A/N: Apologies in advance if this chapter goes a bit fast but from this point onward the meat and potatoes will really start to make themselves known!

Little Girl Lost

Chapter 4

"Logical thinking never results in mistakes like those" Walter O'Brien Season 2 episode 2 Cuba Libre

Walter O'Brien was rarely surprised.

He could predict things with the four core subjects of necessary learning: Science and Math and Math and Science. He could predict human behavior with about 80% of accuracy thanks to these subjects (and a few lessons and observations from Toby) that for Walter to be speechless was a rare occurrence.

Of course, that meant it could still happen.

He blinked as he swallowed his surprise and quickly regained his composure as he looked at his newest client, Diana Goldman, and the proposal she presented to him.

"Mr. O'Brien I've heard many good things about you and your team in the recent year. I know that this type of project would probably come from homeland, but my client is willing to pay top dollar for the safety and return of the merchandise mentioned." Ms. Goldman pressed as she eyed Walter with a cool stare.

"Of course, Ms. Goldman, Scorpion 2.0 is happy to assist you in whatever you may need however I must say that the security concerns are extensive for a simple hard drive. Before I agree with the terms mentioned, Ms. Goldman I have to ask – for the safety of my team that there is not any information withheld….is there?" Walter asked raising an eyebrow as Ms. Goldman raised her chin.

"Like many good things, I hear about your team I also hear word about your tact, Mr. O' Brien. I see that the rumors are both true." She replied, admittedly a bit snippy as Walter eyed the proposal once more.

It wasn't often that Scorpion 2.0 was offered such lucrative deals. In fact, he would have jumped at the chance but if anything from the past two years has taught him (especially since he didn't have Paige to monitor for him) he had to pick clients very carefully. True he was getting better with EQ, the fact he didn't say an immediate yes or no to the woman's proposal or the fact that he didn't mention that she may soon need surgery for a cleft lip and an overbite that could lead to steady infection when chewing food was an improvement.

Of course, as soon as he questioned her judgment so, well factually, that he realized he made a mistake with his word choice when he saw the challenging look in her eye.

It wasn't that he didn't have a reason to be concerned. When Ms. Diana Goldman called to set up a meeting, he expected a woman in her late fifties, a bit dull-witted and possibly thrice-divorced by the sharpness in her tone but instead, he received a young, smartly dressed woman in her mid-thirties that was anything but dull.

Ms. Goldman was blunt, effective, and rather intelligent. The proposal was simple really. She represented a rather large software company that recently had a data breach. They had recovered all but one hard drive that contained sensitive data and she needed Scorpion's help to get it back.

The red flags occurred however when he saw the offer of such an operation. For smaller cases like these asking price started at 5 grand and only went up depending on what was needed and what would happen. However, the offer Ms. Goldman proposed was 30 grand and a promised additional 20 grand to each member of the team. Not to mention in the contract, the mention of intrusion of cartels, guns and a potential trip overseas was concerning. Not to mention the container box that she was hoping the hard drive would be delivered in would not be suitable for a machine but rather…a human being. In short, $90,000 dollars in revenue and a liability wavier for a simple hard drive recovery operation was, in a short word, sketchy.

If it was legitimate, he would have been an idiot to say no but if it wasn't, he would have been an even bigger idiot to turn his back if people were hurt for whatever this woman wanted.

He had to choose his next words carefully and almost on instinct that nagging thought came to his head. 'What would Paige say?'

"Ms. Goldman, I do apologize for my abrupt attitude and tone however and I'll be honest Ms. Goldman, the details of the contract concern me. I can't help but notice that the specifications that are asked to build a compartment to transport a hard drive machine don't meet the qualifications to safely transport data according to US regulations. You understand Ms. Goldman that if Scorpion were to sign this contract and anything other than a hard drive was recovered your company would be in extreme legal trouble not only with my company for breaking a contract but the US government and….the date isn't even correct. It's Friday today…. not a Saturday" Walter explained slowly, keeping his voice level as he eyed Ms. Goldman and she kept her stare still.

