A Crack in Time

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to either Doctor Who or Heroes.

Chapter One

New York City – Quarantine - 2008

"Please report to the main area immediately. All people and personnel please report to the main area. Leave your belongings. Report IMMEDIATELY—" the loudspeakers bellowed.

Caitlin wrapped her gray jacket around herself tightly, following the other deportees to the main holding area. Quarantine was a death sentence. Everyone knew that. Once a quarantine began, it was a lockdown. Everyone in the area would die of the virus sooner or later. No one survived. And no one left.

"Oi, what's this?" a redhead with a thick accent protested. She was wearing a scarf, mini denim skirt with leggings, and a colorful top. Her outfit was nothing like the other detainees.

"Quarantine," the Irish woman explained. "C'mon, if we don't keep moving, they'll shoot us."

"Shoot? Why?"

"The virus. Anyone who isn't complying can be shot on sight," Caitlin said. "Trust me, it's not pretty."

"They shoot people for being sick? Do you all not have vaccines?"

"Not for this virus. It's highly contagious."

The newcomer frowned. "That's just crazy."

"I know. What's your name?"

"I'm Amy."

"Hello, Amy. You from Scotland? Your accent…"

"Yeah, born there. You're from around there, aren't you? Not American…"

"I'm Irish. My… boyfriend was American. Name's Caitlin by the way."

"Pleasure to meet ya, Caitlin." Amy shook her hand, a shock for Caitlin since coming to this wasteland. Contact was frowned upon thanks to the disease.

"Wish it could've been under different circumstances."

Amy shrugged. "I've met people under worse. My friends and I have a bad habit of running into trouble."

"I know what that's like," Caitlin said with a knowing smile as they followed a stream of detainees. "My boyfriend seemed to draw trouble to 'im. Me brother found 'im chained up in a box down at the docks. He was an extraordinary man."

"Is he… dead?"

"According to them, he's been dead. But we were together when we got stuck 'ere. One minute we're in Montreal and the next… we're here, it's a year later, and most everyone's dead. I haven't seen 'im since."

"What's his name? Your boyfriend?" Amy asked, wondering if this girl's mystery boyfriend was someone like the Doctor—or possibly even the Doctor.

"Peter. His name's Peter. He's the best man I know."

"He sounds special."

"He is. They took him away from me. These people pulled as apart. We were just trying to find out who Peter was."

"What do you mean?"

Caitlin looked at her as they entered the main area. "When me brother found him, he didn't even know his own name."

"What colour hair does he have?"

"Dark…black I guess or really dark brown. A bit messy, but it's short."

Amy froze. "Tell me more."

"I—"

"ATTENTION!" shouted someone in an official uniform. "We are now under quarantine. Please remain calm."

Of course, all hell broke loose.

New York City – Mercy Heights Hospital – 2010

A flurry of activity erupted following Claire's leap. People with abilities started to come forward and announce themselves. His mother quickly took a leadership role and restarted the company with government backing. It wasn't really a bag-and-tag operation anymore—it was a support group of sorts.

The initial fear of specials dissipated over time.

Throughout it all, Peter Petrelli kept a low profile and continued to help people. He shunned the newfound fame. He just wanted to help. It was his version of atonement.

As the world learned about the events at Kirby Plaza, the formula, the carnival, and all the cover-ups—not to mention the virus—he found himself reliving the past and the lives lost in the process. The threads of time that vanished as they saved the world.

Sylar's son. Daphne and Matt's future. Isaac. Simone. His own brother. Lives shattered and ruined. People who died because of him. Because he trusted Adam. Because he trusted anyone. Caitlin.

Caitlin was by far his greatest mistake. He wanted to change her fate. He wanted to save her, but every attempt failed. He couldn't reach her anymore. Not even through time travel. Peter had a hard time picturing her face as the years wore on.

Plus, he had other people to think about. He had to help look out for Claire, who was an orphan of sorts now that both her birth parents were dead, and also having a hard time dealing with college and her girlfriend, Gretchen.

