FIC: Twilight [Chapter One] (Heroes)
Jul. 29th, 2008 04:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ashinaeTwilight
by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ashinae and linden_jay
Pairing: Nathan/Claire
Rating/Warnings: NC-17; prostitution, dub-con, mention and aftermath of rape (by original, not canon, characters).
Spoilers: Up to the beginning of season 2. This would take place within the first few episodes, but doesn't follow the established plot.
Disclaimer: Not written for profit.
Summary: "I wasn't trolling for a hooker. I just happened to bump into one."
Note: This is a multi-part, but complete, story. This is not a work in progress.
Previous Parts: Teaser
Twilight: Chapter One
The last time Matt Parkman had seen Nathan Petrelli, Nathan had a beard that looked like it was about to completely engulf his face, and he'd been more than a little rumpled. But now he'd shaved, and he looked somewhat presentable.
"What is it, Parkman?" Nathan demanded.
God, this was going to be awkward to explain, which was why he hadn't gone into it on the phone. Which seemed idiotic now, since actually saying it to Nathan's face was going to be so much harder. Matt cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to have to disturb you, Mr. Petrelli, but something's come up, and... well, you were the only person I could think of to call."
"I'm flattered," Nathan said dryly. "So what's happened?"
"Does the name 'Astrid Sinclair' mean anything to you?" Matt was holding a file folder under his arm, keeping his voice low so the conversation was just between them.
Nathan shook his head. "Never heard it."
"Neither has anyone here, and she's not in the system. Which makes sense, because it's an alias. The booking officer suspects it, but can't prove it, but I know it." Matt paused again, taking a deep breath. "It's Claire Bennet. Bennet's daughter," he whispered. "I didn't recognize her when I busted her for... for solicitation. She looks completely different now, but it's her."
"Why didn't you call Noah Bennet, then?" Nathan asked. Stone cold neutral; he wasn't exactly surprised by this news, not what Matt had arrested her for, all things considered. It had been a few days; he hadn't been expecting this, and he wondered what in the hell he was supposed to do about it.
"I tried. He's dropped off the grid, I can't find him. I thought... I remembered, from... that night. You were talking to her." Matt was bleeding nearly to death with a bunch of bullet holes through him at the time, but he was sure he remembered that. "I thought maybe you'd know someone who could track them down, connections, something. I tried to get it from her, but it was a no-go. Stubborn kid."
"I'm not exactly sure who I can call for her if you can't find her family," Nathan said. "I don't think she has anybody else."
Matt sighed and rubbed his eyes. He couldn't take her home. There wasn't room in the apartment as it was, and he could just imagine the volume level Mohinder would reach if he brought a girl home who'd been busted for prostitution, even if it was the cheerleader. Not to mention trying to explain it to Molly. "I don't know either. I don't know what she's doing here. She's saying she's nineteen, which is a lie, but we can't prove otherwise, and she can't make bail."
Nathan frowned, rubbed a hand over his face. What was it with his family and getting arrested? "I can," he said. "Make bail for her."
"You'd do that? If I'd known who she was... but by the time I figured it out, she was already here, and it was too late to just stop the procedure, especially since they think she's under aged," Matt explained. "She wouldn't say where she was staying, but I got that at least... it's a hotel. Really classy place, rents by the month, week, day, or hour."
"Huh. Well, I'll be sure to keep an eye on her. I mean, can we do that? Just... I'll post bail, and see what I can do to help her out. Can we just make that happen?"
"You get her out, and I'll find a way to 'lose' her paperwork and fingerprints," Matt murmured, even more quietly. "It's not her real name anyway, so... it's worth it. Something's got to be wrong, Bennet gone, his kid... I still can't believe it's her. The first time I saw her, back in Texas, it was in a police station. Right after your b-" Matt cut himself off before he could say the word 'brother', shifting quickly. "She was so young, with that long blonde hair. She doesn't look the same at all, and it's not just the haircut and dye job. She's changed."
Nathan nodded, slowly. "Like I said, I'll see what I can do to help her. Hopefully there's something I can do for her. Poor kid..."
