"Level Five"

-CLAIRE AND GABRIEL-

Claire couldn't stand to watch any more. Agent Sanchez was relentless in the cell across from hers,

"Sylar hasn't even thrown any punches!" She turned her back, but that didn't stop her from hearing what was going on just a few feet away. The sound of the baton striking Gabriel's body, and his pain induced howls resonated in her ears. Even though she had fantasized that one day she would get to see him hurt, just as much he hurt her, what she had just seen gave her no satisfaction,

"No one deserves this torture… not even him." Claire thought, closing her eyes tightly. She tried to block it all out, but she didn't have to for long. The sounds suddenly stopped all together. She waited for something to happen,

"I hope your comfortable now!" Sanchez spat to Gabriel who lay coughing weakly at his feet. Gabriel didn't dare to move yet. Not when Sanchez still loomed over him. Sanchez laughed wickedly as he looked at some of the blood that was stained on his baton, "This little toy here, I always use it on monsters like you."

Gabriel winced at the agent's statement. After all of the beating was over, calling him a monster was almost like another blow to the chest. He had been called a monster so many times; he couldn't take that any longer.

Sanchez put away his baton as he turned to leave. He opened the heavy door, "Oh, and remember tomorrow is medicine day, so I'll be in again soon." Sanchez remarked with a proud grin. He then left, the large door shutting behind him.

Claire turned slowly to glare at Sanchez as he went. The agent glanced at her and winked as he walked by. Once he was out of sight, she stood, walking closer to the glass. She saw Gabriel lying on his front next to the "bed". He continued to cough gingerly. She could already see bruises coming in on his shoulder blades,

"Sylar." She said quietly, watching him closely. He didn't respond to her,

"Sylar." She said again, a bit more loudly. Claire could tell he was conscious, and she knew he could hear her, but he still said nothing,

"Maybe he's just in a lot of pain…?" Claire suggested to herself, but she knew that wasn't the reason for his unusual quietness. Claire knew from experience that he was a stubborn man,

"Gabriel." Claire tried as she waited for a response.

Gabriel opened his eyes, surprised at the sound of his own name. He slowly lifted his chest off of the ground. The movement created a whole new wave of agonizing pain throughout his rib cage; his arms nearly gave out as he pushed his bruised back up against the cold concrete bed. His labored breathing turned into a hiss as his muscles tensed and his chest throbbed. He shut his eyes tightly, straining from his aching torso.

Claire took notice at his struggle, "Don't move so much. You don't know what bones might be broken." She stated simply. Claire didn't want to sound too invested in the situation; she kept her wall up between them still,

"I'll be fine…" He replied with difficulty. He managed a quick smile, "It's probably just a couple of cracked ribs. They'll heal up in like two weeks."

Claire gave him a sullen look, "You think Sanchez will give you two weeks? He said he'll be coming in again tomorrow for 'medicine day'."

Gabriel groaned, resting the back of his head on the concrete. He glanced back over at Claire with a questioning expression, "What's medicine day all about, because unless they've got like 20 Excedrin, I'm not really interested."

Claire paused for a moment. She suddenly felt a little panic washing over her, "I've heard a lot of rumors about Primatech testing drugs on the most dangerous captives. I think that's what he was talking about…"

"Drugs? What kind of drugs?" Gabriel asked furrowing his brow. Claire shook her head gravely,

"Not the painkiller kind."

Another sharp pain shot through Gabriel's midsection. He tensed his muscles to fight against it. Gabriel wrapped his left arm tightly around his chest as his fingernails dug into the ground on his right. The two prisoners sat in silence as they waited for his pain to ease.

After a few minutes of silence, Claire noticed he had relaxed a little, so she took the opportunity to ask him a question, "Why didn't you fight back?"

Gabriel turned his head sharply towards her with a quizzical look. He down casted his eyes as he thought about how he could explain. Claire waited un-blinkingly,

"Fighting and I just don't mix well." He shrugged, not wanting to delve deeper into the subject. Claire's eyebrow rose with a wry smile,

"What are you talking about? You've killed like 100 people."

