A/N: Sorry this took so long! Enjoy and review, people!

Chapter 10- Give Me One Reason

It was three days until Niki received another visit from Gabriel. This time, he was alone. Niki was feeling much better as they had decided to let up on the drugs. She was still getting used to the feeling of not talking to Jessica in her mind. It was silent. Perfect.

Gabriel on the other hand looked exhausted. As if he hadn't gotten any sleep. After his memory spasm Sylar had shown him pictures of more victims. A ruck driver, a security guard… even his own mother. His mother had raised him on good morals. Typical. Poor, but typical. In the end, Sylar took control when he was down. His mother could have helped him. She almost did.

Until Sylar took control. His destruction and rage wreaked havoc… Especially on Gabe's state of mind. He'd been controlling Sylar well, but he was gaining strength with every passing day. The people who were friends with Gabe here were even starting to fear him. Except Niki. She must have had the same problem with Jessica, who'd apparently lost control completely.

"Niki. I have to tell you something," Gabriel said softly, kneeling beside the bed, as if Niki were a priest, not some mother who was having a few issues with her brain. She looked down at him worriedly.

"What's wrong, Gabriel? Tell me. It helps," Niki suggested, reaching down to put a hand on his shoulder. He was still distraught. When she touched him, she realized that he was shaking.

"Sylar's getting stronger. He slips out more often now. Even if I meditate. Nothing's working. Niki, please help me," Gabriel said, looking down at the floor. I slip out? Gabriel, I'm meant to be out. You're in my way.

"Shut up Sylar!" Gabriel tore out of Niki's grip before she could say anything.

"Gabriel. You're stronger than him. I KNOW you can fight him. If I could beat Jessica with a little help, you can defeat Sylar with just as much help.

Gabriel only stared blankly. He leaned against the bed, "I don't feel stronger."

"Neither did I. Gabe… Your other self killed people in your world, right?" Niki asked tentatively. She knew she was standing on unstable ground, metaphorically speaking. Gabriel only nodded in pain, his eyes closed, "Don't you want to- I don't know, find a way to- possibly… fix it?"

Gabriel opened his eyes again. He nodded again and stood up. "I can fix it. I HAVE to fix it." Niki stood up. She'd been growing stronger.

"I believe in you, Gabe. So does Peter." Niki reassured Gabriel. The corners of his mouth twitched. He was smiling.

"Time to go, buddy," Peter told him, appearing out of thin air. Gabriel jumped a little, but Niki smiled calmly, as if she'd known he was there all along. Niki hugged both Gabriel and Peter before they left, and shook her head. Hopefully, Peter was right about Gabriel.

--On the way home

"So- Rowan's leaving for some small town in Pennsylvania for a while," Peter said conversationally. He looked at Gabriel for a reaction.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? I know what her power is like… it's a little scary. You aren't sending her with anyone weak, are you?" Gabriel asked, looking at Peter. Peter laughed, which was a good change for once.

"You're turning into our Gabriel, I swear. That's exactly what he'd say. No, we're sending her with Liz. She's good with Rowan." Peter got off of the elevator they were on and onto Gabe's floor. Gabriel followed, albeit hesitantly. When they reached his door, they were a little surprised to see the door open. Liz was sitting in the living room with Rowan, and they were arguing.

"Rowan, you haven't had anything to eat, are you sure you're not hungry?" Liz asked loudly. Apparently Rowan had been avoiding meals for a while.

"I'm NOT hungry. I TOLD you," Rowan replied bitterly. Her long brown hair was swept behind an ear and she glanced up at Gabe and Peter standing in the doorway.

"Is- everything alright?" Peter asked, glancing at Liz. Liz motioned at Rowan exasperatedly.

"She thinks I'm anorexic." Rowan said, shaking her head. She looked at Gabriel, or, more accurately, his watch, "Hey- did you know your watch is broken?"

Gabe opened his mouth to say something when Rowan jumped up and snatched his watch away. In an instant she had it open and was examining the insides. Like I- Like Sylar did to all those people… Gabriel couldn't help but think. Suddenly he was reminded of his mother again. How she'd tried to make him get a 'real' job.

"Peter… Is my mother alive?"

Peter looked at his friend, confused. Maybe she'd died where he was from, "Yes. Is she dead there?"

Gabriel took his time to look at Peter in the eye, "I killed her. It was an accident. Sylar got control when I wanted to ask her for help…"

Gabe was suddenly aware that everyone was looking at him. He looked yet again at the painting on the wall. Liz was the most disturbed. She tried to say something, but nothing came out.

Finally, she broke the silence, "You killed- you killed your mom?" Liz could only picture her friend, Gabriel, not the murderer that had been described. Another very extended pause followed. Rowan stood up and handed Gabriel his watch back. Gabriel could see his own evil glint in her eye, but then it was gone.

"I'm sorry, Gabe. I know it must have been an accident," Liz recovered by smiling at him and looking away.

"Um- excuse me guys, I have to make a call," Peter announced and exited the room. Peter walked out and made sure no one else could hear him as he pulled out his cellphone. He dialed Mohinder's phone number. The scientist answered sleepily.

"Mohinder, it's Peter. Listen… Gabe said he's worried about Rowan going on that trip," Peter explained.

"And? If it's important, tell me," Mohinder replied.

"Well, it's just- I caught one of Rowan's thoughts. I think she might be plotting to hurt someone. Gabriel said her ability is the one he had, the one that made Sylar powerful. I think maybe she might- kill Liz."

"Kill Liz? Well, we need to send someone strong enough to stop her, then. What do you propose we do?"

"I have an idea…" Peter said, contemplatively.