Thomas ran through from his office.

"Nikki's just contacted me; I'm going to call the police!" he stated breathlessly.

"What? Where is she?" asked Jack abruptly. Thomas gave Jack the street names that Nikki had given him.

"I'm going to get her!" said Jack as he hurriedly gathered his things. Jack was out the door before either Thomas or Clarissa could stop him. He took the steps three at a time down to the car park, jumped into his car and raced off.

Jack found the junction that Nikki had given to Thomas. He couldn't see her at first but then he saw her emerge from some vegetation behind the pay phone. She carefully began walking towards him; her hand still bleeding and wrapped in her shirt. As Nikki got closer to Jack, he became aware of a grey car pulling up behind him. Before Jack could react, the driver of the car produced a gun and shot it out the window. He saw Nikki gasp and crumple to the ground. Jack threw open his door and moved towards Nikki. The driver, a male in his forties, got out of his car and started walking towards Nikki as well. He let off another shot as he moved. Jack hit the ground, mere inches from Nikki, as the gun went off. This time the bullet hit Nikki's left arm; she screamed as it hit her.

"Jack, help" yelled Nikki as she lay, writhing in pain. Jack got up and ran towards the man with the gun. As the man lined up to shoot again, Jack made a grab for the gun and twisted it out of his hand. The man kicked out at Jack, catching his shin. Pain shot through Jack's leg, but Nikki's screams were making his adrenaline surge, so it didn't stop him. Jack felt an overwhelming need to protect Nikki, to keep her safe. He punched the man in the face, smashing his nose. The man backed up a few steps before turning and running to his car, holding his bloody nose. The car sputtered into life and pulled away.

Jack then focussed on Nikki. She was lying on the ground, grasping her leg which was covered in blood. Her left arm was bloody too. Jack knew what he needed to do. He took his jacket off and tied it tightly round Nikki's leg to try and stem the blood loss. He scooped her up, one arm under her knees and the other behind her back. Nikki instinctively wrapped her arms round Jack's neck. She gulped and then started sobbing into Jack's shirt. Jack carried her to the car and lowered her on to the passenger seat. She looked so small and fragile; it left Jack feeling very angry. Why would some do this to Nikki? Jack was going to find out, whatever it took. He really wanted to get the son of a bitch that did this to her. Now though, his priority was getting help for Nikki, so he jumped into the driver's seat and sped to the nearest hospital.