Author's note: I like to give credit to Joise, who pointed out that it was possible Gabriel was physically abused because I'll probably be using more of that in my story. I also like to give credit to my two new betas, both did a wonderful job of editing, and offering good advice.

Disclaimer: Heroes belongs to Tim Kring. No copyright infringement intended just for entertain purposes only.

Be My Escape

By Estelle Stafford

Betas: and Eris Dea Disaccordo

Chapter Two: Normal or Special Encounters

The rest of the day went by as it usually did, with his mother on the couch watching the evening news while he read some book on some subject matter that passed his mother's approval. She'd been bringing him more and more law books recently, and though he read them all obediently, he wasn't really interested in the material he was reading. Because really, laws are written to tell you how things are––there isn't anything to figure out. He'd rather read mathematical books.

Speaking of books he'd rather read... He looked over to the kitchen where the trash can was. Though he couldn't see it, he knew it was there––that book about special people. It was calling out for him. He wants to––no, he needs to learn more. Returning his gaze to the book in his hands, he sighed, realizing he'd absent-mindedly read the same page twice now.

"Are you finding anything interesting?" his mother asks.

He searched for a moment, knowing that if he doesn't have something to say, his mother will be become angry. "Yes, I find the part about credit law interesting. Do you know the statue of limitations for collecting some debts is only about five years?"

"Dear, are you lying to me?" she asks calmly, but he was already tensing instinctively, feeling the temperature in the air surrounding his body change at her words.

"No," he replied, trying to placate her, but she stands and snatches the book from his hands. Then she slaps him.

"Don't you ever dare lie to me!" she snarls, and then slaps him again, "Ever!"

He doesn't say anything until he is sure she is done. "I'm sorry, Mother." He'd been trying to read criminal law, but had no clue what he read. He only knows the thing about credit law because it had to do with some kind of math problem. She'd caught his lie and now he is afraid once more.

Virginia hates it when her son looks afraid, because he is her special child and he isn't supposed to be afraid of her. It isn't her fault, though. If Gabriel just did what he was supposed to do, she would never get like this.

"My precious boy," she murmured, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. There is something about it that makes him feel ill. "You know it is not a good thing to lie to your mother, don't you? It makes me angry and you shouldn't make me mad, dear. Special boys don't upset their mothers."

Suddenly, he understands why he feels sick––it's guilt. He screwed up again.

"Yes mother, I'm sorry that I lied to you. I have no excuse for my actions." He looks down shamefully.

"All is forgiven," she replied with a small, satisfied smile. "Go back to your book." She returns to her chair, listening to the TV.

A firm feminine voice from the T.V. came on, "Nathan Petrelli has officially announced that he is running for Senate. Mr. Petrelli is a prestigious lawyer–" Gabriel almost cringed when he heard the word 'lawyer' from the newscaster, just when he thought he could breath.

"See dear, law school. That is how you become as successful as him," she said, smiling at him. "You can do it; you're more special than he is."

"Yes, of course, Mother." He glances at the clock, and notes it is running perfectly. He also sees what time it is. "Mother, the doctor says you need your rest. You should go to bed." The truth is, he just wants to breathe because when she is in there he feels suffocated by the guilt, but he is also trying to be the perfect son by being concerned with her health.

"Oh, thank you, my special boy." She turns off the TV and pats him lightly on the face, before retreating to her room.

Gabriel watched as her door closed, then walked silently to the kitchen and retrieved the book from the trash. He takes the cover off the law book than switches it with the other book. Then he tosses the law book into the trash, and minutes later, he finds himself reading something he actually enjoys.

Sandra is a bit surprised by what her daughter just told her, and has currently stopped washing the dish in her hand. "So, you're actually going to work to get your father a present." It is overwhelming to think of how proud and sad she is that her daughter is growing up so fast.

"It really isn't that big of deal is it?" Claire takes the dish from her mother before she wears it down completely––because that is the fifth time Sandra has run the rag against it––and wipes it dry. "A lot of teens work these days, Mom. I'm only giving up a couple hours of my weekend for a little while. I mean, I like my Saturday's, but I still get to go over to Melody's this week. Besides, this is the perfect gift for dad, isn't it? And since you're going to help pay for it, I should do my part too."

