Laundry Day
Summary: Claire goes to Peter's apartment one day to do her laundry and runs into Sylar.
Mr. Gray's clairsentience accidentally kicks in when he touches Claire's bedspread causing him to see some very interesting things…
This takes place about two years after the events of a "Brave New World".
Disclaimer: I don't own Heroes or any of its characters. That honor belongs to Mr. Kring and NBC. This story was written for the sole purpose to entertain and amuse my loyal readers.
A/N: Well, my darlings…this is it the final chapter! Again, I wish to warn everyone that this installment will contain content that is meant for mature audiences only. If this is not for you then I suggest you stop reading this right now.
However, if you wish to read on, then you'll be treated to the finest Sylaire love scene this crazy fan-girl has to offer. Enjoy!
Chapter Four
SoHo- New York City, New York – June 7, 2012
"Long enough," replied a clearly furious Gabriel Gray. He was currently standing in the threshold that separated the living room from the kitchen completely and utterly dismayed by what he just overheard.
How could this have happened? How could his very best and only friend, the man that had sworn to always have his back, just rat him out like that? And to Claire of all people-the very woman that was at the center of his emotional maelstrom. She alone had the power take his heart and shatter into a million pieces that would still beat for her.
Just a few moments ago Gabriel had been in his room minding his own business while trying to quietly masturbate like a normal person. Yeah, he had overheard the argument about Claire's attire. Yet he couldn't be bothered when thoughts of those hip hugging shorts and that tiny red top made him even hornier than before.
So he tried to soldier on with the task at hand. However, before he could make that first crucial down stroke on his dick, Gabriel's enhanced auditory senses had inadvertently detected his Chatty Cathy of a roommate spewing out his one big secret followed by the details of his life story to the Cheerleader.
What happened to the bro-code, Mr. Big Mouth, Gabriel furiously wondered to himself.
Needless to say that it didn't take long for his hard on to be diminished as he was roused from his bed feeling thoroughly betrayed, with equal parts of anger and sexual frustration thrown in for good measure. Determined to confront Peter and shut him up, Gabriel had dressed quickly, grunting like a pissed off wild boar as he arbitrarily pulled on a clean pair gray sweat pants followed by a dark blue T-shirt adorned with white bold letters that read N.Y.F.D.
He then telekinetically flung the door open and stalked out of his bedroom, forgoing his glasses. Gabriel was so incensed that he failed to drag a comb through his still wet hair which now stuck up in odd places as if he had a head full of barbed wire. But as he about to storm into the kitchen to put a kibosh on his tell-all biography, Gabriel stopped short of entering when he heard Claire suddenly burst into tears.
Oh my God, she's crying…over me? Intrigued by this startling development Gabriel decided to conceal his presence from the occupants presently in the kitchen until the right moment presented itself. Pressing his back against the wall he quietly listened in on the rest of the exchange.
As he eavesdropped, Gabriel he had been forced to relive some the most unpleasant memories from his past while other details of the conversation made him more solemn and reflective of everything he had been through.
It was strange hearing about his own life from Peter's perspective, especially since the story, as it was being relayed to Claire, seemed too fantastical to believe. If he hadn't actually lived through those experiences, Gabriel might have had a hard time accepting the truth himself.
But what he found most amazing about this scenario was the glaring fact that Claire wanted to know about him. And when he heard her ask her uncle not to hold anything back no matter how terrible or embarrassing, Gabe's heart had almost stopped beating for a bit. Even more remarkable to him was the fact that she didn't appear to be disgusted by anything she had heard, even after every skeleton in Gabriel's carefully guarded closet had been revealed to her.
As it turned out, Claire-Bear had a few secrets of her own. And if the echoes of her nocturnal self-love sessions from her bedding weren't bad enough, it was all the ex-serial killer could do to keep from laughing out loud when Peter mentioned the drinking game.
So it wasn't my imagination? Claire's been staring at my ass this whole time? That little sneak! Well, looks like those Buns of Steel workouts have finally paid off, Gabriel thought proudly.
When things had finally quieted down Gabriel stepped away from the wall and into the threshold. As he stared daggers at Peter Petrelli, his voice had rung out loud and clear, "Don't worry about it, Claire. He can always get it from me."
When he saw Peter's stricken face turn pale and sickly Gabriel was delighted.
Good, let him be scared. Fucking little snitch, he probably thinks I'm gonna tear his tongue out!
If looks could kill, the Italian Eagle Scout would've dropped dead by now. In all honesty though, Gabriel Gray didn't necessarily wish for the death of his friend. But he probably wouldn't have minded exacting some serious bodily harm on Peter just to teach him a lesson.
Next Gabriel roved his rapacious gaze around the room until it locked onto a very self-conscious looking Claire. His dark glittering eyes never wavered from his mark as he told Peter in a calm and even tone, "Why don't you run along now, Benedict Arnold? The Cheerleader and I need to have a conversation that's long overdue. I'll deal with your treacherous ass later, Petrelli."
Just then Claire unexpectedly shot off like a bullet straight into the utility closet, quickly shutting and locking the door behind her.
Gabriel just shrugged his shoulders, not particularly surprised by her actions.
Foolish girl, he thought as he fixedly stared at the closed door, you think a simple deadbolt can keep me out? Think again, sweetheart!
"Gabe, look let me explain…" Peter began as he tried to placate his friend.
Gabriel meanwhile turned his focus back on Peter. But when the reformed criminal saw a single bead of nervous perspiration slowly trickle from empathic man's brow, he took it as a sign of culpability.
"Save it, Pete. I know what you're going to say," Gabriel seethed between clenched teeth. He wasn't really mad at Peter anymore. He just wanted to see the little bastard squirm for awhile.
"No, you don't!" Peter exclaimed. He took two cautious steps away from the sink before he admitted, "Okay, so I told Claire you love her. And I might have gone a little overboard with your memoirs."
"Overboard, Petrelli? You think you went a little overboard? I'm surprised you didn't mention how I had such a crush on my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Kowalski, that I brought her a fucking red delicious apple every morning. Or how I cried the first time I saw the end of Old Yeller? Oh, I know, what about that time I tried to serenade the first girl I ever fell in love with only to have her father throw a bucket of ice cold water on top of my head in the middle of winter!"
