Roadtrip Chapter 10: Meeting the Family, a heroes fanfic

Authors Note : I own absolutly nothing connected to the Heroes in any way, shape or form in this or any other alternate universe both discovered and undicovered.

Well this is it folks. The end of the ride and time for everyone to disembark. It's been great to write this and your reviews have kept me going. To that end I would like to thank:

callinne, overkill-Max, palexroxs4eva, polybi, karacandance, Ring-Around-Poesy, ev80, mama2four, Necro19, Zeitgeist1129, kai1994, katie farmer, Bandor Tentis and skyraptor64 for your reviews, criticisms and most of all for sticking with this story. I couldn't have done it without you.

I may be tempted to write some more Eclaire in the furture depends entirely on when I get an idea. Till then Adieu.

Happy Reading

Meeting the Family

Elle ran down the corridor of the burning building. "Claire" she called "where are you." She ran further down the corridor looking into every room she passed. Eventually she spotted Flint running towards her. "Flint" she cried "have you seen Claire."

The pyrokinetic shook his head "last time I saw her she was heading down that way" he replied pointing back the way he had came.

"Thanks" Elle said before breaking into a run once more. She turned a corner to find herself confronted with a blocked hallway. The roof had collapsed and the one route through was surrounded by flame. "Claire" she called out "are you down there"

"Claire isn't here Elle" a silky voice replied. Spinning on her heel Elle found herself face to face with Arthur "how" she whispered "you're dead."

The man smiled "clearly not or we wouldn't be having this conversation,"

Elle formed a sphere of electricity in her left hand "where's Claire" she growled.

"Outside with the rest of your motley gang, But don't worry I'll make sure she's safe."

Elle let the electricity loose at the same time as she screamed "Flint said she was down here."

"An illusion clearly" Arthur replied casually healing the damage "now we need to get you out of the way. If you're around I'll never get Claire." Suddenly Elle was thrown backwards into the wreckage of the hallway.

She struggled to stand "You'll never get Claire" she breathed "I'll die before I let that happen."

"Fortunately for me you don't have much of a say." With that Arthur bought an iron beam down on Elle pinning her to the floor. "Goodbye Miss Bishop. I'll give your regards to my granddaughter." Then he teleported away.

"Claire" Elle screamed as the beam slowly crushed the life from her prone form "CLAIRE."

Suddenly a familiar voice filled her ears "Elle" the voice said "Elle wake up. Come on Elle nothing's going to happen."

Elle's eyes snapped open and she found herself wrapped in Claire's tight embrace "what was that all about" Claire whispered rubbing Elle's back.

Elle scrunched up her face in an effort to hold back her tears "I couldn't find you" she whimpered

"Where were you" Claire coaxed.

"Pinehearst" Elle replied the tears finally escaping "there was so much wreckage I lost you. I spent ages looking for you and then" she stopped suddenly

"Then what" Claire prompted

"Arthur" Elle said quietly. "He said he was going to take you away again and then he bought a beam down on me so I couldn't help you."

"Elle" Claire whispered tightening her grip on her girlfriend "I'm right here okay. Arthur is dead and can't hurt us any more."

Elle rolled over to look Claire in the face "promise."

Claire nodded "Promise. Nothing is ever going to get between us again."

The next day as they drove Elle turned to Claire. "So where we headed now pom-pom."

"Home to Costa Verde. Peter and my Mom have been talking to each other and Peter managed to convince Nathan to collect Heidi and the boys to bring them down. Meredith is coming too"

"Why" Elle asked perplexed.

"Cause I think it's time for you to meet my family. Both of them. Remember what you said at the start of the trip.

Elle thought for a second, "I said I wanted to be there when you told your Dad's about us."

Claire smiled "and that's exactly what's going to happen."

Elle said nothing instead simply curling up into the corner of her seat and beginning to look out of the window. Eventually Claire noticed how quiet she was being "are you okay Elle" she said laying a hand on her girlfriends arm,

"What if they don't like me?" Elle muttered

"What" Claire said confused "why wouldn't they"

"Cause I'm a twisted Company lab rat" Elle replied.

