I'm so sorry this has taken so long! I am having a bit of trouble being happy with the next chapter so updating kinda left my mind. Please review…as always, thank you to my regulars who continue to review, I write these for you! :D

References: Senator Van Horn (Earthling, Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?), Agent Edwards (Earthling, Concentrate and Ask Again), "…You can't do that!..." (Pilot)

Chapter 24 – Battling

You would think the sleeping was the last thing that either Olivia or Peter could do after the revelation they had both had that night, and you would be right. Before they had left to see Broyles, Olivia had dropped off Ella at a next door neighbours place, leaving Peter and Olivia alone in the her apartment to take in all the information they had, or to spend the time together, something they hadn't gotten a chance to do as yet. Sitting down on Olivia's bed, Peter looked around and took in as much as he could while he waited for her to come out of the bathroom, wanting to remember as much as he could before she kicked him out of the room. Smiling to himself he laid backwards into the bed, breathing in the scent that was distinctly Olivia. "You right there" her voice made him shoot up into a sitting position, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Sorry…just been a long day, your bed is comfortable as well." And just to prove a point, Peter scooted backwards further onto her bed and lay down, his arms out stretched to the sides, taking up almost the whole bed.

Shaking her head and giggling slightly, Olivia came to stand next to the bed before crawling onto it and directly into Peter's arms, needing to feel him close to her. Sighing in relief when his arms wrapped around her body, keeping her close. There was silence between them for a few moments before Olivia leaned her head up to look at Peter, his eyes closed but his breathing told her he was still awake. "Peter…do you remember the first time we slept in the same bed?" her voice was soft, keeping with the relaxing tone of the room and the time that they had. She honestly didn't know why she had asked him about it but it was always something she thought about it. Looking down at her, Peter smiled, "Yeah I do. You had come to my door at like 3am, you were scared and I made you stay at my place. I remember you asking me to stay until you fell asleep but in the end I fell asleep with you." He looked up as if remembering the exact events, the smile never leaving his face, "How come?" It was a strange question after all.

Shrugging she sighed, "I was just thinking, actually I have thought of that night a few times since you left and I keep wondering if you had wanted to kiss me that night. I mean, when I woke up, I could feel you holding me close and you kissed the back of my neck before you, and I, noticed your problem," she smiled when he blushed slightly, "I just wondered if you wanted to kiss me…as much as I had wanted you too." She looked away from him, suddenly a little embarrassed but when his hand found her chin and pulled her face up to meet his, she smiled. "Olivia I wanted so very much to kiss you that night. You have no idea how much self control I had to muster to stop me from turning you onto your back and kissing you deeply. I am sorry about you knowing how I woke up. I mean it's not like that was a 'just because' reaction, it was definitely a reaction because you were there but I never meant for you to feel that…" He brushed some hair away from her face, happy that she hadn't ever mentioned that to him when they had woken up, he honestly didn't think he could handle the embarrassment of explaining himself to her. She battered her eyes a little, smirking as she asked the next question, "How come you didn't kiss me then?"

Her question stunned him for a moment, his mind racing to a thousand different answers he could give her if he wanted to but he settled on the truth, knowing that she deserved it for once in her life. "Well…I knew we were friends and I didn't want to do anything that would ruin that, your friendship meant more to me than anything in the world while we were in high school, still does…" He lifted her chin up ever so slightly once more before placing a loving and light kiss on her lips, watching as her eyes fluttered gently. "Also…I had you in my bed, I wasn't about to kiss you for the first time like that, I didn't want you to think that all I wanted from you was sex…" he watched her nod, her mind lost for a moment before she leaned up and kissing him harder, pushing herself upwards slightly to get a better angle. Pushing herself further up into a sitting position, Olivia deepened the kiss by running her tongue along his bottom lip, hearing him groan into the kiss.

Peter didn't know how much more he could take of Olivia dominating the kiss, he wanted to show her what it felt like to him having her back in his arms and that's what he did. Rolling Olivia onto her back, Peter took control of the kiss, tangling his fingers into her hair, bringing her closer. He felt her hands slip underneath his shirt, touching the smooth skin that she had found there, but her fingers were driving him crazier than he could even explain. It had been so long since he had had her in his arms, holding her close and kissing her the way he was and now he had her and all he wanted to do was show her exactly how he felt. Not sure if she could control herself anymore, Olivia took her hand from his chest and brought it back to his hair, tugging his lips lower than her lips, attaching them to her neck and pulse point, wanting to remember the last time they had done this and wanting to remember exactly how it felt. Lifting her back off the mattress Olivia wrapped her arms around Peter's neck and pulled him closer, moaning as he continued to kiss his way down her neck and over the exposed skin of her chest.

