Hey, thanks for all the reviews. As a reward, here is chapter four. I tried to get more dialogue in there and more action. Let me know if it's working or what. This chapter is a little longer, I almost stopped at various points, but I did finish the first encounter if you would. More Notes at the bottom….

Enjoy

Chapter Four

The two of them entered the house in silence, though Claire let out a sigh of relief at seeing Sylar's still unconscious body.

Personally Elle wouldn't have minded too much if he had escaped, as long as he didn't come right back for revenge. It would have been much easier if she could pretend nothing had happened. She clenched her fist, ignoring the soft sting of sparks, and reluctantly shuffled over to the downed body.

It was easier, though, to focus on Sylar right now. She could compartmentalize and prioritize, as Daddy would say, and worry about the now instead of the later. She was probably all sorts of screwed anyways. She was even beginning to suspect that she would be forced to come back later for the files. Later, unfortunately, might not be for a long, long time, depending on Daddy's reaction to his early birthday gift, her secret excuse for how she ended up with a drugged, shocked Sylar in the back of her car.

Unfortunately for her present situation, Mohinder couldn't give her specifics on how long Sylar would be affected, not without information that she wasn't able to give, and he sounded all kinds of suspicious. No doubt he'd call Daddy, despite him owing her, and she would get in trouble for going of half cocked no matter what excuse she used.

Looking at his pale, unconscious body, she imagined jabbing the cold needle into him and gave a shudder. Not only did she not really know what she was doing, imagine death by needle, but she really didn't like needles. Despite just about everyone calling her a sadist, she didn't like cutting and poking. She didn't know why it bothered her so much, but that sort of thing freaked her out. She hated going to the doctors, even a Company doctor who wasn't allowed to hurt her. Her much preferred method of causing pain was her electricity; seeing people spasm from her jolts, nice and clean with no blood or creepy cold metal that prods and pokes, gave her shivers of pleasure and control.

She wished she could call in back up and a good transportation vehicle, but she'd have two angry dads on her back if the Company knew where she was. And as much as she didn't want Daddy mad, Bennet might break out just to kill her in her sleep. No back up and no orders, plus sneaky, sneaky Mohinder probably pro-and-conning selling her out, were making her feel guilty, like she was in the wrong.

And nervous, but that was because PomPom was acting weird. She was quiet and twitchy, shifting positions and playing with her hands. And she wouldn't stop staring at Elle. Elle hated being stared at, examined. Like needles, it was a hate she never understood, but people who looked at her for too long usually ended up a smoking, twitching pile of skin. And right now she just wanted to make Claire a smoking, twitching pile of skin. Especially since Elle had the sneaking suspicion that her little episode earlier was too much for the cheerleader and, the second Sylar was down for the count, Claire was planning on sinking a knife in her back. Even now Claire was paying apt attention as Elle fumbled to get the vial of tranquilizer, seemingly enraptured at Elle's shaking hands as she gripped the needle.

-

"Hey," Claire nervously implored, cutting off Elle's musings as she examined the vial. Elle didn't turn around, continuing her anxious approach to Sylar, but she did tense in attention. "I just, ah," Claire continued haltingly," wanted to, um, wanted to say that, even though I still hate you and especially the company; Thank you for, you know, before. I do appreciate it, even if acted, ah, not appreciative, and I am grateful for the help. If the situation ever reverses itself, I'll do my best to pay you back."

Elle let out a sharp, startling laugh and turned around rapidly. Claire took a stunned step back, flustered at having Elle's gaze suddenly on her. She was shocked at how sincere the laugh was, not biting or mocking, and astonished by the brilliant smile on Elle's face. The first real smile she has seen from the older girl and she was a little amazed that it looked natural and cheerful, not crazed or disturbed like she would have expected.

"I doubt you'd be much help, Cheerleader, but I appreciate the gesture. I'll keep it in mind," Elle all but giggled, "Wow, though, is that what you were nervous about. Geez, I thought you were preparing to stab a knife in me or something. Really creeping me out." The obvious relief in Elle's voice was enough to give Claire her own case of giggles.

"Nah, I save the stabbing for people trying to remove my scalp," Claire responded with a rueful grin. Elle returned the grin, but then abruptly dropped it as she figured out what that meant. She dropped to her knees and jerkily turned the body over; he had been crumbled face down which hid knife wound Elle was now gaping at.

"Shit, you stabbed him," she screeched, looking at Claire incredulously. Claire immediately became defensive, arms crossed and righteous indignation covering her face, but she didn't have the chance to defend herself as Elle was already in motion.

"Never mind," she spat, hustling to snatch his arms, "just grab his legs."

"What," Claire exclaimed, disbelief dripping from her voice, "Why?"

Elle glanced up at Claire with a look normally reserved for the mentally disabled and Peter.

"I need to get him to the car, to the company, before he bleeds to death. I don't know how he still alive, but it's a damn lucky thing I didn't shoot him up. Now help me out, I can't carry him by myself," Elle explained, voice heavy with both exasperation and panic.

