Title: Connecting Roses
Author: Bunny
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Do not own.

Summary: Post- Let it Bleed. Sylar leaves Claire a trail of breadcrumbs so she will discover what he needs.

A/N: Thanks so much for all the comments guys! You are made of awesome!


Handing the menus to the waitress, Noah looked at his daughter. "So any boys in your life?"

Claire choked on the water she had drunk, desperately thinking of a way to move the subject along. Blinking through the tears, she rasped, "You came to lunch so we could talk boys?"

"Well, it's been over a month since we really talked. I don't know if there's anyone new in your life."

"No, no one new." In order to avoid the question Claire turned the tables. "You know, every guy related question you ask, I get to ask one about your girlfriend."

"Lauren is not my girlfriend," answered a flustered Noah, suddenly finding his tie loose.

"Not fun is it?" she laughed. Taking the opportunity to skip ahead in conversation she asked, "Do you know anything about the earthquake last night?"

"You mean besides the fact it shook the entire eastern half of North America?"

"It wasn't natural."

"Is that a question or a statement?"

"We think it was Samuel."

"Who's we?"

Claire tried not to let her mistake register on her face. She had to be careful what she said around him. "Gretchen and me. Mostly I theorized and she agrees." Biting her lip, she hesitated to share about her time at The Carnival. Considering the fact she going to keep Sylar a secret from him for a time, she relented. "I went back to visit The Carnival after break."

She could see the frown he was trying to suppress. "Did Samuel do something that made you suspect him?"

"Sort of. Some of the people there are scared of him, but they can't leave."

"It's a cult," replied Noah matter of factly.

Shaking her head, Claire continued, "He may have made it that, but The Carnival doesn't have to be one. Samuel's offering people a place to go to use their abilities without fear. He's even picked a section of land and made it habitable so people like us can live a normal life." She paused so she could pick the correct words, "But it feels like he has another motive. Like his plan goes one step beyond that."

"Do you have any idea what that might be?"

"No." Sitting back defeated she shook her head. Remembering Lydia's terror her thoughts turned to Amanda. "But while I was there I helped a girl regain control of her powers."

Their conversation was put on hold as their food was delivered. After the waitress left again, Noah inquired, "Really? What was she?"

"A fire starter of sorts. I went to see this girl's mother and found her making a trailer catch on fire." Claire took a drink of her chocolate milk. "Helping her and helping Tracy, it made me think that I found a purpose for my power. The ones with the dangerous abilities I could help them gain control since I can't be harmed."

"You want to council people with abilities?" he asked, looking at his daughter in a new light.

"Yeah. Maybe I could major in psychology or psychiatry so I could understand therapy techniques."

Smiling proudly he settled stating. "Sounds like you're figuring out what you want in life." Sitting straight up, Claire focused on her food feeling her face grow warm. That was what Sylar had been asking her a month prior. Blushing as she thought of him, she shoved a fry in her mouth. "Claire-Bear, is there something wrong?" Noah reached across the table to gently touch her arm. "You've been jumpy ever since I picked you up."

"I'm fine Dad. Promise." Gripping her arm tighter, she could see him hesitating to say something. "What's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath he pushed forward. "Sylar's been following you."

A visible jolt went though her body along with waves of alarm. Did he know? No, if he knew about her and Sylar she was positive this conversation would not be proceeding in such a calm manner. "Why do you say that?"

"Angela called me after a vision. It involved you and Sylar." A rather large lump formed in her throat. Did Angela know? Why hadn't she told her dad?

"What was in the vision?"

"She won't tell me," confessed Noah. The tension in her shoulders lessened slightly, but that didn't tell her what Angela knew. "Have you noticed him anywhere? Anything suspicious?"

Claire experienced a brief internal battle. This fresh relationship with her father made her not want to lie to him, but there was absolutely no way she was going to admit that he had interrupted a make out session with Sylar. "I'm not frightened of him anymore," settled Claire. "I'm tired of living with so much hate and fear and anger, so I've just let it all go."

"You're forgiving Sylar?" asked Noah dubiously.

"I just don't want to live with that pain anymore," she evaded, yet still telling the truth.

Though he still was not convinced, the rest of the meal switched to comfortable chatter. When finished, the two exited the restaurant stopping as a black car pulled up to the sidewalk. "What a surprise," muttered Noah as the backseat window rolled down revealing Angela Petrelli.

Claire looked accusingly at her dad. "Did you invite her?"

"No, dear, I came of my own accord," assured Angela. "Your roommate is quite adept in giving directions." She opened the door scooting over. "I would appreciate it if I could give you a ride back to your dorm."

"Why don't you go with her?" suggested Noah, looking less than happy. "I'll just grab a cab from here." Giving her a firm hug before Claire could oppose. "Maybe she'll talk about that vision of hers," he suggested under his breath.

Returning with a knowing grin she agreed. "Love you, Dad." He kissed her on the top of the head before she slid into the leather seats.

As soon as the car pulled away from the curb Angela's first words were, "I had no idea you were such a fan of red roses."

Finding the car suddenly very small, Claire worked to control her breathing while trying not to appear nervous.

"How long have you been in physical contact with Sylar?"

Eyes growing incredibly wide, Claire flat out denied it. "I have no clue what you're talking about."

"Oh, cut the crap, Claire," snapped the older woman, stress evident on her face. "I've seen the two of you in my dreams. In Technicolor. So I know that you are enjoying yourself. My actual question is; what are your intentions for this affair?"

Eyes growing wider she stumbled out an answer. "I – I don't know?" Why wasn't she screaming at her? Throwing her out of the car? Clawing at her with those perfectly manicured nails? "We're still testing the waters ourselves."

"Have you slept with him yet?"

"What! God, no!" Claire flushed shrinking down in her seat mortified, inwardly hoping no one else would ask that question when their relationship became more public.

Angela reached over brushing away her blonde hair. Touching a rose earring, a hint of a smile graced her lips. "Every time I see the two of you in my visions these earrings always dazzle." Claire blinked, allowing her brain to grip to the situation.

"Aren't you mad at me? Disappointed?"

"Of course I am, dear," she replied, gently patting her hand twice. "However, I've seen where this coupling leads to and I'm not foolish enough to stop it."

"Sorry, I'm highly confused right now." Rubbing her face to catch up, Claire apologized. "Just to clear up, you're telling me that you're alright a relationship between me and Sylar?"

"Absolutely support it," she responded simply.

"Why? I would think you should be one of the loudest protestors."

Fixing an imaginary hair out of place she expanded. "If you continue on the path you and Sylar have begun, you will do so much for our kind. Especially the lost ones. Shelter them, give them purpose, help them not live in fear. You will succeed where The Company failed."

"If I stay with him it will be because I want to. Not for the greater good," she clarified immediately. She looked at her grandmother in disbelief. "I'm sorry if I feel like you're tricking me somehow. Like you're looking for revenge on Sylar."

"Claire, I am being sincere. Especially since what the two of you will accomplish is the very thing I and my peers swore to do nearly fifty years ago." As an afterthought she added, "Plus with the fuss your father and my son will make; you will appreciate me in your corner."

The car slowed as it reached its destination. Finding comfort in her words, Claire threw her arms around Angela's neck. "Thank you." She opened the car door and slid out.

"And Claire," finished Angela. "Even though I support this, I am still quite furious at your boyfriend, so do not expect me to be very pleasant to him next time we meet."