The Gathering Storm

Winter 2008:

Peter: Christmas 2008 was a new low for me. Surrounded by family, I felt utterly alone.

Claire Bennet squinted and raised a hand to block the sun as the shiny Harley came into view from behind the trees. The growling rumble from its engine calmed as it turned and pulled up next to her. The man killed the engine and took off his helmet. He sat back, waiting for her to come to him. His blue eyes did not move from her body as she approached.

Claire strode confidently up to him. Pausing a few steps away, a cheeky smile on her face. He leaned towards her and she practically leapt into his arms. The embrace was deep and the kiss lingered. Aaron Richardson smiled as they drew apart.

"Missed you," he said huskily.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Claire began.

"You wanna blow off your family Christmas party?"

"I don't know . . . It's just an idea." Claire wandered aimlessly as she spoke.

"Mmm . . . You really don't want me to meet your father, do you?"

"No . . . It's just . . . things at home. Heidi, Nathan . . ." "Peter," the voice in her head screamed.

"I've seen your Dad on TV. He doesn't look that bad."

Claire looked up and gave him a silent, but meaningful eyebrow raise.

"Hey, I get that the whole 'I was adopted and now I live with my Biological Father thing' is scary for you. But, no one could ever make me think less of you. Ever."

Claire hugged him, her apprehension slipping away. "You always know the right thing to say."

"That's why you've got me." He handed her the spare helmet. "Let's ride."

Claire took the helmet and climbed aboard. Truthfully, she was glad Heidi had invited Aaron. Now, she had a reason to avoid Peter.

Aaron accelerated and Claire felt an electric jolt run through her body. Together they sped into the distance, bound for the Petrelli Mansion. Overhead, the clouds were blending together and the light of the day was becoming ominously dark.

Peter puffed breathlessly in the cold air of the December night. He was running late for the Petrelli family Christmas party. His stomach was wound in knots of frustration. He couldn't decide if it was because he was almost never late or if he was nervous about seeing Claire. To avoid undue attention he decided he would slip into the house unnoticed, through a side entrance.

He was still brushing snow from his coat as he wandered down a darkened hallway towards the kitchen. He caught sight of Claire leaning over a serving tray of Hors d'oeuvres. He stood back in the half light, letting his eyes take in the pleasure of watching her, unseen from the shadows. She was wearing a slinky red cocktail dress. Not overly revealing, just exposing exactly what it needed, to catch an onlookers breath. It worked. Peter couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Peter!" Angela Petrelli's voice filled the kitchen. "There you are."

Peter had been so taken with Claire, he never even noticed his mother enter the room.

Claire's eyes sprung up at the sound of his name. She caught his eye and their gaze lingered.

"Give me this." Angela grabbed his coat and let him kiss her on the cheek. "And this." She took the bag full of presents he was holding.

"Claire." It was Peter who spoke first when they were finally alone again. "You look amazing."

"Thanks." Her voice was soft. She bent down to return to what she was doing with the food. "I hear you've moved out." Her eyes did not seek out his face again.

"Yeah." Peter shifted nervously on his feet. "Anything I can help with."

She shook her head.

Angela strode through again. "Claire, leave those now. That's what the staff are for. You might want to rescue Aaron from Nathan . . . Peter! Don't just stand there . . . mingle . . ."

"Aaron . . . who is-" Peter's thoughts were interrupted when a tall handsome blonde man appeared at the doorway.

"Babe, I need you." The man's blue eyes sparkled with arrogance.

"Babe?" Peter's mind drifted again.

"Peter." Claire's angelic voice floated toward him.

Visions of the previous year flashed behind his eyes.

Claire nervously spilling soda on herself . . . Peter pushing her into the pool . . . Eating ice cream together in the kitchen at midnight . . . Dancing alone, entwined in the moonlight . . .

"Peter, this is Aaron . . . my boyfriend. Aaron, this is Pete . . . my Uncle Peter." Her eyes betrayed a sudden smugness.

