Just after 9.00am next morning , Paige's phone rang , the caller ID. showing private number . She answered it expecting Dr, Morgan .

" Hello . " Said Paige .

" Morning Paige , could you pass a message onto Walter for me . " Said Dr. Morgan .

" You sure you do not want to speak to him ? "

" Yes it is just to tell him i am sending an E-Mail with two lists for the donor program now , so tell him to keep an eye open for them . While i am talking to you , Ada is doing really well at the moment ,she is responding well to the treatment . It looks like we will need Aneli in the hospital on Monday . "

" So things are moving on, good , can you ring on Sunday to confirm ? " Paige asked .

" Of course , now i must go i am wanted on one of the wards . So goodbye Paige . "

" Goodbye doctor . " Replied Paige .

As soon as she put the phone down she went to find Walter . She found him in the living area in deep conversation with Ralph

" Walter Dr. Morgan just phoned to say he has sent you an E-Mail with two lists for you . He also said Ada's treatment is going well and Aneli will be required at the hospital on Monday , to be confirmed on Sunday . "

As Paige finished explaining to Walter , his phone rang .

" Hello Katherine . "

" Good morning Walter , i need you at Homeland as soon as possible . "

" Whats the problem ? " Walter asked .

" It looks like we have had a computer breach , basically i think we have been hacked . None of our people can seem to find anything wrong , but a warning has come up on the system .

" Ok we should be there in about two hours max . "

" Ask for me at reception and i will get you bought up to my office . "

" Ok see you soon , goodbye . "

Walter turned to Paige . " We are needed at Homeland . Ralph this is one job you cannot go on . Once you have reached 16 and left college we will get you Homeland security checked . But for now i want you to stay with Aneli and maybe work on the donor program . There should be an E-Mail with two lists of names for two different kinds of needs . So come with me and see if it as arrived . "

" Ok . " Said a disappointed Ralph .

Paige walked over to him and pulled him in a hug . " Listen sweetheart , you can go with Walter on all of Richard's jobs and i will stay with Aneli , but you must understand , Homeland is totally different their security requirements are much stricter than Richard could ever enforce . "

Ralph looked at Paige ,with a small smile on his face . " Thanks mom . "

" My pleasure . " With that Paige went to the bedroom to change into something more suitable for Homeland .

By now Aneli had appeared in the living area .

" Morning Aneli , would you mind getting your own breakfast this morning . Paige and myself have to go to Homeland this morning , Ralph will be staying here but you probably will not see a lot of him as he going to be doing some work for me . "

" Me happy do that , Ralph you want anything ? "

Ralph smiled at Aneli . " I will join you for breakfast , i will have the same as you . "

Walter looked at him . " You have just had cereal and toast . "

" I am a growing boy . " Ralph answered with a devilish smile on his face .

Walter smiled before saying . " Ok but let us go check out the E-Mail . "

" Yes sir !" Replied Ralph .

They both left to go to Walter's "office" to check the E -Mails . Once Walter had read the information he turned to Ralph .

" The names will need to be coded , i think two letters to show what is being looked for , BT Blood transfusion , LD Liver donor . Use a six number code . Do you think you will be able to do that and enter the information on the computer . "

" What do you think dad ? " He said with that same devilish smile on his face .

A hour later Walter and Paige were standing at the reception desk at Homeland . Again the receptionist indicated they should sit on one of the chairs by the wall and someone would be down shortly to escort them to Director Cooper's office . It was five minutes later a young agent approached .

" Mr O'Brian , will you please follow me . "

He led them over to the elevator , used a card to send the elevator up to the floor where Katherine' s office was situated . The doors of the elevator opened , the agent stepped out first followed by Paige and Walter . The agent led them down the corridor , opened a door and stepped inside the room followed by Walter and Paige .

" Please wait here . " The agent said as he approached another door and knocked once and entered , a few seconds later he reappeared and signaled them to enter , he left and shut the door behind him .

" Morning Walter , Paige , thank you for coming so quickly . " Katherine said .

" We would have been here sooner but we have a couple of guests staying at the moment . So we had to make sure they were alright before we came . " Explained Paige .

" Two house guests , i bet you did not expect that . " Remarked Katherine .

" Well one is Ralph , the other is a Bulgarian girl . Who , thanks to some brilliant computer coding by Walter , is over here to help a young friend of ours . Who for over four years as been confined to living in a sterile plastic bubble . " Paige told Katherine with pride in her voice .

Walter gave a small cough . " We can tell you more about that later , but you said you have urgent problem . Could you please tell us what the problem is . " Walter said to Katherine and then turned to Pauge and gave her a smile .

" You are quite correct Walter , come with me and i will take you to see our computer genius . " As she spoke she got up from her chair and walked round the desk , then moved towards the door , Paige and Walter got up off their chairs and followed her .

