Title: Forget Me Not

Author: Bunny

Rating: M

Disclaimer: Nope, do not own at all.

Summary: Set around Shadowboxing; Claire discovers an amnesiac Sylar wandering around and takes it upon herself to help him.

A/N: Bad news, I had a terrible case of writers block for this chapter. Good news, I continued writing beyond it while I was stuck, so there will be regular Saturday updates once again (Huzzah!)

A/N 2: As with the last chapter, note the rating increase. Once again smexy smexy time will be separated with a different divider if one wishes to skip over it.

Chapter 7

I wanna just dance, but he took me home instead
There was a Monster in my bed.
We French kissed on a subway train
He tore my clothes right off
He ate my heart then he ate my brain.

~ Monster; Lady Gaga

"So, any questions?"

Sweetie sat at the table, elbows propped on the wooden surface and hand over her mouth in a contemplative manner. Claire shifted in her seat and spared a quick glance at Sylar as he sat in the seat next to her appearing completely relaxed by the situation. As promised, they explained to Sweetie about the presence of abilities in the world. The entire time the older woman had remained absolutely silent, nodding occasionally, before resuming her still position.

After a few moments of reflective silence, she announced, "I do have one question." Leaning back in the chair she eyed the pair sitting across from her, causing Claire to once again shift in her seat. Under the table, she felt Sylar slip his hand into hers and she relaxed slightly. "What have the two of you been doing for the past five days?"

Claire squeezed his hand as her eyes grew wide. "What?"

"No picking up the phone, no door answering, and yet I am certain the two of you haven't left this apartment."

"I've gone to class," she clarified, willing the blush to not fully reach her cheeks.

"Um hmm," agreed Sweetie sarcastically, know it all smirk on her lips. "But then you rush back here quick as possible. So exactly how much time in those five days involved you two wearing clothes?"

Sylar cleared his throat and looked away while Claire's face heated.

"Oh, I am going to enjoy this!" she laughed right out. "Both of you acting all shy, it's just so precious!"

"What makes you think…" began Claire, still somewhat tongue tied.

"Because my living room shares a wall with your living room and you pair aren't exactly subtle with your… fun time," she explained, waving a finger between them. Claire ducked her head wishing she could die from embarrassment as Sylar choked down a laugh. "You best be glad there's not a neighbor on the side with your bedroom."

"Okay, so you aren't at all freaked by the whole we have super powers thing?" asked Claire desperate to switch subjects.

"No," shrugged the other woman. "Why would I?"

"Because usually it's something people freak out about."

"You know someone with an ability," stated Sylar, understanding her calm attitude.

"You've got it, Sweet Cheeks," she replied pointing. "The love of my life, my first born daughter, and third born son all have abilities. Also my husband's best friend had one and he worked with a group of people in some sort of company."

"Your husband was a part of the Company?" asked Claire shocked.

"No, his friend was. A mind reader by the name of Charles Deveaux. The two never really saw eye to eye when it came to matters of specials versus non specials, but they always had each others backs in personal matters."

"If you knew the company, then you know my grandparents?" she asked cautiously.

Sweetie nodded. "I knew Arthur and Angela."

A wave of fear gripped at Claire as she nervously slipped a glance at her partner. "Do you… I mean, are you reporting on what I'm doing?"

"Report? To Angela? Hell no, we hate each other!" she announced with a laugh that was matched by the others in relief. "The last time I saw her was at my dear heart's funeral, was absolutely shocked that she even cared enough to be there."

"She does that on occasion, show a human heart," she clarified, just relieved that her family knew nothing about her roommate.

"I'll just take your word for it," Sweetie replied with a grimace. Checking her watch, she stood. "I've got to go run some errands before today ends, so if you'll excuse me."

The pair on the other side of the table also rose in order to give a farewell. Sylar shook her hand and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you for your patience," he said, stepping back.

"Oh, not a problem," she laughed, turning to accept Claire's hug. "I told you a little truth would go a long way with me."

"I'll keep that in mind for next time," she smiled. "Thank you so much."

"Till next time. Now, don't go doing anything I wouldn't," Sweetie said, offering a wink as she exited the apartment.

Claire squealed with pleasure as Sylar wrapped his arms around her so she couldn't wriggle free. He nibbled at her neck, darkly inquiring, "Didn't that sound like a dare to you?"

"Definitely," she agreed. He leaned his head around to catch her lips, an action she was more than pleased to act upon. A slight level of frustration ran through her as she couldn't turn around to move things forward. Just as things were about to become heated, Claire's phone started to ring in her back pocket. Despite his attempts to continue, she managed to pull out of the kiss recognizing the ring tone, "It's my uncle, I have to get that."

