A/N: Hello lovelies! I'm back and to quote Taylor Swift "Long story it was a bad time" but the explanation is long-winded so for now

Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Turning Pages

Chapter Summary: Tessa reveals her genius heritage and Scorpion 2.0 and Centipede partners are now joined together in a common goal: Protect Paige Dineen.

"If I had another coffee cup in my hand, I'd smash it" Walter O' Brien Season 1 episode 2 Single Point of Failure

"Genius? Like one of us?" Sly gasped out as Tessa rolled her eyes and Paige smiled self-consciously. Just as she opened her mouth to explain Tess beat her to it.

"Actually better, what your IQ is in the mid 180s? Mine is 199 – Einstein's was 160. So in that retrospect, yes, I am like you…..just better." She smirked as Paige took in a deep sigh and pushed Tess behind her as Sly settled into a disgruntled expression.

"What Tess means is that….she is a genius, like all of you," Paige explained looking at the faces around her, her eyes lingered on Cabe's serious expression as she half shrugged and moved on to Walter…who had a blank slate and Paige resigned herself that meant he was analyzing and thinking….and who knows what he would come to the conclusion of.

"Tess was born with a high IQ, a genius IQ…..like our father," Paige explained as memories of her father, crinkles in his eyes as his head was bent down in a textbook; late nights as he explained the different concepts that Tessa readily accepted while Paige was still trying to understand the words being used. "Our family, for whatever reason, has a genius gene," Paige said slowly as she heard Tess sighed impatiently from behind her but tried to ignore her. "A gene that Tess has, the same gene Ralph has and our father before us. Our father's IQ was around 170"

"178 actually." Tess piped up as Paige smiled at the floor.

"So…..your all geniuses? In your own way because of a gene?" Florence asked slowly as Paige turned to her and Florence shrunk back with Paige's gaze zeroed in on her. Paige's stomach dropped down as Paige locked eyes with the chemist since she arrived back at the garage. With all the excitement of today she never really had a chance to process that this… the remaining 36 hours meant being with Florence again so soon. Florence and Walter. Together. For 36 hours. Paige gulped back a response.

"No," Tessa explained as she walked around Paige and made herself comfortable on one of the desks, crossing her legs as she stared languidly at the group. "Although my sister is smart, smarter than all of us in one area anyway…she's not a genius. At least…. not in the usual way." Tess smirked and winked at Paige as Paige slowly shook her head.

"I got the smart gene from father…but Paige. That's all Veronica. She got the art of the con. Able to manipulate people, angel themselves in a way most suitable to us."

"Ahem" Paige coughed as she gave Tess a look and Tess rolled her eyes.

"Well, she used to. It worked out really. I got my IQ but no street skills, no EQ at all for me, at least when I was younger."

"And your so adjusted…. how exactly? At least if you want to call this adjusted" Toby mumbled as Tessa glared.

"Funny. You all had Paige for what? 4 years? 5 years? I've had her my entire life. Plus add a street-smart mother who specializes in reading people for a living and you get a half-baked, snarky, emotionally distressed hacker" Tess smirked as she dangled her legs off the desk as everyone looked on in a mix of shock, awe, and bewilderment.

"Of course, I see it still runs in the family. Ralph… how'd you break my code?" Tess asked narrowing her eyes slightly as Ralph stood straighter.

"Skip trace and I found your markers. TD and your age…. also, my mother's birthdate, my birthdate, and another date, 13 years ago in October." Ralph claimed as Tessa scoffed.

"Humph…well, I need to work on my markers then. What's your IQ?" Tess raised her eyebrow as Ralph smirked…which Paige realized was all Tessa.

"Higher than yours," He said sweetly as Tessa raised her eyebrows, and Toby and Sly both snickered and clapped hands lightly as Paige tried to hide her smile.

"Cheeky." Tessa deadpanned as she turned to look at Paige and winked once more. Try as she might Tessa put on a good show for the others but to Paige, well Paige knew her sister and she could tell Tessa was impressed. No one could ever break her code, not dad, not anybody. Apparently not even the geniuses that Paige considered her family…. not even Walter. Except her son did. That was a feat that, although under the circumstances was daunting, never less made Paige proud.

"Never would have guessed….that a tweenager or whatever they call you now would break my code…or I would be in the same room with a fed," Tessa said casting a look at Cabe who frowned.

