Volume Two: Don't Dream It's Over

Peter: As the end of Claire's academic year drew to a close she was preparing to go to her Senior Prom. I wanted nothing to do with the whole affair, but somehow I got dragged into it.

"Left, right, left . . ."

"I can't believe Nathan talked me into this," Peter grumbled.

"Right, left, right, left . . ."

"C'mon Pete, you're actually pretty good," Claire reassured him.

"Okay." The Dance Teacher clapped his hands. "Let's count it out this time. "And, one, two, three . . ."

Peter grimaced. "That's not the point Claire; my toes are getting really sore."

Claire stopped dancing and gave him a quick whack on the arm. "One time! How many times do I have to say I'm sorry for standing on your foot, ONE TIME!"

Peter cocked his head to the side. "A few more times should do it."

"You two, over there . . . I don't see dancing . . ." The Dance Teacher glared in their direction.

Hastily, they paired up and began the steps again.

"'Take her dancing' they said . . . Geez . . ." Peter muttered.

"Hey, I didn't exactly ask to be here either." Claire remembered her Grandmothers insistent tone. "It will be good for you, Claire. It will help you take your mind off that boy." "I knew I shouldn't have let everyone talk me into going to this stupid Prom."

"At least you won't have to suffer alone."

"Sorry?"

"Guess who got volunteered to Chaperone."

"Chaperone? At my Prom?" Claire could barely contain herself. "Why?"

"Nathan."

"Oh." Claire let out another giggle.

"What's so funny?"

"I dunno . . . maybe it's the idea of you in a tux . . . at a Prom."

"So?"

Claire shrugged her shoulders. "You're not really a tux kind of guy."

Peter pretended to be offended. "I was going to ask you to Prom, but since you mock me I won't . . . And I'll have you know I look pretty good in a tux."

"Aww, well I'd have to say no anyway. Becca and I are going together."

"Couldn't get a date huh?" His tone was laced with sarcasm as the pressure between them increased.

"No." Claire gave him a fierce look. "It's not like that . . . It just doesn't feel right taking someone else okay . . . Why would you care anyway?"

"I don't," Peter replied defensively.

"No, no, no, no, no." The tension between them was broken by the sharp voice of the Dance Teacher. He strolled swiftly over to them. "This is all wrong. You are both far too rigid. The dance should be light and graceful." He turned to Claire. "Your posture is terrible . . . here." He started adjusting her limbs and torso.

Peter smirked at her.

"What is up with him today?" She thought angrily. "He's driving me crazy."

"And you . . ." The Dance Teacher turned to Peter and gave him a thorough dressing down.

Claire ridiculed Peter with her eyes and he scowled.

The Dance Teacher positioned them together again and stood back. "Now all you need to do is channel that intimacy you share and focus it on the dance."

"No." They replied in unison. It was an uneasy reaction to his words.

"It's not . . . I mean we're not . . ." Peter swallowed nervously.

The Dance Teacher peered at them over his glasses for a moment before giving them a knowing smile. "Friends share intimacy too."

Claire: Despite our misgivings, both Peter and I enjoyed our dancing lessons together. I had to admit Angela was right; the preparations for Prom did take my mind off Liam. It also provided a way for Peter and I to become closer than ever. It was about that time that something changed in our relationship. It was only subtle at first, but something deeper was emerging. I tried ignoring the thoughts and feelings that found their way into my head. At first, I put it down to my general lack of trust in anyone, but Peter. Then I blamed it on teenage hormones, my powers, anything to stay away from the truth.

Claire thrust her fist angrily into her pillow as a multitude of thoughts whirled around in her mind. "This is about all I can take," she muttered into the darkness. "My dreams are the only place I can go to escape this world." Sleepless nights were becoming common at the Petrelli Estate and Claire was not the only one.

Peter was also awake in the next room. He was stretched diagonally across his bed, sheets tangled about his legs. His muscular torso heaved as he let out yet another large sigh. "Damn." He got up and made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He retrieved some items from the fridge and pantry before proceeding to make a three layer sandwich. Suddenly, a noise from behind startled him. He spun around, a glowing orb in his hand ready fire.

"Oh Shit . . ." Claire gasped. "Peter?"

"Claire?" The orb dissipated in his hand.

"What are you doing in the dark?" she whispered.

