Nikki's leg involuntarily moves up and down in fast strides as she remembered the past 2 weeks of their trips. Her fist unclenched and clenched at her side, in annoyance and anger, especially towards Marissa. If she had figured it out over a simple childhood memory, it was only a matter of time before someone else did too. The last thing Marissa had said was bothering her as well. She wondered if the "he" she talked about was the same person she had been waiting on. The only person who could have connected the dots if they ever let him. The only person willing enough to go the distance.

"Why don't you drink something to calm your nerves," Schmitty's voice penetrates through her fortress of silence.

"Hmm," she turns around to look at him with confusion. "Oh- yes, great idea." She uncrosses her once crossed legs and looks at the aisle for the flight attendant. She spots an older female with the yellowish hair she had ever seen but wearing the blue and white uniform and smiles a little, glad Amy wasn't there anymore. It seemed Quine was able to resurface old questionable photos and accidentally link them to her employer. "Miss," Nikki calls for her.

The older lady turns around and smiles at her, a sweet smile. "Hello dear, how can I assist you?"

"Can I have a glass of Chardonnay, please," Nikki asks her with her sweet smile.

"Of course madam," the flight attendant answers and walks away. Moments later she comes back with a glass cup filled with a yellow liquid. "Here you are," she tells her as she hands her the drink.

"Thank you, ma'am," Nikki replies as she takes the drink from her hands.

"Of course. If you need anything else, please let me know."

"I will- grazie," Nikki replies in Italian as the flight attendant walks away.

"Oh- the Italian comes out," Schmitty says with his eyes intently closed. She ignores his comment and takes small sips of her drink. The chardonnay travels down her system, causing her nervousness to physically dissolve into thin air as if they weren't there, to begin with. "Are you calm now?" Schmitty asks her.

"Yes. I suppose I am," she tells him.

"Why are you so nervous anyway?"

Nikki doesn't respond to his question but watches intently at her glass as she swishes the chardonnay. Schmitty was another problem she had to deal with. She could have sworn his eyes had changed a different color in the hotel the morning before their helicopter ride. If only for a second, but she wasn't sure if that meant anything because he continued to be the same Schmitty she loved. She wondered if one day, it would all come crashing down and whether or not she would be prepared for when it did. She shakes away the impossible thoughts. Since that was all they were. Impossible.

"Why do you sit in the window seat if you're not going to look out the window?" She asks him, still staring at the swirling chardonnay.

Through her peripheral vision, she sees him open his eyes and turns her full attention toward him, coming in contact with his dark green eyes. She had her light brown hair up in her signature ponytail, but her eyes were green now, matching his. "I like to feel protected," he tells her in a snotty voice. His response reminded her of his nature and an answer came to her head about that blasted morning. Maybe he was playing a practical joke on her when he had asked about the shooting 3 years ago. Schmitty was always playing around, it was hard to tell when he was serious or not.

Feeling better about the situation, she laughs a quick, almost fake laugh, at his words. "Protection. From what? The only person you need protection from is me," she tells him and leans in closer to him. "I bite," she tells him with a wink.

He erupts in laughter at her statement and entwines their hands together as he responds, "You're not the only one that bites- baby."

"Schmitty, have you had any blackouts lately?"

Schmitty looks at her with those dark green eyes, making her heart clench a little. "I've had blackouts? Funny, I can't remember them." Schmitty shrugs but contemplates again, "Although-" he pauses, making Nikki squint her eyes at the possibility of him having multiple ones and she hadn't realized. Has she allowed herself to get too comfortable with this life, with him? "When I wake up- I can't seem to remember my dreams," he finishes making Nikki sigh in relief.

"If it happens again- let me know so I can help you."

"Of course baby-" Schmitty tells her with a smile.

Her doubts about something happening to Schmitty had vanished in an instant. She turns her attention toward the group of guys and decides that it was the right time to find out some answers to her other burning question.

"I'll be right back, love," she tells him and stands up, walking towards them. The guys all seem to be distracted in their things; Aaron reading, Callum watching videos, and Quin playing a game. Nikki whistles at them and they stand at attention, Callum even places a hand on his head in salute. "You two-" she points and Callum and Aaron, "find another seat. Now."

They shoot up faster than a shooting star and leave Quin and her alone. "Quinny," she speaks softly.

Quin looks up from his game and gives her a grin, "what happened Nikki?"

"I need you to tell me why you haven't been doing your job right? Have I not been good to you?"

At her words, Quin fumbles with his phone until it falls on his lap. "No- you've been the best. You are the best."

"Then why- haven't- you- been- doing- your job," she enunciated each word.

Quin gulps, "I'm sorry Nikki. I didn't know I wasn't."

"Quin- what is your job?"

"To inform you if anyone is onto you- us."

"Is anyone?"

"No. I swear Nikki- I haven't heard or talked to anyone looking into missing case files or making the connection."

