Kilkenny Airport

It was a suprise to Ralph when it happened, he'd become resigned to the fact he'd never feel strongly about things again. But when their flight had landed and Walter was back to his normal self (staring into the distance with brooding eyes, his expression otherwise unreadable) Ralph himself felt his emotions change, as if they were waiting for Walter to come back to himself.

His new dad been a emotional whirlwind recently, so out of character. But family always brought out his normally hidden emotions and these few weeks had been a doozy of extreme both positive and negative situations for the older Genius.

Ralph knew logically that everything was OK now. Cabe had managed to make contact informing them of the situation, but it'd still taken Walter a while to come to terms with the fact that his family had lost everything- that he had lost his childhood home. If he knew Walter as well as he thought he did he was likely running a hundred different scenarios of how he could get his family back on their feet again.

Ralph was a little frustrated when the tears came to his eyes, dispite knowing that everything would likely be OK now. Though he was relieved that his emotions were back regardless.

Ralph had been continuing to put up with school dispite how much he despised it so he wouldn't become distant like Walter or like the other Geniuses with their broken emotions, though he'd inwardly rejoiced when Walter had offered to Homeschool him. He didn't want all that time and misery to be for almost nothing, even if he had made friends now. He had friends in the Garage.

Ralph cringed as his voice cracked as he spoke asking Walter if he'd heard anything about Tim. A sliver of fear moved through him turning his blood cold as Walter had replied that he'd not heard anything. He tried to take comfort in the fact that Walter's expression hadn't changed and his voice hadn't portrayed any emotion but that wasn't necessarily a good thing either.

Before coming to Ireland this time around Walter had almost been a master of hiding his emotions- though Ralph knew his Mum had banned Walter from using the word 'Fine' as he may as well of said "This conversation is finished".

Ralph frowned not knowing if he was relieved or concerned to see Walter almost back to the way he had been. But moments later Ralph had breathed a sigh of relief when they had got into the car that Walter took his Mother's hand to kiss it, smiling at her for a second before turning to start the vehicle.

Ralph looked towards the car mirror. Walter's expression may have turned brooding again just now but at least he hadn't shut down. From the look of his Mum's face as she peered back at Ralph for a second she'd likely been thinking something along those lines also.

Turning to face the window It was only then Ralph allowed the tears to fall silently in earnest. He'd not wanted his new family to suffer. He wondered if his Mum would've stayed with Tim for so long if he'd not given her his concent- resigned though it had been, believing Walter was to cowardly to fight for his Mum. If he'd waited longer for Walter to be braver would Tim have become so dangerous? Or would he of let his mother go without a fight?

As if sensing Ralph's inner turmoil Walter began speaking "I don't want anyone blaming themselves for this. We all thought Tim was a good man until recently. I made no secret of the fact I didn't like him, but that was nothing to do with how he was as a person- he had us all fooled."

Walter's expression hadn't changed as he spoke and he hadn't even looked away from the road but both Ralph and his Mum breathed a sigh of relief at his words, both had apparently been blaming themselves for the recent events.

Ralph even found himself mildly amused that Walter had sounded so business-like as he'd spoken. But then again the situation had even applied to Walter's business- to Scorpion itself.

Walter had personally dug into Tim's records dispite many of them being classified and not found any evidence of Tim being a potential threat to his Cyclone. Ralph imagined that played a part in Walter's breakdown earlier. That Walter had failed to see it coming and protect everyone from it all, both Family and Cyclone alike.

Ralph gave the window a watery smile. As much as Walter scoffed at Slyvester's love of comic book heroes Walter appeared to unconsciously consider himself one. The protector of everyone around him- Unstoppable and immortal. Though he was sure Walter would roll his eyes if Ralph said as much.

As they pulled into St Lukes where they planned to meet the others at Conner's bedside Ralph felt a unexspected wave of calm wash over him. Dispite the recent events Ralph knew Walter would protect those around him until his dying breath. As long as he and his Mum stayed close they'd be safe.

Because dispite what had happened, Walter was still his hero.

A/N

I hope you liked this chapter. Please let me know what you think and What you think will happen next x is Tim alive? Is Tim dead? So so much love to you all.

Thank you Tim xxx we are going on the 29th :)