Thank you, again, for your lovely reviews. I've changed the rating for this fic because of the ending of this chapter (smut) but I hope you enjoy :)


It turns out that Lincoln had come back to the Lyell to inform them all that there had been another murder and Clarissa had been correct in her guesses. The third victim was found in the next street over from the second murder but the time between this victim and the second had increased. They were slowing down or they were waiting for something. As they reached the crime scene they instantly knew that something was different. First, there was a lot less blood and that wasn't totally surprising given that the victim hadn't been stabbed as much. Next, they found one stab wound in his stomach, the knife that was found next to the victim was clearly the same knife that had been used in all the attacks. The tip of the blade was missing but obviously they couldn't be sure it was the right one until they tested it back at the Lyell.

Standing up from the victim, Nikki looked to Jack who she knew was thinking the exact same thing as her. This was the killer but was Lincoln willing to hear that? Taking a deep breath she spoke, "The MO of this one is different. I'll know more at the post mortem but this is almost definitely the killer and it's likely he killed himself, judging by the angle of the wound."

"Can you confirm that Dr Alexander?" Lincoln snapped, not pleased that he wasn't able to catch him before this happened.

Jack rose from his squatted position to his full height, he stared over at Lincoln, "She said she'll know more at the post mortem," he frowned, narrowing his eyes as Lincoln glared back at him before walking off.

Jack turned to Nikki, a smirk on his face. Nikki just shook her head at him before continuing with the task at hand. Nikki pulls the camera from her case and begins taking photos but paused as she noticed that Sam had stopped her examination of the body.

"Everything okay?" Nikki asked, resting her elbows on her thighs.

"I know this man," Sam breathed. "He was the one who reported the first murder. He was here talking to the police when I arrived at the scene."

"It's not uncommon for murderers to return to the scene of the crime," Nikki pointed out. "If they directly involve themselves in a non-guilty capacity, they erase any suspicion."

Back at the Lyell Nikki and Sam carried out the man's post mortem just like they had the other two. Clarissa stayed at the lab helping Jack sample his clothes and carry out any necessary tests. They were able to establish that the man had in fact killed himself. They also discovered a hospital tag on the man's wrist, his name was Jacob Sanders. After they contacted the hospital they had found that he had been admitted to a psychiatric ward a couple of months prior to all of this and were now waiting upon one of his doctors to provide details and identify him.

As they cleaned up the body ready to be viewed, his doctor arrived. Nikki took it upon herself to lead her in to view him. Standing in her usual spot, she remained silent allowing the doctor to have a moment. When they had finished up, Nikki guided her to the observation room so they were able to discuss Jacob's case and hopefully find an answer to all of this.

"Jacob had escaped from the ward this morning," she started. "We had spent most of the day tracking him down but had no luck. He had very vivid fantasies about death and we were still trying to find the cause of this. He had been on various therapy programmes and drugs and we thought we had it under control."

"When I examined his brain," Nikki interrupted. "He had a small tumor on his frontal lobe, that would account for his change in behaviour. If he had a brain scan when he was admitted it may have been missed but it may have been significant enough to make a difference."

"How come you didn't report him missing to the police?" Jack questioned, clearing his throat.

"This isn't the first time he's run off but he's always ended up coming back so we just hoped that this would happen again. I guess we were wrong," the doctor sighed, bowing her head.

"Surely, if this isn't the first incident then you would put extra precautions in place to keep him secure," Jack furrowed his brows, not quite believing what he was hearing right now. His eyes flicked to everyone else in the room who seemed to be wearing the same expression as he did, at least he wasn't on his own with this one. Even DCI Lincoln was seemingly agreeing with him.

"Our practice believes in freedom," she continued. "If we keep them locked up, it suppresses them. Doesn't allow them to fully delve and explore the causes of their mental health. We like to integrate them back into society at a quicker rate, freedom allows that."

"You can't be serious," Jack scoffed, tapping his finger on to the table in front of him trying to keep his anger under control. "Two innocent people died today because your practice doesn't believe in proper care orders. You do know we are going to have to report you? You could've prevented this, not only are you causing risk to other people but you are harming your patients just as much."

"Jack," Lincoln interrupted. "That's enough. Dr May I think that's all we need but please do not think that you are getting away with this, we will be investigating this matter further in the next couple of weeks." He waited till the doctor left before turning back to the rest of the Lyell team. "Thank you so much for all your help today guys. May be the shortest case I've ever worked on but as we have just discovered, this is only the beginning."

