Chapter Five

Nikki didn't know whether it was the coffee or Jack's company but she felt a little perkier as they walked back into the hospital and it didn't go unnoticed by Jack.

"You look happier," he smiled and she gave a quick nod "You'll be back just in time for lunch,"

"Oh joy…" Nikki sighed "Hospital food,"

"You never know it might be something wonderful again, like macaroni cheese!" he joked and Nikki chuckled

"Emily will be happy,"

"She seems like a nice wee girl," Jack said and Nikki nodded

"She fancies you,"

"Who doesn't?" Jack puffed out his chest and Nikki smiled

"She's been here for three month though,"

"That's tough," Jack sympathised "But that doesn't mean you'll be here that long. You just need to work with the nurses and Doctor Redford,"

Nikki nodded although Jack knew that didn't necessarily mean she agreed with him

"Look, if it helps, text me the next time you know you've got an appointment with Doctor Redford and I'll see if I can sit in with you. A friendly face may help and Doctor Redford said she's keen you keep up with your friends and colleagues," Jack told her

"Okay," Nikki nodded as they stopped outside the ward door "Thanks Jack," and she reached up on her tip-toes and pressed quick warm peck on his cheek

She gave him a quick wave goodbye as the nurse opened the door to let Nikki in and then she was gone. Jack placed a finger on his cheek, where she had kissed him and gave a small smile. Maybe she was getting back to her old self? Maybe, just maybe, he was getting his Nikki back.

…

But Nikki's good mood was short lived when she went back into the dormitory. She knew something was wrong when she saw the curtains around Emily's bed tightly shut. Emily very rarely closed her curtains, only for getting changed and sometimes not even then (Nikki had had to avert her eyes on many occasions), but now they were shut.

Something was wrong.

"Emily?" she called as she pulled off her hoody and laid it on her bed

"Hi Nikki…" Emily's voice was thick and oddly strained. Nikki knew the sound

She was crying.

Nikki popped her head around the curtains and her suspicions were confirmed. Emily was curled up in the foetal position gently sobbing. Crumpled tissues lay in piles around her and she had resorted to using the sleeve of her top to wipe her nose instead.

"What's wrong?" Nikki said grabbing some clean tissues for Emily. That sleeve was getting mighty saturated.

"Nothing," Emily sat up "How was your time with Jack?"

"Don't change the subject. Something's clearly wrong. You never cry,"

"Yeah, well now I do," Emily shrugged defensively

"Emily…" Nikki began "You can tell me what's wrong. I won't shout at you or judge you. We're friends, remember?"

"Dad's dead," Emily said bluntly

"Emily Hooper!" Nikki suddenly exclaimed "Your Dad's Edward Hooper. Why didn't I make the connection?" she muttered to herself before looking at Emily "Sorry Emily, what I meant to say is I'm so sorry,"

"It's okay," Emily said knowing it was anything but that

"What about your Mum?" Nikki asked "Can you get the ward to call her. It might be some support for you?"

"Mum died when I was nine," Emily sniffled

"I'm really putting my foot in it aren't I?" Nikki said and Emily let out a tearful chuckle "Come here," she said sitting on the edge of Emily's bed and pulling her into a comforting hug "Cry all you want,"

"The nurses just keep saying take medication," Emily said as she made Nikki's shoulder wet and snotty

"Maybe it will help?" Nikki questioned

"There's no cure for grief," Emily said

"And that's okay Emily," Nikki soothed "It's okay to be sad,"

"I'm not sad, I'm angry," Emily muttered crossly "Why did he have to go and die. I needed him. I needed him three months ago when I had my breakdown. I needed him and he threw me in this place and left me to rot. He didn't call or write or visit and now he lands up dead,"

"Did they say how they found him?"

"In his car. They need to do a post…a post-thing,"

"Mortem," Nikki nodded "That's pretty standard Emily. But they'll treat him with the upmost respect, I can guarantee you that,"

"Can you do the post-mortem, I trust you?"

"I can't Emily," she said sadly "I'm stuck in here, remember?"

"Oh…"

"But I can find out who is going to do it and anything you need to ask about the process you just tell me and I'll do my best to answer it. And I'll be here for you, I'm not going anywhere Emily," Nikki reassured the other woman

Emily nodded into Nikki's shoulder and the pair sat like that until Anna, the nurse, came in giving Emily a sympathetic look

"It's lunchtime ladies," she said and Nikki nodded

"We're coming," Nikki told her pulling Emily up behind her as she stood up "You need to eat," she told her firmly

"Doctor Redford wants to see you tomorrow morning Nikki," Anna said

"Fine," Nikki said absentmindedly as she kept an eye in Emily who was still leaning into her shoulder.

She knew it was anything but, but she had to keep strong. For Emily. For Jack.

And she was determined to find out what happened to Edward Hooper no matter what the cost.

She was Doctor Nikki Alexander after all.

Author's note: Sorry this took a bit longer to post. Thanks for the reviews :)