Heroes, "The Devil and Her Treasures" chapter 3
Fandom: Heroes
Title: The Devil and Her Treasures
Author: paynesgrey
Artist: rebelle_elle
Word Count: 23,514
Rating: R
Characters/Pairings: Claire, Peter, Sylar, Elle, Noah Jr, Nathan, Rene, Danko, Knox, Daphne, Claire/Elle, Elle/Sylar, past Peter/Claire
Warnings character death, manipulation, implied incest, torture, violence, sexual situations
Notes: Written for heroes_bigboom. A huge thanks goes to bellonablack for the beta job. This is a sequel to my other fic, Grave New World, and takes place in the "exposed future" around the events of the “Second Coming” and “I am Become Death” episodes, as well as the “Resistance” online graphic novel chapter 106 (which I would recommend reading if you want some early chapters to make sense).
Summary: Renowned terrorist Peter Petrelli has been hiding Sylar, Elle and their son for a long time after Noah Bennet’s death, and when Pinehearst Agent Claire Bennet finally discovers them, they strike a deal to leave Sylar and his son alone, as long as Elle becomes Claire’s prisoner.
Link to art master post: HERE.
The Devil and Her Treasures
Chapter Three: The Truth in Lies
A few days later, Claire, Daphne and several of their Pinehearst colleagues got caught up in a terrorist attack in their own building. Only Claire and Daphne survived: Claire regenerated and Daphne dashed away just in time. The others, however, were not so lucky, and Claire felt anger and vengeance for them because most of them had been merely office workers and government pencil pushers for Pinehearst. They had been innocent for the most part, just blissfully doing their duties for their country and making a living.
The idea that some of these people hadn’t even had a hand in bagging villains and still died because of it incensed Claire more than anything. The explosion affected her deeply, especially when people she’d met and worked with - people who were kind and that said hi to her every day - her friends, were not coming back. She hadn’t felt this pained and furious since Peter told her that Sylar was forced to kill her dad.
As much as her colleagues Knox and Daphne wanted to come with her to go after the terrorists, Claire was adamant about finding them alone. The moment she got the leaked information on three possible cells, Claire took the one most likely to contain the bigger fish, and Knox and Daphne went to the other cells. Claire only prayed that perhaps they’d get their guys too. Even if those cells weren’t directly a part of the strike on Pinehearst, bagging some bad guys - any bad guys - was good enough for Pinehearst and the country.
“I’m taking the one in Albany, Oregon,” Claire said, looking at her mission plans. Knox and Daphne nodded at her, and Knox turned to Daphne.
“She’s going to New York, and I’m going to head up L.A. I have some eyes over there, know some people,” he said, and Claire made a noise of affirmation.
“Those two aren’t likely to have the guy in charge,” Claire said, shrugging after a sigh. “However, we take whatever we can get. The mastermind is most likely to be in Albany,” Claire said, pursing her lips. “I’ve been following this guy’s M.O. for almost a year now. He seems to like unexpected places. No one expects a smaller city than New York.”
“Kinda dumb if you ask me,” Daphne said.
Knox grunted, and Claire guffawed. “Another profile I have on this guy? Yeah, he’s definitely a bleeding heart. He and my uncle Peter should start a support group.”
Knox gave her a sour look, and Claire finally gave up the jokes, and decided to order them off to their missions. They couldn’t waste any more time over long-winded statements, even though her father the President would like them to exercise a bit more professionalism. Well, Claire felt that sometimes professionalism had no place in catching terrorists, and this was one of those times.
Like clockwork, Rene found his place behind her as they headed out the Pinehearst lobbies and a car was brought around to take them to the airport. Claire yearned for the Pinehearst company jet they would take, with roomier seats and complimentary champagne. Forget flying economy class. If her father the President wanted results, Claire would only fly the best.
