"So, feel like checking the place out a little bit? We can give you a run down of what goes on here." Peter offered, as they made their way to the elevators.
Rose pursed her lips, " I think I left my golden ticket at home but if you can get me in free, I'd love to see the everlasting gobstopper machine first."
"Ok well, glass elevator is this way, please." Peter ushered her in with a flourish of his arm. Rose smiled as she passed him. After punching in the desired floor, Peter turned back to her and held her gaze for a moment. "Are you sure we haven't met? I really feel like I know you from somewhere."
"It's the face. I have one of those faces that everyone just recognizes, I guess." Rose answered turning from Peter to stare straight ahead. Sylar coughed from the other side of the elevator.
"Yeah, I guess. Emma seemed to know who you are, too. She was the woman I was talking to after the meeting, yesterday." Peter said looking at her curiously.
"Well, that might be one instance where the person does know me. Emma's treated me a couple of times."
"As in medically?" Peter asked surprised.
"You would be surprised how hard it is to get treatment when there are no records of you ever existing."
The elevator doors opened up to the basement and Peter stepped through, turning back to continue his conversation with Rose. "So, she gave you illegal treatment?"
Rose snorted," Do you honestly think she would be that stupid! She just helped me out from her apartment when she could." Rose stopped for a second and studied Peter. "She's an amazing woman."
Peter stopped, "Yeah, she is. That still doesn't explain why she would go out of her way to help you, though."
Rose shrugged, "Maybe I helped her out, too."
Sylar finally spoke up. "Helped her with what?"
Rose turned to him blowing out an exaggerated sigh. "Let's see, what could a person with abnormal abilities living in the world possibly fear? Hmmmm, I guess it could be the secret organization, which hunts down people like us; rips them from their lives and if we're lucky, simply tags us with tracking devices. Or, there's the elder Petrelli's secret government operation. You know, the one that happened to fall into the hands of a man hell-bent on pulling an Adolph Hitler and ridding this world of people like us, all together. Or, just a little cherry on top, the guy who was running around while all the rest of this stuff was happening, picking us off one by one." She turned to Sylar for the last bit. "I'm not trying to bring up the past here, I'm just trying to be as accurate in my account, as possible."
"Emma wasn't in danger then, many of the people with abilities out there weren't identified." Peter's voice rose an octave.
"Obviously, more than you thought! You know, I get that the last three or four years have been hell for you, both of you. It sucks, finding out that you're a pawn in somebody's ultimate plan, or that someone you love could be responsible for something so terrible, believe me. But here's the kicker. With everything that you were going through you had, at the very least, an idea of what the hell was going on. Think about what it was like for someone who had no idea. No answers for what was happening to them besides, maybe if they were lucky, a copy of some book, dug up from the dregs of the local library. When all you know is you're being followed, people are missing and the Government, YOUR Government, is endorsing this; all bets are off."
"She's never mentioned any of this to me." Peter stated, staring dazedly at Rose, still processing her rant.
"And why would she? We helped each other out in a scary time. I highly doubt that she is going to divulge that information to just anyone," Rose returned.
"I'm not just anyone, alright!" Peter fired back
Rose froze and her entire body went rigid with the realization. "You're dating her."
Peter took a breath before he began speaking again, this time much calmer. "Yeah, and I don't know, if you know but she's been through an ordeal recently with that whole carnival incident. I just….recently, I have been a little protective, is all. I just….she beats herself up about it sometimes, even though she couldn't really help what happened. So please….I would appreciate this information."
Rose was silent for a moment then, quietly, she said, "Maybe you should ask her."
"I'm asking you."
Peter and Rose seemed trapped in a staring contest as Sylar stood to the side, uncomfortably watching the other two. Finally, Rose broke eye contact. "Let's get on with the tour, Willy Wonka, then if you boys promise to foot the bill, I'll let you take me out somewhere nice. Where I will answer any questions you have. Deal?"
"Ok," Peter finally answered. "So this is the basement as you can see, this is where we do most of our sparring or practice as it were………"
And with the tension somewhat relieved, the tour continued through the building.