Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and no matter how much I wish I did, it's not going to happen. :(
Author's Note: This chapter was added in after I'd already written the original chapter seven which has now become chapter eight. I'd written a piece by its self explaining how Abby got her scar (which is in the middle of this chapter) and I was going to put it in when I found the right place for it. Then I forgot about it and tried to find a place for it and ended up putting it here and adding more to it to make it a whole chapter. I hope you enjoy it because I like how it turned out. By the way, there are mild violent themes (some might say torturous) in this chapter. If you don't want to read them email me and I'll send you a copy of this chapter with those parts taken out and an overview of how she got her scar in place of that scene but believe me, it's not that bad, I wouldn't be able to write anything too bad.
Summary: Abby tells Peter about the origin of her scar.
Spark
Chapter Seven
Peter stared at Abby as she exited the bathroom. Her hair was wet and her clothes were sticking to her body slightly from the quick shower she'd just taken. He took his eyes off her, feeling like he was staring. The room was small meaning that no matter where he moved his eyes, he could still see her from the corner of his eyes. She sighed and sat down next to him on the bed.
He pushed down all the yearnings that suddenly filled his body, trying to get him to shift over slightly just so he could feel her body against his. He didn't even know where those yearnings came from. Abby had a small hair dryer in her hand and it turned on as she lifted it to her hair, even though it wasn't plugged in. The sound shattered the silence they were sitting in and Peter was grateful for something to cover the awkward silence they'd found themselves in.
Earlier that day Claire had taken Abby out on a shopping trip. Peter had made Claude go with them, much to the invisible man's displeasure, while he'd gone off to work. He'd been surprised to be the first one to make it home before remembering how much his niece loved to shop and realising she must have dragged Abby and Claude to every shop she could.
He'd started getting dinner ready, even though it was a Tuesday and Tuesday's were Abby's day to cook dinner. He'd been in the middle of washing the potatoes when water had burst from the pipes, soaking him to the bone and sending water all over the room. He'd done everything he could think of to stop the water flow but nothing had worked, instead he'd only seemed to make things worse. By the time Abby, Claire and Claude returned the water was ankle deep over the floor.
As soon as the door had opened, he'd turned around to look. Abby had practically been in Claude's invisible arms seeing the water but as the water rushed out of the apartment she did actually jump into his arms, a squeal being let out in fear. Peter knew very well that she was afraid of water and why and had gone to her side, apologising immediately, over and over. Claire had taken the very distraught Abby down the street to get some coffee until every thing was either sorted or fixed and Claude had stayed with Peter, trying to fix the now many leaking pipes.
The plumber had arrived, took one look at the apartment, and told him it would be smart to find somewhere else to stay, at least for the night, unless he wanted to sleep in rising water. Peter had the water turned off to his apartment, told the plumber to do whatever was necessary and had gone off to find Abby and Claire.
As soon as he'd told them what the plumber had said Claire had clapped happily, telling them that they could come stay with her at Nathan's. One look at Abby, who was still white in fear of the pools of water in their apartment, and Peter had said 'thanks, but no thanks'. He wasn't about to let Nathan try anything to get rid of Abby again, especially when she was in the state she was in.
They'd taken Claire home, spoke quickly to Nathan to fill him in on what had happened and told him that no, they would not be spending the night at his place when he too offered. Instead, Peter took Abby to Isaac's place. He'd introduced her to Isaac a few days before and she'd been intrigued with the painter's ability. When they'd shown up at his door asking to stay the night, Isaac had told them that as much as he'd like to help, he had a showing he had to prepare for and needed any spare space to put his paintings. They'd understood and took off again, trying to find somewhere to stay the night.
Simone's place had been Peter's next stop. She'd offered Peter her bed and told them that because she didn't have an extra room for Abby that the electrical woman might be more comfortable in a hotel room and that she'd pay the bill. Abby had been alright with the plan but Peter had refused, telling Simone privately that he was worried about Abby because of her fear of water and didn't want to leave her alone that night. With yet another 'thanks, but no thanks' they'd left again.
There was only one place left that Peter could think to go. Hiro and Ando were staying in a hotel just down the street from his apartment, Matt staying in the same place. They'd headed over to that hotel, telling the three men all about what had happened. Hiro had offered to stop time and mop Peter's apartment up for him but Peter had simply smiled at the other man and told him that it was alright, he didn't have to do that. Ando had offered Abby his bed, as long as she didn't mind sharing with him. This had just landed him a smack over the back of the head from Matt, laughter from Hiro, a slight glare from Peter and an affronted look from Abby. Hiro had muttered in Japanese about his friend's inability to leave the ladies alone but none of the others; expect for Ando, had known what he'd said.
