Normal to Each Other

by TheHeroReaper

Summary: X-over with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Claire Bennet is intrigued by the new visitor to Union Wells. Femslash.

Timeline: Post series-finale of BtVS. During Heroes episode 1. Fudged with the years, Buffy is 20 years old. One year younger than she should be. The story takes place three months after.

SPOILERS: Mostly on Heroes. BtVS is over so no need for warning unless you haven't watched the series.

PAIRINGS: Eventually Claire/Buffy. Femslash warning! Don't read if it is not your cup of tea.

FEEDBACK: Yes Please.

DISCLAIMER: BtVs and Heroes belong to their respective owners. No profit or whatsoever is being made with this story.

NORMAL TO EACH OTHER

CHAPTER 1

Thank God cheerleading practice is over! Claire thought as she walked from school. She heard footsteps getting closer behind her but did not bother to turn around. She knew who it was. It was Zach. She wondered why she was associating with him secretly. Oh yeah, he's the only one that wants to help me.

"Claire!" Zach huffed. Claire stopped for a moment knowing he would need a moment to catch his breath. Associating one's self mainly with gadgetry and technological stuff leaves you little time for physical activity. Physical activity that keeps you in shape. Clare had no such problems. Her body was athletic and being a cheerleader helps keep her in shape. She just stared at him as he bent down, hands on each knee, sucking in air in a pathetic manner.

"The tape...," and then felt the need for another air sucking. "It's...missing!" He straightened himself now.

Claire eyes widened. "What? How could you lose it?" She stopped herself from raising her voice. There was no need to attract other people's attention.

"Someone must have took it. It was in the camera I swear," he meekly muttered.

"We have to find that tape. Let's look for it separately to cover up more ground. No one can see what's on that tape."

"Right," he agreed. He waited for further commands but Claire only stared at him. He got the hint and took off.

"Great," she muttered to herself and began heading home once again. She was genuinely afraid that someone would see the contents of that tape. Especially someone from school like Jackie. It would give the leech all the ammunition she needs against her. Actually, that was the least of her worries. Her gruesome suicide attempts not working should be. Her striving for normalcy will be ruined by that tape. All she wanted was to be normal and now that tape...

DAMMNN ITTT! She shouted mentally now just getting the magnitude of her situation. She headed home.

---

Claire peeked from the window and was greeted by the blaring lights of the police siren. The yellow tape acting as a border indicated to her that it was a fresh crime scene. Curious, she walked over there to see what it was all about. She hadn't heard any commotion until one gunshot later.

The sight that was before her was ugly. It was the dead body of a police officer sprawled on the cement. Blood flowing from it's head — or the remains of it anyway. He was beyond recognition as the face was completely stained by blood and sprinkled with yellow stuff which she guessed was brain. The policeman's hand had a gun to his head. Suicide? But then why the crime scene?

Everyone was busy murmuring and the police was busy trying to keep the people beyond the yellow tape. She looked up from the scene and saw a blonde woman who wasn't murmuring with the others. She walked over to her to asked her what the story is. Claire noticed that the woman was eyeing the scene like she was memorizing it.

"Hi," she greeted the woman. A good split-second passed before the woman noticed her. She shook her head and greeted her back. The woman put on a smile for her.

"Nice jammies," the woman commented looking her up and down.

Claire looked down at herself. She hadn't bothered changing before going out the house. She chuckled and said 'thanks.' "So do you know what happened here?"

"It's weird." The woman put her hands in her pocket. "No one saw anything exact. They say that police guy right there was chasing someone and then suddenly changed his mind and decided to blow his brains kaplooey. That's all I and apparently everyone knows."

Claire eyed the woman. She was wearing a white blouse covered by a long black jacket. Her denim jeans completed her outfit. Pretty casual and yet there is something more about her. "That is weird. I've never seen you around here before."

"I'm a new-towner. Union Wells is nice except with the freaky crime scenes." She motioned with her head to the scene.

Claire chuckled once again. "Trust me, this is a rarity in this town." The cheerleader didn't know what it was but she felt that she could relate to this woman before her. "So what brings you here in Union Wells?"

"I like the town's name," the woman replied. Claire mentally chastised herself.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to intrude...," she blurted out.

"Oh no, no. Believe me, there was no intruding done. I should be the one saying sorry for giving you a blow-off answer like that. My brain rarely cooperates with my mouth. Anyway, I'm in Union Wells just looking for a fresh start and it seems like a nice place to live."

Claire let out a breath. For some reason, she wanted to have a good first impression to the woman." Cool, so are you staying in the neighborhood?" Immediately she realized that she was intruding again and was about to apologize once again when the woman answered her.

"I rented an apartment just across the street from here," the woman smiled at her.

"The one from across the street? They're pretty nice and comfy." She was glad that she lived near her.

"I bet that it's not as nice as yours."

She smiled at her and extended her hand. "I'm Claire Bennet. I just lived a few houses from here." She nudged her head to the direction of her house.

The woman followed her pointing with her eyes and then chuckled at the sight of the neat looking houses that looks to be perfectly maintained. "Yep, definitely not as nice."

The woman extended her own hand and clasped her hand. Claire couldn't help but notice how smooth and warm her hand is. "Nice to meet you Claire, I'm Buffy Summers."

"Buffy huh?" Claire smiled at her. "Cool name. Well Buffy, welcome to Union Wells!"

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End of Chapter 1. Please R&R. I am in need of BETA so if there is any offer...