"The beginning is the end and the end is the beginning."

Petrelli Mansion, New York City

1980

Angela Petrelli's eyes were shut as she slept, but there was a slight twitch on her eyelids as if her eyes were moving behind them. They did not open as various images began to play through her mind as a dream.

"Mommy." A little boy with black hair parted to the side and wore glasses stared at the body of a woman that had been discarded on the dirt road like trash. A crimson gash marred forehead, her eyes dull.

The scene melted away. This time the little boy was in a dark room as he sat on the floor hugging his knees and rocking himself. "I didn't mean to be a bad boy." He whispered sniffing. The door to the room creaked open and a dim light spilled through the opening.

"I don't like hurting you." A woman said from the doorway. "You're my special little boy." A shiver went down Angela's spine when she heard her tone. "Come give mommy a hug."

The little boy stood up on shaky legs and ran to her. The light illuminated his features and Angela could see his gaze starve for affection as he hugged the woman. Her arms wrapped around him. "There, there darling." She ran her hand through his hair. "Remember who I am to you." Her hands fisted his hair and the boy let out a whimper. "I'm your new mommy."

The boy trembled in her arms as he agreed. "Mommy."

The image changed again at a more rapid rate until the boy ceased to exist and a man took his place. Angela watched with dread as the man smirked evilly and scalped his victims. But the ones that filled her with horror was when she saw her Peter thrown out of a window to what most likely lead to his death and her Nathan helpless to put up a fight when the man slit his throat, blood poured out at an alarming rate. Pain and guilt wreaked havoc over her when the man lifted his hand pinning a blonde teen against the wall and mercilessly cut a line on her forehead using his finger. Her screams of pain echoed as he scalped her.

Her eyes snapped open as she sat up in bed and it took her several moments to not only calm her breathing, but familiarize herself with her surroundings.

"Angela." Arthur Petrelli muttered half asleep as he sat up and looked at his wife concerned. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Angela quickly shook her head before he could place his hand on her shoulder. "I need some water." It took years of making in order for her to keep her calm exterior and not throw the covers off of her as she put her slippers on and walked out the room. Instead of heading downstairs she opened the door to Nathan's room to see her thirteen-year-old son sleeping peacefully and sighed in relief. She walked to his bed and placed a soft kiss on his forehead tugging the blanket over him to make sure he was warm and comfortable before walking out the room and closing the door quietly. She made her way to Peter's nursery and walked to the crib to see the baby boy dressed in a baby blue footie. He had kicked the cover off him as he slept and a small smile graced his lips. Angela gently pulled the white blanket over him and tucked it around him to make sure he wouldn't grow cold throughout the rest of the night. Her fingertips gently caressed his chubby smooth cheek and let his smile comfort her. "I will protect you and Nathan." She whispered to him.

Brooklyn, New York

1984

"Have you found him?"

"It's not that simple Angela."

"Why not Thompson?" Angela tried to keep her tone under control as they walked through a crowd. She kept a close eye on Peter who they had strategically placed between them as they walked through the sidewalk. "I gave you a name."

"You gave me a first name." Eric Thompson tried to keep his temper in check. "There are over hundreds of Gabriel's. If you had a last name then we can narrow down the search."

"I gave you a description of him."

"Which can only go so far."

"I don't care what you have to do." She stopped walking and gave him a look. "Use any means possible to find him."

Peter grew bored standing in the same place as him mother talked with the other man in shushed tones. He bounced the small red ball he had been holding and discreetly tugged his hand from his mother's grasp as he chased after it. It bounced off the sidewalk and into the busy street.

"Peter." Angela looked around to see her son missing and panicked. "Peter!"

Thompson helped her by looking and caught sight of the five-year-old as he stepped off the sidewalk. He cursed and tried to sprint toward him.

"Peter!" Angela ran to him hoping that Thompson would reach him in time.