"I know you don't think it isn't a big deal, but Claire–" Sandra stops in mid-sentence and hugs her daughter. "Oh, honey, I'm so proud of you."

"Oh Mom, please don't start that." Even though nobody is around, she still feels embarrassed about the attention, but in a good way. "It really isn't a big deal."

"I'm just having a mother moment," Sandra said as she pulled the drain out of the sink with her free hand. Her voice becomes contemplative. "I am allowed one of those once in a blue moon, aren't I?"

"I suppose," Claire sighed with a smile. She would never tell her mother out loud, but she preferred Sandra happy with her rather than disappointed, though with her being a cheerleader, the need to please her peers would probably make sure it wouldn't happen often.

"Oh, okay." She lets go of her hold on Claire. "It's over, anyway. I'll tell your father there are cheerleader practices on Saturday mornings."

"Okay," she agreed, putting away the dishes that have now been dried.

Sandra raised a brow, "You do realize I'll being lying to your father."

Claire grinned. "It is for a good cause." Her mother just shook her head.

Angela stands up and raises her glass, "As a mother I could never be prouder of my two sons, my dear Peter has devoted his life tending to the care of others–" Peter just stands there, knowing his mom was merely putting on a show, and that everyone knew who she was really proud of, "–and Nathan is going to run for Senate." Applause sounded throughout the crowd. On any other day it might have bothered him, but something of far more importance was on his mind––a dream.

He was standing on the edge of a building, and for a moment he felt a sense of fear, but then he just felt a strong desire to let go, to prove something; of what, he isn't sure. He steps off the edge and falls. Normally, that it is when he jolts awake trying to figure out why he would dream about himself committing suicide, but a few mornings ago, Charles, the man he cared for until he died, told him to finish the dream and for once he does. This time, he thinks he is going to hit the ground, he realizes that he can fly and does it.

He flies.

"Peter, you seem to be in a pleasant mood." He gazes down and gives Heidi a smile and a half hug.

"You look good," he says with sincerity. She was no longer as pale, as she was once when she was lying in the hospital bed. There doesn't seem to be much sadness in her eyes as before, though it was still there.

"Thank you," she replies with a polite smile. "So do you. Are you going to tell why you're so happy?"

He pulls himself up. "I just been having a good night sleep," he says with a shrug.

"Oh, good dreams?" She was rather curious as she gazed up at him.

"Really good dreams."

"So, is it Simone?" There was a mischievous twist to her formerly polite grin.

"Simone?" He is a bit surprised that she even knows about his interest in Simone. Nathan, his own brother, didn't even know, but then again the guy never paid much attention to any one else's life unless it had direct influence on his.

"The girl you are dreaming about," she clarified, that teasing smile still on her face.

"I wasn't dreaming about a girl, it was just a nice dream you know. I was flying." As his mind wanders back to the memory, his eyes seemed to reveal his distance from reality.

"You were flying," Heidi echoed. "Yeah that does sound nice," she says in a slightly melancholic tone, and Peter is immediately brought back to reality with regrets. The woman can't even walk and he has to bring up flying––it was insensitive of him.

"I didn't mean to..." She grabs his hand reassuringly.

"It's okay, I just was agreeing with you," she says in a tone laced in sorrow, because it is the bittersweet truth. She gazes over at Nathan, "I better go on over there and be the supporting wife that I am." Peter just watches her leave.

Angela disappears into the crowd after finishing her speech and giving her wonderful son, Nathan, a hug. Then, as she places a kiss on her husband's lips in a way of greeting, she notes Daniel standing near by, along some other important figures.

"Darling," her husband greets. "That was a rather lovely speech. I don't see what was necessary of mentioning Peter though."

"Nonsense," she adjusted his tie a bit. "There is no shame in showing a little pride in both our boys, just because Nathan is running for senate does not mean Peter's job is less important." She didn't really believe in what she just said. It was true that she loved both her sons dearly, but though she never expresses it openly, her disappointment in Peter was obvious.

He was not like his father at all. He was too kind and noble by nature, attributes most mothers desire in their children. However, she knew that Peter could not and would not do the things that were necessary to 'heal the world', as Daniel had phrased it. His extraordinary abilities would not be enough to account for this weakness, one which Nathan never had. He was much like his father––whatever the circumstance, he would not be move once his mind was made up. Peter however was easily influenced and persuaded, she had done it to him all his life with very little guilt. She admitted sometimes she was grateful for his gullibility, because it made it easy for her to make him useful.

