Substitute

A/N: Is anyone else particularly excited about this chapter? I sure am!

It had taken them a few hours, but they were finally back in Fringe HQ, or at least, the medical facility that they used, sitting on opposite beds of the infirmary. They had been reluctant to separate, and Olivia was even more reluctant to separate from Henry, but they had to be checked on in the medical facility, at least, Charlie had insisted on it, beating Lincoln to the punch.

They stole fleeting glances as they walked to separate examination rooms. They hadn't talked yet, but they knew they needed to. While the doctors made sure there was nothing wrong with Henry, the nurses worked on Olivia's busted hand and re-treated Lincoln's previous injuries, scolding him for moving so much when he knew he shouldn't have. That was when Olivia got a glimpse at just how extensive Lincoln's leg injury was. He had a jagged wound, about nine inches long, running down his thigh. It was a deep wound that required more time to heal. Had he really been running around on that? The thought made Olivia shudder and feel horrible for putting him through all that pain.

Once the three had finally been given a clean bill of health and Lincoln was re-stitched, Olivia was given her baby back. They sat in silence. It was only when Henry began to fuss when the trance like state they were in was broken. Olivia smiled apologetically for Henry's shrill cry and pulled him to her. While her focus was mostly on her baby as she got him ready to feed, she could feel Lincoln's eyes on her. It didn't bother her. In fact, she almost felt giddy being this exposed before him... emotionally, not physically, he still couldn't really see anything with the blanket covering herself and Henry.

Olivia looked up and smiled almost shyly at him. Her breath was almost knocked out of her at the fierce intensity in his gaze. It made her feel giddy in a whole different way. They continued to sit in silence. Only the sound of Henry blissfully feeding away, more than relieved to be back safe in his mother's arms, was the only sound in the room. Once Henry finished and Olivia fixed her shirt, she adjusted the still lively baby in her arms and slipped out of bed.

"'Liv?" Lincoln questioned with a concerned frown.

"My legs aren't injured you know, ...not like your leg is, I can get up if I want," Olivia reminded him, walking over to his bed. She still felt terrible about his leg, but she knew that talking about it wouldn't do them any good right now. She sat down next to him, on the plastic chair nearby, their eyes never leaving each other. "You've always been there for me," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

"And I always will, I told you, there's no place else for me to be... no matter how much you think I annoy you..." Lincoln replied.

"You've never annoyed me," Olivia told him.

"No? Well, I bet I could if I spent enough time with you... like I plan to do..." Lincoln warned her.

"I don't think that could ever annoy me," Olivia smiled, and reached over, surprising him by caressing his cheek with her knuckles. It was Lincoln's turn to close his eyes in bliss, reveling in the feeling. Olivia felt another fluttery sensation deep within her when Lincoln turned his head and laid a soft kiss on her hand. When he opened his eyes, he couldn't believe the expression he saw in Olivia's face... it almost looked like... longing?

Olivia stood then, smiling in reassurance at the alarmed look Lincoln gave her, and stood for a moment, deep in thought, studying him. Lincoln stayed perfectly still, as if moving would make him fail whatever test he felt like he was in. Olivia now had a decision to make. She was tired of pushing him away and wanted to feel the same that he felt for her... but... she did already, didn't she? She felt herself give in to the little voice that spoke to her. She didn't just love him, she was in love with him, she had been for a long time.

It was time to stop running. Time to trust him, time to get over Frank, get over Peter, men who wouldn't be in her life. Lincoln was always there, ever since they met. She had his love and it was time to let him in. Olivia nodded once, smiling at the confused look in Lincoln's tired face, and pushed herself up, mindful of Henry, then leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on his lips. Lincoln sat still, not knowing whether to treat this as the real thing, or something fleeting, like a "thank you", so he didn't move.

However... when Olivia's lips parted a little and she ran her tongue along his bottom lip, he had his answer... she wasn't looking for something fleeting! Olivia was a little confused and a little hurt when Lincoln hadn't moved to return the kiss. Had he changed his mind? The thought was almost too much to bear. She meant to pull back and apologize, in case he didn't want this, but as soon as she tried to, she felt his hand run through her hair, stopping her from leaving and forcing her back against his lips.

Olivia sighed into the kiss, relaxing against his mouth as the kiss became more than it had been. When she parted her lips again, she was relieved to find him responding, and shivered pleasantly when she felt his own tongue touch her's. Oh God, she now realized how much she had wanted this, ever since they shared at awkward, fleeting kiss, two years ago. It might have been fleeting, but she had been surprised by how good it felt... now this? This was ecstasy. Had she ever met such an amazing kisser? She didn't think so.

The kiss deepened. Their heads tilted to either side, their mouths slanted, their tongues dueled, their breaths became labored. Heat coursed through them and it was the best thing ever. It was unbelievable. They lost themselves in it, dove into it, expressing every raw emotion, everything they couldn't say with words. The more she kissed him, the more she felt like she couldn't get enough of him. As cliché as it was, she had never felt this way with anyone else, not even Frank, not even Peter. She wanted to dive into everything that was Lincoln Lee. He made her head spin, heart race, palms sweat, every cliché phrase you could think of. She only hoped he was experiencing the same.

She had no idea.

