A.N: Hello! Here's the next update from me. I'm sorry I haven't updated sooner. Lot of things have been going in real-life lately and I haven't had the time or motiviation to write, but thankfully things are changing for the better and I'm getting back into the swing of things :) Thanks as always to my beta, WinterSapphire 33333
Warnings/Spoilers: You're safe if you're half-way through S4, just to be sure. Potential romantic scenes between an adult and a minor.
Disclaimer: I don't own Heroes or The Time Traveler's Wife. I'm just meddling around in their universes to make this story :)
Enjoy!
Monday, 23rd October 2006. Peter is 25.
---
Peter
I hesitate before entering my brother's campaign office. I could have explained things a lot easier on the phone, but I knew that I'd just be avoiding the inevitable.
My brother works diligently into the evening, all riled up these days with his campaign and making sure everything is perfect. He has a group of aides helping him organise everything, and lackeys helping them and everything, as per usual with Nathan, runs smoothly as clockwork. He even has lawyers on hand, and a 'damage control' team able to clean up any messes he (or the family) gets into almost immediately.
I have a feeling that this will be something that damage control gets to hear about.
Nathan is talking to a pretty, brunette woman with a clipboard as I walk in, glances up in surprise that I'm there, and indicates I have to wait. That's fine with me, I have to try and decide the best way to word what I have to say.
"…Nathan, remember that girl from Texas? The one I saved? Well, she's coming to stay for a while, her school's signed up to some project which means she's transferring to New York and she has nowhere to go…"
A 'while' because I don't know exactly how long Claire will stay for, or if she'll be able to go back afterwards. Or if her terrifying father won't just drag her back straight away anyway.
"…Nathan, remember that girl from Texas? Well, her dad's turned out to be a psychopath and works for a Company that hunts people that have abilities...Oh, and she's also on the run from a serial killer who takes people's powers, tried to kill her and killed me, but I regenerated."
I sigh, defeated. This isn't going to be easy. My brother barely accepts he can fly and I have powers, and he definitely won't accept the truth, but either way, with a 16 year old girl coming to stay at my apartment I won't be his favourite person today.
I see him walking over to me. This is the moment of truth.
"Pete, come on through." He smiles, claps me on the shoulder, and gestures me to follow him.
I grimace, trying to remain cool. He has no idea what I'm about to tell him...
We enter his office, Nathan moving immediately to the drinks cabinet.
"A little early, isn't it?"
My brother simply smiles in that 'what can I say?' way of his and pours himself a scotch. "Want one?"
I shake my head, wanting to get straight to the point, "Nate, look, I need to tell you something..."
My brother waves his hand in the air, moving towards his desk. "If this has anything to do with what happened in Texas two weeks ago, I don't want to know, Pete. It's over; we managed to deal with it. And hopefully you got that hero business out of your system."
He gives me a pointed look, sitting behind the desk and downing the scotch in one. I scratch the back of my neck. "Nathan, look..."
"Oh, God," my brother interrupts me, "I know that face. I'm going to need another scotch, aren't I?"
"It's not as bad as you think!" I protest, when, actually, what part of helping a minor to cross state lines to get away from a serial killer and her crazy dad isn't bad? "It's Claire..."
Nathan groans, "That damn girl again! Peter, you've cost me enough chasing some girl halfway across the country –"
"She's not just 'some girl', okay?" My voice gets louder, I know that all Nathan's assistants and aides will be stopping in their work to get a better listen right now, "She's...she's different. She needs my help. And not everything is about you, you know."
"I don't believe this..." Nathan leans back in his chair, hands folding together. He's looking at me like I've grown another head. There's a long pause and then, in a low voice, he asks, "You've got...feelings for this girl, haven't you?"
"What?" His suggestion is incredulous, though I know how it must look to someone who has no clue, like my brother, "That is just...Nathan, believe me, I don't. She just needs somewhere to stay for a while, so I've said she can stay with me."
I'm telling the truth. I've never, I mean, I haven't thought of Claire like that. She's sixteen, for God's sake. It wouldn't be right. It just wouldn't.
