Ψ three dreams Ψ

[hathborne]

As busy as I am getting my new...arrangements settled, I've also been busy getting together everything that I will need for the holidays together in my time off work. As fulfilling as employment can be, it also leaves less time for household chores and preparations.

It occurs to me that my Christmas shopping list for this year is dismally short,

Comments

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[comfortablygray]

You get fifteen minutes to start explaining. Argue, give me the run-around, and you'll never see Claire again.

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[hathborne]

You're going to have to be more specific, Noah. There is a lot for me to be apologizing for, I'm sure, and it's stupid to offer more information than necessary. Wife and mother of a lawyer, remember?

What do you want?

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[comfortablygray]

This qualifies as giving me the run-around. Have a nice holiday, Angela.

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[hathborne]

That's answer enough. It's Gabriel, isn't it? You want to know why I'm associating with him?

You should know that it is always advisable to keep danger under your thumb, rather than at arm's length. And he is my son and I want him back.

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[comfortablygray]

That's enough to get me to pause, not turn around. Keep talking.

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[hathborne]

It's true, Noah. I never wanted to let him go.

I am not asking you to accept this, or to get along with him. I am not so naive as to think that this changes anything. I am not so naive as to think that you will let him anywhere near you and yours, or that Peter will ever forgive me.

But I do think that you will agree with me that we have a marked advantage in a worst case scenario if I have had my eyes and hands on him. Keep your friends close, Noah, and your enemies closer.

He is my boy. Arthur stole him from me. I am not going to let him continue to suffer for the sins of his parents.

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[comfortablygray]

Oh, I believe you. Something this twisted? It never occurred to me that you might be lying. Not you.

But don't think I'm going to sit by idly while you turn a monster into a victim because of your martyr issues. You may have screwed up, but your sins didn't turn him into a serial killer. That's all him.

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[hathborne]

I'm not trying to make him into a martyr. Murder is in his blood, as it is in Peter's, and Nathan's.

Being a killer is a river that one can never cross again. It washes away a part of you. You can never make it go away, but you can make something else of yourself, over time.

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[comfortablygray]

And so that's an excuse?

Don't patronize me, Angela. Don't act as if I don't know what it's like to take a life.

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[hathborne]

Not an excuse. A nature to be overcome. It does not excuse the act, only provides a reason to help him.

Don't act as if you know what it's like to see your children out to kill one another. What would you do, Noah?

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[comfortablygray]

You're not infallible. You're also not as altruistic as you're trying to pass yourself off. You were doing better on the 'keep your enemies closer' line. We've had Sylar in lockup before and you let him sit, idling for termination. You're only pulling this now because you think it'll serve an agenda.

Don't press hypotheticals on me. You know I wouldn't let myself even get into that situation.

You partnered him with me, didn't you.

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[hathborne]

Well spotted. Do you want to know what I know that you don't? You must keep this a secret. I trust you, Noah. You have always been a man who does what is best for his family.

I did. You accepted.

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[comfortablygray]

I do, don't I. Even when I'm being blackmailed with their safety. Which is, and you must be aware, the only thing that would cause me to make that acceptance.

Gabriel's attitude confirms that notion, as well.

Funny how you treat people who you trust.

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[hathborne]

I trusted my husband for forty years.

He's alive. Arthur is.

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[comfortablygray]

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[comfortablygray]

Well that's unfortunate.