A/N: Hey y'all! I'm sorry for ghosting all of you the last few weeks but there have been some developments on my end! So that surgery that I needed and was waiting for a doctor's appointment to confirm it? I got it! The last few weeks have been filled with phone calls, making appointments, and more phone calls to insurance companies (not to mention my husband got a new job which meant new insurance, the US healthcare system am I right?) basically everything is happening quickly and I got distracted. Forgive me? Hopefully, once this happens I'll have more updates for you and multiple updates a week! Plus I am working on a super-secret surprise that I teased a few chapters ago but I'm outlining! The author I'm working with is amazing and super talented and I'm so grateful they gave me a chance to, say, finish what was started?

Little Girl Lost

Chapter 22: Stays in Vegas

Chapter Summary: There are some snafus in the plan and Paige and Tessa have a very calm, relaxed talk.

"I got a bad feeling about this" Walter O' Brien Season 2 episode 18 The fast and the Nerdiest

"What do you mean they have Mark!" Cabe bellowed over the coms when they were back in the hotel and Paige cringed at the volume.

"Florence saw Mark's name listed next to Veronica's. That explains how we couldn't track him anymore after Cabe's trial." Happy explained as Tessa shifted her eyes between the geniuses.

"We can get an arrest now. He's too dangerous to leave alone!" Walter argued as static was heard over the coms and Paige remembered that Mark was a radio genius. What guarantee do they have he couldn't listen to them now?

"How do we know he can't hear us now?" Paige asked as the group went silent and Tessa let out a slight chuckle.

"Because I wired these myself. I've heard of Mark Collins, a real smart dude but not smarter than me. He's made a small name for himself on the dark web but nothing more, maybe he bit off more than he could chew." Tessa smirked as Walter shook his head.

"No, we can't underestimate him. Even if he did get himself a bad deal or he's working directly with them to get revenge on us we can't risk leaving him alone. We have to get him."

"I don't like that son. He's slippery than an eel and wily. He plays everyone. How do we know he isn't manipulating us now? He must know the relation Veronica has to Paige; he would have known we were coming."

"What choice do we have? If we leave him then that shows he has us scared and then what? He comes after us again when we don't expect it. Getting him now would be our best bet." Toby suggested as Paige's stomach twisted, remembering the last encounter they had with Collins. He very nearly sent Cabe to jail….what would he have planned this time?

"I don't like this," Cabe uttered as Paige looked around at the stony expressions and Tessa was strangely quiet.

"Who is he to all of you? He's a radio guy who was making chatter about a brain wave machine before he went quiet. Why would he want revenge against a bunch of geeks?" Tessa asked as Walter stiffened and the room went quiet.

"Mark was a former member of the team before I came along. He's….unstable and unpredictable which is why Walter had him, uh, well he had Mark committed to a mental health hospital. He escaped and has been trying to harm Scorpion since." Paige explained quietly after a beat of silence.

"Are you kidding me? Harm you all? Has he tried to kill any of you?" Tessa asked as Toby said a snarky 'yes' and explained all of Mark's hijinks and schemes from the last few years.

"Why haven't you taken him out yet? If he's this much a of a nuisance then just get rid of him?" Tessa said coldly as Walter glared.

"No! As much harm as he's done, he's still a human being. We can't lose our humanity trying to save lives!" Walter argued as Tessa rolled her eyes.

"As much ethics as you think you have how many people have Scorpion harmed or even killed while trying to do 'the right thing'? You say he was a former team member Paige? I think that you're too scared to do what is necessary for a friend!" Tessa glared as she took a step towards Walter and he squared his shoulders.

"Maybe I am but I refuse to kill another person."

"You can refuse all you want but don't hold me to the same standard. Right now our mother is held in the same prison as your 'friend.' You're telling me he's tried to harm all of you before and now he's roped in with one of the deadliest organizations there is. You may hesitate to kill Walter O' Brian but I don't. If he is connected and poses a threat I do what is needed to get the job done. End of discussion." Tessa said coldly as Walter simply glowered and Tessa turned her back before grabbing a backpack and slinging it over her shoulder.