Finally, after a beat of silence, Ms. Goldman sighed and flexed her fingers as Walter noticed the shifting of her shoulders and the crook of her mouth twitching. Gotcha.

"Yes…Mr. O'Brien, I am aware of the specifications in the contract which is why…this wasn't the real contract." Ms. Goldman sighed heavily as she crumpled up the piece of paper and opened her briefcase to reveal a similar-looking document. "I do apologize for the deceit but, as you would soon learn that is entire operation needs the utmost discretion." Ms. Goldman stressed as Walter quickly read over the new contract and his eyes widened.

"You want Scorpion to offer protection and security to an individual?" Walter said slowly as he went over any and all possibilities before the woman started talking again.

"Yes. You see Mr. O'Brien you and your team have earned a reputation in the back alleys of the dark web. People think twice about doing something if Scorpion is involved. Your name alone strikes a chord with people. That offers a level of protection that I cannot give to my client." She admitted softly as she sighed.

"My client is needing that kind of security. She was thrust into a situation at a young age and has been kept in witness protection for the past 20 years. However, during her stay, there was a mole that has not yet been captured. Her alias was leaked and now the wrong people have info on her. Now, my company can transfer her to a safer place. Out of the country." Ms. Goldman explained as she put more paperwork on Walter's desk and he looked over it closely. The words La plaga stood out and he closed his eyes as the case with Elia's daughter jumped to the forefront of his mind.

"We just need protection for her for 36 hours until the plane is ready and her new identity is delivered. However, those 36 hours are crucial and she would be extremely vulnerable in the states. That's where Scorpion comes in." She smiled as Walter looked over all the details and held in his sigh.

"I understand that two years ago Scorpion updated their headquarters to meet Homelands defense qualifications. With a push of a button this whole garage could be guarded like Fort Knox." She smiled as Walter grimaced at the reminder of said Fort Knox.

"Yes, we did update our security. How do you know about that Ms. Goldman?" Walter asked curiously, trying not to let his suspicion sneak into his voice.

"Like I said Mr. O'Brien….your team has developed a reputation." She smiled as she sat back in her chair and eyed him. "So, do we have a deal?"

"First, before I agree, I would like to know who we would be protecting. Her name isn't mentioned in the files." He asked as Ms. Goldman's body tensed for a millisecond until she visibly relaxed.

"Her name isn't important Mr. O' Brien; for safety, we left as much personal information out of hard copies as possible. If you agree to the case and once I have confirmed her safety then personal details will be revealed, however, if you do not take the case, well, I don't have to worry about another threat on my client's life." She smiled as she leaned forward and repeated "So we have a deal?" She asked as Walter looked over the paperwork once more and sighed.

"We would be happy to help Ms. Goldman. We can discuss further details on Sunday?" He said as he shook her hand and she smiled.

"Perfect"

"Perfect! Centipede would be more than happy to help you Ms. Goldman" Toby smiled easily as he shook hands with the blond woman and noticed for the second time how her hand gripped his with only her thumb and palm, no fingers on his which meant she wanted to keep her distance.

"I've heard nothing but good reviews from Richard and he has assured me that Centipede is more than qualified to take on a Jane Doe assignment." Ms. Goldman smiled as Toby tried to hide his analysis of this strange blonde, well-dressed woman in the office.

"I'm glad to hear he thinks so highly of his investment" Toby wisecracked as Diana Goldman smiled stiffly.

"Yes…. I can assure you he does. I would like to thank you again for meeting me on such short notice, especially on a weekend. Not many companies would want to meet a last-minute client on a Saturday."

"Well, that's why Centipede prides itself on being a standout from the competition." Toby smiled again but with more force as his mind drifted to the 'competition' and how he would break the news to Paige and Sly.

"Speaking of competition, you and your team have no qualms about working closely with Scorpion 2.0? I understand that you were once employed by Mr. O' Brien?" Ms. Goldman asked as Toby took a quick sideways glance at Goldman as he shuffled papers on his desk, okay really Paige's desk, as he got a view of her locked jaw, downturned eyes, and stiff shoulders.

Seems that question was meant for herself than Toby.

