-1998-

Never before had Sylar even began to think that he might have a multiple personality disorder. He had always blamed his insecurities on his adoptive mother. It wasn't until he had picked up a newspaper from the tiny shop across the road that he had begun to realise the true extent of his 'problem'.

It had only been a small article, considering that the act had taken place in a different state but it was still there, as bold as day and he once again found himself reading an article about his latest victim with the headline:

SERIAL KILLER STRIKES AGAIN!

It was beginning to get rather tedious, the constant attention on the various different names he now had. It was also becoming confusing. Sylar, Gabriel, mass murderer, serial killer… Gabe, but that name was reserved for only one person, psychopath, man of the shadows. The names went on. He found himself needing an anchor, a link to who he really was, what he really was.

So he called her.

Thankfully she hadn't changed her number in recent years, picking up moments after the phone started ringing.

'Hello?' Megan's voice instantly cleared his thoughts, he didn't know why it did, it just happened.

'Meg?' It was a statement and a question in one.

'Gabe, are you alright? You haven't called in a while.' He relaxed at the sound of her voice. It always reminded him why he did what he did.

'I'm fine now.' There was a pause at the other end of the line.

'The last time you said that to me was nearly six years ago when I turned on your doorstep. As far as I recall, you looked awful. So how are you really?' He barely managed to contain a sigh; she could still read him like a book.

'I'm tired, confused, missing you.' He could almost picture her expression.

'The last time I saw you, at the station, you wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible.' She was angry now, and he could understand. When he'd left he'd hurt her. But he could never tell her why he'd done it, what he was protecting her from.

'I know, I'm sorry, I was confused, lost, I didn't know where to turn.'

'How about turning to me?' She asked, her voice softer now that he had apologised.

'I didn't think about that at the time.' He admitted quietly. Of course he hadn't, he'd been too busy worrying that he was going to hurt her.

'What about now?' One question brought so many problems. Yes, he wanted to see her, he knew the hunger would go, but he was a hunted man and he wasn't going to lead them to his only weakness. But then again, he probably should have kept this call short, a bit late for that now.

'I can't.'

'Why can't you?' Her voice sounded so upset. He hadn't meant to hurt her any more.

'I've done something wrong, something bad.' Why was he telling her?

'No you haven't Gabe, you think that not calling your mother is bad!' Even after all these years she never ceased to amaze him.

'Sorry.' It was all he could say. Sorry I've hurt you, sorry you don't understand.

'Did you hear about that serial killer guy? Is that why you called, it wasn't far from where I am. I'm fine, if that's why you're talking to me.'

'Yeah, I heard.' It's me. He so wanted to tell her. 'I'll try to visit soon, yes?' There was only a brief hesitation on her end of the line. She said only three words before she hung up.

'I forgive you.'

Those three words torn into his soul, he didn't deserve her forgiveness, he'd done so many things that had undoubtedly condemned him to an eternity in hell, yet she still found it in her heart to forgive him.

He still loved her, even after all these years.

-2008-

The last few days had been a blur of exhaustion, hunger and desert. If he was completely honest Sylar couldn't actually remember the first day at all, having probably slept right through it.

Even now the drugs were still in his system. But he could feel them slowly wearing off, his powers were becoming easier to reach and use. But it didn't explain the tiredness. It had only started after he had touched Megan and she seemed to be more energetic than normal.

He was momentarily surprised when he woke on a bed in a motel. It seemed that they had finally reached society. Slowly sitting and rubbing the sleep from his eyes he turned to gaze at Meg, who completely trusting as she was, had curled up next to him some point during the night. He took a moment to admire her still form, untamed hair, a small smile gracing her face.

'You awake Gabe?' She mumbled the question into her pillow.

'Yeah, I'm up.' She turned her head so she could see him.

'Why haven't they followed us?' He had to admit, she'd brought up the thing that had been bothering him for a while. Surely they would have wanted to come after them? Why hadn't they already been taken back? Were they regrouping, planning?

'Well I don't know about you, but I could do with breakfast.' Her words brought him back to awareness and he had to agree, he was starving. There had been some money in the truck and clothes, they had taken both and ditched the truck, walking and, after some persuasion on his part, hitch-hiking.

Somehow they'd ended up here.

'Can I try something?' He asked after a moment.

'What you gonna do? Kill me for my powers?' Her voice was joking, but even he could see her underlying fear. She was scared of him and it hurt.

'No, I could never do that to you.' He insisted and continued to voice his ideas before she could protest, 'But I need to work out what you have to do with me. You gave me back my powers when I was in my cell, separated by a sheet of thick glass. Then you gave my energy, blocked the drugs and kept the hunger at bay. Yet, I'm constantly tired and you're full of energy.'

'I see your observational skills are no longer lacking.' She commented dryly, but now he had her full attention.

'What if you're feeding off my when I feed off you? What if it's a two way process, my powers, in return for some of my energy?' Meg looked thoughtful.

'I suppose it's possible. But that would mean that when the drugs wear off naturally you shouldn't be tired anymore.' It was true; he wasn't as tired as yesterday. Then another thought struck, maybe..?

'Meg,' he started, taking her hand again, 'Try to move something with your mind.' She looked surprised.

'Why, you said I don't have powers.'

'I know, just try.' She tried, nothing happened. He'd expected this and let go of her hand, 'Now try.' There was a moment where nothing happened but then a pencil she'd been glaring at rolled off the desk and clattered to the floor. Her eyes widened.

'But...?' She was speechless.

'I've worked it out, why you're special. You don't just give me my powers, you have my powers. Or at least the ones I don't have. My telekinesis isn't back yet, but my original power is and if you had that you'd know it.' He watched her reactions carefully, but she wasn't giving anything away.

'Are you suggesting that we're like a see-saw, that if one of use looses something then it's transferred to the other?' He nodded.

'I was thinking of something along those lines.' He agreed.

'But what if the see-saw is balanced?' He looked away. He knew what would happen, she would become one of them, if they balanced then they would share everything and he wasn't going to give her the hunger. Instead he suggested eating and when they left the motel they didn't say another word on the subject.

Behind them a man in a black suit walked around the corner so that he was out of sight and pulled out a radio.

'I've found them Mr. Bennet.'