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Jack had been avoiding Nikki like the plague ever since the Mexico fiasco. And when she returned to work, he'd barely say two words to her. All of this caused her a great deal of emotional and mental pain and anguish.
After being at work for a week, she decided to take annual leave for a few weeks, feeling like she'd returned too soon and not being able to cope with Jack's treatment towards her.
On her first day off, she left the house to go for a jog in a feeble attempt to clear her head. However, she'd one run about 10meters when Jack suddenly walked around the corner. Nikki came to a sudden stop, feeling surprised. "What are you doing here, Jack?" He sighed. "We need to talk Nikki." She yelled at him. "Well after several months of ignoring me, I think it's a bit late for that!!" She turned on her heel to sprint home. She immediately heard sprinting footsteps behind her. Jack was running after her! "Nikki come back!!" She sprinted until she arrived at her front door, jamming the key in getting inside. Just before she could slam the door shut though, he pushed the door open and entered the house. Bewildered, she sprinted up the stairs to lock herself in her bedroom. But he stopped that door from shutting too. He was crying a bit and she was sobbing too. "GET OUT!!!" He stood with his arms crossed and shook his head. "I'm not going ANYWHERE, and neither are you." She stormed over to him, fists curled. "How DARE you"- she threw a punch at him, but he caught her wrist, shocking her. She gasped. He walked her backwards and stood her with her back to the wall.
"Nikki, no words can express how sorry I am for how I've treated you." She tried to run but he caught her by the waist, holding her tightly from behind. She didn't realize, until this point, just how strong he was. She couldn't get out of his grip at all!! He made a bold move. He maneuvered them both towards her bed and pinned her down on it as she continued to try and fight him. She was really shocked at how strong he was! "Nikki stop. I won't let you run away from me or hide from me." She tried every method possible to escape his grip, but it was useless. He had her incapacitated. He spoke softly. "I've been such a coward for treating you the way that I have. I was convinced I'd let you down too severely, so I pushed you away to keep safe. But, after a talk with Thomas, I've realized that that's exactly what they wanted." Nikki looked puzzled. "Who?" "The ones who knew where you were buried. They realized I'd stop at nothing to find you. And I felt responsible for failing you." Nikki thought for a moment. "But why beat yourself up when its not your fault?" Jack sighed. "Because I love you, Nikki. I was supposed to protect you." Her eyes filled with tears as she smiled. "I honestly thought you didn't feel the same way." He looked shocked. "You love me too??" She chuckled and nodded. "Why didn't you say anything??" She said, "Because I didn't realize you felt the same way. I realised how I felt whilst we were in Mexico. When did you realise?" He sheepishly said, "I was instantly attracted in that hotel room with the Briggs case. But I realised it was love after you put your life on the line with the anthrax case. You're so selfless, empathetic, compassionate..." she giggled. "You can stop now." He shook his head. "No, I'm serious. You're like no other woman I've ever met. You've got me...if you'll have me?" He'd let go of her wrists by now. She cupped his face and smiled. "Heck yes." They grinned as they kissed for the first time. Slow and passionate. Jack lay in front of her, holding her as they took in each other's lips. They were taking their time, slowly exploring each other's bodies before consumating their love for each other. And Nikki was in awe of how ripped he was!! It explained why he was so strong!!