Summary: This is based off of the moment in What Lies Bellow where Olivia tries to get to Peter after passing through the CDC screening and he reaches for her. I honestly feel that had she been able she would have gone back for him. And so we play what if: what if Olivia, not Peter, slipped in the blood of patient zero?

What Drifts Above

Chapter 1

Peter and Olivia has been miraculously declared clear of the virus. Once again he didn't know what higher being to thank for what seemed better than luck after Olivia had been exposed. His earlier discovery of her next to the Dutch man's gruesome body having slid in his blood left him breathless in horror besides speaking her name.

Her almost helpless expression at seeing the red stains on her hands had cut him to the quick as did her immediate shift to her default professional-mode. Her simple "Don't come near me" then her assuring him in the break room that "everything will be fine" shredded his heart just a bit more. He barely noticed the plain frustration and concern leaking out from his eyes as she met his gaze in the bathroom mirror; her own determination shining through was enough stubbornness for the both of them. Wordlessly he pulled off his sweater and offered it to her in replacement of her soiled blouse then turned away while she changed; forcing himself to breathe through walls that seemed to close in.

Then she'd caused his heart to stop not two minutes later as she'd rolled up the long sweater sleeves and gone and checked the body as recklessly as he would have - exposing herself again.

But she was fine. He was fine. Walter and Astrid were well protected and both he and Olivia would work the case from the outside. As they led the rest of the uninfected group to the main lobby he kept right behind her; as if he could guard against ancient microscopic terrors if he just kept her bright hair in view.

As their turn came to be identified and pass through the CDC barrier he allowed some of the tension that had gripped him since the danger had been unveiled to ebb. It was over; he knew his relief was selfish. There was no such promise for those left in the building.

She stepped up for her turn and he heard the guard pronounce that she was bleeding. From the nose.

He started in surprise as one word reverberated through him: No.

Arms blocked her way and in an instant she changed. Back tense, fingers and arms curled she tried to wrestle past the guards. "FBI! Let me outside Right Now!"

Olivia struggled hard enough to hurt herself and he could sense the virus building in her, desperate for release. Terror erupted through him and his heart made the choice, accepting the danger. Peter closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her from behind to pull her away.

"Sir!"

Olivia struggled in his arms just as she had the guards but he held her fast "Let go of me! Peter! Stop this right now! I cleared the test!"

OoOoO

Olivia had to get out. Couldn't they see?! She had to get out there and then everything would be fine. The building was contaminated - not her! She had Cortexiphan in her system so she wouldn't catch anything like this, right? Peter's arms were constrictive, making her want to crawl out of her skin. It reminded her of the times her step-father would pretend to care, to try to touch her, until it was too intense, too much; until it hurt. But Peter was kind; or he had been. Why was he doing this? Why was he betraying her?

She tried to fight but he gave her no quarter; she couldn't plant an elbow and when she tried to stomp his instep he just lifted her weight against his frame, denying her leverage. As she panted for a moment she felt him gather her wrists in one hand.

PpPpP

Turning her in his arms Peter looked her straight in the eyes to see the madness he had missed. Wide and unfocused orbs of sickly green rimmed in red glared back at him, shoving the pain deeper; crimson peaking from her nose and several droplets now on her collarbone that had been exposed by his large sweater on her small frame. But already the pressure in her veins was subsiding as he pulled her deeper into the building. "I have to get outside! I just need to get outside!"

Pinning her arms between them both he held her close. Peter ignored her words and relieved her of her side arm, tossing it carefully to the posted soldiers before they firmly shut the doors.

"Mr. Bishop you will need to resubmit for testing before gaining clearance again." The guards stated firmly.

"I'm not leaving her." Shaking his head he informed the CDC staff. "Please have someone contact Major Broyles, Agent Farnsworth and Dr. Walter Bishop and inform them of this development."

Peter turned his gaze to the small form trying to struggle in his arms like a feral animal and searched for a glimmer of her - his Olivia - in this altered version. Pale green eyes searched his own with tears dropping down her face in an open plea, all the while vacillating between begging him to help her and threatening him.

His Olivia would never resort to tears or act this way nor would she lie about the test. He could only pray that she was somewhere in there still and that Walter and Astrid would find the cure fast enough. Hoping somewhere inside she could hear him he made a promise "'Livia, you aren't acting like yourself. I'm going to stay with you and keep you safe."

All the same he dragged her away from the entrance and up the main stairs; best to avoid temptation.

Reviewers receive the deepest respect. Also this is un-betaed so pointing out any mistakes would be greatly appreciated!