Lauren Gilmore

Lauren Gilmore
Portrayed by	Elisabeth Röhm
First appearance	Once Upon a Time in Texas
In-story stats
Known ability	None
Nickname	Iron Maiden
Gender
Home	Washington, D.C.
Residences	1438 N. Gower Circle #13, Washington, D.C. 20007
Occupations	CIA operative, former Company agent
Significant other	previously Noah Bennet
Parent	Unnamed mother
Sibling	Unnamed sister
Other relatives	Unnamed nephew

Lauren Gilmore was Noah Bennet's partner in The Company three years ago. She had romantic feelings for Noah but sacrificed her emotions in order to keep their relationship professional. After the fall of the Company, she began working with the CIA.

Character History

Once Upon a Time in Texas

Three years ago, Lauren enters the Burnt Toast Diner and sits with Noah Bennet. She apologizes for being late and blames it on the traffic. Lauren notices that Noah has been talking to Sandra as he is making the face he makes when he lies. Noah expresses his desire to tell Sandra the truth about what he does and Lauren empathizes, stating that she also wishes she could tell her family the truth. She uses her sister and nephew as an example. Lauren then wonders if Noah realizes that they are flirting. She observes that Noah would never make the first move so she is taking initiative and hands him a motel room key. However, Lauren realizes that Noah isn't interested and watches as receives a phone call related to the Sylar paintings. Lauren tells him that she will meet him at the office.

In the paper company, Lauren eavesdrops on Noah's conversation with Isaac Mendez. Lauren admits she had no idea that Sylar was after Claire and promises Noah that they will get him. Lauren also kisses Noah and apologizes for being an ass. When Lauren offers Noah to forget about the kiss, he admits to her that he doesn't want to. Lauren returns to her hotel room and is surprised to see Noah turn up. The two drink and Noah tells Lauren that he cannot be with her. Lauren tells him not to blame the job but Noah states that he loves his family. Despite this, Lauren still agrees to help Noah deal with Sylar and help protect Claire.

Later, Lauren approaches Noah in the company cafeteria and hands him a note. Noah asks if they are pretending their "thing" didn't happen and Lauren is confused. Noah reads the letter and discovers that Lauren had her memory wiped by The Haitian in order to maintain a professional relationship. Lauren then asks if everything is okay and Noah says it is.

Thanksgiving

Noah runs into Lauren at the grocery store and she informs him that she is working for the CIA. She asks him what he is doing but he avoids the question, which makes her interested. She asks him if he is stalking her and Noah explains that he and Sandra have separated and that he is preparing Thanksgiving. Lauren understands and says that his turkey needs to be already cooked because it will not thaw out in time. She offers to help him and Noah asks if she would like to have dinner, to catch up. Lauren accepts.

At Noah's apartment, Lauren introduces herself to Sandra, who mistakes her for a cook. Lauren explains that she is a guest and Sandra assumes that she is Noah's date, which Noah denies. When the meal starts, Noah proposes a toast to Lauren for all her help and she smiles in gratitude. Doug tells everyone how he and Sandra met and Sandra wonders how Noah and Lauren met. Noah explains that they worked together in Primatech and Sandra asks which company, the Paper Company or the "other one". Lauren is genuinely surprised that Sandra knows about "the other one" and hastily says that she and Noah were just friends. When everyone says what they are grateful for, Lauren says that she is grateful for canned yams.

Claire soon cuts her arm and Doug faints from the shock. While Noah speaks to Claire in the other room, Lauren tries to make small talk with Sandra and insists that the Thanksgiving was an attempt to show Claire that her family loves her. As the night comes to an end, Noah suggests that they should meet up for Christmas but Lauren says that it should be a movie and gives him her number. She then leaves.

The Fifth Stage

Lauren goes to see Noah for their movie date and Noah admits that it has been a while since he has been in the dating game. Lauren sees the clippings that Noah has cut out and Noah tells her about the trouble he has had adjusting. When Noah realizes that Claire has taken the compass, Lauren offers to use her CIA contacts to track her down and find her. Noah thanks her.

The two of them work on a laptop and Lauren triangulates Claire's location. Noah begins to unload some problems and admits to Lauren that he has driven everyone away, including her. Lauren wonders what he means and Noah explains that the two of them had a fling a few years ago but she had her memories erased in order to keep their relationship proffesional. Lauren wonders if Noah was hoping that he could start the relationship again but before he can answer, a man named Eli knocks on the door. He and his clones barge in and Noah and Lauren flee to the bathroom, where they both load their guns. Noah gives Lauren some pointers on how to kill the clones and the two of them leave the bathroom, only to discover that Eli and the clones have disappeared.

Let It Bleed

Lauren goes to the sushi restaurant and greets Mr. Nozawa. Mr. Nozawa recognizes Lauren and identifies her as the "Iron Maiden". Nozawa then leaves and Lauren wonders why Noah is not at Nathan's wake. Noah tells her that Claire did not want him there. Lauren gives Noah the Truth Serum that he requested and wonders why they are using the freezer. Noah tells her that the freezer is chilling Edgar's muscles, thus hindering his power. Lauren then watches as Noah administers the serum.

Lauren watches the "interrogation" and becomes concerned when she notices that Noah is getting too emotional. As Noah is about to cut Edgar with one of his knives, Lauren leaves the freezer with Noah and tells him to stop what he is doing. She says that the torture is not working and tells him that he must try a different approach, such as simply talking to Edgar. Lauren then continues to watch as Noah talks to Edgar. When the speedster begins to cooperate, Lauren takes him up to Noah's apartment. Edgar provides information about the carnival, but when neither Lauren or Noah can assure his family's safety, Edgar flees from them. Noah blames himself for what has happened but Lauren reassures him that they both did the right thing. When Noah begins to worry about Claire's trust, Lauren tells him that burnt bridges can be rebuilt.

Notes

• Lauren reminisces with Noah over a bag and tag mission she went on, where the target was an evolved human with the ability to breathe fire out of their nose. The last part may have been a joke or exaggeration.
• According to the contact information in Noah's Sprint cell phone, Lauren's cell phone number is 202-555-0166, and her home phone number is 202-555-0193. Her email address is LGilmore@forumail.com (which, at the time of Thanksgiving's airing, was not a working email address). Her home address is 1438 N. Gower Circle #13 in Washington, DC 20007. Incidentally, 1438 N. Gower Circle (Building #13) is the address of Sunset Gower Studios, where many Heroes scenes are filmed.

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:Lauren Gilmore for fan-created theories and other speculation.