Thompson watched with disbelief as another boy who appeared to be a few years old than Peter and wore glasses ran after him and grabbed him. He pulled Peter back causing the both of them to land on a pile by the end of the sidewalk as a car sped passed them. The boy had cushioned Peter's fall, but that didn't stop the little boy from getting teary eyed as various unfamiliar faces formed a circle around and asked them questions. Noticing Peter was about to cry the older boy forced him to meet his gaze. "Are you hurt?"

"No." Peter's voice cracked just as he was about to start crying the older boy pulled him into a hug and patted his head. "There, there." Peter simply sniffed and took comfort from him.

"Peter!"

Thompson shoved through the crowd with Angela right behind him.

"Mommy!" Peter ran to her and she wasted no time in lifting him into her arms. "Are you hurt sweetie?" He shook his head and buried his face into her neck as he hugged her.

"That was a pretty brave and reckless thing you did back there." Thompson addressed the older boy as he helped him up. "What were you thinking?"

"The car was going to hit him." The boy looked at him nervously. "I didn't want the car to hit him…I had a chance to get him before impact. Why not grab him if I can?"

He crouched down onto his level. "What's your name boy?"

"Gabriel." The boy responded meeting his gaze. "Gabriel Gray."

It was then Thompson looked at Angela and saw the recognition flash in her eyes as she looked at Gabriel. This was the Gabriel she had been looking for.

"Gabriel!"

Thompson watched carefully as Gabriel went tense for a moment before forcing a smile as he turned to face the woman that had been calling his name.

"I was worried sick about you. Why did you run off?"

"I am sorry mom." Gabriel walked toward her. "I won't do it again."

"It's my fault." Angela spoke up and smiled at his mother politely. "He rescued my son from incoming traffic."

Virginia Gray looked at her son surprised. "Is that true?" When Gabriel nodded shyly she whispered to him, "I always knew you were special." She pressed a kiss on his head.

Thompson saw the boy grimace as he forced another smile.

"Well I'm glad my son could have helped, but Gabriel and I have to go now. We still have much to do before my husband gets home."

"Of course, I hope you have a pleasant day Mrs. Gray."

"Likewise Mrs.—"

"Petrelli."

"Mrs. Petrelli."

As Virginia and Gabriel began walking away Peter broke through the silence that weighed heavily over his mother and Thompson. "Mommy, I want my ball."

Angela didn't have a say a word as she glanced at Thompson who went to retrieve it knowing he had no choice in the matter. When Peter was handed back his ball Angela caved into his request of being put down.

"Gabe!" Peter yelled running after Gabriel and Virginia.

Angela and Thompson watched the scene unfold as Gabriel and his mother stopped walking and turned to face him.

"For you." Peter held out the ball for him.

"I—"

When he hesitated Peter grabbed his hand and put the ball into it. "Keep it."

"Thank you." Gabriel smiled back at him.

"There's something off about that woman." Thompson commented.

"He's the one. I need you to get him for me."

"I'll have him by tonight."

It had been three days since Thompson brought in Gabriel and the nine year old refused to speak to anyone, but to him.

"The boy is impressive." Thompson commented to Angela as they watched him through a two way mirror.

Angela's eyes never wavered from the boy as he finished another five hundred piece puzzle. "You have no idea."

"That's his fifth one."

"How long?"

"Less than an hour."

"His problem solving skills are growing rapidly."

"If we go by the test results this is but the beginning."

"What is his power?"

"We think it might be intuitive aptitude, but we're not sure. He still needs to go through more tests, but he's reluctant. He keeps asking about his mother and when he will be able to go home."

Without another word she left Thompson's side and walked toward the door that led to Gabriel's room. She opened the door only to meet with a pair of curious onyx eyes, which widened slightly with recognition. "Hello Gabriel."

"Mrs. Petrelli." The little boy sat straight in his chair as he regarded the older woman with respect.

"How are you feeling?" Angela took a seat on the chair across the table from him.

