Hello fellow Fringies!
Here is the penultimate chapter of "Wonders of Depigmentation".
So one more chapter to go!
As you can see, the title is optimistic.
There will be a lot of Polivia fluff which I hope you will thoroughly enjoy :)
Happy reading!
OLIVIA, Walter and Astrid were together in the waiting room, in front of the operating theatre. Walter was sitting on the chair, staring at the wall, nonresponsive.
Astrid was trying to simultaneously calm down pacing Olivia and feed Walter his breakfast.
Both of her efforts had proven to be in vain so far.
It was now ten o'clock in the morning and they all looked pretty much exhausted.
-He shouldn't have taken that serum-Walter raised his finger for the tenth time.
His left eye was twitching. –I told him it was dangerous, I told him to wait for the FBI agents but he didn't want to… He wanted to get you out of there as soon as possible. He was so worried about you, agent Dunham. He was really worried-Walter underlined with an emphatic urgency.
-I know, Walter-expressionless Olivia allowed herself a small nod in his direction before she resumed her patrolling.
Olivia was "really worried" about Peter Bishop as well.
It was just that…
She always kept all of her worries inside.
She wasn't even allowing herself to say much, lest her entire soul would escape through her mouth.
-Well I guess that's Peter for you-Astrid noted, wiping Walter's chin after making him swallow some yoghurt with cereals. –Who would have guessed that he was actually protecting us all the whole time, by lying to us, now that he got blackmailed? He was also super preoccupied about Olivia while she was in the tank. And now he sacrificed himself for her.
-My son has proven that he has been a worthy member of Fringe division time and again and I… I would be sad to see him go. Can't you do anything about it, Agent Dunham? Does he really need to…
-I will try-was the only thing Olivia said before she strode away to the other end of the hallway.
I won't be able to live with myself if he dies.
If he dies after having sacrificed his life for me.
After I drove him away, told him to stay away.
I was right, of course. There is no question about that.
It's just that…
I don't want our last conversation to be a row.
Tears welled in her eyes and Olivia furiously fisted them out.
Don't be stupid-she chastised herself. He will be fine. It's a routine bullet removal procedure.
She smiled towards the duffel bag she personally went to retrieve from the airport.
Thank God no one stole it.
Zipper on the bag was slightly open and Olivia could see two photographs protruding.
She pulled them out, out of curiosity.
One of them was a photo from the family album she had already seen. Blond and blue eyed, little Peter with his mother.
The other one made her feel a small nostalgic pain in her chest.
It was the photo of the two of them Walter took, while Peter was playing the piano to her.
Back then, Walter claimed he did it so he would have the proof that his son is, indeed, talented for at least something, but Olivia knew better.
Senior Bishop knew very well what he was doing as he captured both of their facial expressions-Peter's tender and flirty and Olivia's admiring and teasing look.
She was leaning towards him, as if she was entranced by the sound he was producing.
They both only had eyes for each other on that photograph.
He wanted to take this with him, of all things. Oh… Peter.
-That is a beautiful photograph-a female voice was heard behind her.
Olivia was surprised to see Tess Amaral standing right next to her, leaning over her shoulder.
Olivia cleared her throat and hastily deposited both photographs back to Peter's duffel bag.
-How are you, Miss Amaral?-she directed an official inquiry.
-I am fine. Shaken, but otherwise fine. And please, call me Tess. There is no need for such formalities.
-Okay-Olivia gave a small nod although her gaze was still intense-Tess. Have you already been to the police station and FBI headquarters?
-I told them everything I knew about the gang. I hope my information will prove useful.
-I am certain your collaboration has been most helpful-Olivia said curtly.
-I am not sad that he died, you know-Tess added. –I am sad that he became a monster in a human skin. A person who had lied and wronged everyone who cared about him. He didn't deserve to live. He wasn't my Michael anymore. I am glad someone else ended his life, though. I would have never been able to do it, just as I would have never been able to leave him. In time… He had become such a huge part of me… That no matter what he did, I would always forgive him. I could never do him harm.
-I am sorry for your loss-Olivia replied in earnest, looking towards Tess for the very first time since the beginning of conversation that was forced upon her.
What she saw before her was a broken woman and it pained her.
-How is he?-Tess asked with a whisper and Olivia knew she now was referring to Peter.
