Peter stood in the living room doorway hands shoved in his jean pockets watching the sleeping blond on his couch. He still couldn't believe she was here. He had come back from a late breakfast with Nathan. Nathan wanted to check and make sure he was alright and also to tell him to lay low until after the election. Nathan was more concerned with the press and the election than his family right now.

He bit on his lip lightly as he backed into the kitchen. He still thought it was odd, he came off the elevator while fidgeting with his cell phone and tripped over her duffel bag strap jerking the bag slightly. That didn't even phase her. Picking her up and laying her on the couch received a soft moan that made Peter's heart shoot to his throat. Then when he removed her jacket and tucked a blanket around her, she stirred, but never woke, not even once. He knew she healed, but he wasn't sure what the healing process covered.

Already she had been asleep for almost four hours. He didn't want to wake her, she was obviously tired. He stood silent starring vacantly into the fridge. He had his mind on Claire and had forgotten why he had opened the door in the first place. Peter's stomach growled reminding him. He grabbed a Dr. Pepper and a banana, shutting the door gently. He tried his best to open the can without a sound, but failed. He peeked around the door frame. She was still asleep. He felt a little stupid, thinking that the light pop of the opening of a can could wake her. He stepped around the frame and made his way to his comfy chair beside the couch where Claire slept motionless and quietly.

He felt a sense of pride and honor she had come all the way to New York, to him. He leaned forward in the chair placing his elbows on his knees, his hands still holding his lunch. He stomach growled lowly, but he ignored. He was more concerned with Claire's well being. She looked much older than what he remembered. That was only two weeks ago though. How could a person grow up that fast? He supposed after everything she had been through sometimes growing up quickly was inevitable. He remembered his brother telling him to grow up and start being an adult. It didn't take. Peter had nothing to look forward to in life until this power he has came along. He could make a difference because he was different. Claire was like him. They were both different from the world, but one in the same. He smirked, as he sat the can on a nearby coaster on the coffee table. He slowly peeled the banana and began to eat it slowly, every other few seconds glancing over at the sleeping blond. He wasn't alone and neither was she.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Somehow the floor became softer to her. She was a lot warmer also. Claire's whole entire body was warm and comfortable. This couldn't be right. She finally opened her eyes. She froze. 'Oh God,' she thought, 'Where am I?'

Her eyes roamed around the room and landed on the desk where the only light was coming from. The small desk lamp gave light to the picture frame beside it of an older man and two younger men. She blinked her eyes a few times. Peter's apartment. She took a deep breath, smelling his cologne on the dark blue blanket. She sat up slowly running her hands over her hair. She swallowed dryly looking for a clock. Peter's cell phone lay on the coffee table, she picked it up. She opened it and read the time aloud, "Eleven- fourteen."

'Oh my God,' she snapped it shut as quietly as possible, 'I slept almost thirteen hours.' She laid it back down in its original place. She didn't want Peter to think she was plundering. She stood slowly and folded the blanket placing it neatly on the end of the couch. She felt herself sway a bit as she walked through the dimly lit room. She rubbed her eyes, telling herself to wake up. The small light that was illuminating from the kitchen caught her eye. She stepped in seeing Peter at the table asleep. He looked like a little kid, his head resting on his Indian styled arms and his face covered by his dark hair. She had an urge to brush it from his face, but she resisted. He looked comfy enough, she thought. He was wearing a pair of old jeans and a worn looking blue t-shirt. Claire's green eyes drifted around the kitchen, he was a clean guy. They landed on the medium sized pot on the stove. Had he cooked? She smirked, thinking of him cooking for her. Her stomach flipped lightly. She licked her lips as she turned back to his sleeping form and shyly shook his shoulder, "Peter…"

She doubted her small whisper would have awakened a dog. She cleared her throat slightly as she tried again, this time a tad bit louder than before, "Peter."

