this is the past, so be it{Niki}

[zyoria]

(ooc// since I'm not sure what the date on the actual site is, from reading other threads such as Redemption, I'm having the day be the 27th May if that is ok? If not I'll be happy to change it)

27th May 2009

Cold, why was it so cold? Ruby tossed and turned under the flimsy, torn and dirty blanket that covered only parts of her body, along with her normal outfit. A chill was coming in front the west, through a large, broken and cracked window was the source of the cold air penetrating the room. It was barely seven am in the morning, still having little clothing on her back and the fact the night was quite cold was one reason, second, the fire she had made to keep her warm had died a few hours before hand. Her light and warmth was now meager embers, occasionally picking up and rolling about with the wind. It was a surprise that the building didn't catch fire, precautions had been set up in case of that fact, looking closer on the ground there were wet spots, half formed icicles all around the embers like a fence, though it had been rather effective at the start, it was quickly losing.

The house she was in had been abandoned, its dilapidated form an eyesore, and extremely dangerous. Rats had chewed wires, making the risk of a fire or an explosion a real possibility, not to mention risk takers and daredevils liked to scout around the place. As the front door had been nailed shut with an official letter from the council stating that it would be demolished, do not enter. Ruby had gone around the back, smashed out an already cracking window and jumped in. Having no money, it wasn't like she was able to afford a hotel room, plus all her identification was back home, in about seventeen years or so in the future. Ruby had also nicked her arm on a broken piece of glass, a badly made bandage was torn from cloth that she was going to use to create more outfits, having a few would get dirty pretty quickly, and tied it around her arm. While it did the trick, it had already been stained a deep crimson, often sending stabs of pain through her arm while she tried to sleep.

Ruby Autumn Sanders wasn't from this time, coming from the future to save her twin who died before they were born meant Ruby was going to have a tough time with her task. Knowing nothing of who sent her back, only giving her the chance to save someone close to her, Ruby had taken it with both hands firmly grasped, hoping that she would succeed. But so far, all it was doing was messing with her head. Not knowing where the start put her in a real tough spot, going to Las Vegas a tricky and dangerous journey(though she appeared just outside so it wasn't a huge deal). Food was scarce, dumpster diving had become a method to survive, though only at night, when people were of the few. Still, it wasn't like she enjoyed it, not when she knew of her old life, where everything seemed so much better in comparison. There was no turning back now, no matter how much she cursed and swore about it.

Waking up, and blinking rapidly to rid her eyes from the sleep, Ruby turned over to stare at the embers, pulling her knees up to her chest to stave off the cold. Reaching forwards for her bag, in it was family photos, a necklace, her medication for depression, her journal, Ruby grabbed her jacket, shorts and other pair of stockings, slipping them on one at a time before grabbing her boots, taking the time to slip each foot in before tying up the laces. Closing her eyes to concentrate, Ruby began to breathe deeply, slowly, ice formed at her fingers and began moving downwards, encasing the embers with a hiss. At least Ruby wasn't going to be the cause of a fire. With that thought cheery in her head, Ruby kicked out the rest of the window, picked up her bag and made sure it was firmly on her back before jumping out. Adjusting the make shift bandage, Ruby began moving, the morning sun bright against her vision.

Walking carefully as if she was really part of this world, this time, Ruby made her way into the town part, a few hours of wandering about and she was ready to leave again, hating the fact there were so many people, and not being able to find the ones that cared the most. Stopping at a cafe, Ruby asked just for a glass of water, taking a seat outside under the shade and opened up her bag. The bottle of Lexapro, her anti-depressants, and a photo of her mother, brother(well half brother) and herself and set them both on the table. A dangerous and stupid thing to do, but it was something that kept her from totally losing it. When her water arrived, Ruby thanked the kind man, unscrewed the lid and took a tablet before washing it down her throat with a gulp of water. Fixing the lid back and popping it into her bag again, her photo began moving slightly, the wind intent of making it fly. Sure enough, as the wind picked up, the photo went flying from the table and away from her grasp, Ruby dived and knocked into a woman walking along the street. "I- I'm sorry." Ruby muttered, looking upwards, becoming suddenly, speechless.