"If you're dealing with the 86ers, I know better than to open my mouth….and you would need all the help you can get even with your IQ. Not to mention, this involves Paige and Paige" Cabe said as he looked at her "You know you can count on us to help you out of this mess."

"Which by the way, not to break up such a tender moment, and we will help you, Paige, at least we will" Happy enunciated referencing Toby and Sly casting a hateful look towards Florence "but who are the 86ers? Why are they after you?"

"The 86ers are the deadliest gang no one has ever heard of." Cab answered as Paige looked back and forth and slowly nodded her head, her mind going back 13 years ago. The smoke, the screaming. Everything was so confusing, so muddled. To completely ignore that Paige was almost 7 months pregnant, her mother was in there, her sister….there was a gun there and so many men then blood….Paige didn't even know a person could bleed so much. There was so much blood, everywhere she looked she saw blood. She couldn't escape it, it was everywhere. Everywhere she looked…..

"Paige!"

"Huh?" Paige looked to see everyone staring at her as Tessa jumped down and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"The one with the badge asked you about our involvement," Tessa said lowly as Paige slowly nodded her head, the memories slipping away.

"Right, yes, um, well….its uh, um a…a long story. A long and an unhappy story" Paige sighed as she leaned against the desk, a dull ache in her temple. "But I'm surprised you know about them, Cabe. Not many people do, a better way of saying it actually, not many people who know about them get to live long after."

"Well unlike civilians the CIA and the feds have intimate knowledge on underground dealings. The 86ers have been on our list for a while, a matter of fact they've been on the most wanted list since I joined the feds." Cabe said gruffly as everyone raised their eyebrows in shock.

"What exactly makes them so dangerous? If they've been a threat this long, why hasn't there been anything done?" Walter asked factually as he kept his face neutral, his eyes gazing over to Paige and Ralph briefly. So briefly that Paige thought she imagined it. Almost anyways.

"The 86ers are the deadliest gang in America. They've been responsible for every major cartel and mafia for the last 30 years, including our friends down in Mexico the La plaga cartel." Cabe explained.

"Hold on, if they are responsible how do you fit into all of this? What happened?" Happy asked as Paige bit her lip.

"What happened is a long and unhappy story like Paige said. To get into it would mean we would have to compromise ourselves and that's not going to happen." Tessa argued as Happy scowled.

"Look, it's nothing personal. Really it's not, whatever history you have with Paige or lack thereof or relationships or whatever!" Tessa gritted out "It doesn't matter right now. Paige has made it clear she doesn't want any of you involved, not because you can't handle it but these people are dangerous. Money, jewels…they don't want that to settle a debt. They want blood, specifically Paige and mines. Which is why this whole period was meant to get you out of here and out of the country as soon as possible." Tessa turned to Paige as Paige shook her head, the earlier argument resurfacing.

"Being around us is dangerous right now. Hell, even knowing who we are is dangerous" Tessa explained "The 86ers have had a vendetta against us for years. What they want…. they want all of us. It doesn't matter who was responsible" Tessa sniffed as Paige locked eyes with her, they both knew why, they both knew what they wanted.

"All that matters is that they don't get it. What happened years ago has followed all of us. They want the whole family dead; we're the only ones who are left." Paige said quietly before she steeled herself "Which is why we can't have any of you involved."

"What? Paige!" Sly said as he walked forward, and he pushed his glasses up. "Paige, c'mon I mean I know you're in a bad spot but…. we're your team. Who else to help you than us?" He said sadly as Paige flinched and she stared sadly at Sly who out of all of them had the biggest heart.

She walked forward and hugged him tightly as his arms snaked around her shoulders and sniffled. Letting out a breath she wiped her cheeks and said "Because of that. Sly…. these people, you don't know what they are capable of. None of you do".

"They kill people. I've seen it happen" Paige said brokenly "They kill anyone who might have more information than they should. If you get involved…. they will kill you. All of you. I can't have that. Not only because of what you all mean to me" Paige sniffed "but because you're the only ones who are able to protect Ralph." She admitted as her legs gave out and she sunk against the desk.

