A/N: Where is everyone? I feel like all of a sudden all my reviewers ganged up together and decided to stop reviewing. Sad. I'm still here! Don't leave me!

MOHINDER, ADAM, MADELINE

SEATTLE

"I went on another date with Mohinder tonight…you know Dr. Suresh." Madeline giggled as she made the confession to her brother. He was asleep, so he couldn't actually hear her; sometimes it was easier for her to speak openly to him that way. "I really like him, Adam. He's nice and smart and funny…" She smiled down at her brother. "And he's sincerely determined to make you better, so how can I not fall for him? When you get all better, we're going to go out—the three of us—and you'll be able to get to know him as well as I have. I know you'd like him." She grew suddenly solemn. "You have to get better, Adam. I need my big brother to look after me."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt…" Mohinder paused in the doorway when he noticed Madeline bent over her brother's bed, speaking to him quietly. "I'll come back…"

"No, please stay." She blinked back her tears as she looked up at him. "I was just talking to him."

"Has he been waking up?"

"No, I was just talking to him. He wasn't talking back." Madeline clarified.

"That's good." Mohinder told her. "It's good for him to hear your voice."

"You know, I've always heard that, but does it really do any good?"

"Well, he's not exactly a coma patient, so it isn't exactly the same I'd imagine, but I think it would be encouraging for him to wake up to your voice. Comforting, if nothing else." Mohinder explained.

"Good," she blushed. "I didn't want you to think I was silly or something. I like talking to people when they sleep."

"People?" Mohinder frowned. "Do you talk to me when I am asleep?"

She blushed, "Maybe."

"Really?"

"Yea, actually last night after you fell asleep I stayed up for a while and talked to you."

"What did you talk to me about?" He questioned, now fully curious in her unusual habit.

"Just stuff," Madeline responded, distinctly avoiding a direct answer.

"What sort of stuff?" Mohinder pressed.

"It's private."

"Private? How can it be private if it's stuff that you were saying to me?"

"If you had been awake I might not have said everything…"

He smiled. "Well, maybe tonight I'll just have to pretend that I am asleep so I can here all these secret things you're saying to me."

"Tonight?" Madeline repeated. "So, am I supposed to take that as an invite?"

"Yes," he assured her. "That's exactly what it is."

"Hmm…two nights in a row…" She stood and crossed the room until she was standing in front of Mohinder. "That sounds pretty serious."

"I think it is serious."

Both Mohinder and Madeline turned when Adam spoke up from the bed.

"Adam!" Madeline hurried over to him, grasping his hand automatically, while Mohinder started dutifully checking his vitals. "I thought you were asleep."

"I was, off and on. It's been difficult to sleep steadily lately." He glanced up at Mohinder. "So, how am I looking, Doc?"

"Good," Mohinder grunted out automatically as he double-checked all the machines. "Really, good." He reiterated, looking up at Adam to make his point. "Everything I am seeing looks fantastic actually."

"Really?" Madeline's eyes flashed excitedly as she peered down at her brother. "Did you hear that? You're getting better."

"You sound surprised," Adam grinned. "You should know better than that. You know your big brother can handle anything."

"I know you can," she pressed her lips firmly against his forehead, holding it there longer than necessary. "I love you."

"I know sis," he closed his eyes and allowed her to keep her lips on his forehead as long as she needed. "I love you too."

"Pardon me, I don't mean to interrupt anything important, but I just thought I should introduce myself and meet the man I'll be working with."

All eyes turned to the young woman who had entered the room. She was dressed sharply in a black pencil skirt, a white collared shirt, and a white lab coat.

"I'm sorry, but should I know what you're talking about?" Mohinder questioned the stranger.

She smiled as she tucked her short dark hair behind her ear. "I guess not. They were supposed to tell you, but they must not have gotten around to it yet. I've been assigned as your research assistant. I'm here to help you with Mr. Monroe and any other patients who exhibit similar symptoms." She took a step towards him. "Including Molly Walker."

"How do you know about Molly?" Mohinder demanded.

She glanced at Madeline and Adam who were listening with attentive curiosity. "Join me in the hall, please? For a little privacy." She motioned for Mohinder to follow her out of the room and he did so, without question. "I've done my research on this virus and your work, Dr. Suresh." She handed him a file she had been holding at her side. "Through my contacts I've managed to discover a few more people throughout the country who have started showing signs of this virus."

"Your contacts?"

"Yes, I have many." She didn't offer any more information. "They are very interested in you and in your work."

"Why does that make me feel uncomfortable?"

She smiled again. "They just want to make sure that you are doing your job well."

"So, you're here to baby-sit me?"

