A/N: I wrote half of this a while ago and finished it today. Still don't know how I feel about it, but I'm posting it before I talk myself out of it. Reviews are lovely. :)
Her heart is heavy as she stares at Walter's pleading face.
Disbelief. He wants her to keep this secret. How? How was she supposed to keep this from him? How is she supposed to make casual conversation with someone who's glowing?
"Olivia, please, don't. I can explain."
She couldn't find the words – any words – before Peter was back.
"Hey, you ready?"
No, of course not. Not ready for drinks, not ready for this multiversal war, not ready to keep this secret from Peter.
But not ready to tell him, either.
On second thought, alcohol sounded pretty good.
She'd lost all control. No composure. No way to pretend that everything is fine.
Peter was instantly on edge. "What's wrong?" His eyes searched hers, but found no answers. "Olivia?" She almost heard the click as his brain connected her fear to Walter. With one smooth move, he pulled Olivia to the side, placing himself between her and Walter. Protecting. Distancing her from the source of the problem, in an attempt to console her.
"What did you do, Walter?"
Walter looked small and frail as he backed slowly away, with no answers to give. Olivia knew that the absence of an answer – even an untrue answer – would upset Peter the most.
She took a moment to ponder how suddenly the evening had changed before placing a restraining hand on Peter's arm. "Don't, Peter." He stared at her, bewildered. "It's fine. I'm fine."
"Tell me."
She had no answer, so he turned back to Walter. "Please, Peter!" She didn't know why she was doing this. Maybe Walter deserved some punishment. At the very least to have his son yell at him. "In time. He'll get what he deserves in time." She was being cryptic now, and he hated it.
"Olivia Dunham. What is going on?"
She took a deep breath. Walter stared at her intently, on edge.
"I can't tell you."
He stared at her a few seconds longer, before sighing and turning away. He leaned against the banister of the stairs.
"I'm sorry," She whispered.
"Are we going?"
She bit her lip. "I… I don't think… now is a good time."
He opened his mouth, and then closed it, biting back a sarcastic remark. "You're probably right."
Walter hobbled off, getting out while the conversation was no longer centered on him.
"I'm sorry" she repeated.
He moved closer to her. "Just tell me, Olivia. I can help."
"It's not… me. It's not a problem with me. Walter doesn't want me to tell you. I can't."
"I am Walter's legal guardian."
She chuckled. "I know. But… this is his business. You'll have to get him to tell you."
"Are you okay? Honestly. Are you?"
She thought about it for a moment. "No, not really. But I think maybe I will be, eventually."
He frowns. "What isn't he telling me?"
She's barely noticed, but as her fear dwindled, the glow also diminished. She stared at her shoes. "I should go."
He nodded. "Okay. I'll…. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
She smiled. "Another normal day in our normal lives."
He laughed. "Yeah, right."
She threw one last glance at him before closing the door behind her.