Mysterious Midnight - I'm glad you like the last chapter, and that the British way of spelling things doesn't annoy you too much! I only noticed the other day that the vast majority of users of are probably American. Anyway thanks for your review (and you were first!).
hazza123 - Thanks for your review, it's nice to know people like my story!
Kat Hawkins - Thanks for reviewing again! It makes me so happy!
PrueTrudeau - Wow, now that review was an essay and a half! It's good to know that I inspire you to think of things to do with this, that makes me fell all warm and fuzzy! Thanks for reviewing!
Jade-eye Halliwell - I'm really glad that you think this story is getting better, that makes me feel really good, because I'd like to think my writing is improving! Thanks for your review!
NathanAblett - I'm really glad you like my story; it makes me so very happy! Thanks for reviewing!
charmedfreak21 - Don't worry, Prue will work her way back in eventually; I have big plans for her! Thank you for your review!
AmyH. - I miss Prue too! And, like I said, she will make an appearance at some point! I'm so glad you like Nicki, I get a little worried that she's too two-dimensional, but I really hope not. Thanks for reviewing!
--Chapter Thirteen--
The feel of the hot water on her skin was exquisite; Nicki was having trouble remembering the last time that she'd had a hot shower. She spent nearly twenty minutes in the shower, and left the conditioner in for at least twice as long as she was supposed to. After all, there weren't any guarantees she'd be able to use any more in a while.
After getting out and towelling herself dry with the fluffy towel Piper had brought her, Nicki changed into a new pair of sweatpants, some warm socks, new underwear and a cropped t-shirt. She pulled a brush through her hair, getting out all the tangles.
Leaving Phoebe's room, she tied her long hair up into a French plait. She made sure that she wasn't making too much noise as she crept into Piper's bedroom. Piper was flat out, a small smile on her face. Nicki slipped quietly into Wyatt's nursery, where he was also sound asleep. Nicki looked down at him and smiled slightly. She went back into Piper's room and took the baby monitor off of her bedside table, closing the door to Wyatt's nursery as she went. She wrote Piper a note from the pad of paper on her bedside table.
Dear Aunt Piper,
Don't worry, I took the baby monitor. I hope it's okay, I just wanted you to be able to get some sleep. I know how to look after babies, don't worry. And if there're any problems, I will wake you up, I promise.
Nicki.
Nicki laid the note down in place of the baby monitor, and slowly and quietly left Piper's room, closing the door behind her. She walked slowly down the corridor, having unconsciously made the decision to explore around the house. There were two rooms on this floor that she hadn't yet seen. There was another bathroom, and Paige's bedroom. Paige's bedroom was similar to Phoebe's; you could tell they were related, although there were some basic differences. Paige was clearly into art and culture, whereas Phoebe seemed to focus more on comfort and calm.
Nicki walked straight past the staircase to the attic, giving it no more than a curious glance in passing. Piper said not to go up there, so I won't. I don't want to do anything to make them not like me, not want me any more.
She walked down the stairs, still clutching the baby monitor in the left hand, her right trailing behind her down the banister. She'd already seen most of the downstairs, but she did have a look around the sunroom. She tried to open the door to go into the garden but it was locked, so she went back into the living room instead to have a look at the bookshelves.
There was quite an impressive collection of books, and Nicki spent several minutes looking over the titles. She slid 'The Lord of the Rings' by JRR Tolkien from the shelves and set it down onto the coffee table. She was going to sit down, but first decided to get a glass of water.
When Nicki walked into the kitchen, she went straight to the fridge and took a bottle of water from the twelve that were on the top shelf. She opened it with a 'crack' as the seal broke, and took a long drink, tilting back her head and closing the door to the fridge with her back. As she brought her head back level and took the bottle away from her mouth, she noticed a door in the corner of the kitchen that she'd never spotted before.
Nicki screwed the lid back on the bottle of water and put it down on the counter top, before walking cautiously over to the door. She had no idea what could be behind it, so she opened it carefully. The door opened to reveal pitch darkness, and Nicki let out a small sigh of relief; she'd realised what was behind the door. It has to be a basement, if it doesn't have any windows. Sure enough, when she felt around the corner of the doorframe, her fingers grazed over the unmistakeable shape of a light switch.
Nicki flicked the switch, and the bulb in the basement flickered for a while, before remaining steadily on. It revealed a flight of steps, which she descended, curiously. When she reached the bottom and could see the rest of the basement, she let out a small gasp.
'Wow,' she exclaimed, her eyes taking in the room in its entirety. She passed over the boxes stacked on one side and the gardening equipment, her eyes remaining on the small training area that Phoebe had set up.
