Spark
Chapter Five
Abby shifted uncomfortably on the couch she was sitting on. Claire, who was sitting next to her, reached over and took hold of her hand, giving it a small reassuring squeeze. Abby was thankful for the support even though she'd never admit it. That morning, Peter had dragged her along to Nathan's house. She hadn't wanted to go, had told him that she'd lay low and stay in his apartment, but he'd been adamant that she go. He told her that he wanted to introduce the woman who saved his life to his family and that if she didn't go to them, he'd bring them to her. Knowing that he was telling the truth about bringing them to her she'd reluctantly agreed to tag along.
When they'd first gotten there, Claire had greeted them enthusiastically. She'd been the first one to greet them and had done so with a hug to both Peter and Abby. Abby had patted the girl's back, feeling uncomfortable with the greeting and Peter had laughed at her. He told her it seemed as though Claire had taken a shine to her and she'd whined and complained about it, saying the girl must be crazy to like her, but Peter had been able to see the small smile she was trying to hide. Abby had obviously taken a shine to Claire as well.
The rest of Peter's family didn't treat her as well as Claire and Peter did. Nathan had appeared shortly after Claire, pushing his wife's wheelchair. Nathan had a huge smile on his face when he saw Peter but that smile disappeared immediately when he saw Abby. To say that she was anything like what he was expecting would be a lie. He looked at her like she was going to try and steal some of his belongings and Abby even caught him checking his wrist after they'd shook hands in greeting, making sure she hadn't somehow stolen his watch. Heidi Petrelli, Nathan's wife, had been much more polite, smiling warmly at her, but she'd left quickly to attend to their children.
Angela Petrelli, Peter's mother, had reacted in much the same manner as Nathan had. She'd looked at Abby like she was dirt, reminding the electrical woman of the way Simone had looked at her. To make matters even worse, the Petrelli matriarch had invited Simone to attend too, much to the surprise of Peter and Abby. It was clear that Angela liked Simone and that she wanted to get rid of Abby as soon as possible, lest she ruin their relationship. Abby didn't feel welcome at all in the Petrelli home except for when she was around Peter and Claire.
"So, Miss Harris, what is it exactly that you do? When you're not busy saving men that you don't even know, of course." Abby looked up at Nathan, confused about his question.
"Do? What do you mean?" Nathan, Angela and Simone all shared a laugh at her confusion.
"Why dear, I think he's inquiring about your career. What's your job?" Angela was speaking to her as though she was slow and Abby didn't like it.
"Uh, I pretty much get odd jobs whenever I can. I move around a lot so I've never really had a steady job." The three shared looks and she frowned. She knew that they didn't consider that an answer. "I was a waitress before all this happened." Simone chuckled at her.
"You must have a lot of skills." The way Simone was speaking was as though she obviously didn't have any skills. Nathan, Angela and Simone shared a laugh again. Claire and Peter frowned at the treatment they were giving Abby.
"Simone..." Peter started but was cut off.
"Oh yeah, plenty of skills. Want to see a few?" The anger was clear in Abby's voice. She rose her hand, wiggling her fingers and everyone felt the prickle of electricity in the air.
"Abby, calm down." Peter gave her a comforting smile and reached out to grasp her hand. Abby sighed and put her hand down, giving him a small smile in return before pulling her hand out of his grasp. Simone and Angela exchanged a look, noticing the interaction.
"You know what? How about I show Abby my room? Come on Abby, let's go." Claire stood and pulled Abby up with her. She wanted to get the older woman away from the attack the others were laying on her. Abby smiled at the younger woman and followed her out of the room, gazing at Peter the whole time. Peter watched her go, giving her a placating smile, but as soon as they were gone he turned on the others.
"Okay, what was that? Why are you guys being so rude to the woman who saved my life?" Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Peter, I think you need to open your eyes. That woman looks like a con artist. I think she's trying to get money from you or something." It was as clear as day to Nathan that that's what Abby was after. Peter shook his head and stood up angrily.
"She's not a con artist and she doesn't want anything from me. I'm the one who dragged her here. She didn't want to come to New York; she wanted to go out on her own." Now Angela rolled her eyes.
"That's what she wants you to think, dear. It's what they do." Peter snorted angrily. Simone stood up and took hold of his hands, trying to calm him down.
"We're just trying to look out for you, Peter. We don't think you can trust this woman. You're too trusting." Peter tore his hands away from hers and shook his head, taking a step back.
"You don't think I can trust her? Well I know I can trust her. You guys don't know her like I do." Nathan snorted and stood up.
"You don't know her either. You've known her, what, a few of weeks? How do you know her so well?" Peter frowned, not liking what he was saying. "Oh wait, let me guess, she told you some sob story about her life. Is that what she did, Peter? Is that how she got your trust?" Peter frowned again and took a step back.
"You don't know her, Nathan." Angela opened her mouth to say something but they were cut off by the sound of someone clearing their throat near the door. All four heads whipped around to see Claire standing in the doorway looking both angry and upset.