In the end Matt had offered Abby his hotel room, saying that he could stay with Hiro and Ando for the night. Hiro had clapped excitedly, wanting to try out some things with Matt's mind reading abilities. The two Japanese men had extended the offer to stay to Peter but, after a quick discussion with Abby, he'd declined, choosing instead to stay in Matt's room with the electrical woman to keep her safe and comforted. Matt had rolled his eyes, a grin on his face as some very inappropriate things flashed through both Peter and Abby's minds about spending the night alone in a hotel room.
So now here he was, sitting on the bed next to Abby, watching as she finished drying her hair. Matt had failed to mention that the television was out meaning he wouldn't have anything else to do. They'd stayed in Hiro and Ando's room for a long while, leaving only so they could get some rest. Peter had had a shower first then, when he was done, Abby had the quickest shower, still a little skittish of the water after seeing the pools of it in their apartment. Before now, Peter hadn't really thought of sleeping arrangements, aside from a few stray dirty thoughts, but now he had to think of them.
"So, uh, how's this going to work?" Abby stopped the hair dryer and turned to look at him, shrugging.
"I don't know. You want the floor, or should I take it?" Peter frowned, not liking the idea of either one of them sleeping on what looked like a very uncomfortable floor.
"Well, if it's going to be that way, then I'll take the floor." Abby looked at him, arching her eyebrow.
"If it's gonna be that way? What other way would it be, Mr. Petrelli?" Peter couldn't help but laugh at the way she asked that question.
"I didn't mean anything... improper." Abby gave him a 'yeah right' look and Peter was extremely glad she wasn't the one who could read minds because some of his thoughts were contradicting his words. "All I meant is that we're both adults. And we're friends. Surely we can sleep in the same bed without it being something... sexual." Abby pretended to think about it for a moment but really her mind was already made up.
"Okay," she drawled after a couple of minutes, "that sounds fine to me. Just don't be tryin anythin funny while I'm sleepin." She gave him a very fake glare and Peter put two fingers up in promise.
"Scouts honour. I will not try anything sleazy." Abby nodded and slid down in the bed, getting under the covers. Peter couldn't help but gulp as he too got underneath the covers. With a blink of Abby's eyes the lights were turned off and the room was sent into darkness.
The two were both lying on their sides, facing each other. Their eyes adjusted to the light quickly and Abby made a face at Peter as soon as she thought he'd see it. Peter laughed at her and reached out to playfully push her shoulder, glad when he touched her shoulder and not anything he shouldn't have. Abby kicked him under the covers, poking her tongue out at him teasingly and Peter rolled his eyes. Neither one of them was really that tired but there was nothing else for them to do in the hotel room besides sleep. They continued to muck around juvenilely, kicking each other and pulling faces.
Half an hour later, neither was asleep but they'd stopped playing around too. They were staring into each other's eyes, breaking eye contact every now and then when they felt overwhelmed by the things they saw reflected there that both were too frightened to think about to themselves, let alone voice. They could feel each other's body heat and breath. Peter ran his eyes over her face, his eyes following the path of her scar. She noticed his gaze and shifted uncomfortably.
"I know it ain't pretty but quit lookin at it." Peter jumped slightly at her suddenly speaking and moved his eyes back to hers.
"I'm sorry, I was just..." He trailed off and let his eyes trace it again. "You've never told me how you got it." His fingers were itching to follow it like his eyes were but he wisely kept them where they were, knowing she'd get skittish if he did.
Abby let out a deep sigh and cast her eyes down. "I know I haven't. Didn't think you'd stick around long enough to really want to know." She glanced up at him, finding him staring in her eyes with a look of pleading.
"Well I did." He smiled slightly at her, trying to put her at ease. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I just... I think my imaginations worse than what it really is." Abby smiled dryly.
"I very much doubt that." Peter frowned. He didn't like to think that she was certain that his imagination would pale in comparison to the real thing because he had a very active imagination. He was known, at least amongst his family, for his imagination. He finally gave into the itching in his fingers and reached out to cup her cheek, running his thumb over part of the scar.
"I don't like to think of anybody... hurting you." Abby jerked away from his touch, uncomfortable with the gesture. Her face tingled from his touch and she argued with herself about moving back into it. Peter took the choice out of her hands, moving his hand to rest on the top of the comforter. She looked into his eyes, seeing his sadness, and heaved a great sigh.
"When I was four my mother tied me to my bed when I was nappin." Peter gasped but she continued. "My father came up, holding what he called holy water and a knife. Wanted to do an exorcism. They said I was possessed by the devil but they could fix it." Peter frowned deeply, hurt for her clearly displayed in his face.
