A/N: Hello loves I'm back! Oh my gosh, it has been a WILD time since I last updated. My family was sick (my brother-in-law in the hospital with brain damage), quit my job, currently writing my book, and planning a wedding all in one. Plus let's just add in a near-death experience just for funsies. Because seriously the day I had a minor seizure was the day my husband and I got into a car accident that could have killed me. Add writing my current WIP and I was busy with a capital B! Anyways thank you all so much for your patience and without further ado

Enjoy!

Little Girl Lost

Chapter 25: Not Good

Chapter Summary: Florence has her time to shine while Paige and Tessa grapple with their new reality.

"I'll miss you. I'll always miss you" Paige to Veronica in Season 3 Episode 12 The Hole truth

Previously on Little Girl Lost: After the confrontation with Joshua and his men, things look bad for the Scorpion clan and Veronica. After separating Paige and Tessa finally find their mother only for Joshua to find them. Unfortunately, things will take a turn for the worse and we say goodbye….for the final time to one of them.

Florence knew it was stupid to jump. She knew it was ill-advised even before Walter's yells faded with the tire tracks.

She knew that she had a temper, combined with ill-controlled emotions, and a steady sense of justice combined made her erratic and impulsive. Most of the time she considered it a fault and one of many that Walter has helped her within their 'EQ classes' however certain situations called for certain actions. A factoid that she was particularly proud of to understand and even graduate to the next level course (which would be improv of the psyche: how to act on a whim even if you do not emotionally understand the situation and act by mirroring.) She was a fast learner. She picked up situations quickly.

This was one of those situations.

In the van, she expected some hostility. She wasn't a fool and although she made peace (as much peace as she could have made anyways) with the 'situation' as she dubbed it; the others have not. Especially Happy, who on more than one occasion, has personally blamed her for the downfall of her family and hadn't let her forget it.

Of course, there were many factors contributing to the breakage, but she wouldn't dare bring it with the volatile woman. Maybe she would when there were witnesses around. However, that didn't alter her decision or loyalty to Paige.

She would never admit it, pride was a fickle matter, but she knew she was wrong to address her feelings in that way when everything fell apart. Even in the mere moments the words had left her lips and saw the devastation on her friend's face she knew she did something wrong.

Of course, she didn't know what 'it' was until much later. She digresses though that it doesn't matter. Some on the outside may question her impulsive decision to be on Paige's side and defend her even with the context and evidence proving otherwise of her complete innocence. The truth of the matter was she didn't care. She may have been an emotionally stunted friend, but she was loyal.

Loyal to a fault it seemed.

Although Paige had changed and mixed feelings toward her, Florence's feelings hardly changed. Paige helped her when no one else would. She was in her corner when she didn't have anyone. She was near penniless, her company and 20 years of hard work taken in a single board meeting.

She was angry, hurt, and hell-bent on creating something new. She could do it….but she realized she couldn't do it alone. Originally, she thought Paige was full of it when they argued but after some reflection, realized that Paige was correct. In the one-on-one sessions when trying to perfect her pitch Paige told her, bluntly she admits, that she was too harsh. She would catch more flies with honey than with vinegar or whatever that expression meant.

It took her a while those sweet words describing the facts and presenting the facts in a different way could be more beneficial. Walter may have officially started teaching her more about EQ and to better understand her feelings, but Paige led the groundwork. Because of her help, Florence was able to kick off her company again.

Paige became her first friend.

She remembered the introduction to the original scorpion could have been better. A stink bomb could have been better saved if she had thought about a conversation first about the noise. She knew that now but back then she didn't. Only Paige gave her the initial chance despite her…. shortcomings. She not only embraced her quirks but seemed to enjoy being in her company genuinely.

Now since the situation, this was her chance to repay her. Pumping her arms and measuring her breath the drive for redemption kept her going. She wanted, needed, to prove herself. That she wasn't this callus monster that shook the very foundation of her friends' lives. Happy was angry at her and although she put up a good front, she cared…deeply about how she affected everyone. She wanted to make up for that. Not only for Paige but for Walter as well.

If Paige was her first friend, Walter wasn't far behind. She respected their relationship. She loved having someone to talk to to not have to hide her intellect or feel shame or defense on how her mind worked. He understood it, embraced it, and together they uncovered more intellectual achievement than she thought possible. She had nothing but admiration for him….at first.

Of course, it didn't end up that way.

She's had crushes before. She was used to them and thus the name, crushed by them. Laughter, rejection, and humiliation were all she had ever known in her love life. That's why she had chosen not to have one. Then she met Sylvester.

He was sweet. Caring. Passionate about his interests and so, so kind. The kind of guy she always pictured wanting yet at the same time could never bring herself to entertain such nonsense.

Then there was Walter. She had never planned to fall for him. She didn't think anyone truly plans to like someone. However, it came like a lightning strike. Unexpected, powerful, and dangerous. He was off-limits to her. Not in the sense that he was already in a relationship with someone. In her mind that was a given to not entertain such thoughts; no, he was off limits because he was the one leading Scorpion. He was the one leading the way while the others followed.

It was risky to like someone like that. Perhaps that's why her crush persisted. She's done extensive research on the archetype 'bad boy'. Although Walter did not fit the physical description or even the personality of such classification of a romantic interest, (She admits this 'research' was done though romance novels with half-naked men on the cover and magazines with questionable headlines) he did fit the traits of 'unattainable', 'Forbidden', 'Unstable'.

She wasn't sure why this sudden attraction came about. She liked Sylvester. If she had to pick (not that she would or was even able to do so) she would pick Sly. He was what she's always wanted.

So why did she feel this way?

