Can't Wait

Interruption

Nikki's hands were trembling. Taking a sip of water from her bottle, she closed her eyes and attempted to calm her nerves. She knew that the next lot of questions were coming her way, and she would have to front out a humiliating discourse relating to her and Jack. She would need to explain to the officers, to the coroner, and Mr Jenkins that Jack's semen would be expected because they hadn't used protection. The very idea of talking about her intimate sexual encounters in a work environment was beyond mortifying. Even going into this level of detail would be unlikely to save her reputation at this stage, but it was the only argument she had.

Ms Vaughan came back into the room with a cleaning assistant, who smiled kindly at Nikki and swapped out the bin, leaving the two women alone once he had finished.

Ms Vaughan sat opposite Nikki, "Doctor Alexander... can I get you anything?" She asked with concern.

Nikki took another sip of water as she shook her head quickly and responded, "No, thank you. I'm just... uh... This whole thing is awful. My anxiety is coming out in these bouts of nausea... I'm so sorry you've had to watch me be sick. Thank you for getting the cleaner for the bin." She said sheepishly, embarrassed by the need to be looked after by an almost complete stranger.

Ms Vaughan smiled kindly, "That's okay. I'm sorry it has come to this... it's most unfair to have expected you to build a defence with only three days notice, and no access to The Lyell's resources. Do you... do you have a theory on what could have happened?" She looked at her quizzically.

"Not a plausible one... I don't want to be throwing around wild accusations without any evidence of my own. It's not fair on the victim and doesn't support my case either as DNA is difficult to challenge with just theories... I should know!" Nikki closed her eyes and rubbed the side of her temple with the edge of the water bottle, the coldness helping her focus on something other than the feeling of nausea. She popped a mint into her mouth to suck, hoping to take away the acrid taste of vomit.

Ms Vaughan weaved her fingers together in front of her on the table and tapped them, a habit formed over the years when trying to keep calm and appear non-confrontational. "Nikki... Would you like me to put together a compromise? A statement where you accept the police feedback, a disciplinary or formal note on record, but with an agreement to keep your role? So you don't have to go through this attempt at a defence?" She eyed Nikki to gauge her reaction.

Nikki frowned, "Absolutely not! I haven't done anything wrong! I'm not accepting a note on my file, or a disciplinary!" She exclaimed, twisting the cap back onto the top of her water bottle.

Ms Vaughan sighed, "The issue is that... there's a very real risk here that's you'll end up with a disciplinary anyway... a difficult relationship with the police - one of your biggest stakeholders, and... well... you could lose your job anyway..." Ms Vaughan conceded, hoping Nikki would understand she was doing her job in presenting the risks and options.

"I am not admitting to anything I haven't done! I understand that you are playing devils advocate Kirsty... but... I just can't say I did something that I didn't do!" Nikki almost wailed at the injustice of it all.

Ms Vaughan nodded and looked at her watch, "We need to go back in... you ready?" She looked at Nikki, concerned that there might be a repeat of vomiting.

"As I'll ever be.." Nikki muttered, standing up with a slight wobble, her low blood sugar and nausea making her dizzy.

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Alex strolled back into the meeting room, taking his seat with Simone and Alex. The police DI's looked up and nodded, continuing their conversation with Adam,