Chapter 10- Smile Like You Mean it

Hey guys, sorry for the lull in updates. Thanks so much for the reviews they were very nice and supportive… so keep that up awesome readers. Read and enjoy…

Claire sat in her dorm room at her desk uploading pictures of her and Peter playing in the snow. It had been a week since then and Claire was now able to stay in her dorm room, even when Jen wasn't there… although it helped a lot when she was.

The whole situation with the police and Jesse was still a sketchy one. With a lot of effort the police concluded that Claire couldn't have killed Jesse so that made Claire feel somewhat better. But she was still getting dirty looks when she went to class, and could pratctically feel the gossip that was being whispered behind her back by kids. She thought college was supposed to be better, but it was turning out just like high school.

"Oh my god, Jen come look at this picture." Claire said waving her hand in a motion to get her butt out of her bed and come over to her.

Jen pranced over to Claire and leaned her hands on Claire's chair to look at the picture.

"Aw, Claire that is too damn cute." Jen said ruffling Claire's hair.

"I know." Claire said admiring the picture of her and Peter where she was smiling at the camera a little surprised because Peter was kissing her cheek.

"My little Claire, has the cutest boyfriend ever!" Jen said laughing.

Claire didn't say anything to Jen, but she smiled to herself. It was true, she totally had the best, cutest, whatever good adjective there is, boyfriend ever.

Claire's phone started to ring to the tune of This Boy by James Morrison. It was Peter's ring-tone.

"Hey Peter." Claire said answering it.

"Oooohhh." Jen said dramatically "a little phone sex?" She asked.

"Shut up." Claire mouthed to Jen who laughed and went off to the bathroom.

"Sorry, what's up?" Claire asked Peter.

Peter informed Claire that he was in fact standing outside of Claire's dorm and he was wondering if she would come down and see him.

Claire hung up the phone and put on her tan jacket that was laying on her bed.

"I'm going over to Peter's for a little Jen. See you later tonight." Claire yelled to Jen.

"Ok bye, Chica." Jen said from the bathroom.

Claire grabbed her phone and purse and headed out the door.

She got outside, to the freezing cold air and the snow-covered ground.

She saw Peter standing a few steps away and she walked over to him. It had been a couple of says since she had last seen him because their schedules kept clashing.

"Well hello." Claire said.

"Hey." Peter said while letting a breath out. He casually pulled placed his hands on Claire's waist and pulled her body towards his. He quickly leaned his face towards Claire's letting his lips barely brush against hers before fully pressing them into her lips.

Claire placed her arms on Peter's shoulders and got closer to him.

"I've missed that." Peter said finally pulling away from her.

"Me too." Claire said kissing him again quickly. "Can we go to your place?"

"Sure." Peter said taking Claire's hand and walking her over to his car.

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Claire and Peter made their way up to Peter's apartment and walked inside shaking some of the snow off of their jackets.

"God, it is not easy getting used to this cold weather thing." Claire said throwing her jacket onto the floor. Peter shut the door and walked over to Claire rubbing his hands up and down her arms to warm her up.

"Oh thanks." Claire said.

"Speaking of thanks, thanksgiving is coming soon." Peter said.

"Nice seg-way." Claire joked while walking over to Peter's couch and taking a seat.

"Do you have any plans?" Peter asked Claire, sitting down next to her.

"Um… actually I've been meaning to talk to you about that." Claire said turning to face Peter. She placed her hands on Peter's chest and sat on her knees facing him.

"See I got a call from none other then my mother yestruday, and she wants to fly me home for Thanksgiving." Claire said, her face anxious to see Peter's reaction.

"Do you want to go?" Peter asked her, placing his hands over hers.

Claire thought about Peter's question for a few seconds "Yeah, I do." She said.

"I miss my mom and my brother… and my dad." Claire said.

"I know you do." Peter said gently touching his thumb to Claire's face in a caring gesture
"I just don't think I want you to travel alone. It's not safe right now." Peter said.

"Oh please, I'll be fine." Claire said, mentally adding that she was NOT five years old.

"Claire." Peter said with a very serious undertone "Sylar is still out there, and I don't mean to scare you but he's not going to leave us alone for too much longer." Peter said.

"I'm not scared of him." Claire boasted.

"Claire." Peter said giving her the look that said 'you know you are scared of him'.

Claire pouted and let her body fall onto Peter. She rested her head against Peter's chest and he slipped an arm around her shoulder bringing her in closer.

