Disclaimer: I do not own Heroes or any of the characters involved in the show.
Author's Note: This is my first Heroes fic, so if it's not accurate feel free to let me know. I got into the show during the second season and just finished watching the first season. Reviews are love :)
"Peter?" Her voice comes out as a whisper as if she's afraid that someone will somehow overhear the forbidden conversation they're sharing.
"Yeah, Sandra?" She holds back tears when he calls her this name, but doesn't ask him to call her Claire. She asked him once, but never again.
"Do you think we'll ever be able to come out of hiding?"
"No."
She wishes that just once he would lie to her.
"I remember the way you were before."
"Don't do this," he begs, his tone sharp and hard.
"I miss him. I miss the boy who made me believe I shouldn't be ashamed of who I was. I miss the hope he held in his eyes. I miss the complete and utter faith he had in humanity," she knows it hurts him when she talks like this, but she can't seem to stop herself.
"He died. He died the day the bomb went off."
"I'm sorry," she whispers so softly he almost doesn't hear her.
"You have nothing to be sorry for."
"I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it and..."
"I shouldn't have asked you to," he cuts her off before she can go any further. He reaches a hand out, brushing calloused fingers against her smooth cheek.
"Can't you take me with you?"
"You know I can't."
"Please, Peter? I can't...I hate pretending. I hate it so much," the tears are now falling down her cheeks.
"You're safe here, with him. You're safe."
"The only times I've ever felt safe are when I'm with you," she says, leaning her small body into his, her cheek pressed to his sturdy chest.
"It's wrong, Sandra," he bites out, but he does not move away from her.
"Does it really matter anymore? What does it matter now, Peter?"
"I have to go. Nikki will start wondering where I am," he says it sharply, knowing the mention of his girlfriend will hurt her, wanting to hurt her.
"Please don't leave me," she begs, staring at him with wide green eyes and for a moment he is transported back to five years ago when a sad cheerleader gave him a small smile in the dimly lit hallway of Union Wells High School.
"I'll be back," he whispers, a bit of the edge gone from his voice. She closes her eyes and nods her head shortly, dark hair swaying against her back.
"I love you," he whispers before brushing a soft kiss against her lips and disappearing out her window.
Claire Bennett lowers her head to her chest and weeps, wishing, not for the first time, that she could die.