"Claire!" Her name was barely a whisper against her neck before their lips came together for another searing kiss, his tongue tracing the roof her mouth. "I love you."

"I love you too Sylar," she began to burn, pleasure shooting through her womb as she neared the brink. "Sylar, Sylar, Sylar," his name tumbled from her, unable to remain quiet as she broke apart. Claire's mouth opened in a silent scream, as Sylar took the opportunity to plunge his tongue in her mouth once more before he followed her over the edge.

"Why do always call me Sylar when you're having an orgasm?" he asked, still inside her. A frown creased his forehead. He stared at the goddess below him.

"Oh, poor Gabriel, feeling jealous?" Claire ran her hands through his dark hair before coming down to caress his face. His eyes closed, clearly enjoying the attention. Claire could barely make out his answer.

"Yes," he whispered. "I wish you'd say my name."

Claire lowered his face to her hers. She kissed his eyelids. "Gabriel. Gabriel," she said after each one. Claire brought his lips to hers repeating his name once more before giving him another kiss. "I love all of you Gabriel. Like it or not, you will always be Sylar, but that doesn't matter to me anymore." Gabriel pulled out of her and quickly left the bed. Claire watched as he started to search through his dresser; she was perfectly content on staring at his nude backside. She sat herself up for a better view, her hand pressing the sheet against her chest. "What are you doing?"

Gabriel turned, one hand clasping something, as he threw himself back on the bed. He began to blush as he brought the tiny box into view. Claire gasped as he withdrew the lid to a diamond engagement ring. "Oh my, fucking god!"

Gabriel laughed softly at her response. "Is that reaction good, or bad?"

"Definitely good…So, are you going to ask me yet?"

"Um, yeah, Claire Bennet, will you marry me?"

"Fuck yes I'll marry you Gabriel," Claire held out her hand so Gabriel could slide the ring in to place. She brought it up to her face examining her hand thoroughly, grinning like a Cheshire. She launched herself at Gabriel giggling as she cuddled closer to him, strong arms circling her. How could she feel so safe in the arms of a man that had done so many terrible things? It's hard imagining that she ever hated him. "Claire Gray, Mrs. Claire Gray," she let it flow off her tongue, enjoying the way it sounded.

"That's Mrs. Gabriel Gray actually."She slapped his chest playful in response, favoring violence in this instance. "Claire, stay here tonight." It wasn't a question.

"You know I can't," she said sorrowfully.

"Don't you to think it's about time we told your father about us?"

"He's the last person we should tell. I love him to death, but who knows what he'd do if he ever found out about us. I want to keep you all to myself."

"Am I you're dirty little secret Claire?"

"Well just for another hundred years, when no one will remember that you are a former serial killer."

"Oh only hundred years, what will I do with myself?"

"I can think of a few things," she reached up for another kiss.

Claire had stayed later then she intended too, Gabriel could be quite the distraction. It was entirely her fault, but it became harder and harder to leave each time. She'd save herself some grief if she just came clean with her father, but she was absolutely terrified to ever have that conversation with him. "Hello dad, yeah I've been fucking Sylar, brain eating serial killer. Oh, and we're getting married. Can I have your blessing?" Claire would never delude herself into believing that would go over well. No matter how independent she had become, Noah was always going to be part of her life, her morally grey hero for the rest of his existence. Everyone else had at least tried to accept Sylar's transformation from stoned cold killer to almost harmless Gabriel Gray. If it was possible that she, Claire Bennet, could forgive Sylar why wasn't her dad willing to do the same? Claire dreaded the day when he would finally discover them. It was inevitable.

Claire felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, sighing in annoyance at the number. "Hello dad," she tried to sound cheerful, but this was getting a bit ridiculous.

"Hi Claire-bear."

"Dad, it's three in the morning why are you calling?" Although she already had a pretty good idea as to the reason, the same thing that it had been most every time they spoke these days.

"Just making sure you're safe. My contacts say Sylar's in town. Has he tried to contact you in any way?"

"No, everything's been quiet here. No sign of him, but dad its okay, Gab- Sylar's not going to hurt me."

"Claire," he said her name as only he could. Making her feel like a child being told she'd done wrong. "Sylar will never change. He's a killer. How can you forget what he did to you, to Nathan. I've seen firsthand his attempt to become a better person, to withstand the hunger that drives him."

"Peter trusts him." It almost felt like whining to Claire, but wasn't Peter's opinion worth consideration. After all it was partly due to Peter that Gabriel's the man he is today, and the reason she and Gabriel were together, that meddlesome little shit.

"Petrelli has no idea what he's on about. He was in Sylar's head for one day and he's completely convinced probably brainwashed into believing that Sylar wants to change."

"I think it was like years for them," Claire was sure her father was aware of this already, but she felt obligated to say it once more and hopefully he'd finally understand."

"Yeah, that's what they believe. Enough about this Claire-bear, Sylar's dangerous, end of story. You need to stay away from him you understand me?"

"I think I'm old enough to make my own decisions."

"I said do you understand me?" His voice was strained. Claire could just picture the accompanying scowl.

"I understand."

"And you promise me that if gets anywhere near you, you will call me immediately."

Claire's breath caught for a second. She hated this. Lying to her father, breaking promises because she knew full well that was one she'd never keep. She had no intention of staying away from Gabriel. She sighed inwardly. "I promise."

"Well then, I guess I let you get back to sleep then. Sorry this call couldn't wait for tomorrow."

"It's ok dad, love you."

"Love you too Claire-bear." As soon as the line went dead, Claire let her cell drop to the floor. She refused to cry, but dry sobs began to make her shake almost violently. This should be simple. Girl loves boy, girl gets married, happily ever after, right? Maybe for normal people she thought. Why couldn't everything be simple? Why must she choose between her father and the man she loves? Why couldn't she just have both? Figures that they had to be mortal enemies on a quest to destroy each other.

tbc

Disclaimer: I don't own Heroes and am not gaining anything from this story, other than the enjoyment of writing it.