A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the slow update. Life has been NUTS for me lately, which has consisted of a LOT of writing, emailings, travel plans and conferences.

But here is the latest chapter of "THE VOW". There's a few unexpected "surprises" in this one. Even I was surprised as I wrote it all...and trust me i WAS surprised. I almost cried at one point. But don't you cry hehe. Also this chapter is a little longer than the previous ones...but Word flaked out on me and didn't let me know how many pages I had typed LOL.

Read, rate, review...and send me an message sometime.

Love yas

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CHAPTER NINE

AS NIGHT FALLS

The apartment was comfortably heated, yet the slight sting of the outside atmosphere was still able to make its way through the window. This apartment was a lot nicer than the one Mohinder was used too. At least now he knew he could live in peace and comfort, not in the rot of the past. Even after two years the past was something Mohinder rarely spoke about. After coming to America, hearing of his father's death and then pursuing his work, Mohinder's life had begun to fall apart. His relentless pursuit of those with abilities had transformed him from a humble, optimistic scientist, to somewhat of a murderer, a self-made science experiment, and then a fugitive. And on top of that, his father wasn't the man Mohinder thought he was. All the noble deeds he once thought Chandra was apart were all turned to dust that fateful night out at Coyote Sands. And since that time, Mohinder had returned to India to resign as a professor and scientistic and travelled back to America.

After everything he had endured, after all the arguments, fights, heartache and betrayal, he had ultimately become the very thing he had been seeking out since 2007…Mohinder was someone with an ability. His normal life as an everyday citizen was gone and he had to create a new life for himself. Up until now it had been going well. But he could never have anticipated what was to come.

Eden opened the front door of the mansion and closed it just as quickly. Winter had finally settled there in New York and it had only been the first few weeks of December. Upon taking her coat off the petite brunette shivered lightly as the warm air of her home brushed against her semi-cold, almost pale-white skin. She walked to the kitchen and quickly brewed herself some coffee. That would definitely help sooth her cold limbs. She poured the warm, steaming brown liquid into a mug and smiled to herself as it slid down her throat like a waterfall. Suddenly she heard the front door open and was startled, causing her to almost fumble her mug.

"Who's there?" she called out loud.

Peter quickly made his way inside to avoid the cutthroat winds that had begun to descend upon the city. He entered the kitchen to see Eden standing there, almost frozen with shock. Peter strolled up to her with caution and gently placed a hand on her should, "Hey are you okay?"

Her eyes were soft, quivering lightly as her nerves slowly wound down. Peter could now feel Eden's breath on his neck as he drew her against his broad chest, as he stroked the length of her hair.

Eden finally drew in a long breath before disconnecting from Peter's embrace "You know it would be nice to let a girl know when you get through the door" she joked, punching him softly.

"I'm sorry" Peter said, leaning in to kiss Eden's soft, pink lips. This made Eden smile broadly; subtracting the intensity she had felt previously.

"I assume work was good" Eden smiled as she took another sip of her now, lukewarm coffee. Peter ran a hand through his hair, shuddering slightly as the moisture hit his neck.

"Work is work," he smiled, peeling of his coat "and I'm saving lives." Eden nodded "Well aren't you just the everyday Hero." Peter just gave her a crooked smile as he moved about the kitchen.

"No word from Nathan yet?" he asked.

Eden shook her head "Not yet. You've gotta learn to just sit back and relax honey. It's no use stressing out when you don't know anything about the situation."

Peter just hung his head, placing his elbows on the counter to lean against it. He hated not knowing what was happening with his oldest brother, especially now. He turned to Eden, innocence painting his face "What about our other friend?"

"I dunno about Mohinder. He hasn't answered any of my calls" Eden replied.

Peter bite on his knuckle as he thought, "Maybe I should just go over and pay him a visit…for old-times sake."

Eden folded her arms over her chest and looked at him "You sure about that?" Eden knew of Peter's 'other' intentions for going to visit Mohinder, which she didn't think was such a wise idea…not yet.

