Been a while since I last unloaded but I finally managed to finish this chapter as I started writing it last week. I won't lie it's been difficult but I still enjoy writing this story so I hope so far everyone who has read my story is liking where I am go with it. The next couple of chapters will be all about revelations...shocking it might be as we come close to finding out about Monica's background and Nikki and Helen's relationship becomes more intensive and crazy. Again, feedback is appreciated and everyone have a wonderful Mother's Day. Cheers and be safe.

Chapter 24

"Thanks for meeting up with me in a short notice. I do appreciate your help?" Nikki said, shaking Stoney Phillips hand.

"Think nothing of it." He said smiling.

"I was quite hesitate at first, but I had a little encouragement from Maxine," Nikki replied, trying to make light conversation.

"You sounded serious and any friend of Maxine is a friend of mine." He said, gesturing Nikki to an empty chair. "Please have a sit."

Nikki made her way to the chair and sat down, taking a look around his office. "I'm not sure how much you can help and I don't care how much it will cost I just need your help."

He shook his head. "You don't have to worry Nikki. Maxine pays me well and everything has been taken care of." He replied, smiling.

"Sorry, I don't understand." Nikki said in confusion.

"I work for Maxine and you could say I owe her my life." He said, realising Nikki wouldn't understand their connection. "Long story, and I know everyone must think she's just a cold calculated killer, but I know a side of her that no one knows, except for you. I just want to say I am glad you are helping her because that girl has gone through so much in her young life."

Nikki grinned. She wondered how someone like Stoney came into Maxine's life. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you meet Maxine?"

"I shall give you the short version," he laughed. "Actually, she came knocking at my door one day even though I tried to kick her out she was quite persuasive in her approach."

"Yes, she gets under your skin." Nikki smiled. "Doesn't take no for an answer. She's got that brilliant mind that never stops working."

"Very true. Well, she needed me to investigate a shady business dealing that her father was into. I thought she was just some kid winding me up but I soon realised she meant business and she came prepared."

Nikki felt a little sadness cross her heart. She knew she was emotionally invested in Maxine case and allowed herself to get personal. She felt dejected about Maxine's future. She knew it was her job to save her but there was genuine friendship and admiration for the young girl. "I wish I could do more for her."

"Listen, I know she cares for you and I don't understand the relationship, but that girl was not born a killer. Too many people have fucked her up and now we see the product of her dysfunctional life." He said passionately.

"You don't need to defend her actions. I wished things were different for her, but nothing can change what she did." Nikki said, realising life was not always fair. "We have to believe in our justice system."

"I was on a down-way spiral and drinking myself to an early grave and she pulled me out of that shite hole I was living. My business was going to hell and look at me now. Everything you see is because of her. She believed in me and in return I help others find the missing pieces to their past. And I am damn good at what I do."

Nikki laughed. "Well, I am hoping you can find out what I need because I am not sure where to turn."

"Tell me everything you know and I will get what you need, and that is a promise." Nikki looked at him wondering why he was so confident. "I do thing in an orthodox fashion and have a knack uncovering what so many try to hide."

"That's brilliant because there is questions I need answering." She said excitedly. She really wanted to know about Monica's past and yet at the same time she was wondering if she was doing the right thing. What if Monica didn't want her past to come to surface? What if she found out was shocking? Was she prepared to uncover the truth? She would deal with that when it came to it.

"I just want to make sure you understand there is no going back once you have the information you need. I a lot of people are surprised at the revelation and I want to make things clear before we go further." He said to Nikki.

"I understand and I still want to continue." Nikki took an envelope from her bag.

"Okay, let's get started then," he said taking the envelope from Nikki.

She opened the door and Karen was standing there holding two bottles of wine.

"I wasn't sure what you wanted so I bought two," Karen smiled, giving a light kiss on Yvonne's cheek. "You look worn out babe."

Yvonne weakly smiled before taking the wine bottles and placing them on the table. "I'm just glad you are here. I missed you terribly."

Karen eye's glistened. "But I saw you just a few days back."

