Ralph and Paige were completely shocked as they entered the Garage from the roof. The roof itself was even more recreational than before. It was clear that Walter still had some get-togethers with people up there. But the stairs down no longer went straight into the Loft. There was a landing and a new door separating the stairs and roof from the Loft. The Loft was completely walled off from the stairs. When they reached the bottom of the Garage they were at the east end. The whole place looked so different.
Ralph couldn't take it and ran around to the north wall checking what was changed. Paige had started to call after him but Walter just shook his head.
"It's okay, let him look. It has changed a lot. Let me show you around. Most of the area around the south wall is enclosed as you can see and is solely for my research projects now. Of course I had to get rid of the RV." Walter said as they followed the hallway that ran from the employee parking exit to the kitchen and then to the front. The kitchen was completely remodeled and had a really nice area to sit and eat in. The stairs to the Loft were still there but she still couldn't tell if the ramp was. Walter showed her his office at the south end of the hallway that ran over to Happy's old area.
"Is the ramp still there?" Paige asked finally. Her fingers brushed his hand. Walter's hand turned and took her hand in his.
"No, I had it removed. So I could have offices put in on the floor where it came down. I replaced it with a one ton electric hydraulic cargo lift." Walter explained.
The door just to the right of Walter's was Cabe's office and the door just to the left had no designation. Allie of course stepped out of her lab to greet Paige and hugged her when they got to her room. Ralph came flying around the corner of Happy's old area grinning.
"Mom, you've got to come see this. There is a spa, weight room, sauna, jacuzzi, just so many changes!" Ralph grinned excitedly.
Paige nodded with a smile. She hadn't paid much attention to the rooms when she came over yesterday but as they walked to the hall down the north end of the building and past them she saw the three rooms were for three different engineers.
"Three engineers?" Paige looked to Walter.
"Yes, mechanical, electrical and structural. It turned out to be a slight bit more to hire all three of them rather than try to replace Happy with one person, but overall I think it is worth it. Especially since the other two positions are able to work on other things." Walter told her as they walked on by. "Most everyone is working on jobs right now. You'll meet everyone else tomorrow. Also I have a separate medical doctor and psychologist. You have appointments with them tomorrow to get you back on the road to good health."
Paige nodded while struggling to keep from crying. She tentatively squeezed Walter's hand. His hand instinctively squeezed back and they smiled at each other. They stepped up to another door and stopped where she was able to see it was the health and relaxation rooms. Paige slowly stepped inside so she was able to check out the new amenities.
"This all looks so amazing Walter." Paige smiled. "I'm not sure what I'm even doing here now. You've clearly moved far beyond needing me."
"Well as I said at the courthouse all serious discussions will be after we return here from taking Ralph back to school." Walter told her firmly.
Paige nodded before she turned and after taking Walter's hand again they walked back to the back of the Garage. She found the hallway ran in a rectangle around the inside of the Garage. They exited the building to the employee parking lot.
Walter had taken them to Quest Diagnostics before going to Kovelsky's, so they could each give a DNA sample.
As Walter and Paige walked back into the Garage, Walter led Paige to the elevator by the back stairs to the Loft when they returned from dropping Ralph off at school.
"We'll get you new passcodes set up tomorrow too." Walter told her as they stepped off the elevator. "Now this isn't going to be negotiable Paige, per the doctors' orders." Walter started as he pointed down the hallway. "This door here is to your bedroom for the next six months. It has its own private bath. Ralph's room is just past it and it has a half bath. For a shower or bath he'll have to use the common bathroom over there."
Paige frowned.
"What do you mean for the next six months?" Paige asked while feeling a little apprehensive.
"Per Scorpion Inc doctors, for the next six months you and Ralph will stay here, where everything is taken care of. Your only job or responsibility is to rest and get well again. Anything at the condo that is valuable or you just want it here will be moved in for you. I've dealt with the condo management and taken care of everything there. If at the end of the six months you are given a clean bill of health, and you want to move back to the condo you are more than welcome to." Walter told her.
"Walter, I came here for a job. Not a hand out." Paige told him softly.
"No, you came here for help." Allie said from the front room entrance of the hallway.
Paige looked quickly down the hall and saw her standing there with Cabe.
"What happened to you is my fault. I'm really sorry Paige. I've got to do everything I can to make it right with you." Walter told her.
"Not to mention you were panicking and stressing that you wouldn't live to see Ralph graduate yesterday. And the three of us want you healthy again. That's what this is about sweetheart." Cabe said gently.