"Eden I need to know" Peter said.

"I know sweetie," she sighed "but we can't just go over to his house uninvited. I mean…who knows if he's still in the genetics business," Eden said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Eden, it's Mohinder we're talkin about. Even if he's not in the 'business', he'll still have some idea of what could be happening to me," Peter said, walking up to Eden.

"Let's just wait a little while. The poor guy may still need some space," Eden said softly.

"It's been two years Eden. The man can't go Lone Ranger forever" Peter said. Eden stood there and gazed into Peter's intense brown eyes. At the moment she felt like persuading Peter to look the other way and not to go to Mohinder, but she knew it wouldn't be wise, or fair to do deliberately push the one she loved so dearly.

"Please wait" was all Eden could say.

Peter heaved his shoulders as he exhaled in disappointment. Eden ran a hand through his long hair, as her own fringe fell in her face and looked up to him endearingly, "Just wait Peter. The time will come."

Peter nodded awkwardly in response. Peter knew that it was no use pushing to go see Mohinder, because Eden wouldn't allow it.

"Dad…Dad…NATHAN!" Claire shouted from the living room.

Nathan came running down the stairs, floating down the last few steps as his daughter called out vehemently. "What is it?" he asked breathlessly.

Claire just stared at her father "I thought you were preparing dinner tonight?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Nathan sighed, running a rough hand over his face "Claire I'm sorry, I got caught up with all that Pinehearst stuff" he said, looking around the living room. He looked toward the kitchen and smiled to himself.

As her father turned around Claire noticed the pleasant expression on his face "Well…what's happening now?" she asked, continuing to stare him down.

Nathan looked at the short, blonde who stood in front of him and matched her stare-for-stare. "How bout we order in. I'll take care of it" Nathan smiled.

Claire rolled her eyes "Fine. But we're getting Italian" she said, pointing a finger at him and narrowing her eyes.

Nathan retained the smile on his face and nodded, "Italian it is. I'll make the call." With that Nathan took his cell phone from his pocket and called the restaurant, while Claire decided to retreat to the comforts of primetime television. Twenty minutes later there was a knock at the door, which Claire answered to retrieve their food and pay for it.

With the scent of Italian sausages and pasta in the air, Nathan and Claire went about having a normal father/daughter conversation, when the phone rung. Claire ran to pick up the phone, answering it with a full mouth "Ha-who."

Meredith's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing her daughter "Is this really my baby girl?" she asked with a giggle.

Claire nodded, "Mmmm" she swallowed, "Sorry about the mouthful. What's up?"

Meredith smiled as she readjusted the pages on the desk in front of her, "I'm just callin to let ya'll know that I'll be home late. They've got me tying up some loose ends on some case files," she explained.

Claire nodded to her father as he inquired about the person on the line. "Okay I'll let Dad know. Love you Momma" she smiled.

"Love you too sweetheart. See you later" Meredith said, placing the phone on the receiver.

"So who was that?" Nathan asked, swallowing some soda.

"It was Mom. She's gonna be late cause of some case files they've got her working on" Claire replied, rolling her eyes. Nathan smirked at his daughter's expression. She always looked like him when she rolled her eyes.

"How are things coming along with Pinehearst?" she asked.

Nathan's head shot up straight as he stared at Claire, "Um it's…fine. But I don't really wanna talk about it" he answered.

"Dad I'm not a little girl anymore, you can tell me this kinda stuff" Claire said. Nathan continued to look at her, resisting the urge to just "spill". Claire continued to sit there eating her pasta as she awaited her father's reply.

"I don't wanna talk about it right now Claire" Nathan said in a serious tone.

Claire's eyes widened slightly and she went right back to finishing her meal. Nathan knew that he was probably being a little hard on her, but he really didn't want to talk about the investigation. The last few days had been the first truly peaceful days Nathan in a while, and Nathan needed the rest. He knew his brothers were taking up where he left off, and he wanted to keep it that way for now, at least for tonight.