"I'm doing perfectly fine considering that I'm not harmed and have eaten." He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes before placing them back on.

"Are the glasses bothering your eyes?"

"Yes, they have been for the past three days." Gabriel frowned growing tired and took them off again.

"Maybe you need new glasses." She suggested feeling slightly guilty when she saw how tired the little boy looked.

"Perhaps."

"Gabriel—"

"When will I be able to go home? Mother will be worried sick about me. I have to go back. I can't disappoint her."

The desperation in his gaze sent a chill down her spine. "You won't be able to go back." The need to please his mother at such a young age was somewhat frightening. "I can't let you."

"I don't understand." Gabriel shook his head. "Why not?"

"She doesn't want you." The lie slipped from her tongue smoothly. She could not mess this up. The lives of her sons and future grandchildren hanged in the balance.

"What?"

The heart broken look almost had her taking the words back. "She had Thompson personally come collect you in your sleep."

"Why?"

"Because you are special."

"She always wanted me to be special!" He snapped tears clouding his eyes. "Why would she abandon me when all I did was become what she wanted me to?"

"You are far more special then she had ever imagined you to become."

His hands clenched into fists as he looked at the table that had the puzzle he finished moments ago. "Let me talk to her. I can beg her to take me back. I'll promise not be special, I'll be whatever she wants me to be."

"You shouldn't promise something you can't keep." Angela told him gently. "Would it be so bad for you to stay here with people like us?"

Gabriel looked up with undisguised fear. "I won't be alone?" He whispered.

"You won't be."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because there are others like us."

"Special like us?"

"Yes."

"How are you special?" Gabriel asked curiously slowing letting go of his fear.

If she wanted him to trust her then she knew she had to tell him the truth. "I dream about the future."

"Really?" His eyes instantly lit up as a small smile graced his lips. "Have you seen my future?"

"Perhaps."

"That's not a straightforward answer."

"I know, but I can't share the future so freely when even I can't comprehend what will happen."

"You can only influence certain situations and hope in the end that it will change the outcome."

Angela remained silent trying not to convey through body language or facial expression how his words rang true.

"Are you trying to influence my fate?" His gaze unwavering as it met hers. "For the better?"

"Promise your loyalty to me and I will make sure you are never alone."

"You will always be there?"

"I will try, but I will make sure someone will be there."

"…"

"Gabriel—"

"I promise. I won't stray from you." The hard resolve in his eyes made it seem like she was talking to an adult and not a child. "What is your first order?"

"Top priority is to find who you are and then be yourself."

"Who I am?"

"But be warned Gabriel, many spend their whole lifetime trying to figure out who they are and don't succeed."

"I won't be one of them." He promised determination burned in his gaze.

"I believe in you." It was then she did something that not only surprised Gabriel and herself, but also Thompson who had watched the whole conversation. She leaned over the table and kissed his forehead. When she pulled back a small blush coated his cheeks as he smiled shyly at her. "I'll see you soon." And she meant it.

New York

1985

"He's a dangerous one."

"Should we tranquilize him?"

"We tried, but he melts the darts and no one can get close enough to him in order to give him an injection."

Angela frowned as she watched the man in the cell throw flames at the glass. If he kept going at it, it wouldn't be long before he is able to escape and hurt many on his rampage.

"Let me out of here!"

"What do you want to do?" Thompson asked her.

While everyone had been discussing options no one noticed the ten-year-old watching the scene fascinated.

"I think we sho —"

"Oh shit!" One of the agents cursed as they looked through the glass in horror.

For a moment Angela stopped breathing when she saw Gabriel inside the room with that man. Thompson not wasting anytime ran to the door.

"Stop!" Gabriel yelled at Thompson holding out a hand signaling him not to come any closer. The man looked at him confused.

"What is a child like you doing here?" He asked glaring at him.

"I know you're scared."

"I'm not!"

