Disclamer : I don't own Heroes. So don't sue me

Author's note : In this chapter I write about Claire's relationship with West, which he finally reveal his feeling to Claire and how Claire deal with that. Apart from that, the issue that Peter was afraid of is come. Threat againts Claire. And he wasn't there to save Claire. But someone is. Enjoy this short chapter.

This semester is the fifth semester West spent in college at NYU. But he's never felt this diligently come to class. The reason is of course Claire. Once in Costa Verde, West also felt the same way when Claire moved there the first time. West wasn't the type of people who are very concerned with education. It is Claire who makes him diligently come to school.

And his new relationship with Claire is running well now. They are still in the stage of classmates again. But because they had known each other for so long, so there is no discomfort feeling between them. When The professor told them to make a task, they pointed directly to each other as partners without even thinking.

Claire also realize how West helped her in the beginning weeks at NYU. Claire had a lot to catch because she only signed in mid-semester. They spend much time together these last few weeks because they also have the same class.

But after the class ended, Claire will be away from college life. Once the professor dismissed the class, Claire ran over to Peter who always pick her up. Peter is also always walked her to college. West was always watching them silently.

West has tried asking Claire about the relationship with Peter several times. But Claire never wanted to answer, or Claire immediately changed the subject.

That day West and Claire also Aaron and Jen were gathered together at lunchtime. They had lunch at the campus cafeteria.

" What about the task from Prof. Brown? How you guys doing?" Aaron asked the West, while he putting fries into his mouth.

" We still think a good topic to discussed." West exchanged glances at Claire with a smile. " We will take lizard as a consideration material." Claire had to smile. She remembered how the topic lizard affects them.

" Lizard?" Aaron asked. His face looked confused.

Claire nodded. " You don't know that lizard expertise in regenerated is very closely related to genetically." Claire said explains.

" You looks like you are very interested with regeneration?" Aaron looked at Claire. There was a strange expression on his face. But they didn't really notice it.

Claire shrugged, looking at West. " That's just one of the topics that we can learn in genetic." Claire simply explained.

Aaron didn't ask again. They went on with their lunch in silence for several moments.

" So Claire -" Now it's Jen's turn to speak. Claire raised her head and looked at Jen. " Are you dating anyone right now?"

" What?" Claire nearly choked because the Jen's question. West put all his attention to Claire. He was also waiting for Claire's answer. Claire smiled awkwardly. " Noone. Not this moment."

" What about Peter?" West confronted Claire. Claire immediately look at West, who sat beside her. " I saw him walk and pick you up every day."

" I'm not dating Peter." Claire simply replied.

They began to quiet again. Jen and Aaron exchanged glances with each other while looking at Claire and West. " It's awkward." West and Claire still aren't talking. " We better go to class. See you in class." Jen pulled Aaron and leave them alone.

" So what's your relationship with Peter, Claire?" West asked again.

Claire looked at West with cold gaze. " I think it's none of your business." Claire packed her bag which was placed on her side, and prepare to stand. But West's hand gripped her hand, prevent her to sat up. Claire looked at West.

" How is that not my problem? Are you really don't know how I feel about you, Claire?" Claire sat silently looking West. " Our break up is because our power, Claire. That doesn't mean I stop loving you. I never stopped loving you." West releasing his grip from Claire's hand. " Now we already a different person. I hope we can start over."

" What do you mean?" Actually, Claire doesn't need to ask again. She knew what West meant. However, she purposely asked it, because she didn't know how to answer West.

West smiled at him. Gentle smile that used to make Claire interested in him. The smile that reminded him of Peter when they were separated. " You know what I mean. I still love you, Claire. I want to start over with you."

Claire rubbed her head. " I don't want to hurt you, West. The people that I don't want to hurt the most is you. The first day I moved to Costa Verde, you're my first friend. Now is also like that. School seemed to be easier if there was you. But now I can't be in a relationship like that with you again." Claire raised her hands, brush with West's hand. " I'm not in that place anymore."

West also understood what was said by Claire. " It's okay. But if now you haven't with anyone, you can try to take me back, Claire."

Claire shook her head. " You don't understand, West. I - " Claire stopped talking. She doesn't know how to explain it to West that she hadn't feeling anything to him other than friendship. And she seemed to fall in love with someone who she doesn't supposed to be loved.

" This is because Peter isn't it?" Claire looked at West again. " I'm not a fool, Claire. I can see it." West sighed. " Actually I don't want to ask you this. But I must know." West looked at Claire. " Who is Peter for you? I need to know, Claire. I want to know where I stand right now. Because I don't want to let you go, Claire."

" I can't answer you now, West. I'm sorry."

" Whatever you want." West got up and walked away, leaving Claire alone.

West sat on a chair in the front row, right in front of the professor. He ignores Claire for the entire class. And as soon as class ended, West ran out the room, before Claire can apologize again. Claire shook her head and stepped out of the building.

