Heroes: Survival of the Fittest [IC]

[Cynder]

Rusty - ???

Rusty didn't stay behind because of Xavier, Jude's little brother. But rather because there was someone else with energy in that house, someone that Rusty could feel the energy of. Once Jude and his companion had left, Rusty had already began searching, but he had to do it quietly, so that Xavier wouldn't notice him in the house and Jude missing.

That's when he felt the presence behind him, "Hello, and you are?" He turned around, and he saw nothing. Yet the presence was there, "Invisibility, impressive. Jude doesn't know about you...does he?"

Jude - Genki, Reed

After almost diving into the car with the one that Reed called, "Genki". Jude got into the backseat, letting Reed and Genki have up front. Reed began backing up, “Alright Jude, look this morning a prophet mailed me pictures of the future, and you were in trouble. Those men were..." Bullets hit the back of the car, Jude ducked the back window of the car shattered. "Dear God, who the hell did you piss off, the mafia?!"

"Genki you never answered the damn question can you phase the whole car? If you can we can get ahead of them drive straight through a few stores! Look, Jude basically the Prophet is in danger he’s at some post office being held hostage, we need to find the girl from yesterday, the earth girl, you know the really hot one. You stayed behind, any idea where she went? There’s a picture of her but he didn’t leave an address. We’re gonna need her raw power to hold off the agents.” Anyu was her name, Jude remembered her alright. Both her and Dylan had powers, that much Jude could remember. How couldn't he?

"Who, Anyu? No, she went in the opposite direction as you, I didn't follow her. Didn't think I would need to." He nodded, putting his hand into his hair as if facepalming, "what the hell did we just get into?"

"I can find her, just drive." A brown haired kid materialized into the backseat, right next to Jude. "What, Rusty?! What the hell are you doing here?!"

Rusty casually crossed his arms, "I said I was coming, right? Anyway, I can't find Xavier, he must to have left when you weren't paying attention or something." Rusty leaned in between the two front seats, "Hey there I'm Rusty Reygate, you can just call me the Renegade if ya want. I can leygate travel, but I can track on the side. I'll see if I can find this chick for you, but you have to tell me more about her so I can grasp her energy signature, got it?"

[General Scales]

Mr. Crowley, Gabriel-Crowley Residence(outside)-Amity, Maine

Crowley sincerely liked the idea of a large scale hunt of other specials, especially killing those in support of government including Pinehearst. He was glad that his story seemed to connect with Sylar in a way few others truly understood besides himself and maybe a couple other serial killers on the caliber. His trick had the intended effect of letting his counterpart gain the tricky ability plus a good chuckle about just how amazing such an ability could be.

Crowley withdrew his brain shortly after so he could drink the rest of his pancakes off of the plate. This was a great moment to enjoy a shared activity that he hadn't gotten in years. He saw the snake Sylar had picked and highly approved of his choice given nature had already perfected a killer design in the reptile, except for the venom in this one. It felt good in a way to pass on a miraculous ability to someone younger than himself and just as enthusiastic about its use. "There isn't much better than this kind of control." He replied to his new friend in crime while watching the mutant reptile at work.

Crowley however recognized the girl from last night as she went over to pet the snake ignoring the danger that he couldn't stop at this moment. "Careful of the girl there, she seems to really like the mutants. Could be good company too." He said not quite liking the sudden protective response but it could have been worse on his part.

[HelloKitty]

Nathan, to Tracey
Nathan neatly folded the cuffs on his sleeves to his black Armani suit and adjusted his tie. He ran his fingers through his hair with a light amount of gel, sculpting his signature look with perfection while looking in the bathroom mirror. After he finished the last touches on his appearance he stopped to take a good look at his reflection. He inhaled deeply, reflecting upon his past choices and questioning how things would be different if he chose a different path in life, but he assured himself this is how God intended things to be. No use in dwelling on the past... He changed his attention to Tracey, her picture reflecting onto his mirror right beside his own reflection. The muscles around his mouth tugged at the corner of his lips, causing him to smile softly, no matter how much he didn't want to. Nathan exhaled and exited the bathroom, reaching for the overcoat to his suit and picking up his suitcase; which, held practically everything he needed for a business day and more.

Bzzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzzt.Nathan slightly lifted himself from the backseat of the car to reach into his back pocket. His eyes brightened as he registered the blonde beauty, Tracey Strauss, on his caller ID. Not sure why, he hesitated to answer. It had been a while since they last spoke, or had even seen each other but that didn't stop him from pressing the answer button. He put the phone up to his ear, tapping his finger tips against the leather interior of the limo and smiling from ear to ear. "You have perfect timing, you know." His words were soft, and his tone was of a different level than he usually used to address people.

Samara, To AnnaBeth and Cydne

Samara's eyes widened as the once human Mugger turned into a reptilian like creature. She looked to the fiery red head standing before her, and turned her attention back to the lizard. You were given these powers for a reason, and now it's time to use them. She lifted herself from the ground, and rushed to stand in front of Cydne and AnnaBeth before assuming her battle stance. The mugger smirked at Samara's sudden bravery and opened his mouth wide, spitting a giant ball of venomous liquid at the trio. Samara could feel the adrenaline surging through her veins as the green mass hurled towards them, but that was of no worry to her. She secured her feet on the ground, and raised her arms in front of her, palms facing towards Reptile Man. A simple smirk graced her lips as a lavender colored force field appeared in front of them, serving as protection once the venom reached the three girls. Reptile Man's eyes widened as his projectile was blocked, but before he knew it that same force field was hurling towards him at uncharted speeds. He looked around frantically, stuck between a wall and well, another wall. In the blink of an eye, the reptile hybrid was smashed up against the brick wall behind him.

Samara looked away squeamishly, and lowered her arms as cue to retrieve the shield. She didn't bother looking at the crushed man. A simple thank you was given to AnnaBeth, and Samara was back on her way, this time flagging down a taxi.

[bumbledbee]

Alexander Reed - Pinehearst HQ Medical Ward - New Jersey

That world between sleep and consciousness, that’s where Alex was at the moment. Stuck laying there with fleeting dreams and the words his subconscious remembered being said between Elle and Sylar. She loved him? Was it just something she had said to spare her life or were those words true? Had he misjudged her complete rage for the man with something more underlying? And why in this state were the words Sylar had spoken to him so revealing? To question his love for Karen, it was absurd. Of course he loved her, it was that love that was driving his suicidal rampage in finding the bastard. He had taken her from him, left him an empty shell of a man. But why was he even thinking about this? It was tearing his dreams apart, voices he wished would stop nagging at him. And then it hit him, like walking into a glass barrier it hit hard. The last words he and Karen had spoken when she was trying to get him off the Sylar case a year ago. ‘You don’t really love me, Alex...’, how could she have said such a thing? He loved her more then anything in this world, nothing else mattered. Nothing. But in those last moments at the hotel, seeing Elle like that. She mattered. How could she matter? Nothing mattered...

‘You don’t really love me, Alex...”

His eyes opened suddenly, then squinted shut again after a blinding white light assaulted his vision. He could hear something, the rapid beating of a heart monitor, he turned his head towards the sound and tried to focus blurry eyes on the machine beside him. Moving his hands and feet, he felt an IV embedded in his right hand. Bare legs rubbing together, though looking down at himself he wasn’t naked. The pure white of a hospital gown covered loosely over his chest, blanketed by a cream colored sheet. Wires were coming from the collar, he could feel the sticky pads over his chest. Then he tried to move, pain raged across his left side and abdomen making him groan and abandon the effort for the moment.

He shut his eyes then covered them with his hands a moment, the pain only subsiding slowly causing a frustrated groan to escape into his palms. Where the hell was he? This didn’t look like New York’s hospital, of course it was some kind of hospital room now wasn’t it? Lowering his hands gently, he turned his head to the other side. On a metal tray lay his holster, guns, pill bottle, badge and cell phone. Alright, where the hell were his clothes? He knew it was going to hurt but he reached for the rolling tray anyway, wanting more then anything was his phone. His face began turning red from the painful stretching but he wasn’t stopping. Not until he hit the point where he over forced his weight and ended up tumbling out onto the floor with a agonizing scream, wrapped partially in his sheet which luckily kept his backside concealed.

