Chapter 10: The Face of Evil

Seconds later, Simone was brought into view. She looked in Peter's eyes, and then dashed into the room, fastening her arms around his neck. "Peter, I thought I'd never see you again!"

"Can't get rid of me that easy," He said, holding her tight. "It's so good to see you, Simone." And it was. God, was she a sight for sore eyes. He hadn't really realized how much he had missed her. He had been so busy with Claire, making sure she was safe, that he actually forgot he had a life back in New York. A life he had given up to follow his destiny. Did his destiny involve Simone?

Simone kissed him, and held him tighter, "Don't ever scare me like that again."

"I won't, I promise." He smiled at her, "The officer said you identified yourself as my girlfriend."

Simone smiled back. "I guess after everything's that happened, I want to be."

He cracked a grin.

"Everyone's here." She said, "They're all waiting to see you. Isaac, Mohinder, a man named Hiro…"

"Hiro's here?" Peter asked.

"Yeah." Simone said, "He was rambling on about a cheerleader. I told him you saved her."

"How'd you know?"

"Nathan told me when you were in that coma… I should have gotten here sooner, Peter."

"No. You're here now and that's all that matters." He brushed his bangs out of his eyes and asked, "Have you spoken to Nathan recently?"

Simone shook her head, "No, only when you were in the hospital. About a week ago, maybe two."

Xxx

Claire splashed water on her face. Girlfriend. Peter had a girlfriend. Why hadn't she thought of that? Why hadn't that thought ever entered her mind at least once? She was so wrapped up in him that she didn't even think there could be other women in Peter's life.

"You okay?" Audrey asked, standing behind her and watching her in the mirror.

Claire nodded, "Yeah."

"You know, Claire, you don't have to face your father."

Claire looked down at the faucet, "Jack Bennet, and I want to."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah," Claire gave a small smile, "Just tired."

"You hungry?"

Not anymore… She gave a small nod.

"Well, let's go back and see what Matt's up to. We'll get you guys some take out menus."

"Can I see Jack Bennet first?" Claire asked.

Audrey nodded, "Yeah, let's go back and get Peter."

XX

Claire re-entered the cell and found this woman holding Peter's hand, and they were both talking to Matt. Peter smiled at Claire.

"So this is Claire," Simone smiled down at her.

"Oh, yeah…Simone, Claire. Claire, this is my girlfriend, Simone." Peter introduced.

Happy thoughts, happy thoughts… Claire chanted as she shook Simone's hand. Bunnies. Puppies. Whiskers on kittens. "Pleased to meet you." Claire said. Claire thought that Simone would look the way she did, afterall Peter deserved someone pretty, and Simone was pretty much every guy's dream. Tall and beautiful, everything Claire found that she was not.

"We're going to bring them to holding now." Audrey said.

Peter gave a nod and turned to Simone, "I won't be long."

Simone kissed him, and Claire found herself hating Simone more each second. She had Peter. Did she have to flaunt it?

Peter pulled away from Simone and wrapped an arm around Claire's shoulders. "Let's go."

Xxxx

Jack Bennet looked up when the door opened. Through his bars, he saw Peter Petrelli and his daughter walk over to him.

"Do you want to go inside?" Matt asked.

"No." Claire replied, crossing her arms and staring at the man she had once called father. "We're here. Funny how the tables have turned."

"Claire." Mr. Bennet said.

"Is there something you wanted?" Claire asked.

"I have so much to tell you. I turned myself in just for you."

"I don't care. You're nothing to me anymore."

"You don't understand who your real father is." Mr. Bennet replied.

"And you do?" Claire asked.

Mr. Bennet sighed and looked into his daughter's young face. She was so young, so innocent… but the truth may keep her alive, and that's all that mattered. "What I'm about to tell you Claire is going to surprise and hurt you."

"I can't be hurt anymore than I already am." Claire said bravely, even though her voice trembled a little. Try as she might, she didn't see this man as Jack Bennet… she saw him as her father. Maybe it was because he looked down and defeated, nothing at all like he looked at the lab.

"He's a mob boss named Linderman." Mr. Bennet said, "He's the man responsible for the attempt on your life."

"He killed Jackie?"

"He may as well have. He's the one who told Sylar exactly where to find you."

"Sylar…" She whispered. So the murderer had a name.

