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: First of all I'd like to thank the people who reviewed. With the exception of one your reviews were very nice. I just want to say that this is a story with a new hero and yes, that hero is the love interest. If you don't like that, don't read, it's as simple as that. If you don't like it, that's your prerogative, but no matter what you say I'm still going write this and put it up because I like it and am having a good time writing this and from the other reviews I got, so are other people. This story has been a relaxing outlet for me and I'm not going to let one bad reviewer ruin that for me. Okay, on to other things. I'm going to try and make Friday my day to update so if you like this story and want to continue reading it look for it on Friday (well Friday my time at least). Now, on with the story.
Summary:Abby takes Peter somewhere she feels safe.
Spark
Chapter Two
"Peter. Peter, wake up. We're here." Peter groaned and reached up to wipe his eyes. He would give anything for a few more hours sleep. Suddenly he realised that while the voice waking him up sounded somewhat familiar he didn't know who it was. He sat up, realising he was in a car, and opened his eyes, seeing Abby staring at him from outside the open car door, shaking him gently. Everything came rushing back. He looked past her and saw that they were parked in front of what appeared to be a run down old cabin. He was sure, by the looks of it, that it was abandoned.
"How long was I asleep?" Abby stepped away from him, seeing he was now awake, and shrugged. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans and looked at the ground.
"Couple hours, at least. I'm not sure when you dozed off. I'm pretty sure I was talkin to myself for at least an hour." She looked up at him again and grinned and he couldn't help but smile back.
"And you didn't notice?" Her hand came out of her pocket and she waved the suggestion off, like it was crazy.
"I could talk to a dead man for hours without noticin a thing." She grinned again and he chuckled slightly while getting out of the car. He got one foot out just fine but when it came to getting the other foot out and standing on it he stumbled, almost falling to the ground, but she was quick to his side, catching him before he fell. Once he righted himself he let go of her, feeling embarrassed.
"Sorry." She snorted and shook her head.
"S'ok. I guess whatever Sylar did to you hasn't completely worn off. 'Splains the sleepiness too." Peter nodded. "Couldn't possibly be that I bored you that much." She grinned at him again and punched him lightly in the arm before turning and walking for the door. Peter couldn't help but laugh at that and quickly hurried up to catch up to her.
The door of the cabin was boarded up, lending more to his theory that it was abandoned. They came to stand in front of the boarded up door and Abby simply pushed it out of the way and slid through the space made to enter. Peter rose his eyebrows in surprise but followed after her nonetheless. He was sure she knew what she was doing.
The inside of the place looked much better than the outside which Peter was surprised at. The inside looked cosy and loved which was definitely not what the outside looked like. Peter stopped in the middle of what was obviously the living room, looking around the place. Abby didn't stop, instead moving through the room and into the kitchen. Peter hurried once again to catch up.
"Sam. Sam, you here? Sammy?" When she got no response she growled angrily. "I swear, Sylar better not have cut your head off." An older man came through the door on the other side of the room, making Peter stand on guard. Abby simply smiled brightly.
"Abigail, is that you?" The man stared at her and she nodded. The man smiled and opened his arms to her and she immediately went into them, giving him a big hug. That wasn't the type of greeting he would have expected Abby to give.
"Hey, Sammy. You had me worried there for a minute." The older man snorted and shook his head.
"There's no need to worry about me, my girl." He laughed heartily before shaking his head and turning to a cabinet. "Iced tea, dear?" She nodded and he got to work, setting out two glasses.
"Uh, better make that three, Sam." Sam frowned and turned to look at her, finally noticing Peter. His face showed his surprise. Peter smiled weakly and waved hello.
"Oh, my. Look here. Who are you?" The old man shuffled towards Peter.
"Peter Petrelli, sir." The man shook the hand Peter offered him, laughing slightly.
"Hear him?" He asked Abby. "Peter Petrelli, sir." He fake saluted. "He sounds proper." Abby laughed.