Claire pulled over and stopping the car put a hand on Elle's shoulder "Elle everything will be fine. Everyone will love you."

"How can you be so sure" Elle whispered "what if I do something stupid."

Claire pulled Elle round to face her. "Elle. I promise you nothing you could do could stop me from loving you. My mom already loves you like a second daughter and Lyle thinks your brilliant ever since you fixed the TV. Peter already knows about us and I'm sure Heidi and Meredith will love you as well."

"So the only people we have to worry about are your two dads'" Elle said quietly.

Claire nodded "yup. They shouldn't be a problem."

"Even though one's a Senator and one of them has shot me in the past."

Claire dropped a light kiss on the older blonde's forehead "Elle I promise you whatever happens I will never leave you. Trust me okay."

Elle slowly nodded "how are they going to fit everyone in your house" she asked eventually.

"Nathan and his family are going to be staying at a hotel in town and just come over for during the day. Think of it as like a huge family reunion."

"Okay" Elle said eventually "whatever you say."

As they pulled back onto the highway Elle flicked on the radio attempting to distract herself from the thoughts running around her head. Despite Claire's assurances what would happen if the Cheerleaders families really didn't like her choice of girlfriend. Would Claire leave her? It was something that really worried Elle.

Turning her attention back to the radio she noticed that a Taylor Swift song had come on.

I was riding shotgun with my hair undone in the front seat of his car
He's got a one-hand feel on the steering wheel
The other on my heart
I look around, turn the radio down
He says baby is something wrong?
I say nothing I was just thinking how we don't have a song
And he says...

Our song is a slamming screen door,
Sneakin' out late, tapping on your window
When we're on the phone and you talk real slow
Cause it's late and your mama don't know
Our song is the way you laugh
The first date "man, I didn't kiss her and I should have"
And when I got home, before I said amen
Asking God if he could play it again

I was walking up the front porch steps after everything that day
Had gone all wrong and been trampled on
And lost and thrown away
Got to the hallway, well on my way to my lovin' bed
I almost didn't notice all the roses
And the note that said...

I've heard every album, listened to the radio
Waited for something to come along
That was as good as our song...

Cause our song is a slamming screen door,
Sneakin' out late, tapping on his window
When we're on the phone and he talks real slow
Cause it's late and his mama don't know
Our song is the way he laughs
The first date "man, I didn't kiss him and I should have"
And when I got home, before I said amen
Asking God if he could play it again
Play it again, oh yeah

I was riding shotgun with my hair undone
In the front seat of his car
I grabbed a pen and an old napkin
And I wrote down our song

Looking over at the girl next to her Elle smiled.

A few days later the red corvette pulled into the drive way in front of Claire's house. Almost as soon as it had come to a standstill Sandra was out of the door and hurrying to meet them. Claire opened the passenger door and ran over to her. "Hey Mom" she said hugging Sandra.

"Hello Claire" Sandra replied returning her daughters hug. Noticing Elle lurking behind them she removed her arms from around Claire and went over to the older girl "Hello Elle" she said before hugging her as well "it's nice to see you again."

"Thanks Mrs Bennet" replied Elle quietly.

"Where's Dad" Claire asked as they entered the house.

"He's had to go away for work" Sandra said "but he should be back tomorrow."

"Any idea when everyone else is arriving"

"Tomorrow. So we plan to have the party on Thursday"

"So we've got two days to wait" Elle said sullenly.

Claire wrapped her arms around her temporarily forgetting her Mom was there. "It'll be fine. Come on let's go for a walk."

"Okay then" Elle said taking Claire's hand "can we go to the park again."

"Sure whatever you want." With that they left leaving a very confused Sandra behind them.

"Something's going on between those two" she thought "and I think I know what it is."

"So should we tell your Dad when he get's back" Elle asked as they made their way around the park.

Claire shook her head "no. I think we should wait till the party and tell everyone at once."

"I think your Mom suspects something." Elle said sitting down on a bench and pulling Claire with her.

"I'll have a word with her when we get back" Claire promised "might help with Dad and Nathan if I have her in our camp already."

