"Peter," Elle whispered. "Peter. Peter. Peter!" Her whispers grew louder as she shook him.

"What?" he mumbled as he rolled over and opened his eyes sleepily. He saw Elle kneeling right next to him on the bed. He rubbed his eyes and stretched to turn the bedside light on. Once he could see Elle he saw that she had been crying. "What's wrong?"

"I can't sleep Peter, I'm scared," she said. He glanced at the clock.

"It's been two hours since I've been asleep! Why didn't you wake me up sooner?"

"Well I didn't want to wake you up but I really can't sleep," she said nervously. He looked over at her bed and saw the pillows scattered all over the bed and the sheets falling off the bed.

"Come on," he said. "You can sleep here tonight." He saw a relief spread across her face as she said thanks. She crawled into bed with him. Peter resisted the temptation to kiss her right now. She looked so cute and innocent in her flannel pants that were like his except navy blue and with just her camisole on. But he refused to let those kind of feelings get in the way right now. Instead he just let her curl up close to him as he lay on his back and put wrapped his arm around her as she stretched hers across his chest. He held her protectively and wanted her to feel safe in his arms. "It'll be okay, don't worry," he told her just like he had all day. But he could already feel her breathing peacefully and heard her sigh peacefully. He had a terrible time falling asleep as he thought about poor Claire in the hands of some maniac and thought about how he was going to get back at Bob. Soon he let out a frustrated sigh. It was going to be a long night.

---

"This is perfect," Bob said with sick glee. Claire's heart sank as she saw the computer screen. No matter how cute Peter and Elle were together sleeping protectively side by side it was terrifying to know that they were here.

"How the hell--" she said but was cut off by Bob.

"Human tracking device," he said. "It's all convenient really. My daughter and Peter being here in the same hotel as us is very useful." He untied Claire from the pole in the closet and pushed her towards the bathroom. "Stay in there," he said and locked the door from the outside. Claire leaned against the bathroom wall and slid down slowly. She let out a shout and with a shriek she banged her head on the wall in frustration. As she calmed herself she heard low talking outside the door. She crawled towards it and put her ear to it.

"Well get Elle, we'll deal with Peter after we have her," Bob said.

"Yes sir," Vince replied. Claire let out a frustrated grunt. She saw towels on the rack and got up to bring some of them down. She folded one carefully so that it could be a pillow, laid another one on top of the mat in front of the shower, and used another one for a cover. She lay down and curled up tightly realizing that it was near four in the morning and she was exhausted. She allowed herself to fall asleep.

---

Elle opened her eyes to find sunlight right in her face. She let out a soft groan and buried her face in Peter's shoulder. "Hey sunshine," he said sounding tired.

"Morning," she mumbled. We've got to find Claire." Peter sighed. Claire had been all he thought about last night.

"All right," he said. "I'm going to hop in the shower."

"Go ahead," she said and he went leaving Elle alone in the room. She looked and found her jeans and changed right before she heard a noise. A knock came on the door and she hesitatingly walked towards it but thought before approaching it. "Peter?" she called loudly into the shower but he didn't hear her. The hotel door swung open and she jumped. "You're okay!"

---

"Wake up," Vince said gruffly and a swift kick to Claire's side brought her to her senses.

She got up stiffly and tried to open her eyes. "Why?" she groaned.

"We're getting Elle," he said.

"No, wait, you're making a mistake," she began to plead. "Elle didn't do anything. Please don't do this."

"What's the matter with you," he said angrily and dragged her to the door by her hair. "We're getting her and that's that. In fact, I'll make you do it."

"And if I don't?" she asked defiantly. But all confidence left her as he spoke his final words.

"We injected you with a serum while you were asleep," he said with a sly grin. "It temporarily disables your powers for a period of sixteen to twenty four hours."

"I don't believe you," she said shakily but regretted it as he grabbed a small pocket knife and swiftly cut a small wound on her arm. She let out a shriek and used her other hand to wipe the blood. But the blood didn't stop and the wound didn't seal up like it usually did. It kept running down her arm stayed open like real wounds should.

