Fourth Time is the Charm - Chapter 7 by Xeen part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6 Fringe doesn’t belong to me though it would be fun. I’m borrowing the characters and I promise I will put them back in their box when I’m finished. Note: some romantic leftovers before I get those two out of the house and back to the Pattern or whatnot? -o- When she woke up, it took her some time to process that she was safe and lying in her bed. No dead ex-boyfriend lurking in the shadows, no sweaty palms, no horrifying expectation. She had no recollection that she actually went to bed last night. She opened her eyes and remembered that Peter told her he was going to keep watch over her on the settee with Beth's dog. Lifting up on one elbow she peered to the living room where a faint bluish light was dancing on the walls. "I thought that Walter was keeping you up but I was wrong obviously." He turned to her. She was standing in the doorway, her hair dishevelled, in her blue tank top and plaid pyjamas and could not help but looking drop dead gorgeous. Maybe he could do something about those kinds of unwanted thoughts. Mixing pleasure and work was a recipe for disaster and Walter was a handful already, he did not need to get into more trouble. On the other hand, who was he kidding? "How long have you been awake?" "Long enough… May I?" she asked, gesturing towards the spot currently occupied by the sleeping bull terrier. She tucked her hair behind her ear and bit her lip. Why did she have to do this, he thought. Why was she in every respect the spitting image of his fantasy woman? "Of course you may, scoot Sammie, scoot!" She slumped on the couch next to him and turned her attention back to the television. He wished he could reach to her and stroke her cheekbone. "Isn't turning the sound off kind of limiting the prospect of being actually frightened by these things?" "You mean all the screaming and gimmicky music and muffled footsteps?" he chuckled. "Yes, something like that I guess. I didn't picture you into a horror movie freak," she was frowning now. And what do you picture me into Liv? Obviously not testosterone material. "You did not, did you? On the contrary I'm all in for urban legends and the return of the creature from the black lagoon. I'm barely catching up, we don't happen to get SciFi at the hotel. Wait a minute, why didn't you?" Maybe he has been too prompt to dismiss her. Small talk was good. "Well it has been already established that you are some kind of a genius yourself and…" Here she was, trying to rationalize things again. "And you simply don't see my genius genes expressing themselves here? Well, think of it this way, those films merely fulfil the basic needs of the average male. Formulaic plot, lack of romantic over-analysis, lots of brainless leggy brunettes…" "… or blondes," she said her mouth twitching. Be careful what you ask for Liv, I'm only human. "See. I'm glad you understand my point." "Seriously Peter. How can I help? I know that you've been stuck with your father for the best part of the last months, and now not only you're stuck with me for Christmas but you've done all the cooking…" "Well, don't forget I did the dishes too…" "I don't, but geez, you've even managed to make Walter happy and to visit my boring friends." Whoever says 'geez' these days? You're a gem Olivia. "And I got you a surrogate dog." "Yes you did. So, how can I help, you obviously have a lot on your mind. I can be a shoulder too you know," she patted his thigh and turned to him expectantly. He had to stop this flirting banter before it gets out of hand. That was bad enough he was sleeping on her couch without her trying to play the friend card and eventually ending questioning his ulterior motives. He had to put her back into bed. Well, maybe not. He closed his eyes, trying to get rid of inappropriate graphic images. "I have no doubt you can Olivia, once you're through with your I-see-dead-people routine. For the time being, you're not ready to be anybody's shoulder." "You're probably right, but still, is there anything I can do?" Would you stop that already? "It's almost four and you're obviously awake for a reason. Maybe if you could talk about it…" she insisted. He had to make an articulate decision. She was not out of the woods and he was nothing near to strip his heart naked in front of her --yet. "Would you watch the movie with me then?" "Sure, what's it about?" "You're kidding right?" "Yes, I am. Just turn the volume up, you're spoiling all the fun." -o- It was déjà vu all over again. The sun, the smell of coffee, the rattle in the kitchen, except that she was actually lying on her couch, tucked inside a blanket with Beth's dog cuddling up next to her. She had nothing against snuggling, but her vivid memories of watching a giant snake horror flick with Peter and enjoying every minute of it did not entice her to get cosy with a dog. Oblivious of her state of mind, the dog trampled over her with enthusiastic energy. She sprang from the couch with Sammie on her wake. Her house was empty. She found Peter's note on the kitchen table. Gotta check on W. Took yur car. xox Peter Okay, that was the first sign she had to call Broyles and make amends. It was nine and she could not come up with any more excuses to postpone her call. She poured herself some coffee, popped two slices of bread in the toaster and dialled him. He picked up immediately and she found herself bracing against his predictable rebuff. "Agent Dunham. I'm glad you eventually remember you belong to the Bureau. Your… colleague already made this phone call for you. Something about you being sick…" "Peter Bishop called you?" "He did. I'll see you in January Dunham. Take advantage of these few days to regroup. You'll need it." "Thank you sir, but I'm… --I… I don't want to…" "Don't thank me Dunham, thank Peter Bishop. And Dunham…" "Yes sir?" "Merry Christmas to you too." -o- -o-o-o-o-o-o- |
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