Chapter Two:

Astrid studied Walter as he played with methane compounds and fire.

'How's it going Walter?'

'Hello...' Walter said blankly at the young girl, whose name he had once again forgotten, 'do forgive me, I think...I've forgotten your...'

'Astrid. Walter, it's Astrid.' She replied with a smile.

'Right, right, Astrid, did you know that CH4, or what you commonly know as Methane is classed as a Phase 12 risk?'

'Uh...'

'Also...it is odourless...so...' he began whispering as he leaned over the heat proof container that had a pipe going through it, enabling it to release Methane into the box, whilst he lit a lighter and dangled it above the container, 'its a lethal asphyxiant if used correctly...also, highly explosive-you see, the concept of spontaneous combustion is interesting because rarely are things in the world of science spontaneous-in actual fact-it is the methane- itself when combined with a trigger, that causes things to combust.'

He dropped the ignited lighter into the container and quickly shut the lid, a large explosion made the container jump along with Astrid and Walter, who was now laughing heartedly.

'However, in the case of the perpetrator-'

'Victim.' she corrected.

'Yes, yes, in their case...' he mumbled, 'Methane is not the cause.'

'How do you know?'

'For spontaneous combustion to occur-by manipulation that is-which alot of these cases are seeming to be based on-you would need the correct internal environment-along with the flammable fluids that would encourage and almost feed the fire-allowing it to explode...Not all fluids inside us are flammable you see...Astrid.'

Astrid blinked at the man.

'Astrid?' He queried, Astrid looked up at him.

'Yes?'

'Do you see?' he nodded, as if a teacher speaking to a pupil, Astrid nodded.

'I see.' She said politely, doing her best not to take his patronising behaviour to heart.

'Where's Peter?' the man enquired, suddenly aware that his son wasn't present.

'He uh...'

'He left because I lost my temper earlier-I-I- told him, I asked him to be silent Astrid I did...' Walter stammered almost apologetically.

'It's okay Walter, he'll understand, he'll be back soon.' She said comfortingly.

Walter nodded, 'I miss the symphonies he plays on the piano, it's-it's something his mother taught him.' Walter said with a smile, his smile slowly faded as he added, 'before she left us.' For a moment that felt like a lifetime, Walter Bishop stood completely still, lost to the rational world amidst a single emotion.

'Walter? Are you okay?' The elderly man seemed to have tears glistening in his eyes, this was the first time Astrid had seen him look so wounded. Her heart went out to him, 'Walter, let me get you some root beer.'

Walter didn't move from the spot, instead he simply nodded dismissively.

Olivia glanced in her rear view mirror, she could see Peter's jeep a few metres behind hers, she turned her eyes back to the road, they were heading to the lab. Olivia wondered if Massive Dynamics was behind the experiment. She had so many unanswered questions in relation to her own life that when working on a case the sense of closure she felt when solving one, lightened the burden she constantly carried on her shoulders.

The sound of John's voice met her ear, 'Liv...' Olivia glanced to her right to see him there-cold but alive-her heart pounded in her chest as the world began to spin, 'Liv...I'm sorry.' Olivia stared at what wasn't really there in shock, her instincts made her look ahead, only to see John Scott standing in the middle of the road as she sped towards him, Olivia suddenly swerved to the right, avoiding the man that wasn't there, her car collided with a passing lorry.

Peter swerved to a halt, panic gripped him as he ran to the overturned car, 'Olivia!' he yelled as he yanked the car door open, Olivia's eyes landed on his for an instant, he could see she was lost and confused, 'I've got you, I've gotcha...' he whispered as he pulled her out of the wreckage, 'You're gonna be okay...' fear had taken over his senses, 'stay with me...hey, open your eyes...okay?' The urgency in his voice wasn't enough to stop her from drifting in and out of consciousness as she lay in his arms.

Olivia's eyes felt heavy, she could see the man who was holding her, but couldn't identify him, she knew who she wanted it to be as she whispered his name, 'John...'

