Disclaimer: I don't own anyone in Heroes.
Summary: After Claire's innocent nature is lost during an obsession with becoming a hero, Peter is forced to tear Claire's dream apart in more ways than one.
A/N: Well, this fic has been in the works for a while now so I thought it was time to collect all the notes together and start writing it. So finally, here is chapter one. I really hope you like it and please leave me a review to tell me whether you like it or not (Please don't be too harsh though!) If I don't really get many responses from this then I may not continue it, it depends really :)

Heroes - The Takedown - Peter/Claire

Chapter 1: Dismal Decisions

"You, Claire Bennet, hunting down dangerous criminals and handing them in, just like that? Somehow I don't think that is a good idea. Do you really want to end up like Elle? A company girl? You must be joking." Peter glared at the young petite blonde who sat smiling sweetly in front of him. The frown which was spread heavily across his face relaxed when he noticed that the girl's eyes sparkled with optimistic enthusiasm which made Peter feel fairly nervous and uncomfortable. He really didn't want to disappoint the young girl, but dealing with dangerous serial killers with mind-blowing abilities would be more than a petit 17 year old could handle.

"I won't get hurt Peter…promise." She smirked playfully rolling her eyes at him as she jumped up from her place from the couch and stood behind Peter who was knelt in front of the couch still. He twisted round to face Claire and she knelt down in front of him. "Come on Peter, it'll be fun. You know I can't get hurt anyway!" She smirked again, playing teasingly with the man's dark hair. "Pretty please? I'm not a little girl anymore you know."

Peter shook his head and pulled away from the young girl. "No Claire, I won't let you do this."

"Just try and stop me then…I never stopped you when you wanted to be a hero. It was your destiny, and this is mine." She shrugged lightly after catching a glimpse of the man's uneasy expression and exited the room, leaving Peter concerned and afraid. Claire was determined. What was he to do?

xxx

Claire watched quietly from the lounge door as Peter sat down slowly on the couch, closing his eyes and placing his hands to his head. He looked hurt and afraid. The young girl couldn't help but admire how handsome the man looked when he was angered or anxious. Claire shifted slightly against the door by accident which although it only caused a small, weak noise, it was enough to wake Peter from his miserable state.

"Peter?" She spoke softly, walking over to the sad man who was now looking up at her with a hurt expression on his face. "All I want is to be a hero Pete, like you…I promise I won't do anything stupid. I want to make you proud, that's all." She crept carefully towards him, placing herself on the couch next to him.

"But Claire…you don't understand…"

"I do Peter, I'm not a child, I'm a responsible adult who can make her own decisions for herself, I'm…"

"Claire, you're 17! You are not an adult yet, you're…" Peter's words faded away like clouds in the nights sky. He knew he wouldn't win.

"You're little girl?" Claire took the words from Peter's mouth. She smirked and moved herself closer towards the man, toying with his emotions. "Peter…I'm a big girl now."

"N-Nathan won't be h-happy you know." Peter stuttered as the closeness between him and his niece became uncomfortable.

"And how is he going to find out? You gonna tell him? Because I certainly don't intend to. How about we keep this our dirty little secret, yeah?"

Peter shook his head and moved away from his niece. A look of annoyance now plastered across his face.

"Just leave me alone for a minute, will you Claire? You've changed into some kind of…" He paused. "It's hard to take it all in, I mean, how you were and how you are now. I don't like what you're turning into, you're different."

"Grown up? That's what people tend to do…"

"You know what I mean Claire, stop playing games!" Peter slammed his fists against the coffee table and then shot an irritated look at the young girl who was still sitting on the couch, but looking rather afraid. She'd never seen her uncle this angry before.

"Peter, I'm sorry…"

Peter just shook his head muttered something quietly before leaving the room and slamming the door loudly behind him. Claire watched the familiar figure disappear and then jumped a little as the front door also slammed shut with a loud crash. Claire knew that what her mind was telling her was wrong, but it was her destiny. She had always admired the way Peter had followed his destiny and wanted to be just like him…the hero. But her heart was telling her different. Although Claire's mind was telling her that Peter would be proud of the path that she had taken sooner or later, her heart knew that at first it would tear him apart, and break him.

xxx

Claire sat for hours on her own in the Petrelli mansion. Nathan and Angela were both out and Peter had gone off on one…great. Picking up her cell phone, Claire quickly dialled Peter's number and then walked slowly over to the window.

"Peter, look, I'm…"

"It's okay Claire. I've been thinking pretty hard, perhaps you know, it wouldn't be that bad if you were to choose that path to go down. I mean, you are indestructible after all. I just didn't want you to get hurt in any way."

Claire smiled to herself as she listened to her uncle's voice on the phone. "But I have to go with you, there's no ditching me, you hear?"

Smiling once again, Claire spoke excitedly "Loud and clear! I'll pack my bags! Bye!"

"Claire…"

But it was too late, the excited young girl had already disconnected the phone call and was now jumping happily around the lounge of the large house. After finally regaining her calmness, Claire walked slowly upstairs to begin packing her bag.

A/N: Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please tell me in a review what you think and perhaps what you would like to see in future episodes (i.e. new characters, etc.)