"Oh, great, so she's living with you now? Do you have any idea how this is going to look for me? I'll have "Prospective Senator's brother caught in illicit affair with a minor" splashed all over the papers. The election is in a fortnight, I can't deal with any more of your screw-ups right now." My brother's standing up now, fists down on the surface of the desk. He reminds me of dad, of all the times I had to go into the den and explain myself to him, when I had to sit and listen to how disappointed he was in me, how he wished I could be more like Nathan, the golden boy.
Well, dad's not here anymore. Nathan can't belittle me. This is much bigger than him.
"She's in danger, Nathan," I hold my head up straight, matching his stare; "There's nothing you can say to make me change my mind. I was told by a man from the future to save the cheerleader and save the world. I bump into this girl by chance, she knows me, then she turns out to be the one I have to save? This isn't random, Nathan, this is destiny. Don't you see? Something's going to happen, and we're all connected in this, you, me, everyone." I know talking about our powers isn't really a good way to try and get him to see things from my point of view, but I have to try.
My brother only scoffs, turning away from me, "Destiny. You're deluded, Peter." He walks past me and opens the door, "Leave. I don't care what you do anymore; just don't expect me to clean this up when it gets messy. I'm not your keeper."
I set my mouth into a grim line. This is as close to acceptance as I'll ever get. "You'll see. Something's going to happen, Nathan. This all means something."
"Yeah, it means you're crazy." His words are harsh, but his expression has softened. Maybe I have gotten through to him a little after all. "Go on, Pete. I have work to do. One of us in this family has to at least give off the air of normality."
I don't hug him, just clap him on the shoulder and make my way out of the building. As I leave, it feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, but a new, heavier feeling appears in my gut. To be honest, I don't know what any of this means, the powers, Claire, the strange man from the future, nothing. I just know something is going to happen, and I'm not entirely sure if it's a good thing.
But I can't dwell, Claire arrives tomorrow and I need to make sure the apartment is in order. Things are about to get interesting.
---
Saturday 19th June, 2010. Claire is 20, Peter is 29.
---
~"Old age is just around the bend, I can wait to go grey.
This is the sound of settling..."~
---
Claire
The party's in full swing, the champagne is flowing, and I'm...married. I have to pinch myself because it still doesn't feel real. The gold band around my finger means I'm married to Peter, and I feel as though I haven't stopped grinning since I left the church.
As much as I hate to admit it, Angela's outdone herself on the reception. The room is gorgeous, the decorations are classy and the food is delicious. Zach is milling around, snapping photos and getting in the actual photographer's way. My mother seems to start crying whenever she sees me, and my dad's had to stop my brother from trying to get served at the bar three times. (If I can't even drink legally yet, there's no way in hell he's getting away with it.) Nathan's speech lasted fifteen minutes and twenty-five seconds (Hiro won the betting money) and thoroughly managed to embarrass Peter completely, as well as giving me plenty of ammunition when it comes to blackmail in the future. All in all, it's a good night.
Well, it would be a good night if I could find my husband. My eyes narrow as I scour the area, finally spotting him talking with Nathan in a corner of the room. They both look furtive; Peter seems to be getting angrier by the minute. I bite my lip; they fight all the time, this is nothing different, right?
But somehow I don't think this is just a typical Petrelli argument.
---
Peter
"Look, Pete, just two seconds, let me explain –"
I roll my eyes. I'm fed up of this conversation already. Nathan always wants something, and he nearly always guilt-trips me into doing it. I'm his brother, he needs me, I'm important to him. I've heard it all before.
"Nathan, it's my wedding day," I emphasise, "Can't you give it a break for just one day?"
My brother harrumphs, folding his arms and looking offended, "You don't know what I'm going to say."
I sigh. I'm going to regret this, I know. But I can't refuse him. "Humour me."
Nathan immediately brightens up, drawing me closer and placing a hand on my shoulder, "The reason I had trouble getting here today...there's a new federal agency being drawn up. Partly my idea, partly an amalgamation of things people have been discussing recently. And I want you to help."