"In case you wanted to know, Abby and I heard most of that and she took off out of here. She said she didn't want to cause Peter any more trouble by being here. I think Claude went after her 'cause I saw a vase knock over and the door shut on its own." Peter cursed and took off for the door.
"Peter. Peter, come back!" Simone called out to him and tried to follow after him but Claire stepped in her way.
"I think you've done enough, don't you?" Simone glared at the young girl but didn't make a move to get around her. It was too late anyway; the front door was slammed shut as Peter left the house.
Peter ran for the front gates of the property, knowing Abby couldn't have gotten too far past them. He saw her figure, slumped against the wall, talking to someone. Claude had obviously caught up to her. Peter sighed in relief, knowing she was safe and that he could catch up to her. He ran faster, wanting to get to her sooner to find out if she was okay after what his family and Simone had said.
"Abby, are you okay? I'm sorry about what happened in there. They're just trying to protect me, in their own twisted way." Abby looked up at him and shrugged. She was trying to look nonchalant, like it hadn't affected her, but it was clear it had.
"Hey, if they don't like me and think I'm only here to try and get somethin from you then fine. What do I care?" She tried smiling but it came out more as a grimace. Peter sighed and reached out to put a hand on her shoulder.
"They shouldn't have said the things they said." Claude snorted in agreement.
"They're just a bunch of rich snobs, the lot of them." Abby smiled at Claude's comment. She turned to Peter, frowning slightly.
"Listen, I think maybe I should head off on my own after all." Peter frowned not liking that suggestion one bit. "I'll be fine, Peter, really. You don't need to worry bout me. I been doin this type of thing my whole life. I'm not one of your damsel's in distress." Peter frowned deeper and shook his head.
"No, I'm not letting you go anywhere." Abby shook her head, a look of anger coming over her face.
"And just how you goin to stop me, Petrelli? You gonna lock me up in that place of yours? Chain me there to make sure I don't leave? 'Cause let me tell you now, that's the only way I'm stayin." Peter was getting angry with her now.
"I'm not going to lock you up or chain you up. So I guess there's really no way I can make you stay but I have my ways to make sure you don't leave." Abby rose an eyebrow and looked intrigued.
"Oh really? And just what are these ways?" Peter smirked at her and took a step closer to her.
"You're going to make me use my secret weapon." She snorted and chuckled.
"And what's this secret weapon? One of your borrowed powers?" Peter's smirk widened and he took yet another step towards her.
"It's something I've been perfecting for years. No one has ever been able to resist it. It's the Peter Petrelli Pout. Patent pending." Abby couldn't help but laugh.
"The Peter Petrelli Pout?" He nodded.
"Patent pending." She couldn't help but laugh again.
"I think I could resist the P.P.P." Peter chuckled at her acronym and shook his head.
"Oh no, I don't think you can." Abby rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.
"I'm leaving now." Peter acted quickly and moved in front of her, putting on a pout. Abby couldn't help but laugh at him.
"I warned you, Abby." She shook her head at him, chuckling slightly. Seeing he wasn't going to let up she cocked her head to the side and glared at him, deciding to engage him in a battle of wills, sure she'd win. She'd never been one to give in easily. They stayed locked in a standoff, Peter pouting at her and Abby glaring right back. Slowly, Abby's glare started to fade and she started laughing, shaking her head.
"You're somethin else." Peter grinned at her for a second before quickly going back to his pout.
"You staying?" She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, cocking her head.
"I'm staying." Peter grinned again, this time letting it stick.
"Good. Claude, take her home and if she tries to run I give you permission to give her the P.P.P." Claude rolled his eyes.
"You're both bloody idiots." Abby laughed at Claude while Peter just shrugged. Claude took hold of Abby's arm, making her disappear, and started leading her out of the property. Just as they were about to get in the car they'd taken, Peter called out to them.
"Told you you'd crumble." Abby chuckled while rolling her eyes. Claude rolled his own eyes.
"Just get a bloody room, already." Neither of them heard Claude's mumbled comment. Peter waited until he couldn't see them anymore; sure Abby would be driving even more manically than usual seeing as though she was invisible and in an invisible car, and headed back inside. He had some things he needed to sort out with his family.
"Okay, here's the deal. First, you're all going to apologise to Abby. Then, after you've apologised, you're to stay the hell away from her until I say you can go near her again. Also, you're not allowed to talk to me about her until the last ban is lifted, got it?" Nathan rolled his eyes at his brother's rules.
"Peter, you've got to see her for what she really is." Peter shook his head, holding his finger up.
"Breaking the last rule. I'm serious, the way you guys treated her is... is disgusting. I'm not going to let you hurt her like that again. She puts on a tough shell but she's nowhere near as tough as she acts." His face softened slightly, thinking about her and all the pain she'd endured in her life. Simone frowned at him.
"Jeez Peter, it sounds like you're in love with her or something." Peter's eyes widened and, after recovering from the shock of her words, shook his head.
"I'm, I'm not. I'm not in love with her. She's my friend and she saved my life." Simone frowned even more at his answer, not liking how unsure of his words he'd sounded.
