DISCLAIMER: I own none of these people that I choose to write about - don't sue me, I'm broke enough as it is :P lol

A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews, everyone! It really means a lot to know that people are interested in reading more. Episode 18 is going to be the last one before the Hiatus so I think I'll probably finish this off somewhere in that, what, 5 weeks? 5 weeks?! ugh. That's an awful long time to go without seeing Peter Petrelli's hair. lol.

CLAIRE BENNET AND THE HAITIAN

"There's nothing left of me," Claire grumbled, riding down the escalator. "Everything I am is going to disappear the second I get on that plane; my friends, my family... me."

"I can make you forget it all, if that's what you prefer. There's nothing left for you here, no one to trust. And no, you cannot see him again." the Haitian told her.

"Peter Petrelli is the only person I can trust, more than you! He cares about me, why can't I hide in New York with him?" she pressed.

"He's not in a position to be responsible for you, himself. Now, come." he replied.

Claire sulked behind him to the terminal where he handed her the boarding pass and a wallet.

"What's this?" Claire asked, flipping it open.

"I prepared that a few weeks ago, just in case, Ms. DeLille." he told her. "They are still tracking me so they know where I've taken you, but not where you are going. I will meet you there soon, Claire. Bonne chance."

Her lips curved into a small, grateful smile as she slid her new identity into her pocket. "Thank you. Be careful."

The Haitian nodded and left her there, standing in the middle of the busy airport and suddenly feeling tiny amongst the crowds. Claire checked the time on her ticket and headed off to the gate, stopping at the bookstore on the way to pick up the New York Journal. I'd better try to fit in, she thought as she sat reading it.

Flipping to an article about the Congressional election taking place soon, Claire stopped to analyze a picture of the candidate from the sixteenth district - Nathan Petrelli.

Nathan Petrelli, pictured here at a family brunch with wife Heidi, sons Simon and Monty, mother Angela, and younger brother Peter, is eight points down in the congressional race at the time of this printing. He made news last week when, at a press conference he held at his campaign headquarters, he announced that his father's death was a suicide and that brother Peter had made an attempt only a day earlier. Petrelli has run an honest campaign with strong moral and family values, and insists that family is everything to him, and he is currently helping his brother get the treatment he needs.

"Oh my God," Claire muttered as she read, her mouth hanging open as she stared at the picture for another moment. She suddenly had the feeling that the Haitian was wrong - she had to find Peter Petrelli.

NATHAN PETRELLI

NEW YORK CITY

"Hey, Pete, enough of this crap all right? I need to talk to you about something important, ok? Give me a call as soon as you get this." Nathan spoke into the receiver, pacing his office.

He placed the phone back on the desk and ran his fingers through his short hair, taking in a deep breath of air. Could this really all be connected? She was supposed to have been dead... could she really be the same cheerleader whose salvation meant hope for the future?

Nathan laid his head down on his desk in resignation and jumped as his phone went off. "Pete?" he asked.

"Nathan I've got a problem. A huge problem," Peter began.

"It can't be anywhere near as big as mine," Nathan countered - there was a pause. "Peter, are you all right?"

He could hear his brother inhale deeply on the other end. "Nathan, Simone is dead. Isaac shot her when he was trying to shoot me, he's been working for that Horn Rimmed Glasses guy you told me about. He found me the other night with this guy who can become invisible. I saw him, Nathan, and I recognized the guy. That cheerleader, Claire, he's her father! Are you there? Nathan?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm here, Pete. That's horrible about Simone, really. Stop by later today, all right? You've got to stop running." he told his brother.

"Yeah, I know, I'll stop by in an hour or two?" Peter returned.

"Great. You know where to find me." Nathan muttered before hanging up and hanging his head once more.