Fic: Chinese Puzzle Box 1/1
Title: Chinese Puzzle Box Author: Lopaka Tanu Disclaimer: I do not own Heroes. Characters: Claire, Angela, Peter, Nathan, Heidi, Sylar, Monty, Simon. Words: 6412 Prompt: 41 Nathan has a secret involving Peter and Claire. Fandom: Heroes Pairing: Nathan/Heidi, Peter/Sylar Rating: Adult Warnings: Language, Violence Summary: Claire finds out a few secrets while spending the first night with her Petrelli Family. Author's Note: Takes a left turn at 1x21 The Hard Part. ______________________________________
Watching through the doorway of Nathan's office, Claire noticed the way Nathan's eyes never quite stopped tracking Peter's every move. There was no doubt he would listen to whatever Peter had to say, and that was the hardest part in all this. She knew that until a few days ago, he hadn't even been aware of her. Yet, it still stung that there wasn't an attachment between them.
When she had been a kid, she had harbored the silly belief that there would be some magical connection between them. When she had discovered her abilities, that had rekindled her childhood fantasy. Peter's arrival confirmed all her hopes; that they were related should have sealed the deal. Yet, when she looked again at her birth father, she felt only envy.
"You shouldn't frown, dear. You're much too young for wrinkles."
Claire looked over her shoulder, startled by the voice. Finding it to be Angela...her grandmother, she exhaled slowly. "Hey."
Angela gave her a tight smile. "Why are you out here? If you wish to speak with him, knock and announce yourself. You are a Petrelli, boldness is in your genes." She stopped just short of casual touching range of Claire.
Shifting her stance, Claire cast a glance back through the doorway. Nathan and Peter hadn't heard them speaking. She sighed over that. "Have they always been that way?"
"Always." She pushed the door open a little further so she could watch them. Releasing the door, she moved the hand to Claire's shoulder, drawing her close. "When he was born, Nathan refused to leave Peter's side, even to go to school. He was so small, we weren't sure he would survive. Your father was the only one who could get Peter to quit screaming and eat. They just never grew out of it."
"Wow." Despite her reservations, Claire found herself leaning in to Angela's embrace. It wasn't any where near one as tender or loving as she shared with her real family, still, it meant something. "My brother and I barely speak on our good days. Sometimes, I'm not sure I even like the little ba...brat." Her cheeks pinked under Angela's appraising stare.
Seeming to find what she was looking for, Angela went back to watching her boys. "The circumstances are different, but then nothing is ever as it seems." When Nathan opened his arms for Peter, her back stiffened. Angela reached out and closed the door. "Come, dear, let's leave the boys to their privacy."
"All right." Claire looked at the door for a few seconds longer before allowing Angela to tug her away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tugging on her shirt, Claire checked her appearance in the mirror. She still couldn't believe that it was real. In her old dreams, her family had been rich royalty, looking for the lost princess. If she could go back to then, knowing how close to being true it was and everything it entailed, she would slap her younger self upside the head.
Some fantasies should have stay that way.
Deciding the shirt was too tight in the collar, she unbuttoned it and stuck out her tongue. The reflection and her grandmother would simply have to be satisfied with this. It was her body, after all.
With a nod to herself, she turned away from the full length mirror, then nearly jumped. Exhaling loudly, she shook her head and grinned. "You scared me!"
"Sorry about that. Didn't want to interrupt." Leaning against her doorway, Peter crossed his arms. "Ma sent me to come get you. She said something about making sure you were appropriately dressed, but I don't think you were supposed to know that part."
"Well, thanks." After a quick look down at her clothes, she raised her face to smile at him. It almost came second nature to her with him around. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful." Pushing off the door, he curled a hand and dipped his head to the side to indicate he wanted her to follow. "Let's go wow them."
Claire found herself chuckling as she followed him from the bedroom.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Coming down the stairs in to the main parlor, Claire automatically held her head higher. Her posture a little more straight, she enjoyed the way it felt to be the center of attention. All she lacked was the tiara to be living out her old dreams. That had been a year of silliness when she was six. Every set of stairs she walked down, she had taken as if walking in to a grand foyer.
Now, that practice set her good stead as she took the stairs without a single misstep. Upon reaching the bottom, she was once again shorter than Peter. Self consciously, she stepped closer to him as Nathan and Angela came near.
"My dear, you look simply beautiful." Hand on Nathan's arm, Angela kept him close and from moving towards Claire.
