Disclaimers: I don't own anything...yet. :D Also, the character of "Jessica Havok" (which will be seen in later episodes/seasons) is not mine either but belongs to a friend of mine.
AN: Picking up exactly where the final episode of Heroes left off, this is the continuation of season 4 (which IMO lacked a lot of...everything...so I'm adding a bit more) & will go on to season 5 et al (I have a few written out.) Do NOT read this UNLESS you have seen at least "I Am Become Death" & the final episode "Brave New World" as it will contain spoilers for both since I'm attempting to keep this as canon as possible, yes, including whatever went on in the fourth season. This focuses mostly on the story arcs left unfinished in "IABD" (which is technically in season 7 what with the time jump & all), picking up on the ending of "BNW" in which it seems the Sylar/Peter relationship has finally amounted to the level of friendship we see in "IABD" (There's a lot of baby Noah coming up since, after snooping around, it seems a lot of people want more about him.)
Not promising anything, but I will try to post at least once a week, probably every Thursday night (Canada Pacific time), treating every "chapter" as an episode. This is the first time I try writing something like this so bare with me please.
Two things before starting:
The Do's & Don'ts:
I will try to write out/tie up loose ends. (Peter scar for e.g.) I will eventually write up my own "loose ends" once I pick through the mess Heroes left us; however, I will NOT leave yalls hanging. Unlike the Heroes writers, I will eventually have whatever explained. If there's something either from Heroes or my own stuff that has been left unsaid, just simply ask & I'll either write it out...or will already have it written out, just not time to post yet.
Unless I'm picking up an episode story that's a continuation from sometime past, I won't be doing the "previously on Heroes" thing all the time. I'll be using that only to refresh one's memory of...whatever.
I won't be changing Peter's gf every second episode. I like Emma & I'm sticking with her for a while.
Finally:
As for Sylar/Peter, I'll be leaving it open like Kirk/Spock or Sirius/Remus. If you want them as simply BFF's, fine. If you see a slashy affair going on between them behind the scenes, suit yourself. I'll be ok with however you view it. I won't be "coming right out" & saying it in writing; hopefully, covering everyone's needs. I'm not going to label this as a S/P slash story. Neither am I going to say that this is not a S/P slash. (This is the only loose end I won't tie up. More fun this way. lol)
Summary: Continuing season 4 (I have a few written out) Peter is concentrating on how to keep his best friend sane since their escape from Parkman's power. Can he save the family Sylar doesn't know he has? Can he protect Sylar from himself? (Rated M for violence)
Previously on Heroes:
Sylar: How long has it been, really?
Peter: Half a day...maybe.
Sylar: Feels like we were in there for years.
Eli: Sorry to break up the love fest.
Emma: Thousands of people will die.
Noah Bennet: No comment.
Claire: Actually I do have something to say. ... You want to know what really happened here tonight? Keep the cameras on me.
Reporter: What is she doing?
Noah Bennet: Breaking my heart.
Sylar: It felt good. It felt right.
Peter: What the hell does she think she's doing? She's going to change everything!
Sylar: That's right. It's a brave new world.
Heroes: Changes
Episode 1: In The Open
"Well, that's that," Peter muttered as the reporters clustered around Claire. "First it's the amazing healing girl. We'll be next."
"You're not liking this much, are you Peter?" asked Sylar, mildly rhetoric.
"Not much I can do about it now," Peter shrugged, turning on his heel to walk away.
"But we don't have to hide anymore," Sylar started once he caught up to him & fell in step beside him.
"Gabe, what do you think people will do when they find out about you?" Peter asked. "Everyone knows the name Gabriel Sylar Gray but none of them understood the full extent of what you do." After a hurt look from Sylar, Peter rephrased himself. "Did. Now you'll really be hunted."
"If it gets that bad, perhaps I could change my name," Sylar shrugged. "I can already change my face." He shifted for a moment to look just like Peter.
"Stop that," Peter ordered, waiting for Sylar to shift back before going on. "This isn't funny. I don't think Claire realized the full extent of what she did to us."
