Having spent most of the day with Gabriel, Claire was blissfully unaware of father's ominous presence stirring from her kitchen table. It wasn't until he addressed her, did she leap back in surprise, clutching at her heart. "Dad, I didn't see you there. You're acting all creepy…wait, why are you here?"

Noah had been waiting up all night and practically all day for this moment, for the moment when he'd come face-to-face with his daughter. He took off his horn-rimmed glasses and gave them a quick cleaning, before he turned his attention back to Claire. "Where have you been? You didn't come back last night." He remained calm, although inside he was screaming. He knew full well where she had been, and with whom, but it didn't mean shit until she confessed to it.

"I needed a break, especially after last night. You can be a real ass sometimes you know that?" Claire shrugged off her coat and placed in on one of the chairs. Her shoulders tensed in anticipation of the inevitable drag out fight they were about to have.

"You didn't answer my question. Where-have-you-been?" He stressed each word. His upper lip curled back slightly, before Noah settled his expression into a tight grimace. He wanted the truth, and god help him, he was going to make her say it.

Claire's mind worked quickly, formulating a suitable lie. "I was visiting Gretchen. It's been so long since we've seen one another that we thought we could have a girl's night."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," Claire managed without her voice breaking.

"I want to know where you really were last night."

"I told you, I was with Gretchen."

"Don't lie to me Claire," he yelled, grabbing her arm with bone crushing force.

"Dad, stop. Let go of me." She struggled to free herself from his grip, but he only held on stronger.

"Not until you tell me who you were with. Not until you admit that you were with Sylar." He had said it. Noah had planned to let Claire say it first, but it was clear she never planned on telling him. Let her deny it now.

Claire froze in shock. She was unaware if he knew the truth, or if he was only guessing at it. Gabriel and her had been careful; hadn't they? Her dad couldn't possibly know. Then it occurred to her. Shit, she'd been so distracted she had let Gabriel pick her up practically right outside the house. "You followed me last night?"

"Yes, and I saw you with that bastard. How could you Claire?"

"It's none of your business who I associate with, not anymore." Claire renewed her attempt at escape, but he simply grabbed her other arm to halt her thrashing.

"Of course it's my fucking business. I'm your father."

"No you're not. Nathan's my father." Her voice was barely above a whisper, void of any emotion. She found a spot on the wall, refusing to look at Noah any longer.

He laughed slightly which seemed forced and awkward. "You mean was your father. See, I'm pretty sure he's dead Claire. He's gone forever because of that man you call friend." Even Noah had to acknowledge what he said was dealing a low blow, but he needed Claire to finally comprehend the danger she was placing upon herself. Didn't she realize that man would turn on her? Possibly use her family to break her, before finally doing her in for good

"He's not my friend." It was Noah's turned to freeze, confusion written all over his face. His grip went slack and Claire used the opportunity to wrench herself out his arms. She turned back to him so he could see the truth in her eyes. "He's my fiancé. We are getting married, and there's not a thing you can do to prevent it. And as for Nathan, well I've forgiven him. Which believe me was not exactly the easiest thing in the world, but I—I love him. Don't you forgive the people you love?"

He stumbled back into a chair, grabbing it for support. His expression was that of true horror. "How—how could you? How could you do this to me?"

"Not everything is about you, Noah." Claire closed the space between them. "I want you out of my life. No more unexpected visits, no more late night phone calls, no attempts on Gabriel's life. Now, do understand me?

"Claire-"

"I said do you understand me," Claire threw his words back at him. It was his turn to listen. Claire knew what she wanted and it was Noah gone.

"You're making a mistake trusting him. He will only hurt you Claire."

"Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't change anything; you need to accept that I choose Sylar over you." Without warning he struck her. Claire held on to her cheek. She didn't feel the pain of it , but it was just the act of what he had done. He had actually hit her. "Get out," she whispered.

"Claire, I'm sorry. I didn't—"

"I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT," she screamed. Noah shuffled past her, but she didn't look up at him. Claire refused to feel guilty. He never looked back, but Noah could hear her muffled sobs as he closed the door behind him.

Before Claire realized what she was doing, she found herself in the bathroom. She removed her clothes and stepped in the shower. Tears flowed down her cheeks, but were washed away by the blistering water. How had the one person she always assumed she could trust, turn out to be the villain? She hated Noah without a doubt, and she was sure she never wanted to see his face again. Claire slid down the wall, drawing her knees up to her chest. She didn't even notice when the water had become cold.