Collateral Damage by Xeen No inFringement intended Note: post AbilitY filler -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o "Hey, come on in, I was waiting for you," Peter said as soon as he opened the door. As a matter of fact, he was not half awake in his usual boxer shorts or wrapped in his sheet. He had apparently taken some time to freshen up and change into a zip sweater and black jeans. "Please don't wake up Walter, it took me ages to make him sleep." She chuckled softly. "What was it this time?" "I dunno know really, something about an old typewriter and notes he misplaced some time ago. He was very agitated. We played some chess and I practically spoon-fed him his supplements, whatever they are. He's been asleep for barely fifteen minutes." He was hesitating in the doorway. His hand on her elbow, he finally guided her inside and they stayed awkwardly facing each other in the middle of the room. "Do you prefer to go to the lobby then?" she asked, her face weary. Now that she was in plain sight, Peter noticed that Olivia's ordinary pale complexion had turned chalky. "We have to talk," she insisted. "Jones's gone." Walter tossed in his bed mumbling incoherent words in his sleep. Keeping his voice down, Peter gave him a quick glance and shrugged. "That was only a matter of hours, if you ask me. And to be quite honest, I'm surprised he survived that long. You should consider yourself happy with your last night outstanding achievement. I probably shouldn't say that but you might want to tone down your expectations when it comes to these kinds of experiments. Too bad we did not have time to interrogate him but he was lucky to survive at all." "Actually, he's not dead, he's just gone," she said, her eyes locked on her shoe. She was tracing circles on the carpet with her foot and clenching her gloves and hat. "What do you mean he's just gone? Like in he's gone and the FBI can't find him?" Peter's tone grew louder and he instinctively moved away from his father. "Yeah, exactly that. He smashed through his hospital room wall directly outside and as far as we can tell, he seems to have simply vanished after that." "What floor?" "Sixteenth." "Really?" "Really." "I see. No wonder you look like shit," he stated in a stern voice. "Thank you, I appreciate your concern." "Don't mention it. Just for the sake of asking, when was the last time you had a proper meal?" "Says the man who lives of Tai takeaways and cheese steaks, what are you now my father?" "Hey don't bite. My only concerns are your health and well-being. But if you want me to be a guy's guy, I can do that too. Let me think, when was the last time you got laid?" "Is that an offer?" she snapped, obviously annoyed. "No, you know it's not for god's sake. And if you're not convinced, I'm ready to wake up Walter immediately, we could certainly use a chaperon! But don't get me wrong when I think that even you are entitled to some happiness. Dunham, if you don't loosen up, you're going to implode. None of this crap is your fault. You simply cannot be held responsible for everything. Look at you: you give the impression you've been arrested off the street two hours ago and been in a line-up and charged already. So I'll ask you again, when did you eat last?" "Wow, someone has been thinking. I had a meal, sort of," she added to stop any further diatribe. "Thanks for having my back. Can we talk now?" "Let me grab my coat. Do you mind if we talk in your car? " "In a SUV?" "Why not? At least we can put some music on and relax. I guess you must have power recline heated seats, unless you want to get me started on the apartment subject… again?" "I gave you my word Peter, now you've got to give me some time." "I believe you. But don't be surprised if at the end of my tether, I might eventually end crashing your couch," he smiled. "We practically live together 24/7 already, I'm not sure I'll see the difference. I may even like it," she chuckled. "Don't worry, I will make it up for lost time and find you a flat. And don't say anything, I know it sounds contrite and corny." They took the elevator and walked across the lobby without exchanging another word. Peter bought some nuts, a bunch of energy bars and coffee from the vending machines and they settled in her car. "At least, since you run the damn circus, you had the crime scene all for yourself," he finally said, breaking the silence. "Yep, it was not easy to shut the local police out, but I managed." "Did you search for his isotope signature in the vicinity of the hospital? Anything in a two mile radius perimeter?" "Nope, not a trace, he simply vanished." "So it was that simple? Who would have thought? I would have bet on a quick agony." "I would have bet on some answers from his dead body. It seems that forensics won't get their hands on him anytime soon. Walter is going to be so disappointed…" "I would not be too worried that Walter is short of a cadaver to poke at." She looked at him over the rim of her cup. "What do you think I should do next? That was kind of what I came over to ask you." "Well, whatever you plan to, no standard procedure applies. You can't