Disclaimer: First things first, I own NOTHING; all rights to Heroes and the show's characters are owned by NBC and Tim Kring. I do own original characters in this story and hope you like them. I'm only a fan who wants the show a hopefully proper way to continue this larger-than-life tale!

This is going to be a revision of the original version due to Heroes Reborn. I look forward to the miniseries but it made me think that I've been thinking too small. I am going to rewrite it to the best of my ability. I want to write something that will make me proud and to entertain my readers. Also, I have to 'recast' people due to most of the actors I used becoming irrelevant or want to use the actor for a different character.

Sorry I haven't written in a while and but I have not been inspired to do so. Also I have been working on other fan fiction projects including the series 'Pulse' (if you guys want to check it out. Feel free. Let me know what you think.)

I was glad to be one of the few to get the ball rolling on a continuation of the series and very happy the show is getting a chance to tell newer stories. Well, without anymore further delay: here is my revised version of Volume Six

•••

Heroes Volume Six: Brave New World

•••

Claire: Choices. Decisions. We make them every day and they shape our future, the outcome of it all. Sometimes we choose the wrong path... and get lost along the way. Sometimes we choose the right ones but the consequences can be too consuming for us to deal with. So we hide and pray we'll never have to face them.

•••

Claire Bennet

New York City, New York

•••

Claire sits in a dressing room, staring into a mirror. She was wearing a pale pink top and a light brown skirt, trying to look professional. The last five months had been a whirlwind: she revealed her abilities to the world and the media jumped at the chance to know everything. It was countless instances of speculation until the Company made a formal statement a month or so after the 'incident'. Claire spent those months in seclusion... until today.

"Ms Bennet?"

Claire looks up and sees her personal assistant Natalie Jenkins. Natalie was a petite woman in her early thirties with long brown hair with it pinned back who wore a blue pants suit. Claire thought she was nice but a tad uptight. All work and no play.

"How many times have I told you, Natalie. Call me Claire." Claire said playfully.

"Oh right, I'm sorry... Claire. They're ready for you." Natalie replied with a nervous twinge.

Claire looks at her reflection again than sighs and get off the chair. "Well, time to face the wolves I suppose." she said as she follows Natalie out.

Inside a studio, a journalist was talking in front of a camera. He was a trusted newsman who was the co-host of a popular news morning show and not to bad on the eyes despite his age. "Five months ago, a shocking event was witnessed in Central Park. We learned of the existence of those with special abilities. Today, we have the woman behind it all. Claire Bennet. How are you, Ms. Bennet"

Claire looked a tad nervous as she spoke. "I'm doing very well. Thank you."

"So, how long have you been... special?"

"Well, pretty much my entire life. I've had my powers for as long as I can remember." Claire tried to come off as personable and likeable as she could. Daddy's orders.

"Have there always been people with powers?"

Claire took a breath as she replied. "Well, I believe so. I can only speak for myself and certain others I am aware of."

"Are you aware of the news that there may be a kind of registration act for those with powers?"

She looked a bit taken aback by this but tried to play it off. "From what I've heard, I believe its just a rumor." No one told her about that.

"But there are reports that the UN has been debating on a Global Registration act. Do you have anything to say about that?"

"Um, I have no formal comment about that at this time." Claire was coached well enough to see that he was just trying to aggravate her.

"Well, let me ask you this, has your life changed since that moment in Central Park?"

"Um, I'd be lying if I said 'no'. But than again my life has never been what you'd call 'normal.'" Claire stops for a moment than say. "Look, five months ago... I made a choice. I did it because people like me have spent our entire lives running and hiding from those who didn't understand us or were afraid of us. I thought if I did this, that would end and we'd be better for it. " After a moment, Claire takes a deep breath. "Fair to say I didn't think it through. But I have hope that the world can embrace us and accept us because the world has changed."

"What if there are those who won't accept the fact the world has 'changed'?"

Claire gives a bit of a sly smile. "Let me just say, there are certain... individuals who are more than happy to help them see the light."

•••

New York City, New York

It is night time and a young woman is running down a street as she frantically runs away from someone. She had light brown hair at medium length and wore a pink mini dress with a floral pattern with a jean jacket over it and gray leggings. She throws things in her path as we see she is being chased by a large man. As she turns a corner into a alley, she finds herself faced by the large thug and she tries to run but the two other thugs who were chasing her caught up to her. Two of the thugs grab her and hold her up as she tries to get away. "Please, let me go." The girl pleads as she struggles in vain to get free.

"Sorry, but you know the drill. Hand over the money or you're gonna have a new opening in your pretty little face." The lead thug who had been chasing her said holding a switchblade against her left cheek. She looks completely frightened as she felt the stinging coldness of the blade against her skin.

"Hey!"

All four turn to see Peter Petrelli standing in the opening of the alley. He was dressing in all black and did not look happy at this scene.

"You got a problem, pretty boy?" the lead thugs asked as he pulls the knife away from the girl and his buddies continue to hold her up.

"Let the girl go." Peter demanded angrily. The thugs scoff at this.

"What are you gonna do if we don't?" the lead thug replied as he inches towards Peter.

Suddenly, the lead thug goes flying and crashes into a dumpster. The other thugs look up to see Gabriel Gray, the man we know as Sylar, standing on a fire escape with his hand held up. "Trust me, you boys don't want to find."

The thugs throw the girl to the floor as Gabriel jumps down and lands next to Peter. "Cutting it a little close, don't you think?" Peter slyly remarks.

"Um, you took off after these clowns before you gave me a chance to catch up." Gabriel replied "Besides, you know how much I love to make an entrance."

The two thugs confront Peter and Gabriel only to have Gabriel flick his finger at them which causes them to be thrown to the floor. "Hey, can't you see my friend and I were having a discussion?" Gabriel said annoyed.

One of the thugs, a overweight guy with a skull cap gets to his feet and pulls out his own switchblade and throws it at Gabriel only to have Gabriel hold it back with his telekinesis. He turns the knife the opposite direction and throws it back at the thug which lands in the overweight thug's leg. The thug howls in pain as Gabriel smirks and he punches him hard in the face. "Maybe that'll teach you some manners."

The second thug, a skinny looking guy with bad skin and a leather jacket, comes at Peter and tackles him to the floor. The main thug starts to come to than he grabs the girl and takes off.

"He's getting away!" Gabriel yelled at Peter.

"Go!" Peter yelled back as he tries to fight off the skinny thug.

"What about-"

"I can handle him! Go save the girl!" Peter replied, gritting his teeth.

Gabriel nods and chases after the lead thug.

Peter flips the thug over than jumps on top of the thug. He begins to viciously punch him with hard lefts and rights. The thug manages to kick off Peter and the two quickly get to their feet. The skinny thugs smugly grins. "Your friend is one of those freaks, ain't he?"

Peter just smiles as his hands spark with lightning as the skinny thugs eyes widen in horror. "Yeah well, so am I." The skinny thug tries to run but Peter fries a bolt of lightning at him which knocks the thug to the floor hard. Peter walks over to the skinny thug and checks his pulse than smiles. "You are so lucky I hit you with a low voltage."

The lead thug, whose name is Xavier is running down a different alleyway, dragging the girl with him. "Who were those guys? You know them?" He asks her bitterly as she sobs.

"No." The girl said fearfully. She didn't know what he'd do to her now. She had known Xavier from her neighborhood but he was more like a boogeyman you had to be wary of... until tonight.

Xavier turns a corner only to find Gabriel standing in his way. "I find it extremely impolite when people just leave without saying goodbye." Xavier shoves the girl to the ground and tries to run away only to have Gabriel grab him by his shirt collar and shoves him to the ground. Gabriel turns to look at the girl who is in complete shock. "Are you all right?"

The girl nods than sees Xavier pull out his switchblade as he got to his feet. "Watch out!" the girl yells but before Gabriel could react, Xavier stabs him in the chest with the switchblade. Gabriel yells in pain then glares at Xavier with the knife sticking in out in his chest. Xavier and the girl are in stunned that Gabriel isn't dead.

Gabriel glowers at the Xavier as he pulls out the switchblade from his chest. "I really don't like it when people stab me." Xavier tries to run away again but Gabriel shoves him at a wall with telekinesis. "How does it feel to be a some else's mercy?" He telekinetically picks up the switchblade and points it at Xavier's heart as Peter comes rushing into the scene.

"Gabriel, don't!" Peter yelled as the former serial killer snaps out of it. He throws the switchblade away and the thug falls to the floor, falling unconscious. Peter breathes a sigh of relief as he walks over to the girl and kneels down next her. "Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine." the girl replied. "Is he dead?"

Peter looks a back at Gabriel who responds with. "He'll live." Peter tries to touch the girl's face to see if she was injured but she fearfully back away. She has a cut near her hairline and tears stained her cheeks.

"It's okay." Peter replied calmly. Suddenly, police sirens blare through the streets. Someone from the buildings in the alley may have heard the commotion.

"We gotta go, Pete." Gabriel replied worriedly.

Peter looks at him than at the girl. "What's your name?"

"T-Tess." The girl answered.