In his tumble, he ended up ripping the heart monitor from his chest, causing the machine to alarm the most annoying buzzer sound. The IV as well being partly pulled from the vein in his hand began to bleed. And he had caused a tear in the stitching from the chandelier glass that had impaled his side. Alex laid there a moment, then began trying to pull himself up the rolling tray. Instead he ended up raising himself a foot before pushing the tray over, the contents on top scattering across the floor. In a rage filled fit, he rolled over on his back, pounded the floor with both fists and yelled at the top of his lungs, “Fuck!” And when he was done, he laid there, staring up at the white lighted ceiling, panting hard and rapidly at the pain he had caused himself.

~~~~~

Tracy Strauss - Hotel - NYC - Nathan

The glare on the Ice Queen’s face was a deep contrast to Nathan’s tone though of course he couldn’t see that. She found herself unable to reply to his pleasantry for a moment. Then sighing deeply in her phone she tried to gather words that didn’t sound too hateful. “I’m on my way to, Chicago...,” she blurted first. Though hoping not to give him much time for anything but a mumble she went on. “Malden’s daughter was kidnapped, along with another. The kidnappers are wanting me to go to D.C. and put an end to the Special Human Blood Testing and of course, ten million dollars. Jesus, Nathan, they just blew a hole in my hotel. I had to expose my ability to save lives...”

She had been pacing as she was talking at first, then stopped as she grabbed her suitcase and her laptop bag and slipped them over her shoulder. Tracy was a fast talker, it was part of her job. And she was making sure she left him little time to answer or protest as she just kept going. Walking towards her front door, “We both know I can’t do anything about this... new law. But I’m going to Chicago to get Rhea and whoever else they have back. I don’t care what I have to do.”

He’d hear her slamming her hotel door shut as she exited and made her way towards the elevator. Once the doors closed, she spoke one last time, only now giving him the chance to fully speak afterwards. “Nathan... what were you thinking?” she asked, her voice choking slightly letting her head flip back against the mirrored elevator wall. It wasn’t the phone call he had been expecting from her, that was without a doubt. She was beginning to regret the way she had started the conversation rather quickly, but her pride and anger often held over her real emotions. She wanted to cry into the phone, beg to know why he had done this and more importantly she needed him to tell her it was going to be alright. Unfortunately that’s not what she had done... but there was a glimpse of emotions there during that last sentence.

[HelloKitty]

Nathan's nostrils flared as Tracey went off on her tangent, hardly the conversation he was hoping for. He arched his head back as he became increasingly stressed by her news, realizing he would actually have to do something if he wanted to maintain his relationship with Tracey and keep what little peace he could. Behind Tracey's angry voice Nathan could hear that she was just worried, and needed some type of reassurance from him. "Look, Tracey." He whispered, straightening up his irritated face and playing a coy, manipulative smile. "Everything will be okay. I'll get on the first flight to Chicago, and we can handle this together. Please, don't do anything crazy. " With that, he hung up the phone without another word.

Nathan really did care about Tracey, but he was slightly indifferent to hear about the kidnappings. Ten million dollars was a lot to ask and he could probably fork over that much money, but it was unrealistic to do so for someone who wasn't even blood. Nathan's driver overheard the conversation and turned the car around, heading for the air port. "Heavenly Father..." He said, leaning forward and closing his eyes with his hands in prayer position. "Help me get through this week alive."

[bumbledbee]

Tracy Strauss - Hotel to Taxi - NYC

It was far from the response that Tracy had hoped for, the ‘it’ll be okay’ simply had no effect to it what so ever for her. In fact, it only proved to make her even more angry and distraught then she had been previously. Snapping her phone shut, she gently flipped her head back against the mirrored wall again. Squeezing her eyes shut, it took every muscle control in her face to keep from crying, though there was a reddening beginning to edge around her nostrils. ‘Don’t do anything crazy...’, saving an innocent girl’s life wasn’t crazy. She had promised to take care of the girl, promised to give her a better life far away from her mother.

She knew exactly what Nathan was going to do, and for the first time she found herself willing to go against him. Damn, she loved him, he’s was probably the first man she ever really did love. But she couldn’t believe he was in his right mind, she had to protect him from himself. These blood tests were not going to help anyone, but before she could fight that she had to save Rhea and the other hostage. These... wannabe terrorists were about to figure out quickly. You don’t fuck with Tracy Strauss.

Feeling a new rush of determination, she pushed all the weak emotions aside and exited the elevator, out the front entrance and into her waiting cab. “Airport, please,” she said simply then settled back in her seat. The cabby then tried to start a conversation which she ended quickly with an icy stare at him through his rearview mirror. But the now silence was bringing her thoughts back to Nathan. How was she going to make that stubborn man realize what he was doing was wrong without him thinking she’s betraying him? Who knew him better then she did? His mother... no, Tracy knew she’d kill that woman if they were left in a room alone together. Too much history to brush aside. There was someone though...

