Author's Note: Thank you for the kind reviews, I really appreciated them. Here is Chapter Two, hope you enjoy it. Again I don't own Scorpion or any of the characters.
Paige Dineen was exhausted. Exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally. Placing her bag on her desk, Paige sank down heavily into her chair with a long sigh. Resting her head in hands, she could feel a migraine coming on and the telephone conversation from this morning didn't help.
Paige had called her son Ralph this morning hoping to talk to him, but he couldn't or wouldn't, she silently admitted to herself, answer her calls. After the breakup, Ralph wouldn't speak with her. She figured he was upset, after all she knew how much Walter meant to him, so she figured he needed some time to "process" or at least that was what she was telling herself. It shocked her however when Ralph came to her four nights ago asking if he could go visit his dad for the summer now that school was out, and he wasn't taking any summer college courses. She wanted to say no, but this was the first conversation that he had initiated since the breakup, and she thought Ralph spending a week or two with Drew wouldn't hurt, things would be better between them.
Two days later Ralph was with his dad, and he wasn't answering her calls or responding to her texts. It left her with no choice but to call Drew instead. Her conversation with Drew didn't go well at all.
"Hey, listen, I don't know what happened between you and that O'Brien guy but Ralph is seriously upset," Drew relayed through the phone. "He is even talking about attending school out here."
Paige could feel her heart break into pieces hearing that her son wanted to go school thousands of miles away, away from her.
"Talk to me, Paige. What the hell is going on? What did O'Brien do to our son?" Drew's questions and voice continued to yell into her ear.
This irritated Paige, how dare Drew demand to know about her personal life and inferring she let someone hurt HER son, Ralph was her's. Since when had Drew truly cared? Paige tried to stay calm and remain civil towards Drew, requesting that he put Ralph on the phone, but he just wouldn't let up, which finally pushed Paige over the edge. She wasn't about to talk to her ex of all people about, well, her new ex, so she became defensive, and then so did he and they both continued to argue with it only ending when Drew hung up on her.
With another sigh, Paige dug through her desk drawer to find a bottle aspirin or anything to help ward off the impeding migraine before starting on the paperwork and bills she was behind on. She was hoping the others wouldn't be in today, since it was a Saturday, and she knew she didn't have the strength to deal with Toby right now and having him analyze her would just be the final straw.
Gathering her strength, Paige stood up and walked over to the mini kitchen of the Centipede Partners, God, how she hated the name Centipede, but she had been outvoted, and started making a pot of coffee. When the pot was finished she poured herself a cup absent mindedly and had just barely managed to stop herself before adding cinnamon to her coffee. The cinnamon made her think of Walter and the very last thing she needed was a reminder of him.
"You look tired," said a voice from the doorway, scaring Paige and making her jump. Twirling around, Paige noticed Cabe standing there, giving her a quizzical look.
"Jesus Cabe! What the hell are doing here and scaring me," Paige demanded of the agent before turning back around and grabbing a rag to clean up the coffee she had splashed on the counter before it could drip onto the floor.
Cabe gave a slight chuckle before responding, "Didn't mean to spook you, honey. Figured you or someone would have heard me come in, what with that doorbell, chime thing you got going."
How had she not heard that? Ugh, she really needed to get some sleep. She needed a break, from work, from her co-workers, from the memories, just everything. Turning back around to face Cabe and taking a sip from her mug, she observed the homeland agent.
Cabe was observing the office, glancing around. He didn't look impressed. Actually, Cabe looked a little older than the last time she saw him. Her brow creased in concern, had Cabe not been doing well? Was he sick? Why was he here? Oh God, was Walter in trouble? The thoughts just kept rushing through her mind, each one providing vivid and terrifying scenarios. Giving her head a brief shake, Paige took a calming breath. If there was really anything wrong Cabe would have called. He would be all business and not looking around as though he has all the time in the world. Still, the day is bad enough already, more bad news seems to be expected at this point.
Unaware of Paige's internal struggle Cabe was taking stock of the office space, the stark white walls were a big change from the garage. This place felt clinical and cold, too much like a doctor's office for him. It defiantly didn't have the personalized touches like the garage. Cabe figured Paige wanted to keep the place looking professional, like the little lounge area up front, followed by her desk in the center of the room and then three more desks in the back. Other than a few personalized touches, like the paintings on the wall that he was sure Paige had picked out, that weird superhero memorabilia stuff that Sly liked in the far back left corner, the motorcycle calendar which had Happy written all over it, though he figured more of her stuff would be in the garage that was attached to the side of the office, and a hat rack, filled with what could only be Toby's crazy hats in the back right corner, it just didn't give off that comforting vibe that he felt the garage had. This just isn't home, he thought with a frown.