"Let him bleed to death; the world would be a better place," Claire countered, angry that, after all the pain he caused, Elle cared if he died.

Elle knew this was probably true; she had already gone over the facts a thousand times in her head. But despite all the reasons why Sylar deserved death, there was still a gigantic reason why Elle couldn't let him die.

"Daddy would kill me. I don't know why they're obsessed with him, but they've had so many chances to get rid of him that if I let him die now, when I could've stopped it, I… I… I don't know what my dad would do. I got to get him to the company. They can take over, save his life or let him die, as long as it's out of my hands," Elle practically pleaded her case to Claire. Seeing the cheerleader glaring at her, knowing she wasn't getting any help, was moving Elle to hysterics. She grabbed around his chest and tried to pull him along, but he was so heavy and she was so small and she couldn't stop the frustrated tears building up in her eyes. She let go of him and turned back to Claire, trying to ignore the blood pasted to her chest.

"Please, you… you don't understand. He might not survive anyway, but then Daddy can blame the doctors and not me. He's already mad at me right now, really mad, and just finding Sylar, living or dead, in my hands is gonna make him blow a gasket, but dead is worse and I need your help. I'm sorry for whatever, spying on you and shocking you and your boyfriend, whatever just please help me, please…" Elle begged, trying not to think about how pitiful and weak and pathetic she probably looked. She was so desperate; she'd lick Claire's shoes if it would get her to help.

Claire, for her part, was feeling disconcerted at seeing a desperate Elle, splatters of blood on her shirt and tears on her face, begging for her help. Claire didn't particularly like the defeated expression on Elle's face, and the small, glowing sparks were freaking her out. She didn't think Elle knew it was happening, which was a little worrisome, but they were a little intimidating. Still, Claire was not backing down.

"For a psychopath with the ability to electrocute any attackers, you're awfully scared of daddy. Doesn't mean I'm backing down. The Companies lost Sylar more than once; I don't trust them to keep him locked up. Plus, I don't know how seriously I can take your poor me act when you never tried calling for reinforcement. Maybe you're more afraid of someone else getting the credit," Claire stated, standing form and looking at Elle imperiously. Elle was at her wit's end and, just like the tears flowing from her eyes; she couldn't stop the words suddenly spewing from her mouth.

"I'm not supposed to be here. I can't call for help 'cause then he'd know where I was. After getting shot and screwing up watching you and loosing Sylar at Mohinder's, Daddy said I was a complete failure and I'm not allowed out and… and… your dad said these things, these horrible, nasty things, but I couldn't find proof," Elle rambled, her words coming out quick and barely decipherable.

"I can't remember and it was empty, my file was empty. I can't redeem myself for Daddy and he might have done stuff and I just wanted to find out the truth. I came here to find out, but Sylar screwed up everything. Everything is ruined and I don't know what to do…" Elle finished her hysterics with a quiet sob and the look of a mistreated puppy. Claire felt like she was supposed to say something, preferably comforting, but she hadn't understood most of what she had heard. All she could understand was that Elle hadn't been sent by the Company, but was looking for…something… And her dad was somehow involved.

"Did… my dad send you here?" Claire tentatively questioned, trying to understand the situation better. Elle let out a sharp, remarkably bitter, bark of laughter.

"Like Bennet would ever let me near his precious little girl, he'd kill me if he knew I was anywhere near you," Elle answered sardonically, with a look on her face Claire was shocked to recognize as jealousy.

"Oh," Claire mumbled, still unsure how to respond. She watched in silence as Elle dragged herself back over to Sylar and renewed her attempts at grabbing his body. She seemed extremely delicate beside someone Claire saw only as a monster, especially after her little break down and Claire was hit with an unexpected surge of guilt.

"I.." Claire started nervously, but instead slowly walked over to Elle and grabbed Sylar's feet. After all, there was very little chance he would survive anyway and she did kind of owe Elle.

Elle looked at her, eyes wide with astonishment, before she moved quickly to grab is upper body, murmuring a quiet thanks. They had moved all of two steps, jostling Sylar body around in their attempt, when they were interrupted.

"What is going on here?" Sandra Bennet exclaimed, staring down at the two girls and the unconscious body. Both girls dropped Sylar as if burned and looked at Sandra guiltily.

"Mom," Claire started, not quite sure what to say. She wasn't trying to hide anything, she just didn't know where to start, her day was to be written off as a mess and it was not the easiest thing to explain. Elle saw Claire stumbling and, worried that Claire would get in parental trouble and not help her with Sylar, quickly spoke up.

"Sylar attacked your daughter. I was just her to pick up folders and saw him slicing her forehead so I stopped him, but I have to get him to the company because he's bleeding from this stab wound and Claire was just helping me to...to..." Elle petered off, still not sure what had changed Claire's mind and unsure of how to finish the sentence.

"To get them out of our house," continued Claire with a little white lie. She doubted that Elle would appreciate hearing that Claire felt sorry for her and that was why she helped out. She didn't notice the way Elle stiffened when Claire mention wanting THEM out.

