A/N: Okay, so I know it's been a long time and this update is hardly sufficient to make up for the gap, but this semester has been a beast, and unfortunately pleasure writing is not going well. Because of this, I have decided to just put this story on hold until I have more time, probably this will mean summer. I am going to continue writing whenever I have a chance, but officially I'm going to put it on hold so you won't all be expecting me to update weekly. If I do get enough done, I will update, but I don't want you to be holding your breath. I hope I'll manage to get some done despite my homework, but school's a bitch. I am still devoted to this story though, and I do have every intention of completing it. I'm sorry it's become so inconsistent and I hope you won't give up on me! XOXO

"I don't understand."

Voices echoed in Peter's head. He could barely differentiate how many people were talking, or what they were saying—they sounded distant and muffled. When he tried to open his eyes though and felt how his head ached, he realized the difficulty in hearing could be a side effect to whatever had happened to him.

"I thought he was dead."

"He's supposed to be dead."

"This is bad."

It seemed like there were many voices and they sped through Peter's mind, not allowing him to make sense of any part of the conversation. At one moment something sounded familiar, but the next it was gone and he was confused again.

"We've got to tell them."

"They're not going to be happy."

"They're never happy."

"But we have to tell them."

"And what do we do with him?"

"That's their call."

"We can't just leave him here…he could escape."

"He can't escape."

"He could."

Peter knew that the voices were discussing him. He wanted to speak up for himself, tell them he wouldn't try to escape if they would just tell him what was going on, but his eyes were covered and his throat was so dry it hurt; he knew talking wouldn't be possible.

"Knock him out."

"Like that would work."

Peter didn't like the sound of them or what they were planning. He wanted to regain his strength so he could defend himself, but his head refused to settle and he knew he wouldn't have any chance of controlling his abilities.

"Well do something. What do you think would happen if he got away? Do you want that on your head?"

"No."

"Okay, then you should stay here and guard him."

"Like hell I'm staying here. You stay here!"

"I don't have an active power. How am I supposed to defend myself?"

"Not my problem…"

Peter wished he could at least see. There was something comforting about sight. Their arguing was interrupted by a new voice though—one Peter didn't need his sight to identify.

"What the hell is going on here?"

"Mr. Petrelli, Sir, we don't know…we conducted the raid on that warehouse and we found him…"

"Everyone else got away though, Sir."

"It's not him," Nathan stated firmly.

"But Sir, look at him…"

"I know what he looks like, but have you forgotten my brother is dead? I certainly haven't. This man is an imposter."

The blindfold was suddenly ripped from Peter's face and he found his brother's face an inch away. The elder Petrelli looked so different from how Peter knew him that he almost doubted his own eyes. There was a trace of something unmistakable in his eyes, however, which convinced Peter of the identity.

"Who are you?" Nathan asked.

"We used the stun gun on him, Sir. He may not be able to talk yet."

Nathan glared at the two men, whom Peter didn't recognize now that he could see them. "I want answers as soon as he's capable of giving them. And they'll want to know as well."

A loud alarm sounded all around. Peter's two captors looked terrified; Nathan looked livid.

"God dammit, I gave strict orders for her to be kept sedated." He pointed down the hall. "Stay posted here. She is not to enter this room at any cost. The last thing we need is for her to believe he's alive."

Before either of the lackeys had a chance to respond, they were zapped by the same type of stunning device that had been used on Peter. Nathan slipped into the corner, to stay out of sight and a moment later Claire sprinted into view. She was wearing loose white scrubs and her long hair was ratty, like it hadn't been groomed in a long while, but she still looked beautiful. Peter tried calling out to her, but his throat was too dry.

"Peter!" She spotted him instantly—her eyes filled with tears. "I knew they were lying. I knew you couldn't really be dead!"

He shook his head, instead of speaking, but she ignored him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Nathan slowly emerged from his corner, and Peter noticed a syringe gleaming in his hand. Peter swallowed anxiously, trying to moisten his throat enough to speak.

"Nathan…" he managed to force out.

"I know. He told me he killed you, but he was lying thank God!" She mumbled into his ear.

Peter shook his head and tried to push her away. "Look…" he coughed.

She pulled back suddenly sensing his fear, and looked around just in time to avoid Nathan's attack. She ducked and then swung her leg up and around, connecting with his stomach. He dropped the syringe, but attempted to hold her down. She maneuvered out of his grip and kicked him in the back.

"Peter do something!" She pleaded as Nathan swung his fist against her chin.

Peter watched in horror as Nathan continued to assault his own daughter. He punched her, and kicked her, but she fought back resiliently. Her lip was bleeding, but it took less than a second to heal completely and she carelessly wiped away the blood. Nathan reached for the syringe, but she kicked it out of the way.

"Peter!" She screamed again.

"You're making a mistake," Nathan spoke suddenly. "Claire, I never lied to you. I never would. I did kill Peter two years ago. This person is an imposter."

His words startled Claire just long enough for Nathan to get the upper hand. He kicked her hard in the back and she fell to the ground, giving him the opportunity to retrieve the syringe and jam it into her shoulder.

"Peter…" she gasped as the powerful sedative started to take effect.

"Claire, I'm sorry." Peter spoke up—his voice finally coming back to him. "I never meant to hurt you."

Her green eyes were focused on him curiously.

"I never meant to make you run!" He stared into her eyes sincerely, desperate to make her understand. "I just love you too much!"

Her eyes brightened for an instant and she struggled to speak as Nathan hoisted her into his arms, preparing to carry her back to her prison.

"Jaden…" she whimpered.

Peter shook his head. "No, Claire, it's me. It really is."

She smiled and nodded. Her eyes glimmered strangely. "Kill Jaden…"

Nathan's eyes widened and he smacked her hard across the face to silence her. He stared at Peter and seemed to suddenly understand.

"Dammit Pete, you time-traveling bastard." He shouted down the corridor. "Emergency. Code 33!"

Sensing his danger, Peter panicked. He looked briefly at Claire's hopeless condition, shut his eyes tightly, and focused desperately on home. When he opened them again, he was staring at his own apartment in New York, and he knew he had successfully returned.