Meeting Decision

Alicia stepped out of the taxi, taking Gabriel's offered hand. He helped to steady her then let her hand go. It was always that way, he seemed to take any excuse to touch her, but he never took it very far.

The closest thing they had shared, to anything romantic, was the time when he had kissed the top of her head over a month ago. It was like he didn't want to get too close to her, yet sometimes he couldn't help himself.

"Nathan Petrelli said that he'd be here until noon. We'd better hurry," Gabriel said, looking back at Alicia. She realized that she hadn't moved yet.

"Sorry."

They walked into the posh apartment building, where the Congressman had said they could meet him.

"He seemed very anxious to see with us," Gabriel said, punching the button for the elevator. The doors slid open and he motioned for her to go in first. She stepped in and he followed. An old Carpenters song played softly in the background.

"Why do you think he wants it taken away so badly?" Alicia asked. For the most part people didn't like to have their powers removed. Usually, Alicia would have to take them by force; if she thought it was necessary.

"Something to do with his wife's accident. He didn't really go into the details." Gabriel's hand brushed against Alicia's. Her skin tingled in the spot where his skin had met hers.

"I think this should be an easy one," he said, reaching back to tuck his gun into his jeans a little better. Once again his hand brushed hers as he brought it back in front of him.

They hadn't been able to talk much since that innocent kiss a month ago, their work had become harder and more necessary as a rash of murders had been breaking out all over. Each one seemed to be accomplished with the use of a power and they had to work quickly to find whoever was doing it. The silence between them had become almost impossible to bear.

Gabriel had become her family. Her only family; having been raised only by a mother and even she wanted little to do with Alicia.

Alicia had spent so much of her life wanting human contact, but never getting it; even a hug now and then would have been something. Gabriel's way of hovering, of always being almost in reach but never close enough to touch was frustrating.

The thought of this built in Alicia for a few moments until suddenly she reached out and took hold of his hand. She laced her fingers through his and waited to see what he would do. The elevator was silent save the oldies music that floated in the air.

His hand was limp in hers and she didn't have the courage to look at his face.

"Alicia…" he whispered, pain seeming to pulse through each syllable.

She looked up at him, his eyes were bitterly sad and she felt her heart twist like it was being ripped from her.

There were millions of things she wanted to tell him, the least of which was the fact that she was deeply in love with him, but she didn't speak. She just slipped her fingers out of his and stepped quickly out of the doors as they opened to their floor.

The Petrelli's apartment was decorated with dark woods and elegant fabrics. Reds and creams and olive colors filled the room where Nathan Petrelli led them.

"Thank you for coming. I won't take up much of your time. You see I simply want it removed," Nathan said, sitting in an arm chair.

Gabriel shifted on the edge the couch that, he and Alicia shared.

Alicia's mind was detracted but she came out of her musings long enough to look at the stranger who sat across from her. "Why is it that you want to have it taken, Congressman? Most people would consider flying a true gift."

"How did you know I fly?" Nathan said, his eyes narrowing.

"It's part of my gift. I can see what your's is."

"Oh. Well, you see, my 'gift' was the cause of a huge…tragedy." His eyes looked to the rooms that lay further into the house.

"I see."

Alicia thought for a long moment before she decided what should be done. "Alright. I'll take it, but not forever. I usually try to find another host for the majority of the powers, so that they are not lost. But in this case, well, I think maybe one day you might want it back and when that day happens it will be waiting for you."

"Trust me. I won't."

"All the same. It will be waiting for you, in me. Now are you ready?"

"Yes."

Alicia stepped forward and moved close to Nathan. His face was placid and empty as she reached out and touched his left shoulder.

She felt the dry linen of his shirt and then the smooth wisps of his soul. It didn't take long to find the power of flight that lay close to his mind. She couldn't see his soul, like so many others, but she could feel the folds of it.

Her mind's hands gripped the gift and a pure, coursing joy surged through her. Wind seemed to be whipping at her face and combing through her hair. She felt as if she were flouting, weightless, pure and exhilarating.

Fantastic images flashed across her vision. Dancing moons and stars, oceans filled with diamonds, an island where mermaids sunbathed. Like every man, Nathan's gift of flight was connected to the part of his brain that imagination comes from.

The power came easily because its owner gave it willingly. Nathan let out a slight grunt but he didn't seem to be in much pain.

"Done," Alicia said, feeling the new power resting in her mind. She looked back at Gabriel. He met her eyes for a second then he jerked his gaze to the doorway. A man stood there, his dark eyes flicking from Gabriel to Nathan and finally rested on Alicia. He had a look an his face, like he thought she was attractive, but it was slightly more lustful than the average first meeting.

"Ah, Pete," Nathan said, addressing the man. "These are some friend's of mine. This is Alicia Grant and Gabriel Gray. This is my brother, Peter."

"Nice to meet you," Peter said, his horse voice filled with a hint of something more than a casual greeting. His eyes never left Alicia, they examined ever line and curve of her body.

"We were just leaving," Gabriel said, a dark note in his voice. "Come on, Alicia."

"Sure," Alicia stepped forward her eyes not leaving Peter.

"Thank you, both," Nathan said from behind her.

Peter cocked his head to the side, he looked like an animal appraising a situation. "Do you have to go?" he said.

"Yeah. I think so," Alicia told him, she tried to make her voice sound light. Gabriel got up slowly and began to move towards her. She wanted him beside her more than anything. Though she didn't know if she wanted to protect him or if she wanted him to protect her.

"That's too bad," Peter said, cocking his head to the other side.

Alicia tried to look within him but she wasn't able to see anything, not even if he had a power or not, but something made her think he did.

She started to move to the door, knowing that she would have pass Peter to get through it. A heavy weight was building in her mind.

Peter's face changed to a stretched smile, "I don't think I'll let you go." He lifted his hand in the air.

Gabriel yelled something just as Alicia flew into a glass cabinet. Dozens of shards sliced at her skin as she slid onto the floor. Her vision was darkened by something wet pouring from her forehead.

"Pete! Stop!" she heard, Nathan, yell.

"Stay out of this, Nathan," she heard Peter say, a monster's voice speaking along with his own. She heard the sound of a body hitting a wall. Then the sound of a gun shot burst through the room.

She was lifted into the air, just as her vision cleared.

"Stop this!" Gabriel said, pointing a gun at Peter's head.

Alicia realized that she was floating in the air. Peter's finger pointed at her body. He flicked it and she flew into a wall, the impact taking her breath away from her.

The gun fired again, three or four times. The sound deafened one of her ears. There were immediately arms around her lifting her off the carpet. Her eyes cleared again and she saw Gabriel's face inches from hers.

"He's just stunned. We don't have much time." Peter lay on the floor, he was wrestling to get to his feet.

"I'm too hurt, Gabe. You have to do it."

Indecision reflected in Gabriel's eyes for a split second then he nodded at her. She reached out, putting her bloody hand on his chest.

Peter's angry words where closer to them just as the power flowed from her to Gabriel.

In a blink, they were in the air and soaring out of the window. With a boom, Gabriel jetted them away, the wind rushing past them.

His strong arms wrapped tighter around her and she could feel ever pulse of his heart.