Flipping her phone back open she ran through her list of contacts to one she seldom has used in the past. There had never been a reason to use it... until now. Pressing the call button on Peter’s name, she waited as she listened to it ring...

[chulance]

Gabriel Gray – Amity, Maine – Crowley, Cecille

The little rampage that his mutant snake had caused was fairly interesting so far, he thought of all sorts of experiments he’d do with this ability including on himself. He could change others in ways he never could, this might have been on his to three favorite abilities after his first and the cheerleader’s ability. One of the most strangest sights a girl was petting his teenage snake was she insane or was she just crazy?

“I have to agree this is one of my favorite abilities, and coming from me that’s a lot I’ve toyed with plenty.” Times like this he was angry at the Company for making him start over, but he was sure one day he’d kill specials with the same or similar powers. He looked at the girl raising his hand to lift he rinto the air. “So she likes the mutants, that interests me already, that seems to be an oddity around here? Maybe she’s one herself or just crazy.” He smiled with a flick motion he moved Cecille over to them still keeping her restrained.

“Hello my name is Sylar, and this is my friend, and he seems to believe that you enjoy the presence of our mutants. I’d like to know why, monster movie fan, insanity, or do you have an ability yourself?” He smiled. “A power like ours, what do you think? Why did you willing approach a dangerous vicious creature there must be a reason.”

Jesse Summers – Chicago, Illinois – Samara

Jesse was just glad to escape with his life, when he was just a measly pot dealer he never ran into armed shooters. Armenians, Mafia, Cartels, none of that was even part of his life, it was as distant as his father was. However after he moved he balanced college with his criminal activities, he felt like Batman except the secret he was hiding would land him in prison for 20 years maybe life for all the other crimes he’d committed. No one around him aside from fellow dealers knew the extent of the crime being done by him, and his “crew”

One thing was for sure someone didn’t like him filling the streets with crystal, or was it worse the Government? Where they hiring hit men to take him off, he was not only using an ability frequently but to mass manufacture methamphetamine on a level where the DEA couldn’t wipe it all out.” Damn It why the fuck did I attract all this attention.” The rest of his apartment he’d left he’d grabbed his values, clothes, but there was still evidence back there.

Taking out his phone he dialed one of the only people he could trust at least in Chicago. Searching through his contacts he found Samara and dialed. “Come on pick up..” He looked behind his window cautious for anyone following him making sure to speed up but still remain swift on his turns.

Reed Yaakov – Houston, Texas – Genki, Rusty, Jude

All Reed right now was to get things back to normal. Back to writing Evolved you, his novel creature ,roleplay, and such. Now everything was sprawling apart, everything was beinning to sink in. Every passing moment he began to realize how crazy it was, he scared his mind. His hands were shaking but he remained a semi firm grip on the wheel. If it lost control there’d be no hope for return to normalcy, he’d be dead. He was sure Genki could phase through a crash, Rusty could teleport, and Jude well he’d seen Chronicle he’d be alright. He weak link why would the Prophet even want him, he couldn’t keep hitting Government Agents with his mother’s car.

“Yeah she’s..hawt, the earth she moves it umm.” He was starting to think when something hit him. Wait.. he could teleport, into his car, when did that. Someone was inside his car, he’d glanced over it but now he was really paying attention, a delayed reaction kicked in but a reaction none the less.” HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHEN DID YOY GAHAHAMHA” He started to panic someone was in side his car, a fourth party, an unknown entity, an undesirable intruder. He was panicked loosing control of the wheel, the vehicle steering out of control. “Genki help!!!” He slammed onto the break not knowing if that was enough or if the vehicle would turn over due to the sudden stop due to the speed she was going at.

Seth Baldwin – New Jersey; Pinehearst – Alex

Seth was in the lobby the new recruit was there, apparently he was the only one who hadn’t been affected by the special’s ability. It wasn’t anything temporal and Peter had went after him. If he’d managed to evade Petrelli they were in for trouble then he thought, but for now it seemed the immediate threat was over. He spoke into his blue tooth he wanted to what the youth was doing her, and what he took. “Find out what he took, find out everything you can about me? If his abiltieis froze even our electronic equipment understandable, if not I want you to call B26 and put together our facial recognition software against all of the Company’s files and the ones we’ve developed since Nathan went public, now don’t sit on your ass eating Krispy Kream, because If I catch you I will take your ability and replace it with constant shit generation kinesis.”

