The Son of a Genius

Chapter 10: The Preparation of a Genius

When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart
And I thought I was so smart

-Dear Theodosia, Hamilton (Lin Manuel Miranda)

Paige walked into the Garage and was surprised by the stillness. There was no sound, only the sound of her heels on the floor. She frowned and walked further in. She was used to the sound of Happy's tools being hit against a hard surface, the muffled sounds of Toby's music, scratches against a chalkboard from Sly's algorithms and it was always a new surprise with Walter.

"Walter?" She called, in hope of a reply. Hopefully, someone was there, preferably Walter.

"In here," came his response. She sighed in relief, it would have been awkward if she had just stood around the Garage waiting for him to show up.

Paige followed the sound of his voice into the back of the Garage where he was working on a new project. She wasn't sure what it was, yet she wasn't sure if she would still understand it, even if she asked.

"Hey," said Walter as he looked up at her. There was something with the look on his face that made her pause, yet she brushed it off as if it was nothing.

"Hi,"

"Um, I was wondering if you would want to spend Christmas morning with Ralph and I?" Asked Paige as she rocked back and forth on her heels. She knew that Ralph would enjoy it, and maybe they would be almost close enough to letting him know that he was his father. It was another step forward. One he would hopefully accept.

"I would love to," said Walter after a moment. "Do you think Ralph would like to spend Christmas Eve with Megan and I? I mean we were planning on going-"

"It's alright, Walter. Ralph would love it," Paige interrupted gently. It made her happy that Walter was willing to involve Ralph within his everyday life. And she was sure anything with Megan would be safe. Megan had been around Ralph maybe even hundreds of times and there wasn't anything to worry about them.

Walter's posture relaxed and a small smile came onto his face.

"Thanks,"

"No problem,"

Walter paused, he transferred his weight to his right side and looked at her as if deciding to continue or not.

"Do you think that, um we should uh tell Ralph soon that I am um his father?" His expression was fragile. Like everything that he knew could easily be shattered in a moment. And Paige certainly did not want to be the person to do so. Him asking her about how to tell their son about his parentage was something she was thankful for. It was better than him just hiding away these emotions.

"Yes, we'll need to figure out a time soon." Said Paige as she tapped her fingers against her thigh nervously.

"Alright, I should get back to work." He had said it almost hesitantly, there was an emotional part of him that albeit existed wondered more about his son and the rational side argued that he should just get back to work and ignore his emotions.

Walter turned back to the incredibly complicated project he was working on. Paige sighed and turned to walk out of the Garage.

.

.

"Tell mom and dad I love them, okay?" Asked Paige as she fixed her brother's collar. Andrew was heading back home to visit their parents and Paige only partially hoped that she could go along. But, she had a duty here. She was helping out with team Scorpion and Ralph was finally feeling at home.

"Will do," he said with a grin. Paige shook her head goodnaturedly. Her brother was always like this. Yet, she wouldn't expect it to be any different.

"I'll call them and set up a time for them to visit soon."

"Got it, Captain," Andrew said, his face stretching into a smile causing Paige to smile as well.

"Will you come back soon?" Asked Ralph. Paige looked down at Ralph to see a childish look on his face that seemed odd for the young genius that in many ways was older than his years.

"Yep, I'll never leave you guys." Andrew said as he bent down to Ralph's height and ruffled his hair.

"Come here," Andrew opened his arms wide and motioned for both of them to come closer. He wrapped Paige and Ralph in a hug and held on for at least a full minute.

Once they pulled back Paige stared at her brother for a moment. "I can't have you going soft on me."

He chuckled and grabbed his bags, Andrew stepped at the door and nodded as he pulled the door closed behind him.

.

.

"Ralph?" His head lifted from the thick book he was reading. Paige leaned against the doorway of her son's bedroom and crossed her arms over her chest.

He stared at her with dark curious eyes as if no matter what she was about to say it would be the most important thing to him at the moment. It almost broke her heart at how much they had connected since their joining of team Scorpion.

"Do you want to meet your father?" Her question came out in a single breath and Paige found herself short of breath as she stared at Ralph in anticipation.

"Yes, it would be interesting to meet the man that is half of my genetic make up." Ralph pauses as if thinking hard for a moment. "I think I have a few suspects too."

A light laugh escaped from Paige, Ralph's answer was the complete answer of a genius that she expected.

"I'll get back to you on it. I know he wants to let you know too."

A/N: Thanks for reading and all. I've enjoyed reading all of the reviews. Sorry, this is a short chapter but it's kinda like a filler. And to the Guest that reviewed I love Hamilton so always expect more.

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Disclaimer: I own nothing, but maybe when I'm like eighty I'll own Scorpion. One can dream right?

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