"What happened to your optimistic everything's going to be fine outlook pom-pom" Elle laughed.

Claire stood up and walked towards the swings "I'm sure everything will be fine" she replied "just might be useful to have another person on our side apart from Peter and Gabriel."

"Is he going to be coming?"

Claire shook her head "he's got something to do for the Company. Angela isn't coming either but Peter already filled her in."

"What did she think?"

"She was a bit shocked but I think she'll be okay with it in time." Claire sat down on the swing and looked up at the sky "I don't think we should share once my Dad get's home" she said eventually turning to look at Elle.

The blonde nodded "whatever you say pom-pom. We can still share tonight though right."

Claire smiled "sure" she held out her hand "come on let's get back."

When they got back to Claire's house Elle went upstairs to unpack while Claire tracked down her Mom. "Hey" she said after finding Sandra in the kitchen "Mom can I talk to you about something."

"Sure sweetie what is it."

"Well" Claire paused not sure how to continue "you see Elle and I."

"You love each other don't you" Sandra interrupted.

Claire nodded "how'd you know."

"Call it mother's intuition."

"Do you mind?"

"Seeing my little girl happy, Of course not. I'm happy for you. You and Elle."

"Thanks Mom" Claire whispered.

"That's alright sweetie. Now you just have to tell your Dad."

"We're going to. At the party."

The next day Noah returned. While he was surprised to find Elle in his house he seemed to take it in his stride. Nathan and his family arrived next letting everyone know they had arrived before heading off to the hotel. Meredith did the same.

The next day passed quickly as everyone prepared for the party. That evening they all congregated at the Bennet household and settled down to a sumptuous meal prepared by Sandra and Heidi with a bit of help from Meredith.

Eventually Claire looked at Elle before standing up and tapping her spoon against a glass. Everyone looked towards and she gulped before speaking. "Thanks for coming everyone. I hope you've fun. Now I" she paused "I mean Elle and I have an announcement to make" she took Elle's hand and squeezed it. "Elle and I" she paused again.

Elle stood up still holding onto Claire's hand "what pom-pom is trying to say is we're going out."

There was a cry of congratulations from the assembled throng except for Noah who disappeared out of the room a dark look on his face. Sandra noticing this mouthed "I'll go talk to him" at Claire before following her husband.

"Aren't you the least bit surprised" Claire asked Nathan when he came up to hug her.

He shook his head "Pete told me how close the two of you were and how you'd both risked a lot to look after each other. I guessed something like this was in the works."

"And you don't mind"

Nathan smiled "honestly. I think it will take a bit of getting used to but I'll be fine with it. Just so long as your happy."

Claire spotted Sandra re-entering the room hurried over to her "how is he" she whispered

"He won't say anything to me" Sandra replied "could you go and talk to him."

Claire nodded and headed to the study. Entering she found Noah standing at the window. "Dad" she whispered "are you okay."

He wheeled round "Claire, please tell me you were joking in there. Elle seriously."

Claire shook her head "why do you have a problem with that."

"Because it's Elle" he yelled "Elle Bishop. After all she did to you."

"Elle did nothing to me Dad" Claire replied "Bob did. Without Elle I wouldn't have got through the last couple of weeks. I would still be a prisoner of Pinehearst."

Noah's feature softened "you really love don't you."

Claire nodded "I can't imagine life without her." She wrapped her arms around him "I need you to be okay with this Dad."

Noah sighed "I'll try Claire-Bear" he said "but I can't promise anything."

"That's all I need Dad." Claire whispered "thanks."

Claire left the study and went looking for Elle. She eventually found sitting in the backyard staring up at the sky. Elle patted the ground next to her and Claire sank down beside her. "So how did go with your Dad." Elle asked after a few minutes.

"He'll be okay with it eventually" Claire replied wrapping her arm around her girlfriend "he just needs time." They were silent once more before Claire spoke "what you thinking about."

Elle smiled "Just wondering what adventure we'll get into next."

Claire smiled too "I don't know but you know what. I can't wait to find out."

They sat there for another half hour staring at the stars and talking safe in the knowledge that whatever the future threw at them they would face it together.

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