"I haven't killed 100 people." Gabriel defended,

"Oh I'm sorry, 99 people." Claire deadpanned. Gabriel opened his mouth, about to continue with their raillery, but stopped instead. He sighed, deciding whether or not it was a good idea to be honest with her. He chewed at the inside of his cheek, trying to make a decision,

"What have I got to lose? She never liked or respected me anyway." Gabriel concluded.

"With my abilities, I'm pretty much unstoppable; but without them…" Gabriel gave her a meaningful look, "Do you know what I was before all of this? Before the killing and the powers?"

Claire shook her head, her eyes still fixed on him,

"I was a watchmaker. I had my own shop in Queens, and when I wasn't there, I was in my tiny apartment, alone, reading a book. I obviously wasn't the type of guy to get in fights for fun. It was a pretty boring life really." Gabriel down casted his eyes again. He played with the white band on his wrist, so he didn't have to look Claire in the eyes. Gabriel didn't want to admit it, but it felt pretty good to open up, "That's probably enough of my life story for today." He added, flashing her quick smile,

"No," Claire insisted. Gabriel stared at her, a bit dumbfounded. Claire nodded her head with a reassuring tone, "keep going."

He still looked a little hesitant,

"I took a psychology class in college; I just think this stuff is interesting." She shrugged, trying to justify her sudden interest, "Besides, you said we should get to know each other."

Gabriel searched for words to reply, "Um, okay." Claire could tell this was very unusual for him, and it was just as strange for her. She never thought in a million years she would hold a conversation with the man she had (and still has) nightmares about, "Where do I start?" He asked with wary grin,

"Just start from the beginning I guess. What was your family like?" Claire posed, sitting on the floor next to the glass. Gabriel's smile disappeared. Claire easily read his expression; this was not an easy topic for him, but Claire didn't want to drop it. If he were to ever use her vulnerabilities against her, she could do the exact same thing to him. She needed to know more,

"Well," He started, staring off into space, "I think I've mentioned to you that I was adopted." Claire caught a flash of anger pulse in his eyes as he looked back to her, "Actually to be more precise, I was sold to my uncle for a couple hundred bucks when I was six. I didn't learn that until last year when I was out looking for my real dad."

Claire listened intently and she couldn't help but pity him a little, despite her determination to remain unsympathetic,

"My father killed my mother in front of me that day." Gabriel murmured, feeling a bit dazed. The pain in his abdomen continued to fluctuate as he went on, "Not even a year after that, my uncle walked out on me and my "mom". She stuck by me, and she loved me, just like a real mother, but she always wanted me to be more. She always told me I was meant to be special. Watchmaking wasn't really good enough for me in her eyes. When my uncle left us, it was just me and her until…"

Claire wasn't sure, but she believed she could see his eye's shining with tears that threatened to fall, "Until what?" She asked softly. Gabriel shook his head, closing his eyes tightly,

"Until… I killed her."

"Tokyo, Japan"

-HIRO AND N-

Hiro looked around the corner of the building, searching for Kimiko and Ando. He spotted them speaking with Ando's father, still too distracted with their wedding duties to notice his absence. He turned back to the uninvited, mysterious, future man,

"How do I know you are not a villain?" Hiro questioned, eyeing the stranger. N shook his head,

"I don't have time for this." He thought to himself, slightly annoyed, "Just listen, if you don't help me a lot of innocent people will die Hiro. I'm here to make sure that doesn't happen." Hiro gave N a questioning look, "How did you get to the past? You wouldn't need my help if you could control time."