"Nonsense." Yvonne said, grabbing Karen's hand and making their way to the couch.

"You sounded urgent and you know I would do anything for you." Karen said, nodding her head. Yvonne's eyes became watery as she was feeling so many emotions and the strain of everything was weighting heavy on her shoulders. "Hey, don't look so upset." She said pulling Yvonne into a hug.

"I'm just so very tired of everything," Yvonne said, her voice a whisper. "I don't know how you stayed with me so long."

Karen looked into Yvonne's eyes and felt her heart constrict. She sense Yvonne had a lot on her mind and she looked as if she wanted to cry. "Hey beautiful," she said, lifting Yvonne's chin. "I love you daft cow and nothing you could do would make me run from you, do you realise that."

Yvonne nodded and took a deep breath. "I can't imagine how I would have continued living if you were not in my life." Looking into Karen's eyes she finally realised all those years being friends, she was possible more in love with her than ever. It frightened her though to still have those strong intensive feelings.

"Well, don't imagine it because I am not ever leaving you." She said with a huge grin on her face trying to make Yvonne feel better. But in truth, she couldn't leave Yvonne even if she tried. She loved her more than anything and the bond they shared could never be broken, even if they were just best mates.

"I left Charlie," Yvonne blurted out, feeling a sense of relief.

Karen was stunned for a moment. Secretly she was happy but she knew for a long time that Yvonne was not happy in her marriage. "Finally," she said smiling. "I knew you were not happy and I really just want you to be happy with someone you truly love." Karen said wishing that someone could be her.

"You are so amazing you know that," Yvonne said, placing her hand over Karen's. "I don't know how many times you've picked me up when I fell apart. I think I owe you a metal."

"Forget about the metal and come here and let me comfort you," Karen said, pulling Yvonne closer and enjoying the warm feeling that was permeating her body. She really wanted to tell Yvonne how she really felt but she was too damn scared and Yvonne was in distress and didn't need a cow like her making things awkward.

Yvonne closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel Karen. She held her tighter and buried her face in her neck smelling her sweet scent before pulling herself apart. She looked into Karen's eyes and realised how much she wanted to kiss those lips. "Why is it that you make me feel so many things?" Yvonne said, leaving the 'things' to be interpreted.

Karen blinked trying to understand the undertone of Yvonne's words. What exactly did she mean by so many things, but she didn't want to pressure Yvonne who looked weary. "I know exactly what you mean." Was her only reply before she changed the subject. "Please tell me what's hurting you."

Yvonne swallowed thinking about how she was going to explain. "This is so difficult but I don't know what to do."

Karen looked at Yvonne confused. Was Yvonne about to confess her love for her? Her heart began to race faster. "Just tell me." She waited.

"It's about Nikki," Yvonne said, feeling tired and remembering her conversation with Charlie and how she felt when she found out.

Karen felt disappointed for a moment as she was hoping for something else. "What do you mean? What about Nikki." She said curious.

"I stumbled into something I shouldn't have but I'm glad I did," Yvonne said before continuing on. "That sodding weasel Sean Parr, can you believe hired Charlie to put a hit on Nikki."

Karen was dumbfounded. Did she just hear correctly? "Are you winding me up?"

Yvonne looked at Karen annoyed. "Do I look like I am joking?"

"What the bloody hell," Karen spat, angrily. "We need to tell Nikki and Helen right away. This can't wait. I should kill that sodding bastard myself."

"I know, I know," Yvonne said, sighing. "How do I tell Nikki that arsehole Sean wants her dead and I'm guessing he knows there's something going on between them otherwise why would he be threaten to the point of paying Charlie to kill Nikki."

"I'm going to bust open that face of his." Karen said reeling from the news. She couldn't believe a coward like Sean Parr would contemplate such a heinous act. What was he thinking?

"I feel so disgusted and I was ready to kill that sodding bastard myself, but I have other plans for him." Yvonne said, an angry expression covered her face and her eyes shining bright with hate.

