Thanks to all my readers and reviewers! Especially thank-you to GreenLeoFiend, Shakespeare's Lemonade, superlc529, BetterThanReality, HeroesBonesSNPB, and sifer.
Previously on Heroes (Storm Clouds Gathering): The Heroes begin a discussion on what to do now. Unsure, they all stay the night at the Petrelli mansion. Phoebe is kind of depressed about her family's situation, so Peter comforts her. She still can't sleep, and while wandering around the mansion, she meets up with Nathan. The two share some friendly words and just happen to be overheard at the wrong moment by Heidi, who becomes jealous. The next morning, she confesses her worries to Peter, who at first shrugs it off, then begins to wonder as well. Meanwhile, Wyatt has discovered a note in the Company folder--a note asking for help from the heroes. His past-sense shows him that it has something to do with John Shoe. Anyways, Peter is reassured of Phoebe's feelings for him and breakfast begins...
CHAPTER FIVE
Everyone was finishing up their breakfast when Wyatt strode up to the table with purpose.
"What is it, Wyatt?" Nathan asked, setting down his glass of orange juice.
"I found something that I think concerns all of you," Wyatt said quietly, looking around at those seated at the table--Nathan, Peter, Phoebe, Heidi, Hiro, Sasha, and Claire. He moved around the table to hand a small piece of paper to Nathan. "This was in that Company folder."
The congressman frowned. "What is this?"
"Read it, sir, if you will," said Wyatt. "When I touched it, I was struck by a sense of urgency. The writer's thoughts were briefly about someone named John, perhaps Peter's friend. I think your talents are needed."
Nathan read the note aloud, while the others listened intently.
"John's in danger!" Peter exclaimed as soon as the note was read. "We have to do something!"
"We can't just up and leave for Maine, Pete," Nathan countered, setting the note on the table.
"But we must be heroes," Hiro spoke up. "These people need our help."
"Here. Let me see the note." Peter reached across the table and grabbed it.
"Peter. No," said Nathan, narrowing his eyes on his brother.
"I want to see," said Peter defensively.
"I don't know that that's such a good idea," Phoebe joined in. "The last few times you used Wyatt's power, it took a lot from you."
"Wyatt's standing right here," Peter reassured her. "It'll be easier to use his power that way. And besides, if I survived that fight with Sylar, I can survive anything." Stubbornly, he stood and turned his back to the heroes at the table.
Phoebe sighed, while Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Peter, I can just tell you what I saw," Wyatt spoke up.
"Hear, hear," said Nathan, motioning to Wyatt.
"I want to see for myself, but thanks," said Peter politely to the gardener, ignoring his brother. "Maybe we see the past differently. Maybe I'll notice something you didn't see." He closed his eyes and focused his energy on the paper's past.
A thin, pale man with thinning hair scribbled frantically on the paper, glancing occasionally over his shoulder. Peter could hear his thoughts: Where's John? What are they tricking him into now? Not me. I won't be tricked. I've got to get out of here. They may have John fooled, but not me. These people they're watching may be able to help me. Yes, I'm sure they will. They'll come get me out of Maine… They'll help me, like that lady at Bottletree…
Peter gasped as the past-vision blacked out almost violently. His knees weakened momentarily, but he swiftly caught himself and turned steadily to face the others. "We've got to help this guy," he declared. "He and John are being taken to Maine by these… other people, the ones who are watching us. We can't just sit by and let them use John and this other guy." He set the paper dramatically on the table. "I'm going to Maine. Who's going with me?"
"We should think this through," said Nathan, holding up his hands.
"I teleport us to Maine, Flying Man," Hiro volunteered.
"Hang on, Hiro. We haven't decided--"
"We should go," said Heidi, surprising everyone else.
"Whoa." Nathan turned quickly to face her, eyebrows raised. "We? Heidi… You don't have a power. I don't see how--"
"If the rest of you go, I go," Heidi insisted, crossing her arms. "I'll not be left out of this."
"But what about Phoebe and Claire?" Sasha spoke up quietly. "They wanted to find Meredith Gordon."
"True," said Hiro. He frowned for a moment in concentration. "I teleport them to Meredith Gordon, then we meet others in Maine!" He grinned then, proud of his plan.
"That works," said Peter, motioning to Hiro. "It's a good plan, Nathan. Let's do it."
Nathan sighed. "Peter, I'm a congressman. I have certain duties--"
"That Mom would be happy to take care of for you," said Peter dryly.
"That's a scary thought," Nathan replied with a wry smile. "I do have some excellent staff members who could probably manage things very well…"
"So we're really going to do this?" Claire spoke up, an unreadable look on her face.
Peter looked askance at Nathan, then replied, "Yes."
Running a hand down his face and sighing, Nathan nodded. "Unfortunately, yes."
"So… We're going to be separated," said Claire quietly. "From each other, from our families in New York…"
Everyone was quiet for a moment.
"We have to do this," Peter said forcefully. "We're… heroes. We're gifted. We don't have these powers for nothing. We have to do something with them. Might as well use them to help someone."
