Authors Notes: Well, I haven't posted a fan fic in ages so I thought I'd start writing a 'Paire' fic to post on here! Like quite a lot of other Heroes fans, I love Peter/Claire! They're just the best pairing ever! D Anyway...If you like Paire, please read this fic and review! Thanks! D

Watching From The Shadows Chapter One

Petrelli Residence
Petrelli Mansion - New York

Peter turned his head and sighed as the door slammed abruptly. Claire was in one of her 'I've had a bad day, leave me alone' moods...Again.

"I take it Little Miss Moody just got back from school." Laughed Nathan as he put his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"You got that right. Face like thunder."

"Well, something's definitely up with her, I've never seen her so bad-tempered and distant."

Peter nodded. "I'll go and see if she'll talk to me. I doubt it though. She hasn't spoken to me in days."

Lightly knocking on the door, Peter gulped before turning the door handle and walking into the fairly dark room.

"Claire?"

Peter looked around the dark room, wondering what on earth was going on...Claire was laying on her bed, face down, sobbing into her pillows.

"Claire, what's wrong?" He asked quietly, as he gently held her hand.

Claire just snuffled and buried her face deeper into the pillow. "Look Claire, don't be afraid to tell me what's up with you. You can trust me you know." He smiled one of his wonky smiles as she looked up from her tear soaked pillow.

"I know Peter." She sighed before resting her eyes on his concerned face. "I do trust you...It's just...I...Well..." Claire looked away from Peter nervously.

"Don't worry okay? Everything will be okay if you tell me. I can help you Claire."

"You can't." She said bluntly before getting up from her bed and putting her jacket on. "I'm going out. I won't be long."

"But Claire..."

"I'm okay, alright?" Claire rolled her eyes before walking out of her room quickly, leaving her uncle Peter very confused.

Claire and Jake
Jake's House - New York

"Claire, you have to tell someone!"

"I can't Jake...I just can't."

"Why not? Do you really want them to get away with this? It was murder Claire! Murder!" Jake shouted as he stood in front of his best friend Claire, his blue eyes burning through her. Claire and Jake had become best friends ever since Claire had moved to New York High School. It was as though their friendship was made to be. Claire trusted Jake and she loved how he was always there for her, she knew he'd never let her down. "Tell your family Claire. Just tell anyone!"

"I can't. I'm sorry." She cried as tears streamed down her face. "They'll do more damage than they have already." Claire looked at Jake with her worried, sad expression. "I have to go. I'll erm...See you tomorrow."

Jake just shook his head and sat back down on the sofa as he watched his best friend make one of the worst decision of her life.

New York High School
Claire Bennet and Jake Evans
The Next Morning

Jake watched closely as Claire sat at her desk in Biology, looking all distant and totally oblivious to what was going on around her. He knew she hadn't told her family about what was going on. Although he wanted to tell someone so badly for Claire's own sake, he knew it was best for her to tell them herself...If she would...Besides, it was her life.

"Miss Bennet, could you tell me what the answer to question number five is please?" Asked the professor. "Miss Bennet?" He asked again after being ignored by the young girl.

Jake watched as Claire just looked out of the window absentmindedly while the class laughed at her. "Claire Bennet!" The teacher yelled one final time before hitting her desk with a wooden ruler. "I asked you Claire, what was the answer to question number five? I'm assuming you've done it, am I right?"

"No Sir."

"Well then...I'll see you after class."

Jake hated watching his best friend suffer like she did. Just watching her sink back in her chair, ashamed of herself as the whole class roared with laughter. It just wasn't right, no one deserved to be treated like that. Jake was the only friend Claire had. But having one loyal, trustworthy friend like Jake was better than having billions of unpredictable friends, who one day were your best friends and the next they were your enemies.

After class, Jake waited outside for Claire. He could vaguely hear the conversation going on between his teacher and his friend and he didn't like what he was hearing.

"What's going on with you Claire? You were my star student and now, well, you've really gone downhill. None of your work is getting done and you're just so, so, quiet and timid. Is there anything you'd like to tell me?"

"Well sir, my family's going through a rough time at the moment. My uncle's suffering from depression and it's really getting out of hand. He's attempted suicide numerous times and it's really getting me down because I used to be so close to him."

Jake couldn't believe what he was hearing. Shaking his head, he slumped down against the wall and rested his head in his hands.

"What are you doing down there?" Claire asked dully as she walked out of the classroom.

"Listening to your fricking lies Claire. Are you mad? Depression? I can't take this anymore." Jake turned away from Claire, about to walk away but Claire held his arm tightly.

"Jake, please..."

"No Claire. I tried helping you okay? I've tried everything to make you get help but you just won't."

"But Jake..." Claire tried pulling Jake back but he pushed her away and walked off.

"I'm sorry." She whispered gently as she walked in the opposite direction to Jake.

Claire hated being alone. Bad things always happened to people when they were on there own. Like when Claire was on her own the other day after school...

"Don't worry Claire, everything will be okay." She whispered quietly to herself as she walked down the corridor and into the girls toilets.

Appling some strawberry flavoured lip gloss, just like what most other young teenage girls do, Claire looked in the mirror as she coated her lips in the transparent gloss but stopped as the lights suddenly went off.

"Who's there?" She asked worriedly.

"Your worst nightmare." Someone cackled as they pushed Claire to the ground and beat her to a bloody pulp.

Ten Hours Later

Claire winced in pain as she got up from the ground, trying to figure out where she was. Her watch read 8 O'clock and she was surrounded by the darkness. How was she going to get home? Getting out her mobile phone from her pocket, she dialled Jake's number.

"Pick up Jake. Pick up." She said to herself as the phone just kept ringing.

After attempt number nine, Jake finally picked up the phone.

"What do you want?"

"Jake, it happened again. I, I don't k-know w-where I am, I t-think I'm near the school f-field though." Her body shook with coldness and nervousness as she spoke.

"I'm coming okay? Hang on there."

Claire sighed as her friend hung up. It was then, that everything went black...

Thank you for reading and watch out for the next chapter! There's lots of 'Paire' moments coming up, so stayed tuned! D