"I didn't mean I didn't want you to touch me Walter, it feels good. Your touch makes me feel alive again and I welcome it," She told him with a smile.

He stared into her eyes, "What, what if I didn't want you to just come back to work, but, to be a couple again?"

Paige smiled, "Walter, we had problems before. Do you really think we can work them out?" She was silently praying, 'Please say yes, please say yes.'

Walter nodded his head, "I'm more than willing to try. I've been listening to the music you always expressed an interest in, and I find I enjoy it a little. I've been trying to see if I can't connect to the things you like better and not just discount them. I try to accept the little inaccuracies of others that always drove me crazy. I've even quit going to so many lectures and not just because money is tight with Scorpion. Personally I'm a bit better off. I'd be willing to go for couples counseling."

Paige smiled, "I'm not sure any of that was really the problem Walter, but counseling would be a good thing. I just wish I had the money to help pay for it."

Walter squeezed her fingers a bit tighter momentarily, "I'd be happy to pay for it. Also Flo won't be a factor either. I fired her a little over a month after we last saw each other. She became very unreliable. She was always late and never made up her time."

Paige squeezed his fingers back as she brought his free hand back over so he could continue touching her arm like before. "Well you shouldn't have to pay for it all. Provided you hire me back and we start getting some work as Scorpion, I can help pay for the counseling. As for Flo, I didn't know you fired her. She's been dating Sly for almost five months. It really pissed me off. I almost quit. If I had known for sure you'd have welcomed me back I would have. Given all your messages, I should have known."

Walter looked at her, "So if those things really weren't the problem between us what was? I mean, I only know what you said."

Paige nodded, "I know Walter. If we are being serious about getting back together than we have got to be honest, just not brutally honest." She recalled his words about the pancake breakfast she had fixed him. "I'm not proud of it but I only said those things to hurt you because I was hurting."

Walter looked speculative, "I can understand that. And I only want to be honest with you but I might need more guidance about not being brutally honest. Was there anything else?"

Paige nodded, "I feel like we didn't spend enough time together after work as a couple. It was like we spent all that time at work together and then when we should have been a couple I went home and you stayed at the Garage. I would want that to change."

Walter nodded, "I can agree to that." They both laughed as they heard Walter's stomach growl. "Would you be interested in going to get something to eat while we talk? For some reason I am hungrier tonight than I have been in a very long time."

Paige smiled, "I know what you mean. I'd love to go get something to eat with you."

Walter smiled as he removed his fingers from her arm and grabbed his briefcase before sliding out of the booth still holding her right hand. Paige smiled and slid out. As she stood Walter leaned in and they kissed. As her left hand came up around his neck his right hand put his briefcase back on the table before he reached around and pulled her against him.

Those same sparks of energy were still there, perhaps a little dusty like the table they just left but that energy burnt the dust off quickly as their free hands caressed the other. Paige felt her passion rising and she rejoiced being in his embrace, their tongues tangled together. As her breathing increased she reluctantly pulled her head back, breaking the kiss with a smile, "Oh my, Walter, you still set me on fire. But I think we better go eat and finish discussing everything. I don't want to cloud the issue with how we feel without addressing everything first."

Walter smiled as his breathing had been affected the same and he knew exactly what she meant. "I understand and I don't want to rush this."

Paige locked the door after they left the diner and Walter held the car door for her. Paige smiled as she slid in. Walter closed her door and walked over and got into the car, "Where is your car?"

Paige smiled as she looked across the street and waved and Sarah waved back before driving off. Walter smiled as he started his car.

Walter pulled into a parking spot next to Paige's car in front of her condo. "Home sweet home," Walter said as he put the car in park.

Paige smiled, "Would you like to come up for some coffee? I'm sure Ralph is still up and he'd love to see you."

Walter kind of panicked, "You're still letting Ralph come over this weekend right?"