"Really, dude? Wow, you tried to serenade some chick?"
"She wasn't some chick," Gabriel defended himself as he rolled his eyes. "Her name was Becky Rosenbaum and she was the most beautiful girl in my sophomore class. And I'll have you know I have an excellent signing voice! I just don't sing around you because you're an asshole and as it turns out a blabbermouth!"
Wearing an incredulous expression on his face, Peter Petrelli just stared out at his roommate for about a fraction of a second. Then to Gabriel's astonishment, his former enemy suddenly broke out into peals of gut-busting laughter.
"Blabbermouth?" Peter managed to ask between guffaws as he wiped the tears from his eyes. He then sniggered, "I haven't heard that word since I was in the third-grade."
At first Gabriel was downright livid with his friend for laughing his ass off at his expense. But after a while Peter's mirth proved to be way too infectious. As he felt his sour mood just melt away Gabriel soon joined Peter in his frivolity, laughing harder and longer than the well-meaning empath.
For the next ten minutes or so the two men continued to chuckle and chortle like a couple loons until Peter clapped a hand on Gabriel's back signaling him that it was time to stop.
"You're so lucky I like you, Petrelli," Gabriel professed through a labored lungful of air. "If it'd been anybody else, I would've fried their miserable ass."
Meanwhile as Peter turned around to grab a couple bottles of water out of the fridge, he uttered with some left over amusement, "Oh, please. You couldn't hurt a fly, even if you wanted to."
As he handed one of the cold plastic beverage containers to Gabriel, Peter's expression grew serious as he said with a somber tone, "Look, I know that you and Claire have to clear the air and all. Just take it easy on her, alright? She's probably still processing everything I've told her about you."
Gabriel had already twisted the cap off his bottle and taken a good long swig of water. After his thirst was quenched he moved the bottle away from his moist lips and said with a less-than-reassuring smile, "Don't worry, Uncle Pete. I'll make sure she's okay."
Peter nearly grimaced at the sight of that cocksure grin as he uncomfortably countered, "That's what I'm afraid of." He then decided to drown his anxieties regarding his niece by chugging down the entire contents of his Dasani bottle.
And as Gabriel took another gulp of water, he nonchalantly glanced up at the wall clock perched high above Peter's head. Naturally, it had been calibrated to keep accurate time, like every other chronometer in the apartment, thanks to him.
"Uh, I hate to tell you this, buddy," he suddenly announced to Peter. "But you've only got twenty-two minutes before your shift starts."
"Holy shit!" Peter cried out. Throwing the now empty water bottle into the correct recycling bin, the paramedic rushed out into the living room to hurriedly gather up some fresh supplies for his first responder kit. After placing all of the necessary materials into his bright red EMT bag, he hoisted the black strap of the heavy carrier over his shoulder.
As he was sprinting towards the front door, Peter suddenly remembered to scoop up his discarded uniform jacket off the floor. Once he did that, he resumed his attempt at a hasty exit. However, before he could make it out of the apartment he felt an annoyingly strong tug on the back of his shirt collar holding him back.
"Gabe, stop it! I'm going to be late!" Peter shouted at the man that had telekinetically halted him in his tracks.
Gabriel, who had quickly emerged from the kitchen with his left hand raised to momentarily restrain Peter, reminded him of the following fact, "Yo, Pete…you forgot the cookies." The taller man then mercifully relinquished the unseen grasp on his roommate.
Once Peter felt his mobility return, he was relieved. And as he turned around to accept the plastic Tupperware container filled to the brim with the homemade baked goods, Peter smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry. I just can't be late again or Harrison will have my ass," Peter explained.
Gabriel immediately understood Peter's concerns and sympathized with him. Bill Harrison was the EMT captain of New York's 57th Fire Brigade which made him Peter and Gabriel's boss. He was also a brash, overweight loudmouth and an obnoxious drunk with a mean streak who enjoyed pulling rank whenever he could. Worse of all Bill hated Peter because of his family name and his pretty boy looks. And Gabriel knew that Harrison would love nothing more than to see Petrelli out on his ass.
"Hurry up and get out of here then. I guess it's a good thing you swiped super speed from Edgar last week, huh?"
Peter smirked knowingly at his friend, "Yeah, I guess so. See ya later!" He then sped off in a great blur distorting the air and space surrounding the apartment. The window curtains flapped and fluttered as a stack of unread mail, which rested on the coffee table, suddenly flew up to form miniature cyclone aided by a gust of wind. The letters whirled about in a precise counter-clock rotation for about a minute and half until the airstream died down allowing the correspondence to land haphazardly onto the floor.
Gabriel sighed as he surveyed the mess left in Peter's wake. His inner neat freak was just dying to clean it all up. But he knew that household chores would have to wait since there were more pressing matters that needed his immediate attention.
Running his fingers through his messy dark hair he turned his sights on the kitchen. As he honed in on the closed door that served as the final barrier keeping him from the Cheerleader, Gabriel Gray smiled wolfishly.
"Ready or not Claire, here I come."
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Claire Bennet stepped away from the locked door that not a moment ago she had an ear pressed up against. She'd been trying to listen in on the argument between her Uncle Peter and his roommate, Sylar.
Or was it Gabriel now?
Yeah, it was definitely Gabriel. It just somehow felt wrong to refer to the man as anything else.
Moments earlier she had tried her best to distinguish the heated words the two men had exchanged with one another. But due to the door's sturdy wooden construction, Claire was only able to pick up a phrase or two like "Old Yeller" and "serenade" until her ears took notice of the most baffling sound ever.
When Gabriel and Peter had started loudly braying like two out of control hyenas, she was momentarily convinced that they had both lost their minds.
What's so goddamned funny, she had worriedly speculated. Then everything grew quiet…too quiet. And she didn't like it, not one little bit. She much preferred the clamor of a quarrel, no matter how ominous sounding it was.
Like her dad always used to say, "Noise prepares you for what's coming around the corner, Claire-Bear. Don't you ever forget that, okay?"
But the eerie vacuum of silence did nothing of the sort. The lack of sound only increased a person's sense of dread and allowed their imagination run wild with an infinite number of scenarios all involving death and dismemberment.
