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CHAPTER 3

She wasn't sure if the 'make yourself at home' rules applied to Peter's apartment or not. So, she was going to wait in order to take a shower. She did change clothes though. An old pair of grey sweatpants and a men's blue t-shirt, hers of course, not Peter's. Her hair was put in a messy ponytail at the moment, she wanted to wash it more than anything, knowing how awful it must have After she had finished eating another plate of Alfredo, which finished off what was left in the pot on the stove, she washed her dishes and then even washed the ones that were left idle in the sink. Then here, on the couch, was where she found herself after changing clothes. She wasn't sure where the remote for the television was, so she was left there in silence. She huffed as she pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them resting her forehead gently on her knees. She turned her face slightly toward the desk and starred at the picture. Peter and his brother favored somewhat. They were both good looking men though, she had to give the Petrolia's that.

She starred at the picture for a moment and then closed her eyes as her brother crossed her mind. No, her adoptive brother. She had to keep reminding herself it wasn't her family. Reminding herself to keep her emotional connections limited. As far as she knew, no one remembered her. At one specific point, she wanted to tell Zach, but she didn't want to bring him back into this mess again. That was all this was, a mess. She wished she had never discovered her 'powers'. She could have gone on being normal. Her mind was whirling now, what to do next? What was the next move? According to the movies, always be a step ahead. So far, she was a few years behind. Puerto Rico was a wonderful place to disappear. She gave a sad smile at the thought. She swallowed hard as she leaned her head back on the couch. Her arms still wrapped around her legs protectively and her eyes closed.

"Claire?"

She jerked as she gave her startled gasp, her eyes wide with shock. Realizing it was just Peter made her feel stupid. She let her feet fall back to the floor in the mist of trying to slow her heartbeat. Peter felt bad now, "Sorry…I didn't mean to scare you…"

She shook her head as she leaned forward giving a long drawn out breath. Peter, cautiously, went to the couch and took a seat beside her, slowly. She rubbed her eyes not wanting them to connect with Peter's, "What time is it?"

"Around five thirty," Peter said starring down at his socks. He gave a smile smirk as he looked back at her, "I kinda felt bad for leaving you out here alone."

She returned his smirk and shook her head, "It's fine. You had to sleep too. "

The silence seemed deafening to Claire. It was the awkward kind where neither of them knew just the right thing to say. Peter, desperately, wanted to ask her what had happened. He knew, though, that the Haitian had sent her. The Haitian and the rest of the group had been in contact for a while now. He said he would send someone that could help them. Claire was obviously the one. He could feel it. He glanced down at the book that was the only thing separating them, it seemed lonely and untouched. He picked it up and rubbed his thumbs over the raised title, 'No Place Like Home.'

She watched him momentarily as he seemed entranced by the book. He flipped thru the pages she had already read the smell of the paper flooding his nose reminding him of all the nights he had stayed up to study. Come to think of it, it wasn't that long ago he had graduated from college, "Good book?"

Of course he would change the subject. That would get his mind of his impending problem which was Claire. She knew that was his thoughts. His thoughts certainly were being displayed through his distant actions. Claire gave a soft smile and a small nod, "Yeah. She's trying to make a place for herself in the world…story of my life."

Peter was now looking at her with dark compassionate eyes. His grip on the medium sized paper back book tightened suddenly. She noticed. He leaned back into the couch, book still in his hands, "The Haitian sent you."

It wasn't a question in Claire's opinion and honestly, wasn't much of a statement. She nodded keeping her eyes pointed at the small stack of magazines on the coffee table. All were science journals on DNA traits and cell research, "He told me that I was 'greatly needed in New York.'"

She sighed sadly, "And I came here…everything…all my life has just been one huge act you know? My dad erased all my friends memories…my mom's…my brother's….probably even erased the stupid dogs too." She tried a little laugh, but a sob came out instead. She wiped away at the tears as they fell. Peter sat the book beside him as he reached for her hand.

"I tried to call to make sure my brother was okay about me leaving…and he didn't even remember me," she sucked in a breath as his grip squeezed her delicate hand, "I'm forgettable…"

She closed her green eyes as she felt Peter pulling her towards him. Claire's face wrinkled in sadness as her salty pained tears fell rapidly. He wrapped his arms around her shaking frame as she cried heavily into his shirt. He stared straight ahead at the black TV screen as he sat still holding her in his arms. Peter mumbled against her blonde hair, "I didn't forget."

XOXOXO

Nathan glanced at his silver faced watch once again. That made five times in the past thirty minutes. Time wasn't slowing down, he noted, just speeding up. He planned on checking in on his little brother before heading for another long day at the 'office'. He realized soon after Peter left their breakfast meeting yesterday that he may have been a bit too harsh on him. Peter couldn't help who or what he was, but he could try to conceal it more. That was Nathan's point. He just needed to know that point was clear and that Peter wasn't too upset. Nathan shrugged his thoughts off, if Peter was though, he'd recover shortly. Nathan stepped onto the elevator and pushed the correct button stepping back with ease as he crossed his hands in front of him. He starred at his rough reflection from the unpolished metal doors. He wore his regular as usual. A black suit, light blue t-shirt and a striped red, black, blue, and white tie. He cleared his throat just as the doors shrugged open. Nathan shook his head as he stepped out. Peter needed to move to a nicer building.