Paige looked at him oddly, "Of course I am. I just figured you would like to see him now since you are here. But I have to ask, would you like me to come over for the weekend too?"

Walter grinned, "I'd love that, if you don't think we're rushing things."

Paige shook her head, "Let's go up."

Walter turned off his car and got out and walked over to open her door while he held her hand as she got out. Paige took his arm as they walked slowly towards her door. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they walked. Everything seemed to be right again, to both of them. Paige opened her door and stepped in looking around the door. She saw Ralph engrossed in his game console. She gestured and Walter stepped in quietly. "Hey Ralph, I'm home," Paige called out.

Ralph waved while continuing to drive his car, "Welcome home Mom."

Paige walked over and paid the babysitter before letting her out. Walter stood there just watching as Paige stepped into the kitchen and began brewing a pot of coffee.

Ralph frowned as he heard the noise and the smell of coffee. His Mom hadn't made coffee this late in a long time, usually only when Drew, Tim or Walter were over. Almost with fear that his Mom had brought someone home he pressed pause on his game. He knew eventually she would get past Walter and start dating again, but he had hoped it wouldn't happen. He'd hoped she would realize that Walter while imperfect was perfect for them. Anger rose up in him as he was determined to drive whatever scum of the Earth she brought home away. He turned around and his eyes went wide as he saw Walter standing by the kitchen island watching him. A smile erupted on his face as his scowl disappeared completely, "Walter." He yelled excitedly and he ran over and hugged him.

Walter smiled and laughed, "Hey buddy."

After they ended their hug Ralph looked from Walter to his Mom, "Not that I am complaining, but what's going on?"

Walter smiled as he looked at Paige. Paige stepped over and put her arm around Walter as he put his arm around her. "Walter and I had a long talk this evening. We want to start over. Is that okay with you?"

Ralph grinned and hugged his Mom.

The next morning Paige sat at her desk humming and singing as she sent some files to the printer. Sylvester sat at his desk and looked down the short hallway towards her office as he heard her and he looked puzzled. She walked out of her office and turned and walked down the other hallway going back to their conference room. He saw Happy and Toby pull up in her truck and got up and met them at the front door.

"Hey Sly, what's up?" Happy greeted him. He just pointed down the other hallway and they could hear Paige still singing.

The trio walked slowly down the hall and stopped in front of the door and saw Paige in there sitting at the table with a bunch of paperwork. "Well, someone is in a good mood today," Toby said.

Paige looked back, "Good morning. Come on in and have a seat."

The trio slowly stepped in and sat down. Toby looked at her face, "You look like you got a good night's sleep for a change. Did we get a job?"

Paige nodded, "Slept like a baby. No job though. Okay, well considering you guys are geniuses I don't suppose I need to go over this with you. But in case you don't realize just where we are as a company, and to be on the safe side I am going too." She passed each one a set of papers. "Now this is where we stand as a company. We've not had a client in four months. Our cash reserve is such that we've got enough left to pay everyone one last month and that is it. The good news is we are almost at the end of our six month lease so we can terminate without any penalties. So I am proposing we terminate the lease and pay each of us one last time and close our doors."

All three geniuses sat there staring at Paige with their mouths open, "Questions?"

"Hell yea, what do you mean close our doors?" Toby demanded.

Paige smiled, "I mean, we close our doors, go out of business."

"What are we suppose to do for a living?" Toby demanded again.

Paige's smile faded, "Toby, chill out. Last night I had a meeting with a perspective employer for you guys. He seemed to at least be up to speaking with you guys to see if he'd be willing to hire you."

"Why are we just now finding out about this?" Happy asked as she set the paperwork down.

Paige looked at her puzzled, "Happy, I've sent each of you weekly updates on our financial status since we first opened our doors. As for the job prospect, until I knew if it was possible I didn't see a reason to bring it up."

Sylvester cleared his throat, "Can't we just wait it out?"

