Title: A Snitch in Time

Fan dom: Heroes

Rating: T

Notes and Spoilers: Through Volume 2: Chapter 2: "Lizards", slight AU

Part 5

Nathan held the phone away from his ear for a moment. He blinked twice before bringing the phone back to his ear.

"Did you hear me? Mr. Petrelli?" Detective Parkman called.

Nathan nodded, but said no word, a worthless reply in a telephone conversation.

"Mr. Petrelli?"

"Yeah. I will be right there," he finally answered.

He pressed the off button on the cordless phone but instead of putting the handset back into its holder he just stood in place. Stood in place as if he was frozen in time.

Hiro waved a hand in front of Nathan's face for few seconds.

"Nathan?"

"I have to go." Nathan told him. Nathan took a few steps toward the door before turning around. Want to come to?"

"Where are we going?" Hiro asked.

Nathan bowed his head. He didn't want to tell him. Where was that friend of his?

Nathan attempted to smile.

"Someone is in need of a lawyer. Well, I probably should get into something a bit more presentable don't you think?"

It was presented in the form of a question but it really wasn't one. Nathan nodded and disappeared once again in the other room. When he came back he dragged his coat off one of the kitchen chairs. It was a little wrinkly and he cringed at the thought.

Heh. I guess it was a good thing that he even cared. Numbness was what he preferred over pain in the last few months.

"Are you ready?"

Nathan closed his eyes tightly. Those words, that phrase.

"What do you mean? The two of us died?" Peter asked.

Niki looked out a window, the sole barred one.

"I remember something Nathan told me at the hotel."

"Nathan?" Peter whispered. The name sounded so familiar.

"He told me how he always dreamed about flying over the desert. I told him that I too thought about getting a ride in a helicopter over the dessert. Maybe the Grand Canyon because it sounded so pretty. He turned to me and smiled that mysterious smile. He said that wasn't what he meant. He wanted to fly. I didn't realize what he meant at first. And why didn't I? I mean with what I can do?"

Niki went to Peter and yanked the rest of the chains off the wall.

Peter looked up at her in amazement.

"Come on, let's go," Niki said. "I know you have questions, and I will give you answers, but right now we just have to get out of here. You absorb powers right? So perhaps you have my late husband's power as well? Perhaps you can use it to phase out of this wall?"

Peter looked over at Niki. "What?"

Niki nodded.

"Come on. Please try. I believe in you."

She placed her hand on the wall as if she was trying to get Peter into gear.

She looked up at Peter and smiled.

"We have to get out of here. Concentrate."

Peter was desperate and part of him wanted to glare at Niki like she was crazy but another part of him wanted out of there. Both parts demanded answers, answers that were only going to be answered after they were out.

He closed his eyes and concentrated.

"Okay here goes nothing," he whispered.

He lowered his other arm and reached out for Niki's.

"On the count of three..." he told her. "One...two...three."

Peter took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them he found himself on the other side of the wall.

Niki opened her eyes and started to laugh nervously. "You did it. But it is something I am sure I will never get used to."

Peter smiled. "Yeah, I guess. What now?"

"Now? We run. Let's head for those woods."

"Then you will tell me about who I am?"

Niki nodded.

Peter nodded in return. "Okay. Let's go."

Nathan entered the police station. He still could not believe that his mother was brought under suspicion of murder. Shop lifting socks was one thing. Murder? He didn't believe it.

"Mr. Petrelli?" a familiar voice called.

"Officer Parkman?" Nathan replied.

"Detective Parkman. We talked on the phone."

Nathan looked over at Matt and stared at him for a few moments. "Wait, we met before, haven't we?"

Matt nodded. "Yes. In Texas. When Peter...I'm sorry."

Nathan nodded.

"I will bring you to see your mother."

Nathan started to shake his head.

"She doesn't want to see me. I just came here to sign her out."

He turned around and saw Hiro watching them.

"I was in the lobby, and someone told me that you wanted to see me," he said.

Matt stared at Hiro wide-eyed. "Are you Hiro Nakamura?" Matt asked.

Hiro bowed his head.

The way to the station was so such a blur.

"I know the last time we saw each other, before last night. I was quite short with you," Nathan began. "There is no excuse. But please know. I had lot of things on my mind that night. And if I listened to you, perhaps things that happened that night and the next would have not happened the way they did. And for that Hiro, I am sorry."

"It is okay. New York didn't blow up. I am sorry about Peter. But you told me that there wasn't a body. So there is hope."

"Hope. I told my mother this. That Peter might still be alive. I didn't really believe it. You need to tell me about that place some more later. Now isn't the time."

"You're upset. Nathan what is going on?"

"I have some bad news Hiro..."

Back in the present, Hiro made eye contact with Detective Parkman.

"You have questions?" Hiro inquired.

Matt showed Hiro the symbol.

Hiro handed his sword to Matt, indicating the symbol.

"What does this mean? Is someone like us, killing us?"

Before Matt could answer a woman screamed in the background.

"Ma!?" Nathan shouted. He turned to Matt quickly. "Where is she?"

Matt gestured for Nathan to follow him. Hiro followed a few steps behind.

Once he entered the negotiation room, Nathan wasted no time but to comfort his frighten mother.

"I'm here Ma. I'm here. It will be all right."

Angela handed Matt the picture of her with the symbol on it and then she looked up and locked eyes with Hiro.

To Be Continued

Author Note: Sorry for the slight delay in this chapter! I hope you enjoyed this installment of A Snitch in Time