Lazaret (Kept Woman Verse)
Title: Lazaret | Part 3
Characters/Pairing: Maya/Gabriel, Peter, Nadia, others.
Fandom: Heroes
Rating: R
Word count: 5, 900
Disclaimer: Do not own.
Summery: Nadia goes missing and they have to find her before it's too late.
Note: Kept Woman Verse. One more part to go. Unbet'd.
Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4
A beam of light shines through the crack in the door and it is the only light in the back of the truck. Jaime checks his watch and sees that only half an hour has past. Nadia huddles beside him and he has an arm around her shoulder. At first she had screamed to be let out but soon her demands faded and she sat beside him on the bench, resigned for now. She breathes quickly and every now and then a sob will escape her. Jaime stares at the beam of light with an angry frown.
“I’m sorry Nadia, this is all my fault. I shouldn’t have upset you.”
She shrugs and looks up at him. “It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have left, I was stupid...I thought I was sick but - but I was just joking. I wanted to look around.” The attention she would have got - good or bad - would also mean her mother remaining with her for longer. Maybe even staying for good. She doesn’t voice this but looks at Jamie for his judging face but he only looks sad.
“Well I don’t have to tell you off, you know we’re in big trouble...I over reacted. I just...I don’t want anyone to know about my parents.”
“Why not? I only really met your dad but he seemed nice. I liked hearing him talk.”
James manages a smile. For all his many faults his father is a great storyteller. He has enough of them, that’s for sure. But now he’s long gone, along with his mother. Jaime sighs and rubs at his eyes. He’s tired and very hungry. “You didn’t really know them. Sometimes they could be the most amazing, exciting people. Like when my dad would tell stories or my mom would make her hair stand on end but...they shouldn’t have had kids.”
“Why?” Her voice fogs up into the dim light, he can see it in the beam cutting through the gloom.
He debates what to say. Only George knows the full truth and he’s an adult. Nadia is just a kid. But then again so is he. “My mom is a psychopath. Genuinely...when I was small she used to shock me in the bath, burn my hair off, other stuff. My dad would have to heal me...” he trials off and even though it’s incredibly painful to say now that he’s started he can’t stop. “My dad was suicidal. He was nihilistic. Do you know what that means?”
Nadia shakes her head. “No.”
“It means when someone doesn’t care about anything. Nothing matters. I understand why but when your dad doesn’t care about anything...it’s hard.”
“I’m - I’m really sorry. I dunno what to say.”
He’s glad for the dark. “It’s OK. I don’t want you to say anything. Just don’t tell anyone else.”
“I won’t, I promise.” She takes his hand and holds it as the truck speeds on. As there’s no traffic or even functioning lights on most roads they move almost without stopping. After a few minutes silence Nadia speaks up, her voice low and curious. “You said that I shouldn't talk about my parents either. Why did you say that?”
Jaime shifts uncomfortably and searches for an answer, one he can use to skirt the subject. “Nothing really. I just thought you would wouldn’t want the attention.”
There’s a silence before Nadia bursts out laughing. She quickly covers her mouth and Jaime smiles at her with a frown. She stares at him, her head cocked. “You don’t know me so well.”
He shakes his head. “I remember when you used to come to class dressed like a different Disney princess each week.”
“Dios mio.” She whispers, embarrassed and he laughs. He can see the blush on her cheeks and looks toward the doors. It must be getting lighter outside. Nadia nudges him. “You know I’ve had this feeling that people have been lying to me my whole life? That they’re not telling my everything. It makes me feel...I dunno, I can’t put it into words.”
He understands that, very well. “I know...Ok, I don’t know everything.” That’s a lie, he knows everything about Nadia’s mother and father. His own mother had taken great delight in telling him. He would never tell her the whole truth, not when it could damage her so much. “Your dad has abilities, lots of them but what about your mom?”
“Mom? No, she’s just normal.”
“Are you sure?”
She frowns at him, thinking until finally she shakes her head. “No she can’t have one. She would have told me.”
