Author's Note: Short little chapter, but sweet. We had a small time skip in this chapter. Just months. Nothing major major. Sorry about the whole deal with the last chapter. Anyway enjoy this chapter. Beginning of . . .well . . .see chapter title.

CHAPTER 38: The Beginning of A Long Evening

Peter took a forkful of onions in his mouth that had spilled from his fajita. Gabriel was relaxing sitting back in his chair with nothing on his plate. Not that he didn't enjoy Lulu's fajitas. It was just that he had dinner soon. Marc on the other hand was eating them like they would turn his insides gold.

The boy was all of sixteen with a browned skin and an eager look in his eye. The boy had been captured by the paired partners. Gabriel and Peter had been partners for a good seven months with the occasional assist from Luke, who had decided to take time off with Elle in order to better pay attention to his school work. Currently he was debating between a psych degree and a business degree.

Marc was a young boy with incredible strength who had run away from home. Flint and Tracy had been on his trail in Manhattan when Peter and Gabriel had rescued him from a deadly fate. Marc gulped the can of coke as Gabriel raised an eyebrow at him. The can disappeared as the boy crushed it between his hand.

"This is freakin' sweet." Marc hummed in a Spanish accent. "Seriously I can't believe my mom bought the whole volunteer thing." The boy glanced around the room looking at a dark skinned boy with large hair standing on line with a girl around his age. "Who are they?" He asked clearly pointing to the two preteens.

"Don't point." Gabriel told the boy flicking his hand so the boy's pointed in another direction. Peter smiled chugging his coke. He swallowed before speaking.

"Micah Saunders and Molly Walker." He explained moving his chin toward the two. "Molly's a tracker, not one a team and Micah's on Rebel." Peter ran his hand over his chin smearing the oil of the fajita over his skin. Marc peered at the two who were speaking to Lulu, today wearing a black and red blouse that was a bit low cut.

"And the cute chica behind the counter?" Marc asked moving his chin as his pointer. Gabriel nodded in approval peering at the young woman.

"Lulu, our one and only chef at the Company." Peter Petrelli stated beginning to lick his fingers of oil and fajita goodness.

"You might have to stay with her." Gabriel went on to say watching as Lulu gave Molly a small special made fajita. She put the special ones on red plates. "She's been complaining about living alone to Elle." He mused with a quick witted smile.

His wife had been complaining about the complainants of Lulu French to him nearly every nice in the past two months she had been complaining about her living situation. Mainly because she was the only one without a roommate. Despite her yearns to get Molly Walker in her home. She adored the little girl, but Angela had "plans" for her. Angela had plans for everyone.

"So does this Lulu have a guy?" Marc asked with a wicked grin. Gabriel and Peter exchanged looks before giving quiet laughs. Nobody had come into the Company and hit on Lulu. Most tried it with Elle. That was until she looked like an overinflated balloon.

"Actually I have a date with her tonight." Peter explained swallowing down some food. Marc looked wide eyed at the guy as if he were about to punch him.

"Dude, sorry I-" He began.

"No problem. First date. It was sort of a spear of the moment thing. My mom forced me into speed dating and Lulu happened to be there." He rolled his eyes knowing his mother had this whole relationship planned out already. He was just willing to go along with the ride. Besides he liked Lulu.

"So any reason I can't stay with either of you?" Marc asked picking the fajita up and scooping it into his mouth.

"Well my house is pretty full as it is." Peter explained grabbing one of the napkins Gabriel had gotten. "And Gabriel has a wife who is about to pop." Marc looked over at the man who was glancing at the clock.

"You got to be somewhere?" Marc asked swallowing his food down.

"Dinner. Elle will be pissed if I miss out on her." He remarked getting up from his chair. "Have fun." He stated giving a mock salute. He was out the door in less than a minute.

"He is whipped." Marc whispered with a soft laugh. Peter joined in with him.

"Believe it or not, they both are." Peter already knew how much they both relied on each other.

--

Gabriel already knew things were bad when he saw the lights dim. He wasn't even in the apartment and already things looked bad. He quickly pulled out his keys. He twisted them in the door letting himself into the dark apartment. He heard a yelp come from the couch.

Elle sat on a couch in a dark blue baby doll dress. One over her hands was under the bulge that protruded around her small frame. The baby had grown to full size in her body. Her face winced in complete and utter pain. Just a bit red. Sparks curdled around her knuckles. Gabriel went to his knees beside her pressing his hand to the hand that rested on her rounded stomach.

"Elle," He whispered kissing her hot forehead. Sparks fluttered out of her mouth as she cried softly. "It's okay. I got your overnight back by the door." He motioned toward wheelie back by the front door. A bright pink one. "I can call Peter-" He fumbled for his phone only to get sparked.

"In. The Car." Her face became serious for a moment before erupting in pain.

"Okay," He said softly taking her hand. "Off the couch." He helped her up slowly as she cried out in pain. She wanted this child out of her and she knew the kid probably wanted out too.

"Company." She said in an exhausted breath. Gabriel nodded holding her back and leading her to the door before grabbing the bag.

"Only place that can handle you." He held in a laugh knowing that Elle's pain was only the beginning of this long evening.