Peter had never been so nervous and excited at the same time before. Even the night before his lawyer exams hadn't made him as nervous as he was in this second. He wondered whether Olivia was as nervous as he was- Peter very much doubted it. He wondered if there was anything at all that fazed Olivia- yes she had been nervous yesterday but it had been a day that brought all her ghosts home to roost.

Peter knew that he would never forget the day he had shared with Olivia yesterday. They had been able to escape their normal lives for a while, and have a go at being 'together.' Peter smiled when he thought of them 'together'. He had never said that before after one date and wondered if it was too quick to presume. He was so nervous about seeing Olivia again, and he didn't know why.

'Hey…' Olivia reached out a hand and touched Peter. He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts he hadn't seen Olivia come in. Peter jumped, obviously startled and then relaxed when he saw Olivia

'Hey… didn't see you there'

'Evidently. Are you okay?'

'Yeah, I'm fine'

'Are you sure?'

'I promise Olivia, I'm fine.'

Olivia smiled and hovered awkwardly for a moment, wondering whether to kiss or hug Peter. Peter was thinking exactly the same, unbeknownst to Olivia, and as the two of them met their eyes they visibly relaxed, smiles etching over their faces.

'Not the only one who is nervous then I see?'

'No, but I am excited too.'

'Good, because I am too.'

'Olivia…?'

'Yes?'

'Are you going to stand there all evening or are you actually going to sit down so we can start our date?'

Olivia's smile widened as she pulled out the chair and collapsed into it. Petet seemed a different man to yesterday- he seemed more open already.

'So… how's your day been?'

'Slow, what about yours?'

'Horrible'

'Why?'

'My boss John has it in for me. Nothing I ever do is good enough for him'

'he sounds like a right pain.'

'he is. I love my job but going to work with him everyday is horrid'

'Shame you can't get a new job'

'I've often thought about it, but I couldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd have driven me out. I love my job and I'm bloody tough. It will take more than that to move me. Sorry, I'm rambling'

'No you're not rambling.'

'Am I not?'

'No'

'You're just being nice'

'No I'm not. You're not rambling. You love your job like me. I get it more than you know. Luckily for me though my boss Will is lovely. Give it 2 years and I will be captain ".

'That's it girl, aim high'

'I want to be able to say I did something remarkable in my life. I want to be more than my mum was... she gave up her career when she met my dad".

Peter met Olivia's eyes and the two of them giggled. Olivia knew that Peter's laugh was infectious, but when the giggles subsided into a proper laugh, she was lost in the moment, by how amazing it sounded. She smiled wildly and reached her hand out, taking Peter's, who stopped laughing and just looked down at their hands. After a second he pulled away.

'What... What are you doing?'

'Olivia... don't you think...?'

'What?'

'This... us... is moving too fast?'

'Peter, all I did was hold your hand. But you pulled away. We're having a brilliant time.. I like you... you like me... we're both available... I don't see the problem'

'Olivia, this... us... it scares the life out of me. I've only known you a week'

'And your point being?'

'I do like you yes, but I'm... I'm still... I'm not good with words... You know that'

'I thought... yesterday... you seemed more open'

'Yesterday was like a fairytale and it was lovely, but it wasn't reality. This is reality and I think we need to take a rain check'

'On what? Us?'

'No... That's not what I mean... I told you I'm not good with words... I just want this... not this... us... I want us to take things slowly'

'So you're not dumping me?'

'No... I just want us... to take things slowly... we have time on our side...'

'Okay'

'Really? Is that what you want too?'

'I just want you too be happy and comfortable. I know you aren't good with words but I hope... in time we can change that... or I can help you change that...'

'I hope so too'

'You do?'

'I do. I really do'

Peter was still feeling like he was dreaming. he had been hurt before and wasn't taking any chances. Olivia could tell there was something he was holding back but she knew Peter would probably clam up, so she left it. Peter was right about one thing after all... they had all the time in the world.

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