"Two years ago, when mom came into my life. She wasn't' supposed to. We all knew the consequences for that." Paige chuckled darkly "But I was foolish and blind and….I let my emotions cloud my judgment" Paige admitted softly

"I wanted to prepare, just in case…...just in case I wasn't around…anymore." Paige spoke as she took a deep breath "So I contacted Tessa and lied and convinced her to change Ralph's legal means around. It was made that I was no longer his mother…. he would have no association with me. None at all, no matter how hard you looked…...there wouldn't be anything connected between us. Tessa made it seem that he was related to each one of you…. instead of me. Further protection on all of you and especially Ralph. You'll find your records changed"

"Yeah…. we kind of figured that out," Toby said softly as he sat next to her and rubbed her back.

Ralph then slowly walked over and stood in front of her, tears in his eyes as he studied his mother. Paige, for her part, could only sit and stare, the weight of his judgment too much to bear as more and more of her past would make itself known. How ready would she be once he knew everything? She wouldn't know, but she would do everything all over again if it meant keeping him safe.

"Why?" Ralph asked as the word hung in the air.

"Why what?" Paige asked

"Why change my records? Why keep this to yourself? Why all the secrecy? Why won't you let us help?! Why?!" Ralph got louder as each question was asked, he might as well have had a knife to her heart as Cabe calmly pulled the boy back and Paige hung her head low.

"To keep you all safe. To keep you safe." Paige explained as Walter, who kept himself revertability quiet throughout the scene suddenly banged his fist on the desk, making everyone jump as he stared angrily at Paige.

"Why won't you let us help?" He asked lowly as Paige was stunned into silence, the emotional outburst so unlike him that she didn't know what to make of it. Not that she had much time to process it as he continued without missing a beat.

"You know what's so frustrating? That you need help. You need it, it's a fact. I know that you are smart and intelligent and capable and you" he gestured towards Tessa who simply raised her eyebrow "are, I admit, smarter than I am in terms of IQ. It's a fact; I don't shy away from facts, even if that one burns like acid in my mouth" He grumbled, "but simple logic dictates that when a challenge is presented 6 geniuses are better than one, correct?" He said a bit wild as he paced around the spot of his desk.

"Where are you going with this son?" Cabe asked warily as he stepped closer to him, wanting to step in if need be.

"What I mean to say is that this group is targeting you! They've already made an attempt today and despite what may have happened in the past we have all, collectively, agreed that we will help you if you only accept it. So why won't you? Do you say that we don't know what they're capable of? Fair enough, but they don't know what we're capable of. We've stopped natural disasters; we've saved all of southern California from a nuclear meltdown…. we snuck into and stole equipment from Area 51!"

"Really? Is that something you want to brag about?" Tessa muttered as Walter gave her a look but otherwise ignored her quip, focusing entirely on Paige who could only sit and listen in stunned silence.

"My point being is that we've done incredible things together, and I know the past is difficult and after everything that happened….I, I still want to help you. We can help you; you just have to let us. You just have to trust us." Walter ended quietly as a wave of emotion filtered through Paige at the mention of trust.

"Trust?" Paige whispered, anger and hurt filtering through with an annoying tinge of hope "As I trusted you? Or trust your word?" Paige lashed out before she could help herself as Walter held his ground as Tess looked on amused.

"Paige please, I know the mistakes of the past but this, this has nothing to do with that." Walter tensed as Paige laughed.

"Oh yeah because trust has nothing to do with that!" Paige yelped as Tessa slowly rose up and dragged Paige away.

"Look as much as I loved days of our genius here, I actually have a plan, it's a solid one at that and it requires cooperation from everyone here. Just because we don't want you involved doesn't mean you all can't be useful to us." Tessa smirked as Paige whipped her head to her.

"What does that mean?"

"It means while you were developing relationships with government officials and tech moguls I was developing connections underground. I know the kind of threat the 86ers face and I also know that Paige's former position and new head of centipede would pose an issue with uncle Sam if she disappeared off the map…. which is why I needed Scorpion's cooperation in working with the new director of homeland. You would be in charge of safely guarding Paige here, while Kathrine Cooper would hand the case over to Scorpion….so I can do what needs to be done to keep us safe."

"What!" Cabe yelled as he stood there slack-jawed at the recent turn of events. Paige was ready to get whiplash by all the changes happening and she was getting a headache.

"Carson's removal of director was just announced a week ago, and Kathrine's approval was set a few hours ago; yet, how the hell do you about the inner workings of the US government?" Cabe glared as Tessa rolled her eyes.

