fic: 7 Times Gabriel Loves and Loses
Title: 7 Times Gabriel Loves and Loses
Characters: Gabriel, Virginia, Elle, Little Noah
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Smile through the pain, don't let them see you hurt.
Summary: Exploring Gabriel's life with the theme of love.
A/N: Companion fic to Elle's 6 Different Valentine's Days. This was a lot harder to write because we honestly know next to nothing about Gabriel's childhood and I'm not waiting around for future Volume 4 episodes. And since we also don't know how old he is, I'm gonna make Sylar's age around the same as ZQ's.
Oh and we're also gonna pretend that Martin Gray did not leave the family 27 years ago like it was stated in 3.14's "A Clear and Present Danger" because that number makes no sense whatsoever in Heroes timeline if you've seen 1.10 "Six Months Ago" and the conversation Gabriel has with Chandra.
Much thanks to dragynflies for being my beta and encouraging this fic!
Age 5
"Mommy!" Gabriel rushes into the apartment, looking for his mother.
"What is it, Gabriel?" She calls out from the kitchen, where she's preparing an afternoon snack.
"Austin told me that you and Daddy aren't my real parents!"
Virginia visibly crumbles as her face takes on a sad expression. "Oh Gabriel..." she sighs.
"Is it true?" His small voice nearly breaks her heart.
"Y-yes, it is. We adopted you when you were a baby." She pauses when she sees Gabriel's eyes widen, "But we're still your parents. Just not your birth parents."
Gabriel is silent as he takes in the news. As Virginia watches her son, his gaze turns thoughtful. "Who are my real parents?"
"I'm afraid that your dad and I don't know," she lies. She quickly changes the subject. "So tell me what did you do in pre-school today? Make anything?"
A small disappointed look appears on Gabriel's face but disappears just as quickly. "Yes. We made cards for Valentine's Day. I made you one."
"Did you? Can I see it?"
Gabriel nods as his hands dig into the pocket of his pants. He pulls out a folded piece of paper, which he carefully unfolds before handing it over to his mother. The bad news of his parentage is temporarily erased when he sees the happy look on his mother's face as she looks at his creation.
"I love you, Mom."
Virginia pulls Gabriel in a tight hug, her hands running through his floppy hair. "I love you too, my special boy."
Age 10
Gabriel accompanies his father to the watch shop. He's utterly fascinated by the tiny metal gears and how one little broken part can cause a watch to stop working. He loves it when his father hands him a watch and lets him play around with it. Gabriel meticulously takes it apart, studying each component carefully. The longer he stares, the more he understands how the watch works. Each part working together. He puts the watch back together slowly, watching each part click into place. The best reward is seeing the gears work in synch with each other and Gabriel places the watch down without placing the back cover back on.
He likes seeing the watch work and knowing that he understands how it works. The watch ticks away as he starts on his other project, this one for his mom. Gabriel's been working on this project for a few weeks under the watchful eyes of Martin. It's nearly done and he scribbles a little inscription at the bottom of the project.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Mom."
Virginia smiles with pride when Gabriel presents her with the snowglobe to add to her collection. A personalized snowglobe with a special timepiece and a family portrait inside. But inside, she secretly frowns and hopes that Gabriel won't follow in the footsteps of Martin and his watchmaking. She'll remind him he can be so much more.
Age 17
Gabriel nervously pushes his glasses up on his nose and adjusts the collar of his shirt. He knocks on the door with one hand while the other hand holds a beautiful bouquet of brightly colored orchids. He offers a shy smile when the door opens.
"Hi Gabriel, come on in. I'm almost ready to go," she leans up and kisses him on the cheek. "Oh are those for me? They're beautiful!"
"Y-yes, I thought you might like them. You look terrific as always, Lila." Gabriel hands her the flowers. Even though they had been dating for two months, he still got the jitters around her. She's the first girl to ever show any romantic interest in a nerd like himself and he doesn't know how to be the perfect boyfriend, though he's tried to read everything he could on the subject.