"You told them?" Paige stared at Allie.
"You didn't put any restrictions on what you said to Carol and me, so I told Cabe. He told Walter." Allie told her even as Walter and Paige walked on down the hallway.
Paige sighed.
"Well, I guess it is just as well. I'm not sure what I could really do anyway. I'm really sorry guys. I messed things up so bad." Paige told them as she stepped in to hug Allie. "I'm just worried doing nothing is going to be stressful. I've always worked, I'm not accustomed to taking it easy."
"Oh you'll be doing something. You'll be following Dr Rubbia and Dr Evans orders. They've been working on a health map for you since they got your medical records from your family doctor yesterday afternoon." Walter told her as he walked past them to the kitchen.
"How did they get my records already?" Paige asked quickly.
"When you signed all the papers yesterday one of them was for medical information. When Walter heard how bad you were doing healthwise he ordered Dr Rubbia to go to your doctor's office and get a copy yesterday afternoon." Allie grinned at her.
"And you've apologized enough." Cabe told her as his hand cupped Paige's shoulder.
"Well, not really. Walter and I still have a lot to talk about. Starting with that night." Paige sighed as she walked on into the living room and sat down. This all looks so amazing Walter."
"Anyone care for some juice or coffee? I've got passion fruit, grape, orange and a fruit blend." Walter said as he grabbed a glass from the cabinet.
"Sure, I'd love some passion fruit." Paige smiled.
"I'm good, son." Cabe told him.
"Me too." Allie said as she sat down on the sofa with Cabe.
Paige smiled as she took the glass of juice from Walter and took a sip as he stepped over and sat in the recliner chair.
"So, have you two been waiting for us to get here?" Paige asked.
"No, we came up as we saw you guys come back. Walter had asked us to be up here when you guys got back." Cabe told her.
"Right, well I guess we should deal with the problem first." Walter started.
"May I say something first Walter?" Paige asked quietly.
"Of course you may. We're here hoping to make things right. Whatever you feel you need to say." Walter nodded.
"Walter, while I still believe I had a right to be upset with you about what you did. I over reacted. I belittled your development and said some things I had no right to say. And worse it was in front of everyone else. I didn't even give you a chance to explain. I didn't even put up a fight over it. And then I went along with the guys to form a company against you. I got caught up with trying to prove something that I never needed or wanted to prove to anyone, let alone you. The last month or so has been eye opening, listening to the guys as they bemoaned what was going on. I also heard them talking about all the good you had done for all of us." Paige smiled. "The video you made, it really crushed us, but in a good way. I also have been thinking of my own time with you."
"You went out of your way to help each one of us. If I had been more emotionally mature I wouldn't have gone off like I did. Because of Drew and Mom, I have trust issues, and when it seems like my trust is broken I get defensive. Sometimes offensive. I should have been grateful just because of what you did for Ralph. Walter, that alone makes up for so much. You might have been wrong in what you did, but I was just as immature with my behavior. And I am truly sorry." Paige told him.
Walter sat there for a minute just thinking.
"Walt?" Cabe asked gently.
Walter nodded.
"I just need a moment, Cabe." Walter said softly.
"Take your time Walter." Paige smiled.
"There really isn't a lot for me to say, that wasn't said on the video. I was wrong for not telling you. Sure I could rationalize it so well, but it isn't a logical problem but an emotional one. I know now why what I did hurt you. During that time I was trying to juggle so many emotional variables. I was literally in over my head and the one person I would normally turn to, I couldn't." I tried to rely on the previous teachings you gave me and the things Toby and Happy said. And it all just overwhelmed me. I'm truly sorry Paige, I really screwed up." Walter said.
He stood and walked over and sat down next to her on the loveseat and looked at her. Walter's right hand took Paige's left hand and held it.
"Florence never meant anything more than as an aid for Scorpion. I wish there was a way to change what happened." Walter told her.
Paige smiled and shook her head.
"Well I don't, exactly. Whatever happened to change you, it is nothing short of a miracle. Walter, the emotional growth I see in you is amazing. I really hope that you and I can keep talking and work this out so that we can start over after clearing away that which damaged us. And then we can begin building our lives again. I've really missed you." Paige smiled.
Walter nodded.
"I had told Cabe, I wasn't sure I wanted you back. But ever since I saw you at the attorneys' office I knew I still loved you, I needed you back. I was just hoping you would come to me on a personal level and not as it always seemed professional. Dr Evans is going to be counseling us during your six months as well. If you are agreeable to it." Walter smiled.