(ooc// hope you don't mind that the woman she knocked into was Niki. made sense to me at the time but if not, let me know and I'll happily change it)

[niki]

{It's fine Niki was bumped into - most threads go like that - and the date is fine too - you'll see our time lines on the custom side bar, on the box which is headed INFORMATION. }

Niki stayed in Laughlin, Nevada normally, but for some reason, something compelled her to pay a visit to Las Vegas. It was the city said to never sleep, and of course it was famous for it's casinos, many a gambler had lost their life savings in Las Vegas. Niki wasn't a gambler, and she knew nobody who actually lived in Las Vegas, but ever since Brennan had done his mysterious disappearing act, Niki was finding herself at more and more loose ends. Of course she had managed to help with some of her loose ends by getting herself a job as a child minder, and she enjoyed looking after Trent's two sweet girls Peyton and Brooke. However, she had a few days off and found herself in Las Vegas.

She figured it might be a good place to get some last minute baby items, after all she had to be doubly prepared seeing as she was expecting twins. Recently she had been buying pretty much two of everything. Two cots, double buggy, two toy chests, and that was just a start on things she knew she needed. Having finally found out she was having a boy and a girl she thought she would start buying in some clothes in relevant colours. She had, by this time been shopping for about two hours and had plenty of bags, it was time she took a rest, after all, shopping the way Niki was at just over seven months pregnant wasn't very good.

She spotted a café with seats outside, and thought that would be the best place to rest up for a while. Putting some of the bags down onto the ground, and just about to take a seat, she was suddenly bumped into. It wasn't strong enough to knock her off her feet, and given her current state it was maybe just as well. She steadied herself, and then looked at the young girl who apologised to her. Niki looked at her, and thought there was something familiar about the girl, but Niki having no idea this was her daughter from the future, then shook her head, there was no reason why she would know this girl.

"That's alright, still in one piece, see?" Niki said with a little laugh, "Are you alright though?" She asked the girl who seemed to have gone a little speechless on Niki.

[zyoria]

Fingers clasped around the photo before it could escape again, latching onto the edges so it couldn't leave her, Ruby took a deep breathe and a gulp, swallowing the lump that seemed to have lodged itself in her throat. Aware of her messy pink hair and clothes that weren't in pristine condition, Ruby half curled herself into a ball, feeling rather self conscious of the fact, keeping herself from freaking out too much, knowing that having to save her twin she would come into contact with her mother sooner or later. She just didn't think it was this soon, and was rather taken by surprise. "That is good, I didn't want to hurt you." Ruby blinked a few times, vision blurry for a moment there before regaining most of her vision back. That was what happened when you don't blink enough. Unable to help it, her mother was just, younger than what she remembered. It seemed to strange and different, it was still Niki, but, this is just too weird. And I'm inside her stomach. For Niki clearly was pregnant, the bump was evidence to that fact. My twin.

Tears stung at her eyes, knowing that her twin, alive and inside the womb, may not survive if she didn't help, or warn, or anything. All her life there was something missing, something not right, her twin was supposed to be by her side, together! But fate played a cruel hand and tore her twin away, leaving her to walk the earth alone, depression ate her insides like a parasite. I have to make things right. Ruby thought, holding the photo towards her chest, almost hugging it. "I'm okay. As well as things can be." Refusing to speak more, Ruby pulled herself to her feet, ears twitching at all the sounds that seemed to come from nowhere. Stepping sideways, Ruby narrowly avoided a skateboarder, her pink lips curled into a smirk of sorts. "Are you seriously okay? I mean, you are pregnant, and I could have hit into you and done more damage." That thought made her feel guilty, nothing major had happened yet Ruby knew that she should be more careful. "Sorry, I know it wasn't worse, but." Alarm bells rang in her head, telling, no screaming at her to stop right there, not to say another word.

