The evening after Paige was "rescued":

*Ow* "Stop hitting me." Toby demanded just moments after he'd walked into their house with his wife.

"Then out with it. You've been a bundle of contrary actions and words since we split from Scorpion." Happy demanded.

Toby stepped away from her and sat down in the old rocking chair he'd always found helpful whenever he had to think on things. "Fine, grab me a Dr Shaz and have a seat then."

Happy glared at him, noticing the smug grin on his face, but stepped into the kitchen and got them both a bottle and opened them. She walked out and handed him one and sat down on the coffee table. "I paid your price, now spill."

Toby nodded as he sucked down a large glob of the soda. "I knew we had made a mistake, but Paige and Sly were too mad to listen to reason so I kept going along with you guys, biding my time. After seeing Walt at the first job bid I knew it was going to take something special to break through to everyone." The chair began rocking back and forth with his weight as he told the story.

"That Dr's appointment you thought I went to a week after that meeting was actually with Richard. In talking to him I found out that Richard had been trying to think of someway to help Walt and Paige as it was. I couldn't believe my luck, because with him that made my goal a lot easier. With his resources coming up with a scenario to bring them back together was fairly easy. But part of the problem was how to break through to Paige to get her in a receptive state." Toby paused as he took another drink.

He wiped his lips with the back of his hand. "I had a lot of different ideas but none of them really instill confidence. I quickly came up with the idea of engaging her Mother to help with that. I mean who else would know her as well as she would and be vested enough to help bring them back together. Veronica was only too happy to help. She immediately came up with the idea of using Tim, she knew if we could get Tim to be a jerk to Walter about the break up and then try to hit on Paige she'd be more receptive to opening up communications with Walter."

Toby looked out their picture window for a moment. "Originally Tim was suppose to confess what he had done over at the Garage while he was at dinner with Paige. But when she confronted him about it when he went to ask her out he didn't even have to take her out. That Layla of Walter's, she was actually just the perfect person for this whole mission. I didn't even have to talk with her. She took the bait of Tim and went right to Paige to tell her what was going on. But that was why I became so concerned about what Paige was doing following it, where she was going and what was she doing. I didn't want something messing with the plan. Had she just told us she was seeing Sarah for help dealing with everything I could have called a halt to the rest of the plan."

Happy's eyes opened wide. "Wait, you don't have a problem with her seeing Sarah for help?" Her voice spoke of how shocked she was at that.

Toby looked over with a bit of a smirk on his face. "No, I have no problems with it. While I've had a few sessions with Paige over her Mother and Cabe over what happened with his Dad, most of the time I'm too much of a smartass. Plus Sarah is pretty top notch. She might not have gone to Harvard but let's face it, Brown is a pretty great school. Anyone who can make dean's list each year they were there deserves my respect."

Happy stared at Toby. "Wait, how do you know who Sarah is and about her schooling? Just who are you and what did you do with my Fungus?"

Toby grinned. "I did my research on Walter's team. I'm just a bit ashamed I didn't put it together that Paige was going over there for help. In retrospect it was so obvious. Anyway, Tim was only too happy to help. He had already planned to be back in the states with his wife and it matched up well with our plan's time table. Veronica sent a burner phone to Paige about a week after I spoke with her and they've actually had been making some progress with their relationship."

"I'm not saying Paige trusts her anymore than she did last time she was at the Garage but Paige was beginning to get more vested in her Mom. I am a little worried that this might harm that. But Veronica was willing to make that sacrifice if it got them back together. She knows how good for each other they both are. And she knew she'd most likely never develop even a decent relationship with Paige."

"And you didn't let me in on this because?" Happy looked at him as she finished off her soda.

Toby smiled after taking a sip. "Well you've probably noticed that I can play the part of a jackass real easy. I didn't want to burden you with a task that if things didn't work out you'd blame yourself for not playing the role well. Besides you actually played the part quite well without even knowing it."

"You were always supportive of Paige and yet protective of Sly. I have to admit there were a few times I really wanted to slap the hell out of Sly and tell him to back off of Walter but each time he went overboard it actually helped Paige to empathize with Walter and she gradually was growing more protective of him again. So that is why I usually went along with you guys, overall I felt like the plan went really well."

Happy stood and stepped over to the rocking chair and sat down on his lap. "So what is the plan going forward?"

