Inspector Hahn reported to NAVCOM that LT Caetano had been found, alive and as well as can be expected. As Hammesley's captain, Mike was notified, and he was told that it was Fulton that had taken her and that he had taken Josh as well. After the call from Commander Marshall, Mike called Kate. She called Nikki straight away.

"Nikki, thank God! Are you alright? We're all just shocked that this happened. We should have never let you go to your car alone."

" Really, Kate, I'm fine. I'm just exhausted and can't wait for a bath."

" I bet. Fulton took you? Why?"

"Revenge for the 'bird boat' incident and the sexual assault charge. He said he was going to show me what 'real' sexual assault felt like. He was going to make Josh watch as he..."

"Sick!"

"Yeah. He abducted Josh too…he blamed Josh for everything."

"Did he? Ahhh..."

"No, Josh killed him before he could."

"Josh...Josh...killed him? My God! How is he? Is he okay?"

"I think so. We didn't get a chance to talk much. They took us right to the station to give our statements. I just got home fifteen minutes ago."

"Nikki, I'm so sorry this happened to you. Forgive me, but I'm glad he's dead."

"Yeah, me too. Please tell everyone I'm fine, and I'll see them soon."

" Are you sure that you want to be alone?"

"I'm sure. I'm going to bed."

Ending the call, Nikki poured herself a glass of wine and then filled her oversized bath for a soak. When the water started to cool, she got out, dried off and put on her most comfortable PJs, climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling. She was feeling very unsettled and couldn't relax. The last four days were horrific and add to that she couldn't stop thinking about Josh…( I'm such a stubborn, jealous, fool. Lucy was pregnant before Josh made his promise. What was wrong with me?) Nikki started to cry. " God I was stupid… look what I've lost!" she said aloud.

A little after 10:30, she gave up on sleeping and got out of bed. She made up her mind and decided to call Josh. (Maybe it's not too late. Maybe I can make it right.)

After Josh got home, took a shower, he called Lucy.

"Josh! Are you okay? What the hell happened?"

"Long story Luc. It's over. Nikki's safe, I'm safe, and the bad guy is dead."

"Yeah, I just saw that on the news."

"Luc, can I see Emma?"

"Sure, Josh, I'll bring her over, after what you've been through… I'll be there soon. Do you want her to stay?"

"That would be great, Lucy. Thanks. I'll bring her to you tomorrow."

"No worries, Josh. See ya soon."

Lucy arrived with Emma, and Josh filled with tears as he held her. Lucy stayed for a brew with Amanda and Jared, and Josh told them what had happened.

"Josh, that is just unbelievable. It's a miracle that you are okay," Lucy said.

Lucy left after having her brew. " I'll see you tomorrow, Josh. Keep her for the day if you want."

"Thanks. I'll come by around 5:00."

Josh spent the rest of the evening with Emma sleeping in his arms not wanting to put her down. Amanda and Jared had stayed with him. Finally, at 10:30, he laid her in her cot.

"Josh, we're going to go if you're alright," Amanda says.

"I'm fine, Sis. Thanks for being here," hugging her and then shaking Jared's hand. " Thank God this horror show is over."

"Amen, brother."

"You'll call tomorrow? And be sure and call mum."

"I will."

He was just dozing off finally when his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Josh…"

"Nikki... are you okay?"

"Not really, I can't relax. I know I shouldn't ask, but can you come over so we can talk?"

"I'm sorry, I can't Nikki. Emma is here."

"Oh… of course. I should have expected that you would have moved on."

"Nikki, Emma is my baby daughter. There's no one else in my life but her."

" Oh...oh...Josh, I really want to talk, and I know that it's late, but can I come over there?" Nikki rambled.

Josh gave her his address and Nikki arrived twenty minutes later and rang his bell.

"Hey, Nikki, come on in. Make yourself comfortable," he said, showing her to the living room. " I'll just be a minute."

"Okay." She wandered around looking at the family photos that he had displayed on one wall. There in the centre was a print of Josh and Emma. (He looks happy. She's beautiful, looks just like him with the blonde curls and bright blue eyes.) Then there was a picture of Josh holding her as a newborn. There were also pictures of whom she assumed were his parents and sisters. Then to her surprise, there were two photos from one of their outings together. ( We look so happy… we were happy). With a sigh, she went to sit on the couch.

A few minutes later, Josh returned carrying a tray with two brews and a package of Tim Tams. He set the tray down on the coffee table and then sat next to Nikki on the couch. She smiled picking up her brew; it was just as she liked it.

"Nikki, I'm sorry, I should have asked if you wanted something more substantial to eat."

"This is fine, Thank you. Josh, can I see her? Emma?"

Putting down their cups, Josh led her to Emma's nursery.

"She's even more beautiful than her pictures," whispering. "She looks like you."

Josh smiled, " She's my little angel."

"The whole time that he had me...I...couldn't stop thinking about you. I was so scared that I would never get the chance to see you again. Then when he shoved you through the door...I was shocked. I couldn't believe that you were there. Josh… you saved me."

They wandered back to the couch. " When I heard that you were missing, I nearly went out of my mind. Nikki, I haven't stopped loving you. I miss you," taking her hand.

Nikki turned toward him, tears falling, " I've missed you too. I tried to date, telling my self it was all for the best, and I should move on. No one came close to letting me forget you. I was stubborn and jealous and stupid. And then, very lonely," tears continued to fall down her cheeks. Josh cupped her face and wiped them away with his thumbs.

"Nikki, I still love you, more than you can know, but I'm finally pulling out of my depression. Emma is my life now, and I have to be whole, for her. I can't go through that again."

Sniffing, " I understand… I should go. I'm sorry, Josh." Getting up from the couch, she went to the door. " Bye, Josh. I'm sorry." She closed the door and ran for her car, sobbing.

Josh stood for a moment running his fingers through his hair, "SHIT!" and he ran after her. She was just getting ready to pull away when he ran around the car to the driver's door and banged on the window.

"Nikki, don't go. Come back inside, please. I'm an idiot. We can do this."

Turning off the ignition, she stepped out of the car and right into Josh's arms, and he kissed her like it was the first time...a new beginning.