"Can't be too careful." Ruby turned, heading back to her table where her glass of water stood, liquid slightly moving inside the clear glass while one of the workers had picked up her bag. "That is mine, drop it." Protective over the small amount of things that were hers in this time line, ice formed along her fingers, reaching upwards to encase her knuckles in cold liquid, cracking as she bent her fingers into a fist. The photo was also getting part of the ice, the edges soon getting tough, cold, while the material would get soggy and rip if she wasn't too careful. When the worker passed her bag, Ruby grabbed it, rather rudely, and never let it go, shoving the photo inside roughly and almost glaring at the worker. Her insides erupted into a chasm of hunger, scorching her limbs in weakness. Looks like its dumpster diving again. Just gotta ditch mom here, even though. Ack, I'm gonna spill something, sooner or later its gonna happen. Ruby stood still, trying to get her mind wrapped around everything without going insane. Well, insaner. If that was possible.

[niki]

Niki couldn't help but see the look of confusion and horror, or shock on the young girl's face after she had bumped into Niki. She looked the girl over, taking in all her features without hopefully staring at her too much. The girl seemed familiar to Niki but she couldn't figure out why she would seem familiar to her. "Well, you certainly didn't hurt me." Niki said warmly. Whether that was because of Niki's ability or not, couldn't be said, although Niki knew she could bleed, it wasn't like she could self heal, but she did have super strength.

As Niki continued to look at the girl she could swear she saw tears form in her eyes. With Niki being very pregnant she felt her motherly instincts kick in and she wanted to embrace the girl, and yet at the same time, knew she couldn't just embrace a complete stranger. Besides what would the girl think of Niki. A woman she doesn't know hugging her like they were family or something. Not that Niki knew how ironic that thought of hers actually was.

The girl then confirmed that she was indeed fine. "Well, so long as you are sure." Niki said brightly, still worried about the girl. She certainly did look very different in her dress and hair style, but Niki liked it. It was different and it certainly made the girl stand out, and Niki did like that. She liked people being different and this girl was certainly different.

Niki wanted to ask what she meant by 'as well as things can be' but again she felt that she was just a stranger to this girl and it wasn't any of her business. The girl then asked Niki again if she was sure she was alright. "I'm fine, honestly." Niki insisted with a warm smile. Niki shook her head, "But nothing, seriously, I'm fine, strong as an Ox me." Niki said with a slight laugh this time. And then she watched the scene unfold in front of her between the girl and one of the workers. It looked like things weren't going well for her, and Niki felt compelled to help her for some reason. Watching her carefully she saw what happened, the girl had a power which she obviously couldn't control very well.

"Why don't you come with me, I know a nice little place not far from here, and let me buy you something to eat and drink." Niki said warmly, and then held her hand out, "I'm Niki Sanders, pleased to meet you." She then stood and waited for a response from the girl, hoping that she wouldn't be too freaked out or too uncomfortable that Niki had offered to buy her something to eat and drink.

[zyoria]

If Ruby had known how tough things would be if she went into the past, she doubted that she would have done it, even if it was to save a life and herself from a depressive fate. It was tough not to scream her mothers name and hug her, to spill everything that was on her mind. It was hard to keep acting as if she had no idea who Niki was. It was taxing on her mind and emotions, that without her medication, she would be a slave to her depression. "Strong as an Ox." Ruby repeated with a faint smile spreading along her lips, how often had she heard those words before? Too much, and it brought back memories, good memories of course, which that alone helped to ground her, stop her from panicking too much. Yes, Niki was strong, her super strength meant those words were true and not just a saying like in most peoples case.