She made her way to the elevator , used her card to open the elevator door , the three of them entered and Katherine pushed the down button . The elevator stopped two floors down . Katherine opened the door and left , followed by Walter and Paige .

Katherine walked so far down the corridor , stopping by a door . She opened the door and stepped inside .

" Walter , Paige this is Mark Stuart , he is our chief computer operative . He can tell you more about the problem . "

" Good morning , we were checking all the overnight messages that had come in , when a warning flashed up on the screen . We have checked but are unable to see anything that is causing the problem . "

" Is there a computer i can use ? " Walter asked , his eyes taking in his surroundings .

" There is one over there on that table . " Explained Mark . " If you hang on a minute i will get you logged in . "

" No need . " Said Walter , as he walked over to the computer , he opened the lid of the computer to wake it up and in what seemed only seconds he had the computer up and running and was watching figures fly up the screen .

" How did you manage that ? " Asked Mark in total disbelieve .

" Just leave him for a few minutes ,he does not like being disturbed when he his working . " Paige told Mark .

Katherine just shrugged her shoulders when Mark looked at her .

Walter , after thirty minutes turned to Mark . " Here is your problem . " Walter pointed at the computer screen as Mark walked over to him .

" Someone has managed to insert a worm into your system . " Explained Walter .

" How the hell as someone managed to do that ? " Mark almost screamed .

" Somehow they managed to breach all your firewalls . Let me see if i can trace it back to it's source , who ever managed to do this as to be someone who really knows computers . If i had Ralph here i am sure between us we could sort it out . " Walter said to no one in particular .

" Could i not be of use ? " Asked Mark .

" Can you type at 100+ words a minute . " Replied Walter .

" No only about 60 . " Replied Mark .

" Well Ralph can . " Answered Walter .

" But Ralph's only 15 , he could not be that much use to you . " Said an astonished Katherine .

" He equals me in most aspects of the computer . " Explained Walter . .

Mark looked totally confused as he turned to Katherine . " Who is Ralph ? "

" Our son . " Said a very proud Paige .

Katherine stood were she was , thinking about the situation . " I will give him temporary clearance for this one job only . Could you go and fetch him for us Paige . "

Paige took a moment before answering . " I have no problem fetching Ralph , in fact he will be thrilled . But i have to think of of Aneli i cannot leave her on her own , she is to precious at the moment , she is due to go in hospital to give bone marrow to help save our friend . "

" I understand , the best i can do would be to allow her to stay here in one of the interview rooms , if you like you could stay with her . I am sure you are not much use to Walter at the moment . " Suggested Katherine .

Paige looked at Walter you smiled at her and nodded his head .

" Ok i will ring him and tell him to be ready for when i get there and he can tell Aneli she will be coming as well . " Paige took out her phone and called Ralph .

A hour later Paige was back at Homeland sitting in reception with Ralph and Aneli , waiting for an agent to collect them .

Aneli looked around a little nervous , she had never been in a law enforcement building before , even in her own country . " Am i in trouble ? " She whispered to Paige .

" Of course not , i just did not want to leave you on your own . " Explained Paige .

The same agent as before came towards them . " Miss Dineen ,will you follow me please . " As before he took them up to Katherine's office . Once inside Katherine's office she began speaking to Ralph .

" Ralph , Walter as great faith in your abilities so i hope you will not let him down . I trust Walter's judgement and as a friend , so for this one job i am giving you Homeland security clearance . "

" Thank you Ms Cooper , i will not let dad or you down . I promise . " Said a smiling Ralph .

" You like Walter like me as big brother , not like Paige kissy , kissy . " Asked Aneli .

" Aneli you can't ask Katherine questions like that . " A rather shocked Paige said .

" It is alright Paige , sort of Aneli , but in my case more like a little brother . " Said Katherine trying not to laugh . "

Paige looked at her and could not help smiling , Katherine picked up her phone and asked an agent to come and take Ralph to the computer room . Once they had left Katherine took Paige and Aneli to one of the better interview rooms and arranged for coffee and some snacks to be bought to them .

When she left Aneli turned to Paige . " You sure i not in trouble , why we seperated from Walter and Ralph ? "

" No trouble , i did not want you to be left alone in the house and Walter needs Ralph's help . This is a high security building so Katherine arranged for you to stay here with me while the boys work . You are to precious at the moment for anything to happen to you . So we can stay here and have a girlie chat . Maybe you could tell me more about what you are studying . " Paige told her in a very relaxing voice .

Meanwhile the agent had taken Ralph to the computer room .

" Hi Ralph , this is Mark the head man of the Homeland computers . " Walter told Ralph .

" Very pleased to meet you sir . "Said Ralph as he put his hand out to shake Marks hand .

" It is a pleasure to meet you Ralph . Your dad speaks very highly of you . " Mark replied as he shook Ralph's hand .