"Not you," she corrected him, "your patients."

"I don't understand."

"People like Molly and Adam…you are working to cure them and return their abilities to them in full force, correct?"

"You know about their abilities?"

"Dr. Suresh, I've already told you, I know everything." She laughed a little now. "Don't look so surprised. Anyway, my employers want to make sure that once these people have their abilities back they will use them…constructively."

"Constructively?" Mohinder frowned. "I've heard people talk like that before."

Her smile faded a little. "Dr. Suresh, please, you have nothing to worry about. Like I said, I'm just here to keep an eye on things."

"Right," he didn't like the way her eyes analyzed him. "I'm sorry, I never got your name."

"I'm Sasha."

NATHAN & CLAIRE

FLYING THROUGH THE COUNTRY

"Nathan, I'm getting a little dizzy…" Claire dared another glance down, but could only see the fluffy white clouds miles beneath them. She assumed they were flying at the same level as airplanes and that thought brought her no comfort.

"We're almost there. Just close your eyes and take deep breaths." Nathan calmed her. "Seriously, just relax. It's the altitude that's make you dizzy. You'll get used to it if you let yourself." He tightened his hold on her waist and kept flying straight.

"I don't think it's the altitude that's bothering me. I think it's the whole flying without a plane thing…" She did what he said though and shut her eyes tightly, resting her forehead against his shoulder.

After a few more minutes she felt they were descending and she started to lift her head.

"I would advise keeping your head down and your eyes shut until we've landed. Sometimes the descent can be a little nauseating," Nathan told her, and she obeyed, trusting him completely. A moment later her feet bumped against the ground and Nathan loosened his hold around her waist. "How're you doing?"

"I'll live, but I'd rather never have to do that again."

"Well, you'll have to in order to get back."

"Get back? Where are we?" She looked around, separating from him and realized they were on top of a building. "Why do I feel like we're still in the air?"

"We're on a roof," Nathan explained. "It's the least conspicuous to land up high instead of on the street where anyone could see us."

"Okay…" Claire thought about peering over the side of the building to find a landmark that might indicate where he had brought her, but the thought of seeing how high up she was made her queasy. "So…are you going to explain what we're doing on a roof?"

Nathan smiled and led her to the door that would take them inside the building. "This is an apartment complex."

"Okay…" She stepped in front of him as he held the door open for her and grinned at him over her shoulder. "Are you buying me my own place?"

"No," he shook his head as he followed her in.

"Good because you know that Peter needs me. Besides, we flew for a really long time to just end up somewhere else in the city." She started down the steep steps to the floors below with Nathan following her.

"We're not in New York anymore, Claire."

"Seriously?" She almost lost her footing as she turned around to look at him.

"Yes," he quickly reached out to steady her before she fell.

"So, where are we?"

"I'm not telling you that."

They stayed quiet until they reached the third floor and then exited the stairwell and stepped into a corridor—dimmed sconce lights highlighted the gold embossing on the taupe-painted walls. They ambled down the hall with Claire continuing to be confused and Nathan looking at each number on the doors they passed.

"Here we are," he stopped her at door number 314.

"I really wish I knew what were doing here." Claire waited as Nathan knocked on the door. "I don't like surprises. That's probably something you should know about me, since you are my dad and all…" She stopped suddenly when the door opened and a familiar face greeted them. "Dad?"

"Claire!" Noah opened his arms to her and she instantly fell into them. He held onto her so tight it almost hurt, but she didn't complain. "I have been so worried about you."

"I know…I am so sorry for running out like I did and not calling…" she felt all the emotion and the stress from the past few weeks erupt like a volcano and her tears cascaded down her face, soaking the shoulder of her dad's dress shirt. "I wanted to, I just didn't want anything else to happen to you guys because of me!"

"So, what are you doing here now?" He asked when the finally parted.

"I…" she looked back for Nathan who was politely hanging back to give her a moment with her adopted father. "Nathan brought me."

"Thank you," Noah gave Nathan an appreciative smile and motioned him into the apartment, with his arm still firmly around his daughter's shoulders. "I called Dr. Suresh a week ago, but he said that he's not with you anymore."

"He's in Seattle." Claire explained. "He's found a new patient there."

"So, who's looking after you now?" Noah shut the door before guiding the other two into the living room and directing them to take seats.

"I don't need looking after," she told him. "I can take care of myself…"

"Claire…" He started to protest but she held up her hand to stop him.

"I've been living with Peter, so I guess technically you can say he's been looking after me. I'm safe."

"Good," he sat in the chair across from where Claire had chosen to sit on one of the leather sofas.