Arching an eye, wondering if she should take the offering, Ruby knew that without it, she wouldn't succeed. This meant she would kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Eat something so she didn't pass out, and keep an eye on Niki. "Alright. But there has to be someway I can repay you for it." Ruby, ever the one who payed people back for helping, whether it was buying something the next time or listening, whatever it was, as long as she could repay, otherwise it made her feel like she owed. "My name is Ruby. Ruby Sanders." Ruby held Niki's hand and shook, berating herself for mentioning her last name that she used. Having figured out to use her fathers last name on this little rescue mission, that had obviously flown out the window, and now she would have to deal with the consequences on her words. At least this could be worse and a lot more awkward. Be thankful for small favors I guess. Ruby thought with a soft breath, her fingers letting go of her mothers hand so it could rest by her side again without too much conflict.

Keeping a tight hold on her bag, not letting anyone touch it, nor letting it out of sight, Ruby's mind went into near overdrive. Thoughts, feelings, emotions, even the plans she worked so hard to figure out, all whizzed through as if she had pressed fast forward. Why can't I just say who I am? Yea, ruin the past, that is fine. But wouldn't that be easier then pretending? At least then I wouldn't have to stalk and come up with different stories. Sure she was warned about actually saying who she was, but still, Ruby felt it would save time and much hassle. "How far along are you?" Ruby indicated to Niki's stomach, changing the topic without thinking much, she was curious. She was here, and growing inside her mothers stomach, it was, odd to comprehend at times, like, now for instance.

[niki]

Niki could only smile softly as the girl repeated her statement about being strong as an ox. She nodded her head in confirmation of that fact, wondering what was going through the younger girl's mind. Niki still couldn't figure out why the girl seemed so familiar to her, surely if she was someone Niki would know the girl would just say so. However, Niki stood constantly smiling at the girl waiting on a reply to the question she had asked about taking her for food and a drink somewhere. Niki would probably have helped any young girl she felt required it, but she was definitely feeling a connection to this one.

Eventually the girl broke Niki's thoughts by answering her question, although it was with the mind she would repay Niki back. Niki began to shake her head, "No repayment required, just seeing you eating and drinking and being happy will be enough." Niki replied with another warm smile. She only hoped that it wouldn't make the younger girl feel uncomfortable, but really Niki couldn't have taken money from her, she wouldn't have felt right, besides, she wouldn't have offered to take her for something to eat and drink if she'd expected to be paid back for it.

Then the girl introduced herself after Niki had done so first, that was when all the earlier recognition of feeling the girl familiar to her suddenly hit home to Niki almost like an express train. She had the same surname as Niki, she had to be related to her somehow, but that was just it, how was she related to her. However, she didn't want to startle or scare the girl in anyway, so she just smiled and raised her eyebrow slightly. "That's funny we share the same name, or simply just co-incidental?" Niki said with a bit of a laugh afterward.

As they walked to the nice little restaurant Niki was referring to Ruby asked how far along she was. It then struck Niki that she was planning on calling one of her twins Ruby if she had girls. Again she shook the thought from her head. She smiled, "I'm just over seven months pregnant, only two months to go, thank goodness." Niki said and then laughed a little, "Not that I regret being pregnant of course, it's just not been easy, had terrible morning sickness and then my husband going what I can only describe as AWOL on me, hasn't really helped the situation." Niki went on to explain.

She wasn't sure why she was telling Ruby so much about her life and problems, but something was telling her it was fine to do so. Just then they reached the restaurant, "Ah, here we go, we're here Ruby." Niki said as she opened the door and held it open for Ruby to follow in after. It was a lovely small restaurant and Niki made her way to the back and into a booth, looking and smiling at Ruby the whole time as she did so.

