WriterFreak001:

This story was inspired by WeBuiltThePyramid's "In the Name of Science." So thank you, Nicole, for being my writing muse tonight. :)


Title | Because of Ralph

Fandom | Scorpion (CBS)

Description | "Ralph, even though tired, sensed something wrong. "Mom," he looked at Paige as he tapped her arm. Paige immediately gave him her attention. / "Hm?" / "Something's not right." (This fic takes place between 2x13 "White Out" and 2x14 "Sun of a Gun" BEFORE the Linda & Tim drama unfolds in the series.)

Rating| This fanfiction will be rated T.

Disclaimer | I don't own Scorpion. (Though I wish I did).


"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." - Henry Van Dyke


Chapter One

~ SCORPION ~

"I know it was a last minute necessity, but thank you, again, for letting me bring Ralph with us on this case," Paige smiled at Walter appreciatively as she mindlessly combed her fingers through her son's thick strands of hair. "It really means a lot."

Walter looked down at a beaming Ralph as he leaned backwards against his mother and then found himself looking at Paige with a small smile forming on his lips. "It's no problem. This case, thank goodness, was relatively easy, and it wouldn't have been done as fast if it wasn't for Ralph's help." Walter knelt down to the floor and gestured the boy for a high five and was given one almost immediately. He gave Ralph a knowing grin and then pushed himself to his feet before saying, "Too bad the case couldn't have been closer to LA."

"I know, right?" Paige laughed melodiously as her hands rested on top of Ralph's shoulders. "At least they're paying for our room and board so… there's that. And they've been pretty generous with food, too," she laughed as she patted her stomach, "Almost too generous."

"Yes, the food has been good." Walter nodded in agreement. "Too bad Cabe, Toby, Happy, and Sly missed it, though. I think they would have at least enjoyed the suite accommodations."

"It is a nice suite." Paige gave Walter a small smile, and they stood there in silence for a moment, staring at each other, taking the moment in, completely unaware of Ralph looking up at them and noticing their quiet exchange. "A-Anyway," Paige eventually broke the silence with an awkward laugh, and bent down to kiss Ralph's forehead, "even if they could have made it, it couldn't have been helped."

"True. Their assistance was needed elsewhere this weekend, which is why," Walter, once again, grinned at Ralph and absentmindedly reached over and ruffled the boy's hair, "I am really grateful things worked out to where Ralph could come and assist. His help was greatly warranted."

Ralph beamed even more as Paige smiled proudly at her little genius. "He never ceases to amaze me," Paige gently squeezed her son's shoulders and watched Walter give Ralph another appreciative smile, making the boy grin impossibly wider. The gentle exchange between the two geniuses melted the young mother's heart. There was nothing sexier than a man being fatherly to her son, and if Ralph wasn't currently standing between them, she wouldn't put it past her to forego their agreement to remain professional and then grab Walter by the lapels and kiss him senselessly. It was precious moments like this that tempted Paige the most.

If only she knew that Walter had been tempted too.

"Well," Walter pushed himself off of the ground and slightly arched his back until it popped. He rolled his neck and then shrugged his shoulders as an attempt to rid of the kinks in his muscles before flexing his fingers. "Shall we go back to the suite?"

Both Dineens nodded, but as they started down the hall from the lobby towards the elevator, Walter's cellphone went off. Walter dug his phone out of his pocket and stopped walking to answer it. After a brief conversation, Paige looked at him curiously as he slipped his cell back into his pocket.

"Everything all right?"

"Yes," Walter nodded. "That was Carl. He said we left before he could give us our payment. I thought he was going to want an invoice first so that was why I didn't think to stick around. Anyway, he was hoping one of us could stop by the office and pick it up before he leaves for the night since we'll be leaving early in the morning to catch a flight back to LA."

"You go ahead," Paige smiled softly as Ralph leaned against her side, squeezing her hand gently. "It's getting late, and I need to get Ralph to bed." She tugged her son closer to her as he yawned, and she laughed lightly. "See? Case in point."

"Are you sure?" Walter was hoping she would change her mind. "I could carry Ralph for you and after he's tucked in, I can go and pick up the checks."

Paige shook her head slowly. "We'll be fine. Besides," she rested her hand on top of Ralph's head, "it would be inefficient."

"Truuuue, but," Walter took a step towards her and flexed his fingers, "getting Ralph to bed on time is more important. I'm sure Carl won't mind waiting a few extra minutes."