Gabriel's planned a perfect evening, far mature beyond other 17 year old guys at his high school. A horse drawn carriage ride through Central Park followed by dinner at a quaint restaurant in Little Italy. While his peers struggled to find inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, his hard earned money from working at Gray & Son's is pulled together for this.
He loves the surprised look on her face as he reveals his plan and the ensuing kiss afterwards. The carriage ride goes smoothly and she holds his hand the entire time. She still clutches his hand in hers during the cab ride to Little Italy. She lets go of his hand once they enter the restaurant and are seated at a small table for two. It's only after they place their orders and make small talk that he notices a change in her demeanor.
"Lila, is something wrong?"
"I'm really sorry to do this, Gabriel. You're a wonderful guy and you've been nothing but great to me," her voice trembles.
Gabriel swallows hard. "But..."
"But, I can't see you anymore."
"Is there someone else?"
She looks at him with sad eyes and he doesn't need her to answer. Gabriel wants to leave the restaurant right then and there but a sense of propriety keeps him at the table. After dinner and the following subway ride back to Queens, he walks her back to her apartment. At the door to her building, she opens her mouth as if to speak and he only shakes his head. Words would be too hard right now and he leans over to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
A melancholy smile is the last expression she sees from him. "Goodbye."
Smile through the pain, don't let her see you hurt. As he walks away, the smile falls from his face and his fists ball up in anger but mostly disappointment. His first real chance to celebrate Valentine's Day is ruined. And he doesn't know if he'll ever get another opportunity to celebrate it.
Age 22
Gabriel comes home from class, hoping to surprise his mother and take her out for a nice dinner for Valentine's Day. When he enters the apartment, he can tell something is wrong. The apartment is dark and he can make out the silhouette of his mother sitting on the couch.
"Mom, why are you sitting in the dark?"
She doesn't respond, doesn't even seem to move. Gabriel moves to find a light switch and after flicking the lights on, he sees his mom sitting and staring blankly at the space in front of her.
"Mom?" He cautiously approaches her.
This time, life enters back into her eyes and she turns her head. "Oh, Gabriel."
"What's wrong? Tell me, maybe I can fix it."
Virginia's voice holds a monotonous tone. "Your father left."
"What?"
"He's gone, Gabriel. He left us."
Gabriel isn't quite sure if he can identify all the emotions coursing through his body. He's sad for his mother and for himself, though not for reasons he should be thinking. Martin Gray leaving the family means that Gabriel is the sole supporter of the family. Meaning, he's going to have to take over Gray & Son's, something he desperately had hoped to avoid. A lump forms in his throat as he realizes the future in which he saw himself as a surgeon is fading fast. His college classes gone to waste, seeing that he’ll never get to attend medical school.
"Mom," he pauses to clear his throat. "We'll get through this. But let's go to dinner. It's Valentine's Day and I'm not going to have you feeling lousy on it."
Yet another Valentine's Day ruined, this time by his father.
Age 29
Seven years since he's taken over Gray & Son's, seven years since his dreams crumbled, and seven years since he truly started despising his life and himself. Each day is monotonous and the only thing he ever wishes anymore is to start a new life with a new name. Be important for once. Anything to not be a watchmaker's son who turned into a watchmaker.
Opportunity comes in the form of Chandra Suresh. Gabriel's mind whirls after the revelation that he may have special abilities and his hopes begin to rise that maybe his life can be different after all. He's utterly devastated when Chandra can't find anything that makes him stand out and vows that he is special and he will find a way to show it. Gabriel stomps out of the apartment but not before taking a post it off of a folder.
The unwitting victim, Brian Davis, comes by the store one day. When he shows off his power, a sensation comes over Gabriel and he knows he has to have the power. He picks up the quartz off the table and before he knows it, he smashes it against the back of Brian's head.
The rush is an unbelievable feeling as he acquires the power. A small harsh laugh escapes from his lips as he tests his brand new ability. It is only a short while later when he remembers that the remains of Brian Davis are sullying his shop's floor that his elation halts.