Peter stared down at her, did she just call him John? Her eyes fluttered shut.

Gathering his strength, Peter lifted her into his arms and carried her towards the approaching ambulance. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, he knew she'd be okay, she had no major injuries, she was merely concussed. The adrenaline that flowed through him in response to almost losing her was irrational and misplaced he told himself. He was just in shock, that was all. Him and Olivia were barely friends, albeit reluctant colleagues, besides she had made it clear her heart was with John Scott. Peter wondered if John had had any idea of how lucky he was to have someone like Olivia, someone so sincerely committed to him. Peter had loved someone once, but soon discovered the difference between wanting to love someone and actually loving someone.

Peter knew one thing though, Olivia's attachment to the deceased John Scott wasn't good for her.

A paramedic ushered Peter to the gurney as Peter lay Olivia onto it carefully so not to hurt her.

'Are you family?'

'I'm with the FBI...' he said, the paramedic gave him a nod of approval and let him onto the ambulance.

Laboratory:

Astrid put the phone down and turned to Walter, 'Agent Dunhem had a car accident-Peter's at the hospital with her.'

'Peter hates hospitals.' Walter replied, seemingly unaffected by the news.

Astrid studied Walter, 'Any luck with the spontaneous combustion?'

'It's 'manipulated' combusted actually. As I said earlier-the individual's fluids consisted of flammable ones that are not naturally present within humans.'

'Right...' Astrid replied, 'So you're thinking someone did this to him...?'

'No. I know somebody did this to him. I have done this in the past to subjects.'

'People-'

'Subjects.'

That night at the hospital:

Olivia stirred at the sound of the hospital monitor as it beeped steadily, the throbbing in her head was the first thing she became aware of as she awoke in the hospital bed. The second thing was clock on the wall, she had been asleep all night, it was 4am...

As she turned her head, both the third thing she noticed and the thing that stood out most in the hospital room was Peter. He was right by her side on a chair, he was fast asleep, but he was there. She watched him for a moment as her memory jogged itself through what had happened earlier. John was in her car, then he was on the road, then she woke up here: in the shady hospital with three empty cups of coffee and a sleeping Peter.

Peter jolted awake, as though he was awaking from a nightmare. The instant his eyes landed on Olivia he changed his vulnerable expression to a concerned one.

'Hey.' She said with a smile.

'I'm driving us both to the lab next time.' He smiled, hiding his relief.

Olivia rolled her eyes, 'Car-pool's aren't really my thing.'

'Watching people who aren't well enough to drive risk their lives isn't my thing.' He replied shortly.

'I'm fine.'

'Don't lie to me.' He said with a wry smile.

'I don't want to talk about it.' She said as she cast her gaze to the ground.

'Do you still see him?'

His question needn't be clarified, Olivia knew exactly who Peter was referring to.

'Olivia?' he prompted.

This made her meet his gaze as excuses tried to leave her lips, 'Peter...'

'You still see him.' He answered for her.

'Look,' she argued, suddenly defensive of her emotional state, 'That's got nothing to do with-'

'I told you that procedure wasn't safe-I told you Walter was crazy-' He said firmly, interrupting her with a look of disdain.

'It was MY decision!'

'You almost DIED out there!'

'That's not your problem!' She yelled back at him. Peter nodded, her words had triggered something inside him, he had had enough.

Climbing to his feet, he grabbed his jacket.

'Peter...' Olivia said softly, immediately regretting arguing with the man who had saved her.

'No-No, you're right. This isn't my problem.' He said as he threw a glance at the hospital room, turning to face her now, he added, 'YOU are not my problem, you wanna die? go ahead.' He spat at her angrily, 'You wanna pine over some guy who was stupid enough to lie to a girl like you, feel free...I'm not gonna stop you.' Olivia stared at him as he headed for the door.

