."

'Drinks tonight? J x'

Harry smiled as he red the short text on his way into the Lyell Centre, typing a quick reply back that consisted of the single word 'Sure.'

Since Hungary, Harry had refused to let any of his one night stands turn into anything close to a relationship. He wasn't ready to let himself get emotionally attached to someone again, not after what had happened to the last woman that he had given himself to. Looking back at the situation, and what he had had, just seemed to confuse him even more.

Had he loved Anna? He wasn't sure. He'd wanted to love her, but whether he had got to that stage he was still unsure. He'd never had the chance to find out properly.

Was he even capable of loving someone? Yes. There were people who he truly loved. His mother of course. And Leo – he was like a father to him. And his father too he had loved, despite everything. And then there was Nikki… Now that was where it got complicated.

But it was far too early in the morning for his brain to try and work out that puzzle. He had been trying for seven years and hadn't gotten anywhere, so there was no point in confusing himself today. Nikki was his best friend, and he loved her like he would a sister. That is, that's what he thought it must be like. Not having a sister to compare the feelings to…

Buzzing himself into the office, he threw off his coat and quickly scanned the workplace before knocking once and entering Leo's office.

"I just thought I'd let you know," he announced proudly before Leo had the chance to say anything. "That although I am technically five minutes late, I am in fact here before Nikki."

"Nikki's in the cutting room. Has been for half an hour," Leo smirked. "She even brought us coffee, but yours has probably gone cold by now."

"Oh," Harry smiled. "Well then, I'll go do some work. I don't want the teacher's pet to get all the praise."

"I'll believe that when I see it," Leo muttered as Harry left, making his way directly to the observatory balcony.

'This is not stalkerish' Harry told himself as he watched Nikki examining the body of Rebecca Hall, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. There was something about the way she worked that had always mesmerised Harry, and he could never work out what it was.

"Nice of you to join us today," Nikki said suddenly, not looking up, and Harry smiled.

How did she do that?

"I was only five minutes late actually," Harry replied. "I think that's quite an achievement."

"So you thought you'd watch me work rather than doing any yourself?" she asked seriously, but Harry could see the small smile on her lips.

"Yep," Harry said casually.

"Did you see anything you liked?" Nikki asked him playfully, finally looking up to where he was slouched in a chair by the window.

"Oh lots," Harry winked and Nikki's giggles seemed to echo through the lab. He loved that sound…

"So," he said, leaning forward in his chair. "Find anything new?"

"No," Nikki sighed. "Not really. It just seems more brutal every time I look. The bruises on her neck where she was strangled…"

Nikki trailed off, looking at the body again.

"There's lots of them," Harry finished. "And dead bodies don't bruise."

"Exactly," Nikki nodded. "There's no doubt that the cause of death was strangulation, but I don't think it was the first time she had been held down that way. Between that and the single deep stab wound."

"They were tortured," Harry said, running a hand over his chin. "But why?"

"I don't know," Nikki sighed again, pulling off her gloves and throwing them in the sink.

Harry's phone sounded from his pocket again and he pulled it out, opening the message.

'Pub or your place? x'

Harry could feel Nikki watching him as he locked his phone and dropped it back into his pocket without a reply.

"If that was Julia, then say yes," she said seriously.

There she was, doing it again. 'She must have telepathy skills' Harry thought.

"Why would that be Julia?" he asked innocently, but Nikki rolled her eyes.

"I'm not blind Harry," she stated. "You like her. And usually I'd say to stay clear because she's involved in the case you're dealing with, but I haven't seen you smile like you have been since… well, in a long time."

"I smile all the time," Harry protested.

"Yes, but there's different kinds of smiles Harry," Nikki said, leaning against the sink. "And this one suits you. You deserve to be happy. You just need to let go and give it a chance. You're strong enough to move on if it all falls apart later."

"You're confidence in me is startling," Harry laughed but Nikki remained serious.

"You like her," she said. "I can tell by the way you talk about her. How she seems to enter the conversation even if it has nothing to do with the Yates' case. You deserve to be happy Harry, you just need to let yourself."

Since when did Nikki get so serious about his love life? Harry watched her closely, waiting for her to continue, but instead she turned towards the door to the changing rooms.

"Just remember to keep Friday nights free," she called before she disappeared from Harry's view.

Taking out his mobile, Harry stared at the last message from Julia, his mind in overdrive. He had not been expecting a lecture from his best friend this morning. The very best friend that he had been trying to work out his feeling for, for as long as he could remember. But that just proved it, didn't it? She had tried to convince Harry to be happy, with another woman…

'Mine' he text back, before taking a long breath and leaving the balcony.