Daunting - chapter 6 by Xeen No copyright inFringement intended Note: set a few days after "AbilitY". So Peter has a new flat, but he can't sleep.... Prologue Coffee, What Else? Ground Control to Major Tom The Quiet Man Lest Ye Be Judged With a Vengeance -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o - REASONS UNBEKNOWNST "We are here." "Where is here?" he asked with a yawn, stretching legs and arms and repressing a shudder. He sat up with a heave, realizing where Olivia had pulled her SUV over. He looked up to the brick wall, the stairs and the wrought iron railing, trying to spot some movement inside. "Really? You're kidding right?" "No I'm not. I figured that I never made the proper first move and only dragged you to Boston into this mess with no choice whatsoever and no friends to turn to and complain. So here we are," she explained. "My place, your rules, you can ask me whatever you want." "First move?" "Yep. I should have invited you to my place a long time ago." "You understand that I've been here before, don't you?" "Yes, and for the record, I know you've been here before and I didn't thank you enough for it." "I didn't do anything," he shrugged and folded his arms defensively. "But you could have," she said, her left eyebrow rocketing. "And surely, you were a great distraction," she hinted with a large smile. "I was?" "You know you were! Ella never stopped talking about aunt Liv's cute friend after you saved her from Brainiac's viral attack," she gave him a slide glance and bit her lip. "I think she's got a crush on you," she teased him. "She's a gem," he chuckled and breathed in his cupped hands. "I'm freezing. Could we go inside… please." "Absolutely, that was the plan. I'll make you some pancakes and we'll talk." "We'll talk? What about Rachel?" "What about her?" "Is she supposed to be a part of our conversation?" "She's house hunting, so I guess she won't be home," she opened the car door, "but you're most welcome to drop by anytime you want, should you like to talk to her." She stepped out and slammed the door behind her, walked around the car and trotted up the stairs. "You coming?" she said, unlocking her apartment door. Peter fell in behind and went past her inside the house. -o- "I'm feeling better already," he smiled, taking a last gulp of his coffee. "When was the last time you had a proper meal?" "Are we… talking here?" "I won't tell anyone, I promise," she said, "cross my heart and hope to die…" "I can't remember." "Sorry?" "I can't remember, the last time I had a proper meal, I mean. When we were at the hotel, I used to take Walter to a diner on our way to Harvard almost every morning. I'd have fried eggs with bacon and American cheese on a seeded kaiser roll, or pork roll with hash browns, muffins, croissants and fresh fruits with yogurt... or a pie," he sighed, "some extra bagels and fresh smoothies. Now, I practically live on coffee and cheap breakfasts-to-go, you know those greasy burritos filled with eggs, cheese and sausage?" She nodded. "And that's when I'm actually not too late to grab one. And there's Astrid." "Of course there is." "I'm not kidding. She can find any order you'd like in a matter of minutes." "Cheese steaks and donuts? I heard of it, --healthy diet." "Last night I had an apple after you left me alone at the lab." "Good for you… but I'm afraid I have to break it to you Peter. I didn't leave you. You're all grown up now and if you fall asleep in my office that's your problem. What am I supposed to do?" "Wake me up for a start." "And feed you?" "Why not?" "For a start," she repeated, "I'm not your mother. Unless you're willing to give specific instructions, I'll leave you alone." "And we're back where we began this conversation. You should have woken me up." "Think outside the box Peter. Why are you so afraid to rent a flat? We are you so reluctant to put down roots on account of a job that makes you the official caretaker of a retired genius and a vital ?part of our classified team? You were never a team player Peter. Think." "I'm not afraid," he protested half-heartedly. "And I'm certainly not putting down roots." "I know when you lie, Peter. You move your lips." "Ah, ah. What are you doing, tracking down your inner Nancy Drew? Aren't you a bit old to play detective for my personal benefit?" "Just stating the obvious." "Fantastic. You're the best," he said with a feigned smirk. "In ways you can only imagine," she quipped back. "Are you trying to seduce me?" "What do you think?" she asked, narrowing down the distance between them. "Should I stop?" He stood up, reaching out to her with hesitation. "You sure?" "Never been surer about anything," she said. She snaked her arms around his neck, her fingers combing his hair and she pulled him to her, smashing her mouth against his; their teeth almost clashed. He embraced her and she clang on to him. He tried to suppress a shiver. It was not anticipatory sexual arousal, he was freezing again. "Hey sleepy head, we are here." She gave him a gentle nudge and he jolted awake in the passenger seat of Olivia's SUV. "Olivia?" "We are here," she said again, chucking him gently under the chin like a child. "Where is here?" ? |
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