Chapter 3: Resurfacing
Peter and Kate- Midtown Manhattan
They left the firehouse after taking a rest, since Peter couldn't trust her to not run off he had to bring her with him. Peter bought their train passes to D.C. that would leave in the early morning. Afterwards Peter waited outside while Kate went inside a fast food restaurant to get them dinner. He watched her closely, knowing there was only one door out. Kate was nearly too weak to trust her new and old abilities to get away.
Peter borrowed Kate's invisibility to get them back to the firehouse unseen, knowing Noah would be close by looking for them. It felt strange having this ability after losing it sometime ago and never having it again until now.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her, a little bothered by her silence.
"Since when do you care about me?" she laughed.
"You're right...Instead, tell me why'd you get mixed up with Sylar. You seem like a smart woman. How'd you get involved with someone like him?"
Kate raised a brow at him, "You make it sound like I made it happen." She shook her head as they continued walking. "I first met him at Chandra's apartment. He was the first person I had met like me…with abilities. This was before I learned about the murders. He didn't seem to act unusual...at first he seemed excited to hear Chandra's praise for the things he could do. Gabriel wanted to go far; he talked a lot about finding others. I didn't realize it then...but slowly he started to act strange around me, like he wanted something. Late one day I heard Sylar was killing others with abilities, so I ran. I was afraid that he had become someone else…and I knew that if I stayed around he'd eventually lose control and kill me too. I didn't hear from him again until someone close to him named Elle died. He said that he had the ability to understand things, and before he'd have to kill them, but now had learned to copy others' abilities…he sounded a little broken having lost her and eventually confessed to killing her. I think he was surprised that I didn't hang up on him at that point…We talked for hours, half trying to convince him that he needed to stop, but also saying that he should do what it is in his nature to do. He told me about his plans to find his real father and I wished him luck. He wanted me to come with him, but I had gone back to school full time, so I told him I would see him at the end of the semester. I don't think he could hear the fear in voice though."
Kate looked over at Peter to see if he was still listening. "Then I got a call from him two weeks later. This was when the government was seeking out those with abilities. I already had to quit my new job because one day some men showed up looking for me. I wasn't stupid…I knew they were looking for me. They didn't stop there…when I went back for my clothes at my apartment they were waiting with heat sensitive goggles. I didn't know where to go or what to do…so I called Sylar. He told me to use my abilities and meet him in Washington D.C., that he had a plan to end this…I never got to ask what that plan really was about. Only that it meant him using your brother to get close to the president in order to become him. In Washington we finally met for the first time since running away. He said that he was working undercover with the government and had taken me out of their system after getting my call. Also he gave me the key and address to his apartment in Queens, saying that he wanted me to go there and wait for him. I took it…but as I looked into his eyes I could see he was falling apart. The ability to shape shift seemed to be too much for his mind to handle. Sylar sensed I knew this and I told him that after this was over I'd help him. He trusts me Peter…everyone has to have someone they can trust. I think he realized it kinda late, but I don't hold that against him. In this crazy world I trust him, because I know he's unstoppable against anything. You read the letter…he knew that if he wasn't going to be here he wanted to ensure I was safe."
"Maybe he did it for his own selfish reasons…you're sick you know that? He's a killer! A cold blooded murderer, Hell he wanted to take-out New York City. How can you care about someone like him?" Peter was furious.
"It's his curse Peter…he can't help it, that's how I see it. Almost like that whole blowing up thing, you know? When there really was nothing you could do to control this power you had," Kate watched him set the food down on the table at the firehouse. "Sylar told me a lot stuff that has happened."
"No it's different. Sylar chooses to be a bad person. He didn't kill your brother, so you can't understand the rage I feel towards him. If you are right…I'll kill him the first chance I get. I recommend you stay out the way when I do," Peter stuck a fork in his chow mien.
Kate couldn't help but laugh, causing some discomfort in her head, "you and what power? You have strength, fire, and invisibility from what I've seen….How is that possible by the way?"
"I borrow abilities from those I come into contact with. I can only hold one at a time," Peter responded realizing she had a point… "But if Sylar still thinks he's my brother then he probably can't remember he has those other abilities."
She looked up, this was something she hadn't thought about…It probably wasn't going to be simple convincing Sylar who he really was. Kate continued to eat in silence as her mind was busy formulating a plan, because if she made a mistake a million things could go wrong. But Sylar trusted her and she loved him…so she had to get this right.
Nathan Petrelli- Washington D.C.
His eyes flicked furiously as he slept on a small couch in his office. Nathan was merely taking a break from his work when at ten o'clock when he fell asleep.
Inside his dream state Nathan entered someone's residence. He felt cold, angry, and the need for answers as he ventured deeper inside. Taxidermies were everywhere…of all kinds of animals, making his skin crawl. And then an old man appeared with an oxygen mask around his nose and mouth.
"I knew you'd come back here..." he said removing the mask with a grin.
Nathan stared at the man confused, this man knew him…yet he couldn't recall meeting such a person.
