Breaking Point
Written by:Addie Price
Summary:'It was a war, Peter. And every war has its casualties. I'm just sorry it had to be Olivia who was made to suffer.' Everybody has a breaking point. And Olivia may have just met hers.
Words: 2,477
Note: The second part of chapter 10! Sorry to keep splitting these chapters up on you; I've just been trying to keep a consistent chapter length, which is much harder than I thought.
I also have an important question for you: there are two distinctly different ways for this story to end, one of which wraps thing up nicely, the other which sets the entire story up for a sequel. And I am leaving it up to you to decide which way to end this. If there is a sequel, there'll be two more chapters, but it'll probably be a while until I can get the sequel up, especially since I'm leaving for Germany in two weeks. If I just end it, there'll be three to four more chapters. Please let me know which one you guys want!
Rated T for brief language and my own paranoia.
Disclaimer: FRINGE is the property of FOX Broadcasting Company and its associates. I am in no way affiliated with FOX nor do I own any of the characters depicted in this story.
"Today is the day for which you were created."
- Walter Bishop
After a few minutes of silence, Rachel releases their hands and turns to Peter, beckoning him towards her as she leaves the room. Peter limps after her, already knowing what's going to happen next.
They stand outside the room, Rachel with her hands on her hips, eyes blazing. "Peter, what the hell happened? The doctor said she was in a car accident, but you and I both know very well that's not true. Those injuries are from a fight, Peter. They were deliberate. I only let you take her from the institute because you promised she would be safe." She's angry, her voice raising to a shout at the end of her words as she lifts a hand to poke Peter angrily in the chest. He understands though and, despite the pain, doesn't defend himself in any way as Rachel's pokes turn into hits and she begins to pound weakly on his chest, her anger subsiding to tears as she begins to sob. "You promised she would be safe."
She breaks down completely and collapses into him, gripping his shoulders for support. Even though he's weak from the ordeal, he supports her, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders and embracing her tightly as she sobs into his shoulder, clinging to her as she clings to him, as if they are each other's last hope.
"You promised." Her words are less than a whisper, almost inaudible in the hospital's hallway.
She eventually exhausts herself and releases him, collapsing onto a bench in the hall with a heavy sigh. Peter takes a seat next to her and begins to explain, his words soft and gentle. He owes her an explanation after all she's been through with her sister, owes her this after everything that's happened to their family. He tells her about the Other side, about how he was stolen away in the night in a last ditch attempt to save his life. About how the Other Side began to fall apart after that day, leading to the chain of events that have brought them here today.
He tells her about the Cortexiphan trials and the daycare in Florida, how his father (not his real father) experimented on children, Olivia included, and gave them abilities they never would've been able to possess otherwise.
He tells her about John Scott, about the events that brought the Fringe Division together. About John's accident, the one that forced Olivia into a state of shared consciousness with him. About the part of John's mind that merged with hers, beginning the downward spiral that would lead to where they are today.
He tells her about Massive Dynamic and William Bell and Nina Sharp, about the Observers and the Pattern. About Bell's leaving Their Side to try and fix the Other.
He tells her about the first time Olivia crossed over, how Bell pulled her from her car, just milliseconds before a collision. She returned to the scene and hour later, crashing through the windshield, explaining how she ended up in a coma in the hospital more than a year ago.
He tells her about his discovery of the truth about his origins on the Other Side, how he went home to try and mend both Universes. About how Olivia risked her life to cross over and save his. How they returned at William Bell's sacrifice. How his and Olivia's relationship progressed from there.
He tells her about the subtle differences he had noticed in her, how he attributed them to their new relationship and nothing more.
He tells her about Olivia's entrapment on the Other Side, how she was injected with the memories of her alternate, how she suffered at the hands of his real father, all because she wanted to bring him home.
He tells her about Olivia's return home and how her doppelganger escaped them when she did.
He tells her about the war that commenced between the Universes, about shapeshifters and wormholes and tears in the very fabric of the Universe.
He tells her about the soul magnet William Bell implanted inside her when she first crossed over, insurance for his life after death. About how when the bell was rung and the trigger activated, Bell's mind invaded Olivia's, pushing her to the breaking point as three consciences resided in a space made for one.
He tells her about his and Walter's journey into her mind, how they witnesses her memories and how the mind of her alternate was fighting to take over. How she tried to suppress and destroy Olivia's mind forever.
He tells her how the Cortexiphan they gave her for strength mixed with the sedative created a toxin to Olivia's body, but how neither Walter nor Bell nor himself know if it was the toxin or Olivia's doppelganger that left her in a coma-like state in the room beside them.
He tells her Walter's and Bell's theory about the injures they all sustained in the world of Olivia's mind, attributing Olivia's injuries to the battle she fought with her alternate, though none of them witnessed the fight.
By the end of his story, Rachel is staring into the space before her, eyes unfocused, disbelief suspended on her face. She opens and shuts her mouth a few times, at a loss for words. Peter gently places a hand on her arm. "I know it's a lot to take in."
Rachel nods and turns to look at him, finally managing to form words. "You and Liv are . . . together?"
Forget the fact that Peter could be thrown into jail by the FBI for revealing so much confidential information to a civilian – all Rachel seems to really care about is the fact that Olivia and Peter are finally dating.
Peter chuckles. "Yeah. But I'll have to tell you that story some other time."
He reaches over and takes her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Don't worry, Rachel. Olivia's been through worse than this before. She'll get through it."
But even as he says it, Peter's heart isn't convinced.
A doctor interrupts them then, eyeing the chart in front of him warily. "Ms. Dunham?" He asks, glancing between the two.
