NIKI & DL
NEW YORK
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Niki rushed to her husband's side, glaring at the box in his arms.
"I'm helping."
"You're still recovering! I'm pretty sure the doctor implied that recovering meant not heavy lifting!"
"I feel helpless just sitting around watching my wife and son do all the unpacking." DL complained.
"And I'd feel pretty horrible if I let my husband burst his stitches helping with something that I am perfectly capable of doing on my own." Niki took the box away from him, lifting it easily.
"Honey, I don't want you lifting things that are too heavy either…"
"I'm strong, remember?" She winked at him and pushed past him to carry the box up the stairs and into their newly rented apartment.
"Damn, I didn't realize I had married superwoman!" DL chased her up the steps and stopped her in the doorway by slipping his arms around her stomach and kissing her neck.
"DL! I might be strong, but I'm not going to be able to hold onto this box if you keep doing that!" She protested, giggling at his tickling kisses. "Besides, what if our neighbors see? I want to make a good first impression!" She glanced over her shoulder into the street.
"So let them see! I don't care. I want everyone to know that I am the happiest man in the world. I'm alive, and I'm back with my family starting a new life!" His lips found hers and they locked together until Micah interrupted.
"You're blocking the doorway." He rolled his eyes at his parent's immature display.
"Didn't I give you an assignment?" Niki raised her eyebrow at him as she separated from her husband and stepped aside for Micah to pass by.
"Yea, yea, I'm working on it."
"What's taking so long?"
"I needed some more of the cables from the truck." Micah held up a fistful of random electrical cables. "The TV will be done in no time and then I'll move onto the telephones."
"You're the smartest little…"
"Yea, mom, I know." Micah grinned and disappeared around the corner into the living room.
"As much as I'd like to take some time to enjoy ourselves this afternoon…we don't have time to play." Niki kissed the tip of her husband's nose. "We have to unpack and then we have to talk…seriously."
"Talk?" DL sighed. "Why does that give me a bad feeling? What do we have to talk about?"
"You know what." Niki headed to the truck to continue unloading. "We have to make a plan, figure out what we're going to do now that we're living in a whole different city. We need jobs and we need to find a school for Micah…"
"Niki, don't stress so much. We've only been here for a few days! We're not even done unpacking yet. Can't we just relax and take things slow?"
"No!" Niki snapped. "We can't take things slow. We have to provide for our son. He needs to know that we've got a plan. I want this new city to be a new life…a better life for him! I don't want to have to scrounge for money between paychecks, just praying that the electricity company won't turn off our power!"
"Niki, we'll make a good life here. I promise." DL reached out to hold her. "We're special…"
"I don't want to use our abilities. We don't know enough about them. I don't know if I can trust myself…"
"But Jessica…"
"Yea, I know. Jessica's gone for now, but remember, she could come back at any time and then what?"
"We'll deal, just like always." He assured her. "But you have to have faith in us, and in yourself."
Niki nodded, fighting back the emotion she was struggling with. "I love you." She decided the simple declaration would be the easiest way to end the conversation that she didn't know how to have at that moment.
"I love you too." DL assumed she was done worrying about the future for the time being, and picked up a few of the lighter items that she would let him carry into the house.
Niki watched him head back into the apartment, but didn't follow him. She didn't know how to make him understand—DL or Micah. Neither of them knew what it was like to have an ability that scared them. Micah loved what he could do. He thought it was fun and exciting. DL's power had rescued him from jail and saved his life a couple times. It could be a violent power, but he could control it. They didn't understand what Niki was so afraid of. They didn't know what it was like to lose all conscious ability to control yourself and your decisions. They didn't know what it was like to feel trapped inside your own body.
And they never will. She made the decision firmly in her mind, knowing that if she was going to put her family back together and start a new life with them in the city, it would require more than just a new apartment and new jobs. She would learn to master her ability, no matter what the price, but it would never be a price made at her family's expense again.
PETER, CLAIRE, & MOLLY
NEW YORK
Peter stared up at the dark ceiling, memorizing the patterns created by the streetlamp that shone through the blinds of the large window beside him. Sleeping on the couch wasn't the most comfortable, but it wasn't bad, and he'd been managing it fine—anything to make Claire more comfortable. Molly too of course, he couldn't forget about her. Tonight he wasn't awake because of discomfort, however. He was awake because of her.
She was crying again. She'd been doing that a lot lately, and he had automatically assumed it was due to Jaden's incompetence in the boyfriend area. The way she acted when he brought it up though made him doubt his own suspicions. She wouldn't talk about it, and she even kept her thoughts quiet around him now. She'd been getting good at that. Whenever he tried to jump into her mind he found her focusing on something pointless like the wall or else she would sing a song over and over; he knew that she was doing it to keep him out. To be honest, he admired her for it. He was still worried though. Seeing her upset hurt him more than it should.