He then pressed a button on the blue tooth disconnecting them and turned to Michael. He was no hero, but at least he was brave. He himself had ran away but he wouldn’t tell him that he’d seem brave, and lie if asked about his whereabouts. He had to inspire the other agents, he was the regional director after all. “Good job, I couldn’t have done better myself, well I could have for one he wouldn’t have escsaped, but the bravery is a good first step. Attention everyone I want you all to text what the hell you feel like? How did the power effect you, all that, message my work number, and from there I’ll send the research to D.C and we can co-ordinate and figure out what sort of ability was used so we can resolve this situation.”

Seth went over to the desk where Rebecca was and picked up a box of donuts. “I’ll be taking this as well, seeing as how you failed to stop the intruder you will also fail to eat the rest of the krispy kream curlers” He prided himself in his ability to do nothing and take credit.” Michael I’ll see you in my office shortly, I have some business to attend too as of now.” He headed to the medical facility and found Alex on the floor.

“You’re the one who managed to help Elle track down Sylar? Her taste in partners is rapidly declining. Anyway that was some good work you did, and since you found Sylar I want you to do it again.” He knelt down holding out his hand to help Alex up ignoring any pain he might field.” I’m very busy man, and I could care less about your pain and suffering. I have a company to run that has to save the world 24./7. Because people are idiots and always require saving, and it brings in the big bucks so I can buy my expensive cars? Poetic isn’t it?” He said tossing the man onto the bed, however he was kind enough to toss the bottle at him 80Mg Oxycotin.

“Got you some strange pain medication, it’ll have you in a high so strong you won’t even remember sobriety, you really only need one, two if you’re into the whole high thing. Personally I’m not I need my state of mind to work, no pain no gain. Anyway back to business your broken emotionally, the result of an ability. An ability Mr. Gray absorbed, there’s bound to be others but we can’t locate them. Take the drugs, get better, and I want you out this room by mid afternoon. I’m adding your number to Miss Bishop’s phone so she’ll contact you if she wants too. She had an emotionally traumatizing experience yesterday, that being said find the watch maker, get better, and maybe you can get a job more well paying then the NYPD. That is of course if you don’t think Pinehearst is a bunch of useless suirts who sit on their ass all day.” He said as he began heading towards the door.” Anything else you’d like to question or comment on Mr. Reed?”

Peter Petrelli – Manhattan, New York; Apartment – Tracy

Peter was sound asleep, having a dream. As per usual they were not normal, he saw people rallying. He saw Nathan on a podium speaking about how “Everyone should be equal” Whatever that meant he wasn’t as adept at this as his mother, but it seemed the hunger plagued him now even in his jobs. Colors were vibrant, bright un real, he could move. He began walking through this unnaturally colored world, clouds in odd shapes and sizes, closer to the ground. The Moon rotted and brown, and it seemed to be bleeding. What had happened, the very ground cried and he “Felt” empathy for everyone around him.

The scenery changed rapidly like a music video with no direction, or a Michael Bay Transformers movie.Then he began to see it people getting injections, people flying, moving at super speed, none of this made sense there were agents, one man Emile Danko was seen. He didn’t recognize him of course he saw him with some other U.S Soldiers firing at innocent women and children, before Danko turned on his own men. Guns wre going off, men, women, children abilities being used left & right. He shot up in cold sweat rubbing his forehead, was his mother right? What exactly was Nathan’s long term plan, the tv was still on.

What he saw shocked him, blood testing equipment distributed across the nation root out specials from the normal populace. He went to brush his teeth, and get ready for the new day when his cellular device began buzzing. He rushed over to the phone and was shocked by the Caller ID. Tracy. “Tracy?” He reached over to the phone and flipped it open. “Hello Tracy?”

[Chyoko]

Amunet- Maine, outside Crowley residence

Amunet had been trying to find a way to discover who exactly caused the zombie outbreak occurring right now. Luckily, or more stupidly, Sylar had no knowledge of the discreet, because he had been caught going to this residence on multiple cameras. She had already informed her people on the current alliance, so when they spotted him going to the apartments they automatically told her. She had to wipe all video feeds from the security cameras so that no one could trace them, and to be honest it aggravated her.

As she turned the corner she saw him, a girl, and a man standing outside the building... with giant rampaging snake. Sylar obviously had no thought to what would happen if this rampage was kept up, he would basically sign over the lives of all specials with his stupidity.

"Mr. Gray, I don't know what your intentions towards specials is, but right now it seems you want them all to die. So I suggest you clean your mess and stop making me regret our little agreement... And thanks for calling, I live to hunt you down."

[Chazz]

~~Jun Kano~~ Docks~~ Intro~~
The perp's head bounced off the hood of the car several times, before the hand that gripped a handful of hair, raised the bloody face up to eye level.
"A name? give me a fucking name." said Jun as grinded the gang member's face against the hood.
