A/N: Five yeas later everything looks good, but only on the surface. They can never be the same again. Claire is living in the Petrelli Mansion. She's trying to have a normal life and she's about to graduate from the University. The dark side in Peter rises and their lives are about to be changed forever.

Note: It's AU Paire fic. It's not the typical Paire fic you're going to read. The dark notes here are highlighted. I've never written such Paire fiction before. It's dangerous and it's a challenge for me to write it, but I'm going to try it.

Rated: M

Couple: Peter/Claire

Warnings: Again, it's AU. I don't own Heroes, sadly. The dark themes here are highlighted.

Enjoy reading,

ArinnaVal

Chapter 9

Claire couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. Peter had made his point. If that was his goal – he had won over her. She couldn't stop thinking about him. Her mind and senses were in total chaos every time she was around him. However, the smirk on his face didn't help her much either. He was going to win not only the battle, but the war for her and she was clever enough to know it was only a matter of time.

Peter's dark side kept absorbing their life. He wasn't able to resist anymore and Claire couldn't see him fighting against it either. His whole life was focused over her and Claire was afraid that he was going to have her soon. The ideals as right and wrong didn't exist anymore. Not when it was about her. Claire could feel the desire every time he laid his eyes on her. They were dark and dangerous, but strangely why that liked her in a way. She could almost feel him touching her. His lips curled up in a smile every time they looked at each other. Claire was fast to look away and just then she could hear his snicker.

"You can run, but you can't escape from me." Peter had told her the last time she left the table after the another quiet dinner. "I'm right here." He had laid his hand over her chest, right where her heart supposed to be. "You can't escape from your heart, Claire."

He was so right that it made her shiver. Her eyes closed, but she hadn't said a word to him and he had left the room. Just then she was able to breathe again. However, the air was so thick and heavy even when he was gone. Claire couldn't take this anymore, so she decided to do something about it.

On the next morning she left early. A small bag hung over her shoulder and she had tied her hair on the back of her neck. There was no make up on her face and it looked paler than ever. She didn't think at all when she got into her car and drove off to Andy's work. He was starting early and hadn't arrived yet when she got there.

Claire got out the car and leaned on the hood, waiting for Andy impatiently. Her arms folded on her chest as she looked around nervously. That was her last route for escape, her final hope and she was going to use it.

Finally, she saw Andy's car and sighed with relief. A small smile showed up on her lips when she saw him getting out his car and heading for her. He smiled at her in return and her arms spread open for him. Andy hugged her and gave her a long and soft kiss. She felt nothing. Her heartbeat was steady and not erratic. There were no butterflies in her stomach or shiver running down her spine. It was a simple kiss and had nothing to do with… Peter.

Claire pulled back with a fake smile on his lips and she almost felt sorry. She felt so selfish for what she was about to do. Using an innocent person was never in her plans.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Andy looked surprised. He was happy though. Claire could see that on his face.

"I came here to ask you to do something crazy… with me." Claire touched his face.

"I thought we're going to wait after the wedding? Have you changed your mind?" He winked at her and a small pang crossed through her heart. Andy was so good and generous. He deserved something more than her. He deserved someone who would love him for the way he is and not use him for a personal gain. But she was going to learn to love him. She had to.

"I meant something else." Claire smiled again. "How about we go inLas Vegasand get married there?"

"What?" Andy was clearly shocked by her suggestion. "You don't like our families to be there?"

"I need only you." She winced when she said that lie. Her life was going to be full of lies when she finally turns into his wife. Starting with her true feelings towards him.

"I'm glad, Claire… but I'm afraid I'm not ready." Andy mumbled and pulled back.

"Why? You don't want to marry me anymore?"

"No, I want to marry you! I just… I don't have a ring." Andy rubbed the back of his neck and looked down. "I thought I have it but it disappeared mysteriously."

"Fuck the ring!" Claire scoffed. She knew exactly where the ring was. Peter had it. "We're going to buy one there."

"Why so hurry?" Andy furrowed his brows. "I wanted to do a traditional wedding, Claire. You deserve something better thanLas Vegas."

"But-"

"Are you having cold feet?"

"What? No!" Claire frowned.

"If you want to postpone the wedding…"

"I just told you I want to marry you as soon as possible and you're the one who apparently doesn't want that!" She scowled and her hands clenched in fists. "Who the hell is having the cold feet now?"

"Claire I-" Andy reached out his hand to touch her, but she stepped back.

"Don't!" She hissed and opened the door of her car. "I'm sorry I even asked you!" The next thing she did was to leave him standing there and just drove off.

Tears showed up in her eyes and she blinked furiously. She didn't know where she was going and when she finally stopped the car, she was on the hill that Peter had showed to her. Claire got out the car and slid on the door. The ground was still cold. It was early morning, but she didn't care. Her life was about to fall apart in small pieces. Her goals were different than she thought before. Her battle against Peter was doomed.

"Now, I'd hug you if I was sure your tears are real." Peter's voice made her jump on her feet. He was standing there, leaning on her car and his face was blank with a small hint of amusement on it.

"Fuck you!" Claire hissed with the whole anger built up in her. Her small fists started hitting his chest. "Fuck. You. Peter!"

"Who're you hitting now? Me or your feelings?" His voice was almost cold, but he didn't stop her and she kept hitting him. "Stop fighting against yourself, my love!"

"Shut the fuck up!" She finally stopped, pushing him away, but he didn't move from his place. "You and your sick… thing for me! This is not real! It's not! It's not! Don't you get it that-"

Her words were cut off his kiss. He cupped her face and his hands slid into her hair, pulling her closer. His lips attacked hers with no mercy. There wasn't anything soft in that kiss. There wasn't any plea. That kiss demanded for more. That kiss was claiming her for his and she finally gave up with a soft moan. Her hands lay on his waist, grasping his shirt to stay still. Her head tilted back slightly and her lips parted for him.

That was the kiss she had always dreamed of. The kiss that could make her feels as if she was flying. When he finally pulled back and looked at her eyes, she was barely breathing. Claire could feel her heartbeat in her ears. She swayed to him, unable to do something else right now. His eyes darkened and his thumbs slid over the sides of her face.

"Don't tell me that was sick, Claire!" His voice was thick and when he bit his lower lip, her look fell there. She moaned without thinking and that made him laugh quietly. "See? I was right!"

"No!" She said the word only because she had to. If she had to be honest before herself, her senses and her love towards him had betrayed her long ago.

"You're going to be mine… You are mine!" Peter whispered and his face leaned closer to hers. "When you accept this – your life is gonna get easier!"

"No!"

"Stubborn little cheerleader." Peter shook his head and a smirk started dancing on his lips. "I'm gonna prove it to you!"

"Peter…" Claire said, but he vanished into the thin air and she was only able to sigh.