Claire froze, hand on the doorknob. "...Alex?"

"Yeah, you remember fish boy. He's been in hiding; thanks to you, I hear. Well, we found and relocated him, just last night. He sure could use a friendly face right about now."

"What did you do to him?" She spun around to face him.

"Nothing...yet."

Claire narrowed her eyes at the man. "What do you want from me?"

"You're body."

"Not going to happen." She'd risked more than her share for the comic collector in the past, she'd be damned if she just handed her body over to Charlie on mere threat alone.

"Not even for your former lover?"

"We were never lovers." She forced herself not to glance at Sylar, watching the exchange silently.

"That's not what I heard," he taunted, noticing Sylar's scrutiny. "I got a whole list of the men, or more accurately, boys, that you've sated your lust on. Want to know who told me about your conquests?"

"I don't care who's been whispering lies in your ears," she growled. But it wasn't true; she did want to know.

"Oh, I think you'd find it interesting."

"Then you're wrong."

"I don't think I am. Come with me, I'll let you see the rat in person."

She swallowed dryly, eyes shifting to Sylar. He appeared neutral, but she was used to that.

"Alone," Charlie added, seeing her look.

"No," she deadpanned. "I won't go anywhere alone with you."

"So negative," he chuckled, "always expecting the worst."

"That does sound like her," Sylar cut her off.

"Last chance to confront your friend, to put a face with the traitor."

Claire ground her teeth, but turned her back on him. "No thanks."

"Don't say we didn't offer. Maybe when we find West Rosen, you'll be a little more interested. You might want to think about who else we'll manage to get in here. Maybe Petrelli. Or that adorable little roommate of yours. We could even let Sylar play with your friends. How would that be?"

She fought her body not to react. The thought of Peter captured was too much; he was supposed to be the one to rescue her if Sylar flaked.

"Just remember that. I'll be back and you should be more friendly when I am."

The door slammed behind her and she let out a gust of air. Turning to see Sylar still beside the door, she braced her back against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor; she raised her shaking hands to cover her face.

Sylar watched, silently trying to gauge how much of what Charlie had said was the truth. He hadn't been lying when he accused Claire of sleeping around. But neither had she been lying when she denied it. Whoever their informant was, was telling lies about Claire's past love life, but using accurate enough people from it. If they knew that much about her, then they could be dangerous.

He walked silently to where she sat, trembling and squatted down in front of her.

"It doesn't matter who they threaten you with, Charlie isn't going to touch you. I won't allow it. We'll leave first."

"What about your plan?" she whispered between her fingers.

"To hell with it," he growled.

Slowly, she lowered her hands and took a deep breath. "Promise me?"

"I do." He wanted to brush the stray lock of hair off of her face, but he didn't dare.

She closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall.

"Stay put. Don't open the door to anyone."

Her eyes snapped open and she grabbed his wrist as he began to stand. "Where are you going?"

"I want to know who's telling stories about you."

"If you go, they'll know I'm alone." Her grip tightened.

"They won't see me." He squeezed her fist with his free hand, then stood. She released him so he could dress. He liked the way her eyes followed him nervously, so he opted to slip pants on over his shorts instead of going to the bathroom to change. When he pulled his shirt on, she stood, moving near him.

Sylar sighed, grabbing socks from the drawer and heading for the bed to put them and his shoes on. Claire followed, hovering just to his left. "I'll be back." He stood facing her, watching the indecision in her eyes, wishing her knew what she was debating on.

Giving up waiting for a response, he stepped to the side to go around her. But, her arms swept around him, her body pressing softly to his. "Please come back," she pleaded quietly.

Closing his eyes, Sylar held her close and leaned down to breath in her sweet scent. "Wouldn't dream of leaving without you." Cautiously, he kissed her jaw just below her ear. He held his breath as she stiffened for a moment. When her body relaxed against his, her arms squeezed tighter, pressing their bodies so close, Sylar had trouble concentrating.

A moment later, she pulled away, eyes wide, hands still trembling. "Will you...if you can, would you..."

"Check on your friend?" he asked flatly, pushing all of the jealousy away from his words.

"...Yes please?" She was afraid to meet his eyes, so instead she stared at the design on his shirt.

Sylar took in a big breath of air, but spoke calmly. "Was he your lover?"

"No!" Her eyes snapped up to his. "I barely knew him. Besides, you were the first; you already know this."

"Yes, I do. I just needed to hear you say it." He ran a hand down her hair. "This'll be over soon," he whispered, leaning closer to the pouty lips he wanted to taste again.

He shut his eyes when Claire closed the distance between them, hesitantly brushing her lips against his. "I'm ready when you are."

"Back soon." He reluctantly left her alone in his trailer, making sure the door was locked behind him.

He hid in the shadows as he followed Charlie's trail through the carnival; the man wore distinctive boots. Once he found the tent he had entered, Sylar spotted one of Samuel's guards, Eli. And where there was one, there were many. Carefully observing them, he found an opening and slipped inside.

A boy, he assumed it was Alex, was tied to a chair and looked afraid. But, as far as he could see, he didn't appear to be harmed. Alice was sitting on his lap, teasing him with ever-rising pheromone levels and wiggling her bottom.

"Just say you're going to help us," Alice purred, "and I'll take good care of this." She stroked a hand over the bulge in his jeans.

"No." He shook his head defiantly. "Please? Please let me go?"

"Why should I help you, when you won't help me?" Samuel asked from a nearby corner.

"I can't help you!"

"Why?"

"Because, she saved me. I can't betray that. Please!"

Samuel sighed. "I will give you one more day to think about the consequences of refusing me. If I don't like your answer tomorrow morning..." He tilted his head towards one of the Eli's playing with a knife.

Sylar waited patiently until he had an opening to slip back out unnoticed. He would have to wrap up his plans tonight, because tomorrow morning, he and Claire would have to leave. Hopefully, he'd be able to get fish boy out alive. But if not...well, he'd make sure Claire knew he tried.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review. *corrected Jesse to Alex, lol, sorry and thanks for catching that for me guys!*