I should have seen it the moment my feet hit the pavement and I was hugging him even tighter then before (afraid he would vanish in a matter of seconds), I should have seen the drastic change that he had been through.

But most of all I should seen that it wasn't the Peter that I know and love that was smiling, a hard smile that was nothing like the one he always saves just for me (crooked all the way through), back at me.

"Where am I? Where the hell did you take me, Peter, if you're him at all?"

Every thing about him was covered in black, even his eyes that used to light up so bright I couldn't help but smile back (through blood and tears), and the only bit of color was his scar that was still fresh from battle.

(I was starting to fear that it was given fighting on the wrong side, the one he's trying to single handily lead all by himself)

"Pretty, isn't it?"

Before I could blink I was face to face with him, my total hero turning into the nightmare man right before my eyes (is he here for my pink brains?), and his rough hands had me in an iron grip.

He had me trapped, trapped in his arms, in his eyes, and trapped in his world I wasn't ready for.

(and through it all each finger still wanted to trace the scar that helped him step into the darkness)

"You're the one that gave it to me, Claire, right before I killed you."

And just like that he was gone, leaving me breathless, scared, and ready to cry not for me but each single tear would be for him (who was nothing but a cold stranger), and I was alone in a harsh world that wouldn't be mine for years to come.

-

"Thought I'd find you here, Claire-bear, sorry about Pete he's been in a funk lately (make that five freaking years) ever since he had to shot you in the back of the head. Care for some pancakes?"

(I hope he doesn't mind me scratching his eyes out for calling me Claire-bear)

One moment I was being left in an alley by Peter that wasn't really Peter (I'm still headstrong about the whole shape-shifter thing), who I feared wanted to kill me a second time but I just couldn't believe he could do such a thing, and then I'm in my old house with Sylar who's busy making pancakes.

(trust me anyone from the present would join me in the wtfs)

"Ummm…okay, but taking a guess, since you're making pancakes and have a little kid running around, that you're no longer evil?"

I couldn't believe I was saying something like that to Sylar, the one who has managed to mess me up more then the company, but just looking at him and big goofy grin of his I knew it had to be true.

(guess I don't need to keep an eye on my brains this time)

"Bingo, you got it, kiddo. Now eat up before Peter comes to pick you up."

"Pick me up? What am I, a carry on bag? Just tell me the truth, is he going to take me home or not?"

The need for the power to time travel grew stronger the moment he mentioned Peter, if I can call him that any more, he's far too changed from the Peter I care about, and I hated that now instead of the love I've always felt when he was brought up was now turning to fear.

(fear that his hands will be the end of me)

"I'm afraid not, Claire, but don't you worry-"

Before I could be told not to fear my kidnapper, who was turning from my big damn hero into a phantom of the opera wannabe right before my eyes, my play date with the retired serial killer was over and Peter had come to 'pick me up'.

"Sorry about that, Claire, I got carried away and I-I…I'm just sorry. I don't think you were ready to met Gabriel just yet, hell, it took me years to trust the guy but don't worry he's a friend, an unbelievable one but still a friend. Now, no more disappearing, which I'm still very sorry about, it's time to get down to business. Claire, I have a lot to show you and little time to do so, but we have to hurry before it's too late."

We were going everywhere and in everyway we could, time jumps that left me dazed, and of course flying where we had to hold on to each other tighter then we ever had, tighter then we ever should.

Without knowing it, this new Peter, the one without a shame in the world, the one that was starting to become the man I love (starting with a smile, and a blush) once again, he was making a dream of mine into reality as we started to soar thought the skies, arms locked and hearts beating fast.

(mine trying escape out my chest, beating fast against his chest)

"What do you mean, Peter, why did you bring me here?"

"So I won't have to kill you, so none of this will have to happen to either of, and so you don't become the villain you were in this time."

I was ready to not believe a single word, after all that was the one thing I had sworn to never become (my father's greatest fear), but the second I caught a look at his face, those eyes that were burning right intro me, I knew he wasn't lying to me.

(my Peter, the one I hadn't seen in so long, would never be this bold, which is why I like this version of him more then I should)

"If that's the case, Peter, then I'm ready, lead the way."