The present situation Claire found herself in failed miserably to lessen her fears. And it was all so creepily familiar. Here she was hiding out in yet another small contained space from the one person she couldn't seem to get away from.
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The first time Claire played this twisted game of hide-and-go-seek had been the day Sylar came for her power. She had barricaded herself inside her mother's pantry, butcher knife in one hand while the other had wrapped Mr. Muggles' chain-like leash around the door handles in a futile attempt to keep the killer out.
Thinking back on it, Claire never did understand why Sylar didn't just blast through the door with one of his many powers. He just kind of rattled it a little (scaring the shit out of her in the process) as he tugged on the knobs. And then he just stopped.
Weird...
The next instance had been at Arlington. She had just stuck a pencil in his eye before she made her narrow escape to go find Gretchen. But when she finally did, Claire and her dorm mate were soon assaulted by the unexpected debris of shattered glass. Sylar had blown out the windows out in an attempt to ferret out both girls. The super-powered attack had forced the two friends to seek refuge in the first secure place they could find, a janitor's closet.
Shockingly, Claire soon discovered that the game of cat and mouse took on a whole new meaning when the cat decided to conceal its true identity from the mouse. She was still haunted by the memory of seeing "Gretchen" suddenly morph into Sylar.
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And now she found herself under siege yet again inside the stifling claustrophobic environment of Peter's utility/laundry room as she anticipated what exactly? Would the declawed boogeyman breakdown the door? And once he did what would he do? Would he kill her, kiss her or throw all caution to the wind and fuck her senseless?
The expectation was driving her crazy as she mulled over all of these possibilities. Although, the very thought of a predatory and single-minded Gabriel violently pulling the door off its hinges just to get to her turned Claire on immensely. As she pictured this scenario in her head she could feel the warm and titillating stirrings of sexual desire coiling itself deep below her belly as her panties dampened and her nipples grew hard.
However, judging from Gabriel's angry scowl, surely sex would be the last thing on his mind. He more than likely wanted to confront her…but for what? Getting her uncle to divulge his deepest, darkest secrets was hardly a crime, right? And besides, now that she knew the truth about his life and of his love for her what did Claire really have to fear anymore- unless, she was afraid or unwilling to scrutinize her own feelings?
She wanted him. Of that much she was certain right now. But could there more beneath the molten surface of her lust? Were there genuine feelings of camaraderie and kinship to consider? Did the fabled connection Gabriel had alluded to on more than one occasion truly exist between them? Considering everything she knew now, perhaps it did and she was just too chicken-shit to admit it.
Or could Claire's fear and denial be attributed to familial loyalties that no longer existed? Nathan was gone and both Angela and Noah had betrayed her, so what allegiance did she owe to any of them? Peter was the only person she counted on these days and she already knew his opinion on the matter.
Analyzing her feelings further did Claire want to avoid the harsh criticisms of others should she decide to forgive a man with so much blood on his hands? Perhaps it was for the most obvious reason of all: Claire didn't want to deal with the self-recriminations and doubt. After all she was her own worst critic always agonizing and over-analyzing all of her life's most crucial decisions.
And this latest choice she had to make was going to be the most significant one of all.
Forgiving Gabriel Gray would not be easy, of that Claire was certain. But if she really thought about it…anything in life worth doing would never be simple or without risk.
And yes, she would be taking a risk, a huge one. But then so would Gabriel. After all, Claire was fully aware that he was the vulnerable one in this situation. One word from her could make him or break him so she needed to tread carefully.
Strangely enough she suddenly felt a surge of confidence that empowered her to cast off all fear and face her demons once and for all. After all, she'd walked through fire, had bullets riddle her body, survived Ted Sprague's nuclear blast and resulting radiation poisoning and she even survived being scalped by Sylar without a single scrape to show for it.
If Claire could withstand all of those harrowing events then she could certainly handle one lovesick guy with serious Mommy issues. She could do this. Claire would face Gabriel Gray head on and together they would tackle whatever issues they still had between them.
With her mind made up Claire squared her shoulders and then reached to unlock the deadbolt. But just as she was about to twist the lock open she heard a tentative knock followed by the soft vibrato of Gabriel's voice on the other side of the door.
"Claire, could you please open the door?"
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Needless to say Gabriel was stunned when the door to the utility room suddenly swung open to reveal a serene looking Claire. Cautiously, he watched her as she stepped aside to grant him access into the laundry room. Yet Gabriel couldn't move a muscle. He just stood there, dumbfounded.
Truthfully, he had half expected her either to flat out refuse his request or emerge from the laundry room breathing fire with talons extended ready to claw his eyes out.
But if he lived to be a million, he never would have anticipated seeing the unruffled expression she now wore on her beautiful face.
The verdant eyes that always reminded Gabriel of a lush meadow on a spring morning looked upon him now with some degree of expectation. And he immediately noticed that her gaze lacked its usual deep set abhorrence and trepidation. And what was even more amazing was that the corners of her pouty full lips were slightly curved up into the semblance of a smile.
This was an incredible occurrence. It hardly seemed real. But by God and all of his angels it was.
Somehow, someway Claire Bennet, the object of his unrequited love and all consuming obsession was actually smiling at him. At him- the meek watchmaker turned killer that had been her nightmare for years while he only dreamed of her. Could it be that she was finally starting to see the man behind the mask of the monster he had once been?
Suddenly he was stricken by his old insecurities.
Impossible, get real Gabriel! A girl like her would never look at a geek like you, said the cruel little voice inside his head.
He knew all too well the source of that taunting voice which had been a hindrance his entire life. It was raspy and pitiless, and sounded very much like a distorted version of the late Virginia Gray. Gabriel closed his eyes against the mental onslaught as the ghost of his greatest tormentor continued to browbeat him into submission.
Look at yourself, boy…all tall and gangly with nothing to offer any woman. All you've ever done is kill and steal what never rightfully belonged to you in the first place. You knew better than that. I didn't teach you to be a dirty little thief.
You must have gotten those criminal tendencies from your father, your REAL one. What a horrible man he was and you turned out just like him! Yes, you did!
You think you're special, you think you're someone of worth because you can do a few parlor tricks? Think again, boy. You're a loser and Claire will NEVER forgive you!
