A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you all enjoyed the tender Nathan/Claire scene. That was incredibly difficult to write because I wanted to keep Nathan in character, but also show a part of him that the show doesn't really show. Peter has arrived and I promised his role will become more significant. Also, Sylar is alive, as I've said, and I will soon be explaining where he is. For the future, due to Sargeant Scarlett's review, I will be making the chapter titles capitalized as they should be properly. I've been writing them lower-case and I know some of you may not have even noticed, but I suppose some of you might have. So small thing, but there it is! Thanks again for the reviews and keep them up!

MATT & CLAIRE

HOSPITAL, NEW YORK

"Hey, back already?" Matt grinned up at Claire as she entered the room.

"Well, I thought you might like some company." Claire returned his grin as she approached the side of his bed. "Hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, it's good to see a friendly face." Matt watched her place a new vase full of sunflowers on the table beside the bed.

"I'm not sure how to choose flowers for a guy, but these are my favorites."

"They're nice Claire, thank you." Matt patted her hand sweetly. "And it's nice of you to stop by, really. I've been hoping my wife would come, but she hadn't gotten here yet. It's probably better that way though, because I still have no idea what I'm going to say to her." He readjusted his position in the bed, trying to sit up higher and Claire quickly helped him fix his pillows for more comfort. "Claire, you're being really nice coming here to visit me, but why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you here? You barely know me. The few times we've run across each other, didn't exactly go so well." He smirked. "I killed you once, remember?"

"Yea, I remember, but you only did that because I told you to." Claire reminded him.

"That doesn't really explain what you're doing here though."

She hesitated for a moment and then sighed. "It's either here or at the hotel. There I have to listen to Dr. Suresh going over and over all his files, trying to make sense of all his scientific mumbo-jumbo." She shrugged. "I was going crazy there to be honest."

"Well, I'm glad I can offer you distraction." He paused. "I bet it doesn't help that the young doctor looking after me looks like a model."

Claire pretended to be shocked at his suggestion. "Really? I didn't notice."

"Uh-huh, right." He was grinning again. "Just keep telling yourself that."

"Anyway, I'm here to entertain you." Claire perched on the side of the bed. "So, what do you want to do? We could play cards. Do you play cards?"

"Yea, I like playing cards, when I have the time." Matt agreed, and then he hesitated. "Dr. Suresh does know where you are, doesn't he? I mean I wouldn't want him to have a panic attack or anything when he discovers you're missing!"

"Don't worry. I got his permission to come and hang out here. I guess he assumes the hospital's pretty secure."

Matt shifted his legs to the side so she'd have more room on the bed. "What do you mean by secure? Why's he so paranoid for your safety? I thought he was just looking after you so you could learn more about your powers…"

Claire frowned. "You didn't hear did you?"

"Hear what?"

"Sylar didn't die." Claire told him solemnly. "At Kirby Plaza. We all thought he had died when Hiro stabbed him, but he didn't, I guess. I'm not really sure on the specifics, but I know that he's alive, and so Dr. Suresh is pretty sure that he's going to be on the hunt again."

"That's not exactly comforting."

"I know." Claire twirled a piece of hair around her finger habitually. "It's a little terrifying actually, especially since Dr. Suresh thinks I'm going to be his number one target, just like before."

"He says the hospital's safe though, right?" Matt clarified. "You're safe here?"

"Maybe." Claire spotted a glass of ice chips on the side table and snatched one out, popping it into her mouth. "Sylar doesn't seem to be a guy who intimidates easily. Why should a hospital stop him?"

"Again, not very comforting Claire."

"I know." She tried to smile, but Matt saw the terror in her eyes.

"Okay, do you know how to play gin rummy?" Matt was eager to change the subject, trying to keep the young girl's mind off her fear.

"Of course I do. Do you have a deck of cards?"

"Yea, Dr. Hill gave me some cards so I could play solitaire." He reached into a drawer and produced the deck. "You deal, it's still a little painful for me to move too much." He handed her the deck and she started shuffling.

Claire started dealing cards. "So tell me something about yourself, Officer Parkman."

"Well, first of all, I'm not exactly an Officer anymore, so why don't you just call me Matt."

"Will do." Claire snatched another ice chip and started sucking on it. "Now, for starters, let's talk about that. Why aren't you an officer anymore?"

"Well, when I started hearing voices, I tried helping my FBI partner find Sylar…she believed that I could read minds, but everyone else thought I was a bit…delusional."

"So they took away your badge?" Claire sighed. "That's so unfair. That's exactly why I don't tell people about my ability."

"Why's that exactly? So they don't take away your cheerleading badge?" Claire scoffed at his joke and chucked an ice chip at him. It hit him in the shoulder and he pretended that it hurt. "Careful, I'm injured remember! Four bullets in the chest, and unlike some people I'm not indestructible!" He chucked the ice back at her, but missed.

"Anyway, I'm not a cheerleader anymore."

"Oh? The way your dad talked, it sounded like cheer was a big deal for you."

"It was." Claire stated simply. "Things change."

