Who's Seen Jezebel?

Part 11: Half as Brave

"I've found them in the market! I need backup now! They're on the run!"

They could hear the agent yelling into his walkie-talkie as they both struggled to force the rusty elevator door down. It fell with a clang that must have alerted the agent to their position.

"Freeze! I have a gun and will use force if needed!" the nervous looking agent said as he was slowly approaching the elevator. Gabriel had a fleeting moment of amusement at the agent's obvious fear of opposing the very dangerous Sylar. If only he knew that Sylar wasn't here right now. He also found himself more afraid than angry. Usually he'd be pissed off and ready to dispatch of the idiot but right now, he only wanted to get out of there. And he needed to get Jezebel to safety.

"Are you sure you want to come any closer?" he put on his best intimidating tone and hoped the guy would think twice about using that gun. Before the agent could answer or move in, Jezebel hit the button on the elevator controls sending the machine on a jerky descent to the next floor.

"Hey! Stop!" the agent closed in just in time to be late. They saw his feet angrily kick the grate before they were out of sight. The elevator stopped and they rushed out, frantically looking for a way out. The elevator jerked back into life behind them.

"Great, now he's coming down here and there's no way out." Jezebel's hope was fading fast. She found a small window and peeked out at the sky. It was rather dark. The eclipse must still be going on considering it was mid-afternoon. "Do you think we can fit through this?" she asked. Gabriel walked on over. And inspected the small window.

"Maybe you can. Here," he took a hold of her waist and hoisted her up with a grunt. "Is it open?" Jezebel pushed on the glass pane until it yielded.

"Yeah, I got it open." She grabbed hold of the window frame and pulled herself up. Gabriel tried not to enjoy watching her wiggle her way through the window and up onto the ground above. She cautiously looked around, and seeing the coast was clear, she turned back. "Here, give me your hand." She reached out for him but he didn't reach back.

"You go, I'll get out another way."

"What? I'm not leaving you behind!"

"Jez, I can't fit through the window."

"How do you know? You haven't tried!" Jezebel's voice cracked. Gabriel realized he had put her through a lot today. In fact, if it weren't for him, she'd probably be fine. Just getting ready for another day at work. All of this was his fault and he knew it. He just needed her to have a chance at an escape now.

"Jezebel," he was pleading with her now. "Run. Now!"

"Not without you." She had put her foot down. She wouldn't budge. She just found him again; she was not about to leave him behind.

"Dammit, girl." He swore and began looking for something to stand on when a loud noise made him stop. The elevator was moving back up the shaft.

"Gabriel, quick!" He found a large step stool and put it up to the window. He reached the frame and began pulling himself up. He reached out, grabbing Jezebel's hands and tried to pull his shoulders through the small opening. He felt an unbelievable pain in his left shoulder and his vision blurred to black.

"Oh god," he moaned through gritted teeth. "I think I just dislocated my shoulder."

"Shit! What do I do?"

"Just keep pulling the other one." He tried to ignore the blinding pain as she pulled his other shoulder through the window. The dislocation actually made it easier for him to fit. One last pull had him through the window so quickly they both fell backwards. Getting to their feet they looked around for any sign of agents.

"Let's move" he slipped his right hand in hers and, trying not to black out from the pain in his shoulder, started off around the corner of the back of the store.

"Stop right there, Sylar."

They both froze in their tracks. Gabriel was the first to turn around.

"Danko," he stated, looking the man over. "What brings you to New Orleans?" Gabriel tried to keep his voice steady. He couldn't let the agent know that he wasn't as dangerous as usual.

"Well, you." The agent smirked at him; then let his eyes roam over Jezebel in such a way that made hers and Gabriel's stomach turn. "And the little lady."

"She's got nothing to do with this." Shit. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut? He could almost see Danko work out in his head that the girl was more than just a mark to Sylar.

"Oh, but I think she does. She's the reason you came down here,

Jezebel looked up at Gabriel. Nothing was making sense to her anymore.

"You clearly have no idea what you're talking about," Gabriel lied. The last thing he needed Jez to know was his true intentions for coming down south. Realization came over Danko's face.

"Oh I see. You don't want her to know about your little hobby." The agent's laugh was sickening and made Jezebel wince. "She must think the best of you, to be willing to run away with you. So trusting and naïve women can be, so unaware of the danger they get into."

"Shut the hell up, Danko. The only one danger to her here is you."

"Then protect her." Danko challenged. "Come on, Hero. Protect your little lady. Take care of me. I know you have something in mind for the evil government agent."

Gabriel felt his stomach drop, knowing that he couldn't. He was unable to do anything special to protect Jezebel right now. He was like a neutered dog, no fight left in him.

"What's wrong, Hero?" Danko sneered. "Come on, take me out. Oh wait, you still can, right? You didn't lose it, did you?"

Dun dun dun...

Sorry this took so long!! Computer issues and school and work and a writer's block! Mleh!!!!

Anyways. Here it is. I can't wait to be done with this little plot twist and onto the next one. I'm working on it...