Disclaimer- I STILL don't own Heroes. Unfortunately for me.

-Nathan Petrelli

Odessa Texas

This world must be out to get me. There's no other explanation for it. All I ever wanted was to win that damned election, but no. The universe had to throw superpowers at me. What use has that been so far? Well, let's see. My wife was injured, my delusional brother jumped off a few buildings, goes on an escapade, and winds up in a coma. So far, I only saved one person. Well, other than myself. But it's still not a great ratio.

And now, my old flame (no pun intended) tell me that our daughter, who she nearly killed, isn't quite dead yet. And she won't be anytime soon. Note to Self: Make sure you check if people are really dead before taking someone's word for it. If you want something checked, I guess you have to check it yourself.

So I guessed it was high time that I met my miracle daughter. Meredith had called her and told her we would all meet at a local diner. Who knows, with my luck, she'd be the female version of Peter. God knows, I love him, but he's just too wild and starry-eyed.

Peter. He'd been missing for a while now. This circumstance had been forcing me to team up with his with is very strange group of genetic wonders. Hiro- the Japanese comic-book geek who just happened to bend time and space. Isaac- the ex-drug addict turned prophetic painter. Dr. Mohinder Suresh- the genetics expert who lived in a trashy apartment. Although… I gotta admit they were growing on me. Especially Hiro. He'd fallen in love with a Texan waitress, from what I'd gathered.

So I went inside, the diner, I mean. The first thing that caught my eye was the shrine towards the back. I immediately walked over to it. It was adorned with candles and pictures, all of a red-headed waitress. There was an obituary hanging there, too. A girl named Charlotte, who obviously had worked there. I also noticed a Polaroid. It featured this Charlotte girl and, to my surprise, Hiro, both wearing party hats. I smiled slightly. No wonder he'd seemed so troubled. I made a mental note to talk to his friend Ando about it, just out of curiosity. Next to a candle, there was also a little origami crane. Hiro was always making them, so obviously it was his contribution to the shrine.

I chuckled sadly to myself again, and sat down. A waitress came up to me. Her nametag said 'Hi, I'm Sara'.

"Hey there, honey, what can I get you?" she said, with a southern flourish. I'd noticed some people around here had accents, while some didn't.

"Just a coffee, for now, thanks," I replied with a campaigner's smile. She beamed back at me and went off to serve another table.

I wondered briefly how anyone could live in a place like Odessa. It was pure wasteland. It was surrounded by a desert, and and the streets sometimes had dust on them. I thought of Central Park for a moment. How beautiful it was, and surrounded by the urban environment I loved.

I spotted two blondes about to enter. One was Meredith. The other was a teenager in jeans and a t-shirt. Her blonde curls framed her face. My daughter. Claire. They walked in and Claire looked around the diner, which had only a few people in it. Meredith gracefully guided her over. I stood up to meet them.

"Claire, I'd like you to meet Nathan Petrelli," she explained, "He's your father." Claire's eyes widened a little at my last name.

"Petrelli… Are you- are you related to Peter?" she inquired, shaking my hand timidly. I rolled my eyes. Small world.

"Yep. Peter's my little brother. I'm guessing you're the cheerleader he saved?" I remarked. Figures!

"So you've met Peter, then? Well I'll be," Meredith commented. We all sat down, me on one side, Claire and Meredith on the other.

"Do you have any powers?" Claire whispered, intrigued. I glanced nervously at Meredith, who nodded. She was expecting me to tell Claire. Meredith raised an eyebrow at me and I nodded, sighing. She was getting me to admit things that I hadn't even accepted myself. Ah, the true powers of a woman.

"I-," I began, clearing my throat, "I can fly…" I was still somewhat ashamed of my power. They'd only won me one vote so far, anyway.

"I looked you up on Google. It says you're running for congress," Claire said, obviously pleased that I had power as well.

"Yeah, although with Peter's knack for trouble and my mother's constant nagging, I'm not so sure of victory yet!" I joked, Claire laughed.

"It also says you have a wife. And two kids."

I paused. Her face was blank. I wondered how she'd take it. I replied calmly, "Yes. That's also true." I looked down at the table. Then the waitress came back with my coffee. I was vaguely aware of her asking Claire and Meredith what they wanted, and then she left, with an awkward silence in her wake.

"Well, I think it's good that you moved on," she said. I looked back up at her. She had a sincere smile on her face. I exhaled. Thank heavens, "I mean, I can't expect you to have been mourning for me all these years. You don't look like that kind of person."

Meredith put an arm around Claire, hugging her, then letting go. On second thought, I think I liked Claire a little more than Peter right now. She took things all in stride. Definitely great potential for a politician. There I go again. Heidi's right- everything is politics in my mind.

"So, tell me about yourself, Claire," I requested, genuinely interested in my daughter's (it still feels strange for me to say that) life.

"Well, I'm a junior at Union Wells high school. I used to be a cheerleader, until the squad was dissolved in respect for Jackie's memory. She was the one that died. I live with my adoptive family, which includes a dog named Mr. Muggles and an annoying little brother that I'm told is called Lyle, but I usually just call him idiot, "she finished, smiling. What's more, I found myself smiling, too. Then I said something I'm sure I almost regretted.

"You should come stay in New York sometime. I'm sure Peter would be more than happy to see you." If we ever find him, that is. I saw Claire's face light up, then dim.

"I wish I could, but my father doesn't know that I've found you guys, "she explained. I could head disappointment dripping from each corner of her voice. She pulled out a picture, "If you see him, I suggest you run."

I recognized the man in the picture. From Las Vegas, "This guy's already tried to kidnap me. I managed to- uh- fly away." My voice was low.

Claire nodded, a little surprised. Meredith looked shocked.

"He tried to have my memory wiped. Along with my mother, brother, and my best friend. His- uh- henchman, I guess, didn't wipe my mind, but helped me instead. That's how I found mom. Although, I've re-convinced my friend of my 'gift'," she said using air quotes.

"Your friend- you mean Zach?" Meredith interjected. Claire nodded.

"Just a friend?" I clarified, raising my eyebrows. Claire rolled her eyes.

"Yes. Just a friend."

The three of us laughed. Together. As a family.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I've already written the next chapter down, but now I just need a little time to type it up and edit it. Thanks to my reviewers and critics, you make writing this story so much more worthwhile. Cheers. Review, please.