Claire shot a sidelong look at Rene, wondering if he’d be willing to give her some company tonight. Every time she worked with him, she thought about breaking off this strange relationship they had - though, it was far from a relationship. Claire needed comforting, and Rene felt it was his duty to oblige her. She didn’t know if it was guilt, or just that he felt he owed her father a debt by watching and catering to her needs, but whatever he did worked for her. Without Rene, Claire wondered if she could really hold onto her sanity.
She didn’t love him, not like that. She didn’t know if she was capable of that anymore. She supposed if Rene was gone tomorrow she’d feel the loss, but she’d move on. It bothered her to think like that, but ever since her father was taken from her, it was becoming easier for Claire to say goodbye to people. She knew her fate. Someday she’d have to say goodbye to everyone. Like the world, she was stuck here, living forever as pain and humanity faded away from her, and everyone else would leave her behind.
It was sad, but by shutting her emotions off, she found things tolerable, and if she could help the world be a better place, well, then some people would never forget her. That was enough for Claire Bennet.
She’d fallen asleep on the plane trip to Oregon, and when they landed, Claire instantly composed herself, got her gear ready, and Rene took his place beside her as they were directed out of the door.
It was in the early morning, still dark out with a few stars in the sky winking at them. The air was slightly chilled, and Claire exhaled a visible breath as Rene headed over to the unmarked black van that was ready and waiting for them with a full tank of gas. He grabbed her gear, placed it in the back, and he took helm in the driver’s seat as she buckled up next to him. Soon, they’d find a nondescript location near the cell, park the van and head through the shadows on foot. Claire made sure a few grenades were secure on her person. Guns were stored in various pockets in her outfit, and she had some knives hidden even less obvious places on her leather suit. Thank God her clothes were custom made; they had saved her butt and helped her missions more times than she could count.
As usual, she sent Rene to the back, hoping to take some hidden security by surprise, masking their powers (if they had any) and neutralizing any unexpected threats or backup. Claire took the more direct approach, shooting her way through the front sentries with a silencer and then kicking through the front door, giving the little meeting inside an unexpected jolt.
As usual, someone tried to use his power on her - someone with green energy coming out of his hands, but Claire took him down first. She fired off shots to the man on her left, filling his chest up with bullets as he groaned and crashed backward, his blood painting the floor.
Another person on her right took away her guns with his magnetic power, but even without weapons, Claire Bennet wasn’t concerned, not even when he quickly overtook her and slammed her body to the ground, his hand gripping around her neck. He called her “Nazi” and she was quickly unimpressed by the usual terrorist blather. His words meant nothing. All Claire thought about were her friends and colleagues who died during the attack at Pinehearst. All she could think about were all the other lives these terrorist pigs had claimed in the name of their so-called anarchist ideals.
But she didn’t need guns to fight him. No, what this terrorist didn’t expect were the grenades strapped on her side, or that she would even use them at the cost of her own life. Inwardly, she laughed, and the sting of his hand around her neck didn’t even hurt the more he prevented the airflow into her body. He made a comment about fair fights - his last comment, and Claire gritted her teeth, almost grinning, and pulled the pin. The grenade exploded, and goodbye Mr. Self-Righteous.
As the explosion ripped at her flesh, Claire almost swore she could feel the pain. Perhaps it was a phantom pain, like a memory that flashed in your brain the moment you know you’re supposed to feel pain. Then, her bones and muscles knitted together, and as soon as she released a ragged sigh, her body was back in place, pristine and untainted as if nothing had even wounded her.
She heard movement scrambling to her right under the toppled chairs. He groaned, and she was surprised when one of the terrorists started crawling to his feet. “Huh, I thought I killed you already,” she said.
He moved from under a pile of broken pieces of wood and frowned at her. “What are you doing? This isn’t like you!”
Claire cocked her head at him. So, this one was powerful. Perhaps he was the mastermind in all of this. Pity she hadn’t finished him off yet. Maybe Nathan would appreciate bagging this guy and bringing him to Pinehearst alive; however, Claire wasn’t in the mood for it. How dare this guy lecture her too? Who did he think he was? Claire narrowed her eyes and charged after him, kicking him under his chin. She could feel the crack of bones under his jaw from the impact of her foot. He flew backward, blood spewing everywhere. Despite the streaming blood, he seemed barely fazed as his broken nose knitted back into perfect form. A healer like her, huh?
