Substitute

A/N: As cheesy as it is, when I think of Alt!livia and Red!Lincoln now, the song "Things Can Only Get Better" by Howard Jones pops into my head... it was the song that was stuck in my head, after listening to it over the radio at my job, when I saw Bloodline... so it kinda stuck lol.

It had been two days since the whole ordeal. While Lincoln took up his position as Chief and wrote reports, spoke to the higher-ups, and cleaned up the mess that former Secretary had made - and got promoted to Colonel, - the world slowly returned to "normal", or as normal as could be in their world anyway. A new Secretary of defense would have to be chosen. Though he had used his influences to avoid the death penalty, Walter Bishop wasn't leaving his little cell in Alcatraz anytime soon. Being charged with trying to orchestrate the destruction countless people and only God knew what other living creatures, could land a man in quite a big prison. Of course, the public still had no idea the exact reason the former Secretary was imprisoned, but attempt at mass genocide was enough to convince most people. The conspiracy theorists still had a field-day.

Marilyn has practically taken up permanent residency in her daughter's apartment in the meantime. Apparently the theft of her son and threat to use him to destroy another universe, killing him in the process, made Olivia a little paranoid. Of course, this would pass in time, most of it, but right now she was in shambles. While Lincoln did his best to be with her, coming over to visit as often as he possibly could, like he had done before, he had too much work keeping him away from her right now.

His absence from Olivia and Henry was also starting to drive him nuts, and kept everyone around him on edge.

Charlie would visit as often as he could as well, which was quite a lot. Olivia was grateful for all the support she was getting, including a personal apology from the President himself. It helped her feel a little more secure about the world, knowing there were still good people in it. Not for the first time did Olivia think of the other universe, hoping they were doing okay and smiling in wonder at how empathetic she had gotten the past couple days. Last week she would have laughed in your face if you asked her if she cared about the other universe. But now she did, she really did. Did it really take the threat of imminent destruction and tragedy to inspire the good in people? What a shame.

A knock on the door snapped Olivia out of her thoughts. She glanced down at her snoozing baby boy and stood from her kneeling position by his crib. Who could be visiting this early in the morning? As she walked to the door she glanced at her watch and blinked in surprise... had she really been in that deep a thought for that long? "Hey there, Livie!" Charlie greeted cheerfully when Olivia opened the door. He was not alone. Lincoln was of course with him and... was that agent Farnsworth?

"Uh – hey!" Olivia replied, still surprised. "What are the three of you doing here?" she asked curiously.

"Good morning ma'am. Forgive me if I'm intruding..." Astrid began.

"You're not! I was just a little surprised," Olivia replied with a smile.

"Agent Farnsworth here-" Lincoln began.

"Astrid," Olivia corrected with a smile.

"Astrid, was concerned about you... so we had her tag along to help us check up on you," he finished.

"That's really nice," Olivia grinned, smiling at Astrid. She was a little annoyed about the whole checking up on deal, but she appreciated that they cared for her and wanted her to be happy. "I'm doing just fine, and so is Henry, thank you for your concern," she said.

"Not at all, Ma'am-"

"Olivia," Olivia corrected. Astrid smiled a little bashfully but nodded in understanding.

"It was no problem Olivia, I wish you and your son the best," Astrid nodded.

"Thank you, same goes for you," Olivia continued to grin.

"Well, I need to get back, some of us still have work to do..." Astrid said, surprising the males by teasing them. She was usually so withdrawn and professional, so this was definitely different... good different but different all the same.

"Alright," Olivia laughed, seeing her off. Olivia turned to the two males and smiled. "So? Are you two just gunna stand out there all day?"

"Maybe, depends on if our lovely host will let us in," Lincoln gave her his "charming" smile, making her snicker.

"Put that away, Linc, you'll put an eye out," Olivia teased, referring to his smile.

"What?" Lincoln continued to smile. "This?" he flashed his pearly whites.

"Yep, that," Olivia nodded. That man wielded that smile like a weapon. She may not "swoon" like typical women who were on the receiving end of one of them, but she was still a woman and it still affected her. She'd never let him know that though, he'd use it to his advantage and she couldn't have that. "I suppose I can let you guys in..." she said in mock-resignation and let them pass.

Charlie was no fool, he could tell that they only really had eyes for each other... no matter how outrageous his stories got. So... after doing most of the talking and not breaking through the obvious distraction his two buddies both had, he decided to wisely back out of the room and give them space. "Hey, I'm gunna head out, I'll see you guys later," he said, grabbing his keys and heading out.

"See you Charlie," Olivia called. Lincoln and Olivia stood silently for a moment.

"So... where's Henry? Is he doing okay?" Lincoln asked curiously.

"I finally got him to sleep actually," Olivia answered.

"It's a good thing he sleeps like a log, or your snarky laughter might wake him up..." Lincoln dodged a whack across the head. "I mean, your beautiful wonderful candy-to-the-ears laughter..." he wisely corrected himself, his smile still playful.

