| Appearences by: | Tracy Strauss, Nathan Petrelli |
| Season: | Season 1 |
| Episode #: | N/A |
| Date: | September 24, 2006 |
| Total Deaths: | 0 |
Nathan
Continously humming at this point, mostly because he didn't know the words, Nathan moved back to check on the pasta. It was nothing too amazing, just homemade chicken alfredo, but still. "Shit!" Once again he found himself distracted, burning his finger as he transferred the meal from the skillet to the two seperate plates on the table. Ignoring the pain long enough to finish the job, he angrily tossed the dish in the sink and turned on the water, running his finger under it in an attempt to sooth away the pain. Nothing was going to ruin his evening…even if it was only supposed to be a business dinner. But how could he think of it as just that when his guest was Tracy Strauss, of all people. She was just…amazing. Stunning. Sophisticated. All of the qualities in more than he looked for in a woman. A knock on the door just then, Nathan swiftly making his way for the front only to remember that he still had that damned apron on. It was ripped from his frame and thrown into a random corner, just before the door was open and Tracy was greeted by the calm and collected expression that totally decieved any notion that he was ecstatic about this entire affair. "Oh. Evening, Miss Strauss….no, Tracy. Please, do come in." His eyes did a quick sweep over her entire body, Nathan resisting the urge to do some sort of idiotic whistle. "And forgive me for being too forward but…you look amazing."
Tracy
Lips parted as he opened the door, as though she was ready to say something. But, instead, Nathan spoke up before her, leaving those lips to form a beautiful, magnetic smile. Teeth visible, pearly whites the envy of many. When he corrected herself with her first name, the smile grew wider. Upon being invited in, she took it happily, stepping past him with stiletto heels falling against the carpeted apartment so easily. "Hello, Nathan." Said she simply, moving inside to examine his humble abode. Nice. Nathan sure knew how to live a great life; his apartment was something to be envious about. But it was his next sentence that caused her to turn her head over her shouler, ponytail swinging over the right as she looked over her left, grinning a mile a minute at the future Senator. "Careful, Nathan. Wouldn't want your tongue to fall into your lap." A wink before she turned back forward to examine the rest of his apartment, taking in every detail with pleasure. "I really love what you've done with the place. Very — chic, if you will." Miss Tracy Strauss moved over toward the dining room table, taking a seat at one of the empty plates and setting her bag on the table beside her. "You do this yourself or did you hire a designer?"
Nathan
That smile…Nathan almost found his brain freezing over, his body refusing to respond to even the most simple commands. Breathing? Blinking? Nu uh, there was none of that. Atleast, not in the few moments that followed that heavenly smile. Of course, he didn't get where he was in life by acting like some lovesick puppy dog, so Nathan gave himself a mental kick in the ass so to speak, and grinned right back. Closing the door behind them, he slipped his hands into his pockets and followed her, casting a skeptical glance at her mention of his tongue. "You may be charming, Tracy, but I'm afraid I'm unwooable." That apartment had been a work in progress for the longest, Nathan maintaining it outside of his marriage whenever he wanted to have some 'fun' with one of the various women that had been in his life. A double life, you might say he'd been leading. Funny how it was now all he had left. "Thank you. And no, no designer. I guess my Mother rubbed off on me at some point. Maybe one day I'll get to see how your apartment compares?" He laughed lightly, moving to swap out her plate with one containing the chicken alfredo and vegetables, moving to fill her glass with the bubbly, golden champagne afterwards. "So how do these business dates work, exactly?"
Tracy
She pulled her right leg up and let it dangle over her left knee, pencil skirt clearing up and and all sights beneath that one might try and investigate. Blonde hair would flicked back over that right shoulder so that the ponytail fell so easily behind her back once more, blues locked upon him as he tried his best to make himself out to be 'unwooable.' Could have fooled me. Tracy had no deceptive motivations behind being flirtatious with Nathan as she usually did with other politically powerful men. It was no secret that feminine wiles could get you what you wanted and when you wanted, and over the years, Tracy had become an expert in using them. But with Nathan, that was not her intention. She didn't need anything from him, so no need to manipulate him with the possibility of seeing what lied beneath that red shirt of hers. No, she flirted mostly because she found him attractive, and had a feeling he thought the same. Though, she was very careful with it, seeing as he had just suffered a great loss. She didn't want to overstep any lines. "My loft is in D.C. If you manage to come out there sometime, I'm sure I can give youa little tour." A grin as he switched the plates out, now providing her with the home cooked meal she'd been promised. "Ah, you sly dog, you. I never expected you'd actually cook me something this delicious." Strauss watched him as he poured her a glass, and the moment he stepped away, she took it in hand. "Basically, we just want to hash out the details of your campaign strategy and how we're going to sway the public in your favor. See where we want you in one month, three months, six months. We're going to try our best to plan your roller coaster ride all the way through election day, considering the pros and cons so that if something unexpected comes up, we're already prepared for it." A grin his way. "But first…tell me a little bit about yourself, Mr. Petrelli. Tell me about your family, your friends…" She leaned back in her chair, sipping from that glass. "Anything you'd like me to know."