[zyoria]

Unable to help herself, Ruby fidgeted, fingers twirling at the lace on her corset, tugging on the material to make it slide smoothly along her skin. "Uhm, thanks." Ruby spoke softly, a breathe coming through her light pink lips as she averted her dark eyes. Almost instantly, Ruby started scanning the streets for anything to distract her mind, though the cars driving past and people talking and walking with each other did nothing to ease the tension the young girl felt, but rather, it gave her a headache. But Niki was acting like the Niki she knew, a pang of longing for home, her parents, her brother(well half brother, but that didn't matter at all, he was still her brother in all sense of the word, no need to get technical), all hit her at once that tears sprang in her eyes. Swallowing, and focusing her eyes on a dark red car that had pulled up opposite the street, that little action managed to keep her from freaking out too much, and finding her breathing calming down more, Ruby almost sagged to the ground in total relief. Though that relief was soon replaced with nervous laughter, wondering how exactly she should respond, perhaps say it was coincidental, without telling the full truth. Ruby knew that sooner or later she would need to say something, but right now, it was far too soon, and too quickly. People had warned her of messing with time, and it would be just her luck to screw something up.

"Yea, funny." Ruby was lost in thought, not even watching where her feet took her, only following Niki as natural instinct, like a baby wolf pup following their mother. "Wow, to think I'm sev- uh, never mind. Forget I said anything." Ruby stared at the road as they kept walking towards the restaurant, wishing there was some excuse she could come up with. Pity the whole getting close to Sin and being hit with its toxin only worked in Final Fantasy X. At that moment Ruby envied Tidus. Least he had an excuse. She had nothing, unless you counted her insanity. "He left?" Ruby inquired about her father, eyes flashing. She had figured he would have helped and not gone AWOL. Sure he wasn't in her life much, things had been torn between father and daughter(the times they spent were great, mainly her and her depression that pushed), and for a moment Ruby thought it was her fault, but dismissed it soon after. Ruby was, but a child, they were the adults. She could not be blamed for her father, even when she felt it herself. "That must be hard. I'm sorry hes putting you through it." If she ever got back to the right time, so help her she would strangle her father(not really, just tough talk, which she was known for). Ruby did love her dad, but all those emotions intensified when she realized she was in her mothers stomach, and her father was nowhere to be seen. So much for that happy thought before I was born.

As Niki pulled the door open when they reached their destination, Ruby walked inside as Niki held the door open for her, looking around while feeling a comfort, like a warm blanket wrapping around her frame. "Thank you. But, I'm not exactly who I say I am. I am Ruby Sanders, don't get me wrong. I-" This was tough. "Do you believe people can travel through time?" Asking the question was random and seemed sudden, depending on her mothers answer would be the make or break truth Ruby was planning to say. Taking another deep breath, Ruby headed to the booth carefully, watching out for anyone getting in her way. Across was a couple, talking quietly, though Ruby could hear bits and pieces of their conversation. I know I'm not normal. I'm not exactly crazy either. Taking a seat opposite Niki, Ruby bit her lip, torn between her mind. Niki, future Niki, had told young Ruby she could go to her for anything, if she was worried, scared or wanted to talk. "Uhm, Niki. I have something to tell you." If she had to, she would show her photograph, the most precious picture she owned and carried it around with her, even when she was at school. It was something that had to stay with her, even if she was on the run.

[niki]

Niki could only smile as Ruby agreed it was funny they shared the same surname. However, the more Niki looked at Ruby, the more she began to wonder if there was more to this girl, than just a stranger Niki happened to bump into. Literally. She seemed familiar to Niki from the moment she first saw her, and the more they walked and talked, the more familiar she became. Niki thought it might have passed, but so far it hadn't. Niki was now trying to rack her brain to think who it was the girl looked like, and although all these faces went swimming around her head, not one of them said, 'it's me' to Niki. She eventually shook her head, brushing the idea away, it was ludicrous, the girl was a stranger, she must be.

Not long after Niki had told Ruby how many months pregnant she was, Ruby began to say something and then stalled. Niki wondered what she had been going to say, and so wanted to ask her, and yet, thinking it wasn't right to ask her. Ruby told her to forget she said anything, and so Niki just smiled warmly. "I was going to ask what you were going to say, but since you've told me to forget it, then I will." Niki couldn't help but think that it was a little strange, but then Niki had seen and done a lot of strange things, so who was she to judge?