Claire saw she needed have done it, as her father was too busy holding his breath and taking in the sight of her and Peter together. Reaching up to check her earrings, she looked away and grinned. "What?"
Exhaling slowly, Nathan slowly grinned at them. "Nothing, just admiring how beautiful you two are."
Peter chuckled as Claire shifted towards him again. "Ignore him, Claire, he's always been a politician." Taking her by the shoulders, he started to guide her towards the front door. "Lying and flattery come easy to him."
"Now, Peter, there's no need to dispell the truth with half-truths." Angela patted Nathan's arm as they shifted aside to let the younger two go by. When she looked up at Nathan, she found him watching Peter with a frown. "Don't worry about him, you know he loves you dearly. This is their time to bond."
Closing his eyes, Nathan shook his head. "I don't think I can do this." The grip on his arm changed from easy to painful in an instant.
"You've already committed yourself to this, Nathan, you don't have a choice." Angela never took her eyes off Peter and Claire's backs as she spoke. Dragging Nathan along, she forced him to keep up. "We are going out to dinner, you are going to pretend like everything is fine, and no one is going to speak a word of this."
"It's Peter, ma." That was all he could think to say.
At the door, Peter had paused to open it and let Claire go first. Catching Nathan's blank expression, he smiled at him encouragingly. The tips of his mouth twitched as he used his face to show what he wanted Nathan to do.
Catching her uncle's expression, Claire erupted with laughter before she caught herself. Covering her mouth, she had an eye out on the street, but kept the majority of her attention on Peter. Seeing the body guard by the limo open the door, she was forced to turn away from Peter to duck inside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ride to the restaurant was silent, but comfortably so. Claire didn't think it would have been had Peter not been there. Realizing how much she had come to depend upon his presence sent a pang through her chest. Something must have shown on her face as she found the others watching her. She waved a hand at them. "It's nothing, just thinking about things."
Peter reached out to pat her hand from the seat next to her. He shared a look with Nathan and his mother across the back of the limo from them. "We are here to celebrate our good fortunes. Think happy thoughts."
"Is that how you do it?" It slipped from his mouth before Nathan even realized he was going to make a joke. Figuring he might as well go all the way, he raised a hand and motioned as if flying across the backseat. From Claire's giggling and Peter's narrowed eyes, it had done the trick, though.
"Come now, Nathan, you know Peter is much too old for that." Twirling her necklace, Angela gave her oldest a reproving stare. "He flaps his arms like the rest of the birds."
Claire burst out cackling over Peter's disgusted sputtering. Even her father couldn't keep a straight face, she noted between tears. This was what she had been expecting, hoping for. There was hope if they could laugh, her mom always said.
Forcing the dark thoughts from her mind, she leaned against Peter, slowly sobering. She had to jab him twice in the stomach with her elbow before he looked at her. "What are you going to order?"
It took a few seconds, but he eventually got his mind around to thinking about. His lips finally losing out to the smile, he grinned at her. "I'm thinking something fattening. I've been on the go for the past week, and if I don't ma's going to threaten my existence."
"I will never understand why you spread such vicious lies about me, Peter." Letting go of her necklace, Angela tilted her head down a little. Shifting so she was sitting up, she sighed. "I've never once mentioned harming you, that was always your father's job."
"You mean Nathan." Looking to Claire, Peter missed the tightening of Nathan's lips. "Nathan was always the one who disciplined me. You can imagine how much fun that was, endless hours of boring lectures. I swear, my hand nearly fell off that one time he made me actually write 'I will not misbehave or be disrespectful in the presence of my elders ever again,' a thousand times."
"He didn't!" At Peter's nod, Claire chuckled. She shoved Peter's shoulder. "Whatever you did, you probably deserved it."
"I was a good kid." He held up his hand and raised his chin. Attempting for an air of innocence, Peter failed miserably when his face twitched from holding in the laughter. By the time he lost the battle, he and Claire were hold each other to remain sitting up.
Angela was distracted from watching them by the slowing of the limo. Glancing out the window, she made a sound of approval. "Compose yourselves, we are here. There are also cameras."
Looking over her shoulder through the tinted glass, Nathan noticed the frenzy of activity and sighed. "I wonder who they are expecting."
"Did you use our names when you made the reservations?" Picking up her clutch, Angela raised an eyebrow in question.
"No, mother, I didn't." He wanted to say more, but Claire was there and he wanted to keep both women at least polite. "They must be expecting someone else."
