Nikki: "This is bullshit!"

She hollered in frustration as she slammed silverware on the dining room table; having been told to set the table by Kira. She paced the dining room floor, anger written across her face, as she store down at the wooden floor. Kira then came into the dining room to see what all the fuss was about…As if she didn't know.

Kira: "You're sill upset about that whole hospital thing aren't you?"

Nikki gave her a look like 'What the fuck?'

Nikki: "Of course I'm still mad!"

There never was a time where Nikki was not rolling with the Mercers to handle "business," but then again…That's when they were younger, that's when they didn't have to worry about guns and being shot. It was handled the old fashion way…Fist to face.

Kira: "You know, you really need to let that go…"

She said nonchalantly, wiping her hands off on a dish towel. Nikki gave a heavy sigh and looked at Kira with a rather serious expression.

Nikki: "I can't…It's not easy sitting on the sidelines Kira…"

And with that said she left out the dining room, not wanting to deal with setting the table, and not wanting to deal with Kira. She laid on the couch to watch T.V., hoping that it would take her mind off of being left out by Bobby. She flipped through several channels, until she came to the news. She listened for only a moment, but turned away no longer finding interest. Having no luck with the T.V., she turned it off and laid there…bored. Before she knew it…she was asleep.

Hours later she was awoken by someone tapping her shoulder…She stirred and slowly opened her eyes. It was blurry for a moment but soon adjusted, and when it did, she was staring a soft pink shirt. She looked up and saw Amelia's face; expressionless.

Nikki: "Oh, hey Amelia sweetie…"

She greeted, giving a sleepy smile. She sat up and threw her feet over the edge of the couch, rubbing her eyes.

Nikki: "You ok?"

She asked, when she saw that Amelia was non-responsive. Amelia shook her head no, and she began to pout. Worry stretched across Nikki's face as she pulled Amelia closer to her, sitting her on her knee.

Nikki: "What's the matter?"

She asked naively…Like she didn't know.

Amelia: "…Daniela is in the hospital…"

She finally said, a tear running down her face. Nikki wiped it away, and tilted Amelia's head up so she can look at her.

Nikki: "Hey now, don't cry. Everything's gonna be ok, Daniela's fine…Don't you worry."

She reassured, smiling warmly at her. Amelia then hugged Nikki around her neck and buried her face into her shoulder. Nikki was a little surprised since she just met Amelia, surprised that she was so comfortable around her as if she knew her for all her life. But that didn't keep Nikki from hugging her back.

Nikki: "Amelia, can you promise me something?"

She asked sweetly, making Amelia look up at her in curiosity.

Amelia: "What?"

Nikki: "Promise me that you'll be a soldier for Daniela?"

Amelia: "A soldier?"

Nikki: "Yup."

Amelia: "What do they do?"

Nikki: "A soldier has to be strong, and take care of their family when they're sad and make them feel better."

She explained patriotically, smiling all the while.

Nikki: "Do you think you can do that, can you make Mommy and Daddy feel better?"

Amelia smiled a little.

Amelia: "Yes…"

Nikki: "Good!"

She exclaimed enthusiastically, hugging Amelia. She then set her down and stood up, stretching and yawning.

Amelia: "Daddy was right, you are nice…"

Nikki smiled and took Amelia's hand and began to walk toward the dining room where everyone else was settled.

Nikki: "Why thank you, ma'am. You're nice too."

Voice: "You certainly have a way with kids…"

Nikki looked over her shoulder and saw Kira, stepping down from the last stair of the wooden staircase.

Nikki: "Um Amelia, why don't you go in the dining room, I'll be there in a minute…"

Amelia: "Ok."

Nikki turned fully around and looked at Kira, placing her hands in her pockets.

Kira: "I can't believe you got her to talk…"

Nikki: "What are you talking about?"

Kira: "Well when you were sleep, the boys had told me about what had happen at the hospital—and don't worry you didn't miss anything. Anyway, they said Amelia was in shock and won't talk to anyone…what did you do?"

Nikki store at her, confusion written across her face.

Nikki: "I didn't do anything…I was sleep on the couch and she came to me…"

Kira hummed a tone of thought, and then resided to the dining room. Nikki sighed and followed soon after…The room was in eerie silence as Nikki looked over everyone's gloomy faces. She took a seat between Kira and Jack, and began eating the food that was fixed for her. She looked up from time to time, knowing nothing has changed, except for Amelia trying to make her parents happy like Nikki had instructed.

Amelia: "C'mon Daddy…You haven't touched your mashed p'tatoes…Or you Mommy."

Everyone looked up at her, amazed that she finally had spoke after hours of being silent. She stuck a fork full of mashed potatoes in her mouth since Jerry wasn't eating any.

Jerry: "Amelia, I need you to do Daddy a favor…"

Amelia: "What?"

She asked with her mouth full.

Jerry: "I need you to tell me who that man was that did that bad thing to Daniela…"

It fell dead silent as everyone leaned in with curiosity, anxious to hear what she was going to say next…

Amelia: "…Stretch Chester…"

She looked at everyone at the table, saddened and heart broken.

Amelia: "He said Merry Christmas…"

Even though no one showed it, they all were enraged. How could a man shoot a little girl point black, and have her sister deliver a message!? It's preposterous! Camille excused herself and fled upstairs, ready to cry and Jerry went after her to comfort; Amelia wasn't sure what to do, so Kira took her into the living room to watch cartoons. Nikki backed her chair out from under the table and picked up her plate, standing.

Nikki: "You boys finished?"

They looked at her and silently agreed. She went around the table, picking up everyone's plate. Her face showed boredness, but anger was hidden behind it.

Jack: "You need any help with that Nikki?"

He asked, ready to stand and help.

Nikki: "No, but thanks Jack."

She smiled lightly at him before heading into the kitchen, dumping the dirty dishes in the sink. From that point on she began washing them; she figured if she had to stay home and pull that 50s crap like Kira does, then she might as well start now. So lost in thought, she accidentally cut her finger from not being focused, and the soapy water only made the pain that much worse. She cursed loudly and pulled her hand out the water to examine her damaged finger. It wasn't that deep, but it wasn't that pretty. Bobby had walked into the kitchen to see what was wrong, and saw Nikki holding her finger, scanning over it.

Bobby: "Is everything ok?"

She looked at him, then grabbed a paper towel and wrapped her finger in it, watching it soak up the blood.

Nikki: "Everything's fine…"

Bobby knew that Nikki was upset…She would isolate herself from everyone and do things she normally didn't do; like cleaning.

Bobby: "Nikki, are you still mad about earlier?"

Nikki: "No…Why would you think I was still mad?"

Bobby: "Well…One, you're cleaning and two you aren't saying anything to anyone."

Nikki: "I'm just tired…I just wanna hurry up and get everything squared away before Kira bugs and me and go to bed."

She explained as she walked out of the kitchen, passing Bobby. She looked over at Kira and Amelia who were watching cartoons on the couch, and bid them goodnight before heading upstairs.