Caught in the Undertow

Don't Leave Me

The following morning Jack wakes to his head resting on Nikki's hospital bed, he had the most wonderful dream during the night that Nikki pulled through and was on the mend, giving everyone orders and the run-around. Although the reality was much worse, as soon as he woke up he knew today would be awful, they are going to be turning off Nikki's life support in a matter of hours, and she would be gone in a matter of hours. 

Jack looks up at Nikki still nothing had improved at night, she was slipping away, as he sits up and stretches, Dr. Emmerson and Claire come over to Jack. "Ten minutes?" Jack speaks and the doctor nods before turning away and leaving Jack be. 
Jack stands up and kisses Nikki's head stroking her hair and smiling, the bandaging from her head injury had been removed now to allow for healing to take place. "God I love you, Nikki, I wish I had said something years ago, we may not have gotten into this mess... I'm going to miss you... I bloody love you" He mumbles the tears slipping down his face. 

There was no more hiding of his emotions, this was raw and painful, his best friend was leaving him forever, he would never see her smile or make a witty remark ever again. "I wish we had got together all those years ago, we could have been married by now... with a child or two," He mumbles against her forehead planting a kiss there again. 

He moves away and wipes the tear that has dripped onto her forehead away, deep down there was a fit of anger building up, he knew he had to hit the gym before he hurt someone, this newly formed anger fueled by Matt. Jack knew Matt would be going down for murder now and he wouldn't see the light of day again. 

The next thing he knows Dr. Emmerson and Claire are stood at the bottom of Nikki's bed, Jack knew it was time. He didn't want to let go but he was doing what would be best for Nikki in this condition. The doctor and nurse step forwards and begin to mess with the machines before Claire takes a deep breath in looking down at Jack's hand which is clutching Nikki's. 
Claire unscrews the ventilator hook before moving the piece from Nikki's mouth, gently wiping her mouth down once the tube is removed she steps away and allows the doctor to take Nikki's pulse. 

Jack let the tears flow as he watched Nikki, she looks peaceful and relaxed better than she did with the ventilator attached to her mouth twenty-four-seven, "I love you, Nikki," Jack whispers lifting her hand and kissing it waiting for her to slip away. 

Five minutes had passed and Nikki still has a pulse, the doctor explained that sometimes it would take longer for them to pass, but she wouldn't feel a thing due to the pain relief. Jack sits on the bed beside her holding her hand still facing her and talking away making things easier for Nikki. 

The doctor and nurse remain at the bottom of the bed, watching over Nikki ready for the moment. A few more minutes pass and Jack feels something strange, he looks down at his hand which is grasping Nikki's hand watches her hand. Slowly but surely her fingers begin to move. "Oh my god," Jack mumbles. His head snaps around at Dr. Emmerson and Claire, "She's alive!" Jack speaks in shock feeling her hand moving in his again. 

Dr. Emmerson rushes around the bed and checks her pulse before pulling his penlight from the pocket and shining it in Nikki's eyes, "Nurse Guildford, turn the oxygen on, just the mask... she's alive... pupils equal and reactive."
Claire quickly plugs in the oxygen mask to the wall and places it over Nikki's face, "Hourly observations on her please, This is excellent recovery." 

Jack stands watching Nikki, she's alive and making an effort. He couldn't believe his eyes, she was stronger than he thought and she must have heard him talking about them getting together years ago, but it was true they both wanted a family to love and grow old with and they would be perfect together. 

An hour later Jack had called Thomas and Clarissa to give them the news about the baby, she was alive and making a respiratory effort, all that was needed now was for Nikki to regain consciousness. Jack sits in the chair beside Nikki stroking her arm, "You did it Nik, you are stronger than you think."