A/N - Hey guys...thanks for the feedback,,,,,And patience. After this chapter, all bets are off.
So...
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Chapter Four – The Smile In your Eyes
Olivia made her way home, distracted and confused about her meeting with A.J. Something was there, she just didn't know what it was. In high school, A.J had a boundless enthusiasm for everything she did. It was one of the reasons that Olivia had liked her so much. Now, she seemed darker. Olivia understood that it could have something to do with her writing. After all, how much crime would be pushed in our face for you to not have some of the darkness rub off? Olivia still felt that all that she had seen tarnished some of her spirit too. When she arrived home, she barely noticed anything as she unlocked the door and shrugged off her coat.
"Hey Good-looking."
Olivia opened her mouth to comment, closing it again as she took in the sight before her. Peter was splayed across the sofa, Etta fast asleep on his chest. She smiled as she moved closer, her voice low.
"What did you do to her?"
Peter grinned.
"We played an exhausting game of hide-and-seek when you left. We had something to eat and then she passed out."
Olivia stooped down and kissed Peter.
"Did she give you too much trouble?"
Peter shook his head slightly.
"She missed you, asked where you were. I told her you were playing with friends and she got all pouty. Hence the game of hide-and-seek."
Olivia stood back again, taking in Peter's awkward position on the sofa.
"That doesn't look comfortable."
"Oh, it's not."
Olivia leaned forward again and carefully lifted Etta off Peter's chest, smiling as he groaned and shifted, trying to work the kinks out of his body. Etta opened one eye, giving Olivia a half smile.
"Ma."
She buried her face in Olivia's neck and was sleep again, her grip tight on Olivia's shirt. Olivia swayed slightly, resting her cheek on Etta's.
"She's really tired, isn't she?"
"I know how to wear her out."
Peter moved forward and kissed Olivia again.
"Did you have fun?"
Olivia frowned.
"I don't know what it was. I'm going to pop Etta down. I will exchange information for some lunch."
Peter grinned.
"It's a deal."
Olivia made her way upstairs, humming softly. She pulled closed the curtains in the nursery before placing Etta in the crib and covering her with a blanket. Etta mumbled in her sleep and turned over. Olivia flicked on the baby monitor and inched out of the room. She headed into the kitchen, settling herself at the breakfast bar as she watched Peter make their lunch.
"So, start talking."
Olivia sighed.
"Well, she still looks the same. Older, more tired but the same. I showed her pictures of Etta."
Peter smiled as he sliced the cheese.
"Of course you did."
"Hey, she asked."
"And I'm sure you protested."
Olivia frowned.
"Things got strange."
Peter placed the plate in front of her, pouring her an orange juice and getting a bowl of potato chips.
"It can't have been that bad."
"She wanted to know how it felt to kill someone."
Peter paused.
"Ok that is weird."
"I know. She passed it off, saying that she spent time with prisoners and wanted to hear it from someone who hadn't been there."
Peter swallowed his mouthful of food.
"What exactly does she do?"
"She's a writer. You have one of her books in fact."
Peter paused.
"Which one?"
"The Man Next Door."
Peter nodded.
"That's a good book. So she's J. Oliver."
"That's her. She said she got death threats for it."
"I can see why."
Olivia chewed her sandwich thoughtfully.
"Why?"
"Well, it examines the life and crimes of Ted Bundy before she goes on about why he did the things he did. Considering most serial killers claim that they had a bad childhood, he's one of the few that up until he started killing, lead a perfectly normal life. He kinds of shatters that theory."
"So she talks about that whole nature versus nurture concept?"
"Yeah. It's not as controversial as her other ones though. She did one on O.J Simpson that touched on everything, including the screw ups of the police. Same with the JonBenet Ramsey case."
Olivia smiled.
"I didn't know you were such a fan."
Peter shrugged.
"She writes really well and she knows what she's talking about. She even does interviews with the families of the victim, examines the evidence and the procedure that the police followed. More importantly, she frank and honest about the whole thing."
"She's always been a great writer."
Peter frowned.
"Do you know why she writes on what she does?"
"Well, she's always been big on the truth."
"Fair enough. What else was weird?"
"She seemed restless and agitated. Like she was expecting something to happen."
Peter sighed, finishing off his sandwich.
"Could you be reading too much into it?"
Olivia shook her head.
"Nope. Something was up."
"Maybe if you meet up with her more often she'll open up."
"Maybe. She asked about the reunion."
Peter smiled.
"I had forgotten about that."
"She said that the three of us should go, make a night of it."
"It could be fun."
"I know. But you know with those reunions, the whole idea is to show how great you are doing."
Peter stretched out his legs, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I think you've done pretty well, if you ask me. You have an incredibly good looking husband for one thing."
Olivia cocked her eyebrow.
"I know. Have you seen him recently? I seem to have misplaced him."
"Maybe he ran away with one of his other girlfriends."
Olivia shook her head.
"That's a shame. Oh well, I guess I will have to settle for you."
Peter smiled.
"That's good news for me."
Olivia finished her sandwich, offering Peter a small smile as she collected his empty plate.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To clean up."
Peter took the plates out of her hand and pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.
"Leave it until later."
Olivia smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Fine. But Etta will be awake soon."
"I know. So we better get started."
He slipped his hand under her shirt, tracing her spine with careful fingers. Olivia shivered.
"Really?"
Peter nodded, nipping at her neck.
"I believe that's why they call if afternoon delight."
Normally, one touch from Peter was enough for all relevant thoughts to go missing from her mind. But not today, not after the meeting with A.J. Olivia pushed away and went back to cleaning. Peter sighed.
"It's bothering you isn't it?"
Olivia nodded slightly.
"I don't know why. She's unhappy. Something is wrong. I just don't know what it is."