Pairing: Claire/Gabriel

Theme: Touch

Dimension: Alternate

Word Count: 1,290

Touch

The cold winter wind swept around the walls of the Clock Shop with little regard for the small brick building. Gabriel was still sitting at his worktable, carefully putting the last couple of cogs in place. He'd worked all night to finish this for Claire… Miss Petrelli. The pocket watch was a fascinating little gadget, one that the young man rarely got his hands on.

' She's a hot piece of ass. I'd love to just-'

'Do NOT finish that thought. You are going to leave her alone. I don't want you popping up to frighten her. You've scared away everyone else and I will not let you do it this time.'

'But that was what you wanted. You want to be alone. Besides, it's been some time since I've had any real fun, and you and I both know you can't really stop me.'

The dark voice was right. Every now and then Gabriel could not contain the vicious Other from taking over his body. Most times he would have just enough control to keep It from doing any damage to people. However, there had been a couple of times when he would awaken to find himself in a strange place with his hands covered in blood, a newly acquired ability swimming around in his head. He would not let It hurt Miss Petrelli. Then again, after today they would never again cross paths, so it didn't matter anyhow.

'She and I are connected, Gabriel. You can't keep her from me forever.'

'I will try. You do not have control of me.' His left hand flew up to smack his temple.

'Are you sure about that?'

"STOP!" The dark voice faded from his consciousness with a snake-like laugh. Gabriel shook with the effort it took to leash his demon. He removed his thick glasses and ran an agitated hand through his hair. The little pocket watch was finished, and he could hear the gentle, persistent ticking as it fell into time with the rest of the timekeepers in the room. The sounds of the hands moving in perfect tandem calmed him, helping him to grab hold of control.

It was nearing two o'clock, and he needed to have everything in order when she arrived. He wiped down the little watch until it shone in the dim light, glimmering as if it were new. The clocks suddenly chimed the time, and Gabriel felt his heart speed up. It was exactly two o'clock, she would be here any moment. Despite himself, the Watchmaker smoothed down his hair and reached for his glasses, composing himself for meeting her again. It was sad really, but there was just something about her…

The doorbell tinkled as the door was forced open by the harsh wind, pushing in a bundled up Petrelli and a swirl of snow all at once. She stumbled forward, her boot catching on the edge of the doormat, and it was a reflex for Gabriel to leap forwards to catch her. He fixed what was broken, but sometimes he also kept things from becoming broke.

"Ack! I'm so, so sorry!" She gasped as she attempted to right herself. He let go of her, forcing his hands to release her waist. She however, kept her grasp on his forearms, steadying herself while using him for support. Gabriel felt himself quickly forgetting how to breathe. This was why he did not do well with close contact. She smelled like raspberry and vanilla.

'She feels amazing. If it were me-'

'If it were you, she'd be dead. Or worse.'

"Are you alright?" He asked. She looked up at him from beneath her windswept bangs. She was so small compared to him. She straightened herself and finally let him go.

"Yes, I'm fine. Well, there goes my pride and my composure. I apologize."

"For what? Having a temporary upset of balance? That is hardly something to be sorry for." She smiled at him, and he did his best to force his own features into a smile. By the look on her face, it must not have gone over as well as he'd hoped.

"Did I hurt you? I'm SO sorry! My Uncle Pete is always saying how I'm a klutz."

"I'm not hurt at all. Please, come in and I will get your watch." She moved forwards, once again drawn to the big old clock in the corner. He smiled to himself as he moved to his worktable. That clock was his favorite.

"This is a beautiful grandfather clock, Mr… Uh…"

"Gabriel. Gabriel Gray. And thank you. That was my mother's clock. It has been in my family for generations. Here is your pocket watch, Miss Petrelli." She turned back to him and took the proffered item.

"Call me Claire. So, Gabriel… That's an interesting name." He was confused. Wasn't she suppose to leave now? She didn't seem very inclined to leave. Perhaps she was lonely? If that was the case then she wasn't alone at all.

"Um, yes. My mother said I was her angel. She felt that Gabriel was most appropriate."

"Are you and your mom close?"

"No. She died." He turned away from her, striding towards his worktable in an effort to put distance between them. Why wouldn't she just leave? He was so caught up in getting away that he knocked over a glass clock, sending shards everywhere. He cursed softly, bending down to pick them up. She joined him, despite his protest.

"I'm sorry… I don't know why I'm so curious. You just fascinate me and I-" She stopped abruptly, sucking in air through her teeth as she jerked her hand away from the floor. A small piece of glass was stuck in the flesh of her pointer finger. She picked it out quickly, wincing as a thick bubble of blood oozed from the deep cut. He grabbed up her hand before she could get it out of his reach, pulling out a handkerchief and pressing it to her finger.

'I wonder if she has an ability. I could find out. Don't you sense something off about her? Why is it that I have a need to study her more than the others? You have to find answers for us, Gabriel. I won't wait much longer. I want this one.'

"Thanks." She gingerly removed the cloth, and Gabriel was surprised to see no trace of a cut. She curled her fingers into a fist and stood abruptly. "I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble. How much do I owe you?" He stood as well.

"You have an ability." She snorted and walked towards the door.

"Wait!" His left hand stretched out, stopping her in her tracks. She struggled to move and he released her. "Don't worry, I have one of those too." She turned back to him.

"You aren't afraid of me?" He smirked and shook his head.

"No. Like I said, I have one too." He waved his hand at the shards of glass and the broken clock. Concentrating on each piece, he slowly but surely put everything back together again, focusing on creating a whole object. She gaped in amazement.

"You really are like me!" She said excitedly. He shrugged. It wasn't as exciting as all that, but it was nice to know that she wasn't as far away from him as he'd first thought.

"Don't worry about payment. It's nice to know there are more of us out there." She took his hand on impulse, and they both froze. The dark voice began to stir as her skin burned his.

"Thank you, Gabriel." He blushed and moved away before the Hunger took control.

"No problem. Have a good afternoon, Miss Petrelli." With that, he fled. Claire watched him beat a path into the darkness of his workshop. She thought about pursuing him and making him go out for coffee, but decided that he wasn't going anywhere. She would be back, even if it meant breaking every clock in her house.

And here is chapter two! Remember, not every chapter will be linked, though I will write at least one more for this series. Review and let me know what you think!