He held out his hand. What did he think he could do to her? Did he have multiple powers?
The answer was so obvious as an invisible force flung her backward. OK, so the guy had telekinesis too. Great.
Claire was beginning to feel something familiar about this guy, and as he walked toward her and began to speak, she only wished she could live in denial. However, the truth began shifting in front of her face. Her eyes widened, and she was speechless, so her opponent took charge. He held his hand out to her, as if to ward her further movements.
“I can’t do it anymore. I’m done with making you forget,” he said, glaring at her, and Claire gaped, the tears already bubbling in her eyes. His expression was so menacing she could hardly believe it was really him. “I thought I could protect you; just like old times right? But not anymore.”
Then, her uncle - the man she had loved the most in the world - revealed himself as the terrorist that she’d been tracking for months, the leader of the terrorist cell that had attacked and killed her friends at Pinehearst.
How could he do this? “I don’t understand!” she raged at him, but Peter only looked at her with pity, his eyes darker than she’d ever seen them before. Was this really her uncle? It was as if he was someone else - someone worse, like Sylar or some phantom villain from her dreams. How could her sweet Peter be a terrorist - a mass murderer even? Her heart felt like it was splitting in two. Perhaps the real Peter was dead somewhere. How could he hate Pinehearst this much - a company that brought people like them out of hiding and helped their country? Granted, Pinehearst wasn’t perfect. Some dealings were shady, and even Claire could admit to that. But for all the corruption, it did some good. It gave Specials rights, and it helped get the bad guys off the streets. Pinehearst made the country safe, and whatever Peter thought of them, well, he was wrong. Claire could think of no other way to define his resistance, and she didn’t know if she could convince him otherwise.
Perhaps it was already too late. When he spoke, he all but confirmed her feelings. There was no reaching her uncle now. “It was me. The chemical plant, the port, and even Pinehearst. I know you’ve been searching for me, Claire, and at times, you’ve almost found me. I’ve had to erase your memory, you know. I never wanted to do that, and maybe there was a time where it would make me sick to even think it, but it was all to protect you from the truth,” Peter said.
“All those innocent people - my friends and coworkers - all of them you murdered,” she said in a ragged voice. “How...could you? You’re supposed to be a good guy, Peter!”
“Your company is destroying the world, Claire. I’ve seen the future, painted it, and Pinehearst will lead all of us - the entire world - into complete and utter destruction. There’s an explosion that kills millions of people! I’ve seen it, dreamt it! How could I stand by and do nothing when every day that reality haunts me?”
Claire’s voice was stuck, and she couldn’t say anything. She could barely believe that this was happening, that Peter was the one behind it all. She swore her heart was breaking, but she honestly couldn’t feel the pain.
That disturbed her most of all. Then, her uncle disappeared in front of her. “Be careful,” he said, and when she couldn’t see him anymore, she howled with fury.
“The next time I see you I’ll kill you! You here that, Peter? I’ll kill you!” she said, and she glared at the last place where her uncle stood and clenched her fists at her sides. When Rene found her, he had to pull her away as the building was finally catching fire around them. Claire threw off Rene’s soft touch as she spun around and headed for the door. He followed her and the building crashed down around them.
On the way back to Pinehearst, Claire phoned her father. It was one of the hardest phone calls she had ever had to make, and when she told Nathan that his brother, her uncle, was the terrorist they were looking for, she could tell in his voice that Nathan was hardly surprised.
Well, Peter chose what side he was fighting for, and Claire had chosen hers - next to Nathan, and as much as that pained her, she knew she could no longer prove to Peter how justified and right she was. He was too far-gone, and though he believed in the fantasy of prophetic dreams, Claire still didn’t think it excused him for all the blood he’d spilled.