"Yeah, he left. He had been acting strange at the first scan and I wondered if he had been changing his mind about everything, but when I questioned him, he said he was fine." Niki explained, not even sure why she was feeling compelled to tell this stranger about her sad life. But, something was telling he she had to do this. "However, only weeks later he said he had to do something and well, he never came back." Niki suddenly felt very sad. Not because she was missing Brennan as such, she had got over that months ago, no, she was sad, because she knew her twins were going to be born into this world without a father in their life. Not only was Micah's father gone, the twins' father would be gone as well.

"It's not really that hard, I've got used to the idea of not having him around now, but it was hard at the time. Micah's father wasn't around much for him either. I'm sure I'll cope. I thought moving on with Brennan was the right thing to do at the time, but now when I think back to the photograph of D.L. which fell from the wall, I think it was a sign telling me Brennan was a mistake. I didn't listen to the sign. Maybe someone else will come along into my life, who knows?" Niki said softly, giving Ruby a sad but friendly smile.

Once they were inside the restaurant and Niki had got them a table toward the back, Ruby began to talk again, and what she was saying caught Niki's attention. So, who was she, if she wasn't exactly who she said she was. She explained further, so Niki decided to listen to everything she said before making any assumptions. Niki leaned in so when she spoke it would be quiet. "Do I believe in time travel? Honey I've seen so much weird stuff, you'd have no idea what I believe in. I've got super strength myself." Niki said with a raised eyebrow, "So, what ever it is you have to tell me, you might as well just say it." Niki hoped it hadn't sounded rude or angry, because it wasn't meant to sound like that, she just wanted Ruby to know that she could tell Niki anything.

[zyoria]

Ruby had once thought of her father as some sort of, hero. There for his family, but what she was hearing, it shattered that initial illusion, even though they were not the best of friends. "Maybe he was doing something to keep you and the babies safe. Making sure no one comes after you guys." Maybe he died. Who knows? The past can change easily, rapidly, me being here could have altered everything off course. Perhaps, maybe, Ruby would not know until it hit her in the face, and even then. It could be hard to determine, or easy, really it depended on the situation and what was going on. "It's probably for the best, he may not be the right one for you." Ruby added, glad that even though things weren't turning out so great, even their relationship, at least Niki would get a daughter out of this. Least Ruby didn't screw up her own being born and created thing. "You are strong, you'll be fine." Apart from finding out her daughter is crazy and terrified on the inside with no way out, fearing to live onwards, Niki hadn't actually pushed her daughter away, but was there. Niki really was a strong woman.

Fidgeting on her seat again, squirming as if the spotlight was upon her, cheeks reddening with sudden heat that barely made a pink tinge on her porcelain skin, Ruby took a calming breathe, hoping that would help, but increased her nerves. Every time she was nervous, or scared or even with stronger emotions, Ruby would lose control of her ice power, and it came on like clockwork. A thin layer of ice running along her arm, cooling her skin rapidly as it began to encase her, sort of like a protective shell. "You do have super strength. Which is why that 'strong as an ox' saying really does apply to you." Her breathe came in wisps from the chill, the temperature around her was dimming downwards. Keeping her hands away from Niki, in case she launched her cryokinesis towards her mother and hit her with the ice, well, that would be a very bad starting to the conversation. It wasn't like she wanted to hurt anyone, it sometimes, just happened. Still unable to fully grasp her power, one reason her Aunt Tracy had kept a close eye, knowing what the young teen was going through since they both had the same ability.