"Okay, Tess, can you do me a favor?" Peter asked as Tess nods. "We need you to not tell the police we saved you. You promise?"

"I promise." Tess said shaking.

"All right. Let's go." Peter said as he got up.

Peter and Gabriel rush off as the police arrive and find the shaken young woman. She owed it two these strange to keep quiet because she knew Xavier would wake up and try again.

From a distance, someone in a black hoodie is watching the two leave.

•••

Peter Petrelli & Gabriel Gray

New York City, New York

•••

Peter and Gabriel walk into a diner which was completely deserted except for the one lone waitress. They both can still hear the police sirens as they sat down in a booth. On the window of the diner reads...

Chapter One: Cause and Effect

Ever since the incident in Central Park, Gabriel had moved into Peter's apartment while he and Peter had been working together to save people. By day, Peter still works at the hospital and Gabriel stays at home working on broken watches to keep his hands busy but at night they go out and help people. Some of the people they rescue were grateful while others were less than friendly with most of them calling them 'freaks or monsters' which Gabriel let roll off his back while Peter was more offended. During this time, Peter has been helping Gabriel cope with his urge to kill but it is a 'one day at a time' deal.

The waitress approaches their booth, she was in her late forties with dull blond hair and she wore a pale green waitress outfit. "What can I get you boys?"

"A water would be great" Peter said politely as Gabriel looks at the menu

"You have any pie?" Gabriel asked.

"Best in town."

"Doubt that." Gabriel said under his breath than hands her the menu. "I'll take some coffee."

"Coming right up." the waitress said as she walked off. Peter stares at him and Gabriel rolls his eyes.

"Aw, the infamous Petrelli glare." Gabriel replied. "Either you're pissed off at me or falling in love with me. I always get those confused."

Peter sighs deeply "You could've killed him."

"And if I hadn't found him, he would've killed her." Gabriel stated. "Which do you prefer?"

"This is about helping people. We don't kill." Peter said bluntly.

"I know. But I've been killing for so long, it's a hard habit to break." Gabriel replied as the waitress walks over with the coffee and the glass of water.

"Can I get you boys anything else?" The waitress asked.

"No, we're fine. Thank you." Peter said politely and the waitress leaves. "Think we're doing the right thing?"

"You're asking the wrong guy, Peter." Gabriel said as he sips his coffee.

"I mean, ever since... well you know." Peter said.

"You mean Claire outing those with abilities to the world? Yeah, we don't have to be coy about that, Peter." Gabriel replied.

"I haven't been able to talk to her since that day in Central Park. The Company has had her in seclusion ever since. Not even my mom will let me talk to her." Peter said as he pulls out a bottle of pills from his pocket and slips two pills into his mouth and drinks some water. Ever since that day, Peter has been battling with crippling insomnia with nightmares of people with abilities being hunted once again, and his night life hasn't helped.

"Still having trouble sleeping?"

"Only way I can get to sleep anymore."

"So, did you see her on TV this morning?" Gabriel asked as he looks outside as two police cars pass the diner window. "Gave that newsman a verbal tongue lashing."

"Yeah, kind of impressed me how she handled that reporter." Peter replied with a smile. "Nathan would've been proud."

"Her father's daughter. Well, depends on which father." Gabriel said as he took another sip.

Peter rolls his eyes as he states. "I just want my say. Need to know why she did it."

"Yeah, most of us do. A lot of people want to either question her or crucify her and probably take us all with her." Gabriel said. "I mean, come on. You saw how that Tess girl looked at us. The world is afraid of us. I see it clear as day."

"Yeah, well so do I" Peter retorts bluntly. "Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe people will accept us. Or it could blow up in our faces."

"Wow, that's refreshing." Gabriel retorts. "What happened to the dreamer?"

Peter remains quiet for a moment and lets out a sigh. "He woke up." He looks out the window. "I think the coast is clear."

The two walk out of the diner as the waitress cleans up their table. She sees a note on the table and opens it. It had a fifty dollar bill in it and the note read "We were never here." The woman looks out the window as she sees the two men leaving.

•••

Mohinder Suresh

Chennai, India

•••

Mohinder had just finished his class on genetic evolution and is erasing something from the board as some of his students leave. After he came home from America, Mohinder had taken his teaching job back. Things were actually going well in his life, all thanks to one person...

"Well, that was a wonderful lecture, professor."

Mohinder turns and sees his girlfriend Mira Shenoy standing at the doorway. After his return home, Mohinder became committed to Mira and the two had been seeing each other. He was going to make sure he never broke another promise to her ever again. He walks over to her and gives a kiss on the lips. "So does this mean you're happy to see me?" Mira asked coyly.

"I did see you this morning." He said as he continued to kiss her "But I am glad you're here. Tonight, dinner at my place. I've got some very special planned." Mohinder said as she grins.

"I can't wait." Mira replied. "You did say you had a surprise for me."

"Indeed I do." Mohinder replied coyly. "But you have to wait until tonight."

Mira smiles brightly. "Well, I am a patient woman. I can wait. Now I have to go. I'll see you tonight."

"Tonight."

Mira walks out of the classroom as Mohinder pulls out a ring box from his pocket and opens it. It was an engagement ring.

•••

Matt Parkman

Los Angeles, California

•••

It was late and the house was quiet. Everyone was sleeping... everyone except Matt Parkman. He was tossing and turning in his bed, unable to get to sleep. It's been like that every night since Claire revealed her abilities to the world. Matt hasn't had a decent nights sleep due to nightmares about people coming to take him away from his family. He couldn't get that thought of his head as much as he wanted to. "God. what was Claire thinking?" He thought to himself. He surrendered to trying to get any sleep and went to the living room. He turns on the TV but nothing good was on at that late an hour so he gave up. He rubs his eyes in frustration when...

"So, this is what you do with your time?"

Matt jumps back and sees a familiar face – Usutu. For the past few months, Matt had been having visions of the African seer and had gone back to painting the future once again, but not on his own free will. When he is painting, Matt loses all control over his body causing him to black out for hours at a time. He wanted to go back to work and hopefully help people again but this 'hobby' had consumed any free time he had.

"Not you again. I thought we went over this, this can't happen." Matt said as he walks past the specter into the kitchen.

"You can't deny this." Usutu stated.

"Actually I can, it's called denial and I am more than comfortable with it." Matt said without turning to look at him.

"You are a prophet."

"Oh really because the whole 'prophet' thing worked out so well for me the last time. It was nice seeing my girlfriend get shot before she got shot. That was great."

"The future is fluid. That vision was of her death. She lived for a while longer, didn't she?"

"She did... til she died." Matt said bitterly. "Just leave me alone." He goes down into the basement, trying to get away. He reaches the bottom of the stairs only to find Usutu has reached him. "God, what part of 'leave me alone' don't you understand?"

"I am not truly here, remember?" the seer replied. "I am only a vision."

"Good, go bug somebody else." Matt said turning away from Usutu

"You can't deny this."

"What are you, a broken record?" Matt said angrily. "I thought this was over."

"It is your destiny, Park-Man."

"My destiny?" Matt walks over to a lock-box and opens it. It contains art supplies including paints, canvas, sketch pads and some paintings. He pulls out one of them. "So you're saying my destiny is this? To see nothing but doom and gloom?"

The painting is of New York City only it's got barriers and walls around it as well as helicopters flying overhead. The place looks like a slum.

Matt throws the painting on the floor and turns away again. "I just don't see how me seeing the future would help anyone." He replied

"You have a duty to uphold. You have to warn people about what will happen."

"I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING!" Matt yells back spinning around.

"Matt?"

Matt looks up and sees his wife Janice standing at the top of the stairs than turns to see Usutu is gone. He realizes that he might have woken her. She had been worried about him ever since the whole Sylar incident and she saw he was on edge about the whole Claire situation. She walks downstairs as he hid the painting. "Oh god, I'm so sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No, I was already up. I heard Matty fussing and went to check on him." Janice replied. "I saw you were gone but I thought you went down to watch TV. Then I heard you yelling, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Really." Matt said but Janice was skeptical.

"All right, than. I'm going back to bed. You coming?"

"Um yeah, I'll met you there."

Janice walks upstairs and closes the door. Matt sighs and was about to leave but he stops. He turns and we see his eyes have turned white. He rushes towards the lock-box and pulls out art supplies. He place a canvas on the floor and begins to paint. He paints and we see him painting a woman's face.

•••

Claire Bennet

Syracuse, New York

•••

Claire was in airplane tarmac, waiting for the plane to be loaded. A private jet. Angela Petrelli wanted to make sure her granddaughter traveled in style. "That wasn't the case a few years ago." Claire thought as her cellphone rang. She checks the caller ID and beams brightly. She had been waiting for this person to call. "Gretchen? Thank god you called."

"So how is everyone's favorite spokeswoman doing?" Gretchen asked playfully

"I prefer the term 'spokesperson', thank you." Claire said laughing.

"Fair enough, I saw you on TV. Very nice." Gretchen replied.

"Um, thanks." Claire replied. "But to be frank, I rather have Sylar cut open my brain... again."