"Either way, they are going to know something is up the longer we wait in here. Remember, not a word to these dregs." Not waiting for the valet to get her door, Angela reached out and tugged on the handle. When the lock clicked open, she pushed it open with enough force to hit any person who got too close. The sound of a camera hitting the pavement and shattering made her smile. "Come on." As she slipped out of the back of the limo, the others had no other choice but to follow.
Since he was closest, Peter went next. He shared a look with Claire, then Nathan. "Keep your hands off her, let them see her with me."
"I know how to handle the press, Pete." Uncrossing his arms, Nathan scooted forward in his seat in anticipation of his turn.
"All right." With a quick breath to brace himself, Peter climbed out of the back of the limo.
Claire shared a tight smile with Nathan before following Peter. She hadn't anticipated why Peter had done what he did, but suddenly she understood. The intense onslaught stole her breath. Had Peter's hand not found hers, she knew she might have stood there gaping like a fish out of water forever.
The sheer volume of noise and light was almost as violent as her first falling death. It rivaled the fire for intensity, too. Her fingers tightened around Peter's hand until she knew it was hurting him. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to loosen it.
Like a shriek, the noise resolved itself in to questions. To her left someone was asking who she was. To her right, three different people were asking about her relation to the Petrelli family. Near hysterical, she began to giggle and put a hand over her mouth. Her other hand was tugged and she was almost dragged through their throng.
Then almost at once, the attention on her was gone. Several shouts of her father's name echoed in the mob. The last few near her shoved passed to get at him. Finally able to catch her breath, Claire found Peter and her grandmother watching. They looked a little perturbed, but not towards her.
Angela nodded the restaurant.
Taking his cue, Peter tugged on Claire's hand again. He pulled her along inside, and the moment the door behind them shut the noise was gone.
Laughing with relief, Claire found herself in his arms. She laid her head upon his chest, trying to calm her throbbing heart. Under her ear, she could feel almost as much as hear his own heart beating. The fact he had been as equally affected by the rush was a comfort.
~~~~~~~~~~
Getting a table had been easy. Her uncle had simply told the maitre d' who he was, and the man had escorted them to a table. While she sat down next to Peter, she glanced about the restaurant. There were dozens of people dressed in clothes she had only seen in movies and magazines. Thought it was a restaurant, almost none of them were actually eating.
Not having had something to eat since that morning, she wasn't about to let custom dictate her actions. Besides, she was in good company. From what she could see of Peter's menu in comparison to her own, he was already in the steaks. That made her feel better about wanting to order something so expensive.
Glancing at the menu for prices, she was surprised not to find a price. Then again, it probably didn't matter to their clientele. Eyes wide, she quickly picked out what she wanted and closed the menu. As she set it down, she saw Peter watching her over his. "What?"
"Nothing." Snorting, he went back to perusing the steak selections. Flicking one with his fingers, he closed the hard back menu and set it down on the table. With a practiced eye, he looked up in time to see Nathan and Angela enter the dinning area. "Sit up, they're coming."
"What?" Claire nearly choked over what she thought she heard. When he nodded towards over her shoulder, she glanced back and sighed. "Oh. Oh!" Her eyes went wide as she pinked again. Straightening her posture, she shook her head. "I don't think I like this very much."
"Neither do I, but I guess we are going to have to get used to it." Peter plastered on a fake smile as he stood up to pull out Angela's chair.
Patting him on the cheek, Angela spun until her back was to the chair. Sitting down as he pushed it in, she grabbed the seat and eased it until she was comfortably close. "I'm sorry you had to wait. Those animals refused to leave your brother alone without a statement. I guess the excitement of tomorrow was too much for them." Her voice was a little louder than conversational and carried in the almost silent restaurant.
"Yes, well now that that is settled, can we eat?" Without waiting for a response, Nathan took his seat and picked up the leather bound menu in front of him. As he quickly scanned the selection he snapped his fingers. "Peter, sit down."
"I'm not your dog, Nathan." Still, Peter took his seat. Pushing the hair out of his face, he glared across the table at his brother.
"You're right, I wouldn't have had to say anything to Russel." Hearing his brother huff, Nathan looked up, his eyes twinkling in the dim light.
Peter crossed his arms. Sitting back, he strengthened his glare.
