Chapter 2
Nikki woke early the next day, at around 9:30. She threw the bed covers off of her and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, yawning. Stretching to uncramp her muscles, Nikki walked over to her boom box, selected a CD, and put it inside the CD player. While it read the CD, Nikki picked out an outfit for work; her diner uniform was dirty, and she didn't have a spare. The CD player finally finished reading the CD; Nikki pressed the "skip forward" button until the digital number displayed 16, then she pressed "play". She sang along as she dressed, feeling unusally happy after what happened last night.
"I sit ev'ry night by m' window, just wishing, and searching for one perfect sta-ar." Nikki finished dressing, flicked the "off" switch on the boom box, and walked down to the kitchen for breakfast. She toasted half a bagel, spread a little veggie cream cheese on it, and started eating as she climbed the stairs back up to her bedroom, passing her dad on the way.
"Morning," he said, smiling warmly at Nikki.
"Morning, Daddy," she replied, smiling back. She finished her bagel as she re-entered her room, wiped her hands on a spare paper towel, and stuffed her feet into her tennies. As she laced them up, she wondered why she felt so cheery this morning. No, not cheery; light-headed.
"No," she told herself as she tossed her cell into her purse and slung it over her shoulder. "More like light-as-a-feather."
She jogged down the stairs, rattling the key-chains on her purse. "Bye, Daddy. I have to go to work!"
"Bye!" he called back from the kitchen. Nikki rushed out the door, closed it behind her, and instead of heading left like she usually did to go to work, she turned right, heading towards the police station. She jogged instead of walked, feeling as though she should use all the unexplained, pent-up energy inside of her. It took her next to no time at all to reach the police headquarters; they only lived a few blocks away from it.
Nikki walked inside, the noise and bustle of police life overwhelming her. She looked around for someone to help her, feeling a bit lost.
"Can I help you?" Nikki looked around. An officer with long black hair wearing a red jacket over blue jeans was standing behind her.
"Yeah," said Nikki. "I had this run-in with a street gang last night..."
"What happened?" asked the officer.
"Well... um... could we go some place a little quieter?" asked Nikki tentatively.
"Sure." The police officer lead Nikki into a deserted interrogation room and motioned to a seat. Nikki shook her head.
"I'll stand," she said.
"Alright," said the officer, leaning on the wall. "I'm Elisa Maza by the way."
"Nicole Ruben," returned Nikki, shaking Elisa's outsretched hand.
"So what happened last night?" asked Elisa, the formalities over. Nikki sighed and told her everything that happened last night, with the exeption of Lex rescuing her.
"How'd you get away?" said Elisa when Nikki had finished.
"I was hoping you wouldn't ask," sighed Nikki, fidgiting with the hem of her shirt.
"Did a Gargoyle rescue you?" guessed the detective. Nikki nodded. Elisa wasn't surprised. "Which one?"
"You know them?" asked Nikki, stunned.
"Yeah," said Elisa, smiling. "So who saved you? That is, if he told you his name."
"Lex," said Nikki, remembering his name fondly.
"Ah."
"So is there anything you can do about my gang problem?" asked Nikki.
"Yes." Elisa left the room for a moment, then returned with a black button with indentations on it.
"A communicator," said Elisa, handing it yo Nikki. "If you see the gang, just press this, talk into it, and I'll be right there."
"That'll help a lot," replied Nikki, cliping it onto the right strap of her shirt. "Thanks for your time, Officer."
"Elisa, please," she replied, holding the heavy door open for Nikki. Nikki smiled, walked out of the room, and back into the streets, heading towards the diner.
"You're early," stated Joe when she walked in.
"You'd rather I'd be late?" asked Nikki, tying her apron behind her.
"No," he replied. "It's just a first."
"First time for everything," snapped Nikki good-naturedly.
"True," agreed Joe. There wasn't much time for chatting later; the morning rush came and went, which left Nikki washing the dishes before the afternoon rush, and then, before she knew it, it was 9:00.
