Niki Sanders

Nicole Sanders
Portrayed By	Ali Larter
Gender	Female
Date of Birth	August 24th, 1974
Age	34
Zodiac Sign	Virgo
Aliases	Niki, Jessica, Gina
Place of Birth	Beverly Hills, CA, USA
Current Location	New York City, NY, USA
Occupation	Jack's Personal Assistant/Valet; Mom
Known Relatives	Hal Sanders (father), Kelly Sullivan (mother), Jessica Sanders (sister; deceased), Micah Sanders (son), Monica Dawson (cousin-in-law once removed); Tracy Strauss (identical sister), Cam Reynolds (foster son), AND MORE.
Significant Other	D.L. Hawkins
Known Abilities	Superhuman Strength
First Appearance	Genesis

Internet Stripper with a Heart. Niki has been many things — dedicated mother and wife, casino worker, webcam model, stripper, and oh, she has superhuman strength and a badass alter-ego that ripped people limb from limb to get what she wanted. Now, living in New York City, her two personalities have come together.

History

(Click to display history.)

Born in 1974, Nicole Sanders grew up in a household that was not the perfect family every little girl envisions. She was born in Los Angeles, California and had a younger sister, Jessica. It was Nevada that the Sanderses made their permanent home, however. Niki and Jessica's father Hal was a wealthy stockholder - theoretically, they could have been given everything they wanted, but it never quite seemed that way.

The abusive nature of her father should have been obvious. He frequently took out his alcoholic rages on his daughters, but Jessica - even at such a young age - would take the brunt of it so that Niki wouldn't have to bear witness to the worst abuse. The sisters were very close, rarely apart; Niki looked up to her sister, who seemed, to her, so much more gifted and articulate than she was.

One day, something irrevocable happened. Their father's abusive personality (and drunkenness) was at its height - and although every single beating was a step far too far, this time it went above and beyond. Furious with Jessica for some reason that could never be justified enough, she was choked to death. To say it was an accident would be treading a thin line. Although Niki saw it happen, or at the very least saw the after-effects enough to logically ascertain what had happened, even as young as she was, logic wasn't at work. She blocked the horrific event from her memory, along with all the others; it wasn't possible, it didn't happen. It was too awful. When Hal abandoned Niki after Jessica's death (which was never blamed on him), she just assumed he ran out on them, a letdown like always. She would see him very little in the years to follow.

Niki grew up tumultuously, her life very nearly spinning out of control a few times. She became somewhat of a party girl, struggling with alcohol addiction. When the pressures of real life became too much to bear, she'd try to escape them - for example, running away to L.A. and telling everyone her name was Gina one year. But when she met D.L. Hawkins and they fell madly in love - just kids, really - and got married, she gradually matured. She still had issues with alcohol, but D.L. was always by her side. They had a son together, Micah, who became her world - the boy-genius-to-be triggered the responsibility she always had in her, the strength of a mother. In 2005, she became sober for good.

It was about a year later when Niki's life really started to go haywire in ways that she couldn't explain, let alone control. For one, D.L. was blamed for robbing Mr. Linderman of two million dollars and killing his crew. With her husband suddenly disappearing from she and Micah's life because he was a convict, she had to find a way to support her family. She'd had sundry jobs in the past - casino worker, stripper - but at those involved being out of the house, distant from Micah. She worked as a webcam model on her own site, just barely paying the bills. It was during this time of struggle that she started seeing a different reflection in the mirror. Someone who looked like her, but somehow, was not Niki: it was someone much more wicked.

When thugs sent by Linderman came by to collect the money she had borrowed to pay Micah's tuition and tried to be violent with her, the blacking out began. When she awoke, she was surrounded by the gruesomely mutilated bodies of Linderman's men. Her bloody reflection indicated that she keep quiet. And what else was she supposed to do?

The blackouts continued. Every time, she'd wake up somewhere else with no recollection of how she got there or what she - or rather, her other self, if indeed that's what it was - had done. She followed the directions left for her, took a mysteriously-appearing Cadillac, and buried bodies in the desert. What had she done? The violent rollercoaster ride to follow was because of Jessica, her violent alter ego, capable of tearing people limb from limb.

After returning from a casino one night where she (and Jessica) spent an evening with Nathan Petrelli, Niki came home to police officers, looking for D.L. She soon reunited with him - away from the eyes of the police - and although she still wasn't sure what to believe about her wanted husband, they tried to reconcile. It was shortly thereafter that she found out who stole Linderman's money and killed those men: Jessica, not D.L. at all.