"I have cryokinesis." Stating the obvious as she waved her hand in the air, skin shimmering with cold ice, glinting as the light caught it in just the right places. "What I said before, I'm seven months old, here in this time line. A friend of mine, they brought me into the past so I could alter it, and change our future." It was painful to think about her twin, alive now in Niki's stomach, growing, but dead in her own. Dead, gone, Ruby didn't even know her twin and it was still incredibly hard. "I'm your daughter." Ruby stated, holding her breathe and making sure her fingers were free of ice before digging into her bag, pulling open the front to find the photo she always carried with her. Waving away the waiter that was coming closer, Ruby wanted a few more seconds before anyone else intruded. The photo, of Niki, Ruby and Micah, taken when Ruby was a few years younger than she was now. Handing it over to show Niki, hoping that she wouldn't think she was a stalker or someone insane, Ruby shut her bag with a snap, the photo lying upon the table. "I know it sounds like I'm crazy, or lying." Ruby bit her lip, adrenaline racing in her body as she thought about the worst outcome possible.

[niki]

Niki nodded her head numbly when Ruby said maybe Brennan was just looking out for her and the twins, making sure they were safe. Maybe. But there had been no reason for him to do such a thing. Nobody had been after them, or caused any trouble. They had come back from the scan and then nothing. He just left. Niki had never really thought about before, but she did begin to wonder if someone had killed Brennan. Maybe it would have been easier to take the fact he disappeared if she could believe that. But no police had ever came to her door. Maybe Brennan's disappearance, would always be a mystery to her. "Maybe Ruby, maybe he was doing something to protect us, but I guess I might never know, and maybe it's best I don't know." Niki responded as truthfully as she could, after all, if Brennan had been killed, would she really have wanted to know about it? "As for not being the one for me, I thought he was, but everybody can make mistakes. But you're right, I am strong and I will get through this, like I get through everything."

Niki laughed then, when Ruby mentioned about her super strength and how the saying 'strong as an ox' really suited her. It was true, it was almost as if that saying had been invented just for Niki. "Yes, it does suit me. Maybe it was made for me?" She was kidding of course, and laughed lightly after it. Niki then watched as Ruby's arm began to shimmer under the light of the cafe. She placed her hand above it, and felt the coolness from the girl's skin. So, she had an ability also. Which wasn't too much of a shock, since she had asked Niki if she believed in time travel, to which Niki had said she'd seen so much strange stuff, she believed anything. Ruby then went on to say she had cryokinesis, which from memory, and the obvious ice forming on Ruby's arm was the ability to manipulate and control ice.

Ruby then went on to say she was seven months in this time line, altering the past to fix the future, and then she said those words which shocked Niki. She was her daughter. Well that explained the reason why she was looking so familiar to Niki, she was looking at more or less a younger version of herself. She didn't say anything, nor did she try to deny the fact that she was indeed her daughter from the future. As Niki had said earlier, she had seen plenty of weird things, so she believed this. Ruby then gave her a photograph and placed it on the table. Niki picked it up gently, and there she could see a photo of herself, with Micah and a slightly younger Ruby.

"It doesn't sound crazy at all. I believe you. I thought there was something familiar about you. But this is so cool." Niki said with a slight laugh, although she then went back to what Ruby had said about changing the past for their future. What was it, that Ruby felt she had to come back to the past to fix. What was so wrong with their future. "What was so wrong, that you had to come back?" Niki asked with fear in her eyes. She had heard of people coming back to the past from their future to fix things, but it was usually to fix something very wrong in the future, so naturally Niki was very upset and worried now. What could have been so wrong?

[zyoria]

"Sometimes, its best not to know." The young girl knew that all too well, sometimes, in certain situations, knowing could hurt worse, and collapse everything you built. As for her mothers words of being able to get through it, there was not doubt in the girls mind that she could. Her mother was strong and had gotten through far worse than those simple things, Ruby admired that about her mother. Taking things in stride, Ruby had wondered how she had done that, when she herself, had so much trouble. Though, Ruby was young and had more to learn, to be able to do those things now, it wouldn't be as fun as learning on the way as she grew older. Tough as it was, that was the way things worked, working hard at your skills and it would pay off. "At least, he left one very special gift." Her vocal tones were soft when she spoke, talking about the twins growing inside of Niki, that really was a special gift, the gift of life. He wasn't around anymore, but that was okay. Ruby knew that, it was from her future life too, so it wasn't anything new.