"Thanks... I appreciate it. And maybe between us we can figure out where her family is, and... I don't know, sort out what happened. Get her home." Wherever home was. Matt had watched Claire's home in Odessa burn to the ground. "I'll get them to get you the paperwork, while I go get Claire." He handed Nathan the folder he was holding. "Her mug shot... just so you'll know who she is when you see her. Like I said, she looks pretty different."
Nathan looked, and nodded, though he already knew. "Thanks, Parkman. Detective," he corrected. Might as well be a little more polite. And God only knew what he was going to do once Claire was with him.
He watched Parkman walk away, and tried hard not to think about that night in the alley.
*
They'd taken her shoes away. Apparently five inch platform heels were considered a weapon when you were in jail. Claire'd kept to the back of the holding cell that officer--detective--Parkman had left her in. He'd arranged for her to be on her own, not that she cared. It wasn't like anyone could hurt her anyway.
He hadn't said anything to her that she'd felt was worth listening to when he came to let her out, so she just kept ignoring him, doing the best she could to keep her mind blank, and when she couldn't, she sang in her mind. Loudly. She followed after him, stopping to sign for her things and slipping back into her shoes again, counting the money they handed her before she stuffed it back into her bra. "Can I go now?" she said rudely.
"Of course, Miss Sinclair," Nathan said from behind her. "You'll be coming with me, though."
Claire whipped around to look at Nathan, staring at him for a moment or two before she turned to glare at Parkman. "You son of a bitch," she hissed at him.
"Now, now, let's play nice," Nathan said. He stepped closer. "Why don't we get some lunch? You're probably feeling a bit hungry."
"In hell," Claire said between her teeth, taking a step back, and bumping into Parkman, who'd moved to block her from running away. "You can't make me go with him," she said.
"Look, Miss Sinclair," Matt said, holding his hands up and trying to get her to calm down, avoiding using her real name since there were people around. "Just... we want to help, all right? Mr. Petrelli just paid your bail, and arranged for your release." He hadn't explained that before he'd let her out, since it was clear she wasn't listening to a word he said.
"I didn't ask you to do that," Claire said, turning back to Nathan, wondering what he'd told Parkman, why he was here.
"No, you didn't. But Detective Parkman told me you're in a bit of trouble, and I just want to help. So why don't you let me get you some lunch?" Nathan wasn't sure where he'd dredged up such calm in the face of all this. Maybe he was still drunk.
Claire couldn't help but snort at the idea of Nathan actually wanting to help her. Right. "Fine. If it'll get you off my back and get me out of here," she said, folding her arms across her stomach.
"Good," he said, and put a hand at the small of her back to lead her out. He'd brought the car today; it hadn't seen much use lately, as booze money was more important than gas money, but it was a little too far to the precinct from the apartment. He helped her into the passenger seat, got behind the wheel, and took off. "Wendy's or McDonald's?" he asked.
"Forget it, just drive me around the corner since Parkman's watching out the fucking window, and I'll walk home," Claire said, ignoring the seatbelt.
"Like hell," Nathan countered. "But we can grab your things and you can check out."
"And where exactly is it that you think I'm going to check out and go to?" If they slowed down enough, Claire could just get out and walk away.
"You can come stay with me," Nathan said, "until your dad comes to get you."
"Isn't that sweet. No." Claire turned to look out the window of the car.
"He seems like the kind of guy who'd be making himself sick with worry right about now. So let's make him not have reason to worry about you anymore."
Claire kept staring out the window. "I don't know why you came to get me, or why you paid my bail, but you can stop pretending like you care. Just let me out of the car, and we can forget the whole thing. Here-" she pulled a ten dollar bill out of her bra and threw it toward his lap. "The vodka's on me, if that helps."
"Parkman called me, because he saw us talking to each other at Kirby Plaza. And because he can't seem to find your family. I want to see if I can help you, Claire."
"I don't need help. I don't need anyone to look after me, or rescue me, or save me, or... whatever. I'm not looking for a knight on a white horse, and this isn't Pretty Woman." She kept her face turned to the window so he couldn't see her eyes filling with tears.
"No, it's not," he agreed. "It's far more fucked up than that, isn't it? Come stay with me, all right?"
