-2002-

He'd done it again. It wasn't the first time he'd seen the inside of a cell, but it was certainly the first time the Company had managed to catch him. All because they'd given him bait. Someone who had reminded him so suddenly of Meg that he'd paused, uncertain.

That uncertainty had led him to his little cell. It wasn't very sophisticated, but when were these things ever sophisticated? Four blank walls, one bed, one chair and a big, heavy door. Of course, the big heavy door was nothing that he couldn't get past but he had to wait until they least expected him to make a move.

He was caught up in this because of Meg.

He didn't blame the girl for looking like her and sounding like her, he blamed it on his own stubborn weakness when it came to a certain golden-haired, green-eyed New York girl.

He couldn't blame her. He didn't have the heart to, although he was seriously beginning to believe he didn't have a heart at all. How could someone with a conscience do what he did and be able to live with themselves each day?

She made him feel alive, more alive than he had ever felt before. She had made it worth living.

He had ended up pacing, buried in his tangled thoughts and feelings. He could feel the guard outside getting nervous. It wasn't what he needed right now so he sat down again. He needed to think things over. Serial killers did not get distracted because their victim looks like an old friend, it just doesn't happen.

But it was happening to him.

'Why?' He addressed the empty cell, but he received no response, as expected, only silence.

Ten minutes later he broke out; taking out four guards using only his telekinesis, his practice was paying off. He instantly aimed for the nearest telephone box. For some reason he felt the need to hear her voice. He needed to convince himself that she was far away and that there was no way he could accidentally attack her in New York.

'Meg?' He asked as soon as she picked up.

'Hello Gabe, why are you calling?' She sounded concerned.

'I just needed to talk with you.'

'Oh ok, what about?' Now her voice had become more hostile, they hadn't spoken since he'd broken up with her two years ago.

'Where are you?'

'Planning on coming over?' He could hear anger breaking through now.

'No, I was just wondering if you'd moved or anything.' Silence and static greeted his words.

'I haven't, still got the same job, the same house.'

'Had any boyfriends since I ran off?'

'Pete Jackson, but I broke up with him a few weeks ago.' surprisingly the idea of Meg being with someone else torn a hole in his heart. That should have been him standing by her side.

'Oh, is that all?'

'No one else took my fancy. What can I say? I'm a picky person.' Meg replied calmly. Suddenly Sylar heard a police car heading in his direction.

'I've got to go.'

'You always have.'

'I'm sorry, I really am.' a small sigh, a bowed head.

'I know.' He hung up; hating the sound of Meg's defeated voice. Turning, he melted into the shadows just as police car turned the corner. He heard them stop outside the phone box, heard snippets of conversation.

'He was here…' They were saying, 'no sign of him.' With a grim face he turned his back on the men and walked off down the alleyway, leaving Meg and her normal, beautiful, life behind him.

-2008-

'So what do you think?' It seemed as though she had already asked the same question a hundred times. They had been on the road for days and Meg had decided it was time they looked for a place to stay a little more permanently.

'It's small.'

'It's a village. Have you never lived in the country Gabe?' Her sarcasm always managed to lighten his mood.

'Fine, it's small, lively and strangely attractive.'

'Then you'll fit right in.' It took a moment for the insult to register.

'Oi!' her laughed at his reaction lightened his heart.

'I was joking Gabe.'

'I know.' He returned his gaze to the place they were soon going to be calling 'home'. It was small, having only a hundred houses or so, but it wasn't in the desert or the artic and it had a shop and a small hotel. Meg pulled up outside the hotel and gave it a once over.

'We're not going to have enough money to stay here for long.' She pointed out.

'We could steal some.'

'Or we could get jobs. You can fix things right? Be an odd jobs man and I could help out at the restaurant or something. When we get enough money we can either leave, or find a place.' He liked the way Meg had thought of everything.

'I suppose so.'

'Good.' With that she got out, stretching her legs and taking in the view. He joined her after the slightest hesitation.

'How about we grab something to eat first?' She nodded, suddenly realising how hungry she was. They walked to the nearest café and sat down in a quiet corner.

'If we stay for two nights, long enough to find some work it doesn't give us much money for anything else.' Meg admitted as she counted out what remained of their stash. It was right now that Sylar really wished that he had stolen something a little earlier when Meg hadn't been looking.

'What can I get you?' Meg looked up to see an elderly woman with a kind smile watching them.

'Just two coffees thanks.' She replied as she returned her gaze to the meagre pile of money.

'Sure you don't want anything else? You look like you've been travelling rough.' The woman noted their dirty clothes and thin forms. 'We need someone to help with the washing up, if one of you will do that I'm sure we can rustle up some sausages for you for free.' Meg burst into an amazing smile.

'Thank you so much! I'm sure we can deal with washing up. We could do with washing ourselves up.' The woman gave them a knowing smile.

'Don't worry about it. I'm Liz, I own the café and if you're willing to hang around we could do with a spare pair of hands.'

'I'm Meg, thanks for everything again.'

'It's ok and you are?' She turned her gaze on Sylar; Meg gave him a warning look.

'Gabriel.' For some reason the name didn't burn his tongue. In fact it almost felt right, something that he hadn't felt when using his real name in almost a decade.

'The name of an angel,' Liz commented. 'Let's hope you have the washing up skills of one. I'll see what I can do about those sausages.' As she wandered towards the kitchen Meg turned her gaze back to the pile of money.

'Well, now we have food accounted for. That still leaves somewhere to stay and clothes.'

'I'm sure someone will have something that needs fixing around here.' Meg nodded, but he could see tears welling up in her eyes,

'How did we end up like this? Running away from people who want us experimented on?' Sylar found himself reaching over the table and taking her hands.

'This is my fault, I dragged you into this.' He soothed, knowing that she would feel better if someone took the blame for their predicament.

'Thanks for being here for me Gabe.' She whispered. He could only offer a small smile as Liz walked back over with a plate of sausages.

Maybe they could find a way to fit in after all.