Three days ago…

Phone call between Claire and Peter:

"So, how long will they be gone for?"

"Not sure, probably a week or two"

"I'm surprised your mother agreed to go in the first place"

"Yeah, me too. With all the crap that has been going on, she has been a bit restless"

"I can imagine"

"A vacation would be good for her"

"Is Lyle going with her?"

"Yeah, though he's not that excited"

"Why? It's a cruise, why wouldn't it be exciting?"

"C'mon Peter, since when is a vacation with you and just your mom exciting?"

"Well, your mother is a lot more different than mine"

"…right"

"But I get what you're saying. I'm sure that it won't be so bad for him"

"I guess. There's this teen club thing on the cruise so I guess he'll have fun socializing…and whatnot. He's determined to gain a six pack within three days"

"Tell him I wish him luck"

"Ha, yeah"

"So you'll be staying alone?"

"Yeah, so it'll be me, schoolwork, and a crapload of DVD's for two weeks"

"…are you sure it's a good idea?"

"What, are you going to tell me to do something more active or something?"

"No, not that"

"Peter, don't tell me you don't trust me to stay on my own"

"Not that I don't trust you…"

"You just think it's dangerous"

"Claire, you know a lot has happened, and I just think you shouldn't be alone"

"I'm seventeen years old, Peter. I can handle myself"

"Yeah, but-"

"I can heal myself. If some robber breaks in and shoots me, I'll be picture perfect within seconds"

"I'm not talking about robbers…"

"Right…Sylar"

"I just think it would be best if you stayed with someone. A friend, someone on the cheer team…your dad"

"Peter…"

"Alright, I'm sorry, but you should stay with someone"

"Not to sound like a total ass, but I don't think I can stand an overly preppy cheerleader for more that seven hours, and my dad is…y'know"

"Yeah, I know. But Claire-"

"I'll be fine"

"…hey, I just had a weird idea"

"Oh no"

"No, it's nothing scary; at least I hope it's not"

"What is it?"

"You can always…y'know…you can stay with me if you'd like"

"Seriously? I mean, you don't have to"

"Sure I do, you're my niece"

"Well…I don't know"

"C'mon, we can do…cool stuff. You know, uncle niece bonding stuff. It'll be fun…ish"

"I don't want to be a burden"

"If I'd thought you'd be a burden, I wouldn't be inviting you in the first place"

"Again, you don't have to"

"I want to"

"…fine"

"Great, so I'll pick you up the day your mom and brother are leaving?"

"Well, unless you want to wake up at five in the morning, you could always pick me up the day after or something"

"Five is fine. I'm used to waking up that early anyways"

"Okay then. I'll tell my mom"

"Alright, I'm sure she'll be fine with it"

"Kay, bye Peter"

"Alright, see you later"

They hang up.

Present Day

Claire's Prov:

While I was packing my stuff in five in the morning, I couldn't help but wonder what Peter had mentioned, about how it was dangerous for me to be alone. I'd always had known that my life was anything but normal, no matter how much I tried to be. Going to high school, becoming a cheerleader, it was all just me shielding myself from the truth; I was in just sheer denial. And then Sylar came; he made everything so…complicated, so scary. Will it always be like this? Will I always be a victim? I don't want to live my life in fear, I don't want to live my life not knowing if I'd be assaulted; if my head won't be sliced open. There's this sense of fear that I could…break down; that I won't be strong enough. What I won't be strong enough for is still not drilled in my brain yet. I can heal physically, but the pain is still there, and I am grateful for it. It shows that there's still an ounce of human in me.

