Authors Note:Nothing belongs to me. I'm just borrowing it. Spoilers for Eris Quod Sum in early chapters
Not something I would usually write but the Airplane scene in Eris Quod Sum just caused my inner writer to sit up and go sqwee. Besides I've been looking for an excuse to write Elle as she is one of my favourite Characters. Eris Quod Sum missing scenes for the first two chapters but AU after that.
Early Day's
Claire lay looking at the ceiling. Across the corridor in the Bennet guest room was the last person she had ever expected to see again. The electric blonde Elle Bishop. Normally her first reaction upon finding Elle in her house would have been to push her into the bath and turn the shower on, especially after what she did to Lyle, but the sight of the older blonde as she sat at her computer pin pricks of electricity moving across her skin and the sadness in her voice as she had greeted Claire had caused the cheerleader to feel sympathy.
In the guest room Elle was also looking at the ceiling. She had coming to this house looking for Noah, but had found he was not there and had got soaked for her trouble. All she had done was shock Lyle for Pete's sake. However once she had dried off and explained her situation they had kindly put her up. Lyle still gave her the stink eye though.
As the electricity sparked across her skin again, Elle got up and made a move downstairs. As she entered the living room she noticed a light on in the kitchen and looked inside to find Claire warming up some milk.
"Hey pom-pom" Elle said quietly
Claire looked up "Elle" she nodded curtly
"So" Elle said taking a seat at the island "couldn't sleep"
Claire turned "no, too much on my mind, you?"
Elle held up her hand to show the lightning dancing across her skin "haven't slept properly in months"
Claire got a second mug from the cupboard and filling both with milk sat opposite Elle and pushed one of the mugs across to the elder blonde. "Here" she said "might help"
"Thanks" Elle replied picking up the mug and taking a sip
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Claire spoke again "so can I ask what happened. I mean last time I saw you; you had pinpoint control over your ability. Now it's sparking all over the place".
Elle sat looking into the depths of her mug before replying "Sylar" she said "busted into Level 5 and started his psycho head-cutting thing. My powers shocked him before he got too far but ever since I've had no control", she looked into her mug again before looking up at the cheerleader once more "so what about you Cheerleader what's with the non-pain thing"
"Same as you" Claire said "Sylar came here and took my power. I survived but ever since I can't feel pain" silence reigned for a little while longer before another word was uttered "why did you come here" Claire said eventually
"After Angela fired me I drifted around for a bit, went to London and saw our old friend Claude"
Claire looked up "how is he"
"As well as can be expected, hooked up with this force-field wielding chick and her boyfriend, Anyway when I was in London someone gave me a Pinehearst card, told me they could help me"
"But" Claire prompted after Elle had been quiet for a few minutes
"Well sorry for not having your faith in mankind Pom Squad., but I've been manipulated by enough people and before I committed to anything I wanted to see if they were legit and since your Dad is the only person who's been honest with me. Well I thought he might be able to give me some advice." She fell silent again watching as the electricity arced across her skin.
Claire looked at her "I promise you Elle we will figure this out. Together."
"Thanks pom-pom, for everything" Elle said quietly. Suddenly the lights above them flicked and Elle screamed out in pain the arc's becoming more prominent on her skin.
Claire ran around the island and placed her arms around the older blonde. She didn't know why she did it but strangely the sight of Elle hurting like that caused her pain as well. The only type of pain she could now feel.
The electricity fried her skin but her ability immediately healed all damage causing Claire to hold Elle even tighter. "Okay Elle" she whispered into the blondes hair "focus on my voice and calm down"
She rubbed Elle's back in ever decreasing circles "come on" she said "you can do this". Eventually the lightning subsided and the lights brightened once again. Elle looked up "Why did you do that" she asked quietly.
Claire looked at her "I don't know" she said "it seemed like the right thing to do"
She took Elle's arm "come on" she said "lets get you to bed"
Pulling Elle upstairs they met Sandra coming the other way "Is everything alright" Sandra said "I heard screaming"
"Everything's fine Mom" Claire said "Elle's ability just got a little out of control".