“Maybe her ability was dangerous and she didn’t want you to know? Not everyone gets a good one or tells other people about it.”
Like her. She’s told no one about her ability. She scowls at him, loosing patience. “Look is it true or not?”
Jaime bites his lip, gnawing at it before nodding. “Your mom had an ability but I think it was taken away.” Clearly he’s in the sharing mood today. Nadia blinks and turns away. She stares at the light filling the truck with a heavy frown. After so long a piece of the puzzle clicks into place but the rest of the picture is missing. It’s a start.
He opens to his mouth to ask if she is all right when the truck finally comes to a stop. They both look around and Jaime can make out the faint sound of gulls. Nadia grips his hand tightly as the doors open and light floods in. It’s still night but there must be powerful flood lights wherever they are.
“Out you two. The faster we do this the quicker you can get something to eat and a bunk.”
Jaime pulls Nadia to her feet and they stumble out of the truck. A freezing wind buffets them as they turn to look out at the vast expanse of the Atlantic ocean. Nadia gasps at the sight, her eyes widen and any fear at that moment is dwarfed by wonder.
“The sea...”
“Never seen it?” One of the men asks as he leads them towards a small harbour. A few people are lined up, waiting for a boat. Nadia shakes her head as they reach the end of the line. The two men who had captured them offer strangely sad smiles. “Good luck you two. Hopefully we’ll see you back on this side soon.”
Jaime watches them walk away and he thinks about making a run for it. But as the suits leave three more take their place and these people carry guns. He moves closer to Nadia, inwardly cursing. They are herded onto a boat and at the last moment a twitchy looking woman sitting opposite them jumps from the boat and scrambles up the wharf. Jaime sees the men cock their guns and he pushes Nadia’s head down. He closes his eyes as gun shots are fired.
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.”
Jaime looks up to see a man staring straight ahead, his face pale and stricken with fear Jaime looks back but the woman is nowhere to be seen. She must have fell into the water. A man at the helm of their boat spits grimly and shakes his head.
“I’m sorry you had to see that but now I don’t have to tell you not to run.” He takes a seat by the wheel and looks them all over. He’s a grizzly old man, tired but Jaime doesn’t detect anything malicious about him.
“I wanna go home.” Another man says and others nod, muttering in agreement. The captain stares wearily. He must have heard all this a hundred times.
“You will if you’re clean. Now listen up you folks! You’ve been taken because you pose a threat to the mainland. I want you all to keep in mind that if you do not go on to show any symptoms then you will be free to leave. The boats -”
“Is this legal?” Nadia says and the man is stumped into silence. Again he must have heard it before but never from a child. The captain blinks and clears his throat.
“I take orders from them in charge, same as always. It is legal by sanction from the government and her in the top office.”
“Who’s that? Who’s in charge?” Someone asks.
Someone else answers them. “It’s Tracy Straus, where have you been?”
“Right, the Ice Queen herself. Now before I was interrupted I was gonna explain how it works. First you’ll be processed and then evaluated for infection. Once you’ve been given a compartment you stay there for the necessary length of time. If you’re clean you leave.”
“And if we’re not?”
“Then you’re moved to another ship. Any more questions? No? Then welcome to the Lazaret Cruise liners.” He points out at the sea and Nadia looks up and her mouth falls open.
A fleet of ships, some tiny and other massive are lined up along the horizon. The ship they seem to be on course for is one of the smaller ships. As she gets closer she sees that the largest ships are placed farther away from the rest of the fleet, rolling under waves sluggishly.
Nadia looks back at the captain who sits closest to them. “It looks like a barricade, like they have over the streets.”
The man smiles at her. “It is a barricade, at least that’s what it was originally made for.” He leans closer to them so they can hear him over the wind. “In the early days, when the virus was spreading west towards the States the rest of Europe were naturally trying to run from it. They came over the sea but we put whatever we could in their path to stop them.”
“Why?”
“Couldn’t risk any of them bringing the virus with them.”
“Well that didn’t work.” Jaime says darkly. He hates any mention of the virus because his thoughts always turn to his father.