He jerked awake causing Claire to back up suddenly her eyes wide matching Peter's. He pushed his hair out of his face as he gave a sigh of relief, "God Claire….you're awake…"

Claire gave an odd smile that was considerably small, "I'm sorry….I guess I was more tired than I thought."

Peter nodded quietly until he finally became aware he was starring at her. He stood quickly, "Um… are you hungry? I, uh, I made some Alfredo….it's cold…I can heat it up though….only if you want, no pressure."

Claire felt herself ease. He seemed nervous. She didn't feel so out of place considering she was beyond nervous and was leaning into the edge of petrified. She wasn't sure how she had gotten in here. If he had carried her in then he was definitely a romantic gentleman. 'Wait,' she stopped herself, 'Romantic gentleman?'

"That'd be great. I'm starving actually."

His face brightened as he reached for a plate still gazing at her. He still couldn't believe Claire Bennett was in his kitchen, in New York, "We can fix that."

Claire sat down slowly in the chair that Peter had once been occupying in order to watch him. The chair was still warm. There was no telling how long he had been stationing himself at the table. She took note he was fixing just one plate, "Aren't you going to eat?"

Peter shook his head lightly, "I ate a few hours ago…"

Claire didn't respond to that statement, but began a new subject, "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to sleep that long. I just…I was so tired, you know…"

Peter grabbed the semi-hot plate from the microwave and sat it down on the table in front of her, "Don't apologize. It's fine."

He handed her a fork from the dishwasher and then opened the fridge wide enough so that she could see inside, "What would you like to drink…with exceptions of the beer, of course."

Claire smirked, "Shucks…that's what I was counting on."

Peter met her smirk with a soft smile. She was trying to make light of the situation she was in that he had yet to find out. The awkwardness of her sudden visit or permanent trip if you considered her packing. Claire spoke with a smile this time, "Water is fine, Peter."

He nodded trying to ignore his heart jumping into his throat at the sound of her voice saying his name. Nothing like he had ever heard before. She said 'Peter' differently than everyone else. He sat the water down in front of her, she was already shoving huge bits one after the other. As fast as she could chew. He watched her quietly and finally her eyes met his. She must look like a pig now. She was eating like an animal, no manners, but she was starving. She took the napkin that he was handing her and wiped off her mouth shaking her head, "I'm ….I'm sorry. I'm just so hungry. I haven't eaten in a while."

"I have a kitchen full of food Claire," Peter said crossing his arms. She nodded and continued to eat, slower this time, her actions were now less desperate. Peter stifled a yawn and then blinked a few times. He, himself, was tired now. His bed down the hall was calling his name yet he didn't want to leave Claire alone. He hadn't even heard her story yet. He knew nothing. If truth be known he knew nothing about Claire. She knew nothing about him, right? He began to wonder how much the Haitian had told her. His eyes dropped down to his arm that had come into contact with Claire's skin. Her hand gently on top of his forearm, "Peter?"

He looked up at her worried green eyes, "Are you okay?"

He nodded as she pulled away, he frowned deeper at the loss of her warm touch, "Yeah...little worn out though. Some of us didn't have the luxury of a thirteen hour nap."

Claire smiled shyly as she began pushing her food on her plate around. He was joking, she knew. She nodded, "You're just a wimp."

He laughed. A genuine laugh. The first true laugh he had given in the past two weeks, "A wimpy hero…imagine that, huh?"

Claire continued to smile and then looked down away from his stare that seemed to burn intense feelings into her, "You can go lay down Peter. Don't let me being here stop you."

He nodded as he finally stood. Maybe that was her way of a hint. He could understand her wanting her time alone. It was almost twelve thirty in the morning anyway. Simone was showing up at nine… He stopped halfway down the hall. Simone was coming. Nathan would come eventually. Maybe even his mom. Great, now everyone would think he was a pervert. He turned slightly at Claire who was clearing her plate from the table. He sighed as he turned back toward his bedroom mumbling, "Wimpy hero…"

He smiled.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Comments are LOVED!!! Thanks for reading ya'll!!