She had no other choice. She had to - and would - kill her uncle.
xxxxx
Chapter Four: Out of the Shadows
Title: The Devil and Her Treasures
Author: paynesgrey
Artist: rebelle_elle
Word Count: 23,514
Rating: R
Characters/Pairings: Claire, Peter, Sylar, Elle, Noah Jr, Nathan, Rene, Danko, Knox, Daphne, Claire/Elle, Elle/Sylar, past Peter/Claire
Warnings character death, manipulation, implied incest, torture, violence, sexual situations
Notes: Written for heroes_bigboom. A huge thanks goes to bellonablack for the beta job. This is a sequel to my other fic, Grave New World, and takes place in the "exposed future" around the events of the “Second Coming” and “I am Become Death” episodes, as well as the “Resistance” online graphic novel chapter 106 (which I would recommend reading if you want some early chapters to make sense).
Summary: Renowned terrorist Peter Petrelli has been hiding Sylar, Elle and their son for a long time after Noah Bennet’s death, and when Pinehearst Agent Claire Bennet finally discovers them, they strike a deal to leave Sylar and his son alone, as long as Elle becomes Claire’s prisoner.
Link to art master post: HERE.
The Devil and Her Treasures
Chapter Three: The Truth in Lies
A few days later, Claire, Daphne and several of their Pinehearst colleagues got caught up in a terrorist attack in their own building. Only Claire and Daphne survived: Claire regenerated and Daphne dashed away just in time. The others, however, were not so lucky, and Claire felt anger and vengeance for them because most of them had been merely office workers and government pencil pushers for Pinehearst. They had been innocent for the most part, just blissfully doing their duties for their country and making a living.
The idea that some of these people hadn’t even had a hand in bagging villains and still died because of it incensed Claire more than anything. The explosion affected her deeply, especially when people she’d met and worked with - people who were kind and that said hi to her every day - her friends, were not coming back. She hadn’t felt this pained and furious since Peter told her that Sylar was forced to kill her dad.
As much as her colleagues Knox and Daphne wanted to come with her to go after the terrorists, Claire was adamant about finding them alone. The moment she got the leaked information on three possible cells, Claire took the one most likely to contain the bigger fish, and Knox and Daphne went to the other cells. Claire only prayed that perhaps they’d get their guys too. Even if those cells weren’t directly a part of the strike on Pinehearst, bagging some bad guys - any bad guys - was good enough for Pinehearst and the country.
“I’m taking the one in Albany, Oregon,” Claire said, looking at her mission plans. Knox and Daphne nodded at her, and Knox turned to Daphne.
“She’s going to New York, and I’m going to head up L.A. I have some eyes over there, know some people,” he said, and Claire made a noise of affirmation.
“Those two aren’t likely to have the guy in charge,” Claire said, shrugging after a sigh. “However, we take whatever we can get. The mastermind is most likely to be in Albany,” Claire said, pursing her lips. “I’ve been following this guy’s M.O. for almost a year now. He seems to like unexpected places. No one expects a smaller city than New York.”
“Kinda dumb if you ask me,” Daphne said.
Knox grunted, and Claire guffawed. “Another profile I have on this guy? Yeah, he’s definitely a bleeding heart. He and my uncle Peter should start a support group.”
Knox gave her a sour look, and Claire finally gave up the jokes, and decided to order them off to their missions. They couldn’t waste any more time over long-winded statements, even though her father the President would like them to exercise a bit more professionalism. Well, Claire felt that sometimes professionalism had no place in catching terrorists, and this was one of those times.
Like clockwork, Rene found his place behind her as they headed out the Pinehearst lobbies and a car was brought around to take them to the airport. Claire yearned for the Pinehearst company jet they would take, with roomier seats and complimentary champagne. Forget flying economy class. If her father the President wanted results, Claire would only fly the best.
Claire shot a sidelong look at Rene, wondering if he’d be willing to give her some company tonight. Every time she worked with him, she thought about breaking off this strange relationship they had - though, it was far from a relationship. Claire needed comforting, and Rene felt it was his duty to oblige her. She didn’t know if it was guilt, or just that he felt he owed her father a debt by watching and catering to her needs, but whatever he did worked for her. Without Rene, Claire wondered if she could really hold onto her sanity.
