Chapter Three
"Reunion"
Claire led a pretty busy life in New York these days. Sometimes, when she stopped to catch her breath, she still couldn't believe this was her life. From her relatively normal childhood in Odessa, her power had catapulted her into a life that she would have found unbelievable a few years ago.
She never imagined she would end up going to college in New York. Of course, grown up things like college and getting an education were one of the furthest things from her mind when she had been a cheerleader, but she had always assumed that she'd end up doing the normal sorts of things that normal kids did. She'd do her SATs, get an okay enough score to land her at say, a college like North Western, be a good co-cheer captain to her squad. At college, she'd hopefully get into a good sorority. Beyond that, Claire didn't have the slightest inkling what she'd do with her life.
But things – and people – had changed her. Now she was at NYU, studying to be a physical therapist. A decision that Heidi Petrelli had patiently talked her through and if Claire had to admit it to her formerly shallow self, it was something that felt right.
Claire had been surprised by Peter's reaction toward her decision. She saw that she had blindsided him with it, which had made her realise afterwards that although they had always thought they told each other everything, that obviously wasn't the case. They were as close as Claire had ever known any two people to be but they were still two different people and it wasn't realistic to imagine that they could be absolutely everything to each other.
They had had a throw down about it at Peter's apartment after Sunday brunch. She had ranted at his insensitivity her decision – ironically enough, given the source. He had rocked back about her lack of communication. In the end, he'd collapsed onto the couch, expelling an exasperated breath. "I'm sorry." He said in resignation. "I have no idea what's going on with me lately. This is … I'm genuinely happy for you Claire. It feels right. I'm not sure why I'm … feeling like this."
She came to sat next to him, resting her head on his shoulders. "Are you okay Peter? Lately it just seems … Are you happy working for Nathan?"
He smiled, his eyes murky. "You mean, is a former hospice nurse happy working for his shark of a brother? Yes. Maybe. Maybe not. I don't know. I don't feel … quite right."
Claire had pursed her lips, reluctant to voice her thoughts. But this was Peter. "Is it … I mean, me becoming a physical therapist. It's like we're in bizarro world where you're the corporate worker and I'm –" She grinned self-consciously. "I mean, formerly shallow cheerleader becoming a caregiver? That must be weird."
"You were never shallow." Peter had murmured, gently taking her hand. "And for the record, I'm proud of you." He leaned in and gave her a lingering kiss, his caress making her catch her breath in excitement. She was still yet to get used to this new side of their friendship. Claire didn't know whether she really wanted to get used to it. "I think it's a great idea."
"Yeah?" Claire had beamed at him, her eyes shining brightly. She hoped it didn't make her less of a person to admit that his approval – or blessing as it was – while not needed, certainly made her feel a lot surer about her decision. She trusted Peter with her life and his agreement clinched it for her. "I have to confess something to you about it though." She added timidly. Peter tilted his head curiously. "I … I've always admired you when you were a nurse. It made me … I don't know, it inspired me? To know that real people could be so nice and giving. It's like, you showed me how to be a better person." She chuckled in embarrassment. "I think I just quoted a really line from some really lame movie."
The effect of her words on Peter was electrifying. Far from sniggering at her obvious lameness, his features diffused from confusion, to astonishment and then finally to awe. Claire had never confessed that particular thought to him before and it felt good to finally be able to say it to him.
He opened his mouth to say something but rapidly closed it again. Instead, he drew her to him, giving her a deliciously lingering kiss that melted her heart and stayed with her for the rest of the day.
Claire found that she never really had a moment to stand still and take stock. She was forever running between classes, her part-time job at the local bookstore, meeting up with Peter, going back to visit Peter's family, and when she could spare the time, catching up with the other Heroes that resided in the tri-state area.
Hiro had first coined the term and now all of them used it as a backhanded acknowledgement of their unusual abilities. It had evolved into a sort of secret code name for those who had been involved in defeating Sylar and of course extended to those with no unusual powers but had still been vital in the battle. Sometimes, when Claire thought about 'powers' and 'abilities' and how normal those words had become to her, she couldn't quite believe this was the world she lived in now.
Today she had arranged to have lunch with Niki, Isaac and Hiro at a diner around the corner from Nathan's office. Ando was busy with his job at a software company and Mohinder was forever stuck in his office doing some new thesis or research or other.
Niki and the others were already there when Claire rushed in, fifteen minutes late. It was a running joke amongst them that Claire couldn't be on time even if it meant saving the world. Peter, although fully in love with her, was often exasperated at her tardiness. Her only defence was that hair like hers didn't come naturally. It took many hours of preparation to smooth, de-frizz and generally make it look presentable to the world.
"I'm so sorry." She sat down, immediately not liking the amused stares from the others. "What? Is it my hair?"
"Nothing." Isaac smirked, looking down at the menu to unsuccessfully hide his amusement. He had only recently ditched the long haired just out of rehab look and was now quite a clean cut figure. His chocolate brown hair had been trimmed short but still retained that slightly straggly look that made him look so artistic. "Just that we already factored in when you'd show up according to Claire time. And a little birdie just told us the latest news about you and a former hospice nurse from Manhattan."