Thompson tensed when Anderson advanced toward Gabriel. "It's okay." Gabriel told him calmly without a hint of fear in his voice. "I was scared when they brought me while I was sleeping and I woke up here."

"You don't know what it's like." Anderson spat at him. "To have fire come out of your hands when ever your emotions get the best of you." To prove his point he shot fire from his hand narrowly missing Gabriel's left arm.

"Hurt the boy and I will kill you." Thompson threatened pulling out his gun.

"Don't." Gabriel said over his shoulder before looking at them. "I might know." He extended his arm and presented him his fist before turning it around opening it with his palm facing up.

Angela watched in wonder as a small flame hovered Gabriel's open palm.

"Did you know he could do that?"

"No, I didn't know he could use fire."

"He didn't know before." She said watching as Anderson lowered his guard.

"How?" Anderson asked in surprise. "You're like me."

"In a way." Gabriel answered as he continued to distract him with the flame and pulled out the syringe he had hidden in his long sleeve. When Anderson leaned closer to him Gabriel jammed the needle into the side of his throat. "I'm sorry." He whispered when the man looked at him with disbelief, which slowly turned to shock as he fell to his knees and then anger when he realized what the little boy did to him.

"You're working with them." He hissed.

"I couldn't let you hurt her." Gabriel whispered.

Thompson, seeing the fire hovering in Anderson's palms even as he fought the fainting spell, ran toward Gabriel and grabbed him. He was barely able to jump through the open door and slam it close with his foot stopping a fire ball from searing them. "What were you thinking?" He snapped at the younger boy as they caught their breath and helped him up. Seeing him in danger had disturbed him more than he would like. After a year of keeping an eye on him and instructing what may be expected of him, he had formed a bond with him.

"Thompson." Angela said in warning as she pulled Gabriel from him and turned the boy to face her. She gave him a once over reassuring herself that he was unharmed. "Gabriel you must not put yourself in harm's way. You are too young and ill prepared."

"One of us, one of them." Gabriel recited the rule every agent followed in the company. The first rule Thompson ever discussed with him.

Thompson felt a dose of pride toward the little boy.

"Anderson was going to hurt everyone, hurt you and I couldn't…let that happen." Gabriel looked at the floor. "You were most likely going to send in Thompson since he is the most competent of all the agents who were present at the moment, but there wasn't one with an ability…I was the only one. Thompson could have gotten seriously hurt or died if he went in alone."

"And you didn't think he would hurt you?"

"There was always a possibility he would, but I relied on my appearance to catch him off guard."

"What about the flame?"

"I'm not sure." Gabriel responded truthfully. "I kept seeing him throw flames at the glass repeatedly. His moves were desperate and the way his eyes moved around the room in panic indicated a hint of fear even though he was trying to cover it with anger. I could relate to his desperation and fear because I felt like that the first time I was here. That's when I felt it…something warm."

Thompson noticed the agents looking amongst themselves nervously and the few scientists looked at the boy with a new interest that unnerved him. "Mr. Gray has had enough excitement for one day."

Gabriel frowned knowing that Thompson only use his last name when he did something wrong.

"He will go have his dinner and then get ready for bed. Tomorrow," He glared at the scientists who quickly looked away guilty, "we will discuss this more in detail."

"I agree." Angela ran a hand through Gabriel's hair with a hint of affection when the boy continued to look at the floor. "You did a good job Gabriel." This time when the boy looked up at her surprised, a small smile graced her lips. "Now go eat."

Gabriel nodded before turning around. He looked at Thompson, who raised an eyebrow at him. Just as he was walking passed him Thompson ruffled his hair letting him know he was not angry. He looked back at the older man who winked at him and caused him to smirk at him before walking away.

Once he was out sight Angela turned to Thompson. "I think it's about time he gets an alias."

"So you're all ready thinking of putting him on the field?"

"Not yet, but perhaps soon."

