My Ability Can't Heal This [Nathan]

[clairebear]

14th March, 2009 - After Kidnapping Thread and 15th March, 2009

Claire had been home, HOME for about half an hour since Nathan, her father flew her out of the deserted warehouse in Costa Verde. She had held onto him so tightly when he was flying her back to Washington. She was just an empty shell, her glow was gone, her fire was gone, she even felt like her soul was gone. Her baby was gone. She had cried so much the whole way home, and she hadn't stopped crying since she got into the White House, it was a wonder she had any tears left to cry. She couldn't even settle properly.

She hadn't said anything to Nathan other than telling him he would always be her superman and she loved him. Now she was just pacing the floor of the living room, staring into space, still trying to figure out what had happened, still trying to get her head around the fact that she was kidnapped and held for money which had been pointless since he didn't even want it. Trying to get her head around the fact her baby was dead.

Maybe she had been young to have a baby of her own, maybe it was for the best, maybe it was God telling her she was too young to have a baby anyway. Maybe it was her fault for getting caught up with Sam again while she was still with West. A whole lot of maybes, when the simple truth was that Claire wasn't to blame for any of it, but she couldn't stop blaming herself.

She hadn't eaten since they had got home, she didn't feel like eating anything, she didn't feel like doing anything. She just wanted to die and yet she knew she couldn't. Then she'd remember Nathan and the Bennets and know she couldn't put them through her death.

"Why me?" she asked in barely a whisper as all the crying had made her throat so dry, words were hardly audible anymore. "Why me, haven't I gone through enough?" she sad as she looked upward as if she was talking to God himself, not that she expected to get the answer there.

"It's all my fault, I hate myself" she muttered to nobody in particular as she continued to walk round in circles, pacing the living room floor.

[nathan]

Sitting behind the main desk in the Oval Office, Nathan hung his head between his hands, finding all his strength barely keeping him from crying. The President was a very secretive man, and had never been seen crying in public, and he rarely cried in front of friends and family. But now, he didn't care. His daughter had just gone through the worst thing imaginable, and he no longer had a grandchild to look after when they were born. Everything had changed. It was at this point, this one point that Nathan felt he had lost control. The one feeling he hated more than any other, was loss of control over something. As President, you think power would soon heal that, but it didn't. Control was Nathan's strong-point, he now knew how to use it positively and well. But now, it was gone.

And at that one point the idea of leading a group of individuals to capture specials like Rayne and Jared became increasingly promising. But he suddenly snapped out of it, realising the only thing that mattered now, was Claire. She couldn't kill herself even if she wanted too. It was just a pain, eating away at her for always and eternity. It was one pain not even she could heal. And it killed Nathan to know that he couldn't do anything.

It had barely been an hour since they had been back and already Nathan had the secret service out searching for Rayne. He decided to leave Jared alone for now, seeing the pain in the man's eyes as if he understood what the family were going through. It just made him pity the man more than anything, and he could tell, somewhere inside that man had feelings, he had family of some sort he loved and cherished. At least Nathan hoped he had. In spite of that, Nathan couldn't bring himself to go and see his daughter. He was terrified of how hurt she was. It was breaking him inside just thinking about it.

As he decided to leave the Oval Office and make his way to the living quarters, Nathan walked along the hall of Presidents, seeing the men before him. All the great Presidents over the years, all the pride and glory. Yet Nathan was the most special, he was the only special amongst them. If only they knew. He paced down the hall towards the living area, where he had left Claire not so long ago. As he stepped outside the double doors, he could hear whispering. Claire's faint whispers. He sighed ever so softly and put his ear to the door. "I hate myself." How could she hate herself? None of it was her fault.

Nathan opened the doors, looking at her seriously. "Claire, don't hate yourself. If you hate anyone, hate me. I should have never of left you alone, it was stupid and wrong of me." He sighed, walking up to her and taking her small hands into his. "Please don't think badly of yourself, just remember I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." With that, he put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her in for one of his fatherly hugs.

[clairebear]

Claire continued to walk round in circles, pacing the floor almost, unable to sit down peacefully for more than a minute before having to get back up onto her feet again. She had tried not to be too depressed about what happened earlier, but she had just lost her child how could she not be depressed? The worst of it was she had survived what that crazy bitch had done because of her 'gifted' power, it wasn't that gifted when her own child died.