"Wow," stated Nikki, wiping off a table. "Today went by fast."
"Yep," said Joe. "And before I forget--" Joe handed her a sealed white envelope "--here's your paycheck."
"Thanks," said Nikki, taking it and stuffing it in her purse. "I'm gonna go home now."
"Alright," he replied. "See you Monday."
Nikki walked out of the diner and into the darkening streets, a soft breeze greeting her as she made her way towards her house. She was unusually quiet, enjoying the silence, which was broken only by the sound of cars whizzing by. Guiltily, she found herself hoping she'd run into Lex again tonight. Sighing, she told herself that, unless she got mugged tonight, there would be a slim chance of running into any Gargoyle, let alone Lex.
She continued walking towards her house, slowly, just in case. When Nikki was about a block away from her house, a shadow passed over her. Trying not to grin, Nikki looked up. A pair of glowing eyes looked down at her.
"Lex?" she called softly. The eys dissappeared. Nikki ran into the ally between the building she had seen the eyes on and another, and started to climb up the ladder. When she reached the roof and looked around, no one was there.
"Lex?" Nikki called again. "Lex, don't play hide-and-seek with me."
Nikki heard a scraping nose behind her; she turned, expecting to see Lex, but instead saw a larger Gargoyle.
"Who're you?" asked Nikki, trying to slow down her heart. "Where's Lex?"
"Are you Nikki?" asked the Gargoyle.
"Yes," she said slowly. "Who're you?"
"Brooklyn," said the Gargoyle. "Lex wanted to know--"
"If I want to see him again?" guessed Nikki. "Of course I do! Where is he?"
"He's at the castle," said Brooklyn.
"Castle?" repeated Nikki, confused. "You mean the one on top of the Xanatos building?"
"Yes," said Brooklyn. Then his face cracked into a half-smile. "He's been talking about you."
"I get that a lot," Nikki murmered, blushing. "So... I'll probably be a while. The subway's about four blocks away from here, and--"
"I could always glide you over," said Brooklyn. Nikki stopped talking.
"That would work, too," she said sheepishly. "That is, if you don't mind."
In response, Brooklyn sweeped Nikki up in his arms; Nikki grabbed his neck. "This'll take getting used to."
Brooklyn grinned and took off from the roof. Nikki tightened her grip, but soon, the wind whiping at her hair and face calmed her enough for her to loosen it. Before long, they arrived at the castle, and Brooklyn set Nikki down. She looked over the wall.
"I never realized how high it is up here," she breathed. "Wonderful view, though."
Nikki turned and looked around. "So where is he?"
"He's inside watching TV with Hudson and Bronx," responded Brooklyn, walking towards a door. Nikki followed.
"Hudson and Bronx?" she repeated.
"You'll meet them soon," said Brooklyn. He lead her through a network of corridors before stopping in front of a door. "They're in here."
"Thanks," said Nikki. "Are you going to come in?"
"No," said Brooklyn. "I have other things to do."
"Alright," she said. "Bye. Maybe I'll see you later tonight, or tomorrow night."
"Maybe." Brooklyn turned and walked down the corridor. Nikki sighed and pushed open the door.
It was a large, well-lit room. The walls, floor, and ceiling were stone, like the rest of the castle, but that was the only thing old-fashioned about it. There was a TV settled in front of a comfortable-looking armchair, in which a large Gargoyle was reclined. A large, blue, dog-like Gargoyle was laying next to him, and looked up as Nikki entered. He started to growl, and Nikki took a step back. The Gargoyle in the armchair looked up, also.
"Um..." said Nikki. "I'm looking for Lexington."
"You must be the lass he was talking about all last night." The Gargoyle had a deep voice and a slight Scottish accent. "Nikki, is it?"
"Yes," she replied. "Is... is Lex here?"
"He was," said the Gargoyle. "He'll be back in a few minutes, though. Goliath wanted to speak to the lad."