She stayed quiet for a long few moments before she murmured the address to her hotel. "Only because they're going to kick me out anyway since I didn't make the money to pay rent today. Once I've got it again, I'm leaving."
"Sounds like a plan," Nathan said. He fell silent again as he drove to the hotel with her. "You'll understand, won't you, that I'm going to come up with you to make sure you come back with me."
She sighed. "Whatever. Wait," she turned to look at him, feeling like an idiot for not thinking of this until now. "No--I can't go back with you. I can't--your mother, your wife--you've got little kids, I saw them, when I was looking over the banister. I can't come with you back there--just ... float me a couple hundred dollars so I can pay rent, and just forget the whole thing."
"Mom's in jail right now for a crime she didn't commit, and my wife and kids are... aren't here anymore. I'm staying in Peter's apartment."
Claire stared at him for a few moments without knowing what to say, then looked away again, biting her lip. "Oh," she said softly, reaching up to play with her hair, tugging on the short, blunt ends, which didn't even come to her shoulders.
"One of the reasons I followed through on your... invitation," Nathan said. He didn't look at her. He remembered how she'd smelled.
"If... if this is about guilt, I didn't recognize you either. I didn't know it was you." Claire wasn't looking at him either. Wasn't thinking about how that was the closest she'd been to coming since ... she didn't even want to think about it.
"It's not about guilt." Nathan pulled into a parking space and unbuckled his seat belt, pulled the keys from the ignition. "C'mon. Let's get you moved out."
*
by
ashinae and linden_jayPairing: Nathan/Claire
Rating/Warnings: NC-17; prostitution, dub-con, mention and aftermath of rape (by original, not canon, characters).
Spoilers: Up to the beginning of season 2. This would take place within the first few episodes, but doesn't follow the established plot.
Disclaimer: Not written for profit.
Summary: "I wasn't trolling for a hooker. I just happened to bump into one."
Note: This is a multi-part, but complete, story. This is not a work in progress.
Previous Parts: Teaser
The last time Matt Parkman had seen Nathan Petrelli, Nathan had a beard that looked like it was about to completely engulf his face, and he'd been more than a little rumpled. But now he'd shaved, and he looked somewhat presentable.
"What is it, Parkman?" Nathan demanded.
God, this was going to be awkward to explain, which was why he hadn't gone into it on the phone. Which seemed idiotic now, since actually saying it to Nathan's face was going to be so much harder. Matt cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to have to disturb you, Mr. Petrelli, but something's come up, and... well, you were the only person I could think of to call."
"I'm flattered," Nathan said dryly. "So what's happened?"
"Does the name 'Astrid Sinclair' mean anything to you?" Matt was holding a file folder under his arm, keeping his voice low so the conversation was just between them.
Nathan shook his head. "Never heard it."
"Neither has anyone here, and she's not in the system. Which makes sense, because it's an alias. The booking officer suspects it, but can't prove it, but I know it." Matt paused again, taking a deep breath. "It's Claire Bennet. Bennet's daughter," he whispered. "I didn't recognize her when I busted her for... for solicitation. She looks completely different now, but it's her."
"Why didn't you call Noah Bennet, then?" Nathan asked. Stone cold neutral; he wasn't exactly surprised by this news, not what Matt had arrested her for, all things considered. It had been a few days; he hadn't been expecting this, and he wondered what in the hell he was supposed to do about it.
"I tried. He's dropped off the grid, I can't find him. I thought... I remembered, from... that night. You were talking to her." Matt was bleeding nearly to death with a bunch of bullet holes through him at the time, but he was sure he remembered that. "I thought maybe you'd know someone who could track them down, connections, something. I tried to get it from her, but it was a no-go. Stubborn kid."
"I'm not exactly sure who I can call for her if you can't find her family," Nathan said. "I don't think she has anybody else."
Matt sighed and rubbed his eyes. He couldn't take her home. There wasn't room in the apartment as it was, and he could just imagine the volume level Mohinder would reach if he brought a girl home who'd been busted for prostitution, even if it was the cheerleader. Not to mention trying to explain it to Molly. "I don't know either. I don't know what she's doing here. She's saying she's nineteen, which is a lie, but we can't prove otherwise, and she can't make bail."