“Clearly. We still get a few ships and the like from over there but it’s days as a barricade are long over. They’re Lazaret ships now.”
“Lazaret?”
“It’s what they used to call them in the old days. They used ships, islands and isolated buildings to keep infectious people in. There’s a large mansion in Philadelphia but that got overcrowded...these ships have been a godsend.”
“You don’t...burn them do you?”
The man laughs at Nadia. “What? No, of course not. Where would be the sense in that? If we can’t treat them then they’re transferred to one of the bigger ships. It’s more peaceful. I know there are naysayers but at least those people aren’t dying alone somewhere. They get to die with some dignity and respect.”
All this talk of dying, no matter how thoughtful, makes Nadia feel anxious. Already sick with the motion of the boat she tries to focus on something that doesn't move so she stares at Jaime who’s staring at his feet. He takes in deep even breaths and Nadia suspects he’s not doing to well with the sea either. The ship looms larger until the engine of their boat putters to a stop and they float beside the ship. The captain calls up and a ladder is lowered. Nadia stares up at it forbiddingly before taking the first rung in her hand and starts to climb.
*
They teleport onto an icy road and Peter immediately collapses. Gabriel and Maya try to keep their balance but they tumble down with him and land painfully on the ice. Wincing Maya sits up, cradling her wrist and looks up. A ribbon of bright blue sky is above them, framed by the houses on either side.
“Where are we?” Gabriel asks, shivering. He is dressed for the Texas sun which has been spared the cold of winter. Maya ignores him and turns Peter over gently.
“Peter? Can you hear me?” She stares at his face but the man remains unconscious. Relieved that he’s breathing Maya looks up at the strange town they now find themselves in and then back at Gabriel. “Help me lift him.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
Maya shakes her head and gets to her feet carefully. “He must be tired.” She takes his arm and stares pointedly at Gabriel until he gets to his feet and takes Peter’s other arm. She looks around for shelter and spots a motel sign not too far from them. Slipping and sliding they drag Peter over the treacherous ground until they reach the wooden porch steps and gratefully dispose him there.
Straightening Gabriel looks up and down the street, taking note of the Victorian era architecture. “Wherever we are it’s a nice place.” He turns to Maya but she’s already approaching the entrance. She knocks on the door and waits but no one comes. She twists the handle and the door opens with a squeak. At some point this would have been a thriving hotel in a picturesque town, now it’s abandoned. Like so many other places in America.
They lift Peter again and place him on a couch they find in the reception area. Gabriel stares at Maya who is trying her hardest not to make eye contact with him. He understands why but it still feels odd to him.
“You can look at me Maya. We lived together for almost nine years.”
“I know that!” She snaps and her eyes flash to him and stay. She runs her fingers through her hair and he goes to her but keeps some distance. He tilts his head and looks into her eyes.
“She’s going to be okay. Once Peter wakes up he can...fix me.” It curdles to say it. Without Petrelli he can’t locate his child so whatever reservations he has takes a back seat. He looks at the man and notes with concern that his nose is bleeding. “He doesn’t look too good.”
“I know. It’s my fault.” Maya crouches down to him and places an already bloody handkerchief to his face. Gabriel hunches down beside her.
“Why is it your fault?”
“He’s been working so hard, for so many years. And now that my ability is back he’s expecting to help me heal the sick but...” she shakes his head, her face a mask of worry, “he’s getting worse everyday. I don’t know what’s wrong with him and I don’t want to add to it. He’s so passionate about it. He wants to help.”
Gabriel stares at Peter, considering. His mind casts up an old memory, one he’d like to forget but it may prove significant. “Bennet told me once that harbouring too many abilities at once can be...degrading.” He was talking about the state of Gabriel’s sanity but it could still apply to Peter.
Maya looks at him and he can see what she’s thinking as clearly as if she’d spoken it aloud. Degraded like you? She gets to feet and he goes with her. “Speaking of Bennet I met him again last night. He was helping me and Peter find Nadia.”
“I thought he’d be dead.” He can’t think why, the man was too stubborn to die.