Gabriel meanwhile struggled to push back the tide of negative emotions to prevent the reawakening of the Hunger. As hot, wet tears of anguish slipped past his closed eyelids and rolled down his narrow face his battered psyche suddenly stood up and shrieked at the specter of his lost childhood, Shut up, Mother! Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!
And then just when he thought he was finally losing his grip on reality, Claire Bennet, God bless her, threw him a much needed life-line.
"I forgive you Gabriel…"
There they were- four simple words that had been uttered so softly that Gabriel scarcely heard them at all. But heard them he did, all thanks to a cute 7-year old little girl he had rescued from a car accident roughly three months ago.
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Northbound Interstate 95 near the Trans-Manhattan Expressway- March 10, 2012
The collision had been a bad one. And from what Gabriel later learned the driver of the first car had been going the wrong way down I-95 at about 100 mph. The bastard had been drunk with no business behind the wheel. Thankfully he had died on impact. If the intoxicated asshole had lived he would have had a super-powered paramedic to contend with.
The passengers of the other vehicle, a mother and daughter, had miraculously survived but had been trapped inside the confines of their mangled car. It took the Jaws of Life to get them out. But once they were free, Gabriel and his partner Jeff worked quickly to administer first aid.
While Jeff had treated the mother for some superficial abrasions and contusions, Gabriel checked the vital signs of the child. His intuitive aptitude had immediately told him that the girl had suffered no serious trauma, a fact that was later confirmed by the instruments of his trade. Thank God.
The girl had been shaken however. And who could have blamed her? She had been through a pretty horrific ordeal. So Gabriel decided to talk to her to put her fears to rest.
"Hi, my name is Gabriel. What's your name?" he'd asked with a smile.
"Mimi," she shyly answered. Then she added, "It's my birthday today."
"Happy Birthday, Miss Mimi. How old are you today?"
"Seven."
Gabriel softly whistled with faux astonishment before he said, "Wow, you're practically a young lady."
Mimi giggled at him as she was instantly put at ease. Thankfully, her relaxed demeanor made Gabriel's job go that much smoother.
After he examined her heartbeat with a stethoscope he declared, "Well, I'm happy to report that you're going to be just fine."
"And Mommy?" she had wondered desperately obviously very worried for her caregiver.
With a gentle touch Gabriel brushed the auburn bangs away from her bright blue eyes as he kindly reassured her, "Mommy's okay too. She's just needs her cuts clean up, that's all."
Relieved by his answer, Mimi grinned sweetly at her rescuer. "I like you Gabriel, you're nice."
Hearing those genuine words of acceptance from such an innocent source had almost made him teary-eyed. And then he thought that if a little child could see the good in him then there was hope that maybe one day Claire would too.
"Thank you, I think you're also very nice, Mimi. Now let's get you ready to go to the hospital, okay?" Gabriel said as he squeezed her tiny hand.
Mimi had responded quietly, "Okay."
"That's a brave girl." He then signaled to Jeff that Mimi was ready to be loaded onto the ambulance where she would be taken to Mt. Sinai's as a precautionary measure.
However, before she had been carted away she told Gabriel something that should have piqued his interest right then. But at the moment he had been concentrated on doing his job.
Mimi claimed that she had heard the other car careening down the highway, many miles from where the site of the accident eventually happened.
"I tried to tell Mommy to get off the expressway, but she wouldn't listen to me," the precocious 7-year old had said with certitude.
Funny thing was he didn't even realize he had gleaned super-hearing from Mimi until he heard the mice inside the walls of the entire apartment building stomping around like elephants later on that night.
The significance of that chance meeting with a fully manifested child made him realize two things:
One – he had obtained a lost ability in the most compassionate way possible, something that Sylar had been incapable of doing all those years ago
Two- he and Peter needed to buy a serious arsenal of mouse traps.
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Claire's declaration of absolution suddenly made a world of difference to him as they annihilated the crippling affects of the past once and for all. Slowly, Gabriel dared to open his tearful eyes to look upon the face of the woman he loved.
She was still smiling at him only this time more openly as concern clouded her eyes in direct contradiction.
"Gabriel, are you okay?" she whispered gently. Claire then warily shifted forward to place a comforting hand on the closest appendage available to her, Gabriel's hairy forearm.
Her words, her touch were like a soothing salve calming the aching wounds that years of neglect and abuse had left on his heart.
"S-say it again, Claire," he pleaded hoarsely. The sound of his own voice sounded alien to Gabriel, it was an unrecognizable rasp filled with need and longing. And yet he hedged forward forcing his larynx to make one more verbal appeal.
"Please?"
Claire's breath was stolen away by the dark brown depths of Gabriel's eyes staring down at her. And she was suddenly overwhelmed by everything she saw in that all-consuming gaze. There was a flicker of hope, first and foremost. Yet, in that same instant she perceived honesty so sincere that it spoke volumes of the man's integrity. And then of course there was his ferocious desire which burned hot and bright with such intensity Claire virtually thought her body would be set alight.
Yet, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that at the crux of Gabriel Gray's myriad of emotions there was one single sentiment that rose above the rest…love.
Pure, unwavering and everlasting love, that's what he was offering her. But was she brave enough to grab onto it and hold on tight? Or would she be like all the others and walk away, discarding his feelings like yesterday's garbage?
Looking at him now, Claire Bennet could only see the man. Yes, Gabriel Gray was super-powered and deadly if need be, but a man just the same- so wonderfully flawed that his imperfections made him human in her eyes.
Instantly she recalled the very first moment they had locked eyes with on one another in that Union Wells locker room. There had been a flash of recognition that passed between them, a fleeting hint of the destiny they would one day share. Claire was certain of it now in retrospect.
Of course she had been too young and petrified to acknowledge the true significance of that event. Besides if someone had told her then that she would actually meet her soul mate while he was dissecting her best friend, she probably would have told them to jump off a cliff.
However, the element of time presently allowed Claire to see things from a different perspective.
True, Gabriel had been a murderer and there was no getting around that fact. But there was also no denying the horrendous experiences and unforeseen circumstances that had lent themselves to create Sylar, his alter-ego. One such event had directly involved her adopted father. Claire had often wondered what would have become of Gabriel if Noah had left him alone? Would he have gone through with his suicide attempt? If Gabriel had died at the end of that rope, then the world would have certainly been saved from Sylar's bloody ramapage. And Claire would have been spared ever having known him.
