A/N - I wanted to show a little more Peter in this one...But don't fear, this is still plenty more to come!
So read, enjoy and review as always.
Chapter Fourteen – There's Something In The Water
Her arm hurt. That was the first thing that she registered. Then there was Peter. He was furious. She didn't need to open her eyes to see that his face would be red, veins bulging, and his eyes wide. He was pacing again, another sign that he was not happy. She wanted to reassure him but for now, her body refused to co-operate. So she remained still and listened.
"Use me, Walter."
"Peter, no."
Peter would be gritting his teeth about now, clenching his fists. If it was anyone else, he would have done something to intimidate them by now. But it was Walter. She heard him release his breath, trying to keep his composure.
"Walter, we need to fix this. Olivia's body can only take so much more. She's been out for hours."
"Peter, we need to use her for this."
"WHY? YOU COULD KILL HER! DO YOU WANT THAT?"
Peter's yell echoed around the room and Olivia almost flinched. She hated to see Peter like this. He had reached the end of his patience with the situation. He was sick of seeing her like this. She was sick of being like this.
"Peter, sit down."
"Walter, you can't-"
"SIT DOWN!"
Walter's yell was even more shocking than Peter's. For a man that rarely raised his voice, he an impressive, booming volume. She heard Peter slump into a chair, both men releasing a breath.
"First, it is insulting that you would think that I would want to hurt Olivia. She is my family too. Secondly, if we want to fix this, we need to use her. If it works, it will break her connection with Erica. And she will be fine."
"And if it doesn't work?"
"We pull her away. A short touch is all we need to see if it will work."
She didn't need to see Peter to know that he was considering all other options but he knew the truth the same way that she did. There were no other options. If she was to survive this, they needed to try. Walter had been right. Her body would only take so much of the headaches and pain, the memories that weren't her own.
"Son, I don't like seeing her like this either. But we don't have many options at this point."
Peter's anger was gone from his voice.
"I know. And I'm sorry. I'm just worried."
"I know. I am too. But she's strong. Her body has been invaded before; it will make her better to handle this than most. "
Olivia's hand twitched and she moved her arm. It obeyed her and she inched it up the other arm, finding the source of her pain. She had an I.V in. She hated needles. It hurt because she had moved it at an odd angle while she had been out.
"Peter."
Her voice was raspy, her throat dry. She needed water. She squinted, her eyes burning even in the muted light of the lab. She turned her head, finding Peter at her side, his face worried.
"Liv, how are you feeling?"
"I need water."
Astrid came to her side, a tall glass of water in her hand. Olivia tried to sit up but the pain was still there, not as severe as before but it was enough to make her pause and gasp. Peter carefully helped her sit up, his arm around her back keeping her steady as she gulped the water. Astrid moved away and filled up the glass again, which Olivia drank quickly. It took another three glasses before she felt a little better. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, gripping the edges, waiting for the world to balance itself out. She looked at Peter.
"Walter's right. I need to do this."
Liv, you don't-"
"We are running out of time. And we promised."
She searched Peter's eyes, waiting for the glimmer of fight that she knew was there. He wanted to fight for her, he always did. In fact, it was one of the things he did best. But he couldn't fight this. They were running out of time. She could see his desperation and concern but they had promised Erica that they would help. Peter had risked his life for her and Olivia wasn't going to let it be for nothing. She took Peter's hand, running her thumb over his knuckles. The burns were starting to heal and he didn't flinch as she touched his skin.
"Are you sure?"
Olivia glanced around the room searching for Erica. She was in a far corner, watching them. Olivia could see the guilt on her face but something else too. She was scared. She didn't want to do this either. But if they didn't she would die. And Olivia wasn't going to let that happen if she could help it.
"Yes."
"And what happens if this works? Even if she can give it back, how will she feed? Do we go out and get people in for her?"
"I don't know Peter but this is killing me."
He wanted answers but so did she. The problem was, no one had any.
"Well, can we at least wait until you are a little stronger?"
Olivia smiled at his light tone.
"Ok."
Peter cupped her face gently.
"You need to eat something."
Olivia focused on her stomach for a second.
"Yeah, you might be right."
"What do you feel like? You can have anything you want."
Olivia thought for a moment.
"I want one of those triple stack burgers. With fries and a large soda."
Peter grinned, giving her a quick kiss.
"Your wish is my command."
She watched as Peter moved away, checking to see if Walter or Astrid wanted anything before he moved over to Erica. She was surprised that Erica flinched. She clearly thought that she was the source of Peter's anger. Peter crutched down until he was eye level with Erica and he spoke quickly to her. She gave him a slight smile and a quick nod before they both left the lab.
"Walter?"
Walter raised his head from his paperwork.
"Yes my dear."
"Peter didn't mean it when he yelled at you."
Walter smiled slightly.
"I know he didn't. He was worried about you. I know that this is nothing more than a theory but-"
"Water?"
"Yes?"
"We've worked off less. I trust you to keep me safe."
Walter shook his head.
"See that's the issue. I can't tell if this will work. I may not be able to keep you safe."
There was a shake in Walter's voice and Olivia slipped off the bed. It took her a second to get her bearings, Astrid hovering close by but she was fine. She made her way over to Walter, resting hand on his shoulder.
"It will be fine."
She turned to Astrid.
"Did you call Broyles?"
"Yes. He will be here soon. I had to wait until you woke up."
"How long was I out?"
"Four hours."
"Shit. It's getting worse. It's take longer and longer for me to recover."
Walter shook his head.
"It's not a good sign."
Olivia sighed and ran her hand through her hair.
"Look, we need to focus. When they get back, we will eat and then we will test your theory. After that, we move onto the next part of the plan."
Walter frowned.
"What's that?"
"We find a killer."
When Peter had first asked Erica to go with him to get the food, she thought that he would be on her case about causing Olivia to collapse. She hadn't meant too. The memory had moved on its own and she had no control over it. She had flinched as Olivia had fallen and felt helpless as the others tried to get Olivia to respond. She saw as Peter started losing control, panicked and frightened over what was happening to Olivia. He had watched her without hiding his fury and she was scared by that glint in his eye.
"So what would you like to eat? My shout."
Erica's eyes flicked over the menu. She was surprised he was talking to her. He had been pensive the whole drive over.
"Cheeseburger combo please."
"Large?"
"Small please. I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to eat."
Peter gave the girl behind the counter their order. The girl handed them their drinks and went to organize their burgers. Peter took a long pull on his drink before sighing.
"I wanted to apologize."
Erica frowned, surprised.
"What for?"
"For getting so angry. I'm worried about Olivia."
Erica sipped her drink, enjoying the coldness of the soda.
"It's my fault. I'm the one that should be sorry, not you."
"So with both of us to blame, I guess we have nothing talk about."
Peter offered her a wide smile, one that she tentatively returned before they went to collect their food.