"Right, that girl that died, the cheerleader, she was a friend of yours wasn't she?"

"Something like that." Claire shrugged. "I don't really like to talk about it."

"Of course, I'm sorry." He discarded and was silent for a minute, and then chose a new topic. "Let's talk about your family."

Claire laughed. "You sort of know about them, don't you? I mean you were with my dad for a few days, and you saw what my mom's like…"

"Not the Bennetts. The Petrellis."

"How did you know about them?"

"Your dad mentioned it."

"Right." Claire picked up a card, shuffled her hand around and then discarded. "Well, there's not much to tell about people I don't really know. My dad's just been elected to congress, which is great for him and his family, but he doesn't really know how to fit me in yet."

"I'm sorry. That must be difficult for you."

"It's a little frustrating, maybe confusing is a better word…" Claire shrugged. "I can deal though. That's why I'm in New York, to figure out what's going to happen with my life now. It's not that bad really. Dr. Suresh is really nice and he's trying to help me understand my ability better. Plus Molly's totally adorable and I think it's good for her to have another girl around. I don't think Dr. Suresh is quite ready to play daddy for her yet."

"Is he keeping her then? I don't really understand how that will work…"

"Yea, I don't think any of us are clear about that situation." Claire drew a card, considered her hand for a moment and then discarded again. "Molly's an orphan, as you know, but she was never sorted into foster care because she was immediately taken into custody by whatever organization has been screwing with all our lives. So for now she's staying with us, but I don't know what will happen with her in the long run."

"She shouldn't be put into a foster home." Matt said emphatically. "She's been through so much already…"

"I agree. I wish I were old enough to take care of her, but I'm not legally even old enough to take care of myself yet." Claire rolled her eyes.

"What are you going to do, Claire?" Matt asked suddenly. "You can't stay with Dr. Suresh forever. Are you going to live with your dad? Your real dad, Nathan."

Claire shrugged. "I don't know. I think I might like to. I'd like to get to know him, but I just don't know."

"He's nice though, right?"

"Yea, I think he is. We talked a little yesterday, he actually came to the hospital to see me." Claire discarded and Matt quickly snatched up the card. "It's not just him that I'll have to get used to living with though. He has a whole other family! And his mother isn't exactly someone I'm eager to see again…" She noticed Matt's confused frown and explained briefly. "We didn't separate on the best of terms. I actually jumped out of a window to escape from her."

"Wow." Matt was laughing now. "What about Peter though? You two seem to get along well."

"Yea, Peter's great." Claire smiled. "Actually he's incredible."

"And he's alive right? You mentioned that he survived."

"Yep, he called me from Canada and said he's on his way back here now, so hopefully I'll see him again soon."

"What was he doing in Canada?"

"I have no idea!" Claire laughed. "I just can't wait to see him…oh..oh…" She analyzed her cards for a moment and then laid them all down excitedly. "Gin!"

"Oh come on!" Matt sighed and slapped down his hand with exaggerated anger. "You cheated."

"Did not!" Claire protested. "I never cheat! I'm just lucky."

"Lucky, are you?"

Claire's head whipped around at the voice in the doorway. She smiled instinctively at the young doctor whom she had met the day before. "Hi!" She cleared her throat quickly when she realized that her voice was sounding much squeakier than usual. Were his eyes always that incredible? She tried not to stare, but it was difficult to ignore how beautiful his deep gray eyes were. When he turned his head toward the window the sun flashed across his eyes and they gleamed silver for a moment.

"It's good to see you again, Claire." Jaden approached the bed, picked up Matt's chart and started flipping through it. "You are getting better and better every day!"

"All thanks to my excellent doctors!" Matt grinned.

"Are you sure it's not due to you're sweet visitor? I know I'd get better a hell of a lot faster if she were visiting me!" Jaden winked at Claire.

Claire gathered up the cards and started shuffling, doing her best not to look at the doctor because she knew she was blushing terribly.

"Well, I was just checking up on my way out of here for the day."

"You're leaving already?" Claire hadn't meant to speak her thoughts, but it was too late to take them back.

Jaden seemed glad that she had spoken though. "My shift's over, I've been on for twenty-four hours…" He paused, looking a little hesitant about what he was going to say. "I'm a little tired and I was thinking about maybe getting a cup of coffee before heading home."

"Good for you." Claire responded without thinking again.

"I was wondering if you might like to get a cup with me." Jaden's dark straggly hair was just long enough to tie back with what looked like a thin leather cord, but the front pieces of his hair hung loose and now he tucked them behind his ears. Despite the seemingly untidy appearance of his hair, he looked very well put together in his blue doctor scrubs and white lab coat.

Claire was silent, first from his invitation, and then because she was focusing so much on analyzing his appearance. .

Matt was trying desperately not to laugh at her and decided to speak for her. "Didn't you hear, Claire? The cute intern just asked you to get a cup of coffee."

Claire was instantly revived from her silence, but her cheeks had blushed bright pink. "Sure, Dr. Hill, I'd love some coffee."