Elle walked to the bathroom to take a much-needed shower after her workout. The let out a small moan of appreciate as the warm water hit her body, the sensation of goose bumps penetrating through her skin as she adjusted to the temperature. The shower lasted a little longer than she had planned, but she was grateful for the "me-time". Upon reaching the kitchen she was dressed in something a little more comfortable. Elle was glad she and Gabriel had come to live in Costa Verde, mainly because of a weather and the fact that it didn't get as cold on the west coast.

Her husband had insisted that Elle take some time off work, as she had been quite busy over the last little and had also been in recuperation-mode since the small siege on Nathan's political office. Elle sighed to herself as she thought about the family. Their situation seemed to be only becoming thicker as time went by, she almost didn't have the strength anymore. She flicked on the television on hopes that something would lift her spirits.

Gabriel turned on the radio as he drove home from work and flicked through the various channels, looking for something to help him unwind. As Elle had been at home for a last little while he had to work more hours just to provide for them. It wasn't like they were lacking heavily in the financial side of life, it just meant Gabriel had to be away from home for longer periods of time, which he sometimes hated. His cell phone buzz along to its tune as Gabriel stopped at a set of traffic lights, "Hello…"

"Hey baby, how ya doin?" Elle asked.

A broad smile made its way across Gabriel's stubble-covered face as he heard his wife's voice, "Hey Angel, I'm doin well, how bout you?"

A girlish sigh could be heard from Gabriel's side of the line, "I'm good…but I've missed you today" she said.

Gabriel smiled as the traffic began to move once again, "Well I'll be home soon. I'll even make dinner."

Elle couldn't wipe the grin off her face as she accepted her husband's gesture, "Sounds wonderful. See you soon baby." They ended the call and Elle pulled her knees to her chest as she looked at the TV in front of her. Even amongst all the angst she was always thankful for the family she was now surrounded with. After everything that happened between her and Gabriel, as well as her past with the Petrellis, redemption had extended its hand out to her, and she was now living the life she had always dreamed of.

The air from the central heating system slowly worked its way through the living room as Nathan and Claire were cuddled up to each other on the couch, both of them almost absentmindedly at the TV. As far as programming was concerned, prime-time television was over, and all they were left with was a "Law & Order"-type show.

Claire shifted herself as she leaned against her father, her shoulders heaving slightly as she exhaled, expressing her boredom. Nathan glanced down at her, pouting his lips slightly.

"Hey you okay?" he asked.

Claire mumbled something incoherently and rolled her eyes, "I dunno. I guess I just wanna know that we're safe" she mused. She looked up to her father, her blue eyes child-like and transparent "Are we safe Dad?"

Nathan ran a hand over his daughter's long, silky blonde hair, lowering himself to kiss Claire's hair, "We're safe Claire. Trust me on that."

In the past her father's words, especially his promises, had been less than what Nathan had presented them to be. She sighed, as she looked at him, studying his face, the softness of his eyes and the warmth of his smile. Claire could never go back to thinking her father was a monster, especially after everything he had sacrificed for their family.

"I trust you Dad," she said kissing his cheek. "I'll be right back."

Claire retreated upstairs to go change into sweatpants and a hooded sweater.

Nathan smiled to himself as he watched his daughter trot upstairs. He had a feeling that everything was going to work out for his family. As he sat there the phone began to ring. Nathan leant forward and picked it up, "Nathan Petrelli."

"N-Nathan…Thank God" Angela stammered.

Nathan frowned slightly as he heard his mother's husky-frightened voice, "Ma what's wrong?"

He begun to hear his mother wheeze and cough up liquid and his heart began to pound with fervour.

Angela composed herself, taking a deep painful breath. "Nathan…listen to me" she breathed, "Time…has run out for me."

