Title: Against Medical Advice

Fan dom: Heroes

Rating: T - Some mild language, Mention of Violence

Couples: None

Characters: Nathan, Peter, Angela, H.R.G., Claire, perhaps others in later installments.

Spoilers: Through Fallout, Flashback from "Don't Look Back" Speculation based off promotional commercials and vague spoilers.

Note: Envisioned to place a bit before Godsend

Chapter 1

Nathan closed his eyes tightly. He had to give his eyes a break. They have been staring at his brother for way too long only to see no change in Peter's condition.

The doctors couldn't tell him what was wrong.

"It seems that his body is exhausted," one of them said.

Maybe Peter did need rest. His brother was always excitable, but no where near as excitable as he has been in the last few weeks.

Peter jumped off a building and nearly died until Nathan grabbed him. Peter didn't try to kill himself. Nathan knew this but he couldn't gather the reason why Peter had to do what he did.

"I need to figure out what is happening to us."

Peter told him that he could fly.

At the time, no phrase scared him as much as those. It was a phrase he worried that was true.

It was a phrase that brought him back to a dark place in his life six months prior. It was the day his curse nearly took away another person he loved more than himself.

The last time Peter scared him, he only slept for a few hours. And when he hinted that he didn't remember what happened. Nathan was too relieved to be ashamed. He planted the seed that he tried to kill himself that Peter fell upon a fire escape and that he had to climb up to save him.

But Peter didn't buy it. Nathan wasn't surprised. If there was one thing that Peter wasn't, it was stupid. It was a fact that infuriated Nathan so much at times that it was hard to be proud.

Nathan kissed Peter on the forehand before getting up from the chair he practically lived in the last two weeks.

"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered. "I just need some air."

Nathan suddenly felt an urge of concern toward his plans, worrying that Peter might be cold if he opened the window and covered Peter with the blanket he has be using.

"You'll tell me if you are cold, won't you Pete?"

Nathan frowned as he realized he wouldn't get a verbal answer.

Nathan lowered his head, flashing back to the incident nearly a month before.

After Peter woke up from his flying attempt, Nathan, satisfied that Peter would be alright, left for a few hours to attend to campaign business.

When he came back that evening he was shocked to see Peter's room empty and the window open.

He searched all over town looking for him, the most disturbing thoughts, invading his mind.

If Peter left the hospital, he should at least be home. He had a concussion and needed to rest.

The sound of the broken cell phone crashing to the ground was stuck in his mind. The pain of the unknown and self-doubt was imprinted upon his soul.

So Nathan looked at one more place he didn't think of before. Actually, it was a place he didn't want to look but knew he had to.

He ran up the stairs to the hospital roof as fast as he could.

"I have been looking all over for you!" Nathan gasped, nearly out of breath.

"Did you know about Dad's Depression?"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Because everyone is entitled to their secrets Peter."

Nathan couldn't look Peter in the eye then, as he could not now. He took out a tissue, and wiped his nose, deep emotions weighted upon his shoulders.

"I was so sure when it happened but now I guess, I am just going crazy."

"We played this game before."

It was a game Nathan wanted to end. But not like this. Not if it meant his brother had to lose. Why do some games have such violent outcomes?

"Let's just go." Nathan pleaded.

"Nathan tell me what happened."

Nathan closed his eyes tightly wishing for the last month to go away. But it wouldn't and no amount of praying and pleading would make it so.

Nathan needed to avoid what happened. Though it was a losing battle. It was a battle he refused to lose but it was one that fate lost for him.

Peter made sure he realized it. Each time Nathan tried to stir Peter away from danger, he flew right at it. He should have never bought that painting from Linderman. His curiosity overtook him. His curiosity was intense as Peter's at times. And he foolishly believed that he would save his brother and that Simone would respect his wishes. That was a joke.

Nathan as the big brother was determined to protect his brother. He wouldn't allow him to share their father's fate even if it meant the line of protection and condescension is blurred.

Tragically, hope and logic are secondary to truth and consequence. It was a realization he acquired while observing the persistent coma Peter now suffered.

"The ball is in your brother's court now, Mr. Petrelli," the doctor told Nathan earlier in the day.

"There isn't more we can do for him, but wait."

Nathan was so sick of waiting.

Miles away, the Man in the Horned-Rimmed Glasses was doing something he has done a lot the last few weeks. He was conversing on his cell phone.

"How is he?" he asked the person on the phone.

Mr. Bennett nodded, "The waiting game is the most cruel."

Unknown to her adoptive father, Claire Bennett was ease dropping nearby. She hated how isolated she now felt. When she first realized she had the ability to heal, she felt so alone. She felt that she was a freak and that no one person could truly understand what was happening to her. But she was wrong, nearly two weeks ago, she finally found someone that was like her. Someone that could heal.

"I'm not like you Claire."

And with those words she had second thoughts, but how else could Peter survive such a drop? She closed her eyes, pushing the visions away. She was grateful that the Haitian spared her memories, yet, if there was one thing she could suffer to forget it was the broken body she saw that night in front of the school. Peter Petrelli was lying in a pool of his own blood, his body was mangled and his neck snapped back. It was like the day during football practice, but much worse.

The next day at the police station was not much better. The FBI agent mentioned that Peter survived without a scratch. But when she visited him, he looked no where near okay. His skin was pale, and his face flush, his voice was raspy, and his breath labored. He was not okay. It was like death just took a few hour holiday, and was back to pick up his due. It frightened her, even though, Peter, the man that risked this all to save her, smiled at her. He didn't seem resentful one bit.

Claire shook her head, and continued to listen to her father's phone call.

"Oh he is still sedated," Mr. Bennett informed the caller.

Mr. Bennett turned away from the phone disgusted.

"If I was in your position..." H.RG. babbled, unable to keep his cool, "If that was my son..."

Claire eyes widen. Who was her father talking to? At the sound of her father kicking the wall, she quickly escaped to her room, praying that her father did not hear.

Back at the hospital, Nathan closed the window.

"I have to go," he told Peter.

"Where are you going Nathan?"

Nathan turned toward the direction of the voice, he neither noticed nor heard the door open.

"Just down the hall... I need to call Heidi, check on the boys...check..." he broke off.

Angela grabbed Nathan's hand.

"It's alright. I will be okay."

Nathan lowered his head. He didn't even want to think about how hard this must be on their mother. She didn't need this. Hell, no one needed this. Though he had more respect for his mother now that he had in a long time. She had this unbelievable strength. It just took all his power, all his emotional mask not to crumble, and this was her son, her baby that was lying, who has been lying in this hospital in limbo for half a month.

Nathan tried to speak but couldn't. He could only manage a quick hug before he left the room and closed the door.

Angela sat down in the chair that Nathan sat in just minutes before and wept.

To Be Continued

A/N: So, did Stefanie really need to write another fic when she still have others to finish? Probably not. This story shouldn't be that long. Edited slightly on Jan. 20, in attempt to clear somethings up. Chapter 2 coming soon. And then hopefully, I will get back to "Christmas Mourning". Thank you all that have reviewed so far. Please tell me what you think. I respectfully accept constructive criticism as well. -- Stef