Toby smiled as he slid his right arm around the back of her waist and his left hand fell to rest on her left thigh. "Well I've meddled as much as I safely can. So it is really in Walter and Paige's hands. I'm going to keep playing a jerk for a bit longer. I'm about 85% positive Walter is going to end up trying to invite us all back into Scorpion."

Happy frowned. "How's that going to work with his new employees?"

Toby laughed. "I don't really know. But, there is plenty of work out there. And if we are part of Scorpion again we'll be able to get more jobs at better pay because Walter would be leading us. Just don't tell him I said that."

Happy smiled and kissed him. "You've never been sexier to me than right now."

Present Day:

Paige stood up as soon as Walter finished. "While I need to at least speak with the others, I am more than ready to return to Scorpion. And I think your offer is more than fair to everyone."

Layla smiled as she stood. "I don't have to think it over Walter. I think your idea is wonderful. If all of CP wants to come in, it will only strengthen Scorpion that much more. We'll have greater leverage in negotiations of contracts. I also got to echo my friend's position. Your offer is more than fair to everyone."

Sarah smiled. "Well you know I am here for the long haul. But only as long as we get to keep Dustin in the basement."

Everyone looked at Sarah until Dustin broke out laughing. "I'm okay with your plan boss." He said as he wiped at the tears his laughing brought to his eyes.

Diana nodded. "I am happy with what you propose too boss. You might have a hard time getting Sly to agree though, once he finds out who I am."

Sylvester looked at her with questioning eyes. Diana grinned as Paige mimicked Sylvester. "Diana f'n 3578."

Everyone but Sylvester broke out laughing as Sylvester's eyes went wide. "By the scepter of Raven's wood, that's you?"

Diana grinned and nodded.

Cabe cleared his throat. "Well you know I am here for you kid, but I have to admit it feels good to see you valuing me in all of this. As well as the prospect of having the rest of my kids back where they belong."

Walter smiled.

"You can count me in too boss." Florence spoke up next.

Sylvester looked at the little chemist sitting next to him and then up to Walter. "Well, as long as you can forgive me for what all I've done towards you starting with that night I'd be honored to come back to Scorpion."

Walter nodded slightly with a smile.

Happy cleared her throat as she was seeing all her hopes lining up there in that little group and she nodded after briefly wiping past her eyes. "I'm okay with it." She said in her gruff voice.

Toby smiled back at Happy. "I'm with Sarah, as long as we can keep Dustin in the basement and away from my wife I'm okay with it and your proposed plan seems very fair."

Walter nodded. "Okay. Then I'll need to sit down with Paige and Layla so we can go over the Scorpion and Centipede commitments so the three of us know where we stand work wise. Once we're done with that, Sly I'll need you to join us so we can work out the contracts for everyone to sign."

Walter looked at Paige. "Since I had planned to wait until tomorrow as I figured you guys would take more time to decide, where does CP stand right now? Do you have time to go over this now?"

Paige thought about that. "Happy's current job is a little tight time wise and Sylvester still needs to finish code on his job. I've got some calls I really need to return before lunch but then I am free."

Dustin cleared his throat. "I'm actually several days ahead on the Landing job boss. If you don't care and Happy can use me, I'd be glad to lend a hand."

Walter nodded. "That's fine with me and very considerate of you. Is that okay with you?" He looked at Paige.

Paige nodded.

Happy looked over at Dustin and grinned. "That works for me."

Toby looked at Happy and then to Walter. "Well I can supervise them then."

Walter smiled seeing the smirk on Toby's face. "Okay then, we'll end this here. Team A, except for Layla you have the rest of the day to spend as you want. Soon to be team B you already know what you have going on. Paige if you would give me a call when you are done with your phone calls Layla and I can meet you for lunch and then we can come back and start going over everything."

Paige smiled and stepped up to Walter and kissed him. "Thank you Walter."

Walter returned her smile after they broke their kiss. "No, thank you Paige, I mean that."

Walter watched as most everyone turned and began leaving the Garage until it was just Cabe, Layla and Walter. Cabe and Layla starting moving the chairs back around to their regular desks and then working together moved the couch back to its normal position. Walter pulled his chair back around and slid it under his desk.

Layla stood straight and looked at Cabe and they both looked at Walter before walking to his desk. "So, have you given thought to desk arrangements? Not to mention new desks and more chairs?"