" Ok Ralph , come and sit down by me and you can use that computer . "

Ralph sat down next to Walter , opened up the computer to wake it up , then as quickly as Walter had he was into the computer ready to start , Mark 's face this time was even more confused than when Walter performed the same procedure . This time he did not speak but simply shook his head in total disbelieve

" I am ready dad , what program do i need ? " Asked Ralph .

Walter gave him the information so both computers could be lined up . A couple of minutes later Ralph was ready to help Walter .

" I will need you to follow me as i trace the worm , if it splits you go right i will go left as i am sure it will join up again close to were it emanated from . Are you ready ? " Walter smiled with pride as he looked at Ralph .

" Ready and able . " Replied Ralph also with a big smile on his face .

They both began typing . Mark watched mezmerized at the speed both sets of fingers were flying over the keyboard . So much so he did not hear Katherine come into the room .

" How are they doing ? " Katherine whispered in Mark's ear .

He jumped and the spell being cast by Walter and Ralph broke . " I don't really know , it is the speed they both operate the keyboard that is so spellbinding . " He told Katherine but his eyes never left the fingers literally flying over the keys .

Katherine had been in the room for about thirty minutes , when she heard Walter say .

" Got it . "

" Do you know who as sent the worm ? " Asked a still concerned Katherine .

" Well i have got the IP adress , Ralph can you find the person and address for this IP address . I want to try and strengthen the firewalls to stop this happening again . " Explained Walter .

" Leave it to me . " Said a very confident Ralph .

Walter spent the next hour strengthening the firewall on the system . Ralph was still searching for the address , Walter looked at Ralph , and saw the concentration on his face as his fingers were working the computer keys . He left him to carry on with his search and walked over to Katherine and Mark .

" I have put a stronger firewall on your system , it should be a lot more difficult to break through again . Do all Homeland offices have the same system ? "

Katherine looked at Mark for an answer .

" Yes all the ststems would be the same on all Homeland systems . " Mark replied .

" Then they all could be breached , i would suggest you advise Washngton to have all your systems checked and improve the firewalls that are already installed . " Walter told both of them with a very serious look on his face .

" Could you make a copy of what you have put on our system , so we can distribute a memory stick for them to download to their system ? " Asked a now worried Mark .

" That is possible , but before they installed it , they would need to double check their systems to ensure the system as not already been breached . Would your people be capable of that ? " Walter asked .

" I think some maybe , some not so sure of . Could you train up a couple of people we could send around the offices to check . " Asked Mark who was begining to realize the size and damage that could be caused by any breach in the system .

" It could be possible if you have anyone you think may be capable of handerling the responsibilty . " Answered Walter .

Mark looked at Katherine , the look almost begging her to help out .

" How long do you think it would take you to teach people to do the job . " Katherine asked Walter .

" That would depend on the people you pick . " Replied Walter .

" I do not suppose you would do the job . " Katherine asked almost pleading .

" A straight forward NO . I made it clear when i said i would help Homeland out , no more running around the country or anywere out of the States . " Replied Walter in a voice that said and that's the final answer .

" But you will write the program for the stronger firewall ? " Asked a subdued Katherine .

" Have you got a memory stick Mark ? " Walter asked .

Mark walked over to one of the desks and fetched a memory stick out of one of the drawers and handed it to Walter . Walter walked over to the computer he had been using , put the memory stick into one of the ports available . He then went to work on the keys of the computer , a few minutes later , he removed the memory stick and handed it to Mark .

" That is a copy of the firewall i have installed , i presume you can copy this onto other memory sticks for the other offices .

Mark took the stick . " I can arrange that , we can then supply two to each of the offices . "

" Thank you Walter . " A more relieved Katherine said .

Ralph turned to Walter . " Dad you had better take a look at this . "

Walter walked over to Ralph . " Whats up buddy ? "

" I have had to track back through forty different IP address and i have finally found were the worm originated from , but look at the address . " Explained Ralph .

" Walter O'Brian , what the hell is going on . " Walter said in a shocked voice .

" Problem Walter ? " Asked Katherine .

" I would say so , who ever sent the worm had the audacity to use my name . Apart from two of us in this room , i can only think of two other people who could set up such a complicated IP address . Sly would be one , but he is no longer with us , the other . "

" Mark Collins . " Katherine in almost a whisper said .

" Yes . " Said Walter .

" Do you know the actual address were it came from ? " Asked Katherine .

" Yes it is in Washington State . " Ralph said .

" Write me the address down Ralph . Please . "

Ralph did as she asked and handed it to her .

As soon as she had the piece of paper in her hand , she was on her phone . She arranged for a squad of six agents to go to the address and arrest who ever was there . They would be transported by helicopter .

Walter had asked if he and Ralph could be taken to Paige and Aneli . While Katherine was making all the arrangements Mark offered to take them both to them . But first he needed to ask Walter ac question .