“He doesn’t work for the Company anymore. I think he feels guilty for what he did in the past. He works for the CDC.”
Gabriel smiles weakly. “Looks like all of us are something new now. The old world is gone and our old lives with it.” Maya nods and he feels a tingle of surprise. Before she would have scoffed at his pontificating but now her anger is gone. He moves closer to her with a light frown. “I said you were different but it’s not just your ability that’s changed. You seem...unburdened.”
She laughs darkly and takes a seat on the coach that is opposite Peter. “I’m very much burdened. I’m this close to exploding. It’s lucky that all the people here are dead and buried.” She sighs and looks at him tiredly. Gabriel moves to sit on the armchair beside her.
“You’ll be fine, just remember you control it now, not the other way round.” He also feels seconds away from breaking down but he rules his fear with an iron will. He will rescue her, anything else is unthinkable. “I miss her. I get letters every month but it’s not the same.”
“I know.” She stares at him in pity. “We both miss her...I wish I had never left.”
“You didn’t know this would happen.”
“I know...I just want her back, safe.” Her chin wobbles and her eyes fill with tears. Gabriel wants to hold her but is hesitant to. Instead he rubs her arm until she gets control of herself again. A silence lingers, broken by the ticking of a large clock in the next room. They cast each other fleeting looks, heavy with unsaid words.
But they are words he can’t contain. “The last time we saw each other was...difficult. I didn’t know what to think. You stabbed me.” He says it with a fake derisive smirk.
She nods, her gaze heavy. “I regret it.”
He blinks and sits forward. “You do?”
“Si. Shedding more blood was not the answer. I was crazy in that place, I told myself so often that I would kill you that it became like a promise to myself. I had to avenge. I thought it was the right thing to do.”
“It was. I deserve to die.”
She shakes her head and with a hesitating movement lays her fingertips against his hand. “Maybe but I don’t, not anymore. When I thought you had died I felt like something in me had died to. I’ll never forget what you did to me and others but I have no room in me for hate anymore. I tried to ignore you but that didn’t work...” she shakes her head again with a strange half smile. “Maybe you have broken me down at last.”
He takes her hand in his. “No, you’re the strongest person I know. More then I’ll ever be.” He runs his fingers along her skin and matches a smile to hers. “You know since I’ve been imprisoned, since they suppressed my abilities, I’ve been able to think clearly? For the first time in years I feel, well, sane.”
She lifts her brows sardonically. “I don’t know about that.”
“I mean it! I don’t feel so pressured anymore. I feel more complete as a person. I - I don’t have to pretend.” She is the only person he’ll talk about this with.
Maya reaches forward and slips his glasses off. She stares down at them. “You didn’t like me calling you Gabriel at first, I don’t think you liked being reminded.”
“I didn’t. Gabriel was...shallow. I wanted to be more then him but not like Sylar. As Nadia grew I knew I couldn’t be like him. I wanted to be normal.”
“But sometimes you were like Sylar, when you got angry...” He knows she’s thinking of what happened during the summer gone and he cringes. The last few years before that he and Maya had been almost civil with each other and he had finally started to believe she was happy. Maybe she had to retaliate, thought that she was slipping. Giving up the fight.
“I was hurt by what you did. I didn’t know how to cope but being Sylar I did. At least I could act like I did. That’s all he’s ever been really. A crouch.”
She stares at him, her eyes dark. “That’s not an excuse. What you did to that poor man.”
He feels something writhing in him, a horrid mix of shame and jealousy. He had castrated the man Maya slept with. He can hardly remember doing it he had been so enraged. “I know. I don’t have an excuse. I’m not well.” He never has been, that’s the truth of it. His mother had seen to that.
She lifts the glasses up to the light and peers at the lenses. “I was no saint either...I would have made a terrible nun.”
“I dunno...” He smiles at her and she smiles back before catching herself. Years ago her response would be to walk away in anger but now she just blushes. A conversation that had been to take their minds off their shared panic has turned into something else and Gabriel isn’t sure what to do. At that moment he notes Peter stirring and gets to his feet where Maya joins him. They help the waking man sit up right and Maya ask Gabriel to find something to drink. Heading out to find a kitchen he looks back at her.