My eyebrows rise when he stops talking. I glance over to the table I'm supposed to be sitting at, past the throng of dancing people. Claire is busy talking to Gretchen, who's taken my seat. She looks beautiful and happy; I'm not going to let Nathan ruin that with one of his schemes.
"Whatever it is, no," I confirm as he begins to open his mouth again. "I'm happy with the job I have. I don't want to be roped into anything remotely morally grey."
"Who says it's going to be morally grey?" Again, my brother looks offended, "Geez, Pete, what do you think I am, a Mafia boss? No, it's..." He looks around, lowering his voice so people can't hear us, not that I know why he's bothering; the music is loud enough, "Remember that disaster I had with Homeland Security?"
I nod; how could I forget? Just after Nathan got elected, there was a huge scandal surrounding Homeland Security and the false detainment and torture of a group of people who had abilities, all of whom were apparently on the 'danger' list. It turned out none of them actually were, and four people died in containment. Homeland Security were accused of deliberately targeting specials and detaining them for no reason, and specials began to turn on Nathan, thinking he was betraying his own kind. It wasn't a pretty mess to clean up.
"Well...we've decided to make sure that never happens again. A company is being formed...not the Company. Just an organisation that is independent, secret, has people inside it that know who is actually a danger and who isn't...and people like us who have the means to stop them."
I blink twice, not quite believing what's coming out of his mouth, "Are you asking me to join a secret organisation targeting specials? To become like...like the people that used to hunt us?"
"No! Of course not," My brother reassures me, laughing nervously, "...I'm asking you and Claire."
Claire. I glance over to her again. This time she's looking at me worriedly. I think back to what I witnessed today and I shake my head, not taking my eyes off my bride, "No way, Nathan. Not a chance."
"But why? Come on, Pete. You're the most powerful one we've got...and Claire can't get hurt! Where's the harm?"
He flashes a grin at me, patting my arm. I bat him away in annoyance, feeling agitated. "I said no. From both of us."
"Claire hasn't even had the chance to consider it," Nathan's still grinning at me, but turning away towards the head table, "I'll just go and –"
"No," I answer roughly, pulling him back by his jacket a little harsher than I planned to. From the corner of my eye Claire gets up from her chair. She's walking towards us. I take a deep breath in and whisper in my brother's ear.
"I saw a future today. Mine and Claire's. We were happy... she was pregnant." I sigh, letting him and his expensive suit go, "I'm not going to jeopardise that future. I'm sorry."
Nathan nods at me in understanding, even as he smoothes out the creases of his suit, "This is Armani, Pete. Be a little gentler next time."
Claire reaches us just as we start to laugh, hands on her hips and eyes narrowed. "What's going on?"
I grin lopsidedly at her, "Nothing, nothing at all." I hold out my arm to her, "Shall we dance?"
"Honestly." She rolls her eyes at Nathan. "You two never change."
I share a look with my brother as I escort Claire to the dance-floor. Why do I have the feeling this new 'Company' will only lead to bad things?
---
Tuesday 24th October 2006. (Claire is 16, Peter is 25.)
---
~ "Leave all your love and your loving behind you,
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive."~
---
Claire
I lug my bag over my shoulder as we finally step off the plane and make our way to the arrivals lounge. I've been flying on and off for about eight hours, and if it wasn't for my ability, I think I'd be suffering from the lack of sleep. Add onto that the fact that I'm so scared someone will recognise me, or my dad will show up, or the Haitian will and whisk me back to Texas to get my memory wiped and I really haven't had a good journey.
I walk straight past the baggage reclaim – I carried everything I wanted in my hand-luggage – and down the corridor to where people would no doubt be waiting for their loved ones. I tighten my grip on my bag; what if Peter isn't there?
Rounding the corner, I try and find him amongst the crowd of people, but I can't see him. My heart sinks. He promised he'd be here. But, God, what if my dad's got to him too? Fear rises in my chest, and suddenly the gravity of my situation, a girl all alone in New York City, hits me, and I feel claustrophobic.
"Claire, Claire, over here!"