"I'm very agreeable to doing that, Walter. I wish I had too, we wasted so much time." Paige nodded.
"Okay, with that settled, now tell us how you might be Ralph's Dad." Allie demanded.
Walter grinned even as Paige looked at her.
"He just means how he's always been there for Ralph." Paige smiled and looked at Walter and her brow furrowed. "Right?" Paige asked clearly not as sure of her position now.
"Actually, the evening that you got Drew's lawsuit, I talked to Ralph to be sure he was okay after finding out that Drew was suing you to be removed as his Father. I set up a special algorithm to scour the internet." Walter smiled. "It took over three weeks. But I was able to track down the video backup files from the building's security system you lived in with Drew. I thought at best it was a long shot, but they have kept video files since shortly after they got the system. And then they actually had them digitized."
"It took another week for another algorithm to go through all the footage to find you coming and going from the building during March of 2005." Walter told them. "I of course ran some probabilities over what must have happened if Drew wasn't Ralph's Father. As I told Ralph you wouldn't have cheated on Drew. I know you Paige, and I don't believe you could do that. There were no police records of you being assaulted either. And so with that premise, the most likely probability was, you were either severely inebriated or perhaps you had gone to a party where you were roofied and not known. Trying to prove the latter was beyond problematic. So my computer picked up every coming and going from the building and every time you did, you were sober, except one time. You left the building obviously intoxicated."
Walter picked up the laptop that was sitting on the coffee table. He turned it so all three of them could see it and then started a video. They watched for a few seconds and saw Paige come out of the building and staggered her way down the sidewalk. The view changed as she walked under that camera and another camera showed her walk to the corner. Paige almost stepped out into traffic but at the last instant was saved by a woman standing there. The woman helped her across the street when the light changed and Paige went into the liquor store on the other corner.
Walter paused the video for a moment. He pulled up video from another camera that showed the front of the motel there beside her apartment. He put both videos up side by side. A simple adjustment put them in sync and he started them playing.
They watched as Paige came out and fortunately the light was green to cross as she stumbled back across the road. Just as she got to the other side five guys ran up to a man who was unlocking a door at the motel and hit him in the head. The man fell into the room and they quickly rifled his pockets and took off. The trio watched as Paige saw it happen and then she moved to the door to check on the man. They watched as she forced her way in and then the man's body was dragged inside and the door shut.
"I can't believe you found this Walter." Paige said in shock.
"My software just caught it last night." Walter smiled as he fast forwarded the video to three hours later and then Paige came out of the motel, obviously shaken and some might say distraught. She hurried to the front of the apartment building and disappeared inside.
"Did you know I was in San Francisco on March 16, 2005?" Walter asked as he pointed to the timestamp on both videos.
Paige frowned but shook her head.
"I went for a lecture at the college there. A colleague of mine got me a room at the Travel Lodge next door to your apartment building." Walter told her as he pulled out a credit card receipt showing the date, time and room number. He gave her the receipt. "I kept this in my box of talismans because I never wanted to forget that day and I'd hoped that one day I'd meet the woman. That man you helped. That was me. While I have no true memory of what happened after I was mugged. I do know I woke up, partially undressed. Bodily fluids coated my body in various places." Walter said even as along with Allie they both blushed.
"I also found a pair of pink panties on the floor." Walter smiled.
Paige blushed even more than they did.
"I remember that morning putting on a matching pink bra and panties set before going to class." Paige smiled. "And I left the room so fast I forgot to grab them. So you actually mean, you could be Ralph's biological Father then." Paige said happily. "I hope you are." Paige reached out and stroked his cheek.
Once Walter was alone in his bedroom his eyes closed and tears ran down his face. He had watched from a distance as Paige arrived with Ralph and Sylvester at the courthouse. Seeing how she looked physically…had tore him up. He couldn't believe he had done that to her. It took every point of his IQ to rein in his guilt and sadness. Now here in his bedroom, alone with his thoughts the indelible image of how Paige looked was thrust into his consciousness and as he dropped to his knees in repentance he swore he'd use every single penny he had or would earn to restore her to health.
3 Days later, LA County courthouse:
Paige walked into the courtroom calm, sure and happy. While she still looked sick from the stress and weight loss, she was confident. She was smiling and holding Walter's hand. Ralph walked with them as they moved up and sat down by Sylvester in the litigant area.