"So what if I'm scared of him. I can't let him ruin my entire life." Claire said quietly.

Peter sighed letting his chin rest on Claire's head. "I know Claire, but I couldn't stand losing you." Peter said.

"Aw, Peter. You're not going to lose me." Claire said lifting her head up from his chest and looking into his eyes.

"I didn't do enough to take care of you last time Claire." Peter said running his hands through her hair.

"There was nothing more you could've done Peter. Stop blaming yourself." Claire said, already feeling like it was all her fault was enough to go through.

"I know, but I just don't want that to happen to you again." Peter said.

Claire softly kissed Peter on the lips "It won't."

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The next day Isaac Mendez sat alone in his apartment. He had a paintbrush in hand and all of the sudden he felt compelled to just paint. He began making random strokes everywhere and didn't really regain conciousness until the painting was done.

Isaac leaned back in his chair and rubbed his fingers over his tired eyes. Everything came back into focus and Isaac was able to look at the picture he had just painted.

It was of Claire… Just of Claire. She was sitting by herself at a coffee table, dressed in a long sleeved black T-shirt and dark jeans, idly sipping coffee or something of that sort.

The door to Isaac's apartment swung open and a tired looking Simone walked inside.

"I hate New York." Simone cried as she dropped some shopping bags on the floor.

Isaac quickly placed his new painting face down on the table.

"Why?" he asked.

"I went out to get one simple t-shirt and it took me over an hour and a half. The people in this town are driving me crazy." Simone said walking over to the refrigerater to get some food out to make for dinner that night.

"I'm sorry baby." Isaac said taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"Did you paint something today?" Simone asked him casually, pointing to the face down painting on the table.

"Um, nothing special." Isaac said "Actually it's pretty stupid, I think I'm going to throw it away." Isaac said starting to pick the painting up.

"Wait, let me see it." Simone said looking at Isaac quizzically. He usually always let her look at his paintings. Isaac gave up and decided to hand the painting over to Simone whose jaw dropped when she saw the girl portrayed in the picture.

"Please tell me this isn't…"

"Claire? It is." Isaac said finishing Simone's sentence.

"Why the hell did you paint this of Claire?" Simone asked him.

Isaac shrugged "I don't know why I paint anything."

Simone eyed Isaac, trying to read his thoughts but it wasn't working. She was no Parkman.

"Maybe it has something to do with Sylar." Isaac suggested, he could tell Simone was getting pissed.

"Don't be a smart ass, the girl… who is an eighteen year old girl if I may remind you, is sitting by herself and drinking coffee." Simone said tossing the painting to the floor.

"Simone, calm down please." Isaac said reaching for her hand but she took a step back from him.

"I need to go the grocery store, we're all out of food." Simone said breezing past Isaac and grabbing her coat and purse "I'll be back as soon as I can." She said coldly before leaving.

Isaac let out a big breath after the door closed. He leaned down and picked up the discarded painting. He had told Simone he didn't know why he had painted it, but truthfully ever since he had saved Claire he couldn't stop thinking about her. He wasn't sure why, but his mind wouldn't stay away from Claire.

Isaac glanced at the painting one last time before picking up his phone and finding Claire's cell phone number that he had gotten from Peter.

He called her and she answered after the second ring.

"Hello?" She said, not knowing who it was.

"Claire? It's Isaac." He said…feelings of being an insecure high school boy were suddenly flooding back to him.

"Oh, hi. How are you?" Claire asked sweetely.

"Good…" Isaac paused and stuggled for more words, why had he called Claire again?

"Um, that's good." Claire said breaking the silence.

"So look, I know Peter wouldn't like this, but I've been meaning to ask you if we could meet somewhere and just talk about the investigation and everything with Sylar. I honestly have no idea whats going on with any of that." Isaac said.

"Um, sure." Claire said hesitantly on the other end of the phone.

Isaac ran his hands through his hair "Peter's welcome to come to, it just might be a little awkward." Isaac said.

"No, I doubt he'd want to come. But I'm busy tonight, so how about if we meet at the little coffee shop on the corner of 42nd street in like twenty minutes?" Claire asked.

"Oh, sure. I can do that." Isaac said surprised.

"Ok, see you there soon." Claire said and hung up.

Isaac closed his flip-phone and put it in his jeans pocket. He left a note for Simone that he was going to go out for awhile but he'd be back for dinner. And with that he headed for the door.

