[A/N]: Set during the Waige bomb dropped on us in 2x01. I can't have been the only one who wanted to scream at my television.

Wow was the only thought running through Paige's mind. She was incapable of any other clear thought at the moment, and she wouldn't want it any other way.

XxX

Wow was the only word Walter could come up with right then, which was saying something. It was rare that something made his brilliant mind grind to a halt like this. And for once in his life, he absolutely didn't care. But when his thoughts returned to him, he stumbled backwards, almost fearful to hear Paige's assessment of the kiss. The shred of hope in his heart shattered when she said, "Honestly, I felt nothing."

He forced himself to say, "Same," casually, though for one of the few times in his life, it was a complete and utter lie.

XxX

When Walter stepped away from her, Paige felt a tidal wave of disappointment. She made herself say, "Honestly, I felt nothing," and felt a part of her heart crumple inside. It was completely pulverized when he replied, "Same."

Paige had been hoping for a better reaction, but she wasn't necessarily surprised. She was an employee, and had nowhere near the intellect he possessed. She'd probably misread signs and, thanks to her own feelings, inflated them into something more.

She left the garage, closing the heavy metal door and leaning against it. She let her breath escape her as she slid down the door to the ground, allowing herself to indulge in the crushed feeling for just a little while.

XxX

After Paige left, Walter sat down at her desk in the chair she'd vacated. He was disappointed with himself. Paige hadn't backed away first, he had. She'd wanted the kiss, and he'd been too afraid to lose her to give it a chance.

He ran a hand through his unruly hair, wondering how he was going to see her the next day and not launch into a repeat of the experiment form moments before. It would take great amounts of self-control, amounts he wasn't sure he possessed. But the knowledge that she didn't feel the same would hold him back, that he knew. She was a great asset to the team, and he couldn't risk that for his own feelings.

Walter sighed and buried his head in his hands, wincing slightly at the cold metal of his prosthetic biting into his forehead. What was he going to do?

XxX

[A/N]: I loved the Waige in 2x01 so much and nearly screamed when they yanked it away from us. This was my response to it. Please tell me how I did!