Welcome back, my dear, faithful friends. Two weeks have passed, since we last met. And now we have story number seven. Is that a lucky number? I guess we´ll see. Let´s get straight to it, shell we?

Disclaimer (before I forget it again): Nothing of this is mine. Only the plot that comes pouring out of my mind for no reason at all.

In the Beginning

The wind was howling above them, over the edges of the small passage way that led through the mountain. Dirt and sand was stinging into Shawn´s face and he had to squint to not to be blinded. Still it hurt, every time a grain hit his eyes. So many of them.

First he´d still tried to wipe it out, but he soon learned that this was the wrong tactic, that wiping only made it worse. So he let his tears run and take care of what threatened his eyesight. Still his face was dry. The wind dried the tears faster than they could run down his cheeks.

He stumbled, against the wall, and stayed there for a moment, gasping, his heart hammering in his chest.

"IT´S NO USE, SHAWN!" Gus shouted next to him, trying to be heard over the howling of the storm. "WE´RE NOT GONNA MAKE IT!"

Shawn didn´t know anything else to respond, other than: "WE HAVE TO, GUS!"

And he pushed himself off the wall, staggering forward, always heading for the end of that ravine. They were almost there, after what seemed like an eternity.

"IT´S SUICIDE TO GET BACK OUT THERE!" Gus shouted, his hand clinging into the back of Shawn´s shirt, trying to hold him back. "I´LL STAY HERE!" he stated. "AND SO SHOULD YOU!"

"DON´T BE RIDICULOUS!" Shawn shouted back at him. „THE WORST OF THE STORM IS BEHIND US! WE´RE PERFECTLY SAVE!"

"ARE YOU SURE?"

"OF COURSE I AM!"

"I DON´T BELIEVE YOU!"

Shawn threw his head back, groaning, too quiet to be heard in this storm. But even Gus, who´d constantly held his arm protectively over his eyes, had to see the gesture. And then, there were shots.

Shawn swirled around, to the exit of the passage way, only a dozen feet away.

"THAT´S LASSIE!" he shouted, half ecstatic – it was a sign of life after all – half scared to death. "COME ON!" he pulled on Gus´ arm. "WE NEED TO GET THERE!"

"NO, SHAWN. I WON´T …"

A sound, much louder than the howling storm, exploded over their heads, over the ravine. Shawn´s head snapped up and he saw rocks, raining down on them. He met Gus´ eyes and they both started to scream.

"RUN, GUS! RUUUUUUUN!"

And of course they ran. Faster than they would have thought it possible with that wind still fighting them. But the rumbling noise above them, approaching so damn fast, was like a shot of pure energy, directly into their veins.

Shawn had no idea how they made it, but they left the ravine, only a second before the rocks crashed down behind them, closing the entrance back in there for good. He hit the ground, dust swirling up, surrounding him, but only for a moment, before the wind blew it away again. He coughed, sneezed and groaned over the spiky stone in his rip he´d landed on. But other than that, he was all right. Still alive, not squeezed down to a fax paper. Amazing. A miracle.

He exhaled, loudly.

"Wohoooo! Man, dude. That was close. Right, Gus?"

When he didn´t get a response, he turned around, looking to his right. Gus was there, lying beside him in the dust. But he didn´t move.

"Oh, no." Shawn crawled over to him, shaking him. "Gus!" He got no reaction. "GUS!"

Again there were shots ringing out, but the circling wind, and the high walls of the mountains, made it impossible to decide where the sound came from. They could be everywhere and Shawn couldn´t see a thing.

"How can you even be hurt?" he shouted at Gus. "You left the ravine before me."

Again there were shots and this time Shawn looked up, trying to spot them. It sounded so close. But the wind still howled in his ears and the howling was more than just deafening. It was frightening, almost like the snarl of an hungry animal. Lightnings were flashing in the distance, red and yellow, as if they came directly from out of hell, supporting the scary sound of the wind with their shattering thunder.

Shawn didn´t plan to look ahead, not to see that. He was still trying to see anything in the near distance, a sign of Lassie or Jules or any of the others. But instead his eyes got fixed on the plain.

The sky was dark, too dark to see anything, especially with this wind still throwing dirt into his face. But those lightnings created a perfect illumination, even if it was only for a few seconds each time. But those few seconds were enough to see the tornados, dark as the sky and big like the finger of god. Three of them. Not just one, for gods sake, but three. Three! And they were all heading directly for them.

"Oh, my god!"

Shawn could hear more shots ringing out. He wanted to call out for them, wanted to warn them, to stop fighting and take cover, but he knew it was too late. The storms were here. And he didn´t need to be a psychic to know that they would all die.

