A/N: Woah, long time no update! Anyway, sorry about that. My GCSEs are coming up soon and I've been studying like crazy, hence the no updates. But I'm gonna try and update some of my fics in the upcoming week, so look out! Like always, please be nice and tell me what you think!

Chapter 2

"Hey, what's wrong Claire-Bear?" Gabriel asked as he caught up with Claire who was slowly trudging carelessly down the street. He genuinely felt sorry for the young girl.

"I don't want to talk about it," Claire stopped in her tracks for a slight moment and looked up at her uncle. She looked ashamed of herself. Gabriel flashed her a caring smile and put his arm around her shoulder with a friendly ease.

"Look, Peter's only trying to do what is best for you. He knows exactly what Elle is like, he's been there before, he's witnessed what that girl can do, and believe me…she means no good. She may be all sweet and nice to you, but she's manipulative and cunning. She knows that you're an easy target."

Claire shrugged as tears trickled slowly down her face.

"Is there anyone I'll ever meet who Peter will actually approve of? There always has to be something wrong with everyone I ever come across, according to Peter. Even you -"

"What did he say about me?"

"He just warned me that you could snap at any time, he told me to be aware of what you can do…" Claire trailed off slightly as she noticed the irritated expression on her uncle's face.

"He knows I've changed."

"You've made a real improvement Gabe, honestly. I guess you're even more of a friend than Peter will ever be. I mean, yeah you're a real pain at times but you're a good friend really. I trust you."

Gabriel smiled as he put his arm around the young girl's waist.

"I'll always be here for you Claire, I'll never let you down, I promise."

Xxx

As Gabriel and Claire entered the Petrelli mansion, Peter looked up from his book and rushed quickly over to the door.

"Claire…" He tried his best to grab on to the girl's arm but Gabriel pushed him away. As Gabriel guided Claire towards the staircase, he looked back at a confused looking Peter and shook his head. Peter nodded knowingly and returned to his seat in the lounge. Apparently, Claire didn't want to talk, but he completely understood that. Forgiveness took time, and all Peter was doing was trying to protect his niece. He knew that he had betrayed her, but he was only trying to do what was best for the young girl. It was bittersweet, after all.

An hour had passed when Gabriel finally emerged from Claire's room.

"Peter?" He asked as he stepped out and closed the door behind him. Peter was leaning up against the wall, his expression unimpressed and sad. "Look, I told her you meant no harm, I swear I did Peter. It's just that she's stubborn, and you know that. It'll take some time for her to come round, but she'll forgive you. Just give her the time and space she needs, okay?"

Peter nodded and put his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"I really appreciate what you're doing Gabe. You've made a real difference to this family, you know?"

"Oh, don't get all soppy with me Pete." Gabriel rolled his eyes and started to walk away from Peter. "You owe me one," He smirked as he turned down the hallway and to his own bedroom.

Claire stood, listening at her door. She could hear every word the two brothers were saying. Although she was irritated at the moment because Peter, she could never hate him. She loved him far too much to ever hate him…in a 'family' kind of love, of course. Smiling to herself, Claire walked back over to her window and gazed out of the beautiful skyscrapers that surrounded them. She beamed happily as she thought of the things her and Gabriel had talked about. After having a conversation with him about Peter, she'd seen him in a complete different light. Perhaps he was only trying to protect her.

New York was amazing in Claire's eyes. Everything there was ten times bigger than anywhere else. Ever since moving to the fantastic city, after the whole 'Homecoming' incident and then finding out that Nathan Petrelli was actually her biological father, Claire had completely fallen in love with the place.

"I bet it would be nice to glide between those buildings like a bird. Carefree and effortless." Claire whispered to herself as she trailed her finger across the steamy glass of her bedroom window. "I wonder if…" She began but suddenly trailed off when she realised where her words were leading to…Peter.

Xxx

"Wouldn't it be amazing to glide between the skyscrapers of New York? Have you ever thought about it Gabe?" Claire asked as she sat down next to Gabriel at the dinner table.

"Yeah, if you like that type of thing I guess."

"What about you Peter? Ever thought of how amazing it would be to fly like a bird around New York?" Claire smiled sweetly as she fluttered her eyelashes at Peter. Peter frowned. After taking the young girl's hint, Peter rolled his eyes and continued to eat his dinner.

"Sounds like a nice idea Claire." Nathan smiled at his daughter and then looked over to Peter. "I'm sure you'd be more than happy to take Claire around New York, wouldn't you Pete?"

Peter looked up and glared at his brother. Did he not realise how awkward that situation would be? Was he crazy?! Nathan just raised his eyebrows at Peter who just continued to glare at him.

"Peter?" Angela asked with a concerned expression on her face. "Is everything okay dear?"

Peter just nodded and then turned to Claire who was smiling sweetly again at him. How could he not agree to taking her out for a while? It was harmless, right?

"Okay then Claire, grab your jacket after dinner and I'll meet you out the front of the house."

Claire clapped her hands with a jolly ease and then got up from her seat and hugged Peter. She smiled at Peter once again, trying to lighten the mood up a little. After-all, she knew she had over-reacted earlier, so why not try and make it up to her favourite uncle? He did deserve it in spite of everything.

"Thank you so much Peter!"

What was going on? Peter thought to himself. Just half an hour ago, Claire had stormed up to her room with Gabriel and was completely and utterly destroyed because of Peter. She'd been heartbroken after he'd confronted her about her message from Elle. And now she was all happy and actually hugging him…it just didn't seem right. Nothing did…

A/N: Thank you for reading and please review :)