Claire really did hate herself right now for having an ability which without, she'd have died along with her child. When the door opened, she looked up, her eyes full of sadness and darkness, and dark circles around them, her eyes were puffy from all the tears she had cried, "How can I not hate myself? I lost my baby, my baby died while I survived because of this stupid ability I have, I should be dead as well" Claire said in a dark voice. She didn't mean to talk like that to Nathan, but she was torn right now and it was more or less an automatic reaction.

However, when her father began blaming himself, she could feel her chin begin to quiver as she once again felt the tears looming in her already painful cried out eyes. "No dad, no it's not your fault, I would never blame you" she said softly between her tears, "You saved me, you were my superman" she said barely audible through her tears.

She then felt his hand on the back of her head before she was pulled into his arms for one of his hugs. She rested her head on his chest as she cried some more. She felt immediately secure and safe, and she didn't want it to stop. It was now becoming a tradition among the Petrelli men, at least Nathan and Peter, she felt safe and secure around them both. Maybe it was because she was a Petrelli herself.

"I don't want to go back there, I don't want to go back and live there" she mumbled, as the tears began to dry out again. She knew it was a kind of silly thing to say, because they had already spoken about her moving in permanently, but she wasn't supposed to be doing that for a few days yet, she still had to pack all her things.

"I love you so much" she said softly, as she lifted her head and looked up at him, "Guess I was too young anyway" she added as she gave him a weak smile and sighed, then sitting down on the sofa before giving him one final squeeze in the hug. She sat there looking up at him, what were they going to do now? What was she going to do now?

[nathan]

"Claire it wasn't your fault. It was murder, and if it wasn't for your ability I would have lost my only daughter." Nathan sighed thinking about it. Imagine losing her after only just becoming close with her, after just earning her trust. He felt awful, and his gut began to turn in on itself. That feeling of guilt and hatred came rushing back even though he didn't want it too, not in front of Claire anyway. She had been through enough without his anger on top of it too.

Nathan shook his head when she began denying it was his fault, of course it was. He should never have let her gone alone, he should have been there for her. As the tears began to fall down his daughter's face, Nathan realised he couldn't do anything except be there for her. He wished he could turn her pain and put it on himself, if only it were that simple. Through the tears, he heard a lightness in her voice when she called him Superman. Although he barely heard it, he still lit up inside. "I'm always around Claire, I will always be here."

Claire began to mumble about not wanting to go back 'there'. "Claire, what do you mean?" Nathan pulled away from her, gripping her at arms length. "You're not going anywhere. You're staying right here, this is your home. Your home is with me." With that, he went back and hugged her once more, feeling her settle slightly in his arms. She then said so incredibly softly she loved him. He was about to respond when he felt her pull away and look up at him. He looked down, his big brown eyes full of love and sorrow. "I love you too honey, and you weren't too young. It was just a horrible event, something I wish you never went through. I'm so sorry."

That was when Nathan pulled away, feeling that sudden anger build up once more. Claire gave him one last squeeze before going to sit down on one of the sofas. He turned away from her for a moment, covering his mouth with both his hands as he took deep inhales of breath. When he turned, Claire looked motionless. She looked lost. "Claire, I have a press meeting in a few minutes. You're welcome to come. Only if you're up to it. Would be nice to have my beautiful little girl next to me." Nathan smiled down at her, with his hands gently relaxed on his hips.

[clairebear]

Claire was so empty right now, but what Nathan had just said was true. If she didn't have her ability then he would have lost her, and after they just found each other, it really was unbearable to think about. Even though it was difficult for Claire to comprehend and understand, the truth was, her child was murdered and she wasn't to blame for that. She sighed gently, "You're right, of course you're right, I'm sorry dad" she said her voice hollow and emotionless.

When Nathan said he was always around and he'd always be there for her, Claire could feel some of the anger and guilt subside. It was funny how things worked, a few months ago it would have been Noah there for her during this, not Nathan. It was almost like he hadn't wanted to know before, but of course he'd made up for that now. Now, Claire couldn't begin to imagine a life without Nathan in it. "I know that dad, I know that now."

