Niki Sanders

 

Niki Sanders
Promotional photo for Heroes of Niki Sanders
First appearance	"Genesis"
Portrayed by	Ali Larter
Information
Ability	Superhuman strength[1]
Real name	Nicole "Niki" Sanders
Aliases	Jessica
Occupation	Former stripper, hired assassin (alternate personality)
Spouse	D.L. Hawkins (husband, deceased)
Parents	Hal Sanders (father) unnamed mother Paulette Hawkins (mother-in-law)
Children	Micah Sanders (son)
Siblings	Jessica Sanders (sister; deceased)

Niki Sanders is a fictional character portrayed by Ali Larter in the television series Heroes. She is the wife of D.L. Hawkins and mother of Micah Sanders. Niki has exhibited superhuman strength, though Niki's alter ego, Jessica, uses this much more often than Niki does.

Tim Kring stated that he originally created Niki with the power to be in two places at once, which stems from her life as a single mother.^[2] Niki was also originally written to be a showgirl. However, Ali Larter did not have the proper physique to portray a showgirl, so the character's profession was changed to internet stripper.^[3]

Character history

Early years and six months ago

Niki grew up with a wealthy father named Hal Sanders. An abusive alcoholic, Hal would often beat Niki and her sister, Jessica, during his drunken rages. Eventually, Hal choked Jessica to death and abandoned his remaining daughter. As an adult, Niki had no memory of her father's actions and simply believed he ran out on her. At some point in her life, Niki herself became an alcoholic and a problem gambler, but she managed to overcome her problems. On her first anniversary of sobriety (April 24, 2006), Niki attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. There, she was reunited with her father, Hal, who wanted to make amends. Niki introduced Hal to her husband, D.L., and her son, Micah. Hal gave the boy a computer, but when he became angry at his grandson for taking the expensive gift apart, Niki demanded that he leave. After her father's departure, Niki's personality was replaced by Jessica's, and she went to confront him. Jessica told her father that she remembers everything he did to her, including his responsibility in "[her] death," even though Niki doesn't remember any of it. After assaulting him, she forced the check Hal gave Niki into his mouth and ordered him never to contact her again.^[4]

Single mother

As of October 2006, Niki resides in Las Vegas, Nevada and struggling to raise her ten-year-old son, Micah. She has been working as an internet stripper to pay the bills. Her husband, D.L. Hawkins, is in prison, accused of stealing two million dollars from a sports booker and murdering his own gang.

To help pay for Micah's tuition at a very expensive school that Niki believed would encourage his gifts, Niki borrowed money from Mr. Linderman, a mobster who her husband used to be employed by.

Not having enough money to continue paying tuition or repay the loan, she withdraws Micah from the school.^[5] The two go on the run, as they attempt to elude thugs and police that Linderman sends after her. As Niki attempts to deal with her predicament, she occasionally leaves Micah with her friend Tina. Niki finishes the payments to Linderman after she is the bait in a Badger game with congressional candidate Nathan Petrelli, producing blackmail material Linderman can use against Petrelli later.^[6]

During times of stress, Niki begins seeing her reflection in mirrors and other reflective surfaces moving differently than herself, leading her to be concerned about her sanity. After Linderman sends two thugs to her house to collect the money she owed him, an altercation occurs, with Niki apparently blacking out after being hit by one of the thugs. When Niki recovers consciousness some time later, she is shocked to find the two thugs dead and horribly mutilated.^[7] Niki has other blackout spells over the following days, one time losing four hours, always with no recollection of what has transpired. Niki eventually realizes that she possesses a split personality, the other being far more sinister and amoral than her usual self, and which possesses superhuman strength.

Return of D.L.