"I'm tired of talking. I'm not negotiating with anyone; I'm telling all of you now I'm going to do what I can to get Veronica out. You all do what you want with this Mark character but I'm not wasting another second. As far as I'm concerned that's a problem of your own making." Tessa said dismissively as she stalked towards the door before Paige grabbed her arm.

"Wait a minute Tess, we don't have a plan. You don't know Mark like we do – not even like they do." Paige insisted as she pointed toward the geniuses. "He could be a major problem and then we're all screwed! I want to get mom out too but you're not thinking Tessa!"

"I'm thinking that Mark is their problem. Morality and ethics have no place in a life-or-death situation; if Mark does anything to hinder my progress or endanger Veronica or even you or Ralph…I'm stepping in and handling it my way. If not, he's not my concern."

"That's too simplistic. You don't have all the facts –" Paige started as Tessa shook her head.

"That's reality Turn Paige!" Tessa said finally losing her patience as she yanked her arm away. "We can't afford, nor do we have the luxury to be nice here! Veronica is here and so is Mark. If he causes trouble that I don't tolerate I take him out. I do what obviously you eggheads don't have the guts to do!" Tessa glared at Walter as he clenched his teeth together. "You may have locked him up but when he was out on the ice, you let him go. When he was in your home….he got away. Now – ha now he's here and you're asking me to spare his life after everything you claim he's done to you!? After what he has done to you Paige?" Tessa asked as Paige looked away, unable to answer.

"That's what I thought. Paige, I need you but if you choose to stay then fine. I can't force you but I'm getting Mom. You can come or you can stay." Tessa huffed as she marched out the door and Paige bit her lip as she looked back and forth towards the geniuses and the doors before giving a sigh.

"I need to make sure she doesn't hurt herself. We'll meet up at the checkpoint." Paige said before grabbing her backpack and out the door, leaving the geniuses quite in her wake.

"You shouldn't have alienated them like that," Paige said as she stared out the window, dessert passing her by as Tessa huffed.

"They should learn to stay out of my way," Tessa remarked as Paige shook her head.

"That's not it and you're smart enough to know it. Mark is someone we can't fool around with. He's dangerous Tessa and I don't like how close he is." Paige warned as Tessa shrugged.

"Sounds like it's his problem. He should have known better to end up with them anyway."

"Tessa!" Paige scoffed as she tried to reign in her anger. "Tessa, Mark is dangerous. I know you're used to being the smartest in the room but can you listen to me on this one? I don't know if he is a prisoner, what if he's working with them?" Paige asked as the knots in her stomach tightened and she thought back to Mark's smiling face on the ice before disappearing into the darkness.

"Than we deal with him." Came her short answer as Paige shook her head.

"Tessa I think you're taking this too lightly," Paige warned and Tessa jerked the wheel, sending Paige into the car door and she glared.

"And I think you're being too scared and leaning more into the judgment of your genius friends. I've heard of Mark and whatever mind games he uses I'm sure I can handle it."

"And if you can't?" Paige challenged as Tessa wavered for a split second before sighing and hardening her features.

"Then we'll figure it out."

"And how would we figure it out, Tessa? Hm? How?! Because I know Mark and I know the 86ers and 'we'll figure it out' doesn't exactly bolster confidence!" Paige lashed out, finally losing her cool as Tessa tightened her hands on the steering wheel and came to a sharp stop as Paige balled her fists and turned in her seat, fully facing Tessa as she refused to make eye contact.

"You know you're wrong here. We could have made a plan with them, we could have figured something out but instead, you barged out of there without thinking! Now we're going in without knowing everything, jeopardizing everything all because of what! What is your problem with them Tessa!? You've been aggressive and argumentative since you first came! At least they are trying to help and I've been defending you this entire time but this? Tessa we are above our heads in this and you know it! So why did you not stay and listen!" Paige demanded as Tessa clicked her teeth together and sat in stony silence.

"Doesn't matter now does it," Tessa mumbled as Paige groaned loudly.

