Heroes Fic: A Capable Woman - 7/28 - Victoria, Angela, Kaito, Adam & Cameo by Wee Nathan
current mood: creative
Title: A Capable Woman: A Life Story of Angela Petrelli
Author: ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
thepandorarose
Chapter: Chapter 7 (7/28)
Characters/Pairings (This chapter): Victoria, Angela, Kaito, Adam &Cameo Nathan (8 years old) (If linking please include all characters previous listed)
Summary: We are not all born full of sin, we acquire it over time.
Chapter Seven Summary: Angela makes plans to put her past behind her and her families future ahead of her.
Category: General (with a splash of tragic love)
Status: Incomplete
Rating: PG-13 (for adult themes)
Warnings: Allusion to sex
Spoiler alert: The entire series: A character from a graphic novel is mentioned
Note: Each chapter is written as one whole, separate, story and be viewed as such. Together they are a life. (For explanation of the entire series see prologue post)
If you like this story, please recommend it to your friends. The more diverse feedback I get the more helpful it can be for an writer. Thank you.
Thank you: to ![[info]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
ellie987 for the amazing art... and support.
Previous chapters: PROLOUGE ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX
Chapter Seven
Victoria & Angela
Manhattan
Early 1977
Kaito always told Angela she spent too much time with her mind in the future, and he wasn’t talking about her power. Angela used to think that was funny because Kaito was a man who spent far too much time thinking of the past, she felt. Angela’s life was filled with too many regrets and mistakes to look back now; looking ahead was her only frame of reference. But in truth, it was hard for a woman who always literally could see what was happening five paces ahead of her not to live there. There was just no way for her not to spend much of her time in a future, while she unconsciously laid waste to what was happening in her present. Why worry about now, when tomorrow was much more of a concern?
And that was why on that winter day in 1977 Angela asked her friend Victoria Pratt over to her home, during the day, while Arthur was at work. That was why, on that day, Victoria had promised to tell Angela the findings of her research before making it public to the group. Plans for the future were at hand; and Angela knew the past needed to be put to rest in order to do so. It would not be the last time the two would make a promise to each other; it would not be the last time they would disagree. It would, however, be like usual in that Victoria would tell Angela nothing but the truth.
Victoria and Angela stood in the Petrelli living room. Angela looked concerned and distraught and her eyes had a glassy glow to them as she held in her emotions.
“There is no way your children will not have an ability, Angela.” Victoria spoke her facts as they were – facts and nothing else. “Any child that you and Arthur have together will be special. There’s no way around it.”
Angela wouldn’t look at Victoria. She faced the sea of pictures on her living room table as she looked off somewhere, off in her head - she was worried for Nathan. Not to mention Angela couldn’t help shake the sad fact of what Victoria didn’t know – that she and Arthur would be having no more children together.
“Based on what we know, what we’ve seen, you don’t have to be a scientist to see it. But the findings I have discovered, they show the pattern--the genetics, without a shadow of a doubt.”
“You’re sure...?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“I think you’d know better than I could ever--” she retorted, astonished.
“Ma!” Nathan ran into the room interrupting them. He was eight years old.
“Don’t yell in the house, Nathan,” she was stern with him. “You know my friend, Ms. Pratt.”
“Ahh... yeah I guess...” Nathan was trying to be polite, but he really didn’t care. He was an only child and treated as the king he was, he had certain attitudes already.
“Oh, Nathan knows me...” Victoria spoke sweetly. “I think I tucked you in one night at one of your parent’s parties...”
“Where are you going?” Angela looked at him in his baseball uniform.
“I have a game tonight.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Nathan, I forgot.” She seemed distracted. She had more important things on her mind than Nathan’s present; his future.
“I don’t care, “ he shrugged if off. “Pop's coming later," he said brightly. The mention of his father changed Nathan’s entire being.
“Oh...” Angela was deflated. She was losing him to Arthur – it was that time.
“I’m just telling you I’m going...” He just wanted to get it over with.
“Come here.” She put our her hand.
Begrudgingly, the boy slogged over to his mother and got what he knew was coming. She hugged him and left a large kiss on the top of his head, holding onto him for a moment longer than boys that age want to be held by their mothers.
“Ma!” Nathan whined and Angela was forced to let go. Nathan pulled from her clutches and ran out the door to the car waiting for him.
Victoria saw the concern on Angela’s face. “He’ll be fine, Angela.”
“No, he won’t. If I can’t help it. And so far we haven’t been able to help anything. Nothing we do really sticks for long. This pain never ends. The world doesn't want to be saved. Time just re- heals itself around us. It's all just inevitable. ” She looked at Victoria. “ Do I really want that burden to be left on his head? I don’t want to pass this madness onto my children, and what you’re saying is there’s no way around it. There’s nothing I can do about it. And I don’t take that as an answer.”
“Your DNA says it all Angela. I’ve looked at everyone’s. And you and Arthur -- you’re carriers for sure. And the mixture of your DNA-- there’s no reason Nathan won’t be like us. With two people with abilities, there’s no way not to pass it on. It’s... to use your words... inevitable.”
