When they arrived at the rendezvous point, their counterpart from the other universe was already there waiting. They obviously received the message.

"Chief. Look." Lincoln indicated the figure just getting out of an SUV.

"I see him too." Colonel Broyles found himself staring back at his twin from the other side. From the way he carried himself, it was safe to assume that he was a person of some authority.

Philip got out of the van to speak with his double.

"Colonel Broyles." His double nodded.

"I haven't gone by that rank for quite some time. It's Agent Broyles now."

Lincoln was instructed to exchange positions with the vehicle from the other side. Agent Broyles showed them their Agent Dunham who was handcuffed in the back of his SUV.

"I don't think she should give you any trouble."

Without saying another word, Agent Broyles, disappeared into the back of the van as they watch the teleporter activate and take them back to where they belonged.

~ooo~

Peter waited for them at Massive Dynamic's medical facility. He was so eager to see her, he vaguely registered what was said during the chaos. One of the medics was performing chest compressions. Did they say her heart stopped for five minutes?

Agent Broyles had Walter examine the contents of the vials, he brought back with him. The serum contained venom. It was a lethal toxin, not found in any known species of snake. Broyles and Peter watched as Walter quickly launched into a furious diatribe questioning the bad judgment used resorting to poison as a counter agent to fend off the affects of the Secretary's own blend of psychotropic drugs.

"Irresponsible...unethical...nincompoop..."

Above the din of Walter's mad rantings, Peter was able to hear Broyles say that it was her idea. Unfortunately, there was little anyone could do now except wait.

~ooo~

Olivia laid on the bed unmoving. She was alive and badly malnourished. Peter volunteered to replace the IV bag that fed her intravenously. Hospitals usually made him feel uneasy. He hated being there. But he could not bare to tear away from Olivia's side for even a minute. This simple tasks made him feel somewhat useful. Unlike the last time Olivia came back from a trip over there, he found himself feeling of all things guilty. The guilt for letting this happen to her was strong even if he was not the one who actually inflicted her pain. He didn't know what to say to her that will alleviate his guilt. What could he tell her that hasn't been said before? Sorry seemed woefully inadequate. Peter Bishop what a mess you have got yourself into this time.

~ooo~

Olivia opened her eyes slowly. She focused her vision on the holes in the ceiling tiles. Her throat hurt when she tried to swallow. She felt pain so she must be alive. She tried to move her head, but her neck was stiff. There probably wasn't a more uncomfortable posture than lying on a hospital bed. She turned her head gingerly and saw Walter. The sound of her slight movement got his attention. She saw the relief that washed over his face,

"Thank God." Was all Walter said before he bolted out her room in search of Peter.

Walter returned with Peter in tow. Seeing the way he persuaded Walter to calm down said to her, that Peter was not angry with him anymore. It made her feel good to see that.

Peter noticed the way Olivia tracked his movements with her eyes. She smiled wanly at him. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. Normally quick to voice his opinion, he couldn't find the words to express himself. Except for this.

"Hey."

Olivia chuckled at his sentiment. Peter had tears in his eyes, but he too laughed at the absurdity of the situation.

"I'm home." It was more a statement than a question.

"Yes. You are." Peter beamed.

He wiped a tear from her face. Olivia returned the gesture. Her hand lingered on his face a while longer.

"You need to shave." This made Peter laugh some more.

~ooo~

When Peter came to visit a few days later, he found Olivia sitting on the sofa facing the window. She rested her chin on the chair arm, just staring outside. She turned to him with a smile. He gave her the package of chocolate M&Ms she had asked for. She thanked him for it and tore open the wrapping. Having picked out a yellow one to put it in her mouth, she grimaced and said, "Yep. It still taste like medicine."

She seemed satisfied when she looked back at him. Peter was bewildered.

~ooo~

Olivia had been behaving oddly since returning home. Sure people changed sometimes waking up from comas. Peter became worried though when Olivia had asked Broyles for an extended leave of absence. And when she told him that she was going on a trip, he voiced his concern. Touched, she kissed him on the cheek for caring.

"I'll be fine. I am just going to a spa to relax for a few days." A lie. Peter knew she wasn't telling him everything, but didn't want to push the issue. That was her way. Cautious. He hoped given time, she would open up to him again.

"I'll be here when you get back." He said it before, but he wanted her to know it just the same.

~ooo~

The Bishops' beach house at Reiden Lake still had boarded up windows. Olivia sat in her car outside for a while before going inside. She had asked Walter about Peter's things when he was a boy. She didn't have to say which Peter she had meant. He told her without question that Mrs. Bishop kept them in storage at the beach house.

Olivia didn't know what she expected to find. Maybe a sign. She just remembered what William Bell told her about Peter in her dream.

She found a small box marked PETER AGE 7 on the shelf. They were things that were valuable to a boy who had spent too many days cooped up inside because he was too sick to go out and play; comic books, postcards from Walter, his diary, a model airship. And then Olivia saw it; a crayon drawing. She held the drawing closer to the light. It was faded, but she could still see the red tint. It was a drawing of the Green Lantern.

~Intermission~

OK. I'll end it here and wait to see how Season 3 unfolds.

This was a happy experiment. I started out wanting to explore what was happening to Olivia before she got home. The part about William Bell came later because I wanted to speculate what he knew about Peter's past.

It was kind of a neat surprise to learn that the show creators want to revisit Peter's past next season as well.

I hope you like it.