Disclaimer: I do not own Heroes. NBC does, thanks to Tim Kring.

A/N: If anyone reads these anymore, Idk. I've been super busy being back at school. That's part of the delay. The other part of the delay lies in the fact that I had no idea where I want to go with this anymore. This chapter was really hard to write. I still want to finish it before the new season starts and the pressure is on. (Here's hoping though Two more and an epi.) So, please, please leave some reviews. It's really hard to keep going right now and I need some motivation… Hope you enjoy it. Dani

Chapter Twenty-Six: Unexpected

PETER PETRELLI & MOHINDER SURESH

Mohinder stared at Peter. "I can't say I'm completely surprised," Mohinder replied with more force than he thought he had, "Claire's ability is so unique that it would be natural that it was genetic."

"But Nathan and I have completely different abilities. How does that make sense if you copy the parent?"

"You don't." Peter raised an eyebrow at Mohinder response. "You can but not always. Claire's case is rare. I've never encountered another person with an exact replica of a parent's ability. I've seen cases where they are similar or have lots of variation off the base of that ability but never exact. There's always an ability; that's a given." Mohinder moved around the living room, gathering papers as he spoke.

"If you share the genetic code then you will manifest some kind of ability. It's practically impossible not to—especially if you have two parents with powers, as you and Nathan do. However, the way one manifests and the ability one manifests is different. It seems to be based on the individual's personality somehow, as well as their genetic make-up. I haven't figured it out. I doubt I ever will," Mohinder said quietly. "How did she take it?"

"Not well. Her life's been torn upside down repeatedly in the last few months. It heals then it comes again. She was still sleeping when I left. I figured that it was best," Peter said. Mohinder nodded.

"Where's Claude?"

"Nathan put him up in a hotel. It's better than him sleeping on our couch invisibly. Claire was freaked about that so Nate volunteered. My mother's deeply involved."

Mohinder looked at him. "Yes."

"Yes?"

"I know. I'd seen her at the Company headquarters. I never knew her role there but I've always known she's important. You could tell by how they said her name when they spoke of her. I didn't pry then, though maybe if I had things could have been different," Mohinder spoke slowly, the regret falling off his words.

"Where's Molly?" Peter asked as a subject change.

"Next door at Matt's. She stayed there last night."

"Why?" Peter asked. Mohinder didn't need to reply for Peter was already smiling. "A date? It went well."

"Yes, it did. We had a great time with absolutely no talk of Sylar."

"That's always a good day," Peter said.

ELLE & SYLAR

Sylar kissed the top of Elle's head in the morning light. She looked up at him. "Are you nervous?"

"About Peter Petrelli?" he asked at her question. She nodded. "Not really."She nodded then in understanding. He was nervous about the outcome. What if she ended up being right and Sylar couldn't resist that machine? She was nervous about that too and she didn't want to be right for the first time in her life. But she wouldn't tell him that. She had to have faith in him for her well being, for theirs, for his—which was more important than anything else.

"I made breakfast."

"Sounds great," she said with a smile as he kissed her lips softly.

MATT'S APT.

"That's Mohinder," Matt said. "Let him in, Molly."

Molly bounced to the door and opened it almost as wide as her smile when she saw Peter there. She jumped in his arms and he hugged her. Her eyes sparkled as she followed the two men inside.

"Peter, what's going on?"

"I came to see Mohinder and I figured I'd walk across the hall with him."

Matt looked at Mohinder, who smiled. "Is that it?" Matt asked. All three men eyed the paper that Mohinder held in his hand. Matt's thoughts about Harper's paternity raced through his mind and Peter caught them.

"It is. You don't have to open it."

"But you know what it says because you did the test."

"Yes," Mohinder replied.

"If it were something that bad you wouldn't have brought it."

Mohinder was quiet as Matt took the paper. "I'll open it after I wash the dishes."

"What were you talking with Mohinder about?"

Peter looked at Matt. "Claude Raines came by last night. He gave us knowledge that we didn't have before about what's going on at the Company. And he told Claire something interesting."

