Part 1

It took him seven years to work up the courage to ask her. It had been seven years since he met her, when he was a married man. And only a few months after their meeting, he was single once again. His wife and unborn child were gone, lost to the man they still were unable to capture. They had made some success and they saved dozens of lives, but he was still not in captivity.

The only good thing in the past few years was her. The loss of his family had been rough and she had been there for him. Through all of his darker moments, his headaches and his frustration – she had been there. She was there when he pushed everyone away. She stood still and silent when he tried to push her. It was her thoughts of hope for the present and the future that finally brought him out of his misery. He hadn't let go, he could never let go, but she had convinced him to live in the present instead of staying in the past.

As time passed, things became better. Slowly the headaches started to lessen and he began to gain control of his power. The people around him, the people like him, showed him how to keep control. He could now turn it on and off and headaches were rare, if ever. The people he met in New York became more to him then his other friends had been in his past life. These people became his family that he could relate to and comfort when they were in need and always expect comfort in return.

So it was no surprise to him that they were willing to help him when he was ready to finally ask her out. The first person he told was Niki or rather Jessica and it wasn't his own choice. Niki knew something was wrong with him, and Jessica got the answer out of him.

"What's wrong?" Niki asked as she stood next to him. They were standing on top of Charles Devoux's penthouse roof, overlooking the view of the city. The penthouse had become an unofficial headquarters thanks to Simone. At first, they used Issac's place. But they had more people that visited them, asking Mohinder for advice on how to control their abnormalities. None of them wanted to stay however. They still had their lives and jobs which were more then any of them could say. They were the outcasts who left everything and started a new life dedicated to saving the world.

"Nothing's wrong," he replied nonchalantly still gazing down at the people and cars on the street below.

"Something's up Matt. Tell me, please," she said with concern. She cared about all of them but sometimes she mothered Matt more than the others. Excluding Micah of course; he was 18 and Niki still treated him like he was 11.

"I'm fine Niki," Matt said. He didn't really feel like discussing the situation with her. Of course she would have some advice but Matt was stubborn. He wanted to prove that he could ask her out by himself and not with anyone else's help.

"No, you're not," she said. Matt looked into her gray blue eyes and saw a flicker in it that gave him the chills. A normal person would not have noticed it, but Matt knew it all too well. He also knew that Niki could control it now, and that scared him even more.

"Tell me," she said. It wasn't a suggestion; it was a command.

"Jessica, please don't," Matt sighed. He still had the scar from his first encounter with Jessica, seven years ago. Jessica didn't listen to his plea though. She put her arm on his shoulder. It wasn't a violet act, but Jessica was controlled by Niki now and her actions were less violent.

"Matt," she said in a firm and deadly voice, "If you don't tell me why you've been so preoccupied this past week I will throw you off this building." Matt knew she wasn't bluffing.

"Fine," he said, finally giving in. "I want to…I want to ask," he said stuttering on his words.

"You want to ask what?" Jessica, the deadly gleam in her eyes was still there.

"I want to ask Audrey out," he said practically choking out the words.

"Ok," she said brightly. The gaze was gone and Niki was back.

"So how do I ask her out?" Matt asked anxiously.

"Well, first we might want to work on the stuttering," Niki said and Matt smiled.

Matt wanted this to be the best date Audrey had ever been on. Thanks to Niki's help, asking her hadn't been as bad as he thought it would be. That was easy compared to the daunting task of preparing a wonderful date. At first Matt had thought they would go out. But that wasn't as special as if he made dinner for her at home. Also, being at home would mean being close to people like Niki, Hiro and Peter, all of whom were willing to help.

Matt pondered on where they would have their date as they sat through one of their weekly meetings. Being organized was important to Mohinder so every week they gathered to discuss things like new developments in their powers or Sylar sightings in the news. Today they sat in Issac's apartment because their usual meeting place was being renovated. They were installing all kinds of suspicious things but luckily, their contractor was willing to do it in exchange for help on his newfound power to freeze things.

Matt looked at all the people that sat in the chairs surrounding him. He had only known them for 7 years, but he knew them better then they knew themselves. They were all close and they fought like family. Considering some of them like Niki, DL, Micah and Peter, Nathan, and Claire were family. Claire, Peter and Nathan were an interesting case though. Nathan was Claire's father but she called him Nathan and Peter was her uncle, but she called just called him Peter. Claire and Peter had a strong bond, stronger than probably anyone Matt knew. They were best friends who always together and never separated. Matt was still thinking of their connection when Issac tapped him on the shoulder.

"What?" Matt said looking up.

"I've got something to show you," Issac said smiling. Matt knew that when Issac smiled, it usually had something to do with the future. However, when he frowned, it also meant a future painting. Matt was just glad he wasn't frowning.

"Ok," Matt got up and followed Issac away from the rest of the group towards a painting covered with a white sheet. Issac lifted up the sheet and Matt gazed at the picture on the easel. It was Audrey and him, sitting at a table in the candlelight. Behind them was a beautiful view of Manhattan and Matt recognized the shrubbery and plants around the ground. They were Claire's plants and it was Peter's apartment. Peter offered to be her roommate when she first moved to the city. It was years later and Claire hadn't moved out simply because she enjoyed being with Peter.

"This is Peter's apartment. Or the outside of it anyway," Matt said.

"Yeah, did you ask him if you could use if for your date?" Issac asked. Matt shook his head.

"Then maybe it's good that I showed you this painting." He said. Matt gazed at the painting for a bit longer until Mohinder called them back into the room to begin their meeting.

They sat in a semi circle around whoever was speaking which happened to be Mohinder right now. Next to Mohinder were Micah, then DL, Niki, Nathan, Claude, Peter, Claire, Hiro, Ando, Simone, and then Issac's seat next to her. Matt was surprised to see Claude there, but he was sure he would slip out halfway through the meeting. Peter would be the only one who would see him and Peter probably wouldn't care. He was usually the one speaking. He became the unofficial leader of the group, the only one who could truly understand what each of them was going through since he experienced it himself. Ando and Simone liked to view the meetings even though they didn't have powers. Audrey usually came too, but this weekend she was visiting her mother who still lived in California.

Matt sat down in the empty chair between Claire and Hiro. He wanted to ask Peter but Mohinder was talking and Peter was paying attention. Matt knew he couldn't get his attention by calling his name so he tried a different tactic.

Peter! Peter turned to look at Matt, knowing immediately that he was the one who said it.

What? He replied, his gaze returning to Mohinder.

I need your help.

With what? We should listen to what Mohinder's saying. Peter's tone was slightly annoyed at these words.

Can I use your apartment for next Saturday?

For what? Why would you need to use my apartment?

Well, more specifically I need to use your balcony.

And again I ask, for what?

Well, I asked Audrey out-

Really?

Don't act so surprised.

I'm sorry; I just never thought you'd get the courage to do it.

Yeah, well Niki helped me.

Of course. Peter smirked and Matt glared at him.

Anyway, Issac drew this painting of our date and it was on your balcony. So can I borrow it for the night?

I'm glad you think I actually have a social life but I'm not really doing anything on Saturday night.

Could you maybe find something to do?

Claire wanted to go to this new movie, I guess I could go with her.

Perfect. So can I use it?

Yeah, as long as you don't use the bedroom. Matt blushed and Peter grinned. Claire noticed the two men sitting next to her weren't paying attention. She sighed, knowing they were having another telepathic conversation.

Men are bad enough. Super powered men are worse.

"Hey!" both Matt and Peter said out loud at the same time. Everyone turned to stare at them. Matt and Peter both blushed, quite embarrassed at the revelation that they hadn't been paying attention and Claire laughed.