Claire couldn't decide whether to laugh or groan. Some how, it was just like being back in Texas with her family once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Using her tongue to remove parts of meat stuck between her teeth, Claire felt desperate to get out of the restaurant. There were no toothpicks around and if the crap stuck in her mouth wasn't removed soon, it would drive her to distraction. Unfortunately, it seemed that neither her father or grandmother were inclined to finish their dessert faster.
Getting just the tip of her spoon covered in the pudding, Angela placed it between her lips. When she pulled it out a few seconds later, she swallowed neatly, then placed the spoon back in the pudding. "As I was telling your niece this afternoon, Nathan's victory is not exactly a sure thing. That's why I believe it best that you take Claire to Paris."
While Peter scoffed his disgust, Claire saw her father raise his head suddenly.
Staring at Angela, Nathan swallowed slowly. "What happened to you taking her, ma?"
Closing her eyes, Angela waved the spoon carelessly over her dessert. "I'm needed here." Putting the spoon back in the pudding, she picked up a larger dab. "Someone has to look after Heidi and the boys while you give your speech. I've raised two boys, I know how much of a handful they can be. Besides, Peter has never been to Paris and he should while he's of a prime to enjoy it."
Whatever Peter had been about to say, it fell flat in his head. Blinking at her in confusion, his hair slid over his face. He didn't bother to push it aside as he met her gaze. "What about..." he trailed off, using his hands to indicate an explosion.
Rolling her eyes quickly, Angela pointed her spoon at him. "Don't worry about it."
"Don't worry..." Peter started to stand up, but Angela caught his wrist in a steely vise grip. He winced as she forced him to return to his chair.
"Do not raise your voice, Peter, you will cause a scene. Do you want to cost your brother the election because you can't keep your emotional fits under control?" Angela didn't wait for a response from him. Releasing his wrist, she patted his hand twice before cupping it in her own. "You will take our dear Claire to Paris, you will see the Eiffel tower, and you will have a good time."
Lowering his gaze, Peter nodded his defeat.
"Good." Releasing his hand, Angela laid her spoon down beside the half-empty pudding bowl. She picked up her napkin to daub at her lips, then set it down. "Well, I'm ready. Nathan?"
Having been watching the interplay without moving, Nathan finally cleared his throat. Looking down at the table, he found he no longer cared for his dessert. Putting down his spoon, he nodded. "Let's go."
Curious, Claire wanted to demand to know what had just happened, but this wasn't the time or place. That's what the ride home was for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The silence lasted until they were coming up the street to the townhouse. Clearing her throat, Claire waited until they were looking her way. "Uh, what is the big deal about who takes me to Paris?"
"There is no big deal. Peter is taking you and that is that." Checking her suit for lent, Angela dusted her fingers over the front. When nothing came away, she sighed. "I think the pictures of us leaving the restaurant will be in the society page. We weren't big enough to make the front section."
After a second of seeming to consider this, Nathan nodded. "Since Claire went with Peter, there doesn't seem to be anything strange. Next week, however, will see all our faces on the front pages." As he spoke, Nathan watched his mother out of the corner of his eye.
Smiling pleasantly, Angela reached out to pat his knee. "That's right, dear, by this time next week, everything will be revealed."
Sitting in the far corner on the driver's side, his back to the driver, Peter watched them all with a blank expression. "How will this effect your chances of reelection?"
"We'll worry about that in two years." Holding Claire's gaze, Angela ignored the men. "However, a lot can happen in two years. It will be up to all of us to keep the appearance of normalcy."
Normal? Something occurred to Claire in that moment. "Just how exactly are you planning on my coming out?" Realizing her words, Claire screwed up her face. "I mean my exposure. No, wait, just, you know what I mean." Finishing up flustered, Claire put a hand to her forehead.
"The same way we handle everything, my dear." With that, the limo came to a stop and Angela grabbed her own door handle. Not waiting for the others, she pushed it open and climbed out.
Nathan was the next to come up to the door, glancing about for photographers he saw something else. "Shit."
"What?" Alarmed, Peter pushed away from his back corner up to his window. "Is there someone out there?"
"You could say that. Heidi and the boys are here." Scrubbing a hand over his face, Nathan shook it then took a steadying breath. "I'm not going to ask you two to hide. Might as well come in and meet them. Probably best to just get it over with." The last was said more to himself than Peter or Claire.
"Sounds fine to me." Grin forced in to place, Claire reached out and snagged Peter's hand in her own.