"They did this to you?" Without even thinking he traced the scar with the tip of his finger and Abby had to control her body tightly so she wouldn't shudder under the caring touch. She nodded shakily.
"I tried to fight 'em off, tried to get out of the ropes but I was only four and they were much stronger than me." Peter frowned even deeper and reached out to grasp her hand tightly. "I... I managed to move around a lot, loosen the knots. The knife was only 'spossed to be, I don't know, a threat, it wasn't meant to be used. But... but I was movin round so much... He forgot he even had it and... He tried to get me to stop movin, only to stop movin." Tears were running down her cheeks and Peter's heart broke.
"Shh, its okay, you can stop. You don't have to finish." Abby shook her head. She'd started, she might as well finish. It wasn't like it wasn't always playing in the back of her mind anyway.
"He cut me with the knife, an accident. Not my face though, that wasn't till later and wasn't an accident, not really. I was cryin out, cryin in pain. They threw the water on me, not all of it, only a little. I was still movin round, movin my head round. My father grabbed my head and I bit him. I was four, they were bigger than me, it was the only thing I could think of that would..." She stopped, cutting herself off with a sob. Peter's whole body lurched towards her and his arms came up around her, holding her tight to his body as she cried for a little while.
"Shh, it's okay. You're safe here." He repeated this over and over, whispered it in her ear, until she did feel safe again. She pulled away slightly, looking up into his eyes.
"When I bit him, I pissed him off. He... lashed out at me with the knife, sliced his way through my face, didn't stop till he reached my chin. I stopped movin, in shock. They dumped the rest of the water on me, pouring it into the cut. When it was gone they said I was cured. They took me to the emergency room, made me say I fell outside and cut my face on a piece of broken glass, there was always broken glass there so no one questioned it. 'Sides, no one questions that stuff at all where I'm from, at least they didn't then." Peter felt tears run down his own cheeks and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, trying to comfort her.
"Your own parents." He felt disgusted, couldn't understand how anyone could do such a thing to their own child. She'd been right, this was much worse than anything he'd envisioned.
"I was four. It's my first ever memory." Peter gasped and looked down into her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." She flashed him a small sad grin.
"Why? You didn't have nothing to do with it." Peter couldn't help but smile, remembering that that's what she'd said when he'd apologised for the government's tests on her.
"I'm still sorry. I'm sorry you had to go through that." She shrugged.
"It made me who I am today. 'Sides, I'm sure plenty of people have been through stuff like that, worse stuff too. S'not like I'm the only person ever to have psycho parents." Peter sighed and reached down to press another kiss to the top of her head.
"I promise I won't let anyone ever hurt you like that again." She smiled slightly, liking to think that that was true. No one had ever told her that before and, to her, it was more powerful than if he'd just proposed to her.
"It's a nice thought but... don't promise somethin you can't guarantee." Peter sighed. If he had anything to say about it he'd make sure no one hurt her ever again, he'd kill anyone who tried. A part of him wished he could kill her parents for what they'd done to her. Sure, she was right when she said it made her who she is but that person it had made her was someone who didn't think she could trust anybody. It was no wonder though, who could you trust when you couldn't trust your own parents?
"Your parents... what happened to them?" Abby shrugged.
"Dunno. Never looked back after they threw me out. Didn't want to and couldn't find any reason to. I don't care what happened to 'em." Peter smiled slightly, glad she wasn't hung up on them.
"Well you're safe here, with me." She smiled up at him but found her smile drop when she saw the conviction in his eyes. She almost felt herself believing that he'd keep her safe, that he wouldn't let anyone hurt her.
Peter saw a change in her eyes. He couldn't explain what it was but he just knew that it was a sign that she really and truly trusted him. He smiled and moved closer to her, squeezing his arms tighter around her so they were pressed together. He ran a soothing hand up and down her back and brought his forehead to press against hers. Abby's lips curled slightly up in an imitation of a smile and Peter smiled back. He felt himself being drawn to her and, before he knew what he was doing, before he could stop himself and convince himself that it wasn't a good idea , he was pressing his lips against hers.
Abby's eyes widened as his lips pressed against hers but fell closed again when she felt him kiss her. She kissed him back, opening her lips slightly. Peter groaned. The kiss felt right, her lips felt perfect pressed against his own. He pulled back slightly and moved to the corner of her lips, pressing a kiss to the small part of her lips where her scar and lips crossed. She gasped and then he was back fully against her lips, slipping his tongue into her mouth and moving on top of her so she was pressed against the mattress. They continued to kiss desperately, Abby sliding her hands up and down his back, eventually slipping underneath his shirt making them both moan at the feeling of their skin touching. Peter cupped her cheek with one hand, rubbing his thumb over her scar in reverence, and held onto her hip with his other hand.