"He's from New York. 'Sppose they all talk that way." The man and Abby laughed together and Peter felt stupid all of a sudden. The older man noticed this and smiled kindly.
"We're not teasing you, my boy. It's just that no one Abigail brings is ever as, well, dignified as you." Abby rolled her eyes.
"They weren't all that bad, Sam." Abby was playing with the ends of a frilly curtain, not looking at either man, and Peter wondered what kind of men she'd brought to meet Sam before, if she'd brought Sylar to meet him. But then again, if she had she wouldn't have said Sylar didn't know about him.
"I'm sorry, dear, but yes, they were." Sam shuffled back over to her, tipping her chin up to look at him. He gave her a big smile before bopping her nose softly with his finger. She gave him a small smile in return, her eyes following him as he shuffled back towards the glasses.
"Need any help, Sammy?" Abby asked, moving to stand next to him. Sam smiled at her, nodding towards a jug.
"Just bring that to the table, dear." She nodded, picked it up and brought it over to the folding table in the corner of the kitchen. Sam went over to Peter and gave him the glasses, nodding towards the table too. "Go on then. I might as well put you to work too." Peter took the glasses and went to join Abby who was now sitting at the table. Sam shuffled towards the stove and took a tea pot off it, bringing it over to them. Peter was slightly confused.
"I thought you said iced tea, not tea." Sam looked at Abby and she nodded.
"It's alright, Sam. He's one of us." Sam smiled again and sat down, tea pot in hand. He poured the seemingly freshly made tea into the jug. Once it was all inside he grabbed hold of the handle of the jug and started pouring it into the glasses. As soon as his hand touched the handle the liquid inside seemed to cool, almost freezing completely but not quite. Peter looked amazed.
"You can freeze things?" Sam looked up at him, smiling brightly and nodded. He brought his hand up to his mouth and blew on it, a cold mist blowing from it. Abby rolled her eyes.
"Don't be a show off, Sammy." Sam chuckled and picked up his glass, taking a sip.
"So, what brings you two here today?" Abby and Peter each took sips of their drinks. Abby swallowed and put her glass down, resting her elbow on the table to lean her head in.
"We needed someplace safe to stay. I can't think of a safer place than this." Sam smiled brightly at her and Abby blushed slightly, looking away. He reached over to her and put his hand on top of hers.
"I'm glad you feel that way." The two shared a smile before Sam pulled his hand away, knowing that she'd get uncomfortable if it stayed on top of hers for too long. "But just what trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?" Abby frowned and shook her head.
"I'm not in trouble, don't act that way. Peter's in trouble, but not the kind you think. I'm helpin him." Sam nodded, taking her word.
"Well what kind of trouble are you both in?" Abby sighed.
"I told you bout Sylar, remember?" The cheeriness in Sam's eyes disappeared, his eyes darkening.
"Yes, I remember." Abby nodded towards Peter.
"He tried to kill Peter." Sam's eyebrows rose and he turned to look at Peter, softness filling his eyes again.
"You okay, my boy?" Peter smiled at him, nodding.
"For the most part. Because of Abby." He smiled towards her but she gave an uncomfortable smile in response before turning to look at the ceiling. Sam chuckled at her before turning his attention back to Peter.
"What can you do? You've seen what I can do and I assume you know what Abigail can do, so I think it only fair I know what you can do." Peter nodded, knowing that it was only fair.
"Well, I can absorb other people's abilities when I'm around them. And I have these dreams that are visions." Sam's eyes widened.
"My, that's one heck of a power." Peter smiled shyly. "No wonder this Sylar man wants it. Well don't you worry about that anymore. You've got Abigail here helping you and you're safe here." He smiled kindly at him and Peter couldn't help but smile back. Abby fidgeted in her seat.
"Jeez, Sam, you make me out to be some sort of Hero when I definitely ain't one." Sam rolled his eyes.
"You saved Peter here, didn't you?" Abby shrugged.
"Well, yeah." Sam chuckled.
"That sounds like a hero to me." Abby rolled her eyes and stood up.