"How do we always end up in these kind of situations?" he shouted, throwing himself over Gus, not caring how ridiculous the gesture was against a force like this and prayed for the storm to pass and let them live.

...

A day earlier:

It was too much. Gus just couldn´t stand it anymore. The force of it all was killing him, slowly, in a deceivingly addicting way, but there was simply no other way than that it would lead to a disaster. In the end it was always evil to allow such temptations. Why, oh why was Shawn so oblivious to this danger?

"Shawn!" he cried. "I really think we should keep it down."

His best friend only spread his arms at the comment. Of course he didn´t understand the problem. He never did. He never saw the danger. That´s why he always needed Gus to help him see it. To change his point of view so he could see it from the right angle. Because lying on this amazingly soft hotel bed, watching a movie on this awesomely big plasma screen, was not the right angle to see things straight. Especially not with the movie shown on the screen was something as visually stimulating as Transformers – Revenge of the Fallen.

Gus had to admit, that he´d been amazed by the quality of the picture as well. But Shawn´s tendency to exaggerate and the exorbitant order to room service, complete with wraps and Champagne had opened Gus´ eyes for what was really happening here. And for the consequences they all would face if this would come out. The only thing he didn´t understand was, why Juliet hadn´t realized it too. Shawn, that was nothing new. But Juliet. She should know better than to lie on that bed with him, watching this movie and eating wraps as if all this was totally normal.

"There´s no need to take advantage of the situation like that." he told them both, like a teacher that tried to reason with some cocky teenagers. "The government is not paying our stay here so we can have a party."

"I didn´t even think about a party yet." Shawn cried, frowning. "Good idea."

"Shawn!"

"Maybe he´s right." Juliet finally contemplated, restoring Gus´ trust in her right mind. "It´s not … really okay … to exploit it like that." she said, sitting up, finally not as comfortable anymore as she´d been before. "I mean we got lucky that they didn´t lock us up for treason."

"Exactly." Shawn cried, not a bit irritated. "And now we´re sitting here, in this amazing hotel, first class, with all the luxury that we earned by saving the world. Three times."

"Actually it was four times, Shawn." Gus corrected without thinking.

Shawn threw his open hand at him, reassured in everything he´d said before.

"See what I mean? So what´s wrong with indulging in this gratitude for a little while? Uh. Oh, that´s the best part." he pointed at the screen, excited beyond human standards. "Watch this."

Juliet´s expression of uncertain guilt was washed away, when she faced the screen again, watching the scene in high definition, with all its hilarity in it, a huge smile on her face. The way this former so straight ass politician was suddenly peeing himself facing the fact that he should jump out of a perfectly good airplane over the desert of Egypt, was just hilarious. When the Mayor slapped his face to make him listen up and pay attention, Shawn and Juliet rolled on their backs laughing.

"Aw, come on, Gus." Shawn cried, when Gus was stubbornly facing away from the screen. "I mean … this is Tranformers."

"I don´t care what it is, Shawn." Gus insisted. "We´re not supposed to act like irresponsible kids around here. We´re in Washington."

"And … we have this." Shawn turned up the volume, filling the room with the most amazing soundtrack Gus had ever listened to … at least in Dolby surround sound.

"Say for yourself, Gus. Is that quality not worth it?"

Gus allowed himself to throw a glance at the screen, where the majestic picture of the famous rock monument of Ad Deir was raising in all it´s splendor and beauty. Oh, and that music … it was just so …

"I tell you, we should get one of these screens for our office." Shawn told him.

Facing his friend´s victorious smile, Gus suddenly realized what he was doing and shook his head.

"It´s still not right, Shawn. I will not be a part of it. And we already have a TV in our office."

Shawn only shrugged. "I´m proud of you, Gus. You´re absolutely incorruptible."

"You know that´s right."

"But that also means, you´ll miss the final battle scene in the desert … in High Definition." he sing sang, making Gus snort about this ridiculous try to tempt him.

Again Shawn turned up the volume and the sound of it, the sound of explosions that terrified the movie-characters who were fighting for their lives and their planet´s survival, roared through the suite.

"Say, Jules." Shawn probed, watching Gus´ reaction closely. "Did you ever see something as crystal clear as this?"

Juliet smirked, trying not to. "Ehm, no." she said. "I can honestly say, that this is the most impressive picture I ever saw in a …" Another explosion happened in the movie, drawing her attention. "WOW!" she cried, hooked to the action of the plot.

Shawn cried out along with her, laughing excited. "Wooooo! That´s AWESOME."

"It is." Juliet agreed, laughing too.