Guilt wracks his brain the next few days and it's agonizing to step into the shop each day. One day, it's all too much and he decides that to pay for his sin, he's going to take his own life. "An eye for an eye", he remembers from Hammurabi's Code. Well this time, it's his life for a life.
The noose is secure around his neck and he kicks his chair away. He's quickly losing consciousness as his life is being choked out of him. But the next thing he knows is that he's lying on the cold hard floor of the shop and staring up a beautiful blonde, surely she must be an angel.
She's beautiful like angels should be, even her name, Elle, is beautiful. Flowing off his tongue so easily, he loves saying her name. Something about her sets off something inside him. There were girls in his past that he liked but none of them had ever inspired feelings like the ones he feels towards Elle. Gabriel's genuinely surprised and pleased when she shows up to his apartment brandishing a peach pie.
He even tells her about his power and admits that around her, he feels like maybe he doesn't have to be so special like he had previously wanted. A blush creeps up his neck and onto his face as she grabs his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as she echoes Chandra by telling him he is special.
Gabriel feels like he's falling in love with her and that maybe they could somehow have a future together. But that all changes when she brings Trevor to his apartment a few nights later. Dangles the punk in his face as if testing him to do something. In a moment of weakness, he succumbs and when she uses her power on him, he realizes he's been tricked.
His angel was a devil in disguise and this time he doesn't think his heart can heal.
Age 30
He's finally important. Important enough to be a wanted and feared serial killer to civilians. Important enough to be one of the most dangerous specials around to those similar to him. He finally has everything he wants. A new life, a new name, and even a new family. The only thing missing is someone by his side. There's only one person that could possibly fill that role but that bridge was burned a year ago and he hasn't looked back since.
He's surprised when Arthur summons him and takes him to an exam room within the confines of Pinehearst. Even more surprised when he realizes who is inside the room, chained up like an animal. He's not so surprised when she threatens to kill him and would have succeeded had he not acquired Claire's power. Her blasts gut him and the pain is unlike anything he's ever felt before.
After her energy is exhausted, Elle offers him a way out and asks him to kill her. But Gabriel, Sylar, he can't. Deep inside him, the naive and remorseful watchmaker of yesteryear still exists. And Elle's presence is bringing it out of him. After all these tumultuous months, he still wants her. And maybe they could start over again.
He tells her he's forgiven her and she needs to forgive herself. His hand lightly skims down her arm, then her leg, and she breathes deeply. Her eyes widen when she realizes her pain is gone. His eyes tear up as he sees a small blue arc of lightning form in his hands. They both look at each other, finally acknowledging all that's happened between them and maybe what could really happen now.
Age 34
"What's the magic word?"
"Abracadabra!"
"Well...that's a magic word," Gabriel grins as he tussles his son's hair. "Mommy taught you that, didn't she?"
Noah only giggles in response as he douses the waffles in syrup. "Mommy will love this surprise!"
"Shh, Noah. It won't be a surprise if she can hear you." Gabriel gently shushes his son. "Now, I'll carry the tray and how about you carry the flowers and the teddy bear?"
"Okay Daddy!" Noah readily agrees as he scampers off his chair and runs to the table to grab the bouquet and the toy. He leads the way up the stairs to Elle and Gabriel's bedroom and pushes the door open. Before going in, he turns and looks up at Gabriel, waiting for the okay. Gabriel nods and Noah runs in. "Mommy! Happy Valentine's Day!"
Elle stirs in her sleep and slowly opens her eyes. A wide grin breaks out on her face as she sees Noah climbing on the bed, flowers and toy in hand.
"Little man, are those for me?"
"And the breakfast that Daddy and I made you!" At this, Elle looks over to Gabriel and a breath is caught in his throat. It's a beautiful sight in front of him. Elle and Noah on the bed together, looking at him expectantly. A lot of things went wrong in his life but this is probably the one thing that went right. His family.
"Don't just stand there, Gabriel. I'm hungry." Elle teases, a gentle smile on her face.
Gabriel breaks out of his reverie and walks her bedside, tray in hand. "Happy Valentine's Day." He kisses her lightly with a smile on his face. There's no need to smile through the pain anymore because there's nothing that's making him hurt.
