A/N: Five yeas later everything looks good, but only on the surface. They can never be the same again. Claire is living in the Petrelli Mansion. She's trying to have a normal life and she's about to graduate from the University. The dark side in Peter rises and their lives are about to be changed forever.

Note: It's AU Paire fic. It's not the typical Paire fic you're going to read. The dark notes here are highlighted. I've never written such Paire fiction before. It's dangerous and it's a challenge for me to write it, but I'm going to try it.

Rated: M

Couple: Peter/Claire

Warnings: Again, it's AU. I don't own Heroes, sadly. The dark themes here are highlighted.

Enjoy reading,

ArinnaVal

Chapter 3

Peter looked like an entirely different person in the next morning. He managed to even release a smile when he saw Claire. What surprised her the most was that, his frowning face and the hate in the eyes were gone. It was like a magic. Today Claire could almost see his old self. However, something in him made her nervous. There was something wrong and she could put her finger on it. The question here was, what exactly.

When she had woken up this morning, a hint of Peter's perfume had embraced her. However, she had thought that was only a fruit of her imagination. When she looked at him right now, she could almost sworn that he had been there last night. There was something in his look when he laid his eyes on her. Claire winced.

"It's chilly outside." His long, delicate fingers reached out for the napkin. He touched the soft fabric to his lips. "You should put your white vest on."

"What?" Claire had caught off guard. "You wanted me to leave and now you're acting like you care about me?" Her voice was everything, but a nice one.

"I wasn't myself yesterday." Peter said calmly, putting his napkin down onto the table.

"Your mother told me." Claire leaned back on her chair. Her hand buried into her hair and she tucked a golden curl behind her ear.

"I'm not surprised."

"And you're not angry?"

"Why should I be?"

"Because you don't like such things?" Claire was more than surprised. Peter was like an enigma to her right now. His beautiful hazel eyes hid the secret of their owner really well. "What's wrong with you?"

"Turning a new page." Peter lay his hands on the table. "I want you here, where you belong, Claire."

"But why you wanted me gone?"

"Do you really want to know?" His crooked smile was more than disturbing right now.

"Of course I do. We haven't talked in awhile. I want to know your reasons, Peter." She tried to reach him once again. "I miss the way we used to talk."

"I thought you're going to be better if you have your own life. Being a Petrelli is not the best thing ever."

"You're lying to me!" Claire scoffed. "Why don't you tell me the truth?"

"My little cheerleader." Peter trailed off and he looked rather amused. "You have to learn to trust people."

"I'm not yours!" She felt her blood boil and got off her chair. "And I'm getting late."

"Oh, I'm sure Andy can wait." Peter simply waved his hand and she couldn't move a muscle. He got off his chair and walked to her slowly.

"What are you doing?" Her heart fastened its rhythm. "Peter, let me go! This is not funny!"

"Why didn't you tell me you're getting married?" He stopped close to her, right behind her back. Claire could feel his breath on her exposed neck. "That's important news for the family."

"What? Angela told you already? But…"

"Does it matter?" His hands grabbed her arms and squeezed them. "You should've told me."

"You've said it better – I have to live my life away from you." She almost chocked when she felt how he leaned his chin on her shoulder.

"I was wrong." Peter muttered. "Funny, isn't it?"

"I'm not laughing and you should let me go, now!"

"Hm." He simply said, lifting her hand up and looking at her fingers. "I don't think an engagement ring would look good on you, my love."

"Peter." Claire couldn't recognize her own voice. It was so throaty and trembling. Something in his touch made her feel weak inside.

"Give up." He whispered and appeared before her all of a sudden. "He's not for you."

"I love him and I'm gonna marry him!" She licked her lips and her eyes challenged him. "You can't stop me and why would you?"

"Try me!" His eyes sparkled dangerously and he was gone in the next second.

Claire needed a moment to restore her breathing. She felt weak in her knees and fell back on her chair. How could he be like this after everything that had happened to them? Something in his voice and his eyes was making her feel so small and scared. Peter wasn't acting like himself and that was the only clear thing now.

"What's going on here?" Angela's voice startled her and Claire turned around to see her. "Where is Peter?"