This action did not go unnoticed by Nathan. "Let's go." Smiling at them, he climbed out. Tugging his jacket closed he buttoned it. When he was satisfied with his appearance, he turned and held out a hand for Claire.
Claire looked up at him for a moment. Tentatively, she reached out and grasped his hand.
The moment their palms locked, he tugged her out and in to his arms. Nathan wrapped his arms around her, picking her up in a tight embrace. Spinning, he set her down on the sidewalk. When he pulled back, he reached up and pushed the hair out of her face.
For her part, Claire was left breathless by the unexpected action. Breathing heavily when she was able, she couldn't break her eyes away from his face. "Nathan?"
"No matter what happens, I don't regret having found you." He continued to watch her for several more seconds. Eventually they were broken apart by Peter clearing his throat. With a sigh, he turned and found he was blocking Peter in the limo. "Did you want me to hug you too?"
"I want to get out of the car." Glaring up at Nathan from under his hair, Peter pushed at his brother. When there was room, he crawled out and nearly fell over.
Luckily, Nathan was still close enough to catch him. Holding Peter from under his arms, he pulled the younger man up to him.
Peter suffered the hug by giving Claire a look that promised retribution if she even so much as peeped.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It wasn't the most awkward first meeting she had ever suffered through. Yet, meeting her birth father's family was up there. Standing back with Peter at the far side of the room, she alternated between watching her little brothers and her father and his wife. For their part, the two boys were doing the same.
"Heidi, there isn't really much to say about it. She's going to be a part of our lives now." Nathan's voice carried in the large room, causing everyone in to wince.
"Did you even think to ask what I thought about this?" Hands clutching the arm rests of her wheel chair, Heidi glared at her husband. As he stood up, she was forced to crane her neck to follow. "This is a major decision..."
"There was nothing to decide! She is my daughter, your input wasn't necessary." Nathan looked to say more, but Angela appeared in the doorway. He swallowed back his reply at the raising of her eyebrows. "Kids, go with your grandmother, she'll take you for ice cream. That means of all of you."
Claire felt a tugging on her shoulder. Looking over to Peter, she found him jerking his head towards Angela. With a reluctant sigh, she nodded. On instinct, she held out her hand for the boys.
Beside her, Peter did the same thing. As the boys came to them, Peter and Claire taking one each, they walked over to Angela. All four watched Nathan and Heidi as they walked out, watching for any reaction.
The younger of his nephews held tight to Peter's hand. Bending down, he wrapped his arm around his waist and pulled him up in to his arms. Pressing his lips to the boy's temple, Peter cast one final look at Nathan before Angela cut off the view by closing the doors.
They were barely to the front door before Peter heard Nathan and Heidi both start up. From the way Claire's back set, he knew she heard them too. "Come on, Simon, Monty, we'll go to this little place down the street. Ma used to take me there when I was your age."
Chuckling, Angela held her clutch in one hand and pressed her other hand to the small of Peter's back. "I had to do something to make you eat dairy again." When they were on the front stoop, Angela closed the door. "Your impressionable uncle saw a film on dairy cows and decided he alone would save them from exploitation."
When Peter looked to protest, she tapped his bottom with her clutch. He scowled at her, but the snickering of Claire and the boys held his tongue.
Angela nodded to the driver as he opened the door for them. "Sydney, we're going to Mario's. I'm taking my grandchildren for ice cream. Kids, get in the limo." Following Claire and Monty in to the car, Angela took Simon from Peter's arms. "How's my baby?"
"I thought I was your baby." Peter stuck out his bottom lip, causing the boys to chuckle and clutch at Angela.
"Of course, Peter, you were my first. But Simon is the youngest now." Kissing his ear, she snuck a hand along his back to tickle his side. "Now, quit pouting and get in the car."
"I'm not pouting." Peter ducked his head to get in the back seat, but a chill ran down his spine. Freezing, he slowly raised his head. Glancing about him, he tried to find the source, but found an empty street.
"In the car, Peter, or we're leaving you behind. Which means more ice cream for the boys." To their cheers, Angela grinned. Despite her words, she had been watching Peter carefully. "Get in the car, Peter, now."
"All right, ma." Shrugging it off, Peter crawled in to the front seat across from Angela again. Beside him, Claire was watching him with concern. Shaking his head, he whispered to her, "It's nothing."
