Winter Light
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to NBC or Heroes. The only thing I own are any of the characters and plot not related to the show. In significance of the story title, it will make sense later on within the story.
Author's Notes: The story follows an alternate spin of season 3, mainly the focusing on the Villains story arc . A warning of possible spoilers of seasons 2 & 3 if anyone hasn't watched it. The story will focus on Paire but no incest shipper. Basically it's a family platonic plot, mainly incorporating the Petrellis.
Summary: What if the day of Nathan's shooting trigger a chain of events that will impact Peter, Claire and the entire Petrelli family? A sudden tragic event & repressed memories will uncover a dangerous threat that will impact not only the present but future of the world. (alternate S3 arc)
Chapter 1: It Begins with One Shot
(New York City- February 1991)
An eleven year old boy looked out the window of his Hyde Park mansion watching another snow fall blanket the streets of Manhattan. He listens as he hears the front door open only to be greeted by his older brother carrying his book bag and walking into the living room.
"Mom and dad put me on babysitting duty tonight Pete so you're stuck with me," a young Nathan replied.
"Another business dinner again? Is that why you're crashing here instead of your dorm room?" a young Peter asked.
"Hey buddy I wasn't the one that got myself grounded for two weeks after setting off a cherry bomb during one of dad's dinner parties. Knowing how much of a little terror you are these days, I'm probably saying it's this whole preteen angst phrase."
"You're just teasing me Nate and besides, the cherry bomb didn't harm anybody," Peter argued.
"Well maybe that crystal statue that cost mom and dad about twenty grand they were going to give Mr. Bishop for his wife's birthday," Nathan slightly teased ruffling his little brother's hair. "Well since I'm going to be hitting the books tonight to study for midterms, did you get all your homework done?"
"I'm trying to finish my book report my teacher assigned," Peter said as his stomach rumbled. "Huh Nate did you order anything to eat? Martha went home early for the night because her daughter has the flu."
"Already handle that little brother. I ordered a pizza on the way here so it should be here soon. I left money on the counter so pay the pizza guy when he comes." Nathan started pulling out all of his textbooks and notebooks and sat down at the desk beginning to study. The younger Petrelli went up to his bedroom to retrieve his books. Moments later there was a knock at the front door as Peter answer the door. Hungry and eager, he retrieved the money from the counter table in the hallway and open the door. However, he stopped right in his tracks.
Peter continued to stare down aimlessly and with a shock look on his face. "Hey Pete what's taking so long did you pay the pizza guy…" Nathan stopped mid sentence as his younger brother continued to stare down at the ground. It reminded them of a movie they saw awhile back on television looking at package and wondered what was happening.
"Nate…are you sure…you ordered a pizza?" Peter asked confused staring at the mysterious basket that contained a slumbering baby warmly wrapped in a warm blanket and bundled from the snowy weather. "Because…that…looks like it cost more than twenty dollars."
"Oh boy how are we going to explain this one to mom and dad?" Nathan said flustered reluctantly picking up the baby carrier and bringing it inside the house. He placed the basket gently on the ground and found a letter addressed to him and reads it. Minutes later, Nathan steps back in shock as Peter continues to stare curiously at the sleeping baby. He stares at his older brother with a look of shock, fluster and surprise. "Looks like we're not…having any dinner tonight."
(Present Day- Odessa, Texas: March 20th, 2007)
Peter didn't know what happened and was confused. Why was he suddenly recalling something he wasn't sure either happened in the past or if the memory was real. "Did that really happen? Was that even real?" He thought while he, Matt Parkman, and Nathan walk into the Odessa Police Station. Nathan is cleaned up and wearing a crisp shirt and tie. Peter is quiet but deep in thought recalling almost unleashing the Shanti Virus and Adam Manroe's manipulation. But leave it to his older brother to reassure him about seeing the good and redeemable qualities in everybody and offering his experience with Linderman and the election.
Nathan replies hugging his brother after having a few words with him. Minutes later Matt walks up to them. "Okay, I did it. They're ready for you. They'll definitely hear what you have to say." Matt replies as him and Peter follow Nathan towards the podium to address the press.
Unbeknownst to anyone, an unknown assailant slips into the custodian closet putting on a black cap and coat. He clocks his pistol and quietly opens the door. He hears Nathan addressing the press as Matt and Peter flank him. His eyes look upon the younger Petrelli brother who looks slightly distracted as the assailant knows what is occurring. He knew Nathan's speech and the implications that will occur.
Midway through Nathan's address, the assailant shoots two bullets into Nathan's chest as a female reporter screams. Nathan falls backwards as chaos ensues as Peter cradles his brother in his arms. Matt stops looking at them, and looks out at the crowd. The police try to contain the news media from crowding in too close. In the back, a man in a black jacket walks away before being spotted by Matt and Peter.