Gabriel looked curiously at Thompson who was quiet more than usually. He had wanted to ask his mentor what it was that he wanted to discuss, but instead remained silent and let him take his time.

"Angela wants me to give you an alias."

"Alias?"

"A codename to disguise your true identity when you are on the field."

"I know what an alias is, but you don't seem happy about that."

"When you get one, it usually means you will be assigned to on duty."

"You don't think I'm ready for it?"

"It's not that I don't think you aren't ready to go on field." Thompson sighed. "I think you're still too young even though you are wise beyond your years."

Gabriel remained silent as he contemplated his mentor's words. "Are you afraid I will change?"

"Aren't you?"

"I never thought about it." He answered truthfully as he looked at the wall. Would he change for the better or worse? The future isn't set in stone. Will he still become what Angela tried to stop him from becoming?

Thompson looked at the boy sitting across from him. It had been a year since he had taken the boy from his home and flipped his world upside down. Thompson and Angela had kept a close eye on him and saw how mature he was becoming with each day.

It surprised him how the little boy couldn't see that he was already changing. But even so he still retained a hint of innocence. It was the only thing keeping him from feeling guilty about going with Angela's lie. He was used to dealing with older teens or adults, but never a child. It was that innocence he worried would fade from the boy the moment Angela gave the okay to send him out and start bringing in others like him. Who would his partner be? "So do you have a name in mind?" He asked watching as Gabriel closed his eyes and craned his head to the side as if hearing something.

"It's ticking half a minute too slow." His eyes snapped open as he looked at Thompson's watch irritated. "I thought I fixed that for you."

Thompson looked at him amused. "This is another one." He undid the clasp and handed the watch to Gabriel who had his hand out wordlessly demanding for it. Thompson was used to this side of him and didn't mind it since it saved him money for going to a watchmaker shop to get it fixed. He didn't really care for saving, but it seemed to offer the boy some comfort, so he bought him a kit from repairing watches and on occasion would bring him a broken watch. But he hadn't known that the watch he was wearing was slightly off. He had bought it seven years ago and barely used it. He learned a few months ago that Gabriel's father had been teaching him how to repair watches. The boy carefully opened the watch and took his time looking over it not wanting to remove any parts unless necessary.

Gabriel stood up from his seat and walked toward his bed where he lifted the mattress and took out the kit Thompson gave him. He went back to his seat and opened it. Pulling out the tool he needed he began to work on fixing the loose screw. A moment later he set the tool down and put it back together before he held the timepiece up to his ear. His eyes closed and a small smile graced his lips when he heard the right tic. "There." He whispered carefully closing it up again. His thump brushed over the glass as he caught sight of the name for the watch. "Sylar?"

"You want that to be alias?"

"What?" He looked surprised.

"It would fitting for you considering how you like fixing those timepieces."

"You have a valid point." Gabriel tried to hand back the watch but Thompson shook his head.

"Keep it. Consider it a gift for officially welcoming you to the Company."

"Okay." Gabriel nodded and carefully clasped the watch onto his wrist.

"Sylar."

Gabriel gaze instantly snapped back to Thompson.

The older name knew that the boy had chosen the right name by how attach he was to it already. "From now on you will be known as Sylar and only few will ever know your true name unless you want to share it with another, but be warned there are many wolves who dress as sheep. People who you think as friends may betray you so must always be on guard."

"Will you become one of those people?"

"I don't know." Thompson told him honestly knowing how the Company was a cut throat business. You turn their back on them you will be hunted down. "But let us hope not."

"…"

"There's one more thing I would like to give you." He pulled out a small red ball from his pocket.

His eyes latched onto it instantly remembering the little boy that had given it to him.

Thompson placed it on the table. "I thought you would want it."

"I thought I would never see it again." He picked up the ball carefully and stared it remembering what happened that day. Feeling multiple emotions of joy, anger, pride, and sadness wage inside him over how his life changed and for a moment he wondered if his life will keep on changing and will there never be a constant thing in his life. Something that he can call his own? Someone who would accept him unconditionally and be beside him no matter what?