"Okay" Sandra replied "see you in the morning" and with that she returned to bed
Claire guided Elle to the guest bedroom and sat the older girl down on the bed. Moving Elle's legs up as well she pulled the covers over her and made to leave the room
"Night Claire." Elle said quietly
"Night Elle" Claire replied and walked across the corridor to catch up on her own sleep.
The next morning Claire walked downstairs to find that Elle was in the kitchen helping Sandra with breakfast.
"Hey Mom" Claire called walking into the kitchen
"Hi Claire" Sandra said "you know Elle said she had never cooked anything before but she's a natural. You should try her eggs"
As Claire accepted a plate of eggs from the apprehensive Company Agent, Lyle called from the living room. "Mom the TV is on the fritz again"
"Well I'll call the repair man later honey, there's nothing I can do at the moment"
"Actually Mrs Bennet I think I might be able to help" Elle said
Claire followed Elle into the next room and watched her put her hands on top of the television. Then shutting her eyes for a moment she sent a quick jolt of electricity into the machine.
"Hey" Lyle said "it's working again"
Elle grinned as Sandra thanked her "that was a very smart idea Elle"
After breakfast Sandra took Claire aside "so what are your plans for today"
"Well if I'm going to New Jersey with Elle then I need to get some stuff at the Mall"
Sandra looked at her "Could you take Elle with you. I don't think she's ever had much of an opportunity to be" she paused "normal and it could be good for her"
Claire wandered into the living room to find Elle watching cartoons with Lyle. Everyone so often Elle would send up a show of sparks but apart from that she didn't appear to be having too much trouble.
Claire sat down next to Elle before speaking "hey Elle" she said trying to sound casual "I was thinking of going to the Mall and I wondered if you wanted to come"
The older girl leapt up clapping her hands and sending up another shower of sparks. "Really" she said a massive grin splitting her face
Claire smiled when she saw Elle's enthusiasm, For some reason it made her feel happy. "Yeah" she said "come on"
A few minutes later the pair could be found in Claire's car on the way to the mall. Elle was bouncing around in the passenger seat sparks shooting off all over the place.
"Hey" Claire said after the fifth spark burned her skin "just cause I can't feel pain doesn't mean I like getting shocked every two seconds"
Elle looked downcast and shifted so she was looking away from Claire. She couldn't explain it but being around the cheerleader made her feel all warm inside. It also made her feel normal, like she wasn't just a Company Agent but an ordinary girl.
Claire flipped on the radio in a effort to take her mind off the blonde next to her and Lonely Girl by Sandi Thom came on.
Sometimes see her down by the river
The water dances on her skin
She can captivate you with her eyes
But she will never lets you in
In the dark she lingers
Like a tear without a soul
And oh what a lonely girl
Trying to find her way
In this mixed up messed up world
And I see so many faces just like her
So many broken hearts in the world
And oh what a lonely what a lonely girl
You see lately she's been watching the weather
The weather doesn't know what to do
'cause sometimes when its cold outside
That's when she's feeling blue
But I see through her sadness deep within her soul
All she's wants to have is someone she can love to make her whole
And oh what a lonely girl
Trying to find her way
In this mixed up messed up world
And I see so many faces just like her
So many broken hearts in the world
And oh what a lonely what a lonely girl
Isn't it incredible
Oh isn't it regrettable
She finds sweet love and then she lets it go
And I see so many faces just like her
So many broken hearts in the world
And oh what a lonely what a lonely day
And oh what a lonely girl
Trying to find her way
In this mixed up messed up world
And I see so many faces just like her
So many broken hearts in the world
And oh what a lonely what a lonely girl
And oh what a lonely what a lonely girl
As the song came to an end Claire looked over at Elle who was huddled up in the corner creating arcs between her fingers. The song could have been talking about her. "I'm sorry" Claire said laying a hand on Elle's shoulder "I didn't mean to snap"
Elle turned "It's okay" she replied quietly "I know I can be a little excitable at times"
They pulled into the mall car park and got out. "Okay" said Claire "what shall we do first"
Elle looked a little nervous "I don't know" she said "why don't you take the lead pom-pom."
