Well, I struggled with this part like I can't even begin to describe. That's why it took so long to post, and for that I'm sorry. I'm finally happy with it, so here it is. Please review! As soon as I publish this I'm going back to work on the following parts, but at least there's something for anyone who wants to read some more.

And review, ok? Please? I'd hate to beg? Or not? heheh

He called her that night. He sat up in bed holding the phone nervously.

While the nurse went into her room to see if she was awake, he immediately regretted calling. It was unfair, maybe even cruel, not to keep his distance. How else would Olivia sense that all was not well, and be braced for impact?

But it was too late.

"Peter? Hi." He could hear the smile in her voice and allowed himself to forget, only for the duration of the call.

"Hi. Feeling better?" He asked.

"Yeah, still can't seem to stay awake, though. Hopping between Here and There really takes a toll, I guess", she chuckled good-humouredly. Her voice sounded drowsy, in confirmation.

"Ok, then. I'll let you go back to sleep. I'll go see you in the morning." As the words came out of his mouth, he wanted to kick himself. Distance! He amended quickly. "You know, if no end of the world situation pops up in the meantime." He said with a scoff.

He imagined her smile widening on the other side of the line.

"Good night, Peter."

"Good night, 'Livia."

He hung up.

Her stay in the hospital had given him a reprieval, but it wouldn't last. He had never thought he'd see the day he'd be sympathetic with Walter's stalling reluctance about telling him of his past sins.

But there it was. He wished he could pretend nothing had happened and just move on, as if they had both just come back from Over There.

He wouldn't have to lose her – it'd take a miracle for Olivia to see past his betrayal, he was sure.

He would shield her from the pain. She had gone through so much in her life. She was strong, so very strong for it, but he loved her, and he wanted more than anything to protect her.

Yet, there was no hiding what had happened. And anyway, the weight of the lie would end them, eventually.

Not telling her, himself, would be the greatest betrayal of them all.

He closed his eyes and exhaled forcefully, letting his head roll back against the headboard.

He fiercely wished he could protect her from the ugly truth.

He gave an unhappy chuckle.

The ugly truth...

That he missed her laugh. That he missed kissing her lips, and looking into her eyes from so close he could see all the minute changes in their colour. That he missed waking up with her, his golden haired heroine, their bodies close, their breath and their scents mingling.

Telling Olivia the truth – more than to anyone else – would be defiling the memories of those days, of everything he had lived. Taking solace in having loved her would be denied. Tabu. He contracted his jaw in anger. He hated it, that whole mess.

That he would tell her was set. The when and the how remained to be seen.