Claire almost felt a bit scared for just a few seconds when Nathan pulled her away at arms length gripping her with his hands when she'd mumbled about not going back to Costa Verde. But it was just because he wanted to get it through to her she wasn't going anywhere. "I...I..I knew that, I... was just making sure, I just, I don't know I just, I feel safe here" she said eventually with a sigh. "Thanks." She said it so softly as he pulled her into the hug again and she snuggled into him, wrapping her own arms around his waist. She was so small that her head barely reached his chest as she snuggled into him.

Claire smiled softly when Nathan said he loved her too and told her she wasn't too young, just a horrible event he wished she hadn't gone through. But he said sorry, obviously still blaming himself. "It's alright, I already said, it wasn't your fault, it wasn't mine or yours it was hers" Claire said the final word with venom in her voice, "She'll pay for what she did, I'll make sure of that" she added as she found a bit of her spirit coming back. It might not have been what Nathan wanted to hear from his grieving daughter, and maybe it wasn't the right thing for her to say in her current state, but she was only going to go two ways, she was either going to blow up, or she was going to curl up and never move.

He had looked away from her for a few seconds, probably because the anger of what had happened was getting to him, well she couldn't blame him, it was getting to her as well. However he then turned round to face her again telling her he had press meeting and that she was welcome to go. He called her his beautiful little girl. Claire felt her cheeks turning a bit pink at that and then sort of scoffed a laugh, as she looked away from him for a few seconds, "Daaad!" she said, "I'm not that beautiful, but alright, I'll come with you if you want me to, not like I've got anything else to do" she said, as she turned to face him again and smiled up at him.

However, she felt like there was something they needed to do, she needed to do to make things better for herself. Maybe not better, but help her understand what she had just gone through, help her say goodbye to the child she lost. "I was just thinking" she said, and then sort of smiled in a mischievous way, "Yeah I know we all do that from time to time" she added, remembering when he caught her out with that sentence before, "it might make things easier for me, if we did a sort of farewell ceremony thing, you know, maybe plant a rose bush in the gardens in memory of the baby? I think I was going to have a boy, I'd have called him Nathaniel Peter you know." Claire said, as she knew she'd have called her baby boy after her two favourite Petrelli men.

[nathan]

"Stop saying sorry." Nathan didn't want her to say it anymore. Sorry meant she done something wrong, and she did NOTHING wrong. And he hoped more than anything, she understood that this was her home now. He was her father, her real father and he wasn't going anywhere in a hurry. Nathan had missed the oppourtunity to watch his daughter grow up, watch her go to school, be 'the cheerleader' and just the little things. It was those things he regretted not being around for. He had tried to forget about her before, but how could he? She was perfect.

Nathan knew she was a bit worried or scared when he held her at arms length. Her eyes glistened nervously, but he wanted to get through to her. This was her home. Wherever Nathan was, Claire would be right next to him. Never behind him like you think a President would place his daughter, he would be holding onto Claire's hand next to him, making sure she was up front too. "You are safe here honey, you always will be." He breathed a sigh of relief when she snuggled back into him. He was worried he may have scared her off.

When Claire said she'll pay for what she did, Nathan shook his head. "I'm not letting you anywhere near her again Claire, that's final." He shook his head again, turning away from her. He didn't want her so full of revenge. But what could he do? She had just lost her baby. "Just don't think about her for the moment, just try." He smiled as he turned back.

Hearing Claire laugh made a warm fuzzy feeling inside him suddenly spark, she actually laughed and smiled. "You are beautiful," He said chuckling. He gently put his thumb on her chin and smiled widely. "Look at my beautiful little girl!" He was trying to embarass her slightly, but in the process make her laugh and smile. She said she would come with him which made him relax slightly, she needed to be with people at the moment. Being by herself would just cause her to become depressed with her inner thoughts.

Nathan listened to her idea about having a memorial service, it made him sigh almost constantly even though he smiled slightly when she said we all think from time to time. "Nathaniel Peter?" He smiled more, the lines in his face growing slightly. "Imagine having a grandson called Nathaniel, like me. Would be weird yet great." He chuckled, his grin becoming happy and whole. "We'll do that Claire, I'll arrange it later on after this press meeting. Come on." He held out his hand, twiddling his fingers.

[clairebear]

Claire sighed gently when Nathan told her to stop saying sorry. It just kept coming out of her mouth without her even realising it. She was blaming herself for everything that happened to her, how could it be anybody else's fault when she was the one carrying the child which got phased out of her? However she didn't want her dad Nathan to feel bad either, so she would stop thinking about it like that. "Alright, I'll stop" she replied, giving him a weak smile. Would that have worked? Or was it too fake? She hoped not.