"You know," Daniel said as he raised his glass, "I believe there is no shame in living an ordinary life, your son Peter will help many people in such a simple job. In his own way he will help heal the world."

"Daniel," she smiles politely, knowing he was just playing the devil's advocate, testing her; she said, "how are you this evening?"

"I'm having a wonderful time. I do find it ironic that Peter is the one in the medical field, yet you don't believe he is the one who has the ability to take care of our infection. Charles believed in your son strongly."

"He is a nurse," Arthur said still in disbelief. "It will take someone who can handle real pressure under dire circumstances, not someone who will hold your hand while you're dying. While Peter's cause is noble, it is Nathan who rises under pressure, and will be able to heal this inflicted world."

Daniel nodded. "Of course, I just wanted to be absolutely certain that you are sure you're making the right choice, Angela. To heal infection you must go inside it, and you must send the right medicine. I just want to be sure that you have no doubts about your decision." He twirled the glass around. "That Nathan will be the pill that heals this world from its vile disease, a true hero."

"I agree, and I believe I found the source that will allow us to go inside." Both Arthur and Daniel were intrigued.

Angela took a polite sip of her glass, and recalled one of her visions from long ago. It had seemed to have little relevance back then, but she knew eventually it would be revealed to her. A man in a watch shop with a strong wave of desire to be 'special' and an ability she believes that will assist them.

"A man who has little importance in this world will be our pill," she said, her eyes distant and reflective. "A mere watchmaker's son."

Claire found herself in amidst of discussion she really did not want to be involved in. "I'm telling you, she's a whore." Jackie stated firmly.

"And how do you know?" Claire wondered. She didn't understand how Jackie came to these conclusions and why the hell she had to say them out loud.

"The entire football team has told me." She declared rather proudly. Claire wasn't surprised––Jackie could get a priest to confess to murder, if she wanted to.

"Really?" Melody gasps before she covers her mouth in complete disbelief. It was a rather scandalous thing in any school to sleep with more than two people, but the whole a team of boys was rather shocking. "You can't be serious! It can't be true!"

"It is," Jackie insists.

Claire didn't really like where this conversation is going, especially since the topic of their discussion, Lauren, is in her eye-sight. "Guys do you really think we should be talking about her, right now?" She tilts her head in the direction of the brunette, both girls turn their heads, and Jackie puts her hands on her hips looking as if she were the ultimate judge and jury, in this school, she was.

"Why? Everyone knows she is a whore!" she declares out loud earning several gazes, just like she wanted. Claire feels a bit sick, as her stomach reacts to the guilt and horror she feels. The poor girl is just trying to get to her class, but now everyone was staring right at her. She felt a strong urge do something, anything, but with Jackie around there isn't much she can do.

"Shut up." Claire sees that a knight in black has come to the rescue of this damsel in distress––Zach. She used to be really close to him, they hung out all the time until she joined the cheerleading squad, then everything changed. That was when she realized what a powerful force Jackie is, because she forced Claire to choose between her friend and the squad, and choose Claire did. Sometimes, she has regrets––actually, she has them almost all the time.

"What do you want, freak?" Jackie got right up in his face and shoved him.

"Don't touch me," he snapped. "You might infect me."

"Oh please, the one with the disease is you!" She points at him. "You probably got them from her." She looks over at Lori.

"Please," she begs, "I just want to get to class."

"Fine," Jackie steps aside for a moment letting the other girl head to class, but before she has completely passed her the blond lets out her foot, causing the girl to tumble. Lori tried to grab onto Melody, who was freaked out and squealed.

Claire just remains silent as she watches Zach help Lauren up and escort her to class. When he looks back, she exchanges a brief a glance with him. She knows he hates her, and she really can't blame him, but she did what she had to get by in this hell known as high school. It was kind of lonely, because she did miss Zach.

"Don't pay attention to the bitch squad," he says loudly to Lori before vanishing down the hall completely.

"Whatever," Jackie puts a hand up in the air. "Who the hell does he think he is? Hmm, we need to put that freak in his place."

"Yeah," Melody agreed. "But how are we going to do it?"

