Sylar is leading government agents on a wild goose chase. One night, as he's fleeing from some of these agents, he finds a new ally. Although Sylar prefers to be alone, he finds that this ally may be of use to him. Or maybe, she's the one running the show. In any case, for the first time in a long while, he lets someone into his life, someone from whom he can take nothing, someone who's just a friend. After all, everybody needs a friend.

I do not own Heroes. I'm just a fan. I usually write Star Trek fics but wanted to try something different, now that I'm inspired by the start of Season 4. Hope you enjoy.

For want of a friend Part 1

Sylar ran. He ran for their lives. Those that followed him had no idea that if he chose to stop and face them, they would die. Tonight, he had no desire to face anyone, no desire to kill. So instead, he ran.

When he had reached the front yard of a rather large house in the middle of nowhere, he ran into a woman. Literally. They both fell to the ground, hard. The woman noticed the six men in black chasing the one who ran into her. She rose off the ground quickly, and turned to the stranger on the ground. "Who are they?" she demanded. "Quickly!"

Sylar tilted his head, staring up at the raven-haired woman who dared question him. "They're FBI," he told her, not sure why he was telling her. He saw, even in the dark, her smile. Not a pleasant thing, but rather, one like he often had himself when he killed, and was enjoying it.

The woman raised her hands, which now crackled with blue energy. That energy coalesced into spheres, which she launched at two of the men. They vanished in a bright flash, even as his confederates stopped in their tracks, and looked in surprise at their prey and the woman beside him. She must be one of them, they thought simultaneously. Their orders were to take out Sylar, so if she was helping him, she was now a target too.

The four remaining agents fired at the pair. The woman raised a hand, sweeping it in front of her. Sylar watched in amazement as the bullets were eaten by an energy field erected between them and the armed men, before they could reach their intended targets. The woman continued to fire the energy spheres at the agents until one by one, they had all disappeared in mini explosions of blue light.

The barrier vanished, no longer needed. The woman turned to Sylar, held her hand out to him, which he took, pulling himself up off the ground. "Is that why they were chasing you?"

Sylar looked at the woman. She was obviously someone like him, like all the others. He didn't know how much he should tell her, or if he should just kill her now and move on. "People are always chasing me," he said, brushing himself off. He gave her his killer smile. "Somehow, I've been misunderstood."

"Misunderstood. Right. I'm Selene. And I know what you are." She then indicated the house in front of them. "You're welcome to rest up, if you want. It's pretty quiet out here."

"I don't need your help," he said harshly. He still didn't know if he should dispatch her, or let her live because of the aid she'd rendered him. Not that he couldn't have handled the agents himself. What the others didn't know was at times, he could be quite magnanimous and would choose not to kill. It felt odd to see his pursuers done in, and not by his own hand. His curiosity got the best of him. Maybe he'd rest up a bit, eat something and see who this intriguing savior was. If she was as powerful as she seemed, he might have a look at the brain beneath that beautiful hair. "Alright, lead the way," he said. "By the way, the name is....Sylar."

The woman called Selene entered the house first, with the dark man in tow. She locked the door behind her. Sylar had to laugh at her precaution, considering what she was, and the fact that anyone after him would not be deterred by a mere door.

Selene went back to preparing her supper. "I hope you're hungry," she said wryly. "I made a lot, even though I wasn't expecting guests. Funny how things work."

Sylar sat at the dining table and watched her cook. In the light of the kitchen, he could see her better. The black hair, her eyes, which were an unusual turquoise. She looked about 25, no older than 30. But in light of her powers, she could be older. He ventured to question her. "Why did you help me out there?"

She turned and smiled at him again. "I saw that you were being chased by those men. I sensed in you something of what I am. I thought, why not. I haven't killed anyone in ages."

That last sentence shocked him. Was she exactly like him? What if she had some ability he wanted. Could he kill her for it? Would he be able, seeing how strong she was?

She checked the pot on the stove, and seeing that the food inside was cooking, went to sit down at the table. As if reading his mind, she said, "You can't take anything from me. I was born with all of my gifts. And I'll keep them. I know that's how you grow stronger, Sylar. You steal power from others. I never had to. I have everything you have, save for one thing. I can't shape shift as you can."

Again, she surprised him. How did she know? She could read his mind, but how did she know what abilities he possessed? He would have to be careful of his thoughts.

"What a handy thing to be able to do. Be anyone you want. And do anything you want because of it." Selene steepled her fingers. "How long have you been this way?"

