My Son, My Son

By Ldynwaitin

Chapter Three

The Other Side

Seeing Peter on the floor, Walternate and Elizabeth rushed into the lab. Elizabeth reached Peter first. She kneeled by his side. "Peter, we came as soon as we could." She gently touched his face, she became alarmed when she felt the heat pouring out of him.

The last time Walternate saw Peter he was strong and healthy. Looking at him now, he saw something that he had not seen in over twenty years. "We heard that you were ill, Peter. I could not believe it but now I do. You have the disease again."

"I'm all right," Peter said, he wanted it to come out strong, but his voice was hoarse. "I'm just feeling a little weak." He slowly got up, Elizabeth helped him.

"How could this possibly happen?" Walternate said.

Peter sadly smiled. "I think when I was rebooted, the disease came back with me."

"If this is true, then you must get some rest," Walternate insisted. "Let us help you, Peter."

Peter shook his head, "I'm okay."

"Peter, you don't look well," Elizabeth said. She touched his arm. Looking up at him she pleaded, "Trust me, Peter. You need to rest."

Peter saw the deep concern in her eyes. He remembered seeing that look before. He slowly nodded his head. Rejecting their help, Peter walked to Walter's bedroom and sat on the bed.

Looking up, Peter saw Walternate and Walter together, he knew this was going to be trouble. "How did you know I was sick?"

"It was me," Astrid said. She walked in holding two plastic bags filled with ice. "I called Agent Broyles after I left. I told him that you were sick, that you have the same disease that killed Walter's son."

"I was informed by Agent Broyles last night," Walternate said. "I had to obtain permission for us to come here. Peter, we came to bring you back to our world. If you do have the genetic disease then you can't stay here. I want to bring you across the bridge."

"What?" Walter said. "You can't. He needs to stay here, so I can find the cure."

Walternate blatantly ignored Walter. "We're more medically advanced there, Peter. We will be able to take better care of you. I will put my best people together to find the cure. How are you going to find a cure here, in that primitive lab?"

"Primitive!" Walter shouted. He was never more insulted. "It was in that lab twenty years ago that I made the formula that could cure my Peter's illness."

Walternate turned and faced Walter. "A formula that you stole from me, like my Peter."

Walter took a step closer to him. "I was trying to save him. If I wasn't watching the cure it would never have been found."

"Then where is it now? Why aren't you using it to cure, Peter?"

Walter stepped back. "I…I lost it, I can't find it."

"All the more reason why he should come with me. He's not going to last long in this child's playground." He pointed to the table of toys.

Peter closed his eyes, it didn't take them long. The moment he saw them together he knew what would happen. They were total opposites, yet the same man. The only thing they had in common, was him. Opening his eyes, he was about to say something, when someone else stepped in as his advocate.

"Enough!" Elizabeth shouted. "Please, stop this fighting."

Elizabeth looked at Peter, as her husband and Walter began arguing. She knew he was not her real son, she accepted that he was gone long ago. Yet here he was, no longer a boy, but a man. The moment she saw him in her home, the second she looked into his eyes she knew deep inside, he was her son.

She saw a familiar weakness in Peter that she never forgot. God knows she saw it so many times when he was a boy. But she would bite her lip and paint on a smile so he would never know the pain she was hiding, knowing that her son was dying and there was nothing she could do to save him. Just smile, she would tell herself, and let him know that things will be all right.

Now Peter was back. He was grown up, a man and the illness that ravaged her son was back with him. She could never understand why he was here, but he was, he was Peter. She would do all that was in her power to not lose him again.

"This arguing, isn't helping, Peter." She got up and stood between both men. "Your son, my son they're both gone. I know he isn't our real son, but he's Peter." Her voice cracked when she said his name. She sat next to him. She placed her hand on his knee. He smiled at her, it was a smile that she would see every night before she went to sleep. She would never forget it.

She looked up at the Walter's. "Don't you see, he's our Peter grown into a man. I will not lose him again. The two of you must find a way to work together, you will work together to save him!"

Peter softly whispered, "That's my mom."

Walternate took in a calming breath. He was embarrassed. He always prided himself on his restraint. "I'm sorry," Walternate said. "I am just concerned. Peter, I am offering you a better chance to survive in my universe. We have many advances in medicine that is not found on this world. It will take time to find a cure. But it may be your only chance."