"Well, Claire doesn't like me anyway," said Sylar. "Maybe she can consider this as payback."
"I mean all of us," Peter stated.
"I know that," Sylar huffed. "Excuse me for trying to lighten the mood!" As the two of them walked down the street in silence, Sylar occasionally glanced sideways, reliving the past. He used to stalk these streets. Kill relentlessly. The Kirby Plaza was around somewhere. "It's rather strange seeing others around again. Used to be just the two of us out here."
"I know," Peter mused. "I'm heading home half-wondering why or if it'll still be there even though I know I was yesterday."
"Twelve years, even in la la land, is a rather long time."
Peter smiled a moment. "Especially when stuck with you."
"Me?" Sylar acted surprised. "I think it's the other way around. You're quite the drama queen at times."
Peter scoffed incredulously. "Excuse me?"
"Look, I have the need to check on my own apartment around here," Sylar changed the subject. "Unlike you, it has been a while since I was back."
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow," Peter watched Sylar lift off & fly away. He continued walking, not sure whether to expose his powers like what Claire just did. Once he finally did reach home, he took a few moments to glance around. Try as he might, it was hard to shake off twelve years that never even existed. Tossing his coat to one side, Peter flung himself across the full length of the lounge & turned on the TV.
The image of Claire throwing herself from the Ferris Wheel was just finishing probably for the umpteenth time. Peter groaned. How could his own niece do this?
"Are there others like you?" one reporter had asked.
"Oh great!" Peter grumbled even more.
"Yes, almost everyone who was here has some sort of ability," Claire answered.
"Kill me now," Peter closed his eyes. Though he didn't want to, he listened to the whole report anyway. Claire had gone on to describe a few abilities but never mentioned anyone's name, not even Sylar. At least she had some sense. Still it was only a matter of time now. He switched off the TV & picked up the phone. He went into the text system to send a message.
Medic101: Hey Emma. How are you? I hope you're at work tomorrow. Had a very weird day. Need to talk to you.
After sending it, Peter snapped the phone shut & tossed it aside. He went to sleep right on the couch. It had been a very long day.
"Claire," Noah Bennet finally managed to get a hand on his daughter & pulled her towards the car. "Get in. We should leave."
"I thought..." Claire glanced around. "Wasn't Peter here?"
"Yes, but he's with Sylar."
Claire lowered herself into the front seat & closed her eyes. "Sylar is never going to leave me alone, is he?"
"He will, if I have anything to do with it," Noah put the car in drive & pulled away. "Someday, I'll figure that man out. I'm just surprised no one died here today."
"What do you mean?"
After a long moment in hesitation, Noah finally answered. "Sylar is the one who saved Emma."
"You're right, I'm surprised she is still alive."
"Then he tied Eric Doyle up with a wire of lights & left him there. Alive."
"That is strange."
"Oh, it gets better," Noah went on. "Eric said that Sylar kind of laughed at him after plugging in the wires & then just left with Peter."
"As in my uncle? That same Peter?
Noah nodded before adding, "Sylar's up to something. I can feel it. He always has some sick twisted reason of his own for doing things."
"It's Uncle Peter I'm wondering about," Claire mused. "Those two are always trying to kill each other & since Peter can only use one power at a time now, there's a good chance he may not be able to access his Regen."
"I'm putting you on the first plane back to Arlington," Noah started.
"Dad," Claire tried to protest but was ignored.
"I don't want you around either of those guys until I find out what's going on," Noah declared in a voice that settled the matter.
"Fine," Claire muttered, lying against the back of her seat as much as possible. Every time she got close to Sylar, it seemed that the man would escape her once more. It seemed that it was always her father who would get to go after him & eventually bring the beast down.
"Don't go planning anything," Noah suddenly went on as if he had read her mind. "Besides, don't you want to see Gretchen again? I'm sure that girl's got a lot of questions after your little stunt tonight."