Claire shot Niki a look, who narrowed her eyes dangerously at Isaac. "I think that little birdie could kick your ass with both hands tied behind her back." She smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "I thought I told you to keep it subtle, not to go all schoolyard on the poor thing."
"Ow." Isaac rubbed his shoulder in mock distress. "That really hurt."
Hiro grinned at his friend's pain. "I think it's wonderful news. Congratulations."
Claire flushed with embarrassment, not knowing where to look. Congratulations? What were they, about to get married or something? And what the hell was it to anyone whether she and Peter were dating or not? She had told Niki knowing the others were bound to find out but she hadn't counted on it being so soon. "Ah … thanks." She abruptly grabbed a menu and pretended to be immersed in it. "Enough about me, what's new with you guys? Anyone need saving? The world in danger any time soon?"
Hiro, ever the earnest diplomat, stepped in to smooth things out. "You mustn't blame Niki. Isaac drew it in one of his paintings before she even told us. We just …" He looked sheepishly at the two blonde women glaring at him from across the table. "We were just really bored."
"Yeah, it was …" Isaac stopped, noting Claire's discomfort. Taking pity on her, he gave her a peace offering. "Maybe you can get it framed. It's a pretty good painting even if I do say so myself."
"And you do." Niki noted dryly, taking a sip of her coffee. The scars on her hands and arms that were a reminder of her last fight with Sylar still visibly lingered. Both Peter and Hiro had offered to lend her the funds to laser the scars off, but Niki had stood her ground and refused. Claire thought that her friend may have had her reasons to keep them as a reminder to how close she had come to death.
Careful to change the subject, Niki continued. "Micah's doing really well at school. His teacher said he should skip a grade at year end. At this rate I'd save a bunch on tuition."
They quickly caught up with each other's news. Isaac and Hiro were 'men of leisure' as they so frequently referred to themselves (which was really code for not doing much at all), but Niki and Claire were often too busy to meet up with the others like this. Niki worked as a waitress and was only free to have lunch when her shifts allowed, while DL worked long hours as part of a construction crew. Peter and Nathan were of course, office junkies who practically lived at Nathan's headquarters and even while Nathan attended Congress. Peter was left to hold the fort.
But despite everything that had happened and all the changes that had occurred in their lives, they still found a way to keep in touch. Saving the world and each other probably had something to do with their bonds of friendship.
Peter had promised to come if he could spare the time. True to his word, he appeared punctually at 1pm, his eyes scanning the now crowded diner to search out Claire. His dark eyes brightened as they met her blue ones and he quickly made his way to their table.
The same looks of amusement that had greeted Claire were now directed at Peter. Far from being fazed, he smirked and leaned down to give Claire a deliberate kiss. Claire couldn't help but feel a rush of pleasure as Peter's lips met hers. She loved that he could be such a sensitive person on the one hand but devilishly unconcerned about others on the other.
If the others were going to comment on their lingering gazes, Niki's glare obviously made sure they didn't share it. Claire didn't care that she and Peter were being a little on the lovey-dovey side; she had heard from reliable sources that the first weeks of a romance were always the honeymoon weeks and was to be enjoyed. Claire was hell bent on fully enjoying hers to the maximum.
With Peter's arm wrapped securely around her small frame, Claire couldn't complain that this honeymoon phase thing wasn't an enjoyable experience. "Sorry I'm late. What's been happening?"
They caught Peter up on the news. Fortunately for them, there was nothing earth shattering to share and the lunch ended up being a good opportunity catch up. Hiro was still having issues with his father, constantly doing figurative battle just to be able to stay in New York and keep a look out for any dangers to the world that may crop up. From time to time, with Ando in tow, they would visit Matt in Los Angeles to see how he was doing. Isaac continued to paint steadily away, able to control his visions now so that they took less of a toll on him. He sold a few choice pieces in order to pay the bills but only to galleries who had assured him they no longer did business with Linderman. He had never met the man, but Nathan and Niki had assured all of them that being connected with him in any way was a really, really bad idea.
Needless to say, Isaac had taken Simone's death hard. Peter and the others had too, but it wasn't the same for them. Isaac had an artist's heart and soul, an artist's capacity to feel and appreciate the exquisite joys and pains that love could inflict; and unfortunately her death had made him feel the worst possible feeling on earth. Peter had admitted to Claire once that he would have been in the same position if he didn't have Claire and his family in his life.
Claire wasn't privy to the full extent of Isaac's grief, but she had implied from Peter frequent concern that he may have been a danger to himself at one stage. Isaac had blamed Peter for a long time for Simone's death and had been openly hostile, making it difficult for Peter to help. It was only with Hiro and Ando's friendship that Isaac had slowly recovered. And although Peter and Isaac appeared to be friends now, in his darker moods Claire wouldn't have been surprised if Isaac was capable of throwing a snide comment or two Peter's way. Far from being offended, Peter just took it in his stride. He understood – and empathised Claire supposed – with Isaac's feelings, and he knew he wasn't to blame for the way he felt. It was just the way the world worked.