Peter didn't know what to do. He knew the alternate universe was farther advanced in medicine, but he also knew that Walter made the cure once before.

He could see that Walter looked frightened and angry. He looked at both men, nodding his head, he made his decision. "I'll go," Peter said. "But I want Walter to be a part of finding the cure." Grinning he said, "Both of you found the cure the first time, I have faith that the two of you will find it again."

"Peter," Walter said. "I think you should go with him. You don't need me."

"Walter," Peter said. "I'm not going unless you come with."

Walter heavily sighed. He rarely left the lab. Looking at Peter he knew Walternate was right, he needed advanced medicines to slow the progress of the disease until they could find a cure. But Peter asked that he come with. He could see that he had faith in him. He slowly nodded his head. "I'll go, for you, Peter. I'll go."

"Very well," Walternate said. "We have an ambulance waiting outside."

"Wait a minute, what if he said no?" Walter said.

"That is why Elizabeth came," Walternate said. "I'll get a wheelchair."

"No," Peter said. "I can still walk, I'm not in my death bed yet."

Walter became excited, "I…I must pack some things." He rushed through his room, grabbing what he thought he needed.

"Astrid," Peter said. He whispered something to her, she quickly ran out of the room. Finished packing, Walter was about to close his suitcase when he saw Astrid handing something to Peter.

"You think better with these." Peter handed Walter a bag of strawberry licorice. Shyly smiling, Walter took them and put them in his suitcase.

"Let's go," Peter said.

Astrid kissed him on the cheek, "I'll be waiting to hear that you're cured." She stepped back.

Peter slowly stood up. It took him time to walk to the ambulance. He didn't realize how quickly simple things like walking changed for him, he felt fine yesterday. He entered the ambulance and lay on a gurney. Walter sat in the front of the ambulance. Walternate and Elizabeth followed in a car behind them.

Peter closed his eyes, yesterday he never imagined he would be heading to the alternate universe with both Walters and Elizabeth. Opening his eyes, as a paramedic took his vitals, he looked out the window of the ambulance as they pulled away. He wondered if this would be the last time, he saw the aged buildings of Harvard University.

Four hours after they left Boston, Peter was being pushed in a wheelchair off a boat. Looking up he saw the statue of Liberty. Walter and Elizabeth remained by his side. Walternate walked ahead of them. Entering the facility, Peter saw special Agent in charge, Phillip Broyles waiting for him. He noticed a worried look cross his face.

"Peter, I'm sorry to hear what happened."

Peter looked up at him. "I need you to tell Olivia. I haven't been able to get in touch with her."

"I'm sorry, Peter. I've tried myself, she's in deep cover right now. I've sent word for my special operatives to let her know at the first possible opportunity."

"Thanks," Peter said.

Broyles noticed Walter was carrying a suitcase. "Walter, are you going with?"

"Of course, I am, Phillip!" Walter angrily snapped back. "Peter asked me to come with, so I can help find the cure."

"Very well," Broyles said. "I just needed to know. I'll make sure to draw up the papers for your crossing. Yours has already been approved, Peter."

"I'm sorry, Phillip," Walter said. He realized he came off too harsh.

"It's perfectly understandable, Walter."

Broyles walked them to the bridge. He looked at Peter. "I'm sorry for the way you were treated when you first appeared. In the months that you've been here, I've come to respect you. I hope to see you walking back soon."

Peter raised his hand, Broyles shook it. "Thanks, Phillip. I want you to know that each version I've seen of you has always been an honorable man."

Broyles watched Peter as he was wheeled away. He clenched his fist, he could still feel the heat from Peters hand. He closed his eyes and prayed that Walternate and Walter would be able to find a cure.

Reaching the other side, Peter saw Walternate speaking to several men. Walter remained practically glued to his side. Feeling a hand touching his shoulder, he looked up at Elizabeth.

"Don't worry, Peter," she said. "Walter is making sure that you get the best of care."

Peter looked concerned. "I'm sorry, but I can't pay for..."

Elizabeth shook her head. "Oh, Peter, don't worry about that. We don't expect you to." Her hand gently caressed his face, a large frown grew. "Your fever is getting worse. WALTER!" she shouted. She rushed ahead to speak to him. Peter noticed how quiet Walter was.

"Walter, are you all right?"