Niki is reunited with her husband D.L. for a time. He had escaped from jail to return home and clear his name, maintaining that he was framed. Later, Niki's alter-ego reveals that she was the one who stole the money, killed D.L.'s crew, and framed him, planning to use the money to give her son a better life and keep him out of D.L.'s influence. After a short but violent fight, in which D.L. reveals the phasing powers that he had used to escape from jail, Niki is defeated and lies unmoving on the floor while D.L. takes Micah away.^[8]

The next day, Niki recovers from her injuries and confides in her friend Tina about her dreams and her alternate personality. When she calls Nathan for assistance, he simply pretends he does not know who she is. Jessica then resurfaces and tells Tina that Niki will no longer need Tina's help. That night Jessica answers a telephone call from Micah. She persuades Micah, who knows that she is not his mother, to tell her where he and D.L. are staying.^[9] Soon after that, Jessica purchases a sniper rifle, and goes in search of D.L. and Micah. When she finally finds them, she takes aim at D.L. from a hidden location across the street and attempts to kill him.^[10] Her first shot hits D.L. in the shoulder, but he phases through the one meant for his head and then successfully escapes with Micah by the time she reaches their car. After a short chase through the woods, during which Niki fights Jessica for dominance, Jessica attempts to kill D.L. again. She inadvertently throws Micah against some rocks when he tries to restrain her, which allows Niki to regain control. She apologizes to D.L. and Micah and explains to them her problem. Niki reveals that Jessica is stronger than she is, and that as a result, she can't be trusted. Concerned that Jessica will eventually take over and put her family in danger, Niki turns herself in to the police and requests that they arrest her for murder.

Imprisonment

Two weeks later, Niki is in prison, awaiting trial. She is returned to her cell after being in solitary confinement. The prison staff is very cautious, as Jessica injured one of the guards during an attempted escape. During a meeting with the public defender assigned to her case, Niki is informed that the prosecution seeks the death penalty. Her lawyer asks Niki about the two million dollars, but she feigns ignorance. A rowdy Jessica then emerges to state that Niki is lying. Soon, Jessica recommends the lawyer bring in a "shrink" to analyze her apparent multiple personality disorder; Niki insists she's not crazy. Later, a meeting with D.L. and Micah indicates that D.L. gave Linderman back the two million dollars. D.L. regrets the whole situation, but Niki believes that it's for the best. She states that she still thinks of Jessica as a completely separate person and not an alter ego. Micah is very distressed by the whole situation and Niki asks the guard for permission to hug him. The guard denies her request, but Niki asks persistently, advancing on the guard as she does so. When the guard attempts to strike her with his nightstick, Niki grabs it and breaks it in half with her bare hands. She appears to be surprised after she does so, as there was no clear indication that the superhuman strength came from Jessica. A now straitjacketed Niki is sedated and placed in a room with padded walls.

In "The Fix," Niki awakes to find the straitjacket removed, the drugs wearing off, and a female psychologist, Dr. Witherson, looking at her. Niki insists that while the straitjacket is useless, the drugs make Jessica weak. The psychologist isn't interested in sedating Niki further, and believes she can help Niki. Niki is visited by D.L., who used his powers to enter her room and proposes breaking her out. D.L. states that he is having trouble raising Micah alone, but Niki is still resigned to her fate.

After Niki gives him a bit of advice, D.L. leaves. Later, the psychologist comes back and Niki agrees to talk to her. The psychologist insists on talking to Jessica. Niki is opposed at first, but the thought of being able to see Micah and D.L. again eventually leads her to give it a chance. Niki reminisces about her sister Jessica's piano playing abilities due to the metronome that the psychologist is using to bring Jessica out. Jessica eventually comes out and threatens the psychologist. As the psychologist reaches for the taser she brought with her, Jessica breaks the restaints, grabs it and proceeds to attack her repeatedly with the taser. Some time later, Niki wakes up to the prison guards bursting into the ruined room. As they pick Niki up, the psychologist's twitching body is seen on the floor (it is not indicated whether she is alive or dead), and Niki mutters "I told her not to bring her out." Later, while in her padded cell, a man walks into her cell and tells her to get dressed. When asked for an explanation, he tells Niki that a death row inmate has admitted to the killings for which she was being held and that DNA evidence verifies the inmate's story. He also says that all of the charges against Niki have been dropped; she is free to go. She realizes the man is one of Linderman's agents. She asks what she'll owe for this and he replies, "Don't worry about tomorrow's problems today." Once home, Micah is clearly ecstatic to have his mother home and asks her to play a game with him. Appearing to be his mother, Jessica replies that she would enjoy that, and Niki is shown to be hitting a mirror, begging for release. Jessica merely looks at Niki and replies, "You were the one who wanted to be locked up, Niki."