Unable to keep her thoughts at bay and wanting answers, Paige cleared her throat, bringing the agent's attention back to her.
"So where are the others?" Cabe questioned before she could even get a word out. Cabe shifted the envelope from one hand to the other, startling Paige who had just realized had been in the agent's hand the entire time. Pull yourself together Paige, she mentally berated herself.
"It's Saturday, so I'm not sure when or if they'll be in. You still haven't said why you are here Cabe. Is everything alright? Are you okay? Are you sick?" The questions just rolled out of Paige's mouth, her anxiety spiking up again, and pouring out the questions she hadn't meant to verbalize.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just a minute now. I'm perfectly fine. Allie makes sure that I'm eating healthy, disgusting though most of it is. I still can't stand chia seeds." Cabe responded rocking back on his heels and deciding to ignore the reason for his visit for the moment. He was enjoying the concern Paige was showing him. He may not say it out loud, but it hurt him too when the others left, and none had been very forthcoming in responding to his calls which had hurt even more.
Paige gave a smile and small chuckle at his answer regarding the chia seeds. If he was joking, he must be fine, and she felt the anxiety recede just a little.
"Would you like to sit down?" Paige asked, motioning over to the couch in the lounge area close to her desk.
Cabe eyed her for a moment, noticing how stiff and uncomfortable she appeared to be, before nodding yes and following her over to sit down on the new leather couch. Something about this didn't feel right to Cabe. He didn't like it, it was too… formal, yes, that was the word for it, but for now he needed to focus on Paige, after all he was on a mission for Walter, and he wasn't about to let his boy down, so he decided to take the lead.
"It's good to see you Paige." Cabe said, "I've missed you, kid. All of you."
Paige looked down in shame. She really hadn't meant to ignore Cabe, but she was still so angry over everything and then with Ralph staying with his father for the summer and not talking to her, and business picking up for Centipede Partners, she just never had the time, or made the time if she was really honest with herself, to call the homeland agent or return any of his calls.
With a sigh, Paige looked up at the homeland agent, "I'm sorry, Cabe. I really didn't mean to let it go this long without talking to you. It was just…" She paused at a loss for words to describe how she had been feeling, staring down into her coffee, fingering the little chip on rim as though hoping the words would appear inside the mug.
"Hard? Painful?" suggested Cabe, with a knowing smile. While he was hurt, he knew she was hurt too, the whole family was, and he just wanted his family back. God knows he isn't perfect, and he knows a thing or two about regrets, so forgiving Paige and the others is easy. Besides, this is all part of the plan, he needs to be on good footing with everyone to fulfill his promise to Walter.
Paige looked up with relief at Cabe's understanding but his soft smile broke her, everything she had been feeling over the past few months, all the feelings she had been trying to valiantly to suppress, broke through in the form of quickly falling tears and heavy wracking sobs.
Alarmed Cabe, leaned towards her, grabbing the mug from her hands, and placing it on the coffee table in front of the couch. He quickly gathered the young woman into his arms, holding her through her sobs.
"Hey now. What's all this, honey? It's alright, I understand. Shh… it's okay," murmured Cabe, slightly bewildered and concerned over this sudden change.
Before he could say anything else, a chime was heard, and the loud voice of Toby could be heard coming through the door.
"I'm just saying, if you would let me speak with your opponent, I bet, if I was still betting that is, I could get him to drop any opposition to your water treatment plan."
Coming into view, Cabe could see Sylvester rolling his eyes at the hat wearing shrink. "No Toby, I want to do this the right way and besides, I'm not sure I could trust you…" Sylvester paused in his tracks upon seeing Paige crying into Cabe's chest.
"Can't trust me? That hurts Sly." Toby dramatically says, placing his hand over his heart as though wounded before realizing that Sylvester was standing stock still and staring. Following his gaze, Toby spots Cabe and Paige, his jaw dropping just before his anger rises.
Not paying attention, Happy walks directly into their backs, and immediately annoyed yells, "Hey, watch it bozos. You don't just stop suddenly. Give people some warning, alright?"
