Add me to the growing list of people who feel the need to write a fic following the 3x11 episode! I'm frustrated with how the writers have decided to keep Paige and Tim together, but I don't have any huge issues with how things have played out given the circumstances. Walter just seems to keep regressing rather than evolving and it's annoying to watch. He's basically forced Paige's hand. She gave him every opportunity at the end of s2 to ask her to stay and Walter pushed her away yet again. I can completely see things from her point of view. She got knocked back by Walter one too many times and tried to move on. Unfortunately, it's not easy to move on when you're still in love with the person you're trying to move on from, even if you're in denial about it ...

"Tim, I'm sorry, I'm just not sure this is working."

"Paige, look, I know it's difficult me being here, but like we said before it's only for 7 months more, and I should be able to make a trip back in a couple months."

"I know that. It's just ... Tim you're a great guy. Kind, brave, loyal ... and someone one day is going to make you a wonderful wife. I, I just don't think that person is me."

"Paige, listen to me. You're just saying this because we're apart right now, and that naturally makes it tough on anyone. We knew this wouldn't be easy."

"Tim it's not that. I mean, it is that in a way. I, I just want to be honest with you. I do care about you so much Tim, and ... I do love you. It's just that, I'm not sure it's the type of love you need. The truth is, I just don't think I'm ever going to be in love with you. I'm so sorry Tim."

Her voice was trembling and tears were filling her eyes. She'd had sleepless nights for days, weeks, wondering if she was making the right decision. Everything she had just said was the truth. She did love Tim, and she had no doubt that she could be happy with him, or at least content. And he'd be a great stepdad to Ralph. Sure, he wasn't a genius, but Ralph had grown to really care about him and admire him in the last couple of months. But her heart couldn't lie, and deep down she knew that the spark, the butterflies ... that feeling of being head over heels in love with someone, they just weren't there. The way she'd once felt about Drew, and more recently about ... well it didn't matter anymore. This really wasn't about anyone else, it was about not lying to herself anymore, or Tim. It was bad enough that she was forced to have this conversation via Skype.

"Tim, I'm so sorry. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but I, I don't want us to get so far into this that it all becomes too painful."

She saw Tim shake his head, but he hadn't yet said anything.

"Tim? ..."

"It's okay Paige" he eventually managed with a rueful smile of resignation. "I may not be Toby, but it doesn't take a genius behaviourist to work out that your heart was never really in this relationship Paige. I guess I ... I guess I was just kidding myself that one day you would feel those things for me that I feel for you."

"Tim" She was weeping now. She knew she didn't have any right to, this was her choice after all, but the thought of her hurting a good man like Tim was painful.

"Paige, honestly, I'll be okay. I know your intentions were honest. And like you say, better now than 6 months down the line. I'm, I'm glad you've been honest with me. ... although maybe you're still not being entirely honest with yourself?"

"I, I don't know what you mean?"

"Paige. I think we both know where your true feelings lie. You don't think I couldn't see the way you look at Walter? You don't even realise you are doing it you know. And, well maybe it was wrong of me to pursue things with you knowing that, and I'm sorry."

"Tim" said Paige, suddenly feeling a sense of panic she couldn't explain overwhelm her. "This isn't about Walter, I promise you."

"Paige, listen to me. I care about you. You're an amazing woman you know. The way you've cared for Ralph through all these years, putting him above everything else, including your own happiness. It's so admirable. And I think maybe that's why you craved the 'normal' relationship. A normal guy who can give you that security, the thing is, maybe you had all of that already. Scorpion, it's your family. Walter was right. I never would have been a true member of Team Scorpion. But you are Paige. You're not so different from those misfits you know."

"Tim, I'm not sure what you're trying to say to me."

"What I'm trying to say is, maybe you've already found your purpose, everything you need in your life Paige, with Scorpion. They're your security, your family. And if that's the case, don't fight it."

Paige could only smile as she sadly shook her head. "It's more complicated than that Tim, but thank you for saying it."

"You're welcome. Look Paige, I'm sorry, but I'm going to need some time to digest all of this this. Shall we speak properly next week?"

"Yeah I'd like that."

"Okay, well take care ."

"Night Tim. And thank you for being so understanding."

She slowly closed the laptop before burying her face in her hands, trying to suppress her sobs. Everything was such mess.

"Mom? Is everything okay? Is, is Tim okay?"

"Oh, yes sweetheart!" Paige said, furiously wiping her eyes and smiling at her son, who'd just appeared by the sofa, beckoning him over to her. "Tim's fine he's just fine."

"You're upset" Ralph added dubiously, as Paige ran her fingers through his hair in that way of hers that was more to comfort herself than Ralph.

"No I'm fine Ralph"

"Walter says that when he's not fine"

"Well I am fine. I'm just ... Ralphy, we're okay aren't we, just the 2 of us? You know I'll always be here for you don't you?"

"I know mom"

"I love you so much sweetheart" she added, before giving him a tender kiss on his forehead. "Now, go on then, back to bed you! And no computer games!"

"Goodnight mom, I love you too" Ralph said as he made his way back to his bedroom, leaving Paige alone on the sofa.

She thought back to what Tim had just said. He was wrong. Her and Walter, anything they once had, whatever hopes she once had for them ... well he'd made it very clear to her in so many ways that he could never be that person. She'd thought he could. She'd hoped he would be. But it was all a delusion. She remembered how her heart skipped a beat when she thought Walter was going to ask her to Tahoe with him, and then he had shut down once again. And not only that, he'd pushed her towards Tim only to then try and sabotage her. First her mom, and then Drew ... and now Walter. She couldn't cope with the pain of one more person she loved pushing her away. The day it became clear to her Drew was never coming back she'd sworn to herself she'd never again let herself be so vulnerable. Especially with Ralph to think of. And yet she still had when it came to Walter. When she'd heard him tell her "I love you" in the rocket, she'd allowed herself to dream about the possibility of her family of two expanding again, but that's all it had ever been, a dream. Toby had been right. She needed to leave Walter be. He didn't even remember his hallucination, and the truth was, in reality he'd have never said those three words to her in person, and chances are he never would. It was best this way, for both of them. Maybe one day she'd find someone she could love the way she had loved before, and she hoped Walter would one day find that someone who he never had to question his love for. She wanted him to be happy. And her life wasn't so bad. Ralph had grown so much since her Scorpion family had allowed them into their lives, and he was happy! And seeing her son happy, that's all that really mattered. Her and Walter, well some things just weren't meant to be.