CHAPTER 7: THE OTHERS

Just another night at the office. You're expecting a raise soon due to the mounds of extra overtime hours that you've put in ever since you got back. You look around at your team and can't help but noting that something's amiss; someone's amiss.

You look over her station and wonder for the hundredth time what kind of secret mission the secretary's got her doing. You shouldn't care this much. She's just a colleague. And Charlie never passes up an opportunity to remind you that she has Frank.

You kissed her once. You sensed that there was something between you. Until she realizes that, you'll take what you can get.

You're broken out of you reverie by the sound of frantic beeps and the hoarse warning of Charlie's voice. "There's been a breech in sector 4!"

"We're not even in charge of sector 4!" You exclaim.

This time, it's the voice of your commanding officer that answers you back, "The Secretary is down there. He is our responsibility."

"Yes sir," you holster your weapon.

…..

She dismisses the guards and it's just the two of you approaching the reinforced door.

She ducks at an angle, aims her gun at what you think are security cameras, and fires. The blast is followed by an array of alarming lights and sounds.

"Take this," she hands you an almost paper-thin device, "From what I've heard from Walter, she can cross through dimensions. The red points are the most vulnerable weak spots. I thought that could help."

You nod you head in thanks. You hear the trudge of footsteps in the distance.

"Heads up!" She throws a key card at you, "We gotta go."

You turn around in bewilderment. "You don't have to come with us."

She gives you a sad little half-smile. "I know," her gun follows the key card. "I'm never gonna live this down. I'm the best shot in this Division and somehow, the science geek ended up with my gun."

You don't have time to enjoy the levity. You enter the room and just as you'd envisioned, there she is huddled in the corner.

…..

Your heart breaks at the way he tenderly cradles her face, his eyes begging her to understand that this is real, that he's finally here.

You feel her eyes on you, and you can almost feel the revulsion coming off her in waves. Who could blame her, really? She came to you for help and you went all street-fighter on her. You switched places with her and left her to be caged and tortured. You…Peter would never be yours because he's always been hers.

Peter notices her distraction and guides her attention back to him. "Listen to me. She is not the enemy. She's here to help us."

You watch her contemplate his words as you stand still. You don't know how to act around her.

"'Livia, we need to leave now. We haven't got much time." He rests his forehead on hers and whispers, "Sweetheart, please."

That seems to do the trick. The next thing you know there's flames licking at the walls. You've seen this before and you're frozen in fear and awe. Fortunately, the flames don't shift towards you.

She's made a way for them to escape.

Your head hangs in defeat. You may be a hell of a shot but who can beat pyrokinesis?

Peter nudges your shoulder and you move out of the way. That's as much of a goodbye as you're ever going to get.

…..

You march quickly towards all the commotion before you realize where you're headed. Your soldiers are in formation, poised to attack.

"Who left the prisoners unattended?" You bark out.

One of your men step forward, "Mr. Secretary, we were stationed at the perimeter. Agent Dunham informed us that under your direct orders, it was her duty to stand guard."

You wince at their incompetence. "And where is Agent Dunham now?"

You hear an explosion but you have no time to react as you're pushed back by an invisible force.

…..

You see Olivia drop as the door blasts open. Her blonde hair cascades to the floor as the force knocks her down. You're reassured by the steady rise and fall of her chest before you start moving out into the hall.

Beside you, Olivia's eyes are glazed over as she concentrates to keep this warped version of your very own yellow brick road going. You take her hand and tangle your fingers together. You need her to know that you're not going anywhere without her this time.

It's a series of flashes and explosions as fire paves your way to safety.

…..

Your team arrives just in time to see the display. So this is Peter Bishop. What the hell is he doing dragging Olivia through the flames?

Rage starts bubbling in your chest. What's a few more months back in the hyperbaric chamber? He's not taking your best agent away from you.

You try to make a run for it. But Charlie holds you in place, "That's not her, look."

You turn your head towards the trail they left behind and there she is emerging from the smoke. Relief courses through your system, but you're not supposed to feel such flutterings in your stomach.

"You gonna give me that gun or do I have to take it from you?"

"Welcome home, Dunham." You can fight back the grin that takes over your face.

…..

A/N: Couldn't help but add Lincoln Lee. He's my favorite character from Over There :)