(11) The Hiding Game

As summer came ever closer, Noah was seriously considering how to broach the subject of getting his own phone for his birthday to keep contact with Jason while he was in America. He had avoided any more talk about America or Mexico & hadn't seen his father go through any more episodes, as Noah silently referred to the random night visits to the garage.

An opportunity presented itself when Sylar asked Noah what he wanted for his next birthday. Noah hesitated before answering, "A phone. Like everyone else at school has." He almost mentioned wanting to keep in touch with Jason but that was too close to the topic of America.

"I suppose we could do that," Sylar said. "It's been a while since we've had any type of device for you & it can help with school."

Noah just stood there & gaped for a full minute. That had been easy, too easy. He didn't know that his father could block anything he didn't want Noah seeing. "Really? I honestly thought you'd be mad about it or something."

Sylar stared for a long moment before turning away & scoffing under breath, "Teenagers." He put two plates on the table, patted Aviv's head, then sat down with Noah. "So you have a girlfriend now?"

"Dad."

"Well, you want a phone," Sylar smiled, teasingly. "Clearly you want some 'sexting' time."

"Aren't parents supposed to be worried about their kids having sex?"

"Oh I'm very worried," Sylar was still picking on him. "Why do you think I'm asking?" He took a bite before adding, "So who is she?"

Noah rolled his eyes shut. "I just want a phone like a normal person. There's no girl."

"Oh sorry," Sylar said. "I meant boyfriend then."

"Dad?" Noah sat back in his chair. "Am I getting a phone for my birthday or not?"

"If I told you it wouldn't be much of a surprise now would it?"

Noah groaned. "I will never be a parent. I can NOT be this annoying!"

Sylar laughed for a long moment before saying, "Oh yes you are. Double! TRIPLE even." Noah poked at his food, sulking while his father laughed at him some more. When he had finally calmed down, he said, "You are so easy. Just so easy. So what do you want the phone for?"

"To look up the nearest clinic where I can get sterilized," Noah snarled through gritted teeth, sending his father into another laughing fit.

"You actually can't do that," Sylar said at last.

"Uh, once I'm eighteen, I'm pretty sure I can do whatever I want with my own body," Noah pointed out. "You wouldn't allow it?"

"Noah, you're talking to someone who let you paint your nails when you saw a girl do that, remember?" Sylar pointed out. "You can be gay or transgender or whatever. It doesn't matter to me. But you can't get a vasectomy."

"So you'd support me in anything but that?"

"It's not me, it's your ability," Sylar said. "You'd be healed before you got off the table."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Noah gasped. "You tried to get a vasectomy? Whoa!"

"No."

"Then how would you know?"

"It wasn't by choice."

"What?"

"When I was younger I got into fights a lot with this one guy," Sylar began. "One of the last times involved a nail gun. Third nail turned me into a eunuch for a moment but I was able to walk away from that fight since I healed."

"Who in the hell?" Noah was gaping once more.

"Oh just some dumbass kid I used to know," Sylar shrugged.

"Why would anyone think to do that?"

"Because he's a freaking idiot," Sylar said. "We never got along & if I ever see him again, I'll kill him." Noah laughed, not realizing Sylar was serious. "But anyway," Sylar went on nonchalantly. "Case in point, it won't work." He then smiled slyly. "So you know what that means, right?"

"Can't talk about it 'cause I have to keep my ability a secret?"

"That too," Sylar was still smirking. "It also means don't be silly & wrap your willy."

"DAD!" Noah exclaimed. "Oh I hate you!"

Sylar almost died form laughing so much. When he finally caught his breath, he went on, ignoring Noah's glare. "There's a few things that won't work on you now because of the healing."

"Like what?" Noah demanded with gritted teeth.

Sylar looked Noah over. "Not to give you any ideas but, drugs & alcohol won't work on you."

"They won't?"

"Sorry. I know it's like ninety percent of the whole college experience but, for you, well you'll just have to find some other way of having fun. On the other hand, you can out-drink all your friends yet still be the designated driver."

"What about piercings?"

"That would work," Sylar thought of Claire for a moment, often having earrings. "You have the stud through the wound & it has to stay there while things heal. You might have to leave it in longer than others, but once the scar takes over, it should be fine."

"Can I donate an organ & then do it again for the same organ?"

"Yeah, but I wouldn't recommend it," Sylar replied. "People would notice your healing. This is one main reason why we can't allow others to know about you. They could keep you trapped in a room for nothing other than regenerative organ donation."

Noah hesitated before saying, "I think Jason suspects something." Sylar didn't answer so Noah went further. "I mean, they were all there when it happened. Jason knows I died. Yet here I am."

"Noah."