Working for Linderman

In "Run!," Jessica has covered up the RNA-like tattoo which hints at her existence and is attempting to fool D.L. and Micah. Jessica is now Linderman's new assassin, and it is revealed that she arranged to be released from prison. On Linderman's orders, Jessica kills Aron Malsky by literally tearing him into two halves, and her next target is Nathan Petrelli. Also of note is that when Niki and Jessica are fighting for dominance when Jessica is about to kill Malsky, Matt Parkman is able to hear them both, a fact which surprises Jessica. Another thing that seems to surprise Jessica is when while passing down the stairs she keeps looking in the mirrors to talk to Niki, but as she gets to one, Niki isn't there. She is instead outside the mirror on the stairs. A brief look of surprise crosses Jessica's face before they argue. As they argue, Jessica falters when Niki says, "This is my life."

Niki's return

Niki manages to "escape" a few times. She puts the photo of Nathan Petrelli on D.L.'s pillow, which causes D.L. to question Jessica, who is still pretending to be Niki. Jessica lies and tells him that Linderman called to ask her to be a "dealer" at the casino. Jessica kisses D.L. and assures him that it is nothing more. He leaves the room but is still suspicious.

Jessica murders the two FBI agents, who are working with Nathan to take down Linderman. Later, Niki confronts Nathan in his room and confesses everything to him. She then advises Nathan to either take his family and run or to accept Linderman's offer. Nathan refuses, so Niki suggests that he kill Linderman instead. She gives Nathan a gun, which Jessica had intended to use on him. She tells Nathan that she does not have much time and begs him to knock her out so that Jessica can see that she is not in control anymore. Nathan complies.

Micah leaves

In ".07%", Linderman asks if he can borrow Micah for a few hours, given that he let the debt slide and he saved her from the gas chamber. Jessica coldly informs him that Micah stays out of all their affairs, and leaves. Linderman, however, sends Candice Wilmer to impersonate Niki/Jessica and give Micah permission to go with Linderman.

In "The Hard Part", Jessica and DL argue about their son Micah's whereabouts, and DL blames Jessica for his disappearance. He leaves, intending to rescue Micah without help. Niki pleads with Jessica to assist him, saying that he will die without her help.

DL and Jessica phase through walls and into Linderman's office. They find detailed files on their whole family, including Micah. DL is angered to find that they had been used. The pair attempt to determine Micah's whereabouts, and find a painting of Micah in what appears to be a burning New York City.

Confronting Linderman

D.L. and Jessica make it to New York, where they work with Matt Parkman and Mr. Bennet to find Linderman. When D.L. and Jessica find him, Linderman offers Jessica $20 million to kill D.L. Jessica says that she would but Niki wouldn't ever do so. Jessica frees Niki and she hugs D.L. happily, unaware that Linderman is about to shoot her. D.L. takes the bullet for her and kills Linderman by putting his fist through Linderman's brain. Niki confronts Candice Wilmer, who impersonates Jessica to take Niki down. However, once the real Jessica informs Niki that who she is fighting isn't her, Niki uses her new superhuman strength to knock out Candice. As Niki later leaves the building with D.L., Molly, Mohinder, and Micah, she discovers Sylar and Peter in a showdown. When Sylar summons a parking meter with his telekinesis and strikes Peter down, Niki disarms him and slams his torso with the weapon. Peter, now capable of using Niki's super-strength, tells her to go back to her family. She does so, and then watches with D.L., Micah, and Molly Walker as Nathan flies Peter into the stratosphere to safely explode.

Kindred

It is revealed that Niki and Micah are leaving Las Vegas, but not before visiting D.L. Hawkins' grave. Niki leaves Micah with Nana Dawson for an unspecified reason. It is later revealed that she has gone to The Company in order to get a cure for an unspecified condition. A promise of service is extracted as payment.

Alternate future

Note - The following information reveals an alternate reality in which Hiro could not stop the bomb.