And yet the sudden thought of his nonexistence from her life made her incredibly sad.
After all Gabriel was the only person she knew that had accepted her at face value, and seen her as a true equal. And while others may have treated her as a societal liability, a fragile commodity or a shameful family secret, Sylar, in his own morbid way had always encouraged her to just be herself. He also never lied to Claire although the brutal truth was sometimes a very bitter pill to swallow.
But most important of all she knew now that he loved her unconditionally for who she truly was and not in spite of it.
Tilting her head up Claire ensnared the dejected Gabriel within her luxuriant gaze. Next she slowly raised her hands to eventually cup his troubled face within her loving grasp as Claire decisively restated, "I forgive you."
Gabriel, overwhelmed with raw emotion, allowed his tears to flow more freely as he shakily smiled with gratitude. But just as he was about to voice his appreciation for Claire's absolution, the Cheerleader suddenly lifted herself on her toes to merge her mouth to his.
At first he did nothing. How could he when the unexpected sensation of Claire's tender kiss had rendered him immobile? But as her fingers caressed his face and her supple moist lips continued to brush against his, Gabriel soon felt his unexpressed passion unfurling all at once. With his heart beating fast from excitement and fear he decided to slightly deepen the kiss to see how Claire would react.
When he heard that sweet little groan come from deep inside her throat it was all the encouragement he needed. Feeling emboldened, Gabriel swiftly reached up to pluck the hated scrunchy away from her head to free Claire's long scarlet locks.
God, how I love her hair!
He quickly showed his appreciation for the flowing lustrous tresses by reverently running his long fingers through them. Meanwhile the kisses grew more heated and intense between them when lips parted and tongues intertwined. Gabriel thought he was ready to explode right then from the rush he felt from the kisses alone.
Suddenly the need to feel Claire closer to him took hold. Moaning throatily into her mouth he moved his arms down so he could enclose them tightly around Claire's tiny waist. He then slid his large flattened hands down the small of her back until they ended up on the generous swell of her firm derrière. Then in a fit of uninhibited desire he hauled her up by her ass to press her curvaceous little body against his.
Claire meanwhile had yelped loudly, pleasantly surprised by Gabriel's show of manly strength. She liked a man that took charge and knew exactly what he wanted. And right now it was evident to her, judging from the enormous bulge rubbing against her core, that Gabriel Gray wanted her.
And that mouth, that glorious mouth of his that continued its sensuous assault against hers. His lips and tongue worked frantically in conjunction to stupefy Claire with scorching soul-stealing kisses that made her crave him even more. Naturally, it didn't take her long to comprehend that she had seriously misjudged his make-out prowess the day he had forced his lips upon hers in that empty classroom at Arlington. That kiss, by comparison, had been a cold and calculated maneuver intended to ascertain her innermost secrets and desires so he could use them against her.
But now she could sense that there were no manipulative motives behind Gabriel's ardor. His actions this time were fueled by obsessive rapturous devotion. And Claire practically swooned at the mere thought of it.
Instinctively, Claire had already wrapped her legs around his middle, anchoring herself against his hard muscular frame as they continued to wildly kiss one another. Slipping her fingers away from his face she then threaded them through his luxurious dark brown hair. Apparently he liked to have his scalp massaged because the minute she started to do just that, he began to contentedly purr like a pampered feline.
It was at this juncture that Claire suddenly realized they had not come up for air, not once, since they started kissing. She quickly deduced that their diminished need for a continuous supply of oxygen was attributed to their incredible regenerative ability. Even so, regeneration or not, she felt the need to momentarily break away from him.
Gabriel groaned as he mourned the loss of her lips but he soon allayed his dissatisfaction by pressing his mouth to the supple flesh of her neck as his fingers kneaded and caressed her buttocks.
Cradling his head against her skin, Claire sighed as her back arched the moment she felt him slowly drag his lips and tongue down her throat. When he started laving at her, paying special attention to her pulse point with open-mouth kisses, her toes curled as she began to pant uncontrollably.
"Want you…now," she whispered hotly in his ear.
Hearing her say she wanted him prompted Gabriel to pull Claire closer to his sensitive body, until they breast to chest without an inch of space between.
"Bed?" he urgently asked with a monosyllable grunt as he continued to worship her neck. Gabriel didn't want to waste words when his mouth could be used to pleasure Claire.
"No," she refuted with a whimper as she withdrew her body while her hands released their hold on his head so she could claw at his T-shirt. "No time…need you now, Gabriel!"
A dilemma had indeed presented itself. Claire didn't want to wait and quite frankly neither did Gabriel. As far as he was concerned he had waited long enough for this to happen. But she didn't want go to his bedroom and Peter's was definitely out of the question. And so was the kitchen for that matter. The living room was a possible option but then they'd risk upsetting Peter's precious babies, Bert and Ernie. And God forbid that should happen. He'd never hear the end of it from Peter, that's for sure.
There was only one alternative, it was the obvious choice, consequences be damned.
Without any preamble he tightened his grip on Claire before he swiftly moved them into the utility room. Coherent thought quickly failed him the second he felt the flicker of Claire hot tongue against the outter shell of his ear. But at least Gabriel had enough sense to use TK to shut and lock the door before setting her down on the first flat surface he came across, the closed top of the Maytag washing machine.
Once her ass hit the cool smooth metal expanse of the appliance Claire wasted no time in spreading her bare legs, silently inviting Gabriel to stand between them which he did. When their pelvises made contact Claire could feel how hard he was for her.
Jesus, he's practically throbbing!
And she wondered just then if he could sense how soaked her panties were or how badly her core ached for him. Meanwhile her fingers had already latched themselves onto the soft cotton material of Gabriel's shirt. She then looked up at him through hazy, lust-filled eyes drinking in the visage of his mussed up hair and swollen lips.
Not able to withstand the wait a moment longer Claire gruffly commanded, "Off…take it off!"
Gabriel promptly obeyed, nearly ripping the garment away from his body leaving his torso bare for Claire's inspection. Her hands immediately reached out to touch his chest. Keeping his own hands at his sides, he watched breathlessly as her nimble fingers caressed his skin and then ran through his chest hair.