Karen raised her brow at Yvonne. "Don't do something stupid babe. Don't do something you'll regret later. Don't you dare leave me alone without in this world."

"I'm not going to jail for that bastard but he needs to pay." Yvonne said, nostril flared.

"He will get what is coming to him, but right now we seriously need to inform Nikki. This is something that cannot wait." Karen replied realising the implication. What will Nikki do?

"I know, I know." She said putting her hands over her face. "I will ring her and hopefully she can come by tonight."

Karen rubbed Yvonne's arm. "We will do this together. Me and you, together."

Yvonne smiled. "I could kiss you right now." Yvonne blurted out not caring how it sounded. All she knew was that she was glad that Karen was in her life and everything else dark would have to wait.

Karen giggled. She wanted more than just a kiss but she would worry about that later. She took Yvonne hand and placed it on her heart allowing Yvonne to feel her heartbeat. "Do you feel that?"

"Yes," Yvonne said shyly.

"It's beating fast because of you. It's always been only you," Karen said, letting the unspoken words pass between them. "I love you. Don't you ever forget that."

Yvonne shook her head understanding. Even though things were unclear between them, they understood all the longing, the waiting and the unknown. "Never."

Later in the evening….

"No Nikki stop," Yvonne said, trying to hold back Nikki who was heading to the door.

"You got to be kidding, right," Nikki said in anger.

"I know what you want to do but it's not worth it believe me. Think of Helen." Yvonne pleaded.

"That bastard put a hit on me and you expect me to be calm about this," she replied, seething for the revelation. She couldn't believe what Yvonne and Karen just told her. It was surreal and the only think running through her head was revenge but then she thought of Helen and everything was shite.

"I understand but think but we need to do this right." Karen said.

Nikki stopped her tirade and went to sit down. "How the hell am I supposed to explain to Helen that her fiancé is trying to kill me?" Nikki spat.

"Maybe she doesn't have to know," Yvonne said. "I promise I will take care of everything."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Nikki said, dumbfounded. "I can't let that happen. I need to deal with this my own way and I know you mean well but I can't have you interfering."

"But," Yvonne went to say.

"Please, Yvonne," Nikki said frustrated. "I cannot lie to Helen and she needs to know the truth and we will deal with it properly."

Yvonne knew Nikki was right but she wanted her sweet revenge on Sean and torture him slowly. "Okay, but be careful Nikki."

"I need a stiff drink," she chuckled. "Why does danger always follow me?"

"You're too brilliant for your own good," Karen replied smiling.

Nikki looked at Karen and Yvonne and they looked different. "Is there something you guys are not telling me?"

"Why do you ask?" Yvonne replied confused and stunned by Nikki's words.

"I get the feeling that I am missing something here. You both are glowing and under these circumstances it just seems weird."

"I left Charlie," Yvonne finally said.

"What, when? About time if you ask me." Nikki said, trying to calm down. "I never thought he was the one for you. Why you stayed with him that long is beyond any rational thought. But then I know it was for your children.

"You too," Yvonne laughed. "I guess I shouldn't left him years ago." She acknowledged.

"C'mon Von," Nikki said. "You never seemed happy with him. In fact, your relationship with Karen is much more valuable than your marriage ever was." Nikki smiled. "You two make a better match than you and Charlie. I'm just saying."

Both Yvonne and Karen laughed. "You might have a point there Nikki," Yvonne said winking at Karen.

"If you ask me Yvonne, I think," Nikki was about to continue before being cut off by Yvonne.

"I didn't ask and let's not go where you want to, okay," Yvonne said, giving Nikki a knowing look which didn't go unnoticed by Karen who had a slight smile on her lips.

"Fine, fine," Nikki said getting up. "I should go and find Helen."

"Good luck with that," Yvonne said, giving Nikki a hug before she left. Yvonne turned her attention towards Karen and smiled. "Why are you smiling?"

"Nothing," Karen feign innocence. "Let's finish off the wine.

Nikki took out her mobile and started to dial.

"Hello,"

"I know it's late but are you free?" Nikki said.