"I'm sure she does," Claire pulled out her phone. "Yep. I already have several texts from her demanding details. From a few other friends to." She was trying to simplify it but her face said otherwise.
"Just how many messages do you have on there?" Noah asked, half-teasing.
Claire laid the phone in her lap. "Not many. Just enough to keep me busy for, oh I don't know, the whole flight."
"Doesn't sound like many at all," Noah laughed at her.
"Hmm, now I fully understand the meaning of that song 'Telephone' by Lady Gaga," Claire added.
"Well you did ask for this in a way," Noah sounded a little more harsh than he intended. "Claire, I won't be able to protect you as well anymore."
"I'll be fine Dad," Claire tried to reassure him. So long as Sylar stayed off her case, at least.
"I hope so."
Emma fumbled with the keys to unlock her apartment door. Though the blood had dried, her fingers on one hand still stung a little at being used. She finally managed to get it open & stepped inside. She leaned back against the door, heaving a long sigh of relief. After a moment to relax, Emma stepped into the kitchen to wash off her hands properly for the first time. She pressed a paper towel between her fingers as gently as possible before moving into the washroom to get some bandages.
Once every finger had been neatly wrapped, Emma collapsed onto her couch & laid her head back over the top to stare at the ceiling. It was finally sinking in that the dream had been averted. It was almost a disaster. She never wanted to play a cello, or anything else, ever again. Was she really that dangerous? With her ability, she could summon anyone to her like a siren. With that same ability, she could knock someone out. Could it kill? Judging by the rip in the wall that she had done one day, yes, it probably could. It was a wonder that man, Eric, was still alive. She felt like a monster.
After several long minutes, she sat forward. Glancing at her own cell phone, she noticed it had a message waiting. It was a text from Peter. Emma took a long time to think before answering back. She picked up a pen & used one end to tap out a reply so her fingers wouldn't have to.
ColoredSilence: I'll stop in to see you whether I go for work or not. I don't think I should be working for a few days. Need to talk to you too. By the way, you must tell me more about your friend who helped me & do thank him if I don't get a chance any time soon.
Emma laid the phone aside & headed for the bedroom. She checked her cat's bowl & added some more food before setting her vibrating alarm. Her cat sleepily glared up at her from the center of her pillow, whiskers pushed forward as if frowning in a 'you-are-NOT-moving me' defiance. Emma smiled into his fur as she encircled her arms about it while maneuvering into bed. A few hours sleep was exactly what she needed right now.
The vibes went off making her start. Emma glanced around & saw her cat, Skipper, meowing at her. Glancing at the window, she could see a few rays of sun peeking in. Was it morning already? She lay back for a good fifteen or so minutes. Skipper jumped up beside her & started rubbing against her face, meowing constantly. She saw his jaws moving. She saw soft rays of light wafting around his head. She knew the cat was hungry.
Emma finally swung out of bed & in a few moments, Skipper's bowl was full. She left him to eat in peace, heading for the kitchen for her own breakfast. Emma took her time, taking over an hour to finish breakfast. She stalled again by sitting on the couch reading yesterday's newspaper. It wasn't until almost noon that she finally decided to go out. Emma was afraid to leave her apartment, afraid to lose control. Afraid of herself. If her power could kill, she didn't want it. Emma forced herself out the door & headed for work. She needed Peter. Now!
Peter shook his head & lowered himself into the nearest chair. It was a good thing the morning was slow for a change. He felt out of touch with everything around him. "Come on, Pete! You were doing this two days ago." Twelve years ago resounded in his head. Dreamland though it was, that was a very long time out of work. He had forgotten everything & was currently stuck with Samuel's earth-shaking power so he couldn't even use his 'magic' on any patients.
Peter got up & headed outside. He walked around Mercy Heights Hospital twice, trying to clear his head & fill it with the information he knew was in there. Somewhere. He changed directions & soon found himself in front of the garage that housed a few ambulances. Stepping inside, he saw three parked vans ready & waiting to be used. He grabbed the keys off the hook for the nearest one & got inside. "Oh wow!" Peter moaned to himself aloud. "I need to remember this before an emergency." He glanced at the dashboard. The gear shift. The various buttons. "Ok! I can do this." He turned the vehicle on. He wasn't planning on going anywhere, only wanting to roll forward a few inches. He put the thing in gear & then wondered why the garage door seemed to be getting away from him, not coming towards him.
