Pairing: Claire/Sylar

Theme: Family

Dimension: 5 Years Gone verse

Word Count:1,259

Family

The baby was screaming so loudly that Sylar believed his eardrums were about to burst. He closed his eyes and breathed deep, concentrating on keeping himself under control.

"You're the only person we can trust to keep the child, Gabriel." Angela Petrelli stood before him, holding the baby as if he wasn't making a noise. Her eyes were cold as they surveyed the most dangerous agent in the Company. He was the perfect candidate to raise her grandchild, for not only was he powerful, but he was the baby's father.

"I'm not good with kids. I don't want it." The older woman rolled her eyes at the perturbed tone.

"You've no choice, Gabriel. Noah was certain that only you could handle my grandson, and I believe you were entrusted with all that was his upon his death. Take the child." She gently placed the squirming, squalling infant into his father's arms. Sylar grunted as the weight of the fragile being settled into him. He took a moment to properly arrange the boy before glaring at Angela with hatred.

"What about Claire?" The older woman scoffed.

"She is in no condition to take him. She refused to even look at him after the birth, and you know what would happen if you reject him as well." Sylar knew, of course. The baby would be sent away to a foster family, and when he was old enough he would be brainwashed and settled into a role of a master bagger and tagger. The child's tears and screams receded as soon as he realized who was holding him. His light green eyes peered up into the wide brown of Sylar's. He looked like Sylar, but the smile was all Claire. The man felt a pang in his chest as the smile turned into gentle cooing and the tiny hands reached for his stubbled chin.

Angela watched all of this was a sad smile, knowing that he vision had not been wrong. This was one child Arthur would never be able to get his hands on. Her granddaughter would need time to break from the rigid training that had been drilled into her head. She would need to find solace in the man she detested most. Angela sighed and pulled on her coat.

"His things are in the room next to yours, Gabriel. Peter should be by sometime tomorrow to check on you. Sandra and Lyle will be returning from New York in three days. That should be enough time for you to acquaint yourself with…with…"

"Noah."

"What?"

"His name… is Noah." Angela smiled and left.

The next few hours were hectic as Sylar did all he could to keep the boy from screaming again. He dangled toys in front of him, rocked him, sang to him, and after trying to feed him, bathed him. It was nearing midnight when Noah finally dropped off to sleep on his chest, lulled by the heartbeat so much stronger than his own. Sylar listened to the soft breathing of his son and felt his heart swell in that strange way again. No one had ever trusted him so implicitly. No one who had ever known him had ever needed him.

Suddenly a small noise had him stiffening up. The sound of the back door sliding open had him stand quickly, being careful not to jostle Noah. He gently placed the baby in his bed, planting a small but powerful forcefield over the crib.

He slid downstairs, hands ready and charged with electricity as he heard the sound of a rapid heartbeat. He saw movement to his left and charged in that direction.

The intruder was swift; jumping back and delivering a strong upper kick to his hand. He called upon his telekinesis and flipped on the lights while capturing the now struggling assailant.

"Claire?" her hair was brown and she was dressed in all black, but her angry face was unmistakable.

"Sylar? What are you doing here?!" Sylar didn't let her go, but sighed deeply.

"I live here. Your grandmother called me after your father died, and I-"

"You're not supposed to be here. It's your fault dad died, anyway! Get out!"

"Listen to me Claire. I can't just leave now. I have-" A screaming wail rent the air and Claire's head snapped towards the sound.

"What did you do? Capture a child?" Sylar chuckled darkly.

"It's more like I took in the kid you didn't want." His words were cruel, but he was surprised at the ferociousness of her attack. She flew at him in a rage, and he barely had time to restrain her.

"How dare you, you monster?! My baby died!" he shook his head and released her. She stared him in disbelief, and then turned towards the stairs.

"Upstairs, second room on the left."

"My room." She dashed up the stairs without another word. He followed, disengaging the forcefield as Claire reached down and picked up the baby.

"Shhh. It's okay, baby. Mommy's here. Shhh." She patted his back and cooed to him, ignoring Sylar as she calmed her child. Once Noah was relaxed, Claire sat down in the rocker next to the crib. "They took him from me. They told me he'd died. They said he hadn't survived the birth." She trailed off as she cuddled him. Sylar crept forward and squatted a small distance away.

"His name is Noah." Claire looked up.

"Noah? That's… a good name." Sylar shrugged.

"I guess. It seemed appropriate. So, what do we do now? The Company will just take him from you again. Angela gave him to me to raise, but…. I can't do it alone." Claire laughed softly.

"The almighty Sylar can't do something? Don't worry. I'm taking him and we'll go somewhere-"

"No."

"No? What do you mean, no? If you think I'm going to let you take him-"

:My thoughts exactly. This child is as much mine as yours, and I can actually protect him. So, you'll go nowhere and we'll raise him together."

"No."

"No?"

"I'm not letting you anywhere near him!" Sylar stood in a rage, electricity crackling as he loomed over Claire.

"He is MY son, Claire. Now, you can either work with me, or you can lose the boy forever. I'll go so far away that you'll never see him again." She huffed angrily, but as she looked down at Noah, she realized that while she hated Sylar, Noah needed his protection.

"…Fine. But once he's grown, you and I are separated."

"Whatever makes you happy." Noah chose this moment to wake up. He caught sight of Sylar and reached for him, giggling. Claire released him warily, but somewhere in her left upper chest, she felt a warmth as she saw Sylar smile down at little Noah.

Maybe this could work after all.

Not quite what I wanted... but, what does everyone think? This isn't over, by the way...