"Yes….we parted amicably with the minds of Scorpion. We just wanted to focus on a new direction but rest assured that we are looking forward to working with our old teammates again!" Toby said excitedly as his elbow accidentally knocked over Paige's pencil holder and pens and pencils scattered everywhere as Toby kept the smile on his face.

With a raised eyebrow Diana Goldman eyed the doctor and sighed deeply before placing the fakest smile Toby had ever seen but not before a slight pupil dilatation when the woman saw a picture of Paige and Ralph.

She recognized them.

Interesting.

"Looking forward to working with you all and please, give Ms. Dineen my contact information. It's prudent that I meet with her as soon as possible to get her signature on this contract as well but Dr. Curtis your signature will hold up in court just fine." Diana said abruptly as Toby opened his mouth before he quickly closed it.

"I can tell that you're a little tense Ms. Goldman. Mind I offer you some fruit? Maybe an orange?" Toby asked as he held up a basket he got from his own desk and she blinked before eyeing the basket.

"No thank you, I'll be okay for the road. Just please have Ms. Dineen contact me as soon as she's able." Ms. Goldman stated before she left the room without as much as a 'good day'.

Quirking his eyebrow Happy came around the corner with a frown as she eyed the woman coming out of their office.

"Who's the stiff Doc?" She asked curiously as Toby kept eyeing Goldman's gate. Strong, purposeful yet she walked with a slight hunch and noticed that her eyes shifted down the hallway and the next before she got into the elevator and caught Toby's eye as he waved goodbye and Goldman pretended not to notice.

"That….my sweet sugarplum is Centipede's newest client," Toby smirked before he turned and started writing furiously on his notepad of his observations and made a mental note to quiz Paige of anyone with the name of Diana Goldman.

"And since when did you have any authority to take clients? Paige made it clear that when she's out sick…I'm in charge." Happy frowned as she glared at the doctor before he smirked and closed his eyes before he tore off the paper and folded it into his pocket as he tried to ignore the funny feeling in his gut until he searched Paige's computer. He was Harvard trained behaviorist who was the best in his field. That's why he never ignored a funny feeling in his gut. Especially after eating questionable yogurt.

"Yes, but since you weren't here I took it upon myself to investigate and I'm glad I did." Toby smiled stiffly before he looked down and sighed before he let his true feelings be known on his face.

"And why is that?" Happy asked quickly losing patience as Toby sat at Paige's desk and hacked his way in. Not that guessing Paige's password was much of a 'hack'. I mean she's been working with them for years and her password is 'Ralphieboy'. With a roll of his eyes, he started looking for any personal pictures or files or possibly letters. Paige was an emotional person but was tightly controlled. She would want to release her emotions but, in a way, where it would be seen away from prying eyes.

"Um, Doc? I asked you something?" Happy sighed as she stood glaring before Toby sighed as he found nothing, not that he expected to find anything, but he had to try.

"Because my sweet wife….Diana Goldman has just become a problem." Toby frowned as he looked back to the framed picture of Paige and Ralph and wondered how on earth a woman like her could be involved with a former waitress and a genius child.

"Hey, guys! We have a case!" Walter called as he walked into the garage bright and early on Sunday as he held up the copied files from Diana Goldman as Florence stopped her calculations and Cabe looked up mildly shocked.

"That's my line, Walt. What case is it?" He asked grumpily as he yawned. Walter paused as he took in Cabe's rumpled tie and darkened bags underneath his eyes and noted that he should ask Cabe if he was getting enough sleep. A man in his early sixties, Cabe should be getting approximately 8 hours of restful sleep every night. He would have to be asleep for an hour and 30 minutes for his mind to properly enter the REM cycle.

Filing it away he gave Florence and Cabe each a file as he started to write on the board. "Diana Goldman, a representative for Goldman Technologies. The company is young, almost two years old but quickly gaining a reputation for being a leader for personal security. Empatthis on personal. She had taken on a Jane Doe as a client and because this Jane Doe was a witness to murder 20 years ago she has been in witness protection, however, thanks to dirty money Jane Doe's safety is now ours for 36 hours." Walter explained as Cabe shook his head.