Jessica took over and went on the hunt for D.L., who was on the run with Micah, fearing for his safety. When Niki eventually took control again, she turned herself in for murder. Imprisoned at the Women's Correctional Facility and potentially facing the death penalty, she was eventually placed in a padded cell. Luckily (depending on one's point of view; certainly not Niki's), arrangements were made via Linderman to have her sent home and the dire charges dismissed - in exchange for Jessica becoming his assassin. With this new freedom from prison, Jessica took over and posed as Niki, leaving Niki trapped.

During this time, Micah was abducted by Linderman and his people in order to further one of their plans, an act that would put several events into motion. Niki pleaded with Jessica for her to help rescue Micah with D.L.; she conceded, and they went to the Corinthian to find Linderman (and thus Micah, presumably, but it wasn't quite that smooth). Meeting Linderman there left Jessica tempted with an astronomical amount of money if she would kill D.L. - money meant security, but that wasn't what /Niki/ wanted. The encounter brought Niki to the forefront again and left Linderman dead at the hands of D.L, who took a bullet to save her.

Rescuing Micah from Candice provided a surprise by the way of Niki coming into her own power - Jessica wasn't the only one with superhuman strength, it turned out. They weren't the only ones on a mission that night; they encountered various others who were in the fight to save the world. After it was over (and the world saved!) and D.L. was recovering from his injuries, Niki encountered Bob, who had a proposition.

The Company's pills provided a way to put a damper on Jessica to ensure she didn't emerge again. It was hope, a cure. Her life should have been as idyllic as it could be - she was back with her family, Jessica was gone, everything was normal again (even though they were anything but, each of them with unusual abilities). It should have been that way… but the medication was not without its side effects. Finding herself so depressed that she could barely smile at Micah without it being a forced effort, she could only cope patiently for so long.

It was while pouring the pills down the drain that D.L. caught her in the act, so to speak. She explained herself to him: she couldn't stand being depressed 24/7. She couldn't even get a job in that state. How was she supposed to be a good mother? Niki wasn't without a plan. Though it would hurt her to leave her family, she knew she had to go to the Company's hospital in New York to get proper treatment for what had been dubbed as Multiple Personality Disorder (or DID).

Her husband insisted on going with her and seeing it through; Niki countered that he needed to take care of Micah here in Las Vegas, and that there was no point in disrupting his schooling. She'd be back, after all, and everything would be okay again, she said - but she knew D.L. was making plans. She went along with them, but she felt this was something she had to do herself, especially since she was no longer under the pills' effects. It would be safer for everyone if she went alone.

So, while D.L. was at work and Micah was at school, she packed her suitcase, left notes for both of them, and set off for New York.

Abilities

(SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH: click to display.)

SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH means exactly what it sounds like: Niki has enhanced strength, far above and beyond normal human capabilities. The fact that she doesn't look obviously strong isn't a factor here; her strength lies in the evolved abilities of her muscles to generate unusually high force for their size.

Niki's body is capable of extreme feats of greater than normal physical force, such as ripping open a secured steel safe, lifting grown men twice (or thrice, or quadruple) her size up with ease - and ripping them asunder, even completely in half. Her throws and punches can easily send objects - or people - flying at least ten feet. She can break objects that seem "unbreakable" to others (handcuffs, prison guard baton).

Doors are a non-issue, unless they're very thick and reinforced - thus, her strength is not without its limitations. For example, Jessica could not break out of her prison cell using her superhuman strength. Niki isn't currently aware of what her limitations truly are - can she move a whole vehicle? The answer: probably, considering she can toss around other heavy objects with as much effort as a normal person would use carrying something of a light or average weight.

Niki also has the ability to RESIST FORCES using her superhuman strength, meaning that she can resist the forces she exerts. In this way, she doesn't injure herself when wielding her power.

Known Personalities

(Click to show.)

Jessica

"What do you know about control, Niki?"

Violent. Manipulative. Intense. Can we say violent again? Jessica will do whatever it takes to protect the mother/son unit and get what's done, done. It's one thing to say you'll stop at nothing for the people you love. When you're Jessica, and that means tearing people apart, stealing millions of dollars, and becoming an assassin? So be it.