I whirl around and Peter's suddenly standing in front of me, grinning crookedly and holding an 'I 'heart' NY' bear in one hand. I can't help it; I run towards him and fling my arms around his neck.
"You have no idea how happy I am to see you," I exclaim, hugging him tightly. I know this is probably inappropriate, I know people will be raising eyebrows, and I know I swore to myself I'd stop this silly crush on Peter after what happened with his future self at my birthday...but I don't care. After everything I've been through, having Peter's arms around me is the only thing that's making me feel safe.
He returns my embrace, before pulling back and looking me in the eyes. He looks like he hasn't been sleeping. "I was worried about you."
Just that one sentence makes my insides turn to butterflies, "You... you were?" I hope I'm not blushing. Don't blush you idiot. I cough, "I mean, you don't have to. I can heal, remember."
"I know," Peter runs his free hand through his hair, "Doesn't mean I'm going to stop. Oh," He holds out the bear and I take him, smiling, "I just thought...well, you...like bears. You told me the other day that you collect them."
He's almost stumbling over his words, and I'd call this an awkward moment if I didn't feel so elated to be with him. I laugh and hold the bear to me. "He's lovely, Peter, thank you." I place a hand on his arm. Suddenly, the mood changes again and he freezes under my touch.
I cough and remove my hand. He scratches the back of his neck, "Erm, want me to take your bag?"
I nod and we spend the rest of the walk to the car in silence, as well as most of the car journey. Throughout it all I'm replaying the events of the past few weeks in my head, trying to make sense of it all. Nothing seems real. Though, I suppose, I should have known my life would end up complicated as soon as Peter literally fell into it.
Which reminds me...
"Peter, how did you know you had to save me at Homecoming?"
His gaze flickers over to me from where he's watching the road, fingers drumming on the steering wheel. "A man from the future stopped time on the subway and told me I had to save you."
I almost laugh. A man from the future; it sounded like my entire life in five minutes.
"That," he glances over to me properly as we get stuck in traffic lights, "and I met a guy who could paint the future... it showed what would happen if I didn't save you... it showed I would die trying to save you."
The car is silent again as I digest this information. A small tear trickles down my cheek, "So... you came to save me, even though you knew you were going to die? You didn't know I could heal?"
"I had no idea." There's that lopsided smile again, the one that makes me feel all warm inside, "But I couldn't... I mean, I couldn't just let it happen."
We must be at his apartment now because we're turning into a car park. Peter parks up and the engine stops running and, suddenly, it's awfully quiet.
"Why did you do that?" I ask finally, in a small voice.
"To save the world," is his reply. Peter looks as though he wants to say something else, like he's battling with himself. Finally, he continues, "And you're important... to me, Claire."
More tears trickle down my cheeks, and at the same time, my heart hurts in such a strange way. Maybe it's because I know how I feel about Peter... and I know how he's never going to feel the same way. One day, he'll get married to someone, and she'll be the luckiest girl alive. All I know is that that girl won't be me.
"Thank you," I murmur and Peter smiles, grasping one of my hands.
"It's nothing."
There's another pause but this time it's not awkward, until finally Peter clears his throat and says, "So, shall I give you a grand tour around the apartment?"
I smile and nod, and we exit the car and make our way to his apartment. It's small and sparsely furnished, but I can see he's made an effort to tidy it up for my arrival. I'm touched.
Peter stands to one side as I take in my new surroundings, as if waiting my approval.
"It's a really nice place," I assure him, placing my bag down on the sofa where I assume I'll be sleeping.
"I'm glad you think so," he smiles and leans against the doorframe, "Look, I've got to run out and pick up a few things I'd forgotten that you might need. I won't be long. Are you going to be ok on your own? I'll lock the door before I go."
I panic for a moment, then calm myself down. Of course I'll be ok. It's not like anyone's going to find me here. So I nod, reassuring him, and he smiles and heads back out the door.
I sigh, collapsing onto the sofa, finding the remote and beginning to flick around the channels. My eyes feel heavy, my whole body feels heavy. And even though I can heal, I can feel exhaustion taking over me.
But I'm safe now; I'm with Peter... everything's going to be alright...