"Um yeah," Claire added half-heartedly, but not really likely where this subject was going, she decided to alter its course. "I was wondering if I can still come over this weekend to your house." She looks directly at Melody, but before the girl can speak Jackie pipes up.

"No can do, we are all going to the beach this weekend."

"Yeah," Melody added excitedly, "my parents have a house near the ocean,"

"It isn't ocean front property," Jackie commented, "but it will be better than hanging around this place this weekend."

"Oh, that sounds fun," Claire replied, half disappointed, half happy. She had been looking forward to spend time alone with Melody, who was actually a nice person when she wasn't around Jackie. Then on the other hand, she hadn't been to the beach in awhile, and not even the school queen-bee can ruin that for her. "When are you going?"

"We're leaving Saturday, first thing in the morning," Melody seemed really pleased, probably that Jackie was acknowledging that her place was worth going to, even though she insulted her at the same time.

"Like how early?"

"Six. It's a long drive."

"Can't you wait a couple of hours?" Claire wondered, realizing that the watch shop didn't open until eight.

"What, not enough time to fix your face, just get up early?" Jackie sneered.

"No, I just got a job."

"Oh, that is okay," Melody replies, "I could..."

"We are not cutting back our time in the sun for you," the queen of the school interrupts. "If you need to work, then don't come." Claire knew Jackie thought getting a job was a useless thing, because you ought to manipulate your parents to give what you want, but Claire just didn't have that kind of power over them.

"It is just that I already promised and..."

Jackie holds her hand up in her face to silence her. "Fine, if you think money is more important than our friendship, go on ahead." She flips her hair and walks away. Melody shrugs her shoulders as she follows obediently.

Claire screams as the girls disappear and lucky for her the bell is shrilling for the end of lunch. She heads back to class. She has no clue that she is being watched.

As Gabriel closes shop, he finds that he is very relieved and excited to see Dr. Suresh has returned. Excitement, does he ever remember feeling that? "I'm sorry," he replies, "I had a prior engagement to tend to, otherwise I had would have been here sooner."

"That is okay, I would have been back here tomorrow just like everyday." Gabriel replies with self-hatred hidden within those words.

"I see, well," he gripped his briefcase. "I was wondering, did you read my book?"

"Most of it," he replies. "Should we go inside?"

"Of course. What did you think of it?"

"I found it interesting," he admits unlocking the door, "Do you think I am one these people?" he asks rather eagerly. "I'll confess that though it seems hard to believe, I want it to be true."

"I believe it is," Dr. Suresh says opening up his briefcase, "I have several questions I need to ask you, then I'll have to run some tests, I hope you don't mind me stopping by for the next few days."

"That will be fine."

"Well, let's get started then." He pulls out a laptop. "I'll start with the obvious, have you noticed anything different about yourself."

Gabriel felt a bit frustrated, he didn't know he was already supposed know, then again he should, it would make sense. "No," he said.

"I wouldn't worry about it, perhaps you just haven't been meeting the right circumstances to use your ability. It happens. A lot of abilities manifest under an increased amounts of stress." He explains in a purely scientific manner. "Let me continue then," the doctor asked several questions, taking notes, before concluding their meeting of the day. Both men are severely disappointed, but neither shows it, because they are also hopeful. Gabriel hopes he is 'special' and somehow he just hasn't used his ability, and Dr. Suresh just hopes he didn't make an error on his list.

On Saturday morning, Gabriel is rather frustrated with the latest costumer and the polite tone he normally keeps is starting to slip into a tone of pure annoyance, "Sir, I'll telling you, this part costs $25," he repeats again. "I never told you $15."

"Yes, you did," he repeats almost irate. "You told me 15, if I had know you charge this much for this tiny piece of crap," he waggles the watch in Gabriel's face, "I would have gone to J.J.'s"

"I'm sorry that you found our service unsatisfactory, but that is the price, so you can pay for the part or I can take it out and send back."

"Whatever," the man grasped the watch, which Gabriel was sure he was going to get call about how the damn thing doesn't work and pulled some cash out of his wallet. "I'm never coming back, again!" He slams the money down and huffs right pass the young blond.

Gabriel notes that she is at least wearing something suitable, but even in her casual wear she was still everything he wasn't, the slightly faded jeans, the T-shirt was probably from cheerleader camp because of the tiny microphone on it. She probably just threw it together in a few minutes, and she still looks fantastic. He wouldn't even know where to begin to make himself look half-attractive. This insecurity added to the previous costumer was not putting him in a pleasant mood.