"That's better," Olivia laughed. They hadn't noticed how close they were to each other until Lincoln took a step toward her and his smile softened.

"'Liv, you're welcome to come back to work as soon as you feel ready... but don't rush into it, okay? Be sure you have someone that you trust watch Henry..." Lincoln said, sobering a little.

"I will," Olivia nodded, taking a step closer as well. "Give me some time to settle again, relax a bit from all of this crazy crap, and I'll be ready... my mom already offered to watch Henry while I'm at work," Olivia watched Lincoln step closer still.

"Are you okay? I mean, really okay?" he suddenly asked, his eyes searching her's.

"I am now... but I might need some help now and again," Olivia admitted softly.

"I'll be here any time you need me, I'll always be here for you..." Lincoln replied just as softly, moving further still, barely leaving a gap between them now. Olivia closed her eyes and leaned into his touch as he drew his hand over her cheek, caressing his thumb over her cheekbone. "'Liv..." he sighed and relaxed when she moved to embrace him. "I love you, Olivia..." he said into her ear, his rough cheek tickling her own as he pulled her closer, nuzzling her. "What was that?" Lincoln whispered, not really understanding her mumble against his chest.

Olivia opened her eyes and pulled slightly back to look at him. She stood silently for a moment and simply gazed up at his handsome face, moving her fingers to caress his jaw. "I said I love you too, Lincoln Lee," she finally repeated, her voice a little stronger now. "I love you," she said again, just to make sure he heard her. Lincoln couldn't stop the shit-eating grin that spread across his face, his eyes lighting up. She said it! She said it! He couldn't believe it!

"'Liv..." he began, a little choked up, leaning a little bit toward her. He was still grinning.

"Hmm?" Olivia pondered, distracted by his intoxicating closeness. He smelled of cologne, leather, and something that was uniquely him. It made her dizzy - but in a good way.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked softly. He was so close she could almost count the little hairs from his five-o-cloak shadow that graced his jaw.

"I dunno, can you?" Olivia teased, her eyes trained on his lips as their faces inched closer.

"I'm gunna kiss you," Lincoln whispered, moving closer still. Permission be damned.

"Okay..." Was all Olivia could manage to say before their mouths joined. She wrapped her arms around him, feeling his wrap around her waist and pull her flush against him. The two once again lost themselves, drowning in bliss and never wanting to be rescued. Sweet, sweet oxygen deprivation... this was the best kind, the kind that consumed you and made the world shrink away, until it was nothing but you and the jaw muscles of the one you were kissing you put to work. And goodness did that man know how to work those muscles.

The week went by as it always had, with the addition of Olivia and Lincoln being a whole lot closer that is, but unfortunately, working in Fringe Division didn't leave to many days free. There was always work to do, even if there wasn't a Fringe Event. Lincoln and Olivia only managed to be together for a few hours a day, most of the time it being at work, but for now, just being able to give each other looks across the room, "accidental" touches, and sneaking kisses when no one was looking was enough, though, there was always the lingering feeling of wanting more. She hadn't thought she'd feel the same for him, after all, they knew each other how long and never went beyond just friends? Now this? She thought it'd be a fling, something they - or she, at least - would get over after some time but... the feelings just grew stronger each day.

Olivia had been hesitant to come back to work at first, two weeks and a little more after everything that happened. She was worried for her son, worried about leaving him, even if he was with his grandmother, but eventually decided he was safe for the time-being... until someone took up Walter Bishop's efforts that was. As long as she had the support she did, she felt relatively safe in the knowledge that she had a whole host of people ready and willing to help in a moment's time.

While Olivia busied herself with work, trying to ease herself back into it, Charlie went over and leaned against her desk, giving her a mischievous look. "What?" she asked a little cautiously, glancing up at him. He had that look again.

"So, what's it like dating the boss?" Charlie teased, trying to make it hard on Olivia, though it didn't work anymore. Said agent leaned back in her seat and smirked at her partner.

"It has it's advantages..." she chuckled. Neither of them heard Lincoln as he approached them.

"So you're just taking advantage of me? I'm wounded..." The two turned to see said boss strutting toward them, his usual bravado back in place.

"Oh you love it," Olivia grinned, secretly admiring him as he drew closer. Without her self-imposed restrictions toward men after Frank left her, and in particular Lincoln, she allowed herself to study him in a not so innocent sense.

"Hmm, you're right, I do love it when you take advantage of me..." Lincoln agreed lewdly. While Charlie groaned in disgust, hearing more than he ever wanted to, Olivia laughed full-heartedly.

"What was that?" Olivia asked when Charlie grunted something.

"I said, finally!" He repeated. When his two friends looked at him strangely, he elaborated. "I've been sitting here watching you two walk around each other, when you obviously liked each other, since the day you two met!" Could he be serious? Had they really been that way? Had they had feelings for each other way back then and only just realized it?

