Following on from 4X18 the Consultant

Peter's face had drained of colour, he opened his mouth to ask a million questions, but the only word he could manage was "How?"

Olivia leant forward in deep concentration; she too was trying to make sense of what Walter was suggesting.

"Walter. Why would David Robert Jones want to collapse both universes? It makes no sense."

"I know dear, I haven't been able to work out his motive either." Walter turned the device over in his hand.

"But if he's attempted it once," Peter whispered, his voice low and hollow, "then he'll try again, won't he?" Neither Olivia nor Walter wanted to think about this, but it wasn't Peter's fault. He was just stating the obvious. Of course Jones would make a second attempt.

"You'd have thought," Walter said, hesitating a little, "This device, it has to be plugged in when the machine is active…but the only way to activate it would be-"

"-to use Olivia" Walter was cut off by Peter's empty words.

"Peter." Olivia could see that he was upset, but before she could stop him Peter had stormed straight out of the lab and down the hallway.

"Olivia, listen to me. You can't worry about Peter," but her gaze was still fixed on the swinging doors, "Olivia, if David Robert Jones didn't know that he needed you, he will now. You're not safe."

Olivia stared at her feet, her lips tightened and she swallowed hard, steadying her voice. "If he wants me…he can come and get me. I'm not scared Walter." She looked up at Walter, despite her brave words; Walter recognised the fear swimming through her eyes.

"Go home Olivia." Walter smiled at her weakly, he felt sympathy for the girl who had helped him through so much, who had made his son happy, which made him happy. Olivia didn't refuse, she turned on her heal and headed down the corridor. Outside, the rain hammered down from the dirty grey skies. Olivia sped down the steps and out into the rain, she had just reached her car when head started to spin. By the time she had reached her building, Olivia could hardly stand. She had a searing pain in the back of her head and her chest felt tight. Staggering up the stairs, she just about managed to get into her apartment before collapsing in a heap on the sofa. Her clothes were soaking wet and her whole body was shaking. Olivia closed her eyes and shook her head rid of all unpleasant thoughts. In her medicine cabinet, Olivia found a small box of aspirin. She took one and left the remaining contents of the box near the sink. The bathroom window had been left wide open and a chilling wind was blowing in through it. She walked steadily over to the window, inhailing a deep breath of fresh air, before her heart stopped and her right hand was clenched around her gun. Her eyes darted through the streets. She'd seen him; he was there, seconds ago; the unmistakable scarred face and snake-like eyes, watching her. Before she could help herself, Olivia was back in the rain, barefoot, her gun raised, and finger dancing around the trigger. She could feel the rough terrain of the side-walk cutting into her feet; shards of broken class piercing her skin but her mind was focused on the man that was out to get her. Olivia searched the entire street, her gun ready to fire, but Jones had gone.

Peter had come over to apologise. To say he was sorry for acting to selfish back at the lab. His car pulled up just ahead of where Olivia was stood, he got out his car, catching sight of her out of the corner of his eye. Peter sprinted towards her, knocking the gun from her grasp; his body pressing into hers as he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Olivia. I'm so sorry." His breath was hot and sweet against her soaked skin. Olivia let her muscles relax against Peter, with him, she felt safe. He led her back inside, carrying her up the stairs that her fragile feet couldn't take. Once Peter washed the blood and dirt from her feet, he changed Olivia out of her damp clothes, into one of his own oversized t-shirts that she liked to wear in bed. She got to her feet, sore but stable. Peter wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closer.

"I can't lose you again." His words were strict, almost like am demand.

"You won't," She pressed her lips to his, "I promise."

Olivia staggered back, her eyes hazy, vision blurred.

"Olivia?" Peter asked a slight tone of anxiety to his voice.

"I'm fine Peter. It's just a migraine," Peter lay her down on the sofa his face still concerned; "there's aspirin in the bathroom."

Peter looked round the bathroom, finding the small box of blue pills on the window ledge. His heart dropped and when he spoke his voice cracked.

"Olivia, how many of these did you take?"

"Just one." Her voice was faint and shaky. When Peter emerged from the bathroom his face was very pale.

"Olivia, this isn't aspirin…I-I don't know what it is…" Peter rushed over to the sofa, the back of his hand resting on her forehead, "We need to get you to a hospital; right now." He had only just wrapped his jacket round her shoulders when she stumbled to the ground, her breathing fast and heavy.