Chapter 11:
Olivia quickly showered and packed. In all honesty she wasn't looking forward to spending a week with Peter and Walter. Usually she wouldn't mind it, even embrace the fact she could spend the night with Peter. This was different though because Peter was different. She knew deep down he was the same man but bringing those qualities out in him had taken months to soften him and years to move from friends to lovers. She didn't think they had that much time. Peter wouldn't stick around without a reason and right now she couldn't come up with a decent one. It worried her more than anything that he could just up and leave and that the FBI might actually let him go. Sure he was a liability if he remembered anything but then wouldn't he come back? Besides she was beginning to doubt he would recover those lost memories. Bringing him home she had hoped there'd be a hint of recollection, a faded memory or something that reflected the last three years of his life. Nothing.
She finished and locked up her apartment, heading over to the Bishop's home. She stopped on her way for take-out, bringing in Chinese food for dinner. She knew there hadn't been any grocery shopping done over the weekend since Peter had been at the hospital. Tomorrow she could help them out. Tonight they'd all relax and hopefully enjoy a quiet night as a family.
Olivia carried her bag of clothes over one shoulder and the bag of dinner in her other hand. She gave a swift knock on the front door, waiting for Peter or Walter to let her in. It took a minute before she heard the locks and then saw Peter staring back at her.
"You brought dinner?" He asked quite surprised seeing the bag but not offering to take it from her. He did step aside, letting her in and Olivia slipped out of her shoes, dropped her bag of clothes by the door and glanced back as Peter locked up the house. She headed into the kitchen with dinner.
"I brought Chinese," Olivia smiled as she saw Walter heading towards the kitchen finding some drinks from the fridge. They sat down to eat, none of them saying too much as they all seemed to be incredibly hungry. Walter was the fastest to eat and although Olivia knew he always had a healthy appetite she wondered if he was truly that uncomfortable with Peter around.
Minutes later Walter had excused himself upstairs and to bed. Olivia got the hint. She carried her carton of Chinese food to the sofa. "You coming?" she asked Peter as she sat down but not before grabbing the remote.
He followed and sat down on the sofa, watching as she turned on the television. He quietly ate with his chopsticks, taking everything in. Olivia landed on the news before glancing at Peter. "What?" He asked feeling her eyes on him.
"Nothing," she shook her head. Already she missed him, the Peter Bishop that would instantly wrap his arms around her when they sat curled up together on the sofa.
"You're thinking something." It didn't take a mind reader or genius to figure that out. Peter wanted to know why she was staring at him and what she was thinking. He didn't like being scrutinized.
Olivia sighed, "it just takes some getting used to." She gave him a faint smile.
Peter nodded, "well – I didn't run." He could see the heartache and pain in her eyes though she tried to hide it. He made light of the situation. What else could he do? "Planning on enlightening me on how I joined the FBI?" he finished the last of his dinner and put the empty carton on the coffee table.
Olivia smiled weakly, "are you sure you're feeling up to it tonight?"
Peter smiled, "I bet it's a good story and I could use one before bed." He was curious what it was they had on him and was convinced if anyone would give him the information, it was Olivia.
Olivia couldn't help but laugh. "Three years and you still haven't changed in so many ways." He still had a way with charming women, including herself.
Peter gave her a confused look, "that's a good thing, right?" He hoped.
Olivia laughed nodding with a smile, "yes, Peter it's a good thing."
He grinned glancing at the clock, "it's late I should probably head on up to bed. Do you want to join me?" He knew it was a long shot and he saw the look on her face and the faint smile of memories flashing through her mind.
"As much as I appreciate the offer, I think I'll sleep on the sofa."
Peter smiled giving her that charming grin, "we're engaged, you don't have to sleep down here Olivia. Besides the way I see it, you've seen me naked and know what I look like. I think it's my turn to see you naked."
Olivia nearly choked on his words, "you need rest, alone. I know where the linen closet is, I can make the sofa into a bed, thank you."
Peter merely shrugged standing up and stretching. She watched as his shirt rose above his stomach and she could see his stomach and the waistband of his pants. His skin looked so incredibly touchable but he was off-limits. They were off-limits.
Olivia's gaze was broken and she was rather startled by the jolting sound of her cell phone. She groaned as she pulled it from its holster, "Dunham," she answered seeing it was Broyles.
"Agent Dunham," he answered, "I need you in my office eight o'clock sharp tomorrow. We need to discuss Peter."
Olivia nodded, momentarily forgetting he couldn't see her. She felt Peter's eyes on her as she finally answered, "yes, sir."
"And Dunham," Broyles continued, "drop Walter off at the lab on your way over. I'd like you to bring Peter with you to the FBI office."
Olivia frowned, "are you sure that's such a good idea for him to be back to work already? The doctor suggested he take it easy at least a week. He was just released this morning."
"It may be against doctors orders," Broyles didn't budge on his position, "but we don't have much time. I should be debriefing you both on the latest events tonight but I'm giving you the evening off considering all that's happened this week."
Olivia nodded, "thank you, Sir." She heard the click and ended the call from her phone as well.
Peter eyed Olivia curiously, "so?" He shook his head awaiting an answer.
Olivia shrugged, "tomorrow morning you're coming with me to the FBI Office. I have a meeting and it looks like Broyles wants you involved as well."
"Is that normal protocol?" Peter asked. It didn't seem like something that would be typical of a consultant.
"Nothing in our line of work is normal." She told him seriously. "You should get to bed. It sounds like we're going to have a long week ahead of us."
Peter reluctantly headed towards the stairs. He glanced back watching as Olivia turned off the television and then walked over to grab her bag by the door. He shook his head before walking up the stairs and to his bedroom. It wasn't familiar. It didn't feel like home. Yet nothing ever had.
Olivia found the bathroom downstairs and changed for bed. She grabbed a blanket and spare pillow before stretching out on the sofa. It was uncomfortable to say the least. She forced her eyes shut, trying to fall asleep. From the tone of Broyles call, she knew it would be a busy week. She just hoped Peter would be up to it. She was a little nervous how he'd take the news of what they did, who he was, his importance to the survival of both universes. It was a lot to put on one man. It was no wonder Walter thought it best he had forgotten the past three years. Maybe that was better for him. Maybe she had been selfish in wanting happiness and wanting him to herself.
She shifted restlessly on the sofa trying to sleep. The hours seemed to tick by. She contemplated her options and what was best for each of them and the survival of their world. There was no easy answer. She hated knowing all that she had.
Olivia rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. She knew Peter's bed was above the living room. She focused her energy and attention on him. Wanting to heal him, wanting him to remember. Maybe the memories were difficult but they were his. Honestly she didn't want him to remember the future past which they lived together but she'd gladly take that back if she had her Peter Bishop back.
She felt a single tear slide down her cheek. She was too tired to brush it away. She closed her eyes tight. Sleep finally finding her.
