Disclaimer: I do not own Fringe.

Author's Note: Thank you so much to everyone who has been reading and reviewing, and don't forget to tell me what you think of this chapter! Remember, I am always open to suggestions!

Chapter Fourteen

Anger was the most prominent emotion for Peter at that moment, followed closely by anxiety. But all he could do was wring his hands, because it was no use trying to break out of the cell—he'd already tried that.

Olivia had told him snippets of her time spent here, and the claustrophobia she'd described certainly was accurate. He knew now why she still had nightmares about the place.

The door open, and he sprung to his feet. It was his father, stone-faced as always. "Hello, son."

"Where's Olivia?" He wasn't about to beat around the bush, and it was all he could do not to hit the man right then and there. His nails bit into his palms. "If you've done anything to her, I swear—"

"She's fine." It was a tacit understanding that the words that should've followed the latter statement were, 'for now'.

"I want to see her."

"Not now." He pulled the door shut behind him, and took a seat on the bench. He gestured for Peter to do the same but Peter didn't move. "I'd like to speak to you about what you said earlier."

"There's nothing more to explain," he said, "just that you need to understand that you can't turn on the Machine. I know how you did it now—it was my son, wasn't it? You used his DNA."

"'Used'," Walternate repeated slowly, his mouth creasing pensively. "Why do you refer to the event in the past tense? It hasn't happened yet."

He turned to face the wall, in an attempt to stem the anger rising in his chest. He spoke through gritted teeth. "It may not have happened yet, not in this time frame, but you of all people—a brilliant scientist, just like the Walter Bishop on the Other Side—should know that the concept of time being linear is only a human concept. Really, time travel isn't so far-fetched. And that's all I'm going to say about that." His boot squeaked, as he turned sharply, then bent at the hip so he was eye-level with Walternate. "This isn't about how I saw it, it's about the consequences of your actions, and how you can prevent it."

"This is not my fault. It is my alternate's fault. He stole you, and he must suffer because of his actions."

"You're selfish!" With the force of his words his body straightened, and he spread his hands upward as he spoke, deep creases gauging the skin of his forehead. "If this is about what Walter did, then settle it with him. But, destroying an entire universe is not a good way to get revenge. There's no way you can rationalize destroying so many people just because of one person."

"Son, do you know how many people in this universe have died because of the imbalance my alternate's crossing over caused?" There was a loathing in his eyes that Peter had never seen in Walter's—as much as Olivia was similar to her alternate, Charlie to his, Lincoln to his, etc., etc., Walter and Walternate were as different as they came. Perhaps it was due to the fact that Bell had removed pieces of Walter's brain, and Peter didn't want to know how he would've turned out if that hadn't happened. It was a rare even that Peter was grateful for Bell.

"It still doesn't justify the genocide that you're allowing to go on." He swallowed, composing himself, before he continued, in a softer tone, "A bridge had been created, but you were still unable to swallow your pride and help to repair both universes. There's only one option here."

"And what's that?"

"Either you change your mind, and I swear, I will help however I can to repair your universe."

"Or?"

"Or," he said, with a vicious sneer, "I'll make sure you're unable to activate the Machine, whatever it takes."

"I think you've forgotten that you're in my custody." Walternate stood, more imposing than ever, all traces of the prior frenzy gone from his face. "You can't do anything unless I approve it. And I certainly don't approve of any of this." He moved toward the door. "I'll allow you to rethink your threats. I really don't want to have to keep you locked up, Peter. But, I will if I have to." Peter sprang toward him as he settled his hand on the doorknob.

"Wait!" Pleading wasn't appealing, but it seemed to be his only choice at the moment. "Let me see Olivia. Please, if you're going to keep us locked up here, at least let me see her."

But Walternate said nothing, only stared at him for a moment, then left. He pounded his fists on the door, calling after him, but the steel was thick, and he tired quickly. The glimmer of some sort of sympathy in his father's eyes before he'd left was his only consolation.

#

She hadn't been able to quell the worry fluttering in her stomach since the two had left her apartment for the Department of Defense. She had never thought she'd be seeing either of them again, much less to have them turn up on her doorstep. Though, she was glad that her son had met his father, if only for a fleeting moment.

After a few hours had passed, Lincoln called, and she hoped it was with good news.

"Hey, 'Liv. You back from the DOD yet? You found a ride?"

She wasn't quite sure how to answer, but she supposed that if it really were her at the DOD, she wouldn't have answered her phone. "Yeah, I managed to get home alright." She punctuated with an easy laugh, if only to assure him that it was the truth.

"And Peter?"

"He's—he stayed back with his father. They wanted to catch up."

"Do you know why he came back?"

"I'm not sure, really."

There was a pause, as Lincoln said nothing for a few moments, until, "Was it because of you and Henry?"

"No." She could almost feel Lincoln's doubt coming over the line. "Honestly, it wasn't. He didn't even know until he actually came here."

"You think he'll stay for good now, then?"

"No." This was true; she had never expected them to stay, because once whatever they had come here to do was done with, she knew they would want to return to their own universe as soon as possible. Yes, it would be sad that Henry would grow up without a father, but she wasn't the one Peter wanted. He wanted her alternate. "He won't stay. And if he does, it won't be because of me."

Another moment of silence, and the Lincoln said, "Well, since you're home now, why don't I come over, keep you company?" The eagerness in his voice sounded akin to that of an excited child.

She chuckled. "I don't think that's such a good idea." She heard him make a noise of discontent. "Sorry, Lincoln. I just need some time, alright?"

"Well, give me a call if you change your mind."

"I will."

She disconnected the call and slumped down onto the couch. She hadn't expected to hear whether or not her alternate and Peter had made it through all right with the Secretary, but she had a sick feeling in her stomach. Walternate was a stubborn man, and she knew the only thing he wanted was his son back, and for revenge on the other universe. A bit of convincing wouldn't do much to change his mind.

A visit might do some good, she thought, if only just to check up. Despite the differences she and her alternate shared, she was the same person, and she did feel some sort of attachment, not to mention the danger she and Peter may be in at that moment.