" Walter who is Mark Collins ? "

" He was an original member of my Scorpion team . He became uncontrolable so i had him put in a physiciatric hospital . He escaped and as a result as attempted on many occassions to cause us problems , he tried to kill Toby . Eventually we caught him and he was put in prison . While there he discovered an Extinction event , but he would not tell us the exact spot so he came along with the team to Northen Norway . He managed again to escape , and as been on the run since . "

By the time Walter had finished explaining to Mark , Katherine had finished her phone call .

" The team should be leaving in about five minutes , but it looks like it will be something like a seven hour flight . Do you think he might be aware he has been found ? " Katherine asked .

" Well he is an equal to us , so there is a chance he will notice he as been hacked . There is a good chance he as some of the local law enforcement officers in his pocket . . Is there a Homeland office in Washington State , maybe they could get them quicker . " Asked Walter .

There is a response force at a military base in Tacona , but they are not Homeland agents , they are used in a National emergency , such as floods , earthquakes and such . So we cannot use them for this type of assignment . " Explained Katherine .

" We will just have to wait and see . " Replied Walter .

Katherine took Walter and Ralph to the room were Paige and Aneli were waiting for them . Paige immediatly ran into Walter's arms and they hugged .

Aneli looked at Ralph . " You good help to Walter ? "

" Between us we managed to sort things out . "

Paige looked at Walter and knew something was not right . " If you sorted the problem why the worried look on your face . " She asked Walter as she reached up to give him a kiss .

All Walter said was " Mark Collins . "

Paige's face dropped . " He his going to be back in our lives again . "

" Katherine as sent a task force after him , but he is way up north in Washington State about ten miles from the Canadian border , so it is going to be about a seven hour helicopter flight . So all we can do is wait . " Explained Walter .

Walter turned to Katherine .

" I would like to take my family out to lunch , you will of course be more than welcome to join us . But i would like to come back and wait until we get information back from your team . "

" Thank you for the offer but i need to stop here , just in case . Ask for me at reception when you return . Katherine replied with a half smile on her face .

Once they had left Homeland Walter asked were they would like to eat , Ralph and Aneli immediatly said somewhere by the beach , Paige just shrugged her shoulders as if to say what ever .

Walter took over the driving and was pulling up at a seafood restarant that extended over the beach . They were seated at a table with a panoranic view of the beach and ocean . Once they had ordered Ralph began to tell Walter how far he had got with the lists Dr. Morgan had sent over .

" I have changed all the names to numbers and have put on the blood test list on the program . I was going to start on the other list when mom phoned , so i just saved what i had done and closed the computer down . "

" You have done well Ralph and what you did at Homeland was brilliant . " A very proud Walter told him .

Once the meal was over Aneli asked if they could go a walk along the beach , as she had not seen this part of the beach before . The other three agreed willingly , for the next couple of hours were spent studying the area . Aneli was smiling all the time as she found sea shells and stones rubbed smooth by the sea . They also came across a cabin that sold ice cream , both Ralph and Aneli were keen to taste the product , which they succeeded in doing .

Eventually they got back to their car . Walter stood at the side of the car .

" Take me back to Homeland then you can go back home . I can get Katherine to arrange a lift home for me . "

Paige gave him the look . " You will not ! We will take Ralph and Aneli home , then both of us will go back to Homeland . "

Ralph looked at Aneli who shook her head , he turned to his mom and dad .

" We uncovered the problem as a family , i think we should finish it as a family . So i say we all go back to Homeland and wait . "

Aneli stood next to Ralph . " Me agree . "

Both Walter and Paige's face broke out in a smile , Walter just said .

" I guess the family will be staying together . "

Thirty minutes later they were back at Homeland reception awaiting for an escort to take them back to Katherine .

They were soon back in the same interview room . Ralph and Aneli , began to play a game , were they would give each other a word , Ralph asked in Bulgarian and Aneli in English , the answer was to be in the opposite language .

Katherine made sure there was a steady supply of coffee , water and snacks sent into them .

Once Katherine was advised the team was getting close to the target , she sent an agent to collect Walter and Paige and bring them to her office . Thirty minutes after they arrived at Katherine's office she received the message that the prisoner was in custady .

" That seemed to easy for Collins , can you get one of the agents to take a photograph of the prisoner and send it to your phone . "

" No problem . " Said Katherine .

Ten minutes later the photograph was on Katherine's phone , which she turned to show Walter .

Walter looked at the picture on the phone .

" That is not Mark Collins . "

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Pealiegirl Do not be embarrassed you are forgiven . i hope you enjoyed this chapter . I would love to post more than one chapter a week , but life keeps getting in the way

LouBe With all your suspicion i am sure you could write a good story yourself , the Bulgarian couple was just a throwaway comment . With Toby i wonder how long he will last before reverting .

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