"Are you sure?" When he nodded, she plastered on a smile again. She wanted to believe him, but he hadn't been the only one to feel it.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Climbing out of the car, Claire held tight to Monty's hand. He started to drag her forward, but she kept him from getting too far. Behind her, she heard Angela's heels followed by Peter's shoes hit the pavement. Turning, she found watched Angela take the lead with Simon.
Peter hung back, glancing over his shoulder.
She didn't know what it was this time. The disturbance from before wasn't there. Starting to feel a little weird, she held out her hand for Peter to take. Much to her relief, he did so.
This part of New York was different from where she had previously been. Unlike Peter's apartment building or the restaurant and the Petrelli home, there were actually happy, normal people about. These people were loud and alive. For the first time since she had come to the city, she felt like herself.
Entering the ice cream shop, a blast of cold wind assaulted Claire. Despite her coat and just above freezing temperature outside, a shiver went through her. There were people already in line and people sitting in chairs at the myriad of tables in the place. It was to the main line that her grandmother and brother had gone, and it was there she let Monty drag her.
Smiling when he gave her hand an extra tug, Claire picked up her pace until they were right there next to Angela. While she waited, she looked about the shop and found Peter just now entering. She waved him over. "Come on, Peter!" It wasn't until he was moving out of the door that she saw he wasn't alone.
Pale and swallowing, Peter's hand was grasped in that of the man behind him. When he caught sight of Claire, Peter's eyes widened, then quickly his face went blank. The man holding his hand leaned in close to Peter so he could whisper in his ear.
It was in the profile that Claire's brain made the match. It slammed in to her like a ton of bricks. Back straightening, she found she couldn't breathe. Monty tugging on her hand reminded her that they weren't alone. Panic began to set in and she started to sound the alarm. Only Peter's head shake kept her from alerting anyone else.
"Peter."
Claire had to turn to find out it was Angela's voice. She started to whisper, anything to get her to leave him be, but all that came out was hissing.
The man tightened his grip on Peter's hand and grinned at them. He fingered the fringe of his spiked hair, leaning in to whisper something to Peter. When Peter turned to face him, swallowing again, he closed the distance and kissed Peter's cheek.
Feeling it like a kick in the gut, Claire actually gasped in pain. Closing her eyes, she missed the expression on Angela's face.
"Come here, now, only a heathen shouts in a building." Angela glanced down when Simon wrapped his arms around her waist. Pushing his hair back in to a semblance of proper position, she smiled. "Don't worry, Peter's not in trouble."
That made Claire giggle, which quickly turned in to a gasping fit. Biting her lip, she dropped her face. She didn't want to look, it was too painful.
"Hey." Taking a shuddering breath, Peter slowly came to a stop next to Angela and the others. He physically kept his body between the man and them.
"Well, are you going to introduce us?" Taking in the appearance of the man currently holding Peter's hand, Angela tilted her head to the side a little.
"Ma, this is..." Peter had to swallow and take another breath. Clearing his throat, he couldn't meet her scrutinizing gaze.
Stepping around Peter, the man's face lit up as he held out a hand for her to take. "Gabriel Gray, ma'am."
"Angela or Mrs. Petrelli, please." Taking his hand, she noticed the size and how he took advantage of the difference to encompass her's completely. Not an entirely disreputable quality, but it didn't speak well for a first impression. "How long have you known my Peter?"
Chuckling, Sylar ducked his head. "I've known him for a little over a few weeks." Turning to Peter, he tugged on the other man's hand. "Isn't that right?"
"What? Uh, yeah, a couple weeks." Eyes a little wider than normal, Peter glanced from his mother to Sylar. At the excited expression on the man's face, he shivered.
Taking the lead again, Sylar pulled Peter up against him. His black leather coat matched with Peter's in the dim light. "We met in Texas, at Claire's high school, to be exact."
"And you followed him here?" From the vibes coming off Peter, and now Claire, Angela reacted by sliding her hand down Simon's back.
"Actually, no. Our meeting here was just a happy coincidence. I've actually only just got back in to town." Facing Peter, Sylar's face seemed to radiate with pleasure. "Now that I'm here, though, I hope to pick up where we left off."
"I'm sure. Unfortunately, we are here to have ice cream. You are free to join us, if you want." Not waiting to see if he would accept, she turned back to the counter. The people ahead of them had cleared out and it was her turn to order. Taking her grand sons by the hands, she led them to the counter. Once there, she glanced over her shoulder at Peter and Sylar.
"Thank you, I'd like that." Walking with Peter at his side, Sylar followed Angela up to the counter. Once there, he winked at Claire. "Hi."