"So hairy," Claire murmured appreciatively. "I had no idea you had this much fur on you until I saw you that day on the beach. I love it."
But just as he was reveling in Claire's sensuous touches and words of praise, she nearly startled him right out of his gourd when her mouth had surreptitiously fastened onto one of his nipples and began to suckle.
Oh my fucking Christ!
It wasn't that act itself was an unpleasant one, God no. It's just that no one had ever done that to Gabriel before, not even the more sexually adventurous Elle. He had always just assumed that that particular form of sexual stimuli was meant exclusively for women. In his ignorance perhaps, he had never fathomed that breast play could be just as arousing for men. But Gabriel soon learned that the experience was highly erotic, especially when it was Claire flicking her pink little tongue across his responsive flesh.
As she continued to lick and suck him, he felt as Claire's fingers ran up and down the sides of his well-defined torso. Gabriel groaned unabashedly as his penis grew even harder still, if that were possible. He had to admit that Claire was incredible so far- she made him so intoxicated with lust. But as much as he was enjoying the foreplay Claire had initiated, it was too one-sided.
Gabriel needed to touch her, feel her and taste her in return or he would absolutely die with want. So with a frustrated growl he pushed her away and then he reached up with both hands up to savagely yank away the alluring red top from her body, tearing the fragile material to shreds in the process.
When her creamy bouncy breasts finally came into view, Gabriel whispered in awe, "So beautiful." He then quickly cupped them within his calloused grasp, all the while loving the feel and weight of them in his hands.
Claire closed her eyes and groaned adoring the way he paid homage to her tits by caressing the milky flesh surrounding the aureolas before honing in on the rosy hued tips. Claire continued to pant and moan as Gabriel proceeded to pinch and milk each nipple until they were painfully erect and hypersensitive.
"Yesssssss!" she hissed as she unconsciously placed a hand between her legs to cup her denim covered mound.
Claire was being systematically driven out of her mind. And she loved every second of it. She could have never have imagined that the reality of being with Gabriel was going to be so much better than any fantasy she could have dreamed up.
However, in spite of this realization, she couldn't help feeling a bit peeved that he had turned her favorite summer top into a useless rag.
"You ripped my shirt!" she exclaimed with mock indignation as she kept her eyes shut.
Gabriel meanwhile gave her a devilish little smirk as he said huskily, "Don't fucking care! Now come here, I want to return the favor."
Before Claire could figure out what he meant, Gabriel's hands found their way to her hips. He then forcibly pulled her toward him as his head swiftly descended to her heaving bosoms. When his wet hot mouth latched onto the taut pink nipple of her left breast, Claire's eyes flew open as she let out a high-pitched whine of pleasure.
"Oh, my God, that feels so, so good!" Gabriel heard her cry out as he continued to suckle the stiff rosy peak as if his very life depended on it. He then kissed his way to the other bountiful mound to lavish it with the same attention.
In the meantime, Claire had managed to snake one hand between them so that she could stroke his rock hard erection through his pants. She marveled at the way his dick responded to her touch as it pulsed and throbbed beneath the fleece material.
"Jesus, you're so hard," she wantonly gasped.
"Only for you baby, only for you," he murmured against the saliva coated skin of her breasts.
He then said without realizing, "God, I love you, Claire!" Afterward, he resumed to hungrily stimulate her nipples as if nothing were amiss.
Surprisingly, Claire wasn't the least bit troubled by Gabriel's sudden admission. In fact his heartfelt confession only seemed to inflame her excitement even further. And she knew then that the moment had arrived. This was it, the point of no return. And she couldn't wait a minute longer. Claire needed Gabriel to take her, possess her completely, body and soul.
"Gabriel, I want you inside of me, please," she begged unashamedly as she boldly slipped her hand inside his pants. Taking a firm hold of his manhood Claire kept her strokes long and steady.
Gabriel couldn't stop from groaning helplessly as he relished the feel of Claire's hand on his cock and the taste of her magnificent breasts inside his greedy mouth. But he knew that if she continued at her current pace he wouldn't be able to fulfill her ardent request. Gently, he extricated her hand away from his member while he relinquished his lips hold on her.
Claire, understanding his actions to be a sign of his readiness, wanted to help the process along by tugging at the elastic waist of his pants. But when he unexpectedly placed his hands on her wrists to stop her, her green eyes glanced up at Gabriel in confusion.
"I don't understand. I thought you wanted this?" she asked with a perplexed expression on her face.
As his thumbs began to caress the inside her wrists, he sighed, "I do want this. God only knows how much! But I need to know something first…"
Claire was alarmed by his somber tone. "What is it?" she asked with concern.
Gabriel refused to answer her however as his cheeks flushed with apparent embarrassment
Assuming that he felt uncomfortable about soiling her virtue, Claire set out to put his fears to rest. "I see what this is about. You want to know if I'm virgin, right?
Oh, sweetie, in case you've forgotten, I am nearly 23 years-old and this is the 21st century. I've had sex before, if that's what you're worried about. Gotta warn you though, my hymen grows back so don't freak out or anything."
Gripping her wrists firmly, Gabriel's eyes bore into hers as he irately said, "This isn't about your virginity, technical or otherwise! I don't care about that!"
Claire's first reaction to his apparent anger was fear, as her basic survival instincts told her to run before things escalated. However, her trepidations came to a halt when she discovered the very same emotion mirrored in Gabriel's expressive eyes.
He was afraid, just like she was, but for an entirely different reason. And Claire was almost certain that she knew the rationale behind his apprehension.
Biting at her bottom lip, Claire turned a wary gaze to her would-be lover. Then after a moment's hesitation she asked, "What are you scared of?"
"I don't know," he feebly mumbled as Gabriel suddenly found the floor to be a more interesting thing to stare at.
Well, Claire didn't need to have a built lie-detector to know that his answer was wholly mendacious and unacceptable.
"That's bullshit, and you know it!" Claire spat out, channeling her best impression of Sandra Bennet (now Carter). Her mother was the only person she knew that could shame anyone, even a cold blooded bastard like her dad, into telling the truth (eventually).
Again, when he refused to answer, Claire decided it was time to take the bull by the horns. She was going to flip the script on Gabriel. "You know what I think? I think you're afraid that if we go through with having sex that I'll reject you afterward- that I'll walk away and never let you touch me again.
