WriterFreak001:

Again, sorry for the delay. I feel horrible for prolonging this story. :(

Someone asked if I'm planning a fourth story to the series, and as of this time, no. I think the "Masterminds of Deceit" series will end with "Poaching."

Thank you for your patience. Here's the next installment. :)

Title | Poaching

Fandom | Scorpion (CBS)

Description | Post-Deception. Post-Mind Games. A month has passed since the ending of Mind Games, and just when the members of Team Scorpion think they're going to be able to relax between they're usual cases, a multi-billionaire – Richard Elia – sees what Scorpion, more importantly, Walter O'Brien, is capable of and wants to recruit the team leader for his Think Tank. When Walter turns him down the first time, Elia becomes more persistent, using Walter's taste for technology to his advantage. And when his briberies do not work, Richard Elia may consider resorting to dirty methods to poach Walter away from Scorpion. With a baby on the way, will Walter be able to thwart Elia's plans, or will he consider working for Elia in order to protect his family and friends from the megalomaniac's ploys? And IF he decides to leave Scorpion and follow Elia, will his decision have a price on his marriage? Find out!

Rating| This fanfiction will be rated T for violence, obscene language, sexual themes as well as brain stuff and fluff.

POV | Limited Third Person

Disclaimer | While CBS owns Scorpion, I am the owner of this masterpiece.

Claimer | I am human; there are bound to be mistakes. If you feel like something should be changed, you have the power to send me a review/private message. I can't guarantee if I'll change it every time, but I do read all of my reviews and all of my private messages!

Poaching

Masterminds of Deceit Vol. 3

Written by WriterFreak001

Chapter 20

~ SCORPION ~

"I still think you should tell your wife about the deal you made with Elia," Cabe quietly spoke to Walter as the agent delivered the genius a bag of bagels from Kovelsky's. "I know you're trying to protect her stress levels by keeping her in the dark since she's scheduled to be induced tomorrow, but she has a right to know."

"These past two weeks have been almost stress-free for Paige," Walter mumbled as he shoved his hands into his pockets and glanced at his wife who was lying down on the sofa next to the entrance while her hand was constantly rubbing her very, very pregnant belly. "As you said, Paige is scheduled to go into labor tomorrow, and a smile hasn't left her lips since early this morning, knowing that, in roughly twenty-four hours, she will be meeting Léana. Even if I wanted to tell her about my deal with Elia, I don't want her to stop smiling or have a reason to worry about something insignificant. I'm handling things with Elia, and even though I don't like keeping all of this from her, it's best, for both her heath and the baby's, she doesn't know."

"And what are you going to say to her if ever Elia calls you into his office, needing your expertise? Will you tell her another lie?" Cabe frowned, not liking Walter's predicament at all. "You won't be able to keep up with your lies, kid."

"I already told Elia I wasn't going to visit his facility; every interaction we have will be done through Skype or some sort of conference call. That was our agreement." Walter said while folding his arms and shifting his feet a little. "I'll tell her, Cabe. I promise… Just not now."

Without hearing whatever Cabe had to say, Walter walked past the agent and approached his wife with a smile before greeting her with a quick, passionate (much more passionate than he had intended) kiss. He knelt down beside her and gently pressed his cheek against her bellybutton as Paige's fingers laced with his.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Paige slowly blinked as she reached up to Walter's hair and lightly combed her fingers through his curls.

"Absolutely mortified," Walter grinned before quickly kissing her navel. "You?"

"Terrified," she laughed lightly as she gently caressed her husband's cheek. "But," she smiled, "it'll all work out. It will all work out. Everything always does."

"Are you… worried?" Walter lifted his cheek up from Paige's belly and squeezed her hand as he scooted himself closer to her face.

"What parent isn't?" Paige quietly laughed as she stared at their conjoined hands to avoid Walter's watchful gaze. "But, I get what you're asking, and yes, I'm extremely worried. No parent in their right mind would wish harm on their child, and I don't want anything to happen to our daughter. I'm absolutely frightened my nightmares will become reality…, but," she licked her upper lip as she found Walter's eyes and sighed, "I've had a lot to think about these past few days, and, well, I can't… I can't let myself buy into my nightmares no matter how worried they make me feel.