Aaron thrust out his hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

Peter nodded and murmured a quick reply. His heart gasped as a shot a pain thrust through his chest. The look on his face was unmistakable to Claire. She was obviously enjoying this. He saw her take Aaron by the hand.

Peter stepped away from them. He saw her lips move to form words again, but he ignored her. Desperate, he headed for the door. He forced himself out into the cold, hoping it would temper the silent rage that burned inside him.

The frozen ground crunched under his feet. He paced backwards and forth, gently trying to persuade himself there was no reason at all for the wistful craving he felt inside. All summer, she had tested him. He had honestly believed that time apart would be better for both of them. He thought it would make her realise how much she needed him. Only, now was he beginning to realise just how wrong he was.

Drops of red hot liquid dripped from his fingers creating a loud hiss as they hit the ground. A dark figure approached from his left. Quickly, he managed to pull his envious hands behind him and scrambled to face the shadow.

"Peter." It was a voice he had not heard in some time.

"Mohinder." Peter was openly surprised.

"It's been awhile, Old friend." Dr Mohinder Suresh smiled as he greeted Peter.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nathan invited me. It is good to see you again, Peter."

"And you."

"How is life treating you?"

Peter sighed and ran a pale hand through his hair. "It's been better . . . still working on your Father's research?"

"Yes," Mohinder paused briefly. "And, some of my own."

Peter nodded. "I'm still nursing." He watched the warmth of his breath curl and disappear into the night air. "But, lately I've been thinking that my heart's just not in it anymore."

Mohinder nodded before crying out. "It's freezing out here!" He started moving on the spot. "I'll never get used to these New York Winters."

Peter laughed. His lips formed a soft smile. He suddenly realised he couldn't remember the last time he had smiled. "Better get back then."

"Yes. I would like to talk some more."

"Of course," Peter agreed. "Anything to take my mind off Claire."

"Oh, look mistletoe." The voice floated across the room.

Peter watched as Claire blushed. Her eyes darted towards his as she prepared her lips for the coming kiss.

The sickened feeling in his stomach rose as he watched the kiss deepen amid hoots from the surrounding guests.

Claire was fully crimson by the time she parted lips with Aaron in front of all her parents guests. She could feel Peter's presence in the room, but dared not make eye contact with him again.

Peter's nails dug into the palms of his hands as he continued to stare. Aaron leaned in close to Claire and whispered something unknown in her ear. She nodded and together they escaped the room unnoticed by all, but Peter. A loud ringing sound filled his ears.

He valiantly resisted the urge to follow them. He had been resisting all night. Resisting the urge to give into the green eyes that had been obviously provoking him since he arrived.

As suddenly as it came on, the ringing died. Inadvertently, he tuned into the conversation across the room.

"I love how they're in that cute beginning of a relationship stage," Heidi let out a soft sigh.

"Cute? I want to rip his tongue out." Nathan steered his wife across the dance floor.

"Nathan!"

"I know, I know. But, she's my daughter Heidi. I never got any of that 'cute' father daughter stuff. I only get the hormonal tantrums and dating to deal with."

Heidi laughed and pulled her husband closer. "Admit it though. You are happy for her right?"

"Ahhh . . ." Nathan debated his next move.

Heidi socked him gently in the chest.

"Ow! Okay, I'm happy, she's happy."

"Good." Heidi kissed him with a closed mouth.

"Mmm . . . and I'm happy that you're happy, Mrs Petrelli . . . Oh look, mistletoe." His voice was low and husky as he pulled her closer for a tender kiss.

The happiness of his brother oozed across the room. Peter would have given anything just to feel something. However, any feelings conjured up by the joy around him died in the coldness of his empty heart. "Enough is enough." He slipped silently from the room, desperate to fulfil his urgent craving to be alone.

A/N: A bit of a short one, but the next one is longer I promise. Please R&R, Thanks to those who already have - You make my day. Thanks for reading. Pip :)

In the Next Chapter of Volume Three: Scars in the Making. Claire makes some difficult choices about her relationships with Aaron and Peter.