"Hold on Walt, you're saying that instead of a simple tech job that was promised by this Ms. Goldman we are now responsible for a woman's life?" Cabe asked as he shook his head once more.

"Correct, but only for 36 hours. Ms. Goldman assured me that Jane Doe is safe for the next 3 days giving us time to prepare the garage for extra safety precautions. Our job is to simply guard and watch Jane Doe for 36 hours until her plane arrives at LAX. Once it does Ms. Goldman has her own people to escort her to her flight where she will be flown out of the country." Walter explained hastily as he drew a haphazard drawing of the garage.

"Florence, I need you to replicate the same mixture you did when we had to seal that nuclear plant in Mexico, we need it to seal any walls and double layer the two sides of the garage here and the three entry points of the ceiling." Walter pointed as Florence took quick note.

"I would have to adjust the sealant's elasticity to cover more square footage, should be a simple calculation and I can have it ready in an hour." Florence notated before swiftly going to her own whiteboard as Walter went to his computer and started working on the code for the alarm systems. Whoever was after Jane Doe he had to make sure the system was airtight. There was a scheduled update ready to go in three weeks, so he has to manually push it up to today if the security would be up to date when the deadline approached.

"Hey Walter, I need to speak with you son" Cabe gruffly said as Walter briefly looked up from his laptop and frowned as he double-checked the software. He made sure it was loading properly before he swiftly joined Cabe in the kitchen as he got his third cup of coffee that morning. Another unusual behavior with Cabe, he would usually have two cups of coffee by 11 am and then another cup at noon. However, this was his third cup already and it wasn't even 10:30 am.

"Listen, Walt, I know it's not my place to tell you how to run your own company, but I have a funny feeling about this one," Cabe said softly as Walter tilted his head and tried to compute what Cabe was trying to communicate. Funny feeling?

"Cabe, I assure you I looked into Diana Goldman's history and her company. Everything looks okay from that standpoint and the first payment came in clean for all of us. I even checked the backdoor of the software that she was developing for her future projects. Nothing about this case has been any different than the cases handled in the past." Walter explained slowly as he felt his impatience rising.

"I know you did your homework, but I haven't met the woman or even know anything about this supposed Jane Doe. Now I'm all for helping people in need but even in witness protection, there are some details about the people that they're guarding. We don't have a lot to go on besides this woman's word."

"I understand your concerns Cabe, but rest assured I believe I have an answer for you." Walter smiled as he led the older man to his desk as Walter pulled up the US Marshal files he….found and pulled up the file for a Michelle Reyes.

"This woman I believe is our Jane Doe. Michelle Reyes was a child when her mother was arrested for prostitution outside the San Fernando Valley. However, during the arrest, one of the officers was gunned down by her mother's then-boyfriend, Andrew Cassava who was involved with the Vipers. A small-time gang that usually stayed in the Southern California area. Michelle just happened to see the murder and because her mother was killed a few weeks later in the middle of an investigation they put her in Witness Protection under California law." Walter showed as Cabe reviewed the file and quirked an eyebrow.

"Hmmm, it seems legit Walter but I can't shake the gut feeling I have. Just keep your eyes open." Cabe warned as he stifled another yawn and this time Walter felt compelled to say something.

"and before you ask about how I'm tired…don't worry about it. I was at a friend's house last night and stayed later than I thought." Cabe interrupted as Walter quickly closed his mouth and wondered how Cabe could predict what was on his mind. Paige could do that too.

On second thought…

"Cabe….um, when you said that you were at a friend's house, um, was this friend a-anyone I had been associated with?" Walter asked quickly as he leaned against the fridge, trying to convey 'normal' behavior.

"Yes, it so happened that it was a person you had associated with in the past few months. What of it?" Cabe asked bluntly as Walter shook his head.

"N-no reason just mild curiosity. I have a keen interest in the personal life of my….. paternal figure." Walter mumbled out before he shut his eyes and pursed his lips. Paternal figure? Seriously that's what he could come up with?

