I hope you like this chapter and don't hate me by the end of it. And yes, Immortal Spud Thief, they will 'give Nikki's father a bit of talking to' don't worry ;)
Harry woke to the sound of Nikki talking in her sleep. She didn't look peaceful like she normally did and was shaking and sweating, apologising over and over to persons unknown. He glanced at the clock, which read half past two, and then gently shook Nikki to wake her.
The blonde woman yet out a slight whimper of fear, not knowing where she was, but relaxed immediately when she saw her lover in the bed next to her.
"What happened?" She asked, wondering why they were both awake at this hour.
"You were having a nightmare." He said and Nikki nodded. "Was it about your father?" She nodded her head again.
"Is it okay if he stays for a few nights?" She asked cautiously.
"WHAT?" Harry yelled, causing Nikki to jump slightly and flinch away from him. "After what he did to you today? Do you really think I'm going to let him in this house?"
"He doesn't have anywhere to go. That's why he came to see me yesterday."
"And you said 'no'. What made you change your mind?"
"I dreamt he died sleeping on the streets and came back to haunt me. He blamed me for his death and so did I."
"It was just a dream, Nik."
"I know but it scares me. He's the only family I have left."
"You have me." He reminded her. "And Janet and Leo. And this little one in here." He said, poking her stomach.
"But he's my dad, Harry." She pleaded.
"He'll only end up hurting you again." Harry said softly, imploring her to see his side and listen to reason.
"You make him sound like a monster."
"Well what sort of person beats an innocent child?" He replied in a slightly raised voice.
"It really wasn't that bad." She mumbled.
"Why are you sticking up for him, Niks? I don't want you anywhere near him, do you understand?"
"So now you're telling me who I can and can't see?" She yelled.
"I didn't mean it like that." He said, quieter.
"I've thought you were many things since I met you, Harry, but never once did I think of you as controlling. I guess I was wrong." She screamed at him and stormed out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind her like a child.
"Shit." He muttered to himself, running a hand through his already messy hair.
The one thing Harry didn't understand was why she still wanted to help and forgive the man who had let her down so many times in life. Although he understood her fear of her father dying, having been through the same thing she was dreading when his committed suicide, he didn't know how she could want him anywhere near her. He certainly didn't. The last thing Harry wanted was to have the man who abused the woman he loved living under the same roof as them both.
Meanwhile, Nikki was making her way to the living room after deciding that, despite wanting distance from Harry, wondering around in the rain in the early hours of the morning was not what she felt like doing.
She curled up on the sofa, realising how cold and uncomfortable it was without Harry to snuggle up to. Wiping her tears away, she thought back to her childhood. She remembered vividly the first time it happened, realising that she was doing a very similar thing at the time to what she was doing now.
Nikki was sat on the sofa of her house in South Africa. Eight years old and in trouble at school for the first time. Her mother was still at work and her father had come to collect her at the end of the day. Her teacher, Mrs Porter, spotted them and asked to have a word.
"Mr Alexander, I'm sorry to have to keep you here but I was wondering if I could have a quick word about Nicola." She said.
Mrs Porter was a short, slightly large woman with dark curly hair which didn't quite reach her shoulders. On this occasion she was wearing a purple patterned blouse and black, cut-off trousers. Nikki liked her. She was certainly nicer that her previous teacher, despite sometimes being strict with the class. Most of the children realised it was necessary though, in order to stop the classroom ending up in chaos, especially after lunch when they were all hyped up on sugar.
"Of course. Go on Niks, go wait outside." He commanded.
"Oh no, actually I wanted her here as well." The middle aged woman replied. "You see, Mr Alexander, Nicola has been having a few problems with one of the children in our class." She started.
"What kind of problems?"
"She says he's been calling her names." Mrs Porter answered.
"He called me a loser." Nikki whispered. She was a very timid child and rarely mixed with anyone outside her small circle of friends until she was about eleven.
"Allegedly. Anyway, this break time there was a bit of an incident in which Nicola punched this boy in the face." The teacher said.
"You did what?" Mr Alexander yelled at his daughter, causing her to flinch quite visibly. He never normally shouted at her and she wasn't used to the tone of voice he used.
"We are not taking any action this time" She said, and then immediately contradicted herself. "But if it happens again her place in this school could be in jeopardy. The boy in question didn't suffer any real injuries but his parents have been informed and it will go on her record. In addition to this, Nicola must stay until four in detention for the rest of the week."
Later that afternoon and Nikki was on the sofa. Victor had had a couple of glasses of wine but wasn't particularly drunk. He came in to the living room and looked at his daughter.
"Why did you punch that boy, Nicola?"
"He made me angry. I know violence isn't the answer. I'm sorry."
"How would you feel if he hit you?" He asked, raising his voice slightly. When he didn't get a reply he continued. "Would you like to find out?"
He raised his hand and Nikki let out a whimper of fear. The force from when Victor's hand collided with her cheek sent her flying a couple of inches across the sofa.
"You disappoint me, Nicola. Don't ever get into trouble at school again. Do you know how much you embarrassed me?"
"I'm sorry, dad, I'm really sorry." She cried, her face throbbing in pain.
Victor left the room leaving Nikki frightened and curled up on the sofa. Her dad had never been violent with her before and seeing this new side to him scared her.
'What gives him the right to tell me who I can and can't see?' Nikki thought to herself. 'He's only got my best interests at heart.' She reasoned. She knew Harry wanted to protect her from her father but she wanted him to understand that despite everything he was still her dad, her only remaining blood relative, and deep down she loved him.
Realistically, she knew that letting her father stay would be a bad idea, yet she felt compelled to do it, like there was some force driving her. She decided it was probably the same thing that managed to get her into all the dangerous situations at work and rationally thought that she should keep herself safe and her dad as far away as possible, this was the scientist within her speaking. On the other hand, the part of her mind that made her want to believe in God and something on the edges of the conscious, unexplained moments of synchronicity, that part of her was sure the nightmare she had was a warning to let him stay. However, Nikki realised that she would never be able to silence this internal debate whilst still half-asleep and not with Harry. That's what she wanted above all else, to be with Harry.
As if reading her thoughts, Harry appeared at the door moments later to find his lover staring into space, as if completely disconnected with the world around her which, he thought, she probably was at this time of the morning.
"I'm sorry, Nikki." He said quietly, so as not to startle her. "I didn't mean to sound controlling. I just worry about you, that's all."
"It's fine. I know it must've sounded crazy to you but he is my dad and I still love him."
"Even after all he did?" Nikki nodded.
"Please can he stay? If he does anything I'll kick him out and never contact him again. I just want to give him one last chance."
Already regretting his decision, yet wanting to please Nikki, Harry nodded his head in agreement.
"Promise me you won't let him hurt you though."
"I promise. I'm not the weak little child he said I am, Harry. I can stand up to him." Nikki said, determined not to let him hurt her again.
"I know you can. I've seen you stand up to enough arrogant detectives to believe that." He smirked.
"Thank you. I know it can't be easy for you to agree to let him stay."
"I'm not doing it for him; I'm doing it for you. I know you want to make things right with him. If my dad was still alive I certainly would as well, despite all he did to mum. I know how you feel."
"I know. Even after everything they did we still want to believe they have some good in them somewhere."
Eventually, the young couple fell asleep on the sofa, cuddled up in each other's arms.