It was starting to become too much for Olivia, it wasn't that she didn't want him, because God, did she want him but she didn't want it like this. Not with the pain and exhaustion that they were both feeling, if they were going to do this, they would do it when it was right, when they were relaxed and together because they wanted to feel the love not just comfort. "Peter…please…we need to stop…Peter…" her words and her breath came out daggered as his lips continued down her chest, disappearing into her top, between her breasts before he looked up at her, his lips still attached to her chest but his puppy dog eyes looking up at her, "Really?" he moved his lips from her body but he began to pout, oh god he was pouting at her and it took all her strength not to give him. "Peter, we have been up for almost two days straight and I want this…" she touched his cheek a little as she spoke, "…to be about us not comfort because I was hurt or anything like that. That's not how I want this to happen. Come on, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow…are you sure you don't want to get some sleep?" She watched as he blinked a couple of times, almost as if he was considering her statement before he dropped his head between her breasts again and sighed, "Fine, your right…" he kissed his way back up to her face, placing on of her lips and her cheek before he rolled over and pulled her towards him, cuddling her close and promptly falling asleep.

"Agents, come in…" Broyles opened his office door both Olivia and Peter, motioning for them to follow him into the room. Olivia noticed that he had addressed them both as agents but also that they were not alone in the office. She found that they were being waited for by two people she had never met, although one she knew to be Senator Van Horn, someone who had always he a special interest in the Fringe Division, Broyles always telling her that he was the reason that they were able to continue the work that they did. "Agent's I would like you to meet Senator Van Horn and Agent Edwards, CIA." Olivia's head shot up at the sound of CIA, when the CIA is involved something bad must be happening. "Senator, Agent Edwards I would like to introduce Special Agent Olivia Dunham and FBI consultant Peter Bishop. They have been working on the bank robberies since the beginning." Broyles took a seat around the round table that had been set up in his office, the senator and CIA agent had also already taken their seats.

"Agent Dunham, you must be the poor girl who was kidnapped…I am sorry to hear about what happened, if there is anything we can do, please let us know..." The senator nodded towards Olivia who just gave a small smile, "Honestly Senator I would just like to catch this bastard." She moved from where she was standing, towards the waiting chair but not before Peter placed his hand on her lower back, guiding her to the chair and also working as a reassurance for her, something that she secretly needed right now. "And FBI consultant Peter Bishop? I would say there is more going on here than being a consultant wouldn't you say?" Agent Edward's voice rang through the office. He had noticed the way that Peter had placed his hand on Olivia's back putting two and two together and he undoubtedly got to four, but his remarks were less than friendly. "Actually Agent I have known Agent Dunham for the better part of her life, so yes I have a special interest in this as well as a professional one…" Peter trailed off with a small growl before taking his seat next to Olivia, stopping all types of conversation towards.

Broyles cleared his throat to get their attention, he had not intention of caring about what Peter and Olivia did or where doing as all he wanted was to catch the son of a bitch who had turned his back on his job and country and hurt one of his best agents. "Now if you wouldn't mind, I would like to get back to business…" He pushed a folder towards Olivia who took it without a second thought, her eyes scanning the pages as Broyles stoke. "I have gone over all the evidence that was given to me by Agent Dunham with both the Senator and Agent Edwards and we have agreed that something is to be done now if we are to understand what they wanted you for Dunham. Also to understand what was so important about the safety deposit boxes that were stolen. We are still yet to identify whose boxes they are and so catching Loeb should help us narrow down the to fix the person who they belong to…" Olivia looked up at Peter as he had glanced towards her hearing Broyles' words, both knowing that they had never specified that the boxes belonged to Walter but also knowing it was something they probably should have mentioned. "Ah Sir, that's not entirely correct…" Olivia spoke up with as much force as she could, knowing that this was going to end very badly.

Before she was able to speak, she felt Peter's hand rest on her thigh under the table, effectively stopping her from speaking, giving him the chance to speak up. "Sir, we actually were able to determine who the safety deposit boxes belonged to…they belong to my father…" Broyles' brow furrowed and his jaw locked as Peter spoke, this was not something he wished to have been brought up without his knowledge. "And you haven't mentioned this to me before because…" Broyles had now turned to stare at Olivia hoping that his Agent would have some reasoning behind their choice of holding back the information but it was Peter who spoke again and Olivia was thankful for his ability to talk his was out of almost any situation, "Sir, I have been working with Walter to try and remember what it was that was in the safety deposit boxes before coming to you with this information. Knowing they belonged to Walter has not helped up at all with any of the other information we have and he is yet to remember anything about them. He doesn't even remember getting the boxes…" He watched as Broyles nodded as he spoke, hoping his explanation would soften the anger that was no doubt rising up inside of Broyles. Turning away from Peter Broyles looked back at the Senator and Agent Edwards. "So are we agreed on how this is going to work? Are we agreed about how we are going to catch Loeb?"

