At Least For Now
Luckily when they gave Gabriel back his keys and wallet he had some money for cab fare, but he still had to walk several miles. He really needed to find someone with the ability of flight or maybe he would run into Edgar again soon.
It was 4:30 am when he finally made it to Warman's Pawn Shop. It was closed. He tried his key. It still worked so he let himself in. He had no apartment anymore, so he hoped Otis would let him stay at the shop for a while until he found a place to live. He sat down at his work bench in the back and wasn't surprised to see that Otis had left everything just the way he had left it.
He pulled out the Sylar watch and started taking it apart. With lack of sleep and the worries weighing on his mind, he was handling things a bit clumsily. A small piece from the watch rolled off the bench, bounced off his knee and into the trash can. He reached his hand into the space where it landed, cutting his palm on the meaty part just under his thumb, on what he assumed was a broken iced tea bottle. Yanking his hand back out from the trash can, he saw the blood oozing from the rough gouge. It was strange to continue to bleed, not to see his flesh seal itself shut, leaving only flawless skin behind. He got the first aid kit and bandaged himself up.
After safely finding the valuable part to the watch he needed, he made the repairs and adjustments to it, replaced the crystal to the face and placed in gently back into the wooden box. He packed it up to send to Catherine. He wasn't sure how she would feel about seeing him again and he wanted to let her know he was free and alive without having to impose on her. He knew there was a chance she might not want to be involved with him anymore. After all, he was a logical man. However, he wasn't always an agreeable man. Just because he understood it didn't mean he would except it.
A short, fat, balding man who was in his early sixties unlocked and opened the shop door. Gabriel sat quietly at his bench with his lamp still on. The man walked into the back and stopped in front of Gabriel's bench.
"Ya didn't open the place." Otis grumbled in his deep raspy voice and continued walking past him.
"I didn't know if I was still employed." Gabriel said.
"Your key worked didn't it? Should' a been your first clue." Otis sat down at his desk and lit a cigarette. "Well, get goin'. I ain't payin' ya to sit 'round an tinker all day."
Gabriel got to his feet to open the shop and begin his day of work.
Otis didn't know the extent of Gabriel's crimes but knew he had a criminal history. The same was true for Gabriel of Otis. They had respect for one another and didn't ask any questions. When Gabriel didn't show up for work one day, Otis assumed that he might just see him again and when he did, he would welcome him back.
The day went as a normal one would. Otis stayed to close up so Gabriel could locate the storage unit where Peter had transferred his belongings. He grabbed some clothes and blankets, bought some toiletries, then headed back to the shop where Otis had set up a cot for him. It was going to be a long night.
Catherine was hanging on a thread of hope that Gabriel would be coming back. She met Edgar for dinner after work, it had become a routine on Friday nights. Although they had remained close, they never slept together again after that one slightly awkward night.
She checked her mail, as she usually did when she got home. She found a small package jammed into the box. She saw that the return address had the Warman's Pawn Shop logo. Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized Gabriel's unique left handed scroll across the package.
She hurried inside. She dropped her things on the floor, plopped on the sofa and began to rip the tape off the package. She knew the wooden box all to well. She lifted the lid and there was the watch. Only, to her surprise, it was fixed, almost like new.
She noticed a small piece of paper folded into a long skinny rectangle so that it would fit neatly inside the box. She unfolded it to see Gabriel's writing once again. It read, "I don't need to be reminded of who I am anymore." She turned the paper over, looking for more. There was nothing else. No phone number, no request to see her, no explanation of what the hell he meant by sending her the watch. She was disappointed, hurt and confused. She tossed the watch on the trunk in front of the sofa. She looked up at her grandmother's clock. She touched her bare neck remembering she still had never found the necklace.
After sitting in puzzled silence for a while she picked the watch back up and buckled it onto her wrist. She watched the second hand skip its way around the face. It was a quarter to nine.
"Fuck it." She said to herself. "That bastard owes me an explanation."
She knew the pawn shop would be closing at nine and it was within walking distance. If she left now she would catch him right as they were closing.
When she got there the sign had already been turned over to read "closed." She looked at the watch. It was nine on the dot. Seeing lights on in the back, she tapped on the glass. No movement. She knocked harder this time. Finally, Otis started waddling his way to the door. He unlocked the door and opened it a few inches.
"Sign says we're closed. We'll be open tomorrow at…" He paused, recognizing her face. "Hi Catherine." He opened to door inviting her inside. "He's in the back."
"Thanks, Otis." She said stepping inside.
She walked reluctantly towards the back and came to a halt when she saw him at his bench working intently on a music box. He hadn't shaved in what appeared to be four or five days and his hair was shorter then usual. But, he looked well and handsome none the less. He glanced up at her. He froze momentarily and then set down the tiny instrument he was using and rose to his feet.
Feeling the tension in the room, Otis went over to his desk to grab a few things. "I'll see ya tomorrow." He mumbled and left locking the door behind him.
Neither of them spoke or moved. They just stood, gazing at each other with apprehension. Gabriel made a move toward her, extending his hand to touch her. She took his hand seeing the bandage. She peeled the gauze away revealing the gash underneath.
"They did it." She said, amazed by the accomplishment. "Did they take them all?"
"All but my own." She assumed that meant he could still collect abilities. She didn't want to pester him with questions about his ordeal so soon.
His fingers traced the contours of her face before leaning in to lavish her mouth with gentle kisses. He paused, for what reason Catherine didn't know. She looked into his eyes, "Don't stop."
He kissed her yearningly, as if he wanted to devour her. They were so clumsy removing each others clothes, they almost tumbled to the floor in their haste. Taking Catherine by the waste, he sat down in his chair, guiding her into his lap. She straddled him and draped her arms over his shoulders.
He let out his breath as she started to move around him. It had been so long, he wasn't sure how long he would last. She nibbled on his ear and he thought he might boil over. He would need to do his best to contain his eagerness.
"I missed you." She whispered, drinking in the scent of his skin and hair. It was intoxicating.
He said nothing, but began to grope her more desperately, relishing the delicate curves of her body. He adored her.
"Did you think of me?" She asked.
He pulled his mouth away from her neck, "Everyday." he said, then continued to taste her flesh. "Do you love me?" She asked.
He halted his advances and looked up at her. "With all that I am."
"Then tell me you love me." The words had never escaped his lips.
"Catherine, I've never loved another woman the way that I love you." He said to her. In all honesty, except his mother, he had never truly loved anyone.
They made love twice, it was almost necessary. They had passion, the heat between them was undeniable. There was such strength in their connection.
They returned to her apartment that night hoping for a restful sleep. At least for Gabriel, who hadn't had a decent night's sleep in almost half a year. Catherine laid on her side with Gabriel fitting against the curves of her position behind her. His hand slid around her neck. "Where's your necklace?" He asked her.
She closed her eyes not wanting to tell him. "I lost it." She grumbled.
"Well, that's disappointing." He said, kissing her head.
"Yes, it is." She replied. "So, why didn't they take your ability?" She was curious, of course.
He told her, as briefly as he could, about his experience at Safe Haven, explaining how he had recollected clairsentience from Alarric and could continue to collect abilities if he wished.
"Wow. It must have been torture." She said.
"I guess," he said thoughtfully, "but maybe it was deserved."
They were silent for a while, and she felt Gabriel's body twitch as he fell into his slumber.
"I love you, too." She said quietly, in response to his earlier confession.
In the morning after breakfast, Gabriel was shaving off what was close to a full beard while Catherine was finishing her shower.
"Damn drain!" She complained as her feet sloshed around in the ankle high water of the tub.
She stepped out of the shower drying herself off. Her first thought about having the drain fixed was of Edgar, out of habit. "I guess I'll call maintenance on Monday." She said, rethinking her options.
"I'll fix it, then we don't have to wait two days." Gabriel said.
She kissed his smooth, clean shaven cheek.
Catherine went for a quick trip to the grocery store while Gabriel set to work on the drain. It was only clogged, which he had suspected. He snaked the drain pulling out a glob of Catherine's long, thick hair. He was amazed she wasn't bald with all the hair she shed.
As he went to drop the hair into the trash can, he noticed something sparkle. He looked closer and saw the gold chain. He pulled the lost necklace out of the matted mess. It was a bit dirty, but undamaged. He gently cleaned it off. He held it up to admire his finding and an image flashed in his mind. He shut his eyes and concentrated, watching the whole incident with Edgar unfold behind his eyelids. He closed his fist around the pendent, squeezing it in frustration. He now knew first hand the emotion that Alarric had experienced. The pendent pierced his skin and unknowingly he began to bleed. A thin red stream trickled out from his fist, down his forearm and dripped off his elbow onto the floor.
Catherine came through the door, dropping the bags in the kitchen as she yelled, "How's it going in there?"
Gabriel opened his bloodshot eyes, blinking away the approaching tears.
She stuck her head into the bathroom. "How's it…" She stopped short when she saw him washing up his arm.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
"Nothing happened, it's fine." He spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Let me see." She said, pulling his hand toward her. He snatched it out of her grasp.
"I said it's fine!" He snapped.
She looked at him, offended by his action. "It was only clogged." He said and handed her the necklace. "I found this in the drain."
He wiped his hands dry and walked out, leaving her to contemplate the necklace. She suddenly felt ill, remembering he had relearned Alarric's ability.
"Gabriel," she followed him into the living room where he was putting his shoes on. "Gabriel, talk to me."
"I don't feel like talking right now." He stood, stuffing his wallet into his back pocket.
"It was just the one time, it didn't mean anything." She said in desperation as he stepped around her. "I didn't know if I was going to ever see you again…"
He grabbed her by her arms and shook her with a jolt. "You really should stop talking, Catherine." He warned her.
Her eyes sparkled with tears. "Please, don't leave me again."
"I'm not leaving you." He said reaching for his keys. "I just need to cool off." And then he left, pulling the door shut hard behind him.
He walked to the little twenty four hour diner a few blocks away. He ordered a strong, black coffee. He knew he was right to leave, he never would have gotten his temper under control if he'd tried to talk with Catherine right then.
He considered how she had looked past his gruesome past and forgave him for the things he had done. He also acknowledged that she was lonely, and aching. She needed someone to fill the void, he got that. But, it still burned him. He would forgive her, he already had. However, he was sure he would not be able to give Edgar the same reprieve.
When he arrived back at Catherine's, the smell of fresh, homemade brownies was heavy in the air. Gabriel had a sweet tooth and brownies were a favorite. She was doing everything she could to alter his mood. The necklace was laying on the kitchen table. She stood with her arms crossed, chewing her bottom lip, waiting for him speak. He picked up the necklace and unclasped it. He draped it around her neck, closed the clasp and lifted her hair out from under the chain.
"What's done is done. It's in the past." He said as he hugged her tight.
Catherine breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry."
"I know."
He let her go and walked over to the brownies that where still cooling in the pan. He cut out a square and picked it up. It was so warm that it was bending in his fingers. "I'm really looking forward to living a normal life." At least, for now anyway. He knew his hunger for power and lust for blood might not allow him very much 'normal'. Only time would tell.
This is not the end of the story but the end of Part 1. I am currently working on the second part. You know Sylar won't let things go that easy. *wink* I hope you enjoyed this first half and everyone have a safe and happy holiday season. I'll see you soon.