"Yeah, well, you think what you want." She turned and walked out of the room. Peter watched her go with wide eyes before turning to look at Sam. The older man was sitting shaking his head, a small smile on his face.
"Is she okay? Should someone go after her?" He was worried she'd go somewhere and get hurt, get found by Sylar. Sam shook his head.
"She's alright. She just doesn't like getting praise. She's not used to it." Peter nodded and took a sip of his Iced Tea, glancing at the door she'd walked out of.
The two men sat in silence, each drinking their Iced Tea. Sam was watching Peter carefully, studying him, and Peter shifted in his seat, uncomfortable under the scrutiny. Outside of the room Peter could hear Abby walking around. He realised that she hadn't left the house and that she was safe and relaxed slightly. He started wondering how Abby knew Sam but decided now wasn't the time to pry.
"So, Peter Petrelli, why don't you tell me about yourself. What do you do, besides be rescued by young women?" Peter couldn't help but chuckle at that, after all he was usually the one doing the saving.
"I'm a nurse." Sam's eyebrows rose. "A hospice nurse. I look after people when they're dieing." Sam nodded.
"You don't meet many male nurses." Peter grinned ruefully and rolled his eyes. He was used to hearing that. "But, I must say, that tells me good things about you." Peter had been staring at the table but looked up at Sam, reaching up to brush his bangs out of his eyes.
"Oh really?" Sam nodded.
"Yes, really. It tells me that you're caring and smart and talented. Those are all good attributes. Abigail's never brought a man like you here before." Again Peter found himself wondering just what kinds of men she'd brought to meet him before. "So, how long have you known Abigail?" Peter shook his head.
"I only met her earlier, when she saved me from Sylar." Sam rose his eyebrows in surprise again.
"Really?" Peter nodded. "Well isn't that something? I assumed she knew you and that's why she saved you." Peter shrugged. He suddenly found himself wondering just why she'd saved him.
"Sam, I set up your spare room for Peter to sleep in. Bed's all made so you don't have to worry 'bout it. Just thought I'd tell you." Abby had appeared in the doorway but she turned to leave again. Peter stood up, not wanting her to leave.
"Where are you going to sleep?" She froze and turned back to face him.
"I'll sleep out in the car." Peter frowned and shook his head.
"No, you should take the bed." Abby looked at him in confusion before shaking her head.
"No, it's okay. I'm used to sleepin in cars, it's no big deal." Peter shook his head again and took a step closer to her.
"There's no way I'm going to let you sleep in the car." She grunted angrily and crossed her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Oh yeah, you think I'm goin to let you sleep in the car in your state? I don't think so mister." Peter opened his mouth to argue back but Sam cut in.
"No one has to sleep in the car. I've got a perfectly comfortable air mattress around here somewhere. One of you can sleep on that." Abby gave him a look which clearly said that she was still going to make sure Peter got the bed, no matter how comfortable the air mattress was.
"Fine. I'll go look for it." She turned and left, stomping away angrily. Both of them could clearly hear her stomping through the house searching for the air mattress. Peter stared at the door, not believing how stubborn she was being. Sam chuckling brought him out of his contemplative state.
"Stubborn, isn't she?" Peter sat down slowly, nodding.
"You can say that again." Sam continued to chuckle.
"She won't let up till she gets her way so if I was you, I'd take the bed tonight. No matter what your chivalrous ways tell you to do." Peter couldn't help but laugh at that.
In the end, Sam had had to find the air mattress when Abby's searching came up with nothing. They all helped to blow it up, seeing as though he didn't have a pump on hand. It was set up right next to the spare bed and before Peter even had a chance to argue about who took what, Abby had already plonked herself down and refused to get up until he got into the bed.
Sam stood in the doorway watching Peter try to stare her down, laughing at them, and didn't leave until Peter had finally taken the bed. He'd said goodnight and excused himself, minutes later snoring could be heard from his bedroom, prompting Abby to stand up and close the door to dull the noise.
