On Monday morning when Nikki came in to the office, Harry was sitting there already, following her every move.

"What is it, Harry?" she asked

"And a good morning to you, Dr. Alexander."

"Morning. Now, what is it?" she asked again.

"Always so suspicious… I was just admiring your Monday morning demeanor."

"Harry…"

"Oh, alright. I was just very curious about how your hot date was on Friday? Was it worth missing drinks with Leo and me over?"

Nikki smiled, "Oh, it was more than hot, it was tropical!"

Harry cocked his head to one side and raised his eyebrows. "Tropical, eh? Well, well, a storm a-brewing. So, you'll see him again?"

"Already did. Yesterday."

"A second date? Wow, he really must be something!"

"He is," Nikki admitted, smiling at the memory of the lovely Sunday afternoon she had spent with Daniel. She could feel Harry's eyes on her, studying her. When Leo walked in, Harry said, "Good morning, Leo. I think Nikki is in love!"

"Of course she is!" he said, his face lighting up hopefully, glancing at Nikki who was smiling in herself and then back at Harry who was frowning. He then realized that Harry wasn't talking about Nikki loving Harry.

"What do you mean, of course she is? Have you already met her hot shot lawyer?" Harry asked with a quick glance at Leo and then went back to studying Nikki. Nikki glanced at Leo as well, a little surprised at his comment.

"Oh… erm… no…" he stumbled but Harry had already moved on and now Nikki was meeting his glance almost defiantly.

"Sooo, tell us more, what's his name, what did you do, what makes him so likeable…" Harry started but Nikki interrupted him while Leo made a quick escape to his office, shaking his head as he did so.

"Really, Harry, now's not the time. It's only been 2 dates and yes, he really is nice but we need to get work done!" Nikki said evasively.

"Spoil sport!" Harry said, sill frowning. Nikki got up, laughed and walked off; she had a PM to perform.

Daniel really was a wonderful man and Nikki was able to lose herself in her friendship with him whenever she saw him. A tender first kiss was shared during a late night stroll after a night out. It wasn't long after that he spent his first night at her place. They talked a lot, shared nice days out together, they were physically compatible, and Nikki truly enjoyed his company. "But he isn't Harry," she caught herself thinking more than once, quickly admonishing herself afterwards. Why couldn't she just let herself go and fall head over heels in love with Daniel? She could only hope that liking him so much would maybe one day turn into something more? It just had to happen! And she would do everything in her power to make it happen. During Friday night drinks Leo, Harry and Nikki would all three speak of their significant others and every time Kate was mentioned it was all Nikki could do to stay positive and encouraging. Harry spoke highly of her; it really did look like he was taking this relationship he was in seriously now. So, this meant that Daniel just had to be the one for her now! And really, she was lucky; a man like Daniel was rare. If only… if only he could make her laugh like Harry did…

"So, have you two couples mingled or double dated yet? And when do I get to meet your other halves?" Leo asked one Friday evening.

"Er… no, never met Kate," Nikki started.

"Never met Daniel!" Harry said.

"So, how about dinner for all of us at our house next week Friday, then?" Leo asked.

Harry shifted uneasily in his seat, Nikki looked down at the drink in her hand. She didn't want to meet Kate, she didn't want Kate to be real. So far, Kate was an abstraction, a name talked about. If she never met her she could stay an abstraction and that suited Nikki just fine. No, she wasn't keen on this dinner idea.

"Why the reluctance?" Leo asked when no response was given.

Harry's features quickly transformed into a grin, "No reluctance. I was just thinking about next week Friday and if Kate could make it. I'm sure she can. I for one am curious to meet this Daniel fellow."

Nikki gave a faint smile. "Alright, I'll see if Daniel can make it."

Oh how she dreaded Friday…

Janet welcomed Nikki and Daniel when they arrived at 7 p.m., nicely in time for dinner. Harry and Kate had arrived just before, still very much in the welcome and introduction phase, talking to Leo.

"Oh God, she's beautiful!" Nikki thought when she smiled and shook Kate Ashton's hand. Tall, with shoulder length loosely curled brown hair, kind eyes and curves in all the right places. Nikki stole a look at Harry and found him studying Daniel just as she was studying Kate.

"You aren't at all as I had imagined," Kate smiled at Nikki.

"Oh?"

"You look, I don't know, younger maybe?"

Nikki grinned, "I guess Harry makes 'old friend' sound too literal then, does he?"

Kate laughed. "I think you're right!"

The evening progressed in relative ease, Leo and Janet being the perfect hosts and filling up any lulls in the conversation. Especially Kate was very flirty with Harry, constantly touching his hand at dinner, giggling into his ear as they walked into the living room after dinner when Harry had placed his hand on her back. Giggling a lot, as a matter of fact, but Harry seemed to enjoy it. To Nikki it looked like she was laying a very public claim to Harry, which seemed ridiculous as everyone knew they were together anyhow. Daniel was more discreet in showing affection but when she came to stand beside him as he was studying Leo's bookcase, he put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close to him and she let him. When after a few moments she turned to leave his side so she could assist Janet she bumped into Harry who had made his way towards them, closely followed by Kate. His frown quickly dissipated as he looked down on her, a smile now forming on his lips,

"Look where you're going Dr. Alexander. Hoping to keep the casualties to a minimum here this evening."

He was awfully close, Nikki felt the urge to snuggle up to him but instead sweetly smiled, "Well, if you didn't sneak up on people like that, the chances of a casualty-free evening would be much higher."

He remained close, didn't budge. They studied each other for a fraction longer than maybe necessary. Then Nikki, suddenly uncomfortable, looked to Kate who was right beside him and not looking so very amused.

"Excuse me, I need to help Janet," she quickly said and made her escape to the kitchen.

"Are you alright?" Janet asked when she walked in, looking a little flustered, "You look a little, well, freaked."

"I'm fine, can I help with something?"

Janet eyed her suspiciously for a moment and then said, "Well, yes, these snacks need to be laid out on that dish." Nikki, grateful for the task, set to work.

"Your Daniel is very nice. Very handsome too."

"Yes, he is," Nikki smiled.

"And he obviously thinks the world of you."

"Oh, I don't know. We've only been together for a few weeks. It's too early to say."

"He thinks the world of you," Janet stated again.

Nikki smiled. Then after a few moments, Nikki asked as cheerfully as she could, "So, what do you think of Harry and Kate then?"

Janet paused for a moment before answering, "She adores him and he looks genuinely smitten with her…"

"Yes, he does," Nikki muttered.

"But there is something… lacking."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Since Hungary something in him seems to have… died, for want of a better word. And for some reason, even Kate can't bring that sparkle back."

"Hungary was difficult. For all of us."

"Yes, I know. It has affected Leo too."

Nikki nodded in agreement.

"I think Leo hoped after Hungary, for you and Harry… I hoped too," Janet said, studying Nikki.

"It's never been like that with Harry and me, Janet. It never will be," Nikki said as matter-of-factly as she could and smiled.

Janet smiled back and nodded, "Well, I guess there are worse people than Daniel to turn to. Come on, let's bring this in…"