A/N - Ok, so after having an epic Christmas with my family (The first for the latest member, Lena) I decided that I would post this new chapter for you guys.
So read, enjoy and review.
And I will apologize in advance. It may be a day or two before I post again. I have babysitting duty tomorrow (Let's hear it for dirty diapers, baby talk and tiny fingers and toes) and I plan to write but frankly, tearing myself away from the kid is a task. Everything she does is cute and funny.
Thanks for you patience guys...I promise it's worth it
:)
Chapter Fifteen – Time And The Space Between
"Peter, what belongings did Michael bring with him?"
Peter frowned over the top of Etta's head. She was fast asleep but every time they tried to put her down, she would wake up and scream bloody murder. Today had left her terrified and Olivia wasn't going to argue with her daughter, happy to keep her close. Angela had barely moved from the sofa since everyone had cleared out of the house. There were now two Agents posted outside the house but Olivia didn't think it was relevant. They had wanted Michael and now, they had him. The threat had passed.
"He insisted on bringing his comic books and a few other things. Why?"
"Just something Michael said the other night. Did you see any letters?"
"No. But I can go check."
Olivia nodded as Peter headed upstairs, sighing as she looked at the large collection of photographs. Struck with an idea, she pulled out her phone, dialling quickly.
"Hello."
"Hi Astrid, its Olivia."
"Hey Olivia. Are you ok? I heard what happened."
"I'm fine and so is Etta. Look, I need your help with something. Can you come over?"
"Sure. I have to bring Walter. He's been having a bit of a break down worrying about Etta."
"Sure. She's been fussing all night, seeing Walter might calm her down."
"I'll be there in ten minutes."
"Great. See you soon."
Olivia put her phone on the table and made a pot of tea before heading into the living room. Angela wasn't there but the front door was open slightly. Olivia caught it with her foot and found Angela outside, a smoke dangling from her fingers, half ignored while Angela stared into space. Olivia put the tray on the table and poured Angela a cup, handing it to her.
"This should help."
Angela took the mug, her hands still shaking.
"Thank you."
Olivia took a seat beside her, glancing at the wound hidden under the gauze.
"Are you ok?"
"No. I failed."
Olivia frowned.
"Sorry?"
"I swore to protect Michael. It was the one thing that his parents left me to do. It was the only thing that they wanted. And I failed."
"You didn't fail."
Angela shook her head, sipping her tea. She took a deep drag of her cigarette before releasing it into the night air.
"If they hurt him….."
The sentence hung in the air and Olivia didn't know exactly how to comfort her.
"Michael left us a message and we will find him."
"But will it be soon enough?"
"I've invited someone over who I think may be able to help. You just need to trust me and Peter."
Angela nodded slightly and sipped her tea, falling into silence again. Olivia could do nothing to soothe the pain. All she needed to do was find Michael safe and sound. He had left them to tools, she just needed to figure out how to use them.
Angela had moved upstairs by the time Astrid and Walter had arrived. Walter was annoyed and flustered by the drilling that they had gotten from the agents that were on point.
"They insisted on seeing I.D. This is my son's home and I have to give I.D? Ridiculous. Now, Olivia dear, are you ok? Let me see that arm."
Olivia had extended her arm and allowed Walter to fuss before he was distracted by Peter and Etta's entrance from upstairs. Etta was awake again, mid-cry when she spotted Walter. She held out her arms and Walter took her from Peter's embrace, placing a series of kisses on her head.
"My sweet little Etta. You've had a grand adventure today, haven't you?"
Etta stuck out her lip and started crying again. She was beyond tired now and exhaustion was making her grizzly. Walter put Etta over his shoulder, rubbing her back, heading into the living room. He put on a documentary and started pacing, talking to Etta softly. Astrid watched them for a moment before turning to Olivia, frowning slightly.
"Is she ok?"
"Yeah. She just had a bit of a fright."
"Good. What do you need me to do?"
Olivia walked into the kitchen, Astrid and Peter following closely behind. Peter offered her a small stack of letters.
"I found these with his comics. It's the same writing that was on the mirror."
Olivia smiled.
"I know what that is. Michael said that his father wrote to him in code."
Astrid watched as Olivia laid out the photos and then the letters.
"Did he say what kind of code?'
"No. Just that his father was obsessed with World War Two."
"Ok. I'll see what I can find."
Astrid settled herself at the breakfast counter with her laptop and started hammering at the keys.
"I need some fresh air. Call me if you find anything."
Astrid nodded and Olivia could feel Peter's eyes on her as she left the kitchen. Once outside, she sat down in one of the chairs that circled the patio. She breathed in the crisp night air and looked down the quiet street. And that's when everything caught her. The entire day she had been staying strong for everyone else. She didn't want anyone to see how much this shook her. Her heart had stopped when she thought something had happened to Etta. And now her heart broke when she thought of what could be happening to Michael. He could end up like Cassie. Broken, damaged and changed. And because of all of this, Kathleen had gotten hurt. She could have been killed trying to protect a child that wasn't her own. The tears came suddenly and fast, burning a hot trail down her cheeks. She trembled, not able to control the burning in her chest.
"Liv."
She hadn't heard Peter come out over her sobs. He didn't question her, pulling her into his lap as he took the seat next to her. She curled into him, pressing her face to his chest and wept, not bothering to control herself anymore. She sobbed out her frustration, guilt and pain. Peter stroked her hair, waiting for her to be done. When the tears had passed, she felt exhausted from the effort, her body hollow and shaky. Peter wiped her cheeks, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"It's ok Liv. We'll find him."
"You keep saying that. How can you say that after what happened today?"
Peter shrugged slightly.
"I don't know. I guess I've seen far too much to think otherwise."
"When we got that call I thought Etta-"
"She's fine Liv. She had a fright but she's fine."
"Because of Kathleen. Did you see the way Nick looked at us when he came to pick her up? He blames us."
"No he doesn't. I explained everything to him."
"I blame us for this mess."
"How about we stop passing off the blame and actually place it on the person that deserves it?"
Olivia didn't argue, closing her eyes and listening to the soft sounds of the night. She could hear the soft hum of the TV and Walter's movements as he continued to pace. She could hear Etta's soft protests as he tried to soothe her. A gentle wind stirred the trees around the house and there was the distinct smell of rain in the air. Somewhere out there was Michael and the other kids.
"Liv, don't think about it."
"I'm not."
"Liar. I know how you think and right now you are thinking about where Michael and those other kids are. Focus on this first. If you take too many steps at once, you'll just trip over."
Olivia smiled, despite the situation and the frustration. It was comforting to know that he knew what path her thoughts would take and that she would go with them. Peter leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, breaking off to push hair off her face.
"We should get back inside. It's getting cold out here and you don't have your coat."
"I have you."
Peter pulled her in closer and she snuggled into him.
"Just a few more minutes."
She felt Peter nod and she looked back onto the quiet street and listened to the quiet hum of activity coming from her home.