-I… I don't really know-Olivia's face changed and she stammered before the woman she knew cared about Peter as much as she did. –His surgery was completed couple of hours ago. They… they still won't let us in to see him but they…said that…soon-Olivia nodded in order to reassure herself.
-When he does wake up, could you tell him I wish him all the best and that I am finally free of Michael's shadow? Also tell him this: I am glad he has finally found a home, you know? Somewhere he belongs to. Someone he belongs to-Tess accentuated the last sentence and Olivia's cheeks reddened.
-I'll make sure to tell him that.
-Listen, Olivia. I know the inner conflict you must be having in relation to Peter. I have to admit that, yes, it's true, he is sometimes a screw up but Peter Bishop is overall a great person. His heart is in the right place and I know for a fact he loves you very much. You'd be crazy to let him get away. Look after him for me?-Tess's last word acquired interrogative accentuation.
-I will-Olivia replied, still musing over "he loves you very much" part, crimson-cheeked. –But, are you sure you won't come in and tell him that yourself?
-No-Tess smiled. –It's not my place to do so, and, besides, I am not the one whom he wishes to see right now.
-What will you do now?-Olivia went even redder in her face, trying to change the subject.
-I don't know. Travel around the world, see how other people live, immerse myself in their language, their culture… I need to… Get away from all the pain and bad memories. Maybe there is someone out there for me. I think everybody deserves a second chance. I won't lose hope.
Astrid ran towards Olivia at that precise moment, interrupting their conversation.
-Doctors say we can come in and see him now! He's been transferred to the intensive care room. Walter has already been in there and he came out! Peter is just fine, visible again and all. Bullet has been successfully removed. Would you like to come in and see him next?
-Yeah, sure-Olivia replied nonchalantly, trying to look composed as her heart was pounding in her chest.
–Let me just say goodbye to…-when the long haired blonde FBI agent turned around, there was no one behind her.
She's gone-Olivia thought.
Looking around for something to hold onto, something that would give her security, she grabbed the duffel bag and neared the dark brown wooden door of the indicated room.
Olivia didn't enter immediately, but counted to five to calm herself down.
Then she knocked.
-Come in-Peter's tense voice was heard from the inside and then he cleared his throat.
Olivia wondered whether he was as nervous as she was.
PETER took in her angelic figure as she stood in the doorway, hesitant, neither entering nor exiting his room.
–Come in, Olivia. Don't stand in the hallway-he motioned tiredly.
She entered timidly, almost tentatively.
The bond that was re-forged between them past night was still there but it was feeble.
Olivia was worried that either of them will say or do something stupid and ruin it, as it usually happened with her and Peter.
Peter's gaze was guarded and serious as he made a formal suggestion:
-There is a chair in the back, so you can…
Olivia lowered the duffel bag on the floor and sat on the edge of his bed instead, taking his hand into hers.
Peter gulped, not believing his luck.
She is so nice to me all of a sudden. I guess lifesaving has its perks, bonuses and benefits.
Nah. Olivia is just probably feeling guilty-he frowned but he couldn't deny he was enjoying his former boss's attention.
-Peter…-the earnest look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know.
-Olivia, you don't have to…
She is going to say "thank you".
-I do. I need to. Thank you-she accentuated those words. -And not just for saving my life. For rescuing me from the feeling of being bound, powerless. It's…-she waved her right arm. –It's what I hate most. Not being able to do something about the situation. And I wasn't. It all happened so fast when he…When Kelly took me. My gun was left on the table in my office.
-How did he overpower you, anyway?-Peter's tone of voice was a mixture of mild surprise and curiosity although that question was coated in anger towards Michael.
Her lips became a thin line.
-Tranq dart.
Peter nodded in understanding.
-He always was a coward.
-Peter, listen. I need to ask you something.
-Shoot-he was glad to be of service.
-How on Earth did you find me? It's been bugging me for hours now and Walter kept repeating a nonsensical story about the bald man and the cylinder… I mean… That can't be true, can it?-her eyes widened in disbelief.
-It is. Every word of it. I swear-Peter said, feverishly.
-So he just happened to be at the airport bar and then he handed you the address of the warehouse where I was kept in? Nothing is even left to coincidence. Things just keep getting better and better-Olivia couldn't grasp the concept of what had just transpired.
Peter chuckled.
