Chapter 10: Fallout
(The Carlyle Hotel: New York City)
It was a mob scene outside as police and emergency crews swarmed the Carlyle hotel analyzing the scene and questioning the guests and staff about tonight's events. Hiro and Ando take Jesse and Flint outside for medical attention and arrange for transport, but Knox managed to escape custody. The word of Nathan's unexpected heroics to negotiate the release of the hostages got media attention. He found his phone going off from calls from Tracy and the rest of his staff in Washington as the events of the Carlyle made all news stations. Matt and Mohinder stayed with Sloan, Jamie and West knowing the teenage girl was reeling about the sudden manifestation of her abilities tonight.
Minutes later, the heroes saw a small extraction team sent by the Company get a debriefing from Ando and Hiro about tonight's events. They were sent under the guise of being FBI agents sent to apprehend Flint and Jesse and take them into custody. The two left to head back to Primatech Research with two of the recaptured criminals but Nathan's main concern was for Peter and Claire. Both of them come out from an alleyway behind the hotel and out to the main street towards the police and emergency personnel looking for any sign of Nathan or Claire's friends.
"Claire! Peter!" Both of them turn and sees Nathan.
"Dad!" She heads for her dad. "Dad." They reach each other and they hug.
"Nathan." Peter replied panting a bit as Nathan examines the state of his daughter and his younger brother. He hugs them both with a sigh of relief but keeps a protective embrace on Claire.
"What happened? Are you okay?" Nathan fired questions of concern as she nodded her head. "It's okay. You're okay. Thank God you're alright, the both of you."
"Dad, it was terrible, I saw him again, he—" However, Nathan stops his daughter for a moment.
"I know, I know that's why we came here tonight." She pulls away from him a little.
"Nathan I saw his face, I know who is his," Peter said panting frantically. "It's Adam Monroe. He's the one responsible for what happened to Noah, his family and Meredith."
"Adam Monroe? Are we talking about the same Adam that was in Odessa months ago trying to unleash Strain 127 of the Shanti Virus?" Nathan voiced his disbelief to think that the same guy who manipulated his brother into almost unleashing a biological virus was at the forefront of all of this. He read the file and knew of his capability to cause havoc and harm, but he never imagine Adam attempting to go after Claire. "He...he was behind the murders in Costa Verde? Pete are you sure it is him you saw tonight?"
"Who is Adam Monroe? That's the name of the guy who killed my moms, my dad and brother in Costa Verde?" But then her attention switch to her friends wondering if they were safe. "We have to go back. We - we have to go back, Sloan, Peter, West are they-
"No, no, no. They're safe I promise you Claire. Hiro and Ando helped them get the guests out of the hotel. They're being tended by EMTs."
"I need to see my friends please! I need to make sure-"
"Nate just tell her where she can find her friends." Peter pleaded on Claire's behalf. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel guilty if something terrible happened to them.
"They're with Matt and Mohinder. They're lucky to be alive and so are you two." Nathan pointed out where Sloan was to Claire as they watched her head off towards her friends'direction. There was a look of desperation in her eyes but relief knowing at least her friends were safe.
"What happened with the criminals? The hostages? It looks like a media circus out here tonight," Peter surveyed the scene outside the hotel.
"Tell me about it. Apparently my impromptu heroic act of negotiation attracted some media attention and my staff down in Washington are bombarding with calls. Ma had a clean up crew transport two of the escaped criminals back to Primatech Research with Hiro and Ando escorting them. The police will take care of everything. Look at you Pete. You're lucky to be alive and in one piece. Are you sure you're alright?"
"It's not luck, Nathan. I have a feeling that things are getting complicated from here on in."
"I know that feeling which is why we're going to mom's house once the police get all of our statements." Nathan glanced over at Sloan and Claire with the boys being checked out by the EMTs. "I had the driver pick up Heidi and the boys and bring them back to my house. Peter, we have a minor situation we need to deal with right now and it's about time we let Claire in on a few home truths."
(The Petrelli Mansion: New York City)
It was already a little pass 1:30AM in the morning when Nathan and company arrived back at his mother's house. By the time they pulled up to the front door there was already photographers and reporters who wanted to ask questions about the Carlyle Hotel situation tonight. The teens were still dressed in their dirty and stained Halloween costumes insisting that Claire's friends spend the night until the media circus dies down. Sloan in particular was still reeling from the events that happened this evening as she unwillingly generated another forcefield with her hands stunning her friends, her boyfriend and everyone else in the house.