"If I let my nightmares get to me, then I'm already assuming the worst, and I'm not giving Léana a chance." Paige paused as she slowly lifted her shirt to expose her round stomach. She brought their conjoined hands to her tummy and slowly rubbed her belly. "Léana O'Brien is our daughter, Walter. She has the blood of a stubborn Irish genius and a stubborn Super Nanny running in her veins. You're a fighter, and I'm a fighter, and I think it's time for me to realize that Léana's a fighter too." Paige gave Walter a small smile before bringing his palm to her lips. "I know," she brought their hands to her heart, "it's illogical to have such faith that everything will run smoothly tomorrow, but… I need… we need… to have faith in our daughter; it wouldn't be fair to Léana otherwise."

Walter leaned in and kissed her lips gently. "You're incredible, you know that?"

Paige shifted upward as Walter swiftly wedged between her back and the arm of the sofa before she started to say, "I'm not inc-"

"No, really, you are." Walter quickly said as he lightly kissed the top of her head. "You're absolutely incredible. I know," Walter squeezed her hand, "I know I wasn't with you when Ralph was younger, but when I first met you… first met Ralph, I immediately knew you never gave up on him even though you struggled to connect with him. Ralph was different than other children, and though you did not understand just how different he was, you accepted him for who he was despite his silence. Now," Walter splayed his fingers over her belly and kissed the top of her head again, "with Léana, even though you've struggled – we've both struggled – with your current condition, you've decided you're not going to give up on her yet. You're giving Léana a chance just as you had with Ralph. I don't," Walter pursed his lips and wrinkled his nose as he sniffed sharply, "I don't know if I could be that strong."

Paige, absolutely touched by Walter's respect and awe of her, was completely speechless. How did she get so lucky? A warm smile slowly colored her lips as she tilted her head back, wrapped her arms around Walter's neck and pulled him down for a deep kiss.

"Walter," Cabe's sudden voice startled them, forcing the genius and liaison to break apart and look towards the kitchen where the agent was gesturing Walter to go up to him. "Your friend, the Governor, needs your assistance again."

Walter frowned but didn't move. "I'm on sabbatical."

"I know, and the governor knows, but he insists. It's urgent." Cabe tapped his foot impatiently. "It's a one man's job, and you're the only one the Governor wishes to see."

Walter groaned and pushed his hair back. "Is it life threatening?"

"Not necessarily."

"Then can't it wait?"

"Sorry, kid. Governor Lang says it's urgent." Cabe folded his arms, impatiently waiting for Walter to join him. "We should be back by dinner."

Walter was about to say 'no' again, but Paige touched his arm and smiled. "Go."

"But?"

"Walter, I'm fine. Your mother is here, remember? She's upstairs doing our laundry for us; go and grab her and have her down here while you're gone. We could seriously use the extra income right now; diapers and baby food isn't cheap." Paige chuckled as she poked her husband's nose. "Go. Léana and I will be waiting here when you return."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," Paige smiled and kissed him. "Now go."

Walter, still hesitant, slowly rose to his feet and helped Paige sit up against the arm of the sofa. "Call me if anything happens."

"I will," Paige laughed as she swatted him away. "I promise."

"Okay." Walter pursed his lips and quietly told Cabe he would leave momentarily as soon as he brought his mother down from the loft to watch Paige.

And when Walter and Cabe finally left (after Walter, one more time, asked Paige if she was sure she didn't need him home for anything), Paige hugged her tummy and smiled, knowing her baby, her precious, little baby girl, was going to have an incredible, loving father who would stop at nothing to keep her safe and happy.

~ SCORPION ~

"Why is it taking so long?" Ralph asked Toby as the young genius paced in circles in the waiting room. "Mom should have had the baby by now."

"Relax, kid," Cabe chuckled as he touched Ralph's shoulder, "Labor is different for every woman. Some go through it like a breeze, and for others, it takes longer."

"I'm never going to give birth to kids." Happy mumbled as she read a tech magazine.