His head lifted automatically when he heard the door to the bedroom creak open and soft footsteps pad across the hardwood floor towards the balcony that opened up from the dining room. Quiet sniffles told him it was Claire. The door slid open and then closed again and he sat up quickly, determined to confront her. Maybe he'd catch her off guard and be able to read her mind.
Peter tiptoed across the living room, glancing briefly at the partly opened bedroom door where he knew Molly was still sleeping soundly; waking her from sleep was nearly impossible. At the door to the balcony he paused.
God, she must be freezing! Even though it was summer, the nights could get cold in the city and she was wearing nothing more than cotton pajama pants and a tank top. For a minute he considered how easy it would be to pry into her mind, but as he saw her body trembling, either with cold or sorrow, he decided against it.
"Claire…" he whispered as he slid open the door and stepped out onto the balcony with her.
She spun around quickly, her long hair blown into her face by the slight breeze. "Oh my god…I woke you up again, didn't I? I'm so sorry Peter!"
"No, it's fine, I was already up." He lied quickly. "I saw you come out here, and I heard you crying again…"
She rubbed her eyes with the palm of her hands. "Yea…it's nothing…"
"It's not nothing. You've been crying a lot lately." He sighed. "You're really hung up on this guy, aren't you? I know it's none of my business, but if he's making you so miserable, I think you could do a lot better…"
Claire gave up trying to stop her tears as they persisted to flow down her cheeks. She shook her head slowly. "It's never been about Jaden."
"What?"
"I mean, yea, I was disappointed with him breaking our dates a couple times, but I'm not crying about it. I don't really cry over guys." She smiled slightly. "My mom always told me that guys weren't worth my tears, and it's the one thing that's kind of stuck."
"So, then, why are you crying?"
Claire smiled at him. "Don't you already know? Aren't you reading my thoughts right now?"
He shrugged. "Actually, there's this new thing I'm trying, where I don't invade people's minds without their permission…"
"I'm impressed." She sniffed again. "I've just been thinking about my family."
"Oh?"
"I was so excited to stay in New York and have a chance to learn more about what I am…"
"What you are?"
"You know what I mean…"
"Yea, I do." He knew exactly what she meant because he knew exactly how she felt about her powers. One hundred percent conflicted.
"Anyway, I was so eager to be here, that I didn't consider how hard it would be to not be with them."
"I'm sorry." He hated how insincere he sounded, when really all he wanted was to make her happy. "I wish there was something I could do…"
"I know." She smiled. "And that's what I love about you."
Love? Peter's heart leapt, and he quickly rebuked himself. She doesn't mean anything by it. She's my niece and that's all that she means.
"Is something wrong?" Claire read his expression.
"No, I just don't like seeing you sad."
Without warning, she threw her arms around his neck, squeezing tightly and burying her face against his neck. "You're amazing."
Peter breathed in the slight scent of vanilla coming from the shampoo she had washed her hair with earlier that night. It was the most delicious thing he had ever smelled. What I wouldn't give to be somebody else right now…anybody! He slid his hands over her back, trying to soothe her, but also just wanting to hold her.
"You know, I talked to Dr. Suresh earlier today."
"Oh? How's Seattle?" Peter kept his arms firmly locked around her waist, not ready to break their close connection yet.
"Good. He says he's getting a lot of research done, but that's not why he called." She broke their connection and leaned back against the railing in order to look up at Peter. "He called to talk about you actually."
"What about?"
"He's concerned that you won't be able to control your abilities…"
"I've been practicing though! I've been getting better." He insisted.
"Not the ones you have…the new ones that you could get."
He shrugged. "We'll cross that bridge when it comes I guess."
Claire hesitated, "He has specific concerns about you being close to Molly. He recommended that we have her live with someone else."
"What? No, I don't think that's a good idea." Peter took an involuntary step back, suddenly eager to put distance between himself and Claire. "It's fine with the three of us here."
"He didn't seem to think so." Claire argued. "He's worried about you, and honestly, so am I."
Before they could argue any more, they were interrupted by Molly who was calling out desperately for Claire. With a brief glance at one another, both Peter and Claire darted back into the apartment, running into the bedroom to find Molly thrashing around beneath the sheets. Her hair clung to her sweaty face and tears streaked down her eyes, but as far as they could tell she was still asleep.
"Claire, is she okay?" Peter knelt beside the bed, reaching out to take Molly's small hand in his.
"I don't know." Claire lingered in the doorway, uncertain of how to help Molly. The girl had told her before how sometimes she felt unable to escape from her sleep; Claire wondered if this was one of those moments.
"Molly, wake up!" Peter shook her gently, but she didn't wake. "Claire, I don't like this!"
"Me either, but I don't know what to do!" Claire finally moved over to the side of the bed and bent over the girl. "Sweetheart, please wake up!"