"Who are you?"
The man collapsed into his chair and pulled up the mask to breathe a little before removing it again to speak. "Your father…"
Nathan felt a sudden rush of hate course through him and with the swing of his arm the man was cut in half telekinetically.
When he woke from this odd dream Nathan felt something wet on his hands. Slowly opening his eyes he jumped up off the couch, realizing his hands were covered in human blood.
"What? How?" He held his hands out in front of him as he started to get a look around him.
Two bodies were lying on the floor, their heads severed at the forehead.
"Sylar…" He breathed out in disbelief.
Nathan couldn't believe this was the work of Sylar because he was dead! They all had watched his body burn to ashes before their eyes months ago.
Quickly he rushed into the bathroom to wash his hands clean but there was a message waiting for him on the mirror:
'I am Sylar'
Nathan stumbled back in surprise, but then cleaned his hands in order to take a picture of the bloody message, sending it to his mother. Almost five seconds later his phone vibrated.
"Ma what's this about? I wake up in my office and Sylar was here? Sylar is dead…how can this be? Two of my staff are dead with their heads cut open…is this some kind of joke?" Nathan was furious.
Angela had to think quickly, "It is dear…a woman named Kate has escaped with the help of your brother. Apparently she has some connection to Sylar and wants to play games. She's dangerous Nathan…and she's fooled Peter into believing terrible things. I meant to call you, but I had no idea she'd be after you."
"Yeah you could have given me some warning. I need to figure out how she got passed my security…this is ridiculous. She killed those men just like Sylar did…but when I woke up…" He stopped short.
"I understand; you don't have to explain. Just call the police and they'll handle this. I'll fax over the information about her to you now. Noah and Russell are on their way to find her and bring her back here…alright?" Angela seemingly instructed him.
Nathan was too busy thinking about the blood that had been on his hands and another dream that made no sense to him.
"Uh huh…thanks mom."
He closed his phone and almost paged his secretary to call the police…but he looked back over at the bodies. What if he was framed for the murders? The police report wouldn't make him look good in the public eye...he needed to lose his connection to this. Looking at the window he agreed there was only one way, to fly.
Before he could leave Nathan waited for the faxed papers his mom promised to send on the killer. Once he had those he put them into his briefcase along with his other work and flew to his apartment.
He knew that tomorrow he'd get a call saying two of his staff were found dead in his office, no one would suspect he had any part in it.
Kate Ricard- 8 Hours Later
After eating a lot of food, Peter easily fell asleep, despite his best efforts to stay awake in order to keep an eye on Kate. She was wise to this and stealthily stole her ticket and his phone. It wasn't hard to find something in the firehouse to hit Peter over the head with, ensuring he'd miss their train that left at daybreak.
Alone she boarded the train and grinned widely when the doors closed with no sighting of Peter anywhere. Although, as they pulled out of the station she caught a glace of Noah Bennet and a darker complected man next to him. Kate's eyes met his for a brief moment...until they were out of sight. She sat by herself and for good reason; more coils of electricity were pulsing through her body again. It caused her immense pain and even left burns on her arms…which faded away within seconds. Then it dawned on her…she was indestructible! Well…to a certain extent. Kate laughed, getting a boost in her confidence about this mission.
Looking around she started to feel an aching pain on the side of her head, leading to a temporary loss of vision.
"This isn't getting any better..." she sighed, however was thankful the coils had stopped.
In opening Peter's phone she noticed Mohinder Suresh's number in the contacts. Using her ability to shape shift she took Peter's form and voice…using it to call Mohinder and ask for his help.
It rang three times before he picked up.
"Peter? Where are you?" He immediately asked seeing his name on the caller ID.
"I'm on my way to D.C. to find Nathan…I gotta know the truth Mohinder. But in order to do that I need Kate's help," she tried her best to act like he would.
"Truth? You're talking nonsense. I don't understand why you're doing this. And I have a feeling you want me to come meet you because she's getting worse…" it wasn't a question but a statement from the doctor.
"The truth about Nathan…" Kate then realized he didn't know about the revelation. "Look I'll explain it all when you get here. She's a lot worse and you're the only one that can help me. Can you just do me this one favor? I'll make it up to you, I swear…Just give me a chance here," She pleaded, knowing how bad she needed his medical assistance.
"It better be a good reason. I'm on my way…and you do know Noah and Russell are after you guys. As for Kate's health, I can't make any promises Peter…I've never encountered anything like this in my research. There might be a certain drug compound that may relieve the symptoms."
Kate bit her lip hearing this news, "That's good. Anything will do at this point. Meet me at the Hilton hotel by Union Station. I'll text you the room number when I check in. Come alone."
Suresh still seemed hesitant about helping and probably thought Peter was going crazy.
"Okay. Keep an eye on her Peter…these abilities are new to her and she may try and take yours."
Kate smiled, "Thanks for the heads up. See you in a few hours."
She curled up in the seat and fell asleep from exhaustion after shifting back.
