OCTOBER 2520

"You need something new to wear, Dani," I tell the baby as she coos from the basket that constitutes her bed. I haven't gotten around to finding her something that isn't bloodstained, so she pretty much wears either her original jumper or just a diaper.

I step into the bathroom, piercing my ears and pulling my hair back into a ponytail. When I come back, I lift the baby into the makeshift sling and grab the old keyboard I found yesterday. We come back with some food and two onesies. I dress her in the yellow one, the pattern faded so that it's almost nonexistent, and set her in the basket on the table, so she can see what's going on.

I turn around to wash my hands, humming a song to Dani. I freeze when I realize someone is humming with me. Reassuring myself of the knife on my belt, I turn back to my daughter.

He's standing there, holding Dani like she belongs to him, and watching me. A corner of his mouth has turned up into a cynical smile.

I knew he couldn't stay away. I knew he'd show up to continue this game. Now that he has, though, I am frozen. This child, who has been with me only a month, is my baby. And she's in the hands of the man I hate most in the world.

"Gabriel," I acknowledge, remembering to use his given name just in time. No reason to upset him when he's holding the baby.

He smiles then. "Why, Claire. You used my real name. What a surprise. Almost as big a treat as the one I brought you." He looks down at Dani, one thumb stroking her round cheek.

I swallow. "Why are you here?" I'm still unmoving. My body is under my power, but it's betraying me. Sylar might as well be controlling me for all the good I'm doing.

"That's funny. Your first question isn't why I left a baby on your doorstep, but what I'm doing here now. Am I to take it that you've grown fond of Danielle?" Hearing her name on his lips makes me shiver and gives me the strength to move forward.

"Give her to me," I demand, before he locks my muscles in place. I'm only three feet away from him now.

"Not just yet, Claire-bear," he says, using my childhood nickname to piss me off, something he used to do when we lived together. It still works. He hears my murderous thoughts and chuckles. He shifts Dani to his other arm, eyes always on me.

"You're so easy, Claire. You'd think after this long you wouldn't be bothered by that anymore. Maybe some things really never change. But let's not get distracted. Tell me, do you enjoy my gift?" His gaze is piercing, and I feel that my answer now is going to be a turning point.

"You…what did you do?" My mind has gone largely blank.

He frowns. "You don't sound very grateful, Claire. I thought you'd appreciate this a little more. Maybe I should just…take it back." My heart stutters at his words.

"She's a baby! You left a baby at my home, with no explanation or anything!" I take a deep breath, calming myself before continuing, "Where did she come from? And whose is she really?"

"She's yours, now. The rest of it doesn't matter. If you don't want my gift, just say so. I'll take her back."

"That isn't good enough, Sylar. Where are her parents? Why did you bring her to me?" His eyes flash as I revert to his moniker.

"They're dead," he tells me flatly. "I'm returning your lost opportunity, Claire. You either want it or you don't." He stares at me as I struggle for words and releases his grip on me.

"She can't fix things. She's not…she can't replace him." Even as I tell him so, I look back to the baby girl in his arms. I want her so badly.

"I didn't say that. But she'll be a nice distraction for you," he speaks with assurance. I step forward to take Dani in my arms. I can feel the tension between us as he gently transfers her to my grasp. She coos and reaches her hand in his direction.

"I meant what I said," I tell him quietly. I don't want to upset Dani. "This doesn't fix things. I'm still going to kill you." He reaches out to touch her fingers, then moves his hand to my face.

"She'll be something to keep you happy in the meantime," he murmurs, his expression unfathomable.

I stand with my daughter in my arms, alone together.

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