Characters: Gabriel, Virginia, Elle, Little Noah
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Smile through the pain, don't let them see you hurt.
Summary: Exploring Gabriel's life with the theme of love.
A/N: Companion fic to Elle's 6 Different Valentine's Days. This was a lot harder to write because we honestly know next to nothing about Gabriel's childhood and I'm not waiting around for future Volume 4 episodes. And since we also don't know how old he is, I'm gonna make Sylar's age around the same as ZQ's.
Oh and we're also gonna pretend that Martin Gray did not leave the family 27 years ago like it was stated in 3.14's "A Clear and Present Danger" because that number makes no sense whatsoever in Heroes timeline if you've seen 1.10 "Six Months Ago" and the conversation Gabriel has with Chandra.
Much thanks to dragynflies for being my beta and encouraging this fic!
Age 5
"Mommy!" Gabriel rushes into the apartment, looking for his mother.
"What is it, Gabriel?" She calls out from the kitchen, where she's preparing an afternoon snack.
"Austin told me that you and Daddy aren't my real parents!"
Virginia visibly crumbles as her face takes on a sad expression. "Oh Gabriel..." she sighs.
"Is it true?" His small voice nearly breaks her heart.
"Y-yes, it is. We adopted you when you were a baby." She pauses when she sees Gabriel's eyes widen, "But we're still your parents. Just not your birth parents."
Gabriel is silent as he takes in the news. As Virginia watches her son, his gaze turns thoughtful. "Who are my real parents?"
"I'm afraid that your dad and I don't know," she lies. She quickly changes the subject. "So tell me what did you do in pre-school today? Make anything?"
A small disappointed look appears on Gabriel's face but disappears just as quickly. "Yes. We made cards for Valentine's Day. I made you one."
"Did you? Can I see it?"
Gabriel nods as his hands dig into the pocket of his pants. He pulls out a folded piece of paper, which he carefully unfolds before handing it over to his mother. The bad news of his parentage is temporarily erased when he sees the happy look on his mother's face as she looks at his creation.
"I love you, Mom."
Virginia pulls Gabriel in a tight hug, her hands running through his floppy hair. "I love you too, my special boy."
Age 10
Gabriel accompanies his father to the watch shop. He's utterly fascinated by the tiny metal gears and how one little broken part can cause a watch to stop working. He loves it when his father hands him a watch and lets him play around with it. Gabriel meticulously takes it apart, studying each component carefully. The longer he stares, the more he understands how the watch works. Each part working together. He puts the watch back together slowly, watching each part click into place. The best reward is seeing the gears work in synch with each other and Gabriel places the watch down without placing the back cover back on.
He likes seeing the watch work and knowing that he understands how it works. The watch ticks away as he starts on his other project, this one for his mom. Gabriel's been working on this project for a few weeks under the watchful eyes of Martin. It's nearly done and he scribbles a little inscription at the bottom of the project.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Mom."
Virginia smiles with pride when Gabriel presents her with the snowglobe to add to her collection. A personalized snowglobe with a special timepiece and a family portrait inside. But inside, she secretly frowns and hopes that Gabriel won't follow in the footsteps of Martin and his watchmaking. She'll remind him he can be so much more.
Age 17
Gabriel nervously pushes his glasses up on his nose and adjusts the collar of his shirt. He knocks on the door with one hand while the other hand holds a beautiful bouquet of brightly colored orchids. He offers a shy smile when the door opens.
"Hi Gabriel, come on in. I'm almost ready to go," she leans up and kisses him on the cheek. "Oh are those for me? They're beautiful!"
"Y-yes, I thought you might like them. You look terrific as always, Lila." Gabriel hands her the flowers. Even though they had been dating for two months, he still got the jitters around her. She's the first girl to ever show any romantic interest in a nerd like himself and he doesn't know how to be the perfect boyfriend, though he's tried to read everything he could on the subject.
