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 15

The first person she saw at the airport was Andy. She forced a smile on her face when he rushed to her. His arms wrapped around her in an iron grip. Claire hugged him back, but something just didn't feel right. Her heart was calm, not rushing. Her breathing was normal and not influenced by his touch. Yes, she had missed him, but something in her had changed. The ugly duck had turned into a beautiful swan. Claire coughed lightly, taking his hand as they walked out the airport. Andy kept talking through the whole time. Yes, he had missed her. Claire looked up at him and smiled briefly. She did it not because she felt it, but because she knew she had to react in this way. That was her finance after all.

"Angela told me you needed a vacation. I got worried that you won't make it for the graduation." Andy kept babbling as they walked into the car.

Claire put her seatbelt on it and stared at the window. Graduation... really? She felt so old right now and she couldn't even explain why. She couldn't hurt Andy like this. He was a good man and he was the best choice for her. Angela was right. Peter would only make her life even more difficult that already was. She had to move on. She had to let go of him.

"Claire?" Andy's voice took her out of her daydream.

"Hm?" Claire looked at him and smiled.

"Are you okay?" He started the engine and they drove off. "You're still mad at me?"

"Mad?" Her confused expression was obvious.

"Yeah, because I wanted to postpone the wedding?"

"No, I'm okay." Claire gathered a lock of hair, hung over her face. "You were right. We have to wait."

"I don't think so anymore." Andy mumbled when he stopped the car in front of the mansion. "Look what I've found." He pulled a small box out of his pocket. "I think that's belong to you and we can make it official already."

Claire froze when he slid the ring onto her finger. The small golden object burned her skin. She felt guilt. She felt like she's betraying Peter in this way...and that was stupid. Peter was a part of her family and nothing more. Claire had to learn how to live with that thought.

"It looks... beautiful!" She managed to say and Andy glowed.

"It is actually." He leaned to kiss her and Claire felt happy of herself, because she didn't flinch. "Now we only have to set the date. How about after the graduation party?"

"In two weeks?" Claire frowned. "Why's all that rush?"

"I thought you wanted it to be in that way, Claire."

"I do, but..."

"But what?" Andy looked at her with confusion. "Did something happen in Vegas?"

"No." Her answer was too quick, but she masked it with a huge smile. "Nothing happened...and it's okay if you want to do it in that date. It caught me by surprise... that's all."

"Good!" Andy grinned. "Angela told me she can do the party in the mansion."

"You talked to her already?"

"Sure I did... she's your legal guardian after all."

"I'm 22!" Claire snapped. "I don't need a guardian!"

"Hey, I'm sorry.. I meant that she's your family now." Andy looked confused. "Claire, are you sure that you're okay?"

"I'm okay." She nodded and pushed the car door open. "I need to take a rest after the flight. Call me tomorrow, okay?" She didn't even stay to hear his answer.

When she walked into the mansion, the silence greeted her. Claire sighed and climbed up the staircase to her room. It was right next to Peter's. She looked at the closed door of his room. She knew he wasn't there, but she couldn't stop herself.

His room was dark and empty, but Claire closed the door behind her back. She didn't bother to turn on the lights. The emptiness possessed her when she climbed up on his bed. Her hand reached out to touch his pillow and her eyes closed. The bed still kept his scent and suddenly she imagined his arms around her. Claire couldn't resist on the silent tears, streaming down her face. Peter had ruined her life. His touch had changed her forever and Claire knew she would never be the same.

"You have to learn how to live without him, dear." Angela's voice made her open her eyes, but Claire didn't move. She was unable to do that right now. "I have the feeling that he won't come back."

"He will." Claire whispered. "I know."

"Why?"

"Because he can't breathe without me in his life." Claire closed her eyes again.

"He has to learn how to do it, because there is no other way." Angela's voice was stern.

"Is it?" Claire looked at her again. "I don't think so."

"Claire..."

"Why it has to hurt so much?" Claire whispered, hugging Peter's pillow. "I know what's the right thing to do and I'm gonna do it, but... why I have to spend my life, living in a lie?"

"It's not gonna be a lie." Angela lowered her voice. "Andy is a good boy, coming from a good family. I know you love him. I wouldn't let him come near you if his intentions were bad, you know that."