"Nathan! Nathan!" Peter yells but doesn't respond. Nathan slightly moves before falling unconscious again. "Nathan!"
He stashes the gun in the custodian closet and slips away undetected. Minutes later, the shooter sees EMTs and medical personnel loading Nathan onto the stretcher on route to the hospital. Peter didn't realize that he dropped his phone and was preoccupied with his brother's condition as he rode in the back of the ambulance. The shooter reluctantly picks up Peter's cellphone and follows the ambulance to the hospital. However, the phone rings realizing Claire's number unaware of the ramifications one phone call will have by the end of today.
(Costa Verde, California- Bennet Residence)
Back in California, Claire is watching the news bulletin about her biological father's shooting in Odessa. Despite the relationship between her and her biological family, she was concerned especially for Nathan's wellbeing. She immediately dialed Peter's number hoping for an update.
"Hello?" she hears Peter's voice on the other end, but she feels something not right about it.
"Peter it's me. How is he?" she asked in regards to Nathan's condition.
"Oh it's bad. We are gonna get him to the hospital." Peter replied.
"I should be there, I could help..." However she was suddenly interrupted by her uncle.
"No, he is getting into surgery right now."
"But my blood can heal..." Once again, she was cut off by Peter who sounded slightly abrasive and in a rush.
"Claire, you are in California. He needs to be in the hospital right now. I will call you as soon as I know he is okay. I promise you." Suddenly the call ended and Claire felt frustrated being told to stay put. It wasn't like her uncle and usually he be the one to convince her to live up to her destiny of saving the world.
Thankfully, her adopted family wasn't home but it wasn't in Claire's nature to stay put. After quickly going online to book a bus ticket to Odessa, Claire started packing some clothes into a duffel bag. Despite her relationship with Nathan, he was still her father and she do anything in her power to save him. Printing off her ticket and grabbing her bag she was ready and opened her bedroom door only to be greeted by a familiar sinister foe.
"Hello Claire," Sylar smiled wickedly as Claire stood in shock.
(New York City- The Petrelli Mansion)
Back in New York City, a tearful Angela is on the phone as she watches the news report on the television. She calmly and firmly states the situation going on. She turns the television off continuing her conversation.
"I know. It was unavoidable," Angela states over the phone. "You...do know that you've now opened Pandora's box!"
She hangs up in frustration until seconds later she unexpectedly receives another call, this time seeing Noah Bennet's number on her caller ID. "Noah, this is a surprise."
"I heard about the press conference it's broadcasting all over the news. However, I'm calling because we got a situation on our hands here. I'm in Kermit right now and I don't have much time to explain but you know." Noah said firmly. "It is Meredith Gordon...police found her murdered in her home by an unknown attacker. She's been dead for two days and a neighbor found her body. Angela..."
"And so it begins," she mumbled foreseeing the impact of today's events. "I'm afraid things will slowly unravel by the end of this day. I regret to inform you of the impending circumstances which will occur soon. I'm deeply sorry, Noah."
"I know has to be done. Hopefully you have someone in mind to finish the job. Keep in mind there's always a connection to all of it," Noah cryptically implied.
"Okay but eventually they'll see the connection and understand why. Noah Bennet, silence is golden," she stated.
"Then...then you know what must be done," he simply stated. "You're her family and I entrust you keep her safe no matter what happens." An ominous feeling falls over Angela as the other end of the line goes dead reaffirming the butterfly effect coming into play. She stares at the picture of the young teenage girl sitting on table.
"They're not going to get to her I will ensure that," she said firmly and deep in thought. "Pandora's Box is opening. I hope you realize the consequences of your actions upon this family. May God have mercy on us all."
Angela had a lot to deal with and she sense a crisis at hand. She quickly gathered a few belongings and made a call to the private airport to have the family plane ready for take off. She was having dreams and had to accept that the task will fall upon the entire family to rally around in a dire time of need. Sitting in the cab on the way to the hangar she dialed her phone once again.
"I'm afraid we got a terrible situation and not only Nathan's life has been compromised. It's an agonizing ripple effect because you should have learned not to mess with time." she stated over the phone. "My granddaughter is about to have one real bad day because of it and that is on your conscience. If you value Claire's life then I suggest you do something about it because after today, her life is about to change, Peter."
(Author's Note: Okay this is my first Heroes fanfic and if people are slightly confused about what is happening, this is a bit of a rewrite of The Second Coming. However, the shooting still occurs but the whole Peter being placed in Jesse's body never happened. You can probably guess at the end of the chapter who Angela and Claire is talking to. Hope you enjoy this chapter and feedback is appreciated.)