(Nikki's view)

Once we reached home, I immediately set Nicola down gently on the couch before hurrying into the kitchen to get the first aid kit, once I'd found it; I knelt in front of her.

"I'm going to clean off your wounds, so it's going to sting a bit okay sweetheart?" I said, and she nodded, as she gripped onto my free hand.

  "Okay, as long as you stay with me." She said, and I pressed a long kiss to the back of her hand.

"I promise you." I said, as I started to clean her leg earning a loud whimper. "Shhh, it's okay baby just keep holding my hand." I soothed, as I gently rubbed the cloth against her leg making her clutch my hand a bit tighter.

"It hurts," she whimpered, as a few tears slipped down her cheeks. "I know baby, just take deep breaths." I said, as I wrapped a band- aid wrap around her leg.

She looked up at me with another whimper, and I pressed another kiss to the back of her hand.  "It's going to be okay, just be strong for me alright?" I said, and she nodded as she continued to grip my hand.

"How're you feeling?" Vince asked, as he and the other two knelt beside me. "I-I'm okay, just in a lot of pain." Nicola said, and they all gave a gasp.

"What'd they do to you, kid?" Mick asked, as his eyes landed on her now bandaged arms and legs.

"I was slapped and beaten repeatedly, it was terrifying." She said, her voice faltering as the tears came and she buried her face into my chest.

"You poor thing, we're so glad Nikki was able to find you."  Vince said, as he and the others helped me clean off the rest of Nicola's wounds.

"I literally had to shout at the devil." Nicola said, making us all chuckle. "When in doubt, Shout At The Devil." I said, before kissing her head.

"Get some rest now love, you need time to relax and let your wounds heal." I said, once we had tucked the blankets over her.

"Nikki?" she called, as I started to walk away and I knelt in front of the couch again.

"Yes love, what's the matter?" I asked, as I stroked her hair.

"Can you lay down with me please?" she asked, and I nodded before carefully climbing onto the couch next to her then we both fell asleep.

She snuggled closer and I held her flush against my chest.

"Get some rest my love, and we'll talk more about it in the morning." I said, as I pressed a few kisses to her forehead.

She whimpered, as she snuggled closer to me. "Goodnight Nikki, I love you." She whispered as her eyes fluttered closed, and I pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

"I love you too, goodnight my little dove."  I said, as my eyes closed and within seconds I was asleep.