Within a dark laboratory, the only source of light emanated from a single
computer terminal. Red indented shapes drifted across the LCD screen, plasma and
cells enlarged a thousand fold. Magnified to reveal the secrets of a virus at
cellular level. To the untrained eye, to a child's eye, the red blood floating
around would have just looked like a calm screen saver. But to someone who knew
what they were looking at, the truth was not as innocent. Imperfections were an
apparent reality. To someone who knew what they were looking for, it meant
anxiety. Especially for someone who was trying to fix it. The man sitting at the
testing unit desperately wished to switch off the screen. It felt like a clock
that taunted him. If only the answers we as easy as pushing a button. The tired
geneticist ran both hands through his thick curls, then proceeded to drag his
palms down his face, resting them on his mouth. He massaged his sore eyes while
mulling over the lack of solutions he had discovered. It was a constant vicious
cycle. He had tested over and over, using the basic scientific method and always
returning to hypothesis. He knew his father had discovered a cure for
this same virus - but he wasn't his father. He was a shadow. A 'cheap
knock-off'.
Why am I even here?Mohinder Suresh had struggled through university to become a professor.
Following deep footsteps, he just didn't have the same aptitude for the field of
science that Chandra had a knack for. Philosophy had caught his interest
throughout his university years, which helped him bear it all, eventually
leaving with a Doctorate in that field. But he had pushed on to pursue the path
his father had taken and found himself at the other end a teacher of genetics.
Mohinder needed approval. So with all the hard work and study, he
strained himself to be the best he could be. All for what?Frustration.Granted it was a very exciting field and gave him many opportunity's, but it
just wasn't enough. Mohinder had realized as he'd grown through life that
sometimes the true happiness comes when you follow your heart. Stop being what
others expect of you. Take a few daring leaps of faith. But this wasn't about
him. This day was not about his life. Unfortunately, philosophy had given him
skills to indulge in thought more at the most inappropriate times. He needed to
stop becoming inward and focus.Her life was ticking away.The Company had left the search in his hands. The thing that got to him the
most was when he noticed the superior quality of the lab and its equipment. If
the stupid company had used it's funding more strategically, they could afford
their own team to work on this cure. Suspicion about their true motives had been
present in his mind the moment he was put on the project. That wasn't the
kindest word he could have used, but he had forced himself to be as detached as
possible to achieve the result faster. Mohinder analyzed the DNA before him for
the two hundredth time. Hopelessness overwhelmed him. Mohinder tore his eyes
away from the microscope and pushed away from the bench. In this state of mind,
he wasn't going anywhere but insane. His dark reflective eyes squinted to read
the clock on the computer screen.2:33am.No wonder he was exhausted. He'd had a total of four hours sleep since he'd
began several days ago. It was soul-draining work. A yellow star pinned to a
manila folder beside him was constant reminder that if he failed - He
forced the thought from his mind. This wasn't about him. It wasn't about his
research or his father. It wasn't about Patient Zero - even though a cure may
mean brining Sylar down. This wasn't even about revenge or justice or whatever
the hell it should be called. This day wasn't about him.It was about love.Of course, that reason was totally mad and illogical, but it was his thought
and he was allowed to keep it. He had been led to her because of his own desire
to destroy Sylar. The monster that had killed Chandra, his father. The demon who
had killed Peter, someone he loved.. Alone, he was one man, and so he sought
resources. Mohinder couldn't believe the words as he heard them, about his
sister. About her sickness. The second that bastard Thompson had pulled away the
certain, Mohinder's heart had stopped. He wanted to hate her. He wanted to be
cold and uncaring and ruthless, to have that heart of stone. He wanted to run
away. But these were all lies and inconsistencies. The truth was, as her smile
had lit up the room, he wanted to save her life. It was what his heart told him
was right."Cute, huh?" Thompson had sneered.Mohinder's anger boiled as Thompson pretended to give a damn about the
butterfly caged for The Company's needs. If the young one wasn't watching and
waving, Mohinder may have acted on the violent impulses that were waiting under
the surface. The girl was just a tool to them. Just a means to an end. She
wasn't any more important than the cars they drove to work in, or the watches on