Nathan frowned, rubbed a hand over his face. What was it with his family and getting arrested? "I can," he said. "Make bail for her."
"You'd do that? If I'd known who she was... but by the time I figured it out, she was already here, and it was too late to just stop the procedure, especially since they think she's under aged," Matt explained. "She wouldn't say where she was staying, but I got that at least... it's a hotel. Really classy place, rents by the month, week, day, or hour."
"Huh. Well, I'll be sure to keep an eye on her. I mean, can we do that? Just... I'll post bail, and see what I can do to help her out. Can we just make that happen?"
"You get her out, and I'll find a way to 'lose' her paperwork and fingerprints," Matt murmured, even more quietly. "It's not her real name anyway, so... it's worth it. Something's got to be wrong, Bennet gone, his kid... I still can't believe it's her. The first time I saw her, back in Texas, it was in a police station. Right after your b-" Matt cut himself off before he could say the word 'brother', shifting quickly. "She was so young, with that long blonde hair. She doesn't look the same at all, and it's not just the haircut and dye job. She's changed."
Nathan nodded, slowly. "Like I said, I'll see what I can do to help her. Hopefully there's something I can do for her. Poor kid..."
"Thanks... I appreciate it. And maybe between us we can figure out where her family is, and... I don't know, sort out what happened. Get her home." Wherever home was. Matt had watched Claire's home in Odessa burn to the ground. "I'll get them to get you the paperwork, while I go get Claire." He handed Nathan the folder he was holding. "Her mug shot... just so you'll know who she is when you see her. Like I said, she looks pretty different."
Nathan looked, and nodded, though he already knew. "Thanks, Parkman. Detective," he corrected. Might as well be a little more polite. And God only knew what he was going to do once Claire was with him.
He watched Parkman walk away, and tried hard not to think about that night in the alley.
They'd taken her shoes away. Apparently five inch platform heels were considered a weapon when you were in jail. Claire'd kept to the back of the holding cell that officer--detective--Parkman had left her in. He'd arranged for her to be on her own, not that she cared. It wasn't like anyone could hurt her anyway.
He hadn't said anything to her that she'd felt was worth listening to when he came to let her out, so she just kept ignoring him, doing the best she could to keep her mind blank, and when she couldn't, she sang in her mind. Loudly. She followed after him, stopping to sign for her things and slipping back into her shoes again, counting the money they handed her before she stuffed it back into her bra. "Can I go now?" she said rudely.
"Of course, Miss Sinclair," Nathan said from behind her. "You'll be coming with me, though."
Claire whipped around to look at Nathan, staring at him for a moment or two before she turned to glare at Parkman. "You son of a bitch," she hissed at him.
"Now, now, let's play nice," Nathan said. He stepped closer. "Why don't we get some lunch? You're probably feeling a bit hungry."
"In hell," Claire said between her teeth, taking a step back, and bumping into Parkman, who'd moved to block her from running away. "You can't make me go with him," she said.
"Look, Miss Sinclair," Matt said, holding his hands up and trying to get her to calm down, avoiding using her real name since there were people around. "Just... we want to help, all right? Mr. Petrelli just paid your bail, and arranged for your release." He hadn't explained that before he'd let her out, since it was clear she wasn't listening to a word he said.
"I didn't ask you to do that," Claire said, turning back to Nathan, wondering what he'd told Parkman, why he was here.
"No, you didn't. But Detective Parkman told me you're in a bit of trouble, and I just want to help. So why don't you let me get you some lunch?" Nathan wasn't sure where he'd dredged up such calm in the face of all this. Maybe he was still drunk.
Claire couldn't help but snort at the idea of Nathan actually wanting to help her. Right. "Fine. If it'll get you off my back and get me out of here," she said, folding her arms across her stomach.
"Good," he said, and put a hand at the small of her back to lead her out. He'd brought the car today; it hadn't seen much use lately, as booze money was more important than gas money, but it was a little too far to the precinct from the apartment. He helped her into the passenger seat, got behind the wheel, and took off. "Wendy's or McDonald's?" he asked.
