Nathan smiled at the group of people in front of him pretending to be very absorbed in what they were saying, but his thoughts were far away. He was back in his old life and he loved it. Short break in politics, caused by the whole ''save the world'' was over. Finally. He could be himself again, and have his life. He took sip of champagne and looked through the crowd of people His eyes met Heidi's eyes. She smiled at him and he smiled back. She didn't know about his special ability and he wasn't going to tell her. He was afraid that this could destroy everything what they had and he didn't want it. He prefered to pretend that everything what happened three months ago, explosion and everything else, never existed. And that was another thing, among many others, that differed him from his younger brother. He looked round the huge room searching for Peter but couldn't find him anywhere. Again. He excused himself and moved towards the door. Before he touched them they opened and Peter came in.
''Where have you been?''
''Outside.''
''What for?'' Nathan asked suspiciously.
''Get some fresh air. God, Nathan, what's that? Investigation? You're trying to control me all the time. Give me break, I'm not a kid.'' He wanted to pass him but Nathan caught his arm.
''I'm not controlling you, I just want you to have a normal life.''
''Normal? And what normal means to you?''
''For example this'' he waved hand at talking people that filled in room.
''No, this is normal for you, not for me.'' Peter said releasing his arm.
''I mean that you could stay here for a moment, instead of always missing, and talk to people.''
''Who am I suppose to talk to? I don't know them, and even if I did, they can only talk about things that I'm not interested in.''
''And what about Amy? Where is she?'' Nathan looked around searching for girl.
''I don't know. Probably somewhere here, talking to someone.''
''Why you're not with her?''
''Oh please Nathan, she's nice and I like her but you didn't think that I spend with her all evening, did you?''
Nathan rolled his eyes. ''Well, it seemed that you two were getting well with each other.''
''Could you do one thing for me? Don't interfere in my life, ok?''
''I'm just trying to help you. You're my little brother and it's my duty. It always be.''
''Yeah'' Peter looked round the room ''Look Nathan, I'm getting bored, I'm going home.''
''Wait, stay a little longer, find Amy.''
Peter just gave him warning look.
''I showed up, spent here some time and even talked to some of these people. I did my duty and I have enough, I'm going home.'' He took his coat and left room.
After a moment Angela appeared next to Nathan.
''Where did he go.''
''Home. You know that he doesn't like to be in places like this.''
She looked at her older son. ''I know that he always prefered company of old and sick people.''
''Mom...''
''What? It's true. He never was and never will be like we.''
Nathan just looked at her mother and then, when Heidi called him, left her.
Angela stood alone sipping her champagne and looking at the door.
''He never fitted to our family.''
--
Way home wasn't long, 15 minutes in cab and Peter was back in his apartment. He just wanted to go sleep and forget about Nathan, his mother and all these people. He took off his jacket and tie, left them on couch and moved towards bathroom. Once he was inside he looked at himself in the mirror. Pale face, dark bags under his eyes, he looked tired. He was tired. Since last month he was taking extra hours in hospital and spending much time at Nathan's house. Everything just to not be alone, not to think. Because when he was alone, he started to thinking and it wouldn't bring anything good. Nights were the worst. He usually couldn't sleep, but when he finally fall asleep nightmares haunted him. Every night the same nightmare, night at Kirby Plaza, but without good ending. In his dreams he blows up New York and kills thousand of people. Every night he wakes up with scream. He can't help but have a feeling that something is coming. Nathan can say what he want but he can't be sure that it's really over.
Peter shook his head and washed his face with cold water messing up his hair. He looked again in the mirror. His hair wasn't slided back anymore but some of wet strainds sticked to his face. He reached for towel but before he touched it he heard some noise in room. Something hit floor. He left bathroom and entered room where he quickly found reason of noise. His cellphone slipped out from his jacket and now was laying on the floor.
''Great'' he murmured and picked up his phone. It didn't look like it was damage but for sure he turned it on and saw that someone left message.
Wondering who could called to him, he put his cellphone next to ear.
''Peter, it's Claire...I need your help...
Something inside of him twisted at the sound of voice which he hadn't heard in such a long time, but something was different, wrong. Her voice trembled, he could tell that she was terrified. He stood up and moved around room listening to her every word.