Nathan
Nathan was half-suspicious that all of her flirtatous behavior and somewhat seductive manner of speaking, seeing as he'd seen it plenty of times before with political women in the past. But maybe, just maybe, she was different. Maybe things could be different. To be perfectly honest, he'd been the exact same way. Seducing a reporter into writing a story that puts him in a positive light, things of that particular nature. And as for his 'loss', the date itself was his attempt to try and move past all of the horribly thoughts he'd been wrapped up in lately, to try and look to the future. "I'll be sure to come and visit then, see how you do things up in D.C. And what, were you expecting Hamburger Helper? McDonalds? Just because I'm a politician, Tracy, doesn't mean that I can't make a decent meal." He smiled, actually sitting on the side of the table closest to her, instead of on the opposite side. "Interesting. But I have to be perfectly honest, Tracy…I'm not too eager to jump into work, so to speak. This is the first time I've been on a date in a very long time…and least of all with a beautiful woman such as yourself. I'd rather like to remember this moment as something other than filled with political jabber." He smiled, taking a long draught from the champagne glass. "My family is…well, unique. My Mother..my Ma, is a hell of a woman. Powerful, in that sneaky sort of way. We don't really get along much, I suppose. Pete has always been her favorite." He took another sip, laughing at the thought of his brother. "He's a dreamer. Always got his head in the clouds. You know he actually told me that he thought he could fly? And that he and some girl were shooting electricity out of their fingers? All kind of crazy talk.."
Tracy
She stared forward at the man who took a seat beside her. Tracy Strauss sat her glass down beside her plate, grabbing one of the forks and digging into the meal Nathan had prepared for her. The fork brought to her lips, she let the taste consume her. Mmm…the taste of that cheese, of that chicken. It was absolutely to die for. Petrelli is an Italian name. Of course he would be able to cook. The political advisor glanced to her side as she chewed slowly, gracefully, on the bite she'd taken. So…he saw this as a date, did he? Lips curled into a smirk as she chewed even still, blinking once, and then twice, when he continued on. If this was a date, then no need for political mumbo-jumbo, right? She wasn't sure how to respond to the idea of this being a date, or the idea of him moving on past the demise of his late wife on Tracy's behalf. So, instead, she didn't respond to it. Instead, she let him go on, speaking in reference to his mother. The woman smirked. Sounds a lot like me. But then he went on, mentioning his brother, Peter. Peter Petrelli. She swallowed what was in her mouth and grasped the glass of champagne, bringing it to her lips. Then, she nearly spit the beverage back into the glass. He can fly? She cleared her throat to cover up what had almost happened. Instantly, the thought of what had happened with Jim McCann in the parking lot outside of her office came into play. The thought of Jim being chilled to the point where he had become nothing more than an ice sculpture, one that had shattered on the ground before her. And all of this happening after she touched him. And Tracy knew, she just knew, that it had only happened because of something she'd done. Something she didn't know herself capable of. I committed murder. The political advisor swallowed the bubbly before sitting the glass down on the table. "He thinks he can fly?" She smirked to hide the confusion behind her face. If I can freeze someone to the point they shatter, why couldn't he fly? "That's absurd. Though, I have to admit, it can be healthy to let young children believe such things." That's right; Tracy didn't know how old Peter was. And she had just assumed he was a young pre-teen.
Nathan
Nathan took great pleasure in watching Tracy enjoy that one mouthful, hiding his grin behind one of his hands. He'd always gotten praise for how amazing his dishes were, though he'd never seen a reaction like hers before. Maybe after eating his own cooking for so long, the taste just got lost on him, because he'd much rather go out and eat. While she imagined her own intial incident involving her abilities, Nathan was doing the same…although his had a much more personal tragedy. Him floating away from the vehicle, forced to watch from above as the car, with his wife inside, plunged off the road. But before he had to deal with the feelings that came with those memories, he tried to focus on Tracy's face…and wondered why it looked so bewildered. "Among other things. And while I agree that children should have their fill of fantasies…Peter is in his mid-twenties. He should have left Neverland behind years ago. I'll admit that I've seen things lately that have been rather…difficult to explain, but still.." Like his brother going into a sudden coma, or his claims that their mother was involved with some sort mysterious company after coming right out of said coma. "What do you think, Tracy? Do you think people are capable of doings thing like…flying, for instance? be truthful, now."
