Chapter One – Never Let Me Go

Her legs were wet, the dampness inching higher and higher with every step that she took. She ignored the slight shiver and kept her head down. She slid into the dark alleyway as planned, humming herself to keep away the nerves. This is what they got for the Fringe Division being quiet, they got roped into normal cases. Olivia had almost forgotten the adrenaline and on the very edge, the fear. The Fringe Division had been a part of her life for so long that she had almost believed that there was none of this old fashioned crime fighting anymore. Yet, somehow here she was about to finish off a case that she and Peter had been working on for the last month. There was a drug ring working its way around the city. Normally, it wouldn't be on the top of the FBI's priority list but that changed the day that people started dying from the drugs, which turned out to be cut with bleach and rat poison. She slid behind the dumpster and waited. It was all a matter of timing. They had to intercede at the moment of the transaction otherwise it could be for nought. If their guy showed up at all. The cold weather had taken out half the agents with the flu, which was another reason that she was here, working with a unit that seemed so separate from her own. There were other agents there as well but you would only notice them if you knew what to look for. Olivia kept her head low and waited, her gun in her hand, her eyes on the mouth of the alleyway.

The only thing that Olivia wanted was a long hot shower. She needed to defrost the cold that had inched its way all over her body. She frowned when she hit the hallway, frowning at the box at the front of her apartment. She wasn't expecting any packages. She slowly moved closer, examining it without touching the tall, wide box. She finally bit the bullet and touched the box, feeling the solid weight in her hands as she slowly turned it over, checking the bottom. Nothing. She was still trying to figure out who would send her such a large package when her apartment door swung open. Peter leaned against the door frame, a smile on his face.

"Thought I could hear you frowning."

Olivia lifted the box slightly towards Peter.

"You didn't hear it get dropped off?"

Peter shook his head.

"Any return address?"

"Nope."

Peter took it from her hands and shook it slightly, shrugged before stepping back from the door way.

"Get in the shower before you catch that damn flu that's going around."

Olivia slid in and shrugged off her coat.

"Easy for you to say all toasty and dry in my apartment."

"Not my fault. I'm following orders."

"When the hell did you start doing that?"

When the Fringe Division had hit it's quiet patch, Broyles had moved her onto another case, making sure that Peter stayed out the of warfare. Olivia knew why he had done it but she had to admit, she had missed having Peter beside her. Peter chuckled as he leaned forward and kissed her gently.

"Welcome home. Got have a shower, then we'll open your mystery package."

Olivia leaned in for another kiss before heading into the bedroom. She stripped off her wet clothes, wrapping herself in towel before dumping them into the washing machine and flicking it on. When she got into the bathroom, she turned it on as hot as it would go and stepped under the hard spray. She didn't step out until every inch of her body hummed with warmth. Dressed and feeling much warmer, she headed back into the living room and took a seat next to Peter on the sofa.

"So what do you think it is?"

Peter smile slightly.

"No idea."

Olivia stood and fished around for her letter opener before taking her seat again.

"So how did the sting go?"

Olivia shrugged as she sliced open the cardboard.

"Same as always I am assuming. We got the guy and everyone went home safe."

"That's the dream, isn't it?"

"Apparently so."

Olivia resisted the urge to simply upend the box and tip out the contents. Instead she shifted aside the packing nuts, her hand brushing against something round and rough.

"What the hell?"

She kept digging, Peter watching closely beside her. When she finally pulled out the contents, she started to laugh. She leaned against Peter as the laughter shook her entire body, making her sides ache. When she finally caught her breath, she wiped the tears from her eyes and finally got a good look at the special delivery. Stuffed and mounted on a solid block of wood was a penguin. Huge and regal looking, it's glass eyes looked directly at her.

"Simon, you cheeky bastard."

Simon Wallace, a young marine biologist, had worked with them on a case a little over six months ago. He had almost died more than once and despite a handsome offer from Nina Sharp to remain in the country and work for Massive Dynamic, he opted for a research mission in Antarctica. The last time Simon and Olivia had spoken, he had promised her a penguin and until right that second, she had forgotten that oath.

"Simon Wallace returns."

Olivia heard the edge in Peter's voice but ignored it. Simon had developed a bit of a crush on Olivia and Peter had become somewhat jealous. There was nothing there, Olivia had a great deal of affection for Simon but it didn't move beyond friendship and admiration. He was a good worker and his intelligence made him a great partner for Walter when they were trying to figure out what precisely had killed a young girl in a small lake not far from the city. Olivia emptied out the last of the packing nuts from the box and found a stiff, white envelope tucked at the bottom of the package. She sliced it open and unfolded the letter.

Olivia,

Hello stranger. Hopefully this guy will get to you safe and sound. I told you I would get you a penguin!

I'll be back in the city soon, so I'll give you a call when I leave the Great White and head back to the normal world.

Simon.

Peter was examining her penguin, tipping it up before carefully examining the edges of the animal.

"Whoever did this, did a great job. Almost likes this fella is ready to jump into the ocean."

"I cannot believe he managed to keep his promise."

"Seems like the kind of guy who hates to breaks them. Did he say when he would be back?"

Olivia shrugged.

"I would assume that it will be soon. The trip was only meant to be for six months."

"Ok."

Olivia tore her eyes from the penguin and examined Peter.

"You still don't trust him, do you? Even after everything that he did."

Peter sighed.

"It's not what you think."

"Yes it is. You are still jealous."

"Nope."

"Liar."

"We never really knew him, did we?"

"We knew enough. He almost gave his life to solve our case. In fact, if I remember it correctly, he broke the case. And saved my life."

"Walter helped with that one."

Olivia smiled.

"How many times do I have to tell you? You have nothing to worry about. Simon is my friend."

"He always wanted something more."

"Maybe. But I didn't and still don't. Isn't that the only thing that matters?"

Peter huffed and Olivia shook her head. It was always so strange to see Peter like this. She knew it wasn't a matter of trusting her, it was a matter of trust for Simon. Peter respected him, but made no secret of the fact that he didn't trust him.

"So, when Simon comes back-"

"I'll behave."

Olivia smiled.

"He likes you too, you know. And Walter. I thought we would never be able to drag those two apart."

"Great minds think alike."

"More like crazy ones. Worked with Fringe, remember? There has to be something wrong with you to work with this division."

Peter leaned back from her slightly.

"Oh really? What's wrong with me?"

Olivia sighed.

"We don't have all night."

Peter poked her gently in the ribs.

"Come on Dunham, what's wrong with me?"

"You're just plain nuts. In fact you are so crazy, I don't think they have come up with a word that defines it yet."

"The woman I love, ladies and gentlemen. It's like a giant hug."

Olivia smiled.

"Yeah, but you still love me so that's ok."

Peter sighed, his eyes sliding back to the penguin.

"This apartment is going to be awfully crowded with three living here."

Olivia shrugged.

"He won't eat much. And you have to admit, he is rather impressive."

"I wonder how he died."

"Something to ask when you see Simon next."

"I hope that it was natural causes. There is something deeply sad about pulling him from home for no reason."

Olivia smiled.

"Softie."

Peter pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Yup, that's me."

Olivia sighed and sunk deeper into his embrace.

"I'm glad that he's safe at the very least. I thought that they would find him years from now encased in ice."

Peter chuckled.

"Now there's an image."