What did you think of tonight's episode? I thought it as wonderful, a good change of pace. Though, as someone who grew up along the San Andreas Fault, I got a chuckle when they didn't cover their heads during the earthquake and instead decided to watch everything fall. But you know... TV. I absolutely adored the opening and closing scenes. And the singing. Oh, the singing.

I will publish the next chapter on Valentine's Day (wink wink), but until then, enjoy this one!

Paige began to become aware of her surroundings, and realized that between Walter's body and the blanket, she was growing unbearably hot. She opened her eyes and carefully moved Walter's arm that was still wrapped around her to free her own. She then shook off the blanket. Exhaling in relief as the cool air hit her skin, she reached for her phone. 6:00am. Sighing, she wished she could go back to sleep with Walter, but knew she couldn't if she were going to get Ralph to school on time.

She gazed up at his sleeping face, replaying the previous day. Before yesterday, she would have nervously laughed off the idea of her falling asleep next to Walter and waking up snuggled into him this morning. Their relationship had taken a turn neither had expected so soon, and she thought it felt a bit dizzying. But in a wonderful, butterflies in your stomach, 'why didn't we do this before' way. She took one more second to enjoy feeling his peaceful breathing beneath her before lifting herself away from him, biting back a reluctant grunt.

Looking down, she realized she was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. She only hoped she could be out of there with Ralph to make a change of clothes on her way back before any of the team arrived. She didn't want them to get the wrong idea. Again.

She headed into the kitchen, putting her messy hair up in a pony tail as she walked. She filled the coffee maker with water and coffee grounds and pressed Start. Because she had some extra time, and perhaps because she was feeling a bit elated over the new development in her relationship with Walter, she decided to make pancakes instead of her usual oatmeal and berries. She grabbed her phone, fished out the earphones from her purse, and turned on her morning playlist. She found herself humming as she cooked, and just as she finished her last pancake, she broke into full song.

Walter woke up to the smell of pancakes and Paige's humming. He smiled inwardly at the sound, and stood up to find her. He followed her voice to the kitchen, and as he arrived at the doorway watching her with her back turned to him, she began to sing the lyrics into a spatula and snap her fingers to the beat, "You make me lick my lips. You're favorite flavor, when we kiss. I just wanna savor every drop of it. I can't get get enough, you make me lick my lips, my lips." Walter took in the scene, loving the honey-like sound of her voice, the movement of her hips as she moved to the beat, and how she seemed lost in the music. As she finished, he grinned and clapped his hands.

At the sound of clapping, Paige whipped around and blushed, dropping her hand with the spatula from her mouth, "How long have you been there?"

"Not long," he responded vaguely.

"Did I wake you?"

Walter's smile softened and said, "Ya, but that's alright."

Paige looked at him apologetically anyway and offered, "Pancakes?"

"Sure." He began to walk over to the plate beside the stove, but Paige took a step sideways, putting herself between him and the pancakes.

"But first," Paige began as she lifted her hands to his shoulders. Instead of finishing her sentence, she slowly brought herself closer to him. His heart raced, and he noted that even after yesterday morning, Paige had no less of an unhinging effect on him. It was however, an effect he was beginning to accept. He let out the breath he realized he was holding, then closed the distance between them, hesitantly lifting his hands to her hips as their lips met. This kiss was longer and deeper than the one they shared after talking the previous morning, but didn't have the desperate passion of the first. It felt reminiscent of their experiment, only less awkward and more content. It wasn't so fraught with anxiety, and had the feeling of a tranquil early morning smelling of pancakes. She slid one hand to his neck, and he sighed into her mouth.

"Mom, is that pancakes?" Ralph yelled, causing the two to leap backward. Ralph then appeared in the doorway, still in his pajamas, his face beaming with excitement.

"Ya, sweetie, but why don't you go get dressed first. Then you can have some," Paige replied distractedly.

Ralph looked between the pair, puzzlement appearing on his face as he wondered why they looked so flustered. But he left, knowing he shouldn't argue with his mom.

Paige turned back to Walter and saw he was feeling awkward as he pressed his lips together and stared at the ground.

"Walter..." He looked up at her and she hesitated before continuing, "Um, I think it might be best to not tell Ralph." When he didn't reply, she took a step toward him and explained, "Look, it's just that you've been such a big part of his life, and I don't want to confuse him."

Now Walter looked confused, "I'm sorry, I don't understand. Why would it confuse him?"