Have you forgiven me?
It’s a question he dare not speak allowed, not yet. Not when things are so tentatively knitted together.
*
Jaime tells himself it’s the rocking of the boat that’s making her ill. Both of them had been sick at first but Nadia hasn’t stopped since they had been given cubicles to stay in. They had been given a medical check over, new clothes and finally something to eat. When they had assigned them rooms Jaime had quickly told them that he was Nadia’s brother. The man had stared between them incredulously but relented.
He didn’t want them to be separated but that wouldn't be the worst of their troubles. She sits weakly by the toilet, half concealed by the bathroom door. She looks at him piteously, her face sweaty and red. “The sea sucks.”
Hearing this he’s vividly reminded of his mother who hated water. Agitated he gets up from his bunk and stares out of the cubbyhole. They had been given one of the rooms in the lower decks of the ships. Maybe you have to be famous to get a balcony.
“Don’t worry, I’ll see if I can get some seasickness tablets for you.”
Nadia sinks shakily onto her bunk, not staying to far from the tiny bathroom. “What if it isn't sea sickness?”
Jaime smirks, hoping it’s convincing. “You’re fine. You’re just...shook up, that’s all. I don’t feel to good either.” In his case it is definitely the sea that’s the source of his problem.
Nadia looks unconvinced. “If I am sick then you shouldn’t be here. I could infect you.”
He sits opposite her and shakes his head. “No, you couldn’t, even if you were. I don’t get ill.”
“You don’t? Is that your ability?”
Jaime sits upright, his face suddenly flushing. “No, I don’t have a power. My dad could heal himself and I must have inherited some of that. It’s in the blood.”
Nadia lies down with a tired smile. “My dad said his blood was magic.”
“He told me it was a curse.”
“Well he is ni - nihsomething...” she trails off and falls asleep. Jaime stares at the sweat pouring down her face and opens the cubbyhole window a crack. Cold air blows against his face and he shivers but maybe it will bring some relief to her. Making sure that she’s secure he heads out to find someone that can help them.
*
Gabriel looks through a wardrobe, which he notes with a sense of irony must have belonged to an older gentleman. He pulls out a cardigan with a smirk.
“The number of times I’ve seen you pick one of those up at the mall only to put it back...” he turns to see Maya standing in the doorway. “You were tempted?”
He nods. “It was familiar, comfortable but I think I’m done dressing like my father.” He puts it back into the wardrobe and pulls out a thick blue sweater. It’s a little big but it will do for now. Pulling it over his head he turns to Maya who comes towards him.
“Peter wants to speak to you.” They had moved him to one of the bedrooms and he had been sleeping for the past two hours. Gabriel had figured out that they were in Maine so a drive wouldn’t take too long. Peter could have stranded them half way round the world.
“Maybe I should call Bennet?”
Gabriel smirks. “That would be a happy reunion. Did you tell him about me?”
She shakes her head.
“No, we can take a car and drive. If Peter is well enough to transport us then even better.” Gabriel straightens his sweater and gazes at Maya. She stands calmly but there is a permanent worry line between her brows. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m frightened. The only reason I’m not screaming right now is because I’m trying not to lose control.”
“I understand. I’m this close myself.” He shakes his head and the look in his eye shines predatory for a moment. For the first time Maya wonders what he’ll do when they find the persons responsible for taking their daughter. She can imagine quite clearly what she would do and she doesn’t feel the slightest bit of guilt for it.
“I’ve killed for her and I’d do it again.”
“I know but this isn’t Odessa. Our deeds will be noticed.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t?”
He smiles at her and then suddenly experiences a moment where he’s looking at them above, standing close and conspiring. Flirting. He gazes at her in bewilderment. “What’s changed in you? All I’ve ever wanted is this.”
Maya averts her gaze, turns her head to the side. She shrugs a shoulder. “I guess I came to a...” she clicks her fingers for the words and looks at him. “Decision?”