"What are you doing here?" yells Toby. Taken aback at first thinking Toby was yelling at her, Happy gets ready to knock him upside the head before she notices that he hasn't even turned toward her. He is talking to someone else. Curiosity peaked; she steps around the guys to see what is going on. Her eyes widen as she takes in the scene in front of her with Paige crying into her former roommate's arms.
"Not good," she murmurs.
She hasn't seen Cabe since "Scorpion explosion" as she has dubbed it and a fierce hit of shame and guilt fills her as she observes the older man. She knows what it's like to be abandoned by your family and she knows that's exactly what she has done to Cabe… and to Walter. Then again, Cabe stayed with Walter as Toby has pointed out numerous times, usually when she thinks of answering one of the agent's calls. She doesn't like this. There are too many emotions at play here and she can't process it all right now, then again she is not sure if she wants too if hurts this much just seeing Cabe again.
Cabe just glares back at Toby, still comforting Paige who sobs have begun to subside, her body practically limp in his arms. Sniffing loudly, and drawing in a deep shuddering breath, Paige weakly leans away from Cabe. With Cabe's attention back on Paige, he slowly releases her so she can sit up. Paige winces upon seeing the mess she has left on his shirt, but before she can say anything about it, a handkerchief is placed in her hand.
Embarrassed, Paige looks to Cabe and gives a watery smile in thanks, before turning herself slightly to compose herself knowing the team is watching her.
Tired of being ignored, Toby stomps over to the pair. "What is all this? Why are you here?" Toby asks pointing a finger is Cabe's face.
Sylvester shuffles nervously from one foot to the other, watching all three of them, before bringing himself to speak. "Uhh, Paige, are, are you okay? Why are you crying?"
"Never mind that, I want to know what Homeland Agent Cabe Gallo is doing here? You here to spy on us and report back to 197?" Toby interrupted before Paige could even respond to Sly.
"Now you listen to me, you keep waving that finger in my face and my boot is going to find a new resting place in your backside." Cabe responded, standing to meet Toby face to face.
"Stop! Everyone just stop! Toby leave Cabe alone!" Paige orders, turning to Sylvester she says, "I'm fine, Sylvester, thank you for asking."
Sylvester gives her a tiny nod but with concern still asks, "If you're fine, why are you crying?" his gaze continuing to bounce between Paige, Toby and Cabe.
Paige freezes, she doesn't know how to answer that question. There are too many answers and Toby is giving her a hard look and she knows what that means. With a quick but silent prayer for strength, Paige turns back again to Sylvester. With a fortifying breath, she knows honesty is the only way out of this and fingers crossed, gets Toby off her back.
"I haven't allowed myself to really process all of my emotions since, well, since that night and talking with Cabe and some other… things," Paige responds, before turning to Toby cutting him off before he could speak. "Things that I don't want to talk about, so leave it Toby. Anyway Sly, the emotions just spilled over which is why I was crying. Cabe didn't do anything wrong but was trying to comfort me when you all walked in. Do you understand?"
Sylvester gives her a quick nod, but the look on his face tells her he doesn't fully understand but doesn't want to say anything in case of another argument. She sighs in defeat.
Happy still stands close the door just observing but Toby can't handle feeling like he is missing something, and he can't stand not knowing what is going on.
After being dismissed by Paige, he is simmering and determined to figure out what is going on with her, but the more pressing issue is why Cabe is standing in their office. What is Walter up to? That can be the only reason why Cabe is here. He chose to stay with 197 after all. Observing the agent, he is annoyed to see Cabe is no longer concerned with him, all his focus is on Paige as she finishes talking to Sly.
Toby soon notices the envelope the agent had dropped on the floor before comforting Paige. His eyes light up, a new puzzle piece has come into play. Toby tries to quickly grab the envelope while everyone is preoccupied but he is convinced Cabe must have eyes in the back of his head because before he can even bend down, the older agent is already standing back in place with the envelope firmly clutched in hands and glaring at the doctor.
Toby raises his hands in surrender, drawing everyone's attention from Paige to the two men and the envelope in Cabe's hands. Toby decides to stand back and see how this all plays out, but if Cabe is trying to bring them back under 197's thumb, well he's got another thing coming. It'll be a cold day in hell before Toby agrees to go back.
