Author's note: I'm a bit overwhelmed by the response to this story. Now I feel bad I haven't updated for so long. Thanks for the reviews and for your patience.
CHAPTER TWO
Paige returned to the garage a little after one, bringing Ralph, two suitcases, and a bag of groceries. "We didn't talk about it before," she said as she took the food into the kitchen, "but I assume Ralph will be staying here while you guys keep an eye on him?"
"That would be correct," Toby chimed in as Cabe and Sly nodded. "Your mom fill you in, pal?"
"Yes," said the boy genius. "I told her not to worry, I'd probably be taking care of all of you before she gets back."
"I don't find that very reassuring, Ralph," Paige stated as she stocked the refrigerator.
"Hey, buddy," Walter said as he came down the stairs carrying his duffel bag.
"Hey, Walter." The boy rushed over to the older man, and they fist bumped. Paige watched Walter lower himself down to her son's level as the two of them talked eagerly. Then Ralph whispered something into the older man's ear before throwing his arms around Walter's neck. The genius's face turned red, leaving Paige to wonder whether it was the whisper or the hug causing him to blush.
With a shake of her head, she reached into her purse and took out a sheath of papers. "This is a list of instructions for taking care of Ralph," she announced, handing it to Toby. "I want them followed down to the letter."
"We've taken care of him before," Sylvester pointed out.
"Just for one night." She crossed her arms over her chest. "This is going to be for a week or more. It's not that I don't trust you guys. . ."
The shrink waved the pages in the air. "This manifesto says otherwise," he commented, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Make sure he brushes his teeth. . . Make sure he eats. . ." He passed the printout over to Cabe. "In case you haven't noticed, we're not idiots."
"No, but you're geniuses, and I know you'll deny it, but you all have a tendency to get lost in your own little worlds and forget about details like dental hygiene and nutrition. And Ralph is no exception."
Cabe was leafing through the pages of paper. "Don't worry, kiddo," he reassured her. "I'll keep these knuckleheads in line."
"Thank you." Paige smiled at the older man as he handed the instructions to Sly.
"We'd better head out," the agent said. "You guys are flying commercial. And you're going to have to go through the TSA line."
"Can't you just flash us through?" asked Happy. "I've got some things in my carry-on that. . ."
"Not this time. I'm just dropping you off. The less you're seen with law enforcement, the less likely your cover will be blown."
"Damn." The mechanic started to open up her duffel.
"No time for that," growled Cabe. "We need to leave now. Do it in the car." Happy re-zipped her bag and slung it over her shoulder before heading for the door. Toby chased after her.
Paige knelt down to hug Ralph. "Listen to Toby, Sly, and Cabe," she said, kissing his forehead as he squirmed. "Just don't listen to everything they say, okay?"
"Mom, I can handle this."
"Yes, I know you can,"she stated as her eyes teared up, unsure if she'd be able to bear being away from her son for so long. "I'll call when I have a chance. I love you."
"Bye, Mom." The boy wiggled out of her embrace before racing over to her desk where he had set up his laptop.
"He will miss you." Paige spun around to see Walter standing behind her, rubbing the back of his head. "I didn't like it much either when my mother made a fuss over me when I was his age."
"I know. It's just. . ." She wasn't going to see him for at least a week and Ralph acted like he didn't care. He had never been a hugger, although he had improved since meeting Walter and the rest of the team. She shrugged as she blinked back tears. "We'd better go."
"Okay." Walter picked up his bag, then reached for her suitcase at the same time she did, and their hands collided. His eyes met hers and her heart started beating faster and her breathing grew shallow at the accidental contact.
Paige snatched her hand back, allowing Walter to carry her luggage out of the garage as she followed him out the door.
ooooo
After stashing their belongings in the cargo space, Paige and Happy climbed into the backseat of Cabe's SUV as Walter got in the front passenger seat. "Ugh," said Paige as she buckled herself in. "Why does it smell like cigarettes in here? You haven't taken up smoking, have you Cabe?"
"I'll have you know I quit over twenty-five years ago," the agent announced proudly as he backed out of the parking space and turned out into the street.
Walter glanced over his shoulder at Happy, who glared menacingly at him. She had smoked from time to time when he'd first met her. Usually when she was stressed or angry, which had been most of the time back then. Her now strained relationship with Toby must have caused her to seek solace in her old habit.
She was an adult, capable of making her own decisions, whether he approved of them or not. With a slight nod, he conveyed he would keep another secret for her. . .for now anyway.
Over an hour later, Cabe pulled up to the curb to the LAX drop-off area. "Okay, kids," he said as they clambered out of the vehicle to collect their gear. "You should probably split up once you get inside. Easier to maintain your cover."
"Okay." "Goodbye, Cabe." Happy and Paige took off, heading into the terminal.
"Hey, Walter, hold up," the agent called through the open passenger side window. When the genius came back to the car, he added, "Son, I want you to keep an eye on Paige and Happy."
"Isn't that a bit sexist?" Walter frowned. "Happy would kick your ass for even suggesting it."
"Listen, I did some moonlighting working security for concerts back in the '80's," Gallo began, "and I've seen what goes on backstage and I doubt it's changed that much in thirty years. Yeah, it might be a bit sexist, but are you willing to let either of them get into a situation where they could be taken advantage of?"
"No." Walter ran a nervous hand through his hair. "Okay."
