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 6

A week passed and Andy still hadn't proposed her. Claire got nervous. It wasn't like they didn't talk about the wedding. He took care of everything, at least that was he had told her. She even met his mother and they both looked at some wedding magazines. However, Andy still hadn't given the ring to her. Claire almost thought he forgot about it.

It was time for the Petrelli's annual summer party. The New York's elite was invited. Claire thought it was a little bit too much, but she still had to participate. Every other year, Peter chose to make his disappearing act. This time, he announced he was going to be there. Claire was more than surprised. They didn't talk much the week that passed. His attitude was back to distance again. He was cold, more than cold even. His eyes were piercing her and she felt uncomfortable every time he looked at her. Her heart kept betraying her every time he was around. Claire would've lied to herself she felt nothing, but the truth was so obvious that she just couldn't do that. However, she was trying to live her life in the way she wanted to. Andy was her choice to be happy and she was about to make that important step.

When the night of the summer party finally arrived, Claire was ready. She wore her little black dress. Her long blond hair hung around her shoulders and she chose to put a very light make up. The earrings she wore were simple golden ones. She stood by the door, greeting the guests. Only her smile was fake. She didn't know any of them or if she knew them, she didn't like them that much.

"So crowded." Peter's voice caressed her ear and she shivered. He had made his way though the crowd to her and now was standing right beside her. "Hello." He simply nodded to the next guest and his wife.

"It's so nice to see you here again." Claire smiled again and her smile faded as soon as they moved along. "Like every year."

"You're getting used to it, huh?" Peter leaned to whisper close to her ear. "I think you actually enjoy it, my love."

"Would you stop calling me like that?" Claire hissed. She hated the butterflies she felt in her stomach every time he was around.

"No." Peter simply said and sipped from his champagne.

"You're impossible!" She was tempted to move her head and look at him. However, the next guest just arrived and she had to smile again. "Good evening."

"I've been told." Peter chuckled and greeted the guest. "I can afford that." He waited the guest to move along and put his free hand on the small of her back. Claire stirred. "You feel cold?"

"N-no." She stammered and finally turned her head to look at him. It was a mistake. His face was close to hers, too close. His palm on the small of her back burned her skin through the thin fabric of the dress. A light smirk danced on his lips. "Peter please… stop this." She licked her lips, looking at his ones.

"Do you really want me to?" His voice was thick and filled with something that made her feel weak in her knees.

Claire couldn't answer, because Angela came downstairs right at this moment. Peter was forced to go and greet her. That was the etiquette and he had to do it. It was just in time, because Andy arrived as well. She forced a smile on her face and planted a soft kiss on his lips. He smiled at her and she laid her hand on his folded arm. They both made their way through the crowd to the nearest bar. Claire took a glass of champagne and Andy chose a glass of whiskey for himself.

"You look beautiful tonight." He coughed when they finally had their moment alone. Alone was a strong word of course, because they were just standing by one of the windows, looking at the front yard.

"Thank you." Claire smiled over at him. "I thought you wouldn't come here."

"How could I miss it?" Andy grinned, kissing her shoulder.

"A-ha." Claire smiled again, enjoying his touch. "So I was the bait?"

"Yup." Andy laughed, but his laugh stopped all of a sudden. "I think he would kill me if he could. I could swear he looks jealous right now!"

"Huh?" Claire followed his look and saw Peter at the other side of the room. His eyes were narrowed again. "Don't be stupid! Peter is like an uncle to me." Claire laughed, but it was a forced laugh.

"Good! Because I'm crazy about you." Andy laughed again and Claire forced herself to look at him and smile as well. Andy kissed her and at this moment, she could feel Peter's eyes burned her back.

Andy had to go soon after. Claire couldn't blame him. He was there only to be with her. Still, he hadn't put that ring on her finger. She looked down at her hand without thinking.

"I'm keeping my promise so far." Peter took her hand and she stirred. She hadn't heard him coming. "Your hand looks good just the way it is."

"Lonely."

"Beautiful." He lifted up her hand and kissed the back of her fingers. Then she felt the damn butterflies again. "Your heart agrees with me." Peter chuckled and looked at her, still holding her fingers.

"My heart doesn't want to be alone."

"It doesn't have to be, Claire."

"It's why I'm gonna get married." She nodded and almost winced again when his hold onto her fingers tightened. "Peter…"

"Hm… wrong answer."

"You can't stop me!"

"I thought we've had this conversation already."

"I'm still gonna do that." She didn't know why, but she felt the need to challenge him. His eyes went black and burned her skin again. It was as if his was touching her only with his eyes.

"If the puppy can find the ring." He smirked and Claire could've slapped him if that was possible. Unfortunately, the party was still on.

"You hid it? That's low, Peter!" Claire muttered.

"It was either that or killing him." Her shocked look only made him rise his brows up. "What? I'm still going to do it if he doesn't give up!"

"You're gonna kill him?"

"Yes."

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I got tired of that cat and mouse game." Peter shrugged.

"He's going to buy a new ring."

"Everybody is responsible for their own fate." His lips touched the back of her fingers again. "Let's dance!"

"Dance?" She looked at him with confusion. "But I-"

"Let's go!"

"No!"

Her protest sank into the music. Peter pulled her right in the middle of the improvise dance floor. Claire could only spread her lips in a thin line and left him do what it was in his mind. Peter grinned and took her in his arms. His hands laced on the small of her back and he pulled her closer. It that case she was forced to put her arms on his shoulders and glare at him.

"I. Hate. You." She hissed, but that didn't upset him at all. He knew he had won this battle.

"No, you don't." His lips touched her temple. "I think we both know that."

"But-"

"Shush." He pulled her even closer so her lower body could touch his one. She swallowed hard. "Can you shut up for a second? I'm trying to dance here!"

"I-I'm n-not in a m-mood." Claire stammered.

Peter didn't answer her. He swayed his body in perfect synchrony with hers. The music was slow and intimate and soon Claire felt herself completely lost in it. Her eyes closed and her hands slid up his shoulders to lace behind his neck. Her head rested on his collarbone and she felt safe again.

That was the moment when she felt completely devoted to him. She fitted perfectly into his arms and maybe in another place in time… Maybe if they weren't sharing the same blood… Maybe if they were free to love each other… Maybe if all people could just… no! Her thoughts were dangerous.

"Nobody could love you more than me, Claire." He whispered close to her ear and his arms around her tightened. He had read her thoughts of course and she couldn't deny any of it.