"Forget it, just drive me around the corner since Parkman's watching out the fucking window, and I'll walk home," Claire said, ignoring the seatbelt.
"Like hell," Nathan countered. "But we can grab your things and you can check out."
"And where exactly is it that you think I'm going to check out and go to?" If they slowed down enough, Claire could just get out and walk away.
"You can come stay with me," Nathan said, "until your dad comes to get you."
"Isn't that sweet. No." Claire turned to look out the window of the car.
"He seems like the kind of guy who'd be making himself sick with worry right about now. So let's make him not have reason to worry about you anymore."
Claire kept staring out the window. "I don't know why you came to get me, or why you paid my bail, but you can stop pretending like you care. Just let me out of the car, and we can forget the whole thing. Here-" she pulled a ten dollar bill out of her bra and threw it toward his lap. "The vodka's on me, if that helps."
"Parkman called me, because he saw us talking to each other at Kirby Plaza. And because he can't seem to find your family. I want to see if I can help you, Claire."
"I don't need help. I don't need anyone to look after me, or rescue me, or save me, or... whatever. I'm not looking for a knight on a white horse, and this isn't Pretty Woman." She kept her face turned to the window so he couldn't see her eyes filling with tears.
"No, it's not," he agreed. "It's far more fucked up than that, isn't it? Come stay with me, all right?"
She stayed quiet for a long few moments before she murmured the address to her hotel. "Only because they're going to kick me out anyway since I didn't make the money to pay rent today. Once I've got it again, I'm leaving."
"Sounds like a plan," Nathan said. He fell silent again as he drove to the hotel with her. "You'll understand, won't you, that I'm going to come up with you to make sure you come back with me."
She sighed. "Whatever. Wait," she turned to look at him, feeling like an idiot for not thinking of this until now. "No--I can't go back with you. I can't--your mother, your wife--you've got little kids, I saw them, when I was looking over the banister. I can't come with you back there--just ... float me a couple hundred dollars so I can pay rent, and just forget the whole thing."
"Mom's in jail right now for a crime she didn't commit, and my wife and kids are... aren't here anymore. I'm staying in Peter's apartment."
Claire stared at him for a few moments without knowing what to say, then looked away again, biting her lip. "Oh," she said softly, reaching up to play with her hair, tugging on the short, blunt ends, which didn't even come to her shoulders.
"One of the reasons I followed through on your... invitation," Nathan said. He didn't look at her. He remembered how she'd smelled.
"If... if this is about guilt, I didn't recognize you either. I didn't know it was you." Claire wasn't looking at him either. Wasn't thinking about how that was the closest she'd been to coming since ... she didn't even want to think about it.
"It's not about guilt." Nathan pulled into a parking space and unbuckled his seat belt, pulled the keys from the ignition. "C'mon. Let's get you moved out."
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-07-30 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-30 06:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-30 04:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-30 06:32 am (UTC)I think Nathan has no idea what he's doing... but at least he's more or less aware that he doesn't know what he's doing. Which is something.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-30 01:32 pm (UTC)I like how you're able to reunite Nathan and Claire via Matt's remembering seeing them together at Kirby Plaza. Very nice use of canon :)
I also like the mentions of Peter (dead or presumed dead, I'm guessing?) and the rest of Nathan's family being gone; having Nathan and Claire living alone together should prove to be very interesting *lol*
I can't wait to find out what happened to Noah, Peter, and, of course, to see Nathan and Claire's relationship develop. There's nothing better than angst and UST :D
no subject
Date: 2008-07-31 01:09 am (UTC)And thank you for the tip of the hat to the use of canon. We actually spent some time on this one, trying to figure out how to use Matt to get them together, so it's really good that it worked.
Claire and Nathan alone together... interesting is probably a good word for it.
I can definitely predict both UST and angst. I think that's pretty safe. I'm glad you're enjoying it--the next part is up now. Thanks again!
no subject
Date: 2008-08-01 07:58 am (UTC)Can't say I'm a big fan of the pairing, but it's a great read so far! Love the differences in Claire, their mutual guilt/denial.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-04 09:45 pm (UTC)