"I want you to remember where you came from." Thompson voice broke through his dark musings. "That no matter where you find yourself in the future you can look at the ball and remember what you did and what you are."

"What I am?"

"A hero."

His hand tightened on the ball.

"You became a hero the moment you risked your life and saved Peter Petrelli. Don't you forget that." Thompson ruffled his hair as he stood from his chair. "I wish you the best of luck Sylar."

Sylar watched his mentor walk away, but instead of feeling dread he felt confident that whatever the future held for him he will come out on top. He glanced back at the ball and let it go only for it to hit the ground and bounce back up and caught it. He let the ticking of the Sylar watch on his left hand sooth him and he bounced the ball with his right hand feeling a small genuine smile curve on his lips.

"I saw that ball in my dream last night." Angela said the moment Thompson had closed the door behind him.

"I went to retrieve it for him last night." He simply said coming to stand beside her and watched as Sylar bounced the red ball and caught it all the while smiling.

"But it was no longer in his possession." She said more to herself than him. "He gave it to a five-year-old girl with blonde hair and hazel eyes."

New York

1986

"Sylar."

The eleven-year-old boy looked over his shoulder at his mentor to see him walking with a man wearing horn-rimmed glasses.

"Just the boy I was looking for." Thompson smirked.

Sylar remained silent waiting for him to continue.

"I want you to meet our new recruit." He motioned to the man beside him. "Noah Bennet."

"Welcome." The young boy stuck out his hand and grasped Noah's hand in a firm grip when the older man shook his hand. "I'm Sylar Gray."

"And he will be your partner until I can find you a permanent one."

"You're one of them?" Noah looked at the boy surprised caught off guard by how young the boy was. He only had ever encountered adults with special abilities and didn't know how he felt about having to depend on someone so young to have his back.

Sylar nodded.

"Don't be fooled by how young he is." Thompson looked at the boy with a hint of pride. "He's one of our top agents and one of Angela's favorites." He glanced at Noah. "Since Angela seems to also have a liking towards you as well I thought it would be best to partner the both of you up for the time being."

"Last time I checked Claude has yet to be assigned a partner."

"I'll have to check up on that, but until then both of you play nice." He waved at them before walking off.

"So," Noah glanced down at Sylar. "What ability do you have?"

"Would you like me to show you?" He smirked.

Noah simply raised an eyebrow in affirmative.

1991

Sylar was only able to work with Noah for a year before Thompson had Claude take his place, but that still hadn't stopped the friendship that developed between Noah and him from growing the past four years. He had even been invited to Noah's small wedding with Sandra, but wasn't able to make due to being sent out on a mission across the nation the day before the wedding. Still Noah would constantly update him on any huge developments in his life or they would simply have lunch together. On occasion Claude would join them and mostly swoon over the baby the Company had Noah adopt. Practically gushed about how adorable the baby girl was, which peaked Sylar's curiosity especially when Noah would shift uncomfortably and not shine any enlightenment on the topic or would avoid it by changing the subject.

Noah had yet to invite Sylar to meet the baby, which led to him dropping by on a surprise visit to the Bennet apartment on his day off. Sylar knew that he could get in trouble with not only Noah, but also Thompson and Angela since he hadn't bothered to inform anyone where he was going. He climbed up the steps and stopped on the floor that he knew Noah's apartment was and as he walked down the hallway he noticed a woman struggling with carrying a baby in one arm, carrying grocery bags in the other and struggling to open the door to her apartment with her hand. "Let me help you with that." Not waiting for a response he grabbed the grocery bags.

"Thank you." The woman sighed gratefully as she took a moment to correct her hold on the baby and then turned the key to unlock the door. "Come on in."