"We've known them our whole lives," Noah continued. "And now that Jason's in my school, in some of the same classes as me, he will notice a lot more. If we told him, we could also tell him to not say anything instead of him finding out some other way & then randomly mentioning it & getting it exposed."

"You really care a lot about Jason, don't you?"

"Sure, he's my best friend."

"Could be more than that."

"Here we go again," Noah moaned.

"Your mother played at lesbianism in college," Sylar said. "You get the gay gene from her."

"My mom was a lesbian?" Noah gasped. "How did she end up with you, then?"

"College girls experiment," Sylar shrugged. "A lot. I'd say she was curious mostly, or perhaps bisexual. Anyway, we're born the way we're born so I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up in a similar way."

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

"No, not yet."

"You have someone in mind?"

"No," Sylar played with his gold band, twisting it around his finger a few times. "The problem is, everyone is mortal. If I get attached to someone, they eventually get old while I am still the same, then they die. You are already stuck on that path with Jason. He is a good friend, maybe end up being a lover but in the end, he is going to get old & die."

"During that time, he will notice I won't age much," Noah pointed out. "I really think I should tell him."

Sylar sighed heavily. Fact was, Noah was right. Unless they moved away & broke off all contact with the Gatineau family, they would eventually figure it out. There was no other place to go to anyway. Leaving would risk exposing Noah to his past life of a serial killer. Besides that, Israel was one of the best countries for technology & maybe some day in a millennia or two, they would know how to stop an exploding planet. It was his only chance to save Claire.

Then there was the matter of the Kabbalah. He had others who knew about him, yet accepted him. Just like how Claire was allowed to have Gretchen. Noah had no one yet for he was not old enough to enter the inner ranks & Sylar dreaded the day that Noah could for that would be another risk of exposure to his dark past. Jason didn't know about that past. Jason was all Noah had at the moment besides Sylar.

"Don't talk about it at school," Sylar began. With a dejected look, Noah sat back. "If you want to talk to Jason about it, then it should be here."

"Really?"

"Yes, but only here," Sylar reiterated. "Not at school!"

"Thanks Dad!" Noah jumped from his chair & ran out of the dining room.

"Wa—Noah? Where are you going?"

"To call Jason."

"But you haven't finished eating."

"I will after."

"Noah." Sylar sighed, giving up. "Oh no Aviv, come on. Oh forget it." Aviv had jumped into Noah's chair & took over, finishing what was left.

Despite his eagerness, Noah had to wait three days before he could finally tell Jason anything when they were able to get together early on Friday. Sylar set the boys up on the back porch with a light lunch & left them to it. Aviv ran around the yard a few times before sitting in front of Noah, looking up expectantly. Noah sat on the top step beside Jason & pulled the dog into his lap.

"So, what's going on?" Jason asked. "You've been jumping around all week at school."

"We can't talk about this at school," said Noah. "Dad said I could tell you what happened when I got run over. Here." He handed over his steak knife from his plate. "It's easier if I just show you first, then explain afterwards."

"Oh ... kay," Jason gingerly took the knife. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

Noah put has hand flat on the step between them, palm up. "Stab me."

"What?" Jason laughed nervously.

"Go on," Noah insisted. "Drop it right down point first into my hand."

"I am not going to do that!"

"Just do it."

"No! You're an idiot. I'm not going to hurt you."

"You're right. You won't. Now try to stick it in me. Please?"

"Oh I'll stick it in you alright. Bend over!" Jason snarled.

"Sure," Noah put Aviv aside & started to get up.

"OH MY GOSH! What are you doing?" Jason pulled Noah back down. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"

"Yes," Noah nodded, putting his hand back down. "Go on. Just plunge it in. I can't get hurt. That's what I'm trying to tell you. Try it."

"If you—I mean, you better be telling me the truth. I ... I really do not feel comfortable with this." Jason watched Noah laugh at him before slowly putting the point of the knife onto Noah's palm.

"Faster!" Noah shouted at him so loudly, Jason was startled & shoved the knife in quickly. Noah screamed in pain. Aviv yipped & ran to the opposite end of the yard.

"What? What happened?" Jason gasped. Noah started laughing as he pulled the knife out & held out his palm, perfectly fine. "I thought I—Ugh! I hate you some times." Noah was still laughing. "Seriously. What just happened?"

"Ohhh I got you good!" Noah gasped for air.

"I'm going to murder you if you don't shut up & explain what happened?"

Noah finally settled down. "You can't. I can't get hurt. I can't die."

"Everyone dies."

"Yeah, no." Noah watched Aviv for a moment before explaining. "So it looks like I got this thing from my Dad. I don't even know how old he is but you've seen him. Never changed. No gray hairs. No wrinkles. He doesn't age. I grow up but once I'm an adult my body will just constantly replace itself. Mom had an ability too, but he doesn't like talking about her yet so I don't know what it is." He looked Jason over, waiting for some response. "Are you ok? Why are you looking at me weird?"