-That's something I would have said, long time ago. I have learnt not to be surprised at anything anymore-he shrugged his shoulders.
-Why didn't you wait for Charlie?-Olivia inquired next; and there was a hint of gentleness and rebuke in her voice.
-I couldn't, Olivia-his fingers squeezed hers so much that it hurt her. –As soon as I figured out what it was all about I knew I needed to go to you immediately, without wasting time. I didn't even think it twice. What if… What if the feds came and those people…Started panicking? They might have shot you then and there, as their key witness. Long before Charlie and the others could find you. You were at the lowest level of the building.
-But you couldn't know that-she whispered, now looking at his bedsheet.
-That's right. I couldn't-he grinned, caught in a lie. –Well, I guess that… I guess that I went after you immediately because-Peter swallowed, glancing everywhere but straight towards Olivia-I cared about you a little too much.
She was the one who squeezed his fingers next and Peter gulped, paralyzed.
He tried to get the conversational train back on tracks.
-So, what was going on out there in the big bad world while yours truly was being operated on?-he cleared his throat.
Olivia has such an effect on me.
But I can't… Can't start telling her how much I love her, I can't suffocate her with my emotions now like I did when we were in her office yesterday.
She would see it as an insincerity and invasion of her privacy, she would just close up or even worse, attack me again.
-We managed to sweep the entire place. We got Loeb and after couple of hours in questioning and his wife's influence, he confessed everything.
-That son of the bitch-muttered Peter. –I bet he mentioned me a lot in his declaration.
-He did, but I already pleaded your cause. You will not be prosecuted for giving them the serum since you were the victim of the blackmail-Olivia was adamant.
-Thanks, Dunham-his voice was full of relief. –It means a lot to me.
-We also found a lot of vials containing some kind of yellow powder-she went on. -Walter managed to determine they are activated when they come in contact with water…
-So he was actually working with you immediately after I got shot?
-He claimed that it helped him get distracted from the matter he couldn't affect. He knew you were in the surgery and preferred not to think about it.
-It makes sense. So, you were saying…
-It turns out, that the powder was a basis for supersizing common cold.
-That's disgusting. Why would anyone do that?
-According to Loeb, couple of famous epidemiologists were to be targeted in a boastful manner.
-To show off? Figures-Peter snorted.
-So I think we might have just saved some lives and stopped that operation-Olivia seemed quite pleased and he joined her in a smile.
-Yet another day in Fringe division department, am I right?-he snickered. –What?-his eye-slits narrowed seeing a fleeting shadow cross her face.
-Um, before I forget; Tess was here.
-She was?-Peter smiled. –I heard Charlie killed Michael Kelly, Walter told me. I guess it's good for her that she didn't have to do it. The way things were going between the two of them, I was afraid it will end like that. Now she is finally free of him.
-She had a message for you-Olivia cast down her eyes.
-Did she now? What did she say?-Peter was intrigued, especially because of Olivia's previous facial expression.
She said: "I am glad he has finally found a home, you know? Somewhere he belongs to. Someone he belongs to"-Olivia recited levelly.
Uncomfortable silence followed as Peter's tongue darted out of his mouth, wetting his lips. His eyes glanced nervously left and right.
He didn't reply anything to that, just nodded uncomfortably and stared at the wall for a while.
What do I say to that? What can I…
"Have I, Olivia?"
That's what I wish to ask but…
I can't. I can't.
Peter eventually just closed his eyes opting for silence.
Olivia decided change of the subject was in order.
She didn't know how to get him to open up again.
It all felt awkward and upside-down.
Peter, the one who was incessantly prying her open with his conversational proverbial crowbar, was now closed shut.
Olivia wasn't used to their roles being reversed.
-So how are you feeling?-she inquired jovially, opting for the safe question, placing her hair behind her ear and Peter basked in the sweet vanilla smell she spread around her with that particular movement.
-Welp-Peter recited mechanically. –For one, my chest hurts like hell. I remember little of the occurrences after I took the bullet. Walter says I was lucky to regain visibility at the last moment. He also told me…-Peter smiled crookedly-that you were "really worried" about me.
-I was-her eyes opened wide and honest. –He most certainly wasn't lying about that.
-Another interesting thing he told me was that you kept slapping me to snap me out of the unconsciousness.
