Nathan wrapped sharply on the front door.
They had landed in front of a nice little house with a garden. Claire thought it looked like the perfect house.
The door opened, and she and Peter gasped. "You?"
Matt Parkman smiled tightly. Looking around quickly, he waved them inside. "Come in. I sent my wife to her mother's in Florida; I figured that would be safest."
Nathan nodded. "Peter, Claire, I think you've already met Officer Matt Parkman."
They both nodded, and Matt smiled slightly. "It's okay; you're not in any kind of trouble. Although, you…" He pointed to Claire. "Are listed as a missing person at the Odessa Police Department."
She smiled sheepishly.
He shrugged. "Nathan, you said on the phone that something had come up with Sylar?"
Nathan nodded. "Are you still in contact with Professor Suresh?"
Matt scratched his head. "I haven't been for a while, but I could call…"
He caught sight of Peter's arm wrapped around Claire's waist, her hand on his chest. They were gazing at eachother affectionately, and Matt stopped mid-sentence. "Uh, something going on between you two?"
Claire's cheeks turned a pale shade of pink, and Peter swallowed. "Uh, yeah. Kinda."
Matt raised his eyebrows.
Claire held up her hands. "I'm 18 now."
Matt smiled, shaking his head. "Alrighty then. I won't ask any more questions. I'll be right back; I'm going to get Suresh's phone number. The bathroom is down the hall, Claire."
Her head shot up, her mouth dropping open. "But I didn't…"
She grinned, smacking her forehead. "You read minds. I forgot."
Claire went to use the bathroom, and Nathan sat down in an armchair across from Peter.
Peter played with the hem of his shirt, and Nathan sighed. "Peter, it'll be okay. Once we talk to Suresh, things will be okay."
Peter sighed. "What is Suresh going to do about Sylar? He doesn't even have powers!"
Claire reentered the room putting an end to their conversation. She sat down next to Peter, knotting her fingers through his, and he wrapped an arm around her petite frame.
He leaned down, kissing her tenderly on the mouth.
Matt emerged from the other room, and cleared his throat.
They parted reluctantly, and Claire whispered, "We'll finish this later."
Matt pushed a button on the phone, switching it to speakerphone so everyone could hear.
"Professor Suresh."
Nathan took over. "Hello, professor. This is Nathan Petrelli. I'm here with Matt Parkman, my brother Peter, and Claire Bennet."
It was silent for a moment, and then Professor Suresh's deep voice came over the line. "Are you kidding me? All of you are together? Why are you calling me?"
Nathan cleared his throat. "Yes. We're all here. We need your help. My brother Peter is being chased by Sylar. We need to know how to protect him."
Again, silence.
"How the hell am I supposed to help you?"
Peter tightened his grip on Claire's hand. "Professor, this is Peter Petrelli. I'm not asking you to fight him or anything, but we need information on him. His strengths, weaknesses. We thought you might be able to help."
Suresh sighed. "You're going to fight him, aren't you? I don't want someone's death on my conscience. I'm telling you right now, if you go up against Sylar, you will die."
Claire gasped, and Peter squeezed her tightly.
Suresh heard her reaction. "I'm sorry to be so blunt, Ms. Bennet. I just need you all to know what Sylar is capable of."
Matt spoke up. "Is there anything you might be able to tell us about him? Weaknesses? Anything you can give us would be a help."
There was the sound of tapping keys on a keyboard, and then Suresh's voice rang out again. "He has very few weaknesses. He's nearly invincible."
Claire swallowed. "So am I, and I've died before. A tree branch went through my skull, punctured my brain."
Matt and Nathan gaped at her. Peter tensed, the memory of someone hurting Claire angering him.
He rubbed her back, and then spoke up again. "So, do you think we could kill him by plunging something through his skull?"
Suresh was quiet for a moment, and then sighed. "I think that would be your best bet. I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance, but you're up against something huge here."
Nathan took over again. "We appreciate your help. Professor Suresh, we'll let you know how it goes." With that, Nathan hung up.
He ran a hand through his hair, and then turned to Peter. "Well, there you go."
Peter nodded slowly, and then stood up. He turned to Matt and Nathan. "Will you come with me? Help if you can?"
They both nodded vigorously, and Claire stood up, crossing her arms. "You are not leaving me. I don't care what you say, I'm coming with you."
