Don't worry guys, problem slightly solved!
Now, I really hope you enjoy this chapter!
Just as soon as their eyes met, she didn't just look away. She did a complete turn around, her back facing him. Leaving him staring stupid at the back of her pretty little head. Blinking, he cleared his throat and looked around the room. Walter was talking with Astrid, using wild hand gestures. Olivia was now leaning against the nearest desk, listening too intently to their conversation. When his eyes found Charlie, he was walking up to Olivia, placing a hand on her back.
Instant irritation rose in Peter. Didn't that guy have a wife or something? Peter watched as he leaned in, whispering something in her ear. She turned to look at him, her lips parting in surprise. Quietly, Peter moved around the lab table, taking small, silent steps closer to them.
"...what you're talking about," Olivia was saying, her voice hushed.
Charlie opened his mouth to say something, but his eyes caught Peter's deadly cold glare. He looked unfazed, instead looking back at Olivia and raising his eyebrows. Then, abruptly, he turned around and walked briskly towards the door.
She turned in Peter's direction and froze when she saw him. Then, catching herself, she nodded. "Hey," she greeted, calmly.
"Hey," he replied, his features instantly softening.
"Walter have anything I can use as a lead?" He tilted his head to the side and studied her for a moment. Her stare was level, she was standing still. You would never have guessed she was trying to avoid him. But he knew her better than that.
"I was... I was just coming to check. He should be-..." His mind went blank and sighed. "We should talk."
"We should," she agreed. Well, that was easy. He had expected she put up a fight. Then again, she was surprising him around every corner these days. He just hoped he wouldn't go around a blind corner and be full blown out confused off his ass. He needed just a little bit of an upperhand, at least.
Glancing around the lab, he subconsciously reached out to touch her arm, turning her in the direction of her office. He stared at her dumbfounded when she stiffened, stepping away from him. She headed towards the office without giving him a second glance. This was going to be hell. As soon as he stepped into her office, shutting the door behind him, he let out a breath. He turned around, expecting her to be standing there with her arms crossed, staring him down.
But, instead, she was leaning on the edge of her desk, her palms flat on the surface, as she stared at him. There was a strand of hair loose from her ponytail that made her look so innocent. Maybe he could tuck it behind her ear, and not be so deceived by her looks. He knew she wasn't innocent. She was just fragile. Not that she let anyone know, she was amazing with her masks and walls. Almost better than him. It was equally thrilling and tiring to meet a match.
"I kissed you," he pointed out, subtly point at her, his voice almost skeptical.
"I'm aware of that," she explained almost mockingly, her head tilting to the side.
"I... know." Where was this going? "But, I mean, are you sure?" Her brows instantly jumped up, and he held his tongue to keep himself from stumbling over his words. Calmly, he continued. "You've acted like we barely know each other. Do you know me?"
"I know you," she answered, the edges of her mouth twitching up.
"No you don't," he corrected.
"I don't." She was enjoying this, he could tell.
"Damn it," he cursed, crossing his arms. She shifted, like she was about to stand up and walk over to him. But she held still, and he sighed. "Okay. This is childish."
"I agree. So why don't you get straight to the point. I have a case to work on." Whoa. Talk about getting defensive. She took a step towards him, crossing her arms.
"I think... I think we need to screw protocol and regulations. I'm technically not your co-worker. You can't technically get in trouble." Oh yeah. That was him pleading his case. Straight, professional. Nothing about what they both know they want. Nothing about feelings or emotions. He knew she'd like that.
It was silent as she studied him for a moment. "That's just the thing. I don't want to." Ouch. Talk about a shoot down. He'd be feeling that one in the morning.
"Okay." He understood. All those signals she's sent, all the flirtatious comments and smiles were just her being bored. Never really meant anything, right? Or maybe, he just jumped to conclusions. Assumed things. Maybe the way she had pressed her body to his, her fingers latching onto his hair to keep his face close, had all been a figment of his imagination. It would certainly explains things. Not like now, where he was completely baffled.
"And you want to know why?" Her voice was raising, her arms dropping. Here we go. "I know what you think I am. I don't buy into your bullshit charm, okay? You can say all that you want, I know what you are. You're a fraud. You think you can get whatever you want just by bending the rules here and there. Hell, throw in one of your gorgeous smiles, and it's a done deal. But you know what, Peter? I'm not an idiot. I'm not a easy target."
So, that's what this was all about? She thought he was just toying with her, trying to get in her pants just because he thought he could? In all honestly, he was a little hurt that she'd think he was so shallow. Did he not put his life out on the line, every fucking time she even seemed like she might need him? Did he not spend countless hours awake at night, putting up with his father, just so he could help Olivia solve the cases? To make her smile?
"I think it's best if we just keep a professional distance." Her face was stone cold blank. His little Olivia didn't surprise him there.
"Liv, come on." He sighed, put she pushed past him towards the door. "Listen to me, okay? This is crazy." But she ignored him, stepping out of the room and shutting the door behind her. Let me rephrase that... you're crazy.
After a moment, he reached out and hit the pencil holder off her desk. It flew out, hitting against the wall and tumbling to the ground, it's contents spilling out. This was bullshit, right? How could she think that? He felt like punching something, but had enough self control to restrain himself. Professional distance, my ass. He'd be damned if he let her go that easy. Cliche as it might sound, Peter knew this was something he was going to fight for. The world only came by an Olivia Dunham once. Even if she was being completely irrational at the moment.