Not that she regretted her time with the Bennet family, of course she didn't, but she really wished she had grown up a Petrelli, the way Nathan treated her made her feel like she may have been a totally different person and for the better. When Claire was younger during her days at school she used to try and be better than everybody else to belong in the 'best groups' and then she realised all she had to be was herself. It took her long enough to realise it though and she couldn't help but think if she'd been raised a Petrelli things would have been very different for her.

"I know that now dad, I feel different when I'm here" Claire replied when he told her she would always be safe there. His hugs were the best also, she loved giving hugs, but when it came to Nathan, she loved getting them from him, they were always just so perfect. So when he did hug her, Claire always snuggled into the hug.

She thought when she found her fighting spirit he would have been pleased he got his spirited daughter back, but he shook his head telling her he wasn't letting her anywhere near that woman again. In a way Claire found it frustrating, but most of all she found it loving and caring. She knew, not that she hadn't before, but she knew more than ever in a heartbeat he would never let anything happen to her again even if his life depended on it.

"Alright, I wont do anything about it" she said in a softer voice and when he told her not to think about the woman or to try not to, she smiled at him softly, just as he had smiled at her. "Okay I promise not to think about her or anything that happened, what's done is done right?" she said, showing some courage and wisdom at last.

When he had embarrassed her slightly before with his statement of calling her his beautiful little girl, he just went ahead and done it again. Wasn't embarrassing her once enough? Obviously not. However Claire knew he was just trying to make her smile and laugh, and it had worked, as she rolled her eyes and laughed again. "Alright if you insist then, I'm beautiful" she said in a slight mocking tone but laughed anyway. If only she had been his 'little' girl she thought, but she hadn't, not really. She sighed gently thinking again about what could have been if he'd raised her himself instead of allowing Angela to manipulate him into giving her up.

Even though in a way Claire had no grudges against her grandma either now, she had to understand there was many reasons why Claire was adopted out at the time. However that was in the past, and this was the now.

She was happy he liked the idea of her memorial service with the rose bush. She also smiled as he seemed to like the idea of having a grandson named after himself. "Well, you might have a grandson named after you yet, not as if I can't have another child in the future, right?" she said with a grin, "but, thanks dad, it would mean a lot to me" she added with a smile, and then stood up taking his hand as she saw his hand reaching out to take hers with his fingers twiddling like he always did. She loved the fact he always wanted her to be beside him, it made her feel like she really was a Petrelli, it made her feel like the First Daughter.

[nathan]

Nathan knew the fake smile straight away. He knew his own daughter like the back of his hand, even though he hadn't been around her a hell of a lot. Of course he couldn't expect anything but fakery during this point. It had barely been a couple of hours since the tragic incident, he was surprised she was talking at all. Nathan's mind was crowding with thoughts; some things completely irrelevant to the situation, then thoughts about Claire and what was going through her mind suddenly struck him. What if she ended it herself, and stuck something in the back of her head. He suddenly shook his head, knowing she wouldn't do that, she couldn't.

"What's done is done honey, we have to leave it as that. Just like you said." Nathan smiled down at her, and winked. He loved Claire so so much, that if she ever got hurt like that again, he didn't think he would be able to take it. And when she brought the light-hearted side back into the room, it made him take a long sigh of relief. "Yep you're beautiful, take the compliment." He grinned at her and nudged her playfully.

"True you could have another grandson, I'd love a granddaughter too." Nathan loved teasing her, and he loved the idea of possibly having grandchildren soon. When she took his hand, the two began walking down one of the corridors towards the 'formal' part of the White House. He had security around him immediately after leaving the living quarters, and he kept a firm grip of Claire's hand. "You ok hon?" He asked, brushing a hand through his hair. As they continued walking, Nathan noticed a young, tall, broad guy ahead, tucking loose strands of his hair behind his ear.

Immediately his inner thoughts warned him that he was a predator to Claire, he had heard stories of her weakness for cute tall guys. And he feared, he was no other in that group. When the finally approached him, the reporter held out his hand. Nathan shook it, nodding appreciatively at the respect, "Nathan Petrelli, this is my daughter Claire."