"That girl Marissa seemed to have made a connection, but that was my mistake for allowing her to live so long." Nikki thinks back to the day of the orphanage. Marissa thought she knew something, but she didn't. Nikki hadn't killed those girls, she was at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

"I should have made the connection sooner and told you." Quin quickly interjects. Nikki places a hand on his cheek, in a nurturing manner.

"Quin, had anyone been transferred recently?" She asks him, placing her hand on his lap.

Quin takes a moment to dwell on this. His eyes brighten up with information, "I heard we are getting a new detective, he's transferring over from- I don't know the place."

Nikki grins, that was all the information she needed to know. A very old friend was coming to visit her soon and a small game of cat and mouse was about to be played. In ecstasy, she grabs Quin and kisses him on the cheek. "Now I remember why I hired you."

"I'm sorry Nikki-I should have told you sooner."

Nikki brushes it off, "don't worry about that. He hasn't arrived. I have to make plans to meet our future guest accordingly."

"Seems like talking with Quin lightened up your mood," Schmitty comments as soon as she sits down in her seat.

"I'm ecstatic love, simply delighted for what's to come."

"Is that what you've been worried about- being bored back home?"

Nikki shrugs with a smile, she would never tell.

"Trust me, baby, nothing will ever be boring for us. I promise you," he tells her with a wink.

...

The gas fumes make their way into Nikki's nostrils as they un-board the airplane, causing a headache. "This smell is horrible," Nikki gags as she tries to exonerate the smell away from her.

"I can fix that," Callum says with enthusiasm as he spritzes a dash of perfume in front of her face from a black glass bottle with no label.

The perfume causes her to have a fit of coughs, "Ughh- What makes you think this cheap-ass perfume would make it better. It smells like- what the fuck is that smell, Callum?"

"Petroleum," Callum replies looking at the perfume bottle.

Her face falls flat, "Petroleum," Nikki stammers. "You just sprayed- Petroleum- in my face?"

"And water," Callum adds. "It's Petroleum mixed in with a LOT of water," he informs them. He looks at the substance inside the perfume bottle for a moment and then starts shaking it fastly.

"Who sold you that?" Quin asks as he takes it from Callum's hand.

Callum scrunches up his eyebrows and his mouth is agape as he stares at Quin. He composes himself and answers, "I made it myself. I'm calling it At la Callum style." He takes back the perfume from Quin's hands as he asks them, "Do you guys get the name? At la Callum- my name is Callum and it's well- a la me." He chuckles as they all walk away from him, shaking their heads.

Nikki ignores their conversation as she looks up to hail a taxi, already tired of what felt like an endless trip. She turns to Schmitty who is a bit taller than her and hopes he can get results. "Can you call a taxi, love?" Nikki asks Schmitty who nods his head at her.

As they wait, Quin pulls out his Gameboy and starts playing a game on it, causing Callum to stir up a conversation.

"What are you playing?" Callum asks from behind him, trying to look at his phone.

"Space invaders," Quin responds as he moves his phone to the sides.

"Can I play? Can I play? Can I play?" Callum asks Quin as he pokes him on the shoulder.

"In a minute. Let me die first," Quin responds.

"Nikki- Nikki- Nikki," Callum says trying to get her attention.

"What Callum?"

"Quin won't let me play."

At that moment Schmitty whistled, hailing 2 taxis. "Callum- Quin just said he would let you play when he dies," Nikki tells him through Schmitty's whistle.

"But he's so good at games, he's going to take FOREVER to die," Callum says as he enters one of the two taxis.

Quin snickers at his words. "He has a point," Quin tells the rest of them as he enters the same taxi, followed by Aaron.

"We'll see you guys at home," Aaron tells them as he shuts the door close.

"Let's go," Schmitty says as he walks over to the other door and holds it open for Nikki. "I apologize for the wait, sir," Schmitty tells the driver as he closes the door.

"It's quite alright. Where to?" The middle white-haired man asks the couple.

"The hotel El Rook," Nikki replies.

"Do you know it?" Schmitty asks the driver.

"Yes- it's quite hard to not know the heart of this small town," he replies with a chuckle.

"The heart of the town 'Echiquier," Schmitty says looking outside.

"Good old 'Echiquier," Nikki says as she looks out the window into the night sky, wondering about the name of the town as they pass the sign. She looks at the town and smiles, small buildings spread across, small unlit lights in different places, as the town got ready for the winter months. "The stars look so bright," Nikki voices out.

"Yes, the night sky here is wonderful to look at. Are you guys from out of town?" The taxi driver asks them, starting up a conversation.

Nikki chuckles at his words as Schmitty smirks but answers, "No, we've lived here all our lives."

"But we do tend to travel a lot," Nikki adds.

"Oh, that's wonderful. You guys look very young, may I ask how old you each are?"

