Chapter 5:
Olivia changed back into her outfit from the previous day once she'd gotten off the phone with Broyles. She heard the shower running and knew Peter was still getting ready. Quietly she headed out of his bedroom, giving it one last glance over-this time really seeing his room now that it was morning.
She smiled faintly, unsure why she was so happy. Nothing happened and yet she felt like something might have in some small way. She couldn't explain it and she didn't bother to try.
She headed towards the computer in their house, turning it on. She needed to look something up and figured Peter wouldn't mind her using it. She sat down, waiting for the computer to boot up. The house was surprisingly quiet which only meant one thing—Walter was still asleep.
Finally the computer was up and running and Olivia logged into the FBI's database, now having access to a few other details from the blackout. She glanced over the specifics in the archive and then quickly checked her work email. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Find anything interesting?" Peter asked letting go as he worked on sliding his belt through the loops in his pants.
Olivia shook her head, "not particularly. Was I supposed to?"
Peter glanced down the hallway, thinking he might have heard Walter stirring but it was quiet again. "What did Broyles want?"
"He was checking in to see what we've found and he also wanted me to see the actual crime scene photos."
"Crime scene?" Peter repeated, raising an eye.
Olivia nodded slowly, "his words. You want to pull up another chair?" She offered knowing he'd want to look at the photographs.
"I could but not necessary. You're the FBI Agent," Peter smiled, "and besides I am in desperate need of some caffeine. You want me to grab you a cup?"
"That would be great," she breathed glancing up at him.
"I'll get Walter up too so we can head out soon." Peter headed down the hallway, walking towards Walter's bed, "Walter," he stepped closer, his hand reaching out to his father's arm. "You need to get up. We've got work."
Walter's eyes opened as he stared up at his son, "is Agent Dunham still here?"
Peter sighed, "yes, Walter. She's on the computer, waiting for you to get ready so that we can go into work together."
"On the computer!" Walter gasped, his eyes widening as he tried to keep his voice down but failing miserably, "you can't let her on there Peter."
"Why not?" Peter asked.
Olivia stood up, stretching from the chair. Peter hadn't come back yet and she heard him talking with Walter so she decided to head towards the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee.
"I saw what you were looking at," Walter's eyes were wide as he moved to sit up in bed. "Agent Dunham will surely see it."
Olivia glanced at Walter and Peter as she walked by, "I'm sure whatever you weren't looking at-" She'd heard the entire conversation.
Peter laughed, quickly interrupting her. "It's not-what you're thinking Dunham."
"I'm sure it isn't." Olivia smiled, her eyes staring at him intently. A huge smile etched to her face. "Care to elaborate what it was you were looking at instead? Since your father certainly has one idea and I'm pretty sure I know what he's thinking."
Walter laughed, "Agent Dunham," he spoke up, his eyes shining brightly, "he was looking at you."
"Excuse me?" Olivia's face grew pail as she took a step back trying to analyze the sentence.
Peter felt his own cheeks burn but saw Olivia's reaction and knew something else was going through her mind. "It wasn't like that."
"Wasn't like what?" Olivia's voice grew louder and suddenly more defensive. "You're watching me? What? In my apartment? Peter you owe me an explanation." She stepped closer to him, her fists tightening ready to pound the crap out of him if he so much as violated any amount of privacy of hers.
"What?" Peter shook his head taken aback by her question. "You should know I wouldn't do that. It's not-God Walter!" He shouted at his father. "Why couldn't you keep your mouth shut?"
Olivia reached out, her hand gripping Peter's bicep. Her fingers digging harder into his flesh, her nails piercing skin as she watched his face flinch in pain. "Tell me what he's talking about, Bishop. Or so help me God I will do things to you that -"
"That what?" He smiled through the pain, that cocky smile that forced her other hand to grip his arm, pushing him up against the wall. She might have been small and petite but she was strong and fierce when she needed to be.
Walter quickly excused himself, grabbing his clothes and headed to the bathroom to shower, leaving the two of them alone.
Olivia shook her head, ignoring Walter, her attention only on Peter. "Don't you dare change the subject. What did Walter mean when he said you were looking at me?"
"If you'd let me go I'd tell you. I don't take well to brute force."HH Peter stared at her, finally using his own strength to push back¸ away from the wall. This time forcing Olivia to walk backwards if she was intent on keeping her grip on his arms.
With a heavy breath, feeling his strength she dropped her grip on his arms. "There. Fine. Now tell me." She crossed her arms defensively. Her eyes were narrowed and the smile that she once harbored had long since vanished.
"It's really not any big deal, Dunham." He gave her that smile that he saved for rainy days and if there was any chance of it working, he was hoping it was in this very moment.
"You let me decide how big of a deal it is."Olivia retorted.
Peter sighed. "5'9", red hair, emerald green eyes, workaholic, probably should have added fiery attitude to your dating profile as well."
She let out an annoyed breath. So that was it? He saw her dating profile from years ago. "What were you doing Bishop? Trying to find yourself a hot internet date?" She had to turn the tables, make him sweat a little.
"I was trying to get out. You know since all we ever do is work. I thought I might actually take Walter's advice." Peter admitted.
OIivia felt the corners of her lips turning upwards in a smile, "taking Walter's advice could be considered highly dangerous, Peter, some might even consider it insane."
"Tell me something I don't know." Peter nodded seeing the smile and relieved she wasn't angry with him. Did she know he was the one that wrote her as 'Paul'? Maybe she hadn't read the e-mail at all. He wasn't about to bring it up. Things seemed to be smoothed over and he didn't want to chance screwing it all up.
"So, Peter." Olivia smiled glancing at the bed-for the briefest of moments she considered sitting down until she remembered it was Walter's bed. She opted to stand instead. "Next time you're thinking of getting out—we should get out together. Grab drinks. It's been awhile since we did that."
Peter nodded, "it has been awhile. Promise me when we go out you won't nail me." He gestured towards the marks on his biceps that she'd left.
Olivia laughed at his words, "I promise I won't nail you. I am sorry about that," she stepped closer, her fingers gently grazing over the red marks. "You know I didn't really mean to hurt you."
Peter laughed, "the hell you didn't. You were ready to—"
"I was ready to what?" Olivia laughed resting her hand on his chest.
"Stop interrupting me." Peter smiled shaking his head. "Now I'm not going to tell you."
"Fine. Fine." Olivia smiled glancing down realizing her hand was still on his chest. She laughed nervously, removing her palm, "I could still use that coffee."
"So could I. Grab me a cup," Peter teased watching her shake her head and roll her eyes as she headed into the kitchen.