Back with a new chapter for ya. Thanks again to all who are following this. And many thanks to those who review, alert, and favorite. That makes me smile. :)

Same old thing-you know I don't own it or them.

Peter and Olivia start to try to work with the idea of being married. Please review if you enjoy this, thanks.

The Hitch-Chapter 3

Peter Bishop shoved his cell back in his jeans pocket and started running toward her apartment building on Strathmore Boulevard in Brighton. She was upset. Really upset. He knew he'd have to get her calmed down quickly, but what would he say? Peter abandoned the thought and concentrated on his speed.

Five minutes later he was knocking on her door. Peter had barely knocked a third time when the door went flying open. Olivia briefly checked to make sure it was him and then resumed her pacing, her hands in her hair. Not good, Peter thought to himself. She looked more upset than that time when they almost kissed in the basement of Massive Dynamic, more upset than any time in Jacksonville. Heck, she looked more upset than the time she thought she was killing people with her mind. She looked like a caged animal, attempting to wear a whole in her carpet. Peter closed the door quietly and took a deep breath.

"'Livia, Come here." She did as she was told. Peter held his arms out wide, beckoning her to come within. Olivia Dunham grabbed him with both arms around his neck, standing on the tips of her toes, her body shaking. "It's OK, 'Livia. It's going to be OK," he whispered lovingly into her ear. He rubbed her back with both of his hands.

Peter had absolutely no idea how long they stood like that. He just knew there was no other place he'd rather be. It felt so good to help her, to have her in his arms. He thought she might start crying, but she didn't. After a while he felt her body relax. Delicately he pulled back to look at her. "'Livia," he said giving her a loving smile. He leaned down and in toward her lips and was surprised that she met him halfway. The kiss was gentle, yet knowing. It went on a bit, and Peter was tempted to work her mouth open but decided he wanted it to be her initiation, not his. Peter ended it by pulling back. He gave her a smile, happy to see her a little less hysterical than minutes ago. "Let me make us some coffee." Olivia nodded her head.

He put his arm around her and walked with her into her kitchen. Fortunately he had been there a few times before and knew where everything coffee-related was kept. As the coffee started dripping he caught her gaze. "Could you get me a pen and some paper?" Olivia nodded and removed the requested items from a nearby drawer. "OK. Let's go make a list." Peter steered them to her couch in the living room and placed the paper on top of a book. She watched as he made a "Pros" and "Cons" column.

"You think this will help?" Olivia asked staring at the paper.

"It can't hurt. Let's list the pros of being married to each other first." A few minutes and some discussion later Peter had written 10 things in the "Pros" column. "Alright. Let's list the cons of being married to each other." After more lengthy discussion and fortunately no fighting, Peter had written 9 things in the "Cons" column. Silence followed as they both stared at the list. The coffee maker made its noise signaling that the coffee was ready. "I'll get it," Peter offered as Olivia continued to study the list with her glasses on. Peter returned and set an aromatic mug of coffee in front of her with what looked like a generous amount of cream, just they way she liked it.

"Thank you," she told him lifting it to her lips.

"My pleasure," he returned. Olivia watched as he took a sip, thinking he really was a handsome man.

"What?"

"Nothing," she said gaining her composure. "Married couples live together. How are we gonna do that? We haven't even spent a whole night together...well, not a sober night together," she said a little sadly.

"We can fix that easily enough by doing a test tun."

"A test run?"

"Yeah. Tomorrow night. Let's just have one drink, like a nightcap, and spend the night together."

"You think that's a good idea?" Olivia asked too quickly, showing her nervousness.

"Why not? We're already married. And I'm pretty sure we've had sex at least three times already."

"Three?"

"Once in the bed, then once in the hot tub, then another time in the bed."

"You remember that?"

"In the last several hours I do. Don't you remember?"

"M-maybe." Peter gave her a smirk.

"You holding out on me, Mrs. Bishop?"

Olivia blushed. "I do remember the tub now."

Peter smiled. "Yeah. The tub." Then he grew more serious. "So we agree not to tell anyone, except maybe Astrid. I'll bet she wouldn't tell anyone if we told her."

"Probably not."

"So, what do you think? Should we try this out? Work like normal during the day, but spend more time together outside of work? And try spending a night or two together?" He wanted to add that maybe he should move in later, but he didn't want her freaking out again.

"Well, I guess we should. Since we're a married couple now. Wow, that sounds so weird, Peter."

"It does." They grew quiet for a bit. "You gonna be able to go back to sleep? Or will you stay up?"

"I think I'll just zone out here on the sofa."

"Okay." Peter got up and put his empty mug in the kitchen sink. "Guess I'll get going," he said returning to her spot.

"You want to stay awhile?"

"OK," Peter replied a little too quickly. He sat at one end of the sofa, his feet extended. Olivia moved to lay on him, her head on his chest. Then she lifted her head up and looked at him.

"Wake me up by 6:30 if I fall asleep, will you?" she asked him.

Peter gave her a quick kiss. "Sure thing." He gave her another, and then she settled down on his chest.

Several minutes passed and Peter reflected on how right it felt.

"Oh, hell," Olivia said suddenly. She sat up and pulled him to get off the sofa. Peter let her lead him as she shut off the living room lights and led him up the stairs to her room. She watched as he toed his boots off and followed her under the covers. "Goodnight," she told him and gave him a gentle kiss, snuggling into him.

"Goodnight, 'Livia," Peter returned, wondering if he'd really get any more sleep. The last time she was snuggled against him like this they were both gloriously naked and he could feel her warm, supple skin on his. What you do to me, Mrs. Bishop, he said to himself. Peter closed his eyes and tried to relax.

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