In the graphic novel "Walls, Part 1", it is revealed that sometime after the explosion, she was placed in a metahuman prison and put under maximum security until Peter Petrelli and Hiro Nakamura rescued every prisoner, including herself. She is also shown to have taken complete control over her body. Sometime after being freed in "Five Years Gone" it is revealed that her son and husband have been killed, Micah by the explosion and D.L. by Sylar. Because of this, Jessica has simply disappeared. Niki is involved in a relationship with Peter Petrelli and works as a barroom stripper under the stage name of "Jessica". She is often emotional and in pain, which only grows when she discovers that Peter caused the explosion and not Sylar, as she originally thought.

Powers and abilities

Niki has the power of superhuman strength, allowing her to pull out the door of a safe box with her bare hands,^[11] throw her husband several feet across a small area with a single hit, break away from restraining cuffs that are "strong enough to hold down an elephant", and literally tear her opponents apart. She also displays signs of increased physical durability, being able to endure a blow from a shovel in "Fallout", only to stand back up again relatively unharmed. For most of the first season, Niki is unable to use, or unaware of, this power. Instead, it is used by her alter-ego, Jessica. In "How to Stop an Exploding Man", Niki is able to fully use her super-strength after some encouragement from Jessica.

Jessica is an apparent "alter" personality of Niki's, named after Niki's late sister. At the start of the series, Jessica surfaces during times of great stress,^[12] but surfaces with increasing ease as the series moves on. When Jessica surfaces, the transformation is instantaneous and almost unnoticeable, but is made apparent by Niki's sudden violent and strong-willed behavior. Jessica also freely demonstrates the superhuman strength Niki has only recently unlocked. She also gains a peculiar tattoo resembling an RNA helix on her right shoulder, a symbol which has appeared often throughout the Heroes series.

Jessica seems to have been aware that she is sharing Niki's body for longer than Niki realizes, leaving notes, gifts, and instructions for Niki, and telling a thug not to "threaten our son." The side of her personality known as "Jessica" has at least been a part of Niki since her sister Jessica's death, since she remembers the event while Niki herself does not. She was also the dominant personality during the various beatings Niki's father gave her while drunk. For many years, when Niki reasserted control of her body, she could not remember anything that happened while Jessica was dominant, feeling as if she had blacked out. Niki becomes aware of Jessica with the aid of reflective surfaces such as mirrors, and begins communicating with her. Jessica's ability to surface seems to increase over time, as Jessica is able to actively surface more often and more easily than she does in early episodes. The blackout effect on Niki also seems to lessen over time; the two personalities often directly fight each other for control and seem aware of what is said even when they are not active.

Jessica's murders

Since the beginning of the series, Jessica has taken over and slaughtered people to protect Niki. Jessica has killed at least eleven people as of "Parasite". The following is a list of her victims:

Victim(s)	Episode/ Graphic Novel	Notes
Three of D.L.'s gang members	"Stolen Time"	The three men were initially helping Jessica steal the $2 million from Linderman, but they threatened her, so she killed them.
Two of Linderman's thugs	"Genesis"	They broke into Niki's house and waited for her return. Niki buried their bodies in the desert where D.L.'s gang members were.
Three of Linderman's mobsters	"Better Halves"	They had information for D.L. regarding who killed his crew.
Aron Malsky	"Run!"	Upon retrieving the $2 million from D.L. that Jessica stole, he kept it for himself, and Linderman had Jessica kill him.
FBI agents Quesada and Alonzo	"Parasite"	They were working with Nathan to take down Linderman.

References

Heroes
Main characters	Claire Bennet · Noah Bennet · Monica Dawson · Simone Deveaux · Elle · D. L. Hawkins · Maya Herrera · Takezo Kensei · Ando Masahashi · Isaac Mendez · Hiro Nakamura · Matt Parkman · Nathan Petrelli · Peter Petrelli · Micah Sanders · Niki Sanders · Mohinder Suresh · Sylar
Other characters	Claude · Hana Gitelman · The Haitian · Alejandro Herrera · Daniel Linderman · Eden McCain · Angela Petrelli · Ted Sprague · Candice Wilmer
Fictional universe	9th Wonders! · Artwork of Isaac Mendez · The Company · Primatech
Production	Episode list · Heroes: Origins · Heroes Evolutions · Heroes Unmasked · Graphic novels · Cast · Crew · Tim Kring

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