She didn’t love him, not like that. She didn’t know if she was capable of that anymore. She supposed if Rene was gone tomorrow she’d feel the loss, but she’d move on. It bothered her to think like that, but ever since her father was taken from her, it was becoming easier for Claire to say goodbye to people. She knew her fate. Someday she’d have to say goodbye to everyone. Like the world, she was stuck here, living forever as pain and humanity faded away from her, and everyone else would leave her behind.
It was sad, but by shutting her emotions off, she found things tolerable, and if she could help the world be a better place, well, then some people would never forget her. That was enough for Claire Bennet.
She’d fallen asleep on the plane trip to Oregon, and when they landed, Claire instantly composed herself, got her gear ready, and Rene took his place beside her as they were directed out of the door.
It was in the early morning, still dark out with a few stars in the sky winking at them. The air was slightly chilled, and Claire exhaled a visible breath as Rene headed over to the unmarked black van that was ready and waiting for them with a full tank of gas. He grabbed her gear, placed it in the back, and he took helm in the driver’s seat as she buckled up next to him. Soon, they’d find a nondescript location near the cell, park the van and head through the shadows on foot. Claire made sure a few grenades were secure on her person. Guns were stored in various pockets in her outfit, and she had some knives hidden even less obvious places on her leather suit. Thank God her clothes were custom made; they had saved her butt and helped her missions more times than she could count.
As usual, she sent Rene to the back, hoping to take some hidden security by surprise, masking their powers (if they had any) and neutralizing any unexpected threats or backup. Claire took the more direct approach, shooting her way through the front sentries with a silencer and then kicking through the front door, giving the little meeting inside an unexpected jolt.
As usual, someone tried to use his power on her - someone with green energy coming out of his hands, but Claire took him down first. She fired off shots to the man on her left, filling his chest up with bullets as he groaned and crashed backward, his blood painting the floor.
Another person on her right took away her guns with his magnetic power, but even without weapons, Claire Bennet wasn’t concerned, not even when he quickly overtook her and slammed her body to the ground, his hand gripping around her neck. He called her “Nazi” and she was quickly unimpressed by the usual terrorist blather. His words meant nothing. All Claire thought about were her friends and colleagues who died during the attack at Pinehearst. All she could think about were all the other lives these terrorist pigs had claimed in the name of their so-called anarchist ideals.
But she didn’t need guns to fight him. No, what this terrorist didn’t expect were the grenades strapped on her side, or that she would even use them at the cost of her own life. Inwardly, she laughed, and the sting of his hand around her neck didn’t even hurt the more he prevented the airflow into her body. He made a comment about fair fights - his last comment, and Claire gritted her teeth, almost grinning, and pulled the pin. The grenade exploded, and goodbye Mr. Self-Righteous.
As the explosion ripped at her flesh, Claire almost swore she could feel the pain. Perhaps it was a phantom pain, like a memory that flashed in your brain the moment you know you’re supposed to feel pain. Then, her bones and muscles knitted together, and as soon as she released a ragged sigh, her body was back in place, pristine and untainted as if nothing had even wounded her.
She heard movement scrambling to her right under the toppled chairs. He groaned, and she was surprised when one of the terrorists started crawling to his feet. “Huh, I thought I killed you already,” she said.
He moved from under a pile of broken pieces of wood and frowned at her. “What are you doing? This isn’t like you!”
Claire cocked her head at him. So, this one was powerful. Perhaps he was the mastermind in all of this. Pity she hadn’t finished him off yet. Maybe Nathan would appreciate bagging this guy and bringing him to Pinehearst alive; however, Claire wasn’t in the mood for it. How dare this guy lecture her too? Who did he think he was? Claire narrowed her eyes and charged after him, kicking him under his chin. She could feel the crack of bones under his jaw from the impact of her foot. He flew backward, blood spewing everywhere. Despite the streaming blood, he seemed barely fazed as his broken nose knitted back into perfect form. A healer like her, huh?