Who did he think he was? What was between her and John was none of his business, she thought to herself as she let out both a frustrated and somewhat exhausted sigh. She knew Peter had a point, seeing her deceased ex was NOT a good thing. This much she knew, but Olivia Dunhem was a stubborn woman, and finally telling a man she loved him, only to have him betray her, was something she couldn't accept. She simply didn't make mistakes like that. She didn't give herself to just anyone. The web of lies and twists John had left behind for her kept her restless and almost trapped in the past. She needed to be okay with knowing who he really was, and what they truly had.

Until she got closure, she would continue to see him, whether she liked it or not.

'Liv?' Olivia looked up at the door frame to see Agent Charlie Francis, she tried to smile at the familiar face, he nodded at the corridor behind him, 'I take it you're having trouble with Bishop Junior?'

'His name's Peter,' she replied, 'what are you doing here?'

'Broyles wants you to come in and see him.'

'I'm in hospital...' she said incredulously.

'Do you honestly think a man like him cares?'

Olivia sighed as she lay back in the bed. 'Tell him I'll be there in an hour.'

Charlie handed her his cellphone, 'you tell him.'

Olivia took the phone, 'He sent you here to come get me?'

'No, I heard you were hurt, and I'm your emergency contact. Which I still think is really sad.' Olivia threw him a glare, he smiled, curious, 'So...what happened?'

'I had a car accident.'

'an 'accident'?' he asked suspiciously, 'Liv, you and I both know you're the careful type...'

Olivia looked away, afraid that her friend might see through her.

'Like I said, it was an accident, with everything that's been going on lately, I just...I wasn't paying attention.'

'Then start paying it.' He said, 'the last thing I need is to lose another friend. I know you like to think you're alone...but you're not.' He touched her hand comfortingly, Olivia shifted uncomfortably. She appreciated the kindness but she didn't need it, nor did she want it.

She flipped open his cellphone and began dialling, 'Broyles? It's Agent Dunhem, I'm on my way.' She said simply and hung up.

'I better get to work Charlie.' She said softly, taking the hint Charlie climbed to his feet.

'Let me know if you need anything.'

Olivia nodded gratefully as he left.

FBI building:

Broyles stared at the files infront of him, Agent Dunhem's voice grabbed his attention.

'You wanted to see me?' she asked from the doorway.

Broyles straightened in his chair, his steel gaze meeting hers full on. 'I believe civilians call it 'knocking.' You should try that next time.'

Olivia smiled apologetically, his eyes drifted to her forehead, 'you're injured.'

'Just a small cut. It's nothing.'

'Are you okay?' His question didn't refer to physical injury, it referred to her in general.

'I'm fine. Why did you ask me to come in?'

'How far have you gotten with your latest case?'

'Bishop's working on what substances were manipulated to cause the combustion.'

'Any leads as to who's behind them?'

'I thought there was only one case of the spontaneous combustion?'

'No, I mean all of the cases you've studied lately. Have you found any solid evidence to incriminate anyone?'

'Not yet. It's too early to bring anyone in...I need more time.'

'Just bare in mind the more these cases occur, the more they will fall into the sight of the media. We need to keep this quiet. Do not underestimate the importance of confidentiality and secrecy required for your Assignment.'

'Ofcourse,' Olivia nodded in response.

'Agent Francis is your emergency contact.' He added calmly, 'Now that you're on a special assignment, if anything is to happen to you in relation to the assignment, you are required to select someone on your assignment as an emergency contact.'

Olivia frowned slightly at him, prompting him to explain, which he did, 'Confidentiality. Special Assignments are just that Agent Dunhem, they're special. Elite. '

That evening at the laboratory:

Walter glanced up at the sound of a third set of footsteps, 'Good evening Agent Dunhem.'

Olivia glanced at Walter and Astrid, 'Where's Peter?' she asked, doing her best to seem casual.

'Peter's here.' Peter replied from behind her.

Olivia turned on her heel, 'Hey...'

'I went to get coffee, I didn't realise I had to run that by you...' he added.

Olivia ignored his jibe, she wasn't in the mood to rise to the bait, 'What have you found?' She asked Walter as she noticed Peter settle onto a chair in the corner of her eye.

