FRINGE

Daunting – Chapter 7

No copyright inFRiNGEment intended.

Note: sorry it took me so long. It's a very short chapter though, please, bear with me ;)

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Breakfast at Danny's

"Where is here?"

Now that he was awake, his stomach was painfully asking for food.

"Can't you see for yourself?" she chuckled, killing the ignition.

"… FBI building? Why on earth would you take me to the Fringe Division?" he asked.

He sat awkwardly up in his seat and blinked.

"Is it the lack of sleep or most likely the lack of food, --if can take a hint from these awful sounds you're making right now, that got you THAT impaired? Actually, Astrid told me you hadn't sleep for a week but once again that's not what you demonstrate with me one hundred percent…" she trailed. "Would you admit that there's some kind of pattern here," she tilted her head provocatively, "I need your expertise, I'm confused."

"Very funny." He shrugged and stepped out of the car. "So that's your answer, that you won't give me any valid answer?" He slammed the door, stumbled and stood awkwardly on the sidewalk still hazed with lack of sleep.

"You asked me to talk to Broyles. That's exactly what we're going to do, together," she explained, following him on the sidewalk.

"Okay."

"Okay? No protest? No questions asked…"

"Okay. But…" He put a hand in front of his eyes to shade from the morning light.

"Oh, I should know, there's always a "but"."

He waved at her dismissively.

"I have to eat something first. You wouldn't want my stomach to go vocal, --brutally? Not when I'm in the middle of my best explanation to your boss of the multiple reasons that made me ditch Walter and find myself a loft on the river?"

"A loft on the river, how nice! So I take it there's a view?"

"Yep, and a very nice view as it is. If you can take Broyles' edges off Dunham, you might even get yourself a tour."

"Really? You had half the Bureau already parading in your little bachelor trap and now you're willing to accommodate me? Cut me some slack! You're fully aware that you're going to owe me much more than a visit, Peter."

"Anything. But please, help me Dunham, you're my last hope. There's no way I'm going back to this hotel with him." He put a finger to his temple with a twist. "He's messed with my internal clock already…" he smiled.

"So I've learned…" she smiled back.

"… I don't want him to kill my mojo too," he said with an enticing smile.

"Really," she winked and got closer. "Do you want me to help you with that?"

"Excuse me?"

"Coffee and pancakes or an early lunch? Would that be enough to have you fit to meet Broyles?"

She clearly heard a sigh of relief.

"I'll have both, back to back. I haven't eaten anything in ages."

"Follow me then, I know just the place."