Crunch!
Whoops!
"That's why," Peter let out a breath as he closed his eyes. He rested his forehead on the steering wheel.
Honk.
"Yes?" Peter yelped, sitting sharply up straight. Then he buried his face in one hand. After a moment, he tried once more to move the vehicle, this time inching it forward back into its original spot.
Screeeeeeeeeech!
Peter's eyes opened wide. He decided that this was far enough & shut the truck off. He quickly got out & ran to the back. The bumper was all but destroyed & a large piece of metal was sticking straight out from it. The same piece seemed to be responsible for the large gash in the wall behind him. "Ahh!" Peter put both hands on his head as if he was about to pull his hair out. "No. No! No!" He stared at the bumper for a moment, then glanced back at the gash in the wall & let out another yelp. Sylar was staring right back at him through the crack.
"Having troubles?" Sylar teased.
"I can't do this," Peter said. "I've forgotten everything. Gabe, it's been twelve years!"
"Only in a matter of speaking," Sylar shrugged.
"Gabriel!" Peter huffed. "I just totaled an ambulance while it was still parked! Tell me now, how does one do that?"
"Totaled it while it was parked?" Sylar repeated. "Well, in that case, I'm not showing you what I did."
"Oh boy," Peter berated. "Now what did you do?"
"Something wild but I don't want it around you," Sylar said. "You'll scratch its paint by looking at it."
"What?" Peter asked. "Hang on. Let me get out there."
"Only if you're careful."
"Yeah, yeah," Peter muttered tiredly. He replaced the keys & exited through the side door. Walking around to the back, he stopped barely ten paces short in front of Sylar & stared at the thing behind him.
It was a large motorbike, black as night, yet the simplest ray of light was magnified a hundred-fold off its shiny paint. Buell was written in black against a dark red background over the ridge behind its handlebars. It had a large light that looked down onto the road like one angry eye.
"Like it?" Sylar asked.
"Yes but," Peter gaped at it a moment longer. "What on Earth possessed you to get that?"
Sylar shrugged. "I figured it'll help me keep my mind sane. I seem to have control of this ability at last. I do not want to let it control me again."
"Good idea," Peter nodded, sidling up a bit closer. Next moment he was flat against the wall from Sylar's power.
"Nuh uh uh!" Sylar glared at him. "I WAS going to let you ride it, but after totaling a parked ambulance, you're not getting anywhere near it. Capite?"
"Perfectly," Peter choked. "Ah, come on, Gabe! Lemme go!" After a short glare passed between them, Peter felt himself being moved a few paces away & dropped. "Thanks," he wheezed.
"No problem," Sylar placed one hand over his prized bike. "So what are you going to do about that?" He nodded to the crack in the wall.
"I have no idea," Peter said, worry filling his voice. "If I can't figure it out before something comes up, I'm doomed."
"Good thing there wasn't a patient in there," Sylar peered through the crack once more. "You might have killed them."
"Sylar!" Peter whined.
"What?" Sylar looked up at him, a lopsided grin twitching at one corner of his lips.
"You're not helping," Peter grumbled.
"Oh, it can't be that hard to remember," Sylar said. "Let's get in there. Maybe I can help."
"Is that a good idea?"
"What do you mean?"
"Help. Meaning, you're going to use that ability, right?"
"'That' is my original ability, Peter," Sylar said. "What do you think I'm going to do? Cut the ambulance's brain out?"
Peter glared at him. Sylar glared right back, a grin spreading wider & wider across his mouth. Peter finally closed his eyes, giving up. Sylar had been in an awfully chipper mood ever since their escape from Matt Parkman's power. By the time he had opened his eyes again, Sylar had already brushed past, entered the garage & was currently prying at the busted van. "Hey!" Peter jerked his head to the hooks on the wall. "Keys will work better."
