Days Gone By
Disclaimer: I do not own Fringe, and I do not own the characters, but I do own this plot for this fan-based story.
The sky was overcast, mirroring the ominous atmosphere surrounding her. Olivia Dunham stood amongst a group of soldiers, by a large black escort van. Beside her, her partner, or perhaps the more accurate description of him would be her alternate partner, stood quietly. Olivia tensed, watching her actual partner step through the warehouse door, guiding their new informer. Ice cold fear sent bony tendrils snaking through her chest, gripping her rapidly pounding heart.
It was going to happen again!
"No, not again..." Olivia spun around, looking for the shooter, but she couldn't see him yet. She turned back and called to her partner. "Lincoln! Get back! There's a shooter!" She yelled, but it was as though he hadn't heard her, he kept approaching. "Lincoln, go back! You're going to be shot! Please!" She felt the sting of tears in her eyes. She turned to her alternate partner and put a hand on his shoulder, shaking him slightly, trying to get his attention... but he didn't respond, he just kept looking ahead, waiting for his double to approach. "Lincoln!" She all but yelled in his ear, but still that did nothing.
BANG!
"Lincoln!" Olivia shot up from bed. She did not feel the cold sweat making her sheets stick to her. She did not feel the wildly beating heart against her ribs. She did not feel her fingers cramping as she gripped her tangled sheets tightly. Nor did she feel the hot tears on her cheeks. All she felt was the overwhelming loss and knowledge that what she had was not just a simple dream, but it was a vivid and merciless memory she could not escape from. Covering her face in her hands, she gasped, desperately trying to keep herself from weeping. If she let herself cry now, she would not be able to get out of bed. Besides... she had someone waiting for her back at Fringe headquarters. Wiping angrily at the tears that continued their silent trek down her cheeks, she forced herself to remember that he might not be exactly the same, but her new partner was still in a way the same man. The thought was at least a start, it was enough to help pull herself together and kick the covers off.
Olivia gripped the edge of her dresser for a moment, taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly. After a few minutes she felt a little better. Finally stepping back, she took her clothes that she had set out the night before and went to take a good and hot shower. Once she was cleaned and dressed, she ate a quick breakfast of toast and a piece of fruit and got in her car. The drive to work was silent, no catchy tunes or witty radio programs, she was in no mood for any of that, that morning. The only thing she could think of at the moment was that she needed to help get... Lincoln's... situation straightened out. She kicked herself mentally for tripping over his name.
This is was not the first time she had a morning like this, after her partner's... death. But perhaps because of the fact that this "new" Lincoln would now be permanently staying in her universe, it just served to solidify the fact that... he was still Lincoln, however, he wasn't the same. This in turn made the dreams a lot more potent. She only hoped he was right and it would get easier with time.
Stepping into the building, she took her time approaching the guard. She didn't know how she would react this morning to seeing him. She could usually keep her unfazed act together and pretend everything was just great, but today was an especially difficult morning. Giving the guard her show-me and letting him scan her, she passed the threshold leading to the elevator she needed to take to the main floor. She looked up as someone approached her.
"Hey there, Jerry," Olivia put on her usual bright smile for her coworker. Jerry was the type of guy that even though you made sure to let him know you weren't interested, he went out of his way to try to dazzle you with gifts and complements anyway, in the hopes you'd "change your mind". It wasn't that he wasn't attractive. He was tall, had silky caramel skin, a neatly trimmed goatee, and toned very nicely... but he wasn't what she was looking for, he wasn't what she needed right now... if only she knew what that was.
"Hello, 'Liv!" Jerry smiled warmly. "I uh, got you this..." he grinned, handing her a hot cup of sweet sweet caffeinated... tea. Sure, it wasn't coffee, but if it would help give her a much needed boost, she'd happily take it.
"Thanks, Jer," Olivia offered him a real smile this time, accepting the cup.
