As reported by E! Online (via Superhero Profiles), Ali Larter will be returning for Season 3. The big explosion may have killed Niki Sanders (maybe not, you never know), but Ali will be returning as Tracy Strauss. No word on what the deal is with that character yet.
On a side note, check out the poll on Superhero Profiles. It asks “Will Ali Larter be a “hero” or “villain” for season 3?“, then gives the choices of “yes/no” rather than “hero/villain”. Oops! I told them about the small goof a few days ago, but they haven’t fixed it. However, 13 people have voted on it, even though they have no idea which answer corresponds with “hero” and which one with “villain”. 
Ali has to stay! I love her character (s)
If Ali ever leaves the show then Heroes will get a lot worse for me. I don’t care whether she’s Nikki, Jessica, Gina, or whoever else they come up with, as long I get to keep seeing the amazing and sexy Ali Larter grace my television screen every Monday then I’ll be satisfied. I may even stop watching if she leaves. I mean how many times have they killed the ridiculously boring Nathan and had him miracualously come back from the dead. If he can survive a nuclear blast with only the ability to fly, then Nikki/Jessica/Gina/Tracy better be able to survive a little explosion. Ali Larter is by far the best one on the show and killing her off would be a crime when there’s still terrible characters with pointless story lines like Monica, Maya, and Nathan (I mean come on, how many times has Nathan almost died, it’s seriously getting old now. Hopefully he’s really dead this time but I doubt it). I beg The Powers That Be not to kill her EVER, please. Okay, wow. Im done ranting now…
I don’t think Ali is going anywhere anytime soon.