"Whoa, I'm guessing it does run in the family," West commented staring at his cousin in awe. "Sloan? Are you alright cuz?"
"Am I seeing this babe? Did you like create a barrier or something to protect us?" Jamie stared with amazement.
"Is this for real Nathan?" Peter turned to his brother looking for answers. "Does...is Sloan like one of us?"
"You should have seen it to believe it. I don't know what will happen if Liam finds out about his daughter's ability," Nathan replied.
"Why is everyone staring at me? I don't know what happened tonight and those guys in the lobby of the hotel what's going on?" Sloan was spewing out question after question unsure of what to make of her new situation. Claire looked at her friend with a newfound interest and she imagine what Sloan was feeling. "I mean there was a guy whose hands were on fire, then there was another guy who had like amplified sound and one guy with superhuman strength like the Hulk. Was that for real? The stuff that came out of my hands, what was it?"
"Look Sloan I know you're confuse and you probably have a lot of questions to ask," Nathan replied. "Believe me, most of us in this house have had our share of trying to understand what you're going through. What I know tonight is that I owe you for bailing out there in the lobby. If either that chandelier or ball of fire struck me I would have been toast."
"So that thing I did tonight, did I save your life?" Sloan asked Nathan as he nodded his head giving a slight smile. Claire put a hand on Sloan's shoulder for comfort.
"Maybe you guys would want to talk about this in the study," Peter suggested as Claire stared at her friends and back towards Peter and Nathan.
"Look Sloan, Jamie I know this is a lot to process but if you want answers about what happened tonight, I would be more than glad to explain things to you." Claire smiled reassuring her friend before turning to the adults in the room. She led them into the study as the guys knew Claire had everything under control. "I...I...want to show you something and I know this is going to be one very long night."
"That pretty much redefines the concept of puberty and teenage angst there," Matt jokingly remarked. "Mostly the odd man out in this scenario is the boyfriend Jamie being stuck in a room with three teenagers with abilities."
"Maybe he'll be able to process the news relatively well and collective," Mohinder commented. "Still it's hard to tell what goes on in the minds of teenagers in this day and age of society today."
"I'm sure they'll be fine and it's going to take some time to adjust and accept it," Peter stated. "We were all in that position as Sloan over a year when our powers manifested. At least Claire is there to give her friends some well deserved answers."
(The Study/Office)
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions about what is happening to you," West said. "Well Claire here has some answers to clear up with both of you."
Claire instructed West to pick up the letter opener on the desk and ask him to stab it through her hand. Jamie and Sloan yelped as West slammed the letter opener through the palm of Claire's hand and pulled it out as the cut was spilling out blood. Both of them stared in bewilderment as the cut on Claire's hand instantly healed right before their eyes and the cut instantly disappeared. She demonstrated once more by tossing her mask up in the air but they didn't see it drop on the floor. Sloan stared at her cousin seeing him levitating off the ground holding Claire's mask and Jamie's jaw just dropped with shock.
"That is freaking amazing." Jamie said in awe. "I don't know what to say. I mean Claire can't get hurt and West, dude you're like floating off the ground. As for Sloan, babe you're like them you can do what they can do."
"Yeah. I know. But what do you think it all means?" Sloan asked curiously. "Having these - these powers?"
"I think it means that we're special." Claire explained cleaning off the desk. "At first, when I learned about my ability it made me feel insecure and a freak. I felt like I couldn't be myself if I denied who I was. It was hard for me to relate to my adopted family and the need to find my biological parents filled this desire for me to find out who I really was. When I met my biological family, found a purpose and became more accepting of my ability seeing it as a good thing."
"Look Sloan it takes time to adjust believe me I know it's a lot of process," West assured her. "I learned that there are others like us out there with different powers and how you choose to use them is up to you. However, it doesn't change the relationship between us because you're still my cousin and I will be there for you."
"Count me in on that too sweetie," Jamie smiled taking a hold of Sloan's hand. "I love you not because of your money, or your popularity, or your Upper Eastside status, or even if you because of your little bubble girl ability. I love you for the person you are and don't forget that."