"Seriously that's what you come up with?" Cabe smirked as he shook his head and put the creamer away in the fridge. "If you must know 197….I was at Paige's condo last night. She, um, well uh….she had a bit of an argument with Ralph and wanted to talk to someone about it." Cabe mumbled as Walter slipped against the fridge.

Argument with Ralph? Paige arguing with Ralph? Was Ralph in trouble? Was Paige okay?

"Is everything okay with them? Is Ralph okay? I know that things, well, u-um I haven't seen him the past few months so I don't know what's going on with Ralph….or Paige. They uh, well, at least I didn't know, or I mean" Walter continued to mumble as he cursed his EQ that he couldn't just come out and ask if they were okay. The fact he was trying to teach Florence anything about EQ was almost laughable if she wasn't so stunted and he wasn't so….well, Walter.

"Don't break your brain son. I know what you mean. They're both okay, at least as okay as they can be. It's not easy on any of them you know." Cabe said gently as Walter just nodded his head.

"Well, I expected Ralph to be, uh, less than thrilled." Walter offered lamely "As a growing 12-year-old, really 13-year-old boy who is really on the cusp of being a teenager a disruption in his daily routine could result in degenerate mood and possible loss of cognitive function by 1.34% which might not seem that big of a number but compared to the usual brain activity of a person with an IQ of 200 and the developing hormones being released it would create an unhealthy balance –"

"Walter!" Cabe interrupted as Walter blinked and Cabe sighed. "Son, I know you care for the boy. He is just….dealing with emotions the best way he knows how. Paige has made it clear that communication would remain open if Ralph would want it too but….you got to give the kid some time. I know you've been worried about him." Cabe said gently as Walter blinked and stiffened his shoulders. Although his EQ had improved, any intense emotions, especially of the last 2 months made him freeze, retreat back into the safe space that he's created for himself ever since he was younger; logic and fact. There were no errors in facts, that's what made them facts.

However, Ralph was the one variable that he could never hide from. Ralph was the person that he not only understood but had been. Confused, angry, hurt….limitless potential but with no direction to guide or point it at. Ever since the first day in the diner Walter had made it his mission to make sure Ralph would not experience the same things he did. Ralph was what made Walter want to become more human.

"I understand Ralph's mind, Cabe, I'm probably the only person who could possibly understand what goes through his head right now. That's why I have been giving him space, the time he needs. I emailed him when he asked questions. I tried to be…. delicate" Walter clenched his jaw as he remembered Ralph's very professional email asking for a case report of the night's events starting from when Paige found those stupid tickets he kept. He once believed that talismans and tokens were weaknesses. The materialistic items helped humans create physical connections to memories. Walter never thought much of the practice however he would curse himself whenever he kept something that seemed to be of particular importance and now he wished he hadn't had kept the habit his sister urged him to keep.

The Unit coin he kept from Lieutenant James 'Jim' Corbett, the same man who Walter still kept in touch with every few months as they corresponded about war movies and the historical inaccuracies. Something that drove both men crazy. Or a rock he took (stole) from Zuma beach before they left for the hospital after rescuing Owen Cooper. He was particularly looking forward to the boy's middle school graduation. He still thought such ceremonies were frivolous as Owen sent his same sentiments over his email, but he would still like to see Walter and show him the progress he made on an introductory coding class he entered. Walter himself was interested to see what projects he was doing and which language he decided to learn first. Walter hoped Owen took his advice and decided not to learn Java first. Java sucked.

Hello world, huh, Walter would rather have said goodbye.

"Walter"

Walter blinked as he slightly shook his head and he stared at Cabe as his mouth was set in a grim line. "Did you hear anything I said, son?" Cabe asked as Walter smiled in apology as Cabe sighed.

"Walter, I know that when things get overwhelming you retreat into that brain of yours. You've been doing that since I met you. I know that me going to Paige's would be uncomfortable for you but….Walter, she's still my friend and if you are uncomfortable you can tell me." Cabe sighed as he took long sips of his coffee and Walter took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He once berated Toby for teaching him the trick of the 5-7-5 rule but as much flack as Walter gave him for it he was glad to have the skill now.