Walter nodded. "Temporarily I went to the discount office furniture store and selected the best used furniture. It should all be delivered this afternoon around 4 pm."

Cabe laughed as Layla looked puzzled. "You knew they would accept?"

Walter smiled but shook his head. "You know the old saying, hope for the best, plan for the worst. I put a down payment on brand new office furniture for everyone to lock in the current price. But I got these used ones in anticipation of everyone coming back. It'll take at least eight weeks to get the new furniture."

Layla nodded. "So what are your thoughts concerning Paige and I?"

Walter shook his head as he turned his laptop around and showed her and Cabe his bullet points and that was number one. For the three of them to sit down to discuss how their two positions would function in the Garage. "I wasn't going to unilaterally make a decision that important. The three of us have to be in agreement."

Cabe smiled. "Makes me glad I'm not the boss."

Layla looked at Cabe and smiled and then looked at Walter. "Well as much joy as I get in wrangling these guys the last thing I want is to cause any tension between you and Paige or to harm the friendship I have with her. So I am willing to play second chair to her in the Garage."

Cabe smiled as he reached over and one arm hugged her. "Aren't you something kid, there aren't many who would be willing to appear as if they have lost some authority."

Layla shook her head. "But see, I didn't take this job for authority. I took it because I wanted to help Walter and because of Terry. When I told him about meeting Walter and what happened he almost begged me to quit my job and to come work for Walter. He knew all about Scorpion and Walter and what it was about. He knew how much I wanted to be able to make some kind of difference in this world. And through Scorpion I have."

"Granted I am not the one coming up with the brilliant plans, or have the skills to carry those plans out. But I'm able to keep the guys in line and ensure Scorpion is understood by those who don't get the whole low EQ thing. I also ensure that Scorpion is aware of the high EQ things. And I keep everything balanced. Not tooting my own horn but Walter said it himself. I helped bring Scorpion back up to where it had been, that is a huge compliment."

Walter nodded. "You have done such a remarkable job too. I doubt I would have even considered allowing Sarah to work with me these past weeks had it not been for you and our friendship. And while your gesture for Paige is magnanimous and so very respectful, I would ask you to at least wait and sleep on it. Paige may not want to be over you. She may prefer to be simply co-captains along side of you."

"Well as you have it on your laptop it is your number one objective and we'll probably spend a good deal of time speaking about it, but I will put it out first to Paige that I want her to be between us here in the Garage. If anyone like Toby or Dustin wants to snicker or crack any jokes about it I can always crack their heads. Well, maybe not Toby's, it is pretty thick." Layla told them both with a smile.

Greetings! And welcome to the New Year! Hope yours is off to a good start! I wasn't sure when I would actually get this chapter done, but yesterday I finally found the drive to get it done and I finished chapter 15 of Secrets as well. But I'll probably wait until this story is done before I post the rest of Secrets. I thought it was on a down swing but chapter 15 is definitely indicating there is more to be said. Has anyone heard anything from Scorpling or Pamz? My Scorpion watch says they should have posted something by now! lol

Railman - Thank you! I hope this explains Toby to you. I didn't want his part told until after Walter brought everyone in. A bit of dramatic I guess. lol

Moody - Thank you!

Lucy - Hey, don't discount cooking and eating! I like both, but I like eating more! LOL And you are right about the output. Hell, just Knight's Tale and Lady Knight there is like 125 chapters of at least 2.5k words each and in a fair number up to 3.5k. I think at one point I was writing 4 stories at the same time, a different story every day. Talk about insane.

Marti - Thank you, I hope the little bit of Toby's backstory here doesn't diminish your enjoyment! hehe I hope to never quit writing...At least not until the final curtain call.

Margaret - I almost without fail always know your comments even when it doesn't include your name. Thank you.

Heleen - Thank you! I will do my best to always come up with something to entertain with.

Marie - Thank you!

Franxine - LOL A Toby nightmare huh? Well I'll put it in the hopper and see what comes out!

Just found out, the site's story stats is still broken, so your comments to stories are more important than ever because writers currently have no way to know the metrics on stories. They haven't even acknowledged that there is a problem or when it might be fixed or if the server is maintaining the metrics. *sigh*

To the Adventure! -Tim