'Somebody did this to him. That much I have confirmed. Now you have to find out who.' Walter turned to Peter, 'I feel drowsy, can you take us home now?'

Astrid piped up from behind him, 'I'm taking you home Walter, Peter's going to search through files here at the lab to find possible suspects.'

Olivia glanced at Peter who was flipping through a folder, barely even acknowledging what the others were talking about.

She walked over to him, 'Those files are confidential.'

'I have access Sweetheart.

'From who?

'Broyles.'

Olivia studied him as he turned his attention back to the folder and pulled out several pieces of paper.

On hearing Olivia pull up a chair, Peter looked up, almost concerned.

'What are you doing?'

'Pulling up a chair.' She replied shortly as she settled into the chair and reached for a folder.

Peter stared at her as she began flipping through it.

Olivia looked up at him, 'what?'

He wanted to tell her to go home and get some rest but he knew she wouldn't appreciate it coming from him. Afterall, as she had so eloquently stated previously, she wasn't his problem.

'You don't need to stay here...' he offered tactfully.

'I want to.' she said as she read through the file.

Peter nodded, he glanced down at the papers infront of him, it was Olivia's turn to study him, 'About what happened in the hospital...'

'It's fine.' He assured her.

'I wasn't apologising.' She said with an offended frown, 'you're arrogant you know that right?'

Peter tried not to smile.

'And you're difficult, and completely anti-social and then-for some reason that only you're aware of, you care.'

'Guess we're not so different afterall.' He said softly.

Olivia's eyes met his, 'I know you were just trying to look out for me before Peter...But I can handle my own problems.'

'I can see that.' He said whilst nodding at the cut on her forehead.

She gave him a warning look as he turned back to the files in his hands.

'Are we-...' she thought of the word for a moment.

'We're fine Olivia. Don't worry about it.'

His warm smile eased the tension between them.

'Good.' She said with a relieved tone.

'Great.' He forced a smile.

'Let's find out who's doing this.'

'I already have...' he rifled through some papers, finding the appropriate file, he looked across at her.

Olivia gave him an impressed look.

'I'm more than just a pretty face...' he joked, Olivia smiled as she reached for the file he was holding out for her.

'I never said you weren't.' She replied.

She flipped open the file and read the name aloud, 'Eric Rosenbaum. Graduated with a Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Psychology, renowned for his research into complex stimulants for combustion...I think we've found our guy.'

'We?'

Olivia smirked, 'We.' Her expression turned serious as she read through his file, 'why would he want to know how to cause humans to spontaneously combust??'

'It'd be the perfect weapon. You get a bunch of people you're using for trials, tell them its a drug trial to make them learn faster or something-allow their bodies to take up the desired chemicals and input a chemical-timer into their bodies. When you want to use them as a weapon, you tell them to meet you to discuss your feedback at a certain time and place-they turn up. You don't. The desired target arrives and boom. Government chalks it off to a weird case of spontaneous combustion...'

'You're saying the two people standing near this man in the cue weren't random...?'

'I'm saying why would a man as smart as him let one of his weapons go to waste.'

'Who would he wanna eliminate?'

'You mean murder? Competition...there's an incredibly high demand for new chemical-based weapons...my guess is one of the people in that cue had been contacted by Rosenbaum, to meet-maybe even reach a compromise...but it was just a set up, so Rosenbaum could eliminate his competition-'

'And if he's the only one left alive who knows how to cause spontaneous combustion in biological agents-his worth goes up...he becomes invaluable.'

'Exactly.'

Olivia climbed to her feet, 'I'm gonna tell Broyles, the sooner we get clearance to bring him in, the better-he could be experimenting on innocent people right now...' she headed for the door, Peter followed.

'Wait up, I need to speak to him.'

'Broyles?' she asked quizzically.

'Yeah...'

She looked at him expectantly.

'I've got...some things to sort out.'

Olivia studied him, 'what's wrong?'

'Nothing.' He lied, 'I'm driving.' With that he walked out of the lab, Olivia watched him go.

End chapter two: