Chapter 8:

Olivia didn't have to change for bed. She was already in her pajamas when Peter had come by her apartment. She climbed into bed, lying on her side as she waited quietly, finally hearing his footsteps as she saw the hall light shut off just as he entered the bedroom.

"You sure you don't mind me sleeping in here?" Peter asked. He wanted to be sure and though he knew nothing was going to happen, he also didn't want Olivia building a wall up around herself.

Olivia smiled weakly, "I'm not asking again." She glanced at the empty space beside her and Peter didn't hesitate in climbing into bed with her.

"How's the head doing?" Peter asked, laying his head on the pillow, his eyes staring at her.

She watched him and shifted closer, "can I tell you a secret?" Her voice grew quieter.

Peter nodded eagerly. "Of course."

"I'm going to be fine," Olivia smiled, "but I appreciate the concern." She laughed pulling back slightly but already she missed the closeness.

Peter watched her face and reached out, resting his hand on her hip. He knew it was a dangerous game but he wanted her. He just wondered if she would ever feel the same way about him. "Can I ask you something?" His voice was soft and low, not wanting to startle her. He watched her eyes close but she was still awake.

"Sure." Olivia nodded.

"What made you create a dating profile on that website?" There he asked it. He waited a moment, seeing her eyes opening as she stared back at him.

"I could easily ask you the same question," she pointed out.

Peter laughed, "you could but I already told you that Walter thinks I should get out more. I tend to agree with him." He remembered her suggestion, that the two of them could grab drinks together. It was awfully tempting. "I'm asking you, why did you want to put your profile on there?"

Olivia shrugged, moving to roll onto her back as she stared up at the ceiling. "It's hard to meet a nice guy." It was even harder to meet someone that she didn't work with. "I guess I thought it'd be nice to meet someone that doesn't know what I do for a living." Olivia rolled onto her side, her eyes staring at him. "I just didn't realize how hard it would be to find something in common to talk about."

Peter laughed, "come on, you made that profile before you joined Fringe Division." He'd seen her hair, the color and length. It was not while he'd known her.

"There is still a lot about my job, about working with the FBI that tends to scare men off or intrigues them because I have a gun. As soon as my hours aren't normal and I cancel a few dates because I have to work late, they disappear." She admitted.

Peter knew it was a dangerous question to ask but he was curious. "Is that when you decided to date John?"

"Date?" Olivia shook her head, "what we did-it never constituted dating. We slept in motel rooms, we made a point of leaving work separately. The only meals we ever shared together were takeout."

Peter frowned, "that's really sad." He hadn't known the specifics of her relationship with John and hadn't ever asked before either. He always knew—if there was something she wanted to tell him, she would.

"It just-was." Olivia shrugged. "We never planned on any of it and honestly, Peter. It worked. I mean, it worked for us. It was unconventional but none of my relationships have ever been conventional." She pointed out.

He nodded slowly, "do you ever respond to the guys on that site?"

"I used to." She breathed, "it's been years though. I mean every once in awhile I'll check my messages, see if anyone's cute and intriguing but lately work is my life."

Peter laughed, "so that's what Agent Dunham looks for in a man? Cute and intriguing?" He was teasing her.

She nudged him on the mattress. "Oh come on. You can't tell me looks aren't a part of it?" She hated sounding shallow but there had to be a physical attraction.

Peter smiled, "I didn't say that in the slightest and I wouldn't be surprised if you got a hundred emails a day." He nudged her back in return, hearing her soft

"And why's that?" She smiled back at him.

"Come on, Olivia. Do I need to spell it out for you?" He asked her, moving to sit up slightly. "I think you're cute." He breathed staring down at her, sitting up on his arms. He smiled moving to lie back down beside her. "I think you should give one of these guys a chance. I mean if you're not going to date someone you work with," he nudged her with a laugh, "in fact I think we both should agree to meet someone online."

She stared at him, waiting for him to admit he was kidding. When his expression hadn't changed she realized he was speaking the truth. "You're serious?" For the first time in awhile she felt the pangs of jealousy coursing through her. "You'd date a girl you met off the internet?"

Peter laughed, "yes I would. I'm suggesting you do the same-well a guy, unless there's something I don't know, Dunham?"

Olivia gently kicked him beneath the blankets. "You know all you need to." She scoffed rolling her eyes. "You are trouble and honestly I don't think I'd ever let you meet him."

Peter mocked hurt, "and why not? I thought I was your best friend?"

"You're trouble is why. You meet him and you'd scare him off with crazy stories about what we do or what I had done." Olivia shook her head. "Even though it's all classified I can just see you terrifying some poor guy."

"Oh come on? Would you really want to date someone that was grossed out by half the stuff we see? You're more of a man than-" he frowned seeing the look on her face, "that came out wrong."

"You're damned right that came out wrong." She kicked him again, seeing his face contort in pain. He reached beneath the blankets, grabbing her legs, holding them tight as he kept her from kicking him again. "Peter!" She shrieked surprised he was holding onto her legs and in an instant she felt him flip her fully onto her back, pinning her down as he straddled her.

"You done kicking me?" He stared down at her smugly.

"No." She glared up at him, cracking a grin. "You planning on letting me go?" She smiled wiggling her hips as she tried to break free.

"No." He returned the same answer and then a slight moan as he felt her turning him on. Did she have any idea what she was capable of? He leaned down further, wanting to kiss her. His eyes moved from her eyes down to her lips, feeling her movements settle as he pressed more weight into her.

"Peter." She gasped realizing how turned on she was right now. She inched up, ready to kiss him when she felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. "You should get that," she laughed nervously realizing what almost happened between them as she moved to rest her head back against the pillow.

"Yeah," he sighed rolling off her body, giving her a look to silently warn her not to kick him while he dug out his phone from his pocket. "Yes, Walter?" He was trying not to sound frustrated but he couldn't help it! Did Walter do this on purpose? "No I won't bring you rice crispy treats." Peter paused, "yes I'll be by in the morning to get you for work. I'm with Olivia. She's fine." Peter paused again glancing at Olivia, watching as she shuffled beneath the covers, rolling onto her side watching him. "Goodnight Walter." Peter hung up his phone, this time silencing it as he put it on the table beside the bed.

"Everything okay?" Olivia asked.

"Yeah, you know Walter. Always asking about food." Peter nodded slowly moving to lie back down on the bed beside her. Right now he hated Walter for breaking the mood but he also knew one kiss for him would lead him to wanting more tonight. Olivia couldn't have that—certainly not now. She needed rest. That's why he came over. "You should sleep." He leaned in kissing her forehead.

Olivia yawned, closing her eyes though feeling her heart pounding in her chest. "You'll stay?" She tried to pretend she was tired, not sure how to deal with the almost kiss. She'd figure it out tomorrow or the next day. She wouldn't ignore it. She was realizing more than ever she wanted to try something with Peter though exactly what, she wasn't sure. They had talked about drinks,, going out. Would they actually go through with it? She felt a smile tugging at the corner of her lips, hoping they would. She really didn't want to date a complete stranger off the internet but if he turned her down, if he insisted he was going to date someone else, she might just have to do that. Right now though, she wasn't going to worry about it. Peter Bishop was in her bed and she was going to savior the moment. She breathed heavily, pretending to be asleep as she wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him against her. Now this, was perfect.