Peter shook his head, his voice warning. "Claire…"
She shook her head adamantly. "NO, Peter. Either you take me with you, or I'll never speak to you again."
Peter sighed, and his bangs fell across his eyes.
Claire bit her lip. God, I just want to throw him against the wall and rip his clothes off. It's that damn hair.
Matt chuckled, and Claire whirled to face him. "What's so funny?"
He grinned. "Oh, nothing. I uh, you're thoughts are amusing."
Claire crossed her arms, setting her jaw. "Oh yeah? Well what am I thinking, tough guy?"
Matt shook his head. "I wouldn't want to embarrass you."
Claire's face turned a pale shade of pink. Peter looked at Claire, and then his face too, turned red. "Claire, come into the other room for a sec?" She rubbed her hand across her face, but followed him.
Peter tugged her into the nearest room with a door…the bathroom.
"Claire, please. You have to understand that I need you to be safe. I can't be worrying about you the entire time I'm trying to fight Sylar!"
Claire shook her head. "It's always about you, isn't it Peter? Did you ever think about how worried I would be about you while you're fighting Sylar? I can't stay here and twiddle my thumbs while the man I love is out there fighting for his life!"
It was only the second time she'd ever said she loved him, and Peter's mouth dropped open. He closed it quickly, taking her hands in his.
"Claire, please…" His voice was pleading.
She shook her head. "I'm going with you."
He sighed, and nodded reluctantly. "But you're staying with either Me, Nathan, or Matt at all times. Understood?"
She nodded, a smile playing at her lips. She turned to leave the bathroom, but Peter's chuckle stopped her.
"So uh, you like my hair, huh?"
She turned bright red. "Oh God, you…" She smacked her forehead. "You absorbed Matt's powers."
Peter nodded, taking a step towards her. "Yeah, I did."
Claire smiled, her face still warm. "Sorry about that, poor Matt's probably scarred for life."
Peter pressed her gently against the door, his hands sliding down to her waist. Claire's breath hitched, and a look of uncertainty flashed across Peter's face. Claire reached up, capturing his lips with hers, and uncertainty melted away.
Peter's tongue delved into her mouth, and Claire wrapped her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair. Her head banged up against the door, and Claire began to laugh. Peter pulled away, grinning at her.
"This might not be the place or time for this, huh?"
She shook her head, kissing him again tenderly. "As soon as all this is over, we're going to the right place at the right time, and then you're mine, Petrelli."
Peter kissed her again, and then nodded. Claire kissed him one last time, and then moved to open the door. Peter shoved it closed again, making her jump.
"Uh, I need a second to…uh…calm down."
Claire's face turned pink, and she grinned. "I really have that effect on you?"
Peter groaned, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "You have no idea."
Peter and Claire emerged from the bathroom a few moments later, hand in hand.
Matt looked at them for a second, reading Peter's thoughts. Okay, Peter. Keep yourself in check here. Now is not the time or place. As soon as this is all over, you'll have her. ALL of her.
Matt raised his eyebrows, taking in the pair's appearance. Claire's hair was mussed, her clothing wrinkled. Peter's hair, too, was a mess, and the two top buttons of his shirt were undone.
Matt read Claire's thoughts, then. Why is he looking at us? Oh, God. Can he tell what we were doing? DUH! Of course he can, he can read your freaking mind! She looked directly into his eyes. Stop it. Seriously, cut it out.
Matt almost laughed aloud, but simply cleared his throat. "So…"
Peter looked down at Claire. "She's coming with us. But, she has to be with one of us at all times."
Nathan stood, crossing his arms. "What happened to keeping her out of this at all costs?"
Claire tensed, wondering if Peter would change his mind.
Peter shrugged. "She's persuasive." He winked down at her, and she practically giggled.
Nathan shook his head, throwing up his hands. "I don't want to know."
Matt stepped forward. "So, where are we making our last stand?"
Claire shuddered. "Don't call it that. It won't be our last stand."
Nathan ran a hand through his short hair. "The Nevada desert makes the most sense. It'll make sure that no one else gets hurt."
They all nodded solemnly, and looked at eachother.
Nathan stepped forward. "Let's go."
On to the next chapter, my lovely readers. And then, do me a favor, REVIEW!