"No! Claire!" Molly was screaming now, but clearly deep in sleep. "Peter!"
"Peter we have to make her wake up! If this nightmare keeps up…" Claire shook her head. "I don't understand it all, but I know bad things can happen…" Claire looked up when he didn't respond. "Peter?"
"I can see him…" Peter was griping his head, gasping for breath. "Oh god…he's…"
"Peter!" Claire rushed around the bed to his side and placed her hands on either side of his face. "Peter look at me. Focus on me!"
Molly let out one last scream and sat up quickly, her eyes wide open. "Claire! He found him…"
"What?" Claire only spared a brief glance on Molly, not wanting to take her eyes off Peter for a minute. "Who has who?"
"The nightmare man…he found Peter! It's what he's wanted all along and he found him tonight…I have to get away from him!" The little girl scurried out of bed and fled from the room. Claire was still focusing on Peter when she heard the front door open and close again.
"Molly?" She called out, quickly panicking. "Molly?" She stood and turned toward the doorway, but Peter grasped her hand.
"Help me…"
"I…" she turned back to him. "Molly ran out! Peter I have to go after her!"
"He can see me…" Peter's words were barely louder than a whisper and they sounded forced.
Claire was torn. Half of her knew that if she didn't go after Molly the girl would be alone on the streets of New York in the middle of the night, and only bad things could happen. But the other half of her felt that leaving Peter right now would be the worst thing she could do. She silently prayed for Molly's safety and then stooped to help Peter into bed.
"Peter, you're okay. I'm not going anywhere." She sat beside him, letting him keep holding onto her hand. "I'm here. I want to help you but you have to tell me what to do."
He didn't answer, but she noticed his eyes slowly slipping shut.
"No! Peter, don't go to sleep on me right now. You need to stay awake!" Acting instinctively, Claire slapped him hard across the face and his eyes flew open again.
"What happened?" Peter was clearly disoriented. His face had broken out in sweat and his pupils were dilated.
"I…I don't know." Claire was worried for him. The change that had come over him had been so sudden and unexpected, and so extreme. She gripped his hand tightly, trying to keep him calm. "It was weird…it was like you started seizing or something."
"What?" Peter's hand trembled slightly in Claire's grip.
"What do you remember?" Claire asked softly. "What did you see?"
"I…I don't remember."
"You said that he could see you…" Claire tried to help him remember.
"Oh god…it was the man from Molly's nightmares." Peter's mind suddenly cleared, but he looked more panicked than before. "It was like he sucked me in and wouldn't let go."
"Molly said that he had been looking for you…" Claire told him. "He finally found you…"
"I think I absorbed Molly's ability and he gave him the access that he was waiting for. He's so powerful. If he takes me again I don't know if I'll be able to pull out of it…"
"Yes you will." Claire insisted. "I'm not going to leave your side, so I'll be here to pull you out if you get stuck."
"No." Peter shook his head, pulled his hand free from Claire's grip, and started getting up. "You can't stay."
"Don't be ridiculous." Claire pushed him back down on the bed. "I'm not going anywhere. We'll have Molly stay with Niki for a while and I'll stay here to take care of you…"
"No!" Peter raised his voice.
"Peter, this is exactly what Dr. Suresh was worried about. Being around Molly is dangerous for you. She can't stay."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know actually. She ran out when she saw what happened to you."
"What? You just let her run off alone?" Peter was again trying to get out of bed. "Do you have any idea how stupid that was?"
"Stupid?" Claire pulled back. "I was trying to help you! I was scared…" She started crying. "I didn't know what was happening and I was scared that you were going to die or something!"
Peter finally seemed to notice her hysteria and decided that he had perhaps overreacted a little. "Claire, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you." He pulled her into his arms automatically. "I'm sorry I scared you, but we need to find Molly before something bad happens."
Claire shook her head. "You should stay here. I'll find her."
"You're not going out alone!" Peter was starting to stand again, and Claire once again pushed him back down onto the bed.
"I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself, and besides, I'm sort of indestructible, remember?" She moved away from the bed and started scrounging for something more appropriate to put on.
"Claire, I don't like the idea of one helpless girl going out to look for another."
"I'm not helpless." Claire reiterated. "I will find her, and then I will take her straight Niki's place, and then when I get back here we will work on taking care of you. Okay? In the meantime though, I need you to take care of yourself. Stay awake no matter what it takes."
"I will. Claire, I can take care of myself, but I really don't think you should come back."
"Are you crazy?" Claire took a pair of Peter's sweatpants from a shelf in his closet and pulled them on over her pajamas. "You are not staying alone. I'll be back as soon as I take care of Molly." Peter seemed ready to protest again, but Claire shook her head firmly. "Not another word." She grabbed her jacket off the floor, ignoring how terribly her split-second outfit clashed, and headed for the door.