Sylar merely held his hands up & flashed him another wicked smile. Peter half-rolled his eyes as he tossed the keys over. "Thanks," Sylar caught them. "Where's that manual at?" He asked once he was inside.
"Should be in the glove department," Peter said. "Gabriel, can I borrow your power for a minute?"
"Is that one wise?" Sylar asked, wondering if two of them having that same power at once would be good.
"I want to try...erm...bending that bumper...ya know…back into shape," Peter stammered helplessly.
"No, you just want to try not getting caught at destroying someone's property."
"Shut up & give me your hand!" Peter held up his own & waited.
"Be careful," Sylar clapped his hand into his friend's. "Oh & stay away from Buell while you have this one. You might bust her light or something."
"Not like you don't have money to replace it," Peter walked away to the back once more. "You with that Midas touch of yours."
"It's the principle of the matter!" Sylar's voice echoed through the van towards Peter.
"Whatever," Peter muttered under breath as he squatted down to inspect the bumper more closely. He began bending it one way, twisting it another, trying to get the thing straight again. "Ouch!"
"Now what?" Sylar opened the back doors to watch Peter.
"Darn metal!" Peter winced, sucking on a bloody finger.
"Oh here!" Sylar held out his hand again. Peter graciously took it for a moment & soon felt the Regen flood through him.
"Thanks."
"You're hopeless," Sylar sat up on the gurney & started looking through the manual. Peter got down to the bumper's level once more, ignoring him. Hearing something beyond his friend's mutterings, Sylar glanced up for a moment & noticed Emma had entered. She was now standing almost behind Peter yet he didn't seem to realize it. Sylar smiled even more widely than before. No time like the present to piss Peter Petrelli off. He made sure Emma saw his lips. "Hey Peter. Your" then he purred out "lady love" before going back to a normal voice. "Is here."
Emma's face turned bright red but Peter's reaction was even better. He tried standing up, forgetting that he was currently under one of the open doors & rammed his head against the base. He fell flat on his face, groaning before rolling over & out of the way. As the Regen (Thank God he had mimicked that one!) kicked in, he stood up quickly, rubbing the back of his head. This made his already half-static hair even more askew. He locked eyes with Emma who hid her amusement in one hand then rounded on his friend still perched on the gurney. "I swear to God if you could die right now, Gray!" Sylar merely raised one shoulder in a half-shrug & focused once more on the manual, trying desperately not to laugh. "I hate you," Peter slammed the doors closed.
"I don't care," Sylar called out to him.
One door re-opened. "Believe me, you will."
"Ooo, threats from Peter Petrelli. What WILL happen to me next?"
Peter stared at him. "What is with you, these days?"
Sylar snapped the manual closed. "I think I'll take Buell for a run & get back to this. By the time you're date with Emma is over, I should have this figured out for you."
"It isn't a date!" Peter hissed.
"Sure it isn't."
"We're just going for coffee."
"I bet you are."
"Oh! Just—grr! Stay in there!" Peter slammed the door closed once more. "Idiot."
"I heard that!"
"Gabriel!"
"Yes?"
"Shut up!" Peter ordered, grabbing Emma's hand & making a run for it.
Peter led Emma down the street, across it, then around a corner to a little café. Once inside, they sat down in a corner booth. Peter crossed his arms, glaring at nothing in particular.
(Any dialog for Emma in 'italics' is to be read as sign language. 'Straight' is spoken English.)
"What was that about?" Emma said in her monotone voice.
"I have no idea what's going on in that head of his these days," Peter muttered.
"I think your friend is trying to play match-maker," Emma went on.
"Ha!" Peter scoffed loudly. "Not to subtle is he? That's Gabriel Sylar for you."
"Sylar?" Emma sat back sharply. "No. He...can not be...Sylar."
Peter looked at her. "Yeah that's him, alright."
"I thought...Sylar...was a serial killer?"