"Maybe I know someone who has connections. Besides I heard Carson was a tool and the newly reinstated Director Cooper would be more agreeable, especially since she's already familiar with Scorpion. She knows you and now, well…. she knows me. It's a win-win."

"Tessa…. what did you do?" Paige said lowly as Tessa shifted her eyes.

"I got my hands dirty. Carson has connections too and he had some friends in low places; I heard about some of the treatment he put Scorpion through, thus my sister through. A man like that doesn't deserve to be in a position of power. Kathrine Cooper on the other hand; she's smart, capable, and above all knows when to keep her mouth shut. With the government out of the way and all of you out of my hair, maybe we can get our butts out of danger."

"Which is more reason for us to help you," Toby interjected as Tessa continued to shake her head.

"Look just because I apologized and I'm playing nice if only for Paige's sake, doesn't mean I'm going to trust any of you with the information I have or the plans I've put in place. We have it under control." Tessa said hardened as Paige bit her lip and glanced at Toby who shook his head.

As much as Walter's words resonated with her, the trust he was asking for; really the whole team was asking her, she wasn't sure if she could give it. Trusting Walter with something like this, potentially putting them in danger. That's not something that she could do with a good conscience, no matter what they've done together.

True they've pulled off the impossible but…. this time it felt hopeless. Especially since Tessa wasn't forthcoming about information. What Paige knew and what Tess knew were completely different but that still didn't change the fact that Tess was purposely withholding information from them. Paige knew about parts of the plan, but it wasn't just about Paige. The 86ers knew about Tess too.

They knew and truth be told the plan that Tess had was falling apart at the seams. They had no idea where mom was, no clue as to where to start. Tessa was doing her best but as much as she likes to pretend that she has everything under control she came back not only to protect Paige but because the 86ers took their mother and Tess was scared. She needed guidance just as much as Paige did. They couldn't do this alone. Not anymore. If they continued on this path, they would get themselves killed.

"Paige," Toby said softly as Paige glanced at him "I know your worried about this and it seems with good reason. You know just as I do that we can handle tough situations but this isn't a normal situation. I've read deception markers on Tessa when she says she has everything under control and a plan together. I know you don't. You can't hide from this Paige. Don't lie to us because you think you're protecting us. You value truth, so do I….that's why I'm going to deliver a hard truth to you now." Toby said gently as Tessa opened her mouth by Paige quickly walked over and muttered in Spanish.

"Tessa déjalos hablar, por favor escúchalos. Quédate callada (Tessa let them talk, at least hear them out. Stay quiet)

Blowing out raspberry, Tess only nodded sharply as she stomped to a nearby pillar and huffed as she stared daggers at the team. Toby for his part, continued to ignore her, his focus completely on Paige hoping to sway her into letting them help.

"Look, Walt's right on this thing. In the past, we've all done incredible feats together. Paige, I know you want to do what's best for Ralph. He's your most important thing – we all know that." Toby leveled a glance at her as she felt her will slowly start to fade. "But that's exactly why you need us. What if something happens to you? You can't guarantee that won't happen; we know we would have guardianship over Ralph but what would be better for him? Five geniuses who are still learning to be human….or five geniuses with his mother still around?" Toby asked as Paige let out a breath and leaned against one of the desks as Walter slowly started to make his way forward.

"I know you may not trust me…. I know that the events of the past have changed your perception of me…. of what we had." Walter said slowly, struggling to find the words as Paige fought the tears "But…. I ask if you don't trust me but….I ask you to trust the team we had to protect you and your son." Walter implored as Paige felt Ralph hug her tighter as he looked up at Walter. Paige looked back and forth between her son and the man that stood in front of her, two sides of her warring what she should do.

On the one hand, she knew that Walter was a man of his word. Not once, did he ever say something and promise something to a client that he didn't fulfill. He rarely stuck his word on something unless he meant it.

On the other hand…there was once where he didn't keep his promise on something so vital that it caused an implosion of epic proportions.

She wanted to trust him, every fiber in her being was screaming at her to trust him but her heart, her heart was still so unsure.

"Paige," Walter said softly as she was brought back to the moment and he attentively, ever so gently took her hand as he held it firmly in his and for a moment, she forgot that she was supposed to be angry with him. She forgot all the trials and woes and broken promises as she stared at him, his eyes so earnest it was impossible not to pay attention.

