Nikki pushed against the double glass doors of the lab, a massive smile etched across her face. All she had to do was drop off the samples she'd collected and then she'd finally be gone. She was rather looking forward to her date tonight, a friend had set her up with someone she'd always thought would be good for her; a lawyer with a quick wit and a charming smile who also happened to be incredibly good-looking. Nikki had already indexed the samples in the car so walked over to the fridge and popped them in before grabbing her handbag from the desk and heading towards the door.

"Nikki."

Nikki spun around, alerted by the serious tone of Leo's voice. He looked scared; the usual warmth had disappeared from his face and he was fiddling with the cuffs of his shirt.

"It's Harry," he said quietly "he's been taken into hospital."

***

"I'm afraid visiting hours are over Ma'am." the nurse said somewhat sheepishly.

"But he's a friend, I've just heard, I really need to see him!" Nikki replied, panic making her voice quiver and speed up so she could barely be understood.

"He's only just finished being assessed, we don't want anything to unsettle him. I can tell him you visited if you like. What did you say your name was?"

"I AM A SENIOR HOME OFFICE PATHOLOGIST," Nikki shouted, spitting each word out and fixing the nurse with her sternest of glares, "Now you can either let me in to see him right away or I'll request the company of the senior doctor in charge of his case." The nurse looked rather taken-aback and stepped aside, allowing Nikki to enter the room.

The moment Nikki saw Harry her anger melted, he looked so small and pathetic slumped in the bed, surrounded by machines. She was overcome with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes.

"Harry?" she whispered

"Nikki! How'd you get in here? They pushed Leo out an hour ago." His voice was much smaller and quieter than Nikki was used to. He tried to push himself up in bed.

"Sshhh," she cooed, rushing to his side and taking his hand as he slumped down again, "Leo tried to stop me from coming but I couldn't just sit around the lab and wait. I was worried" she added. "How are you?"

"I've been better." Harry said with a slight smile.

"What happened? Leo said you collapsed."

"It's my heart, turns out I had a sudden blockage to a valve. Nothing some medication won't put right. Common with people with a heart murmur, possible complications in later life they always said."

"Well thank-God you're ok!" Nikki said, the worry and shock ringing sharply in her voice as if she were offended by how laid-back Harry was being about it all.

"It's fine Niks, really," Harry brushed his thumb against her hand. "Anyway, you shouldn't be here should you? I thought you had a hot date tonight?"

"I think you're more important!" Nikki replied incredulously.

"Am I?" Harry questioned, his voice suddenly more serious. Their eyes met and for a moment they held each other's gaze.

"Harry, I…" Nikki began, before the door banged open and a panting Leo stood before them.

"Nikki, I've been following you all the way through London. You shouldn't have run off like that," he said, pulling up a chair, "and the way you were driving I think you'll be getting a speeding ticket or two through the post in the next few days!"

Nikki smiled shyly and looked down at the bed and Harry laughed, filling the room with companionable warmth.