expect to stick to any game plan." "Don’t worry I've come to terms with having no career plans and a life brimming with unexpected challenges." "You're right. The past is moot and the future is arguably worse." She sipped on her coffee with a forceful nod. "To tell you the truth, if you hadn't showed up, I would have probably headed back to the lab to check the light board. This whole thing looks like a bad TV series right now and I'm not too comfortable with that notion." "I see what you mean. I'm not very comfortable either with the idea that my life is being serialized in front of my very eyes for the enjoyment of a likely brotherhood trying to put together an army. It's so farfetched!" She fidgeted with her car audio unit and plugged in a flash drive she retrieved from her coat pocket. "I asked the bomb squad to deliver the device to the lab as soon as they're finished with taking it off the window. I thought you might like to compare the two." "Hey, you're getting the hang of it!" he smiled in the dark, munching on an energy bar. "Give me some credit, please," she chuckled. "To tell you the truth I was torn between going to the lab and making a full inventory of Jones' toys or coming over." Some classical music began to play in the background. "Why did you pick the hotel?" "I needed the company… and probably to get some sanity back into my life." "Should I be flattered?" "I like you, isn't it reason enough?" she joked half-heartedly. "Obviously, because I would never consider in any circumstances a close encounter with Walter in his nighties a real turn on!" "Speak of the devil," she said softly. She gave him a gentle nudge and he turned around to see his father scampering around in the general direction of her car. He had his plaid robe on and a wool scarf tied around his neck and his feet were naked in his shoes. He finally reached the SUV and rapped on the window. His face was chagrined and more wrinkled than ever. "I am appalled at your stratagem Peter. You thought you could dose me and go over the wall without me noticing it? I already told you that I am not opposed to your relation with agent Dunham. I am saddened at your attitude." Olivia's mouth twitched and she got out of the car. "You're going to catch your death Walter. Please, let me see you back to your room." "Walter, for god's sake," Peter jumped out of the car, "what are you doing? It's freezing out here." "Son, you betrayed my trust." "Why's that? Is that another one of your tricks to make me feel guilty? You won't succeed this time and what's more... this attitude, you know, I don't need it. You should quit the bullshit and give me a real explanation Walter, for once." Walter dropped his chin to his chest and took a deep breath. "I told you you two could have my bed." "Walter!" said Peter with a warning stare. "I-I woke up and you were gone and I thought…" "It's all right Walter," said Olivia. She took his arm and started to walk slowly back to the hotel. "You had a bad dream." "Oh, a bad dream, it's what it is, right?" "Probably Walter, do you want to talk about it?" she asked gently. "I have this old typewriter, you see." "Not the typewriter again Walter, you know perfectly well that you don't have a typewriter at the lab. You have a computer." "Yes," answered the doctor obediently. "You're okay Walter?" Olivia insisted. "Tell me about this typewriter." "Peter is right, I only rambling about old times. Thank you agent Dunham," he stopped in front of the elevator door, "I can go back to my room. I'm sorry I interrupted." "Walter, how many times do I have to tell you that I and Olivia aren't an item?" "But she has an eye on you if I'm not mistaken Peter." Olivia smiled and glanced at Peter. "Yes she has," Peter said in a very loud voice, "you want the truth Walter I'll give you the truth. It was love at first sight. We fell in love and you know what? We're still falling." "I do not choose to act like this on purpose son, the drugs they gave me, they changed me." "Yes, they did. Blame it on St Claire's." "I discern inequity in your summary judgment." "Walter it's too late. I don't want to argue about the legitimacy of your acts or the validity of my overall reaction to your insane attitude." "Don't be mad at me Peter, please." "Let me handle this Peter, just stay here, I'll tuck him in," Olivia interrupted. She dragged Walter inside the elevator, tossed Peter the keys to her car and punched the button. "I'll be right back." He toyed with the keys for a moment and eventually went outside on the parking lot. He shoved his hands in his peacoat pockets, and watched the lights switched on and off on their floor. When he realized it was getting to cold to stay put, he headed back slowly to the SUV and sat down inside. He reclined on his seat, turned the music on and crossed his arms on his chest. It was a string quartet by Gretchaninov, an extraordinary mixture of Russian romanticism with French impressionism, very rich and engaging. He closed his eyes and relaxed. He could feel that she needed to confide in him.The night was still young. |
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