[clairebear]

Claire looked up at Nathan and gave him another smile, only this time it wasn't weak nor was it fake, it was a genuine smile. It was true, however unfortunate and sad it was, the truth was that simple, it was done, and nothing they did could change the events or bring back her son. He was gone. Now she had to be strong for the unborn baby she had lost and try to carry on with her life for herself, for her future and for her family, most of all for Nathan.

"Of course" Claire said confirming what she had said after Nathan had repeated it, no more words were necessary at that point. Of course going back onto the conversation of Claire being beautiful and the light heartiness of it, made Claire realise how much of a relief it was for her father to see that in her. Even if she had gone through a tragic time earlier, Claire could tell her sadness had been killing Nathan from the inside. "Alright, compliment duly taken, daaad!" Claire said drawing the word dad out and rolling her eyes again but laughing gently. "Anyway, only natural I'm this beautiful having such a handsome father like you" Claire added, getting a little compliment in of her own to her father. Not that she expected to embarrass him, but still. When he nudged her playfully she just did the same thing back.

"Well, one day maybe you will be blessed with a grandson and granddaughter" Claire said, although she had been eighteen when she fell pregnant with baby Nathaniel, she figured it might not be a bad idea to wait until she was older before falling pregnant again. She then walked with Nathan until they reached the 'formal' part of the White House away from the living quarters and Claire noticed the security surround them in force and very quickly.

Claire actually began to feel a little out of comfort zone at that point, not exactly sure why, but she felt herself squeeze Nathan's hand tighter than he had been gripping hers. In fact she shifted her hand slightly so she had her fingers locked into his so she was certain he wouldn't be able to let her go that easily. When he asked if she was okay, she looked up at him with a smile, "Yeah I'm fine" she said, although she was sort of dying inside right now and couldn't figure out why.

Claire noticed the young guy almost immediately, everything about him struck her right away, his height, his broadness, his eyes, his floppy hair and his smile. But Claire also felt herself pull back just a little, after everything she had gone through and with West still out of the picture goodness knows where she wasn't about to get herself into another mess.

Right away when the guy held his hand out, Nathan not only introduced himself, but also Claire, saying loud and clear she was his daughter. Claire just gave him a weak smile and sort of waved briefly with her free hand, "Hi."

[marty]

Martin had been waiting for little over an hour now, he kept checking his leather wrist watch. Seems time was going slower than ever today for some reason. The idea of meeting the President wasn't a massive deal to him, he was Canadian. He liked Canada. America was so corrupt nowadays; the lies, the false hope, the idea of a free World. It was just lies. Martin knew this, Logan had told him enough. Of course Martin had his own thoughts and opinions, but it didn't help his dad was so opinionated. It had to rub off him at some point.

The large waiting room was furnished to perfection. There wasn't a spec of dust anywhere, the lights were all the same brightness. In fact the perfection was beginning to do his head in. He could do with some heavy metal or something right now. Something destructive. The idea of a perfect World was one of the only things that frightened him.

When the young man looked up, seeing a large bodyguard protect the doorway with his hands tucked firmly behind his back. "So uh, you like it around here?" What else could he say? Honestly. The bodyguard turned, chewing his gum even louder than before. "You ain't gettin' nothing' outta me freak." Martin realised, his AAA pass said The Chronicle. Every American citizen who knew about The Chronicle knew about the people behind it. He nodded gratefully, "Thanks for your time." The obvious sarcasm in his voice was about to hit a nerve until the bodyguard was informed that the President was on his way. Martin stood up, straightening his t-shirt and pulling his cargo jacket further around his chest.

When the pissed off bodyguard escorted Martin to the corridor, he muttered several things under his breath. Martin sighed, knowing if he had half of his father's anger, the guy would be laid out on the floor right now. But he didn't retaliate at all, deciding he would either confront the guy after, or wait for the President to overhear his little snide comments. Martin tucked a few loose strands of hair behind his ears, trying to look half decent. He didn't want to embarass himself and be fired straight away. He noticed not the President straight away but a young blonde with him. Miss Claire Petrelli. One of his co-workers had told him of her, and her fight against the baddies. He smiled shyly, never really being confident around such beautiful girls. But decided he would shake it off, knowing he wasn't really feeling a relationship right now until he had established things with Megan.

