FEBRUARY 2521

It's only been a week, and I'm already fighting to keep my temper. Now that Sylar is living here with us, I've had to rearrange the way I do everything. He knows, of course, that it sets me on edge, and he likes it. Smugness rolls off him in waves.

He comes out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist as he dries his hair with another. I steal a glance before returning my attention to Dani.

"Aren't you a pretty girl," I murmur to her, a smile playing at my lips. "You're so pretty." Dani gnaws her fist as I finish dressing her. "Let's have some breakfast, and then we can decide what to do today." I walk past Sylar, trying to pretend he isn't there. I see him smirk before I leave the bedroom; he knows he's impossible to ignore.

I feed Dani her breakfast and leave her in the high-chair as I eat. She looks up and smiles as Sylar enters the room. He returns the smile as he lifts her out of the chair and carries her into the kitchen, foraging for food. My mood drops even lower as I watch my daughter interact with Sylar, but I guess I can't help that.

He's actually been surprisingly well-behaved around her. This courtesy has been partially extended to me as well. He hasn't hurt me yet, and he's limited how often he takes control of my body. Somehow, though, I can't find it in me to be overwhelmingly thankful. He's still here.

I think back to his first night here. As I put Dani down to bed, he stood behind me and looked down at the sleeping baby. His hands came down on my shoulders, and as I stiffened, he leaned to whisper in my ear.

"Shh. We don't want to wake Danielle." With that, his arms curled around the front of me, one hand resting on my breast, pulling me back to rest against his body. We stood that way for a moment before I spoke.

"Let go of me, Sylar, or I'll cut something off while you sleep." I could feel his chuckle as he released me.

"Speaking of which, where were you planning on sleeping?" he asked silkily.

"My bed," I growled back, "If you have to be here, you can sleep on the couch."

"I don't think so. Your bed looks big enough for both of us," he grinned as I lay down against my will.

Since then, I have fallen asleep every night with my enemy's arm around me and his breath in my hair.

My thoughts snap back to reality as he says my name again. "What?"

He raises an eyebrow and repeats himself: "Where are you going today, and when will you be back?"

"I don't have to report to you," I dismiss him as I reach for Dani. He grabs my wrist with his free hand and twists it back lightly.

"You do if you want certain privileges."

I scowl at him and jerk my arm free. "We're going for a walk, and I'm going to look around for odd jobs near the trade center," I inform him stiffly.

He hands Dani to me without another word, and she and I spend the day as I said we would.

I come back home that afternoon, tired and a little disappointed. No work today. I think people are reluctant to hire a woman with a baby on her arm.

As I open the door, the reek of blood assails my nostrils. I swallow hard and peer inside, keeping Dani turned away from the scene in the living room.

"Is this the woman you were looking for?" Sylar demands of the man on the wall. The wretch shakes his head desperately, blubbering.

"Don't lie to me," he hisses. Sylar turns back to me. "Take Danielle outside. Don't come back until I tell you to."

I don't need a second warning—I turn and flee the house. It isn't long before my muscles involuntarily bring me back. I cover Dani's eyes and put her in bed before dealing with the mess in the living room.

"What the hell is going on here?" I ask angrily. I shove him, hard, and he looks down on me impassively. All the stress, the fear, and the pain of old memories have built up, and it bursts out.

"I thought you said things would change!" I slam my fists against his chest.

"I thought I mattered to you! How can you expect me to raise Dani if I have to check the room for bodies before bringing her in?" I hit him again, my eyes filling with angry tears. He takes my blows until I finish my rant, and then speaks in a low voice.

"That man entered your home by way of the front door. He was going to steal anything of value and have a little fun with you while he was at it." I am silent. "He was a threat to you and the baby. I took care of it."

"You killed him, Sylar. You murdered someone in cold blood in my house. My daughter's not safe with you around." His hand whips out and grabs me by the hair.

"You stupid, stubborn girl. I'm doing you favors. I took care of things so that you wouldn't have to deal with that—" his boot nudges the corpse, "later. And keep in mind, sweet Claire, that I'm not a danger to Danielle unless you force my hand." I feel a chill run through me.

I straighten up and stare into his cold eyes.

"Get rid of it." He nods as I retreat to the bedroom, shaken and unwilling to show it.

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Mel and Chuck