"How have things been?" Claire had no idea where to start the conversation. Visiting her family was the last thing she had expected when Nathan flew her out of New York. Ever since running out of the hotel from her dad, she had been doing her best to avoid her family; visiting was definitely not on her agenda. Now that she was here though, staring into her dad's worried face, she had a strong urge to never leave again. "How're mom and Lyle?"

"Good, we're all good." Noah assured her. "Your mom's been busy getting us settled into the apartment, and your brother's just been enjoying what little time he has left of summer." He paused. "They both miss you, a lot."

"I miss them too," she looked around automatically. "Are they here now?"

"No, I'm sorry, but your mom's at the grocery store and your brother's at soccer try-outs." He glanced at the clock sitting on the mantel. "They should be home soon though, if you can wait…how long are you going to be able to stay?"

"I don't know," Claire glanced at Nathan questioningly. "I really shouldn't be gone too long. There's Peter to think about…"

"Peter?" Noah asked.

Claire hesitated. She didn't want her dad to worry; he thought she was keeping safe in New York. "It's nothing."

"Claire."

When her dad used that tone she knew not to lie to him. "Well, you know how I said that Peter's been taking care of me…it's sort of the other way around actually. Peter's not doing well. He's having a hard time adjusting to all his abilities—the newest in particular."

"And so what have you been doing to help him?"

"This and that," she answered casually. "The point is I'm taking care of him, and I really shouldn't be away from him for too long."

"I'm sure he can handle himself for a couple of hours, Claire," Nathan told her. "I brought you here so you could see your family. I know how much you've been missing them and even though I know you don't want to put them in danger or whatever reason is keeping you away, you need to see them."

Claire smiled at him gratefully. "A couple hours."

"Good, then I'm going to get out of your way and let you guys have some time alone." Nathan stood and headed for the door.

"You don't have to leave," Noah told him. "We could all get to know each other."

"That's generous of you, but I think that we both know you would appreciate some alone time with your daughter."

"Thank you," Noah didn't protest any more and Nathan left with a slight nod to Claire and a promise to return in two hours.

"So, I see you guys have finally settled in a new place." Claire thought it would be easiest to keep the conversation as casual as possible.

"Yea, hotel life was only fun for about a week." Noah explained. "This place isn't exactly home…but it's good enough for now."

"How are mom and Lyle adjusting?"

"Good, I think, really good." Noah shrugged. "As I said before, they both miss you, and I'm not sure they fully understand why you aren't here with us. Especially Lyle, it's hard for him to comprehend everything that's happened."

"They still know right?" She hated that she had to ask.

"What?"

"About me. They still know everything, don't they?"

"Yes," Noah looked a little hurt that she had asked, but he knew why she did. "They still have all their memories."

"Good," Claire was quiet for a minute, but felt like she should say more. "I mean, I'd understand if they didn't…you would just be trying to protect them…just like I'm trying to protect you."

"Claire, I really don't understand what you think you to protect us from. If anything I think we would all be safer just being together…"

"No," Claire shook her head firmly. "Maybe there's nothing for us to worry about, maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I'm not taking any chances. If there's anyone looking for me then I should be as far away from you guys as possible." She stood and started pacing habitually around the room. "I don't want you to think that it's easy for me to be away from you guys…it's not…but it's just necessary right now."

"For how long?"

"I don't know."

"All right," he gave in reluctantly. "I won't bring it up again. Please come and sit down Claire-bear."

She stopped pacing suddenly and turned back to him. Hearing his familiar nickname for her, reminded her how much she really did miss her family.

"Come on, let's talk about your life in New York. I want to know everything."

Claire returned to her seat, now calmer than before. "Haven't we been over this?"

"No, I want to know everything," He reiterated. "Your brother starts school next week, what about you?"

Claire nodded, "Nathan enrolled me in a private school."

"Private school?"

"I know, it's strange, huh? But he says it's the best. His sons go to private school. I guess being the daughter of a politician doesn't really give me much of a choice in those kinds of things." She noticed the twitch in her dad's eye and she sighed. "I'm sorry…I know that it's difficult for you to think of Nathan as my real dad…"

"No, it's fine. It's something I'll have to get used to, especially since you're living there with him now."

"I'm not living with him though…"

"It's the same thing. He's putting you in school and I assume he's paying for everything you need as well."

"Yea, he is." Claire confirmed. She smiled at him encouragingly. "I still think of you as my real dad though. No DNA test is ever going to change that."

Hearing her say it, Noah realized how much he had started to doubt Claire's loyalty to him as her father. He needed this reassurance. "I love you so much sweetheart."

"I love you too dad."