"Goliath?" echoed Nikki.
"Aye," replied the Gargoyle. "I'm Hudson, and this is Bronx."
Bronx stopped growling and went over to Nikki, inspecting her. Nikki gingerly patted him on the head, and Bronx licked her hand.
"He's so friendly," stated Nikki, scratching him behind the ears absentmindedly.
"To those he likes," said Hudson, smiling slightly.
"Then I'm glad he likes me," replied Nikki.
Bronx whined; Nikki had stopped scratching his ears without realizing it.
"You're just like a puppy," said Nikki, kneeling to pet him again. "A very big, blue puppy."
Hudson laughed. "Aye; that he is, lass."
Nikki waited for a few more moments, pampering a tail-wagging Bronx as Hudson watched TV. "Maybe I should go look for him."
"He'd be up on the tallest tower," said Hudson. "I'll show you to it."
Hudson rose up out of his seat and walked through the door; Nikki followed, giving Bronx one last pat on the head. They walked through even more corridors and hallways, and Nikki was starting to wonder if she'd get lost trying to find her way out. Then, Hudson opened a door, revealing a spiral staircase that wound up and out of site.
"Thank you, Hudson," said Nikki.
"Aye, lass," he replied. "Now... you wouldn't mind if I went back to the show, would you?"
"Of course not." Nikki started to climb the staircase and heard Hudson walk back down the corridor.
The staircase seemed to lead on forever, but, just when Nikki was starting to get dizzy, a wave of cold, fresh air hit her. She climbed a few more steps and saw an opening that the stairs led up to. Nikki hesitated, then climbed through it. Lex and a larger Gargoyle were standing a few feet away from the opening, their backs to it.
"Um..." she said. "Excuse me--"
Lex and the other Gargoyle turned around. Nikki's heart stopped when she saw the other Gargoyle's face, and her mind flashed back to the picture of her mother falling from the building; she remembered that face... it was the Gargoyle her mother had been fighting...
"I- I'm sorry--" she stuttered, backing up. "I-I- Lex, I have to go."
"Nikki! Wait! What is it?" asked Lex. Nikki shook her head, turned, and ran down the staircase, tears blinding her. She knew he had tried to save her... but she didn't care... he didn't, and she couldn't forgive him for that... she didn't know why, but she just couldn't... or wouldn't...
Nikki flew down the staircase, ignoring Lex's calls. She had to get out of here... too many memories were flooding back... the image of her mother falling kept flashing through her mind. Tears cascaded freely down Nikki's face, but she didn't bother to wipe them away. As she turned a corner, her foot caught on something, and she tripped. Her body was flung forward, but before she hit the stairs, a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Looking up, she saw the face she had fled from; she screamed, terrified, wanting this nightmare to end... and then she fainted.
"Nikki! Nikki, are you awake?"
She moaned, and opened her eyes slightly. Lex was crouching beside her. As soon as he saw her eyes open, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought you'd never wake up," he said. Nikki's eyes widened.
"What time is it?" she asked.
"It's only ten o'clock," Lex said. "Why?"
"I should call my dad," she mumered, taking out her cell phone. "Tell him I'll be home in a while..."
She dialed her home number and waited for her dad to pick up. He didn't, so she had to leave a message on the machine.
"Daddy, it's Nikki," she said, keeping her voice steady. "I'll be home in an hour or so... just thought I'd let you know. Bye."
Nikki hung up and dropped the phone in her purse. Then the door opened, and the Gargoyle she had tried to run from walked in, accompanied by a middle-aged man who Nikki knew to be David Xanatos. She groaned and layed back down, covering her head with the blanket.
"Go away," she muttered. "Please go away..."
Her body started to shake with quiet sobs. Concerned, Lex put a gentle hand on Nikki's shoulder. "What is it? What's wrong?"
How could she tell him? If she told him, Lex would find out her father was a Quarryman. He couldn't find out... he'd think she was spying for the Quarrymen. And in front of Xanatos and the other Gargoyle? The one who had caused all this in the first place?