"Give 'em hell today," Jerry called as Olivia walked on. Olivia rolled her eyes slightly but lifted her hand in a wave to him and continued around the corner. Stepping onto the elevator, she rode it in silence, thankful there was no one with her that morning. She used the time alone to further collect her thoughts and prepare for the day, as she usually did. When she reached the main floor she was greeted by Astrid, very efficiently informing her that Bishop had stopped by earlier that morning and left some documents and items for Lincoln.
"Thanks, Astrid," Olivia smiled warmly at the eccentric agent.
As she walked to Broyles' old office, Olivia fleetingly wondered what it was that caused this Astrid to be so radically different than the one from the other universe. Noting the stack of papers and folders on the desk, she walked over and lifted the folder sitting on top. Inside was Lincoln's new show-me as well as a few security documents for him to sign. Under the stack of papers she found a few books, some very similar to what she had to study when she had her espionage mission in the other universe. Taking the stack of items in her hand while balancing her cup of tea in the other, she made her way to Lincoln's cell. She nodded to the guard who offered to hold the documents and rapped her knuckles on the metal door. There was a bit of rustling inside but nothing else. She nodded again to the guard, gesturing for him to open the door. Stepping in with the stack of documents again resting on the crook of her arm, she noted that Lincoln had chosen to sleep atop the blankets she had gotten him last night and with his clothes still on. She couldn't blame him, not only was the "bed" extremely uncomfortable, there also wasn't a lot of privacy there. Setting the files and books down on the table in the center of the cell, she tried clearing her throat and then calling him a few times. When he didn't budge, she sighed and walked over to him. Shaking him gently did nothing, so she shook him harder and called him again.
"Wha?" Lincoln jerked awake. His eyes popped open, now alert, looking around wildly until they landed in confusion at the woman standing beside him. For a moment he forgot where he was and why Olivia had red hair... but then he remembered. Somehow, this made him relax.
"It's about time. What? Did someone drug you or something?" Olivia joked, stepping back to let him sit up. She only hoped that wasn't actually true... or else she's have some skulls to bash. Then again, that could be just what she needed that morning! Nothing like a bit of righteous violence to wake you up in the morning! Olivia snorted inwardly at the ridiculous thoughts rattling in her apparently still frazzled mind and turned back to Lincoln when he spoke.
"No," Lincoln yawned into his arm and stretched, grimacing when pain flared throughout his body. "It just wasn't the best night," he elaborated.
"I'm sorry," Olivia began, a guilty look on her face. "Maybe you could..." she bit her lip, unsure if she should offer. "Maybe you'd feel more comfortable at... my apartment?" She kicked herself for sounding so much like a school-girl. It wasn't like she meant anything by that! She simply wanted her new friend to be comfortable!
Lincoln blinked in surprise, silent for a moment before his lips twitched up to a smile. "Unfortunately, I don't think Secretary Bishop would appreciate me disappearing like that and burdening you with my presence," he shrugged, wincing slightly when he did.
"You are not a burden," Olivia frowned. "What gave you the idea that you were?" She demanded, crossing her arms, the tea cup all but hanging in the air with how she held it.
Lincoln shifted uneasily a little, unsure how to phrase what he wanted to say without setting her off. "I'm an unexpected addition here. I don't really, well, ...belong." Oh he knew the words were ridiculous before he finished saying them, but he felt like he could confide his inner feelings in her, despite only really just meeting her a few times.
"That's a load of crap. You've been a huge help to us. You're an awesome agent, Lincoln; you're an asset to the division, not a burden. So quit putting yourself down, okay?" She scolded him.
"Sorry," Lincoln smiled, yawning once more. "So, is that for me?" he asked as he got up to sit over at the table.
"Yep, you have loads of fun ahead of you today! A lot of papers to sign, books to read, and an entire universal culture to assimilate!" She grinned. "Here, I think you'll need this more than me," Olivia set down her untouched but thankfully still hot cup of tea in front of him.