-Oh-Olivia blushed. –Sorry. That was because… -Walter posited that… If you weren't conscious when your transformation began, you might have gotten stuck like that and the doctors… The doctors wouldn't have been able to see you, to operate on you.
-So… You basically saved my life. Again. And got to enjoy the process of you doing it, beating the crap out of me.
They both allowed themselves small smiles, as breathers in what was going to be, they sensed, a lengthy conversation.
-It was nothing in comparison to what you did, Peter. You barged in unarmed into that warehouse facility, looking for me on your own. You freed me, then you took a bullet for me. That was incredibly brave and selfless-her tone of voice was deeply admiring.
-But then you saved my life too-he insisted stubbornly. –Tit for tat, Dunham. I guess we're even now. No need to feel guilty about anything. You owe me nothing so don't beat yourself up over…
-Guilty?-she shook her head, confused.
And here we go.
-Guilty about yelling at me, hours before.
-Oh I don't feel guilty about that at all. Why would I? You deserved every word I said-her voice became harsh and stern.
-I think the same. Perfect. We are on the same page. So then… -Peter was direct. -Why are you here, Olivia? Checking up on your former employee kind of thing?
I need to know what kind of visit this is.
I no longer know where I stand with Olivia.
She did tell Eugene she started to feel strongly for Peter but then again…
She told me to stay away from her.
Thinking about it, it might just be the best option.
I am not cut out for her. She deserves so much better.
But then…
If I can't be with her, I must forget her.
I must leave.
-I brought the bag you left at the airport. You were to sign in on a flight to Melbourne at 09.00 a.m.-Olivia's forehead creased.
-That's one flight I missed, apparently. Oh well, I hope to get a refund. Don't worry, Olivia. Listen…I'll be out of your hair as fast as I can-he said hoarsely, finding he had difficulty breathing.
Parting is such sweet sorrow, says Shakespeare. But it's for the best.
At least we are leaving this between us as "friends".
Or ex friends with benefits.
Aaand…Now my thoughts are weirding myself out.
Anywhoo.
It's certainly a lot better goodbye than the row we had at her office.
-This photo fell out of the bag-Olivia pressed on as Peter promptly looked away at the sight of it.
-Yeah, Walter… Walter took that one during our first months together.
-Was he the one who placed it in your bag?-she inquired tenderly.
-Nooot really.-Peter smirked, still not daring to look at her. –That would be me. I liked the…The…Um.. You see the way… The way our eyes connected at one point when we looked at each other and um…Just…thought it was a nice photo overall. Figured it would be a pretty memory to carry with me to a new life.
She looks uncomfortable. It's almost as she was having second thoughts about me leaving.
If you want me to stay, sweetheart, you will have to say so.
Especially after driving me away.
-So…-she cleared her throat. –Melbourne. Why Melbourne of all cities in the world?
-A certain someone told me to get as far away from Boston as I could. I googled a little bit and found out that Melbourne is among the top three cities which are farthest away from Boston. Always wanted to see the place, so, since I was leaving anyway, I thought… Why not? –he muttered, embittered but still seemingly enjoying in his quite literal private joke. –I am going to take Walter with me too, as soon as I get accommodation there. Just saying, so that you don't peg me as an "irresponsible son"-he allowed himself to smile.
-So it's what you have decided? You will be leaving as soon as you recover?-her tiny palm now rested upon the wound on his chest.
His body twitched in response and he swallowed, still unable to look at her.
-What I…What I have decided? Olivia…It is what you wanted. And I am ready to do so. I screwed everything up. I am well aware of that. I don't expect anything from you, I didn't even expect this much. At this point, Olivia, I am just happy we are even having this conversation. Grateful for the way you are treating me at this moment. Thankful that we can part in normalcy.
-And you would do it, just like that?-her eyes were unreadable.
-You mean leave? Yes. If you asked me to, I would. I will. I am… leaving-verbal tenses he used became a scramble and heaped one upon another.
Peter wondered if he even made sense to her. –Olivia. I would do…Whatever you might need to… Feel better. I realized how much I´d hurt you, Dunham. That I was an idiot and I wanted to make things right. My presence was making you feeluncomfortable and I didn't… I don't want to expose you to it. You wanted me gone, you didn't care what…-he winced at the pain in his chest.
-Peter-she leaned towards him to still his motion, and there it was again, that soft, exasperated rolling of the last syllable he loved. –You're wrong. I do care about you-Olivia nervously whispered, as she began playing with her palms in her lap.
