A/N: New Paire story from me. It's a little different from the others and I hope you like it as well. I also hope for reviews. They always make me feel better and inspired my muse fr more. Thanks to all who'll take their time and share their opinion with me. I'm gonna be grateful. Also - please, please let's make it clear once again. English is not my first language. The reason I'm going without beta here it's because I want to learn from my mistakes and get better. Thanks for your understanding and please let me know what you think of the story. Thank you!

Story: Claire works as a stripper in a night club. Peter distance himself from his family and goes to see her. He inherits his father's fortune, but he's not happy. He's hunted from memories of the night he resorted his powers. Night, spent with Claire.

Few notes: It's AU Paire. Spoilers up to the "Brave New World", but without Claire's jump. Peter and Sylar are enemies. Claire is distant from her family, same as Peter. Isaac is alive. His girlfriend name is Kay (a fictional character, created by Valor95 - thanks for letting me use her); Zack is in New York and is Claire's and Isaac's roommate. Claire is working as a stripper in a night club. Peter can't forget the night he spent with her and goes to see her every night. How they reached to here - read and you're gonna find out. "winks"

Enjoy and review, please!

Loves, Arinna

Chapter 36 You, me and our family

Kay knocked on the door, but no one answered. She sighed and turned around, ready to leave. Then she heard a thud sound from the other side of the door, followed by painful moan. Kay turned around and knocked on the door again.

"Hello? Claire?" She rose up her voice. "Claire!"

"It's open." Kay heard Claire's voice and rushed into the apartment. "Kay…"

Claire was sitting on the floor with head, hung between her shoulders. Her hands rested on the nape of her neck. Kay ran to her and helped her to reach to the couch. Claire was shaking.

"Hey, are you ok?" Kay looked around. "Where is Peter?"

"He went out… for some food and… to see my boss." Claire breathed heavily. Her face was pale. "I just got thirsty. I wanted some water."

Kay rushed into the kitchen and came back with a glass of water. She handed it to Claire with a frown.

"Why I found you like this, Claire? What happened?"

"I felt dizzy." Claire handed her back the empty glass. "Thank you."

Kay took the glass and brought it back in the kitchen. Her face darkened when she came back. Claire still looked pale. However, she had stopped shaking. That was something. Kay took a deep breath and sat on the nearest chair.

"You're that weak?" Kay asked carefully. "Does Peter know about this?"

"Yeah." Claire sighed. "Yeah, he knows."

"And he won't do anything about it?"

"Kay!"

"I just want to know. Isaac and Zack are worried about you!"

"I'm fine." Claire released a small smile and leaned back on the couch. "I'm really fine, Kay. I couldn't be better now."

"Better?" Kay frowned. "Claire!"

"Kay!"

"Fine!" Kay sighed and put up her hands. "But I still think it's dangerous."

"I know." Claire lowered her voice. "Don't you think I know that? But I'm gonna do it. I have to!"

"I know." Kay frowned again. "It's a life, right?"

"My baby." Claire smiled again. "My baby, Peter's baby… our baby! I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have it. Now, when it's almost here… I couldn't be happier."

Kay didn't say a word. She just studied Claire's face. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the pure bliss in her eyes. Claire was really happy. That was something very important to her. Now she looked different. There was a new flame, burning in her eyes. Her face looked softer than before, not only paler. Yes, Claire looked tired and sick maybe, but she also looked happy. How that was possible was a pure mystery for Kay. She witnessed Claire's suffering just few minutes ago and now it looked like she didn't care. Claire was smiling. She looked… happier than before. More mature and… motherly.

"You are scaring me now." Kay murmured all of a sudden. "You know that?"

"Why?" Claire tilted her head to the side. "I'm just me right now. What's so scarier?"

"You do realize you can die, right?"

"Yes." Claire lowered her voice again. Her eyes and face remained calm. "I do realize that. But my child would live. That's everything I'm hoping for. I'm gonna leave someone after me. My child."

"But you also realize that could kill Peter?"

"I know." Claire bit her lip. "But he'd survive all this. He's stronger than you think. I know he's gonna be really bad at first, but he has to take care for our child. He's gonna be fine. I know that."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Peter's angry voice surprised the both of them. They hadn't heard him coming.

Now he was standing by the door, hands shoved in his pockets. His face was angry. His eyes were glowing. It took him less than a second to reach to Claire and pull her up. She swayed at first, but then looked straight at him. Kay coughed and looked away.

"I think I have to go now." She got off her place.

"Answer me!" Peter growled without even looking at her direction. "Claire!"

"You know I'm right!" Claire grabbed his hands and squeezed them lightly. "If something happens with me, you're gonna take care of the child. We both know this is the right thing."

"No!" Peter rose up his voice.

"I better go." Kay murmured and left the apartment. Peter and Claire didn't even notice that.

"Peter," Claire bit her lip. "You know this is what you have to do. Our child is gonna need you."

"I want you!" He clenched his jaw. "How many times I have to tell you this? Tell me, Claire! How many times I have to tell you how important to me you are!"

"Peter…"

"You are like the breathing to me! Don't you get it? Without you, there is no point of me being here." He released his hands from her grip and grabbed her shoulders. "I want you! You! I love you!"

Claire sighed and a tiny smile appeared on her lips. Her fingers slid over Peter's face in a gentle caress. Her eyes looked at him with love. She wasn't hiding anymore. It was that simple for her. It was like the breathing.

"I want our child to look like you." She put her index finger on his lips. "I want him or her, to be like you." Peter shook his head, but Claire didn't let him talk. "I know you are afraid, Peter. I know, but you have to be here for our child. You have to teach him or her to love the people. You have to teach it to be a great person. I know you can do that."

"Claire." He moaned in despair. "Don't do that, please. We still have time."

Her hands slid down on his arms. She smiled wide. Something in that smile made him wince. Claire wouldn't change her mind. It wasn't her attention to do that. She wanted that child. She already loved it. Her hand took his and put it over her still flat belly. Peter shuddered.

"I can't wait to feel it move in me already." Her other hand touched his face again. "I hope it'll be strong like its daddy."

"Claire, please…"

"Maybe I'll survive this." She leaned and her lips almost touched his. "Maybe I can hold my child in my arms. It's gonna be a beautiful child, don't you think? I really want to look like you. I want it to have your eyes. You have such beautiful eyes, Peter."

"Oh, damn!" Peter moaned and wrapped his arms around her. "I won't let you go, Claire! I won't! I promise!"

She snuggled in him and he felt her kiss over his chest. Her hands slid up and down on his back.

"I'm here, Peter." Claire whispered. "And we're gonna have a beautiful baby. It's gonna be the most beautiful creature in the whole wide world!"

"Yeah." His eyes closed when his lips touched the top of her head. "Yeah, you're right." He shook his head, trying to think for something else. "You can be calm now. I talked to your boss. Everything is good and you can stay home."

"You really talked to him?" Claire pulled back slightly just to look at him. "How did you convince him?"

"Just told him it'll be healthier for him to set you free." A light smirk appeared on his lips. "He couldn't say no to this."

"Peter." Claire laughed lightly.

"Yes, baby?" He planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"I love you so much!" She sighed under his kiss.

"I love you too." Peter rubbed his nose to hers. "Never doubt in that."