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 17

Claire was sure that Angela had heard her screaming. However, when she run downstairs, the house was still quiet. She was furious and her eyes were narrowed. The one thing, Claire hated the most was the lie. She was living in a lie her whole life and it was enough for her. From the moment when Noah had lied to her about her parents and up until now, her life was a lie and she was honestly sick of it. Therefore, when she pushed the door of the library open, Claire was ready for the fight with Angela. There was no doubt that she was lying to her about Peter and he was one of the most important things in Claire's life. Well, he was the reason for her doubts about her marriage. But that didn't matter. Claire still owed him her life. He had saved her so many times before that she had lost the count.

"What are you doing here, dear?" Angela looked at her carefully. She was sitting on her favorite chair, right before the fireplace. Claire noticed Noah's presence on the opposite one, but her face remained the same. "I thought you were getting ready for your wedding."

"You lied to me!" Claire slammed the door behind her back. Angela didn't even flinch. Her face was blank. Claire often wondered if that woman had feelings at all. "How did you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Angela looked at the fireplace.

"You're lying bitch!" Claire spat the last word, but Angela's face was still calm. "That trick would've worked few years ago, but definitely not now!"

"Claire!" Noah's voice echoed in the room, but Claire didn't even look at him.

"You stay out of this!"

"But-"

"Peter is not in Ireland, isn't he?" Claire interrupted her father and her voice rose up a little. "Where is he?"

"He is in Ireland, dear." Angela looked up at her granddaughter. "You can see the pictures with his new girlfriend in every newspaper."

"That's a lie and we both know that!" Claire narrowed her eyes. "I've called-"

"What?" Noah got off his chair. "You don't have any shame, do you?"

"Oh, right!" Claire throw him a look. "And you're the exact person to teach me about it, right?"

"He is your uncle, Claire!" Noah looked away, but his eyes were narrowed and his voice went low.

"So? I can't ask about him?"

"You can, but he became a problem." Angela answered instead. "We took care of that problem. Now you're free, my dear."

"What?" Claire clenched her fists. "I didn't ask for this!"

"You have to live your life, Claire."

"I'm not a child and I don't need someone to decide for me!"

"We all know that you can't think straight when Peter is involved." Angela got off her chair as well. "You think we're all oblivious, but we're not my dear. We just love you and want only the best for you."

"You?" Claire chuckled bitterly. "You want what's the best for me? And that's your excuse to do what you want? Why? Because you care or because you're afraid of what can happen?"

"Andy is the one for you." Noah rested his hand on Claire's shoulder and she looked at him. "I'm sure Sandra thinks the same. If you don't trust Angela and me, then you can call your mother, Claire."

"She doesn't know me." Claire stepped back away from Noah's hand. "No one knows me. Does anybody care what I want? What I need?"

"What you want it's wrong!" Angela snapped.

"Right... so what you want is the best for me, right?" Claire tilted her head. "Careful, Angela!"

"You choose Andy, Claire. I didn't make that choice for you." Angela paused for a second. "I only wanted to have you around. You're Nathan's daughter... and you have all the rights to be here. The only thing that I couldn't predict was Peter and his behavior around you. He's not himself lately and causing more troubles than ever."

"If you wanted me around only because I'm Nathan's daughter... then why you didn't give me his name?" Claire hissed. "Don't bother answer me! I know the story! It doesn't matter."

"I didn't give you our name, because I wanted you to be free of it and make your own destiny, Claire!" Angela turned to the fireplace and her hands almost touched the dancing flames. It didn't look like she had noticed how close she was to the fire. "And it's too late anyway. Monty and Simon know that you're a long lost cousin. Besides, I don't want to argue with Heidi at this point. She doesn't deserve this after all she's been through."

"I can't believe it! You're doing it because of Heidi?" Claire shook her head with disbelief. "I've never thought that you're so... noble." She spat the last word.

"I'm doing it, because I think what is best for the family."

"I thought Claire is a part of your family, Angela." Noah said quietly. "It's what you told me when you took her away from me."

"What?" Claire looked at them both quizzically.

"Like I've said," Angela turned around and looked at her granddaughter. "I did what it was the best for our family."

"And the best thing was to say I'm not a part of it?" Claire wiggles her eyebrow.

"You know why I did it." Angela frowned and turned around again. "I did my best to protect you and keep you away from the danger... but I've failed and now I'm fixing my mistake."

"Danger?" It took only a moment for Claire to realize what Angela meant. "Peter, you did it because of Peter? You knew what's gonna happen, right?"

"We both know the Future is uncertain."

"But we also know that it can be fixed!" Claire muttered.

"The good thing now is that we don't have to be afraid of anything." Noah sighed and followed Angela's look to the flames. "I'll be here for the wedding, Claire and I'll take you to the altar."

"I can't remember asking you this." Claire frowned and her voice went low.

"I asked him." Angela's voice echoed in the room. "He's your father after all and he deserves to be here."

"I don't want him here."

"But-"

"This is still my wedding and I'm gonna do it my way." Claire snapped and turned around, walking to the door. "And I'll find Peter with or without your help!" She said before she could slam the door behind her back.

Angela looked at Noah and saw his frowning expression. She sighed and shook her head. Well, that was Claire after all. She would do whatever she wants to do. Her temper was dangerous at times, because no one could predict her actions. Peter was the only exception, only because she could read her mind of course. If things were different, Angela would be more than happy to have Peter around. He could be useful at situation like this. Unfortunately, Peter was the one, who actually was causing the situation. He couldn't help now, not to mention he wouldn't want that. He would rather stay away from Angela's problems, not fixing them. She couldn't control him anymore. There were times when she could do that, but it was before Claire. That girl had messed up with his head and after their meeting, Peter had received the idea of being someone important. He thought he could be the hero, not just the next ordinary person.

"I thought your plan is insane, but I think I've just changed my mind." Noah muttered.

"I'm not sure how long we can keep him there." Angela didn't even look at him. "We both know that won't solve our problems, Noah."

"Because he's powerful enough to escape?" Noah wiggles his eyebrow. "No one could escape from a place like this. Not to mention that I took care of everything."

"He loves Claire."

"Don't remind me, please!"

"That wouldn't be a problem if he only loves her." Angela took a pause. "He can't control himself around her. It's like she's his..."

"...possession." Noah finished her sentence and frowned at the same time. "Sometimes I think it was a mistake that you kept her away from him."

"What?"

"I mean... I want her to be happy, Angela." Noah looked at her and shook his head. "Claire is and will always be my daughter, but maybe if she was a part of your family at the very beginning of her life..."

"No." Angela snapped. "I know what you mean, but no. I don't think that was the right thing to do."

"It was a mistake, your mistake and you have to admit that!" Noah reached out for his jacket.

"It wasn't a mistake!"

"Right." He dragged the word with a bitter smile. "Your Petrelli pride would never let you admit that you're wrong about something."

"You can go now, Noah!" Angela scoffed and didn't even look at him.

"Of course, as you wish Mrs. Petrelli." He just nodded and left the room. She heard the sound of the engine of his car and soon he left the Mansion. She sighed and looked to the window. Clouds slowly covered the sky. Something was about to happen and she could almost smell it in the air.