For the first time since approaching her, Sylar was able to get a good look at her without the grocery bags obscuring her face and recognized her instantly as Noah's wife Sandra Bennet. Noah had shown him a picture of her when they had begun dating and then again after they got married. He followed her inside and waited for her to close the door before following her to the kitchen.

"Thank you again." Sandra smiled at him warmly. "I don't know how to repay you."

"It was nothing." Sylar schooled his expression with a smile not wanting her to see his frown. He could see the dark bags under her eyes as if she hasn't been getting enough sleep. Her body language oozed of exhaustion.

"Would you like something to drink?" She asked a moment before the baby in her arms began to cry. "There, there, sweetheart."

"Is she hurt?" He asked concerned as the baby cried loudly in her mother's arms.

"No." Sandra smiled kindly. "She just needs a diaper change. Just let me get her changed and I'll get you something to drink." She rushed out the kitchen and into the living room placing her on the changing table.

Sylar followed at a greater distance looking away to give the baby girl privacy as Sandra changed her diaper. After a few minutes he heard Sandra sigh, "Isn't that much better Claire?" Claire gave a giggle in response, which had him looking back at the mother and baby girl. He felt a slight ache and longing when he saw how Sandra, even though exhausted, affectionately ran her hand over Claire's head and kissed her cheek gently.

"So, now that I have that done," Sandra lifted Claire back into her arms and turned to face Sylar. "What would you like to drink?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

"I hope I haven't kept you from doing anything important."

"Not at all." Sylar smiled at her when she sighed in relief. "I was looking for Mr. Bennet."

"Noah?" She looked at him curiously.

"I can to deliver him a message."

"You work with him?"

"I volunteer. I'm his boss's nephew."

"Oh!" Sandra exclaimed. "You're the first person I have met from his job. He barely talks about it and it's rare for him to ever mention a coworker. What is your name?"

"Gabriel Sylar Gray." He answered without hesitation and glanced at Claire to see her staring at him as if curious.

"I believe I have heard of you, but my husband calls you Sylar."

Sylar looked away from the baby to look back at her. "Mostly everyone calls me Sylar."

"Which do you prefer?"

"I'm not picky." He responded as his gaze went back to Claire, this time to see her giving him a toothless grin.

"Okay then, since my husband calls you Sylar it's only fair that I do as well." Sandra had noticed how Sylar kept glancing at Claire and bit back a grin. "Do you want to hold her?" The look of alarm on his face was priceless.

"I can't—what if she starts crying?"

"She won't." Sandra assured and practically not giving him a choice in the matter as she passed Claire to Sylar's hesitant hands. "She has been fed and changed."

"I…" For a moment Sylar lost his train of thought as he met Claire's green hazel eyes. His hands instinctively tightened their hold on her as he pulled her closer to his chest.

"I'll go get us something cold to drink." Sandra said smiling at how adorable the sixteen-year-old looked holding a six-month-old Claire in his arms.

He broke his gaze from hers and watched helpless as Sandra walked back into the kitchen and left him alone with Claire. "So…" Sylar looked back the baby girl in his arms feeling tense and not knowing what to do, but the moment she placed her small hand on his shirt and he found himself slowly calming down. Her eyes met his again, but the moment was broken when she fisted his shirt and leaned in to suck on it. The chuckle that rumbled through him not only surprised her, but him as well. She pulled back abruptly and looked at him wide eyed. The look on her face caused him to chuckle again and this time she clapped and a delightful giggle pierced the air.

"She must really like you." Sandra said as she came into the living room holding two glasses of lemonade.