One arm kept her firmly up against him while the other hand traveled along the side of her body. Her breath caught as fingers trailed along her skin at the top of the jeans. Mouth by her ear, he whispered, "You have to get it from me first." With a quick move of the hand he reached in the pocket to grab the phone.

Releasing her, Sylar took a few steps back waving the mobile in a mocking manner. Giving a fake pout, Claire put her hands on her hips. She fast reached out to take it, but he simply lifted it out of reach forcing her to jump. Knowing that the phone would soon go to voicemail, she frowned even more before poking two fingers into his ribs. A puff of wind escaped Sylar as he bent over enough for Claire to snatch the mobile away with a giggle. She pressed the accept button grinning. "Peter, what's up?" There was a deafening silence on the other end. "Are you alright? Peter?"

"Claire," he choked out, a voice thick with restrained emotion. Clearing his throat to gain control he continued, "I need to talk to you about something important. Are you at your apartment? Alone?"

Leaning against the table she raised her eyes to look at the man who stood patiently a few feet away. "Yeah, of course I am. What's wrong?"

The long pauses and somber attitude her uncle used put a worried pit on her stomach. "I've been looking for – for Nathan during the last two weeks. Went to see his secretary, personal assistants, campaign manager, and they all said he had sent e-mails about a vacation. They all thought it was odd, but none of them were worried especially since instructional e-mails kept coming in."

"So where is he?" she asked, wanting to get to the point.

"I still couldn't find him so I asked Mom where he had gone and all she would do was reassure me he was fine," Peter continued, ignoring her question. "After days of no news, Rene came to me yesterday with an address to a private storage locker and a key. When I checked in I noticed the last time anyone had been there was in June."

"So what happened to Nathan? Where is he?" she demanded, not willing to jump to conclusions.

"The only thing inside is a large container with…Nathan. Nathan's body is in it," he finished weakly.

"No." Claire felt as though she had been punched in the stomach. Her mind on autopilot she half walked half stumbled to the kitchen. Leaning her elbow on the counter near the sink, she spoke, "Nathan's dead?"

"Yea."

"Are you sure?"

"I am sitting next to his body, Claire. I'm positive," Peter yelled harsh enough to make her jump. On the other side, he sighed. "I'm sorry."

Not even registering his apology, she processed her next question. "How did it happen?"

Another sigh preceded his response, "I'm not completely sure, but his throat had been sewn shut. So probably…"

"Yeah," she whispered cutting him off, not caring to hear the rest. As dizzy as she was becoming with the news, one piece of information suddenly floated to her mind's surface. "Wait, did you say the last time it was opened was June?"

"You caught that, huh?"

"Then who the hell has been walking around since then?"

"I would guess the same man who slit his throat." At that proclamation Claire's throat closed. She knew where this was likely to go and she knew it was going to be the truth. "I think we both know that Sylar was the one who did this."

Her vision blurred, but she refused to completely loose her head yet. "We can't know that for sure."

"Can't know for sure! You and I both know it's most likely," he argued, causing her to desperately think of something different to say.

"Do you need me to come see you? Do anything?" she asked wiping away tears before they fell.

"No, stay there. I need you to pretend you don't know anything."

"What! I will not!" she exclaimed, furious at the suggestion.

"I'm not done looking into this, yet," Peter explained sounding absolutely exhausted. "I wanted you to know so you could keep your eyes open for any dopplegangers. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you too."

Sniffing a little bit she wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "You should talk to my dad… I-I mean Noah, obviously – "

"It's alright, Claire, he's still you're Dad, too."

She nodded even though he couldn't see. "You should talk to him. I know he has more answers than he's letting on."

"Thank you," he sighed. "Stay safe."

"You too," she managed to crack out before numbly dropping the mobile device on the counter top. Hunching over the sink, Claire closed her eyes as she let the grief to wash over her. She allowed herself a few audible sobs before pulling it back together. Gripping tightly to the cool metal she prepared to question the man she had been having sex with. A wave of nausea overcame her for a second but she pushed it back down.

Turning around she wasn't surprised to see Sylar leaning against the wall. "What bad news was it?"

"Was it you?"

He remained silent until she elaborated.

"Did you kill Nathan?"

"I don't know," he stated in a muted voice. "I just see faces. I don't know any of their names."

Deep down she knew he was being sincere, but Claire couldn't help but be infuriated by his lack of answers. She retreated to her bedroom to fetch a photograph. A little crinkled around the corners, she weakly smiled at the photograph of Peter and Nathan from the wedding day. Returning to where Sylar waited she shoved the picture into his hands. "Him. The one on the left. Did you slit his throat?"

Sylar inspected the image for a few moments before he closed his eyes. Eyelids flickered as he mentally filed through his victims. His face twitched from the pain of remembering all of them, but Claire didn't care in the least given the current circumstances. The eyes quit twitching yet they didn't open. The instant his head dropped, a gasp of dismay escaped her as he muttered, "Yes. I'm sorry."

The world swam around the edges of her vision. She stumbled backwards, disoriented when the wall caught her. Sylar apparently heard her movement and he reached out to assist. Unable to focus on anything, Claire flinched away screaming, "Don't touch me!" His arm snapped back instantly looking shamed. She immediately regretted her verbal attack. "I – I didn't mean… I'm sor –"

"Don't apologize," he instructed. She continued to head down the hall backwards. Upon reaching the bathroom she spun around to lock herself inside.

Trembling, Claire slid down to the floor. As she watched her hands shake facts piled in her brain. Nathan had been dead for months and Sylar had been the one to kill him. The same Sylar who murdered her birth mother. The same Sylar who had murdered countless others. The same Sylar who she had been having sex with. Make that incredibly fantastic sex. But now the fact she had enjoyed it only made her feel physically ill. Somehow she had been able to ignore his true nature, for what? Her own selfish desires?

Knots repeatedly tied and untied in her stomach. Unable to stop herself, she lunged to the toilet just before she became sick. Once finished Claire laid down on the floor to cool off, wondering when was the last time she threw up like that as tears flowed across her face. "This isn't fair," she murmured to herself, hugging knees to her chest. Not knowing how much time had passed, as the crying subsided one fact rang clearly in her mind. With the exception of the death of her father, none of this was new information.

Nonetheless, this was to be a wakeup call. Sylar had to go. Despite the additional weight to her heart with the decision, she would accept no excuses and no exceptions; it was time to be done. With shaky legs Claire stood to rinse her mouth with mouthwash so as to remove the stale taste that lingered. Looking into the mirror she saw a tired puffy eyed girl starring back. Taking a deep breath Claire tried to fill herself with confidence she feared she couldn't bring forth.

He had to leave, she repeated in her head several times.

Before she could delay any longer, Claire swung the door open. As expected, Sylar had stood waiting for her to exit. His arm twitched as though he wanted to touch her, but it remained at his side. As she opened her mouth to make her request, he announced, "I'll leave."

In response to his sudden declaration, Claire's head snapped back as though it were never an option she had considered. "What?"

"If you need me to, I'll leave," he repeated, eyes not quite meeting hers as though hoping for an alternative. "Me being here will only make things more difficult for you, so I'll go –"

"No," she interrupted forcefully, a bit surprised at her change of heart. The eyebrow Sylar raised proposed more questions than anything he could have asked at that moment so she continued. "I know how twisted and odd this sounds, but I need you. With you I don't have to lie or hide things, I can just be normal. I really need normal right now. And as strange as it is, you're normal for me."

He only nodded slowly, obviously prepared for her to change her mind at any second. Claire nodded back in response and, suddenly feeling very alone inside, stepped up to embrace him. Burying her face into his chest a new wave of tears emerged that she couldn't attempt to stop. Hesitantly, Sylar held her close and kissed the top of her head. "I'm still sorry."

"I just can't believe he's gone," she croaked out, not at all stopping the sobs. After some time passed, Claire felt her body become slack but was too exhausted to move. Sylar slid down to the floor with her, still holding her tightly. Once lying on the carpet, with heavy eyes she saw Sylar wave his hand. The warmth of him was contrasted momentarily with the coolness of a blanket covering them. Soon enough everything became warm again and Claire fell asleep in the arms of the one person who ironically could help her deal with grief.

X~X~X~X~X

Sylar lay on the couch holding Claire on top of him. Stroking her hair he mentally reviewed the events of the previous days. Just as he had depended upon her in the beginning, she leaned heavily on him since learning of her father's murder. He was only happy to return the favor. Claire had shared stories of her time with Nathan and it was during those times he wished that he had something to contribute.

She had asked for normal, and he had done his best to do just that.

The physical side of their relationship began again days after the horrible news. Sylar had refused her the first time she tried to start back up, wanting to be sure she wasn't trying to somehow punish herself. It hadn't taken long for her to convince him that things were definitely alright, not great but he would take it.

Just as he recalled their shower reconnection Claire shifted on top of him. Given his current mind wanderings, he remained completely still to determine if she was uncomfortable or sexually restless. When she wriggled again, specifically on top of his crotch, he responded with a groan and a hip move of his own. "Is there something I can do for you?" she inquired innocently, batting eyelashes.

Q~Q~Q~Q~Q

The wicked gleam in her eye sent a thrill down his spine. He didn't have a chance to reply before she tugged at the shirt to get it off his body and he leaned up enough to help her. As soon as the material was off Claire pushed him back down before proceeding to kiss along his collar bone and down his chest. Her enthusiasm aroused him even more than he already was. Sylar noted that she was wearing one of his buttoned shirts, so taking advantage of her distracted actions he reached down to unbutton the fabric. To his surprise and pleasure, it was already undone.

Once again mischievous eyes glanced up to him, knowing full well what he discovered. Sylar chuckled in response before hissing in air between his teeth as her hands slid up his thighs. It was her turn to laugh as wet kisses continued down to his stomach. Small fingers worked at the fly on his jeans and in no time the pants were down. She moved her mouth along his pelvic bone and hands along the upper portions of his legs, paying attention to any area but the one place he really craved. He gripped at the couch and groaned in frustration.

When Claire's lips finally came in contact with his member it took a considerable amount of will power not to buck his hips. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as she worked at him. He could feel her hips rubbing against his leg and the moans from her throat indicated she was getting some pleasurable friction for herself. Desire for her grew in his belly as he wanted more physical contact. Yet at the same time, what she was doing to him felt so damn good. Sylar's head fell back when she turned her attention to his balls, her hands taking over where her mouth had just been. Blood pumped through his body at a faster rate and he knew he was close to finishing.

"Claire, you need to stop," he rasped out, not recognizing his own voice. He heard her muffle giggle as her hand began to stroke faster. Sylar held his breath, briefly contemplating allowing her to complete her task as he clutched her hair, but instead reached down to bring her up. Her lips popped when she released him.

Slithering up along his chest with a playful pout, she whined, "Are you ever going to let me finish doing that one day?"

"I told you," he began insistently. He brought her up more with the pretense of a kiss, which he took, but he also reached a hand down the front of her sweatpants. Once his fingers came in contact with her folds, Claire let out a squeak of surprise and he rumbled with laughter. "I like to watch you come first."

"Well, if I have to," she sighed with a fake burden in her tone. A little maneuvering and her pants were finally off with her straddling his waist.

She began to pull the shirt off as well, but he stopped her. "Keep it on," he requested, touching the skin that was visible from chest to navel. The way the fabric moved was a tease of what he knew lay underneath.

His hands settled on her hips, holding on to help her onto him. When he slowly slid all the way inside her, a deep growl grew in his throat as she cried out. Sylar's fingers dug deeply into her hips as a rhythm started between them. As more momentum built Claire leaned her palms against his chest, probably to remain steady. The first time they had tried to make love on the couch, both ended up falling to the ground. Though amusing, it wasn't anything they planned on repeating.

The tightening in his gut meant the earlier work Claire had performed on him was catching up. At this angle it would still take her awhile to achieve her release. Still inside her, he sat up so his back was against the back of the couch. At the new angle, he hit new areas causing her to squeal. From this position he was able to thrust faster, a pace that she matched enthusiastically. His shirt slid off of one of her shoulders revealing a breast. Smirking he leaned forward and took her nipple in between his teeth.

A series of sharp gasps from Claire indicated she was close. Though he was also close to an orgasm, he was determined to keep his promise. With a few more deep thrusts Sylar sucked on her nipple again, but to his great surprise a small amount of electricity shot from his tongue to the bud.

She screamed his name from the intensity of the experience, riding her high out by continuing to ride him. His name never sounded as wonderful as when it came from her lips. The sight of her losing control at his hand, or any other part of his body, was enough to put him over the edge. Muscles all over his body tightened as he too came, yelling incoherently. When he became aware of his surroundings once more, Claire was placing kisses along his shoulder.

Q~Q~Q~Q~Q

"I will never get tired of that," she exhaled heavily, burying her face into his neck.

"Glad to know I'm doing my job well," Sylar stated amused, letting out a gruff laugh. He resumed stroking her hair as before. Allowing the quiet moment to continue, an idea struck him. "We should leave."

"You want to go out somewhere?"

"No, I mean we should drop everything and leave Arlington," Sylar clarified. Her body stiffened against him, so he continued before she could protest. "At least get out of the area, maybe even out of the country. A fresh start for us both, I know that's something you would like."

Her silence made him stop breathing, worried she would become angry. "A fresh start would be nice," Claire agreed softly, not moving to look at him. Though she didn't exactly jump at the suggestion, he could feel she wasn't lying which filled him with hope.

An urgent knock at the door broke the daydream.