Along the Way to Freedom Chapter Three
There were very few things that Sylar actually liked. Watches, peach pie, and blondes were amongst them. Nathan Petrelli was not. His hatred for the thing who called himself a man only grew stronger as he trailed behind the congressman and The Hunter. Their words were hushed but Sylar’s super hearing had no problem understanding what they were saying.
“So, we’re set then?”
“Of course. The developers took your suggestions to heart. They have reinforced the room for that particular target.”
“Good. He will be difficult to contain. And, what of Bennet?”
“Safely locked away until we retrieve your daughter.” Dank spat out in disgust.
“At which time you will turn her over to me.”
“It is your operation.”
“That it is.” Sylar wanted to choke the cockiness out of him. “I will be meeting with the president first thing in the morning to update him on our progress. I’ve been informed that there might be changes to our plans for the Specials.”
“What sort of changes, Petrelli?” Danko asked as he stopped and turned to the younger man.
“Someone has shown interest in our project and has appealed to the president to be allowed to study them.”
“They should all be dead. Freaks of nature are what they are.”
“No, they are people.”
“And yet you’re willing to lock them up and let them be studied.”
“If it produces a cure for these abilities, then yes. They are dangerous to themselves and others, even if they don’t know it.”
Sylar stood around the corner of the building as Nathan and Danko walked inside. He wasn’t for sure exactly where the containment center was, but if he had to guess then he would say he was standing above it. Secret containment centers tended to be underground. It was only a few minutes later when Nathan walked back out of the building, cell phone in hand. When he was gone, Sylar approached the doors in search of one man.
Claire sat down on the bed of their hotel in Washington. Then she stood up. Walked to the bar. Turned around. Sat back down on the bed. Got up. Walked to the bathroom and then went back to the bed and flopped down with a heavy sigh.
Sylar had been gone for three hours and she, despite her best efforts, was starting to worry that something was wrong. He was supposed to just be doing recon work, not getting himself into a situation that he couldn’t get out of. If he got caught, she didn’t know what she would do because she was positive that they would come for her next. Her stomach was in knots and she wondered if it was possible to make her self physically ill even with her ability. On that note, she stood up from the bed again and picked up their duffel bags off the floor. Sylar had said that they would be there for a few days and to get comfortable. So, that’s what she did. She unpacked their cloths and placed them in the dresser; she unpacked their toiletries and put them in the bathroom; and finally she changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. She really needed to relax.
It was with that thought that the door swung open and in walked the very guy on her mind. “Sylar? Are you okay?” she asked, rushing to him.
He smirked down at her, “Worried about my safety are you?”
“No.” she lied and pulled away from him.
Again, he smirked and lend down to whisper in her ear, “Liar.” She glared and his smirk turned into laughter as she walked away. Reaching out, he slapped her on the ass before she could get too far.
“Hey!” she yelped. “Don’t do that.” She continued rightfully indignant voice in place.
“Don’t wear shorts with half of your ass hanging out and I wouldn’t be tempted.”
“Don’t look at my ass.” She counted.
His smirk returned as he advanced on her, forcing her backwards until her knees hit the bed. Grabbing her elbow he spun her around and then forced her to bend over the bed. “But it’s such a nice ass.” He complemented as he ran a hand over the barely there shorts.
Shuddering from his touch, she asked, “What are you doing?”
“Getting a better feel of you.” He answered as he pulled her back up to face him. “Did you really mean what you said? About forgiving me?”
She searched his eyes as she whispered, “Yes.”
He licked his lips and kept his eyes locked on hers as he slowly leaned down to brush his lips against hers. Claire let her lips open for him when he probed her mouth with his tongue and then sighed as he deepened the kiss. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew that she should pull away, knew that this man was the monster who terrorized her in pursuit of her ability, knew that he had gotten her mother killed.
But she didn’t pull away.
She didn’t pull away because she also knew that he was lost, knew that there was a war inside of him between Gabriel and Sylar; knew he needed to find a comfortable medium. She knew that he needed her.
So when his hands found her hips, hers found his neck. When he eased her back down on the bed and slipped his fingers under her shirt, she moaned. When he trailed kisses down her neck she arched into him. When he tugged at her shirt she lifted her arms. And, when he looked at her with those beautifully dark, tormented eyes she silently gave him the permission he sought.
Because, she needed him too.
“Mister President. Good morning sir.” Nathan Petrelli, dressed in his typical black suit and red tie, said as he shook the hand of the most powerful man in the world. “How are you today sir?”
“I am doing good Congressman. We have much to discuss.”
“Yes, of course.” Right down to business then, he thought. “I’ve brought with me the documentation of containment for the previous month.” He said and handed the older man the file. “It details the capture and containment of ten hostiles.”
“I must commend you and your team on the magnificent job you are doing. We are well underway to being rid of this threat.”
“That we are sir.” Nathan smiled at the complement.
“However, as I eluded before, there is going to be a change in plans. Nathan Petrelli, I’d like you to meet Dr. Madison Anderson.” Nathan turned to find a woman with dark hair and long legs standing in the doorway. “Dr. Anderson will be heading the team of researchers in charge of finding a cure for these abilities.” The president continued. “Without the abilities, they are no longer a threat.”
“I agree sir.” Nathan said and turned back to the woman. “Nathan Petrelli.” He introduced and held out his hand.
“Madison Anderson.” She placed her hand in his and almost blushed when he brought it to his lips. “Nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure, my dear, is all mines.”
With a smile for the beautiful lady, Nathan turned back to the president who stood from behind his desk and shook his hand.
Danko waited. He could be a patient man when he needed to be. And, this was as good a time as any to be patient. He let his eyes travel around the park, knowing that his agents were systematically planted at different spots in case something went wrong.
But, he had given his word that Petrelli wouldn’t be involved and he wasn’t.
Not that Danko had a problem with that at all. He honestly didn’t like the congressman and he was certain that the man was hiding something. He had, thus far, been unable to pinpoint exactly what the big secret was.
So, he waited.
And then smiled when he saw who he had been waiting on approach with a struggling blonde teenager in tow.
“Stop! Please” the blonde pleaded as her tormentor drug her by the hair towards a man dressed in all black.
A man she knew to be Danko.
“Shut up.” He hissed and slapped her hard across the face to stop her from struggling. “Here.” He said as he threw her down at the feet of The Hunter.
“You won’t get away with this.” She sneered at the two men.
“Of course we will Claire. You family made sure of it.”
“I hate you.” She seethed and he bent down to trail a finger down her cheek.
“For now. But, you’ll forgive me. Maybe even come to love me.” He whispered before standing back up and looking at Danko. “Signed, sealed, and delivered.” He smirked with the words.
“As promised.” He tilted his head in acknowledgement of their agreement. “Your help will be greatly appreciated.”
“Of course it will. I am Sylar after all.”