And with that Lincoln left them to it to wrap up the case and write up any relevant reports. As she had promised that she would stick around for a drink at the end of the day, Clarissa stayed at the Lyell and pestered Jack at every given opportunity. She had to make the most of it whilst she could. Just as Nikki and Jack were finishing up on the computers and getting ready to leave Sam came into the office area holding up a bottle white wine.

"Fancy a glass in my office?" Sam asked, looking round at the three faces in the room.

"Thought you'd never ask," Clarissa chirped, already making her way into Sam's office. She was quick to pick up on the small changes in the room from when the office belonged to Thomas but she supposed that she didn't mind it too much. Nikki and Jack were soon following her after switching the computers off.

Jack settled down on the two seater with Nikki next to him. Subconsciously, he rested his arm on the back of the sofa behind Nikki but it didn't go unnoticed by Clarissa who just smirked at the pair.

"So come on then Clarissa, what have you and Max been up to whilst you abandoned us?" Jack questioned, receiving a small tap on the arm from Nikki.

"Ah wouldn't you like to know," Clarissa winked, taking a sip of the freshly poured wine. "We've actually been abroad if you must know. Max wanted to do a tour of the world but quickly took back his suggestion when he realised how expensive it was so we just stuck to a tour around Europe."

"And how was that? I hope you took lots of pictures," Nikki smiled.

"Of course," Clarissa picked up her phone from her lap and pulled up an album with all the pictures from her adventures. They continued talking about her holidays along with the case and previous cases they had been working on. After about an hour Sam left the three of them, wanting to get an early night and knowing there was a lot of catching up that was needed between the three. Nikki had also left the room, picking up a call that was coming through on her phone. Seizing the moment of it just being Jack and Clarissa, Jack dug into his pocket and pulled out the ring that his dad had given him the other week to show her.

Clarissa gasped, "I didn't realise it was that serious."

"Well we are moving in together and I know it's only been a couple of weeks but it just feels right, you know?" Jack rolled the ring between his fingers.

"Hold your horses," Clarissa held her hands up. "At least for a couple of months yet. You know what Nikki's like when it comes to committing to something, you don't want to scare her off. Besides, you'll want to wait until you actually move in together before making any rash decisions."

Jack nodded, "True," he looked up to her. "This is why I need you around, you stop me from making stupid mistakes."

"That's a first," Clarissa quipped. "Proposing to Nikki won't be a mistake at all. Doing it right this second is just way too soon. You really love her though, don't you?"

Jack couldn't stop the beam on his face, "I never thought I could love anything this much."

"I can't quite believe what I'm hearing," Clarissa laughed to which Jack quickly joined in. Hearing the handle turn, Jack whipped the ring back into his pocket and tried his best to act as normal as possible. Luckily for him, Nikki seemed too focused on who she had just been on the phone to.

"Who was that?" Jack asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Daisy," Nikki sighed, finishing off the last of her wine.

"Everything alright?" Nikki just shook her head.

"Who's Daisy?" Clarissa piped up.

"The daughter of the first victim. She just wanted someone to talk to, a friendly voice. Lincoln's just told them who it was. The poor thing," she paused, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I think she's feeling a bit better now but to find out that her mother was attacked for no reason and she just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time is just -"

"Awful," Jack finished, snaking his arm around her waist and caressing her with his thumb gently, comforting her.

Clarissa picked up her phone, checking the time, "Well I best be off. It's getting late now and Max will end up thinking that you've kidnapped me," she chuckled, trying to lighten the now sullen mood.

"We can give you a lift if you want," Jack offered. "It'll save you having to phone for a taxi. Besides, I've barely touched my wine."

"Only if you're sure," she considered.

"It would be my pleasure Ms Mullery," Jack bowed at her, laughing.

The drive to Clarissa's wasn't too long but Jack could tell that the phone call earlier had affected Nikki. He'd spent most of the ride with his hand resting on her thigh, only moving it when he had to change gear. Not much was said on the way apart from Clarissa's sarcastic comments about Jack's driving to which Jack simply told her that he would leave her on the side of the road and she would have to make her own way home if she wasn't careful.