"What? What do you mean Ma?" Nathan asked, visibly confused.

"It's Pinehearst. They've c-caught up to me and…." Angela almost blacked out, but managed to pull herself together one last time.

"Ma!" Nathan exclaimed. At this time Claire came rushing down the stairs as she heard her father calling out to her grandmother. She stopped dead at the entrance of the living room and just looked at him.

"I'm dying Nathan. Pinehearst caught up with me and…th-they're coming for you" Angela sobbed. "I-I tried to save you son but I couldn't. N-Now-Now you have to protect the family."

"NO! No Ma, Claire and I will be there soon, and we'll help you" Nathan said as tears welled up in his eyes.

"It's no use Nathan. I don't know if I can hold on," Angela said painfully.

"Ma don't you die on us. We need you" Nathan cried.

There was silence for a few brief moments. Nathan sat there rocking back and forth on the couch. Claire carefully made her way to his side, placing her hands on Nathan's shoulders.

"The family needs you now. Get out of there" Angela whispered. Her voice faded away and the line went silent. Nathan sat there continued to wait for another word. After a few minutes the phone went dead and Nathan dropped the phone.

"No…no no no no NO" he cried. He fell into Claire's arms and she embraced him. Finally she was able to bring his face up to meet hers, "Dad, Dad what's wrong? What happened to Grandma?" she asked, her eyes trembling lightly.

Nathan wiped his face and took a few breaths as he pulled himself together. He didn't know if he could get the words out, but he knew Claire had to know.

"Pinehearst just killed your Grandmother," he wept. Claire choked on her own breath and staggered in her seated position. She couldn't believe it; she didn't want to believe it. Angela had done so much over the years to keep her family safe. And now the very people she had been protecting them from had killed her.

"She's…dead?" Claire whispered, tears rolling down her face. She didn't know what else to say. It had happened so quickly. Claire fell into Nathan and sobbed heavily. Nathan held her, stroking the young woman's blonde hair. He looked at the clock and back to his daughter.

"We've gotta go now. Go pack some clothes. We'll go get your mother and then we're heading to New York" Nathan told Claire. Claire nodded and wiped her face, walking back upstairs.

Nathan rang Meredith to tell her of the news. The shock hit Meredith like a truck and she felt as if someone had frozen her blood. The two of them had to force themselves to fight back the sensation of nausea as Nathan explained the situation to her and his plans. In no time at all, the Protector and his Healer were on the road to go pick Meredith.

The drive to New York had almost been cloaked in a deathly silence. The three patriotic-Petrellis had to force themselves to speak, and resist the urge to give-in to the feelings of sickness that boil within them.

Meredith glanced over to her husband and took his strong hand in hers, squeezing it as she gazed upon this man who had now become a true patriarch in the full meaning of the word.

"Peter's not gonna take the news too well. And neither will Gabriel. You know how sensitive those boys are," she said.

"I know, I know" Nathan mused. "But we have to give them the news immediately. We need to be a lot more strict with our plans and everything else we do," he told Meredith.

Meredith looked back to Claire, who was fast asleep. She smiled, as the young healer lay there tucked under her jacket. She knew that Claire was their legacy and they had to protect her, no matter the circumstance, or the cost. "So are you going to get Elle and Gabriel to meet us at Peter's?"

"That would be best" Nathan said as they crossed the border into New York State. Finally they made it into Manhattan and to his mother's old mansion. Nathan and his girls exited the car and he just looked up to the house in front of him. He had lived there for such a long time as he and brother's grew up with their parents. He couldn't believe that his mother was now gone forever, leaving the entire Petrelli fortune and name in the hands of her three sons and their families. Nathan looked at Meredith and Claire; both of them smiled at him and the trio made their way to the door.

Peter heard a knock at the door and walked to answer it. He opened the door to see Nathan, Meredith and Claire standing there in the cold, with bags in hand. He saw the expression on his brother's face and he instantly got a hit from Nathan's mind.