-Save it, Olivia. You don't… We don't have to do this. I know you are just saying that because I went in and saved you. If I hadn't done that, if I hadn't come for you…-he was fighting with tears-you would be ready to cast me away as a stray dog. We both know it-his voice was getting hoarser by the second.
-That's not true!-she replied, heatedly.
-It is. Astrid told me you said you'd never going to be able to forgive me for what I did.
-I was upset, Peter. You have to understand. What I said, I said in the spur of the moment. Eventually… I would have gone looking for you…-she sighed in defeat.
-What does that even mean, Olivia?-Peter sat up, leaning on his pillow, anxious and guarded. –Do you think that…one day… You might be able to forgive me?
-Maybe-his heart did a victorious little dance after hearing single word cross his lips.
-But I will never forget what you did-she added as a warning.
-I don't expect you to. Neither will I. I will never forget what kind of idiot I was. I made many mistakes. Way too many. I jeopardized all of your lives, including mine. I almost died but…-he took her palm between his hands and left a reverent, warm kiss on top of the pale skin through which redness started spreading with haste.
Surprised, Peter looked up and saw her blush. It gave him courage to go on. -I didn't care whether I was going to live or die. I just… I'm just glad I saved you. When I leapt in front of that bullet, I realized… My life didn't matter to me if you weren't going to be in it, Olivia. Don't you understand that, damn it?-his sizzling palm that he placed on her cheek next forced Olivia to look him in the eye.
She felt like a mongoose trapped in a hypnotizing snake's gaze but Olivia managed a reply.
-Don't say stuff like that, Peter. Don't even joke about them. You will live and get better. You have to get better…for me.
He almost couldn't believe his ears.
-Olivia, did you just say…
-Listen, Peter. I… I don't want you to go.
He thought he was going to explode of happiness upon hearing those words.
-You…You…Don't want me to go?-he repeated them, dumbstruck.
She actually said…She said the words I was waiting for.
-Peter-Olivia hurried on-you said… When I told you that you should leave Boston and that I didn't want to see you anymore, that I didn't want to work with you anymore… You said you'd do anything to stay near me, if only to be my friend.
Peter scratched his nose with both forefinger and a thumb as he was assessing her statement.
Okay…
-Fine. I did. But… About that. To quote a certain blond agent that we both know and love: "What I said, I said in a spur of a moment."
Olivia's lips curled into a smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
-What do you mean?-she sounded a little breathless and Peter thought how much he enjoyed seeing her care, seeing her vulnerable and human. -Do you not want to be friends?
-No. I mean. I can do friends. But. Only for a while. But…That plan about our friendship doesn't strike me as attractive as it once did. Listen, Olivia…Who am I kidding? Let me put all my cards on the table. I think I already did it, in your office, yesterday but I will do so again, actually. I am willing to give you time, to give us time, but no, I don't want to be your friend. I had enough of being your friend during these eight months-his voice became husky and hungry and Olivia flinched inwardly as rivulets of pleasure passed through her, causing her goosebumps. -I want you as my girlfriend. Eventually, of course. To share my bed every night. All day, if we wish. If I can't have that I'd rather die. Or live somewhere far away in exile. I… realize it now. I belong with you. With you is where I feel alive. Where I feel I have a home. Tess was right. She does know me well, what can I say? When I was Eugene…-her eyebrow shot up and he hurried to explain-no, wait, I need to tell you this: when you would put your head on my chest, after we would make love, you would warm up my whole being and you would plug that gaping hole I'd felt since forever and that made me empty and embittered. I feel so strongly for you. It scares me. I need you to tell me… If you…If you at least think that in some future, you would be able to feel the same for me. Despite all the stupid, atrocious acts I have committed. Could you care for me in that way?
-I already care about you, Peter and I...-her tongue and teeth were now assaulting her lower lip with such intensity that Peter thought it would bleed-in time…I do want us to continue where we left off.
She sounds certain of what she is saying.
Can it be?
Can it be that…
That I am getting a second chance?-Peter was doubting.
-This isn't a trick? Some kind of plan Walter and you had to make me work on my recovery? Did he tell you to tell me that, to make me believe… You would try a relationship with me? Just so that I wouldn't hurt myself? Just so that I would stay?