"Stuff like this," Jason began slowly. "Abilities. Undying. It actually explains a lot of stuff in the Torah, like Elijah never dies."

"Yes, yeah that's it," Noah agreed. "Dad said abilities have been around for many ages."

"Even in the Christian bible," Jason went on. "That radical rabbi they like. Maybe he had abilities, too."

"Probably," Noah shrugged.

"You said your Dad has more than one ability," Jason thought for a moment. "You & I both like weird things that happen, like aliens. I got you into that."

"You think my Dad's an alien?"

"Hey, that might have something to do with it," Jason said. "But I was going to say, there was some other stuff I follow online. There's stuff going on in America."

"Shh!" Noah glanced around. "Keep it down. I don't mention America around Dad any more. It seems to upset him."

Jason took out his phone. "I'll just show you." He began searching for a few moments. "Someone caught this on film somewhere in California. Here look." They watched in silence for about a minute of a video of a man who seemed to be defending himself by throwing jets of ice from his hands. He had a scar across his face. The video ended when he ran out of sight around the corner with a smaller form chasing after him.

Noah stared. "Dad's right! He told me he doesn't want me in America because it's dangerous for people with abilities. That poor guy is being hunted it seems. Wonder who he is?"

"No idea," Jason shrugged. "There are other videos similar to that, with people doing weird things."

"How did you get those videos? Do you know someone else with an ability?"

"Not that I know of," Jason said. "Just go on YouTube."

"YouTube?"

"Yeah, YouTube."

"What's that?"

Jason stared at him. "You don't know what YouTube is?"

"Never heard of it."

Jason mouthed the word ok before saying, "Look, when you get your phone, I can set you up with that."

"Alright," Noah stood up. "Are we going to be ok?"

"Oh yeah," Jason answered. "It's a bit weird but like I said, it certainly explains a lot of stuff."

"We can never mention this at school or anywhere else," Noah said.

"Understandable," Jason replied. "I don't want you to end up like that guy we just saw. Your secret's safe with me." He took hold of Noah's hand for a moment. Aviv sat in front of them, looking up before barking loudly.

Noah let go of Jason's hand. "Aviv, what are you yapping at?" Aviv yipped again as Noah picked him up.

"A car's coming up the driveway," Jason pointed out. "Probably Mom. I better get going before Sabbath starts."

Noah opened the door & carried Aviv inside. "I tried talking my Dad into letting me go to Utah with you this summer, but he won't let me. But, ya know, I kind of understand why now."

"I've noticed he is quite protective of you, even now that we're older," Jason remarked. "I like your Dad, but I was beginning to think he was overbearing, too much. But if you have some powers like what's going on in America, he probably just doesn't want you getting kidnapped or something."

"I want to go to America, Jason," Noah replied softly. "I just need to know more first. I will find a way some day."

Both entered the front parlor where they heard voices. Sylar & Tirzah were talking together, waiting for Jason to appear. Sylar looked straight at Noah the moment he entered, silently appraising him. Jason patted Aviv's head before heading for his mother.

"There you are," Tirzah passed a hand through her son's hair, ignoring the glare. "Come on! It's getting late. We go straight to the synagogue."

Sylar waited until the car was back on the main road before going serious as he closed the door. "So," he rounded on Noah. "How did that go?"

"He's ok with it," Noah started. "Stuff like this even shows up in his Torah. Like Elijah."

"Abilities have been around for a long time," Sylar headed to the kitchen & began putting dishes away.

Noah hesitated for a moment before adding, "Dad, I can see why you don't want me in America now."

"Good," Sylar picked up a plate from the table.

"Literally see it," Noah said. He explained the video Jason showed him, not mentioning it was from America. "Some guy with a scar," he finished. Sylar dropped the plate. It shattered on the floor. "Uh, Dad?"

Sylar attempted to physically pick up a broken piece, only to nearly slice his finger off. He jumped up quickly, swearing loudly as he sucked on the cut before it healed. "Dammit," He snarled under breath, using his force power to just pick up all the pieces at once. He flung them forward towards the garbage can where half of them missed going in as Sylar was too preoccupied to think clearly. He took his glasses off for a moment & rubbed his brow.

"Dad?"

"WHAT?" Sylar snapped before thinking. Noah jumped & took a step back. Sylar sighed heavily. "Wait. I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you. Mind's elsewhere. Never mind." He put his glasses on again. "See? All better."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," Sylar groaned. "Rough day in the Kabbalah. Shlomo ... he, well, he won't be with us much longer."

