Nikki headed into the ranch a short while later. "Victoria!" she called walking into the living room. Victoria came walking in from the kitchen carrying two glasses of water. "Hi Mom" She said sitting on the couch. Nikki took off her coat and sat down next to her daughter. "Here I brought you some water." Victoria said handing Nikki the glass. "Thank you" Nikki said taking a sip. "Now what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" "Well I spoke to Nick last night and he told me about Deacon." Nikki set the glass down on the table. "Yes it is true he is back." "How are you doing?" "Well to be completely honest with you I've been a little scared but I know that your father will keep me safe." "Mom, how is it even possible that he's out already?" "I have no idea and I'm not really interested in finding out either." "You're kidding right? This is ridiculous he needs to be back in jail where he belongs!" Victoria shouted standing up. "Victoria, honey calm down it will be fine just stay clear of him alright?" Nikki told her daughter. Victoria sat back down on the couch next to her mother, "Mom, you know how dangerous Deacon is. Now that he's a free man who knows what he'll do next." "I understand where you're coming from honey but trust me after the way your father acted towards Deacon this morning I have nothing to worry about." Nikki said taking another sip of her water. "This morning? He was at Newman?" "No we ran into him when we went to go get coffee." "How did that turn out?" "It wasn't too bad I know I'll be fine Victoria." "Then explain to me why you're going to work with Dad." Nikki sighed and looked at her hands folded in her lap. "I just want to be with your father that's all." She tried her best to lie. Victoria looked into her mother's eyes, she saw nothing but fear. "Oh Mom you're terrified aren't you?" she gasped. Nikki nodded, "Yes, yes I am." Nikki said the tears falling from her eyes. "Come here" Victoria said hugging Nikki.
Victoria left a few hours later after Nikki had reassured her that she would be okay. It was almost evening and Nikki was debating on whether she should go back to Newman or wait for Victor at the ranch. The doorbell rang, she hurried to answer it. Nikki opened the door thinking that it was Victoria again, however when the door opened she gasped in pure horror. "Deacon!" Deacon stood there with a huge grin on his face. "I told you that I'd be seeing you Nik!" he chuckled. "What are you doing here?" she asked "I'm just here for a visit just to catch up." He said walking in the house. Nikki shut the door, "Deacon, you need to get out of here." She said. "Why? I'm just trying to be friendly. I missed you can't you see that?" Nikki walked into the living room, Deacon followed close behind her. Nikki turned around to face him, "What part of leave do you not understand?" "Oh come on Nikki I know you missed me too." He laughed. "No I'm sorry but since you've been in jail I've moved on." Nikki said putting her hand up. "Oh yeah I did hear about you and Jack Abbott and then you left him for Victor. Oh wow do I know how that feels." Deacon said walking around the room. Nikki huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "You need to leave and if you're not willing to do so on your own terms then I'll call security." She warned. "You mean Victor right? He doesn't scare me. I mean what do you see in him anyway? Sure he's got the money but really what else?" "For goodness sakes Deacon the man is the father of my children! He also saved my life. When he met me I was going down a very dark road." "Nikki I also saved you, I saved you from the alcohol! Don't you remember the meetings?" "Of course I do but Deacon because of you Victor went to jail!" "Let's not forget who killed Diane and who he went to jail for!" Deacon shouted. Nikki felt a knot tighten in her stomach, "Shut the hell up!" she hissed. "Oh did I strike a nerve Mrs. Newman?" Deacon smirked. "No! Get out of my house!" Nikki shirked. "Last time I checked it was Victor's house no matter which wife is in his bed." "OUT!" she yelled again walking over to the front door. Nikki opened the front door, Deacon walked towards her. As he got closer Nikki felt sick, he was inches from her face. She felt his breath on her face; Nikki was trapped between Deacon and the door. "You need to leave." She chocked. Deacon placed his hand on her cheek, "No" Nikki gasped "You'll be with me again one day Nikki, soon I promise." He whispered. Slowly Deacon kissed her, Nikki tried to pull away but he wouldn't let her. Eventually he broke the kiss, "I missed you Nik. I'll see you later I promise." He said before walking out the door. Nikki slammed the door and locked it behind her. Her breathing became heavy and she felt very tired. Her heart was racing, she tried to move but it seemed as if she was frozen. Nikki wanted to scream but nothing would come out. Deacon's face was frozen in her mind and the thought of his lips on hers was stinging her mouth. Nikki collapsed on the floor in front of the door she was completely terrified now.
Victor opened the front door to the ranch. It was near midnight and the house was dark. He flipped on the light switch as he closed the door. "Sweetheart!" he called out He took a few steps into the living room, "Nikki!" he tried again. The house, quiet ad still, seemed like an empty tomb. Victor headed towards the stair case, "Sweetheart!" he called from the bottom. He headed up the stairs since he still hadn't received an answer. Once he reached the bedroom he opened the door; the light was off but he could sense the presence of another in the distance. Victor walked into the room and turned on the light, there on the bed laid Nikki. She was curled up in a ball underneath all the blankets and pillows. "Sweetheart" he gasped rushing over to her. "Nikki" Victor said shaking her a little. Her eyes fluttered open but then shut again. "Nikki wake up" he said shaking her a little rougher this time. Nikki opened her eyes again and grabbed on to Victor's hand, "Victor!" she cried. He felt her tight grip on his hand and he could see the fear in her eyes. "Nikki what happened?" he asked. She sat up and rested against the pillows. "Deacon came by, after Victoria left and I tried to make him leave but he wouldn't." she whispered "What did he do to you?" Victor asked sitting on the bed. "When I finally got him to leave, before he did he kissed me." She said. Nikki saw how cold Victor's eyes became, "Sweetheart why didn't you call me?" he asked cupping her face in his hands. "I don't remember, I think I passed out and then I woke up and was too scared to do anything so I ran up here." She began to cry. "No don't do that, don't cry my baby. Everything is going to be fine I'll take care of it tomorrow." Victor said pulling her into a hug. As Victor held her he could feel Nikki shaking as she sobbed. "Sweetheart, let me start a fire and then you and I will go to sleep okay?" she nodded. He laid her down and covered her up. Nikki watched as he started the fire, "Victor" she said "Yes my love" "Can I have some tea to help me sleep?" "Of course you can, I'll be right back." He said kissing her forehead. Nikki closed her eyes and waited for him to return. She knew her entire body was shaking and she could hear her heart pounding faster and faster. Why was this happening to her? Deacon wasn't that scary, after all she had stood up to him when they were married and she was solving the murder investigation. So why was this time any different? Could it be because she was finally happy with Victor and she was afraid Deacon would take that away from her? She wasn't quite sure what the answer was. Nikki shot up when she heard the door creek open, "AHHH!" she screamed. Victor ran over to her placing the tea cup on the nightstand, "Hey, hey sweetheart calm down it's just me" He said holding her close. "Oh I'm so sorry" she sobbed "You have nothing to be sorry for baby" he said gabbing the tea cup "Here is your tea now sip that and then we'll go to sleep." He told her. Nikki took the cup with shaking hands and sipped the tea a few times, "Okay I think that's all I can take." She whispered. "Alright, now let's get you into bed." He said placing the cup back on the nightstand. He laid her down and covered her once more. "Victor" Nikki said as he got in to bed next to her, "Yes?" "I love you" she said "I love you too my beautiful Nikki" he said kissing her goodnight.