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Isaac opened up the door to the coffee shop he had agreed to meet Claire at. When he got inside he saw Claire sitting, wearing a long black-sleeved shirt and dark jeans, and drinking coffee. It was the exact picture he had just painted of her.

He walked over to her and took a seat across the table for two she was sitting at.

"Hi." He said.

"Hey." Claire said smiling as she took a sip of her coffee quickly and then carefully set it down on the table.

"Thanks for meeting me on such short notice." Isaac said folding his hands together and placing them on the table.

"Oh, it's no problem." Claire said.

"So um, do they have any leads on Sylar or anything?" Isaac asked Claire.

Claire shook her head "Unfortunately no. But the good news is that somehow they've concluded that neither of us are responsible for Jesse's death. I guess it's handy to have Parkman working there, since he trusts us." Claire said.

"Yeah." Isaac said, not able to keep his eyes of Claire.

Claire didn't know what to say next, this whole thing was kind of awkward "It's weird Matt's not keeping you more informed." She said finally.

"I know, I guess he figures I'd just find out from you or Peter." Isaac said.

"Yeah, if I hear anything more I'll definitely tell you about it." Claire offered.

"Sure, thanks." Isaac said smiling at her.

"Are you going to get any coffee or anything?" Claire asked him.

"Um, no I think I'm good. I guess we didn't really need to meet I could've just asked you on the phone, but that just felt rude for some reason." Isaac said "Sorry." He added at the end.

"Please, it's fine Isaac. You saved my life I think I can come meet you for coffee sometimes." Claire said brushing some of her hair behind her ears.

"I should probably get back now." Isaac said starting to stand up. Claire did the same once she saw him stand up.

"Call me anytime you want to know about the investigation… or whatever." Claire said giving Isaac a short hug.

"Sorry for taking up part of your day again Claire." Isaac said getting his jacket on.

"No problem." Claire said.

"Tell Peter I said hello." Isaac said as he waved goodbye to Claire and headed for the door.

Claire bit her lip in confusion as she watched him go. That was…odd.

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Claire knocked on the door to Peter's apartment. She was meeting him there so they

could go over to Niki and Dl's apartment together. Peter opened the door and let Claire inside.

"Well hello." Peter said taking Claire's hands and pulling her closer to him.

"Hi" Claire said smiling up at him, their faces just inches apart. "Sorry I'm late."

"No problem." Peter said "as long as I get a kiss." He joked.

"Sure thing." Claire said lightly placing her hands on Peter's cheeks and pulling his face to hers planting a big kiss on his lips. Claire pulled away leaving Peter breathless.

"Nice." Peter said trying to impersonate Borat.

Claire laughed "So do you want to know why I was late?" She asked him.

"Ok." Peter said.

"Don't get mad, but I met with Isaac." Claire said holding up her hands in an apolegetic gesture.

Peter took a step back from Claire "Why?" he asked.

"Isaac called me and just wanted to know about what's going on with the investigation and everything. He hasn't been updated." Claire said.

"Why couldn't you just tell him over the phone?" Peter asked Claire.

"I told you not to get mad Peter. Please it was totally not a big deal. I know you don't like the guy but he saved my life and he seems really nice to me." Claire said, standing her ground against Peter, but she felt kind of helpless for some reason.

"I'm not mad Claire." Peter said stepping back towards her and placing his hands on her waist.

"Ok good." Claire said.

"I do have a proposition for you though." Peter said.

"Go ahead." Claire said eyeing Peter suspisciouslly.

Peter took Claire's hands into his own "Now try to have an open mind about this." He started.

"hmm… Ok I'll try." Claire said smiling.

"I've been thinking about this whole thanksgiving situation and… what if I went to Texas with you?" Peter asked.

Claire immediately shook her head at Peter "No, sorry but absolutely not." Claire said laughing a little at how absurd it would be if she brought Peter home… she could just see her mother's face when she showed her the boy she found at college.

"I really think it would be the safest thing for you right now." Peter said.

"Ok no offense Peter, but Sylar's kind of really powerful. If he comes after me I don't think it will be that much better to have you there. And besides it's just two plane rides that I'll be by myself." Claire said.

Peter leaned closer to Claire searching her face for answers "Why don't you want me to go to Texas with you?" he asked bluntly.

"Excuse me?" Claire asked back, slipping her hands away from Peters. "I don't think it's necessary, and there's that whole my mom probably wouldn't like me dating a guy ten years older than me, thing." Claire said.

"Well I don't have to meet her. I can stay at a hotel or something." Peter said

"No Peter." Claire said starting to get a little angry.

