Halcyon

Back to the Grind

Jack and Nikki have been back in London just over two days now and things are running as normal as far as Nikki is concerned, both Jack and Nikki are due back to work today and they have both just dropped Poppy off at nursery before heading to the Lyell. 

"Poppy seemed too much happier this morning when we took her into the nursery, she usually cries when we leave her" Nikki smiles as she looks across from her phone at Jack who is driving. 

Jack glances across at Nikki and then looks back at the road ahead of him, "Yeah I guess so" He smiles slightly. 
Nikki smiles and looks at him, "Jack? what's wrong?" She smiles. 
"Nothing" He replies simply as he opens his window and scans his ID badge onto the scanning pad to the barriers that belong to the Lyell Centre car park. 

The barrier opens and Jack drives through and pulls up in his designated parking lot. "Jack? have I done something wrong or said something?" Nikki asks noticing he's being off him her. 

"No, I'm fine, just tired" Jack smiles and leans over and kisses her cheek before getting out the car. 

Nikki rolls her eyes and gets out the car and grabs her forensic case from out the boot and then heads into the Lyell, scanning her ID badge as she enters. 
Nikki and Jack walk into labs side by side, Jack scans his ID badge onto the reader which opens the door to the offices, he walks through and holds it open for Nikki before walking over to his desk and placing his things down, Nikki follows him and places her stuff down before walking into the side room office to check her emails. 

Jack sits down at his desk and logs onto the computer just as Clarissa comes in, "Oh Jack, you're back! did you and Nikki have a nice time in Ireland? well I mean there is nothing nice about a funeral but was the journey okay and the funeral?" Clarissa smiles. 

"Don't ask" Jack huffs as he glances over at Nikki before looking back at his work.
"What is wrong? you two haven't fallen out again?" She questions noticing Jack's 'off mood'.
"No... just so happens my whole life turns out to be a lie!" Jack hisses as Nikki walks through while she ties her hair up into a bun. 

Clarissa looks at Nikki with a confused look on her face unsure of how to answer Jack, "Yes so he found out his mother is still alive... lucky for some" Nikki tuts and leaves the room and heads towards the mortuary. 

"Oh, Jack..." Clarissa begins but is cut off by Jack.
"Don't start... I've had enough pathetic sympathy from Nikki" Jack snaps.

Clarissa sighs and continues to work, Soon Nikki returns from the mortuary and takes a seat opposite Jack, She leans back against the chair and stretches before kicking her shoes off and logs onto the computer, "How's the pregnancy treating your Nikki?" Clarissa smiles looking up from a mountain of paperwork. 

She watches Nikki look at Jack who doesn't even acknowledge her presence. "Alright, I guess, harder being on my feet now my ankles are so swollen it's unreal" Nikki smiles resting her hand on her bump.
"You'll have to get someone to rub your ankles at home" Clarissa smiles as she looks at Jack. 
"Waste of time right now, I could only wish" Nikki smirks. 

Jack looks up at Nikki and rolls his eyes, "What?" He replies raising an eyebrow. 
"Seriously Jack, lighten up..." Nikki huffs while looking down at her bump and stroking it, "Is your Daddy being a misery" Nikki coos as she strokes her bump continuously.

She suddenly gasps and holds the bottom of her bump before sitting up again, Clarissa looks over at her with a panicked look on her face, Nikki leans forwards for a moment and gasps again and continues to hold her bump. "Jack!" Clarissa says in a worried tone.

Jack looks across at Nikki and raises an eyebrow, "Nik?" He asks. 
Nikki doesn't reply so Jack gets up and walks to beside her and then crouches beside her, "What's wrong Nikki?" Jack asks placing his hand on her knee. 

Nikki sits up and smiles at Jack which relieves them both, She grabs Jack's hand and places it on her bump, "Feel that?" She asks. 

Jack stops for a moment before his mouth falls open in disbelief, Nikki spins herself in the chair to face Jack front on, Jack moves his hands to her bump again and strokes it gently, "Woah, I do" He smiles and then leans forward, carefully placing a kiss on her bump. "Hello you, those are big strong kicks, my wee baby" Jack smiles. 

Nikki looks down at Jack with a smile on her face, "I haven't seen you smile like this in days" she mumbles.
Jack looks up at her and smiles back at her, "I'm sorry" He mutters as he stands and kisses her head. 

They both stand up together and Nikki hugs Jack tightly, Jack holds her waist and smiles at her, "You're so beautiful" he smiles and kisses her lips. 
Nikki blushes and smiles at Jack before pulling away from him and checking her work phone, "Well I have four bodies coming straight from the hospital... oh..." She mumbles.
"Nik?" Jack says raising an eyebrow.
"Two of which are stillborn babies and the other two are SID babies" she begins but starts to get choked up with emotion. 

Jack takes hold of her and gives her a reassuring squeeze before she heads back down to the mortuary to sign over the bodies.