Nathan stopped at his brother's door and knocked briskly. A memory of seeing Simone in Peter's shirt flooded his mind. He hoped this visit wouldn't bring the same kind of 'show'. He could hear the sound of Peter unlocking the dead-bolt and the linked chain. Peter opened the door just about a foot or so, "Morning."

Nathan looked at him oddly, "Good Morning."

Peter was quiet for a moment, "I'm fine Nathan. You didn't have to come here."

Nathan shoved his hands in his pockets his eyes looking past him for any other signs of life. Some reason to why his brother wasn't letting him in. Peter had always acted strange, even as a child. He was the 'dreamer' of course. All games and nothing serious. Nathan, at times, felt like he was more like Peter's dad than a brother, "Look, I just wanted to make sure that we understood each other and..."

The ding of the elevator made Peter peek his head out of the door, his eyes connected with a tall slender woman's. Peter groaned inwardly. Nathan turned slightly, "Simone…what a pleasant surprise."

'Pleasant my ass,' Peter thought. Simone gave an uptight yet graceful smile, "Nathan. Peter, how are you?"

Peter nodded, "Fine."

Now what? Was anyone else going to 'drop by'? This was all he needed. Nathan looked back at his brother with curious eyes and a devious smirk wondering who he was hiding in the apartment. He knew his brother, "Are you going to keep us waiting or let us in?"

There was Nathan's attitude cropping out into the open. Simone's face fell slightly upon spotting a light pink purse on the kitchen counter. Simone stepped closer, "Are you sure okay?"

Peter sighed finally in frustration, "I'm fine. Really."

Nathan nodded not believing it. Simone was already suspicious unless Peter had developed a new hobby. She doubted that was the case. Nathan pushed the door open stepping in. Peter grumbled as he stepped back letting Simone enter as well. He shut the door, "Come on in…"

Nathan's eyes searched the room and soon fell on to the blue backpack that had butterfly patches sewn on. He inhaled, "This yours?"

He said picking it up by one strap. Peter swallowed. This was the part he feared. People finding out that he was harboring a seventeen year old runaway. Simone crossed her arms, she seemed hurt. Peter thought differently. Claire appeared behind Nathan freshly out of the shower and dressed with clean clothes, "It's mine."

Nathan swung around to the young girl, his eyes larger than usual. Simone and Nathan turned toward Peter for an explanation. Peter kept his eyes straight on Claire's. He gave a small smile, "This is Claire."

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After an hour of Claire and Peter both explaining themselves, Simone was still confused. Claire cut her eyes toward her as she snaked a hand up his arm and rubbed his neck soothingly as a witch could. Claire was blonde and seventeen and was obviously smarter than the tall paper thin woman.

"Peter, this is insane," Simone said lowly. Then as if on cue, her eyes glazed over with tears, "I just don't want you to be taken away from me again."

Claire leaned back in her chair at the kitchen table and crossed her arms dolefully. Nathan had a look of concentration on his face. He had already missed two meetings and was about to miss another one, "Your…dad…he's behind this. All of it."

Peter ignored Simone hanging on him, "The group thinks that he's one of the so called 'pawns'. The Haitian told us different. But he's still high up in the line."

Nathan shook his head, "I just can't believe Linderman is in on this. He's an ass but not…not an end of the world type

Simone's mouth dropped slightly, "You believe him?"

"You gave him the picture of the painting," Nathan said loudly, "And now you're questioning me?"

Claire's concerned eyes drifted to Nathan who was seemingly upset. She felt out of place. These three people had more of a connection to Peter than she ever would have. She weighed her options of some sort of an escape, just a little white lie, or an excuse to leave the room. She tried to ignore the yelling between three that had just instated then. Various loud incoherent ramblings and words hurtled back and forth between them. Claire certainly felt out of place now. She was the only one that was calm and quiet. She wasn't sure what emotion to show. She starred down at the edge of the table, wishing it all would stop. Somehow, she'd wake up from a nap she had been taking on the couch at home and this would have all been a dream. Peter caught sight of her face falling slowly, "Stop."

Simone and Nathan continued. Peter suddenly slammed his fist on the table. Simone and Claire gave a small jump. Nathan snapped his head at Peter. "I said stop."

Simone backed off Peter, standing up and placing her hand on her black bulky purse, "I'll call you later Peter."

Claire had move her eyes to another point of view as Simone gave a long drawn out kiss on Peter's cheek. Nathan shifted his eyes to Claire noticing her flinch. He inhaled briefly standing up just as Simone closed the apartment door. Again, there was the awkward silence Claire wasn't used to. Nathan shoved his hands in his pockets as he paced a small five foot area while he was thinking. Peter placed his head in his hands and mumbled something Claire couldn't quite make out. Nathan stopped, "Whatever you need Pete…I'm here."

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