Peter looked around the church. This wasn't how he had pictured his wedding day to be like. He should have known though. When did life ever turn out the way you expected?

This church was old, and kind of dark. What seemed like a thousand candles tried to make up for that. It did have character, for sure.

His parents, Arthur and Angela had been married here in this church. So were Nathan and Heidi. It sort of became a family tradition. They had all expected him to get married here too. And like the good little boy he did as was expected. That was all he ever seemed to do in his life. Just barely meet their expectations, most of the times not. Most of his parent's dreams had to live on through Nathan instead.

There were so many people out there. Only half he recognized. Most must have been Angela, Nathan's friends. The rest were Simone's and her family. He never wanted a big wedding, something small and intimate instead.

The old oaken double doors in the church had opened. Soft music played as he and the rest of the church watched the procession. His nephews, the ring bearers were first. Next, were some little girls from Simone's side of the family. They were the flower girls. He couldn't recall their names in that moment.

The next figure to walk down the aisle stole his breathe away, as she always did, if he wanted her to or not. She was a vision. He couldn't picture her looking any more angelic than she did then. His heart was caught in his throat.

She radiated self confidence, and a hint of indifference. She didn't even spare him a glance as she passed him by. That hurt. He knew it shouldn't but it did.

He shouldn't be having these thoughts at all. Why did he have to be having them now? He wouldn't be surprised if he got smited with lightning right where he stood. He'd certainly deserve it.

Then the chords of the famous wedding march song played on the organ. He forced himself to look back at the double doors but all he could see was Claire floating in front of his eyes. The congregation stood up. He knew Simone was beautiful, and she had to look amazing when she walked through that opening. But he also knew that she would never be able to compete with Claire.

Peter's head was in a whirl. A thought was forming in the back of his mind, something he hadn't let himself consider before. It wasn't perfect, but it was a compromise of sorts between the two. He was willing to call this whole thing off if…

As long as he had Claire's power he was practically immortal and so was she. They could wait. He would wait for her. If she forgave him that is. Someday they would outlive their families and all that knew them both as uncle and niece… If she was willing…

He casually wiped his palms on his pants they were so sweaty. Maybe, it could work… His eyes darted over to where she stood but then looked away when she flicked her gaze his way.

There was a chance…

Peter walked through the park trees, spooking the occasional pigeon. The steady rhythm helped calm him, keep him focused. The events of last night kept running though his head. Just about any memory having had to do with Claire was always running through his mind but now…. It was just the whole situation.

He knew himself, his heart. Did she know hers?

He was ten years older than her with a whole lot more life experience. He had been in relationships before Claire. There had been times when he was her age that he thought he was in love but really wasn't. How could she know that she really did love him? That a few years later she wouldn't change her mind then regret it all. This way they would never have to cross that bridge.

Maybe he had gotten her out of it quick enough that it wouldn't leave too much damage. She wouldn't be too emotionally scarred from the wrong relationship that they shared and she would be able to function well in a normal one. She could leave it in the past. She could move on.

Was he doing the right thing? Technically yes. It would be utterly selfish of him to hold on to her. He'd just hurt them both in the end.

One day Claire would get over him. Finish college, get a job. She'd fall in love with a doctor a lawyer, somebody. She'd get married, have a family.

That was something they would never be able to do. They could never marry, it was illegal. They could never have children. It wouldn't be fair to raise a kid in that kind of environment, incestuous parents. The child would never have a normal childhood. It wouldn't be fair.

The whole thing wasn't fair. Somebody up there had a sick and twisted sense of humor.

They passed each other in the kitchen. The rest of the family was out. They were alone. Their eyes met for one second then the next he had her back up against the wall. He kissed her hungrily. He could never get enough of her. She laughed against his mouth.

"Miss me?"

He answered her with a passionate kiss filled of pent up longing.

"Did I ever tell you that you taste like strawberries?' He asked his voice playfully serious.

"Really?" She said coyly, her fingers playing with the hair on the back of his neck. "You better double check to make sure."

They both smiled before his lips found hers again.

The kiss deepened. Claire's fingers slipped under the hem of his shirt, tracing tantalizing patterns on his skin as she slowly started to pull it up.

He broke away abruptly. "Claire."

"What?" Her lips formed into a pout.

"You know we can't." He ran his hand through his hair.

"Why not?"

"Besides the fact that this is the last place we should be doing this?"

She gave an eye roll as if to say well there is that.

"There are always different times and places." She wasn't just arguing about now but for the future.

Peter narrowed his eyes at her.

Claire sighed. "You love me and I love you. You just over complicate things." She reached up to kiss him again.

Did they have to have this conversation again? "I can't give you what you need Claire." He wished she understood this one thing.

"Of course you can. I need you."

He grabbed her hands and made her look him in the eye. "Is this what you want? Always hiding, lying about who we are? Stealing kisses in the shadows when no one is looking than just going back to being uncle and niece?"