their wrists. She was just property. His heart told him he needed to rescue her
from this unethical existence.And so, he plummeted.She was his. If anyone disputed it, murder was on the table. He had already
lost two people he cared about within the span of a year. Despite only having
known her for a few days, it felt like a lifetime. The bond was instantaneous
and was destined till the end of time. Usually he was paralyzed by the idea of
hurting anyone or even protecting himself. But her...She had become worth
dying for. Another thought to keep under lock and key.Mohinder forced himself to consider sleep. If he got some good rest, perhaps
the solution would present itself. Perhaps his dreams would guide him to an
answer."If only." He whispered to the darkness.The facility he had been working in was slowly becoming familiar. It was
essentially a mini hospital with sleeping quarters. Much cleaner and definantly
more sterile than his apartment currently was. The Company had provided him with
a room with a tiny en suite. It was all high security and nearly all the rooms
required a swipe card. It was ridiculous the amount of wasteful funds the place
contained. Swipe access just to get to his bedroom? Please. Mohinder had just
finished clearing the lab up when he headed down the hall to sleep. The security
pad buzzed softly. He rolled his eyes and told it that it should be an assistant
helping him instead. He reached into his pants to tug out his card, only to come
up with a pack of gum he'd purchased earlier that day. The one and only time
he'd been outside. Puzzled, he searched all his pockets furiously. Perhaps he'd
left them back in the lab. Ten minutes of searching high and low, a very
agitated scientist scratching his head, without any key."Where in the blazes have I put it?" He hissed.He used the step by step procedure of retracing his steps. Mohinder recounted
his day, mentally keen on any sign on his card.Woke up. Came out here. Researched from 4:00am till now. Took a few medical
tests. Went out into sunlight for the first time to discuss progress with
Thompson...Mohinder's shoulders sank. Within his mind, he could only visualize they key
in one of two places. Sitting in a crumpled pair of pants on the floor of his
quarters - behind a locked door. Or, downstairs on the table, under the
newspaper he had been reading - behind many locked doors. Thompson had let them
both in and out. He had been to glad to be rid of the man to realize his folly.
He found himself considering how comfortable a laboratory stainless steel bench
versus a biological waste bin. This was definantly not healthy and the only
remedy was sleep. He dug into his pocket where he knew his phone was and -
great, dead battery. The lab's phone was next. He picked it up and stared at the
numbers. Who would he call? So much for a safety procedure in case you are
locked into a building. Now that he thought about it, Thompson had mentioned
something or other, but Mohinder had possibly been to focused on slipping
something into his coffee. Every time he punched a number, it demanded a
security code or extension number for the department he required. Slamming it as
quietly as possible, Mohinder clenched air in a fist and swore without sound.
The "typical" fairy was kicking him in the teeth today.A light bulb sparked. An image of his swipe card nestled on a tray among
blood-letting equipment arose in his mind. He quickly slinked over to the large
glass barricade opposite him and felt for the handle to the door to the room
beyond. It made him sick to think of the design of the abode. Like an animal
enclosure. Mohinder attempted to open the door as quietly as possible. Gingerly
he pushed open the door (thankfully this door was without swipe access, in the
interest of patient safety.) Very little light filtered into the room, Mohinder
squinting to see in front of him. Lack of vision caused him to catch his feet in
cords. He managed a feat of luck and cat sprang free of the tangle, avoiding
altogether the embarrassment of tearing the privacy curtain off it's rail. He
drew in a deep breath of accomplishment and was about to search for the tray
when a sound made his heart stop dead.Soft, frightened whimpers echoed around him, his eyes falling closed as pain
stabbed his chest. Sobs that sounded all too familiar overwhelmed him and took
him back to his own child hood. Nightmares, bee stings, his father never
home...A feeling of total abandonment. The cries for someone to come into the
dark and awful place and lull him back to sleep. Most nights, his mother would
come to free him. But other nights, when mothers ears were busy, he would only
find comfort in the warmth of a pillow. He could sense this exact event
occurring behind the material thin wall the curtain created. A terrified being
in desperate need of assurance that the shapes on the wall were only shadows.
