My notes: This is my new upgrade version of this story.

AU story for Peter and Claire. What can I say, I'm a huge Paire (and Literati) fan! It's a little canon at the beginning, so be warned. I do not own the right for the characters or the show.

Story: Peter and Claire are on the run. When you are all alone with the love of your life, can you resist on the temptation? Even when is forbidden?

Prologue

Blinding darkness surrounds me
and I am reaching for you only
this hopelessness that drowns
all that I believe
will be the one thing that I need
for you only.

After three months running from the Pinehurst chasers, Peter and Claire finally found a secret place to hide, near by the Mexican border. It was two in the morning. Claire still was awake. In those three months, she hardly found time to sleep.

Claire gazed at Peter. He was sleeping very peacefully and she was grateful for that.

The room was dirty and with only one bed. She told him to take the bed, but he of course disagreed, telling her that he will sleep on the floor. Claire forbade him, because his wounds were still fresh. After little fight, they made the compromise to share the bed.

Now Claire lay in the one side of the bed and Peter took the other. She gazed his beautiful face. One curl fell in his forehead. Claire had a despaired desire to put that curl behind his ear, but if she would do that, he would wake up. Clare sighed, still gazed at him. If only he was not her uncle… she would be able to tell him how she feels. That she loved him from the moment she first met him in the middle of High School in Odessa. Moreover, how her heart was broken from the moment, when she found out that she could not love him.

Oh, crap! That curl made her nervous! Claire reached her hand and in the moment she touch him, Peter woke up.

'What happened?' Peter asked sleepy. 'Anything wrong?'

Claire quickly withdrew her hand and answered him quietly.

'Nothing… everything is okay. Continue to sleep, I'm sorry Peter.'

'You still can't sleep?' Peter gaze at her. 'Why didn't you awake me?'

'You know?' Claire sounded surprised. She thought that Peter was not noticed that.

He smiled at her and Claire's heart jumps.

'I couldn't sleep either. I want you to calm down a little. I know that situation is new for you, but for me too. I'm fine, Claire. It's time to stop worrying about me.'

Clare stood up and sat on the bed.

'I can't, Peter. You are not indestructible now and I l.. 'Claire made a short pause, could not believing what she almost said. 'I care about you too much for not worrying.'

'I know, and I thank you for that. I care about you too.'

Peter stood up too, smiled at her and slowly caressed her cheek. Claire shivered from that touch.

'Is it cold?' Peter look at her.

Claire looked at him. She could not feel cold right now. In fact, she was burning up, but she could not tell him that. Claire nodded her head at him with fake smile on her face.

'Come here.' Peter reached his hands to her and Claire could not able to resist. She sat closed to him and he hugged her.

Peter put the blanket over them and Claire cuddled into him and put her head on his chest. Listened relaxing beating of his heart, she finally fell asleep.

Peter could not sleep. He felt the moment she did. He leaned his head on the table beside bed and slowly move his hand on Claire's back in gentle caress. He knew that more was not allow for them.

'I love you too, Claire.' he whispered quietly. 'But I can't tell you that…'

He knew she was in love with him. He felt that in the moment when he found out the same thing for her. He knew how hard it was and it would be to keep that secret. Even from each other.

His lips touched her hair for the moment, and then he gazed at the window. Outside the new day was coming.