"I promised your son that we would protect him, because he was one of us, that he was a part of our cyclone. I still stand by that promise. I will protect you, Paige. No matter what happened, I can't…I won't simply stand back knowing I could have done something while you're in trouble and could get hurt. And it sounds like the 86ers hurt a lot of people. This is what we did Paige, this is what we still do. We help people. This should be no different." Walter said as he finished his speech with a familiar phrase that Paige knew so well "and I always state facts."

Paige then blinked as before she knew it she found herself slowly nodding as her hand slipped out of Walters as he took a step back, their moment was broken when Toby loudly yelled out

"Great, now spill! What the hell is going on?"

Paige looked as Tessa was about to retort before Paige cut in and whispered "It's bad. They…they took mom. They have her holed up somewhere in the desert, but we don't have a firm location."

"Yet" Tessa grumbled as Paige softly smiled at her as Tessa shook her head and glared but otherwise stayed silent. Clear disapproval rolling off her in waves, but Paige wasn't going anywhere and if Tessa wanted her help then they were doing it with everyone or no one. She wasn't going to back down…. not again. At least Tessa was staying put, that was enough to impress Paige, she'll be more impressed if Tessa actually stayed beyond the 36 hours, but I guess she didn't have a choice of leaving. None of them did.

"Yet" Paige repeated "But they are slowly targeting everyone who had a close association with us. Anyone that could have intimate knowledge of what occurred that list is small but….it doesn't mean they still can't make damage where they can. They" Paige broke off as she took a steadying breath but before she could speak again, Ralph cut her off.

"They killed Drew Baker. They got my father, and they took grandma for information. We know, we overheard it when you were both in the ally" Ralph said factually, barely a quiver in his voice as Paige stared, shocked.

"Yes, that's right." Paige said slowly as she tried to gather her composure "My location was relayed to them…..by Drew. That's why they went after him in the first place. At least that was part of the reason anyway. The plan that Tessa had made involved us going overseas, long enough to get them off my trail, and then after a few days come back to the states with a new alias to help Tess find mom. However….that can't happen." Paige said slowly as she looked back to Tessa who was steaming.

"I still don't like this Paige. I don't trust you." Tessa said, glaring at Walter. "Any of you for that matter, but I'll go along with your judgment Turn Page. We'll explain our position but…. you need some context first." Tessa explained as she pulled out her own laptop and set it on the desk, tense as she opened up a few files. Names and dates suddenly overtook the screen until a picture popped out, Drew's face clearly shown, and Paige felt her stomach drop as she stared at herself and Drew; freshly out of high school as Paige's heart broke all over again for the girl who fell in love with her baseball-playing boyfriend and the life she had hoped would have had when she took that photo. Freshly graduated from her first year of college and her eyes alive with the possibilities of the future.

Little did the past Paige know that her entire life would be upside down in 8 months' time from that picture taken as Paige spoke

"Like all things that had us on the wrong side of the law, this whole fiasco started with our mother….and Drew. They killed one of the members of the 86ers."

A/N: Well it's finally here. Y'all I'm so sorry about the extremely late update and I know it's less than perfect but for what's going on right now it's the best I can do and honestly, I'm proud I was able to get it okay. The situation right now is a lot more stable so I'll have more writing time in the future but I also want to have regular updates so for now, this story will go on a temporary hiatus. It won't last long, really, I expect it to be less than two months but it's just so I can fully focus on my health right now.

Three weeks ago I made a doctor's appointment for frequent migraines and dizzy spells I've been having and to make a long story short they had me come in again because they thought I might have a growth in my brain.

Safe to say and Thank God there wasn't growth but that still left the question of what was going on with me. After another appointment, I was finally diagnosed with PCOS. Now here lies the health part that is so important and why I need a break from updating for a while.

I have to prepare for surgery in regards to my PCOS and to do will take up about 90% of my time as well as finding treatment options that can help because of a blood clotting condition that would make usual PCOS treatment a piece of cake. Not to get too personal here but basically, I can't promise regular updates or even the same quality of wiring if I commit myself to the posting schedule. So from now until after the surgery, I'm going on a hiatus to not only focus on wiring my fanfic and other original work but also focus and get ready for the procedure. It's nothing life-threatening or anything like that but I wanted to provide an explanation for my absence and a sure promise that I will return and this story will be told. Thank you all for your patience and I'll see you all soon!

~ Jules