Gabriel's planned a perfect evening, far mature beyond other 17 year old guys at his high school. A horse drawn carriage ride through Central Park followed by dinner at a quaint restaurant in Little Italy. While his peers struggled to find inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, his hard earned money from working at Gray & Son's is pulled together for this.
He loves the surprised look on her face as he reveals his plan and the ensuing kiss afterwards. The carriage ride goes smoothly and she holds his hand the entire time. She still clutches his hand in hers during the cab ride to Little Italy. She lets go of his hand once they enter the restaurant and are seated at a small table for two. It's only after they place their orders and make small talk that he notices a change in her demeanor.
"Lila, is something wrong?"
"I'm really sorry to do this, Gabriel. You're a wonderful guy and you've been nothing but great to me," her voice trembles.
Gabriel swallows hard. "But..."
"But, I can't see you anymore."
"Is there someone else?"
She looks at him with sad eyes and he doesn't need her to answer. Gabriel wants to leave the restaurant right then and there but a sense of propriety keeps him at the table. After dinner and the following subway ride back to Queens, he walks her back to her apartment. At the door to her building, she opens her mouth as if to speak and he only shakes his head. Words would be too hard right now and he leans over to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
A melancholy smile is the last expression she sees from him. "Goodbye."
Smile through the pain, don't let her see you hurt. As he walks away, the smile falls from his face and his fists ball up in anger but mostly disappointment. His first real chance to celebrate Valentine's Day is ruined. And he doesn't know if he'll ever get another opportunity to celebrate it.
Age 22
Gabriel comes home from class, hoping to surprise his mother and take her out for a nice dinner for Valentine's Day. When he enters the apartment, he can tell something is wrong. The apartment is dark and he can make out the silhouette of his mother sitting on the couch.
"Mom, why are you sitting in the dark?"
She doesn't respond, doesn't even seem to move. Gabriel moves to find a light switch and after flicking the lights on, he sees his mom sitting and staring blankly at the space in front of her.
"Mom?" He cautiously approaches her.
This time, life enters back into her eyes and she turns her head. "Oh, Gabriel."
"What's wrong? Tell me, maybe I can fix it."
Virginia's voice holds a monotonous tone. "Your father left."
"What?"
"He's gone, Gabriel. He left us."
Gabriel isn't quite sure if he can identify all the emotions coursing through his body. He's sad for his mother and for himself, though not for reasons he should be thinking. Martin Gray leaving the family means that Gabriel is the sole supporter of the family. Meaning, he's going to have to take over Gray & Son's, something he desperately had hoped to avoid. A lump forms in his throat as he realizes the future in which he saw himself as a surgeon is fading fast. His college classes gone to waste, seeing that he’ll never get to attend medical school.
"Mom," he pauses to clear his throat. "We'll get through this. But let's go to dinner. It's Valentine's Day and I'm not going to have you feeling lousy on it."
Yet another Valentine's Day ruined, this time by his father.
Age 29
Seven years since he's taken over Gray & Son's, seven years since his dreams crumbled, and seven years since he truly started despising his life and himself. Each day is monotonous and the only thing he ever wishes anymore is to start a new life with a new name. Be important for once. Anything to not be a watchmaker's son who turned into a watchmaker.
Opportunity comes in the form of Chandra Suresh. Gabriel's mind whirls after the revelation that he may have special abilities and his hopes begin to rise that maybe his life can be different after all. He's utterly devastated when Chandra can't find anything that makes him stand out and vows that he is special and he will find a way to show it. Gabriel stomps out of the apartment but not before taking a post it off of a folder.
The unwitting victim, Brian Davis, comes by the store one day. When he shows off his power, a sensation comes over Gabriel and he knows he has to have the power. He picks up the quartz off the table and before he knows it, he smashes it against the back of Brian's head.
The rush is an unbelievable feeling as he acquires the power. A small harsh laugh escapes from his lips as he tests his brand new ability. It is only a short while later when he remembers that the remains of Brian Davis are sullying his shop's floor that his elation halts.
Guilt wracks his brain the next few days and it's agonizing to step into the shop each day. One day, it's all too much and he decides that to pay for his sin, he's going to take his own life. "An eye for an eye", he remembers from Hammurabi's Code. Well this time, it's his life for a life.