"We're both 22, sir."

"So young and already traveling. That's wonderful," the taxi driver tells them with a toothy grin.

"Yes, it is."

"Oh, we're almost there. Just one more block," he tells them as he turns a corner. El Rook was hard to miss. It was a huge building, with columns in the front, various windows and balconies peaking out, and beautifully designed. "I apologize for thinking you guys were tourists. Most people that stay at this place are from out of town since it's a hotel and all. That and the fact that it caters to very wealthy people," he tells them as he stops the taxi in front of the building.

"Well-" Nikki starts as she follows Schmitty out the door, "then I think it's a good thing we own it." She watches as his eyes open wide as he processes the new bit of information revealed and laughs a small laugh at his expression. "Don't worry, we get that a lot," she tells home with a wink.

"Here," Schmitty tells her as he slips her five hundred dollars to pay the man, "I'm going to get the luggage." Nikki smiles at him and takes the money as Schmitty goes to pull out the luggage from the trunk.

"Here you go sir, we appreciate the ride," she tells the guy.

"Oh young lady, this is too much." The taxi driver tells her as he looks at the money in his hand.

"It seems that my husband liked you very much, as did I," Nikki tells him as she gives him a soft smile. "I have a soft spot for those that work hard to make a living. I assume you are one of those people?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. You are a very kind person. Both of you," he tells them to which she responds with a smile.

Nikki goes and stands next to Schmitty who speaks up as he slams the trunk close, "I took a liking in that man."

"I did too. He said we are very kind people."

Schmitty smirks at her, "I don't disagree. Now- let's get in and rest. It's been a long day."

"Yes, it has," Nikki says as they walk towards the front door, waving goodbye at the taxi driver. They each grab a suitcase and begin rolling it down to the entrance. A bellhop quickly comes out and greets them by bowing, grabbing their luggage, and carrying it inside.

"Do you think the guys beat us here?" Schmitty asks her as he helps the bellhop.

"I'm not sure, we can ask Ethan right now," she responds. Ethan was the manager of the hotel, he was in charge of everything and made sure everything ran smoothly. He was always attentive to guests and made sure no one bothered the Hawthorns, making sure to inform them of anything they needed to know. There wasn't anything he didn't know about this place, except their floor, he made sure to stay away from their home.

"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorn. Had a nice trip?" Ethan asks them with a million-dollar smile.

"It was just wonderful Ethan. Thank you for asking," Nikki responds. "Can you please take these up to the room," she adds, pointing to their luggage.

"By the way, Ethan, have the guys arrived yet?" Schmitty asks.

"No sir, they haven't been through here. At least, I haven't seen them." Ethan replies.

"I see- thank you for letting us know," Schmitty tells him as he shakes Ethan's hand.

Just in those moments, the door flies open to reveal three handsome guys, luggage standing beside them, and in their hands- ice cream. "We got ice cream," Callum yells into the large open space. Everyone turns with shock written all over their faces to look at him, only for their faces to molt into disapproval of his yelling. "Sorry," Callum whispers. "We got ice cream," he repeats but in a lower voice and a grin so wide it took up half his face.

"Aaron," Nikki calls him over as soon as she spots him, eager to talk.

Aaron approaches her and waits for her instructions. "Schmitty had a blackout when we were on the trip, do you mind-"

Aaron nods, he already knew what she needed him to do. He had given her medication for him since he was getting headaches but a blackout must have been caused by something else. Nikki watches as Aaron approaches Schmitty and whispers in his ear as she stands in the elevator with arms crossed. Schmitty huffs but nods his head as he waves goodbye at everyone in the lobby.

They walk towards their room and Schmitty sits down, grabbing Nikki's hand, rubbing small circles on it. "Nikki, there's nothing wrong with me," Schmitty assures her as Aaron plugs in a helmet with electrodes and an IV on his left arm. They watch the machine turn different colors and then print something. Aaron looks at it and smiles at them.

"The brain scans show everything they are supposed to Nikki. He's fine-" Aaron tells her as he shows her the scan.

"Perfect," is all Nikki responds as she walks to her balcony.

After that day, Nikki had no reason to worry. She was able to enjoy the seasons' change; watching from her terrace as the green color was sucked from the leaves of trees, leaving an orange tone until the time came when they went bare. As she watched the last leaf fall from a nearby tree, she couldn't help but marvel at everything; it was how she needed it to be. 

>>>>> 

Hey beautiful people reading this, I hope your having a good day and please don't forget to say hi. 

It was raining today as well and I thought, good day to post again. Here is Nikki's short but very informative piece if you have made some connections.  

Let me know your thoughts so far, here >

I'd love to see any ideas you might have about the story progressing and if you've made the connections I'm tried to add to it. I'm not sure if they were discreta or not. 

As always, thank you for reading, please vote, share, and comment. Till next time. <3