"I don't know anything man." spat the gang member, as he pressed his hands against the car, trying to push his face up from the hot metal.
Jun shook his head, and slammed his palm down next to the perp's head, "Wrong fucking answer!"
He shot his knee up into the back of the perp's spine, making him scream out in pain, as he released him.

The gang member slumped to the ground, "I swear man, I don't a damn thing." he cried.
Jun cursed in Japanese, as he reached down and picked up the gang banger by his hair, dragging him across the pier towards the water.
"Wh-what...are you doing...man?" pleaded the perp, as Jun ignored his pleas and cries for justice.
Jun threw him down at the edge of the dock, "On your knees motherfucker." spat Jun.
The gang banger did as Jun said, but continued to beg for his life, sobbing like a little child.

"A name, just one lousy stinking fucking name." repeated Jun as he pulled his pistol out.
The gang banger choked back his tears, looking at the crashing waves, "I cant, they would kill me."
*KABLAM*
The bullet dug into the back of the perp's head, and came out of his left eye, as his body slumped over and fell into the ocean.

[bumbledbee]

Barbara Zimmerman - Terracorp - Atlanta, GA

There she was, the ‘boss’ daughter’, walking down the hall of Terracorp in her white lab coat, high heels clicking against the floor with every step. Underneath she wore a plain white, button down shirt and simply grey, knee length skirt. Wearing as always, a bright, beautiful smile and cup of coffee in her left hand. As usual, her co-workers greeted her in turn with ‘hellos’ and smiles, even if in the back of their minds the woman completely terrified them. Of course, she looked innocent enough right now. But they all remember what had happened just a few months ago. She had gone off her medication for a week straight. They had been working on the new virus, the same one which they had handed over to the Pack not but a few days ago. Barbara had made a simple mistake, a minor miscalculation. It wasn’t anything that would have set them back months, maybe a day or two but they were ahead of schedule. He had no right to be so mean...

The, then head researcher had the nerve to scold her in front of the others, like a child the way he spoke to her. And then, saying she was only here because of her ‘daddy’... that was just simply uncalled for. So, she lost control. It was subtle at first, the faint dizziness that spread quickly around the room amongst the dozen or so scientists. Then came the twisting of the stomach, the head begins to spin out of control... you lose balance. And when you lose balance, you fall down. But the spinning, the twisting stomach, only gets worse. Sometimes your nose bleeds, sometimes you lose the contents of your stomach... but it doesn’t stop. The more angry she gets, the more brutal the sensation... off her medication, her ability runs raw and unleashed. The sensation soon causes some to fall unconscious. Some entering seizures from the madness of it, convulse and foaming at the mouth like rabid dogs. They all deserved it, it was a simple, easily fixed mistake.

She could have stood there all day until it killed them, smiling, giggling. But her father had come in to save them, and she couldn’t hurt him. So she had stopped, let him take her away for some solitude a few days to get her medications back in her system. And he rewarded her on her release with a promotion to lead researcher. She’d never have to deal with that mean man’s stupidity again. People were terrified of her, but they pretended not to be.

Walking into her lab, she was pleasantly surprised to see her father standing beside her desk. With a beaming smile, she walked towards him, noticing he was reading her latest research notes which made her anxious and excited. She had begun new research on a stronger version of the previous virus and wanting to know his input was making her heart want to burst.

He had noticed her from the corner of his eye, but pretended to ignore her for the moment. Jonas knew how to handle Barbara, he was the only man who could actually treat her like she was normal. He was her father after all. And he was quite impressed with her notes, a few more simulations and he’d most likely consider physical testing. But there he stood, quiet, stoic, playing as if he were still reading.

Finally she couldn’t take it anymore, at least having to speak, “Good afternoon, Dad,” she said, smiling then taking a sip of her coffee.

Giving her a sideways glance, letting a faint slip of a smile stretch his lips, “Good afternoon, Barbara.” It was a simple, baiting response.

The woman giggled but remained quiet, but only for a moment, “Well? What do you think?”

“What do I think about what?” he asked, tilting his head down and glancing at her fully, smile widening.

Giggling again, she gave him a gentle nudge to his arm, “My research, silly. I think I’ve found a way to prolong the effects. See...,” she began to point but he moved the papers away then set them back on her desk.

Granting her finally with a proud smile, “You never cease to amaze me, Barbara. Keep this up, share with the others and let’s get this in the testing stage as soon as possible.”

Smiling, excited, she leans up and kisses his cheek, “Thank you. I’ll get this out to everyone now.”

Patting her on the shoulder, he kisses her forehead before making towards the door, “Make me proud, Barbara,” he said before slipping out the door.

She let the pride wash over her for several moments before she slid into her chair and began e-mailing the new virus to the others. Smiling, she knew this was going to be a good day.