"Oh," Sandra muttered, obviously flustered, "Well, if you're trying to save his life, all that fumbling is only going to make the wound worse." While Sandra still didn't get what was going on, but she had caught the small, grateful smile her daughter had sent Elle; the first smile she had seen on that face in days.

She had gotten used to these bizarre situations and at least she knew she'd remember this later. The constant loss of memory and sense of being manipulated by loved ones was a hard thing to deal with, Sandra knew, and it was something she and Elle shared. She was willing to be a bit lenient and didn't mind helping her out, especially after her husband practically tortured the girl. The memory of her, wet and defeated, tugged at Sandra's maternal heartstrings, and seeing her here now, tearstains and blood covered, only strengthened her resolve to help.

Panic was once again filling Elle, the day was wearing her out and even now her limbs were starting to feel numb and everything seemed too quiet, muffled. She felt completely exhausted, but time was wasting all her efforts were, once again, making things worse. She had to swallow back hysterical, biting laughter, but couldn't seem to find any words. Claire saw Elle standing there, shaking, with a far off, panicked expression and felt another surge of pity.

"What else can we do, Mom? If we do nothing, he'll bleed to death in our living room," Claire questioned.

"Why don't you call for help-"

"No," Elle shrieked, alarmed, "I can't call the Company!"

"I don't mean the Company," Sandra haltingly continued, shocked at Elle's vehement response, "I meant that you can do what any non-Company person would do. Call 911. This is basically a break-in gone wrong and the ambulance and cops would come and take care of Sylar. We'd have to give statements, but then it would all be out of our hands."

Elle stared at Sandra with something akin to wonder for a moment, remembering years of being told not to involve the local authorities. Everything was to be done through the Company, and, while they could maneuver and manipulate the government, it is always easier for to go under the radar. But, Elle thought with a smirk, this was an entirely new situation. She was suddenly in motion, grabbing the Bennet's phone and shoving it into an incredulous Claire's hands.

"I'm gonna take off, then, since you have everything under control. I can't be here when the police arrive, of course, but call as soon as I'm gone. Make sure to sound really distressed. All though, I guess Weepy and earnest would also work, I guess. I'll make sure the Company discovers where he is and gets to him before he wakes up, if he wakes up," Elle spouted quickly, grabbing everything she had brought in. She flitted over to the doorway, obviously about to leave, when she suddenly stopped and glanced unsurely at Claire, suddenly nervous.

"Ummm, thanks for before. Can I come back soon, to… uh… pick up the files," she stammered, still thinking about Claire's earlier reason for helping. She did still want to look at her files, but now Claire at least knew she was lying and she wasn't sure where to go from there. Claire, in response, nodded with barely a hesitation.

"Yeah, any time. For the files," Claire responded with surreptitious glance at her mother, unsure of what she should say. As the older blonde hurriedly scurried off, Claire decided that she would only tell her mom what was necessary; after all, she didn't know the whole story. She was determined to figure it out though; get Elle figured out.

-

Elle sat in her car, driving and nerves still twittering. When she got back, Daddy would be waiting for her. Wondering where she was all day. Hopefully Mohinder would have kept his trap shut and all she would have to do is make up a story. As an ambulance passed by, she thought of how she could possibly hint that Sylar was in a hospital, or that he had attacked Claire. A plan started to form in her head, though. Bennet would probably want assurance that they hadn't done anything to his family. Well, he would after she threatened his precious family, not that she would attack them after they helped her. But he didn't know that. She could even use the threatening to try and get more information about her past. That was believable. This time Bennet would be the one manipulated and, no matter what happens, she would get some sort of victory. Although, anyway this plays out, Daddy will most likely get upset and yell at her like when she ruined it with Claire. She could picture it now…

'Don't provoke Bennet Elle. He's not even in your league.'

What does that even mean? It didn't matter, for the first time in her life, though, she had completely and totally gone against his wishes. And she was sure she wouldn't get caught. It was invigorating; a rush of freedom and adrenaline. Well, she'd feel this way again soon. The next time she saw Claire.

NEXT TIME ON HEROES (but not mine)…

2 years ago an eclipse occurred and at that same exact time Heroes around the world, or at least America and that one guy in Japan, received their powers. Okay it was generally, somewhat around the same time. But they all happened… except Claire who had already been taping her exploits for a while, but everyone else…except Nathan, whose powers awakened during during an attempt on his life, and Peter, whose awakened early enough to copy his mother's future dreams. And Nikki who had it early enough to frame her husband, who also had his to escape… and all the old generation, especially Adam. Plus Elle had her's for a while too…. Ummm… but now another eclipse will take them away…somehow….SHIRTLESS SYLAR!!!!!

..did we distract them…

Sorry, I needed to get that of my chest… about my story though. I had sort of completely forgot that Claire had stabbed Sylar, what with it being completely ineffectual, so be kind with how I tried to fix that. I think Sylar had to have had some power that helped with stab wounds anyway. Remember when Hiro gutted him and he like crawled into a sewer or something and then the company fixed him up… whatever.

Review Please..