Gretchen laughs at this, it was good for Claire to hear Gretchen laugh. One of the many things she missed. "I'm heading to Washington DC, they want me to do some kinda of big press meeting with top media personalities and answer questions."

"Wow, more public speaking. That must be fun." Gretchen replied.

"About as fun as walking out of burning building and I would know that from personal experience. How are things at school?" Claire asked

"Okay, except that the school is catching a lot of flack for letting you enroll. A lot of parents are pulling their kids out and there have been protests. Not fun." Gretchen replied.

"I wish you were here with me. This would actually be fun... and I wouldn't be alone." Claire stated sadly.

"Isn't your dad with you?" Gretchen asked quizzically.

"No, he's been doing a lot of Company stuff lately. He told me he'd meet me in Washington but... I think he's avoiding me." Claire said with sadness in her voice.

"What makes you say that?" Gretchen asked.

"I saw his face after I did that. He didn't seem happy. I just-"

"You did the right thing, Claire." Gretchen said comfortingly.

Claire was silent for a moment. "I'm starting to wonder if that's true. I mean, Peter hasn't called, my dad's trying to make busy just to avoid talking to me and no one I've known won't associate with me. I want to believe what I'm saying to the public is true."

"Don't worry. I'm sure it will all blow over." Gretchen assured her.

Claire sighs "I hope you're right."

"Ms. Bennet," Natalie taps her on the shoulder. "The plane is ready."

"I'll be right there." Claire said. "I gotta go. Call you later."

"You'd better." Gretchen said playfully. She hangs up and Claire is left in silence. She follows Natalie to the plane and begins to get on.

•••

Gretchen Berg

Arlington University

•••

Gretchen hangs up her cellphone and sat in her new dorm waiting for her new roommate to arrive. She had a feeling Claire wouldn't return to AU. She sighs and continues to unpack her things when there is a knock at the door. She walks over to the door to reveal a petite young woman with long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and wearing a pair of glasses. She was dressed in a pink top and blue jeans and brown cowboy boots. "Oh, hi. You my new roommate?" Gretchen said brightly

"Yeah, I'm Valerie Ross." she said with a southern twang as she offers her hand which Gretchen takes.

"Gretchen Berg." Valerie smiles brightly which makes Gretchen uncomfortable. "You want any help with your bags?"

"That would be fantastic." Valerie said with a perky upbeat smile. Seemed almost fake, Gretchen thought. She helps Valerie bring her bags into the dorm.

"So, where are you from?" Gretchen asked with sheer curiosity.

"Me? Oh I'm- Um, I'm from Midland Texas." Valerie answered.

"Oh, my girlfriend is from around there." Gretchen replied.

"Girlfriend?" Valerie said with a strange look on her face which Gretchen sees. "Oh, not that I have anything against that. I'm a very open gal."

"Great. Good to know." Gretchen said with nervous laughter.

"You got any pictures of the little lady?" she asked. Gretchen reaches into her pocket and pulls out a picture of Claire. "Oh, she's pretty."

"Yeah, she is." Gretchen said proudly.

"Wait, I know her." Valerie shouted. "She's that girl who jumped off that Ferris Wheel in Central Park and popped her bones back into place!"

"Uh, yeah. That's my Claire."

"Holy crap! I saw that live. My mom screamed and totally passed out after she saw that. My dad was all unaffected which kinda creeped me out." Valerie said.

Gretchen sighs, looking for the words. "Um, how did you feel about it?"

"Me? Well, I freaked at the fact they showed some girl kill herself on national TV. Thought it was like the fall of Western Civilization." Valerie stated. "But than when she got up and popped her bones back in, I thought it was amazing."

"Well, that's good to hear." Gretchen said. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something was off about her new roommate.

•••

Peter & Angela Petrelli,

New York City

•••

Peter walks into Angela's office and sees his mother is on the phone with someone. "Okay, let me know when you get there. And talk to her, for your own sanity's sake. All right, give her my best. Good bye." She turns and sees Peter which makes her smile. She walks over to him and he gives a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you're here."

"Was that Noah?" Peter asked perplexedly.

"Yes, he's going to DC. The Company is organizing a media function so they can speak to Claire personally and he wants to be there for her." Angela replied.

"And you're okay with all that's happening?" Peter asked. "I mean, you spent your whole life trying to keep this all hidden and it took Claire moments to tear that all down."

"I was livid at first than I decided to roll with the punches." Angela said. "If this is out in the open, we might as well be calling the shots. And if it might get worse, I'll probably be the first to know."

It was normal for Peter to see his mother being so calm about the situation but he remembered how despondent she was after it all happened. Her life's work destroyed – like her life had no purpose. It just gave him a chill to see her this calm. Than again this was the woman who concealed the fact that Nathan was dead than had Matt Parkman put Nathan's memories inside Sylar's mind to have him pose as Nathan for months. Putting everyone through hell. Not much shocked him anymore.

"As long as you're okay with it, I'm happy." Peter said.

"And how are things with you and..." Angela couldn't finish the sentence.

"Ma, you can say it." Peter said to his mother. "I know you don't like me working with Gabriel."

"Sylar, Peter. He will always be Sylar." Angela spat. "I still can't understand how you can fight shoulder to shoulder with the man who killed your brother?"

"That's funny coming from the person who had him pose as Nathan for months without a problem of conscience." Peter spat back. Angela stared back at him stoically. "He's trying to change. He's trying to be a better person."

"Don't be so naïve." Angela replied coldly.

"I think we're done here." Peter said bitterly as he rushes out.

"Peter, wait!"

Peter stops his stride and turns to face her.

"You're the only son I have left and I don't want to lose you." Angela tried to be as warm as she could. "If I lose you, I'll be all alone. I don't like being alone."

"What is it do you want me to do?" Peter asked. "Throw him to the wolves? You know that the second I give up on him, he'll go back to the monster that made all our lives a complete nightmare. I can't let that happen. I won't."

After a moment of silence, Angela let out a sigh and said. "Just promise me that you'll be careful."

Peter sighs than says. "I promise."

He walks out, leaving Angela alone.

•••

Matt Parkman

Los Angeles, California

•••

Matt was still the basement and was still painting. He finishes and his eyes go back to normal and he gasps for air. "God, how long was I out?" He checks his watch. It was six in the morning. He'd been out of it for four hours. He looks over and sees he's painted at least ten paintings He turns to face one of the paintings and rears back in horror. "Oh god no."

The painting is of himself in what seemed like a passionate embrace with someone who wasn't Janice. It was a beautiful woman with striking red hair and deep blue eyes.

Matt looks like he just got kicked in the gut. "Matt?" He hears Janice upstairs and he quickly puts away the paintings and tries to clean up. As he finishes up and walks upstairs, Janice walks over to him holding little Matt in her arms, dressed for a day at the office. "Where have you been? I woke up and you weren't there. Did you fall asleep down there?"

"Um, you could say that." Matt replied as Janice hands him the baby.

"I've need to. Early meeting. Make sure Matty gets to preschool on time." Janice said.

"You have my word." Matt said with a smile on his face. She than kissed both Matts.

"Love you." She replied as she walks out the door.

"I love you too." Matt yelled back. The door slams shut. Matt looks at his son who is looking at him. "Please don't give me that look. I feel guilty enough as it is."

•••

In her car, Janice was talking on her cellphone, "Hello, Dr. Goldsmith. Yes, I'm calling about my appointment this afternoon. No, the headaches have gotten worse. I'd to reschedule... do have an opening tomorrow morning? You do, great. Thank you. Bye." Janice looks at her home and worried.

•••

Claire Bennet

Washington DC

•••

Claire sat in the stall of a restroom. They had arrived at a lecture hall where the media function was being held. She knew it was going to be a circus and she need a moment of quiet. She started to think about all the people she's hurt because of what she did. Maybe her dad was right. Maybe...

There's a knock at the stall door. Claire opens the door and Lauren Gilmore stood at the door. "Let me guess. My dad asked you to check on me?"

"You know your father. He told me he wants to talk to you before the media blitz." Lauren replied calmly.

Claire sighs and follows her out. As Lauren and Claire walk off, a man in black hoodie walks past them . He looks at Claire and glares at her.

•••

Hiro Nakumura

Tokyo, Japan

•••

Hiro sat in his apartment, looking out the window. He seems depressed as he is in his bathrobe and looks like he might have not showered in days. After what had happened to him because of his illness and losing the chance to save Charlie, he had lost some of his spunk. Also, the revelation of people with abilities forced him to stop his Dial a Hero business. He thought so many times about going back to prevent Claire from doing what she did but he realized that it would've happened either way.

There's a knock at his door. "Come in." Hiro called out. The door opens to reveal Ando who is in a suit and tie, looking very polished.

"Hiro, why aren't you dressed? The rehearsal dinner is in an hour." Ando asked.

"I'm not going." Hiro replied.

"You can't do this to your sister. She is counting on you to be there. You're going." Ando insisted. "Now get dressed."

"What's the point? I'll probably screw it up. I ruin everything I touch. Kimmy doesn't need me to keep doing it." Hiro replied sadly as he threw himself on the couch.