Angela’s concern did not waver. Victoria’s words only intensified Angela’s feelings of fear for her only son. Angela turned from Victoria and started to slowly walk around the room.
Victoria tried to talk about the bright side of things. “But, look at what you have done, what we have all done. If you hadn’t dreamt about that flood, about the tsunami in January – you saved so many people Angela – not just Miami, but the whole eastern seaboard. Things can change. Sometimes the work we do does matter.” She paused, looking for the right words to say. “Isn’t that enough?“
It wasn’t the first or the last time someone would ask of Angela Petrelli, “Isn’t that enough?” Angela’s problem was it never was and that would be her downfall.
Angela looked at Victoria straight. “Does anyone else know this yet? What’s in your report?”
“No, I haven’t finished it yet. I’m telling you early as a favor to you. As a friend.”
Angela looked at her and Victoria knew that look.
“No, no. Angela I can’t do that– please...”
“You took that virus from that Indian girl, Suresh – it could be a cure...”
“Cure? That cure is years away, right now all we have is a virus that takes away your powers and THEN kills you – and although useful in some respects, doesn’t do much for our children, Angela. Research takes years. I’ve just started mine. I may never be able to cure them... and you can’t tell me you don’t already know when Nathan will manifest – what he can do? You knew what I was capable of before I did.”
“Do you know how an ability is determined? Why people can do what they can do?”
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t even know why certain people manifest when they do. I haven’t met or seen one person with an ability like us who had it from birth. I can only guess, as of now, and it’s purely a guess, based on hearing everyone’s stories– and my work in the lab is that we all have this mutation and either at a certain point based on need or pre-determination-- Like how several generations of women can seem to hit puberty all around the same age, something just kicks in.”
“You think we pick what we can do? Or it chooses us?”
“Maybe subconsciously, but more out of instinct. I’m thinking partly out of necessity. Perhaps some primordial reaction to what we need in the moment to survive.” She took a breath, but it wasn’t a moment to think for one could tell this was a debate Victoria had already been having with herself for a long time. “Who we are, I think does factor in, or what we can do factors in to who we become.” She seemed to be talking it out with herself as she spoke. “Again, it’s all speculation, I can’t even begin to figure out how this effects generations until I can study them, see a pattern. It will all be in my report and when Primatech Research is up and running we can get more case studies.”
“Please, Victoria. Don’t do this,” Angela pleaded.
“They will figure it out on their own. We’ve all suspected. It’s not the hardest deduction in my findings.”
“Suspecting is one thing, I don’t want to give them proof.” She took in a deep emotional breath, but was able to keep her voice calm. “For Nathan, please... just do this for me.”
“You do know, don’t you?” She looked at her with shocked eyes.
Angela said nothing, which in Victoria’s eyes already gave her away. There was no question in the room that Angela knew what Nathan was capable of and that it was a secret she would not be sharing anytime soon.
“If you keep my secret, one day I will keep one of yours. You have my word.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Victoria took a moment and waited before nodding her head yes.
“Thank you.” Angela lowered her head.
Victoria walked closer to Angela. “They’ve all thought from the beginning you and Arthur could have the most powerful children of all of us ...Nathan will be watched, no matter what my report says. And once he reaches a certain age, his every move will be scrutinized.”
“Well, by that time maybe I will have come up with a plan for him that will keep him away from the front lines. Perhaps something new will arise. I’ll take care of that when the time arrives. I always do.”
And Victoria had no doubt that whatever her friend Angela put her mind to would be accomplished.
Nakamura & Petrelli
JFK Airport
NYC
Two Days Later
The sounds of airplanes taking off filled the morning sky. Angela Petrelli entered the airport terminal, her hands firmly clasped around the pearls that hung from her neck. She looked elegant and regal, a rich woman of 1977. The airport was semi-filled with travelers and the sound of planes could still be heard overhead. She seemed to look about nervously, yet forcefully. Like so often Angela Petrelli was a woman on a mission. She was a woman with a plan.
She caught Kaito’s eye as he finally came into her view. He had Victoria in tow, tickets in their pockets, carry on bags over their shoulders, they were on their way to Odessa, Texas. They were on their way to start Primatech – after that he would be on his way to Hartsdale, NY.
Kaito was surprised to see her. Victoria looked at Kaito cautiously as if to say, “I don’t think this is such a good idea,” but Kaito put his hand up and Victoria walked away reluctantly, telling him their plane would be leaving soon. Kaito nodded his head to Victoria and she vanished from view.
Angela took two steps toward Kaito, but stopped half way between the two of them.
“Angela?” Kaito approached her with his usual firm manner.
“I just...” She gestured with her head and took off her sunglasses. Her eyes looked red and tired. It was the first time they were alone together since their secret was revealed. When she heard he was leaving for a long period of time she felt in her gut she had to see him one last time. It was her instinct kicking in. “The way things ended...I know this isn’t goodbye for good, but I just... I just...wanted the chance to say...” She couldn’t finish her words.
“Goodbye, “ he finished it for her.