"I'm just worried, Peter." Sadly smiling at him, he said, "Worried about you."

Peter never felt so wanted. He would have loved it, if he didn't feel so bad. He was pushed to Walternate and Elizabeth.

Walternate gently smiled at him. "The last time you were here, you asked me to help you return home. What happened?"

Peter tiredly sighed. "I was told by the man that saved my life that I was home all the time." Elizabeth brightly smiled. In a way this was her Peter. He was just saved and grew up in a different timeline.

Walternate placed his hand on Peter's shoulder. "While you're here, you'll be staying in the medical facility of the compound. Close to the research lab. We will try and get your fever down first, then expect many tests. We need to isolate the faulty gene and search for the cure."

Walter nodded his head, "Yes, I was going to suggest the same thing."

Several hours later Peter was sitting in a small room. He insisted on wearing his street clothes. He felt that putting on a hospital gown was admitting defeat. The room had a bed, and two chairs. There was no window. He was injected with something that Walternate said would bring his fever down and give him strength. He was happy to find it was working. He was not happy to see someone walking into the room to take another sample of his blood.

"At this rate, I'm going to run out," he said, with a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bishop," the woman said. "The secretary of defense ordered a battery of tests done."

Rolling up his sleeve, he let her draw some blood. Elizabeth stepped into the room, as the woman taking his blood was finished. She sat on a chair next to Peter. She happily smiled, "Your color seems to be coming back. How do you feel?"

Peter softly replied, "Better, thank you."

"Peter, I can see how much respect you have for Dr. Bishop, but how can you think that man can save you? He had toys in his bedroom."

"Toys?" Peter said. He pursed his lips and shook his head. "To help him cope with the death of his son, Walter brought a birthday present for him each year. He gave them to me. They were mine, Elizabeth."

Feeling ashamed, Elizabeth's hand tightly fisted. Peter saw her holding something in her right hand. Noticing that he was looking at her hand she sadly smiled.

"When my Peter was taken, he left something with me. I've kept it all these years, to help me cope. He said it was lucky for him and wanted me to hold onto it until he returned. I think he would not mind me giving it to you." Opening her hand, Peter saw a silver half-dollar. She dropped it in his palm. "Did your mother teach you to do a trick with the coin?"

Grinning, Peter took the coin. He expertly rolled the coin across his knuckles. He saw Elizabeth's smile grow wider. "I use it as a way to help me calm down when I'm nervous."

"It makes me happy to know that much of my Peter is alive within you."

Peter stood up, "Can I look at the lab?"

She suspiciously looked at him. "Are you sure you're up to it?"

"I feel much better." He really did, he had no idea what was in that shot, but he felt nearly normal again. "Whatever they gave me, it's driven the fever back. I feel great."

Elizabeth stood up, "Let's go then."

Peter smiled, he held out his arm.

Elizabeth proudly placed her hand on his arm. It was a small gesture, but it made her heart swell. Looking up she realized how tall her son would have grown. Holding her hand, he led her out of his room. She was never so happy in her life, she was with her son. Walking down the hallway, they stopped. They could hear shouting ahead.

"Walter," Peter said. He ran down the hallway and rushed into the laboratory. He saw Walter throwing things. Several people had to duck the flying lab equipment.

"You have no right," Walter shouted. "I am not an idiot. Half of this equipment wasn't even invented when I found the cure. Don't tell me what I don't know!"

"Walter," Peter shouted.

Panting, Walter turned around. He saw Peter, he was surprised to see he was looking normal. "Peter," Walter exclaimed.

"Walter, what's wrong?" Peter asked him, as he gingerly stepped over broken glass. When Walter saw Elizabeth standing in the doorway, he became embarrassed. "I'm sorry. They wouldn't listen to me, Peter. They wouldn't listen."

Walter ran to a corner, he wanted to crawl inside of it. He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Peter. "Walter, it's all right. They don't know you like I do. That don't know what you're capable of doing."

Elizabeth was touched to see how Peter was able to calm Walter's ranting. His voice was so gentle, so tender with him.

"Walter, tell me, what's wrong?"

Walter turned around, he whispered, "Peter, I'm so afraid of losing you. You just came into my life, and now I'm going to lose you."

"Walter, I'm not going anywhere. You're going to find that cure."

"And what then? This place, it's wonderful, it has so much to offer. This is where you were born, Peter. You'd be a fool to come back to an addled old man."

