Later at the dojo….

"Dude. Lawrence, you need a system. This office is a hot mess. What..come on...what...what is this now? Is this a sandwich in your filing cabinet? Nasty!" Nikki threw it at him.

"I have been looking for that. PB&J. Want a bite?" He opened it taking a bit.

"Eww! No thanks. Ok. I need a job, and you need an office manager. I'm starting first thing tomorrow. Someone has to fix this." Nikki pulled more junk from the drawer.

"I can't afford a manager. Hey, give me that!" She pulled underwear and a jockstrap out of the filing cabinet.

"I'm a marketing genius. How do you think Daniel got so big so fast? You can pay me by training me till you pull in a good profit." She tried organizing things.

He took papers out of her hand. "I have a system here. Stop."

"What system? Dirty laundry on top, old bills on the back, and…really? What do you file your porn under?" She flipped through the magazine.

"Research material." He tried grabbing it from her. But, she held it away from him.

"Really? Let's see. Mary Jo here likes long walks on the beach, butterflies, and long hard throbbing…" he reached for the magazine. Nikki started laughing. "What did Mary Jo teach you in your research?"

He smirked pushing her to the cabinet with his chest and took the magazine from her extended arm. "Nothing I am not already a master in."

"Really? So they have a belt in jerking off now, Master Bater? What color is that? Let me guess, blue?" She started laughing.

"Haha. Funny. Nikki, you are seriously annoying." He backed up. "Fine, I can use the help around here."

"Really! Cool. I will still need a regular job. I was thinking about calling my publisher. She may have something. I miss writing."

He smiled crossing his arms, "You are going to be ok. You know that right?"

"Thanks to you." She smiled at him sweetly.

A couple weeks later...

Nikki had managed to get back her writing job. Doing freelance articles for a few websites and magazines to make ends meet on the side. She had been helping Johnny at the dojo and got a lawyer for the divorce. His dojo was really doing well with her help. Classes were filling up fast. He had started doing a little karate training with her as well but, she was struggling to catch on.

Nikki had a day off and decided to go see a movie late one night alone. She didn't notice Ali and Daniel at the same theater. But, Daniel saw her from the start. After the movie, Daniel sent Ali home telling her he needed to stop by the car lot and he would take a cab.

Nikki was heading home walking to the apartment. She kicked a rock in front of her as she walked. Someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her into the alleyway. Nikki fought to get away but, nothing worked. "Shh. It's just Daniel. I am not going to hurt you. I want to talk. If you don't run, I'll let you go." She agreed and he let her go.

She pulled away, "What do you want?"

"So we're really doing this? You're divorcing me?" Daniel seemed calm.

"Yes. I told you when we met, abuse is a deal breaker. Then cheating on me. I can't get over that. If you want her, fine. Just leave me alone." She started to walk away.

"I'm not sorry for loving Ali. I always have. You know that. I'm not going to let you take everything I worked for away from me. The lawyer made me release your personal assets. I took my name off your account from your own money and, your car will be delivered to your place. But, everything else is mine." Daniel acted like he was doing her a favor.

"I worked just as hard as you. I am the one who wrote your book and made you the money for the car lot. I did your marketing and advertising. I deserve more than that little petty cash account. But, honestly, I don't want anything from you. I just want to have you out of my life. Stop acting like a dick and, I'll consider not taking you for everything you have." She was getting angry.

Looking around he got an evil grin on his face. "So, Nikki. Where is lover boy?"

"Who?"

"You know who. That piece of shit Lawrence."

"Nothing is going on with us. You're crazy. He just helped me after what you did to me." Nikki rolled her eyes.

"Really? How did he show up at your place anyway? And, why were you in his apartment all night long that night? You're still my wife. Your hero isn't here now is he?" Daniel walked closer.

Nikki looked around for help. "He lives in the apartment building. I didn't know that. You got the apartment for me. Why didn't you check who lived there? Daniel, I have to go. Talk to the lawyer. I am done."

"I'm not done yet." He grabbed her ripping her shirt. Before she could scream Daniel covered her mouth. "No one is going to help you now." He started hitting her holding her close so she couldn't fight back. She wiggled away and he grabbed her from behind.

Nikki stepped back and hit him in the groin. A little self-defense Johnny showed her until she learned to really fight. Daniel fell to his knees. "You bitch!"

Nikki ran as fast as she could through the alleyway her apartment just a couple blocks away. As she reached the chain link fence as Daniel caught her from behind. "Fitting. The place your lover boy attacked me with his friends. Why don't we give him a little message about what happens when he messes with Daniel Larusso's property."

He beat her harder than he had before. Nikki was too weak to fight back. She just fell down pretending to be too hurt to retaliate hoping he would just stop. After a few more kicks he walked away. "This is what happens when people think they can beat me."

Nikki pulled her bruised and battered body into her apartment. Looking in the mirror she felt like she was going to die inside. How did it come to this? She wasn't strong enough to fight him. But, she knew she had to figure out how she could show everyone who he really was. Calling the police wasn't going to be able to help her right now. He was too involved in politics and everyone revered him. She felt so lost.