"Nothing," Nikki lied, sniffing.
"You can tell me," Lex said softly. Nikki started to cry again.
"No, I can't!" she exclaimed, turning her back to him and curling up into a ball. "I wish I could, but I just can't."
"Maybe we should leave," said Xanatos's voice softly.
"Yes." This voice was deep; Nikki supposed it must belong to the Gargoyle. She heard them turn and walk out of the door, leaving Lex and her alone.
"We're alone," said Lex. "Please tell me. I bet it would feel better if you did."
Nikki didn't move.
"Please, Nikki. Why did you react that way when you saw Goliath?" pressed Lex.
"Do you really want to know?" she mumbled.
"Yes."
Slowly, Nikki sat up, wiped the wetness off her face, and looked Lex in the eye.
"I guess..." she started, but stopped. A fresh wave of tears was threatening to overflow. She rubbed her eyes, wondering how to tell him. He'd be so angry at her if he found out her father was a Quarryman, because then he'd think she was one, too. Maybe... just maybe he wouldn't have to find out. Some confidence returned to her weak body, and Nikki opened her eyes again.
"I guess that seeing-- Goliath--" Nikki had a strong urge to call him a monster, but resisted it "--seeing him brought back some horrible memories that I thought I'd burried."
"What memories?" Lex asked.
"Memories... about my mother," said Nikki softly. She fought back more tears as she went on. "My mother was killed shortly after everyone had found out that Gargoyles existed. I watched it happen, and then I looked up and saw Goliath. I never got over it..."
She broke down sobbing again, crying into her hands. Lex wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
"I don't know how I'm ever goining to come here again," she murmered. "I'd have an emotional breakdown every time I saw Goliath..."
"You don't have to come here," said Lex. "I'll find you."
"Alright," said Nikki. She stood up and yawned. "Well, I've got an hour to kill, so what do ya wanna do?"
Nikki woke early the next day, at around 9:30. She threw the bed covers off of her and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, yawning. Stretching to uncramp her muscles, Nikki walked over to her boom box, selected a CD, and put it inside the CD player. While it read the CD, Nikki picked out an outfit for work; her diner uniform was dirty, and she didn't have a spare. The CD player finally finished reading the CD; Nikki pressed the "skip forward" button until the digital number displayed 16, then she pressed "play". She sang along as she dressed, feeling unusally happy after what happened last night.
"I sit ev'ry night by m' window, just wishing, and searching for one perfect sta-ar." Nikki finished dressing, flicked the "off" switch on the boom box, and walked down to the kitchen for breakfast. She toasted half a bagel, spread a little veggie cream cheese on it, and started eating as she climbed the stairs back up to her bedroom, passing her dad on the way.
"Morning," he said, smiling warmly at Nikki.
"Morning, Daddy," she replied, smiling back. She finished her bagel as she re-entered her room, wiped her hands on a spare paper towel, and stuffed her feet into her tennies. As she laced them up, she wondered why she felt so cheery this morning. No, not cheery; light-headed.
"No," she told herself as she tossed her cell into her purse and slung it over her shoulder. "More like light-as-a-feather."
She jogged down the stairs, rattling the key-chains on her purse. "Bye, Daddy. I have to go to work!"
"Bye!" he called back from the kitchen. Nikki rushed out the door, closed it behind her, and instead of heading left like she usually did to go to work, she turned right, heading towards the police station. She jogged instead of walked, feeling as though she should use all the unexplained, pent-up energy inside of her. It took her next to no time at all to reach the police headquarters; they only lived a few blocks away from it.
Nikki walked inside, the noise and bustle of police life overwhelming her. She looked around for someone to help her, feeling a bit lost.
"Can I help you?" Nikki looked around. An officer with long black hair wearing a red jacket over blue jeans was standing behind her.
