Shades of Gray (Part Twenty-Four)

Elle's jaw drops and she grabs Claire's arm when she starts walking away. "Why does Peter Petrelli want me?"

Sylar holds out his hand and turns her around. "Tell us," he demands.

Claire can't resist, and shakes her head. "Peter... he wants to get you away from him." She tilts her head at Sylar and tries to free herself from Elle's grip. "Are you going to kill him?"

Sylar laughs and takes Elle's arm as he leaves the table. Claire watches them walk away together and sighs in relief. She takes her phone out her pocket and dials a number. "Dad?"

"Yes, Clairebear?"

"I told them everything. He forced it out of me," she says, ashamed.

Noah gives a grim smile. "It's alright, Claire. I'll handle it." He hangs up and looks to the other side of the room, where Mohinder is standing, with his hand on his mouth. "So?" he says quietly.

Noah smiles. "Mission accomplished. Sylar will go after Peter and Elle will go to you. I can't believe it was that easy!"

Mohinder rubs his forehead nervously. "I have to... take care of her?"

Noah laughs. "No! Well, not for long, anyway. She'll be put away once you've got her. And Peter will return to us with Sylar," Noah explains.

Mohinder smiles. "I can do that." He nods. "I can do that," he repeats.

Sylar and Elle go back to the apartment and she sits on the bed. "What're you gonna do now?"

He paces back and fourth across the room and she watches him. "I'm going to find Petrelli." He stops and looks at her. "And you're going to stay with Mohinder. You're supposed to see him tomorrow anyway, right? You have to stay with him."

She shakes her head in disagreement. "No, I'm coming with you."

Sylar leans down and places his hands on her shoulders. "Don't do this to me, Elle. You know you can't risk hurting yourself."

She nods sadly. "I'll do it. But only for a day. If you don't come back I'm going to come and find you."

He laughs. "I'll be back. I promise."