Angela nodded her head. “I thought you deserved that.” She searched for a few more words to say, but Angela couldn’t find them. She found herself brushing a piece of lint off his left shoulder. She started to lay her hand on the spot, but stopped herself. She looked around before looking at him again. “You reminded me of what it was like to feel alive, again.” She smiled, but it looked as if it hurt her to do so through her emotion. “ To feel loved.” She paused and said softly, “Thank you.” Tears started to come to her eyes, but she took a deep breath and held them in. “I’m sorry, things got so out of hand. I never meant it to turn into this.”
“Neither did I.” He had this way of being firm, but loving with her.
“It’s for the best. For everyone involved. I know we both understand that.” She took a deep breath. ”I just can’t go on like this anymore. I need to stay with my family. ” She also had a way of being firm and loving.
“You still love him, don’t you?”
Angela looked at Kaito. She said nothing, but her eyes spoke volumes and it was confirmed to Kaito what he already knew; that he could never compete with Arthur Petrelli for Angela Petrelli’s heart. And part of him had known that going in. Yet, none of this meant they wouldn’t always be friends. It just meant that from then on they would have to continue the distance that was already starting between them. It was just understood; this just made it official.
Finally, Angela spoke. “It’s the right thing to do, Kaito.” She nodded her head. “This wasn’t going anywhere, we both knew that going in.” She tossed it off, trying to make herself believe it.
This was the new Angela, always trying to be the realist, but Kaito wondered if most of the time she even knew if she meant what she was saying. It was hard to tell; she was getting that good at it. Angela was getting very good at the game of lies.
Kaito nodded his head and looked at her. Angela had already grown so much since he had met her, but he still knew what was really going on with her, despite her good show, for before they were lovers they had always been friends. It was hard not to hold back tears for the beauty of seeing a girl grow into a woman. He would tell her this after the fact.
“Angela,” he spoke from the bottom of his deep voice. “I only hope one day you are loved in a way you feel your heart deserves.” He paused for a moment and spoke from what could only be described as the depth of his soul. “I only fear, your exceptions are too high.” He spoke his last line with a little bit of concern and sadness for her.
Victoria came into view; it was time for their plane.
Angela and Kaito both knew they couldn’t touch each other, or kiss, or even take hands for one brief moment.. And it wasn’t just for both of them that they were losing a love, it was that they were both losing a friend – it was different.
They would see each other eight more times for the rest of his lifetime, only six of which were spent alone.
And thirty years after their goodbye in the airport when Angela Petrelli told officer Parkman and officer Fuller that she hadn’t slept with Kaito Nakamura, “not for a long time, now,” a tiny smile came to her face, because it was a joyful memory. He was part of her experience; and she would always care for him, and him her.
But she knew for so many reasons she could never be that weak again. It was a lifelong promise she made to herself. And when a Petrelli makes a promise, they keep them or at least they try – sometimes to their dying breath.
And when a week later, Angela sat in the conference room of the group’s New York City offices at Kirby Plaza and Adam Monroe whispered in her ear, “I would have never done this before Kaito -- but since you're willing, “ she was mortified and embarrassed.
Adam ran his hand up her thigh, his tongue down her throat and she pushed him away. And then the fear came. The fear that she had offended her mentor raged inside of her. She was a deer caught in the headlights – Adam saw it.
Adam’s voice was but a whisper, “It’s alright.” He nodded his head sweetly, looking her dead in the eyes, his face up against hers. His voice was soft and understanding. “Don’t worry, it’s okay, it’s all okay... we’ll just pretend this never happened. It’s all alright. We will never speak of this again. Go. Go home to your husband.”
Adam got out of Angela's way. She quickly grabbed her purse and left the office with her head low and her insides even lower.
And when she was gone, and out of sight, Adam Monroe punched his fist right throught a plate glass window. It sent shards of glass into Adam’s knuckle which his body expelled onto the floor, as his skin healed the wounds. For being rejected by a woman who had given herself freely to a Nakamura was not alright, and something that did not sit well with one Adam Monroe. In fact, it ran his blood red with rage. But Adam Monroe needed Angela Petrelli just as much as she thought she needed him. For Adam had in mind something that even Angela could never dream of. And he knew getting her on his side would seal their future, as 1977 slowly left its infancy and hell was about to begin -- if it hadn’t already started.
Great new chapter! I really love the beginning because it shows so wel the difference between Kaito and Angela,but mostly because it makes clear what kind of person she is. The reast of the first part is great,too:Angela is really worried for Nathan and she's trying to save him in every possible way and that's another proof of her love for her son(s),but also of her own discomfort regarding her powers. Moreover,I like the interaction between her and Nathan and mostly his changes towards his mother. And I like even more her interaction with Victoria:it's clear that they're really friends,even if time and event will bring them apart,and it's also a great conversation as a background for what Angela did in Cautionary tales.
However,the second part is my favourite! Their farewell is heartbreaking and so deep in emotions. They both care about each other,but they both know that it's time to sat goodbye because more important things are needing them. I love the way Kaito sees Angela as a new and more grown woman and I love the reference to her line in 2x02. The last part is fantastic as well:another great power between the older and the new generation of Heroes and another proof of Angela's love for Arthur and Adam's bad plans. I can't wait for the next chapter!