A/N: I am such a rubbish updater, I am truly sorry. I keep getting random urges to write for this fic and I do aim to complete it eventually. Since there aren't really many Nikki fans about in the WR fandom anymore, I chose to concentrate on another fandom. Thank you for the reviews and those who are sticking with the story. I do know where this is going but lack inspiration to actually write it!

~Mini Peacelet~

Born To Fly - Part 24

Eve's fingers swirled the edge of the plain mug that contained steamy hot chocolate, dark and rich. "I don't get it. Why isn't she happy to see me? Why has she just run off? What did she mean when she said 'you're not supposed to know about me'? I don't understand." She shuffled agitatedly on her chair whilst rambling perplexedly.

The headmistress exhaled a lengthy sigh, running the tip of her tongue roughly over her dry lips, "I don't really know." She did know, she wasn't convincing at claiming she did not, "Maybe there's more to it than meets the eye. You haven't heard Nikki's side of the story. This could be a big thing for her."

The adolescent wasn't converted at all, apprehension failing to settle, "That's why I need to go find her. I need answers." She jerked to her feet instantly and dashed towards the door until the older female obstructed her path swiftly.

"I don't think that's wise; in fact, I know that isn't a rational idea. She will come back when she's ready to talk, only then you will get whatever answers you are looking for. Give her the chance to let this sink in." Christine guided the teen back to her seat tentatively, "Now, shall we look into your enrolment? I'm presuming you desire to complete your studies with us, here at Waterloo Road."

The young brunette neglected a response, she had zoned out into a daze of a trance as she flopped back onto the sofa. She hadn't even perceived the woman's suggestion to enrolment. Instead she was engulfed by potent thoughts whirling around in her mind. Eve only snapped back to reality when Christine gently tapped her shoulder.

"S-sorry?" She uttered quietly with a falter.

"I understand that you are confused and want answers. Nikki will explain when she's ready, I assure you." The head teacher attempted to generate some tranquility and soothing ambience.

"What is there to explain, though?" A sharp burst of thick anger had materialised from practically nowhere, "Do you know something that I don't? Has mum said something to you? How can you be so certain that she'll talk when she's ready? You aren't her." Her gaze narrowed significantly, "Are you hiding something? How do you know so much!"

Christine pursed her lips momentarily. For the first time - ever - she was stuck for words. An unusual trait that combatted her charisma. She had plenty of experience when it came to dealing with fiery students. Why was this so difficult? Tensely, she perched on her leather, office chair as Eve persisted to demand information.

"Nikki...your mother...she..she's my wife." The blonde confessed mutedly as she diverted her flickering orbs and juddered at an anticipated explosive reaction.

The teen's eyes widened, verbal response delayed as she battled to digest the latest detail, "What?" She mumbled as more bewildered thoughts added to her already jumbled mind, "And she didn't invite me to the wedding..." Her words were barely audible, "Maybe she did and dad prevented it." A vague twitch in the approximation of a shrug, "So, you know why we haven't seen each other for seventeen years, don't you? Tell me that it was my father interfering and stopping any attempts?" She pressed for more.

"I can't." Christine whispered reluctantly, "Maybe I know, well yes. I do know. But it really isn't for me to say."

Eve was about to respond when the door of the office propelled open in a fluster and Lorraine entered, followed shortly by Hector. Sonya also appeared, "I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen." She shot an ominous glare at her sister and the PE teacher, tottering on her heels.

"What is going on with Nikki?" The blonde multi-millionaire demanded bluntly, "She's just blatantly ignored me and continued running through the corridors. I past her classroom, the kids are causing absolute mayhem and destruction in there!"

"I was outside on the steps when she sprinted past me. Also, refusing to stop at my call." He added, "She went out of the school gates and stopped. Then a black car appeared, stopped abruptly for a matter of seconds and then zoomed off. When it was gone, Nikki wasn't there."

The headmistress's features fell, fear and concern stitched across her features as she delved into her handbag, instantly rummaging for her phone, "Do you think she got into that car?" Her voice wavered slightly, she was pretty certain that her wife was in that vehicle. Nikki had departed in a state; flustered, stressed and vulnerable.

"It's the only logical answer, really. I ran to the gates when I saw she wasn't there, but there was no sign of her. There was no way she had the chance to disappear around a corner before I got there."

"Let's not jump to conclusions." Lorraine interrupted. Optimistic.

Having located her phone, Christine promptly dialled the brunette's number and propped her phone to her ear. She desperately prayed for an answer. Fleetingly forgetting that her wife's daughter - her own step daughter - was still present, "Come on, please pick up." Her Scottish accent was dense, a solicited murmur.

But it just rang, and rang. And rang. The blonde sighed forlornly as she ended the call, "Hector, get the CCTV up for that time!" She instructed before attempting to contact the teacher again. She repeatedly called until she finally attained an answer, "Nikki?!"

"Stop calling. Do not phone the police. And Nikki will be fine if you comply."

The line went dead. Breath captured in the back of Christine's throat, accumulating as she swallowed hard with a stutter, "I think Nikki's been kidnapped." She confessed, tone no more than a weak murmur as her hand concealed her mouth, "The baby..." It had suddenly dawned to her that it wasn't just her precious wife at risk; their unborn child was also in danger.

The teenaged girl had been observing everything intently, but her ears pricked at the mention of an infant, "Mum's pregnant?!" A horrified and angered scoff. The expression on her step mother's face confirmed everything and she dashed out of the office and ran.

"Nikki has a daughter?!" Simultaneously, both Hector and Lorraine exclaimed the exact same sentence as their mouths dropped in pure shock at the latest discover of the woman they had both once - and perhaps still had - developed feelings for.