Title: Silence

Pairing/Characters: Noah/Claire

Rating: PG

Summary: Prompt #2 of 20. Dref is my Master and I shall write what she wants me to XD

Word Count: 548

Date: December 10, 2008

"when did this happen?" I asked, my only answer was a despondent shrug of her golden shoulders. She was sitting there, my Clairebear, normal and beautiful, but with one flaw... One you couldn't even see. I sat down beside her, close, thighs touching. I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer and as her head fell against my chest I could feel the tears. I'd never shed them in front of her, besides this isn't a big deal. I smoothed her hair away from her face and was not at all surprised to find her cheeks wet. "How did this happen..." I said more to myself than as a question to her. No one really understood what you missed until it was no longer there.

Her arms unwrapped from my waist and she reached for the notebook and pencil. She bowed her head over the paper and wrote slowly, methodically. I was patient I would give her as much time as she needed in order to express herself. She slid the notebook across her legs and I took it, not once did she look up or lift her head. It read, "Why won't it heal? I still have my ability... Why won't it heal?" The tears threatened me again as I cleared my throat several times to talk.

"I don't know..." I said removing my glasses and wiping my eyes. I don't think I'd ever found anything I'd ever wanted to say more difficult to deliver. I'd teared up when I'd told her that I'd tried to be the best father to her. I'd been dead serious when I'd told her that I'd be there for her when she's sixty-four, always be there for her. I'd been close to damnation when I'd uttered the words that put her carnally in my arms. But this, something I could not help. Something I couldn't explain. Something that kept me just as silent as her. I felt her reach for the notebook and I heard the scratches as the pencil navigated the page. I replaced my glasses in time to see the words.

"Does this change everything between us? Will you leave me and return to Mom and Lyle?" For some reason this pulled an insane response from me. I barked out a rushed laugh and quickly closed it off. It had sounded maniacal and that wasn't right. I pulled her into my arms again and she nuzzled her head under my chin.

"This changes nothing... I'll... I'll just have to remember that I'm speaking for us both now..." I felt her shudder and shake and knew she was crying... just as silent. I held her even close and rocked her. I didn't blame Peter or Parkman, even though she'd been with them when... well when whatever the hell happened, happened. No one was responsible but me. I had failed to protect her, to be there for her once again. I listened to the sounds around me, knowing she could hear them too, but my ears kept searching, kept longing for the sounds that she made... That she made no longer. I sighed, a tear trailing down my cheek as I resolved to listen for the rest of my life to this silence... Longing only to hear her.