"Hey Mr. Petrelli, I'm Martin Howlett," Then when Nathan introduced his daughter Claire, Martin nodded politely and smiled at her. He didn't shake her hand or anything of the like, he knew she had been through enough. "Nice to meet you both, not familiar with American politics to be honest. I'm a Canadian born myself." He hoped that wouldn't offend them, yet he wanted the bodyguard to say something and ever so quietly he managed to hear "Canadians, they're all inbred." Martin waited, knowing that if Nathan heard that, he would probably flip. Of course the President wouldn't want that on his reputation.

[nathan]

"Claire, one day you're going to be a beautiful, blossoming mother to my grandchildren. That's more than any father could ask for." Nathan smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head, smelling the soft sweet scent of her shampoo. He took her hand tightly again and led her out into corridor. He noticed her behaviour suddenly change once they were out in the formal part of the White House. Bodyguards secured them without question, it was their job. They would take a bullet for Nathan, even though he would never want them to.

The sudden stiffness of Claire immediately told Nathan that she was no where near used to this. She was always used to being chased and only having the protection of Noah. Nathan was suddenly overwhelmed from guilt. He was never there for her, never there for Claire when she needed help. When Sylar tried to kill her, when she wanted her real dad. It hit him so hard infact he stopped suddenly midway down the corridor. He took his hand away from Claire's and rubbed his eyes for a moment, squinting them shut tightly. When he opened them, everything was blurry. Then he looked down at Claire and she suddenly became clear. He couldn't dwell on what he done wrong. He had done so many things wrong in the past, yet he was trying to do good now, that's all that mattered. Not to mention he had his little girl with him now. For good.

"Sorry Claire, just had a moment." He smiled down at her and took her hand once more, continuing to walk to the reporter standing outside one of the waiting rooms. He was young, with floppy brown hair. His leather jacket immediately screamed biker or something. Nathan shook his hand, seeing something he liked in him. "Nice to meet you Martin. What newspaper do you work for?" He smiled at him, baring a small yet happy grin. "Canadian eh? Are you staying in Washington?" Nathan appreciated how polite the young man was, and how he seemed particularly cautious of Claire in her current state.

Then he suddenly overheard the statement made by one of the less experienced bodyguards. Nathan's head snapped up and he glared at him. "What was that?" The bodyguard was suddenly speechless, "I um... er..." "You ever speak to one of my guests like that again, I'll fire you and make sure you never work again, you understand me? Or better yet, I'll send you to the Canadian government, let them deal with you." Nathan winked at Claire and Martin, hoping they would find it amusing. Especially Martin, he seemed like someone with a decent sense of humour.

[clairebear]

Claire looked up at Nathan and gave him a warm smile as he spoke about her becoming a blossoming mother to his grandchildren one day. She knew that one day she would be, she just didn't know when that day would be now. "Thanks dad." She said simply just before he bent down and kissed the top of her head. All these little things Claire loved about her father Nathan, and it was those little things that made her often wish she'd grown up with him in her life. However, she had him now, and they were both making the most of it.

When Claire had tightened her grip on Nathan's hand while they were walking, Nathan suddenly stopped and took his hand away from her own. Of course, this made Claire stop as well, as she just stood looking down at her feet for a few seconds. He had let go of her hand and she felt even more uncomfortable. Claire wasn't sure if it was because of her or not, but it made her feel even more uncomfortable than she already was feeling. She then slowly looked up at him, with her eyes hollow and sad, "You alright dad?" She asked, however, he then looked down at her and apologised, and smiled, before taking her hand again, and once more she immediately locked her fingers through his. "As long as you're alright." Claire said not thinking about herself for one second being too concerned about her father right at that moment.

They continued to walk toward the reporter. Claire remained quiet while her father and the report guy she soon realised was called Martin communicated with each other. She noticed Martin giving her a nod of the head and a smile. Claire noticed only for a brief second how much more handsome he was the minute he smiled. She was there, still holding Nathan's hand, but really there wasn't anything she could say, while Martin and her father conversed with each other.

Claire gave the bodyguard who had remarked on the fact Martin was Canadian a sour look. Some of these bodyguards could be highly insensitive she thought. However, Nathan soon put the guy in his place, and as he did so winked at Claire and Martin. Claire could only smile up at Nathan, she loved when he got defensive like that, although it was normally over Claire, but she was glad he didn't let that idiot get away with his degrading remarks.