"Making a snack?"

"But in the dark?"

"Well . . ." he began.

"I know, I know. You can see in the dark, but seriously what if I had been someone else."

"Sorry. I guess it was a bit careless of me. What are you doing up anyway?"

"Couldn't sleep."

Peter nodded. "Same here." He offered her a bit of his sandwich, but she declined and headed for the fridge. She grabbed some Cookies and Cream ice cream from the freezer and started attacking it with large spoonfuls.

They ate in silence until Peter spoke up. "So, are you looking forward to graduation?"

"Strangely, yes." Claire acknowledged. "Finishing High School is a big achievement, especially after everything that has happened to me in the last two years."

"Now you'll get to find out."

"Find out what?" Claire asked between mouthfuls.

"If life gets better after High School."

Claire thought for a minute. "Meeting you feels like a lifetime ago," she said softly.

Peter nodded as his brown eyes fell gently into her hers. He turned to her and stood up slowly. "An eternity . . . I feel like I've known you forever." His face inched closer to hers.

"Ice cream!"

"Huh?" The faraway look in his eyes disappeared as Claire jumped off her seat.

She moved quickly to the freezer. "I need a new flavour. Do you want some ice cream?"

"No. Not ice cream." Peter stared at his feet for a second.

"Okay . . ." Claire mumbled as she perused the contents of the freezer. "Are you sure? There's chocolate."

"Claire."

"What?" She turned to face him, hoping he couldn't see the tears forming in her pale green eyes.

"It's not ice cream that I need right now."

"Well . . . What then?" She choked on her words.

Peter opened his mouth to speak, but at the last moment he changed his mind. They stood, silently watching the other wondering who would speak first. Claire's heart was pounding so loudly she thought for certain he would be able to hear it.

"I know something that's better than ice cream." Peter disappeared into the hallway.

Claire let out a deep sigh and blinked back the tears. She placed a hand gently to her chest, willing her heart to slow down.

When Peter reappeared a few minutes later, he had a calm look on his face. "C'mon." He motioned for her to follow him.

Claire looked at him sideways for a moment, but her composure had returned and she did not hesitate to follow him.

A few moments later she was standing outside in the middle of the moonlight courtyard. She shivered in her pajamas. "What are we doing out here?" She whispered as Peter passed her a sweatshirt to wear.

Peter stepped back and posed in front of her. "I am the Dance Teacher and I will enunciate all my words, as I order people around the dance floor." He imitated their instructor.

"Pete . . ."

He offered her his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Claire giggled shyly for a moment. "There's no music."

"Ahh, but there is." Peter whipped a small mp3 player from his pocket and gently placed one side of the headphones in her left ear. He placed the other in his right ear.

"I've been wondering where that got to!"

For a moment he fumbled to find the right song.

Claire laughed when ACDC came through the headset.

"Shhh," Peter warned her.

"Sorry," she stifled another giggle, before shaking her head and adding. "I can't believe you put Thunderstruck on there."

Eventually, he selected a generic quick step tune. He pulled her close to him and paused before directing her around the courtyard. Her steps were light and together they moved as one in the silver moonlight. The dance ended after a few minutes when he dipped her gently. He pulled her back against him and they smiled breathlessly at each other. There was no awkwardness between them now, the moment flowed naturally.

"My turn to choose a song." Claire opted for something a little less traditional when she selected 'Don't dream it's over.'

Peter smiled again and pulled her arms around his neck. They swayed slowly, lost in the music, prisoners of the moment. Just a man and a woman in the soft glow of the spring night. Claire rested her head against his chest and was comforted by the rhythmic thumping of his heart. Peter closed his eyes and suddenly wondered if he had ever felt bliss like this before in his life. He pulled Claire even closer and gently propelled them from the earth.

Claire gasped as she felt the weightlessness overtake her. She peered out and saw the ground rapidly disappearing beneath them. She looked back and her heart skipped a beat as she found Peter's handsome brown eyes staring intensely into her own.

"It'll be okay." Peter promised as they circled above the earth, leaving the world behind.

A/N: Don't Dream It's Over - Written by talented New Zealander Neil Finn and released by the band Crowded House in 1986. It has been covered by several artists, my favourite cover version being the 2002 single from Sixpence None the Richer. Amazing song :)