"You're not still upset about us having to shut down Dial a Hire. You know we had to do it so we wouldn't end up getting sued." Ando answered back as he grabs Hiro off the couch.

"It's not that, this whole thing has with Claire Bennet has made everything so difficult. They're talking about having people who have powers to register and I'm afraid they might hunt people again. It's difficult." Hiro replied with his head down.

Ando couldn't think of what to tell him. "You've been through a lot. Especially the last seven months but you are stronger than those who have tried to put you down. You deserve to have a moment of happiness and be there for Kimmy. Please, I can't do this without my best friend."

Hiro smiles at his good friend. Ando made since and he realized that it would break her heart if he was not there for her. "All right, I'll go. But I'll meet you there."

"You're not going to do anything foolish?" Ando asked nervously.

"Don't worry about me, you just worry about my sister and making her happy. Now go." Hiro said with a bright smile on his face.

Ando smiles nervously as he walks out. Hiro breathes deeply as he goes to his bedroom to change. We see a figure in the darkness who quickly disappeared.

•••

Mohinder Suresh

Chennai, India

•••

Mohinder was at his apartment, where he was in the middle of making dinner while he is on the phone with someone. "How is Molly doing?" He listened to the response as his mother came into the kitchen. "Oh, I'm sure she didn't do it on purpose. She's- she's a teenager. It's what they do. Yes, I too remember what it was like. Look, just call me when you get there and I'll let him know you're coming. I might even have good news. All right, good bye."

"Was that Ujala?" Mrs. Suresh asked.

"No, it was her guardian. She's just check in before they get on the plane." Mohinder replied as he stares at his mother who gives him a look of concern. "She's in good hands, mother. You've known that woman for months and she is more than capable of handling whatever is thrown at her."

"I suppose you're right." she said as she sees her son busily prepares dinner. "So, how are things going with Mira? You two have been practically inseparable."

"Well, actually, I want you to be the first to know." Mohinder said as he pulls out the ring box from his pocket. "I'm going to ask Mira to marry me."

Mrs Suresh squeals in delight and hugs her son. "Oh, that is wonderful."

"Well, she does have to say yes."

"I'm sure she will, Mohinder." his mother said sweetly. "I am so happy for you. I mean after all that you've gone through in the past five years... I'm happy you have found the happiness you deserve."

"Is just hope it last long. With all the talk of the outing of evolved humans has me worried that it could only get worse... for all of us."

"Son, you just need a little faith." Mrs Suresh replied. "I pray at times that your father hadn't put so much pressure on you. Maybe things would've been a little different."

He looked at his mother quizzically. "Do you blame him for what happened to me?"

"At times, I do. Yes."

"What happened to me were a result of actions that I caused. I cannot blame others when I know what's done is done." Mohinder said to her. He looks at her with sheer fear as she hugs him tightly.

•••

Claire Bennet

Washington DC

•••

Claire was pacing outside the lecture hall, she hated public speaking. She thought that if she did this, she'd be free to do what she wanted. Now she was as trapped as she was before. Part of her wanted to run as fast as her legs could carry her and never look back but she realized that no one she knew or cared about would want to help her. Not even...

"How are you doing there?"

Claire looks up and sees Noah Bennet standing a few feet away. She hadn't seen him in months because he'd been so busy with Company matters. Sure, she saw him a few times but he barely said two words to her. He warned her before she did what she did but she didn't listen to him. Not because she didn't believe him or wanted to defy him. But because she was sick of hiding from the world – now the wound was open and it was still fresh.

Claire walks over and hugged her father. "It's good to see."

"Are you nervous?" Noah asked as he pulled away.

"Are you kidding? My stomach is doing a competition cheer leading routine." Claire answered which made Noah grin.

"I know but you have to understand, you have a responsibility as spokesperson for the Company." Noah said matter of fact. "You chose this, now you have to live with it. Claire, you have to realize that your little stunt has made things a lot more difficult for us to pick up the pieces. "

Claire looked a tad annoyed. "Maybe you don't have to."

"What about the people like you, Claire? You exposed them as well, do you think you'll get a hero's welcome?" Noah asked. "You are now a pariah in their eyes. Is it any wonder why Peter hasn't called you?"

"Because you all have put me in seclusion like some porcelain doll which is the understatement of the century. You know I value his opinion more than anyone." Claire yelled.

"What about anyone who you know that has abilities? Because this has made their lives more difficult than they already were. And let's not mention the billions of regular people who hate and fear those with abilities. You've opened up a can of worms here."

"No offense but I have just bit more faith in people in spite the things I've experienced." Claire said. "I trust that people can embrace us, warts and all.

"You give them too much credit and the second you turn your back to them... they will make you wish you hadn't." Noah told his daughter.

"Excuse me?" Natalie interrupted. "They're ready to begin."

Claire continued to scowls at Noah. "Fun thing, so am I." She follows Natalie into the lecture hall. Noah lets out an exasperated sigh and follows his daughter in.

As Claire walks on stage, she sees Lauren standing at the podium as well as the faces of all the members of the media who were from all corners of the globe. Including a reporter from Al-Jazzera who was live via satellite People all over the world wanted to hear what she had to say. "Yeah, no pressure" she thought to herself as she approaches the podium while Noah sat in a chair next to her. As she looked out at the sea of faces she thought to herself that this was why she never did any public speaking at school. Sure she was on the cheerleading squad but never got on stage in front of her fellow students and teachers. She thought it was best to leave it to those on the student council.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce Claire Bennet." Lauren said as Claire stand in Lauren's position and Lauren sits next to Noah. The crowd does give her a round of applause which helps a little.

"Thank you. Distinguished members of the media, my name is Claire Bennet. For the five months, there has been a large about of speculation and theories about who or what I am. I have called this news conference to answer any questions you may have. I will answer them to the best of my ability." Claire stated. Her stomach was still in knots.

A male reporter from a liberal media outlet raises his hand. "What are your intentions? Was there a reason you revealed yourself to the public?"

"Well, there have always been people like me long before I was born. People who used their talents for the good of mankind as well as those who wish to do nothing but harm others." Claire replied.

A blonde haired woman from a conservative news outlet raises her hand. "And how are we certain which one of you is which? We can't tell with you... people."

"That is hard to say, the saying is true 'never judge a book by it's cover' but that doesn't give the public a right to perform hate crimes against their fellow man." Claire said with an annoyed tone. She couldn't believe she used the term 'you people.'

A male reporter with a British accent spoke up "What about the international response to you making yourself known? Currently there are protests taking place in Paris, Moscow, Dublin, Chennai and Mumbai not to mention the intense protests in the US."

"Um, let me- Let me just say-"

Before she could respond, Claire is struck by two bullets in the chest and knocked to the floor. Noah and Lauren get up from the seats and rush to Claire's side. Noah looks up and sees who opened fire:

It was the man in the hoodie with black fire in his hands. He was in the second floor balcony with a sniper rifle pointed at the podium. The man had dirty dark hair and had a scowl on his face. He discards his firearm and rushes off only to be caught by security. Security approaches him with guns drawn but the man extends his hand and fires a stream of black fire at them. The fire hits some of the members of the security staff as the man makes his escape.

Claire begins to comes to and heals her wounds. She sees the blood has stained her pale blue top as she holds the two bullets in her hands.

•••

Peter Petrelli & Emma Coolidge

New York City, New York

•••

Peter and Emma enter his apartment, both of them holding bags of groceries. Ever since that day in Central Park, Peter and Emma's friendship had grown. However, part of Peter hoped that it could grow into something more. "Where do you want these?" Emma asked.

Peter turns to face her. "Just set them down on the table."

Emma does so as Peter puts his bags on the counter. "It's really nice that we could spend the day together on our day off." Emma replied as Peter smiled.

"Um, yeah. It really was." Peter replied. "And to conclude our great day, I'm going to make you the best dinner you've ever had."

Emma smiles and asked. "Will Gabriel be joining us?"

Peter became a tad flustered. The one thing that was standing in the way of pursuing Emma was his new best friend Gabriel Gray who had become sort of a third wheel and would follow them when ever they would go somewhere. The fact that they got the day to themselves was because Gabriel realized Peter wanted some alone time with Emma.

"Um, no. He said he had other plans. Why do you ask?" Peter asked as he pulls out some of the ingredients he was using for dinner.

"Well, I really enjoyed it when he came with us to Coney Island. He was really nice." Emma replied with a bright smile.

"Not as nice as you may think." Peter said with his back turned away from Emma.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. The knock sounded as if the person at the door couldn't wait. Peter walks to the door and opens it. It was Gabriel and he looked troubled. "Hey, I thought you said you were going to give us some space?" Peter whispered to him.

"You need to turn on the TV... now!" Gabriel said bluntly. "It's about Claire."

The second those words left his mouth, Peter runs over to the television and turns it on. He proceeds to change the channel to CNN. "We are getting several reports about the assassination attempt on Claire Bennet. What you are seeing is footage of what took place at the media press conference held in Washington. She is doing well but under heavy guard in an undisclosed location. The gunman has not been identified and is still at large. Police officers and agents of the organization which Ms Bennet is a part of..."