"I don't think it's safe for you to travel alone Claire." Peter said trying to stay calm.

"Will you stop treating me like I'm two freaking years old please?" Claire asked him raising her voice.

"Claire…" Peter started but Claire cut him off.

"No Peter, I'm sick of it. I know I'm a lot younger than you but I'm still eighteen years old and I can actually take care of myself." Claire said turning away from Peter and walking over to the kitchen counter to lean against it.

"I understand that Claire, but I happen to be in love with you. I can't help it if I want you to live." Peter said also raising his voice which sent a sharp pain through Claire. Being yelled at by Peter was definitely not fun, and he had never really yelled at her before. It took her by surprise.

Claire let silence flood into the room for a few seconds.

"We should probably get going or we're going to be late." Claire said.

Peter tilted his head down and smiled to himself at the absurdity of this. Here he and Claire were having a fight and now they had to go sit down and have a nice dinner with Niki, Dl, and probably a million other people.

"Yeah, Ok." Peter said grabbing his jacket.

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Peter and Claire walked up to Niki and Dl's apartment door.

"We're totally late." Claire said under her breath.

"I'm sorry Claire, is that my fault?" Peter asked.

"No, of course not." Claire said overly nice "Nothing is ever Peter's fault."

"You know…" Peter started but stopped when Niki opened the door.

"Hi guys." Niki said smiling, totally unaware of the Peter and Claire scuffle that was occurring.

"Hi." Claire said putting on a happy face and giving Niki a hug.

"Hey Niki." Peter said giving her a short hug.

"Sorry we're late." Claire said walking inside as Niki shut the door.

"Oh it's not big deal. We were just sitting down to dinner if you want to come into the dining room." Niki said walking toward the kitchen.

"Aw, see Claire. It's no big deal." Peter said.

Claire gave Peter a look before following Niki. The two got into the dining room to be greeted by Nathan, Hiro, Ando, Matt, Micah, and Dl.

Everyone was seated, Claire and Peter sat down next to each other because there were only two seats left. As everyone was passing food around Niki spoke.

"Well now that we're all here, I wanted to suggest something to everyone." Niki said.

"What is it?" Claire asked intrigued.

"Micah, Dl and I were thinking that maybe everyone could come over here for a nice thanksgiving dinner." Niki said.

Claire looked down at her plate and almost started laughing, because this was exactly what her and Peter were fighting about.

There was a succession of "that'd be great" and "sure's" around the table and then everyone looked to Claire and Peter because neither had said anything yet.

"Um, I would love to but I was actually planning on going back to Odessa for a few days for Thanksgiving, despite Peter's thoughts." Claire said.

"Oh well that sounds nice, why don't you want her to spend time with her family Peter?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah Peter, why don't you tell everyone?" Claire asked, happy that everyone was on her side.

Peter shook his head at Claire "It's not at all that I don't want Claire to spend time with her family. What I meant is that I don't think it is a good time for her to be traveling by herself with Sylar still out there and everything." Peter said.

"Actually Claire, I think Peter has a good point there." Matt said.

"I agree." Chimed in Dl.

Claire sighed and Peter looked over at her smiling in an 'I win' way.

Peters phone started to ring.

"Hey, Peter, why don't you try turning your phone off while we're eating dinner?" Claire asked rhetorically.

Peter looked at the caller ID. "It's my work, I should probably take this." Peter said getting up and walking into the living room.

"I may be way off track here" Niki said sarcastically "But are you and Peter fighting?" Niki asked Claire.

Claire looked around at the whole table, which had every pair of eyes staring at her waiting for her answer "I guess." She said "he's just being stupid." She added.

"Well I have to agree, he has a point about this whole traveling alone thing." Niki said.

Hearing this from Niki made Claire think twice about her actions, maybe Peter was right. But it totally sucked having to give up and let him win.

"Yeah, maybe." Claire shrugged as Peter walked back in.

"Everything ok?" Nathan asked Peter.

"Yeah, they just need me a couple hours early tomorrow." Peter said taking his seat next to Claire. "Sorry for answering that." Peter said directly to Claire.

"Whatever." Claire said raising her eyebrows as she took a bite of her food.

"It's funny when you guys fight." Micah said.

"Micah." Niki scolded him, even though she kind of had to agree.

Peter and Claire exchanged glances and almost smiled at each other but then remembered that they were "fighting." Both were stubborn and neither wanted to let the other win the stupid fight.