"I don't know what's going on here Tess but it needs to stop. Now. You said you needed my head clear well, I need yours too. Get a grip Tessa and when we find mom and come back…..you owe them all an apology." Paige demanded as Tessa shook her head.

"No," Tessa said softly as Paige tried desperately to control her temper.

"Yes, you will. We need their help and you are not making this easy." Paige demanded and Tessa huffed.

"And they have? Paige, I know you love them but what have they done to try and protect you until I came into the picture? Not to mention you were fully in agreement with me about how their involvement is dangerous and now you want me to play nice with people who can't get the job done?" Scoffing and rolling her eyes Tessa put the car in park and swiftly got off the car slamming the door angrily.

Paige, vibrating with fury balled her fists and slowly took in some deep breaths. Whatever was happening with Tess this wasn't the way to resolve it. Not here and certainly not now. She had to focus and when they had Mom, she was going to make them talk, enough was enough.

"Tessa!" Paige screamed as she tried to catch up to her sister; she huffed and walked faster and further into the desert. "Tessa!" Paige screamed as Tessa turned and glared.

"What?" She hissed as Paige sighed and calmed her breathing.

"What is your problem, Tess? It's not like you to lash out and something about Mark has you on edge. I don't think I'm asking for too much here. What are you hiding?" Paige demanded as Tessa shifted her eyes and Paige glared. "Talk to me, Tessa." Paige breathed "Please. Something has you scared and that doesn't happen." Paige insisted as Tessa looked away she balled her fists and opened her mouth to speak.

"I know about Mark. More so than any of you know. I worked with him to track you down." Tessa admitted as Paige gasped and took a step back.

"What do you mean you 'worked with' him. Tessa, he's – he's" Paige stuttered as Tess sighed.

"He's insane. I know that and working with him was one of the times I was wrong. I wasn't going to admit this in front of your friends, but, because of my partnership with him he was able to locate you and Team Scorpion. He gave me a location and that's what was agreed upon but it wasn't until he learned of a 'Walter O Brien' did I see whom I was dealing with. Imagine my surprise when I realized he was behind the close meltdown all because of a bruised ego. I overestimated Walter at that moment…I won't do so again." Tessa said glaring as Paige shook her head.

"That doesn't make sense Tessa. You have had a close eye since we were separated….or was I not the only one guilty of lying?" Paige asked raising her brow as Tessa squirmed under her gaze.

"I admit….I lost you for a brief time. Drew reached out to one of his friends and that caused a separation. I still got payments to you but only because you drove that insane amount of milage to the PO box. I had to gauge that area carefully and Mark made it easier. I assumed, wrongly so, that the danger Mark Collins posed would force Scorpion's hand. I never imagined a person like Walter to let Mark slip through his fingers so easily. Especially when it comes to you and his mentor Cabe Gallo. I overestimated Walter….I underestimated Mark. Now….Mark is working for the 86ers and it's partly my fault. That's why they are so dangerous now. That's how they were able to track you with Drew's info. Whatever fight Mark has with Walter, he has taken it to the 86ers." Tessa admitted as Paige was breathing hard, her blood cold as she tried to comprehend this bombshell.

"Was that how they found Mom?" Paige asked quietly

"Yes, it seems so."

"Why didn't you tell us!?" Paige exploded as she rubbed her aching temples and Tessa swallowed and looked away.

"Because I can handle it. I was handling it. Now it has gotten more complicated and frankly, you didn't need to know. The less everyone knew the better."

"The better it would be for us or for you!?" Paige challenged as Tessa hardened her stance.

"The better it would be for everybody."

"You know I find that hard to believe after that performance and now this! Tessa, what else have you been hiding?" Paige demanded as Tessa huffed before bringing out her phone.

"As much as I want to answer your questions, we have to go. This is the drop point and I got confirmation that it's time to move. If we want Mom, we have to go now." Tessa said simply as Paige shook her head and took a step back.

"Not until you tell me what your hiding! You're my sister! Out of everyone on this earth that we lie to, we never lied to each other! Don't lie to me!" Paige screamed as Tessa gritted her teeth and walked forward quickly as she grabbed Paige's arm roughly and forced her to walk with her as Paige yanked her arm out of her grip. "Let go of me, Tessa!" Paige demanded as Tessa dropped her arm quickly and Paige dug her heels into the dirt as the sun's heat-blasted them both as the light glimmered off the hot desert sand.