"But I want to know why? What does this all mean having this ability? If there are others like me out there, am I suppose to use this power for a purpose? I sometimes wonder if life is more than just about social status or reputation? The high life isn't what it's cut out to be and probably most people are friends with me because of my money and my dad's reputation." Sloan said deep in thought.
"Maybe we're supposed to do something with these abilities for the greater good." Claire added giving her friend a hug. "I know it's scary at first, but this is a good thing I promise you. I owe you tonight because you saved my dad's life with your powers. It means that there is upside to our friendship, it makes the bonding experience even better. It doesn't change our friendship but if you want to get a better understanding, I'll be more than welcome to answer all your questions."
"I'm just looking for some answers that's all. However, I am still glad we're friends Claire it makes it easier to relate to one another." Sloan smiled back and turned to her cousin. "Some family huh?"
"Pretty much but for now we got to keep it on the lid from your dad about what you can do," West suggested as Sloan agreed. "Until the time is right then we'll break the news to him. Don't worry, I'll fly out from Costa Verde should you one day tell Uncle Liam about your bubble girl ability."
"So I'm assuming that your dad, uncle and their friends are like you three right?" Jamie inquired with intrigue as Claire nodded her head.
"Well with the exception of Dr. Suresh he's a geneticist. His father researched about people like us," Claire clarified. "I know it's hard for you to understand Jamie what's happening with us and if you..."
"No it's just a bit surreal and something out of a comic book." He reassured them. "So the obvious is this stays our little secret between all of us. Right? I love Sloan too much not to blow her cover and I have mad respects for Claire and West as well. I guess it's been a long night and we should probably turn it in for the night shouldn't we?"
"Seems like the reasonable thing to do. Come on I'll see if I can find some clothes the boys can change into. Maybe Peter or Nathan might have clothes you can borrow and Sloan is more than welcome to raid my wardrobe of clothes I keep on hand at my grandmother's place." The four teens laughed as they headed out of the study and upstairs to settle in and get some sleep.
(Petrelli Mansion: July 1991)
It was another long summer day and Peter was hoping that Nathan would be back from his summer internship. Peter was in the living room showing his niece some of his brother's medals and momentums he received during his time as a pilot in the U.S Navy. There were talks from his parents about hiring a nanny to look after the baby once Nathan started up school again in the fall as Peter entertained his niece.
"Bon appetite Claire, my favourite sandwiches made by Martha," Peter grinned playfully at the infant in the playpen as she found her young uncle's playful bantering humorous. He brought in two plates and placed them on the children's play table set up in the living room. Peter gently lifted his niece and had her sit.
"Claire, you gotta be sick of all that strained baby grub they give you all day. Here you go kiddo. Here's a corned-beef sandwich on rye with a big, fat, kosher pickle. Now, what do you want on the side? Do you want potato salad or coleslaw?" Claire picked up the pickle in her hand and attempted to bite on it. "Just the pickle? Okay."
"Hello, Peter. Hey there my little Claire," Angela replied walking into living room and glancing at the children. "Peter, why is Claire eating a pickle and a corned-beef sandwich son?"
"Because Martha said she didn't have time to make buffalo chicken wings." He said jokingly eating his sandwich but watched Angela take the plate away from Claire.
"I'll take that thank you very much my dear. I'll see to it this sandwich doesn't go to waste and perhaps your father would like to snack on a corned-beef sandwich made by Rena." She then turned back to face Peter eating away before leaving the room. "Oh Peter, we are expecting a guest soon who your father and I are interviewing to fill the nanny position for Claire. See to escort our guest to wait in the living room will you?"
"Okay mom I will," Peter replied sitting with Claire who continued to nibble on the pickle still in her hand. He focused his attention on the smiling baby. "You must be loving that pickle aren't you Claire?"
Peter heard the doorbell ring as he placed baby Claire back in her playpen and went to answer the front door. He opened it to see a young blonde haired woman standing outside looking baffled and nervous. The young boy assumed that the lady was the interviewee his parents were expecting for the nanny position.
"Oh I'm sorry…huh I'm not sure if this is the right address…but…" the blonde haired woman nervously replied. "This is…this is the Petrelli residence?"
"You must be the lady my mom and dad were expecting to interview for the nanny position for my baby niece?" He politely let the young lady into the house as he led her to the living room. The lady's eyes were fixated on Claire who was standing happily in her playpen. "I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Peter Petrelli and that little ankle biter there is my baby niece Claire. She's my big brother Nathan's daughter and I'm her kid uncle! What's your name?"