The conversation took a slightly serious turn. "I have heard about your father." Hiro said, looking hesitantly at Claire. "Have you heard from him lately?"
"I'm still not … ready. I can't face him." Claire shook her head ruefully. "Why do you ask?"
Hiro shook his head, poking at the remains of his salad. "I heard from my father. There seems to be some new developments at … their organisation. Something he's trying to find out."
Panic surged through Claire. "Like what?"
"I don't know. That is all he could tell me." Looking at Claire's distress, he nodded reassuringly. "I'll try to find out more."
Claire had a thousand more questions to throw at Hiro but a glance at her watch told her that she was already late for her next class. Bidding the others farewell, Claire swiftly left, Peter accompanying her outside. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly, glancing down the street before they crossed the road.
She tried to smile but she knew that Peter would be able to see through her easily. That was something she knew even without questioning. "Yeah, I just …" She sighed, squeezing his hand. "I don't know why he still bugs me. You know, my dad? It's like, I should hate him but I don't, I love him. But I can't trust him. And because I don't trust him I can't face him. How weird is that?"
"It's not weird at all." They walked slowly down the street towards Nathan's office. "It's just going to take time. You'll be ready when the time's right." He smiled down at her supportively. "I think it's safe to say you can trust your instincts on this one. After all, your instincts did save the world."
They soon reached the entrance to Nathan's office building. Glaring at the revolving doors like they were the sentinels to his own personal hell, Peter pulled Claire away to the side. He looked down at her with eyes glowing with feeling, taking both her hands in his. "Here's something that may or may not cheer you up."
"What?" His sudden change in demeanour snapped her out of her temporary anxiety.
"I was thinking, this weekend, Nathan's going to be at Washington. Mom and Heidi will be at the annual spa weekend." He took a deep breath, feigning nonchalance. "We should do something, go away somewhere. If you want to. It may be moving a little quickly but, we've waited for a long time. Maybe we don't need to wait any more."
Claire blinked, then gulped, then blinked some more. The thought of going away for a romantic weekend with Peter had certainly crossed her mind more than once, but she was nervous at the prospect. Bringing in the romantic layer to their friendship meant that Claire would have to finally deal with a lot of things that she had been coaching herself to wait patiently for. There were certain – let's just say – physical aspects to a relationship that she had yet to experience, aspects that she had been rather impatient to explore. But now that the time had almost come the prospect was making her nervous as hell.
In short, at 20 years old, Claire Bennet felt like the oldest virgin in the world. Which she knew couldn't possibly be the case, but it didn't help that the entire college experience seemed predicated on sexual experimentation, experimentation that Claire had been determined to avoid because she wanted her first time to be with the man standing in front of her. And now she foresaw even without Isaac's precognition that her determination would ironically be the cause of many hours of anxious contemplation.
Peter's smile slowly faded in the face of her continued silence. "If you don't want to, it's fine Claire." He tried looking non-plussed but Claire could tell it had thrown him for a loop. Well, that made the two of them. "It was … just an idea."
"No, no. It's … a great idea." Claire swallowed down some of the panic that seemed to be lodged in her throat, smiling through her irrationality. She wanted this, she had always wanted this. But why was she so nervous about it? "It's just, you surprised me, that's all." She blinked a few more times, more successfully throwing off her unreasoning dread. This was stupid. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind about the depth of her feelings for Peter. "I'd love to go away with you." She beamed vibrantly up at him, tilting her face up as she leaned against his chest. "Where are we going?"
Peter half-frowned, half smiled, looking at her curiously. "Are you sure Claire? I don't want you to feel like you have to, like –"
"I'm sure." She hastily cut him off. She hoped her momentary hesitation wouldn't put any funny ideas about her feelings in his mind. "It's just I've waited … so long, you know? For you, for us? I think it's just …" She scrunched her nose in confusion. "The expectation, it's … there. And because I've waited, I haven't –"
It was Peter's turn to cut her off. He pressed his forehead against hers, cupping her face in his hands. He seemed to understand what she was feeling. "Hey … this is you and me. There's nothing to be afraid of."
"I know." She whispered back, inhaling his delicious scent. Peter always made her feel so warm, so safe. It was crazy to think that he wouldn't understand what she was going through. "I know."
And that was when she first heard the words that would always make her stomach churn, her heart race, her pulse quicken to the end of her days. "I love you." He whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I love you and I've waited so long to say it. Don't you ever forget it."
His voice – his emotion so clear for her to see – almost broke her heart in its simple beauty. He had said what had been in her heart all along, ever since she had first laid eyes on him in the halls of her school. She had been young then and confused. But that hadn't change how she'd felt about him, how she had always felt about the darkly handsome man with the sparkling eyes and sensitive nature standing with her. "I love you Peter, I always have. You know that, right?" She asked with a little uncertainty.
Nodding, he leaned down to kiss her. Their lips brushed and as always, their electric contact almost brought tears of joy to her eyes. That feeling of being so close, so connected to him was like ambrosia to her.
They stood locked together, oblivious to the slightly amused stares of passers by as they went about their busy lives.