Suddenly the lights turned on, just as Peter started trailing his hand up from her hip, and they pulled away from each other feeling startled. Peter, still on top of her, looked around the room trying to find the person who'd turned on the light. Abby stared up at him. She'd been the one to turn the light on but it had been an accident. Feeling his hand trail up her body had been a pleasurable feeling and the electricity inside her had built up until she'd accidentally turned the light on, it had happened before and had never ended favourably because the men she'd been with were always freaked out to learn she could do that.
When Peter found no one to blame for the light being turned on he turned back to look at Abby. He suddenly felt embarrassed, realising he was still on top of her and that her hands were still under his shirt. He rolled off her, onto his side, and gave her an apologetic smile. Abby felt as though the electricity flowing through her veins had decided to take up residence in her heart as it thrummed in pain. She knew what he was going to say before he even said it.
"I'm sorry I... I didn't mean for... that to happen." She gave him a small smile even though inside her heart was breaking at his words.
"S'ok. We both got... carried away there." Peter smiled slightly and nodded but refused to meet her eyes.
"Yeah, carried away. I didn't mean to... take advantage of you like that." Abby frowned and shook her head.
"You didn't take advantage." He was still refusing to look her in the eyes. She sighed knowing he didn't believe her and that he was angry at himself. "We were both... emotional after... And we both needed someone to turn to. That's all it was. It's alright. We didn't do anything too bad. We can forget about it, pretend it never happened." He finally looked up at her and she smiled in response.
"You're sure you're okay?" She smiled wider and nodded. She was more than okay after that kiss.
"Yes, I'm sure. Relax Peter. Stuff happens." He let out a relieved breath.
"Okay. Well I'm glad you're okay and that you're not angry at me." She smiled at him, knowing she could never be mad at him for that. "I just feel so... I mean I'm with Simone and if she ever found out..." Abby's smile dropped, remembering Simone. She quickly plastered the smile back on her face but the painful thrumming returned to her heart.
"She won't find out bout it. It was nothin anyway, Peter." He smiled slightly and nodded but was again looking off into the distance. There was an awkward silence for a moment as both tried to forget the feeling of kissing each other, of Peter being on top of Abby, of Abby's hands running over Peter's back under his shirt.
"Well, I don't know bout you but I'm beat. I think I'm gonna get some shut eye." Abby pulled the blankets tight around her body. Peter nodded and got off the bed.
"Okay, good night. I'm just going to... I'm going to take a walk." He went into the bathroom, coming back out in his street clothes. Abby watched him leave, a small frown on her face. She wanted to kick herself but settled for letting her powers explode out of her, dimly hearing the already broken television fry it's circuits. With a sigh she slipped her head under the blankets and forced herself to sleep.
Peter walked around in the hallways for a minute, not knowing where to go. He could still vividly recall every little detail of what kissing Abby felt like and pressed his hands to his eyes to try and banish the thoughts and memories. He couldn't believe he'd let himself do that. There was no way he could blame Abby, she'd been vulnerable after telling him how she'd gotten her scar. In his mind he was the only one to blame for what had happened.
Throwing open the lobby door, Peter found himself out in the city. He decided to walk around for a little while to calm down and get the memories out of his head. He was hoping that when he got back to the room Abby would be asleep because otherwise he might do something stupid again. Remembering the feel of her fingers digging into his bare back he groaned, knowing he was wishing he could feel that again, preferably with less clothes on. He stopped suddenly and looked up at the sky, asking the heavens why they'd done this to him. He was with Simone, he loved Simone, Abby was just his friend. Nothing was or could happen between them. He repeated this to himself until he was sure he believed it and headed back to the hotel.
When he got back he found Abby fast asleep, the covers pulled over her head. He pulled the covers off her head, tucking them under her chin instead, and sat on the bed. He was worried that if he got into the bed that he'd end up pulling her sleeping body into his arms in his sleep and didn't want to face the awkwardness of waking up that way. Getting up off the bed he went and sat in the one chair the room offered. It wasn't very comfortable but it was more comfortable than the awkwardness he knew he'd have if he awoke to Abby being in his arms. With a sigh he settled himself in, trying to get as comfortable as possible, and finally fell asleep, watching over Abby.
Additional Author's Note: Okay, so that was Chapter Seven. I hope you liked it as much as I do. I finally got some proper romance in there, yay! Anyway, please review, like I always say, I love getting your reviews.