"Sorry." Micah said.

"Oh it's ok Micah." Claire said, inside agreeing that their fighting was kind of funny.

"Yeah." Peter agreed.

Dinner began to wind down and everyone slowly started leaving, saying that had to get up early for work the next day. Peter and Claire had been shooting each other evil looks throughout the night, and making sarcastic remarks at each other.

"Well I hope you two get over you're little… whatever this is." Niki said referring to their fight. They were standing at the door getting ready to leave.

"Yeah, I'll call you for when we can go shopping." Claire said hugging her good bye and following Peter out the door.

The two drove back to Peter's apartment in silence.

"I just have to get my car keys." Claire said as Peter unlocked the door to his apartment.

"Ok." Peter said taking his jacket off and sitting down on his couch.

"You know you didn't have to be such an ass tonight." Claire said idely.

Peter stood up from the couch "Claire, your being ridiculous." Peter said.

"Really? I kind of thought that was what you were being." Claire said.

"I just want to keep you safe." Peter said stepping closer to Claire.

"Yeah and treat me like your little sister." Claire yelled getting right up in Peter's face so that she was just inches away from his face.

Both of them were breathing heavily and they had their eyes locked on each other. Before Peter could think about what he was doing he grabbed Claire's body and forced it against his kissing her forcefully on the lips, and it wasn't long before Claire gave into the kiss.

They pulled away breathless.

"I definitely wouldn't do that to my little sister." Peter said.

"Yeah I should hope so." Claire said smiling and Peter kissed her again this time backing her up against the wall.

"God we suck at fighting." Claire said as she kissed Peter's neck.

Peter titled her face up and kissed her on the lips again, then pulled away "I know." He said.

"We're pretty good at this though." Claire said laughing.

"I know." He said again.

"I'm sorry." Claire said as Peter walked her towards his bedroom.

"We don't have to talk about it now." Peter said.

"I was being a bitch earlier." Claire said.

"No you weren't" Peter moaned kissing Claire's neck.

"Well, sorry again." Claire said.

"It's ok." Peter said before getting Claire into his bedroom and closing the door behind the two of them.

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The next morning Peter quietly got out of bed. In the heat of the night before he had forgotten that he had to be at work at eight in the morning, so he decided he'd leave Claire a note and let her sleep. Peter had on jeans and opened his closet door to get a shirt.

Claire's eyes fluttered open and expected to see Peter, but he wasn't lying next to her.

"Peter?" She called out groggily, propping herself up on her elbow.

Peter popped his head out of the closet "Oh, Claire I didn't mean to wake you up." Peter said.

"Where are you going" She asked him running her hands through her frizzled hair.

"I have to get to work. I'm sorry." Peter said closing the closet door.

"Oh, I'll get up then." Claire said.

"No, Claire you can sleep longer if you want, or just hang here." Peter said heading for the door. Claire grabbed his hand as he reached the door.

"Come here." She said smiling sweetely yet sedectively.

Peter gave in and let Claire pull him into bed.

"I don't want you to go." She whined playing with the bottom hem of Peter's shirt.

"Believe me I don't want to go to work either." Peter said.

"So skip it." Claire said running her hands under Peter's shirt and onto his warm skin.

"Claire." Peter protested, starting to feel that if Claire kept touching him he definitely wouldn't be able to go to work.

"Ok, fine. I know you can't skip." Claire said pouting unhappily.

"I should go." Peter said kissing Claire on the forehead.

"Wait." Claire continued whining. "I've been thinking about this whole thanksgiving thing. If you really want to come with me than I'll call my mom today and ask her if she can make an extra place for you at the table." Claire said.

"I don't have to eat with your family." Peter said.

"Peter… yeah if you come you will eat with us." Claire said.

"Ok." Peter said smiling.

"My mom might not like you though… just a warning." Claire said.

"Well we already know your dad does. He was very thankful to me for saving your life at homecoming." Peter said.

"Don't get too cocky now." Claire joked.

"I'll try." He joked back "I really need to go."

"Come back soon." Claire said watching Peter get out of bed and leave the room.

Claire smiled and pulled the covers around herself and letting herself fall back asleep in Peter's bed.

Sorry I didn't do much Sylar in the one because he was so dramatic at the end of the last chapter, but he's coming soon… haha I should update in the next four or five days, im excited about the next chapter cause its thanksgiving and Claire might get a little tipsy hahaa. Please review if you can, thanks BYEEE!