-Bishop. I don't make such plans nor I plot ingenious deviant schemes like someone I know-her soft palm caressed his stubbled face. –I also do not have a habit to lie. I trust you know me well enough by now to know that I am telling you the truth.
-Then what made you change all of a sudden? Give me the opportunity?-he insisted stubbornly. –I always knew I was not the perfect man for you. I know it still… But I chose to go against that knowledge and just… Feel. What did you do?
-I did the same. Despite all the vices you might have, despite all our differences, despite the fact I thought it was too early. I couldn't control it. I… I started caring about you, Peter. Too much for my own good. And after tonight, I realized that I what I felt, hadn't diminished, despite what you did. And…you were right. I enjoyed every moment spent with you when you were Eugene. And when I saw you risking your life for me and getting hurt…Getting shot at… I knew I couldn't let you leave. I would miss you so much. You belong with us, Peter. You belong with me-she whispered in sotto voce. –We can take it slowly, step by step. But I definitely want to give you a chance. Give…us a chance.
Peter leaned his warm forehead onto hers and kept it like that for minutes, in an expression of devotion and tenderness.
-Thank you. Thank you. I was a fool, I was an idiot, Olivia and I know it. I don't deserve you and I think I never will.
-That may be, but I was thinking, Peter. Astrid told me something about you and I think she was right, in a way.
-What did she say?-he inquired cautiously, inwardly grateful to the curly-haired assistant for taking his side.
-She said that you did all that just to get to me. I think no one else has ever done anything similar or in the least crazy like that to conquer me. You actually created that serum, suffered from its side effects, went through the trouble of becoming someone else, someone who isn't like you at all, not remotely, merely to be able to sleep with me and to be closer to me? Also, I just remembered something. You aren't the only one who lied. I slept with someone for months and I lied to you all-she grinned. –No one knew about my ghost lover.
-Hey… That's right. Little Miss Perfect. Now not so perfect anymore!-he chuckled but then the expression of reverence crossed his tormented features.
He respected her so much; Olivia Dunham was an incredible woman, woman who was able to rise about her own despisal and give him a second chance, and all that after so little time had passed.
She had learnt the truth about him just yesterday.
-Joke aside, honey. Listen to me, Olivia. I'm ready to do anything, anything you want. Just to make this work and start from the scratch. We can go as slowly as you would like.
-I just need one thing, for starters. I want you to promise me you'll never lie to me again.
-I promise. I'll never forgive myself for doing this. For making even a smallest chip in that china that is you.
-Oh, Peter. I have seen you grow to become more sympathetic even though you often maintained a sardonic, cynical demeanor. But you have proven to me time and time again to have a heart of gold. Even though you did lie to me for these last two months.
-I'm stupid, I know. I think I'll never learn. I just went from one lie into another. I guess I'm a really smart dumb guy.
-Well your actions have also taken quite the toll on you. I have been so caught up in my anger that I didn't even stop to think about how you felt, how difficult it was for you to… Lie to the people you have become closest to.
-Thank you. Thank you so much for being able to see that. Have I ever told you how amazing you are? All the women that passed through my life left but vague traces, Olivia. Unlike you. You just… Reached to the bottom of my heart slowly, inadvertently, and you stayed there. And no one and nothing can rip you out now. I repeat, again. I wish I had waited a little longer. I care about you so much. Please don't ever leave me again... I know I don't deserve you because... You're an angel. Remember the day we met?
She just nodded, wordlessly.
-I just wish to turn back time and… Go back to the first day I met you but as the person I am now. Live it all over again. I wouldn't make so many mistakes. I wish we had just met and that all this was just beginning. You're like a favorite dish I would love to try for the first time. -he silently pulled her into an embrace and Olivia didn't resist.
She placed her head under his chin and sighed contently.
-Peter, you're shaking-she smiled as she listened to his vocal cords rumble.
-Meh. Involuntary bodily tremor for the win.
He closed his eyes next, letting her touch and tentatively inspect all the scars and bruises he had because of her.
It was her way of recognizing and honoring them.
It made him recall last night and worry for her rose up again in his chest.
-I just remembered now, Olivia. I haven't even asked you. -Who were those men, what did they do to you, what did they want?
Her voice became distressed.
