Pairing: Claire/Gabriel

Theme: Brain Surgeon

Dimension: Alternate

Word Count: 1,434

Brain Surgeon

Claire Bennet sat in the emergency waiting room at the hospital in Costa Verde, holding her sobbing brother as she attempted to keep her composure. Peter sat beside her, rubbing her back as he spoke with Noah on the phone. Sandra Bennet had collapsed while at the supermarket, and the doctors had concluded that it was due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Claire had not cried; her mind was in shock at the near loss of her mother. Thankfully, Peter had made a call to Angela who had pulled some strings in New York. A prominent neurosurgeon was on the red eye flight and would be arriving within hours.

"Peter…Why won't my blood work? Surely it could work." Peter said a quick goodbye to Noah and turned to his niece.

"Remember when you used your blood to help Sandra the last time she blacked out?" The girl nodded.

"So?"

"I learned from Suresh that once our blood saves a person, we can't ever use it to save them again. Their bodies somehow become immune to the blood's effect. We'll just have to trust this doctor Ma is sending out. She says he's the best the Company has to offer." Lyle's crying had stifled down to a few sniffles every few minutes. He lifted his head from Claire's shoulder and Peter gave him a reassuring pat on the back.

"Peter, could you take Lyle home? He needs to get some rest. I'll stay here with my mom."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, you-"

"I'll be just fine. Lyle needs to rest at home, and since tomorrow is Saturday, you can bring him back here in the morning. This just isn't a good place for him to be right now." Lyle tried to protest, but Claire stopped his words with a 'shush' and a dark look at Peter. Her uncle stood with a sigh and waited for Lyle to find his feet. They shuffled out together, leaving Claire alone with her thoughts.

Sandra was lying in a cold room, monitors of all shapes and sizes hovering around her in a feeble attempt to keep her brain from shutting down. Claire knew that if the doctor didn't get here soon, her mother wouldn't see Sunday. As it was, there was a good chance she would never wake up from the trauma.

The doctors had said it was an unexplainable event; the hemorrhage had just 'appeared'. This wasn't true. The Haitian had done this with his power. Her father had done this with his fear. Claire had done this with her secrets. She stood and walked the short distance to her mother's room. A sympathetic nurse brought her a pillow and a blanket, and Claire curled up in an uncomfortable chair. She sat century over her mother until the wee hours of the morning, and then sleep finally claimed her.

"Claire? Claire… sweetheart, wake up now." Noah Bennet stood over his adopted daughter, shaking her shoulder gently. Claire came awake with a start, snorting and rubbing her eyes.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, Claire-Bear. I'm here now." Angry words threatened to spill at his proclamation, but there was someone else in the room. He wore dark blue scrubs and a doctor's white overcoat. He was a large man, with dark hair and thick eyebrows. He wore a pair of thick glasses, and as he checked her mother's vitals, Claire realized that this man was the surgeon Angela must have sent. He glanced in her direction with a slight smile, but returned his attention to Sandra.

"Claire, this is Doctor Gray. He's going to help your mother." Claire stood slowly, studying the man before her. He straightened and wrote a few things down on a chart in his hands, and then met Claire's scrutinized gaze.

"Miss Bennet, my name is Gabriel. I'm going to do everything in my power to help your mother."

"I doubt there's anything you can do, Doctor."

"Claire!"

"It's fine, Mr. Bennet. Actually, I think I might be able to fix the damage done by the hemorrhage. You'll just have to trust me." The way he said it sent shivers up Claire's spine. A knock on the door broke her out of the subtle trance this man had put her in. Peter and Lyle stood at the door, and when Peter saw Doctor Gray, his face split into a grin.

"Gabriel! What a surprise seeing you! I knew Ma was sending someone good, but when she said the best, she sure meant it." Gabriel shook Peter's hand, shaking his head at the praise. Noah cleared his throat.

"Lyle and I are going to get some breakfast. Ya'll want anything?" after taking orders for drinks, the Bennet men left. When they were gone, Claire turned back to the Doctor.

"You're so sure you can help my mom. Why?"

"He has an ability, Claire."

"Yes, that's right. My ability is called Intuitive Aptitude. I can see and understand the inner workings of things and people, and if it is broken or damaged, I can find out how to fix it." Claire was skeptical, but Doctor Gray simply smiled and walked over to Sandra. He put a hand on her forehead and closed his eyes. Peter nudged Claire gently.

"He really is a good surgeon. He finds little things that could become potential problems and fixes those, too." Claire turned her gaze back to the man and watched as he suddenly snapped his eyes open. They landed on her and she felt as if he was searching for her flaws.

"I've found the problem. Peter, call in the nurse and I'll get her into surgery. This shouldn't take more than a few hours." Peter nodded and left. The doctor approached Claire cautiously, with an open smile.

"I know you're worried about your mom, but I promise I'll save her." He put a hand on her arm, and a distinct warmth spread throughout her body. "Rapid Cellular Regeneration. A fascinating power you've got there, miss Bennet. No wonder you seemed so… special." His eyes were captivating; dark chocolate shadows with wicked secrets. Claire bit her lip and those eyes, sharp as daggers, darted to her mouth.

"Doctor Gray…"

"Call me Gabriel."

"G-Gabriel… I, uh…" He stepped back, letting her go. Her body mourned the loss of his touch, especially the warm and tingly feeling she felt when his fingers brushed her skin. She shook her head. What was wrong with her? She'd never felt attraction for a stranger like this, and she felt silly for even entertaining such thoughts. She was saved from further embarrassment when several nurses came in and Doctor… Gabriel began giving orders like a general to troops. Soon, Sandra was being wheeled into surgery. Peter, Noah and Lyle came back in at that moment, and Noah pulled the doctor aside.

"Peter, how well do you know Doctor Gray?" Claire took the proffered can of pop as her Uncle settled himself into the chair next to her. He studied Gabriel before shrugging.

"Pretty well. I've worked with him at the hospital, and he's worked for Ma a few times. Why?"

"He's kinda strange. Nice, but strange."

"Don't worry about him, Claire. He's a good guy." She said no more and settled down to wait.

A few hours later, Doctor Gray came into the room, decked out in surgical scrubs. He pulled his mask down and smiled.

"Her surgery was a success. She'll be ready to return to her room here in about an hour." He spoke with Noah a few more moments before leaving. Noah signed deeply and sat down for the first time since his wife left for her operation. Claire got up, claiming she needed some air and followed after the doctor. However, by the time she got out to the hallway, he was gone. She looked around, confused, but after a few moments gave up with a sigh.

Gabriel watched her as he stood invisible in the hall. The darkness of his subconscious was creeping up his spine, begging him to take her and hide her away. She called out to him like no one else, and already her ability was working into his system. He felt younger, stronger… invincible. He marveled that one touch gave him both immortality and a sense of purpose. He was a good guy now, but for how long? Maybe Miss Bennet would know. He turned and walked away, deciding then and there to have Angela transfer him here to Costa Verde. He didn't know Claire Bennet very well, but he promised himself that in time, he would.

Hmmm, not sure about this one. What does everyone think?