"Yeah," said Nikki. "I had this run-in with a street gang last night..."
"What happened?" asked the officer.
"Well... um... could we go some place a little quieter?" asked Nikki tentatively.
"Sure." The police officer lead Nikki into a deserted interrogation room and motioned to a seat. Nikki shook her head.
"I'll stand," she said.
"Alright," said the officer, leaning on the wall. "I'm Elisa Maza by the way."
"Nicole Ruben," returned Nikki, shaking Elisa's outsretched hand.
"So what happened last night?" asked Elisa, the formalities over. Nikki sighed and told her everything that happened last night, with the exeption of Lex rescuing her.
"How'd you get away?" said Elisa when Nikki had finished.
"I was hoping you wouldn't ask," sighed Nikki, fidgiting with the hem of her shirt.
"Did a Gargoyle rescue you?" guessed the detective. Nikki nodded. Elisa wasn't surprised. "Which one?"
"You know them?" asked Nikki, stunned.
"Yeah," said Elisa, smiling. "So who saved you? That is, if he told you his name."
"Lex," said Nikki, remembering his name fondly.
"Ah."
"So is there anything you can do about my gang problem?" asked Nikki.
"Yes." Elisa left the room for a moment, then returned with a black button with indentations on it.
"A communicator," said Elisa, handing it yo Nikki. "If you see the gang, just press this, talk into it, and I'll be right there."
"That'll help a lot," replied Nikki, cliping it onto the right strap of her shirt. "Thanks for your time, Officer."
"Elisa, please," she replied, holding the heavy door open for Nikki. Nikki smiled, walked out of the room, and back into the streets, heading towards the diner.
"You're early," stated Joe when she walked in.
"You'd rather I'd be late?" asked Nikki, tying her apron behind her.
"No," he replied. "It's just a first."
"First time for everything," snapped Nikki good-naturedly.
"True," agreed Joe. There wasn't much time for chatting later; the morning rush came and went, which left Nikki washing the dishes before the afternoon rush, and then, before she knew it, it was 9:00.
"Wow," stated Nikki, wiping off a table. "Today went by fast."
"Yep," said Joe. "And before I forget--" Joe handed her a sealed white envelope "--here's your paycheck."
"Thanks," said Nikki, taking it and stuffing it in her purse. "I'm gonna go home now."
"Alright," he replied. "See you Monday."
Nikki walked out of the diner and into the darkening streets, a soft breeze greeting her as she made her way towards her house. She was unusually quiet, enjoying the silence, which was broken only by the sound of cars whizzing by. Guiltily, she found herself hoping she'd run into Lex again tonight. Sighing, she told herself that, unless she got mugged tonight, there would be a slim chance of running into any Gargoyle, let alone Lex.
She continued walking towards her house, slowly, just in case. When Nikki was about a block away from her house, a shadow passed over her. Trying not to grin, Nikki looked up. A pair of glowing eyes looked down at her.
"Lex?" she called softly. The eys dissappeared. Nikki ran into the ally between the building she had seen the eyes on and another, and started to climb up the ladder. When she reached the roof and looked around, no one was there.
"Lex?" Nikki called again. "Lex, don't play hide-and-seek with me."
Nikki heard a scraping nose behind her; she turned, expecting to see Lex, but instead saw a larger Gargoyle.
"Who're you?" asked Nikki, trying to slow down her heart. "Where's Lex?"
"Are you Nikki?" asked the Gargoyle.
"Yes," she said slowly. "Who're you?"
"Brooklyn," said the Gargoyle. "Lex wanted to know--"
"If I want to see him again?" guessed Nikki. "Of course I do! Where is he?"
"He's at the castle," said Brooklyn.
"Castle?" repeated Nikki, confused. "You mean the one on top of the Xanatos building?"
"Yes," said Brooklyn. Then his face cracked into a half-smile. "He's been talking about you."
