"Oh Agent Farnsworth what a lovely surprise!" Walter said as he swiveled around in his chair to greet her with a smile.
Astrid greeted him with a smile as well, "Walter you called me and said you needed me at the lab don't you remember?"
He stopped swiveling as he furrowed his eyebrows and continued to stare intently at something in the distance, "Oh well I suppose I did sorry Lamb I must have forgotten," he said as his eyes met hers once more.
"It's okay Walter…So what can I do for you?" Astrid said as she strolled over towards where he was now standing.
"Oh I have a few things in mind?" he whispered as a sly grin crossed his face before he turned around and proceeded to walk away leaving her completely at a loss, which wasn't anything out of the ordinary.
She leaned forward with her hands on her hips staring blankly at the scientist, "What was that Walter?"
"Oh nothing my dear just a thought" he replied nonchalantly already preoccupied with something else.
Astrid followed Dr. Bishop to the back of the lab and watched him tinker away at something.
"Asterisk, would you be a dear and help me with my coat?"
"Sure Walter just a minute" she answered walking up behind him and removing his lab coat.
"Thank you my dear" and with that he continued working diligently on his project.
"You're welcome Dr. Bishop" she replied a bit surprised that he had thanked her for a simple gesture, unlike all the other countless times she went out of her way to bring him whatever random food he desired or helped him with a messy experiment.
Walter smiled when he heard her refer to him as Dr. Bishop; the title made him feel intellectually superior to those around him but when she said it something stirred inside of him and he blushed at the thought.
She couldn't help but notice how dashing he looked tonight. His hair was neatly combed back and he was dressed in an all black suit, dress shoes, and the lavender tie she had bought him.
Astrid felt a familiar heat return to her cheeks as she looked over the handsome man next to her. She could get use to this more stylish version of Walter, but Astrid couldn't help but to smile when she pictured him in one of his cardigans with a buttoned down shirt and jeans. That Walter was cute but the man in front of her now was looking damn right sexy and as she continued to drink him in her thoughts began to drift further away.
"Asterix?" Walter was now looking at her with a worried expression.
"Yes Walter?" she replied sitting up a little straighter suddenly aware of his presence.
"Are you alright young lady you've been staring at me for some time and I was beginning to wonder if the fumes were getting to your head?" he said stepping closer to her removing his jacket.
"Fumes? Walter!" Astrid got off the stool and rushed over to where he had been working at moments ago and was surprised not to find any chemicals brewing or burnt out joints. Maybe he had gotten into his stash earlier and thought the smell still resonated somewhere in the lab. "Please tell me you're not going to experiment with that stuff tonight" her eyes wide and fixed on the scientist.
"Not at all, I plan on conducting a different type of experiment tonight," he said with a wink. "Now Miss, would you care to entertain a foolish old man?" Walter smiled as he quickly turned around and put one of his favorite records on. The lights dimmed in the lab and Astrid could hear soft music playing in the background. The atmosphere in the lab had changed almost simultaneously becoming more inviting.
She looked up to study his face, tracing the fine lines on his forehead as she spoke in a wondrous tone, "Walter what are you up to?"
"Astro my dear may I have this dance?" Walter said nervously as he extended his hand to her. Astrid felt her heart begin to beat faster as she placed her small hand in his larger one and began to close the distance between them.
The feeling of her hand in his was more than enough to send Walter shivers. She felt so small in his arms as he hesitantly wrapped one arm around her petite waist. As they continued to slow dance to the record Astrid began to feel more relaxed in his arms and laid her head on his chest. Walter was surprised at the small gesture but welcomed it as he bent his head down, his chin lightly resting in her curls, as he breathed her in. She smelled lovely as ever tonight and the sweet scent of her made his head slightly dizzy.
This moment felt so tranquil and perfect until Walter felt apprehension and guilt begin to sink in. Here she was in his arms and he had no idea what to do with himself as thoughts flooded his mind. His body tensed up as a result of these nervous qualms and he tried his best to regain control of his racing thoughts.
Astrid felt the shift in his posture as she lifted her head from his chest to stare up at him, but Walter avoided her eyes nervously shifting his view away from the chocolate orbs that melted his heart and with any lingering look would just as well burn. He was afraid that if her eyes met his she would be frightened away by what lay hidden behind his weary green eyes. Astrid wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and continued to try to capture his attention.
"Walter what's wrong?" she asked calmly as one of her hands began to play with his curls. His eyes shifted momentarily from her face to her body; she was dressed in one of her cute sweaters and some simple jeans. She wore a light purple sweater one that he had grown fond of because the color contrasted with her skin so well and her chocolate eyes glimmered something golden. He now felt even more self-conscious about all the time he had spent grooming himself as he looked at her casual attire. The music echoed around them and Astrid's eyes searched for his once more. She began to sing softly with the music.
Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
Walter smiled softly when he heard her sing the lyrics to him so sweetly, her words pouring out like honey. "Astrid?" his voice was barely above a whisper as he slightly pulled her away from his body to watch her reaction more closely as he braced himself for what was to come next.
"Yes Walter?" her eyes were full of uncertainty and something else that Walter couldn't quite describe but it made him feel even more anxious. Walter studied her face for a moment longer before pressing on, "I…I'd like to ask you for a—"he paused for a moment and then sighed as the words "piece of licorice" stumbled out of his mouth. Astrid sighed dropping her arms from his neck and walked over to her purse. Walter exhaled deeply as he watched her walk away and rubbed the back of his neck were just a few minutes ago her fingers were delightfully entangled in his hair.
Such a fool
You had a beautiful young woman in your arms
And you ruin the moment by asking for some licorice
You are indeed a foolish old man
"Here you go Walter," she returned offering him a piece of licorice.
"Thank you my dear" Walter sighed taking a bite.
"Dr. Bishop did you need me to do something? It's getting kind of late."
"No I don't want to keep you any longer Astringent," he said with a small smile as he leaned on the edge of the counter, but the solemn expression on his face betrayed even his best efforts to mask his discontent.
Astrid walked up closer to the troubled scientist and took one of his hands into hers as she gave it a light reassuring squeeze she spoke softly, "Walter I will stay here with you as long as you need me too just tell me what it is you need."
The warmth emitting from her hand and her soft-spoken words seemed to soothe his nerves, as he looked down at their intertwining hands and then back up to meet her wide eyes that held genuine concern. An honest smile now took the place of the false one and his eyes reflected the same sincerity that vividly shone in hers.
The room filled with tension as they stood facing each other; eyes locked on one another with a wantonness that excited and terrified them at the same time with only a few inches separating them. Walter reached up with one hand to cup her left cheek as he leaned in closer to the soft lips that he so desperately wanted to feel against his own.