The Park, Saturday Afternoon

[theotherpeter]

Fed up with sharing a hotel room with his father (and his habits such as walking around without pants and reciting the chemical formula for root beer at godawful hours), Peter had gone on the internet to try and get distraction. To his surprise, he found that he could access the Portalocity site for the first time in years. Fringe division be

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[showmetheproof]

Scully was getting some shopping done, supplies for next term, and cutting through the park. She noticed the guy feeding the ducks, then slowed down, frowning.

Waitaminute.

[theotherpeter]

Now Scully on the other hand, he recognized. He wasn't liable to forget her, but to see her like not a day had past was more than a little shocking.

"...Well this is unexpected," he said, ready to accept this at face value, at least for the moment.

[showmetheproof]

More facial hair, a little taller, a bit more filled out, ten years older at least-- "Are you kidding me?" Scully demanded. Of the universe, as much as Peter.

[theotherpeter]

"You think I'm responsible for this?" Peter said, a little incredulous, a little amused. "Though this does sort of explain why no one ever tried to write me a postcard."

[showmetheproof]

"You hadn't sent me one yet," Scully said, half-accusing, half-preoccupied and disbelieving. "I didn't know where to send it. I don't-- how the hell is this possible?!"

[theotherpeter]

"Well, I was from the past," Peter said. "And, still am, I think." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "And I did, actually. I sent a few, but I stopped after I got one back address undeliverable. And then about a decade happened, so I stopped trying somewhere in there. So... sorry about that, I guess."

[showmetheproof]

Scully shrugged her arms out helplessly, completely unsure of the protocol here. "Thanks? And I'm sorry. And.... welcome back?" And no fair! He was the right age now! Where was the justice in the world?

[theotherpeter]

Peter had no idea himself. There really wasn't anything that could prepare you for this sort of incident. "Thanks, I guess," Peter said. "I'm only here for the day. I kind of have to be back in Boston by tomorrow, or else my father will probably... I don't even know what."

[showmetheproof]

Scully took a few steps closer and punched him in the arm, lightly. In lieu of weird hugging moments. "You're back and now you're bailing? You're going to be forty the next time you get back here!"

[theotherpeter]

"There's some things I need to learn more about," he said. "Long story, working for the FBI sort of indirectly, it's all very complicated. I'm almost afraid to ask... how long has it been since I left?"

[showmetheproof]

"Almost two months," Scully said, her voice very dry. "So. Claudia and I will probably be happy to take you out for a drink. And Emma...."

Ha. Yes. That would be interesting, if he ran into her. "Indirectly? Doing what?"

[theotherpeter]

"Fringe division," Peter said. "I'm a consultant on cases that fall outside normal bounds. Or at least, I babysit my father while he acts as a consultant, and do my best to actually do something useful other than making sure he's not doing too crazy, which is an amazingly relative term, I've discovered."

He paused for a moment. "You know, I haven't even thought of Emma in years."

And boy, that was a meeting that he'd be perfectly happy avoiding, when he thought about it.

[showmetheproof]

"Word of advice? Don't open with that, if you do see her." Scully shook her head. "And it sounds like you're working for the X-Files, almost. Your father still isn't any better?" Still wanting to do weird experiments on hamsters?

[theotherpeter]

Peter snorted a laugh. "I'm not entirely certain the man who was here was my father, if that makes sense. The only reason I even came back to the states was the FBI needed a family member to check Walter out of the mental institution." He shrugged.

"As for X-Files, well... very possibly. Unfortunately there aren't any fabulous redheads that I've met at the agency, not yet at least."

[showmetheproof]

Scully smirked at him. "Which is a shame. I'd have something more to look forward to about going back, eventually. And... sort of. On the sense. A different version?" Her head hut. "How do I even know you're the Peter I know... oh, forget it. I can't question that every time someone goes away and comes back."

[theotherpeter]

"This place gives enough headaches as it is," Peter said. "Best to avoid any ones that you can. But you mentioned buying me a drink. Good idea. Because if it's the other way around, I hear buying alcohol for minors is a criminal offense."