"Claire?" the sudden voice startled me, and when I glanced up I found Peter leaning back against the wall, his eyes locked on me. He must have been there for quite some time, "Hey" I forcefully put a smile on my face. "Your mom let me in. She seems a bit edgy" Figures. I frown just a bit, but it wasn't noticeable. I pay attention back to my clothes, pushing in as much as I could into the suitcase, "Yeah, she still isn't settled about the idea of a vacation" He walks over, and I could tell that he knows something is up by his look. I keep my focus on 'packing' despite the fact that there wasn't much to pack anymore. While I continued to shove the random clothing into the bag he sits on the edge of the bed next to it, "Are you okay?" His voice seems dim and careful so he made it difficult to lie. Lying is becoming difficult. It should have came easy, but each time I do the regret is building up in the pit of my stomach and at times I feel like I'm going to burst, "Yeah, fine" the melancholy tone ceased to stop itself from slipping out, and Peter is obviously not convinced.

He leans forward to prompt his forearms on his knees, burnished colored eyes flickering up at me, "You sure? It's either you were just staring at the same piece of clothing for five minutes just because you were wondering if you liked the color, or something's wrong" I drop whatever I was holding in my hands into the bag. There were doubtlessly many answers to that. A lot is wrong, but I am so tired of asking help. I reply with a soft sigh and shake my head. Peter tilts his head, "What's up, Claire" I shrug my shoulders and look at my wooden floor, keeping my eyes locked on nothing particular. There were things that were easy to express, and there were things that couldn't be expressed in words. Peter is already worried about me to start with, and sharing all my doubts, all my fears wouldn't make things any better. Not that I know how he would react all to it. I'm not supposed to be a burden, so I had no intention on sharing to anyone. Fingers run along the side of my arm and I didn't have a choice but to look at him and it was evident that he was concerned.

"I'm fine" but we both knew that was bullshit. Both brows of his elevated up and I knew that he was aware that something wasn't quite right. There was no need for words. I couldn't lie to him and say that everything was rainbow sunshine perfect because it was not. No matter how much I wished it would be. I shake my head and raked my hand over my blonde hair, "I don't want to talk about it" I kept my voice in a low whisper, hoping it wouldn't sound too broken. He nods his head, fully understanding. While he was concerned, I know that he wouldn't pursue the subject if I didn't wish to. Sometimes I feel that I'm pushing people away, and I'm just not aware of it. My mother, my friends, they just don't understand what it's like. Closing up my bag, I zip it up and sighed, not sure of what to say now. I could still feel Peter's gaze locked on me, worrying. I wouldn't blame him, I am a bit difficult to handle. I guess that's why I always get myself in so much trouble; I'm just so damn stubborn. "So, you ready?" I look up at him, glad the conversation didn't move on and nod my head, "Yeah" I grab my bag and he stands up walking with me to the door and outside to the car.

"Okay baby, I won't be gone for too long" my mother's tight brace wasn't alien to me, but it was always surprising on how much she worried for me. I return the hug with less power for she was literally constricting me like a snake, "Alright mom" and when I thought her hug couldn't tighten, it did and I found myself rolling my eyes. "I'll be back before you know it" she pulls back and places both her hands on my shoulders staring at me with worried eyes, "Are you sure it would be fine for me to leave? I can call and cancel my trip, really-" before she could finish her sentence I shake my head interrupting her, "No mom, you need this. Go have a good time" I realize it would be hard for her to have a good time, but she'll try, I know her. She nods at me, the same worried look never leaving her face. I look over her shoulder to find Lyle leaning back against the mailbox post with his hands in his pockets, "Well, don't get too excited now, Lyle" I comment with sarcasm obviously peering through my lips. He rolls his eyes at me, "Whatever" I walk pass my mother to ruffle his hair; even if he's taller than me, "It won't be that bad" He just rolls his eyes again.

Turning around, I found my mother talking to Peter, "Peter, take care of her, okay?" He smiles his crooked smile at her, "Of course. She'll be safe with me" My mother nods her head and looks to the ground, "I know, I know" her voice is softer than usual. Is she that afraid? Does she lack that much faith? Am I that in danger? My thoughts were interrupted by Peter clearing his throat. I walk over to the passenger seat and open the door, and while I was halfway in I hear Lyle's voice call for me. Astonished, I look over my shoulder and waited. It's as if he was very hesitant to tell me, almost embarrassed. Now I really want to know what's going on. While he didn't answer, I tilt my head, "Well?" He puts his fist to his mouth clearing his throat yet again, "I…uh…" I cock a brow at him, surprised still, "What is it Lyle?" He gives me a look that I can't comprehend, "Be careful Claire" I roll my eyes and found myself smiling, "Aren't I always?" "Seriously" Wow, he's actually being grave, "I will" He gives me a sheepish smile before I go into the car.

