Lauren's drinking in the hotel room of things that I am going to pretend never happened (BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T) when HRG comes in and asks for a drink himself. She pours him one, and they both start speaking. He tells her he can't do this as she says she's glad they came. Then he tells her workplace romances aren't smart, but she asks him not to blame it on the job, since that's what he does with Sandra and Claire, not her. Maybe he should try blaming it on, oh, I don't know ... HIS MARRIAGE. She says she knows about workplace stuff, but this isn't supply-closet, bored sex. He cares about her. He agrees that he does and touches her face. Oh god, this never happened. She tells him they are such good liars that they've convinced themselves everything is okay, but it's not. "Taking the long way home. Having that extra beer with dinner." What on earth is she talking about? Are these the excuses they use? Or ... ? Not that it matters, since this didn't actually happen. She asks if they don't deserve a little happiness. He sits next to her on the bed and says he loves his family, even though it's complicated and he lies to them. He hopes one day he can tell them the truth and he doesn't want to destroy that possibility. "And that is the truth." She knows that. He tells her she's a great agent. She says, "I can bag and tag with the rest of them. I'm a regular rodeo queen." Seriously, what is with the dialogue in this episode. Rodeo queen? Really? He tells her he needs her help with Sylar and Claire. She nods, "Of course." She says she'll always be there to help. Except in every other episode of this show.

Present Hiro's watching Charlie through the Burnt Toast Diner window when Ando comes out to ask if everything is okay. He says everything is fine, and he needs to just keep waiting. He sends him back inside, as Charlie comes out. She looks upset, and tells him she has a knot in her gut. He says he'll untie it, but she says he's the one who put it there. She says she was okay with dying, but this feels like cheating. Plus, he says Sylar's going to kill a lot of people and she wonders how he can let that happen. He says he had to preserve the time-space continuum, but she points out that he didn't since he saved her. He gets frustrated and says this is their happily ever after, and they're going to Otsu. He looks so heartbroken that it breaks my heart more than a little. Charlie tells him thousands of people die every day -- young, old, accidents, murders. Why is she different? He says, "Because I love you." She tells him that's just selfish and leaves.