Rachel nods unenthusiastically, her head low, not meeting the doctor's gaze. "Yes?"
"I need you speak with you about your sister's condition."
"Okay."
The doctor glances nervously at Peter, his voice low as he speaks, as if Peter won't hear him. "I believe this is a matter that is best discussed in private."
Rachel raises her head sharply, green eyes steely. In that moment, Peter is struck by how much she looks like her sister, with the same blazing eyes and fierce determination. "He's been through just as much as she has. He stays."
The doctor nods, taking in Peter's hospital gown and bandages with trepidation. Raising the chart before him, he begins to speak, his voice falling into the careful monotone of someone about to give bad news.
"As you know, your sister was in an accident." Rachel scoffs at this, but the doctor continues uninterrupted. "It appears as if she was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle, causing her dislocated hip and fractured wrist. We believe that her ankle was somehow caught in the car when the accident occurred, causing it to fracture. She also has three broken ribs, but other than that she is stable. She lost a lot of blood, but transfusions were made."
The doctor looks between them, making sure they understand his words. He can tell that they do and he clears his throat. Peter knows that's not the worst of her condition.
"We found some…interesting things when we did a tox-screen, however." Rachel's hands tighten. "She had a toxin in her system, Ms. Dunham. It appeared as if an antitoxin had been administered, but it didn't fully counter the effects of the toxin."
"Is that why she's still unconscious?" Rachel's voice cracks, tight with worry.
The doctor shakes his head. "No, but it certainly isn't helping her condition." He takes a deep breath, preparing them and himself for the break. "Ms. Dunham, you're sister has no brain activity."
Rachel takes in a sharp breath and slumps forward, her eyes filling up with tears as she stares at the doctor in disbelief. "What?"
"Your sister is brain-dead."
"I know what no brain activity means, you idiot." Her voice is sharp, pierced with anguish and sorrow. She lowers her head into her hands, cradling it as she begins to cry.
"Ms. Dunham, you're sister has a living will. She doesn't want to be on life support when there's no brain activity."
Though Rachel doesn't raise her head, Peter can tell she's crying, but her voice is still strong. "No. I'm overruling it. She stays on life support."
The doctor reaches out a hand, offering her a tissue. "Ms. Dunham, I know this is hard but I have to ask. Was your sister doing any drugs or on any experimental medication?"
Rachel's shoulders tense and her crying stops as anger over such a ridiculous accusation washing through her instead. She raises her head and opens her mouth to speak, but Peter stops her with a look.
He rests an arm over her shoulders comfortingly, squeezing her arm with his other hand. "I think you better leave," he says to the doctor.
"But—"
Peter shakes his head. "Go."
The doctor hurries away, glancing back at Rachel's steely glare once more before disappearing around the corner.
Rachel's head collapses into her hands once more and Peter keeps his arm around her, lending silent comfort as she weeps. They stay like that for a minute or so before her tears finally begin to subside. Peter speaks, his voice low. "I need to talk to Walter. Are you going to be okay?"
Rachel sniffles and nods, looking up at him with red-rimmed eyes, the green more brilliant in them. "Thanks, Peter."
He smiles at her as he stands. "I'll send Ella out."
Walter stands nervously off to one side of the room as Ella chats animatedly to her aunt, despite the fact that Olivia probably can't hear a word she says. The older gentleman wrings his hands together as Peter gently tells Ella to go to her mother and the girl leaves the room, leaving the Bishops and Bell behind.
Peter's gaze is icy as he looks at Walter. "What happened, Walter? Why isn't she okay?"
Walter trembles slightly and Bell answers for him, his words careful. "You knew the risks when we decided to try this, Peter. You knew that she might not make it."
Peter glowers at him for a moment. "You never told me that she could end up brain-dead."
Bell stands. "The risks and complications were explained to you. You have no reason to be upset with us."
Peter stalks towards him. "You knew this would happen, didn't you? You know she wouldn't make it. But you wanted your own body and you're too damn selfish to do anything that would hurt you at all." His voice raises, escalating to a shout. "You did this to her! You bastard!"
Bell chuckles softly, his calm reception only serving to fuel Peter's anger further.
"Son, please." Walter's voice is soft, fear laced in his words. "It wasn't our fault."
Peter wheels on him, eyes blazing. "What?"
Walter stands. "She wasn't strong enough. We'd let it go too far before we helped her. We should've stepped in sooner."
Peter's fists tighten. "We should've given her more Cortexiphan, then."
Walter shakes his head. "It wouldn't have worked. If we gave her more Cortexiphan, the toxin would've acted quicker. There wouldn't have been enough time for the drug to take effect. She would've died before she even got the chance to fight."
William nods in agreement. "A paradox."
Peter turns from them, dejected, towards Olivia's bed. He reaches out to smooth her hair, eyes watering as he looks her, taking in her injuries, her lifelessness. He leans forward, pressing his lips to her forehead. "I'm so sorry, Liv. I'm so, so sorry."
The world is bleak. No light permeates her surroundings. She cannot see. She does not know where she is, only that it is dark, so very dark. Even as her eyes try to adjust to the lack of light, it makes no difference.
She is floating in a sea of nothing.
Olivia can't feel anything; the nothing isn't just a lack of light, it's a lack of any stimulus. No pain, no sense of touch, no sound, no scents. Nothing. It's as if she's back in the sensory deprivation tank, but on a much, much larger scale.
And it terrifies her.
She feels panic settle into her chest, clawing at her bruised and broken ribs, tearing her from the inside out until it bursts forth from her mouth in a guttural, primal scream.
And then all is silent.
And there is nothing.
