A few hours into the ride, Claire woke up, shifting on the soft pillow beneath her. She blinked, mind waking up a little slower; she didn't have a pillow. She was in the carnies' van. So what…? Strong arms squeezed her, urging her into a more supported position.

"Sylar?" she whispered.

"Who else?" he spoke softly into her ear. "Are you really awake this time?"

"I think so," she answered uncertainly. Where were they? She glanced around the dark interior. Becky was still sleeping, as was Charlie. Eli sipped coffee from the driver's side while he flipped through radio stations.

The others were returning from a small, well lit building, a gas station. Suddenly, her bladder felt as if it was ready to burst. She tried to stand, but his arms held her pinned to his chest.

"I have to pee."

"Just remember, one wrong move or word and your body's mine." He relinquished his hold on her.

"I know," she sighed, knowing there wasn't going to be any escape; at least not yet.

He followed her in, waiting patiently outside the bathroom door for her. When she exited to the main shop, he blocked her path, standing entirely too close.

"You're mine. That's the deal. No one else touches you or I leave Samuel's little freak show." She snorted and tried to dodge around him, but he grabbed her waist. "I have things to do, plans to accomplish. Don't mess this up for me."

"Excuse me?!" She rounded on him. "I was perfectly fine back at my college. I didn't ask to come on this little trip.

"Samuel wants you."

"Why?" "He has his own plans."

"For me?" He tilted his head with a bland look. "My dad." His unconcerned expression confirmed what she should've known.

"Look, Claire. It's not a hard role to play. You hate me, don't trust me, and you never want me to touch you again. Just be yourself and you'll do fine."

"And what roll will you be starring in?" she asked bitterly.

"Sylar." He paused. "Travis is coming. Get whatever you want." He headed straight for the coffee machine.

Claire gritted her teeth in frustration, but grabbed a soda from the cooler and a bag of chips. "Now what?" She walked up behind him. "Do we make a run for it?" she asked snidely.

"Don't be so dramatic." He led her to the register, where the pretty cashier smiled flirtatiously at him. He passed her the cash, seemingly oblivious to her gaga eyes. They climbed in the van, Sylar first and Claire glared at Alice in her seat. Grinding her teeth, she turned and dropped onto Sylar's knees.

His arm snaked around her middle and pulled her back so she was on his lap, back pressed to his chest. Then, and she was sure he only did it to annoy her, he spread his legs, dropping her abruptly to the seat beneath them. And she wasn't sure what was worse, sitting on his groin with full knowledge of what happened only hours before…twice, or having his legs wrapped around her, pressing against her, all the way to their feet.

She sat up as best as possible, trying to put a little space between them. She was surprised when he allowed it, and merely sipped his coffee. She ate her chips in silence, ignoring the way Sylar's hand would occasionally dip into her bag. However, when a petite hand reached for some, she quickly squeezed it shut, throwing Alice a faux sympathetic smile.

"Just trying to help you keep your figure." Alice narrowed her eyes at Claire's comment.

"Be nice, Claire," Sylar hummed in her ear.

"Hypocrite," she muttered.

"I thought you weren't a plaything?" Alice crossed her arms, pushing up her full breasts.

Instead of responding verbally he took control of Claire's body, forcing her to rub against him. She gritted her teeth when he made her hand fondle her own breast. "What makes you think I'm the toy?" He relinquished his hold on her and Claire rammed an elbow into his firm gut. He puffed out a breath, but recovered quickly with a smirk, holding Claire immobile while he kissed her neck.

"Let me go," she ground out, through her teeth.

"Never," he promised. He sounded so sincere, Claire closed her eyes and fought to compose herself. Then, he chuckled darkly and removed all his control from her body.

"You're a master," Alice gushed. What an idiot to hero-worship Sylar. "Just think what you and I could accomplish together."

He merely stared at her for a moment. "What do I need you for?"

"My power. We'd be perfect for each other." She moved close to him, lying her hand on his thigh, as if Claire wasn't sitting between his legs. By the look on her face, Claire was certain she'd soon be experiencing another pheromone high.

He dipped his head close to hers, so their faces were only inches apart. Claire felt a little queasy, Sylar's bizarre obsession with her was her only safety net; if he fell for the tramp's seduction, her future was even more uncertain. She held her breath, when he spoke in a low voice. "If I want your ability, I'll take it."

Claire let out a long, shaky breath. She relaxed back into his warm body and oddly felt a slight comfort when his legs put minimal pressure on hers. His hand moved to rest on her hip, giving it a gentle squeeze. With a quiet sigh, she turned her face to the window to watch the countryside roll by.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sylar doing the same. She spent the next hour or so watching him, as opposed to the ever brightening world. He was so quiet, so calm. His dark eyes not full of the rage that had once lived there. What had happened to dim that fury? She wouldn't kid herself; it wasn't gone, not entirely. She had caught a glimpse of it again when Alice teased him.

Claire knew from experience, that it wasn't in one's best interest to tease Sylar. Sure, she pushed him on occasion, but she virtually indestructible; that was different.

Her eyes were getting heavy again, when they pulled into a small town restaurant. Yawning, Claire climbed stiffly off of his lap, following the others out of the cramped van. They each headed into the somewhat busy building, but Samuel waited, letting them all pass except for Claire. Sylar stopped in her shadow but kept his eyes on the others disappearing inside.

"Now Claire, I just want to make it absolutely clear, that I will not permit any attempts at escape." Samuel eyed her carefully. "I don't want to hurt all these innocent families. But I will."

She narrowed her eyes at the older man. All the threats were getting on her nerves. As if she would endanger so many people to try an escape that would never work, especially with Sylar playing puppet master. Looking away from him, she nodded and moved forward, both men flanking her.

The others were already seated when they arrived. Sitting closely in the long booth, they looked happy, comfortable together as they laughed. Claire was reminded of why she had been attracted to their lifestyle earlier. Reachi8ng the long, circular booth, Samuel slid in first, then Sylar shoved her in beside him, while he took the edge.

She was uncomfortable, squeezed between the two men, both of them pressing against her sides. Everyone else appeared at ease, looking through menus, pressed together. Charlie kept looking at her, making her even more ill at ease. She squirmed in her seat, unable to concentrate on the menu in front of her.

"Hi, my name's Sylvia; I'll be your waitress this morning. What can I get y'all?" The pretty brunette smiled at each of the men, her eyes skipping easily over Claire, Alice, and Becky.

"Yeah, I'd like the ham and cheese omelet with hash browns and orange juice." Eli was the first to order. They went down the line making it easy on the waitress to remember the order.

Samuel had just finished his order and Claire was still staring at the menu, undecided. They all waited expectantly, Samuel a little suspicious, each one staring at her. "Um, I'll have…uh…" Nothing looked good; she was hungry, but just couldn't find anything that sounded appetizing.

"She'll have the pancakes, small order, hash browns and OJ I'll have the same but with coffee. And could you warm the syrup before you bring it, please?" Sylar took the menu from her hands and stacked it with the rest.

"Coming right up," Sylvia posed sideways for them, which Eli and Travis both seemed to appreciate.

Claire sat still and annoyed, both because Sylar had ordered from her and because what he picked actually sounded good. She crossed her arms, wishing she could stab Charlie in the eyes with a fork. Completely unaware that she was fingering said weapon, she glared at the very handsome young man. Apparently reading her desires, Sylar subtly took both her knife and fork, resting them closer to his side.

"Wasn't gonna do it," she grumbled.

"Why tempt fate?" Sylar remarked, showing her half a grin.

"Might be fun."

"Entertaining at the very least."

"Remember where we are," Samuel interrupted, as if they were seriously discussing maiming Charlie at the breakfast table.

Nervous with Sylar's hard gaze on him, Charlie finally stared at Alice instead. Claire had no doubt that he had known precisely what was going to happen back in that classroom, and he had positioned himself to take full advantage of Claire. She wouldn't be forgetting that any time soon. Sylar may believe that the others wouldn't touch her, but she recognized the way they watched her. She was faire game as soon as her side was Sylar free. Well, that just meant, she had to stick to him like glue.

A/N: Hey, thanks for reading! I appreciate you all keeping interest. Don't forget to review!