HUMAN PROGRESS
AN: I've been a little hurt for Walter since Season 3 started. I finally figured out it's because I hate the implication that he's less than a whole person or that he doesn't deserve someone like Paige. That and I want to gag everytime I see Tim and Paige PDA or hear them flirt. It's left me feeling a little uninspired. Don't get me wrong, I'm still loving Scorpion and I know it will eventually be okay. I'm just a tad defensive of Walter.
Please read and review. It's the only currency we receive as fanfiction authors and feedback is the only way we know you want us to keep writing.
Rated: K+ for a tiny bit of language.
Sylvester noticed immediately, of course. After all, he knew the exact number of items on his desk and their locations within a fraction of a millimeter. So when he spied an official-looking letter addressed to him in the center of his keyboard he opened it at once.
It read:
"Dear Mr. Dodd,
We would like to express our gratitude for your recent donation. Your generosity will help to save the lives of innumerable children and better the lives of countless more.
You are hereby invited to the official opening and dedication of the Megan Dodd Memorial Pediatric Wing…"
The rest of the letter was blurred behind a sudden flood of tears. In fact, he was so choked-up, he was unable to share the information with his teammates right away. But it did occur to him to wonder where the money for the contribution came from, as he had been unsuccessful in raising the rest of the required sum.
Before Sly could recover enough to say anything, Toby came bursting through the door spewing vitriol to anyone attending about the roads and traffic in LA and the necessity of using Uber while his auto insurance company fought it out with the city and the military over who exactly was responsible for the destruction of his car. His diatribe stopped abruptly when he noticed all of his various degrees and diplomas were matted and framed and hanging on the brick wall behind his workspace. Mouth hanging open, strangely touched, his eyes dropped to the set of keys lying atop his desk. He recognized them. They belonged to the 'company car'.
"Uh, Boss? Some reason you left your keys on my desk?"
Without looking up from his computer, Walter replied, "Until they fix or replace your car, I thought it would be prudent to allow you unlimited access to mine. I live here, so it's reasonable to assume you need reliable transportation to and from the garage more than I do."
"So, does that mean you also…," Toby started, gesturing vaguely at the bricks beside his bookshelf, but he found he was unable to find the words to ask about his new 'wall of fame'.
Walter cleared his throat. Still averting his eyes, he stated matter-of-factly, "We here at Scorpion are proud of our team members' individual achievements."
Toby was staring at Walter, completely dumbfounded at that statement, when Happy came roaring into the back of the garage on her bike.
Sylvester and Toby both watched with fascinated anticipation as she strolled over toward her worktable. "What's everyone staring at?" She asked. "Don't you guys have something better to do…?" Her voice trailed off as she tossed her keys down and set her helmet beside an open cardboard box.
"Is this…? Is this a carburetor for the Harley Knucklehead I'm restoring? I've been looking for one of these for ages! Which one of you found this?! Man! I owe you my first born. You'll have to wrestle Toby for the rights, but that shouldn't be a problem…"
"Hey, now! No jabs at the wimpiness of your adoring fiancé!" Her boyfriend piped up.
"Was it you, Toby?" Happy sounded astonished and almost delighted.
"Nope. I suspect it was actually your husband. He's on a weird roll today."
"Walt?" The mechanic asked wonderingly.
Still obscuring his face behind his screen, he answered vaguely, "We at Scorpion appreciate the, uh, valuable work you do for the team. You deserved some form of recognition."
After watching the entire exchange, Paige wandered over to the others and asked Sylvester quietly about the contents of the envelope on his desk. He whispered to everyone what the letter contained. They all turned as one to gawk openly at Walter who was doing his best to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
Just then Cabe sidled in with an enormous grin on his face. "It's not my birthday, but I'm sure as hell not returning the box set of Clint Eastwood movies someone left in my car! Thanks for that, you guys! I owe ya one!"
"Okay, that's it. Walter? Can I have a word, please?" Paige said as she walked back toward the kitchen, a confused and slightly worried frown marring her features.
Walter grabbed a large manila envelope from the corner of his desk and followed Paige's retreating form. With the rest of the team not so covertly trailing behind and listening from a not so discreet distance, she led him toward the table. After she turned to face him and while she was still drawing breath to speak, he said, "Don't worry. I didn't forget about you. Yours just requires a little more explaining."
Momentarily stunned, Paige took the envelope that he offered, opening it with suddenly shaking, nerveless fingers. It contained brochures and a two night gift certificate for a spa package at an expensive and exclusive resort in the LA area she had mentioned in passing a few months prior. At the time, she'd only been aluding to a dire need for some overdue pampering.
Paige was still gaping when Walter rushed to explain, "I, uh, appreciate that it takes a great deal of patience to manage this team. Especially me. Well, this is a weekend for you to relax that I won't…won't sabotage. I, uh, also wanted to volunteer to watch Ralph for you. He can stay here on the days of your choosing. He and I have several projects we can work on together."
He looked eagerly hopeful for a few beats, but when she didn't respond, his face fell and he hastened to apologize. "I-I'm sorry. Did I guess wrong? If you don't like it, I can…"
When she finally found her voice, Paige interrupted looking mystified, "No. No, of course I like it. It's amazing. And thoughtful. And very… unexpected. I guess I'm just wondering what all this is about. Are you okay?"
Looking adorably befuddled and a bit hurt, Walter replied, "Isn't this what you told me to do? I wanted you to see that I listen to what you say. I-I'm trying to learn. To-to improve. To be more human, like, uh, like…Ti-, uh, someone you'd want in your life."
"Oh, Walter," Paige breathed with a ghost of a smile on her lips, her eyes going soft. "It's all wonderful if a little over-the-top generous. But I recognize you're trying and I do love it. All of it."
He shrugged sheepishly, "It didn't take that much work and I figured it was about right for two years worth of acknowledgements. I got Richard Elia to contribute toward the hospital wing. It was tax deductable and he's still feeling guilty about the whole, uh, rocket incident. The rest was basically just research."
Her smile was a little crooked when she answered, "I didn't think we had that much in the petty cash fund. For what it's worth, I'm really proud of your efforts and you're already someone I want in my life." Pushing up to her toes, Paige brushed her lips across Walter's cheek before making her way back to her seat looking bemused.
Toby slunk up behind the genius while he was still tracking the liaison's movements, fingers touching his face where her lips had been. "Nice one, Walt," the shrink whispered, "The only question is, what did you get in appreciation for the interloping intern?"
Rolling his eyes in Toby's direction, Walter muttered back, "I'm trying to improve my EQ. I'm not applying for sainthood."