"Excuse me? Your baby niece? Oh I'm sorry…it's nice to…meet you Peter. My name…is Meredith Gordon," she said staring in awe. "So, this is Claire? She's such a beautiful little baby girl. Is…is your big brother around?"
"He's doing an internship this summer for school but he'll be back before his daughter's first birthday. Nathan wouldn't miss it for the world." Peter walked to the playpen and picked up the baby. Claire settled nicely in her young uncle's arms and he noticed Meredith getting teary eyed staring at Claire. "Are you okay miss Meredith? It looks like you're crying…"
"It's nothing…it's just she must be an amazing little baby girl and your brother Nathan must be a really good father to her." Meredith continued on and asked Peter if she can hold Claire for a moment. He reluctantly handed the baby over to Meredith to hold but there was something familiar about the woman Peter couldn't put his finger on. He was amazed when Claire suddenly seemed relaxed in the woman's arms as Meredith gave Peter a look of gratitude. "My sweet little baby girl thank God you're safe and sound. I knew your daddy would keep you safe like I expected. My beautiful, baby girl mommy is so happy to hold you again."
"Mommy? Why are you calling my niece your baby girl?" Meredith's moment of bliss didn't anticipate young Peter overhearing her murmurs. He was suspicious for a moment and wondered about the intrigue and fondness she had for Claire. "Meredith…are you…are you Claire's…"
"Why don't you hand our granddaughter back to her uncle now would you Miss Gordon?" Peter turns around to see his parents standing in the room eying Meredith down holding Claire. Meredith gives the baby to Peter.
"Hello, I don't know if you remember me but…" Meredith tried to talk only to be abrasively cut off by Angela.
"We know who you are Meredith Gordon. I must compliment you on your fine parenting skills." Arthur scolded the young woman. "Leaving your daughter on the front steps of our house five months ago in the middle of winter shows your character Miss Gordon."
"Are you Claire's mother?" Peter asked looking between his parents and Meredith with Claire in his arms.
"I can explain things and I came here to talk to Nathan to explain my actions. It's just…it's just…well it's been over five months since I've last seen my baby girl and I came all this way. I know you are Nathan's family and I can see how much my daughter means to all of you. If I can have a moment alone with her that is all I am…"
"Peter go take Claire into the kitchen for a minute will you? She is in need of her bottle," Angela instructed her younger son still trying to figure what is happening right now. He looked at his father who also gave a look of acknowledgement to listen to his mom. "Do not worry, we just want to give Claire's mother a bit of time to get acquainted with your niece's grandmother and grandfather." Peter reluctantly left the room making his way to the kitchen but curiosity got the best of him as he eavesdropped on the discussion in the living room.
"You have some nerve showing up here after all these months expecting to suddenly see your daughter," Arthur glared at the young blonde head woman. "You are lucky we haven't phoned the police for trespassing. Besides, thanks to you Claire is back where she belongs-with her family."
"I'm her family too. She is my daughter," Meredith argued. "You don't understand why I did what I did to keep her safe."
"No, you're the woman who gave birth to her, to keep safe. A job you haven't done particularly well and avoided the day you left her on our doorsteps. By doing so you unceremoniously relinquished all your parental rights towards that baby. As far as Nathan goes, do you think he'll have time to talk with the woman who bore his child and left her to be raised by him as a single father?" Angela further argued.
"Look I don't want any trouble and it seems that Claire has already settled into a life with her father and his family. I know how much she means to all of you, especially your younger son and Nathan. Mr and Mrs. Petrelli if she stays with you I know you'll do everything in your power to keep her out of harm's way. That is all I want for my daughter."
"And yet your presence here only hinders the potential threat upon our little Claire's life." Angela cryptically warned Meredith sensing the uncertainty. "As long as your secrets loom out in the open, that little girl's life will be in great danger. You have no idea the consequences of seeking out a truth that should have been long hidden. There is a danger close to home that is going to hit not only her, but our sons as well.
"I would agree with my wife that our granddaughter is better off with us than with you. As far as we're concern you'll be nothing more than an irrelevant figure in that baby's life. We have given her everything needed to provide for her wellbeing." Arthur stated firmly. "Miss Gordon, we know what he did years ago to your family. Adam Monroe, it's a name we will never forget but yet it's a name that will be a plague upon this family."
