Work Text:
Alternate ending to S24 episode 7 where Nikki is patching up Jack.
"I don't know what you were thinking, wading into a fight like that." He looked up. "If someone punches me, I have a tendency to punch them back." She chuckled. "Well hopefully you won't punch me like you did that guy earlier if we ever spar." He shook his head, looking horrified. "I'd never lay an angry finger on you. EVER." He continued, now looking mischievous. "Although, what makes you think you'd even be quick enough to throw a punch at me?" She chuckled nervously. He stood up. "Come on, shorty. Show me what you got."
She smirked. "Are we seriously about to spar in the office?" He still looked mischievous and nodded. "Mhm." She threw a punch which he easily dodged. He carried on dodging for a few minutes, before catching her wrist and spinning her around, holding her tightly with her back against his torso. In a deepened tone of voice, he spoke into her ear. "What are you gonna do now, huh?" He immediately noticed goosebumps breaking out onto her arms, plus her gasp at his tone of voice, which she'd tried to conceal with a cough, but he'd noticed. He'd noticed her flirty behaviour for a while, but this was another level in the office. She kicked him in the shin, but rather than let go, he swiftly placed her on her back on the floor and straddled her and pinned her down.
As they made eye contact, his face close to hers, she turned away and went bright red. "Nikki, I can see you blushing." He was smirking. Her heart was racing, and she suddenly felt scared. Scared at the realization of her feelings for Jack. Every guy she'd fallen for had ended up breaking her heart. She felt a tear slip down the side of her face. Jack, immediately concerned, got off her. "Nikki what's wrong?? I didn't mean to upset you." She shook her head. "You didn't. It's not you." He pressed on. "What's going on?" She quietly said, "Doesn't matter." She wouldn't look at him. He spoke softly. "It matters to me." She couldn't look at him. "Every guy I've fallen for has ended up breaking my heart." She quickly got up and started power walking towards the exit door, but Jack was hot on her tail.
He pulled her back towards him. "Nikki...I would NEVER hurt you. Do you have ANY idea how much I love you?? I have done since we started working together." She looked shocked. "H-how come you never said??" He looked shy. "Because I always considered you to be way too good for me." She chuckled. "I've been feeling the same way towards you for quite some time now." It was Jack's turn to look shocked now. "I had no idea. Although I had noticed your rather flirty demeanour around me for a while. But I didn't realize you loved me back!" They were both grinning as he pulled her in for an embrace. And then they kissed.