Peter tried to block out the noise, he was still in shock. Granted, it hadn't been the first time Claire had been shot but the fact that she was shot on live television made him ill. It took him back to the day in Odessa when Nathan was nearly assassinated by Peter's future self. He was powerless to stop Nathan from being shot and now he was just as powerless to help Claire. He turns to face Gabriel and Emma who watch the television than look at him.

"I have to go to her." Peter simply stated.

"Than go, I'll stay and take care of Emma." Gabriel replied. Peter sighs than rushes out the door as Gabriel and Emma look on. He turns to Emma and said. "So, what's for dinner?"

Peter walks outside his apartment building and tries to hail a taxi when a limousine stops in front of him. The door opens and Angela is sitting inside. "Get in." she replied.

Peter lets out a deep breath and climbs into the limo.

•••

Gretchen Berg

Arlington University

•••

Gretchen was on her cellphone, frantic. "Hey, Claire. It's me. I know this is like the tenth time I've called but I just saw the news. Please, please call me back. I'm very worried." She sits limply on her bed.

Just than, Valerie walks in with a big smile on her face. "Oh my gosh. This place is swarming with hot guys, Gretch. I just spent the last half hour watching three shirtless guys playing Frisbee in the quad and -" she stops talking to notice Gretchen was upset and starting to cry. "Sweetie, are you okay?"

"Me? I'm fine." Gretchen said weakly.

"Could've fooled me. Spill, what happened?" Valerie insisted as she sat down next to Gretchen.

"It's Claire. She was shot." Gretchen replied sadly.

"What?" Valerie said stunned.

"She was at this news conference and some guy shot her twice with a sniper rifle." Gretchen said.

"Oh my gosh, is she okay?" Valerie asked.

"I don't know. I know she can... heal and everything but she hasn't called me to tell me she's okay." Gretchen said with tears swelling in her eyes. "I'm really scared."

Valerie than hugs tightly. "It's okay. It's gonna be okay." Gretchen continues to cry on Valerie's shoulder.

•••

Hiro Nakamura

Tokyo, Japan

•••

Hiro walks into a reception hall and finds his sister Kimiko crying on Ando's shoulder and sees the hall is completely empty. He runs over to the two of them. "What happened? Where is everyone?" Hiro asked.

"It's awful. Just terrible." Kimiko said still weeping.

"Kimmy, what is the matter?" he asked his sister. Kimiko runs out of the hall sobbing. Hiro looks at his friend. "Ando, what's going on?"

"It's- they took the use of the reception hall away from us." Ando said sadly.

"Why would they do that?" Hiro asked.

"They wouldn't say. Something about being overbooked. God, Kimmy had her heart set on having the reception here. I don't understand why they would do this." Ando asked.

A scowl forms on Hiro's face and realized why this was happening. "I know why. It's because of me." With that, Hiro teleports away before Ando could stop him.

"Hiro, wait!" Ando yelled as he disappeared.

•••

Mohinder Suresh

Chennai, India

•••

Mohinder was lighting some candles on his dinning room table as he watches the news on TV. The word of Claire's assassination attempt was the big story right now. "That poor girl doesn't deserve this." he thought to himself. All of a sudden, his cellphone rang "Hello?"

"Hey Mo, it's me. Calling to check in." A woman's voice said.

"Oh, great. How is she doing?" he asked.

"Better. Jet lag just hit her like ton of bricks though." the woman said. "We're gonna check into a hotel to let her sleep it off. No since showing at this guy's doorstep while she struggles to stay awake. We'll go see him tomorrow"

"I guess so. How are you?" Mohinder asked her.

"Me? Please, I'm no stranger to jet lag." the woman replied with a laugh.

"You know that wasn't what I meant." he replied.

"I'm fine. Really. Now I have to go. Call me tomorrow or later today. Forget what timezone I'm working with." the woman replied as there's a knock at the door. "Give Mira my best."

"All right than. Bye." he said as he opens the door. It was Mira standing at his door wearing a powder blue dress and her hair down. "Hi."

"Hey, you." she said as she walked in. "Was that-?"

"Yes, she called to check in." he replied. He leads her to the dinning area than runs back into the kitchen.

"So, why is tonight so special?" she asked playfully. "Did you manage not to burn down your kitchen?"

"Very funny." He said as we see him holding the ring in his hand. "It's much better."

•••

Matt Parkman

Los Angeles, California

•••

Matt was putting his son in his car seat after picking him up from preschool. At home, he had seen the news about Claire and wasn't surprised. "She decided to out them all, than let her be the scapegoat." he thought to himself. However another part of him felt sorry for her. He remembered the day he shot her in the Bennet home, not knowing she had an ability, and the look she had on her face was forever etched into his brain. Whoever shot her must have done this out of desperation like him but that was no excuse. But this wasn't his primary concern right now, it was to get his mind of the painting that showed him with another woman. That wouldn't stop haunting him and he'd never met this woman. He looks over at his son and smiles.

"You think I'm worrying to much about this?" he asked his son even though he knew the answer. "Don't you worry, I love your mommy and nothing or no one is going to change that."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that."

Matt looks up and sees the red haired woman from his painting. She was wearing a slinky red dress and had her hair down. She walks over to him and wraps her arms around him.

"Who are you?" he asked the woman.

"Now if I told you that would ruin the surprise." the woman said as she playfully caresses him.

"Look, I'm married and... wow, that is my- Wow." he tried to finish his sentence as she touches his face with her left hand.

"You like that, don't you?" she said with seductiveness in her voice.

"No. This is a trick. This isn't real." he said to himself.

The woman laughs at this and said. "Well let's see if this is real."

She passionately kisses him on the lips and his eyes widen in horror but he doesn't pull away. Matt proceeds to kiss her back when...

A car horn blares and Matt comes too as he realizes he's still in the parking lot. He was having the most vivid daydream about someone he's never met. "It was just a dream." He kept saying to himself as he gets into the car and drives off.

•••

Claire Bennet

Washington DC

•••

Claire sat alone in a hotel room still holding the bullets in her hands. What happened today profoundly shook her to her core. For the first time in months, she was starting to feel like maybe this wasn't the right thing to do.

At that moment, Noah walks into the room and she stares at them. "If this the part where you say "I told you so." Save your breath."

"I'll save that speech for later but... there's someone who wants to see you," Noah replied.

Claire looks at the door and sees Peter walk inside the room. Her eyes light up as she runs over to him and hugs him tightly.

"I'll leave you two to talk." Noah said as he walked out of the room.

"I heard about what happened. Are you okay?" Peter asked.

"I'm fine. Much better now that you're here." Claire said brightly. "I'm so glad your here."

Peter frowns and looks down. "Part of me can't say the same."

"What? You're not like mad at me are you?" Claire asked as Peter turns away from her.

"It's just- I wish you had talked to me before you did that." Peter replied. "Let me ask you this. What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking about everyone of us." Claire said. "I was thinking about future generations who'd still be living in the shadows because of who they are."

Peter laughs and said. "God, they really coached you, didn't they?"

"Excuse me?" Claire asked in disbelief.

"There was a reason why this was hidden." Peter replied. "Nathan tried to out us and we ended up being hunted like animals. No, I take that back. Animals got more respect than us."

"Maybe people will understand who we are and-"

"And what Claire, accept us? Try asking that to the guy who shot you. Was he accepting?" Peter asked angrily. He turns to face the window as Claire stares at him still in shock. "I'm- I'm sorry. You getting shot reminded me... It reminded me of Nathan."

Claire realizes what he's said. The day her father was shot in Odessa was a moment that would never leave her mind even if she wanted it to. All she wanted to do was get to him and be by his side. Than when she found out that her father had been dead for months and the monster who practically tormented her for as long as she could remember was posing as him was an even bigger knife to her gut.

"Peter, I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just wanted to do the right thing." Claire replied. "I made this choice and I have to live with it."

"Thing about that is that now we all have to live with it... if some of us do live through this." Peter replied. He begins to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Going to find the son of bitch that did this. Make sure he doesn't do this again." Peter replied as he slams the door as he leaves.

"Peter!" Claire yelled as he left. She saw the look on his face and knew she couldn't stop him.

•••

Peter walks over to Noah and Lauren who were talking to a young man around his age with dirty blond hair dressed in a T-Shirt and jeans. "Noah, have you found out who did this?"

"Well we didn't have many leads but-"

"No 'buts', Noah. We need to find the guy that did this." Peter replied quickly.

"Well let me finish. We didn't have many leads... until now." Noah said with a smile as he turns to look at the young man with him and Lauren. "Thanks to this young man. Peter Petrelli, I'd like you to meet Milton Smythe. He's the Company's new resident genius."

"Nice to meet you." Milton said nervously as he extends his hand for a shake. Peter takes it and his hand glows and he pulls away. "Holy crap!"

Peter is thrown off for a second than asked. "You have an ability?"

"Yeah, sure do." Milton said brightly.

"Milton has superior intelligence. He is actually a certified genius." Noah replied

"Yeah without all the paperwork." Milton said looking at Peter. "And my guess is you are too."

"You'd guess right." Peter replied. "Wait, how do you know about my ability?"