Mohinder took another deep breath and reached out to touch the childishly
patterned blind, concealing the patient within. His fingers dusted gently over
the cloth, his breath hitched as he fingered for a break in the wall. It made
his body ache to hear her cry.The sound that broke the near silence was caused by the plastic clips of the
curtain dragging across the metal rail. The whimpers cut short. Realizing
immediately that he had startled her, he knew it was best that he revealed
himself. After all, the imagination of a young mind is entirely more elaborate
ball game. All she would know right now was that a fiend with intent to devour
her was creeping toward the bed."It's okay. It's me, Dr. Mohinder." He whispered kindly. He waited to
hear her breathing again, and relief set in. Mohinder tugged aside the curtain.
All he could make out were tiny lights of the machines that monitored. As vision
adjusted, a form upon the elevated bed became visible. Pale skin, shimmering wet
with tears, reflected the low amount of illumination nearby. It was just enough
to make out features. She had been crying heavily, her cheeks covered in tears,
some still clinging to her eyelashes. Like a frightened angel, wide blue eyes
searched for familiarity to assure her the truth."Mohinder?" She whispered back.The geneticist nodded and moved to affirm it with a warm hand upon her
shoulder, certain swaying closed behind him. Shielded from whatever was beyond
the fragile walls of the dwelling, the pair were the only two in the world right
now."I had a nightmare."Of course. The cruelty of an unguarded mind's ability to fool the senses.
Things had happened in the life of this girl that no one should face at such a
young age. Watching your parents murdered before you, fearful that you were
next. He could relate to her on this matter - but it was nowhere near as
devastating for him as it must be for her. People assume adults are braver,
therefore they can deal with nightmares easier. The truth was, adults were just
used to them by now. Understanding the meaning of what was on the news every day
was a defining moment in life. But it didn't make you more capable than a child.
Just a better liar. Her sobs brought him out of his thoughts immediately. He'd
forgotten to tell her it was alright. He'd forgotten to lie."Hey..." He cooed.Warm and strong arms enveloped her, his legs hanging awkwardly from the bed
as he cradled her. As though murmuring a prayer to a saint, Mohinder breathed
the words delicately to calm her."I'm here now..."He found it hard to part with the rest of his sentence, as though it were
forbidden to release the syllables."Molly."The tears spilled openly. In torrents, waves and oceans. Every precious drop
seeped into the cloth of his green shirt. He swayed rhythmically as she gave
away all the fear and pain, trusting him to hold her tight. The silk of her hair
under his fingers sent shivers down his spine. Delicately, he swept his fingers
under her chin and planted affectionate kisses on both cheeks, the salt of her
tears seeping into his lips."I'm here now. And I wont let anything hurt you."She gave the signature child-like nose wipe upon clean sleeves, followed by a
big sniff. An innocent voice protested, along with a tone wishing her words
weren't true."But - he was in the room. He was looking at me in that corner.
The...Boogie-man."That feeling. That feeling that was like breaking someones neck. Like
shooting a gun. Cold, heartless lust for the death of another human. A rush of
adrenaline filled him, the need to eliminate the monster, have his blood spilled
ruthlessly. The instinctual need to protect what was his. That evil murderer was
invading her head while she was sleeping now? Torturing her mind as she slept?
Mohinder knew he had to let the anger go. He knew he had to be there for her
right now. He had to be - her Hero."Molly..." Mohinder did his best to meet her eyes in the darkness. "I swear
upon my soul, that it is my highest priority to make sure no-one will hurt you.
I will keep you safe."Even if they were just words, he hoped the certainty and strength behind them
made it clear enough. He listened to himself as he spoke to clarify his message
was honest. He thumbed her earlobe, biting his lip as he caressed the unique
feather-soft skin of her earlobe."How safe?" His inner conscience wondered. The thought caught him off
guard, like an assassins dagger. The poison threatened to course into his veins
as his hand fell from her face. Mohinder reassured himself, forcing the notion
away. He took a new breath and managed an honest smile. This had a positive
effect, as she returned the expression of warmth with a dazzler of her own. He
melted. She nuzzled deep into his arms, a mass of hair all that was visible now.
