Jackie went about her normal routines for the next several days, she didn't go out much except to go to work but during the week that wasn't so unusual thanks to her job and her own kids.

Nick thought it would be nice to take her out without the kids so he could talk to her at length and make sure she was coping ok. She seemed to be but he wanted to make sure.

Jackie's mom agreed to watch the kids for a bit but Jackie didn't want to be gone too long because it was a school night for her and the kids.

Jackie wanted to go to the burger joint not far from their house, Nick agreed, he wasn't picky and he loved hamburgers.

Jackie seemed fine, although every time someone would come into the restaurant she would glance at them.

Nick ignored that fact, but perhaps he shouldn't have because he was in the middle of asking how her day at work went when suddenly she dove under the table. Nick immediately dove under there with her.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

"That man at the counter is reaching into his back pocket, I think he's pulling a gun."

Nick glanced at the counter, the man was pulling nothing more than his wallet out of his pocket.

"Sweetheart, he's just getting his wallet so he can pay for his food." He assured her as he laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Jackie glanced at the counter, Nick was right, the man was doing absolutely nothing wrong.

Jackie then glanced around the restaurant, mostly everyone in there was staring at her.

"Take me home." She said, barely above a whisper as hot tears stung her eyes.

She was embarrassed and ashamed.

Nick offered her a gentle smile and then he helped her up. He took her hand and led her out of the restaurant and into his truck.

"I'm sorry, Nicky." She told him after they had both gotten in. He gently took her hand.

"You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for." He assured her as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

She gave him a slight smile of gratitude in return. They sat in silence a few minutes before Nick finally broke it.

"You know, after my kidnapping, I was scared of everything, I had flashbacks, frequent nightmares, I didn't want to leave the house. This went on until a very kind, caring, compassionate, and beautiful woman told me that there was no shame in admitting that I couldn't deal with it on my own and that talking to a professional counselor might very well be the step I need to take to heal."

"What was the very kind, caring, compassionate, and beautiful woman's name?" Jackie asked with a teasing smile.

"I don't remember, it's been a number of years." He replied with a wide grin.

She laughed softly.

He grew serious again as he gave her hand another squeeze.

"However, I do remember that the woman promised she would be at every counseling session with me. She didn't break that promise, she was at every session, sitting right beside me, and I would love to return the favor." He said as he looked her square in the eye.

Jackie saw absolutely no sign of judgement or disappointment in his eyes, the only things she saw were understanding, compassion, and pure love.

Her eyes welled with tears.

"Ok, I'll go." She told him softly as she nodded her head yes.

He reached across the seat and took her in his arms.

"I'm so glad to hear you say that." He whispered as he stroked her hair.

The tears that were in her eyes fell down her cheeks and spilled onto Nick's shirt.

"You're going to get through this, you're going to be ok, and I'm going to be right there to make sure of it." He promised.

"Thank you."

Nick pulled back slightly so he could see her face. He gently wiped a tear off of her cheek and then gave her forehead a tender kiss.

When Jackie looked into his eyes she had no doubt in her mind that he meant every word of what he had just said. She knew she'd be ok and she knew that Nick would be there with her every step of the way, no matter what it took or how long it took!

The End!