"Agent Lee? Sir, I have a report that needs your attention, something you asked about?" A camouflaged Fringe officer said as he stood by. Lincoln turned and followed him to his desk. While Lincoln spoke to the other agent, Charlie leaned over again, now curious just how serious his two friends were about each other.

"So 'Liv, just where do you stand with Lincoln now? You know he's crazy about you, right?" Charlie asked curiously. In reality, he was just concerned that his two best buddies weren't happy or they were having problems or something... he wanted them to be happy.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Olivia teased. Charlie made a face.

"If it's anything like that, then no, I wouldn't," he bit back with a smirk.

"Oh shut up," Olivia punched him playfully. "I know Charlie, believe me, I know how he feels about me and... I think I feel exactly the same," she smiled. No, she didn't think she felt the same, she now knew she did.

"That's good," Charlie nodded, feeling relieved.

"Actually, we've just had a few... dates... that's about it," Olivia explained, still feeling a little strange associating Lincoln and herself with the word "date" or anything remotely related... then again, she recently found out how much she liked this type of "strange", at least, as long as it was Lincoln.

Meanwhile, Lincoln read the report and frowned at its contents. They really hadn't found anything yet? He grunted in annoyance and walked over to Astrid, who was busy with her usual calculations. "Agent?" he began, grabbing her attention.

"What can I do for you, Colonel?" she asked respectfully. For a moment Lincoln had to stop himself from glancing around for Broyles, before remembering that he had been promoted by the President himself and that he really was in charge of all of Fringe Division now.

"You haven't found anything?" He asked her.

"No sir, but we do have some leads. We'll be able to find the device the former Secretary of Defense used but we need a little more time, sir. When I sent the team you requested back down to retrieve the machines the Former Secretary was using before his incarceration, we didn't find anything substantial, but we found evidence that it had been moved. There is a strong probability that it could have been someone on the inside that moved it. I'll look into it further," Astrid explained.

"Understood. Good job, agent," Lincoln smiled. Astrid had always been an amazing agent and felt himself fortunate for having her in Fringe Division.

"Thank you, Colonel," Astrid smiled back hesitantly. Lincoln nodded to her and headed back to his friends, hoping to clear his mind. Sooner or later he would have to let them in on his plans, but for now, he just wanted everyone to relax.

"Yeah, so then he dumps the whole bottle of steak sauce on himself! To top it off, he slips on the puddle he made when he went to get up!" Olivia laughed with Charlie. Lincoln frowned as he walked over, recognizing the story.

"Oh, hey boss... 'Livie's been telling me some interesting stories about your attempts at romance," Charlie grinned, making Olivia snort with laughter beside him. Lincoln hated it but couldn't stop it... he blushed. He glanced over at Olivia and sent her a look that promised her that she was going to get it later, making her smile and bite her lip in that way that drove him crazy.

"At least I have some romance in my life," Lincoln smirked.

"Ooo, he got you!" Olivia laughed.

"Hey, Marilyn is here," Charlie muttered, looking across the hall to the elderly woman being escorted by a guard. Clearly, he was avoiding the subject. Unfortunately, things weren't really working out very well for him and Monna Foster.

"Oh! She has Henry! It's about time for me to take care of my other man," Olivia winked at the men as she got up and backed away from them. "I'll catch you boys later," she smiled. Olivia turned and greeted her mom cheerfully, a bounce in her step.

"Hello, honey," Marilyn greeted, kissing her daughter's cheek. "You seem pretty happy today," she observed with a delighted smile.

"I guess I am!" Olivia grinned back, walking backwards. "I have a great job, awesome friends, a wonderful mother, the best son a mother could ask for, and an amazing boyfriend," she shrugged, still grinning away like a fool. The two walked over to one of the quiet offices, where Henry sat in his carrier, being watched carefully by an agent Lincoln had chosen personally for precisely this sort of thing.

"I'm so happy you feel that way, honey!" Marilyn grinned back. Olivia greeted her son enthusiastically, who laughed and gurgled back happily. After Olivia fed him, she sat with him on a chair, playing with him for a bit while chatting with her mother. "It's so nice of your commanding officer to let you leave like this to spend time with and feed Henry..." Marilyn smiled, knowing her daughter's feelings for said man very well. Olivia tried very hard not to blush and nodded in agreement.

"Lincoln is... amazing," Olivia shrugged, not really knowing exactly what to label her boyfriend as. That seemed to sum him up pretty well though, for now, until she could figure out a better word. Right now, all was awesome with the world.

TBC...

End A/N: Sorry about the time gap... if this story has any popularity or enough people ask for it, I may write more on it, like a series of one-shots or moments and such or something. Oh, in this universe apparently Alcatraz is still functional lol... No, this is not an epilogue, although it might appear to be so. There is more.

Shout-Outs:

Fallen Heart: Lol isn't that a good thing? I think I love Henry lol. I'm glad you like it and you're welcome lol :P

katiekayx: But they already kissed though D: in chapter 7 I think... or 6? I forget which. Although, this is their first make-out session XD