When she was a small child, gardenias were her favorite flower. She loved the heady smell when they were in bloom. They were a small delicate looking flower that was somewhat difficult to grow, due to the fact that the plant originated in the more tropical areas. Her mother loved them as well, and they always had fresh bouquets in almost every room in the house. Her mother was even known to wear them in her hair when she was dressing up and going out. Her mother was a beautiful woman. Her long black hair, usually tied up in some fashion. Niki loved when her hair was down, the way the light caught it, it was sometimes almost blue. She had emerald green eyes. She was small, standing at 4 foot 11 inches. But she was mighty, and many a man feared her, for good reason. She wasn't afraid of anything. 

Niki and Kevin__Kelly were just teenagers, at 15 and 19 years old respectively when their mother died from a broken heart. losing their father had destroyed her.  Niki had worked with the mortician to make sure gardenia's filled every open spot of the viewing room, her mother would have loved that. As she slipped her mother's wedding ring from her finger, she placed a sprig of gardenias in her mother's hands. Kevin and she had had one relative show up, a cousin, she couldn't even remember his name, that had been the last time she had seen him. He was older than she and Kevin, so, he hadn't been interested in a couple of kids. Not to say they didn't try hanging out with him, but, he always left them behind. 

Now Niki had lost Kevin. He had chosen end things his own way, instead of being hunted down. He had left her a box of cash, and then just ate a bullet. She had been devastated. For all of his faults, he had been the perfect brother. He protected her when she needed it, and teased her when she didn't need it. He was always there, through the worst times of her life, and the best. She truly wasn't sure what she was going to do with herself now. She decided to move to Philadelphia to join an old friend she had met years ago, @Javier and his right hand @King_Revan . She at least had some breathing room now to figure out what to do next. 

As she sat in her room, silent sobbing and cursing to a God that would take away the only constant in her life, there was a loud knock on the door. She ignored it, and the knocking got louder. "Shit, are they hunting me now?" she thought to herself. She grabbed her glock as the knocking got louder and louder. She walked over to the door and peeked out. There was a man who looked vaguely familiar. But not someone should could place right away." What do you want,?" she shouted through the door. "Niki, it's me, @Danny__Greene open the door!"Her mind raced.. who the hell was Danny__Greene? 

Niki!!! Open the fucking door now!! It's Danny, your cousin!  

Niki's brown eyes opened wide in amazement.. her cousin Danny? It had been close to 20 years since she had seen him. What the fuck did he want now? He hadn't bothered to write, or call in all of these years, why now?? She honestly didn't think she had the energy to deal with him. Kevin's death had taken it's toll, and she was exhausted to the bone. She seriously just wanted to be alone. 

Go away Danny! I don't want to see you right now!! 

Niki, I mean it! Open the Goddamn door!! 

He couldn't be serious.. really? She didn't have the energy to deal with his bullshit. Hell, she didn't even really know him. His father was her mother's brother, Anthony. He was a banker in Chicago, or, he was, she hadn't heard from him in years, and she was fine with that. He hadn't bothered to show up at her mother's funeral. He was still angry with her for her marriage to their father. With glock in hand, Niki opened the door and as Danny stepped through the door, she leveled the gun at his chest.

I told you, I don't want to see you right now. 

Well, he said, as he gently pushed her hand down, too bad.  I'm here, and you are going to be a good little hostess and make me coffee. 

She was fuming mad as she walked to the kitchen to put on a pot of water for coffee. He would get one cup and she'd send him on his way. He had no right to barge into her life now, after all of these years. She had enough to deal with. She didn't want to get caught up in family drama. Especially since he just dropped in to her life. She wanted him gone.

As she came back to the living room, she was a bit calmer, she poured him a cup of coffee. I don't have cream or sugar, so, you'll have to drink it black. I really just need for you to drink it and tell my why you are here. 

Danny kind of knew that this was the reception he would get.  He hadn't always made the best decisions.  Neither had his old man.  And he had paid for both.

Danny always knew the importance of family, he just didn't always know how to show it.  He married young and married wrong.  She had kept him away from most of the things he knew were important, but he just couldn't get away from her.  

His dad was another story.  He was a stubborn Irishman that rose up the ranks in a local bank in Chicago.  He got in with a group of Chicago mobsters.  Got in over his head.  He wanted to be part of that life, but couldn't let go of the security of the banking life.  So he kind of played both sides of the fence.  Laundered the money for mobsters, lied to the board of trustees at the bank.  As the years went on it got harder and harder to "hide" the money that these people brought to him.  Evidently at some point he started to skim some off the top without it going thru the bank.  That's where the trouble started.  It cost him his life.  And the life of his daughter-in-law.

Those people were ruthless.  They got to Anthony and thought that they could get to Danny.  Taking his father stung devastated him.  Taking his wife made him want to get revenge.  He bargained with the killers of his family.  Did some hits for them, came up with a huge amount of money for them.....and then he was allowed to disappear.

And that's what brought him to Detroit......and then Philly.  He fell back on what he knew all along.  Find the only family he had left.  He made it to Detroit a week late.  His cousin Kevin had met a similar fate to his father and wife.  

