Can't Wait

Thoughts

"Penny for your thoughts?" Asked Jack suddenly from behind her.

Nikki spun around, "Ha, erm, I was..." she looked around, not wanting to stare at him as he was naked except for a white towel tied around his waist, "erm, I was just thinking..." Nikki sighed, and looked down at the floor, "whether you really liked me, and where you might want this to go."

Jack stepped towards her and lifted her chin up with his finger, "Dr Alexander, are you questioning my intentions towards you?" He asked with mock shock. Nikki smiled shyly back up at him, through her long eyelashes.

Jack's expression changed to one of seriousness. He remembered earlier that she commented that he didn't show much emotion, he needed to prove her wrong. 'It's now or never' he thought, he had to open up to her and to finally be honest about his feelings.

"Nikki, I have admired you for such a long time" he sighed, "you've always had a boyfriend, or made out that you didn't see me as a potential partner. Now Matt is out the picture, and before DI chump whisks you off your feet, I had to try with you. Make you see yourself with me. Maybe. Hopefully...". His eyes searched hers, checking her face for any indication of whether he had made a mistake, or whether he had successfully convinced her that he truly liked her.

Nikki stood on her tiptoes, placed her hand on the back of his neck, and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. She pulled away and smiled at him, "whilst this whole idea might take me a little while to get used to, saying more things like that will certainly help!"

"Is it really that surprising to you?" Quizzed Jack, worried he was much more into this idea than she was.

"Well, look at it from my point of view. We have been friends for eight years. I've not always been in a relationship in that time and you... well you've worked your way through half of London!" She chuckled. "How come you've never met the right girl? You've had enough of them!"

Jack looked at her, "The problem is Nikki, I met the right girl, she just didn't know it." He locked eyes with her, raised his eyebrows and clenched his jaw.

Nikki inhaled quickly, realising he meant her. She'd had no idea about his feelings. "Wow, Jack. I had no clue you felt like this. I wish you had said something sooner."

"So do I, but for a long time I didn't want to ruin our friendship, as much as you annoy me at times Nikki, and you drive me mad with your humming and singing, you are actually my best friend. I didn't want to destroy one of the only good things left in my life. But more recently, I think it's started to hurt me more by not telling you. Seeing you with Matt..." Jack looked away and then back at her, "it's nearly killed me these last few months."

Nikki's thoughts were awash with questions, realisations and uncertainty. How has he liked her all this time and her not realise? Was she so blind to his affection or had he just done a great job of hiding it?

"I've never meant to cause you any kind of pain, Jack. I've often thought about you and me, I guess I've always tried to dismiss it, thinking you'd never be interested in me, not in that way anyway. I know I'm a workaholic, I can be insufferable to live with and apparently I hum and sing in an annoying fashion! Whilst you" Nikki gestured to his body with her hand "I mean look at you!"

Jack wasn't sure what she meant, was she referring to what he looked like? Does that mean she fancied him? Does she not think she's attractive?! Jack thought incredulously.

"Nikki, you are the most beautiful woman both inside and out. I love your passion for your work, our work" he corrected, "and I've thought often about what it might be like to live with you, even if I have to wear earplugs as you sing in the shower!" He chuckled.

She looked about the room and realised they would end up talking all night in the gym if they didn't leave soon.

Nikki picked up her bag, looked at Jack and said "I think we have a lot to talk about over dinner. I'll wait in the hallway while you get ready." Nikki turned to walk out but felt Jack grab her arm and spin her round to face him.

Jack quickly swept Nikki's hair back with his left hand and lifted her jaw up with his right as he brought her lips to his in a soft kiss. Nikki was taken by surprise but quickly melted into the kiss, returning Jack's passion with increasing fervour. She clung to Jack's back and he grew more forceful with his embrace. Both panting as their lips crashed together, they could both feel the burning hunger between them.

"Ahem!" a voice suddenly spoke loudly in the doorway, Jack and Nikki sprang apart with alarm, Jack turning away from the door to hide his growing erection under the towel.

"We've got the next set of fighters due to come in soon and we can't be having her in here, kissing all the winners like that!" The burly man spoke in a thick Scottish accent, smiling widely, and gestured towards Nikki with his thumb.

"Sorry Mac, I'll get my stuff packed up, Nikki is my, er, doctor. She was just helping patch me up" he gestured towards the gash on his head that was now held together with the steri-strips that Nikki had put in place.

Mac smirked "wish I could get that kind of doctor, I'd go to my GP's more often if it meant a kiss from a wee blondie like this!" He smirked and winked at Nikki, who was furiously blushing with this exchange.

"Mac, alright, leave her be!" Jack insisted with a smirk.

"I'll wait in the car for you" Nikki mumbled towards Jack as she left hurriedly, scurrying past Mac who was laughing to himself gleefully.