Tracy
Tracy looked over at him as she picked up that fork, taking another bite of the alfredo that was radiating heat before her. Miss Strauss began to chew as he went over the fact that Peter was not in his teens, but rather, in his mid-twenties. The blonde smirked a little bit. Now, isn't that odd. Suddenly, she found herself questioning rather or not his brother Peter really could fly. As crazy as it sounded, as out-of-this-world as it came off to her, there had to be something there, right? After all, things had been a little different for her as well, so who was to say she was the only one? No verification of this, though, and she'd be damned if she was the first to say it. Which was ironic, because that was when Nathan stared over at her with the question of her opinion on the matter. Tracy swallowed what she had chewed, grabbing that glass of bubbly, her security blanket for the topic at hand. "No." Said Tracy quickly, taking a sip. Agreeing with this would make her seem just as looney as his brother, and furthermore, may lead to an explanation of how she had killed Jim McCann. That was the last thing she needed. Once she swallowed what she had sipped, she continued. "The very idea of it is ludicrous in itself. Have you considered getting your brother therapy?"
Nathan
Nathan reached for his own glass, taking a long, nervous gulp before setting it back down. Depending on her reaction, he'd actually been considering confiding in the woman his true thoughts about the matter, though she quickly made him change his opinion on that. Instead he just gave a brief nod of his head. "Exactly. Just the other day I was telling him that reasons like that were why so many people don't respect him enough. He's essentially a grown man trapped in a little boy's body. I'm tired of cleaning up after his mess." Both of their glasses would be refilled, Nathan feeling a tiny buzz in the back of his mind. He didn't drink much, mostly because he wasn't able to hold his liquor as well as others. Hence why his men often found him drunk at the bar after only a few drinks. "And he isn't the best to have around during a campaign. I mean really, what if somebody heard him spouting off about his powers? Or the powers he claims to have, anyways. The media would have a frenzy. But enough about that, tell me about your family? Or do you even have one? You're too perfect, that probably just made you in a lab somewhere. Made from the genes of the top people in the world, something like that?" He laughed, having gotten the idea from a movie he watched last night.
Tracy
Tracy's blues were against Nathan as he rose from his seat, going on about his brother and how he needed his messes cleaned up at all times by his older brother (which Tracy gathered on her own by comparing the age he'd given for Peter and the age she already knew Nathan was at). The blonde bombshell watched him as he refilled her glass, listening as he moved on with the conversation about Nathan and how much of a liability he could be to their campaign. This worried her political advisor mindframe almost immediately, the threats of his campaign made apparent already. But more importantly, more personally to her, she was thinking about the reality of the situation. It seemed his brother, Peter, really was under the impression he could fly. That he was something other than human. This alone sent her mind through an obstacle course. I should talk to him. Figure out what he means by being able to fly. She had a nasty habit of doing the Nancy Drew, trying to get to the bottom of things. If she could just talk to Peter inconspicuously, figure out what it was he meant…maybe I can get some answers of my own. But the question of her own family came up, and the change of subject was much appreciated. She grasped that newly filled glass and took a sip with a smile. "As flattering as that is, that's not the case. Nothing much to tell. Only child of Wesley Strauss and Rebecca Rosenthal, born and raised in Beverly Hills, California. Moved out to D.C. on my own after college, and from there I've pretty much been on my own ever since. I see my family but a few times a year, but my work load is pretty heavy so usually I'm pulling the strings of the local media outlets. Takes up a lot of time, believe it or not." A smirk of those glossed lips. "All in all, Tracy Strauss in a nutshell." She paused here. "Is your mom in politics? A powerful woman like you describe her must know how to pull some strings of her own."
Nathan
He loved his brother, he really did. With all of his heart. But honestly? The guy could be a complete idiot, sometimes. It was good that he had such a compassion for other human beings, but sometimes that got the best of him. And then there was his whole…dreamer thing. And his claims that their mother was the head of some mysterious Company? It was all a little too much, honestly. "I don't know what to do with him, I really don't. But the way he talks sometimes…he really seems to believe it. Hell… sometimes, I believe it." He took another gulp from the bubbly drink, laughing off his last comment before he looked to Tracy. "Not really though. I mean…it's crazy, right?" Instead of thinking about his brother theories, he shifted his focus back onto Elle, nodding his head. "No siblings? I can't imagine that, then again I can barely remember life before Peter. And what, you don't go home for the holidays and all that? Maybe you should spend them with me, we can share a drink, things of that nature. Just an offer." His way of saying that he wouldn't mind spending more 'off the clock' time with her. "No, I'm not sure what she does, actually. I think she was one of those 'power behind the power' kind of women. She definitely has been influence on me…taught me everything I knew, since my father passed…"
Tracy
She simply sat in silence, listening to Nathan as he went on about his brother, and the theories of his mother being the head of some Company. A Company, she assumed, that had to do with people that could 'fly,' if you will, for it seemed as though Nathan's mother being head of a Company was about as farfetched an idea as the thought of someone being able to defy gravity. Miss Strauss didn't comment on his brother's beliefs nor Nathan sometimes believing it as well; it didn't feel like her place. Instead, she welcomed the change of subject that reverted back to her. Finally, something she could talk about with vast amounts of knowledge. "I venture off to Beverly Hills every now and then, when I can. But for the best political advisors, there are no holidays: your work load is the same 365 days out of the year, and one day off can change everything. That's not to say I'm all work and no play, mind you — I just try my best to get things done unless I'm physically or mentally incapable of doing them." Bashing eyelashes his way, she smirked. "Not to say I won't take you up on that offer, after all. You seem nice, goal-oriented." Lips began to curl into a bashful grin as she lifted that glass of bubbly to her lips. "It's…really no wonder your wife fell for you."