He adjusted his glasses and his brown eyes met her green ones, "Hello, Ms. Bennett," he greets in a professional tone, slight tainted with jealousy. "Follow me, and I'll show you to the back room."

"Okay." Immediately, Claire can feel that she is unwelcome; he doesn't seem pleased to see her at all. It wasn't like he expected her to be excited for her presence, but it was a bit discouraging considering she gave away a weekend at the beach to spend a couple hours to work for him. She sighs as she follows behind him. This is for her father, she reminds herself.

The place had that old dusty antique shop kind of feel, where everything seemed to be scattered everywhere, but she also sees that it seemed to be organized in a strange way. A case of watches caught her eye––they looked rather expensive, and she finds herself drifting away from him to take a better look at them.

There is one in particular that she finds exceptional beautiful, she assumes it probably took forever, because it has lots of little details. The metal work alone on the strap had to have taken weeks, then to place tiny little stones on it perfectly in the slots. The actual face of the watch was rather simple looking, but Claire was sure it took a bite of time to make one from scratch. She was absolutely sure this one was made from scratch because she never seen one like it. She wants to get a closer look because she is sure there is something written on the face of the watch. She is surprised to find the glass case isn't locked. She slips it open–

"Please don't touch that!" She wondered for a brief second if she was about to touch something sacred because his voice was harsh and protective. "That particular piece took a year to create."

He doesn't even remember why he made it, only that he felt like he had to, and that he felt like he truly accomplished something after he was done. He showed it to his mother, hoping she would love it, but she threw it across the room breaking the tiny stones off of it. He shouldn't have, but he fixed it again, it almost felt like he had to.

Claire was actually a bit startled, "Sorry, I just thought it was pretty."

He is a surprised by her comment, "Not really," is his simply reply though when he originally made it he thought it was quite lovely too, but his mother is right about everything and she had hated it.

"Oh." Claire uncertainly. "So what I am going to be doing?"

"Well, this time I'll give you a simple job." She feels a little offend, because he says it in a very cold tone, indicating he might think she is stupid. He just decides to give her something that will keep him out of his way, because he just can't deal with her right then. "You can just dust the shelves." He grabs a container, hands her a rag and a can of polish, then leaves her alone.

Claire is bored out of her mind and she doesn't handle it very well. She hopes that if she finishes fast enough she can do something more interesting or maybe be in talking distance with him. Though it didn't seem he would talk to her very much, and normally she wouldn't talk to someone like him, but she would converse with a cat if it meowed back right now!

She moved some more stuff around, but puts some stuff way too close the edge, and when she goes to rearrange something else, tons of tiny pieces scattered everywhere on the ground, startling her second because it had shattered the quiet. She lets out a brief squeal.

Gabriel who had been currently on the phone was surprised by the shattered sound and slight scream. He quickly dashed in to see what the matter was.

Claire for a moment, couldn't help but think of Clark Kent and Superman, because Mr. Gray flew in to save the day. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she replies. That expression of slight concerned turned rather quickly against Claire's favor when he looked down. He was obviously not happy to see the various parts on the floor.

He looks up at her. "You're lucky none of these parts are expensive, and that I keep those kinds of parts under lock and key, other wise you would be paying for more than your father's watch."

"I'm sorry," she replies, and Gabriel expects some kind of excuse, he probably shouldn't have so many parts on one shelf, he realizes he just can't get anything right. "I should have been more careful," she adds, "I was kind of distracted with the thoughts in my head." The thought, a cheerleader who thinks, that is a change of pace, ran through his mind, but he doesn't say it out loud. "I don't handle boredom well." He is truly surprised; she believes it is all her fault. It is a first for him, for everything is always somehow his fault. The bad mood he was in subsides for a bit.

"It's okay. I'm going back in front, finish up here," He looks down at his watch, "You have about hour and half left, come and get me when you are done with this."

It was another half hour of silence and painful boredom before she was finished with dusting. She quickly made a run towards the front.

"I'm done!"