"I get that a lot," Nikki murmered, blushing. "So... I'll probably be a while. The subway's about four blocks away from here, and--"
"I could always glide you over," said Brooklyn. Nikki stopped talking.
"That would work, too," she said sheepishly. "That is, if you don't mind."
In response, Brooklyn sweeped Nikki up in his arms; Nikki grabbed his neck. "This'll take getting used to."
Brooklyn grinned and took off from the roof. Nikki tightened her grip, but soon, the wind whiping at her hair and face calmed her enough for her to loosen it. Before long, they arrived at the castle, and Brooklyn set Nikki down. She looked over the wall.
"I never realized how high it is up here," she breathed. "Wonderful view, though."
Nikki turned and looked around. "So where is he?"
"He's inside watching TV with Hudson and Bronx," responded Brooklyn, walking towards a door. Nikki followed.
"Hudson and Bronx?" she repeated.
"You'll meet them soon," said Brooklyn. He lead her through a network of corridors before stopping in front of a door. "They're in here."
"Thanks," said Nikki. "Are you going to come in?"
"No," said Brooklyn. "I have other things to do."
"Alright," she said. "Bye. Maybe I'll see you later tonight, or tomorrow night."
"Maybe." Brooklyn turned and walked down the corridor. Nikki sighed and pushed open the door.
It was a large, well-lit room. The walls, floor, and ceiling were stone, like the rest of the castle, but that was the only thing old-fashioned about it. There was a TV settled in front of a comfortable-looking armchair, in which a large Gargoyle was reclined. A large, blue, dog-like Gargoyle was laying next to him, and looked up as Nikki entered. He started to growl, and Nikki took a step back. The Gargoyle in the armchair looked up, also.
"Um..." said Nikki. "I'm looking for Lexington."
"You must be the lass he was talking about all last night." The Gargoyle had a deep voice and a slight Scottish accent. "Nikki, is it?"
"Yes," she replied. "Is... is Lex here?"
"He was," said the Gargoyle. "He'll be back in a few minutes, though. Goliath wanted to speak to the lad."
"Goliath?" echoed Nikki.
"Aye," replied the Gargoyle. "I'm Hudson, and this is Bronx."
Bronx stopped growling and went over to Nikki, inspecting her. Nikki gingerly patted him on the head, and Bronx licked her hand.
"He's so friendly," stated Nikki, scratching him behind the ears absentmindedly.
"To those he likes," said Hudson, smiling slightly.
"Then I'm glad he likes me," replied Nikki.
Bronx whined; Nikki had stopped scratching his ears without realizing it.
"You're just like a puppy," said Nikki, kneeling to pet him again. "A very big, blue puppy."
Hudson laughed. "Aye; that he is, lass."
Nikki waited for a few more moments, pampering a tail-wagging Bronx as Hudson watched TV. "Maybe I should go look for him."
"He'd be up on the tallest tower," said Hudson. "I'll show you to it."
Hudson rose up out of his seat and walked through the door; Nikki followed, giving Bronx one last pat on the head. They walked through even more corridors and hallways, and Nikki was starting to wonder if she'd get lost trying to find her way out. Then, Hudson opened a door, revealing a spiral staircase that wound up and out of site.
"Thank you, Hudson," said Nikki.
"Aye, lass," he replied. "Now... you wouldn't mind if I went back to the show, would you?"
"Of course not." Nikki started to climb the staircase and heard Hudson walk back down the corridor.
The staircase seemed to lead on forever, but, just when Nikki was starting to get dizzy, a wave of cold, fresh air hit her. She climbed a few more steps and saw an opening that the stairs led up to. Nikki hesitated, then climbed through it. Lex and a larger Gargoyle were standing a few feet away from the opening, their backs to it.
"Um..." she said. "Excuse me--"
Lex and the other Gargoyle turned around. Nikki's heart stopped when she saw the other Gargoyle's face, and her mind flashed back to the picture of her mother falling from the building; she remembered that face... it was the Gargoyle her mother had been fighting...