"My mom and dad knew of him and what he did to my aunt Theresa. If you love Claire as you claim you do then keep her safe no matter the cost." Meredith replied sighing. "If there is a chance I could be apart of your life again..."
"If you value your own safety and that of your daughter then you shouldn't be here." Angela firmly escorted Meredith towards the exit. She opened the door indicating that the young woman overstayed her visit. "As an offer of advice you try and get away from Adam Monroe. Do you understand? For someone whose lived long enough there is still one thing he seeks out in this world that he sees is unattainable: a sense of love and family. Your aunt denied him that once, same with your mother and others afterwards deprived him of it. The only smart logical choice you made was wisely giving your daughter over to the custody of her biological father. You better pray he doesn't make his way to New York."
(The Petrelli Mansion: Present Day)
Peter woke up, breathing heavily and looked out window realizing it was morning. He spent the night in the living room after Nathan and the others discussed about last night's events at the Carlyle Hotel. None of them couldn't wrap their minds around the fact that Adam Monroe was revealed to be responsible for the deaths of the Bennets and Meredith.
"I remembered the summer before Claire's first birthday," Peter didn't need to turn around to know that Nathan walked into the room. He had his sketchbook on his lap sitting down on the sofa and pulled out the picture hidden. "It was another episode of memory repairing but this one happened."
"Maybe it's time Claire knows about the picture." Nathan simply stated. "She needs to know that somehow she was with us and yet we were made to forget about that part of our lives with her. There has to be proof and we need to figure out what happened to make them do this to us."
"I think it had something to do with Meredith. I remembered that summer after the trip to Coney Island, you left for that summer internship in Europe. It was two weeks before her birthday Nate when Meredith showed up at the house. Mom and dad tried to prevent her from seeing Claire. Meredith was going on explaining why she left and then mom dropped the hint about her connection to Adam Monroe and the rest of the Gordon family."
"Ma knew that Adam was connected to Meredith and her family?" Nathan asked.
"Well that's what I assumed and they warned her that by showing up it wouldn't be a matter of time before Adam knew of Claire or her relation to us. Mom chastised Meredith for trying to figure out something in her personal life and it had to do with Adam Monroe. Mom and dad knew the secret but they didn't know what was Adam's interest."
"It's probably the reason why Noah is dead. But why Adam's interest to go after Claire? You said he knew us back sixteen years ago Pete. This lunatic says him and us have a familiar family connection and it has to do with my daughter so I want to know is what is it?"
"I second that vote because I want to know how am I connected to Adam Monroe," the two of them turn to see Claire walking into the living room. She saw the picture Peter was holding and looked at both her uncle and father. "I really couldn't sleep last night after having someone like Adam attempt to kill me again after more than seven months. My friends are still reeling about what went down and had to explain to Sloan about our secrets."
"We're still working on it but we know is that he knew your mother's family a long time ago." Peter said staring at Nathan before he walked up to her. He reluctantly presented the picture to Claire and nervously glanced at it. She saw in the photo a young Nathan and Peter with a little baby girl at Coney Island. She recalled the incident awhile back where she thought she was having an episode of deja vu but she studied the baby carefully in the photograph.
Claire saw the message on the back of the photo and then looked up to realize the truth. "I'm guessing Peter you did more than just repaired your damaged memory. I never...I never really saw pictures of myself before I was a year old and all I know was that I was adopted. Was...this me as a baby with the two of you?"
"Adam delivered the picture to Suresh's apartment a couple weeks back with the message that we receive it," Peter sighed confirming Claire's suspicions. "I really can't explain what's happening to my memories, or that of yours or Nathan's but we're remembering things that we aren't suppose to know. Things that involve you for a reason and that picture is only the beginning."
"So what does this have to do with Adam?" Claire asked.
"That's what we like to know," Nathan confirmed. "It seems like secrets run in this family. Claire, I know you've been through a lot but Peter and I wouldn't put you through this unless..."
"I'm here for a reason and I chose to come live here because you're my family. If Adam Monroe knew my mother and had something to do with the three of us sixteen years ago I want to know what. This is something they wouldn't go this far to protect us by making us forget." Claire explained sounding determined. "We're going to get to the bottom of this."