"Walter," Paige touched his arm lightly, "we'll be fine. Don't let our client wait. We don't want to inconvenience him."

"If you insist…" Walter pursed his lips and nodded, causing Paige to giggle.

"I do insist. Now, go," Paige playfully shooed him towards the hotel entrance. "We'll be in the suite waiting for you."

"Okay," Walter surrendered as Paige reluctantly slid her fingers down to her side. He knelt down and, once more, ruffled Ralph's hair as Paige moved her hand to the boy's shoulder. "Be good for your mom," he grinned softly at Ralph, and Ralph yawned in response, nodding his head slowly. Walter then looked up at Paige, and lifted his eyebrows when he caught her smiling widely at him. The way her eyes sparkled at him made his heart – a muscle that was supposed to be nothing more than a circulatory muscle, soar in ways he could not explain. It took every fiber in his being not to kiss her right then and there. And God, did he want to, too.

It had almost been a year since their first kiss, and he still couldn't forget the way her lips felt against his or how she melted against him as he towered her over her desk. If only he didn't pull away when he did. Things could have been different between them. If he didn't jump away from her back then, he could be kissing her now and anytime he wanted to without hesitation. Without thinking about it. Without regrets.

But because he was a moron and a coward, both of them had to live with their decision to remain professional.

He rose to his feet and shoved his hands into his pockets to try to suppress the strong desire to reach out and touch her. But even when concealed, they couldn't stop flexing. "S-See you later?"

"Of course," Paige grinned as Ralph nodded sluggishly.

"Okay then," Walter took a step backwards towards the lobby, "I guess I'll… I guess I'll be going then." He turned slowly around and sauntered away, unsure if he should leave Paige and Ralph alone. He absolutely trusted them and their abilities to protect themselves, but he had this unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something was warning him against leaving them, but Paige was right. He couldn't keep Carl waiting too much longer.

"Wait right here," Paige whispered to Ralph and then called the other genius's name. Walter stopped dead in his tracks and spun around to find Paige jogging up to him. She slowed her pace as she neared him and then, to his surprise, cupped his cheek with her right hand and jumped up to press a quick kiss against his cheek. His face suddenly felt hot, and he cocked an eyebrow at her as she hovered her lips in front of his ear, whispering, "Thank you again, Walter. I really do appreciate you allowing Ralph to come with us."

"It was n-no problem," he couldn't help the dorky grin growing on his lips. Truth be told, one of the main reasons Walter allowed Ralph to accompany them was because he was too nervous to spend a weekend – even if it was for a case – with Paige, alone. He was still trying to sort his feelings for her, and if he had spent the night in a hotel room with her, even if in separate beds, he didn't think he'd be able to think straight. Just the initial thought of spending time alone with Paige in any setting often short-circuited his brain, and he couldn't afford to mess up a case. Ralph, so to speak, was a buffer between him and Paige, and although he appreciated the young boy's help today, his presence on the trip, for other reasons, was greatly necessitated. "I'm glad he was able to come."

"Having him help on the case totally made his day, and by extension, my day," Paige beamed as she popped another kiss on Walter's cheek. This time, keeping her lips on his skin a few seconds longer. She smiled at him and gently rubbed away the lip print on his cheek before returning to her son. Walter just stood there with a hand on his cheek, unable to say or do anything but watch Paige.

Paige smirked as she noticed him still staring at her and called his name softly. "Walter."

The genius said nothing.

She added a gentle tune to the sound of his name. "Wallllterrrr."

Walter blinked his eyes. "Hm? What? Did you say something?"

"Carl's still waiting."

"Oh! Right. Yep. Going now." Walter's legs suddenly felt like jelly. He wobbled backwards and back-kicked a small table, almost knocking an expensive-looking vase off of it. The genius, even in his embarrassingly weakened state of body and mind, managed to catch it in time, place it back on the center of the table and whirl around towards the lobby entrance. Paige just rolled her eyes playfully and shook her head as she turned herself and her son around and headed for the elevator.

~ SCORPION ~

Paige let Ralph push the up arrow button and hummed lightly as they waited for the doors to open. Ralph quietly watched the numbers descend and gently squeezed his mother's hand. "Mom?"

Paige bent down and met her son's eyes. "Yes, sweetie?"

"Do you like Walter?"

Paige's eyes widened in surprise but quickly softened as she slowly smiled. "Yes. I do."

"Does he like you?"