"Since I was born, I knew I was...different. I learned of my ...gift a few years ago." Not wanting to go into any more detail, he only said, "It was never enough. I found I could steal the powers of the others, so I would grow stronger. I can't even die anymore."

Selene nodded. "Yes, I'm the same way. Regenerative powers. I can't die either. As I said, only the ability to shape shift is something I don't have. And don't worry, I can't steal it from you." She turned back to the stove, checking the steaming pot. "Supper's ready!"

Sylar took the bowl Selene had given him. It was a hearty stew, which he ate with relish. He hadn't realized how hungry he was.

After they'd eaten, Selene began washing their dishes. As he watched her, Sylar found himself curious about this woman who had killed for him. Yet she indicated that she'd killed before. And not for the same reasons he had. Who are you and where are you from? He attempted to force her to move from the sink and sit at the table. She was smiling that enigmatic smile, when she turned around to face him. But she wasn't moving at his behest. She laughed.

"Now why are you trying to use your power against me? I told you, you can't affect me. You can't hurt me. I may not be stronger than you, Sylar, but I think I'm pretty equal.

"Ok, I get it. I can't control you. So who are you? Why haven't you been picked off by those bastards who won't leave us alone?" He didn't elaborate of whom he was speaking when he said 'us'.

Selene sat at the table, and fixed her gaze on Sylar. "When I was young, my parents knew I was strange, different. The kids at school were afraid of me. The teachers wanted nothing to do with me. Once, I killed a bird just to see if I could bring it back to life. It stayed dead. We...moved a lot. But every time we did, the same thing would happen. I think they gave up on me. Later on, I found out that I wasn't so different. There were others like me. It made me angry to know that my parents never once sought help. I felt so alone. Finally, when I was 17, I ran away from home. I don't think they even looked for me." She chuckled. "They were probably relieved to be rid of me. But I found, with my abilities, I could live quite well. I can make people do things. So, I have this house, a car and no need to work at some mundane 9-5 job. I actually used to do good deeds for people. I saved several from being mugged. Took out the muggers. That was fun. I prevented a few bank robberies. Even tried to stop a war once. That was harder than I thought it would be. After awhile, I developed my own morality. I did pretty much what I wanted, to anyone. There's that fine line. I should have felt guilty, but you know what they say, life's a bitch, then you die. Only, I won't." She crossed her legs, and looked Sylar up and down. "So, what are your plans?"

"I haven't given it much thought. I have some people I have to...talk with. Until then...."

"You can stay here, if you like. I have the room." She rose from her chair. Sylar followed suit. As she turned to go to the hallway, he called up blue energy in one hand, and arced it straight at Selene, who turned so quickly, it took him by surprise. She put her hands up in front of her, stopping the energy. She laughed and shook her head. "I warned you, Sylar. I did." She absorbed some of the energy, and pushing her hands forward, gave him a taste of his own medicine, albeit less powerful than what he'd thrown at her.. He reeled back as he was hit, the energy at half strength. "Don't do that anymore. Come on." She led him to a bedroom. "You can stay here, if you like. Mine is down at the end of the hall. Bathroom is next door." She left him standing in the middle of the room.

Sylar tried to relax, but he found himself unable to. He'd showered the days sweat off, and put his slacks back on, leaving his shirt in the sink. There were some blood stains on it, and he was trying to soak them out.

He left the room, and sought out Selene's. He mentally pushed it open. She was sitting on her bed, a television set on but unwatched, papers strewn in front of her on the bed. She looked up. "Come in, Sylar. Can't sleep?" She waved her hands in front of her. "I was trying to work on these. Diagrams to a sub-military post. I have a job, if you will, to get a piece of equipment for a client of mine."

Sylar, suddenly curious, sat on the bed, and floated one of the papers to him. He read it over. Times, locations, supplies, all kinds of information were on these papers. Where had she gotten so much of what was probably, classified, information?

Selene looked up at him. "Want to have some fun before you go to wherever it is you have to go? Come with me. I could use your "special" talents." She waited for his answer.

He looked at her, then the scattered papers, then back to her questioningly. No answer seemed forthcoming. Finally ...."Ok," was all he said. He could always use some diversion. Washington wasn't going anywhere, and neither were the Petrellis.

Selene gathered up the papers, and floated them over to a small desk in the corner of her room. She leaned back against her headboard. "Stay. Relax. I don't mind. Where do you have to go anyway?"