"And anyway, if we don't find out who these watchers are and what they plan to do with us, we could be in a heap of trouble," Sasha added. "So we need to find out who they are and what they want now, before this grows into a bigger problem."
Nathan glanced at her with one eyebrow raised. "I hadn't thought of that. That makes a lot of sense."
"Sasha is very smart hero," Hiro declared.
It took an entire day for the heroes to settle things with their jobs and families before they could prepare to make their journey to Maine. Phoebe went with Claire to speak to her adopted parents. Naturally, Noah Bennet did not want Claire to go unless he went along, but Phoebe managed to convince him that she would take good care of Claire--though she suspected Noah would somehow keep them monitored, or perhaps show up along the way.
Another night was spent in the Petrelli mansion, then the heroes prepared to go their separate ways.
"She's in Canada," said Peter, shaking off the weird feeling that accompanied his use of the finding power. "In a small cabin in a clearing. It's a pretty place."
"Is she alone?" Claire asked quietly.
Peter nodded. "Yeah."
Claire stood in the living room between Phoebe and Hiro, preparing for teleportation. "Good thing we packed warm clothes," she said lightly, holding up her suitcase. Her eyes went to Nathan, who gave her a quick smile and a nod. "Well… I guess we should go now."
"Be careful," said Peter quickly.
"We will be extra careful, Peter Petrelli," Hiro proclaimed, giving him two thumbs-up.
"Hey, Phoebe…" Peter took her hand and led her away from the others into the hall as they began to discuss details of the journeys. "I mean it when I say be careful," he said intensely.
"I know," said Phoebe quietly, looking down.
"Is your coat warm enough?" he asked, peering at her with a concerned frown and straightening the collar of her coat.
"It's fine, Peter," she replied with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Take care of Claire and Hiro, and… Take care of yourself."
"I will." She looked back up at him, biting her lip. "You be careful, too, Peter. No self-sacrificial missions while I'm gone, alright?"
Peter grinned lopsidedly. "I'll try to stay in line. Nathan will keep me there. Or at least he'll try."
"Good old Nathan," said Phoebe with a grin. "I'll miss him, too."
Peter's own grin weakened at her words. "Phoebe--"
Oblivious, Phoebe continued, "However, I think…" She slipped a hand behind Peter's head and touched her forehead to his. "I think I'll miss you more."
Peter's grin perked up slightly. "You just think?"
She moved closer to him, her lips almost touching his. "I know."
Peter kissed her, slowly at first, then with mounting intensity. When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless. "Be safe, okay?" Peter whispered, pulling her close.
She rested her head against his shoulder. "I will. And you'd better do the same."
He held her quietly for a moment, trying to memorize the feel of her in his arms. "I love you, Phoebe," he said quietly, suddenly, his voice barely above a breath.
She was quiet for a few seconds, and Peter started to worry, then… "I love you, too, Peter."
He smiled. "Good."
When they reentered the living room, Hiro and Sasha were hugging good-bye. It was a bittersweet sight to see, and Peter had to swallow down a painful lump in his throat. He did not want to think of Hiro and Sasha being separated, or any of them being separated for that matter… Especially himself and Phoebe.
Phoebe squeezed his hand, then slowly slid hers out of his and moved to stand with Hiro and Claire by the fireplace.
"Well," said Nathan, clasping his hands together. "This is it."
"We are going on a mission!" said Hiro brightly.
"All of you be very careful," said Nathan.
"We'll see you in Maine," added Heidi.
Nathan stepped forward toward Claire. "I'll miss you," he told her quietly.
"I'll miss you, too," she said, looking up at him.
He reached out and drew her into an embrace, whispering, "I love you."
"I love you, too," she replied quietly as he released her.
Then Nathan turned to Phoebe, while Heidi watched closely. "You take care of yourself, too, Phoebe," he said, patting Phoebe's arm.
"Will do, roger that," she replied with a wry grin.
Nathan gave her shoulder a squeeze. "I don't want to have to come flying out to Canada to rescue you."
"You be careful, too, Flying Man," she replied. "'Cause even if you do get in trouble, I can't fly to your aid." She glanced over his shoulder. "And look after Peter for me, will you?"
Nathan met her eyes steadily, and they were both suddenly serious. "You know I will," he said.
Then Hiro stepped toward the congressman. "We will meet you in Maine, Flying Man," he said, holding out his hand.
Nathan shook it with a grin, then stepped back.
Hiro moved between the two girls and took their hands.
Peter and Phoebe looked at each other across the room, and he gave her an encouraging smile. She bit her lip and nodded to him… and vanished with Hiro and Claire.
The next sensation Phoebe felt was the wind--cold and hard. She gasped and turned her head, grinning over Hiro at Claire, who had done the same thing.
"There is cabin!" Hiro called over the wind, pointing.
They were standing in a field of tall, dark green grass, grass that somehow managed to thrive in the middle of winter. A log cabin stood against a forest of pines at the end of the field of grass. Smoke curled out of the chimney, whipped sideways by the wind.
"We can do this," Claire said across Hiro to Phoebe.