"Thanks," Lincoln said gratefully and took a sip. "Oh," he grimaced, "not coffee..."
"Yeah, sorry buddy, not a whole lot of that going around these days," Olivia shrugged.
Forcing another sip of the drink before setting it down, Lincoln decided to just go ahead and jump right into the papers. "Maybe they should plant coffee been trees in a controlled environment? Like a large greenhouse or something?" He suggested idly, while flipping through the files.
Olivia laughed softly and shook her head. "Oh I wish it were as simple as that. Who knows though, with how much our world has healed already, who's to say there is even still a blight around? Maybe some of the vegetation will start to grow again?" She shrugged. The thought was certainly a pleasant one. The bridge between the universes effectively eliminated the holes in reality, hence the many projects to remove amber going on. Maybe since there were no more vortexes and the fabric of reality was mended, maybe things could only get better from there? One could only hope.
Olivia sat with Lincoln and explained the documents he needed to sign, though most were pretty self-explanatory. The consisted of security and privacy pledges, citizen naturalization applications, and other formal forms. Lincoln picked up his new show-me and wondered for a moment where it was they got a picture of him. They could have just used a picture of his alternate, but instead it was him, glasses and all. They must have gotten it when both universes were working together. It was only when Lincoln yawned again did Olivia realize they had been sitting and discussing for close to two hours. "Come on, I think we both need a break. Let me show you around!" She got up, gesturing him to follow her.
"You know, I've already seen this place..." Lincoln mentioned, though it didn't stop him from getting up and following her out.
Olivia signaled the guard who had begun to follow them away, letting him know he was dismissed and smiled over at Lincoln. "Sure, but this is your official tour of the place as a full-time member," she grinned.
"If I pass the tests," Lincoln reminded her.
"Pshh, you'll do fine! Anyway, come on." Olivia gave him a tour of most of the building, including places Lincoln had not had the opportunity to see, such as the infirmary, gym, rooftop courtyard sitting area and the cafeteria. As they walked, Olivia filled him in on how things were run in that universe's Fringe Division. Olivia mentioned that as he may have noticed, every Fringe Agent had to be able to move and act like a soldier and were even given similar ranks.
"You know, I never really knew what I truly wanted to be growing up. All I was concerned about was the then and there," Lincoln explained. Olivia kept quiet; she knew what he spoke of already as her old partner had mentioned something very similar to her once before. It seemed both Lincolns stayed on a pretty identical course up until a mysterious point. "I pretty much stumbled into Fringe Division when I needed to get answers for... for my own previous partner's death..."
"It just leads to more questions, doesn't it?" Olivia added sadly. They had slowed in their walk, delaying going back to the cells.
"Yes, it does..." Lincoln adjusted his glasses, finding the polished floor by his boots fascinating. "I got answers, but they were more confusing and frustrating as I had hoped," he sighed. "Anyway," he shook himself out of his gloom, "that being the case, I don't think I'd be, ...well, physically suited at all for the job, honestly," he smiled slightly.
"Don't worry, you saw the gym, right? We'll get you in shape in no time!" Olivia put in an extra boost of cheerfulness for him, playfully punching his shoulder. It was not fun if both of them were missing their partners and miserable about it. "Hey, what do you say if we stopped by the pub for lunch?"
"Um, well, sure, why not?" How could he say no to spending more time with her? Besides, what else did he have to do?
They went to the bar pretty close to Fringe HQ and aside from different though strangely similar drinks than Lincoln knew of, they had honestly pretty tender wings. Lincoln didn't think that he would like wings, it being really messy and all, but in the end he enjoyed them quite a bit. As they ate, they spoke of differences and similarities in both universe. There might have been differences in that universe, and that world might have been on the mends after being so messed up, there really weren't as many glaringly huge differences. Sure, the twin towers still stood, but aside for architecture and some pop-culture, the people were the same, the customs were the same, the laws were the same... maybe it wouldn't be so difficult to adjust? Even so, as was his way, Lincoln planned to study all he could.
