Disclaimer: Scorpion and all its characters belong to someone else. Any similarities to other stories are unintentional.

Chapter Six- Heading for Disaster?

'Well, that went really well!' Cabe enthused to Walter and Florence as they entered the garage after their latest job. 'That winch worked perfectly! Happy's got a rival, there!'

'I don't think anyone can beat Happy's,' Walter responded 'but Grace was very clear with her instructions and I think I followed them OK, although mechanics aren't my speciality. I must go online and thank her- or at least my bank balance thanks her. Look! We actually got paid.'

Florence took the pay check from Walter. 'Wow!' she said, her eyes wide. 'That will pay some of our bills off. We've got more jobs lined up too- maybe we're winning over Centipede at last. I'll get some burgers from Kovelsky's to celebrate, shall I?'

Walter's adrenaline rush from the job disappeared at that announcement. That was true! What had happened to Centipede? He hadn't seen them at any pitches lately. He hoped the guys were alright, especially Paige and Ralph! He hadn't hacked into their details out of respect for Paige, but he just might have a quick look now...

'Walter?' Florence repeated. Really, the guy was getting harder to communicate with each day! He seemed to retreat inside his head at any given moment unless he was on a job where he was super alert. 'Walter? Kovelsky's?'

'Er... I was just... I'm not hungry. Got some work...'

'Walter!' Cabe interjected. 'When's the last time you ate anything? You look all skin and bones.'

'I'm fine. I've got research to do...' Walter turned away. He really did have a lot to do, he'd check up on Paige later. He was sure she and the others were fine. This research was important and took precedence over his personal needs- for the greater good!

Cabe and Florence looked at each other in despair. 'Cabe, he's becoming more distant. I don't like that he's working with that Collins guy on that project. They seem to have their own language and work for hours without sleeping- and now apparently eating too. Can you talk to him?'

'Yeah, don't worry, Florence. I'll speak to him. You go and get the burgers, if you don't mind- oh, and can I have some bananas too? Walter forgot to get them when he went shopping this week... actually, has he even done the shopping?' Cabe strode over to the fridge. Nothing! Not even any cartons of fermented fish- just creamer. 'Damn it, Walter forgot to do the shopping! Would you...?'

'It's OK, Cabe. I'll sort it, and bring back the burgers too. Just speak to him, please?'

Florence left the garage, and Cabe turned to Walter's desk, but it was empty with the exception of Birdroni, which Sylvester had left behind when he'd stormed out that day. The drone was in pieces and it looked like Walter's mechanic friend was giving him instructions on how to upgrade and improve it. With a sigh, Cabe climbed the stairs to the loft. Empty. Cabe carried on walking until he reached the roof.

Walter was sitting on some steps, which were as high as the wall so that he was level to it. He had his laptop open on his knees but was now staring out into the darkness, mumbling to himself. Cabe couldn't hear what he was saying, but probably wouldn't understand it if he could.

'Walter?' he called softly. He didn't want to startle Walter as he was so near the edge. 'Hey! What are you doing up here?' he added touching Walter gently on the shoulder, making Walter snap out of his reverie and look down to where Cabe had touched him.

'Helps me think.' Walter answered 'I like it up here.'

'You're awfully close to the edge.' Cabe said worriedly 'Come on now, let's go downstairs and celebrate our job today. The work can wait half an hour!'

'It's important work, Cabe.' Walter tried to protest, but Cabe wasn't having any nonsense.

'Your ass better be a size 12 because that's the size shoe I'm wearing! Now move downstairs!' Cabe yelled. Walter looked at him for a few moments, and Cabe thought he was going to ignore him, but Walter just sighed and followed him downstairs.

Florence still hadn't returned with the food, so Walter strolled over to his desk and began tinkering with Birdroni. Cabe came and stood beside the desk, watching as Walter began to fix a camera onto the drone.

'Grace seems to be doing a good job, and she doesn't get anything in return for helping you?' Cabe stated. 'I'd like to meet her.'

'Yeah, she's a superlative mechanic. I asked her to join Scorpion but she refused. Said she just likes our conversations. Hmm- lucky Paige isn't here anymore or...' Walter cut his bitter remark short, looking down for a moment. 'I sent Grace a cut of my pay check, though. Only fair, but she returned it. I'd like to meet her too. Maybe we should go to her location to thank her in person.'

'That's not a bad idea, son.'

'But it will have to wait a while. We've got two more jobs lined up- one that Birdroni will help us with. I've also got my research...'

'Son, I'm not happy about this work with Collins. How much longer will you be working with him? He's a dangerous man!'

Walter looked Cabe straight in the eye. 'I know.' he said softly 'but this work is important. We're near a breakthrough, and then I'll pass the details onto you and you can escalate our findings to the correct agencies for further development. I've just got to make sure the work can't ever be used for anything but good.'

'Your thinking about Baghdad, aren't you. I swear, Walter, I will never allow anything like that to happen again. trust me!'

'Collins just wants recognition for his work. It is superlative, but I realise he isn't fully sane. I'm being careful, Cabe. It's all good, you'll see!'

'I hope so, son. I hope so!'

Just then, Florence returned from Kovelsky's with the shopping and burgers. They sat together at the table, but Walter just played with his food- he was too keen to get on with his research. As he tossed his fries around his plate, his mind turned back to his work. He began running numbers and calculations through his head. Hmm... that can't be right, he thought. He stood up suddenly, sending his meal crashing to the floor... he needed to get to the whiteboard immediately and study his equations.

As Walter dashed off without a word, Cabe and Florence looked at each other in dismay. They had to think of something because they now realised that Walter was heading for disaster... he was heading for the 'rabbit hole' and needed their help. They needed the guys back! But would they come? Cabe just wasn't sure...

To be continued...