On the screen the last battle about earth´s survival was taking place in the desert of Egypt, completely with high tech battle equipment and huge alien robots. And even though Gus knew it was wrong, he could not help but was drawn into the pull of all these amazing pictures. Maybe, he figured, just maybe, it was all right, to enjoy it at least a little bit.

...

What was this, Lassiter wondered. The one constant factor in all of their lives as it seemed. Sylar, the serial killer, once again on the run and they, he and Noah, trying to figure out, what to do about it. How did it always come to this point? How often had they been in this place? And how the hell was it, that they always seemed to be the only ones that realized how important this was? Not even O´Hara seemed to bother.

She was fooling around with Spencer and Guster, taking advantage of the fact that the government was paying for their stay. They only forgot that this was not a vacation, that it was a highly official investigation of the Secret Service and that none of them was allowed to leave the city, not even this hotel without telling the Secret Service where they were going.

Lassiter sighed, shaking his head. Since when was O´Hara so oblivious to something like that? It was almost embarrassing how she allowed Spencer to influence her, especially in front of the FBI. He would not do that. He would focus. And even more important, he would catch that son of a bitch Sylar, before he could kill again.

They´d found his cell phone outside of the White House, in the rose garden. The search for him was still ongoing, but so far he hadn´t resurfaced. Yet. But he would. Sooner or later he would get back into his old game, Lassiter was sure of it. And so was Noah. Lassiter watched him, talking to his girlfriend Lauren on the phone, trying to get some insider information.

Eventually he closed the phone.

"And?"

Noah shook his head. "Nothing. Except for his cell phone, there´s nothing that would help us find him."

Lassiter snorted. "You mean what would help them find him." he mentioned. "I start to feel like being imprisoned. We´re put aside, away from the case, while the FBI and Secret Service are handling what´s rightfully our responsibility. We should be working the case. We should be out there, chasing the bastard."

He met Noah´s calm eyes. "The good news is …" the Company man spoke. "That the investigation is almost done. Lauren guesses that they´ll be finished in the morning, that means we are free to leave soon."

Lassiter threw back his head. "Thanks god." he groaned. "It´s about time."

When he met Noah´s gaze this time, there was something strange in his friend´s eyes. "We can still chase Sylar, Carlton." he told him.

Not that he didn´t appreciate the enthusiasm, but there was still a tiny problem about the plan.

"And how are we supposed to find him?" he asked Noah and sure enough the question silenced the Company man for a minute.

"I´d like to have a talk with Suresh." he announced at last. "He was the last one who talked to Sylar before he vanished. He might know where to start."

Lassiter nodded. That made sense. When Noah left the room to cross the hallway, Lassiter followed.

The scientist had room number 417 only two doors from Noah´s, three doors from Lassiter´s. They´d been billeted in one hallway. The government had rented the whole story of the hotel, in order to keep them as isolated from the public as possible.

It wasn´t that they were locked up, they were allowed to leave the hotel whenever they wanted, as long as they signed off. And sure enough some agents would follow them behind, discretely, wherever they went. An arrangement, only for their own safety, and for the safety of the investigation. And sometimes it was snowing in the desert, Lassiter thought but didn´t say anything. As long as they cooperated, they got treated with respect. Spencer and Guster sure didn´t mind the arrangement.

Noah knocked on the scientist´s door, an act of pure politeness and Suresh let them in.

"All I know is what he told me." he informed them after Noah´d asked his questions.

"And what was that?" Lassiter wanted to know.

"Not where he went." the geneticist clarified at once. "He just said that he planned to stop Nathan from killing the President, by taking on the form of the President." He shrugged. "It sounded crazy to me. I tried to talk him out of it … and failed. You know the rest."

"Just as we thought." Noah nodded. "A plan like that sounds very much like Sylar."

"He said, he planned to do it to save the President." Suresh added for consideration, earning himself a long glance from Noah.

"You believe him?"

"He also said, he couldn´t guarantee that he wouldn´t be tempted." the scientist went on. "I don´t know what to believe."

"Crap." Lassiter grumbled. "The guy´s a murderer and now he´s on the lose again. Your plan to keep him in line and watch over him failed and now we can wait for the next victim to pop up in the ditch."

"Carlton´s right. We need to find him before he stumbles across some Special with an interesting ability." He glanced at the scientist. "Mohinder?"

"Are you seriously asking him for his permission?" Lassiter cried in disbelieve but was ignored.

"We could use Molly to find him." Noah explained his plan to Mohinder.

It was evident in the doctor´s eyes, that he´d literally gotten the hint just in this moment.

"I´d rather not tell her that Sylar´s gone." he said. "That we don´t know where he is or what he´ll do. She´d never sleep again."

