MICROSCOPIC MAGNETS

Introduction

This happens right after Stowaway. William Bell's search for a new body host.

Disclaimer

As much as I want to, I am not affiliated with the TV show Fringe. I am just one of the fans who have wild ideas and would want to put it into a fanfic. I do not claim to be an expert in writing nor what I write to be accurate, so please do not crucify me on that basis. Constructive criticism, however, is welcome. Thank you for reading.

Please take note that there could be some spoilers in this fanfic. You have been warned.

CHAPTER ONE

The pendulum reflects back a bright golden color as it slowly sways from side to side. It's been a long time since William Bell sets foot to its office. He stares at his old grandfather clock. So old, yet it is his second favorite furniture in his office, next to his golden bell, hanging to look like a table lamp. The clock registers nearly three in the morning. William Bell is unimpressed.

"God damn Nina Sharp!"

The single most important reason why Bell loves this piece of furniture is because it gives extremely accurate time. The clock works on the laws of gravity. In the center of the clock hangs a large pendulum. A system of weights are attached to the clock and the pendulum moves them as it swings. Gravity causes the pendulum to continuously swing back and forth, moving the weights at the proper times to keep the hands on the clock accurate.

The office was abandoned for a long time. It appears that nobody attempted to get into Bell's office. And because of that, the grandfather clock was not taken care of and recalibrated weekly.

The time is not right.

William Bell takes a deep breath and exhales hard. Time is very precious. He had live long, stayed in two universes and experience so many things. And yet, he is still here, pass beyond death and he still needed to protect the world he came from. To understand more about science... about Mother Nature.

"Mother Nature... Science... they are bitches."

William Bell brushes off the dust of the mirror in front of him. The reflection reveals a blonde lady... her left eyebrow moves up. Bell touches the cheek of Olivia.

"Damn, Olivia. You are indeed very special... the strongest of all the children."

Bell grabs his warm cup of tea and takes a sip.

"Mmm... Earl Grey." Bell recognizes the taste. Some things never change. William Bell stayed too long in the alternate universe that he was accustomed to drinking tea as a norm. The other side suffered an environmental condition, which they referred to as "The Blight". Coffee is scarce. So tea became the choice of hot drink.

It's been almost 24 hours since Bell occupies Olivia's body. Yes, he could stay as long as he wants, but certainly that's not going to happen... that should not happen. Not for Peter's sake. But because Walter and Bell transformed a young girl into a perfect soldier. The only person who can save this world, she has the ability to alter the reality... to bring on a better and safer future, for this world and on the other side. If Bell has to live on her body, he won't be able to access this ability. Cortexiphan relies on activation from her own personal experience... experiences that Bell does not have.

Bell takes another sip.

Peter should have been Bell's body. He easily accepted my offer. The cup of tea contains a few sprinkle of those microscopic soul magnets... just enough to draw me out of Olivia's body and occupy on his.

Bell stands up and walks toward the glass window. The cityscape is beautiful. Things do not happen for no reason. Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal reaction. If not because Bishop stole Peter from the other side, the two worlds might not be colliding now. If not because of the Jacksonville Cortexiphan trials, Olivia Dunham must have been just an ordinary FBI agent. It is for no reason why the machine is made and built. And it's not also for no reason why only Peter Bishop can operate the machine. It must have been fate. It is fate that brought Bell, Walter, Peter and Olivia together. Four different people... and their paths crossed. It is Peter's fate to go to that machine... to operate it. It is not a question of whether he wants to do it or not. Fate... will ultimately bring him to that path.

And it must have been fate that disallow Bell to inhabit the body of Peter. William Bell is sure that he use enough microscopic soul magnets... or did he?

William continues to look out to the bright-lit city. Why did Peter's body reject Bell's consciousness?

Occupied on his thoughts, William fails to notice the creaking sounds. The knob of his office door turns clockwise and swings slightly open. Just enough for a human to enter.

Maybe William is asking the wrong question... the more important question is who should take on Bell's consciousness.

The door appears to close by itself... but too perfect to be caused by air.

Something suddenly pops into Bell's head... or perhaps, Olivia's head. The only one that sounds right is Walter. Bell can be Walter. Walter had been the single person who can match William Bell. With Bell occupying Walter's body would just mean that he can be the world's powerful man. Bell can access Walter's intellect, despite of Bishop's dormant consciousness.

William Bell makes his wicked smile. Ready to go back to his desk, William turns around and unexpectedly finds his Soul Magnet dossier floating on air.

Then suddenly it falls down.

William Bell feels a slam on his head. He drops down onto the carpeted floor.