He also had Emma to worry about. What started as a friendship was growing into something more, even if it was more coming from her than him. He couldn't quite reciprocate her feelings when he still remembered Caitlin. Even if he couldn't get to her, he couldn't forget her.

Peter opened his locker, grabbing his bag and jacket. He'd worked for two days straight so far and really needed some time away from the hospital. Using his abilities had become draining. He needed to rest, recharge. Pulling himself away from those who needed help hurt, but nearly as much as hitting rock-bottom did. If he overused his power, he had the potential of passing out. As he wore out, it was like driving drunk.

With his bag and jacket, he took the subway home, trying to stay conscious. His skin was beaded with sweat from his work and the strain of his healing ability.

Lights flashed as the subway train raced through the tunnels underneath Manhattan. He listened to the noise of the train, of the people, of the chaos. He enjoyed the noise of city life most of the time, but there were many times that he missed the simple life he'd led in Cork, Ireland for several weeks.

Without Caitlin, life in Ireland wasn't something he wanted. He would just remember failing to save her. Holding her as her brother lay fried on the floor thanks to Elle Bishop. Losing her in a horrible future. All because she trusted him.

New York City – Quarantine - 2008

People started to die within a few minutes. It started slowly, one person, then another, before spreading. The main feeling in the room was of panic. They would all die eventually from the virus. Caitlin heard the stories before. Of the fever, the sickness, then death. It could take minutes or hours.

Amy paced at her side. "This is crazy. They can't do this."

"They have no choice. The virus can't be stopped. There's no cure. Only death."

The Scottish woman paled. "This can't be. There has to be a way out. I've got to find the Doctor."

"Oh, they'll be gone as well. Not many of them left anyways," Caitlin said. "That's why they tend to live in their suits—just in case of an outbreak."

"How can you be so calm?"

Caitlin sighed. "I used to scream and rant and rave. I tried that. But with Peter gone, I don't feel the urge to fight. If I die, I die. I can accept that. There's no going home."

"How? Don't you want to live?"

"Me brother was murdered. He was all I had. Peter became my family and he was taken from me. They say he's dead—has been dead. That I made him up."

Amy nodded. "As a kid, everyone thought I was telling stories about a man. He was called the Doctor, my Raggedy Doctor, and he came in a blue box and ate fish finger custard and told me all these wonderful stories."

"Is he real? Your doctor friend?"

"He's very real. He's a time-traveller. My husband and I travel with him. We've been to all kinds of points throughout history. Different planets and stars. I've floated through space. I've helped save the world. So many adventures."

"In a box?" Caitlin added, clearly skeptical. "You get in a box and travel?"

"It's a phone box, but it's much bigger on the inside. It's a whole world in there, almost."

Caitlin took a seat in a corner, gesturing for Amy to join her. "You mean you don't just disappear and appear in a new spot?"

"No, that'd be crazy."

"Then maybe I am crazy," she muttered to herself. "Blue lightening, sparks shooting out of his hand, ending up 'ere…"

"Is Peter a time-traveller?"

"I don't know. All I know is that he was special. He could do things I'd never even dreamed of. He saved me life and me brother's a few times. He protected me as best he could. But someone was hunting him. She killed me brother."

"I'm sorry," Amy said sincerely. "How long ago was this?"

"Days, I think. One minute we're in Montreal, the next… I'm being forced into decontamination and pulled away from Peter. They tell me he's dead—he's been dead since the first outbreak."

"Has he?"

Caitlin shook her head, her curls bouncing. "I don't know what to believe anymore. All I know is that I'm alone."

Amy took her hand. "Not alone. You've got me. We'll get through this. We'll find the Doctor, we'll get out of here, and we'll find Peter."

"I thought I recognized that voice! Did someone call for the Doctor?" a cheery male in an old-fashioned suit and bowtie said, appearing from the crowd.

Author's Notes:

Typo from the prologue… it's 2008 where Caitlin is. Please read and review… it helps motivate me to write faster. Anonymous reviews are accepted! Chapter two is already in progress. On my author's page there's a link to a video under "Unbreakable" that is for both that story and this one. It's on YouTube, same screenname as this, entitled 'PeterxCaitlin: Never Be the Same'. Check it out.