"Oh," Noah watched his father make another attempt at what was left of the broken plate. Once he managed to get rid of it, Sylar turned to the sink, his back to his son. He glared out the window. He knew exactly who that scar-faced man was: his most hated enemy in his life. Noah moved closer. "Dad, are you sure there is nothing we can do with our healing power?"

"No Noah, it won't work," Sylar answered, grateful for the small distraction. "Regen makes cells grow & regenerate at a fast past. It would just make his tumor swell & his death will be even more painful than what it is now."

"How much time does he have left?"

"Probably just a couple of months," Sylar sighed. "He is a stubborn old man. He won't die easily."

Noah eventually went outside to play with Aviv, leaving Sylar alone in the house. Sylar went to his bedroom & closed the door. He put the glasses aside on the nightstand, flipped himself onto the bed & glared at the ceiling for a few moments before using his phone to search for that video & watched it. "So Peter, I'm not the only one you've pissed off." He watched it again, almost delighted that someone out there was causing Peter problems. Then suddenly, he became more interested in the second person that showed up for a moment in the end. He could only see the back. Sylar paused on the scene & stared at it. A feminine form with dark hair. He sat bolt right up. "It can't be!" But there was no denying it. He knew her shape, having been intimate with her for over two years. "Claire, what the hell are you doing?" He put the phone aside. What went wrong between Peter & Claire? She had no business trying to kill Peter, either. Peter was his to kill, no one else's.

Sylar stared at the phone for a long moment before getting up to pace around. For the first time in years, he suddenly wanted to go back. He wanted to know what had happened. He wanted to kill Peter & before somebody else stole his prize. He needed blood again. He stared out the window towards the Mediterranean for almost half an hour before walking back to the nightstand. He looked at the phone, but then his eyes drifted sideways to a photo of Noah & Aviv. The whole reason for leaving that life behind was to give Noah a better one, away from the fighting, away from the Company & most importantly, away from Claire who wouldn't have Noah for several millennia from now. "Sorry Claire," Sylar picked up his phone & erased the video from his search. "But I can't help you." He put the glasses back on & then pocketed the phone, turning his back once more on the old life as he headed back downstairs.

Though he didn't watch it again, that video was often on Sylar's mind. He tried focusing on other things. Noah's birthday was in a few days & Sylar worked on the new phone, making sure he blocked everything he didn't want Noah seeing, including YouTube. But when he was alone, usually at night after Noah had gone to bed, he found he couldn't stop thinking of her. What had happened to her?

Noah couldn't wait to show off his very own phone & before long, he had exchanged numbers with Jason while at school so they could keep in touch when Jason went to America. But soon Noah realized that his phone wasn't quite the same. Jason had gone to YouTube on his own phone & expected Noah to do the same so they could look at videos. Noah's phone wouldn't open the app. however.

Jason tried it as well but eventually handed it back. "Noah, who gave you this thing?"

"Who do you think? My Dad."

"That's what I was afraid of," Jason sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "Noah, I think your Dad did something to it."

"Like what?"

"You know how a TV can have a parental control on it?"

"Yeah, you can block channels under a password so kids won't see something they shouldn't."

"I think your Dad did something like that with your phone. YouTube is blocked & I can't undo it. I don't know his password."

"Dad tampered with my phone?" Noah gasped.

"I think so," Jason held up his own phone again. "Let's test that theory. Are you on facebook? I want to add you."

"Never heard of that."

"Of course you didn't," Jason replied, not surprised. "I bet it's blocked on your phone." He took Noah's back but after a few minutes, he gave up. "As I thought."

"Why would he do that?" Noah asked, slightly confused. "He has no right. Does he?"

Jason looked him over. "Noah, you're under age. A minor. So yes he does. I get it. You saw what's happening in America with powers. He just doesn't want you mixed up with that."

"I guess so," Noah replied dejectedly. "But I'm starting to realize that my life is far more sheltered & controlled than I thought. I'm older now & I want to know what's out there before I venture anywhere. Wouldn't it be better for me to able to study stuff like this, first?"

"I have an idea," Jason began. "We should go to the library after school."

Once classes were done for the day, the two of them headed for the school library which would stay open for a while longer. Jason sat down at one of the computers & brought up the facebook page. He moved his chair over so Noah could sit down next to him. "Let's get you set up."

It took a bit longer than that for Noah needed an email address first. Jason had the clever idea of setting that up on Noah's phone so they could find one that wasn't blocked. That part was relatively easily for it didn't seem like any email website had been blocked. Then they turned to the computer & Jason helped Noah set up a facebook account & added him.

"Now I can send you some video's," Jason began. "You will just have to watch them elsewhere but at least you will have them. What?" Noah was grinning like an idiot. "What are you scheming?"