Do you think that I'd be that heartless to do that you? If you think that then you don't know me at all."
Gabriel suddenly lifted his eyes to look at the indignant bare-breasted red-head currently sitting atop his washing machine giving him hell and then some. The situation would have been downright comical if wasn't for green fire radiating from her eyes.
"That's right, look at me, Gabriel. Here I am, half-naked in a closet with you, a man that for the last 6 years of my life…"
"…13 years," Gabriel corrected, factoring in the time he spent in the nightmare with Peter.
Claire sneered, "…13 years, whatever! The point is that I wouldn't use sex as a weapon, ever! And I don't sleep around either. Besides something this special, this intimate should never be sullied by revenge. I'm here with you because I finally realized what I should have known all along."
As Gabriel's eyes stared intently into hers he asked with bated breath, "And what's that, Claire?"
Leaning forward, she tenderly placed her hands back on his face and purposefully replied, "You're my destiny Gabriel Gray."
His jaw became unhinged as his eyes bugged out -evidently he was floored by her answer. Yet despite her earnest attempt to convince him of her feelings, Claire could still see skepticism etched across his face. Surely his polygraph ability must have established that she was telling the truth. right?
However, Gabriel didn't appear to be swayed one way or the other. So Claire decided that there was only one thing left to do to abolish Gabriel's misgivings once and for all.
"Kiss me," she suddenly offered. "Go ahead…use the ability you got from Lydia on me again if you don't believe me."
Gabriel although relieved, was still astonished by the fact that Claire had granted her permission. He knew full well how much she hated being manipulated by the powers of others. However, on this occasion, when she decided to make him the exception to her rule, he felt as if he were receiving a rare and precious gift.
Looking into her eyes, he desired nothing more than to lose himself inside the flourishing forest of her irises. Leaning forward to capture her plump lips again, Gabriel whispered fearlessly, "I love you." He then closed his eyes as he passionately crushed his mouth to hers. Almost immediately his mind called upon the deceased painted lady's tactile empathy.
At first, Claire's thoughts and memories were a chaotic jumble, making it difficult for Gabriel to navigate through her cluttered psyche. Naturally he had encountered a multitude of reminiscences at different stages of her life.
Very soon, though Gabriel's intuitive aptitude manifested itself to aid him in sorting through the turmoil of Claire's mind until order was eventually acheived. And as the mayhem died down, the swirling images congealed and solidified to ultimately create a living breathing portrait of Claire's most heartfelt desire. Gabriel's heart thumped wildly as he came face to face with the truth at last.
The intelligent yet somber looking eyes staring back at him were unmistakable, as were the distinctive thick brows and the stubborn razor stubble that adorned the pallid skin of the man's sharp face. Amazingly, the lips of the bow-shaped mouth were uncharacteristically pulled back into a wide happy grin that lacked both malice and hatred. And it was an astonishing sight to behold.
Yet, the most shocking aspect of the vision was the brilliant white aura that surrounded the jubilant expression. Waves of warm shimmering light seemed to glow and ripple extending outward into infinity.
This is how Claire sees me, Gabriel suddenly realized. And he was instantly humbled and touched by the extraordinarily beautiful rendering of his very own face. Seeing himself through Claire's eyes looking so blissful and serene only made him love her even more.
How could he possibly begin to express his thanks for the miraculous gift Claire Bennet had just bestowed upon him? Gabriel wasn't exactly sure. But even if it took a thousand lifetimes, he would demonstrate his extreme gratitude for her forgiveness in every word and deed.
Now that his curiosity had been more than satisfied Gabriel continued to kiss her as he slowly withdrew from Claire's mind, reeling back his power until he could no longer sense her thoughts.
When Claire felt the absence of Gabriel's psychic presence she broke their kiss to ask, "Did you find your answers?"
"Yes," he stated simply. He was still too emotionally overwhelmed by what he saw to say anything else.
Claire smiled as her green eyes twinkled with mischief as she said, "Good. Now can we get back the part where we were trying to reenact a prison rape scene?"
Laughing Gabriel questioned her, "What? First of all this room is hardly a prison, Claire. And secondly you can't rape the willing!"
Claire pouted a little as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Fine," she huffed with disappointment. "Ruin my fantasy, why don't you?"
Quirking a curious eyebrow, Gabriel smirked as he asked, "And which fantasy might that be, Ms. Bennet?"
Shrugging her shoulders Claire answered nonchalantly, "Oh, the one where you're still the big bad criminal locked up in a cell in Level 5 and I'm the sweet innocent little Cheerleader you're trying to corrupt."
He laughed again as he said with surprise, "Holy hell! Do you know how many times I've masturbated to that very same fantasy?"
"Really? Me too!" Claire admitted with an enthusiastic grin. Her smile soon faltered however when she suddenly realized that she had just let the proverbial cat out of the bag.
Gabriel flashed the wickedest smile as he knowingly revealed, "I know."
Claire's eyes became as wide as saucers with the sudden awareness that Gabriel Gray was privy to her little secret.
"How?" she breathlessly demanded, fearing what the answer might be.
Her mind of course quickly thought the worst. Oh, God. He's probably been hovering outside my window spying me every night!
In the meantime, Gabriel was having a blast watching Claire writhe with shame. But when he saw how upset she was getting, he decided to let his darling little Cheerleader off the hook.
Placing a chaste kiss upon her lips, Gabriel cooed, "Relax, baby. I wasn't stalking you or anything. I kind of accidentally got a read off your bedspread when you threw it at me earlier."
"Huh?" Claire emoted questionably, still not understanding what he was talking about.
"Clairsentience – you know, the ability to discern any object's history by touch. I have your Granny Angela to thank for that one by the way."
"Why would you want to thank her?" Claire asked with a disgusted sneer. Next to her dad, Claire's grandmother was her least favorite person right now.
Placing his big warm hands on the cool skin of her bare back, Gabriel drew Claire in so he could nibble on her neck again.
In between the tender nips and bites he confidently replied, "Because if she hadn't fed me that wonderful ability then I would have never known that her only granddaughter has the hots for me."
Claire playfully pushed him away from her neck as she coquettishly smiled at him. She then wrapped her strong legs around Gabriel's waist, roughly pulling him in so that she could feel his newly resurrected erection against her crotch. She titled her face up toward his and whispered coyly, "Just shut up already and fuck me."