N looked down at his shoes, sighing, "You from the future sent me here." Hiro shook his head, perplexed by what he was hearing,

"I can't send people without going myself; and why didn't he just help you?" Hiro was getting more questions than answers from this guy,

"Not yet. There's more to your ability than you realize Hiro." N replied, placing a hand on Hiro's shoulder. Hiro narrowed his eyes,

"But why didn't the future me help you?" Hiro could tell N was holding information from him. N smiled sadly at him,

"He was going to help me. We had everything planned out and ready to go, but a few minutes before we were supposed to leave…" N hung his head, "Primatech's 'deadliest weapon' bursted in. We managed to buy ourselves some time, but Hiro knew it wouldn't be long before he found us. He sent me here to look for you before I could be killed. He sacrificed himself for me."

Hiro stood stalk still, unblinkingly. He took everything in, one sentence at a time. A few minutes later he managed to speak again, "Primatech's secret weapon?"

"I can't talk much about him. I need to make sure I step on only the necessary butterflies."

Hiro nodded, "yes, that is very important." N saw that Hiro was still hesitant of everything he was telling him,

"I can show you."

Hiro's face lit up, "Take me to Costa Verde, 20 years and 107 days from now. The address is 26008 Briarwood lane." N finished, with an unreadable expression. Hiro nodded, placing a hand on N's shoulder. He concentrated, closing his eyes tightly. When he opened his eyes again they were out in front of an old beat up house. The paint was chipping, and the foundation was beginning to rot. Before Hiro had time to look around, N was pulling him inside. The door to the house wasn't locked, so the two went in. The interior was much like the outside: old, rotting, and dusty. Old pictures still lay about the house; Hiro picked one up, dusting off the glass. His eyes widened when he saw the face of Claire Bennet, smiling in her cheerleading uniform,

"The cheerleader?" Hiro asked, mainly to himself. N nodded, taking the picture from his hands,

"But she's definitely not a cheerleader anymore." He put the picture back on the shelf, "Follow me." N motioned for Hiro. The two walked into the kitchen. N opened a cracked pantry door that was almost rotted off of its hinges. Hiro looked inside, but saw nothing except empty shelves. N pushed past him leaning down, to the floor. He put his hand against the back wall near the ground. A secret panel lifted up. N looked up at Hiro, who was astonished,

"After you." N smirked. Hiro crouched onto his hands and knees, "I would go feet first if I were you. This used to just be a little space used to hide guns, but Claire had the idea of putting in an underground sanctuary here. Once you're in, feel around behind you for a ladder."

Hiro complied, squeezing inside the small space. His feet reached what felt like a drop off. He finally found the first step on the ladder, and then lowered himself down onto it. As Hiro continued his climb down, he noticed a light coming from below him. It got brighter as he went. Hiro finally reached the floor. He turned around, and was met with a giant room filed with about 50 people. All of them were silent, except a few who whispered to each other. Hiro looked around the room, seeing no familiar faces. N passed by Hiro, and walked to a brunette woman sitting on an ancient wooden stool. Hiro watched him tap her shoulder; she turned at the sudden contact. Hiro recognized her instantly.

Claire gazed up at N, her mouth agape. She stood quickly, shaking her head,

"What are you doing back so soon?" She questioned, afraid to hear his answer. Many of the people in the room observed the scene now. N down casted his eyes,

"There was an unexpected set back."

Claire's eyes began to water, "…Hiro?" She whispered. N just nodded. Claire tried to hold back her emotions, "What are we going to do? He was the only time traveler!"

N pulled her small frame to his chest, wrapping his arms around her, "It's going to be okay. I've got another way."

Claire lifted her head, searching his eyes. N smiled, motioned to Hiro still standing by the ladder. Claire followed his gaze,

"Hiro?" Claire asked, not believing her eyes.

Hiro smiled shyly, waving his hand, "…Hello."

"Medford Oregon"

-INMATE 349-

Sam stood, dusting himself off. He looked down at Molly's dead body. There was not a scratch on her, "You've been a big help Molly. Enjoy your parents in the afterlife." He smiled at his handiwork, as he telekinetically placed her lifeless carcass in the bed of the pickup truck. Sam turned, making sure no one had seen what had taken place. Not a soul was in sight.