Peter lovingly smiled. He was thinking ahead, of when he was cured. He was frightened that he wouldn't come back. "Walter, I was here before, and I choose to go back to you."

"That was because you said the evil Walternate wanted to destroy our world. But this Walternate, he's what I've always wanted to be. Calm, commanding, sane."

"Handsome," Peter said with a smile.

"He's the perfect father for you, Peter. The father you deserve, your right father. Not this crazy insane person that drives everyone that's near him batty."

"I have to admit, being around you does take a bit getting used to, but I found the pluses far outweigh the minuses."

Walter suddenly began hugging him. Peter felt his shoulders shake as he began crying. He could hear heart rending sobs. "Don't leave me, Peter. I just realized that I love you, son. Please don't leave me."

Peter slowly stroked his back. "I'm not going anywhere, Walter. I promise, I'm not going anywhere."

Elizabeth could see the deep love they had for each other. It was a love that she knew her husband would never have given their own son. She saw the man that her Peter grew up to be, and he was all that she'd hoped for.

Peter gently pushed Walter back. "Why don't you take a break? When they finish cleaning up, you can start again, okay?"

Walter nodded his head. Peter turned around. He looked at the men and women in the lab. "He may look the fool sometimes, but believe me, that's all there is to it, a look. He is the smartest man in the room." Slyly grinning at Walter, he added. "I'm the second. Look, just listen to him, let him help you and I'm sure you'll learn something from him."

Peter placed his hand on Walter's shoulder. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, I am feeling a bit peckish."

"I thought so. Let's go to the cafeteria. Maybe they have some puddings?"

"I wouldn't mind a cup," Walter said. "Then I want to come back. I need to get started finding a cure."

Peter led Walter out of the room. He was surprised to see Walternate was standing in the hallway. He didn't know how long he was standing there, but from the look on his face he had a good idea.

"I want to thank you," Peter told Walternate. "The medicine I was given helped me feel almost normal."

"You're very welcome, Peter," Walternate said.

He whispered to him, "I apologize for Walter. He can be overzealous when it comes to any criticism of his skills. But don't worry, I'll get him back on track."

Peter walked Walter down the hall. Elizabeth stood next to Walternate.

"The man is insane, Elizabeth."

"He's frightened, Walter. I can see how much he loves, Peter. He's just as afraid as I am."

"I'm afraid his insanity is going to impede finding a cure for, Peter, not help."

"Please, Walter. Peter has so much trust in him. Let him at least try."

"I will allow him to stay here, for Peter's sake. But if I see that he is more of a deficit than an asset, I will have him sent back."

"Peter won't like that."

Walter looked at Elizabeth. She saw a grave seriousness in his eyes. "His life depends on finding that cure. Even if it means forcing him to stay here."

"Walter, you can't do that."

Walternate saw Peter and Walter turning a corner in the hallway. "He was born on this side, Elizabeth. You heard him. It may have been a different timeline, but it was on this world that he was born. That has him fall under my jurisdiction. If I have to employ a law to keep him here and save his life, I will."

Peter was pleased to see how happy Walter was after lunch. He knew all he needed was a full belly. Walking down the hallway, he led Walter to the lab. "Promise me, Walter that you'll behave."

"Don't worry about me, Peter. Just tell them that."

He pushed the doors open and walked into the lab. Peter began to return to his room. Stopping in the hallway, he realized that the shot they gave him was beginning to wear off. Leaning on the walls for support, he just managed to reach his room, when he collapsed on his bed.

Elizabeth walked down the hallway. She wanted Peter to have some time with Walter. She could see how much of a calming effect he had on him. Entering Peter's room, she saw him on the bed. She ran to the bed when she saw him laying half on and half off.

"Peter," she cried. Touching him she became alarmed when she felt how hot his body was. She pressed the nurse call button. She heard a man's voice on the intercom.

"May I help you, Mr. Bishop?"

"This is Elizabeth Bishop," Elizabeth cried. "I need help, he's collapsed."

In seconds two men ran into the room. They lifted Peter and lay him on his back on the bed. Elizabeth noticed that his skin was pale again. The medication that Walter gave him had worn off. She heard Peter mumbling something.

Listening carefully, she heard him say, "Why am I here?"

~~~~~Delta leaf, upper Left dot~~~~~