AN: I'm not sure what this is. I just had it in my head and felt the need to get it out of there. Tell me your thoughts...
P.S. This little ficlet should probably have a 'T' rating.
A GRAVE ERROR WITH A HAPPY ENDING
"I thought you were dead."
Walter heard Paige say the words almost matter-of-factly. Her tone was soft and gave nothing away, but he could feel his pulse jumping.
"I was up here trying to figure out a way to tell my s-son," her voice caught. She swallowed once, then continued, "…you were gone. But I couldn't think of a way to say it. How could I say that out loud? He would be devastated."
Walter chanced a look in her direction. Paige sat huddled on the couch in the loft, knees drawn up to her chest. The pale, murky lamplight did nothing to hide her pallor.
"I'm sorry." The words were so inadequate, but he had nothing else to offer, "You weren't supposed to be watching."
"Does Toby know you aren't…you…"
"I saw him downstairs. I think he's heading to the camper to pass out now. He told me that he hacked into security at the docks. S-so I, uh, know what you saw, but it was all fake, a ruse to get me underwater and onto the boat so I could hard wire into their server."
Paige looked at him for the first time. Her eyes were anguished and his chest hurt just seeing it, so he trained his own eyes at the ground again. That was why he didn't see her get up and start toward him at first. When he heard her approaching, he braced himself for the slap he knew was coming. At least he was prepared this time.
But when she reached him, she hugged him tightly instead.
Walter stood frozen in place for a blink or two, then slid his arms around her. Damn it. She was trembling all over.
"Paige," he sighed, "You weren't supposed to see that."
"I saw you get shot, fall into the water and not come up," she choked out, her voice muffled against his shoulder, "What was I supposed to think?"
"I-I know. It had to appear that way, so they wouldn't look for me. I didn't know you and Toby were watching from here."
Paige pulled away and cradled his face in her hands. She was crying, her tears flowing unchecked.
"I'm so sorry, Paige," he murmured and touched his lips to hers briefly trying to offer comfort, or that's what he told himself.
But it seemed to ignite something in her because she kissed him back like she wanted to devour him. He couldn't think for a minute. Only feel.
"Wait. Wait, Paige?" Walter tried to pull away so he could ask…something. What was it..? But her lips found his again and he short-circuited for another minute, drowning in her kisses.
Gasping, he drew back and rested his forehead against hers. Walter had to ask her… "Tim. Is Tim coming back for you? What about Tahoe?"
Breathless and dazed, Paige shook her head then answered, "He's not coming back. It's not going to happen."
That was all Walter heard before Paige began ravaging his mouth with hers again.
He was lost. His head was spinning and his knees were threatening to give out. She abruptly broke away and, grabbing his hands, led him toward his bed.
Oh, boy.
Paige proceeded to ravish him completely. Surrounded by her, his mind shut down. He had no thought, only sensations, only reactions. Aware only of her and what she did to him, what she meant to him; his senses were full of her.
Walter felt her come apart around him and he followed her almost violently, her name erupting from somewhere deep inside him.
He lay there in pieces in the aftermath completely annihilated and fighting for breath. Things began to come together slowly. He first became conscious of Paige still lying on top of him. Her eyes were shut and she was as winded as he was.
When Walter recovered the power of speech, he said, "Um. What exactly was that?"
Paige was still for a minute before replying, "I think that was what Toby would call an 'affirmation of life'."
"I guess taking my pulse was out of the question?"
She started giggling and his laughter joined hers. Walter realized they were both still half dressed, but he was too pleasantly exhausted to care much.
He sobered and confessed, "That's never happened before." He folded one arm under his head so he could see her expression. His other arm he left draped across her back.
Paige propped her chin on a hand atop his chest and peered at him. "What's never happened?"
Walter rolled his eyes. "This. I've made a few attempts, but I was never able to…uh, f-finish with anyone else."
Her eyes snapped to his. She was riveted. "Really? Wow. That must be frustrating. Why not, do you think?"
For some reason, he felt comfortable opening up. Maybe because of the intimacy they just shared, he was already open. He trusted her, and Walter wasn't the least bit self-conscious when he answered, "You know I have trouble processing touch, so there was that issue. I was always uncomfortable. Then there's my brain. I couldn't block out my thoughts enough." He shrugged.
"Hmm," Paige hummed thoughtfully. He felt the vibrations and enjoyed her closeness. "Why do you think it worked with me?"
Smiling wryly, Walter said, "My best guess? Because I love you."
"What?!"
"Yes. I trust you. I have already become accustomed to and even enjoy touching you. Because I've formed an intense emotional connection to you, I was able to feel instead of think. That has only happened previously when I was doing something dangerous…"
"No. Go back. What did you say to me?"
"I love you? I would think it was pretty obvious."
She stared at him for a minute, "I thought…maybe. But I never thought it would ever occur to you."
"I'm kind of a moron, but I got there eventually. I started to chase after you and Tim before Cabe called us back for this case. I wanted to tell you."
"Really? You did?" Paige looked incredulous.
"I'm guessing what happened with us means that you and Tim aren't, um, together?"
"Not even remotely. I wanted to want him. I really tried. But on the way back tonight I told him I wasn't ready. I just wasn't feeling it. I think he understood. Mostly. I had him drop me off at the garage because I needed to talk to you. I wanted to see if you would give me, this…um, us a chance."
"Well, I guess you have your answer?" They both chuckled.
"So, you aren't going to tell me this was a mistake? That it's bad for the team? Because if you do at this point, I think I might just shoot you for real."
"I've tried to bury these feelings and leave them alone. They only get stronger. I don't think I can suppress them forever and I don't really want to any more. Especially not now. A relationship may very well be destabilizing, but I think we will just have find solutions as problems arise," Walter said solemnly.
"Good plan," Paige said smiling, "Don't you want to know?"
"What?" Walter asked, baffled.
"If I love you too."
"I guess I assumed…since we, uh, you know…"
"How do you know I don't just, you know, with a lot of people?"
Walter gave her a skeptical smirk and poked her in the side.
Paige giggled again then said, "I do. Love you. I just wanted to say it so there's no doubt."
"It feels good to hear it. Thank you."
"So, there's only one question left now," Paige said grinning playfully.
"Oh? And what is that?"
"Have you ever taken a shower with someone before?"
"No," Walter's answering smile was a bit naughty, "But I think I might be open to another new experience."