Volume Two: Getting to Know You

Summer 2007:

Claire:

I was almost seventeen when I left the only home I'd ever known. After everything that had happened since my sixteenth birthday, it was still the single most daunting experience in my life up to that point. I was moving across the country to live with my biological father, Congressman Nathan Petrelli, and his family in New York. My adoptive Mom cried when I left. I think she believed he was just using me as some sort of pawn in his political game. Deep down I knew his invite was genuine. I needed to be with them. They were like me, special, and I couldn't throw the opportunity away. I can still remember the nervous emptiness that filled my stomach as I waited in the Airport Lounge. They were late.

Peter:

It all started when Claire was given an offer to move in with Nathan and Heidi in the year after the events at Kirby Plaza. Much to everyone's surprise she accepted and moved to New York shortly before her seventeenth birthday. It never occurred to me at the time, but it must have taken a great deal of courage to move across the country to live with family she barely knew. And me? Well, I was looking forward to getting to know my niece better. I still remember the strange feeling in my throat as I searched the crowded airport for her face. We were late.

"The flight landed 30 minutes ago. She should be here somewhere," Nathan said as his eyes scanned the bustling crowds at La Guardia Airport.

"There," Peter said, pointing her out. The crowds parted and she appeared. She looked younger than he remembered. Her eyes were full of innocence as they landed on her biological father and uncle. A relieved smile crossed her face as she started walking awkwardly towards them, suitcase in hand. Peter couldn't help, but return her smile with his own lop-sided grin.

"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten," she giggled nervously.

"Forgotten? We wouldn't do a thing like that would we Pete?" Nathan joked.

Claire gave Nathan a sideways look before she turned to Peter.

She stood, nervously searching his eyes before she wrapped her arms around him. An overwhelmed look crossed his face before he relaxed and hugged her back.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"Me too." Peter released her. "Welcome to New York, Texas."

Claire grinned as she stepped backwards. She caught Nathan's eye and they hugged awkwardly.

"I'm so pleased you decided to come, Claire." Nathan retrieved the suitcase from beside her. "Heidi is looking forward to seeing you again ... and so are the boys."

"Great," Claire exclaimed. "So am I."

The car ride to the Petrelli Estate in Hyde Park was long. Nathan was on his cell phone for most of the trip, but Claire was satisfied by the fact that he had made the trip to collect her in person. She stayed quiet for most of the journey, observing the city that filled the window to her left. She had visited New York before, but now she was here to live. Her stomach churned and her eyes were wide, as she was lost in her thoughts. Peter watched her closely during the trip.

"Long flight?" Peter's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Claire flicked her eyes back towards Peter. "Hmm ... oh yes, it was."

He sensed her uneasiness. "You need not worry about Heidi. She really is excited to see you again." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "And, Mom's in Paris. She won't be back for a week. That should give you a chance to settle in before she gets a chance to grill you."

She nodded, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She smiled to herself as she saw the city lights behind her eyelids. Today was the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

Claire stepped from the car, her shoes making a soft crunching sound on the shingle driveway. The Petrelli house was imposing and appeared larger than she remembered.

"Claire!" Simon Petrelli rushed down the steps to greet his half-sister.

"Simon." Claire smiled, remembering how her two young half brothers has become quite attached to her. Simon thrust his arms around her and squeezed her tightly.

Monty Petrelli was not far behind his brother, but preferred a more casual approach to greeting Claire.

Behind them, the silhouetted figure of Heidi Petrelli was standing at the entrance to the house. Claire managed to pry Simon from her waist and climbed the steps until she was face to face with her father's wife. They eyed each other closely for a moment, before Heidi pulled her close in a welcoming hug. Once they parted, Heidi kept a protective arm around her new daughter and began to lead her inside. Meanwhile, Peter, who had refused assistance from their chauffeur, was trying to pull Claire's suitcase from the trunk of the car.

"What have you got in here?" he exclaimed. "Gold bricks?"

"In this market? I hope so," Nathan commented.

Claire stopped and turned to face Peter. "What? Can't you handle a little suitcase," she mocked.

Heidi laughed softly. "I'm so glad you've come," Heidi whispered in her ear. "I was beginning to feel out numbered."