"Good." He winked at Matt. "Thanks for the help. Oh, and Claire, do you think you could call me Jaden? Dr. Hill sounds so formal, and it's not like you're one of my patients."

"Good thing too." Matt contributed again, earning another glare from Claire.

"I'll see you later Matt," Claire lowered her voice so only he could hear. "If I ever feel like talking to you again."

"Yea, yea, enjoy yourself, but behave." Matt squeezed her hand as she slid off the bed. "Thanks for visiting Claire, seriously."

Claire nodded and eagerly joined Jaden by the door.

"So, coffee?" Jaden motioned to the right and Claire started off in that direction. "Are you old enough to drink coffee?"

Claire frowned. "Of course! How old do you think I am? You can't be that much older than me!" She continued rambling, feeling instantly insecure. "How old are you?"

He grinned. "I'm not that old, don't worry. I started college young and then graduated early, so I'm only twenty-one now."

"Oh, that's not…" She hesitated. "That's not that old."

"That's what I said." He led her down the hall to the elevator. "You're still in high school, I imagine."

"Yes." Claire hated admitting it, knowing that he was four years older than she was. "But I'm going to be a senior in the fall, well I should be…technically."

"Technically?"

"Yea, well, I've sort of been missing school for a couple weeks now…"

"Why's that? Are you considering dropping out?"

"No, not at all." Claire considered how to answer him. She couldn't exactly tell him that she left to save the world. "It's been a complicated year. Family issues." She added quickly, and he seemed to accept the answer. "So, how'd you get into medicine?" Claire was eager to change the subject and Jaden didn't fight her on it.

"My dad." He gave her the answer simply as the elevator opened and they stepped in.

"Oh? Is he a doctor too?"

"No, actually he passed away when I was just a kid."

"Oh! I'm so sorry." Claire mentally rebuked herself for bringing up such a painful subject.

"Don't be. It was a lifetime ago, and I've dealt with it." He gave her a reassuring smile. "But what I meant was, my dad was sick for a long time, in the hospital, so I hung out there a lot in junior high and early in high school. Watching the doctors doing their best to help him and all the other sick people…" He held up his hands. "I was sold. There was nothing else in the world that I dreamed of doing."

"That's really beautiful."

"Thanks." Jaden was laughing at Claire, and she again rebuked herself for being such an idiot and speaking without thinking.

"I know that sounded totally lame, but I mean it in a good way." Claire assured him. "The truth is, you sort of remind me of someone that I know."

"Someone you like, I hope."

"Absolutely!" Claire grinned. "He's the best, and he's a nurse, with the same sort of caring heart that you have."

"I see." The elevator reached the floor that Jaden had chosen and they exited. There was a coffee kiosk at the end of the hall near one of the larger lobbies. "I know it doesn't look like much, but I assure you this place makes the best espressos."

"Sounds good to me." Claire let Jaden order them two espressos, which he also paid for, and then they stepped aside to wait for the coffee to be made.

"How do you know Matt?" Jaden asked as they waited.

"Umm, well, he's friends with my dad, sort of." Claire knew that her story sounded faulty, due to her stuttering and struggling for words.

"I see. And that makes him close enough for you to spend time with at the hospital?" Jaden did not look convinced.

"Yea, well, he doesn't have anyone else here to visit him, and he's nice." She hoped she was sounding more convincing this time. "If it were me, I'd hope somebody would come and visit me."

"Well, yea, me too, but the two of you don't exactly seem like you've got a lot in common. I mean, he's a middle-aged ex-cop, and you're a high school…" He paused. "Cheerleader."

"How did you know that I as a cheerleader?" Claire demanded instantly.

"I didn't." He responded, equally quickly. Her fierce tone alarmed him. "I was just saying that you fit the look of the stereo-typical cheerleader." He laughed a little as her frown turned into a glare. "Nothing negative. It's just, you do seem like one of those girls."

"One of those girls? What's that supposed to mean?" Claire wasn't going to let him off easy. She'd had had enough struggle with trying to convince her best friend Zach that she wasn't a pure bitch of a cheerleader, and now she was more than prepared to win the battle with the doctor as well. "Let me guess, cheerleaders weren't exactly your friends in high school? Were you a nerd?"

"Whoa there! Now come on, I didn't mean to offend you, Claire!" Jaden held up his hands defensively. "It's just weird for a girl like you to be hanging out with a guy like him, that's all…"

"Trust me, there's a lot more to me than meets the eye. Matt and I have a lot in common." Claire was relieved when their espressos were up and Jaden retrieved them, because it gave her an opportunity to change the subject. The current conversation was becoming a little too hostile for her comfort. "Have you always lived in New York?"

"More or less." Jaden answered.

"That's not a very good answer."

"Well, I was born here, but I've traveled a lot."

"Oh? With family?"

"Something like that."

Now it was Claire's turn to be confused by his dodgy answers. She wanted to ask him more, but before she got a chance she heard her name being called out from across the room. She recognized the voice instantly and spun around to locate it. She spotted him near the receptionist's desk.

"Peter!"