"Washington DC," he said. He was surprised that she didn't even seem curious, since she asked him no further questions.

Sylar sat next to her, checking out what was on the television. Nightly news, filled with bombings, murders, and other kinds of destruction. Nothing of importance to him. He tried not to be shocked when Selene took his arm, and placing it behind her head, settled against him. How long had it been since anyone trusted him, or let him anywhere near them without fire power?

Sylar ran his hand over her bare shoulder. He was starting to relax some, here with this woman who was just like him. He didn't know her intent with the knowledge she possessed, but maybe he would join her. Running wasn't fun. What choice did he have?

"Tell you what. You help me out. Then we'll drive to Washington. The pay's good. What do you say?" She turned to look at him.

Sylar nodded silently.

"Good. We just have to get inside this post, you see. Find that piece of equipment and leave. We take out anyone who gets in our way. Simple. I'll drop off the item, and we can go. " Selene laughed. "You haven't done this before? Never mind, you don't have to tell me. I sense you have some experience getting out of tight places. You'll do fine, I think." She nestled back against Sylar. She raised a hand and held it, fingers pointing upward. Sylar did the same, touching his fingertips against Selene's. Blue energy crackled between them like tiny lightning both watched the energy arc between their fingers before breaking it off, leaving behind a sensation of pure pleasure.

"That's fascinating," observed Selene. "It seems our energy is compatible. I've never seen anything like it before."

They lay there, comparing their individual powers. "I could use that shape shifter ability," said Selene. "It must come in handy. You can't read minds, but your other abilities compensate for that. Sensing a lie by reading emotions. And no, you can't have my gift. Don't even think of it," she smiled, but the warning was quite clear. She turned slightly to lie over his chest. She suddenly had an idea.

"You said you were going to Washington. What a kick that would be, get close enough to the president and become him."

He smiled wryly, since that idea had occurred to him. "Pity you can't shape shift, or you could be the first lady."

Selene smirked at the idea, and retorted, "If I could, why couldn't I be the president, and you be the first lady?"

Sylar found the thought too comical, and pressing on her shoulders, flipped Selene onto her back. His leg thrown across her body held her down, as he stared down into her turquoise eyes, obviously enjoying her laughter as she found herself at a disadvantage. "It's a good thing you can't shape shift then." He slowly lowered his face to her, kissing her. He felt Selene respond, but suddenly found himself on his back once more, as she pushed against him. She sat up a bit. "Hey, look what's on TV. I used to watch this show in reruns all the time. The lead was just like me, and when you're a child, you look for something, anything, to connect with."

Sylar knew what that was like. "What show is it?"

"My Favorite Martian," Selene replied. When he just raised his brows in confusion, she elaborated. "This Martian crash lands on Earth and this reporter finds him, and takes him in, as his uncle. The Martian can do all kinds of things. Telepathy, telekinesis, and so on." She raised her hand and whirled her forefinger around. "He could move things with his mind," she said, as she pointed the finger at Sylar.

He grabbed her hand, holding it fast.

"Give me my hand back," she demanded.

"No," he said, rubbing his thumb on her palm.

Selene pulled her hand from his, and went back to watching the television. Sylar watched too, wondering why people would make and watch shows like that, yet if someone with such powers appeared in real life, they were feared, and chased to death. In his case, though, he could understand. He was to be feared. Selene didn't seem to be afraid of him, though, and that brought a new sensation to him. He probably could destroy her, if he could catch her off-guard, but he found himself not wanting to. That could change, but for now, he would help her out, and then see what they could accomplish in Washington.

The show was over and Selene turned off the TV with a flick of her hand. "We'd better get some sleep. There's work to do tomorrow, and then we have a long drive." She turned on her side, facing away from him. But she allowed him to press up against her. She went into his mind, and read nothing threatening to her. Only then, did she close her eyes and go to sleep.

For his part, Sylar slipped an arm over Selene's waist. She didn't object, so he relaxed. Her hair smelled of baked apples. Must be her shampoo. He slept a dreamless sleep, for the first time in weeks.

A/N: I used to watch Heroes in the first season, but stopped at season two. I didn't know who Sylar was really. Then with Zach's new found popularity, I decided to give the show a chance. Now I'm in love with the character. So inspiration struck. If I have anything wrong, it's because of my missing two seasons. I'm not worrying about Elle and anything that happened with the Petrellis, kind of winging it here, so forgive me if it isn't 100%. Enjoy!