"Sylar was in our custody at Site A. Linderman ordered him removed to Site B. He requested another," Jack turned to Peter. "Your brother."

Peter snapped his head to him for the first time, "Where is Nathan?"

"At our Site B." Mr. Bennet said, "About fifteen miles from here."

Peter lunged at the bars, and slammed his hands against them. "You're responsible for this… all of it!"

"I was following orders." Mr. Bennet said, folding his arms. He didn't even flinch at Peter's sudden outburst of force.

"And you followed them without hesitation, like a…"

"Puppet?" Mr. Bennet asked, "Yes, I suppose I was, but it was all for Claire!" He added desperately, "Baby, everything I have ever done has been for you."

"Like erasing Zach, Mom and Lyle's memories." Claire whispered, a tear threatening to fall.

"It was necessary. I just wanted you to be safe."

XXx

"What's going on here, Parkman?" Audrey asked as they watched the conversation between Peter, Claire and Mr. Bennet.

Matt gave a small shake of his head, "They're like me." He nodded to Claire, "She's indestructible," and he nodded to Peter, "And he can mimic everything."

Audrey shook her head, "And where's Wolverine?"

"Canada." Matt said.

Audrey shook her head but was smiling, "Shut up Parkman."

XXx

"Necessary?" Claire asked. "You took Peter's brother."

Jack Bennet lowered his eyes to the floor, "Your brother has something Linderman is interested in."

Peter narrowed his eyes. "And what's that?"

"The ability to be persuaded."

"Shut up," Peter barked.

"You know I'm right." Jack met Peter's eyes. "If I were able to keep you at the lab, you would have been safe until I dealt with that situation, but now… you're in more danger than you ever could have asked for."

Claire swallowed the lump in her throat. Her would-be killer was still out there, and he had the mob's help in locating her… how's that for nightmares…

"It doesn't stop with Sylar." Jack Bennet said, "There's many more out there."

Claire had heard enough, "I want to go." She grabbed Peter's hand. "There's nothing more to say or hear."

Peter turned to Jack, "I want directions to this facility."

"I can't provide them."

Peter slammed his hands against the bars again, "Why not?"

"Because by this time it's already too late."

"You son of a bitch!" Peter roared. He turned to Matt, "Open that fucking door, I'm going to tear him apart!"

Matt walked over, and grabbed Peter. Audrey wrapped an arm around Claire's shoulders and steered her out of the room.

Matt had Peter's arms behind his back. EASY.

Fucking son of a bitch, I'm going to fucking KILL HIM…

EASY. EASY. Matt replied.

Slowly, Peter's blood pressure lowered, and he stood there heaving, resting his forehead against his hand.

I'll help you. Matt thought, I'll help you find your brother. Let's just get the hell out of here.

Peter gave a short nod, and walked to the door.

"Protect Claire." Jack Bennet told him.

Peter stopped and gave him a look of flat out loathing. He then continued out the door, Matt right behind him.

"We're ready to roll on the safe house." Matt said as they re-entered the cell where Simone and Claire waited..

"Can I get some clothes first?" Claire asked. She had been wearing the same outfit for days. Plus, she needed time away from everyone to clear her head.

Matt nodded.

XXX

Nathan rested his head against the cool glass in his room. It had been hours since he had moved from this spot. He needed a way out of the situation he was currently in, and the only way he knew how to do that was to lie his way out of it. He was running for Congress, afterall. He did nothing but bend the truth, and then smile his million dollar grin, and everyone ate it up. Cameras flashed, people cheered.

It was a great gig.

But here… there were no cameras, there was no audience… here he would have to rely on his wit, and lady luck. Given everything that had happened, luck was still on his side.

So now what… you pretend you're going to hurt Peter but… what's going to stop him from hurting you? Well, he would cross that bridge when he came to it.

He heard the door open, and Linderman walked in.

Nathan smirked. Right on time…

"So, Petrelli, are you ready to be a Congressman?" Linderman asked to his back.

Nathan inhaled a few breaths of the heavy smoke from Linderman's cigar. Without turning around he said, "I've thought about it all night. I'll do this one thing and move on with my life. "

"Excellent choice, Petrelli." Linderman said. "Release him." He turned to go, "Oh, and one more thing," He added as an after statement, "I have associates watching your house with your family inside. If you don't bring me my daughter, they don't live." He patted Nathan on the shoulder and left the room.