...It's Sylar, he's back...
Peter almost dropped phone, his eyes widened. It wasn't happening; he saw his death. He tightened his grip on phone realizing that Claire was in danger.
...I don't know what to do, I'm in California, Costa Verde...I don't know what street it is, but there is small, white church...please, I need you Peter.''
He didn't waste any time, immediately closed his eyes focusing on place that Claire had mentioned.
Within a second he opened his eyes feeling cool night air. He looked around just to see almost identical small houses everywhere. The only things which were different were white church which Claire mentioned and telephone box from which she probably called. He moved closer to to the phone box and saw blood on one of it's pane.
''Oh God.'' He knew that Claire could heal but if Sylar found her she could be as well dead already. He tried to push that thought away and moved around looking for her.
''Claire!''
Silence. He shivered because of cool air. It was late, dark and cold. He checked his phone. Claire called about two hours ago. She can be somewhere else. He mentally kicked himself for sitting at that stupid party when Claire needed him.
''Where are you?'' he whispered feeling helpless and looked around again.
White church.
He moved towards it immediately with his heart bitting faster. If she's not there he had no idea where she could be. But it doesn't mean anything. He won't stop until he finds her. She must be somewhere, allive, waiting for him. He couldn't explain it but he could feel that she was allive.
He climbed up the stairs of church and slowly opened big door hearing some noise. He couldn't see much because it was dark inside as well as outside. Only one lamp from outside was giving a little light. He saw indisting shape in corner of church's hall.
''Claire?''
Something metal hit floor.
''Peter?'' Voice from darkness whispered weakly.
Peter heard steps and after a moment Claire came out from shadow. He held his breath. There she was, allive but with signs of what she had been through. She was pale and had blood on her face, blouse and in hair. Also she was shaking and looked tired, and her eyes, her eyes seemed to be empty.
He quickly reached for her and pulled her to him as close as possible, wrapping his arms protectively around her.
''Thank God you're allive'' he whispered in her hair. She was cold and was shaking so he tightened his grip. She was distant at first but after a moment Peter felt her arms slowly wrapping around his waist.
''You came'' she whispered quietly into his chest.
He pulled away slightly to look at her. ''Of course I came. What happened to you Claire?'' he asked but regreted it immediately when instead of response tears appeared in her eyes. He pulled her closer again, hiding her head in his chest. ''It's ok now. I'm taking you with me'' Peter said and she nodded and clung to him as if he was the only person she had left.
''Close your eyes.''
Claire did as he told her and once she opened them again she saw that they were in Peter's flat. She was there before so she recognized this place immediately.
Peter gently pulled away. ''You need a rest. I'll find you some clean clothes and you'll take a shower and go to bed. We'll talk tomorrow.''
Claire nodded and he went to bedroom looking for some clothes for her.
Once she was alone again she wrapped her arms around her and looked around the room. She repeated in her head that she was with Peter now, she was save but somehow she couldn't get rid of image of Sylar.
She almost jump when Peter appeared again in room.
''I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.'' He gave her a t-shirt and pair of boxers, and led her to the bathroom.
Once she was inside he went to bedroom to prepare bed for her. When it was ready he realized that he still was in white shirt and black pants from Nathan's party so he quickly change into something more comfortable and went to living room. Claire was still in bathroom so he went for blanket to prepare his couch for this night.
After about half an hour Claire left bathroom and entered room. Peter got up from couch and looked at her. She looked better, in his clothes, without any signs of blood, with moist hair; but still didn't look like the girl he knew.
''How are you feeling?'' he asked moving closer.
''Better.'' she tried to smile a little thanking him for everything he was doing but she just coudn't. Not yet, when everything what happened was still fresh in her mind.
''You're taking bedroom tonight, and I'll sleep on couch. I'll be right here if you need anything'' he informed her touching slightly her bare arm, trying to assure her that she wasn't alone anymore, that she was safe here.
''Thank you Peter'' she looked at him and then disappeared in his bedroom.
Peter pressed his back against the door of his bedroom and closed eyes. He could feel that she was in pain but he couldn't help her until she was ready; ready to talk about what happened, ready to take help from him. He wanted nothing more but to take away this pain.
