With Louise's permission Cabe and Tim came to the farm for a while. But out of the week Cabe had been there on his return Tim had lasted 2 days.

Cabe was suprised by Walter's decision to bring his father on the next mission.

The director wasn't happy but Walter had argued that it was efficient for a man so used to physical labour and familiar with the team to come on at least one mission 'to see how much of asset he'd be'. Homeland had already run background checks on him in the past when Walter was younger, so it didn't take long for Homeland to get his updated records. Then it was just a waiting game for the next case. Now that wait was over. 'Walter is going to regret involving Sean.' Cabe thought to himself.

Toby and Walter were pouring over several documents "fascinating" Toby exclaimed in awe. Never before had he seen such an unusual case. Walter was suprised that the rate this thing was effecting people that it hadn't become public knowledge by now. "I disagree with the reports - zombies! Ridiculous! But I am concerned about the rate its spreading. I've seen the effects of Amb-Fubinaca in 2017. Back then civilians were concerned about a zombie outbreak when it was just the effects of the drug- could this be related in some way?"

Toby had thought of it when he first read the reports. Both were unusual cases. "I'd be suprised if it was this is definitely Viral whatever it is but the speed it's spreading and affecting people is making Spanish flu and Covid look mild in comparison" Walter nodded. Dispite Tobys penchant for acting the fool and winding people up Walter trusted Toby's judgement completely. Looks like they'd be back to working with the Army.

Sean felt green round the gills. He'd not been filled in with much by Walter and the others beyond that there would be people requiring medical assistance, he knew by the look on Slyvesters face that there was a lot more to it. He looked down at the uniform he was wearing that the commander had shoved in his arms not long ago. 'I am not cut out for this!' he thought to himself as he walked towards the jeep, he was a farmer for gods sake! He was not suited for the Army! And Walter was a tech geek- what business did he have working with them outside of computer support!

He was suprised when Walter squeezed his shoulder and smiled in what Sean thought was meant to be a comforting manner. It made sense though when his boy brought his finger to his ear and spoke "I have". Ah yes the earpieces. The young lady was advising him. He shouldve known Walter wouldn't have done anything emotional without being told to.

Sean thought back to just before they left when Slyvester had commented to Happy (what kind of a name was that anyway?) that the mission would probably run smoother had Tim not blown up at their boss.

He didn't know the full history there but knew enough that Walter hadn't had complete control over the man's presence on his team, he'd had to contact Homeland to back up his decision. He'd seen the disappointment in Gallo's eyes as he dragged his now former trainee to the SUV.

Sean been impressed that Walter had kept a level head during the confrontation. He could tell it wasn't easy for him to not explode at the bigger man but to be honest he couldn't blame the man for being angry with his son.

There was only so many times the man couldve laughed off his boss and his girlfriend's obvious attraction to each other, and Sean himself was suspicious of the way they'd jumped when he or Louise had entered a room when they'd been alone together but when he accused Walter of sleeping with his girlfriend in the barn it'd been a totally innocent situation.

Paige had come out the barn looking like she'd slept in there after falling over while attempting to assist Louise with the cows. In the meantime Walter had been dragging heavy equipment around the field ready for Happy to put together to make the farm life easier and more efficient. However Sean had to concede it did not look great when Paige had arrived with wild hair and crumpled clothes covered in straw only to be followed in a minute later by a sweat soaked Walter breathing as if he'd just run a marathon.

Dispite Walter, Paige and Louise's attempts to explain what had happened Tim saw red screaming at Walter before attempting to attack him. Walter remained calm dodging most of Tim's blows before Cabe had dragged Tim away.

As soon as they were out of eyesight Walter had calmly phoned Homeland requesting permission to fire the former SEAL. He'd gotten a light tap on the arm by Paige when he'd smirked a little afterwards though. Gone was the guilt Walter had felt previously- he wasnt going to feel bad if he was being accused of something he hadn't done.

Sean was shocked Walter and Paige didn't announce themselves as a couple at any point after the SEAL had left. No one would've been suprised if they had.

"Walter I'm not prepared for this" Sean moaned worriedly in the jeep. "Don't worry I have your back. I'll always have your back" Walter replied immediately. Sean felt less ill knowing that Walter had not even paused for the young lady on the other end of the earpiece to tell him what to say. It was all Walter. "SMACKs you better be prepared because I will personally make it a problem if you're not. Do you understand me SMACKs!?" The commander barked from another seat. Sean nodded rapidly. Walter's lip curled he'd just calmed his dad down!- he'd always seen his dad as a strong man-larger than life. To see him so scared was a shock to the system. "ah yes SMACKs- 'soldiers minus ability coordination and knowledge' very clever. However we are the ones with the knowledge here and this is far from Scorpion's first mission with the Army. US or otherwise. Believe me when I say we are the only ones with the IQ to deal with this situation and if we left this vehicle right now you'll be the one with the problem OK?" Walter snarled. The commander was furious "You better appologise SMACK right now!" He shouted. Walter raised an eyebrow "Oh you think I'm not serious?" he smirked undoing his seat belt and picking up his laptop. As he reached for the door handle the Commander paled "OK! OK! soldier you've made your point! I'll back off!" he panicked. Walter nodded "You see that you do. Now appologise to my Father!" The Commander nodded and muttered a quiet appology.

Toby looked in shock at the way Walter had spoken to the Commander. It was well known to the team that Walter's anti obedience syndrome and megalomania would often come into play when faced with authority figures but it was obvious to Toby that this didn't come from Walter's diagnoses but was instead Walter's way of protecting his father. For all he claimed to have never felt any bond to his father he sure was protective of him.

"Well done Walter" Paige cooed through the coms.

A/N

is this the last you'll be seeing of Tim? are Zombies real? Will Paige and Walter become a couple or were they just addicted to the thrill of being caught? is Sean going to come into his own? Let me know your theories