God...No-one made him smile like she did."You're the best, Mohinder!" She beamed. "You'll stay with me wont you?"Another thought darted like a quick flame, now locked away, the key tossed
into the ocean. He hoped to slow the sudden increase in his heart rate by taking
more air into his lungs. There was a corner inside the geneticists mind that
offered comfort upon a very dark chair indeed. There was no indication of
consequence. Morals seemed to fade into the oak of it's near-black wood as her
scent filled his senses. Just like an angel."Mohinder?" She beckoned.To leave her in the awful hospital-style room environment, with the shadows
creeping upon every wall, would surely harm her already fragile emotions. He
urged his immoral head space to relax and told himself to grow up.She was an adolescent.He was an adult.Those were very solid lines that had been repainted many times, that stood
between safety and a deadly aftermath awaiting someone who dared cross them.
Despite this, sudden consideration of two souls existing in a state of pure
love, without boundary or restriction overwhelmed his inner turmoil. Molly's
breath dusted his neck."I don't want you to go."She clambered on his lap, a rush of pleasure kindled within as her warmth met
his. He urged her to shuffle off, immediately agreeing to stay. Tiny shivers ran
along the pair, due to cold and butterflies. The comfort of blankets welcomed
them, the pair snuggling underneath. The two cuddled, Mohinder cradled her in
his frame, Molly snuggled against his chest. He cursed himself for his inability
to control his mind. Mohinder felt broken as she clung to him. Despite every
wall he had built around himself. Every effort he had exerted to be "morally
good" and "wholesome" and even "pure" - he could feel their hearts beat in
unison. Two petals rested on the bear and needing skin of his neck, Mohinder's
inner boy blushing madly."Are you 'kay, Mohinder? You're breathing funny." She whispered.Delicious pleading desire for the lips that queried over came all sense of
reason."Everything is fine, Molly." He whispered the lie back.The weak youth within him fought to out-think the in control scientist, as
the next sentence spilled out."Molly...Have you ever been kissed?"Thick, intense thuds deafened him, every sense consumed with virgin-like
need. The desperation to feel something new. Something unexperienced. The rush
of something bad. Immaturity enveloped him."No." The sweet angelic voice giggled. Curious about the question put
forward, a tight cuddle was given before red lips came into view, Molly sitting
up to look right at him."Why?"The ultimate question. Why do we need bad? Even when we fear punishment, pain
and anguish? Why do we love when it is "no good for us"? Why do we lean forward,
inches from soft gasps of a youthful soul, enticed by things unknown?"I wondered..."Seconds slowed and froze..."...if you would let me?"One quivering digit traced over the mouth of Molly Walker as self control
stayed back within the frozen past."By you, Mohinder?" Magnificent maturity influenced her tone, wisdom of all
the ages burned like blue flame within her eyes."Mm.."The response melded with the moment. A pair of luminous beings in a vast
universe of light met without judgment. Without fear. Without hesitation.With love.It lasted until beyond the reach of time. Soft, gentle and delicate .A kiss, like butterfly wings pressed tight in the split moment before taking
flight.Braving and craving the eternity to last a second more, the souls explored
the feeling with all of their hearts.Down to the very tingling between their mouths, to the trembling of their
lashes, it was perfection.Never wanting to let go of her prince - Never wanting to let go of his angel
- they held their intensity until parting with a peaceful sigh. Time returned,
seconds ticking onward. Deep breaths filled his lungs as need for air and shock
overwhelmed him. The lust of the sweet nectar left upon his lips drove him mad.
A warm hand lay upon his cheek and a content exhale calmed his nerves."My first kiss..."And I stole it. He cursed himself."I...love you." Molly bit her lip.All the pain that had filled him so quickly after the crime was committed was
numbed by the words."I love you too, Molly. With all of my heart."What if the world found out? They would be torn apart as fast as lightning in
a mass of anger and confusion and sadness. Worst of all, a child would feel
responsible. A heavy guilt digging in, with no-one to explain why it had all
happened. He could feel her relaxing into his arms, her thick eyelashes ticking
his skin. She was finally drifting to sleep.For now, all they needed was each other. Mohinder set his alarm cautiously,
then allowed himself to fade into the loving hold of sleep.The world didn't need to know about one tiny mistake.