"With pleasure," Gabriel hungrily responded.
SCSCSCSCSCSC
Four hours later…
Claire Bennet and Gabriel Gray currently found themselves both gasping for air as they tried to recover from their last frenzied coupling. Claire was still bent over the back of the couch where Gabriel had just taken her from behind with such vigor that she was almost certain she wouldn't be able to walk straight for at least a week. She smiled though as she felt the weight of her lover crushing her into the furniture.
Soon after climaxing Gabriel had collapsed on top of Claire's sweaty back in an exhausted but happy heap. Incredibly they'd just wrapped up round number 14. He and Claire had already christened almost every inch of the apartment except for Peter's room. And yet he was more than willing to keep going for as long as Claire allowed him to.
"Thank God for rapid cellular regeneration!" Gabriel jubilantly exclaimed. "No ordinary couple would have had the goddamned stamina to do what we just did. Even so, I'm tired as hell."
Claire giggled, "Speak for yourself, old man. I still have plenty of juice left in my battery. Now get off of me so I can get us some water."
"My very own Energizer Bunny," Gabriel playfully remarked as he placed a sloppy kiss at her temple before obliging her request. As he watched her naked form walk gracefully into the kitchen he smiled not quite believing his good fortune.
"Hey, baby," he suddenly called out, loving the way the endearment just rolled off his tongue. "I'm going to start us a shower, okay?"
"Good," Claire hollered back from the fridge. Then as she made her way back into the living room she asserted, "I'm feeling a little sticky. Besides while we're in there we can christen the shower too!" She then handed Gabriel a bottle of ice cold refreshment.
Gratefully he accepted her offering. And then he thirstily downed the entire 16 ounce bottle of water in one gulp. Feeling reinvigorated Gabriel was about to grab his love by the hand to lead her to the bathroom when the most unexpected thing happened...
The front door to the apartment suddenly swung open to reveal Claire's uncle carrying in several grocery bags.
Gabriel and Claire turned to look at each other in a panic as they simultaneously said in a hushed whisper, "Oh shit!"
"Hey, Gabe," Peter shouted as he shut the door with his foot. His back was still to the living room, completely oblivious to the stark naked couple standing behind him.
Peter prattled on, "Looks like Harrison finally got laid. Anyway, he was in such a good mood he gave me the rest of the night off. So I stopped at Doris' Market and picked up the fixings for pasta puttanesca. It's Claire's..." Peter suddenly stopped speaking in mid-sentence when he finally turned around. When he encountered the shocking scene of Claire and Gabriel in the buff, his eyes immediately widened with surprise as his Italian blood boiled over.
"What the fuck? Gabriel, I'm going to KILL you!" Peter growled angrily. Carelessly he dropped the grocery bags down on the floor as murderous intent gleamed in his eyes. With clenched fists, Peter stalked over to where his now EX-roommate was standing to make good on his threat.
"Peter, listen man, it's not want you think..." Gabriel tried to plead his case.
"It's EXACTLY what I think. I forgive you, take you in, call you my friend and this is how you repay me? Well now I'm going to kick your sorry ass!"
But just as he about lay his hands on the man that dared to betray his trust, his niece suddenly threw her nude body in front of his intended target to shield Gabriel from harm.
"Move, Claire. And for Christ's sake, put some clothes on!" Peter demanded as he averted his eyes.
"Don't you touch him! Can't you see what's happened? He loves me, Peter. And I love him right back."
Both men, shocked by Claire's words, turned to look at her as they exclaimed in unison, "You do?"
Placing her hands on her hips she stood her ground. "Absolutely. What you did you think, Peter? That you had the market cornered on forgiveness? Well, guess what? I'm in love with Gabriel Gray, now deal with it!"
Gabriel felt a swell of pride as he watched his Claire-Bear defend his honor like a tigress. Admittedly, it was kind of hot.
"Oh, I don't care about that," Peter suddenly whined like some petulant child. He then pointed toward the fish bowl sitting on the end-table near the loveseat. "You had sex in front of Bert and Ernie! I told you specifically not to do that. You know how impressionable they can be at this age!"
Gabriel and Claire observed with incredulous disbelief when Peter moved toward the end table so that he could lean over bowl and check on his precious babies.
As Peter cooed to Bert and Ernie, Gabriel warily reminded his friend, "Ah, Peter, you do remember they're fish, right?"
Angered by Gabriel's apparent insensitivity, Peter snatched up the glass bowl and then headed toward his room. "Don't listen to him guys," he reassured the fish. "He's just a sexual deviant that used to eat brains. How about some nice food flakes, hmm?"
Peter and the fish then disappeared into his room where he planned to sulk for the rest of the night.
"Do think he'll be okay?" Claire asked worriedly.
"About what? Us or the fish?"
Claire punched him in the arm, "Us, of course!"
Smirking, he moved to embrace her as he replied, "He'll be fine. You do realize of course that with all the goings-on this afternoon, you got absolutely no laundry done."
"That's okay," she laughed snuggling in good and close to his body. "You can help me do it tomorrow morning. That is of course after you make me waffles."
"You're going to spend the night with me?" he asked in amazement.
"I don't see why not. Besides you kind of destroyed my last clean outfit. That's okay though because I usually sleep in the nude..."
Quickly pecking Gabriel on the lips she extricated herself from his arms and then started running toward the bathroom.
"Last one in the shower is a rotten egg!" Claire's gleeful voice trailed behind her.
Gabriel smiled as he watched her go. "That little minx is going to be the death of me!" Of course if she did manage to kill him, he would die a very happy man.
Soon Gabriel was in hot pursuit as he followed the trail set by the incredible woman that he loved and would always love for the rest of forever.
THE END
A/N: Okay, that's all folks. And let me tell you that I am totally spent! This is officially the longest chapter I've ever written. It was a difficult endeavor considering all the issues I had with my laptop which forced me to write the majority of this at work.
And I know that's it's probably way too wordy. But I wrote from the heart. I did this for you, my wonderful fans that have encourage me every step of the way with this fic. This story was my love letter to you, and to all of the Sylaire fans that adore this pairing just as much as I do.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
