Chapter 11

"What's this?"

Paige froze in her tracks. She heard the piece of paper crumple in Walter's hands and panicked as she franticly searched her back pocket. She pulled out an empty hand and then checked the other side and then her front pockets as a last resort. She spun around. Walter was unfolding her treasured memory.

She didn't know what to do so she tried to snatch it out of his hand. He pulled away before she could reach him.

"That's nothing. Must be a receipt or something I forgot about." She held out an expecting hand.

Walter went through a quick debate in his head. Why was Paige acting so protective over a potential receipt? Besides, it was lined paper so it couldn't be a receipt. He only unfolded a bit of it to reveal handwriting he thought he recognized as Ralph's. He wanted to know what it read; the curiosity was eating away at him, but he decided it was best that he not invade Paige's personal belongings. After all, he wanted her to trust him.

He reluctantly handed the note back to Paige.

He analyzed every single one of her movements as she smoothed out the corners of it, refolded it again, and slid it into her back pocket. He knew she was getting uncomfortable so he suggested that they go check on the kids. She seemed relieved that he changed the subject.

He led her over to the eager boys who were trying to determine who could find the most constellations the fastest. Walter took his time and found dozens of them, teaching the boys as he went. Paige watched him with admiration; how she wished she could provide that for Ralph. Walter waved her over.

"Do you want to see?"

"Sure." Paige shrugged not confident that she would be able to find any. Still, she found herself squinting into the telescope trying to follow Walter's instructions.

"And if you look there, that's Orion's belt." He pointed up; he didn't even need the telescope.

All she saw were randomly placed circles of light. She was growing frustrated. He made everything he did look so effortless.

"I don't see it. Why can't I do it?"

"You're doing fine, it just takes time." Walter could see her getting restless and decided to suggest another tactic.

"Here, how about we try this." Even though it wasn't necessary, he took her hand in his. It strangely felt right and her warmth sent a shock down his spine. Paige intertwined her fingers with his. He pulled her over to the middle of the roof and sat down.

Paige gave him a perplexed look and laughed. She loved his oddities; mostly she loved how he didn't know they were oddities. "Now what on earth are you doing?"

Walter patted the space next to him as he laid back onto the cold damp surface. He was still warm from her touch. Paige didn't question him and joined him. She didn't realize that she had inched closer to him so that their hands were nearly touching. Her heart began to race at their proximity.

"This gives you a wider view. Imagine that the sky is your canvas, and you are the artist. You get to decide the constellations. You get to connect the dots and come up with your own answer. There is no wrong one." He gestured his hands across the dark sky, introducing her to a clean slate.

Paige was intrigued by his idea and also surprised. He never saw the importance in art. He never observed the museum when they were on the case; he always seemed preoccupied. She looked up to the sky and started to analyze her painting.

"Why the change in heart about art?" she asked him.

"I figured since it is important to you, it would be a better way to look at it. It is your own language, just as math and science is for me. I can tell because every time you look at an artist's work, or I mention anything about it, your eyes light up. I guess I just like seeing that."

Sometimes he would pronounce her favorite artist's name wrong on purpose just so she would correct him. He loved seeing her so passionate about something.

He hesitated, not knowing how she would react, and then reached for her hand again. It was a necessity to him.

Paige was trying to keep up with what she was hearing. What is Walter implying? Are his feelings mutual with hers? Was this relationship more than just professional?

She turned her head to find Walter already looking at her.

It was then that she knew.

In that look she finally realized that Walter looked passed all of her flaws; maybe he didn't even realize that they were there. In that look she knew that he truly did care about her, and she was a fool for not realizing it earlier.

She broke the silence. "I finished my canvas."

"What does it look like?"

"Look for yourself. It is exactly as it seems. Something so beautiful shouldn't be altered."

Paige was gazing at the sky as she spoke, but Walter was looking at her.

"I completely agree."

They laid there peacefully for a while. There remained a comfortable silence; they enjoyed each other's company. It began to drizzle and while the boys ran inside, they remained. Paige closed her eyes and let the droplets fall upon her face.

"What did the paper say Paige?"

Paige debated for a moment if she should tell Walter, or rather show him. It could ruin everything, but it could also confirm what she had been feeling. She sat up and took out the slip of paper and handed it over to Walter. She wasn't regretful.

He gently unfolded it knowing how important it was to her, and he began to read.

He was right when he assumed that the handwriting was Ralph's. He read the boy's observations and then reread them. He didn't know that his emotions were so obvious, but he couldn't control them. If anyone were to notice them it would be Ralph. He was about to say something when he noticed a little scribble in the bottom half of the paper; but it wasn't in Ralph's handwriting, it was in Paige's:

I think I might be in love with Walter.

Her words were forever ingrained in his mind. They were etched in his brain.

Her head was bowed and she almost looked ashamed; he didn't understand why.

It was almost as though she read his mind as she said, "I wrote that last part to remind myself that there are things worth more than this world. It was like I was allowing myself to feel again, but I wasn't sure if I should have." She still avoided his eye contact.

Walter pulled a pen from his pocket and wrote something on the paper below Paige's. He set it next to her.

I know I am in love with Paige.

And as her eyes finished the last word she felt a tear fall from her eye; but for the first time in weeks it was out of happiness. Genuine happiness. She couldn't contain herself and she reached for Walter with urgent lips and placed a searing kiss upon his mouth.

She pulled away embarrassed by how straightforward she had been. "I'm sorry I don't know-"

Her apology was silenced by Walter's hungry kiss. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and pulled her closer; she couldn't be close enough. The passion was indescribable; it was as though he was truly finding himself for the first time. Paige slid her tongue past his lips and Walter groaned as her fingers intertwined in his dark curls. He reluctantly pulled away; there was something he needed to say to her.

"I just want you to feel the way I see you."

Paige raised her eyebrows not knowing what he was talking about.

"Beautiful."

And she did; in that moment Walter made her feel beautiful and wanted; something that had been stripped from her when Drew came back into her life and she lost her dignity. Drew didn't deserve her thoughts and effort. Walter did. Walter did because he was here, now, and made her feel loved. She gave him another chaste kiss and then realized it was raining harder; she was holding onto a soggy piece of precious paper.

"No! It's ruined!" She ran under the cover of the door and tried to dry it in vain. Walter got up and followed her.

"It's ok; you don't need it."

"What do you mean? That is a memory, and now it is gone."

"You don't need it because I am going to be here every day to tell you that I love you."

And in that moment, she dropped the paper and let it sink in a nearby puddle.

The paper may have been destroyed, but those beautiful words remained with her.

**I'm sorry I have been really irregular with my updates; weekdays are really busy for me. I'm trying to think about where I want this story to go. Do you guys want me to keep it going? I'm really excited for new material on Monday (no hiatus!) Anyways I hope you enjoyed and tell me what you think**