If he ever imagined that he will see her again, he didn't suppose that it will happen in that circumstances.
--
It's been long since we've seen each other last time.
Claire abruptly opened her eyes. She knew that she won't get any sleep that night no matter how tired and exhausted she was. She turned in bed and looked at alarm-clock on night-stand.
2 a.m.
She rubbed her eyes and sat up in bed. Room was filled with darkness of night. The only light came from the starlit sky outside the window.
Your mother had great power. Just like you.
Claire ran her hands through her hair feeling tears coming to her eyes.
You won't escape me, not this time.
She stood up and moved towards window, resting her hands on the window-sill and bending head down that her hair covered her face.
No... please...don't do it.
She looked on window pane but instead of her own reflection she saw Sylar's face.
''No'' she slightly hit her fist on the wall and then pressed her forehead in that place. She couldn't stop tears that were falling down her face.
She heard door opened and quickly turned around to see Peter standing in doorway with his arms crossed.
''I'm sorry. I didn't want to wake you up.'' She said looking away and trying to wiped away her tears.
''You didn't. I couldn't sleep either.'' She couldn't help but looked at him.
''Do you want to talk about it?'' he asked gently. She knew that he didn't want to force her to anything.
She was silent for a moment and then sat down on the floor under the window pressing knees to her chest. Peter moved and sat on bed opposite to her.
She took a deep breath and started talking.
''I came late from school today and no one was home, at least I thouhgt that. When I entered living room I saw that someone made there huge damage and Istarted to be afraid about my mother, my real mother. Because my father invited her and she was living with us. And I knew that only she could be at home...and when I started to walk around the room I found her...''she closed her eyes, image of her mother right in front of her eyes'' I found her body, top of her head was cut off.''
Peter left bed and sat next to her putting his arm around her shoulder.
''And then he appeared'' Claire continued. ''He was allive, fully allive, he hadn't died that night at Kirby Plaza. And I tried to run away but couldn't . He used his powers and...'' New tears appeared on her face and Peter gently wiped them away. ''I would be dead if not my father, he shot him, but only in arm, and told me to run away. And I listened to him.''
''You did the right thing.''
''No, I left him with killer!''
''You said he shot him, so he had a gun and he could defend himself. I'm sure he's alright.''
''And if not? I left him there.. and my mother is already dead because of me. Sylar wants me and he's killing everyone else on his way. If not because of me...''
Peter cupped her face and looked straigh into her eyes ''It's not you fault Claire. He's psychopath. It's all because of him, not you. You can't blame yourself.'' She slowly nodded and laid her head on his arm. For a moment they sat in silence before Claire spoke again.
''It hurted. It hurted so bad when he started to cut my head. I thought I was really going to die. I never felt such pain.''
Peter knew what she was talking about. He remembered this pain when Sylar tried to get his power in Mohinder's flat. This pain wasn't just psysical. It felt like your soul and heart were being cut, like your life was slowly taking away from you.
He trailed his fingers along Claire's forehead, exactly in place where she should have scar and she closed her eyes leaning into his touch.
''He won't hurt you again, I promise.'' He gently pressed his lips to her forehead and she smiled slightly.
''I missed you Peter.''
''I missed you too'' he took her hand in his and started to play with her fingers. ''So, no sleep tonight?''
''No.''
''And what about something to eat?''
She looked at him and for a moment felt like this day was just a dream. ''Did you just read my mind?''
--
Claire never thought that simple spagehtti can taste so good. It was rather hard to get anything in the middle of the night so she and Peter looked around his kitchen to find something suited to eat. Peter didn't have big experience in cooking so Claire decided to help him. When both of them were busy with ingredients Claire felt better and started to telling him how she's been doing during last three months. For a moment she forgot about everything what happend earlier and felt like a normal girl. She almost forgot how good Peter's company was.
When they finally finished and dish was ready to eat Peter turned on some film and they both sat on couch in front of TV with blanket on their lap and plates with spagehtti in hands. Claire didn't pay too much attention to film. She was more interested in her plate and Peter. She remembered last time when they were spending time like this, which was day after explosion and right before Nathan decided to send her home.
''I see you have appetite'' Peter said seeing how Claire was swallowing her dish. He gave her glass of juice and sat at the kitchen's table across her.