"Talk to me!" Paige screamed as finally, Tessa's long-held patience broke, and seeing the desperation in her sister's hand something inside Tessa snapped. Paige was right.

She could never fully lie to her.

"I led Mark to the 86ers!" Tessa yelled as the confession hung in the silence and Paige stopped short and she gasped.

"What?" Paige whispered as Tessa huffed and crossed her arms defensively.

"I was working with Mark. I didn't know who he was but I met him through the dark web, honestly, I think he found me. It was a project for security, and I didn't know who he was. With those jobs, you don't ask questions. Once I did my research I realized he had a connection to Scorpion and dropped him but it didn't work because he got what he needed. He got inside my head. Through me he was able to make a connection with Stefan and…..a couple of months later I got the phone call from Veronica that she was being tailed. That was the last time I heard from her. What I learned in the hotel just confirmed what I suspected….and then some." Tessa blew out a breath as Paige stood shell-shocked Tessa dug her nails inside her palms as she waited for Paige's reaction. "There, okay. That's what happened."

"What was the job?" Paige asked lowly as Tessa turned her head and shrugged, not answering the question. "Tessa!" Paige barked as Tessa sighed and mumbled something under her breath but it was enough for Paige to learn the whole truth.

"You worked for them!" Paige screamed as Tessa shrugged but nodded her head.

"It was a bookie on the lower end. I needed cash and he didn't know me. I also worked out a new deal with the boss to work off some of Mom's debt and for him to drop the vendetta against us. However, when Mark got involved, they asked too much. I refused." Tessa assured her as Paige shook her head.

"I can't believe you," Paige whispered as betrayal and anger pierced her heart as she stared at the woman who grew more of a stranger by the second.

"Don't look at me that way!" Tessa bit out as she glared. "I had to do something! It made sense! It was logical and the only reason it didn't work was that Mark got involved. Whatever argument he made worked, the Boss demanded more than I could give him. He wanted me to create new code. Biohacking software and to complete some of Mark's BBI research. Real advanced stuff. In the hands of people like that I couldn't."

"So they made it more personal by going after all of us instead? That still doesn't make sense." Paige said as she tried to work out Tessa's story and Tessa shrugged and jutted out her chin proudly.

"You're still lying to me, Tessa. What aren't you telling me? You already told me this much you might as well tell me everything. Don't make me drag it out of you!" Paige threatened as Tessa glared at her.

"No," Tessa said hard as Paige balled her fists.

"Yes!" Paige demanded as Tessa shook her head.

"You don't need to know!" Tessa yelled as Paige opened her mouth to scream but something in Tessa's expression caught her off guard. She looked scared.

Nothing scared her sister except….

"It has something to do with me," Paige said softly as Tessa refused to look at her. "What was the demand? What was so high a price that it would cause you to risk our lives." Paige asked softly as she approved her cautiously as she could see Tessa's defensiveness start to dwindle.

"You." She said softly as Paige scrunched her eyebrows together in confusion and Tessa sighed. "The Boss wanted you. He wanted you to be delivered to him. I don't know why or what he was planning. I have never even met him in person but that's what he wanted. I couldn't do that." Tessa confessed as Paige nodded, morphing her expression into one of comfort as she wrapped her in her arms and she tensed but slowly leaned into the hug as for a brief moment Paige let herself feel the fear wash over her in waves as tears came to her eyes.

Quickly wiping them away she looked at Tessa who stared at her knowing. "Thank you for finally telling me. I don't care why you did it but….as I've learned you need all the facts to get your objective. Let's get mom. Then we'll figure this out. Together." Paige smiled as Tessa grinned.

"Together."

Oh, how wrong they were.

A/N: We are upping the antsy! Storms are brewing and it will be a hurricane. For the next few updates I'll get them out as soon as I can but I'll try not to let the wait be as long as this last one. So sorry about the wait but the next chapter is coming!