"I won't do it," Claire said with fear.

"Okay, if you want to play it like that," he said and grabbed the laptop and quickly typed and got to where he wanted to. "We'll just kill them." He turned the laptop so Claire could see. Her hope was disappearing and she knew she had no choice when she saw the screen. It was her mom and brother. "Gunna do it?" he asked looking at her with an evil smile.

She paused before answering but finally replied through gritted teeth, "Fine."

"I knew you'd come around," he said in a nasty voice and put the barrel of his gun to the back of her head. "Now you'll do as I say. Let's go."

"This isn't fair," she said angrily but he hit her with his gun. She gasped as she felt blood running out from the side of her mouth. She could feel her cheek throbbing and knew a bruise was bound to form.

"Let's go," he said and shoved her out into the hallway. They got into the elevator and he hit floor two, only a floor below theirs. He continued to handle her roughly as he led them to the right door. "Room 263," he said stopping right in front of it. He moved a good way down the hallway with his gun out and pointed at Claire. "Convince her to come," he said and looked at his watch. "You have about five or ten minutes before Peter finishes his shower," he told her because he had been watching the streaming video of the room. As she turned to knock he stopped her.

"Now what?" she asked angrily.

"Almost forgot," he said. "You need this key. It unlocks any room. You also need to inject her with this serum." He handed her a syringe. "Careful, it's full." She looked away and nodded as he walked back down the hall to watch from a distance. "Remember, don't go in the room or I'll shoot. If you don't get her, we'll kill your family, then Elle, and then you."

Claire raised her fist and knocked on the door. I can't do this, I can't put Elle back in this mess, she thought. She sighed and slid the card key in and opened the door. She saw Elle standing there in a pair of jeans and a cami. "You're okay!" Elle shouted.

---

Elle ran and almost knocked Claire over as she hugged Claire. "You're okay," she repeated in a whisper as she hugged her even tighter. Claire, who only patted Elle's back with one hand, was weak and almost collapsed under Elle who finally let go. She looked and saw that Claire just hung her head. "Hey," Elle said. "What's wrong?" Claire looked up and Elle could see a bruise on her cheek and blood running down the side of her mouth.

"He's watching me," Claire whispered.
"My father?" Elle asked feeling the panic creep up.

"No, someone else," she replied simply. She pulled a syringe out from behind her back which was why she only hugged Elle with one arm. "This serum, it takes away your powers temporarily. I'm supposed to inject you. They said I had to bring you back or they'll kill all of us. My family, Peter, you, and then me."

"But they can't kill you."

"Yes they can, when the serum is in me," she explained sadly. "He's standing down the hall with a gun. If I come in he said he'd shoot. I can't do this Elle."

"Can't do what?" Elle asked scared.

"I don't know. I'm scared, I don't know what to do."

"Peter's in the shower, let me—"

"There's no time he's going to come," Claire cut her off.

"Well—Claire!" Elle exclaimed as she saw her plunge the syringe into herself. "What are you doing!"

"Come on," Claire said and dragged her out the door and gave Elle a trust me look. She shoved Elle roughly in front of her and pretended to start crying. "Happy?" she shouted at Vince. He nodded as Claire threw the empty syringe at him. "Let's go," he said looking at Elle. She shuddered and knew he was the top agent of the company other than her. Well now he was the official top agent. He motioned and Elle looked at Claire who nodded.

"No," she said rather unconfidently. "I'm not going with you Vince."

"You little bitch," he growled. He raised his gun but she let out a bolt of lightning. Unfortunately he used his speed and just nearly dodged it. Claire barely had time to shriek before the gun shot and a bullet shot right by the two of them. She looked up in time to see him raise his gun and shoot again but couldn't warn Elle to move as the bullet pierced Elle's right arm. Elle let out an ear piercing scream and dropped to her knees as she held her flesh together. She gritted her teeth and kept herself from any more screaming as she squeezed her eyes shut tight. "Claire!" she cried out. Claire was next to her in an instant and looked up glaring at Vince.