“Epiphany?”
“That’s it. Once I left America with Peter I saw things that just made my problems small. Stuck in Texas I couldn’t really see the size of it. The world is so empty but it’s still alive. I’m alive and that’s a blessing.”
“And you only had to see that once you were free from me?” He doesn’t want to feel this bitterness but he can’t help it.
“Free from my anger, yes.”
“Do - do you forgive me?” He holds his breath.
She doesn’t answer straightaway. Instead she cocks her head to the side and comes to him with a thoughtful expression. “I didn’t want to. I thought you didn’t deserve it but...forgiveness can only be earned if you have the grace to give it.” She nods. “I forgive you but I don’t love you Gabriel. I don’t want to give you that impression. I could never love you.”
It hurts to hear her say it so calmly but her forgiveness is truthfully what he’s always craved. She couldn’t love him if she had no room for forgiveness. Maybe there’s room in her heart again. Gabriel gazes sadly.
“I never thought I’d hear you say that...I still love you, whether you don’t or even believe it.”
She nods, her face serious. “Maybe you do but I can’t, I just can’t.” She turns away from him and he feels his heart trampling underfoot as she leads him to Peter. She stands by the door and as he passes Maya he leans down quickly and kisses her cheek.
Maya stands alone as the door closes, fingers pressed to her warm face.
*
Peter sits up in bed, a pile of lace pillows at his back. The wallpaper is a dusky flowered pink and Gabriel takes a moment to savour the image for a moment.
He smirks. “Comfortable? Those pillow look like they could do with a few extra frills.”
“Funny.” Peter gestures for Gabriel to sit on a chair beside the bed. He’s irritable. “I don’t want to waste anymore time then I already have. Lets see if I can get your abilities working again. One at least.” He swings his legs over the side of the bed and faces Gabriel. He offers his hands and after hesitating Gabriel takes them.
“What are you looking for?”
“A feeling. I want you to do use the clairvoyance ability.”
“I can’t.”
“I know. Just go through the motions as if you could.”
Gabriel exhales and concentrates. He thinks of Nadia, trying to pinpoint her location and then to broaden his searching perimeter. He scowls hard, trying to summon the ability but it’s useless. Worse he can actually sense it but it’s as if he’s bumping against a ceiling, blocking him. Just as he’s about to give up he’s suddenly unsettled by a horrible sensation. It feels as if the ground is swaying beneath him and his eyes open to stare at a round window. A cubbyhole.
Gabriel’s eyes spring open. “I saw her!” He stares at Peter with a grin but the man is bent over and breathing fast. He contemplates leaving him and going to Maya but something makes him stop. He touches Peter’s shoulder and he looks up at him.
“It worked?”
“Yes! How did you do it?
“I know how things work, thanks to you...” he says it sardonically.
Gabriel gets to his feet. “I need a map.” He moves away but Peter grabs his arm.
“Wait. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?”
“I’m dying.”
“Oh.” Not knowing how to respond to this Gabriel sits back down and stares at Peter awkwardly. If he’s offended by Gabriel’s lack of concern he doesn’t show it. “I thought you couldn’t do that?”
“So did I but using Maya’s ability has taken a tole...” He trails off, looking thoughtful. “Before my mom died she told me things. She said that you and me were two sides of the same coin.”
Gabriel frowns. “Why? I’ve never met your mother.”
Peter smiles secretly. “No but she’s met you. She’d been dreaming about you for years. She hoped they were nightmares at first...”
Choosing to ignore that Gabriel stares at him curiously. “Then why does she think we’re similar?”
“We have the same ability.”
Gabriel, even more confused, leans forward. “No we don’t. You’re an Empath. I have Intuitive Aptitude.”
Peter shakes his head. “My mother said otherwise. You know how things work because your dad did. He had that power, you just took it from him. You’re an empath Gabriel.”
He stares at him intensely for some seconds before he gets to his feet with a scoff. “That’s ridiculous. If I was an Empath I think I’d know.”