The noose is secure around his neck and he kicks his chair away. He's quickly losing consciousness as his life is being choked out of him. But the next thing he knows is that he's lying on the cold hard floor of the shop and staring up a beautiful blonde, surely she must be an angel.
She's beautiful like angels should be, even her name, Elle, is beautiful. Flowing off his tongue so easily, he loves saying her name. Something about her sets off something inside him. There were girls in his past that he liked but none of them had ever inspired feelings like the ones he feels towards Elle. Gabriel's genuinely surprised and pleased when she shows up to his apartment brandishing a peach pie.
He even tells her about his power and admits that around her, he feels like maybe he doesn't have to be so special like he had previously wanted. A blush creeps up his neck and onto his face as she grabs his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as she echoes Chandra by telling him he is special.
Gabriel feels like he's falling in love with her and that maybe they could somehow have a future together. But that all changes when she brings Trevor to his apartment a few nights later. Dangles the punk in his face as if testing him to do something. In a moment of weakness, he succumbs and when she uses her power on him, he realizes he's been tricked.
His angel was a devil in disguise and this time he doesn't think his heart can heal.
Age 30
He's finally important. Important enough to be a wanted and feared serial killer to civilians. Important enough to be one of the most dangerous specials around to those similar to him. He finally has everything he wants. A new life, a new name, and even a new family. The only thing missing is someone by his side. There's only one person that could possibly fill that role but that bridge was burned a year ago and he hasn't looked back since.
He's surprised when Arthur summons him and takes him to an exam room within the confines of Pinehearst. Even more surprised when he realizes who is inside the room, chained up like an animal. He's not so surprised when she threatens to kill him and would have succeeded had he not acquired Claire's power. Her blasts gut him and the pain is unlike anything he's ever felt before.
After her energy is exhausted, Elle offers him a way out and asks him to kill her. But Gabriel, Sylar, he can't. Deep inside him, the naive and remorseful watchmaker of yesteryear still exists. And Elle's presence is bringing it out of him. After all these tumultuous months, he still wants her. And maybe they could start over again.
He tells her he's forgiven her and she needs to forgive herself. His hand lightly skims down her arm, then her leg, and she breathes deeply. Her eyes widen when she realizes her pain is gone. His eyes tear up as he sees a small blue arc of lightning form in his hands. They both look at each other, finally acknowledging all that's happened between them and maybe what could really happen now.
Age 34
"What's the magic word?"
"Abracadabra!"
"Well...that's a magic word," Gabriel grins as he tussles his son's hair. "Mommy taught you that, didn't she?"
Noah only giggles in response as he douses the waffles in syrup. "Mommy will love this surprise!"
"Shh, Noah. It won't be a surprise if she can hear you." Gabriel gently shushes his son. "Now, I'll carry the tray and how about you carry the flowers and the teddy bear?"
"Okay Daddy!" Noah readily agrees as he scampers off his chair and runs to the table to grab the bouquet and the toy. He leads the way up the stairs to Elle and Gabriel's bedroom and pushes the door open. Before going in, he turns and looks up at Gabriel, waiting for the okay. Gabriel nods and Noah runs in. "Mommy! Happy Valentine's Day!"
Elle stirs in her sleep and slowly opens her eyes. A wide grin breaks out on her face as she sees Noah climbing on the bed, flowers and toy in hand.
"Little man, are those for me?"
"And the breakfast that Daddy and I made you!" At this, Elle looks over to Gabriel and a breath is caught in his throat. It's a beautiful sight in front of him. Elle and Noah on the bed together, looking at him expectantly. A lot of things went wrong in his life but this is probably the one thing that went right. His family.
"Don't just stand there, Gabriel. I'm hungry." Elle teases, a gentle smile on her face.
Gabriel breaks out of his reverie and walks her bedside, tray in hand. "Happy Valentine's Day." He kisses her lightly with a smile on his face. There's no need to smile through the pain anymore because there's nothing that's making him hurt.