"Peter, just promise me something. Promise me that the second she does something to prove to you who she really is, the second something happens to show you her true self and her true motives, walk away from her and never look back." Peter rolled his eyes at his mother's suggestion.
"Okay, I promise you that, but it's not going to happen." Angela shrugged and put her hands up, not wanting to fire him up again.
"Okay." Peter smiled at the three of them, glad they were taking his rules seriously.
"Alright, come with me, I think you should apologise now." With another smile he led them out the front door. Nathan, Angela and Simone shared looks as they followed after him. Claire, who was walking behind them, frowned seeing their looks, not liking them one bit.
Abby sat in front of Peter's television, flicking channels. Claude was next to her, rolling his eyes at everything she went past. He was holding the remote, making it invisible then visible again as he threw it in the air and caught it. Eventually Abby turned the television off with a blink of her eyes and turned to watch him, smiling at the remote continually appearing then disappearing. Claude smiled slightly at her, happy to see her smile after what had happened earlier. She was damaged, like he was, and he really liked her. They could be damaged together.
The door to Peter's apartment opened and Abby turned her smile towards it. She was happy to see Claire standing next to Peter but her smile and happiness vanished when she saw Nathan, Angela and Simone following behind them. She stood up, running a hand down her front to straighten her clothes. No matter how much she didn't like them, she still wanted to impress them because Peter cared about them. She felt stupid for feeling that way but couldn't control her feelings, especially when it came to anything to do with Peter.
"Abby, before you freak out, I think my family has something they want to say to you." He turned to look at the three and they sighed.
"We're sorry, Abby. We never should have said those things about you." Peter frowned as Nathan was the only one to say anything.
"I believe I said you all had to apologise, not pick a leader to do it for you." The two women sighed again. Angela stepped forward.
"I'm sorry." Abby rose her eyebrows in surprise. She hadn't expected an apology from Nathan or Mrs. Petrelli.
"Yeah, I'm sorry," Simone added sounding forced. Abby couldn't help but chuckle.
"Uh, that's alright, I guess." Peter smiled.
"There, now isn't that better?" The three nodded, rolling their eyes, and Peter smiled wider. "Alright, I guess rule number two should start now." Abby's eyebrows rose again hearing that there were rules. "I'll see you guys later." He shook Nathan's hand, gave his mother a kiss on the cheek and kissed Simone quickly on the lips when she wouldn't settle for anything else.
"Are you coming, Claire?" Nathan had stopped at the door while the other two left, facing his daughter. Claire shook her head.
"Nah, it's alright. I think I'll stay here a little longer. That is okay, isn't it Peter? I mean I'm exempt from the rules seeing as though I didn't say anything horrible, aren't I?" Peter laughed at his niece. Abby frowned hearing yet again of rules pertaining to her.
"Yeah, it's fine. You're exempt." Claire smiled brightly and plonked herself on the couch, pulling Abby down with her. Nathan shrugged.
"Alright, I'll see you when you get home." Claire waved him off, keeping her smile fixed on Abby. Peter walked Nathan out and minutes later came back to find half of his belongs missing. With wide eyes he surveyed the damage, confused to see Claire smiling and clapping happily and Abby laughing.
"What the hell happened here? I was only gone a couple of minutes." The two women turned to face Peter, fixing their faces into looks of innocence.
"Sorry, Pete, I was just entertaining the girls." Claude's voice sounded the most sheepish he'd ever heard it sound. Suddenly everything reappeared and Peter snorted, shaking his head.
"I think they're bad influences on you, Claude. You're turning soft." Claire and Abby laughed outright but Claude sneered.
"I am not turning soft." Peter simply shrugged. Claude growled. "Soft, this." With that he walked past Peter and left the apartment. Peter stared after him with wide eyes.
"Claude, where are you going? Claude? Claude!" There was no answer. Peter started to panic. Abby rolled her eyes.
"He'll be back. He just needs to show ya he's not soft, but he'll be back. And believe me, Peter, we can look after ourselves for a couple of hours. I been doin it my whole life." Peter sighed and moved to sit with the two girls on the couch.
"Yeah, you're probably right. I just don't think it was very responsible for him to leave like that." The only answer he received was a pillow being thrown at his head by Abby and Claire laughing hysterically at the sight. Peter couldn't help but join in on the laughter. Once the laughter died down, Abby fixed him with a determined gaze.
"Now, Mr. Petrelli, what are all these rules I've heard so much about?" She rose an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. Peter could only give her a sheepish smile in return.
Okay, first off I just want to apologise for the whole Peter Petrelli Pout and Patent Pending thing. I think I was delirious when I wrote that. In my defence, I'd been watching something on TV where they kept mentioning some invention and the person kept saying Patent Pending every time they said the name and I thought it was hilarious. Also, I felt as though Abby needed some laughter after getting attacked like that! Plus, have you ever seen Milo Ventimiglia pouting? So cute! Anyway, thanks again for reading, hope you liked it and now here comes my shameless begging for reviews. Ready? Please, please, please, please, please review, I really like reading them and have been pleased with the majority of them I've gotten. Thank you and see you next week!