Matt's eyes widened suddenly. "What do you mean Adam Monroe is her father?"

CLAIRE

Claire rubbed her eyes and raised her arms above her head in a stretch. She huffed and looked beside her. The bed was empty and she shivered at the coldness of Peter's empty side. The sun that came in from the window was warm on her skin. She looked at the clock beside her and realized she slept all day. It was already noon—which explained Peter's absence.

Claire moved sleepily out of the bed toward the bathroom. She groaned when she saw herself in the mirror. Her hair was disheveled, her face streaked with old mascara and her eyes still swollen from a night of crying and day of too much sleep. She looked away from her reflection and turned the shower on. The water would undoubtedly wash away the reminder of yesterday. Everything, of course, but the truth. The cold hard truth.

Hot water fell softly on her bare skin. She closed her eyes and let it fall on her face. She stood in the water, unwilling to move from that spot. It was one of the few places that life made sense. The other was in Peter's arms—but she feared even that would be strange right now. Prophecies, lies, fate. It was too much all at once. Especially with the truth now—or more of the truth. Angela had played God. The Company had played God. Adam Monroe had played God.

Adam Monroe. Her father.

ADAM MONROE

Adam stared down at the sleeping child on his couch. He raised his eyebrow as he stared at the boy named Micah. The boy's words replayed in Adam's head. Please save my mom. You're the only one who can. She needs you. Adam sighed and sank into the kitchen chair. The kid 

obviously needed his help and who was he to deny that? She's all I have left. There's no one else. He understood loneliness. He had to help Micah and his mom.

As if on cue, Adam's name rang out through the silence. Adam looked at Micah. "Can I go home now?"

Adam sighed. "Yes, Micah. I'll take you home."

"And you'll help my mom?"

"Yes." Micah's face lit up with a smile.

MATT'S APARTMENT

"I should go," Peter said. "Claire's probably awake." Everyone nodded and said their goodbyes. Peter froze before he reached the door. "What?"

Mohinder looked at him. "What?"

"Did you hear that?" Peter asked Matt. Matt shook his head. "Someone was thinking about a puppy."

Mohinder laughed. "Peter, that's crazy. Why would we be thinking about a dog?"

"There it is again! You didn't hear that?" Peter asked.

Matt nodded. "I did. It was Harper."

Suddenly, barking filled the room. Everyone looked at each other. "There's no way," Matt said. Everyone bolted toward Harper's room. They opened the door just in time to have a small black puppy run out the open door toward them.

Harper stared up at them, a smile on his face. "Hi, Matt, Moninder. Molly, you like my puppy?" Molly nodded and smiled. The boy giggled and chased the puppy out of the room.

"Tell me this isn't happening," Matt said softly. "He didn't just think about that dog and then it got here."

"It seems that's what happened," Mohinder nodded, "It would make the most sense with all the other things."

Peter and Matt both looked up as Harper's thoughts filled their head again. He was thinking about a tricycle. A red tricycle. There was a weird puff of smoke that filled the living room around Harper, showing only his shoes. Then, the smoke dissolved and a shiny red bike was beside Harper.

"Oh my God," Matt said. Harper jumped on the tricycle with a smile and laughed as he rode around the living room.

"If there was any doubt before, there's no denying it now," Mohinder replied, holding back a chuckle.

Peter hit Matt on the shoulder. "I definitely need to be going home." Peter waved to Harper and hugged Molly before he left.

Matt sat on the chair as Harper rode around in circles and the puppy chased him. Mohinder sat beside him. "This is ridiculous," Matt huffed. "What kind of ability is that?"

Mohinder laughed, "One that we're going to have to teach him a lot about."

Silence filled the room again, except for the laughter from Harper and the barking from the little black puppy.

NIKI'S APARTMENT

"Mom," Micah yelled. He threw his bag on the couch and moved through the small room. Adam stood in the living room, frozen in the silence. "Mom? Monica?" There was no reply.

