Howie came home from a long day of rehearsal. Nikki was sitting on the couch watching soap operas.

"I don't understand how you can watch that junk," he said as he sat down next to her.

"Shh!" Nikki said as she lifted up her hand. "Eric just got into a train accident. I wanna see if he makes it out alive."

Howie chuckled and rolled his eyes. "I'm going to grab a snack," he said as he went into the kitchen. He fixed himself a small salad then rejoined Nikki on the couch. The show had just ended when he sat down.

"Okay the show's over. Hi honey," Nikki said then kissed Howie.

Howie laughed and kissed her back. "You're funny."

"I know," Nikki replied with a smug grin. "So how was your day?" she asked as she picked out a cucumber from Howie's bowl.

"It was rough. AJ kept messing up every single dance move. The poor guy is all upset about Amanda."

"Amanda?"

"Yeah they got into a huge fight the other night. He's been staying at his mom's since then."

"Oh wow. I didn't know that. I wonder why Amanda hasn't told me anything about it."

"I dunno, but AJ's all worried about her. He said it was like she had a nervous breakdown."

Nikki gasped. "Oh gosh that's horrible. I hope she's okay."

"Yeah I know, me too. Not just for Amanda's sake but for AJ and the baby as well."

Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get that," Nikki said s she got up to answer it. Outside the door stood AJ. His face looked pale and sad. "Hey AJ, come on in. How are you doing? I just heard."

"I'm doing all right I guess," he said sadly.

"Things will get better," Nikki replied then hugged him.

"Thanks," he replied softly.

"Hey Bone. What's up?" Howie asked as he walked over to them.

"Not much. I just thought I'd drop by. I needed to get out for a while."

"Any word from Amanda?" he asked.

AJ shook his head. "I've called, but she won't talk to me. I don't know what I should do."

Nikki gave AJ a sympathetic look. "Do you want me to try to talk to her? Maybe that would help."

"I. . .I dunno," AJ replied softly.

Nikki sighed and led AJ to the couch. "Sit down, you're shaking. Howie could you go get him a cup of coffee?"

"Yeah, sure," Howie replied as he went into the kitchen.

AJ sighed and placed his hands over his face. "I feel completely lost. I honestly don't know what's going on with her. It's like she's falling away from me."

Nikki drew in a breath and stood up. "All right that's it. Amanda's really made me mad now. I'm going over there and I'm gonna find out what's going on."

"Nikki no--," AJ protested.

"AJ I don't want to hear it. I'm going over there and that's final."

"All right fine."

"Good, I'll be back later. And don't worry things will be fine," she told AJ sincerely then gave him a hug.

"Thanks," he replied.

Just then Howie came back into the living room with AJ's coffee.

"I'm going to go talk to Amanda. I'll be back later. You stay here with AJ."

"Okay, be careful babe," he said then kissed her.

"I will," she said, then left.