For the longest time, Jessica was the only one capable of accessing their enhanced strength. Since Niki came into her own at Kirby Plaza the night of the explosion in the sky, Jessica wasn't seen until she appeared in the mirror in Trading Sanity, then later emerged in The Heist, marking her return. She appeared several more times since then, seeming to have some sort of tenuous connection to the Company. After trapping Niki in order to play out a grand plan, she really turned things upside-down in May, including killing Peter (don't worry, he came back), getting Niki fired from her job, and robbing a Vegas casino for millions, during which D.L. was killed. Since the events in Vegas, Niki seems to have taken control… mostly.

Last Appearance: Repeat Offenders

Gina

"Oh come on, Niki. What, would you rather Jessica? Lighten up a little. When did you get so boring?"

The escapist. The newest personality to unexpectedly emerge, Gina was the name Niki took one year when she ran off to L.A., and this personality embodies the same sentiments. Unlike Jessica, who exists to face challenges head-on, Gina runs away from Niki's problems and being an irresponsible party girl.

While Niki was trying to get to the Company hospital in New York, Gina delayed the process considerably by causing detours of the drug-and-alcohol heavy variety until she was paralyzed by Angie.

Last Appearance: Room Service

Timeline

2007 & 2008

Quotes

Niki: "Sometimes I look in the mirror… and I'm not sure it's me that I'm seeing." - Don't Look Back

Niki: "God, please help me."
Jessica: "Who needs God when you've got me?" - Godsend

Jessica: "Didn't I throw you out a window?" - Landslide

Gina: "Oh come on, Niki. What, would you rather Jessica? Lighten up a little. When did you get so boring?" - Directions

Niki: "All I know is, I owe them. Just like I always owe someone." - One Big Happy Family

Niki: "You'd be scared too if everything you know kept getting ripped apart." - Let Me Help You

Niki: "I should've just quit when I realized I could be putting everyone in danger just by pretending to be normal." - Take Two In Apologies

Peter: "But it might— still help. Sometimes all that's needed— is someone to believe in you."
Niki: "How are you the one that looks guilty? People who believe in me have a bad habit of dying." - Could Believe

Nathan: "So what do I do now?"
Niki: "You hold on." - God Helps Those

Mohinder: "Niki.. I didn't think past wanting to keep you from getting hurt. I thought about your welfare and Micah's. If that was the wrong thing, then so be it. It wasn't making a decision for you. I'm sorry. I did what I thought was right."
Niki: "Maybe you should rethink what you think is right." - Broken Moral Compasses

Niki: "Normal is getting up in the morning and not wondering if my son is gonna be taken away from me because I'm a monster. Normal is not having to worry about … a trail of bodies. I don't … expect to be perfect, Mohinder. No one is. This is my last resort. If it works, then… it's the best shot at normal that I have." - The Best Shot at Normal

Mohinder: "You're not a monster Niki. You're a woman with an extraordinary ability who finds herself in less than ideal circumstances."
Niki: "That's fancy talk for 'out of control'." - The Best Shot at Normal

Niki: "Sounds like my destiny consists of taking my clothes off forever." - Had to Get Out

Niki: "Remember, now that I know you again, I won't forget you." - to Cam, Good Luck

Niki: "Getting tired of needing help. I'm done with it. It's my turn." - Everything Changes

Niki: "I'm not that girl anymore. I don't need to be saved." - No Saviours, No Prisoners

Niki: "He doesn't need saving. You call yourself parents?! Come on, Cam. You're too special for these freaks." - The Devil You Think You Know

Hiro: "Las Vegas Niki!"
Niki: (pulls Hiro by the tie) "Shhh!!"
Hiro: (glurp!) _{"Las Vegas Niki."} - Hero Villain Spy

Hiro: "You are a good person, Las Vegas Niki … thank you for helping."
Niki: Don't thank me yet."
Hiro: "Why no— "(Niki punches him in the face) - Hero Villain Spy

Niki: "There are so many things I'm supposed to do, and so many people trying to help, but I'm alone, Peter. You disappeared and I'm alone." - Stolen Time

Future Peter: "You were the one strong enough to hold me back, strong enough to stop me. Strong enough to help me pick up the pieces and hold myself together. Without you— who you are— who you'll become— I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be able to come back to try and fix things."
Niki: "You made me stronger." - Stolen Time

Future Peter: "Are you okay?"
Niki: "Am I ever?" - Every Second Counts

Niki: (to Logan) "You don't … actually get jet lag, do you?" - Consider It Done

Niki: (posing as Jessica to Cass) "Been awhile, boss." - The Price of Playing Pinehearst

Niki: "… But there is always something terrible hiding behind something pretty. There's always a price." - Thou Aren't God

Niki: "You're already incredible, Micah. You have the rest of your life to be even more incredible. Right now… can't you just settle for not worrying your mom to death?" - Can I Be a Ninja?