"I... I think so." Paige honestly didn't know if he still had feelings for her, but something told her he did… that, no matter what happens between them, their feelings for each other will never go away, and she hoped he believed that, too. That her feelings for him, no matter what, would always be there. He could do the absolute dumbest thing in the world, and she would still love him.

"Then why are you two not together?" Ralph asked innocently. "Aren't you supposed to date the person you like?"

Paige inhaled a deep breath and smiled sweetly at her son as she bent down to speak to him. "It's a bit more complicated than that, Ralph." She smoothed the lapels of his black sports coat and gently poked his nose. "Sometimes, when grownups like each other but work together, they have to put aside their feelings for the betterment of the company. It's not an easy thing to do, but… it's necessary. You understand?"

"Sort of," Ralph yawned. "Sounds a lot like the Greater Good principle."

"In a way," Paige laughed sadly, "it is."

"Do you think you and Walter will ever date?" Ralph smacked his lips together, and Paige gave him a warm smile as she rose back to her feet to await the elevator.

"Maybe."

Ralph grinned softly. "Good." He squeezed her hand again. "He makes you happy, and you make him happy," he paused and beamed tiredly at his mother. "I like seeing you and Walter both happy."

Paige bent over and kissed the top of her son's head as she wrapped him in her arms for a gentle hug. He leaned against her, and she held him tighter. 'When did you grow up so fast?' She picked him up into her arms and stood for an additional minute before noticing the number 6 illuminating.

It was still going to be a few more minutes.

As another minute passed by, a young, pregnant woman stood a few feet away from her, also waiting for the elevator. Paige smiled at her, and she gave the liaison a small, unenthusiastic smile back. Paige, with Ralph still in her arms, walked over to her and greeted her. "Hi."

The young woman angled herself towards Paige and nodded towards her nervously. "Hi."

"First born?"

The woman placed a hand on her belly and nodded again. "Her due date is in a few days so…," she forced a laugh, "I guess I'll actually have to find a place to live when she's born."

Paige suddenly gave the young woman her full attention. "You live at the hotel?"

"Temporarily," the woman muttered quietly. "I… It's a long story."

Paige shifted Ralph's weight onto her other arm as a small smile colored her lips. "Well, if you need someone to talk to, I was just returning to the suite to put Ralph to bed and wouldn't mind the company while I wait for my boss to return from his meeting. Anything you want to talk about, I'd be more than happy to listen."

"Thanks, but…," the pregnant woman forced a grin, "I think I'll be all right. The name's Emily, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Emily," the liaison smiled. "My name is Paige."

Before Emily could say anything, the elevator beeped, and the doors drew open. A few people pushed their way out of the cubical, clearing it out. Paige allowed Emily to walk inside first before following her with Ralph still in her arms. They waited a few more seconds, and then a tall, young man swiftly walked inside, accompanied by a little girl. Just before the doors closed, another woman – with coffee in one hand and her phone in the other – squeezed through the door. Each of them pressed their floor buttons, and Paige finally and carefully let Ralph down. She splayed her hand over his chest, pinning him close to her and gripped the handle bar as she leaned backwards against it and closed her eyes as the elevator began to lift.

"Daddy," the little girl mumbled as her father picked her up and held her in his arms, "Where's Mommy?"

"Upstairs in the hotel room," her father whispered. "You'll see her soon, Kelly. Just give it a couple of minutes."

Suddenly, the elevator did not open for its first stop and continued rising, going slightly faster. The coffee woman protested immediately.

Ralph, even though tired, sensed something wrong. "Mom," he looked at Paige as he tapped her arm. Paige immediately gave him her attention.

"Hm?"

"Something's not right."

The elevator missed the next stop.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because, we're going much faster than recommended, and the elevator has now missed two stops." He paused. "Make that now three."

A few seconds passed, and Paige released the calm breath she had been holding. "Perhaps there's a fluke. Maybe all we need to do is wait for the elevator to run its course and then start over with the buttons."

"No," Ralph shook his head violently. "Something isn't right."

"What's happening?!" Emily exclaimed as the level indicator swiftly changed numbers. She grabbed the rail and inhaled deep breaths as the other people began wondering the same thing. "What's going on?!"

Almost immediately, the elevator stopped ascending and jerked everyone in different directions before the lights went out.

~ SCORPION ~


WriterFreak001:

Again, this is going to be a relatively short fic, and I will update next after I update The Scorpion. Please let me know if you think I should continue.