Peter starts up the car and pulls out of the curb, and as I look in the mirror I see my mother waving at me. I pull down the window and extend my hands out giving them one wave before putting it back into the car. I don't get why this is such a big deal, it's just vacation. Sure, a lot of shit had happened but still… I mean, I get why they would be worried. Danger does tend to follow me a lot. I lean back into the leather seat of the car taking in a deep breath. It's probably five thirty; the sun is barely in the sky. The air is moist and it's quiet. The silence is nice; it's not hollow like I always find it to be. It's almost relaxing. The car engine is all I hear, and I find that sound to be soothing. This is the time of day that I find peaceful, in the wee hours of the morning. Was it the air, the smell, how the sun barely lights up the surface? No, I believe the reason why I love this time of day is because…well, it seems like the safest time of day. You don't find a robber breaking into a bank at five in the morning, or a murder at this time.

I could feel my eyelids starting to get heavy. I didn't get much sleep last night. It wasn't the nightmares really, just the fact that I was thinking too much. I can't remember what was filling into my brain, but it kept me preoccupied for a long time. "So, what time did you sleep last night" Peter's voice pierced through the silence. He could tell that I was tired. I shrug my shoulders; "Late" Three hours of sleep wasn't entirely charming. I look into the mirror and found bags forming under my eyes. Thank you cover up. "You can sleep when we get to my place" His voice was soft, and I liked the way he didn't ask why I slept so late if I knew that I would have to wake up so early. That's what I liked about Peter; he never pried his nose into anything that didn't involve him. Wish I could say the same for myself. I shake my head, "No, I'm fine" Once I wake up, I wake up, there isn't a way for me to go back to sleep. He nods his head and looks back out onto the road. I couldn't lie; I did feel like sleeping though. There was always something about a car that I could just pass out in. The feel of the mobile, I don't know but it always had ways to get me tired.

"So, what time does school start" I could feel he was trying to whip up a conversation. Not that I was in the mood for it. I shake my head, "I'm on vacation, off for the entire week" He nods his head and tries his best to focus on the road "Ah, right" Peter could be a bit awkward when he was in the mood for it. The rest of the ride was smooth and quiet. It wasn't so awkward for the whole ride to be silent. I think that we're both two people that didn't mind the quiet, no matter how contrary that was for others. As we arrived to his apartment, we get out and he takes my bags because he's a natural gentleman like that. I don't even bother to ask if he wanted help with him. My bags were light; I usually don't pack much but the essentials. We arrive into his room and I spotted him fumble with the keys in his one palm, so I grab my bag and he smiles almost sheepishly at me as he opens the door. The place was normal, what any other apartment would be like. I follow him as he walks in and he closes the door behind me. His arm extends out once before falling back onto his sides, "Well, this is it"

I look around. It's a lot cleaner than I expected it to be. Usually guys tended to be on the…messy side. I appreciated it, because I don't know if I could live in a frat boy kind of house. I smile softly at him as I set my bag next to TV, "Very nice" I commented. He takes my bag and walks into the room. Where is he going? I followed him wherever he was going, which seemed to be his room. He sets my bag on the mattress. "You can get my bed. I'll stay on the couch" Whoa, hold up. I didn't want to be a bother to him, so I shook my head, "No, Peter, I'll-" "It's okay" he interrupted with a smile, "I want to" I'm way to tired to even argue, so I sat on the edge of the bed and raked my hand over my blonde hair, "Thanks Peter" He smiles, "No problem" he walks to the door and begins to close the door, "I'll let you get settled in" I nodded my head, and then I was alone.

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