Her excitement surprises him a bit, but he just simply replies, "Alright, I'll show you how to clean the parts." He retrieved another type of cloth, very soft, and then some kind of cleaning solution. Claire came closer, to see what he was going to do. "These parts," he pulls out a box of various parts from the shelf, "need cleaning. Most of the parts in this place need cleaning," he amended as he gently placed a part in the cloth and then let a little solution drip onto it. "Please try not to get too bored, because I preferred if you didn't accidentally dump this solution, everywhere."

"Okay," she said as he hands over the materials to her.

"Good."

After awhile of repeatedly cleaning several parts she speaks up. "So what's your name?"

"Mr. Gray," he placed the back cover on the watch.

"I know that. I meant what's your first name?"

"I don't see how that is relevant to doing your job." He wrapped the watch in paper then placed it in a box, with the store's name on it.

"It's not," she admitted peering over his shoulder to observe what he is doing. "I'm just curious."

"Well, I'm not going to give in to your curiosity."

She rolled her eyes. "Is asking for your name really that unreasonable of a request? My name is Claire Bennett, by the way," she said. "See? Now you know my first and last name, why not return the favor?"

"I didn't ask for your name," he retorted. He couldn't understand why she was so persistent, because after the two months is up, she won't even remember his last name. Why waste her time on a first name she'd just as easily forget?

"Oh, come on." She suddenly found this was curing her boredom.

"I'm not telling you my name."

"Please?"

"No," he replies. "I have work to do,"

"Your name can't be that bad."

"I assure you, my name is not awful. I just don't see the need of you knowing it. Mr. Gray is fine."

"But I wanna know, and I don't see why you don't tell me." She crosses her arms.

"Stop it," he rubs his forehead out of frustration, "It is unprofessional, and it is time for you to go." He finds himself utterly relieved as he realized his words were true.

"Fine," she says, but before she heads out the door. "I'll find out soon enough."

Author's Commentary:

Well this story as you see will have its own thing going on, but will indeed have events from the show mainly stuff that happens in the time frame of season one. Not everything will happen of course, that is why it is an A.U. The story mainly is just about one side trying to prevent Gabriel from becoming Sylar and the other side to make sure he does, and of course to project the relationship of Claire and Gabriel. If you're curious, the main characters are Angela, Noah, Elle, Nathan and Peter. I hope to throw in Hiro, as he is one of my favorites, but I haven't decided.

Yeah I totally see Gabriel/Sylar absolutely loathing the idea of law school, just seems like the kind of person who would be happy taking things apart and figuring how they work.

I don't know if you can tell but there is already a wedge between Claire and her old friends. Yes, the relationship between Gabriel and Claire is supposed to be a tad bit slow, but I believe they are start form a bond in the next chapter, the plot will start picking up soon, I hope.

Clark Kent: Fall in love with the Clark Kent comparison, it is awesome. I don't know who started it, but I love it. You can't tell me he doesn't look like Clark Kent. I suspect that I will use it in other stories, I don't know if I'll bring it up again in this one, maybe.

Updates: The chapters will be about 6-10 pages. I suspect about once or twice a month.

To Reviewers: Oh my gosh! I praise you all. I am unworthy, I am unworthy. Anyhow, yes I love all you comments and will try to reply to everyone. I am afraid, some of you might be disappointed, but hopefully not. I worked on it forever. Unfortunately, this is probably the slowest plot I ever have to write, but it has to be, which means it drags a bit. As a reader I be like, get to the action, "NOW," but as I seen the ones that are slower, are usually pretty good.

Random:

Uh, I think this one was longer, than the first and as you know I had the first chapter on my laptop for three weeks before I posted, so yeah I work on it a lot, too. I worked on this chapter almost everyday, and one for another story, but surprise, little nephews don't like you to play on the computer too much, and neither do sisters, or mothers. Needless to say, somebody is always wanting me for something, so I only get so much time to write and I have to get into a zone to do it, too. So I never get as much done as I want.

Anyone know anything about watches? I been looking, no really good sites that explain it to people like me, who just don't get it, meaning I need an idiot's guide.

Since this is my random section I'm going to throw this in here: Zachary Quinto is has the most expressive eyes I have ever seen! Oh and he is hot overall! I love seeing him in interviews because he acts totally different from his characters, he seems to take acting really seriously, though, he also seems to be a really fun guy. Though, I don't know because my misfortune is I have never met him, he does seem sincerely to an all around amazing guy.