Caught in the Undertow

Dreaded Moment

A week had passed since Nikki was hit by a car and left for dead, the police still had not caught up with the person who ran Nikki down. Jack on the other hand had gone back to work to try and take his mind off Nikki being in a critical condition, he would go to work, go home, eat have a shower, and then get visit Nikki.
Nikki's condition on the other hand had decreased rapidly, she had developed the start of sepsis and had also developed an infection in one of her wounds meaning her body was shutting down rapidly despite the critical care team's efforts. Faith, Nikki's allocated and the personal nurse had been giving Jack round-the-clock updates meaning sometimes he would abruptly leave work to be with Nikki who had taken a turn.

But Faith was only human too and would have days off or select parts of the day off meaning Jack got to know Nikki's other critical care nurse, Claire Guildford a general staff nurse on the ward, just like Faith she was warm and friendly and was giving Nikki the best treatment she could possibly be given.

Jack had just finished his shift and had headed home for something to eat followed by a quick shower, shave, and a change of clothes. He was planning to go and see Nikki until he fell asleep on his bed completely clothes, the week's events had finally caught upon him.

Around midnight his phone starts ringing, pulling him from his dreams he sits up and reaches across from his phone, "Hello?" He speaks.
"Hi Jack, It's Claire Guildford, Nikki's nurse on critical care..." the voice begins.
"Hi Claire, how is Nikki?" Jack asks.

There is a pause for a moment and Jack begins to fear the worst, "I know it is late but could you come to the hospital, please. As Nikki's next of kin we need you to confirm a person who is trying to get on the ward to visit her. Claiming to be her boyfriend."

Jack freezes he knew who it was, the anger and panic rising again, "Did he give a name?" Jack presses for answers.
He can hear mumbling in the background clearly Claire was talking to a doctor or nurse about the situation. "Yes... he is claiming to be her boyfriend and is requesting her life support be turned off..."

"Is he with her now?" Jack asks.
"Yes... sorry, one second... okay my colleagues confirmed his name... Matt Garcia? ring any bells?" Claire responds

"Shit... don't let him near her, call security... no, He's the one who did this to her!" Jack panics jumping out of bed, rushing downstairs, grabbing his jacket, car keys, and wallet, and leaving the house all while on the phone with Claire.

Jack gets off the phone to Claire who calls security for safety, within twenty minutes Jack arrives at the hospital and pulls up, he hurries into the hospital and up to the third floor. Jack is buzzed into the ward and he hurries down to the nursing station to speak with the nurses who also have security waiting on standby, "What's he doing?" Jack asks, looking over at Matt who is sat beside Nikki.

"He's just been sat there talking to her," Claire responds.
"He can't be with her, the police had leads on him... I found out at work today, they found Nikki's car abandoned in a shopping center car park, a man fitting Matt's description was seen leaving the scene," Jack replies, he shouldn't have known these details but due to being so close to Nikki.

Jack takes a breath as he watches the security talk to each other, he couldn't exactly make out what was being said but he made out the world police in the conversation. Jack watches intently for a while wondering what he is doing, he watches as Matt stands up and kisses Nikki's head before reaching for her ventilator, in what seemed to be a blur all the nurses rush over followed by security who restrain Matt.
Jack snaps out of and walks over to where Nikki is lay, noticing the nurses messing with her ventilator he turns and looks at Matt, "What the hell are you playing at?" Jack hisses.

"She's dead Jack... let her go..." Matt responds, his American accent thinks and annoying Jack as usual. Since Nikki had admitted she wasn't in love with Matt anymore Jack felt like he could breathe a little easier and didn't have to hide his hatred for Matt any longer.
"No, she's going to fight this... she is strong, I believe in her. I will love and care for her more than you ever did," Jack says.

Matt continues to struggle against the security who are waiting for back up, "She will never be yours, she loves me... she did should I say, she's dead Jack, face it!" He hisses.
Jack clenches his fists and takes a breath but the bile was rising quickly, "She's fighting okay, she broke up with you because she loves me because she wants to be with me... because... because she's carrying my baby," Jack responds watching the facial expression drop.

"What did you say?" Matt quizzes as the police enter the wards.
"She's pregnant, with my child..."Jack snaps as he watches the police come over and being to cuff Matt making a formal arrest on him, "I hope you like prison Matt, you're going down for a long time" Jack smirks as the police walk Matt off and out of Critical Care.

Jack takes a breath, composing himself he turns around and looks down at Nikki laying peacefully in her comatose state. "Is she okay?" Jack asks Claire with a calm smile, Claire nods with a smile and quickly checks over the dosage of medication in Nikki's IV drip stand.
He steps over to her once the other nurses have moved, kissing Nikki's forehead again, "I'm sorry Nikki, he's gone now. I will protect you" Jack mumbles against her forehead and smiles.