Title: Dating Games
Author: SamSpade
Rated: T
Summary: Peter finds Olivia's online dating profile. Fun ensues!
Peter—
He wasn't sure what compelled him to do it. Perhaps boredom? Maybe it was curiosity. Walter had been nagging him to get a date. Actually Walter's exact words were more along the lines of "are you and Agent Dunham having sex?" Then he proceeded to explain the benefits of intercourse.
Walter was right, except it was for all the wrong reasons. Peter did need to get out more. He needed a life and though his current one involved looking after his father, he also needed more than just that. It wasn't easy though, when the one woman he wanted, hardly knew he existed. Agent Dunham. That wasn't true entirely. She knew he existed, just not in the potential relationship sort of way that he was hoping for. It wasn't as though they hadn't enjoyed each others company and shared drinks and a few laughs-nothing ever happened. Peter knew if he was the one to push and pursue it, Olivia would freeze. She'd get stone cold and clam up. He couldn't risk doing that.
So here he was, searching the singles of Boston online. It was the most pathetic attempt of dating he'd ever tried. In fact he actually considered shutting off the computer and going out to a bar, picking up some trashy blonde for a good lay just to get it out of his system.
Except he knew that the only blonde he would be thinking about was Olivia. He couldn't do that and if she found out—any chance of actually having any sort of relationship with her would be gone. It wasn't as though they shared anything more than friendship but he felt the spark. He'd seen her reaction when he'd called Rachel that one time. She was jealous and though the thought of him making her jealous again was tempting, he would never step over that line. He wouldn't sleep with Rachel and he certainly wasn't going to flaunt some other blonde in her face.
With a heavy sigh he nearly gave up when he saw it. Though the initial picture was small and the hair was red with bangs, the eyes jumped out across the screen. It looked remarkably like her. Except it couldn't have been the Olivia he knew. It had to be someone else.
His curiosity got the better of him and he clicked on her picture, relaying to him her profile. He was silently grateful his own profile didn't have a photograph. He hadn't wanted to post one. There were enough people after him.
"Damn," he muttered with a slight chuckle realizing it was her. The eyes were the same but the hair was different—redder and she had bangs. He smiled at the photograph. It had to be dated, maybe five years? He wasn't sure. It didn't say when she logged on or joined the dating site. He wondered if she still even looked at her profile.
He had to find out though and just plain asking her seemed-unlikely. No, he could do better than that. He read her profile, smiled and shook his head at her profession "federal employee." She never lied, not even in her online dating profile. It was rather endearing and he was grateful his own profile had been a bit more embellished which would certainly hide who he was from her. He clicked on the bottom of the screen, wanting to email her. He wasn't sure what to say without sounding like a complete idiot. Did it matter? She never had to know it was him.
Dear GreenEyedGirl,
Your profile looks pretty interesting. I have to admit I love the red hair though usually I prefer blondes. Maybe I'm being a little too forward and I should introduce myself. I'm Paul. I've been in the Boston area for a little over a year now. I'm looking for someone that enjoys a good drink, seeing the sights, and likes to go dancing. I hope to hear back from you and maybe we can meet up someplace public?
Paul
He knew she'd probably kill him if she realized Peter was in fact 'Paul' but there was no way he could sign his name. He considered using 'Pete' but he shook his head. Paul would have to do. He had to secretive and he knew Olivia wouldn't go for it otherwise. He sent the email through the dating service website and sat back knowing it could be days until she responded.
Peter nearly fell out of his office chair when he heard Walter stepping into the room. He quickly turned off the monitor, not wanting his father to have any idea what he'd been up to.
"Walter." Peter's voice held warning, wanting to know why he was now hovering over him.
Walter shuffled on his feet as if he were dancing, a smile on his face. "You and Agent Dunham should go out. It would be good for you. Good for her. A woman needs-"
"Walter that's enough!" Peter groaned standing up. "I don't want to hear what you're thinking or even considering saying next. Just don't." He headed out of the living room and upstairs needing to lie down. His heart was pounding right now and his head was quickly following suit.
Walter watched as Peter disappeared towards his bedroom and he reached his finger out to the monitor, turning it on. His eyes widened as he saw a red-haired Olivia on the page. "Agent Dunham." He breathed quickly turning the monitor off as he sauntered back towards his own bed.