"Oh?" Toby's eyebrows lifted. "And why's that?"

"Too much work," Happy shrugged as she glanced at Toby before returning to her magazine.

"Well I think Paige is very brave for going through all of this," Sylvester said quietly. "Childbirth, statistically, is one of the most painful experiences women have."

"It may be painful," Cabe smirked, "but most women would go through it again in a heartbeat to bring another child into the world."

"That's crazy talk," Happy looked up from her magazine.

"That's a mother." Cabe grinned.

~ SCORPION ~

Paige let out a wail of pain as she squeezed Walter's hand tightly and gave another hard push. Dr. Overton and the nurses kept telling her how wonderful she was doing, but she didn't want to be wonderful. She just wanted this goddamn pain to end. Childbirth was more painful than she remembered, and her body ached everywhere. She was sweaty and clammy from constantly pushing, and she thought the labor was never going to end despite going through it twice before.

"You're doing great, Paige," her doctor's eyes smiled at her as she wiped her brow. "Now, push with all you have."

"I HAVE BEEN PUSHING WITH ALL I HAVE, DAMMIT!" Paige snapped loudly as she leaned her head against the pillow behind her and closed her eyes. "I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"Paige," Walter squeezed her hand and kissed her fingers, "You can do this."

She frowned at him. "This is your fault!"

"M-my fault?"

"If you didn't keep that… that thing… in your pants, I wouldn't be here right now!" Paige hissed coldly as she looked away from her husband and inhaled a deep breath. "I just… I don't think I can do this…. It hurts a hell of a lot more than I remember!"

"Paige," Dr. Overton spoke in a sweetly stern voice, "One more push. Just one more. One more, and then you can meet your baby girl."

Paige inhaled another deep breath, and when her muscles tightened, she lurched forward, pushing with all she had. And damn, did it hurt! She squeezed Walter's hand until his knuckles were white, and he almost doubled over from how strong her fingers were. As she screamed out in exhausted pain, she closed her eyes and shouted, "YOU ARE NEVER FUCKING ME AGAIN, WALTER O'BRIEN! NEVER!"

"P-Paige," Walter, though stunned to hear his wife speak so provocatively when she was always reminding everyone at the garage to keep their language in check in front of Ralph, hoped to God she wasn't serious.

"I SAID NEVER!" she yelled as she pushed even harder. Her shrieks of pain filled the hospital room (and perhaps the entire city of Los Angeles), and Walter, who never anticipated labor being so painful, was seriously considering never having sex with his wife again; he couldn't stand hearing her in pain like this.

But then, small, shrilling cries echoed around them, and his concerns for Paige's pain were almost nonexistent as his wife collapsed backwards with a teary smile forming on her lips.

"Congratulations, Mom and Dad," Dr. Overton grinned as she walked over to them with a tiny, naked baby in her arms. She slowly leaned over Paige and carefully placed their whining daughter in the exhausted woman's arms before quietly backing away from the parents. "We'll give you a few minutes of privacy before we start running some tests."

As Dr. Overton exited the room, Walter sat down in the chair next to Paige's hospital bed and rested his cheek against his wife's bare shoulder.

"She's beautiful," Paige whispered with a colorful smile, "She's so beautiful."

"Like her mother," Walter mumbled before kissed Paige's cheek.

Paige was absolutely mesmerized by Léana and couldn't tear her eyes away from their precious baby girl. "She has your curly hair."

"And she has your button-nose." Walter muttered softly.

"And your complexion."

"And your lips." Walter hummed into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

Paige then turned towards her husband with a happy smile coloring her pink lips. "She's our daughter, Walter," Paige surprised him with a quick, light kiss.

Walter couldn't stop from smiling as he leaned over and kissed her again. "She's our daughter."

~ SCORPION ~

WriterFreak001:

I suck at writing birth scenes so I hope this one wasn't over the top. FINALLY Léana has been born! I have never had a baby so I don't know what the process is for newborns, but I assume mothers would want to hold their babies right away after birth instead of waiting an eternity for tests to be conducted.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

PS. It's almost 2 am here… sooo… if you find major errors, please let me know. Thanks!