"You said what to him?" Peter was angry at Olivia.
"The man is almost seventy-years-old. On top of which his mental health is very much in question more now than ever before...How could you even suggest such a dangerous operation? As his legal guardian, I forbid it."
"I am sorry Peter. Walter has already agreed to do it. It's been arranged."
"I wish you had come to me first." His attitude softened a bit.
"The decision is ultimately his to make. Who am I to choose for him? Technically, I am not even his family now."
Olivia understood the conflict he was going through. But she also knew he does care for the man he once called Dad. She put a hand on his shoulder.
"Walter still needs you very much. He'll appreciate it all the more if you were by his side."
Olivia and Walter crossed over to the other side the next day. They waited as the surgeons prepared. Walter was agitated. He started to pace back forth.
"Olivia, I am frightened."
Olivia felt just as nervous if not more. She put a reassuring hand on his arm and persuaded him to sit down, while she tried to soothe his anxiety.
"I know you are. I am going to be right there with you."
After a moment of silence, Olivia whispered.
"I never told another soul about this...how scared I was...and angry too...the first time the Secretary stared at me. It was your face, but colder and more calculated. I just remember losing control emotionally right there and then...He never treated me like a human being the whole time I was there. Through the mental abuses, I was able to concentrate on one thing; your last words to us before we crossed. I remembered what you said about harnessing our abilities. When I finally convinced myself that he couldn't hurt me, I was able focus on going home."
Olivia paused to take a steady breath.
"So I have you to thank for that. Thank you for never leaving my side at the hospital and not giving up on my recovery. It was you, Walter, who had to withstand the full brunt of my rage. Is that not a sign of courage? I will not let you forget who Walter Bishop is. You have my word."
Walter was touched by Olivia's confession. He gave her hand a squeeze.
"Let's get on with it then."
Walter sat in a chair in the operating room, while one of the doctors injected Walter with a local analgesic. Olivia stood by wearing a mask.
The surgeon proceeded by cutting open Walter's skull. Olivia watched with concern as he used a laser scalpel. When the incisions were made, a small section of skull was removed from the back of his head. The whole process was efficient, there was no blood loss. For the moment, Walter did not appear to experience any pain.
Just as the specimen dish with the donor DNA was readied for implantation, Olivia noticed Peter standing watch over them in the observation lounge above them.
Olivia made a last minute decision.
"Wait. There has been a change of plans."