"Very funny, Texas. You know full well I'm not allowed to use any . . . assistance." He enjoyed referred to his niece by her former state of residence.

"You're going to have to stop calling her that, Pete. She's going to become a real New Yorker now." Nathan kissed his wife on the cheek and followed his sons inside.

"Maybe, but she'll always be the cheerleader from Texas, to me."

"Don't listen to him, Claire. In New York, you can be whoever you want to be," Heidi encouraged.

Peter: Claire adjusted to her new life quickly. Her first week was uneventful until, of course, my Mother returned to New York. Our first family dinner was memorable for several reasons. It was Claire's seventeenth birthday.

"Hyde Park High," Nathan repeated, taking a sip of wine.

"A Public School?"

"Mother, Claire has decided she wants to continue with her high school education within the Public School System," Nathan explained.

"Public School? She's only seventeen how on earth can she be expected to understand the implications of a decision like this." Angela Petrelli talked about her granddaughter as if she wasn't there. "She's a senior this year. You need to be thinking about colleges, Nathan."

Claire watched silently, as her Father and Grandmother swapped comments in the heated argument, unsure if she should speak up.

"It was Claire's decision. It was her choice to come and live with us here in New York, so I trust in her ability to choose where she spends her senior year at school."

"That is ridiculous Nathan, you're her Father and you should decide. You're a member of Congress; she could go to some of the finest schools in New York."

Claire was trying to tune out the banter when a hand reached for hers. She looked up and her eyes met Peter's. His hand was warm and reassuring. She squeezed it gently and was comforted when he squeezed hers in return. Peter knew better than to get in the middle of a conversation like this. Too many times he had borne the brunt of their oppressive opinions.

"Claire?"

Claire snapped back to the conversation and realised her grandmother was speaking to her. "Oh, um, sorry."

"Your grandmother wants to know if you're sticking to your decision." Nathan gave her a persuasive look.

"Yes. I am. I want everything to be as normal as possible and I think attending Hyde Park High is the way to do that," she replied confidently.

"My own granddaughter attending a public school. I'll never hear the end of it." Angela Petrelli threw her hands up in defeat.

"Mom, it's not the end of the world," Nathan said softly.

"Stubborn. Just like your grandfather." Angela looked down her nose at Claire, before she stood up and turned to Nathan. "She's a Petrelli alright, no doubt about that."

"Hi." Peter found Claire sitting on an old park bench in the garden later that evening.

"Just taking a breather," she explained.

"So, you're seventeen." Peter commented as he sat down beside her.

"Yep."

"I remember back when I was seventeen ..." he joked putting on an old man's voice.

Claire turned to face him. "Did they argue like that? When you were seventeen?"

"Them? Argue? Oh, that was nothing. Wait until you really do something wrong. At least this time you had Nathan sticking up for you."

"Yeah, I didn't see that one coming. After everything that happened, I guessed he would see things differently."

Peter nodded. "I think the events of last spring changed Nathan more than he'll admit. She doesn't seem to have as much hold over him as she used to."

"You're not as different from them as you might think, Peter." Claire had a wistful look in her eyes. "You all have this passion for your family, your loved ones. But, you all just have very different ways of showing it."

"Different. Now there's a good word to describe the Petrelli family."

"Be careful or I'll let them in on your secret."

"Secret?"

"Yes," Claire lowered her voice to a whisper and leaned towards him. "That you're not the black sheep everyone thinks you are."

Peter laughed. "I'm glad you're here to keep me in check."

"No problem, Uncle."

"God. Don't call me that. I'm only seven years older than you."

"Sure thing, Gramps."

Peter groaned and narrowed his eyes. "You're really starting to get on my nerves, Texas."

Claire got up and started walking back towards the house, before calling back over her shoulder. "You know that name doesn't bother me."

"Fine. I'll have to find one that does ..." He paused for dramatic effect. "Damn it!"

Claire giggled as he visible struggled to think of an annoying nickname for her.

"You'll keep, Tex ... you'll keep," he yelled before watching her head back to the house.

Peter: Seventeen years old and my niece.

AN: Edited 12/11.