Nicki walked slowly over to that side of the basement, her fingers grazing over the punch bag, the barre on the wall, the incredible selection of weapons. She glanced around quickly, as if looking for something, and her eyes settled on a large roll of athletic tape sitting underneath the weapons rack.
'Perfect,' she muttered, and quickly mounted the stairs again. She left the basement door open and the light on, and she went into the living room to return the book to its rightful place on the shelf. Satisfied that everything was how she'd found it, she went back into the kitchen. She grabbed the bottle of water and the baby monitor from the kitchen counter, where she'd left them earlier, and went back down the stairs to the basement, being careful to ensure that the door remained open.
It was with slight hesitation that she approached the training area this time, unsure as to whether anyone would mind if she used it. As long as I'm careful, it should be okay. She put the monitor and the bottle of water carefully down onto the shelf next to the athletic tape, and picked the tape up. She put it under her chin as she checked her hair was still out of the way, and that her clothes were comfortable and supportive enough to train in. Satisfied, she sat down and slipped off her left sock.
Several years ago, she'd been running from someone when she'd tripped over in an alley. Her ankle burst out in pain, and she turned to face the person she was running from, knowing that now she couldn't run, fighting was her only option. She barely moved her head a fraction before she saw blue and white lights in front of her eyes, and fainted from the pain. Nicki had no idea how she'd gotten away from the person who was chasing her in the first place, but the next thing she remembered she woke up in hospital, her eyes stinging from the brightness of the lights all around her. It turned out she'd torn three of the ligaments in her ankle and had hit her head on the ground in the alley, resulting in a skull fracture. Her head healed fine, and she'd spent a couple of weeks on crutches before her ankle could bear her weight again. Even now, it was still weak, and throbbed violently whenever she used it excessively, so she had to tape it up every time she exercised.
Nicki expertly taped her ankle tightly, and put her sock back on. She then taped both her wrists to support them; after all, she'd broken each of them at least once. There were dangers that came with fighting people, or things, on a daily basis, and an above average number of injuries was one of them.
She stood up and returned the tape to the shelf, also checking that the baby monitor was on and working. Then, she turned to the punching bag, a small smile playing about her lips. This is gonna be fun.
Paige drew up to the manor about thirty seconds after Phoebe did, and after parking their cars they walked up the manor steps together.
'So, how did it go?' Phoebe asked Paige as they neared the top of the steps. 'What did they say about Nicki?'
'It was okay,' Paige answered, slotting her keys into the door. 'I'll tell you everything later,' she added, 'when everyone else is there.'
'Okay honey,' Phoebe said quickly, picking up on the small note of despair in her sister's voice, and not wanting to push anything. 'Is anyone home?' she called, as Paige pushed open the door and they both walked into the foyer.
'Down here,' they heard a voice call from the kitchen, and looking at each other, slightly puzzled, they followed it.
When they reached the kitchen and noticed the door to the basement was open, the situation seemed to make a little more sense.
'Nicki?' Phoebe asked, as they walked down the basement stairs, just in time to see their niece give the bag a final roundhouse kick.
'Wow,' Paige muttered. Nicki was hot and sweaty, but smiling none the less. 'She's nearly as good as you, Phoebs,' Paige added giving her sister a playful dig in the ribs.
Nicki caught the punching bag as it swung ominously on its chain. 'Sorry,' she said, stopping it still and standing in front of it.
'About what?' Paige asked, slightly bewildered.
'Sorry I'm down here,' Nicki said quietly, walking over to the shelf and picking up the now empty bottle of water and the baby monitor.
'That's okay sweetie,' Phoebe said, smiling. 'Of course you can come down here,' she said, 'and Paige is right, you are pretty good. Where did you learn all that?'
'I did kickboxing at school for a while,' Nicki replied, as they walked up the stairs. 'But mostly I just taught myself.'
'Well maybe we can train together sometime,' Phoebe said, as she flicked the basement light off. They walked over to the table to join Paige, Nicki putting her empty bottle in the rubbish bin as they passed it.
'Where are Piper and Wyatt?' Paige asked, as they sat down.
'Upstairs,' Nicki replied, putting the baby monitor down onto the table. 'They've both been sleeping for…' she glanced at the clock '… nearly three hours now.'
'Okay,' Paige said.
'Umm,' Nicki started, looking worried.
'What is it sweetie?' Paige asked, looking at her encouragingly.
'Can I have another shower?' Nicki asked sheepishly, picking at her damp clothes.
--End of Chapter Thirteen--
Okay, so sorry it took so long, as usual. I will update quicker in future, I promise! Please review!