He asked around about Kevin's sister.  He was told she moved to Philly with some old friends.  Detroit...…..Philly...…..what's the difference?  Its not Chicago.   And that's what brought him to knocking on MissNiki's door.

Black is fine Niki.  Whatever you have is fine.  

Danny bowed his head and wondered where to start......he broke down and humbled himself, knowing that Niki would eventually come around and remember they were family.

I'm sorry Niki.  I'm sorry for my dad.  I'm sorry for the last 20 years.  I'm sorry for the not being around.  I'm....I'm just sorry.  You are all i have now.  I'm too late to make things right with Kevin.  I hope its not too late to make things right with you.  

Danny paused and took a moment to smell the fresh aroma of the coffee.

I'll do whatever i need to.  Will you forgive me?

In the moment, it felt like her heart exploded into a million piece. Niki crumbled to the floor. Everything that had happened in the past couple of weeks had finally caught up with her. She finally opened up the dam and let it all out. She sobbed and her body shuddered visibly. He stood nervously by the door as she sobbed and sobbed for about ten minutes. Finally, she looked up at him, snot running down her face, and red swollen eyes.

How am I supposed to forgive you? You only show up at the very worst times of my life. Then, you leave, as quickly as you came. I don't know Danny, I just don't know. 

He was quiet as he helped her off the floor. He never knew what to say when a woman cried, so, he said nothing. Maybe it made him seem more of an asshole, he didn't know. He just couldn't handle a woman crying, it hit every tender part of his soul. Perhaps it's because when his mother cried so much over the way his father treated her, when he tried to comfort her, she brushed him off. Perhaps it was because when a woman cried, she was baring her soul. He didn't know why it affected him the way it did. 

Niki looked at Danny, not knowing what else to say, so, she went to the closet and got some spare sheets and a pillow and efficiently made a bed up on the couch for him. She poured herself a shot of whiskey and downed it. Then she silently left the room and went to bed. 

Danny wasn't sure if he felt better or not.  He was pretty optimistic about Niki eventually coming around.  She had good upbringing in terms of taking care of family.  He had a heart of gold.

He was just grateful that he was under the same roof as family.  He went to the couch and smiled.  It was just a couch, but MissNiki had made it up in a way that it was inviting and warm.  He poured himself a generous drink of whiskey that Niki had  left out.  (She knows his vices)  He downed the drink in one swig and made his way to the couch to try and get refreshed for the new day in the morning.  If he knew his family correctly, Niki would be up bright and early to do one of two things : kick his ass out on the street or start teaching him the ropes of Philly and her operation.  

Either way, Danny was going to make the most of the cards he will be dealt.  He knew that it was his doings that got him in this predicament to start with.

She tossed and turned for a couple of hours, then fell into a fitful sleep. She dreamed of her mother and father, and of Kevin. She dreamed of their old house, and all of them sitting around the table. She almost could smell the gardenias in her sleep. Finally, they all faded away in her dream, and all that was left, was the smell of gardenias, at which point, she fell into a deep slumber, the kind of sleep that emotional catharsis brings. When she finally awoke, the sun was streaming in the window. She glanced her clock. Holy Crap! It was 10:30 am! She jumped up quickly and dressed. When she walked to the living room to call Javier and apologize for being late, she noticed the blankets and pillow neatly fold up on one end of the couch. Danny was nowhere to be found. As she walked to the kitchen, she found a note with a donut from the corner bakery.

Niki,

I am headed down to talk to Javier today. He already knows you'll be in late. I'll see you at the HQ later.  Enjoy your breakfast.

Danny__Greene

Her eyebrows raised as she read the note, so, he wanted to work for Javier. This might be interesting. The donut was actually delicous and she washed it down with black coffee. She called her driver and as she waited for her her mind raced. Could he be on the up and up? It was very sweet, but, he was going to have to do more than leave a donut to sway her. 

Danny sat at the HQ for what seemed like hours and hours.  His mind wondered from thing to thing.  Maybe he should just head back to Chicago.....Nope, they wanted his head.  Maybe he should have gone somewhere else, fresh start.  Nope, he had family here. Maybe he should just take the path of his cousin Kevin...…….  

He knew he had it in him to make it in this life.  It was in his blood.  All he needed was a shot.  

His belly rumbled.  Danny wasn't sure if it was hunger or just nerves.  It was getting late so he headed out into the streets.  

Maybe a walk and fresh air would give him some clarity.  

She had spent the day in Detroit after waking up late doing some money running for the crew. As she was headed back to the HQ, she saw Danny leaving the hq.  Her heart lifted a little bit. She had half expected him to leave again, yet here he was, trying to fit into this life. 

So, Danny, you are still here? Are you planning on staying? What exactly are your plans?

She gazed at him and waited for him to answer, because she liked to have a plan, and him staying on her couch wasn't a great plan, perhaps they could get a bigger place, but, she didn't tell him that.

Danny's head wasn't in the right place.  He knew it would be tough with family that he had not been close enough to.  He shuffled by a few people in the HQ as he left, but they were all a blur.  He didn't know what he wanted anymore, he just knew he wanted out of there.  