Drew kept throwing hateful looks their way but none of them even looked at the plaintiff side. They seemed fixated on themselves, and rightly so. Danielle walked into the courtroom a few minutes after and stepped up to the group. Walter quickly stood and they talked for a few minutes when the bailiff called out for everyone to stand.
The judge entered a half moment later and sat down.
"You may all be seated. Please call the first case." Judge Roman told the bailiff.
"The court calls Baker versus Dineen." The bailiff said.
"Your honor, may I address the court?" Sylvester stood.
"You may, Mr Dodd." Judge Roman looked up from the papers on his bench.
"Your honor, my client, Ms Dineen wanted me to let you know before anything is announced she fully supports Ms Teague's client being acknowledged as Ralph's Father officially moving forward. Regardless of what DNA says. She just wants to put an end to how things have been between the plaintiff and her son all these years. She also supports her son's desire to have his last name changed to O'Brien." Sylvester told him.
"So noted." Judge Roman nodded.
"Now in the matter of DNA paternity of the youth Ralph Dineen and the plaintiff. Quest Diagnostics has found that the plaintiff can not possibly be the youth's Father." Judge Roman read which sent thrills through Ralph, Paige and Walter. The judge looked up at the commotion and then looked back at the paper. "In the matter of DNA paternity of the youth Ralph Dineen and Mr Walter O'Brien. Quest Diagnostics has found that Mr O'Brien is 99.99% likely the Father of Ralph Dineen."
The trio grabbed each other up in a hug even as Paige kissed their cheeks over and over in gratitude.
Danielle pulled out her checkbook and signed the check already made out to Drew.
"The court orders the change to be made to the birth certificate and that restitution be made as agreed upon at our last hearing. As requested by the youth, his last name will be changed to O'Brien." Judge Roman said as he gaveled.
Danielle reached the check out and Drew's attorney took it. Danielle signed the next check and tore it out and handed it to Sylvester for Paige. Sylvester's eyes went wide at the dollar amount.
"Next case." Judge Roman announced. Forcing them to get up and move out of the litigant area.
Scorpion Inc had a huge party that evening to celebrate. While Walter couldn't have cared if they were there or not, he did let Paige include Centipede Partners. Walter just switched the location from the Garage to Kovelsky's. While Happy and Sylvester at least interacted with Walter, Walter and Toby kept a wide distance between themselves.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well! Just as I bragged on them fixing the story bug they managed to break the comments again. But as of this morning they seem to be working again thankfully! Other than I still am not getting email notes on people commenting through their app.
Guest 1 - Thank you! I wish that was true, but yesterday was a tough day for me as it was for a lot of people and while I don't want to get into it because this isn't the forum for it. I have to be honest and say it has derailed my muse drastically. So, time will tell. I will do my best to try and work around this feeling, and thankfully I have a number of chapters and stories already done so maybe I'll find my way back before I run out.
Guest 2 - You're welcome and thank you!
Railman - Like the man he wants to be, for the greater good. hehe There will definitely be some overlap and conflicts could certainly arise. I'm sure Happy and Sly will be able to work around it, Toby and Walter will probably butt heads a lot.
Supergirl - Well first you don't need to apologize, your English is just fine and anyone who says otherwise is just a jerk. Anyone who takes on a 2nd has my respect, thank you! Walter definitely is just that. He wants to be the Father he never had. Glad you are enjoying it!
LouBe - I had thought maybe I lost you on this story! hehe I also wanted to say I understand your feeling about dream stories, and I share it. Funny that I have now had 3 dream stories. And only 1 of them was written knowing it was a dream. "Dreams" was just a quick way to walk back that horrible ending. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Aftermath" I was completely surprised they were dreams. Which I think is a side effect of being what they call an panster...Someone who has an idea and writes the story with no outline or any specifics to it. Most of mine always start out with just an idea of "what if..." and then it is a matter of finding a place to put it and a way to reach it. Such as my "Uncivil War" storyline. It started with just an idea of "what if Tim tried to actually kill Walter?" Yep, this story started with a serious vibe of how the show ended. But glad you are enjoying how it is going! hehe Well of course I had to work that in, can't leave poor Ralph to be the son of Drew. hehe
Marie Mac - No worries. The judge like Paige wasn't comfortable just declaring Walter as Ralph's Dad and since Paige admitted there was a chance someone else could be the Father he figured why not be sure? Hope it still works for you!
To the Adventure! -Tim