"He is," Peter said before thinking. "I mean...was."
"I don't understand," Emma shifted uncomfortably in her seat. How could that dear man who saved her just last night...be that monster? No wonder Doyle was afraid of him.
"Uhh," Peter sighed heavily. He rubbed his face with one hand. "Here we go. Emma? Did you get my text yesterday?"
"I answered it."
"You did? Sorry, I left my phone at home," Peter stretched his hands across the table, hoping she would take them. After some hesitation, she did. "Yesterday added twelve years to my life & his."
"Twelve years?"
"Yes," Peter nodded. "On record, the last time Sylar killed was a few days ago but in our reality, it was twelve years ago."
Emma released his hands, pulling away once more. You don't make sense.
Very slowly, Peter tried to make his fingers work this language. Let me try, please?
Emma watched him nervously. How could he be associated with someone like Sylar? "Alright," She put her hands across the table for him to hold once more.
"Thank you," he grabbed her hands & launched into the full explanation. Several minutes later, he finally stopped talking.
Emma sat back once more, letting it all sink in. "It's all very strange," she finally spoke. "Just a few days ago, you were telling me how you & Sylar often fought each other. Often trying to the death. The Kirby Plaza. Now you are best friends with him?"
"Emma, try to see it my way," Peter implored. "It was twelve years ago."
"A monster like him should not be allowed to live," Emma said. "There are reasons why some states have the death penalty. It's for people like him."
"Sylar can't die," Peter said. "Neither can my niece. That's where he got it from actually. Neither can I, usually; though, I seem to be stuck with only one active power at a time. I can feel them all in there. Inside me. I just need someone else to boost them one at a time."
"I still can't believe we're talking about the same person as the man I saw last night," Emma cast her eyes to the table so Peter couldn't talk to her. She saw rays of light shimmering around the tabletop. Peter was knocking on it, demanding her attention. She finally looked up at him once more.
"Look, this is the only way," Peter went on once he was sure she was reading him again. "He can't die. He can't be caged since his powers are too strong, he can easily bust out. Keeping him close & safe will keep everyone else safe. Since we came out of that nightmare, his power no longer controls him. This murdering mess the poor guy's in really isn't his fault. I have his power to, occasionally. It's like a vampire, demanding constant attention when I have it activated. It took him a long time to learn to control it. I'm lucky. I'm not stuck with it every day. He is. He never asked for this."
"We choose our paths, Peter," Emma said.
"What do you think he's trying to do?" Peter tried to explain. "Gabriel's been fighting that ability since he first discovered it. He never wanted to kill in the first place. If anything, he's his own worst victim."
They sat in silence for what seemed a lifetime. Emma knew that when she met Sylar again, she would look at him very differently. How could that man be...that man? But then again, who was she to judge? She never asked for her power either. "In a way, I kind of understand him," Emma suddenly said.
"What?"
"My power," Emma went on. "You saw what it did to that wall. I used it last night to knock Doyle over. What if I was too strong? I could have killed him."
"I'm not going to lie to you," Peter said. "But that thought had crossed my mind. You have a strong ability. If used incorrectly, it can seriously hurt someone. You'll have to learn to control it. Just like Gabriel."
"Mine does not demand blood," Emma pointed out.
"No," Peter agreed. "but it can still spill it."
Emma flicked up an eyebrow in surprise as Peter stood up & they soon left the café. Emma returned home while Peter went back to the hospital. Sylar was nowhere in sight. Neither was Buell. Peter concentrated on the few patients that came in that day, mostly performing first aid as needed. Slowly but surely, it was all starting to come back to him; though, he was sure to look the other way & be engrossed in something whenever the question of whoever destroyed that ambulance came up.
"So that's the girl he mentioned," a man's voice rasped out. On the TV, Claire jumping from the Ferris Wheel was shown again. It had been replayed in the morning news. The midday news. The evening news. It was front page as well. "Didn't think this day would come," the man muttered to himself, switching off the TV & picking up his phone. "Hi, Ralph? Get the others. We found her."
