1980 (#18) - The rapprochement of Nikki to Paul and the New World Communion

In the meantime, the consequences of recent events falls on Greg and Nikki's marriage. The man, remembering the warnings given to Nikki about her job and the dangerousness of that environment, is unable to forgive his wife for what happened to Liz, who is slowly recovering after the operation on her femur. Snapper, more than Stuart, is furious about what Nikki did and he's also angry at Greg for being able to marry someone as bad as her. Greg tries to defend his wife by playing on her immaturity, but in the end he realizes that he is not currently in a position to take her defense, being angry with her himself. It's natural, therefore, that the couple is going through a bad moment in their relationship, with Nikki recovered from the accident but feeling guilty for the attack and also disappointed by Greg's attitude of not taking a stand in her defense, now that everyone in the family sees her as the only real problem. It's in this mood that Nikki casually meets up with Paul. The two of them remember the old days and talk openly about the latest developments in their lives. Nikki tells about the mess she got into with the story of her job at the fashion agency, and Paul tells her about, although vaguely, the end of the love-story with April and the venereal disease. Paul also admits to Nikki, that he also felt the same way she feels, that it's without a goal or purpose in life, but that he has now been able to open his eyes and find fulfilment. He then confesses to Nikki that he has entered the New World Communion, an association whose purpose is to open ourselves up to the truth and to prepare us for life's only true purpose, which is to return to the stars. Nikki is completely skeptical of Paul's words, but in the end the girl's naivety, in addition to Paul's oratory qualities and the influence that Paul has over her as her first love, convince her to try to go to one of their sessions. Soon Nikki becomes a regular follower of the New World Communion, which turns out to be nothing more than a sect.