He held out his hand. What did he think he could do to her? Did he have multiple powers?
The answer was so obvious as an invisible force flung her backward. OK, so the guy had telekinesis too. Great.
Claire was beginning to feel something familiar about this guy, and as he walked toward her and began to speak, she only wished she could live in denial. However, the truth began shifting in front of her face. Her eyes widened, and she was speechless, so her opponent took charge. He held his hand out to her, as if to ward her further movements.
“I can’t do it anymore. I’m done with making you forget,” he said, glaring at her, and Claire gaped, the tears already bubbling in her eyes. His expression was so menacing she could hardly believe it was really him. “I thought I could protect you; just like old times right? But not anymore.”
Then, her uncle - the man she had loved the most in the world - revealed himself as the terrorist that she’d been tracking for months, the leader of the terrorist cell that had attacked and killed her friends at Pinehearst.
How could he do this? “I don’t understand!” she raged at him, but Peter only looked at her with pity, his eyes darker than she’d ever seen them before. Was this really her uncle? It was as if he was someone else - someone worse, like Sylar or some phantom villain from her dreams. How could her sweet Peter be a terrorist - a mass murderer even? Her heart felt like it was splitting in two. Perhaps the real Peter was dead somewhere. How could he hate Pinehearst this much - a company that brought people like them out of hiding and helped their country? Granted, Pinehearst wasn’t perfect. Some dealings were shady, and even Claire could admit to that. But for all the corruption, it did some good. It gave Specials rights, and it helped get the bad guys off the streets. Pinehearst made the country safe, and whatever Peter thought of them, well, he was wrong. Claire could think of no other way to define his resistance, and she didn’t know if she could convince him otherwise.
Perhaps it was already too late. When he spoke, he all but confirmed her feelings. There was no reaching her uncle now. “It was me. The chemical plant, the port, and even Pinehearst. I know you’ve been searching for me, Claire, and at times, you’ve almost found me. I’ve had to erase your memory, you know. I never wanted to do that, and maybe there was a time where it would make me sick to even think it, but it was all to protect you from the truth,” Peter said.
“All those innocent people - my friends and coworkers - all of them you murdered,” she said in a ragged voice. “How...could you? You’re supposed to be a good guy, Peter!”
“Your company is destroying the world, Claire. I’ve seen the future, painted it, and Pinehearst will lead all of us - the entire world - into complete and utter destruction. There’s an explosion that kills millions of people! I’ve seen it, dreamt it! How could I stand by and do nothing when every day that reality haunts me?”
Claire’s voice was stuck, and she couldn’t say anything. She could barely believe that this was happening, that Peter was the one behind it all. She swore her heart was breaking, but she honestly couldn’t feel the pain.
That disturbed her most of all. Then, her uncle disappeared in front of her. “Be careful,” he said, and when she couldn’t see him anymore, she howled with fury.
“The next time I see you I’ll kill you! You here that, Peter? I’ll kill you!” she said, and she glared at the last place where her uncle stood and clenched her fists at her sides. When Rene found her, he had to pull her away as the building was finally catching fire around them. Claire threw off Rene’s soft touch as she spun around and headed for the door. He followed her and the building crashed down around them.
On the way back to Pinehearst, Claire phoned her father. It was one of the hardest phone calls she had ever had to make, and when she told Nathan that his brother, her uncle, was the terrorist they were looking for, she could tell in his voice that Nathan was hardly surprised.
Well, Peter chose what side he was fighting for, and Claire had chosen hers - next to Nathan, and as much as that pained her, she knew she could no longer prove to Peter how justified and right she was. He was too far-gone, and though he believed in the fantasy of prophetic dreams, Claire still didn’t think it excused him for all the blood he’d spilled.
She had no other choice. She had to - and would - kill her uncle.
xxxxx
Chapter Four: Out of the Shadows