Back at the Division, Olivia and Lincoln were flanked by the armed guards that had been looking after Lincoln in his cell earlier, as though they were leading him back. That was the last straw for Olivia. "Alright, listen up," she stopped them, her firm tone grabbing their attention. "I don't care if it's Secretary Bishop's orders or orders from the President himself, until there is a new chief I am calling the shots here. I am the next in line and you will listen to me or so help me God you will be cleaning toilets for the rest of your career, get me?" Olivia began, pointing at them menacingly.
"Y-Yes ma'am," both of the guards agreed, straightening up just a little. Lincoln stood by impressed. She had all the makings for a commanding leader.
"Good, now, I do not want my partner to be treated like a criminal so unless he asks for escorts around the building, I don't want to see any guards posted around to 'look after' Agent Lee, understood?" She demanded. When they both agreed once more, she nodded and excused them. She had no doubt that the Secretary probably had him followed outdoors, being the paranoid sonofagun he was, but in the building she would have her way. At least, for as long as she could.
Lincoln was touched by the sentiment Olivia displayed and was honored to be called her partner. Still, being horribly embarrassed by the scene made him keep quiet. He hoped one day he would be able to have the kind of self-assurance that so many people there, including Olivia, displayed. After Olivia dropped him off and went off to help Astrid temporarily run the Division, Lincoln sat at his table and looked through the files again. "I better get started. No knowing when I'll be 'evaluated'," he muttered to himself. He only hoped he could retain enough of the knowledge to pass whatever tests they would give him, if it was even relevant.
Back at her desk, Olivia smiled to herself as her phone dialed a familiar number. "This is Charlie Francis," the voice on the other end greeted. Odd that he hadn't recognized her ID chime. He must have been busy with bug girl... Ever since that strange case with the bugs - that ended pretty quickly fortunately - Charlie had been getting calls from Mona until he finally called back and agreed to have lunch with her. One thing led to another and they started seeing each other. Olivia always knew bug people had to stick together! Olivia decided she would tease him about that later.
"Hey Charlie! I thought you'd like to know of our new addition to the division..." she trailed off, a little unsure now of this particular subject.
"Hey 'Livvy," Olivia could hear the smile in his voice. There was a pause. "Addition? What are you talking about?"
Olivia cleared her voice, leaned back in her chair and played with some papers idly. She knew she was just delaying telling him now. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea? No, he had to know and would find out eventually... better he find out by her now than by someone else later, right? "Well... remember when both universe were working with us?"
"Um, sure..."
"You know the bridge is closed, right? Someone informed you?" Olivia continued.
"I was. What's the point you're trying to make, kiddo?" Charlie asked in concern. Olivia only ever went around in circles when she was trying to stall.
"What if I told you... we permanently had another Lincoln with us now?" Olivia bit her lip, hoping Charlie wouldn't take it badly. Her oldest friend had been incredibly sour that he hadn't been able to make it to Lincoln's funeral. Lincoln had been his friend as well, and his loss wasn't any easier on him. "Charlie?" She prodded softly when he didn't respond.
"I'm going to have to have you pick me up."
"What do you mean?" Olivia sat up and frowned in confusion.
"I mean I left my car there when I went on leave with Mona. I'm taking the first airship back to New York."
TBC...
End A/N: I decided to update it again because this beginning part is a little slow, and I had also finished writing this pretty quickly. But don't expect me to update this fast all the time! That being said, I'm sorry if it's a little boring for now. I tend to like to ease into stories before jumping into the action. I promise things will get interesting soon though. Trust me, this story is gunna have lots of tense, nail-biting moments soon!
Shout-Outs:
Podunk: I appreciate it! Yes, people tend to overlook the consequences of just jumping into and joining a new universe willy nilly.