Noah looked Jason in the eye. "Let's see if Dad's on facebook."

Jason burst out laughing, having to smother it in his arm so he wouldn't disturb the library. "I like how you think. If he is, you will have to block him before he sees you on this."

"Noah?"

Jason & Noah both gasped sharply. Jason closed off the page without signing off, planning to do that later.

"Over here, Dad," Noah got up from his chair.

"I've been waiting outside for you for almost fifteen minutes," Sylar came over. He cast a slightly worried look over the computer. "What are you guys doing?"

"Jason wanted to show me a video."

Sylar eyed Noah. He didn't lie but something was off. "Really? A video of what?"

"I don't know, actually," Noah shrugged. "You interrupted us."

"Just some aliens & stuff like that," Jason shrugged it off.

Sylar looked between the two. Noah was innocent but Jason had lied. "I see. Well, there's no time for that now. Jason, your Mom's been looking for you as well."

"Oh," Jason got up quickly. "Right. I forgot. See you tomorrow, Noah."

It was a silent walk to the car. Noah felt guilty but couldn't understand why what he did was wrong. They both got into the car & Sylar drove out into the highway. Noah still wasn't speaking so Sylar asked, "So, what was that video really going to be about?"

"I don't know," Noah repeated. "I didn't get a chance since you showed up."

While stopped at a light, Sylar looked at Noah & smiled quickly. Noah still wasn't lying, it seemed. "Perhaps I showed up just on time, then," Sylar said. "Jason lied about that video."

"How would you know?"

"It's one of my abilities to detect lies."

"That explains a lot," Noah grumbled. "Why would he do that?"

"Why indeed," Sylar reiterated. "I don't want you watching any videos from him."

"Why? Worried it might be porn?"

"Now those are some videos you probably should watch," Sylar laughed. "Maybe it would help to get your ass moving in on some lovely females."

"Dad."

"Or males."

"DAD!"

Sylar pulled over so he could laugh without having to worry about driving safety. "One of these days, boy." He moved back onto the road.

"Dad, sometimes, just sometimes now, I absolutely hate you," Noah glared. "You know that, right?"

"Good," Sylar was still snickering. Noah rolled his eyes so hard, he nearly saw the back of his head.

For a while, the matter was dropped. Neither Jason or Noah dared go back to the library for a while in fear of getting caught again. Jason eventually came up with the idea that they should wait until he had left for America. Then Noah could go alone to the library in the city to watch any videos. It might not be as suspicious-looking that way.

Noah thought it might be better that way but worried about not having someone to look out for him while he was on a computer. Furthermore, if he went to the large library in the city, it was only for half an hour at a time & usually Sylar was nearby. Noah only went once but didn't dare go near a computer with his father around. He only used the books related to school topics in preparation for the next grade. He had to come up with a way to get rid of his father but couldn't see any possibility.

One day while they were in Haifa, Noah couldn't believe his luck when his father received a call from someone of the Kabbalah & had to leave Noah for a while. He went straight to the library & put his phone on the side close to the computer. His father had said he would call him when he could pick him up to go home, so that took care of having to look over his shoulder all the time. For the first time in his life, Noah checked his facebook page to find several links Jason had left him of various people around the world with abilities.

Sylar drove to the Gordon Estate. It was only about half an hour away from where Noah was. Shlomo's home nurse was waiting by the door & led him upstairs. The door to Shlomo's room opened & Ariel came out, carrying a folder in her arms. She almost glared at Sylar before hanging her head & hurrying downstairs.

"My work is done here," the nurse said. "He wants to speak to you alone." She turned & followed Ariel.

Sylar slowly entered Shlomo's bedroom to find the old rabbi lying in bed, looking weaker than ever. He closed the door behind him as he approached. "That thing's finally getting to you, isn't it?"

Shlomo opened his eyes & glanced around. "Gabriel, I was beginning to think you would be too late."

"I almost wondered if I'd be allowed in," Sylar said. "Ariel didn't look too happy. But I guess she has no reason to be."

"She has a particular reason for being mad at the moment," Shlomo pushed himself up a bit. He started coughing. Sylar helped him to lay back against the pillows. "She's a good woman," Shlomo went on after a moment, looking Sylar over. "I need you to do something for me but you're not going to like it."

They stared at each other for a long moment before Sylar stepped back a few times. "No. I don't."

"Gabriel, I'm in a lot of pain & I'm pretty much dead, anyway," Shlomo began. "Now I want to talk to you about something. What you saw in the future, you want to fix that, but if you do it wrong, you could erase your whole life here & maybe even Noah's."

"How so?"

"What made you come back here with Noah?" Shlomo said.

"I saw Earth start to explode. Noah couldn't breathe."

"Exactly," Shlomo said. "You saw it happen. That means you have to let it start to drive your futuristic self back here. Keep the timeline straight."

"But I need to save Claire."

"You need to figure out how to keep the pieces of the planet together," Shlomo said. "Let it start to happen & then work on what will happen next or you will never see your Claire again. The worst power any one could have is probably time travel. Start blindly moving around & you could step on things ought not to be stepped on."

"The butterflies," Sylar shook his head. "Didn't think about those."

"Yes, the butterflies," Shlomo agreed.

"You're right, five millennia is not a lot of time," Sylar said.

"No, it isn't," Shlomo agreed. "Now you have one of the best powers to help you decipher the possible outcomes, but it isn't enough to just envision it."

"I'd hardly call the Aptitude the best," Sylar said.

"The way you use it now is the way it should have always been," Shlomo said. "Now, I have a few abilities that can help you. I want you to take them."

"Fine," Sylar stepped upto the bed once more. "Give me your hand. I can copy them now like how Peter does it."

"Yes but you understand better if you look at them first," Shlomo said.

Sylar turned away. "I can not kill you for your powers! You said I would never kill for abilities again, yet you ask me this?"

"You are not murdering me," Shlomo said. "You are just putting me out of my misery. The abilities are a gift to you. A bonus."

"Rabbi!"

"Gabriel, even if I didn't die of cancer, I will die within a few years anyway," Shlomo said. "I will not be there with you five thousand years from now. Just you & your son. Hopefully, Claire & Peter."

"Or just Claire," Sylar muttered.

"Gabriel?" Shlomo paused before saying. "You need Peter. He is part of the solution."

"I want that man dead!"

"Then you sentence your wife to die!" Shlomo shot back. "Your son. Yourself."

Sylar pulled away. "I can not believe what I am hearing!"

"You will when you take my abilities."

"I don't want them."

"Oh you Grays are so bloody stubborn!" Shlomo snapped. "Get over here." He yanked Sylar back, using his own ability. "Do you want your wife back or not?"

"Of course, I do."

"Then let me help you." Shlomo turned away to cough some more. "Now," He gasped in a breath. "You take my powers, then go straight to Ariel. This is all in my will. She has the papers. You will not be branded a murderer for this request. Let Ariel help you."

"What if I get stuck with a lust for blood again?" Sylar asked. "I could kill our whole clan."

"You won't," Shlomo answered. "I know. It's one of my abilities. One you desperately need. Gabriel, you have to trust me. Now, use that hypnosis ability on me to put me to sleep & then take what you need. Then let Ariel take care of you."

By now, Sylar was sitting on the edge of the bed, resting his forehead in one hand. He moved only his eyes to look at the old rabbi, sensing a double meaning. "Yet everyone calls me insane," He finally whispered.

"I think it's a mimic problem," Shlomo managed a short laugh. "We're all crazy to some degree. All these powers banging around in our heads."

"Now is not the time for jokes," Sylar muttered, managing a small smile in spite of himself.

"Or maybe it's the best time," Shlomo corrected as he lay back for the last time. "If anyone can save this planet, it will be the four of you."

Sylar clasped Shlomo's hand. "Good bye, old friend." He stood back & used the hypnosis ability he had taken from the nightstalker the day they figured out that the beasts were human. Shlomo fell into a deep sleep, never to wake up again. Sylar hesitated a moment, watching the slow breathing, hearing the heart he was about to stop. He raised a hand & began cutting through the forehead. He quickly touched the brain, taking every ability a moment before the old rabbi breathed his last. He slowly stood up & stepped away from the body, then looked around the room. He ended up seeing himself in a long mirror on the opposite wall. He was surprised to see that he still wore his glasses.

Sylar used force to get the door open & slowly went down to the parlor where Ariel was waiting. She saw him enter, looked down at his hands to see blood on his fingers & turned away from him for a moment.

"Apparently, he wanted me to do this."

"I know," Ariel said. "I hate him for putting you in that position again & I hate you for doing it."

"Ariel, I'm sorry I—"

"Don't be," Ariel cut him off. "I wish it didn't have to be this way but it's what he wanted. I'm just glad he isn't in pain any more."

Sylar moved into the kitchen to wash his hands. "First time I kill someone without enjoying it."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Ariel stated.

"I suppose so."

Ariel passed him a hand towel to dry off. "You wanted to kill me once." Sylar froze mid-drying of his hands & stared at her. She just laughed. "Shlomo told me."

"Of course, he did," Sylar groaned.

"You've left that old life far behind," Ariel went on. "No one from America here to mess you up."

"I still want to kill Peter," Sylar said. "But regrettably, I need him alive for later."

"I've read about you & Petrelli," Ariel admitted. "You two were constantly fighting & you killed his brother."

"Yeah," Sylar sighed. "Wrong Petrelli. Really wish it was Peter this whole time & now I'm going to be stuck with him."

Ariel looked him over. "You really hate him that much?"

Sylar put the towel aside & followed her back into the parlor. "I guess I didn't leave all of it behind."

As they sat down across from each other in armchairs, Ariel asked, "So why do you need him alive then?"

"Something to do with the future," Sylar answered. "Apparently he is going to help me keep this planet together five thousand years from now."

Ariel looked away & whispered, "To be able to live so long." She sighed & looked up at Sylar. "You think you can keep up the hate for so long?"

"The hate goes both ways," Sylar began. "I murdered his brother. I don't see how he could ever get over that."

"If you didn't murder his brother, wouldn't he still have died eventually, anyway?"

"Well, yes. All Nathan could do was fly. He wasn't a mimic like Peter or I am."

"So one way or the other, Peter would have to deal with his brother dying," Ariel said. "Sooner or later, he will have to let it go."

"That's what I told Claire but she threw it back in my face," Sylar said. "I think only my son & I seem to realize what it means to have the power of Regen."

"She's that cheerleader you went after, right?"

"Yes. She hates me right now & I don't blame her" Sylar replied.

"Do you think that she will get over it some day?"

"She's going to be my wife in five thousand years, so yes."

Ariel stared at him. "THAT'S HER?"

"She's immortal like I am," Sylar shrugged. "I guess she just has to learn that the hard way."

"Time travel is a very fickle power," Ariel mused. "You're playing with fire."

"Why do you think I'm hiding out here in Israel, away from them all?"

"Shlomo predicted you would end up here a long time ago," said Ariel. "Just after you disappeared from the Kirby Plaza. Everyone thought you were dead, except him. All he said was that you would come here, someday. A lot of us expected you to come right here at that moment, but you didn't."

"I have that ability now," Sylar said. "Seeing various major events of the future. It only picks up large events that would affect a lot of people but doesn't say when such things will happen, just that they will."

Ariel looked down at the folder in her hands for a moment, then held it out. "This is for you. It's from him."

Sylar opened it to find Shlomo's will & two letters, one for the court & one for Sylar. He laid the will aside & skimmed through the letter for the court. "This states that his death was upon request, not a murder & there are more details in his will about it."

"He made sure you will stay safe," Ariel said.

"I know," Sylar pocketed his own letter for later & took up the will. He read through it in silence before handing it back to Ariel. "Did I read that right?" He asked in a shocked whisper.

Ariel read it over. "He wants you to take his place as leader of our group. He thinks one who can mimic powers like he did would do well."

"Fine, but I'm not religious!" Sylar exclaimed. "He better not expect me to lead everyone in prayer for Shabbot or whatever."

Ariel burst out laughing for a full minute. "It isn't that bad!" She finally said. "I'm pretty sure we can handle that without you, but you are welcome to join of course."

"No, thank you."

Ariel shook her head at him. "You don't need that to take care of the school."

"Good," Sylar said. "I can't even do this very well anyway." He held up both hands & tried to spread his fingers for the Aaronic blessing. "Oh, well I can sort of do it on one hand."

"That's ok, I can just call you Spock," Ariel teased, earning a glare. "Where do you think Leonard Nimoy got it from?"

"Don't you dare call me Spock or I will kill you," Sylar tried to threaten but both ended up laughing.

"You kind of look like him," Ariel gasped for air.

"Ok, now you're pushing it," Sylar shook his head, wiping his eyes. "If I look like Spock then you look like Uhura."

"Oh please! My hair is way too thick for that."

"That's easily fixable," Sylar put the will & court letter back in the folder. He looked down the hall towards the stairs. "Jews want to be buried within twenty four hours of dying, right?"

Ariel sighed heavily. "It's our tradition. His son is on the way to take care of him & the rest of the family is preparing the funeral arrangements. We can go to that later today."

"I will leave Noah with Tirzah for the night perhaps," Sylar pulled out his phone. After a few moments, he hung up. "She is picking him up."

Both glanced around as someone entered the house. The newcomer looked the pair over before locking eyes with Sylar. "I know who you are. My father told me all about you." Sylar cast a nervous look towards Ariel. "America is in an uproar looking for you," the man went on. "You would do well to stay away from that place."

"I have no intention of going back," Sylar replied.

"Good," the man said. "Ever since that girl jumped off the Ferris wheel several years ago, the whole country seems to have gone crazy with what they call abilities."

"Girl?" Sylar whispered mostly to himself, having an odd feeling of who she might be. Who else could survive jumping off such a device?

"If only they kept their magic hidden like what we do here in Israel," the man went on. "The Kabbalah really is the only right way to handle such power." He paused for a moment. "I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself." He came forward, hand held out. "David Gordon."

"I figured you were his son," Sylar shook hands for a moment. "Did this girl you mention happen to be blonde & small?"

"Why, yes."

"Great," Sylar grumbled. "Of all people, I didn't think it would be her who would betray people with abilities, especially concerning who her father is. I doubt Noah Bennet is liking this."

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it," David shrugged. "Besides, not our country, not our problem. My Dad spoke very highly of you by the way, despite your history. He said you made a complete turn around."

"I hope so," Sylar said solemnly. "I have a son to worry about." He looked David over. "You don't have an ability, yet you know about them?"

"All Jews know about the Kabbalah," David laughed. "It's integral to our faith & for those capable of the mysticism that some call magic or abilities, it has been a place of refuge. We don't hide from each other, just from outsiders. If you aren't Jewish, you most likely won't be able to learn much unless you have an ability. You're proof of that."

"I see."

"Well," David moved towards the stairs. "I should take care of my father now. Will I see either of you later this afternoon?"

"Yes, we'll be there," Ariel answered. After David went upstairs, followed by two others, Ariel turned to Sylar. "Do you want to go out for something to eat for now?"

Sylar kept his eyes on the stairs but only heard low voices talking. They weren't even shocked at what was waiting for them in that bedroom. Shlomo really had explained all. He finally directed his attention to Ariel. "Alright. Sounds like a good idea."

That excursion extended out for the entire day. They were soon wandering around Haifa after eating a light lunch. Sylar was rather subdued. He had just killed again after many years of being clean, but it wasn't the same as a murder or getting rid of nightstalkers. He & Ariel eventually got some ice cream for dessert from a shoppe they passed on their way down another street. Sylar watched the people go by, sensing several with abilities. A few he recognized from his group of the Kabbalah. But one thing was missing this time. A need for blood. He leaned against a lamp post while looking out over a parking lot.

"I used to do this all the time in New York," He suddenly said. "Tracking others down like animals. A lot of people died." He finished his ice cream before saying, "It's been a very long time since I killed anyone."

"How are you feeling now?"

"Old & tired despite the Regen."

"I hate that he asked you to finish him."

"He trusted me," Sylar said. "Why though, I will never know." He turned away from the street to look Ariel in the eye. "What about you? He seemed rather close to you as well. Like the two of us were his favorites."

"He was my grandfather."

Sylar stared at her. "I didn't know that, which is unusual for me."

"Most people don't know," Ariel said. "He had a daughter before his son. He named her Hadassah, Queen Esther's Hebrew name. She got pregnant with me while in school. Fifteen at the time. When I was about ten, she went to Australia but then, we never saw her again. Completely disappeared. Shlomo always suspected foul play so he sent me away to a boarding school so as not to be associated with his family in case some one would come after me. He was always worried I would be a target of whatever happened."

"Then I showed up all these years later," Sylar said.

"He liked you," Ariel said. "I think he knew he would ask you to do this for him when he first started seeing you with that ability of his."

"I just killed your grandfather, today," Sylar began. "Why are you here with me? You're hanging around with the most dangerous person in the world right now."

"You constantly think of the people your power killed, but do you never think of one man who also got dragged down & had his life destroyed when that thing showed up? Gabriel Gray is a victim as well," Ariel put a hand on his arm for a moment. "You are not that New York stalker any more, Gabriel. You have your life back again. A son now."

"Yet at the same time my life is in about five thousand pieces," Sylar countered. "I have a very long wait before I can approach my wife again. Try that now, she might actually succeed in killing me." He had to laugh in spite of it all. "Ohh how she hates me right now."

"Yeah, I can imagine why now that I know who she is," Ariel laughed.

"That poor teenage girl is probably more messed up than I am," Sylar said. "Most of that being my fault." He paused before adding, "I guess she isn't a teenager any more. She was already fifteen when I took her power. Yeah, she must be almost thirty years old now."

"She'll be much older some day for you," Ariel said.

"That's a whole other lifetime ahead." Sylar checked his phone for the time. "We should get going. The funeral will start soon."

It was strange not only going to a funeral but also for someone that he had literally just killed. Stranger still was the fact that those who knew him seemed to accept that he was there. Sylar was left alone, but for Ariel close to him, for the most part with receiving not much more than a passing glance. He was just another person at the ceremony.

Once over, Ariel returned to Jerusalem. Sylar went home in the evening & was at last able to read the letter left to him. Aviv jumped into his lap the moment he sat down so Sylar used the dog's head as a table to put the letter on for reading.