"You're the Peter Petrelli, your reputation presides you." Milton replied.

"Right." Peter said skeptically. "What do you know?"

"I looked over the security footage and learned the shooter is a man named Wilbur Fitzpatrick. A former steel worker from Pittsburgh." Milton replied. "He's recently divorced and lost custody of his two children. It also says he was laid off from his job-"

"Let me guess, this is because they found out about his ability?" Peter asked.

"It's a possibility. Or maybe a slumping economy or the breakdown of the American family." Milton replied. "A lot of those factors could lead an angry disenfranchised man to take his anger out on someone else and that some else..."

"Was Claire." Peter finished sadly.

"We're going to do whatever we can to find him." Noah stated.

"And I'll do whatever I can to stop him." Peter replied reaching for his cellphone.

"Who are you calling?" Noah asked.

"A friend." Peter stated as dialed a number. "Hey, it's me. Do me a favor, take Emma home and fly to DC. I'm going to need your help."

"Wait, fly?" Lauren asked quizzically as Peter hung up. "He's not-"

"You're not bringing him here?" Noah asked bitterly. "You'll make things worse by bringing him here."

"Well, I'm going to need some back up. Besides, he's the only one I can trust right now." Peter spat as he walked off.

"Wait, who is coming?" Milton asked with concern.

"Sylar." Noah stated coldly.

Milton's eyes widen in horror. He knows exactly who Sylar is.

•••

Hiro Nakamura,

Tokyo, Japan

•••

Hiro stood in front of a fountain in a courtyard that was in front a shopping center. He threw a coin into the fountain and quietly made a wish even though it could never come true. Part of him wanted to do what he could to save the day but every time he did, he just made things worse. Some Hero he was.

"Hiro!"

Hiro turns and sees Ando walking towards him. No matter where he went, his best friend was always able to find him.

"How did you know I'd be here?" Hiro asked as he tossed another coin.

"You always go here when you're upset." Ando replied. "What is the matter? I know you were upset about us losing the reception hall-"

"It's not just that." Hiro replied. "For the past four years, I've tried to be a hero. I've tried to save the world and do what is right."

"And you have." Ando said brightly.

"Not in the way I thought I would. Every time I try to be a hero on my own, I end up making things worse." Hiro said sadly. "I let that the butterfly man trick me so he could hurt people."

"But you saved Charlie from Sylar." Ando stated.

"Yes, but I ended up losing her again. Now I can never get her back." Hiro replied heartbroken. "What kind of hero am I, Ando? I lost the girl and I nearly let that man destroy the world."

"Hiro, you weren't in your right mind. You were very sick, you almost died. You can't be responsible for that." Ando replied.

"I don't think I can do this anymore." Hiro stated.

Ando looked worried. "What are you saying?"

"Exactly what I'm saying." Hiro yelled. "I can't do this anymore, Ando. I quit!"

Hiro begins to leave and Ando yelled back. "What about your destiny?"

Hiro just kept walking and said. "What destiny?"

Ando didn't know what to do now.

•••

Mohinder Suresh & Mira Shenoy

Chennai, India

•••

Mohinder and Mira were deeply enthralled in a conversation as we see they have finished dinner. "She actually did that?" Mira asked laughing.

"I'm afraid so, I felt really terrible for her." Mohinder replied. "She actually thought Molly did it on purpose."

"I'll bet she did." Mira said still giggling. "So, what's for dessert?"

"That is a surprise." Mohinder said as he walked into the kitchen.

"I'm beginning to wonder if this surprise is worth waiting for." Mira said playfully.

"Oh believe me, it is." Mohinder replied as he placed something on a plate. He walks back into the dinning room but trips on something. Mira rushes to his side and goes to check on him.

"Oh god, Mohinder. You fell." Mira replied as she tries to help him up.

"Yes, I did." he said as he pulls out the ring. "I fell for you." Mira gasps as she sees the ring. "Mira Shenoy, would you – would you do me the honor of being the new Mrs Suresh?"

Mira was speechless at first when she said. "Oh my god."

"Is that a yes or no because I am feeling a tad foolish here." Mohinder replied.

Mira laughs at this and kisses him. "I would be more than happy to be the new Mrs Suresh."

"You would?" Mohinder said nervously.

"Yes!" she replied and she hugs him.

•••

Peter Petrelli

Washington DC

•••

Peter sat in the lobby of the hotel, looking at his watch. "What is taking him so long?" He looks up to see someone walk in: it was Gabriel. "You're late."

"Sorry, had to make sure Emma got home safe." Gabriel replied. "So, why'd you call me here?"

"A person with abilities was the one who shot Claire and we have to find him before he hurts anyone else." Peter said bluntly as they begin to walk to the elevator.

"You called me here so we can help the Golden Girl?" Gabriel asked as Peter pushed one of the buttons on the elevator.

"I figured after last night you were itching for a good brawl and this guy might give us a run for our money." Peter replied as they walk into the elevator. "The guy's name is Wilbur Fitzpatrick and he can shoot black fire from his hands."

"Hmm, sounds promising." Gabriel said with a mischievous smile as the elevator doors closed.

•••

Peter and Gabriel walk into the temporary base of operations that Noah and Milton built in a hotel room next to Claire's. Natalie is taking some files out of the room when she bumps into Gabriel.

"Oh god, I am so sorry." Natalie nervously apologized to him as she picked up the files she dropped.

"It's all right. Here, let me help you." Gabriel replied.

As they pick up the papers, Natalie looks up at him and gasps in horror. "Oh my god! You're- You're-" She runs out of the room with a terrified look on her face.

Gabriel looked taken aback when Peter pats him on the back. "Don't feel so bad, you tend to have that affect on people." Peter replied reassuringly.

"I've noticed." Gabriel said with a smile. Noah looked up and gives Gabriel a bitter scowl. "Well, it's nice to see you too, Noah."

"Don't expect me to be jumping for joy about this. The only reason you're here is because we need Peter's help to stop the shooter." Noah stated. "You're a package deal."

Gabriel rolled his eyes as he looked at Milton. "Who's the kid?"

"I'm Milton Smythe. I'm the Company's new research analyst." Milton said anxiously.

"Aren't you a little young to be selling your soul to the Company?" Gabriel said.

"This coming from the devil incarnate." Noah replied sarcastically.

"Formerly the devil incarnate, thank you." Gabriel pointed out.

"Did you find Fitzpatrick?" Peter asked.

"We've narrowed down any possible locations within the area." Milton said looking at his computer. "He maybe hiding in bus stations or any place-"

"Where he can make a fast clean getaway without having to deal with security." Peter finished. They all look at Peter giving him an odd look. "Sorry, superior intelligence makes it hard to keep my mouth shut."

"Well, no offense but I would appreciate you letting me finish a sentence." Milton said slightly annoyed.

"Sorry, I promise to zip it." Peter replied.

"I'll let you borrow something useful later." Gabriel whispered to Peter.

"Hey, I heard that!" Milton yelled.

"We've sent some agents to check if Wilbur is at any of these locations. They'll contact us if they see any sign of him." Noah replied.

"And we'll take him down." Peter said to Gabriel.

"And by take down do you mean..." Gabriel asked.

"We want him alive. There are a few questions I'd like to ask him... after I'm done pistol whipping him." Noah said angrily.

"You get to have all the fun." Gabriel said laughing.

"What the hell is he doing here?"

The four look up to see Claire had entered the room with Angela and Lauren. Peter and Noah look away which makes Claire angry.

"Answer me! Why is he here?" Claire yelled.

"Claire, we need his help to find the man who shot you." Noah said.

"Who called him anyway?" Claire asked bitterly.

"I did." Peter said bluntly.

"You? You're working with him? After everything he's done to me?" Claire asked bitterly. "He made it his life's work to torment and torture us and you're buddy-buddy with him?"

"It's not as simple as you're making it, Claire." Peter answered. "He's different now. He can help."

"Help? He is a monster and there's no way I will work alongside him." Claire stated filled with rage. "He killed my dad."

"And posed as him for months against his will by two people in this room! Stop acting like a victim and look at both sides of the story because not everything is about you!" Peter spat. The tension is broken when Noah's phone rings.

"Yes, thank you. We'll be right there." Noah replied talking on his phone than hangs up. "That was Agent Wright, said they found Fitzpatrick at a station a quarter mile out of DC."

"Then let's go." Peter ordered. He, Gabriel, Noah and Lauren walk out the door. Angela approaches a now distraught Claire who is in tears.

•••

Wilbur Fitzpatrick

Junction Bus Depot

•••

Wilbur sat in a chair in the waiting area, holding a ticket in his ticket. He hand his jacket zipped up and his hood over his head. He puts away his ticket in his jacket pocket and pulls out a picture of him with his family in happier times. His eyes well with tears as his empty hand twitches and burst with black fire.

•••

Hiro Nakamura

Tokyo, Japan

•••

Hiro enters his apartment, looking completely defeated. He knew that retiring from being a hero was the right thing to do. Leave it to people who are much suited for it like Peter Petrelli – now he was a hero Hiro could be proud of. He looks over his coffee table and sees an origami crane on the table. "That wasn't there when I left." Hiro said. He picks up the crane and remembered how he made a bunch of them to impress Charlie. Those were just that- memories. He walks to his bedroom to go to sleep as a figure stands in the shadows holding a katana.

