It being Sunday, I was channel surfing when I came across an episode of Prime Suspect. When I saw Jane Tennison poured herself a glass of liquor, a question came to my mind... Does anyone else wonder what an older Olivia might be like?

The Promise

SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE:

"Agent Dunham!" Someone was yelling loudly. "Agent, can you hear me?" A bit dazed, Olivia stared up at the watchful eyes of one of the uniform officers under her command.

Olivia winced when she sat up. Something hurt. "What happened?"

"A car bomb exploded."

"Any casualties?"

"Just the bad guys, ma'am."

Olivia could see the fire that was burning behind her. Already firefighters on scene were trying to put out the flames.

"Well. Send in the CSU. There isn't much we can do around here tonight." Olivia stood up with little difficulty.

She had had enough of chasing down anti-patriots and suicide bombers for one night. All she wanted to do right now was go home and soak in a warm tub. She liked her job at the NYPD, but she felt a need for change. Ten years was a long time to be on the force. But what choice did she have.

In their last conversations together, The Secretary convinced her that traveling between universes would result in more damages to this side. After a month in confinement, he promised to let her out on one condition. She would have to stay. Olivia was only too eager to comply. He even offered her a job in law enforcement. Maybe tomorrow she can put in for a transfer.

Olivia parked her car in the driveway. She was home. Home. She had to laugh at the term. It was odd living with her alternate mother. This too was the Secretary's idea. He thought she should get to know the people on this side more, beginning with her family. Mother Dunham was only too happy to agree. She even insisted that Olivia call her mom. She must admit, she was curious about her mother.

The lights in the house were still on, which could only mean that mother was still waiting up for her. She let herself in as quietly as she could without attracting immediate attention. She put a glass on the kitchen table and poured from a bottle of whiskey. It didn't dull the pain much. She was about to pour another glass but only succeeded in knocking the empty glass onto the floor. Uh oh. She would definitely have heard that. Olivia picked the glass up and gasped. The pain in her side grew worse. She quickly bought a hand to her mouth to keep from getting sick.

"Olivia? What's wrong?"

There was no point in lying to her. Mothers always have a way of finding out the truth. Beside the expression on her face already betrayed the fact that she was injured.

"You are hurt, aren't you?"

"Yeah, Mom. I'm hurt."

Her mother grabbed Olivia by the crook of her elbow and led her to the sofa for a closer examination. She unbuttoned her blouse to reveal a nasty looking bruise on her right side.

"Oh good. Nothing's broken at least."

She went off and brought back an ice pack.

"Ahhh haaa!

"Hold it on your ribs until the pain is gone." She obeys.

"There's more." Olivia raised her left arm.

Mrs. Dunham helped Olivia out of her coat. Then she peeled off the rest of her blouse from the bloodied arm. It was badly scraped.

She went off again and came back with a first aid kit. Olivia was surprised at how very adept her mother was at bandages. It must have come from years of taking care of her own Olivia. God keep this woman. She is a saint. She wrapped up Olivia's arm with so much gentleness that there was very little pain at all.

Mother Dunham noticed that Olivia hadn't budged from her seat much.

"Take it easy on that bruised rib. You'll want to sleep downstairs tonight."

She warmed up some milk and grabbed a throw from the chest in the living room. Olivia drank the milk and laid down on the sofa. Mrs. Dunham couldn't resist stroking the delicate features of Olivia's face. This made Olivia smile.

"You are not getting younger, ya know. You shouldn't have to put your life at risk." Olivia pondered her mother's words.

"I've been thinking about taking a sabbatical."

"Well. Don't go making any plans just yet."

"Oh. Why's that?"

"The Secretary called today. He wants to meet you tomorrow."

Olivia hadn't heard from the Secretary in over ten years. What could he possibly want with her now?

"The Secretary?"

"Whatever it is, don't worry your little head about it. OK?" She gave Olivia a kiss on the cheek.

"OK Mom." She wasn't going to.

"Good night love."

"Good night Mom."

Ten long years living in the alternate universe, without Peter. What has become of Olivia?
I've shown a bit of her domestic life. In the next chapter, I'll be exploring her work life.