He heard some mumbling as he left, but no way it was someone talking to him. 

Danny just kept his head down and headed to the streets of Philly.  He needed to get his head right and possibly find another place to rest his head tonight.

She stood there flabbergasted that he had ignored her. Really??? Wasn't he trying to make it up to her. The longer she stood, the madder she got, so finally, she went out the door and followed him. She followed him for blocks, and finally, watched as he made his way into the Zoo. She watched him speaking to the zoo keeper.

Only open for another hour or so bud.  Go straight to your favorite animals if you want to see them before we close.

She purchased her own ticket, and kept her distance for a while and watched as he lay down on a bench in front of the penguin exhibit. She stood watching him for a few more minutes. She walked up to him, and smirked.. HE WAS SNORING!! She took her foot and kicked at the side of his foot. He sat up looking like someone had shot him. She snickered. He sat there glaring at her. 

Why are you glaring at me? You are the one that ignored me at HQ when I was trying to talk to you about your plans. I know you don't have a key to my place, so, what were you planing on doing? Sleeping HERE?? As much as it pains me, you need a place to stay for a while, so, the couch is still there, if you want to use it. 

Danny hadn't been asleep very long and he was suddenly woken up with a kick to his foot.  

He sat up quickly and saw MissNiki standing over him.

He wanted to speak, but not a single word came to his mind.

Why are you glaring at me? You are the one that ignored me at HQ when I was trying to talk to you about your plans. I know you don't have a key to my place, so, what were you planing on doing? Sleeping HERE?? As much as it pains me, you need a place to stay for a while, so, the couch is still there, if you want to use it. 

Danny still couldn't read Niki.  She was obviously pissed, but not enough to let him sleep on a bench with the penguins.  

After offering up her couch she just turned and stomped away.

Not wanting to chance her changing her mind, Danny got up quickly and ran to catch up with her.  

I guess i'll take that couch.  How was that donut this morning?  I spent 20 minutes trying to guess what your favorite was.

Danny didn't wait for her answer.  He just put his head down and followed a few paces behind her.

As they walked, her temper softened. It was obvious, he was alone in the world as she was. The pain of Kevin was still so fresh in her mind and heart. She was afraid of forgetting him, his goofy insolence. Her heart couldn't bear another loss like his, but she was truly being mean to Danny for no reason. He couldn't help what his father had done. She couldn't hold a grudge forever. Besides, he was her family. And quite possibly the only family she had left. She slowed her pace to allow Danny to catch up with her. 

Listen, I'm sorry, I haven't been the most gracious host. It all just took me by surprise. First I lose Kevin, and then, boom, here you are. We are family, and I'm willing to try to make something work, if you are. 

He matched her step for step, but was quiet. She knew that he had heard her, and she knew that he was figuring out in his head why the sudden flip.  She was JUST SO TIRED OF BEING ALONE. She had never been alone more than a few hours. Kevin had always been a call away. They were silent on the walk back to the HQ. She knew he had some thinking to do, and honestly, so did she. 

Danny wasn't sure what to say so he figured he'd just keep his mouth shut and stay a few paces behind.  It took him 2 decades to put this wedge between him and Niki, he wouldn't be able to fix it with one apology and a donut. 

Maybe tomorrow would be better.  Till then he would just let her be.  She would let him know in her own way when things were getting better.

With his clouded mind, Danny had no idea how long it would be before they were back at MissNiki's place......if in fact that's where they were headed.

He just kept his head down and kept up with her the best he could.  Her pace was not a stroll.  She was either on a mission or she wanted to walk far enough ahead of him that they didn't have to talk.

The further she walked, the more she settled down. She wasn't ready to speak, she was just so mad, but, she wasn't mad at him. She was mad at Kevin, for leaving her. Danny coming back into her life could be a good thing, if she let it. She had to try, because it felt like they were the only lifeline each other had. Her heart hurt from knowing just how angry at Kevin she was, and she knew it would be quite some time before she felt like herself again. So, she would work, and she would try to make some kind of relationship with Danny. He was family, and she needed him more than he needed her. She made note to see if she could find a bigger apartment with 2 bedrooms. Kevin had lived in his own, but, he was always at hers pestering her, so, it made sense just to get a bigger place for a while. If Danny wanted his own place later, when he was more on his feet, he could always take that route. 

She had to swing by the HQ to drop off the cash she had picked up earlier in Detroit, Danny walked beside her in silence. She knew she had really done a number on him. She hoped not too bad.  She handed the money to @SlicRic because Javier had already gone for the day, and KingRevan was at the ice cream shop dipping out cones. 

Ric, this is my cousin Danny__Greene . He's moved here from the old country and will be staying with me and working with us.  I do hope that you'll give him plenty of jobs to do. 

Ric nodded and went back to counting cash. MissNiki had nothing else to say, so nodded at Danny, and they headed out of the HQ. They were walking up Taylor street when she finally spoke to him.

I'm pretty hungry, we could stop at the steakhouse on the way home if you'd like.. but, you are buying...