"Well, I haven't been with anyone since Drew left. It's a big change for any kid when their parent starts dating-" Her voice failed as she realized her slip-up. They weren't supposed to label their relationship. But to her astonishment, Walter's only reaction was to swallow and take a breath. It was a bit unsettling for him to hear it out loud, but he'd known it. He was smart enough to know that, even though they had not been on a date, for all intents and purposes, they were a couple. She searched his eyes, but he was only looking at her expectantly, waiting for her to go on.

Paige, still taken aback by his near non-reaction, continued hesitantly, "It hasn't been long since he saw Drew. He's been doing so well with friends, I don't want something like this to upset that."

Walter nodded and smiled, replying, "Ya, I think you're right."

Paige returned his smile, "Good."

Walter went to grab a plate and three pancakes for himself, followed by Paige, who poured some coffee for herself. What Paige said made sense, but as he sat down to eat, he couldn't help thinking there was another reason Paige didn't want to tell Ralph about them: if it didn't work out, it could crush Ralph. The thought that one day Paige and him would not be together flustered him, especially because he knew that he was likely to be the one to go wrong and push her seemingly never-ending patience too far. Perhaps she knew that too, and was subconsciously preparing for a breakup. He cursed his thoughts for wandering, and made a resolution to make sure his what-if scenarios didn't come to life.

Paige noticed Walter was distant as he chewed, and she took a breath to ask him what's wrong. But then Ralph walked in, and Walter seemed to snap out of his thoughts. She made a mental note to ask later as Ralph sat down to eat. She asked, "You all ready? Is your bag packed?" Ralph nodded, and with one last glance at Walter, she got up to prepare Ralph's lunch.

She came back a few minutes later carrying Ralph's full lunch box, and said as she hurried in, "You know, Ralph, you should really start making your own lun-" she broke off when she realized no one was there. There were only two empty plates. She rolled her eyes but smiled, knowing they were probably off somewhere in the garage fascinated over something she didn't fully understand. She picked up the plates before searching for them; it was time to take Ralph to school.

She found Walter and Ralph discussing quantum mechanics. She paused, appreciating the scene before passing time forced her to break it up, "Alright Ralph, grab your bag. It's time for school."

Ralph looked crest-fallen as he stood up, and she almost regretted interrupting them. She smiled at Walter and gave him a quick peck on the the lips before Ralph came back in the room with his backpack. "Alright, let's go..." She trailed off when Ralph walked past her to Walter, then gave him a quick hug.

Walter seemed confused but pleasantly surprised as Ralph let go and said, "See you later, Walter."

"Bye, Ralph," he replied. Paige caught his eye and gave a slight smile, as if to say, 'thanks.'

She turned and followed Ralph out the door, leaving Walter to dwell in his thoughts.

Not too long after Paige left with Ralph, Toby strutted in and announced his presence, "Guten Tag! Oooh, do I smell pancakes?"

Walter muttered distractedly as he skimmed over a physics magazine, but his mind still on his contemplations during breakfast that morning, "Ya, Paige made them."

Toby stopped on his way in and raised an eyebrow at Walter. Hearing the cease in Toby's footsteps, Walter looked up to see Toby staring at him. He stared back blankly, confused. Then it dawned on him. He shook his head and rolled his eyes as he stood up, "We fell asleep talking on the couch."

Toby smiled sweetly, "Aww how adorable!"

Walter glared at him briefly before walking to his desk and setting the magazine down. He hesitated before turning around, "Toby?"

"Ya?"

"You know that business dinner I almost took Paige to last year?"

"The so-not-business, very fancy, Valentine's Day dinner, yes. I do."

Walter crossed his arms and glared at Toby again, but didn't argue. There was no point. He cleared his throat, trying to work himself up to what he was getting at, but Toby beat him to it, "Oh, you want to have another go at that, but this time you want my behaviorist expertise so you don't botch it up like you did the other dates."

Walter began to reply, but Toby pretty much covered it, so he just nodded in response.

"Walter, you don't need my help."

Walter snapped his eyes to Toby, frustration and annoyance beginning to bubble up. Seeing Walter frown at him, Toby walked over and gave him an unusually stern look to make sure he had Walter's attention. "Walter, you don't need my help because Paige has already fallen for you. All you need to do is be yourself. You don't need me for that."

Walter's eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. He was already nervous about the prospect of an actual date with Paige, but imagining being completely on his own made his mouth dry. He began to feel something close to terror.

Toby narrowed his eyes, studying Walter, "On second thought, you seem incapable of being yourself when you're panicked. You do need me." Toby then let a sly grin take over his face as he anticipated the romance he could brew up. He paced to his corner of the garage and declared, just as Sly and Happy walked in, "Operation Waige!"

Thanks again for all the follows, favorites, and reviews! I look forward to hearing your opinions of this chapter!