Because Walter was, indeed, very uncomfortable.

A sharp ring of Cabe's phone however got him off the hook, and 'saved by the bell' has never been truer. Cabe gave him a stern look, one that clearly stated that this conversation wasn't over but that was fine in Walter's book. The conversation wasn't over but for right now it was and that's all it mattered.

While Cabe was talking on the phone Walter grinned and decided that the best course of action right now while they had some downtime was to work on the next EQ lesson with Florence. Although Paige's general rule of thumb with her own lessons was to teach what came up; Walter's approach was a bit more…structured. He was astutely aware he could never compete with what Paige did for him and by extension his team. Former team anyway. He briefly shook off the hurt as he refocused on the task at hand.

So, he would do as he promised and try to teach what he had learned in the best way he knew how: Science and fact.

While Florence was in her lab next store, Walter kept the communication equation written on the board next to his desk. Technically it was a system of equations that all linked together but for it to be fully optimal Florence would have to find the variables herself.

Body Language was a big one; it wasn't enough to simply memorize the different markers which he now knows Florence has a basic knowledge of but to put them into practice with her own body markers. Walter has had many firsthand experiences with this one as he would be feeling annoyed and it wouldn't be long until someone (usually Paige or Toby) would call him out on it. He's had to memorize his own markers and consciously change his outward body language to keep from being in trouble again.

Tone and dialect – another concept that was hard to grasp and in his humble opinion, entirely not needed, but the fact that humans would say something and mean something completely different was not within his control. He either had to learn to live with it and understand it…..or be punched in the face by furious shop keepers and angry ex-girlfriends. He shuddered at Janice's last hard slap and moved on in his assessments.

Word choice, which then he broke down into the 17 different sections of a successful conversation. Each one had different lessons weaved throughout and thankfully Florence was further ahead than he was when Paige first started working with him.

Emotional atmosphere (A graduation course of study from body language. Body language 2.0 just sounded idiotic so he settled with course two: Markers to look for in another's a physical presence.)

He figured that by starting with the basics he could gather to see how much progress would be made and also see how much work had to be done. Walter grinned as he looked back to the factual conversation he had with Linda the other day and her surprised confusion at the questions he asked her about the basics of being a conversationalist. Since Paige….well since Paige couldn't be the bridge anymore and Walter was smart enough to know he would need some help in these EQ lessons Linda was a perfect candidate. She matched people up for a living and now that she was happily engaged she could help Walter in his own EQ lessons. After all "That's what friends are for right?' She said as he smiled.

Couldn't be too difficult, I mean they started two months ago and Florence's progress has been consistent and as long as there were so sudden emotional changes Florence (and him) for that matter should be okay.

"Walter!" Cabe yelled as he quickly turned around and saw Cabe strutting towards him with a sour look on his face. Uh oh. "Did you agree to work with Centipede on the Jane Doe case that you secured?" Cabe asked suddenly as Walter felt the color leave his face and his knees go weak.

"N-no that was not what we agreed on! I never agreed to be working with Pai- Centipede!" Walter stuttered as a weight stilled in his stomach as Cabe's frown deepened and he answered back into his phone.

"Ms. Goldman I just verified with Mr. O' Brien that no such outside contracts were allowed and that we have no notice of any such partnerships with any other contract team," Cabe said harshly as whatever Ms. Goldman said on the other side of the line made Cabe's impossible deep frown go even deeper before he sighed and snapped his fingers and put the phone on mute. "Walter where's the damn contract that you sighed with her?" He asked shortly as Walter's eyes widened and he swallowed nervously as he opened the file cabinet and pulled out the hard copy of the sighed contract. He put it on his desk as Cabe stood beside him and he flipped through it before he put the phone speaker.