"I- I'm sorry--" she stuttered, backing up. "I-I- Lex, I have to go."
"Nikki! Wait! What is it?" asked Lex. Nikki shook her head, turned, and ran down the staircase, tears blinding her. She knew he had tried to save her... but she didn't care... he didn't, and she couldn't forgive him for that... she didn't know why, but she just couldn't... or wouldn't...
Nikki flew down the staircase, ignoring Lex's calls. She had to get out of here... too many memories were flooding back... the image of her mother falling kept flashing through her mind. Tears cascaded freely down Nikki's face, but she didn't bother to wipe them away. As she turned a corner, her foot caught on something, and she tripped. Her body was flung forward, but before she hit the stairs, a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Looking up, she saw the face she had fled from; she screamed, terrified, wanting this nightmare to end... and then she fainted.
"Nikki! Nikki, are you awake?"
She moaned, and opened her eyes slightly. Lex was crouching beside her. As soon as he saw her eyes open, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought you'd never wake up," he said. Nikki's eyes widened.
"What time is it?" she asked.
"It's only ten o'clock," Lex said. "Why?"
"I should call my dad," she mumered, taking out her cell phone. "Tell him I'll be home in a while..."
She dialed her home number and waited for her dad to pick up. He didn't, so she had to leave a message on the machine.
"Daddy, it's Nikki," she said, keeping her voice steady. "I'll be home in an hour or so... just thought I'd let you know. Bye."
Nikki hung up and dropped the phone in her purse. Then the door opened, and the Gargoyle she had tried to run from walked in, accompanied by a middle-aged man who Nikki knew to be David Xanatos. She groaned and layed back down, covering her head with the blanket.
"Go away," she muttered. "Please go away..."
Her body started to shake with quiet sobs. Concerned, Lex put a gentle hand on Nikki's shoulder. "What is it? What's wrong?"
How could she tell him? If she told him, Lex would find out her father was a Quarryman. He couldn't find out... he'd think she was spying for the Quarrymen. And in front of Xanatos and the other Gargoyle? The one who had caused all this in the first place?
"Nothing," Nikki lied, sniffing.
"You can tell me," Lex said softly. Nikki started to cry again.
"No, I can't!" she exclaimed, turning her back to him and curling up into a ball. "I wish I could, but I just can't."
"Maybe we should leave," said Xanatos's voice softly.
"Yes." This voice was deep; Nikki supposed it must belong to the Gargoyle. She heard them turn and walk out of the door, leaving Lex and her alone.
"We're alone," said Lex. "Please tell me. I bet it would feel better if you did."
Nikki didn't move.
"Please, Nikki. Why did you react that way when you saw Goliath?" pressed Lex.
"Do you really want to know?" she mumbled.
"Yes."
Slowly, Nikki sat up, wiped the wetness off her face, and looked Lex in the eye.
"I guess..." she started, but stopped. A fresh wave of tears was threatening to overflow. She rubbed her eyes, wondering how to tell him. He'd be so angry at her if he found out her father was a Quarryman, because then he'd think she was one, too. Maybe... just maybe he wouldn't have to find out. Some confidence returned to her weak body, and Nikki opened her eyes again.
"I guess that seeing-- Goliath--" Nikki had a strong urge to call him a monster, but resisted it "--seeing him brought back some horrible memories that I thought I'd burried."
"What memories?" Lex asked.
"Memories... about my mother," said Nikki softly. She fought back more tears as she went on. "My mother was killed shortly after everyone had found out that Gargoyles existed. I watched it happen, and then I looked up and saw Goliath. I never got over it..."
She broke down sobbing again, crying into her hands. Lex wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
"I don't know how I'm ever goining to come here again," she murmered. "I'd have an emotional breakdown every time I saw Goliath..."
"You don't have to come here," said Lex. "I'll find you."
"Alright," said Nikki. She stood up and yawned. "Well, I've got an hour to kill, so what do ya wanna do?"