"Get away!" she shrieked. He laughed and walked over and held another full syringe.

"I'm always prepared," he said in a low voice and shoved the needle in Elle's neck as she let out another scream. Her arm burned and so did the serum as it traveled from her neck. She whimpered and Vince backhanded her with a laugh as she fell over clutching her arm.

"Stop it!" Claire shouted and tackled him. She was tiny and was no match for him but tried anyway. She grabbed his throat and began to slam his head to the ground when he rolled over and she was on the bottom. He raised his fist back and sent a hard punch to her cheek. She couldn't defend herself as he did it again. Claire closed her eyes as she saw him raise his fist again when a voice said, "That's enough." It was Bob. His voice still angered Claire, even if it had just saved her. Vince got off of her and she saw Bob holding Elle with his arm around her neck. She was holding on to her arm and blood was still pouring out. "Let's go," he said in an icy tone and dragged Elle down to the elevator. Claire followed reluctantly with Vince holding both arms behind her back. They soon reached their room where Elle and Claire were both locked in the bathroom. Elle held her arm painfully.

"It's over," she said with her voice quivering. "It's all over. He's got us."

"Peter will save us," Claire said confidently. But inside she wasn't sure. The door opened and Vince appeared. "Come on," he said motioning to Elle. Elle was terrified and backed up. Claire moved herself in front of Elle.

"Don't touch her," she said defiantly. He pulled out his gun again.

"Now," he ordered. Claire reluctantly moved away and helped Elle get up. Shaking, she walked towards Vince who had a twisted grin on his face. He laughed and shoved her out the door and winked at Claire.

"Don't hurt her," Claire pleaded but knew it was no use. He only laughed and shut the door.

---

"Elle," Bob said slowly. "You've disappointed me. You're going to be punished." He watched carefully and saw her eyes widen with terror.

"Sit," he said. She sat down obediently. Elle wanted to defy him and be brave. But she wasn't strong enough. She couldn't bring herself to hurt her evil father. "Let me see your arm." She obediently let him look at it and he told Vince to take care of it. In a matter of minutes he had the bullet out and it was wrapped up in bandages but it wasn't properly taken care of in a cast or sling. "Now," Bob continued. He suddenly turned around and grabbed her throat. "You're going to pay for leaving us." He squeezed tightly and she began to choke.

"I'm sorry," she said choking and tried to use her good arm to stop him but her left arm was weaker. She tried to use her right arm but felt a sharp pain shoot through it.

Claire was sitting in the bathroom with her ear pressed against the door. She heard Elle struggling for breath. "Hey!" she shouted and banged on the door.

"That's not enough," Bob said and slammed her to the ground. "You never learn Elle. You're not safe unless you're with us." She began to apologize but he only hit her. "Shut up Elle I don't want your apologies," he said.

"Then what do you want from me!" she shouted. She dug her fingernails into him and he let go.

"I want you to prove you're sorry," he said backing off.

"Why would I do that? All my life you've only hurt me," she said rubbing her throat.

"You won't be safe unless you're with me," he said again.

"That's not true," Elle said and heard Claire pound on the door. "I've got her. She cares about me. She keeps me safe. Peter keeps me safe. You know why? They keep me safe from you."

Bob was getting angrier and grabbed Elle by her hair. He dragged her over to the counter and picked up a taser. She saw it and began to struggle to get away. He'd use it so many times before on her. He used it and held it to her arm that was shot. She let out a shriek and fell. "They obviously couldn't keep you safe for long," he said triumphantly.

"Elle!" Claire shouted from inside and pounded harder on the door. "Elle!" she screamed and heard Elle fall. "Come on Peter," she mumbled to herself.

---

"Elle I'm done," Peter said as he opened the door with just jeans on. All the steam poured out of the bathroom but he turned and saw the open hotel door. With panic he raced into the bedroom and saw that it was empty. "Elle!" he shouted. "ELLE!"