"Damn you Petrellies!" Claire frowned. "Damn you all!"

"Claire..."

"I hate you! You, and your way to deal with the lie!" She clenched her fists into Peter's pillow. "You never call the lie with its real name! It's always something else and it's always something other people have to deal with it!"

"Claire!"

"Get out!" Claire scowled. "Get out of here! If you can't see how I really feel, then I don't need you!"

"I want to help you, Claire." Angela frowned.

"I'm falling apart and you keep talking how good man Andy is!" Claire scoffed. "I know damn well how good he can be! I know damn what I feel about him! But we both know this is not the real problem!"

"Peter's gone, Claire!"

"Exactly!" Claire snarled. "He's gone! Now I want you gone too!"

"You don't know what you're talking about, my dear."

"Out! Now!" Her green eyes glowed dangerously.

"One day you're going to be thankful!" Angela snapped and closed the door behind her back.

Thankful... yeah, sure. Claire closed her eyes again. She was sure her life was going to turn into a torture as soon as she said the words: "I do!" It was the last thing she had ever wanted. Claire tried to calm her breathing and think straight. The time when she was ready to fight against her feelings for Peter was long gone. The time where she would lie to herself that it didn't matter, wasn't here anymore. And it was all Peter's fault. She should hate him, but his eyes and his presence haunted her dreams. He was right here, in her heart and no matter how fast she tried to run away from him... she couldn't do it.

Few days later, she looked okay and ready to take her life in her hands. It was the day of her graduation. Angela insisted on giving her the limousine for the ceremony. Claire agreed only because she didn't want to fight with her. Andy was there of course. He was holding her hand through the whole time. Claire put her cap and gown, before they can even arrive and the ceremony. All of her colleagues were there. She put a smile on her face and looked the happiest person ever.

But her eyes kept wandering.

"He won't come." Angela walked to her, making her way through the crowded yard.

"What?" Claire throw her a look.

"My son." Angela repeated slowly. "He can't be here."

"It's weird, because he didn't called me... and it's been few days already."

"I thought you wanted to be free of him?" Angela ignored the sharpness in Claire's voice.

"It's true, but he's my... family!" Claire coughed, now looking around for Andy. He was nowhere to be seen.

"How tough is it, huh?" Her grandmother touched her arm. Her cold hazel eyes had nothing in common with Peter's, except the color.

"What?"

"To be in love with someone, you cannot have."

"I think you went too far!"

"I'm not blind, Claire." She tilted her head gracefully.

"I don't want him in.. that way." Claire stammered. "I'm soon to be a married woman... just worried he hadn't called me. It's so not him, Angela!"

"He's probably busy with his work in Ireland."

"What?"

"Yes, he called me." Angela looked away. "He said he doesn't want to come back."

"It's not true!" Claire's heartbeat fastened.

"I guess he doesn't want to see you married." Angela simply shrugged.

"NO!"

"Don't shout you stupid girl!" Her grandmother hissed. "You want to bring everyone's attention?"

"I don't care!" Claire bit her lip nervously. "I just-just want to know that he's okay!"

"Oh, he is." Angela pulled a piece of paper out of her bag and hand it to her. "Her name is Catlin."

Claire's fingers trembled when she took the piece of paper. It was a picture of Peter and a brunette in a middle of a square in Ireland. Claire looked up at Angela. Something wasn't right and she could put her finger on it. Her fingers clenched around the small photo into a fist.

"You want to make me believe that he let go of me so easily?" Her voice was quiet.

"He obviously did."

"I want to hear it from him." Claire insisted.

"He doesn't want to talk to you, Claire! Just live your life and forget about it, okay? Andy is a good boy and I'm sure, he's going to make you happy." Angela nodded and turned around, making her way through the crowd.

"Bitch!" She hissed after her.

The feeling of jealousy consumed her body. Her eyes narrowed and the green in them became even darker. That's how Andy found her. He touched her shoulder to get some attention.

"Claire? What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Claire snapped. "Everything's just fine."

"You sure?" Andy took her hand, opening her fist with his fingers. He took what was left of the picture and then looked at Claire. "Claire?"

"Don't put you nose where its not belong, okay?" She grabbed the piece of paper he was holding and threw it onto the ground. "Let's go get our fucking diplomas!"