Sylar had no idea how to respond to that, but he silently agreed hoping that what she said was true. Claire placed her hands on his cheeks and cooed as if wanting to tell him something and his heart melted. If he didn't know any better he would think Claire had a power just like him, which consisted of filling the room with warmth by just smiling and melting hearts by looking into someone's eyes. Sylar for the first time in a long time gave a genuine smile and as Claire gave another delightful laugh that had Sylar's heart melting for her, she unknowingly had him wrapped around her finger. A part of him wanted nothing than to hold her close and wrap his body around her to shelter her, protect her from harm and kill any who would dare harm her. There was no judgment, anger, fear, respect or sadness in her gaze as she regarded him. There was only warmth, unconditional warmth that came with no ties attached. He had no idea what he could have done to cause her to gaze upon him in such a way, but he would do anything possible to keep her looking at him in such a way. Needed, protected, wanted…he belonged.

When Noah stepped into his apartment he had never been expected to be greeted by the sight of Sylar playing peek-a-boo with Clair semi sitting on the couch against a stack of pillows that propped her up. He froze until Sandra came to him and greeted him with a kiss. "What is going on?"

"Sylar stopped by saying that he needed to give you a message from your boss, so he waited for you, but along the wait became smitten with Claire." Sandra said with a smile. "He has been a great help in keeping her busy while I cook and even offered to babysit her on the days he's not volunteering at his uncle's company."

It only took a few seconds for Noah to put two and two together and understand that Sylar had fabricated a story to meet Claire since this was his day off and Thompson had all ready told him about Kaito Nakamura's plan to call him later in the day.

"Sylar will you be staying for dinner?" Sandra asked as she walked back to the kitchen.

Sylar looked over his shoulder to see Noah, who nodded at him. "Yes ma'am, if it's not too much of a bother."

"It's not sweetheart, I'm inviting."

"You're wife thinks I'm a sweetheart." Sylar teased as Noah came to stand beside him and Claire.

"That's only because she doesn't know the real you."

"You're just jealous that both Bennet women like me. Isn't that right?" Sylar nudged Claire's cheek affectionately with his nose before kissing it causing Noah to raise an eyebrow. Claire cooed as she clapped her hands smiling. Seeing Noah's expression he shrugged. "She's adorable. How can you resist not spoiling her?"

Noah didn't answer his question because what Sylar said about Claire being adorable was true. Every day he watched Sandra hold the girl and kiss her it gets harder for him not to be affectionate with Claire especially Sandra makes him hold her because she needs to do something. The problem was that she wasn't his, she was his assignment. If she ends up having powers he has to turn her in and if he gets close he won't be able to accomplish the assignment.

The phone ringing broke through his musings. Noah went to answer it. "Hello."

Sylar watched from the corner of his eye as Noah went tense. His tone was collected, and professional business like. Sylar knew it was someone from the company, when Noah hanged up and turned to face him. His gaze had hardened like it did multiple times just as an assignment was about to begin.

"I know it's your day off, but would you mind running an errand with Claire and I before dinner?" Noah knew that Sylar understood what he meant when he frowned as he looked at Claire.

"What do they want with her?" he asked his voice quiet enough that only Noah and Claire could hear him.

"I'm not sure yet. The details will be discussed once we get there."

"We don't have a choice in the matter." Sylar sighed standing up. "You answered the call."

"You do have a choice."

He shook his head. Claire as if feeling the mood change in the room tilted her head to the side. A small frown tugged on her lips. "No we don't…we never did."

It was then Noah noticed that Sylar had been looking at Claire the entire time. Sylar had not been referring to 'we' as in him and Noah, but to 'we' as in him and Claire.

AN: I apologize for any grammatical errors and incase the timeline is incorrect. I tried to estimate the dates with the events that were shared in the show as much as I could. This is my first Heroes fanfic. =) It's AU and based on, what if Angela was constantly plagued with visions of Sylar in her dreams for years and had acted upon them before they could take their course. How would his life change if she interfered? How would his future connect to Claire and Peter? This fic will follow the events of S1, but with Sylar being a hero. There will be more twists and turns. I don't know if I plan to follow the POV's for everyone like it did in the show or if I should simply follow Sylar and Claire's POV. Please don't forget to review and tell me what you think. (^_^)