Even with the door shut blocking out the noise, and despite the fact he was dead tired, Peter couldn't seem to sleep. He peered over the edge of the bed down at Abby, expecting to see her fast asleep after a day filled with saving him and driving for hours but was surprised to find her awake. Her arms were crossed under her head and she was staring at the ceiling, but as soon as she noticed him watching her she turned to look at him with wide eyes, obviously expecting him to be asleep as well.
"What's wrong? Can't you sleep now that my voice isn't dronin on?" Peter chuckled and shook his head. He turned on his side and propped himself up on his arm to look at her.
"No, it's not that. I don't know what it is, actually. I don't think I've ever been this tired but I just can't seem to sleep." Abby snorted.
"I know what that's like." He rose his eyebrow at the comment but didn't say anything about it. The two stared at each other for a couple of minutes in silence before Peter figured they may as well talk seeing as though it didn't look like either of them was going to go to sleep any time soon.
"So, how do you know Sam?" This brought a smile to her face.
"You want a bedtime story? That it?" He chuckled and shook his head. She shrugged. "I've known Sam a long time. I've moved around a lot in my time on this planet and I met Sammy one of the times I stopped moving." Peter frowned slightly.
"Why have you moved around a lot?" She frowned too.
"No one likes a freak and sooner or later, someone always finds out that I am one." Peter sighed.
"You're not a freak." She smirked at that.
"You only say that 'cause you're one too." He couldn't help but grin at that. "Anyway, I met Sam when I was sixteen. I'd just gotten to this town and right away I knew I wouldn't be stayin." Peter frowned again.
"How'd you know you weren't going to stay?" She chuckled slightly.
"'Cause someone saw me use my powers and didn't act favourably. Though I can't remember a time when someone who didn't have their own abilities acted favourably." Peter frowned again at that. "Anyway, I was runnin away from these people who knew about me and Sam stepped in front of 'em, told 'em to leave me alone. Everyone seemed scared of him and left. Found out later they were scared of him 'cause they knew bout his abilities." Peter smiled slightly.
"So he saved you?" She smiled as well and nodded.
"Yup. Sam was my hero. He asked if I had somewhere to stay, could see I was looking ratty 'cause at that time I was livin on the streets." Peter frowned hearing that. "When I told him I didn't he scooped me up and brought me here. He makes this place look bad on the outside so no one bothers him." Peter nodded.
"Yeah and I bet it works too." She smiled and nodded.
"This is the one place I ever felt safe and he's the one person I ever knew really cared bout me." Peter frowned again at that.
"I'm sure more people than Sam have cared about you." She snorted and shook her head.
"The only other person who ever said they cared bout me just tried to kill you." Peter frowned again.
"What about your parents? I mean I know you said they were freaked out about your abilities when they first started showing but surely..." She snorted again, cutting him off. She turned on her side, propping herself up on her arm, mimicking his position, and looked him straight in the eyes.
"My parents told me from the day I was born that I was an abomination. I guess I must've shown a little of my abilities early, you know? Things were done and when I was eleven they threw me out. Does that sound like people who care for me?" Peter reached out and took hold of her hand, squeezing it. She squirmed, obviously uncomfortable with the action and took her hand away, turning back onto her back. He sighed, not liking that she had turned away from him. She'd saved his life and he felt like he owed it to her to be there for her.
"Abby..." She shook her head before turning it away from him.
"You know what, I think I'm gonna try and sleep. G'night Peter." Peter frowned.
"Goodnight Abby." She rolled over onto her other side, pulling herself into a ball. Peter sighed and stayed watching her for a few minutes. She'd said Sam was the only person who ever really cared about her. He was determined to change that. He could see that she didn't let people in but he was determined to get around that. He wanted to show her that more people could care about her. With that in mind he settled in, closed his eyes and finally fell asleep.
Additional Author's Note: Thanks again for reading. I really hope you're liking this fic. Yet again, reviews would be much appreciated and are a great way to boost my spirits. grin