Claire thought for a moment "how about we take a look around first before getting the stuff I need"
Elle nodded "lead the way"
As they entered the mall Elle looked around in amazement. She had never seen anything so big and there were so many people.
As they reached the second level Claire leaned over and whispered in Elle's ear "umm you're glowing".
Elle looked down and realised that the arcs were becoming more prominent once again. "Sorry" she whispered back "but I'm not used to this many people. It's making me nervous"
Claire took the blondes arm in hers "just stick close to me" she said "everything is going to be fine"
After they had looked around Claire pulled out her list.
"So what do you need" Elle said leaning her head on Claire's shoulder.
Claire shivered slightly "clothes mostly, I don't really have anything suitable for the New Jersey climate.
The pair walked over to a clothes shop and Claire started to look around the racks trying to find something she liked. Elle followed behind casually throwing balls of lightning from hand to hand when she thought no one was looking.
"Claire" she whined eventually "are we done yet".
"No" said Claire as she pulled a pair of jeans off the hanger "come on lets go and try these on"
As Claire walked into the changing room Elle sat on a chair outside thinking things over. Why did Claire want to help her, after all she was a sadistic sociopath who liked nothing better than to cause people pain. At least that was what the shrinks always said.
And what was it about the Cheerleader that made Elle stick around. After finding that Bennet wasn't home she should have made her escape, but there was something about that family, Claire in particular that made Elle want to stick around.
As Claire finished putting her jeans on she felt something ghost across the hairs on her upper arms. Looking down she saw sparks dancing across her arms and a pair of arms around her waist. Looking behind her she found Elle. "What are you doing here" she whispered.
The older girl shrugged making no move to remove her arms from Claire's waist "I was board, thought I would see if you were finished yet"
Claire released herself from Elle's grip and turned around "nearly" she breathed just go back outside and I'll be with you in a minute"
Elle however sat down on the bench in the corner "I think I'll stay here thanks",
Claire breathed and counted slowly back from ten. Looking at the other girl she was thankful to see that Elle was busy making lightning balls and wasn't paying attention to her.
After all her years as a cheerleader she shouldn't have been so nervous about getting changed in front of someone else but for some reason Elle filled her stomach with dancing butterflies. Taking a deep breath she unbuttoned the jeans and pulled them off
"Umm a little help". Elle looked up to see Claire standing on the opposite side of the room. "Yeah pom-pom what is it"
Claire breathed "could you hand me my jeans please".
Elle looked down to see Claire's jeans next to her. She picked them up and handed them to the younger girl. Watching Claire pull them on left Elle totally agog. "whoa cheer squad" she thought "if that is what cheerleading does for you maybe I should take it up"
"Come on then" said Claire walking out of the cubical "lets get something to eat"
Sitting in the food court Elle sat and listened to Claire speak. She would have liked to join in the conversation but Claire was talking about things that the electrokinetic had never experienced like high school and prom. Not that Elle really minded. Watching the cheerleader was kind of fun.
Suddenly a hand gripped her arm and looking up she saw a grinning teenage boy.
"Hey" he drawled "why don't you come and join me and my friends here" he gestured behind him to a bunch of grinning cronies
Elle looked at Claire before turning to the boy "I'm alright here thanks" she said smiling sweetly
The boy made no effort to release her arm instead trying to drag Elle out of her seat "come on" he said "you can have a lot more fun with us"
"I said NO" Elle yelled shooting a bolt of electricity down her arm which caused the boy to fly backwards into another table. His friends immediately ran screaming something about "the psycho chick"
Elle looked over at Claire again "I'm sorry" she whispered "gut reaction"
Claire took hold of her hand "that's okay" she replied "but lets get out of here before security show up".
Grabbing their bags the pair fled the food court and ran back to the car too preoccupied to notice they were still holding hands.
Please Review. It helps me improve. Besides if its rubbish and you don't review I might write more