Phoebe nodded to the other girl, despite the fact that she was unsure of herself.
Hiro squeezed both their hands. "I will be with you, Phoebe Agnew and cheerleader."
Phoebe smiled down at the little hero. "I'm glad," she said sincerely.
And still holding hands, the three heroes walked determinedly toward the cabin.
The others were taking a train to Portland, Maine.
Using the Walker girl's finding power, Peter had only been able to determine that John Shoe was somewhere near Portland, and Nathan did not trust his brother's teleportation skills. He still shuddered inwardly at the memory of ending up in a wild park on the bad side of town, bleeding from a hole in his arm. That had been interesting to say the least…
The politician jerked his attention back to his brother, who was speaking to Heidi and Sasha, who sat across the aisle from the Petrelli boys. "So then we'll hit the local library, maybe a few gas stations, and ask if anyone knows about a place called Bottletree."
"It could be anywhere," Heidi said with a frown.
"Just think about it, Heidi," said Peter a bit impatiently. "This man who wrote us the note wouldn't tell us to go somewhere for help if it was halfway across the country from where he's going."
"That makes sense, I suppose," Heidi admitted. Watching her lips, Nathan thought she was probably trying to surprises a smile at Peter's smug attitude. She leaned back in the train seat and shook her head, then glanced abruptly at Nathan.
Caught. He looked quickly away from her, turning to stare out the window at the view, which seemed to be racing by almost as fast as he could fly… No, not even almost as fast. Nathan grinned slowly…
"Nathan, I have a strange feeling about this Bottletree place," Peter said, nudging Nathan with his elbow.
Nathan turned to meet his little brother's eyes. "What sort of 'strange feeling,' Pete?"
"I don't know… Like--like it's destiny or something."
"Like it's destiny," Nathan repeated. He shrugged nonchalantly. "It may very well be. Now if you don't mind handing me that magazine--"
"Darn it, Nathan. Pay attention to me!" Peter exclaimed. "And anyway, if you had given me the window seat like I asked, you could get the magazine yourself."
Nathan narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"Okay. Fine." Peter grabbed the magazine and handed it to his brother. "But I mean it, Nathan. I'm serious. There's something about this place… I know we'll find it."
Nathan sighed. He had a strange feeling, too--a feeling that he was not going to get any reading done on this trip. Must be my destiny… He smiled slightly, amused at his own thoughts.
"I'm serious, Nathan," Peter repeated, his eyes stormy.
"I know. Sorry." Nathan patted the other Petrelli's shoulder. "I was just…" He shook his head. "Sorry. So… Is this feeling of yours bad or good?"
"It's good, I think…" But Peter frowned abruptly.
"What's the matter?" Nathan asked quickly.
"I just… I don't know." Peter shook his head, still frowning. "Suddenly I don't feel so good." His face was beginning to pale.
"I think Heidi's got some motion sickness medication in her bag," Nathan said, patting his brother's shoulder and trying not to appear as concerned as he felt.
"Thanks, but I think I'll be alright. I just--" Peter grinned suddenly and raised an eyebrow at Nathan. "So you know what she's got in her bag now?" he asked quietly. "Are you guys… close… again?"
Nathan's eyes narrowed again. "Peter…"
"Sorry. Just asking." Peter rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat with a hurt look on his face.
Nathan sighed. No need to be so cold. He's just being the nice, annoying little brother he's supposed to be. "As a matter of fact, I just happened to see her pack it. And no… We're not close again." He glanced across Peter to where Heidi and Sasha were talking quietly in their seats.
"I'm sorry, man," said Peter quietly, regaining his brother's attention.
"So am I," said Nathan, opening the magazine.
Peter patted Nathan's arm encouragingly. "Things will turn out alright."
"How do you know?" Nathan asked, meeting Peter's benevolent gaze and feeling ridiculously vulnerable. "Do you know what's in the future?"
"No. I just know my big brother," Peter told him with a crooked smile.
"So… How long have you known Phoebe?" Heidi asked Sasha, glancing for a few seconds over her shoulder at Nathan, who seemed to be engrossed in some magazine.
"Years and years," said Sasha, oblivious to the reasons behind Heidi's questions. "We met at a Future Teachers of America conference when we were in high school and hit it off instantly. She's still going the teaching route, but I changed my mind."
"Ah." Heidi smiled at Sasha, then remembered, for the dozenth time, that Sasha was blind. She lightly touched the back of the younger woman's hand. "So… Does she talk to you much about Peter?"
"Constantly," said Sasha with a smile. "She's totally in love with him." She leaned closer to Heidi, whispering, "I have a feeling they're going to get married one day."
"That would be great," said Heidi noncommittally.
Sasha suddenly frowned, turning over her hand so that it was palm to palm with Heidi's. "What's the matter, Heidi?" she asked quietly.
Heidi's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" She winced as she remembered what Sasha's power was.
"Heidi, Phoebe loves Peter," said Sasha slowly. She withdrew her hand from under Heidi's.
"How do you know?" Heidi whispered.
Sasha's lips quirked in a crooked smile. "I'm only blind in one sense of the word."