•••

Peter Petrelli, Gabriel Gray & Noah Bennet

Junction Bus Depot, Washington DC

•••

Peter, Gabriel and Noah arrive at the bus station with several agents outside the building. They all wanted to make sure this didn't turn into a stand off. Noah approaches Agent Wright who is self-assured man with graying brown hair. "Agent Wright, how are things?"

"Sir, we've positioned several agents outside and have removed some civilians without drawing attention to Mr. Fitzpatrick." Agent Wright replied.

"Is there a back access?" Peter asked.

"Yes, Agent Warner will lead you to it." Agent Wright said pointing to another agent.

"You ready?" Peter asked Gabriel.

"I'm ready when you are, Pete." Gabriel said as he offers his Peter his hand. "Just don't take-"

"I know." Peter said taking his hand and absorbing an ability. "Let's go to work."

The two men follow Agent Warner as Agent Wright looks over at Noah. "Should we trust them?" Agent Wright asked Noah.

"They are the only ones who can subdue Wilbur. We have no choice." Noah replied.

•••

Peter and Gabriel enter the building and see Wilbur Fitzpatrick sitting in his seat. He remains unmoving as he sees some people leave the building. "This looks easy." Gabriel whispered.

"Yeah, a little too easy." Peter whispered back.

The two begin to creep towards Fitzpatrick when he speaks up. "So, have they sent you two to kill me?" He gets up from his seat and both his hands burst with black fire. "You're welcome to try."

Gabriel and Peter look at each other as Fitzpatrick fires a stream of fire at them. The two leap out of the way in opposite directions. Peter raises his hand and knocks Fitzpatrick off his feet. Fitzpatrick looks stunned as Gabriel fires a bolt of lightning towards him. The lightning misses him and Fitzpatrick looks smug as he gets to his feet.

"You missed, genius." Fitzpatrick gloated.

"I wouldn't say that." Gabriel said with a smile on his face. As he says this, a piece of plaster hits Fitzpatrick in the face.

"What are you two doing? We all have powers here, we should be on the same side. Together we can take down that little bitch." Fitzpatrick said with a dark look on his face.

Peter glowers at him and pulls a chair off it's hinges than throws it at him. Fitzpatrick throws a stream of fire at the chair which melts away the chair. As he did this, Gabriel flies over and tackles him to the floor. Fitzpatrick fires a blast of fire at Gabriel's chest which burns him severely. Gabriel screams in pain and Fitzpatrick smiles to have his expression darkens when he sees Gabriel's burn heal.

"Ouch." Gabriel replied.

Fitzpatrick looks stunned as Peter comes from behind and grabs him by the shoulder, throwing him to the ground. Fitzpatrick gets to his feet and his eyes widen at the sight of Peter who's hands are now covered in black fire.

"Lets give you a taste of your own medicine." He fires a stream of fire at Fitzpatrick who fires back at him.

The two are at sort of a stalemate until Gabriel shocks Fitzpatrick with lightning. The electricity is strong enough to knock him out cold before he could react and Fitzpatrick is out.

Gabriel gives Peter a look. "You were right. He did give us a run for out money."

"And I got myself a nifty new ability." Peter said as he held black fire in his hands.

•••

Several agents drag Fitzpatrick out of the building in special fireproof handcuffs and load him into a prisoner van. Peter and Gabriel are still reeling from the fight and are talking to Noah. "We're going to take him to a holding cell in the new Company headquarters. Ask him a few questions."

"We're going with you." Peter replied.

"That won't be necessary." Noah said to him. He got into a vehicle and the agents leave Peter and Gabriel without a ride home.

"You're welcome." Gabriel said sarcastically at the leaving convoy. "You want to head home? Put that new trick of yours to good use?"

"Nah, I'll take the long way. You go, I'll meet you there." Peter replied.

Gabriel nods then flies up into the air.

Peter looked around and sees a limo pull up in front of him again. He opens the door and finds Angela sitting inside. He rolls his eyes and hops into the car. "Thought you would've gone to headquarters to question Claire's would-be assassin?" Peter asked as the car began to drive away.

"I believe Noah can handle him on his own. I'm just worried about you." Angela replied. "You upset Claire with your little outburst."

"She's an adult. She can handle it." Peter said. "I didn't mean to upset her but everything that's happened was a build up to that, you know that."

"She is important to us, Peter. She is the last piece of Nathan we have left." Angela said.

"Is that why you're so nurturing towards her? Or at least your idea of nurturing anyway." Peter replied.

"She needs me and she also needs you as well, Peter. More importantly, you need her." Angela stated.

Peter remained quiet for a while than said. "Where is she now?"

•••

Gretchen Berg

Arlington University

•••

Gretchen was lying on her bed, staring at her cellphone. Just waiting for a call from Claire. All of a sudden there is a knock on her door. "Valerie, I told you. I don't want to go!" Gretchen said as she got up to open the door. She opens it to reveal Claire who is standing there, looking very forlorn. "Claire?"

"Hey." Claire said softly. Gretchen reaches over and hugs her and Claire hugs her back.

"Thank god you're here. I was so worried." Gretchen said happily.

"I'm sorry I didn't call." Claire replied apologetically.

"It's okay, I'm just glad you're here." Gretchen replied. Claire than pulled away.

"Who is Valerie?" Claire asked wonderingly.

"That's my new roommate. She went to some campus party and wanted me to go. I didn't feel like it." Gretchen said.

"Well I'm glad you didn't or I would've missed you." Claire replied. "I just need to talk to someone who isn't on 'Company' payroll."

"Than I'm your girl. You talk, I'll listen." Gretchen said pulling her to the bed. "What's up?"

"I think the person I look up to and respect hates me." Claire said sadly.

•••

Noah Bennet & Wilbur Fitzpatrick

New Company Headquarters – Location Unknown

•••

Noah was passing around the interrogation room with Fitzpatrick sitting in his chair and still wearing the fireproof handcuffs. "Tell me, Mr. Fitzpatrick, why did you attack my daughter?"

"Like I'm going to tell you anything." Fitzpatrick said defiantly.

Noah gets in his face "You clearly don't understand your current situation. Right now the government doesn't have any way of imprisoning criminals with abilities so we have to house them in... special cells. So you might want to be nice to one of your wardens." Fitzpatrick looked worried. "Why did you try to assassinate Claire Bennet?"

"You want to know? Fine. I was ordered to assassinate the brat." Fitzpatrick said.

"Who sent you to do it?" Noah asked.

"I can't. I've already said too much by telling you someone sent." Fitzpatrick replied. Noah kicks the table in front of him and gets in his face.

"Right now, I'm the one you should be worried about!" Noah said bitterly. Fitzpatrick just laughs.

"You think you people have it all figured out, don't you?" Fitzpatrick said. "That we can live peacefully with regular people? That they'll accept us with open arms? Try asking my wife who left me and took our kids because she found out what I was!"

This hit Noah a little too close to home. His wife left him because of who he was, because his lies and he nearly lost Claire because of it. "I understand what you're going through, Mr Fitzpatrick."

"Really? Do you have a power? Do you go out into the world with people judging you before they get to know you? That's why I helped them." Fitzpatrick replied sadly. What Noah doesn't notice is that he is burning through the handcuffs slowly as they spoke.

"Who?" Noah asked.

"I can't tell you. He'll hurt me, my kids." Fitzpatrick replied.

"Who? Who will hurt them?" Noah asked with desperation.

"The Circle." Fitzpatrick replied. "They're coming for all of you."

Noah looked stunned, he's heard that name somewhere before.

Unexpectedly, the lights went out and Fitzpatrick throws Noah against a wall which knocks him out. He finally breaks out of his handcuffs and runs out of the interrogation room.

Noah comes to and yells out the door. "Fitzpatrick has escaped! Stop him!"

•••

Natalie is coming around the dimly lit corridor when she hears Fitzpatrick burning several agents. Natalie is in shock when Fitzpatrick turns the corner and sees her. She tries to run but he grabs her. "You scream and I barbecue you, sweetheart."

Natalie looked genuinely afraid. "Okay, I'll go quietly."

Fitzpatrick takes Natalie down the corridor as Noah and more agents enter the hallway. "He went that way." Noah yelled as the agents follow.

•••

Fitzpatrick and Natalie end up in a parking lot where a car pulls up in front of them. One of the doors opens and he shoves her inside the car. He turns to see Noah and some agents enter the parking lot. He grins and fires a stream of flames at a van which causes it to explode. Noah and the agents take cover as Fitzpatrick gets into the car. "Drive! NOW!" The car blares out of the parking lot.

Noah recovers from the blast and sees Fitzpatrick is gone and has taken Claire's assistant with him. "Damn it!" Noah yelled as he kicked some debris.

•••

Claire Bennet & Gretchen Berg

Arlington University

•••

Claire and Gretchen were talking and laughing in Gretchen's room. It was a different Claire from a few moments ago. "And he was actually flirting with you?" Gretchen asked.