Nathan
If she thought the idea of defying gravity was unbelieveable, then there was no telling what she would if she ever learned of his secret. And he too, appreciated the fact that they were going back to her own life, he wasn't too big a fan of talking about his own. Although…he found that he was more than comfortable talking to her, for some reason. "All work and no play? I would hope not, Tracy." He just let that comment hang in the air, a grin peeking out over the brim of his glass. Why did she have to give him that smile? It just…made his heart flutter, as strange as that sounded. He hadn't felt this way in…ever. He had loved his wife, most definitely, but…and as horrible as it was to say, she had never made him feel this way. "I would hope so. I like spending time with you. And…" He didn't know what to say to her comment, just grinning sheepishly himself. "And it's easy to see why…any man could fall for you."
Tracy
She glanced over at him so bashfully, blues locked on him as the mood began to shift. She could feel the atmosphere going from business to pleasure in just a few short minutes. Amazing what a buzz from that bubbly could do to two people so attracted to each other, isn't it? With her comment, it seemed, he had been visibly pleased. Pleased to hear what she thought of him. Pleased to hear that he was so many great things, and dare she say the ideal man? And then…he made one of his own. One complimenting her and how easy she was to speak with, to hang out with, and how any man could fall head over heels for her because of it. She stared at him, wowed. And then, when eye contact was almost too much to continue, she looked away with a soft chuckle, glancing down at that plate of alfredo she had nearly forgotten about. Then, she dared to make eye contact again, setting her glass of champagne back on the table. But her right hand didn't stay empty for long; it moved over toward his side of the table, where she placed it silently on his hand. Having only broken that eye contact for a second, and only to follow her hand's movement, she brought it back into the picture immediately after. "I like you, Nathan." Said she so bluntly, unsure how else to say it other than come right out and do it. "You're great." Blues locked onto him, watching him all the while, wondering what his next move would be.
Nathan
If it was possible, she was even more attractive when she looked shy, maybe because he was used to seeing her in a position of power. Ordinarily, she was using her feminine wiles, working her 'magic' over other men. But here, out of her natural element, she was the most gorgeous creature on the face of the earth. It wasn't even the bubbly that had him admitting his feelings, or atleast it wasn't influencing them. He had been rolling these thoughts over in his head for the longest, it was just…he was more willing to admit to them. And every single word was true, how could they not be? Just…look at her. Even when she broke eye contact, his gaze remained locked onto her own. He wanted to memorize every single detail, right down to how the strands of hair that escaped from the pony tail fell over over her face. He moved the hand not covered by her own up to brush it back behind her ear, keeping his palm pressed against her cheek. "I like you too, Tracy. More than I ever knew. But tonight…" He couldn't even finish the sentence, instead leaning forwards until he was centimeters away from her own. The last move was hers, he didn't want to do something that she didn't.
Tracy
Tracy's big blue eyes could not be closed at that point, for the object of her affection was sitting right in front of her, and she'd be damned if she could muster up the courage to break the moment and look away. No, not when things were progressing at such a lovely pace. Not too fast, not too slow. Guilt set in softly inside of her as she thought about his late wife, and how it hadn't even been very long since her death but already Nathan Petrelli was reaching outward. This sent a knot into her gut, for she couldn't help but wonder if he was truly interested in her, or interested in not mourning his wife any longer. But as he moved closer to her, as they dared to close the distance between one another, Tracy's guilt lifted instantaneously. The next move was hers; he'd made that very clear. And without further ado, without any self control whatsoever, she found herself lost in the passion of the moment. Left hand lifted from the table to cup his cheek as she moved her face inward, pressing glossed lips against his own. Finally, with the climax of the moment occurring, Tracy felt free to close her eyes at last, letting her lips do the talking from that point forward. Lips that pressed harder against his, daring to part and allow her tongue to push through those tiers of his own. Nothing else at that moment mattered. Nothing, but the two of them.