Niki: "Speaking of school, did you finish your homework before deciding you wanted to become a ninja?" - Can I Be a Ninja?

Niki: "You know you're already my hero, right? You'll be even more my hero if you do your laundry!" - Can I Be a Ninja?

Niki: "My life is the most boring it's been in a long time and … honestly? I couldn't ask for anything more. Boring job or not… it's perfect." - Girls Night In

Niki: (to Cass) "Maybe … it might feel good to use your Almost Doctor skills. Don't tell anyone but I'm lucky if I manage to put a band-aid on straight." - Brainz Over Brawn

Niki: (about being body switched) "It took like days to get back to normal and lemme tell you— so awkward I wanted to die. TMI central. I never want to be a guy again."
Cass: "I imagine the whole peeing standing up thing is awkward and strange."
Niki: "I don't want to talk about it." - Heartbeats

Niki: "Hit anyone at this school again. I dare you. We won't let you. So if you're good, and don't tell anyone about our little chat, I won't have to go have a talk with your parents." - Pants on the Ground

Niki: "Bullies aren't used to being bullied." - Pants on the Ground

Niki: "If anyone asks how I did it, you can just … tell 'em I do pilates." - Pants on the Ground

Micah: "Mom, I can handle myself. No matter what you think, I can. I know I can. I'm capable."
Niki: "I know you can. That's what worries me." - Pants on the Ground

Niki "Sometimes, baby, you have to put your dreams on hold for a little while. Like … until you graduate high school." - The Incredibles

Soundtrack

Music

Trivia

• Niki's online username when she ran lasvegasniki.com was XXXNikki4u. Even though it's not active anymore, it's still up.
• Jessica has a tattoo of the Symbol on her right shoulderblade. Niki doesn't.
• Niki is on The List.
• According to a court record, Nicole Sanders has had felony complaints brought against her for robbery, homicide, and grand theft auto.
• Items of Interest: photographs of the most recently uncovered Isaac Mendez paintings, marked with a stamp from the Linderman Group.
• On February 27th, 2007, Niki was taken out of Company holding by D.L. (For Better or Worse). Exactly one year later, on February 27th, 2008, after being taken into Company holding for a second time, she was released by Noah.
• The address of the apartment Niki used to keep in New York separate from her family home is 259 West Broadway, NY, NY (AKA "Jessica's" Apartment). Now she's staying in the Deveaux Building.
• Future Peter left Niki one of his bracelets.

Misc.

(Playing Cards Birthday Explanation: Two of Spades)

Twos are considerate, cooperative, receptive, and agreeable. They go out of their way to lead a balanced, peaceful, and harmonious life. If expressed negatively, they may be dependent, indecisive, overly subjective, and lacking in willpower.

Theoretical, clever, humanitarian. They are hard-working people with strong wills. Spades are the suit of experience. They can be very concerned with power. Positively, they express self-discipline and the ability to apply themselves. Negatively, they may be too focused on the process and lose sight of the need for higher meaning.

(Personology)

August 24: The Day of Astute Examinations.

Those born on this day have the urge to untangle mysteries that capture them. Unraveling complexity is something that comes to August 24 people. But those born on this day may be difficult to pin down or understand, as they are themselves lost. Unfortunately, people born on this day sometimes fail to realize that they are as complex as the life around them, they generally see themselves as simple and direct. Their family members may often feel at a loss to fathom their motivations, true emotions and needs. Yet, when accused of obfuscation, complicating an issue or evading questions, August 24 people react with bewilderment.
In order to uncover the truth (whatever that truth may be) August 24 people will not only look inside themselves, but literally dig into the earth, peer into the woods, search the skies etc. They desire to understand all around them and to simplify their life. People on this date can be good parents, as they show great interest in the development of their children. However, they must be careful to give their offspring space for privacy. As such, they must curb their tendency to overanalyzing their children's behavior.
August 24 people would do well to simplify their own lives and avoid the overcomplexities that they not only discover, but sometimes create.

Meerkatted
Art by Mikhail

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