“No you wouldn’t. You have to be able to connect with people, empathise with them and you can’t. You had to find another way of absorbing abilities...”
He stares at Peter as if he’s insane, wanting to reject his words. “I’ve killed people for their abilities and you’re telling me I could have just felt sorry for them and bingo, it’s mine? No.”
“I know you don’t want to hear this. I get it...but I have IA and I can’t use it to take people’s abilities, not even if I cut their heads open. You know I’m telling you the truth.”
He doesn’t want to hear that, doesn’t want to admit it but there’s a part of him that’s almost relieved to have it spoken aloud. Of course that’s what his ability is. He’s never used IA to take abilities, it just showed him how.
Gabriel sits on the edge of the bed and stares at nothing. “I couldn’t use it properly, I didn’t even know it was there...I’ve got some problems,” he says weakly, tapping his temple. “I’m not crazy, not like Elle is but...” he trails off, startled that he’s confiding secrets and turns to stare at Peter in anger. “Why are you even telling me this? I can’t use it like you! I can only kill people.”
“That’s not true. You have your dad’s ability. You cared about him?”
Gabriel looks away from him and nods once. “He taught me how to fix watches but at some point, I think I was six, I could just do it. I could see how and where the pieces fitted together.” His father had been so proud.
Peter gets to his feet. At least he appears strong enough to stand now. “If you did it once you can do it again.”
Gabriel shakes his head. “I can’t and furthermore why should I?”
“You don’t care about being special anymore?”
Gabriel grits his teeth and steps towards him. “Don’t mock me. I’m not like that anymore.”
“You’re not?” He looks unconvinced and Gabriel stares at him unblinking.
He did care about being special and he probably always will but he’ll never tell anyone. As long as he’s got a grip on himself. “I don’t understand what any of this has to do with you dying?”
“Because Maya needs a partner. Her brother is gone and I don’t have long.”
“And you think that’s me?”
Peter nods in assurance. “I wish it was anyone else but it is you, I know it is because I’ve seen it. You and Maya will clear the rest of the virus, once and for all.”
“You’ve seen it?” He can tell Peter isn’t lying but he just can’t swallow it.
“I can dream the future. At some point you’re going to absorb her ability.”
“Even if I could she’d never work with me. And, if it’s escaped your notice, I’m also a prisoner.”
Peter shrugs. “All I know at some point in the future you and Maya are in a different country - England I think - and your eyes are both black.” He looks up at Gabriel thoughtfully. “You told me once that you loved your family. If you’re telling the truth then you can use Empathetic Mimicry.”
Gabriel watches him walk out of the room and stands there, his words spinning through his mind like a whirlwind.
*
Maya stares at them as they had come down the stairs. Peter had asked to speak to him alone and she can only guess what they talked about. Gabriel has an occupied, almost shell shocked look on his face. He stares up at the grandfather clock in the hall like he’s figuring out a puzzle.
“Gabriel?”
He turns to her and he seems to snap back into the present. “I know where she is!”
Maya clutches at her chest and smiles brilliantly. “Where? Where?!”
“It was hard to get a lock on her at first but I found her. She’s on a ship off the coast and she’s not alone. I saw Jaime Bishop with her.”
“Her boyfriend?” Maya had teased Nadia about her crush and it was what she called the boy in private. Now she hardly notices.
Gabriel’s mouth quirks. “Yeah. Nadia seems to be OK. She’s awake.” He turns to Peter and his gaze is strange to Maya, almost guarded. “Can you teleport us there?"
Peter nods. “I can try but not onto the boat. We’d probably end up in the Atlantic Ocean.”
Maya goes to him and looks into his face with concern. “Are you sure?”
“Do you wanna wait a few more hours to drive there?”
Maya shakes her head. She is worried for Peter but not as much as for Nadia. “Okay. It’s a good thing I didn’t call Bennet. He’d have drove here for nothing.”
“He’d love that.” Peter says and Maya catches Gabriel trying not to smile. Whatever they had talked about has shifted their relationship. To what she is not sure.