"Yeah, kinda disappointed when I told him I told him I had a girlfriend." Claire said giggling.

"You should've taken a picture." Gretchen replied laughing.

"Oh I did, I'll send it to you later." Claire said still laughing. "This is nice. I really missed this."

"Well I really missed you." Gretchen replied. There's a knock at the door. "I'll get it." She goes to answer the door and Peter is standing outside. "Um, Claire, it's for you."

Claire looked up and sees Peter. She was less than happy to see him than the first time she saw him. "Can we talk?" Peter asked.

Gretchen sensed that they needed to be alone. "I'll let you guys talk." With that, she lets Peter into the room and walks out.

"Come to yell at me some more." Claire said bitterly.

"First off, I had every right to yell at you. You made a rash decision without talking to me first. I was there that day in Central Park." Peter replied.

"Yeah, with your new best buddy Sylar. You want to talk about 'rash decisions', let's talk about you siding with your brother's killer!" Claire yelled at him.

"He helped save the day from Samuel's plan, Claire. If it wasn't for him, New York would be a sinkhole and our kind would be hunted like big game once again." Peter yelled back.

Claire knew he was right. "You're right. He did save us. It's just- when I look at him, all I see is what he's done. What he did to me."

"I know." Peter said softly. "I didn't come here to yell at you. I came here to apologize. I was out of line for yelling at you... for the most part. You were on edge about everything that you've been through for the past few months and me scolding you didn't really make things any better."

"No, I'm glad you told me the truth." Claire replied. "The people around me have been so scared to offend me that they treat me like a china doll. You were honest and I respect that."

The two of them hug and share a warm moment.

"I made a promise to Nathan that I would take care of you." Peter replied. Claire looked up at him. "I may not like what you're doing but I will be watching your back. I promise."

Claire smiles at this and continues to hug him.

Gretchen is walking through the halls when someone taps her on the shoulder. She turns around and sees Angela Petrelli standing behind her. "Mrs Petrelli? Hi."

"Hello there, Ms Berg." Angela replied.

"You can call me Gretchen." she replied.

"All right than, Gretchen. I took the liberty of looking at some of your transcripts and have noticed that you've applied for an internship in Senator Harmon's office." Angela replied.

"Uh, yeah. I need to keep my mind off things while Claire is away." Gretchen said.

"Well I believe your talents are much more suited elsewhere." Angela said as she hands her a portfolio. Gretchen reads it and sees they are employee information and other items.

"What is this?" Gretchen asked.

"I want you to work for the Company, Gretchen. I believe that Claire needs someone there who she is more comfortable with and who would fit that profile more than her girlfriend." Angela replied.

"I don't know what to say." Gretchen said happily.

"Just act surprised when Claire tells you." Angela replied. Gretchen hugs Angela which catches her off guard as she hugs her back.

•••

Hiro Nakamura

Tokyo, Japan

•••

Hiro laid restless on his bed, unable to get any sleep. His thoughts kept swirling about his self-imposed retirement. He didn't know whether he was doing the right thing. Suddenly, he hears a noise in the room. He looks up and rears back in shock. Another Hiro stood at the foot of his bed. He looked similar to the Hiro that he saw in that terrible future he and Ando visited including the Kensi sword only he didn't have the goatee.

"Hello." the other Hiro said.

"You're..." Hiro replied.

"I'm here to warn you. If you give up, all will be lost " the other Hiro replied.

Hiro looked taken aback by this.

•••

Noah Bennet

New Company Headquarters – Location Unknown

•••

Noah looked at the scorched halls of how Wilbur Fitzpatrick left the place. He was upset that the man who shot Claire was back on the streets and took a hostage- Claire's assistant Natalie Jenkins. Agent Wright came over to him. "Status report?"

"All prisoners present and accounted for, sir. Not one tried to escape, although Doyle tried." Agent Wright replied. "Have you called Mrs Petrelli?"

"Not yet, best she not know this until the morning." Noah answered.

Milton rushed over to Noah looking frantic. "Oh, this is bad. This is really bad." he mumbled.

"Calm down, Milton. What happened? Did you find Fitzpatrick? Did he hurt Natalie?" Noah asked.

"No it's worse." Milton replied. "We've got a big problem."

"What could be worse than Fitzpatrick escaping with a hostage?" Agent Wright asked.

"That the hostage is not who she says she is." Milton replied.

"Pardon?" Noah asked.

"Natalie isn't her real name." Milton said looking worried.

"Are you telling me, there is no Natalie Jenkins?" Noah asked.

"Oh there is, but she died December 14th 1991." Milton replied. "She died under mysterious circumstances but in our line of work that means-"

"Someone with an ability killed the real Natalie." Noah stated.

"Not just any ability. The real Natalie was killed by a telepath." Milton said. "Her name is Regan Masters. She isn't on any Company paperwork except on one stating-"

"The Unapprehendable list." Noah said coldly. Milton looked annoyed. "Sorry."

"You know of that list?" Agent Wright asked.

"Agent, I wrote that list. There are few people with abilities even I or anyone else could to 'bag and tag' " Noah replied.

"That woman was close to Ms Bennet, why didn't she try anything?" Agent Wright asked.

"Because she may have been after something else." Noah replied.

•••

Regan Masters & Wilbur Fitzpatrick

Undisclosed Location

•••

"Natalie" or Regan as it were and Wilbur Fitzpatrick walk out of an elevator only Regan is wearing different clothing than she was wearing. A dark colored suit with a blood red top and her hair was down.

"Well, nice to see you again, Ms Masters."

She looks up and smiles brightly. A man with silver hair in a black suit and an eye patch over his left eye walks towards them. "Mr Maxime, how are things the home front?"

"Well as expected and how many times have I told you, call me Forrest." he said as she flashes him a sinister smile.

"I was able to get those access passwords. Now there should be no problem getting our soldiers out of their prisons." Regan said handing him some documents.

"Excellent, I make sure she gets them." Forrest replied. He looks over at Fitzpatrick. "The boss wants to speak to you."

Fitzpatrick looked worried as he walked towards a hallway.

"Is boss man in a good mood?" Regan asked.

"I don't really think that matters right now." Forrest replied. Regan had a wicked grin on her face.

•••

Fitzpatrick walked into a room where he faces a figure who is in the shadows. "You're upset with me aren't you? I can tell."

The figure is just silent.

"If I may defend myself, I did shoot Claire Bennet like you asked." Fitzpatrick continued. "Granted she's not dead but that's a given, right?"

The figure remains silent.

"Please, just give me another chance and I swear to get it right." Fitzpatrick replied.

Suddenly, Fitzpatrick becomes paralyzed and is thrown at a wall.

"No. Please don't kill me! Please." Fitzpatrick begged. "NO!"

Outside the room, Regan and Forrest listened to Fitzpatrick's screams of agony with almost sick pleasure.

•••

Matt Parkman

Los Angeles, California

•••

Matt was putting away the laundry he had just washed after Janice left to drop off Matty a preschool and head to work. There was a knock at the door. "I'm coming!" He calls out.

He makes his way to the living room than stops cold. The red-haired woman from the painting is standing at his door. She wasn't in a slinky red dress; she was wearing a loose green tank top and blue jeans however her hair was in the same way it was in his daydream. "This isn't happening." Matt said to himself as she sees him and waves. "Well can't hide when she saw you." He opens the door and clears his throat. "Um, can I help you?"

"Matt Parkman?" the woman asked.

"Yes, that's me. Who's asking?" he asked worried. She extends her hand for a shake.

"I'm Grace." the woman said with a bright smile. Matt looked ill but takes her hand so not to be rude.

•••

Angela Petrelli

Coyote Sands

•••

Angela stood in the government camp where she and other like her were once held. She looks around to see a sandstorm building up. Angela shields her eyes and she sees her sister Alice standing in front of her. "Alice? Why are you-"

"War is coming. Are you ready, Angela?" Alice asked "I've got my players."

In the cloud of dust, we see eight figures standing there. Angela can only make out the face of Regan Masters and Forrest Maxime.

"Don't worry!"

Angela turns around and sees Peter, Gabriel, Claire, Matt, Tracy, Hiro, Ando, Noah and Grace walk up and stand beside her. Other unseen figures stand behind them.

"She's got hers." Peter replied.

Angela sees in between the two groups was wooden crate marked 'Fail-safe'. She rears back at the crate...

•••

Angela awaken from one of her dreams in her limo. She gasps for air as she says. "They're coming... they're coming for the Fail-safe."

•••

To Be Continued...

•••

Hope you guys liked it.

To help you visualize what some of the new characters who appeared in the episode (who are important to the story) look like, here are who they are 'played by in order of appearance (I don't own the actors just some of them are my favorites):

Natalie Jenkins/Regan Masters – Amy Acker

Tess - Aislinn Paul

Grace/ Painting Woman – Melissa Archer

Milton Smythe – Fran Kranz

Agent Wright – Reed Diamond

Forrest Maxime -Jamey Sheridan

•••

Please review but please be kind. I know my grammar is bad but hope this makes up for it. It isn't too much of a change but I hope this turns out well.