The days that passed were slow moving. They were pulled out too long and he was unsure of what he was supposed to feel. After the carnival, after Sylar, and then Claire, everything seemed to be out of order. How many times had he thought to go looking for her only to back out again? If she wanted to see him she would've. He knew what avoidance was when he saw it, what moving along without someone was. He had done that himself from time to time. But he always went back. There was something about family that drew you back. It had to.
At least that's what he told himself. Made the long shifts a little less tiring, made the empty apartment a little less depressing. His mom never asked about Claire though. She asked about everything but her, the topic had to be pushed aside. Like her reveal had been. Maybe he should've stood beside her, firmly. Maybe. But everything was done with now. All swept under the carpet.
When he saw her he thought that she had maybe come back for the reasons he always came back around. Being family connected with thick cords, sometimes you were disgusted by just how deep they ran, sometimes you treasured it. But you could never cut them. So he approached, not wanting to hesitate. It could be his last chance. He wasn't sure what he'd do if he ran out of chances with Claire.
"Claire? I thought you'd left New York..."