Here's another update for you. There was some trouble on this site the last time I updated. If you can't get to Chapter 4 let me know because I did re-post it.

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The HItch-Chapter 5

Astrid Farnsworth looked at the time on her cell as they ascended the stairs from the T. "How long do we have, Peter, until you have to get to Olivia's for dinner?"

Peter Bishop stared out towards the people walking around the financial district, thinking. "Three and a half hours, I think."

She shook her head. "That might be enough." They started to walk but Astrid stopped them. Peter looked at her, confused.

"What?" he asked her gesticulating with his hands.

She wanted to give him an angry look for withholding information from her, but the entire situation was just too cute. "Peter, is there anything else going on that you want to tell me about?" Astrid asked him, trying to look serious.

He narrowed his eyes at her. He really didn't want to lie to her. She was one of the few honest friends he had. "Why are you asking, Astrid?"

She took a breath. "Olivia cornered me today in the snack room at the Federal Building. She told me you two got married New Year's Eve after you left Walter and me in the club."

Peter ran a nervous hand through his hair, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's true."

"So, why didn't you tell me, Peter? You don't trust me?"

Peter let out a deep breath. "I do trust you. We both do. But...I don't know. It was impulsive what we did, and I guess I didn't want you to be ashamed of me."

"Why you?"

"Because it was all my idea," Peter blurted out. They started walking towards the first of several jewelry stores.

Astrid decided on the same, direct approach. "But you do love Olivia, right?"

"I do," he answered without hesitation, "and if she wants to stay married I'm fine with it, believe it or not."

"OK," Astrid answered cooly. Inside she was screaming like a fangirl. These two people who were perfect for each other, and who were the last people to see it, finally had figured it out. "And the engagement ring now is for..."

"Doing what I should have done before this. Doing it the right way. She deserves it."

Astrid was quiet for a moment reflecting on his words. She smiled at him. "Then we'd better get started!"

Three hours later, they were standing at the counter of a high-end jewelry store, whose banner in the window touted them to be the best in Boston. In front of them was a beautiful 2 carat round diamond solitaire ring that looked like it belonged in a TV commercial.

"I agree with you. It's perfect. I think she'll be thrilled, Peter."

Peter nodded at her and then looked at the clerk. "Go ahead. I'm paying with cash."

"That'll be $4108.00." Astrid held in a gasp as Peter pulled the bills out of his wallet. He watched as the clerk closed the ring box and searched for a bag.

"No bag, please. I'll carry it on me."

Once they were out of the store, Peter turned towards Astrid. "Before you saying anything I want you to know that that money was mine and I didn't steal it."

"Peter, I wasn't going to-"

"I got it years ago and kept it sitting in an account. It's just nice to have something really worthwhile to spend it on."

"Relax," she said putting her hand on his arm, smiling. They stopped walking. "I'm really proud of what you're doing. You and Olivia are going to have a wonderful life together."

Peter smiled back at her. "Thanks for your help today. And for keeping our secrets."

"Just wait 'til you get my bill! Now let's go get a celebratory latte." They laughed and resumed their walk back to the T stop.

Walter looked at the old clock on the lab's front wall which showed it was slightly after 5PM. He nervously walked down the hall to Olivia's private office and knocked on the door.

"Come in,"Olivia called. She watched as an anxious Walter opened the door and walked in. "What's up, Walter?"

"Sorry to bother you, Olivia, but don't you find it odd that Peter and Astrix haven't returned yet?"

Olivia put her pen down on the file on her desk. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that I think they may be having an affair."

"An affair, Walter?"

"Well, I caught them with their arms around each other earlier today."

"I really don't think Peter and Astrid are having an affair, Walter." Olivia hadn't even given it a thought as to why the two of them had been gone the last few hours. She just assumed he was helping her with something. But she couldn't very well tell Walter why they weren't having an affair without giving away their secret.

"Don't worry, Walter. I'm sure Peter will be back soon."

Just then the door sounded out in the main lab. After the sound of footsteps and conversation Peter became visible. He was smiling like a kid in a candy store. "What's this? A private party?' he asked.

"Peter!" Walter said somewhat shaken. "We were just talking about you."

"Good things, I'm sure," Peter replied.

"Always," Olivia replied with a hint of sarcasm. Peter laughed.

"Astrid. Do you think maybe you could take Walter home? Olivia and I have a date tonight."

Walter's smile was radiant. "Excellent, Peter! Eh, don't forget to use protection, Son."

Peter and Olivia sat on her sofa, staring at the movie they had picked from the Netflix menu. Neither of them were really concentrating on it. They had decided to have their nightcaps at her place after dinner, and the alcohol from their three rounds of two fingers of Jack Daniels and the events of the day were catching up with them. Peter looked over at her watching her eyelids droop. He clicked the remote shutting off the TV.

"C'mon, 'Livia. Let's go to bed." He helped a mellow Olivia of the couch, and kept his hands on her waist as they ascended her stairs, his overnight bag slung over his shoulder.

They both got changed, Olivia in her bathroom as Peter changed in her bedroom. He watched as she crawled under the covers next to him wearing a navy blue t-shirt and a pair of short shorts. Lordy, Mrs. Bishop, he said to himself. He reminded himself that anything that happened had to be what she wanted, that none of this would work without her willingness, and that he was in no hurry. Without his consent, his mind traveled back to their wedding night, which, although some details still remained fuzzy, quite a bit of it had come back to him. He was remembering a particularly limber action of hers when he felt her wrap her arms around him.

"Goodnight, Peter," she said softly snuggling into him.

"Goodnight,'Livia," he replied. Their lips met and they shared a gentle kiss. She pulled back and looked at him. "What?" he asked her.

"We didn't do much talking tonight, about how we're going to proceed with this marriage thing."

"There's still time, 'Livia. I'm not going anywhere." He kissed her on the forehead and then watched as she again stared at him. "What?"

"Walter thinks you're having an affair with Astrid, for some reason." Peter gave her a look.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Says he walked in on the two of you with your arms around each other."

"What did you tell him?" he asked creasing his brow.

"I just told him I really didn't think so."

"OK."

"I mean, I couldn't say, 'I don't think so Walter because he's married to me.' "

"No. Glad you didn't say that, Sweetheart." They kissed again softly. She looked at him again. "What?"

Olivia smiled at him, one of those genuine smiles he didn't see on her very often. It was beautiful. "I'm glad you're here for a test run."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"OK. Well, let me know if there's anything else I can do for you, Mrs. Bishop."

"I will." Olivia curled into him, her face against his chest, his arm protectively around her. "Night, Peter."

"Night."

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