First of all I'd like to thank all of you guys for the reviews on my previous story! It really meant a lot to me and I'm glad you liked it!

As many of you asked me to do a sequel to "The 4th of July", I decided it would be best to let it as a one-shot and started a new multi-chapter, following the events.

The chapter two is almost half written but as I go back to work tomorrow, time will be shorter to finish it. Plus, it's quite a difficult part for me so I'm taking my time.

This first one is a short one, but it was the perfect cut.

Enjoy!

Olivia was walking down the hallways of the courthouse, files in hands and her purse hanging on her shoulder. Her heels were clattering against the wooden floor with each step taken as she was heading to the ADA office. She knew the way by heart, a feeling of déjà vu each time she was taking the path. She couldn't help but take a second or two before entering the room, she was still struggling to get used to the new name writing on the door. It was still painfully reminding her that her best friend was gone for good.

She was surprised to find the door ajar. She glanced across the gap and noticed a silhouette lying in the couch. She hesitated for a moment, thinking of coming back later. She remembered the time she had entered his office to find him almost half naked. She had felt slightly embarrassed to intrude his intimacy, although he hadn't seemed to be bothered. She had to admit he was a handsome man, in well shape.

She finally entered quietly. She stopped in the middle of the room, halfway to the desk. She turned slightly on her heels and looked at him. Peter was asleep, a few sheets of paper scattered carelessly on his chest. An unknown person could have thought he was sleeping peacefully, but she was starting to know him and she noticed the hard lines on his face that was telling her the exact opposite. She hadn't really seen how exhausted he had been lately. It's true that since the evening of the 4th of July, cases hadn't stopped scrolling, leaving them barely any free time. She didn't think he'd be the type to fall asleep at the office, she didn't see him that way but there were still so many parts she didn't know about him. She observed him one more time and decided it would be better to let him get some rest. She approached the desk, went around and dropped the files she had brought with her.

There were already several files piled on the corner of his desk. Like her, he was getting caught up in the paperwork, cases chaining one after the other, where each victim was waiting for justice to be done. As she put her files next to the old ones, her eyes fell on the frames standing on the edge of the desk. The first one was a baseball player holding a bat, the picture had been taken from behind, the second one was with two young children. She presumed it was Peter with his sister. A memory from their childhood he was keeping next to him.

Her thoughts were suddenly broke away as she heard some mumblings. At first she thought he had woken up and said something to her, but she turned around to face him and found him still asleep. He was frowning and his whole body was tensed. He seemed to be experiencing some agitated dream.

He kept saying the same inaudible word over and over again. It's only when she was at a few feet away from him that she finally understood it.

"Mh..Pam.."

Her heart clenched at the name.

"Pam…"

She walked closer and leaned over him, putting her hand carefully on his biceps.

"Peter.." She softly tried to wake him up, but he didn't react.

"Pam… NO!"

"Peter, wake up!"

He jumped, sinking a little deeper into the armrest of the couch. He was a little panicked as his wide eyes fell on Olivia's face. He recognized her immediately, and quickly took a hold of himself as he didn't want to show her any sight of weakness.

Olivia sat on the edge of the coffee table that was right behind her as she slid her hand up to his shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

Her voice was soft and caring, he could see her worries in the corner of her eyes. His heart was still pounding fast as the scenes were still circling in his head. Peter straightened himself in a sitting position and put the few pieces of paper aside, making Olivia withdrawing her hand. She hadn't noticed how close they were until one of his leg bumped into hers. She tried to ignore the odd feeling as she saw him leaned on his knees, holding his head between his hands.

"How long have you been here?"

He dropped his hands, looking away. He couldn't bear the thought of being so opened in front of someone, and he was feeling ashamed to show his emotions to Olivia.

"I was just passing by to drop you the missing files for the hearing tomorrow."

He nodded once, still avoiding any eye contact with her. Olivia noticed he was playing nervously with his hands, probably unconsciously.

"You want to talk about it?"

"I'm fine. You should go home, Noah's probably hopping up and down to see his mommy."

He briefly smiled, and got up to his feet. He walked towards his desk, cutting all closeness and intimacy with Olivia.

"I'm gonna check the files you brought and get ready for the hearing. Thank you for coming."

She stood up at her turn, observing him as he sat on his chair. She looked at him suspiciously, she tried to analyze his face but she saw nothing. He was very good at hiding his emotions. Olivia decided to leave him some space. She knew that if he really needed to speak, he would come from himself. She was the same, she knew the feeling of having to confront everyone's face of pity when you were showing your weaknesses. She understood him better than anyone. She left the office, offering him another warm smile. As soon as she closed the door, Peter took a deep breath, fighting the tears threatening to sink.

"Another one!"

The bartender looked at him for a moment.

"I think you've had enough for the night, sir."

"Hey, I'm a very very good lawyer! I know what I'm doing. I said another one!"

His voice was dizzy, he was struggling to articulate properly. He was barely sitting straight, holding his empty glass to the bartender impatiently.

"I won't do it."

The man hold his gaze long enough to be sure he understood, he was determined not to serve him what he asked for. Peter's fingers huddled fiercely around the glass, he could feel the anger rising in his chest but managed to control himself somehow. The man was used to see a lot of people trying to swallow their pain into the taste of alcohol. Most of them were drunkard, but he could see that Peter wasn't the type.

He quickly put the glass down but didn't handle his strength and with the pressure exerted by his fingers, the glass broke in pieces with the choc on the counter.

He slightly winced as the blood was flowing from his hand. The bartender quickly handed him a towel. The pain was bearable, he wasn't really realizing what was happening, probably because of the alcohol.

"That's it, man. Call a taxi, or a friend and go home."

Peter looked down at his hand. A friend. He got lost in his thoughts, thinking of calling the only person who could help him right now.

To be continued…