"The question of the day." Claire muttered, getting up. "He was here few minutes ago, but then teleported away. I guess he's at the Hospital right now."

"I thought I've heard his voice, oh well." Angela shook her head. "I overslept this morning."

"You told him about my marriage?" Claire frowned a little. "Why?"

"What? No, I didn't." Peter's mother looked at her with confusion.

"Then how… Never mind. He knows and now he wants me here."

"Good."

"Good? Angela I have to live my life! You know I have plans."

"I do, but family always comes first, Claire." Angela poured herself a cup of tea.

"You want me to say no to Andy?" Claire couldn't believe in her ears.

"No, I won't stop you, my dear." Angela took a sip. "It's up to you to decide."

"Peter said Andy is not for me."

"Andy is a good boy from a good family."

"Then why-"

"It's up to you, Claire." Angela interrupted her and walked out the room.

Claire just stood there few more minutes and then with a final sigh went outside. Andy was waiting for her. The engine of his car was working. Claire smile and got in, kissing him for hello. Andy just smiled and they drove off to their Campus.

Later that day when Claire was trying to study in the park, Peter was watching her from distance. She was sitting on the grass, under the nearest tree. Claire had dropped her bag on the ground next to her and her whole attention had focused over the book. She only had to lift up her look so she could see him. Peter however liked to stay hidden for now. Yeah, he could've used his invisibility, but he was so tired of using that ability lately. Maybe being a human would work just fine for him right now.

He saw her shifting on her place. Her hand lifted up and rubbed the back of her neck. Even from his place, Peter could see the small droplets of sweat formed on her neckline. His eyes narrowed with that picture. He had to put his whole strength not to go there and… No! Peter shook his head. It was like a demon had possessed his thoughts and didn't let him go. That demon was making him feel weak when his thoughts flew to Claire. Her presence in his life was intoxicating. It was tough just look at her and didn't have the right to touch her.

Unlike her boyfriend, Andy.

Peter snorted when he saw the boy coming up from behind Claire. He put his hands over her eyes and Peter saw her smile. Her sad little smile, once belonged to him. His fists clenched and his breathing became erratic. It was a torture to watch them kiss. It was a torture to… read Andy's thoughts. The son of a bitch was about to propose to her now. To put that damn ring on her finger and made it official!

"Hello." Peter founded himself walking to them. His self-control just dropped down. He wasn't thinking anymore; only acting on his instincts.

"Peter?" Claire looked up at him and her smile faded. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood." Peter trailed off. His voice was low, almost throaty. "I thought I could give you a ride to home."

"I could-" Andy started, but Peter interrupted him.

"I don't remember talking to you?" His whole attitude was dangerous. Actually, he could greet himself right now. Andy was still alive and that boy could consider himself lucky.

"Excuse me?" Andy snarled. Well, Peter thought, he wasn't that clever.

"You have a problem with me, boy?" He smiled almost politely.

"I-"

"That's enough!" Claire hissed and looked around. People still didn't pay attention to them. She got off the ground and put her books back into the bag. "I'm going back home, alone!" She tried to pass Peter, but he grabbed her arm.

"I'm afraid I have to insist." His grip was painful, but she didn't even make a sound. Only her face frowned. "So, shall we?"

"Let go of her!" Andy tried to intervene, but Peter didn't even look at him.

"Tell your puppy goodbye, Claire." He said almost nicely.

"Peter." Her eyes pleaded him, but he just tilted his head and he sighed. "Fine. Goodbye, Andy."

"I'll call you." Andy knew when to step away. Peter almost felt sorry. He could've said few things to that boy, accompanied with few punches.

"Okay." Claire nodded and looked at Peter again. "Shall we?" Her voice was cold, but he didn't look like he paid too much attention to it.

Peter looked around and almost dragged her behind the nearest tree. Then he took her in his arms and launched into the sky. Claire hissed and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding onto him tightly. She didn't expect that from him. Peter had never flown with her. Not until today. She looked at his face and finally relaxed in his arms.

It was strange, but that was the first time they shared something special since the moment Claire had moved into the Mansion. They didn't talk now, but that didn't upset her. Just the feeling of his arms around her made her feel something forgotten. She felt safe.