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 7

She knew that was a mistake, but she couldn't help it. Peter was the beast in this story and the sad part was, she trusted that beast. Her head kept lying on his chest and she couldn't think right in this moment. If she had to be honest before herself, Claire had dreamed about this moment since long ago.

It was long ago she found out that Peter was her uncle. It was long before she could put that wall between them. It was long before she could learn to smile without feeling it. It was the moment when she had seen him for the first time in that corridor. It was something in his crooked smile that had won her heart almost right away. It was the Peter she'd always wanted to have, but she knew it was wrong. It was so wrong that she couldn't even think about it.

Not tonight. Not when she was in his arms.

Claire allowed herself that forbidden emotion right there and then. She allowed herself to simply listen to his heartbeat and pretend that it was for her. She could pretend that when he had told her he loved her, he actually meant it in the way she always wanted to be loved by him. In the way no one could understand or agree about it.

Her eyes closed and she bit her lower lip, feeling the sadness possessing her heart again. Peter was in her every forbidden dream. His eyes were in her every woman's dream.

However, she knew how impossible that was. When the music ended and Peter finally stopped moving, Claire just pulled back and looked him at his eyes for a long moment. He leaned to her, but she simply turned around and left the room. If she had turned around for a brief moment, she could've seen him smirking.

Claire ran upstairs to her room and carefully closed the door behind her back. She slid by the door and sat on the ground, wrapping her arms around her folded legs. Peter was dangerous and her feelings for him had to stay hidden. It was better for everyone, but most likely for her. Or… that she was trying to convince herself.

Peter stayed in the middle of the dance floor long after Claire had disappeared of his sight. His hand lifted up and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. After he had read her mind and actually felt her feelings for him, it was easier to look at the whole situation. Just when he had thought it was going to be different. His little cheerleader had surprised him.

His eyes narrowed and sparkled darkly. An ominous smile started dancing on his lips. Oh yeah, Andy was going to be only in her memory very soon. If the little puppy knew what was the best for him, he would've stayed out of his way.

"You're scaring my guests!" Angela grabbed his arm and Peter looked at her. His smile narrowed and he slowly lowered his look to her grip on his arm.

"Excuse me, mother?"

"You're staying here and smiling like an idiot." Angela didn't even tremble.

"Call me idiot once again." He sounded almost polite.

"And what you're gonna do? Kill me?" Her brows went up.

"Don't tempt me." Peter hissed so she could be the only one that could hear him.

"You know what, Peter? If you don't want to be here, just go. I can see Claire is missing as well." Angela simply sighed. "I can handle it from here."

"Oh mother, how generous of you." Peter kissed the back of her fingers, but his voice was still cold.

Angela watched him walking away and let out a tired sigh. Sometimes she wondered if she was going to be able to handle his behavior any longer. But she was his mother and he was her only son. She had to try at least. Claire was still here so she was going to help as well. After she had seen them dancing, Angela had no doubt about it. Claire still loved Peter. She hadn't given up on him. She still trusted him.

Claire still hadn't given up of her dream for a normal life. Andy was the way she could reach that dream. Angela knew that well. She knew more than she wanted sometimes, but that was the curse of her ability. Arthur had used that for his own personal gain. She just hadn't seen it at the beginning. Maybe he had loved her at first, but then things had changed. She had seen it too late and it was the moment when Arthur had chosen to sacrifice Peter's life. Her mother's hart hadn't accepted that, but he had used her again. He was the strongest one between them and he knew it.

Angela shook her head to let go of the bad memories and looked around. The party was almost over and she couldn't wait the end of the evening. She was tired to pretend already.

On the next morning the atmosphere around the table was almost normal. Almost, because Peter was in his usual silence mood and Claire was too busy eating her breakfast.

"Good morning." Angela said and took her place by the table. "You both are up early this morning?"

"Whoa, we're making an attempt to talk?" Peter peered over his newspaper. He sounded sarcastic.

"Stop it!" Claire hissed and then looked at Angela. "Yes, I'm up early, because I have to go and study."

"Translation – she has to go and make out with her puppy." Peter didn't even try to hide the amusement in his voice.

"Peter!" Angela scoffed this time.

"Oh, boy! You both are so cheery this morning, aren't you?" He even chuckled. "You know how much I cherish these family moments"

"You are impossible!" Claire glared at him.

"Says the person who's going to make the biggest mistake of her life?"

"Says the person who can at least try to be happy!"

"I told you it's not going to work!" Peter put the newspaper down and looked at her carefully. Angela could swear they both had forgotten about her. She just kept silence.

"Why?" Claire asked stubbornly.

"Because we both know how you feel about it." He lowered his voice and hi eyes went dark.

"Yes, I know. It's why I'm sure Andy is going to be the perfect choice for me."

"Aren't you getting tired of lies, Claire?" Peter simply propped his chin on his palm.

"I'm not lying!"

"Yes, you are."

"No!"

"You don't love him, my love."

"I'm going to marry him and you have nothing to do about it, Peter!" She threw her napkin onto the table and stormed out the room. He simply leaned back on his chair, looking after her.

"Peter…" Angela only whispered. "Please… don't."

"Hm-mm." He simply muttered and he turned around to face his mother. "If you dreamed about it and you know it's going to happen, why are you even trying to stop me, mother?"

"You know… sometimes you just remind me of…"

"…Sylar?" Peter looked at her rather amusingly. "I killed that monster, but I can assure you that I have nothing to do with him or his ability."

"I'm not exactly sure."

"I can think and I know what I want."

"What you want is wrong, Peter…"

"You shouldn't have hid her from me then." He pushed his chair back and left the room before Angela could answer.

Peter's love for Claire was stronger than everything. She was sure now.