[marty]

Martin looked at the President and smiled, "I work for the Chronicle sir. Great job for a special journalist." He said proudly, grinning slightly. "Yep Canadian born and proud, and yes sir, I'm staying at one of the Travelodges just outside of town." Of course, he wasn't on a big budget. Martin was one to spend his money on drink, comics, music and games. It's all he really wanted. A shabby hotel room was better to him, it meant he wouldn't break anything. "Living the journalist lifestyle ya know? Just spending my money on stuff I want, not stuff I need."

When Nathan heard the statement, Martin smirked. He was obviously happy he heard it, "Yeah the Canadian government would just... deport your ass back to the US, and complain aboot you." He said 'aboot' deliberately. Canadians were known for their somewhat 'strange' speech, although most of the time it was just joking around. "Thank you sir, I appreciate that." He said to Nathan, and found the Canadian government comment somewhat amusing.

"Basically Mr. Petrelli I want to speak to you about..." Martin didn't know whether he should say it, or more importantly, show it. The Chronicle was known for being run by people with powers. But he wasn't sure if Nathan knew about it. "About stuff in private..." He then looked at Claire, smiling at her. "Of course, your daughter is welcome too. She could probably help out actually." Martin didn't take his eyes off her, suddenly amazed by how stunning she actually was. He suddenly looked up, aware he was staring. "Unless, you don't want to?"

[nathan]

Nathan kept hold of Claire's hand as Martin spoke to him. He smiled widely when Martin mentioned he worked for the Chronicle. "Indeed a great job for a special journalist Martin, and you seem one of the best guys for the job." Nathan shook his hand once more and grinned at him. "Yeah Canada is a beautiful country," But the President almost choked when he heard where Martin was staying. "A travelodge?! No I can fix you up somewhere much nicer and closer. Besides, how long are you staying for?" Then Nathan understood, Martin was young and free. He didn't desire for big fancy rooms and clothes, he just wanted to be happy.

Luckily Martin seemed to understand Nathan's joke, and made one of his own, making the President smile. "Ah no need to thank me Martin, my staff have no right treating my guests like that. Doesn't matter who you are, where you from or how wealthy you are. If I didn't want you here, I'd tell you to leave myself." Nathan grinned at him again, knowing it wasn't intended at the young reporter himself.

"Ah yes Martin, that's fine. Come with me." But as he tugged at Claire's hand, he noticed Martin staring at her for a moment. He smiled, shaking his head. Guys and Claire... what a mixture. Of course in her current state he wouldn't let her go near a guy. "She could help out? Well sure. You want too hon?" He asked her first, incase she wasn't up for it. Martin then asked the same thing making Nathan smile. "Well hon it's up to you, but we got to get moving. Gotta put you to bed early tonight." He knew it would embaress her, and probably make Martin somewhat wary of the predicament.

[clairebear]

Claire stood holding her father's hand while he and the journalist known as Martin continued to converse with each other. While being quiet the whole time and desperately trying not to let her mind drift to the events of earlier in the day for fear she would just crumble in front of the cute guy. And despite everything she didn't want that to happen. She secretly hoped that they would move on with their conversation and get to what ever it was they were going to talk about.

However, their conversation continued, and Claire was beginning to think back to what happened earlier in the day, and for some reason Creed's song Arms Wide Open came into her head, and without even realising it, she started to sing it, thinking she was singing it in her own head, but in actual fact she was singing it out loud. Not overly loud to drown out her father's conversation, but it would have been loud enough for them to have heard

"Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open..." Suddenly realising she was indeed singing it out loud, she gulped quickly and then gave a sheepish look to her father and Martin, as the conversation had turned to her.

"Uhm.." She began, letting out a nervous giggle, "I guess, yeah, sure, why not." She said as she got over her embarrassment and gave her father a smile. Still holding his hand tightly, not daring to let it go. She did notice Martin staring at her, and of course she had done the same back and smiled at him, but right now, she was too mixed up to think of guys in any respect at all.

When Nathan spoke about moving, due to putting her to bed early, she just rolled her eyes at him, but smiled anyway, as in all honesty she had to admit that going to bed early probably wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. "Alright, well let's go then." She confirmed with another smile in the direction of Martin and then her father.