This is the end of Selene and Gabriel's story. As with many endings, there can be many interpretations. You choose what happens next.
I do not own Heroes.
For love of a friend Part 12: Epilogue
Gabriel and Selene headed back to the Center, until Selene stopped suddenly.
"What is it?" Gabriel asked, his hands clutching her shoulders.
"I...I can't go back. If I go back, they'll try again. I won't have any peace, and neither will you."
Pulling Selene into his arms, he held her tightly, whispering reassurances. "I'll kill anyone who even tries to hurt you."
Selene pulled away, and wrapping her arms around her body, lowered her head and exhaled in frustration. She glanced over at Gabriel. "You keep telling me that you don't want to be that person you were before, but I loved you as you were. I never asked you to change."
"I had to change for my own reasons, Selene. And I'm not sorry."
Selene hugged the man who had been her partner, her pleasure and her strength. But if she stayed with him, it might not be only her life, but his as well, that would be in danger.
Gabriel tried to soothe Selene's fears, but it wasn't working. Then he had an idea. "Let's go see Noah."
Selene shrugged, wondering how easy had it been for Gabriel to utter those words, and mean them as something good. But reading his thoughts, she smiled. If this worked, she might get to feel the cool breath of freedom at last.
OoOoOoOoOoO
In a few days, a news story was splashed all over the front page of a local DC paper. A chartered plane carrying several government employees, had crashed over the Atlantic coastline, after a horrible explosion. No attempts to find the plane were being made. A list of people, along with their pictures, made the headlines, one of those people pictured being Selene. Since the trip was considered a private venture, and everyone knew that meant top secret, there was no further investigation into the crash. The fact was, Noah had pulled some very high level strings, as well as having called in some markers owed him over the years. Without the help of these old associates, the NTSB would have been all over the crash zone. In any case, as far as the world was concerned, Selene Dennison was dead. And to the man who loved her most, she may as well have been dead, for she had left with no forwarding address.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Gabriel walked to the small park that was several blocks down from the Center. As he strode along, hands buried deep in his pockets, he thought he saw someone familiar. For a moment, his mind told his eyes they were deceiving him. But the lone woman turned, and even though her hair was up in a hat that covered her entire head, even though she wore sunglasses that screamed 'socialite', he knew it was Selene. He went over to her slowly, each step he got closer to her causing his grin to grow. "You're here."
"Only for a minute. I had to say good bye to you one more time."
He glanced around the park, but Selene reassured him.
"Don't worry. I checked very carefully. After the mess we left, I imagine it will take awhile for them to set up operations here any time soon. I just hope that crash story holds. Please tell Noah thanks for that, will you?" She let him take her into his arms, cradling her as he nuzzled her neck. He inhaled her scent, knowing this would be the last time he would smell her. His arms and hands made note of every inch of her torso. His mouth captured hers, tasting her for the last time.
Pulling back, Selene looked at Gabriel, saying, "The world is a large place, but we're immortal. Maybe one day, when everyone associated with all the outfits who have ever used and abused us are dead, we can finally enjoy some peace. Then we'll find each other again, I promise." She gazed into his eyes as if trying to keep the image of his obvious love for her, a part of her memories forever. Selene embraced him tightly, molding her body to his. Then she pulled back and kissed his cheek, pressing hers against the scratchiness of his stubble. She whispered in his ear, "I love you, Sylar. I always will." Then she turned and walked away, never looking back. In that moment, as he watched her walk away, Gabriel made a decision.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Upon reaching the Center, Gabriel passed security with a curt nod to the guards, then rode the elevator up to Noah's floor, knocking gently on the door of his erstwhile boss.
"Come in, Gabriel," Noah called out, having already been informed of his arrival as soon as he passed the security checkpoint. "Sit," he said, indicating the chair opposite his desk. Noah leaned forward on his elbows, his hands clasped together. "So, it's over."
"Selene is gone, Noah. She wanted me to thank you for your help. She's pretty sure the people who had gone after her will be pretty busy cleaning up the, um...mess we left them. And with the news article, they may not bother to verify anything about her death anyway.
Noah wasn't surprised to hear that there had been deaths involved with Gabriel and Selene's personal mission. Frankly, knowing that this hidden branch of the Secret Service would have gladly interfered with his own operations, Noah was happy to hear that Gabriel had eliminated the 'competition'. Hiding his glee, he asked, "I'm sorry Selene felt we couldn't provide ample protection for her."
Gabriel wished that had been the case, but he had to answer honestly. "No, Noah. Selene was a loner, right from the night I'd first met her. I think she felt she could take care of herself better if she was alone. I had no choice but to let her go. Maybe in 50 or so years, we'll get together again." He lowered his head, wondering how long it might take for their next meeting. Raising his head to look at Noah, a smile was now on his face. "She kept the ring."
Noah nodded in understanding. She wouldn't ever be far away. The world was only so big. Looking at his best operative, he noticed something in Gabriel's eyes. "Was there...something else?"
"I've decided to keep the name Sylar, Noah. It's my name. I realized it doesn't have to be associated with blood and killing and death. I've become someone better, but it won't mean anything unless it's Sylar becoming the better person. Calling myself Gabriel feels like I'm running away from that part of me, and I'm not. I've confronted my demon, and controlled it."
Noah looked out the window. The sun shone through the open drapes onto the carpet, leaving part light, part shadow. Like Gabriel and Sylar. Both part of someone born into the world with a magnificent gift. The shadow had been defeated by the light. But Noah knew it would always be ready to return. Maybe as long as he was there for his friend, Sylar would remain as he was now. "Alright. We'll do things the way you want." Just as he saw Sylar turn to leave, Noah stood. "As long as I can put that in the employee books. Who knows. It may help for some people out there to know we have Sylar in our ranks," he said, knowing how the name alone struck fear in the hearts of those who knew him. Noah held out his hand, which Sylar took, shaking it gently. "If you need anything, call me."
"I will," Sylar said. "For now, I have a store to run. If you're ever in town, stop by, and I'll tune your watch for free." He winked before turning to head for the door. "Thanks for everything Noah. From me and Selene." He left the office, the floor and the building, before flying back to New York. That was where his life was. With or without Selene, he would live and work there. And every time the door to his store opened, he would look up.
Finis
A/N: that's all, kiddies. Now some of you may say, that's a sad ending. They're still not together. But to me, it's not a sad ending. It's one filled with hope for both Selene and Gabriel. And we have Sylar back, one who has accepted who he is and knows he can be what he wants to be, someone who can control his inner demons. And Selene is right, they are both immortal. Who knows, maybe in 200 years, they'll get together again, for good. And Sylar has the idea it could be as little as 50 years. *wink*
Thank you for reading!