"Would you?" Noah replied. "Do you really want to have it on your conscience, Mohinder, that we could have stopped him before he could kill again? I don´t think so."

The scientist lowered his eyes, finally getting the point. Lassiter watched him think.

"Under one condition." he spoke at last. "When you go after him, you take me with you."

"Forget it." the detective spilled before Noah had a chance. "He´s a liability and he´s a civilian, no matter how strong you are. You stay where you are."

"Then see how you find him on your own." Suresh got up to face him at eye-level, daring him to deny him his wish. Who did he think he was?

Lassiter held his gaze, for a moment. "You know what?" he spoke at last, not a bit intimidated. "Screw you. We don´t need you. We don´t need him, Noah. We can talk to the girl without his permission."

"You come anywhere near Molly and you won´t be able to go after Sylar for at least a few months."

Lassiter turned back to him. "Are you threatening me?"

Suresh raised a brow. "Seems I do."

Lassiter reached for his gun. It wasn´t that he actually intended to use it, but the gesture was still clear. Suresh tensed, even though his gaze never flinched.

"Gentlemen." Noah called out, stepping forward. "Carlton, please." He turned to face Suresh. "If it is your condition to come along, okay." he spoke. "But I need to know if you´re really with us then … when push comes to shove."

"I want to come along, because I couldn´t live with myself, if Sylar killed again and I could have done something." Suresh explained himself. "I want to stop him before he kills again. Just like you."

Noah raised a brow, searching Carlton´s gaze. "That enough for you, detective?"

Lassiter looked into the eyes of this so called scientist, and huffed. "We´ll have to see."

Noah nodded, as if this had been a Yes. "All right." he said. "Then it is settled. As soon as we´re officially done here and allowed to leave the city … what should be tomorrow, I guess … we´ll have a talk with Molly."

Lassiter studied the face of the doctor before him, but this time he didn´t seem to disagree with the plan. Not verbally at least.

...

As it seemed his guess, the investigation would be closed sometime the next day, had been too long. Only a few hours later, Lauren called him on his cell phone, to tell him the case was officially closed and that the NSA would inform them all, right in this moment. Noah would have lied if he´d claimed not to be relieved.

"What are you gonna do now?" she asked him.

"Well, first I´ll have a talk with a young girl." Noah immediately replied. "And then I guess I´ll head out to catch myself a killer. You know. Same old, same old."

Lauren didn´t laugh. She wasn´t even smiling when she replied: "Tell me if you need any help."

"´f course I will." he promised. "See you soon."

"Bye, Noah. Good luck. And be careful."

"I will. Bye."

He got up to leave his room, to get Carlton and Suresh and eventually Molly, so they could start hunting down the killer at last. Carlton was right about that, it was about time they got out of here. Two weeks were long enough, to sit around and wait for the FBI to investigate something that was already over. Now it was time to move on.

He opened the door, and recoiled when Carlton was already standing there, waiting for him.

"Goddamn, Carlton." he gasped. "Were you camping out here?"

"Lightly called me." the detective informed him, ignoring the heart attack he´d almost caused. "The investigation is closed."

"I know. Lauren just told me. God, I think, I´m getting old."

"That means we´re finally getting out of here." Lassiter insisted on his subject.

Noah nodded, giving in. It wasn´t that he couldn´t understand the detective´s determination.

"Let´s talk to Suresh." he said. "And then we´ll call Molly."

Carlton only nodded, keeping up his pace and somehow he reached the door even faster than Noah, knocking eagerly to be let in. He got no answer. His second knock was regarded with the same silence.

"Suresh, it´s us." he called. "Open up."

Noah frowned at the missing answer and tried the doorknob. "Mohinder?"

The door wasn´t locked, the room was empty.

"Strange." Noah murmured. "Maybe he went down to the snack bar."

Lassiter only snorted. "Yeah, sure."

He made his way down the hall, knocking on his partner´s door. "O´Hara." he called. Again he got no answer. Again he knocked, stronger. "O´Hara!" he shouted and loosing his patience, tried it at Shawn Spencer´s door. "Spencer!" he shouted. "Guster. Anyone, dammit."

His eyes met Noah´s over the length of the hallway and by now even he had to realize that something was not quiet right. He tried the door and it opened without resistance. No one was inside. No Spencer, no Guster, no O´Hara.

Noah tried the other rooms and found them as empty as the first ones. No Parkman, no Petrelli, no Hiro. No one. Maybe one of them might have left for a snack, but all of them? All together?

"What the hell is going on here?"

Short intro to this one, I know. But don´t worry. More´s about to come. Leave me a review so I know if you are interested in more ;-)