Title: Surprise Visit

Summary: Based on the scene when Nathan sees Simone in Peter's apartment in Season One, Emma's mother catches her daughter and a certain paramedic in a somewhat compromising situation.

Notes: I don't particularly like this title, but I thought it summed up the gist of the story. Wish Emma's mother's name was revealed by now on the show...

Emma Coolidge quietly shut her bedroom door behind her before going into the kitchen to make some coffee. She had a fresh pot brewing when her cell phone vibrated inside her jeans pocket. Pulling it out, she checked the new text message she had received. It was from her mother.

Knock, knock. I'm outside.

Glancing once at her closed bedroom door, Emma quickly went to her front door and opened it. Sure enough, her mother was standing outside her apartment.

Emma joined her in the hallway, leaving her front door ajar.

Mom, what are you doing here? she signed.

"I thought the two of us could get some coffee," her mother spoke and signed simultaneously. She sniffed the air. "Although it smells like you already have a pot going. Can I come in?"

Now's not a good time, Emma quickly signed.

The older woman started to reply, then frowned, signing that she had heard something. Pushing open the door to her daughter's apartment, the elderly doctor revealed the sight of Peter Petrelli, wearing nothing but a pair of black cargo pants, pulling out a coffee mug from Emma's cabinet.

He turned when he saw the front door open, blushing when he realized who Emma's visitor was.

"Hi, Doctor Coolidge," the paramedic sheepishly greeted. "I was just getting a mug for the coffee…" he trailed off, clearing his throat in the awkward silence. "I'm just going to leave you two alone to talk," he announced, crossing back across the apartment and into the refuge of Emma's bedroom.

Emma turned back to her mother, trying to smile. "I didn't mean for you to find out this way," she assured her.

But Doctor Coolidge shook her head, the shock on her face fading into a look of understanding. "It's okay, Emma. I mean, I am surprised," she added, seeing her daughter's raised eyebrows, "but you're both adults. And, if Peter makes you happy—"

"He does," Emma interrupted.

"Then I'm happy for you." Her mother smiled and took her daughter's hand in her own, giving it a squeeze. I'll take a raincheck on that coffee, she signed.

Emma nodded, a genuine smile blossoming across her face this time. She hugged her mother goodbye, then returned to her apartment and shut the door behind her. Leaning against the door, she heaved a sigh.

She saw the sound of her bedroom door opening and looked up as Peter came into her line of sight, now wearing a white t-shirt with his pants.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

She nodded and smiled to let him know that she was being truthful. She then pushed off her door and walked into the kitchen, beckoning Petrelli to follow her. She poured him a cup of coffee, but held it away when he reached for it. Turning her face up towards his, she had him kiss her before she relinquished the steaming beverage to him.

He took a careful sip of the hot coffee, and she tasted it when he kissed her again on the lips. "For my second cup," he explained with a grin.

She hid her smile as she sipped from her own mug. Yes, if there was one thing Peter did for her, it was make her happy.