''I just didn't eat anything yesterday. You know...that was stessing day...'' she stopped and looked at him. He wasn't looking at her but at the fork which he was holding. She regreted that she mentioned day before. It was hard for everyone, especially for Peter. ''I'm sorry.''
Peter stopped playing with fork and looked at her.
''Don't be. We can't just avoid this subject. Everything what happened yesterday was real. We couldn't stop explosion but luckily no one died.''
''You died'' Claire whispered and put away her plate. She lost appetite.
''I'm alright now, thanks to you.''
''But you died Peter and didn't want to heal. Why? When I saw you there laying lifeless I just...I felt like I couldn't breathe. I saw you dead before but this time nothing stuck at the back of your head and you didn't want to heal. I didn't know how to help you and that scared me the most.'' She stopped to catch her breath and added whispering that Peter barely heard her ''I thought I lost you.''
Peter put away fork and reached across table for her hand.
''I am allive, thanks to you. I don't know why I couldn't heal. Probably my injuries were too big and I needed you.'' She looked into his eyes and he squeezed her hand tightly. ''Don't worry about me. I'll be alright as long as you're around.''
She smiled at him and for a moment they just stared at each other before someone entered kitchen and Peter
let go of her hand. They both looked up to see Nathan.
''I need to talk with you Peter. Can you come to the study?'' His voice sounded serious and Claire couldn't get rid of feeling that it was nothing good that he wanted to talk with Peter about. When Nathan left kitchen Peter looked last time at Claire and followed him.
Now Claire knew what they talked about that day. About her. She looked at her plate and lost appetite again.
''You finished?'' Peter asked when he saw that she put away her plate. She nodded and he took their plates, got up and went to the kitchen. After a moment he was back, sat next to her and fixed his gaze in TV screen.
Claire studied his face. She didn't notice it earlier because she was in shock but now she could clearly saw that he didn't look the same. He was pale, thinner and had dark bags under his eyes.
He felt her gaze and turned around to look at her. ''What?''
''What was happening with you? I told you about me and you didn't say anything.''
''Because there is nothing to say. Nothing special happened, just normal life.''
''You looked different, tired.''
''I'm just not sleeping well since...''
''...since Kirby Plaza?''
''Yeah.''
She nodded and saw that he felt uneasy so she decided to change subject. ''And how Nathan is doing?''
''Fine, I guess. He's back in his old, normal life without any powers and...'' He didn't say anything else because he didn't want to upset Claire telling her that Nathan was happy as never without anything special in his life, which included her. ''He's fine.''
Claire nodded and looked back at TV screen. Peter followed her and after a moment felt her head on his shoulder. He smiled. It was good to have her back in his life.
--
Sometime later when Peter was bored with watching TV he looked at Claire. She was sleeping soundlessly with her head still on his shoulder. He turned off TV, moved away blanket and gently picked her up, trying not to wake her. Carrying her to the bedroom he realized that she was small and light in his arms. Using telekinesis he opened door to the bedroom and walked in. He laid Claire on bed and covered her with sheet. He looked at her for a moment and then turned away to leave.
''Don't go.'' He stopped and turned around just to see that Claire was awake.
''I thought you were sleeping.''
''Well, I almost was, but it's more comfortable when someone carry you than when you have to walk'' she smiled.
''So you used me?'' Peter crossed his arms and raised eyebrow.
''We can say that'' she smiled again and after a moment added seriously ''Really Peter, you can stay here. I see that you're tired and, with no offense, that couch in your living room isn't very comfortable.''
Peter shook his head. ''I don't know if it's a good idea.''
''Oh come on, this bed is big enough.'' She moved almost at the edge of bed leaving him much more space than he needed.
He shook his head again this time smiling and left room for a moment but appeared again with blanket in his arms. He laid down on sheet that covered Claire and covered himself with blanket. He crossed arms on his chest and was looking on ceiling.
''Good night Peter.'' He turned his head to see Claire laying on side and looking at him.
''Good night Claire'' he said and when she closed her eyes he watched her for a moment and then looked again at ceiling. So much happened today but he was too tired to think about it. He will decide tomorrow what to do. Now he just wanted to drift into sweet sleep.
--