Swallowing, Claire turned her back to him. She closed her eyes and prayed everything worked out well tonight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Watching a cold blooded killer eat ice cream and chat like they were old friends was seriously the most disturbed thing ever. Claire was fighting not just sit there and stare at Sylar through out the entire time. It was a monumental effort, helped by the fact Peter was managing to do it.
For his part, Peter kept up the charade of Sylar and he being together. Holding hands with him, leaning in to his personal space, always keeping an eye out for him.
Claire knew it was an act, something to keep the monster compliant, but it still freaked her out. The third time Peter's hand slipped under the table and Sylar paused in his speaking, she whimpered. She would kill to know what Peter had done, but then again, she would kill not to know.
Adjusting his seating, Sylar's grin increased in wattage. "As I was telling a friend of mine just this morning, people with unique abilities should not squander them. We should embrace who we are and let the world adjust to us." Sitting back, he stretched out and let his arm drop across the back of Peter's chair.
"I completely agree." Twirling her spoon in her ice cream, Angela was more playing with it than eating it. She kept the bulk of her attention on the man across from her. Every time Peter would react to him, doing something to make him smile, she would take a bite of the ice cream. "But rarely does it react the way we wish. That's why I find a more subtle approach works best."
Taking a lick of his ice cream cone, Sylar paused to consider her words. Eventually, he ended up nodding. "The slow and steady method has its merits. I fix watches and clocks for a living, well, more of a hobby now. It takes a steady hand and plenty of patience. The delicate flow of gears is fragile, you've got to handle it just right." As he spoke, his fingers slid up the back of Peter's neck. Sylar twirled them in his hair, tickling the skin.
Before Peter could stop himself, he was twisting away from Sylar's fingers giggling. Clearing his throat, he sat up straight in his chair. "We've been here an hour. I think that Nathan and Heidi have had plenty of time."
"Yeah." Claire jumped on the chance to get away from Sylar. If Angela would just agree, they could dump the monster and get the hell out of there.
Checking her watch, Angela made a sound of thought. "Well, it is getting late."
Suddenly sober, Sylar sat up. "I didn't realize. I apologize for keeping you out." He placed a hand on the small of Peter's back. Turning to the other man, he leaned in closer. Staring him directly in the eyes, Sylar reached up and trailed the back a finger along his cheek. "I'll see you again, yes?"
Peter swallowed. He was back to looking like a fish out of water. "Count on it."
That seemed to satisfy Sylar. Crossing the short distance, he hesitated just a hair from touching Peter. Taking a quick breath, he pursed his lips then closed the gap. It was slow and tender, more affectionate than passion. Pulling back, he licked his lips. "Another time, beautiful." He traced his finger down Peter's cheek one more time before standing up.
Peter raised his face, following Sylar as if her were the sun.
"Thank you for the hospitality, Mrs. Petrelli." Sylar reached out and took her hand in his own. A quick shake, then he stepped away from the table. At the door, he paused to look back. He winked at Peter, then walked out.
The moment the door closed behind him, Claire exhaled so harshly that she blew the napkins off the table. While the boys laughed and picked them up, she shared a look with Peter. She hoped they would never see him again, but knew it was inevitable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sitting there in the back of the limo, Claire watched her new family. The boys were all asleep, including Peter. It was strange, she barely looked like any of them. Peter was like Angela, but Nathan as well. Simon and Monty looked a little like both their parents. From what Claire had seen of her mother, they shared only the most superficial of features.
Hopefully that extended to personalities too. She snorted at that thought.
"Hmm?" Opening her eyes, Angela tiredly looked to her granddaughter.
"It's nothing." Nothing she cared to elaborate on, but Angela seemed interested. "Just thinking how little I look like any of you."
"Oh, that. Don't worry. It's the Petrelli genes, dear, they skip a generation. You look like my sister." Waving the hand that had been cradling Simon's head, Angela laid back against the headrest. Closing her eyes, she yawned. "Peter's the same way."
Eyes wide, Claire was suddenly, completely awake. "What?"
But Angela was already asleep, softly snoring.
Looking over at Peter, Claire did the math in her head. That combined with everything that had been said came up with one conclusion. Reaching out, she touched Peter's cheek. "Are you my brother?"
Peter groaned and batted at her hand.
Snorting, Claire sat back in her seat. "What kinda twisted mess did I get in to?"
The rest of the car ride back to the townhouse was made in silence.