As they pulled up outside of Clarissa's house, Jack helped Clarissa out and walked her to the front door, he wanted to take the opportunity to talk to Max as well. Nikki stayed in the car, after talking to Daisy she just wanted to go home and have a soak in the bath to let the horrors of the day just simply wash away. She watched as Jack and Clarissa made their way up the drive but something suddenly caught her eye. Looking down at Jack's chair she spotted it, reflecting the light from the streetlamp. Her heart dropped as she reached out and picked it up.

Her eyes widened as she stared down at it in her fingers. Thoughts started racing through her head, did he really think they were ready for all of that yet? I mean, they had only just agreed to move in together and he was already thinking about marriage? Then again, it wasn't in a box so he couldn't be actually thinking about asking her. But, why did he have a ring in the first place? She tried her best to ignore the butterflies in her stomach and couldn't quite place whether they were there out of excitement or of her being absolutely terrified.

She'd often wondered what it would be like to be married to Jack or to have kids with him but now those daydreams could possibly become very real, hopefully the latter would come at a later date however. She had had no time at all to process it and it scared her. But it was just Jack, she had nothing to be scared of. And if her daydreams had been correct then he would make the perfect husband and an even better father. She couldn't help but think that things were moving way too fast but she was a believer in things happening for a reason. And if this was being presented to her right now then surely there's got to be something in it.

And ultimately, she couldn't deny the slight surge of anticipation that ran through her when she saw the ring and it was a beautiful ring. Something she would completely expect from Jack. Maybe, deep down, she wasn't so opposed to the idea? Maybe Jack would be the only person to get her over her fear of commitment. She chuckled at that thought, he'd been there the whole time, maybe if she'd just opened her eyes sooner. Pulling her from her thoughts was Jack who was heading back to the car, showtime.

Nikki kept hold of the ring in her fingers, staring at him as he made himself comfortable. It wasn't until he went to clip his seatbelt into place did he notice what Nikki was holding. Locking his eyes with hers, he felt his stomach drop and his mouth go dry. This really wasn't how he was planning it all, he was barely planning it in the first place. He really should've taken it out of his coat pocket and put it somewhere safer.

Realising that there was a growing sense of awkwardness he spoke, "Please don't panic," he breathed, trying to keep his voice under control from all of the stress of the situation. "I wasn't planning on doing anything with it yet. I just haven't had the chance to take it out of my pocket."

Nikki continued glaring at him, saying nothing and revealing nothing with her face, simply enjoying making him squirm. And honestly, she was quite interested in what he was going to say about it all and how he was going to try to worm his way out of it.

"Please say something Niks," he begged, if his heart raced any faster he would end up giving himself a heart attack. He watched as her lips twitched, a smile emerging across her face. He furrowed his brows, not quite sure of what to expect next.

"Yes," she grinned.

"What?" Fell from his mouth so quickly he barely even noticed that he said it.

"Yes," she repeated, nodding at the same time. Her eyes blurred as the tears formed.

"Yes?"

Nikki chuckled at his disbelief, "We don't have to get married straight away of course. We could do it three years time or whenever we feel ready. And I know I sound insane but I'm trying to tell you that I want to marry you Jack. I know that sounds odd coming from me and for me to say yes so soon, you know as well as I do that I struggle with that kind of thing. I'm not good at forming long, romantic relationships. I'm really rubbish at it. But what I have with you feels so different from what I've had with anyone else. You're different Jack, you always have been. I love you and I want to have children with you and I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to be your wife Jack," she was sobbing at this point, the tears falling freely down her cheek.

Jack couldn't quite believe what was happening right now and he had to fight the temptation to pinch himself to wake himself from what was seemingly a dream. Did Nikki Alexander just say she wants to actually marry him? He couldn't take his eyes off her and he had apparently lost his voice because there truly were no words he could think of right that very second.

"Jack this is where you say something," Nikki tried encouraging him, starting to feel insecure about spilling her heart to him. If he rejected her now after she said all that she really didn't think she could recover from it.

"Sorry," Jack spoke eventually. Nikki bit her lip, wiping away the tears already knowing where this was going. It would just be absolutely typical, the first man she really and honestly loves, she tells him how she's feeling and he runs for the hills. She made to hand him the ring back and geared herself up for the walk home she was going to have to take when she felt his hands cup her face. And before she knew it, his lips were crashing into his.