Paige shook her head, "Guys, right now is the time to move. We all sunk ten thousand dollars into this company. We go out of business now and we get half of our investment back. If we don't, we lose it. Plus where would we work from? The property managers are only going to renew another six month lease at least and there is no reason to take out a loan and be on the hook for that with no job prospects. If you guys want to vote to stay then I will just quit and take my share of what is left and you guys can keep going."

Toby glared at her, "That's a fine how do you do."

Paige returned his glare, "Really? I go out of my way to see to it that you guys get a chance to possibly have employment and you are going to give me grief?"

"So who is this employer and what is he or she going to want from us?" Happy asked quietly.

Paige nodded, "Well, you know him. And the first thing he is going to want from you guys is a heartfelt apology."

Toby stared with his mouth opened, "Oh hell no. I am not apologizing to his imperial majesty."

Paige glared at Toby again, "What does it matter Toby? You guys won't help make any decisions even though we set this company up as an equal partnership. I've had to make all the decisions about everything."

Toby huffed, "Because, at least this way we have the option, his way there is only his way."

Paige shook her head. "He also said to tell you if he agrees to bring you back it would be provisionally and that your relationship with him will not be the same as it was before." Paige told them.

Happy picked up the paperwork and looked over the numbers again and sighed. "Well I agree with you on the business, it doesn't make sense to keep running if we don't have any income. We should just cut our losses. I'm not sure about going back to Scorpion though."

Paige nodded, "I understand and that is up to you. I need your signature on the last page of those packets if you agree with closing it down and getting one last payday. As for going back to work for Walter that is solely on you and I am not going to try and persuade you to do it. You are grown ups and you can make your own decision."

Happy signed her paper and handed it back. Sylvester looked at the paperwork and sighed as he signed his and handed it her. Toby just stared at the other two, "So that's it? We're just going to roll over?"

Happy slapped the back of his head, "That ten grand is enough to pay our house payment, utilities and food for six months. That will give us plenty of time to decide what we want to do. So sign it."

Toby finally signed it and handed it back.

Paige nodded, "I'll go run the payroll and let the property managers know we are moving out. We'll have about sixteen days to get anything we want to keep out. I'll need everyone to sign this. It is just to agree that everyone take what the company bought them for use, laptops, etc. I'll call the rental company to come pick up the furniture and appliances."

Cabe pulled up and parked in his normal spot at the Garage after dropping Allie at work. He stepped into the Garage and saw Walter had rearranged the desks again. He shook his head with a slight smile as he called out, "Hey Walt."

Walter walked out of the kitchen with his coffee mug, "Morning Cabe."

Cabe walked into the kitchen and fixed a cup of coffee before he walked out and sat down in the chair beside Walter's desk. "Still can't make up your mind on the desks?"

Walter smiled, "I think this is the last time."

Cabe laughed. "Did you hear from Paige yet? Am I still picking up Ralph for you this afternoon?"

Walter shook his head, "I don't need you to pick him up."

Cabe nearly spit his sip of coffee back out, "I'm sorry son."

Walter nodded without looking up.

"So what is with the new desk configuration?" Cabe looked around seeing that three of the desks had been moved back out of line of sight, over into where the engineer's work area use to be and now there were just two other desks by Walter's.

Walter pointed at the one closest to the couch, "That one is yours from now on." He pointed at the one right in front of his, "That's for the new hire that will be starting Monday."

Cabe had nodded about his desk but frowned about the other one. "I thought you weren't sure about hiring anyone else?"

Walter looked up, "I had a job request last night after you left. It turned out to be a bust but I met a remarkable young woman at the diner who I think might be able to help me turn things around. She'd worked for Richard Elia at one point. I couldn't pass up the opportunity."

Cabe's eyes opened a little wider but nodded.

To the Adventure! -Tim

Did you read chapter 2 of ScorpliningTraining's new story yet?

*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

OhMyGosh...Walter had sex (multiple times) with someone other than Paige! My mind went *splat*