Lincoln was in heaven. Period. He almost felt like this was another cruel dream he would wake up from. But it wasn't! When the need of oxygen made them dizzier than they already were, they reluctantly separated. Their eyes burning with everything they couldn't say, or didn't know how to. "Lincoln," Olivia whispered, but couldn't say anything more, not that she would complain. Lincoln reached up again, crushing his lips against her's in an urgent kiss. Olivia had to make sure she had a good grip on Henry, for she felt like she would literally fall from the fervency of his kiss. Olivia wanted so badly to run her own hands through his hair, over his shoulders, chest, to feel his muscles ripple and flex under her fingers as he strained to stay in the bed... but she settled for leaning against him as much as poor Henry – who was trapped between them, but oddly didn't seem to mind too much – let her.

Henry, on the other-hand, watched them in confused curiosity. His mommy and daddy were smacking faces again... why did they do that? Whatever reason it was, Henry didn't like it... because it took away their attention from him! And so, Henry did what every baby instinctively knew how to do... he began to make a fuss, whimpers at first... but that did nothing, a little crying seemed to help, their smacking seemed to slow, as if they didn't believe his sincerity. He would fix that. With a deep breath, Henry began to cry.

Lincoln and Olivia pulled away, startled by the cry and both looked over at the baby. "Looks like he wants some of your attention too," Lincoln smiled and they both laughed. Olivia gestured for him to scoot over and Lincoln did so, moving so she would sit on the side where his uninjured leg was. After making room, Olivia crawled onto the bed and sat flush against Lincoln, relaxing against him when he put his arm around her.

Olivia placed Henry on both of their laps and Henry seemed to understand he was receiving attention, so quieted down. "You're definitely sneaky," Olivia said to Henry, who sniffled a little.

"Naw, he's not sneaky... he's a Dunham, he just craves everyone's attention," Lincoln teased.

Olivia grinned and slapped him on the chest playfully, glad her hand wasn't injured anymore. "I do not crave everyone's attention!" She cried in mock-offense.

"No... just mine," Lincoln smirked smugly.

"Presumptuous much?" Olivia snickered, leaning her head against his chest as she scooted closer. She shut her eyes momentarily, nuzzling him as she breathed in his comforting scent.

"Maybe..." Lincoln admitted, holding Olivia closer. The two were just content to be in each others' arms for now. The two looked down at the now silent baby and shared a mutual look of affection for him. Henry grinned back at them, happy that his parents were giving him attention and latched on to both of them.

"I think he thinks you're his father..." Olivia mentioned quietly.

"Yeah?" Lincoln looked over at her, hope once again stirring within him.

"Yeah..." she smiled, glancing up at him. "It'd be bad to disappoint him, wouldn't it?" she asked.

"Yes it would!" Lincoln laughed, feeling joy erupt within him. Henry tugged on both of their shirts, smiling up at both of them. Lincoln and Olivia shared another mutual look of fondness at the child in their arms, feeling more than ever like they were, both of them, Henry's parents. "I'm going to have to leave soon," Lincoln reminded her. Olivia nodded in understanding, knowing that Lincoln would have a lot of work to do. She should probably let her mom know she and Henry were okay and explain everything that had happened... her poor mother, she hadn't even been aware of how close she was to losing both her daughter and her grandson to a madman, was she?

The though of death seemed to remind Olivia of another time she almost died. When Lincoln had again been there for her, comforted her, held her... and revealed his feelings for her. "Lincoln... I..." she bit her lip. Why was it so damn hard to say? Three little words. She told Frank the second week they were dating for Christ sake. Lincoln and she were friends for more than two years! It didn't make any sense!

"You don't have to say it, I understand," Lincoln told her, pulling her tighter against him. For now, she didn't, he understood what she was trying to say and her actions spoke louder to him than words... he knew that one day she would be able to say it and was content to wait.

Olivia, on the other hand, groaned inwardly, sometimes hating it when Lincoln was so understanding. She wanted to say it to him! She needed to say it to him! She DID love him! She loved him! She was IN LOVE with him! She almost laughed hysterically at how easy it was to admit it to herself now. But her tongue got tangled every time she tried to admit it to him! Was it really that strange? Admitting her love for him? For Lincoln Lee? Sure, it was a little odd... they had always been buddies, and he was her commanding officer, but that shouldn't matter! It didn't. So why couldn't she just say it?

Maybe she was too tired right now, too distressed over everything that happened to her. Maybe she was afraid? No, she knew what was in her heart, knew she wanted to tell him... but maybe here in the infirmary after going through such trauma, it was not the right time. Soon, she would tell him soon. She would tell him if it killed her! Unfortunately, their work would steal them away from each other before Olivia would have a chance. Life and responsibility sucked sometimes.

TBC...

End A/N: Hahaha Oh Henry, you clever, clever boy... you're gunna make one awesome Fringe agent when you're all grown up XD. Okay everyone, say it with me, "FINALLY!" right? I mean, for crying out loud, even I was getting antsy with all their tension and avoidance D: lol... and Olivia STILL hasn't admitted her damn feeling to him! Gah! I COULD end this story here... but don't worry, I'm not going to lol. Wow, talk about a hot and heavy make-out session lol buh! If only Henry hadn't interrupted! Lol j/k.

Shout-Outs:

Fallen Heart: I'm glad you liked the action, I'm a little rusty! I tried to write Olivia as she is in the show, tough, but still a woman, ya know? Lincoln always "saves the day" XD

katiekayx: Maybe they will, and maybe they won't... lol at least they expressed their feelings here, right? XD