Olivia looked up, noticing that both the Senator and Agent Edwards nodded to Broyles, suddenly wondering why the CIA was interested in Loeb and why Broyles hadn't told her or Peter about what was going to happen. "Sir, what do you have in mind?" She placed the file down on table and leaned forward, looking towards her boss, but it was not his voice that caught her attention. "Don't you worry about that Miss Dunham, it does not concern you." It was Agent Edwards that spoke now, clearly not thrilled with having the female agent in the room. "Excuse me Agent Edwards, I have every right to be involved in this investigation, I was the one who started this investigation and I will continue until it is solved." Olivia leaned forward on her chair, showing that she wasn't intimidated by the CIA. "We don't need any other agent getting hurt or getting in the way because she thinks she is the most important part of this investigation." Edwards stood from his seat, pushing away from it before pacing the room. "Agent Edwards, without Agent Dunham you would not have any of this information and you would not be close to bringing in to custody an agent who has been working on the wrong side." Peter stood as well, his overprotectiveness for Olivia taking over when Edwards spoke harshly to her.

Edwards stopped for a moment and turned to face Peter, something suddenly dawning on him, "Peter Bishop? Ah yes…how is Big Eddie treating you? Been in touch with him? Been putting anyone else in danger recently?" There was silence for a moment between everyone in the room. Peter was stunned into silence, Edwards stood with an arrogant smirk on his face, Olivia didn't know what to say to something like that and Broyles and the Senator were both trying to trying to understand what was going on. "Whatever you think you know Agent Edwards, I suggest you think twice before you continue with whatever is about to come out of your mouth." Olivia stood suddenly noticing that Peter was getting angrier by the minute. He took a step forward only to be met by one from Edwards until they were literally toe to toe, facing each other, "Are you threatening me Bishop?" Before Peter could say anything Broyles took the chance to intervene. "ENOUGH! Both of you! Edwards, Agent Dunham and Bishop will be included in this investigation, is that clear?" All three turned to look at Broyles before turning away from each other, no one clearly happy with the situation. "Now Senator would you like to go through what is planned for Agent Dunham and Bishop's benefit?" The unusually quiet senator nodded and turned to the now standing agents.

"So Agent Dunham, what you are going to do is tell Agent Loeb that the man we have in custody is talking, he has given you all the information we require, including the names of everyone involved with the robberies and the kidnapping. You will make sure he understands that we are close to bringing into custody the last person involved. We will assume he will ask you where this man is being kept, you will tell him that he is still at Boston General hospital under police supervision and we will set up cameras in the room, so when he goes for a visit we will be able to catch anything and everything that is said during the visit." The Senator stood from his seat and outstretched his hand towards Broyles. "I must be off Phillip, let me know how it goes…" He then turned from the group and left the room, Broyles following only steps behind, nodding to Olivia to follow as well. Before Peter was able to get further than just after the doorway, a hand came to rest on his arm and he turned to find Edwards holding him back. "Now you listen to me Bishop, I know about you, I know who you used to be and if I had my way you would be rotting in a jail cell for the rest of your life. I may be CIA but I know the sorts of people you worked for and let me tell you that I will be coming down on you like a ton of bricks." Peter swung his arm to break the grip that Edwards had on his arm. "You may be CIA but you have no idea what I am capable of…I am here to assist the FBI and I suggest that you stand down before something nasty happens to you." Peter and Edwards were now standing tow to toe again, almost daring each other to take a swing.

"Peter!" Olivia's voice caught his attention and he turned to see her coming back around the corner, no doubt wondering why he hadn't followed her when she left with Broyles. Edwards looked up at the same time and smirked, "She is a hot looking girl…be a shame if something bad happened to her…" That was all it took for Peter to grasp Edwards suit by the collar and slam him against the wall, his head colliding painfully with the side of the doorframe, but all he could do was laugh at Peter, he knew he was getting on his nerves and Edwards liked it. "Peter…Peter stop, let him go! You can't do that" Olivia had her hands around Peter's arms trying to get him to let go of Edwards. Peter leaned in forward, almost growling, "You stay the hell away from her you son of a bitch." Before he pushed Edwards back against the wall harshly, letting him go and moving away from him. They both watched as Edwards straightened himself up before turning to Olivia, "Listen honey, keep an eye on your dog, I would hate to have to put him down…" before he turned around and walked away from the furious couple. Once he was gone, Olivia turned back to Peter, "What the hell was that Peter?" She was angry with him for attacking a federal officer but also because said officer would be able to put him in jail, and Olivia needed him by her side.

Peter turned around to face Olivia, almost all his anger dissipating when he saw her face. Sighing he reached out to touch her cheek, somewhat ashamed at himself for letting his anger take over. "I'm sorry sweetheart, ever since we walked into that meeting he has been trying to intimidate you and I had enough. I'm sorry I let him get to me like that…" he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, letting his lips linger for a moment before pulling away with a small smile, the one on her lips matching, "I'm sorry sweetheart…" With his hand still resting on her cheek, Olivia sighed, Peter was always going to be there for her…

Broyles walked back around the corner towards his office, wondering where his Agent and consultant had gone until he turned the corner and found them standing close together, Peter pulling away from Olivia's lips and his hand resting on her cheek. This was something that he was going to pretend he never saw, he knew they deserved to be happy.

Please review…the case is getting interesting…one little review telling me how good/bad this is…maybe? In the spirit of FRIGNE being back in like 2 days? :D