Fan Creation:Paire

Paire is a fan-created word coined to describe the relationship between the two characters Peter Petrelli and Claire Bennet.

History

Save the Cheerleader, Save the World

Collision

A future Hiro Nakamura travels back in time to visit Peter Petrelli on a crowded subway in New York City. Future Hiro stops time, and converses with Peter, who appears to have also stopped time. After conversing with Peter for a moment, Hiro tells Peter that there is a message for him. [1]

Hiros

Future Hiro and Peter are still on the subway train. Hiro tells Peter that he doesn't have a lot of time, since he's risking a rift just being there. He tells Peter the message: "Save the cheerleader, save the world." Hiro informs Peter to go see Isaac because Isaac will understand. He also tells Peter that when Present Hiro calls, Peter needs to tell Hiro where to meet.

Later, Peter heads to Isaac's studio. Peter receives Hiro's call, and tells Hiro that there is a message for him. [2]

Better Halves

Peter delivers his message to Hiro and Ando. He tells them, "Save the cheerleader, save the world." Ando asks where the cheerleader is, but niether Peter nor Isaac know. Peter tells them about "Future Hiro" and that he was told to save the cheerleader. Peter tells the Japanese men to get to New York so they can find the cheerleader together, and then their conversation ends. Peter then fits Isaac's paintings together, realizing they're telling a story like a comic book. He and points out that there is one painting missing, which Isaac says Simone has. [3]

Homecoming

During the Union Wells Homecoming, Sylar arrives to kill the cheerleader who has the special abilities. However, upon entering the school, he sees all newspaper clipping regarding Jackie entering the train wreck instead of Claire; Sylar assumes that Jackie is the cheerleader he wants. When he tracks the girls down in the locker room, he grabs Jackie by the throat and telekinetically open her skull to obtain her brain. Jackie's last word to Claire is "run..."

Claire runs into Peter in the school halls as they are pursued by Sylar. They climb up the bleachers outside of the school as Peter and Sylar fight. As Claire manages to escape, both men fall of the top of the bleachers and are severely injured. When Claire arrives, Peter manages to mimic Claire's power to heal himself.

As she runs off, Peter calls out to Claire and asks if, in saving her, he's saved the world. She simply says, "I don't know. I'm just a cheerleader." [4]

Age Difference

While many fans are loyal to this relationship, several others protest due to the age difference. Claire is 17 and Peter is apparently much older, although his age is unconfirmed. It has been rumored he is around 25, but never confirmed by NBC. That said, Claire is of legal age in both Texas and New York, which many Paire supporters use as a defense against Peter's rumored age.

Whatever the case, at this point in the series while their immediate connection to one another is deep, they're merely platonic. Peter's determination to fulfill whatever destiny awaits him and Claire and her own alleviation that she isn't 'alone' anymore fuel whatever connection they have.