She felt nothing but relief as the kiss deepened, his tongue dancing with hers. Jack could taste the salt on her lips from her tears. It really wasn't how he was planning to ask her but he wouldn't change this moment for the world. Pulling away, he plucked the ring from her fingers. Nikki covered her mouth with her hand to try and stop herself from smiling so much as he took her other hand and put the ring on her finger - it was a perfect fit. They shared another kiss before Jack made haste to get to his apartment as quickly as possible.

Nikki couldn't stop herself from admiring how the ring fit on her finger, she looked to Jack, "I love it."

Jack smiled, "It was the ring my Da gave to my Maw when he proposed to her. He gave it to me on his birthday. He wanted me to have it to give to you."

"Aw Jack," Nikki exhaled, resting her hand on top of his. "I love it even more."

Nothing could wipe away the grin that was planted on her face for the whole ride home. Parking up on the drive, Jack made his way round to Nikki's side, he practically pulled her out of the car. Holding her head in his hands, he pushed her up against the car. Leaning down, his lips connected with hers. He bit down on her lip causing Nikki to groan but that only spurred him on more. His hands soon travelled down her body, resting on her hips, he brought her closer to him, their bodies pressed together. Nikki's fingers raked through his hair encouraging him. Gasping for breath, he tore away from her. Taking hold of her hand he guided her through the door and up the stairs, fighting with his self control to want to kiss her at every given opportunity.

As he opened his door, he turned to pick her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist, hands resting on his shoulders. It wasn't long before her lips were on his again. They headed straight for the bedroom, not wanting to waste any more time, both fearing that neither would last with the way they were going. Placing her down on the bed, Jack stood up, ripping his jumper over his head. Nikki watched him, biting her lip before following in his footsteps and removing her clothing too.

They were soon exposed to each other save for Jack's boxers which didn't leave much to the imagination. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, Nikki ran her finger down his stomach, her lips swiftly following in the same direction. Stopping as she reached the waistband of his underwear. Resting her chin on his lower stomach she looked up at him, her eyes drooping with lust. She didn't miss the way he shivered as she carefully peeled his boxers away and down his legs. Her eyes widened at the way he throbbed, they both knew that he was going to spill over the edge and they had barely even started.

She ran her hand up and down his length but was soon stopped by his hand on her wrist. She glanced up at him again before he was lowering her back down onto the bed by her shoulders. Leaning over her, he decided it was time for him to tease her instead. He worked his way down her milky skin, planting kisses where he could whilst his fingers got to work for where she yearned for him the most. He felt the goosebumps form on her skin under his lips as he pumped into her. Her body jerking in time with his movements. She was close but not wanting the moment to be over so soon he stopped. Laughing as he watched her face drop.

He continued placing kisses on her, travelling up her body this time, stopping as he reached her lips. He flattened her hair as he gazed down at her.

"Mrs Hodgson," he beamed, waiting for her reaction which wasn't disappointing. "It suits you."

She leaned up to catch his lips with hers briefly, "I love you," fell from her mouth.

Dropping his head, his lips connected with her neck nipping gently. He pressed himself against her as he slipped into her. She gasped, still not used to his size. They moved in unison, increasing in pace as they both drew closer. Taking her left hand in his, he pushed it above her head, squeezing it. The feeling of the ring on her finger would've been enough to tip him over the edge if it weren't for Nikki tightening around him, her own orgasm washing over her. His eyes searched hers as they came together. His lips collided with hers as they came down from their high. He settled next to her, pulling the blanket over them.

Nikki quickly tucked herself into his side, her head resting on his chest whilst his hand ran up and down her back.

"I can't believe this is actually happening," Nikki threw into the air, feeling the blood pumping around her body.

Jack peered down to her, "You do want it to happen though?" He questioned, suddenly feeling a little bit insecure.

Sitting up, she looked down at him, "Of course I do," she leaned down, pecking him on the lips. Reaching down to the floor she picked up Jack's discarded jumper. Pulling it down over herself, she climbed out of the bed and walked towards the bathroom.

As she returned back from the bathroom she smiled, watching him she sat on the edge of the bed. She ran her fingers down his face softly, not wanting to startle him. He was always so peaceful when he slept. Taking her hand away, in fear of waking him she spun the ring around her finger.

"Mrs Hodgson," she whispered to herself, grinning from ear to ear.