Her eyes search for Peter, but Peter wasn't there. Claire just will dialed Peter's number, but her phone was rang first. She saw Peter's name on the phone screen.

" Peter, where are you?"

" I'm really sorry, Claire. There is an emergency at the hospital. I can't not pick you up right now." His voice was sounded in a hurry.

" It's okay. I capable to look after myself, you know. I will stop at a supermarket before going home."

" No, Claire. You will not stay at home alone. It's too dangerous." Peter was silent a moment. " You better came to the hospital. We will go home together after I finished."

" I'm not a child, Peter. You must stop thinking of me as a child." Claire suddenly very upset with the way Peter's care about her. " I'm an adult. I can take care of myself." Claire hung up immediately.

Once Claire hung up, she immediately felt regret. " Why would I say such a thing to him?" Actually, Claire felt Peter treated her like a child. She wants Peter saw her as a woman.

Claire shook her head. " Never mind. I will cook a special menu today as an apology." Claire stopped by the supermarket on the way home. Without Peter, the groceries feel heavy. So she chose a shortcut to get home.

She was passing through a small alley, when someone suddenly snatched the groceries from Claire's hand. " What -" She saw the person who is doing it. " Sylar." Sylar smirked at her. " What are you doing here?"

" Peter called me." Sylar simply replied.

" He didn't."

" Yes, he did." Sylar gives Claire a sincere smile. " He said there was an emergency at the hospital, so he can't pick you up today. So he asked me to be your personal bodyguard today. I'll protect you today."

" I don't need protection from you." Claire said with a firm tone. " I won't go anywhere with you."

Just as Claire finished saying that, Sylar suddenly swung his hand and tossed her into dumpster. Then heard the sound of gunfire.

Claire's body hit the dumpster. When Claire's shoulder hit the wall behind the dumpster, heard the sound of broken bones. Claire has dislocated shoulder. Her hand fell on broken glass, so that her skin was torn. Blood began pouring from her hands. Claire pulled her shoulder back into place. She saw the wound in her hand, which begins to heal.

Claire looked at Sylar direction. Gunshot wound in his stomach began to heal. The blood wasn't pouring anymore. Sylar doesn't look at her. She saw the end of the alley. A figure of man coming toward them.

" Aaron?"

" What do you want?" Sylar moves to close Aaron's view from Claire.

" I've done my research. I know how to kill you both. Shot in the head." Aaron lifted his hands to Sylar's head. There's a bullet out of his hands that directly destroy Sylar's head. Sylar's body fell into the ground.

Aaron looked up Claire again. " Who are you?" Claire asked as she trying to get out from the dumpster.

Claire stood face to face with Aaron. " My brother-in-law was a reporter. He was in the carnival on the day you want to jump from the ferris wheel. He may not consider that is an important news about you are the child of Senator Nathan Petrelli. But I know what you would do. You want to reveal the existence of us all. I won't let you. I love my life right now."

As she listened to Aaron's explanation, Claire stood chilling. She realizes that Peter was right. There's the threat against her. Before this she had never really thought the threat was said by Peter. She thought Peter was too overprotected to her.

Aaron stepped forward, raising his hand. Claire understood Aaron's power. His hand can be a shotgun without having to hold the actual weapons. Claire stepped back. He didn't see the rocks behind her so he fell back.

" We can talk about this. I know I made a mistake at the carnival. But I won't do that anymore."

Aaron shook his head. " I can't take risks like that. If you expose all of us, my life wouldn't be normal anymore." Aaron was ready to lift his hand on Claire's head, when suddenly he was thrown against the wall.

Sylar stood swung his hand. His head was back to normal. Aaron winced in pain. Sylar approached him and grabbed his neck.

" Don't kill him." Claire shouted.

Sylar turned his head to looked at Claire. " Relax, Claire. I wasn't planning to kill him. We'll take him home and gave him to Peter in silver platter." Sylar looked back at Aaron and swung his arms. He threw Aaron again to the wall. Aaron was unconscious.

Sylar approached Claire and squatted in front of her. " You know him?"

" He is one of my classmates at NYU."

" Peter will love this." Sylar looked at Claire. " You're welcome." Sylar said to reminds Claire.

Claire rolled her eyes staring at Sylar. " You threw me into the dumpster." Claire said with a sarcastic tone.

" To save your life." Sylar said, trying to defend himself.

" Next time. I don't mind the ground."

Sylar smirked at her. He extended his hand to help Claire standing. Claire also took his hand. " You bring the groceries."

Claire looked at him with disbelieve look. " You just take it from me. Why I should take it now?"

Sylar continues to move closer to Aaron without seeing Claire. " I have to carried this kid." Sylar pulled Aaron's hand and wrapped it around his neck. " Not everyone has super strenght. Or teleport. Or super speed." Sylar shook his head. " I don't have anything."

Claire sighed. " This is going to be a long day." Claire said, as she lifting the groceries dan follow Sylar.

to be continued...