Helen was a little surprised that Nikki called, but she sounded different. "I was just reading,"

"Are you alone and if so can I come by?" Nikki asked.

"I am alone and you can come by," Helen replied hearing the strain on Nikki's voice. "Are you okay?"

Nikki breathed into the phone. "Just tired but I need to talk."

"Is this about us? Did I do something wrong?" Helen said, feeling irrational and wondering why Nikki sounded weary.

"No," Nikki replied. "I'm sorry, not over the phone okay. I will explain once I get here."

Helen wasn't sure what Nikki had to say to her but she felt whatever it was, it was not good. "I will be there in a half-hour okay."

"See you soon," Nikki said before hanging up. She decided to pass by a bar and get a couple of drinks and she felt the need to be inebriated. She couldn't face Helen sober.

XXXX

A little while later….

"Have you been drinking?" Helen asked looking into Nikki's eyes which seemed glossed over.

"Yup," was Nikki's response.

"You're pacing and making me nervous," Helen said. "Please Nikki, sit down and tell me what's going on."

Nikki went over to Helen, sat close to her and took her hand. "Please just listen to me before you explode or do something stupid."

Helen looked at Nikki confused. "Why would I explode?"

"Please, just promise me," Nikki said, giving Helen an exhausted look.

"Okay," Helen replied, wondering if the walls were going to cave in. Nikki looked so distressed and it startled her.

"I don't know how to say this," Nikki swallowed hard. Her head felt heavy and she just wanted to close her eyes and pretend life was simple. "I know this will be quite a shock as I was shocked myself but I trust Yvonne and what she told me rattled my nerves."

"I don't understand," Helen said looking at Nikki with a confused look. "What does Yvonne have to do with it?"

"It has to do with Sean your fiancé," Nikki said avoiding Helen's eyes.

"Sean," Helen responded. "Did he do or say something stupid. He has been acting strange lately which has me wondering."

"I'm sorry but that bastard paid Charlie Atkins to kill me." Nikki said, waiting for the Helen's response.

Helen was frozen for a moment. "What?" Was all she could say as she felt her lungs become constricted with fear and hate.

"I said, Sean put a hit on me." Nikki repeated, feeling defeated.

For a moment she felt as if someone stabbed her with a knife, right through the heart. The man she knew as her fiancé was trying to kill Nikki. The woman she had fallen in love with. "I feel ill."

Nikki went to put her arm around Helen who looked like she was in a comatose. "I'm so sorry Nikki. I bring nothing but negativity into your life. I can't excuse Sean's behaviour and I cannot believe that someone I have been intimate with would try to kill someone I love so deeply." Tears started to stream down her face. "It's taking all my strength not to get up and put a bullet through Sean eyes."

"Don't cry babe," Nikki was trying to comfort Helen as she knew she would be torn and feeling guilty.

"He won't get away with this," she said, feeling numb. "I'm just so shocked that I cannot even think straight."

"Hey, look at me okay," Nikki said turning Helen's head and running her fingers on her face.

"I cannot believe I held back," Helen said feeling a warm sensation over her body. She felt an act of betrayal from Sean yet at the same time she felt her whole body respond to Nikki. "Nikki,"

"Don't say a word," Nikki put her finger over Helen's lip. Even though they were both so angry with Sean, what they were feeling at the moment was beyond control. "I know I probably shouldn't be saying this considering the situation but I really want to kiss you."

Helen looked up and saw the sincerity in Nikki words and felt herself crumble. So long she held herself together and it was draining her. She knew she wanted Nikki, wanted her touch, wanted everything. She leaned forward and captured Nikki mouth not caring about anything else. She didn't feel guilt or shame, but what she felt was such intense sexual energy that she needed a release. She needed Nikki and she knew she could not hold back any longer. It was if the revelation about Sean finally gave her the courage to do what she had been holding back.

Nikki stopped kissing Helen and looked into her hazel/green eyes which was filled with desire. "I don't think I can stop even if I wanted to."

"Then don't," Helen replied with a longing before they found themselves in Helen's bed.