Over the Years

Part six

Disclaimer: not mine!!!!

Authors note: Hey, I really don't know if anyone likes this story enough for me to keep writing it. If you do, let me know…otherwise I'm just going to delete it.

PETER

I blew up. Literally. And yet I'm still alive. And I have been for three months. The problem? I'm trapped in some…place and the only think that has kept me going as long as I have is the thought of one girl.

I was sitting in my little cell, then jumped to my feet in shock when Hiro appeared in front of me. "Come Peter. Let us go."

I blinked, then grabbed Hiro's arm as he disappeared. We reappeared outside the facility, and my eyes instantly connected with a pair of hazel ones. "Claire." I whispered. She smiled, tears running down her face. Then she started to run. She threw her arms around me and I buried my face in her hair. "Smile!" Micah said, snapping a picture. That was enough to make me remember to let go of Claire and look around me.

"Hey Pete." Nathan said, pulling me into a tight embrace. I hugged him back then smiled at everyone around me.

"How did you guys find me?" I asked. My voice was a little hoarse.

"It wasn't easy, I mean, we actually had to ask Molly." Matt chuckled, hugging the little girl.

"Sorry it took so long." Mohinder said. "Someone was blocking her and she couldn't find you."

"That fine." I looked down at the little girl. "Thanks Molly."

She blushed. "Your welcome."

I smiled at her, then looked at everyone. "Thank you."

Nathan smiled at me. "Let's get you home."

I stepped into my apartment and looked around in amazement. Everything was exactly as I had left it, nothing was different. "We knew you'd be back." A voice said softly from behind me.

I turned and flashed Claire a smile. "I'm glad you all had such faith in me."

"More like Claire had faith in you." Nathan said, coming up behind Claire and putting a hand on her shoulder. "She's the one who wouldn't let us touch the place."

Claire blushed and looked down at the floor. "Well, I knew that I could live through that, so I figured he could too."

Nathan shrugged, and I smiled down at the still blushing Claire. "Thanks Claire."

I sat down on the couch and Nathan looked at his daughter…that was a really disgusting thought….

"Are you going home or do you want to stay with Peter for awhile?"

Claire shot me a questioning glance. I smiled at her. "I'd like you to stay."

She smiled back. "Alright."

Nathan nodded. "I figured as much." He made his way towards the door. "Don't be home to late."

The door shut behind him and Claire shifted her feet uncomfortably. I watched her in amusement. This was slightly awkward. "You can sit you know."

She shot me a nervous smile and sat next to me on the couch. "Sorry. I just cant believe that you're here."

I smiled at her. "Its kind of hard for me to believe too."

Claire gave me a shaky smile, then looked down at the floor. I slowly moved towards her, then put my arm around her shoulders. She let out a muffled sob and leaned into me, crying against my chest. I blinked, then put my other arm around her, rubbing her back. "I'm sorry." She cried. "I just…I hoped you were alive, but I never really thought I would see you again."

I swallowed hard. "Well, I guess I'm glad you hoped."

She pulled away from me and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her shirt. "I'm sorry. This should be a happy day."

I smiled at her softly. "Claire, this is a happy day. I'm here, I'm alive, I'm with you…"

She stared at me and I stared back. Slowly, I started to lean down. Her eyes started to close. Frantic thoughts were running through my head.

She's your niece!

She's ten years younger than you!

What are you doing?!

I ignored them. For once, I was going to do what I wanted, not what was expected of me…I closed the space between us.