-They gave me a spinal tap. Walter confirmed your diagnosis. They put electrodes and sensors on my head. But I don't know… Why would they do that? We got the samples, we got Loeb…. But David Robert Jones is still nowhere to be found and he was practically the leader of the operation.
FBI is combing the area, looking for him. But I have that gut feeling that tells me they won't find him. You know, Peter, I am just… So confused. I wonder…What is happening? Why am I involved?
-It doesn't matter, Olivia. Listen to me. It doesn't matter as long as we have each other. You just need to promise me that we will be there for each other. I will shield you from any harm that comes your way.
He made her look up and covered her forehead, nose and cheeks in warm, loyal kisses.
-Why are you so obsessed with my face all of a sudden?-she grinned like a little girl.
-You really wanna know the truth about that, don't you? Okay. I'll play along. I am obsessed with it because I could never touch it when I was Eugene-his tender tone changed into an incredulous one.-Walter!
-What? Is Walter there?-Olivia inquired with disbelief.
-He's just opened the door and he is watching us from the hallway. Creep. At least I hope he's "just" opened them. Who knows how long he's been looking at us from there. Probably taking some additional photos, too. He needs a girlfriend, don't you think? I think I'm going to introduce him to my nurse. He might like her. Not to mention that should distract him for a while.
Peter positioned himself better on the pillows, taking in her presence, breathing in her scent.
-So here we are-he muttered blissfully, still not believing it was her he was holding in her arms. Song lyrics just poured out of him without Peter even thinking:
-Baby you're all that I want, when you're lyin' here in my arms, I'm finding it hard to believe, we're in heaven…And love is all that I need, and I found it there in your heart, it isn't hard to see, we're in heaven…
-I never pegged you for Bryan Adams's fan-Olivia teased him goodnaturedly but he could sense her heart beat faster under his palm.
-Eh, he's been hit and miss but this song is just… So appropriate for this moment-he sighed deeply. –So, Dunham…Well what do you know? Law keeper and law breaker. I tease you, I relax you and you calm me down. We're gonna be an awesome duo, Olivia.
-Yes. We will-for Olivia, words were unnecessary as she listened the intent quick beating of his heart.
-You know, I was thinking. We really aren't normal couple. We did it the other way around: had quickies first, kissed later. How's that for a weird?
-Yeah, it is really strange-Olivia moved her head vigorously up and down. –But let me ask you something-her tone of voice became teasing.
-Shoot.
-Is it always like this with you, Peter Bishop: living as if we were in an action movie, mafia, explosions, abductions, invisibility, double identity?
-I can assure you that it is, madam. And that there's much more where that came from. Who knows what crazy adventure we'll have from now on? Hey, perhaps we'll get married, have kids and then time travel into the future to tell them how proud we are that they have grown so much.
Olivia didn't say anything to that, she just quietly smiled into his chest.
She simply lay there with him, her golden haired head pressed onto his heart, breathing loudly, listening to his breath, basking in his warmth.
That movement made Peter feel as if he were seamed to her with an invisible thread no one and nothing can ever break apart, and he hugged Olivia Dunham even firmer, wishing for an eternity with her.
He didn't say anything remotely like that out loud, knowing she would be terrified of such rash statement.
Peter Bishop had no intention of scaring her away with hasty melodramatic love declarations, now that they were just beginning to find their common ground, when they were preparing to walk the same road.
When they pulled apart and looked at each other contently, he decided to crack a joke.
-So, Dunham, let me ask you a question. If Eugene were real, who would you choose? Between the two of us, in earnest?
-Umm, I don't know-Olivia winked at him. –It's a tough choice. Let's see. Peter is an excellent cook and he can play the piano. Aaand Eugene could give awesome back and foot rubs. Oh, and he was awesome in bed too, and a great listener.
-Was he now?-Peter grinned.
-All I know is you're a great kisser but… I have no idea how you are in bed. I suppose I'll just have to investigate that too, won't I? We might test that hypothesis after you are released from the hospital wing and when…When we are both ready for it-she smirked and Peter forgot how to breathe.
His right hand squeezed hers and his left palm cupped her heart-shaped face as he nudged her to look up at him.
His eyes were brimming with simultaneous guilt and happiness.
-I am glad you are already at the stadium where you can freely joke about what I did. But, without looking too far in the future, and in the light of recent events and your declaration…Let me just say that I will be perfectly happy to get that discharge list from the hospital as soon as possible.