"Ah perhaps it was." Ruby smiled, eyes lighting up at the joke, easily knowing what it was, and chuckling away, almost feeling at ease and feeling much better though it wasn't going to last. With her, there was no such luck. The ice upon her skin was cool, nearly covering her whole body in a thin film of ice, the familiar feeling of her ability, it was almost as if she was back at home, showing how she was able to control it better thanks to her aunt. Wrinkling her nose, Niki was silent for a moment, but the girl was busy trying to figure out what she was smelling. Its scent was delicious, and forgetting about the whole ice thing, losing out to her hunger, Ruby glanced around, sniffing the air again. Ice cracked like glass, thin strips along her arms and neck, with a slight sound escaping into the air, not many would hear unless they were at the table, Ruby closed her eyes and willed the ice to stop moving, it began disappearing like spiders silk, yet it would do no good for others to see and potentially freak out. That would be on the bad end of the whole scale.

Arching one eye in surprise, Ruby was shocked that present-day Niki would believe her so quickly, it was quite amazing, though Ruby had, if she admitted, set her mind up so that if Niki didn't believe her, than she wouldn't be too hurt by that. "You believe me? That quickly?" Ruby had to double check, part of her own strange personality. "The future, is fine. No bombs go off, no apocalypses. Just my own, mission you could say." Ruby didn't know whether she should tell Niki that one twin would not survive, that something would happen. "Please, just tell me you will be careful?" Ruby whispered, scared of her own actions and their consequences. "I have to save someone that, didn't get their chance at much life. And to save myself." Ruby began chewing on her bottom lip, it would be much easier to blurt out everything, because then success would be nearly guaranteed. Yet there was the sensible part that told her to hold on for a bit longer, and when the time was right to say something. Yet Ruby wondered, if Niki would be able to know from her rather cryptic words.

[niki]

Niki nodded her head in agreement when Ruby said that it was sometimes best not to know. It was indeed. Whatever the deal was with Brennan suddenly no longer being in her life, she was strong and she'd get over it. She had Trent, alright, so they weren't a couple, but he was a good friend, since she'd started sitting for his two baby girls, but she had been having growing feelings for him for a few days now. However, she knew she wouldn't act on them, because she wasn't sure of Trent's feelings, and Niki wasn't about to embarrass herself.

When Ruby commented that Brennan had left her with a very special gift, Niki's hand went straight to her stomach and she let it rest there, smiling at Ruby. "Yes, he did." She had really fallen in love with Brennan, but she had fallen hard and quick, in many ways she thought that was maybe the problem. Everything had happened between them way too quickly. She remembered reading that article about love at first sight by Brendan Harris, well maybe it had worked for him, but it was pretty obvious given that she was alone, it hadn't worked for her.

When Ruby commented that the saying 'strong as an ox' maybe was made for Niki, she just smiled brightly at the younger girl. Looking at her eyes, Niki could tell she was teasing right back, which was good. It made Niki connect to Ruby, and she had no idea why, but she was about to find out, even though, she didn't see it coming.

Niki nodded her head slowly, "I believe you, I've met two Peter Petrelli's, one from this time and one from the future, so trust me, I believe you." Niki gave her a bright smile then, but lessened it as she began to wonder what it was about the past Ruby felt she had to change. Ruby then quickly confirmed there was no bombs going off, no apocalypse, just her own mission. Niki then began to wonder what that mission was.

Ruby's cryptic clues made Niki raise her eyebrow wondering what she could possibly mean by what she was saying. Her own mission, saving someone and saving herself at the same time. She couldn't be referring to the unborn twins inside her just now, could she? But then Ruby added that she was just to be careful. Niki gave her an unsure smile, "I'll do my best, but Ruby if you know something, maybe it's best to just tell me?" Niki said in a soft voice, this was her daughter she was speaking to after all, her daughter who at this moment, was still growing inside her.