"We don't have to. We could just tell them."

"You know why we can't. You know why we shouldn't be doing any of this."

Claire bit her lip, her eyes on the floor. She knew. She knew only too well.

There was the fact that the whole thing was just wrong. Not that it felt wrong. That just showed how far gone they were.

The Petrellis would be disgusted. Claire and him would never be looked at the same way again. She'd loose the family she has just gained. He could never do that to her.

They'd also try to keep them apart. Claire would have to go back to Costa Verde, to her family. They would probably find out as well. How would they react?

She'd have to visit occasionally for Nathan's political reasons, it wouldn't do for her to disappear. When she did come back they would make sure he was out of the way.

She was already going to outlive her family. She didn't need to lose them yet.

"Claire" he began, brushing a strand of hair out of her face to better see her. "You deserve so much more than what I could possibly give you. You deserve, after everything else, a normal life."

"Sometimes abnormal isn't so bad."

How could she not see it? He loved her, but was love enough?

He tried to distract himself from this line of thought. He didn't want to worry about it now and neither did she.

He flicked his finger down her nose. He knew she hated that.

"You're so impatient." He teased. He knew something had to give, change. He had said what he could for now. It was best to drop it, not waste this precious moment.

She stuck her tongue out at him as she dodged his tickling fingers. Laughing she tried to tickle him back but to no avail. He had found her weak spot, her neck.

"P-Peter st-top it!" She collapsed in his arms giggling, trying to catch her breathe.

He seemed to consider it a moment, stroking his chin for dramatic effect.

"Well, I don't know. I'd have to think about that."

"Peter!" She shrieked. Peter laughed and leaned in to kiss the curve of her neck. "This better?" He whispered. Claire couldn't find any words in that moment.

He jumped away from her like he just got jolted with electricity.

"Wha- She was cut off as she heard the door opening. She immediately moved over to the sink and started filling up a glass of water. Peter was flipping through the newspaper on the counter.

"Peter, Claire, what are you up to?" Nathan had walked in, brief case in hand. He didn't wait for an answer. "Hey Peter, I need you to go to the art exhibit next week. I can't make it so I'll need you to go."

Oh yes, Peter thought, be a representative for the great Petrellis. He can stand behind a potted plant and fiddle with his glass of punch while he waited around to find some one to have small talk with. He was really looking forward to that.

Peter tried to get out of as many of these as he could but with his family that wasn't ever very many.

There are other things he would rather be doing, like cleaning his apartment for example. Nathan knew this and threw him a bone. "Your friend Simone will be there." He moved his eye brows in such a way at him to indicate exactly what type of friend he thought Simone was to Peter.

Peter's brows furrow. He hadn't thought of Simone in a long time and felt momentary guilt. She could be back with Isaac Mendez the painter for all he knows. He and Simone had taken a break on their relationship after the whole disappear and bomb scare and never really gotten back together. He still loved her he just wasn't in love with her. His feelings for Simone changed. He could probably pinpoint it around the time he saved a certain cheerleader during homecoming.

Peter agreed to go none the less. He was relieved that Nathan hadn't caught them. He didn't like sneaking behind his back. In some small minuscule way he was making it up to him.

He was also curious as to Simone was doing. Maybe they could reconnect to some level, be friends again.

After Nathan gets his assent from Peter he makes his way to his study leaving Claire and him alone.

"That was close." Claire said setting down her glass.

"Too." He agreed.

Peter is pulled out of his reminiscing by a flash of blonde that catches his eyes. His eyes followed the figure working its way through the crowd, no apparent destination in mind. The girl doesn't seem to be seeing the world going on around her. She seems to be lost in her own thoughts as well, maybe even memories, like him.

He has an appointment to meet Heidi and Simone and talk wedding plans. He figures it'll be those two who will do most of the talking though.

Simone, he thinks. Why did she ever agree to marry him? It really didn't make sense sometimes.

It would be so easy to fall down hill like he had seen Claire do. To close himself off, not eat, become bitter. It was tempting. But he knew better, knew he couldn't allow such an indulgence. He had been a Petrelli his whole life. His mask was in place and Claire would eventually learn to as well.

He didn't want that for her though. He wanted to preserve that precious innocence about her. But he knew it was too late for that. He had already stripped so much of it away. It was his fault, he had to try to save what little was left.

He put his head in his hands and let a muffled sob come out, releasing some of the pressure that had been building over these past few months. He was so tired of being strong but he would continue to be, for his family, and most of all her.

If she saw his hesitance, knew his heart he would destroy everything he had worked so hard to accomplish, saving Claire.

Peter stays and watches for as long he dares. He has to leave but longs to stay and watch over her. He wants so badly to fix this hurt, comfort her. But only time can help now, that and his absence, so the wounds can heal. He leaves.