"She's not here," Adam said softly.

Micah looked at the older man. "Where is she then?"

Adam shrugged, his eyes wandering the room. He pointed toward the blinking red of the answering machine. Micah moved toward the machine and debated on using his power, but pushed the button instead.

Monica's panicked voice filled the room. Adam and Micah listened as she spoke. Micah looked at Adam. "I'll take you, don't worry. I'm sure your mum will be fine," he said quickly yet unassuredly.

Micah nodded and they left the room before the message had completely played.

CLAIRE

Claire played with the sandwich she didn't really want to eat. She wanted pizza but you can't order a whole pizza for one person. Her mind wandered to Peter. Where was he? It was late. She needed him with her, needed him back there. Her thoughts were jolted by a knock at the door.

"Peter!" she smiled. Peter wouldn't knock. Her smiled faded and returned when she saw Hiro on the other side.

"Cheerleader Claire," he said. "It's so good to see you."

Her smile faded again. "Not usually. That usually means trouble." She looked past him toward Elle and Sylar. "Since they're with you, it makes my point."

Hiro laughed lightly. "I'm here to see Peter. And you, of course."

She smiled. "Of course," Claire moved from the door and let them enter. "Peter's out right now."

"When's he coming back?" Elle asked. Claire glared at her and shrugged.

"I don't keep tabs on him."

"That's not what I hear," Elle whispered. Sylar gave her a look and she was quiet.

Claire ignored her comment. "He'll be back soon. You're welcome to wait, Hiro."

Hiro nodded and looked at the plate on the table and at Claire. "Are you eating that?" She shrugged and took the plate away. "I could do some pizza."

Claire's face lit up. "Are you sure you're not a mind reader?"

Hiro blushed. "Sometimes, Cheerleader Claire, I wonder."

"Me too." Claire tossed him the phone.

ST. LUKE'S ROOSEVELT

Monica saw him coming toward her before he saw her. She yelled his name and wrapped the boy in her arms. She just held him there.

"Where's my mom?" Micah asked.

Monica looked at the tall, silent, blonde man feet away. "Is this Adam?"

Micah said yes quietly, his eyes still on Monica. "Where's my mom?"

Monica leaned down even with the boy. "Micah…" her voice changed. It was softer now. Adam shifted at the change. He knew it too well. "There was an accident. Your mom was already weak. She saved this girl, Micah."

"What are you saying? Is she hurt?"

"Micah," Monica sighed quietly, "she was really hurt, weak. She didn't make it."

Micah shook his head. "That's a lie."

"Micah."

"I got Adam! He can save her," Micah said. He stood in front of the man. "You can save her. You can! Your blood can heal her."

"I'm sorry," Adam said. His voice was raspy. "I can't. It's too late Micah."

"I want to see her!" he yelled. Monica started to protest. "I want to see her now!"

Minutes later, Micah cried in Monica's arms, feet from his mother. Adam left out the back door.

PETER'S APT.

Claire's laughter rang through the apartment as Peter walked in. Her laughter was echoed with another girl's voice and two men, one he recognized immediately as Hiro's. "Hey," Peter said slowly as he came inside. The laughter subsided and everyone looked at him.

"Peter, I'm glad you're here."

Peter smiled weakly at Hiro.

"Want some pizza?" Claire asked as he kissed her cheek.

He shrugged.

"Where were you?"

"I went to see Mohinder and Matt. Tell them the news," Peter said. Claire nodded at his tone. Tell them about Adam. "And apparently, we have another friend with a power."

"Who? Surely not Mohinder?" Sylar asked. Peter tossed him a look.

"No, no. Harper."

"Matt's son?" Hiro said quickly. Peter nodded.

Peter sat beside Claire and took a piece of pizza. "What's going on?"

Hiro stiffened in his seat. "We've discovered something. We need to run some ideas by you."

"About?"

"A power-stealing machine the company has acquired," Elle said.

Peter choked on his pizza.