"Let's see just how well this works." He said to himself. Sam took out a manila folder from the inside of his overcoat. He opened it to the first name and picture then read the bio information

"Name: Amanda Strazzulla. Age: 17. Ability: Spontaneous combustion. Location: Unknown. Status: dangerous. Biological Mother: Lydia Strazzulla (deceased; last location: Sullivan Bros. carnival). Biological Father: Unknown. Known Family members: Carol Strazzulla (aunt). Legal guardian: Carol Strazzulla (deceased; last location: New England)."

Sam concentrated on the young girls face after he was finished. He memorized her face, and then closed his eyes concentrating on her. He saw a vision of the earth, and felt his brain begin to narrow down closer to the exact spot.

"North America. West coast. California. Stewart point." The vision of the girl's location then disappeared before his eyes. He smiled darkly, turning his eyes towards where Molly lay dead,

"How ironic, isn't it Molly? Almost poetic." Sam stated, lighting another cigarette. He flipped through the folder glancing at all of the faces on the individual pieces of paper, "This 'Stewart Point' reservation could be like a buffet for me, and it is all thanks to you Molly. If it hadn't been for you, I'd still probably be in one of those company cells."

Sam's attention was caught as he saw a familiar face from the list,

"Name: Barbra Peirce. Age: 31. Ability: Invulnerability. Location: Primatech facility. Status: Agent. Biological Mother: Unknown. Biological Father: Unknown. Known Family members: Tracy Strauss (Ability: Cryokenisis; Biological twin; Living; last location: Stewart Point), Nikki Sanders (Ability: superhuman strength; Biological twin; deceased; last location: New Orleans), Micah Sanders (Ability: Technopathy; Biological Nephew; Living; last location: Washington D.C)." Sam smirked, shutting the manila folder, and placing it back inside his coat, "How interesting." He whispered to himself, "Triplets, all three with such wonderful power."

Sam turned walking back down the quiet ally, leaving Molly's body to rot without a trace, "I'll get back to Miss Peirce. I need to pay her sister a visit first." He took a long drag of his cigarette, "It looks like I'm heading to California."

"Primatech Medical Ward"

-BENNET AND MOHINDER-

Bennet stood out of Mohinder's way as he worked on the body lying in a hospital designed bed. Early the day before, the body wasn't even recognizable. It had hardly looked like a body at all, but thanks to Mohinder's research, a serum was injected into the corpse allowing it temporal cellular regeneration abilities. The effects had taken place immediately; first muscles knitted themselves back together, then radiant skin grew over the exposed flesh, and finally long, soft, blonde hair grew from its scalp. The woman now slept on the soft mattress, hooked to an IV, a heart monitor, and a brain activity scanner. The only thing left for her body to be fully functioning again was regaining cognitive function, and Mohinder had already noticed signs of that process beginning.

Noah stood by, astounded at the sight of her. He marveled at the process in which she had returned. A sudden noise from the brain scanner stopped his staring,

"What does that mean?" Noah asked as he stared at the machines screen,

"It's been spiking like this for about half an hour now, but that was the biggest yet. She'll be waking up any minute." Mohinder answered, adjusting the IV. Noah smiled mischievously to himself.

The heart monitor's constant beeping began to quicken, "Now, Noah, I'm not entirely sure how she will react after being dead for so long. I don't even know if she will be the same person. Everything that's about to happen could overwhelm her."

The woman's eyes started to flutter, and her fingers began to twitch. Noah moved to her bedside, watching her closely. In an instant her blue eyes flew open wide. She sat straight up, gasping loudly. Bennet adjusted his glasses and grinned slyly at her. She turned to him with a panicked expression. He saw recognition pass over her face as she did so,

"Welcome back Elle."

Elle shook violently, her eyes wide in shock, "Holy Sh-"