"…I discussed in length the importance of discretion and proper staff present for the 36-hour window. If anything, Mr. O'Brien should have been more transparent with the staff changes of his team. At the time of signing, I was under the impression that Dr. Tobias M Curtis was still on staff as well as a Happy Quinn, Sylvester Dodd, and Ms. Paige Dineen. I will make it clear once more that I need all the skillsets of the people listed above – not just a CEO and a chemist! On page 5, paragraph 5 line 8 you will see that if the proper staff is not met then it's up to the discretion of the client to hire any type of independent contractors to work with Scorpion 2.0 to better protect my client!" Ms. Goldman said harshly as Walter sucked in a breath and saw that the line was there in black and white. In smaller print no less.

He and Cabe shared a look before Cabe took the phone off mute and Walter rushed out "Well thank you for considering Scorpion 2.0 for the needs of your client but as of now due to scheduling conflicts Scorpion, 2.0 will have to deny the contract. You can expect the first half of the payment refunded back to your account first thing tomorrow morning."

"Not so fast Walter O'Brien. Our contract still stands. As of Friday morning, at precisely 9:45 am you and your team was still responsible for this case. You'll see on the last page in paragraph 7 line 2 that once your signature was on this contract you can't remove yourselves or risk a lawsuit. I would remind you that I have various copies of the original that was signed as well. I'm not afraid of a lawsuit Mr. O'Brien so I implore you to not force my hand into getting your team in the courtroom. It won't end well." Ms. Goldberg said evenly as Cabe glared and Walter stared at the phone.

"Is that a threat Ms. Goldman, because I would have to remind you that this call is recorded and monitored and can be presented in a court of law, any type of court for that matter." Cabe barked as she sighed over the line.

"It's not a threat Agent Gallo but a promise. I understand your badge may be able to get your team resources, but I assure you my connections will get me what I need faster. I'll also state that isn't a threat but nothing but a fact. I've been told your team likes to deal with facts so here's another one as well. If you refuse to work with me or the team Centipede that I also contracted, then you will find yourselves in a courtroom faster than the ink on the reimbursement funds would dry." She said as Walter shut his eyes and counted to 10. He took several deep breaths as Cabe continued to argue until finally Walter sighed and waved his hand towards Cabe as he grabbed the phone.

"I've read through the contract and can agree to the terms. Scorpion 2.0 will happily work with the genius minds of Centipede. All we require is a list and schedule on what to expect when Jane Doe arrives." Walter uttered as he ignored Cabe's raised eyebrow.

"Well thank you for your cooperation, Mr. O' Brien. As the garage will be the safe house for the 36 hour waiting period, centipede and Jane Doe will take refuge in the garage and the next meeting of resources will take place at the Centipede headquarters after this weekend. Do you need the address of their location?" Ms. Goldman asked with a small hint of victory in her voice as Walter gritted out. "No, we are aware of where their office is located. We'll see you there Monday"

"I'll look forward to seeing you all. Goodby-" and before she could finish Walter had hung up the phone.

There were a few minutes of tense silence but before either man could break it Florence walked inside the garage with an eager smile before it dropped and she looked at both Cabe and Walter.

"Um, Walter, I feel that this situation goes into the "reading the room" as you taught me, and I feel as if I just walked into something unpleasant and awkward," Florence stated as the men looked at each other once more before Walter stood up and shuffled his feet, putting his hands into his pockets.

"Walter, you are showing 6 out of the 20 behavior markers for, um I guess bad news and even more awkward tension. Is something wrong?" Florence asked hesitantly Walter shifted his eyes.

"Well…..not exactly wrong per se….but your earlier assessment of awkward and unpleasant was correct." Walter started as Florence scrunched her eyebrows together before Cabe announced.

"The case we have will require us working closely with Centipede and be together in the garage for 36 hours guarding a woman who was in witness protection from a deadly cartel."

Florence's mouth dropped and she turned her widened and panicked eyes onto Walter as he had his lips into a thin line.

"Is this where someone with a proper EQ would say oh no?" Florence asked nervously as her hands started to shake.

"Yep, along with some other choice words that rhyme with truck and spit," Cabe said as the team members looked at each other with trepidation.

"Oh truck" Walter whispered

A/N: Working hard on chapter 5 and almost have an updated schedule planned out! Please let me know what you think so far and if you have any theories as to where this story is going! Love to hear from all of you!