"Good. And remember what I said about putting yourself back into the picture."
Walter nodded. "Sure. See you later," he said as he turned to go.
"So long. . . And good luck." Cabe shook his head. "Boy, are you going to need it."
ooooo
Happy had found a spot in a far corner of the waiting area by the time Walter had reached their gate. Selecting a seat a couple of yards away from where Paige was sitting, Walter kept sneaking glances at her as they waited for their departure to be called.
She had put in a pair of ear buds and was lip syncing to what he imagined were song lyrics from the thumb drive the ATF agent had given her. He became fascinated watching her mouth and tongue move as they shaped sounds and words, shifting uncomfortably in his chair as the thought of them doing other things filled his mind.
Something banged into the back of his head, and he twisted around to see Happy standing behind him, her eyes trained forward. "They're calling our flight, moron," she whispered out of the side of her mouth. "And you might want to wipe that drool off your chin." With a shake of her head, she sauntered over to get in line.
Walter unconsciously touched his hand to his face as he watched as Paige put away her headphones before standing up. Flipping her hair, she looked over her shoulder at him and smiled before going to join the rest of the boarding passengers.
His mouth went dry and his heart beat even faster as he got to his feet. Was she flirting with him? He remembered her doing something similar with her hair when she'd tried to teach him to flirt when he had gone undercover before. Maybe Cabe was right. Maybe it was time to put himself 'back in the picture.' Even Ralph had told him to 'go for it' before he'd left the garage.
Only he had no idea how to go about doing so. He'd screwed up so badly. Switching the reservations, shutting down the restaurant, telling her to take Tim in the first place. . . He'd been stupid and childish, and as a result, he'd lost her to another man. He had no idea how far her relationship with the former trainee had gone, if they'd. . .had intercourse or not. He tried to lie to himself and say it didn't matter, but. . . But it did. And the worst part was it was all his fault. He'd practically pushed her into Tim's bed. It made him sick just to think about it.
Going through the motions of getting on the plane, he found his seat then stuffed his duffel into the overhead compartment before sitting down. Searching his immediate vicinity, he spotted Happy slouched near the window across the aisle in the row ahead of his. Paige was three rows ahead of him, helping an elderly woman stow her carry-on bag before taking her seat.
Walter stared at the back of her head, paying scant attention to the flight attendant's safety lecture before the plane finally took off.
ooooo
Paige was reunited with Walter and Happy on the shuttle ride to the hotel where the band was staying. They were greeted in the lobby by a short, middle-aged man who was dressed in what looked like a leisure suit from the '70's.
"Hello, hello," he said in accented English as he shook their hands. "I am manager, Ivan Darbinian, please call me Darby. Walter and. . .uh, Happy?"
"Yes." The mechanic stared challengingly at the man. Paige bit her lip, it was a fifty-fifty chance Happy would take exception to any comments about her unusual name.
"Okay, right." Darby pointed to a bus parked outside the building's front door. "Roadies sleep on bus tonight at venue, after equipment is set up, yes?"
"Sure," Happy said as Walter nodded.
The manager then turned to Paige. "And you are. . .?" He looked her up and down in a manner that wasn't leering, but disturbing nonetheless. "You not roadie," he decided.
Paige pasted a pleasant smile on her face. "No," she agreed. "I'm here to audition."
"Yes, yes." He pointed down a hallway. "Room 120. Conference room." He flipped his wrist to look at his watch. "Half an hour. Not many girls showing up." He pointed to Walter and Happy. "You two can stay and watch if you want."
Paige's stomach roiled as her nerves got the better of her as she and the others followed Darby down the hall.
"Hey, you'll do fine," Walter said quietly as he walked beside her. "I'd say good luck, but I don't. . .
"Believe in it. I know." She smiled before inhaling deeply. "Thanks."
"You're going to blow them away, Dineen," Happy said unexpectedly. "I. . ."
Whatever she'd been about to say was cut off as they reached the designated room. Inside were four women, all looking about five to ten years younger than she was, dressed in fashionable and revealing clothing. Paige glanced down at the wrinkled shirt and slacks she'd been wearing all day.
"Uh. . .Darby?" She turned to the manager. "Is there somewhere I can freshen up?"
"Sure, sure. Restroom, across hall." He pointed out the door. "Hurry though. We not wait for you."
"Thank you."
Walter watched as Paige left the room, hoping she hadn't changed her mind about their mission. He started to follow her, but staggered to a halt when Happy grabbed his arm.
"She'll be all right," she said through gritted teeth. "Come on, let's go sit in the back." The mechanic let go of him as they wandered to the back of the room.
Walter sat down, leaning his head against the wall as he tipped his chair. Closing his eyes, his mind immediately drifted to Paige and what he needed to do to win her back.
"Hot damn." His eyes popped open and his chair landed back on all four legs with a thunk when he heard Happy's muttered curse.
Another woman had entered the conference room, attired in black leggings that clung to her long shapely legs and a midriff baring top of the same color. A spangly scarf was wrapped around her neck and some of her honey colored hair was pulled back into an asymmetrical ponytail. She had her back to him as she walked up to the manager, her hips swaying hypnotically.
Since meeting Paige, Walter had, on occasion, found other women attractive, although they could never compare to the liaison. This woman, however. . . He squirmed awkwardly in his chair.
Then she turned around.
"Hoh boy," he murmured as Paige smiled across the room at him.