Shatter
�I�m sorry I looked at the letter,� she says randomly. He glances up from making the coffee. �I shouldn�t have done that.�
�I should have told you about it as soon as I got it,� he answers, speaking quietly as if any loud noise would shatter her. Them. The silence. Everything.
�Why should you? I�m just��
�A colleague and a good friend,� he overrides her, and hands her a mug. She watches him, eyes wide. �Nikki�I should have told you.�
�It doesn�t matter,� she says, and sips at the coffee. She makes a sound as the hot liquid burns her tongue. �Stupid,� she mutters under her breath. He can�t help but smile � she does this often. He knows her little rituals, her habits and the way she does things. He has watched her long enough.
�It does matter,� he says in reply. �It matters to me. What you think, I mean.� His hand reaches across the table and clasps hers. �Are you � how are you doing?� he asks.
�I don�t know,� she says after a moment. Her gaze is unfocused; she sees something that isn�t there. �Ask me in the morning.� She looks at him properly then. �I don�t mean � �
�I�m not going anywhere,� he assures her. �Not until you want me to.�
�Don�t ever go,� she says, almost thoughtlessly. He leans back in his chair, releasing her hand. �I�m sorry, I shouldn�t have ��
�I�ll stay as long as you want me to,� he murmurs. �Nikki�you have to know��
�No, don�t,� she says quickly. �Not tonight, please. I�m too�� She trails off, shrugging one shoulder, and he nods.
�Of course. You should try to get some sleep.�
�Yes.� She looks around absently. �Harry�will you stay with me? I�I don�t want to be alone.� He frowns faintly. �I mean�would you sleep � in the bed, with me?�
�Nikki��
�Just sleep,� she says quickly, sounding so forlorn that it almost breaks his heart. �I don�t want to be alone.�
He takes her hand again. �Of course.