~~~~~

Alexander Reed - Pinehearst HQ Medical Facility - New Jersey

When he heard the door opening he turned his head in that direction and looked up at the man who entered, carrying a box of donuts. Instantly Alex gave him a heated glare, which only intensified as he began to speak. And it wasn’t his brightest moment when he took the man’s arm, then was pulled up roughly and tossed against the hospital bed. The pain made Alex’s face pale and curse the man under his breath but quite loud enough to hear. The only good thing was when he tossed him the bottle of pills. The Detective had been living off pills and alcohol for a year now, and despite Seth’s suggestion he ripped off the lid and downed three as he turned the bottle up. After that he slid painfully back into a laying position on his bed and continued to listen.

Most of what he was saying only irritated him, until he started talking about his head. Turning to look at the man again, he started wondering if maybe Sylar was telling the truth. How the hell did everyone know that Karen had done this to him, why were they so damn convinced? Did they really know something he didn’t? His head started spinning, a mixture of all this and the pills starting to kick in, he lifted his hands and covered his face with his palms. ‘You don’t really love me...’, his hands fell from his face, almost as if he were defeated. He then looked over at the man, brows creased but he wasn’t glaring anymore. He was trying to figure out if he had just heard him correctly or not. Get better, get out, find the watch maker and fix himself. And was he just given a job proposal? Alex shook his head for a moment, slightly puzzled and growing increasingly high as the seconds passed. Even in the state of mind he was in he was able to figure out what just happened... what he was being told to do. And Elle was alright, he was glad about that. Though the thought she’d actually call seemed a bit silly, he had failed her. Just like he failed Karen.

When he asked if he had any questions or comments he thought about it, then just shook his head at first. This wouldn’t be the last time Pinehearst saw him, he’d be back. He just had some things to sort... he knew who the watch maker was. And it took a brief moment to figure out a way to track him down again. “Three questions... actually,” he spoke lazily then took a deep breath. “What’s Elle’s old cell phone number? Where the bloody hell are my clothes? And where can I tell my ride to pick me up?” He remembered his ride had been completely totaled. And he knew he couldn’t rely on anyone from the precinct... except one. Maybe? It was worth a shot, there wasn’t a man alive he knew that would be as willing as Jun would to provide him back up when he confronted Sylar. Because he knew there was no way he could handle going with Elle again, seeing her hurt... made him forget.

~~~~~

Tracy Strauss - Taxi to Airport - NYC

Tracy waited for him to pick up, trying to work over in her mind what she was going to say. She had never really talked to Peter before, it wasn’t that she didn’t like him. He was just one of those issues that could potentially affect Nathan’s campaign. It was never anything personal, Nathan always spoke highly of Peter and his family. And that’s why she had to call him now. When he answered was about the time they ended up at the airport, where she paid the driver and stepped out and found a place away from the crowd so she could speak.

“Hello, Peter,” she answered, taking a soft, sighing breath. “I’m not sure you’re aware... I’m not even sure I should be calling you...,” she said, shaking her head then pinching the bridge of her nose with her fingers. “I’m worried about, Nathan. This blood testing... people are already starting to react negatively. I don’t know what to do... I tried talking to, Nathan but...”

She shook her head again, this was actually quite difficult for her, “Maybe I shouldn’t have called you,” she told him again then pulled the phone away from her mouth. Feeling a sudden rush of emotions, fear, doubt, concern. She crossed her arms somewhat and leaned against the pillar outside the entrance of the airport. She didn’t know what else to say. Was she suppose to tell him about the terrorist group, about their hostages and their demands. That his brother could be in danger, it was hard for a politician to be honest.