Chapter 10:
She stared at the clone, watched as the final upload took place and he was disconnected from the machine. They'd given him a sedative, knocked him out and then took him to Bell's office. Lying him down on the sofa. She knew when he woke, she had to be the first one he saw. He had to believe this was his first trip to the other world since being taken as a boy and she had to be convincing.
She watched him sleep. The rise and fall of his chest. She reached out, wanting to touch him but pulled her hand back. She couldn't wake him. She had to wait for his eyes to open and him to regain consciousness.
Staring at him, analyzing him, she smiled. Even as a clone, he smelled distinctly of Peter Bishop. She wondered how that was possible. Finally she reached out, her hand gentle but her touch firm, feeling over his arm. He stirred but didn't open his eyes. A heavy sigh escaped his lips and it sounded just like him. She wondered if this worked, if there were in fact other clones in this dimension or another one.
"I'm right here," she assured him knowing the transition wouldn't be an easy one for him. From the memories she'd seen, he didn't stay in one place long. His heart had been filled with a growing darkness and she wondered if it had been from being in a place he hadn't belonged, for far too long.
"Livia?" He breathed hearing her voice, feeling her warm touch against his skin. His eyes opened lazily at first, trying to remember what happened. It was hazy and his eyes finally met hers.
"You wanted to come home," she breathed staring at him, hoping he didn't question why he was in this world. She'd done her best to destroy the connections he'd made over the past year and a half. Before that, he would have gladly ran.
"Right," he sighed staring at her, recognizing her and knowing she was the Alter Olivia but it was confusing to him. He tried to remember and the pieces he did seemed hazy. "What's going on?" He asked as a reminder.
"I think it's the traveling between dimensions that does that," she ran a hand to his forehead seeing him wince. "It gets easier. At least that's what Bell had said."
"Who?" Peter stared at her, confused.
She had done a good job at erasing the right memories. "It doesn't matter," she smiled weakly, "you're here now. You should rest for awhile. Then we can drive over, see your father, your family." Olivia suggested.
"I'm ready to go now," Peter moved to sit up, grimacing as his hand moved to his forehead. It was painful.
Gently she moved her hand to his shoulder guiding him back down. "You were warned about this," she smiled, "you really don't remember, Peter?" Of course he didn't remember. She was playing games with him. He stared at her, shaking his head no as he moved to lie back down. "Don't worry, it should be temporary. If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them."
"Thanks, Livia." He sighed resting a hand over his eyes. He felt exhausted. It didn't take but a few minutes before he'd fallen asleep.
Quietly she stood up and tip-toed out of Bell's office. Opening the door, she was surprised to find Bell on the other side. She closed it behind her. "He's asleep, Sir."
"That's to be expected. The birthing process is exhaustive." He smiled, "we set up an apartment for him to live in. It will be next door to yours. You understand your assignment?"
Olivia nodded. "Watch him. Make sure he doesn't go crazy." She smiled weakly. "I can handle it."
"You should go home, get some rest as well." Bell offered. "When he wakes up, you'll need your energy."
"How long will he be out?" She asked eyeing her watch.
"Eighteen hours. Give or take." Bell answered. "When he wakes again, you should be here. Take him to Walter and then show him his accommodations. You can let him know you live next door, in case he needs anything. He probably won't feel he needs you but his dependence on you he'll realize is essential. You are the only thing he knows aside from his parents, in this world. You've met Walter, trust me when I say, they're different from the parents he grew up with in the other world. You're more familiar, more recent, since he knew the other Olivia, you'll be the first one he'll confide in."
Olivia nodded weakly. "Confide in?" She gave him a peculiar look. "What are you hoping to gain out of him? I viewed all his memories. It's not information you're looking for."
Bell smiled warmly, "no, it's not information. You'll understand in time, Olivia. Go home, rest. Your work for today is done."
She didn't fight him. She went home, cleaned up her apartment and checked on the place next door. Peter's apartment was laid out much the same as her own. She knew Bell had pulled some strings to get the apartment next door to hers. She'd told him she wasn't moving and he hadn't argued. He had the money and the ability to get his way. Sometimes it really pissed Olivia off but in this instance, she got what she wanted as well. It wasn't so bad.
She made sure the apartment for Peter was decent. Bell had purchased new furniture or had someone at Massive Dynamic handle the arrangements. It looked nice, cleaner than hers and the walls were freshly painted. Even new carpet had been laid down. She glanced around, getting familiar with the layout, though similar to her own home, she wanted to be fully prepared. Finally she made her way through her front door and back to her bed, lying down letting her eyes shut. She didn't sleep long. She found herself tired but she constantly tossed and turned. He was on her mind. She didn't know why but she felt her heart quickening just thinking about him. Her body craved his touch though she knew he was a clone, he wasn't the real Peter, she wondered what would happen, if they were together. She couldn't ask Bell, no, that would be stupid. She'd have to be careful, not let feelings rule her mind. She was stronger than that. Maybe the other Olivia was weak to his charms but she could resist it.
She kept an eye on the clock, her eyes heavy, her body tired. She slept a few hours but it wasn't long before the sun came up. She made a pot of coffee and worked a word puzzle, the television on in the background giving off a soft hum, the volume turned down quite low. She made no effort to rush into work early. It wasn't that she didn't want to start her day, in fact it started hours before she'd have preferred. She didn't want to seem overly eager with regards to Cloned Peter. If Bell found her taking pleasure in it, who knew what he'd do. Probably take her off the assignment. No, she couldn't risk it.