"Nathan what happened?"

"It's Ma" Nathan heaved. Peter stood there staring at his oldest brother. That's when the tears began to bubble in Nathan's eyes, "She's dead Peter. Our mother…she's dead," he sobbed lightly.

Peter immediately ushered them inside and Nathan gripped him tight. The youngest Petrelli didn't understand everything that was happening, but from what he picked up from Nathan, he too began to sob.

Just then Eden entered the foyer to see the scene unfold, "Peter? Are you okay?" she asked.

Meredith just looked at her future sister in-law "Angela was killed tonight" she said softly.

Eden's eyes became bigger than usual as she went wrap her small arms around her lover's waist. Meredith and Claire closed in on Nathan and the five held each other as the men cried out in agony.

A little while after, once the emotions had settled and everyone had revived, Eden walked into the living room with a tray of steaming beverages, handing a cup to each other her family members.

"So what happened to her Nathan? Who came after her?" Peter asked tenderly, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

Nathan looked to his brother, his hands trembling lightly as the shock of the event came back to him. "It was Pinehearst Pete. They obviously know something's happening on our side, so they came after us to try to weaken us."

"And it seems they almost succeeded" Eden said softly.

"Don't you even think like that Eden" Meredith said strongly. "Angela did a lot for this family and we're gonna continue the fight in her memory."

Nathan was almost shocked at the sudden tenaciousness his wife display. It was as if her ability had begun to manifest through her personality, which was something the family rarely witnessed.

Nathan rubbed Meredith's hand in reassurance. "We'll notify Gabriel and Elle tomorrow and we'll figure out where to go from there" Nathan said. He looked to Peter, almost asking his desired question with his dark brown eyes.

A smile swept its way across Peter's face "Sure you stay here. All of you can." Nathan smiled warmly, "Thank you."

Eden got up from her place, next to Peter and addressed the family; "I'll get your rooms ready."

Peter's mind was now a whirlwind of thoughts. He wondered who had made the hit of their mother, who had authorized it, who had called the shots, and where they were operating. Claire walked over to her uncle and cuddled him.

"Don't worry Peter. We'll figure this out. We'll do it together," she said in a husky tone. Peter wrapped his arm around the young girl and Claire lovingly leaned her head on his shoulder. She then got up and said goodnight to her family and headed to the room designated to her. Meredith was next to retire to her room for the night, leaving Nathan and Peter alone.

Peter was still struggling with what Nathan had told him. He still couldn't believe that their mother was gone, that someone had selfishly taken her life just to get at the current generation of Petrellis. What had been done to Angela was one of the worst crimes that could be committed against a family who just wanted a seemingly "normal" life. Yet in the Petrelli household, normal had never been an option.

"So what are we gonna do now? Are we gonna wait it out?" Peter asked, continuing to calm himself.

Nathan sighed, scratching his head "I dunno. I personally think we should wait it out, get back under the radar before we make our next move" he told his brother.

Peter nodded. "Good" he answered simply, "Cause I'll need the time."

"What do you mean Pete?" Nathan asked, narrowing his eyes in confusion. Peter blinked a few times, his face expressionless until it sunk.

"There's something I need to do before we go back into attack mode," Peter said.

"Well if you tell me what it is then maybe I can help," Nathan said in that brotherly-tone.

Peter shook his head lightly, his chocolate-brown hair falling in his face "I don't think you can help with this one Nathan. There's only one person who may be able to help me."

Nathan continued to look at his younger brother. He somehow knew what Peter was talking about, as he could see the man's fingers and hands twitching every now and then. "Is it your abilities?"

Peter nodded in response "Yeah."

"By the way, what happened that night at my offices?" Nathan inquired, leaning forward on the couch.

Peter mentally replayed the scene for himself, taking notice of every moment that was made, every action that was performed. He hung his head briefly before talking, "I-uh…I somehow managed to 'replicate' Gabriel's telekinesis without touching him" he told Nathan.

Nathan blinked wildly at first, almost in disbelief of what he had just heard "How is that possible? I thought the formula gave you a different ability."

Peter nodded. "Well it kinda did, yet the ability I've had for the passed couple of years is similar to my mimicry that I had before."

"Okay so let me get this straight," Nathan began "You and Gabriel were together in the building and somehow you were able to just 'absorb' one of his abilities?"

"Yeah. But I only seemed to absorb the ability that he was currently using" Peter explained.

Nathan thought about it for a moment and looked his brother in the face "What can you do now?"

Peter swallowed, "Well, I can fly, use telekinesis, I've got enhanced strength and I can read minds" he said.

Nathan pondered on what Peter had said and pointed to him "Do you think it's possible that your original ability has begun to just…come back?"

"I dunno…maybe," Peter answered.

"That may explain the reason you've been able to hold onto the abilities you have now," Nathan said with a smile.

Peter thought about what Nathan had just said and ran a hand through his hair "It could be. But I've also mastered the ability I have. That's why I've been able to hold onto the three abilities I have now."

"Correction! Four abilities" Nathan smirked.

"Anyways" Peter breathed, "I'm gonna try to get in touch with Mohinder and see what he has to say about it. He's back in New York now."

Nathan pursed his lips slightly "Are you sure you wanna bring him back into the fold?" Peter nodded.

"The guy's been through a lot. Who knows if he'll even wanna discuss abilities again" Nathan mused.

Peter was almost disappointed by his brother's statement, but he knew he had to do what he had intended. "Nathan this has to be done. I just…need to know."

Nathan got up and walked over to Peter, placing an arm around him, just like he used to do when they were kids. "Look I know you feel that you have to do this. But let's give it a few days. We'll call Mohinder when we're settled…okay?"

Peter exhaled slowly "Okay."

Nathan brought him in for a hug and kissed Peter on the head through his hair. "Let's get some sleep," he advised. Both the men got up from the couch and headed up stairs.

Before Peter reached the midway point, he quickly jumped back down and flicked his hand towards the front of the house, locking the door.

"You good?" Nathan asked. "Yup" Peter asked as he made his way up to the second floor.

"I'll get in touch with Gabriel and Elle tomorrow morning and I'll get them over here" he Nathan said, looking around the second floor of the house. "It'll be a lot better if we all stick together from now on. Meaning we'll be living back here at home for a while."

"Sounds like a good plan" Peter smiled.

"I love you Pete" Nathan said with a smirk.

"I know. I love you too Nathan" Peter replied.

With that the two men went their separate ways and headed to bed. Both of them remained awake for quite a while, staring up at the ceiling of their bedrooms. It was hard to shake everything that had occurred a few hours earlier, and the emotion was too much to keep inside. Each of them let out deep sobs of agony as the memory of their mother washed over them like a wave, breaking on the shore.

Meredith and Eden each comforted their men, wrapping them arms around them and holding them in their embrace, not telling the lovers go for a second. Claire could faintly hear the soft wails of her father and uncle, which subsequently caused her to tear-up and release her emotions.

The once buzzing Petrelli mansion had now become a house where tragedies broke forth, but because of the unbelievably strong bond between each of the family members, it was also I home where love prevailed and strength was released in the midst of pain and personal destruction.

Mohinder sat there, perched on the windowsill of his home like a human bird of some sort. He peered out into the city scope of Manhattan and exhaled slowly. He was now back in the city where so many monumental events had occurred. This very place where he had become one of the extraordinary individuals he had been searching out since the death of his father. He knew that his current thought process wasn't the best, but he wanted so desperately to avenge his father and take care of those who had pushed him into the life he had previously lived.

"You never deserved this life Chandra" Mohinder said quietly into the night air.

Mohinder hoped someday that he would reach the place of redemption his family deserved. He was the only one left of his lineage, and he had to do what was right by them…what was right by him.