Still, even after his outright rejection and right now feeling the burn of her lungs as she ran the miles needed to get to his self-professed true love. Why did she feel this way? Picturing the thought of her kissing him wasn't as satisfying as it should be for her. It wasn't as gratifying or even satisfying. Kissing Sylvester did however reignite certain feelings and sensations that would make her blush yet she didn't feel nervous around him. Or at least she didn't.

As she wiped some sweat off her forehead, her thoughts drifted back to the kind (if outspoken) Dr. Tobias M. Curtis. He offered, numerous times, (especially after the situation) to get her on the couch for a session and each time she refused.

Not that she didn't value the importance of psychiatry or the necessity of learning one's own head is that, if she was being honest with herself…. she was scared of what would be found.

She did a great job of blocking out her early life. Absent parents, followed by a string of rejections of friends, colleagues, and romantic interests. She's always been alone and for the most part, she was okay with that. She was okay.

She didn't need a doctor to ruffle any of her comforts.

Especially not now.

No, not now. She needed to keep focus. Especially since she was approaching the complex. She was certain this was what she was searching for. This was the only building she had seen for miles and it matched the coordinates perfectly.

If she had any doubts about where she needed to be or her choice of running, they were gone with the sound of a gunshot.

No sooner had she arrived did a string of gunshots fill the air, followed by a terrified scream. Gasping she dodged quickly behind a rock as she peered over and saw three big men carry a limp Paige and Tessa and quickly found the source of the screaming. A third woman was carried out as Florence could make out the gleaming red that was staining her shirt and her screams of pain and loud curses filled the air. By the looks of it, this must be Veronica Dineen. The men acted quickly, tossing a very injured Veronica in the back with Paige and Tessa, laughing as they did so as Florence tried to hear their conversation.

"Boss just left. He wants us to finish the job. Don't know why he couldn't have just killed her, but we can have some fun…. can't we sweetheart?" He leered in the door followed by a swift kick that left the man with a bloody nose.

"Fucking bitch" He hollered as he grabbed his injured nose while the second man stayed quiet.

"Don't just stand there, help me damn it!" The first man hollered as the other shrugged and went to the door just as Veronica came back and the sound of a gunshot once again rang through the air. Florence jumped and nearly threw up her breakfast when she saw the second man go down.

One more gunshot and the man with the broken nose slumped to the ground and Florence did actually become sick, the bran muffin reappearing as the car started but stalled as a limping Veronica held her side where for the first time Florence noted that was the source of the injury.

Acting quickly Florence jumped and had her arms raised as she screamed out "I'm a friend of Paige's and I can help you!"

Veronica then turned swiftly, the gun clumsy in her hand as Florence held her hands up in surrender.

"Who….the hell…..are you!?" she gasped out as blood spilled from her mouth as Florence flinched.

"I'm with Scorpion. You need help!" Florence yelled as Veronica nearly collapsed as Florence grimaced. Catching the nearly unconscious woman and as a result getting some blood on her clothes. Regardless she did her best to bandage her side with a sweater as Veronica's clouded eyes drifted to her daughters.

"Help them" Veronica whispered as Florence limped the woman in the back and took the outstretched keys that were offered, driving away from the gruesome scene as Florence sent a text to Walter with a tracking pin.

She wasn't sure where to take them as she had no idea where the nearest hospital was but figured heading back where Scorpion wasn't a bad idea, especially since Toby had his medical bag, and judging from past missions Toby could help them.

He had to help them.

As he took a quick look next to her Veronica was gasping for breath as she held her injured side, the blood soaking her clothes as Florence tried her hardest not to become sick again.

"Gruesome I know." Veronica chuckled lowly, small droplets of blood spilling as she wiped them away. "You get used to it." She muttered as Florence swallowed and just nodded her head, lost for words.

"This wasn't what I had planned you know? Friend of Paige's, even if you aren't as close as you said you were." She said as she groaned and held her side tighter.

"I am a friend, although our social interactions haven't been the best the last few days. I am on friendly terms with her, although she may have mixed feelings about me. However, due to the severe nature of your condition, this is not the situation to talk about such emotionally charged matters." Florence rushed out, almost robotically as Veronica smiled.

"I disagree, now is a perfect time. One of my daughters is a target, the other is scared to death of losing her and I'm…. well I want to make sure that they will be alright. I'm not the best mother but I'm still their mother."

"Uh, yes well Walter just texted me where to meet them. We're only two miles away and then Toby will help you." Florence tried to be assuring however from the creased brow and frowned lips Florence knew it didn't hit the mark.

"You're sweet." Was all she murmured before it became quiet and Florence pulled over, helping Veronica out and lying her on the ground; she used all her strength to move both women to the dirt as Vernonia watched over them silently.

"They should be here soon. You shouldn't move." She cautioned as Veronica ignored her advice and settled between her two girls.

"This is the last time I'll see them; I'll do as I please." She whispered as Florence turned when she heard the roar of a car and her heart leaped in her chest before she saw Walter, Toby, and Happy all jump out of the back; Sly running around to the front as Toby rushed to Veronica and Walter attended a still unconscious Paige.

"What happened!?" Happy demanded as she checked over Tessa, Toby rummaging through his bag, mumbling to himself.

"When I arrived there were two men who ushered Paige and Tessa into the jeep but then Veronica s-shot them." Florence hastily explained as Veronica laughed.

"Kiddo helped me and my girls. Joshua shot me in the side, good thing I moved….he was aiming for my head…not that it would help much. Don't worry Doctor Curtis you can be straight with me. I know what's going to happen." Veronica gasped out, more blood spilling out as Toby tried to hide his concern, instead wiping away the blood as he tried to salvage the wound but Veronica just shook him off as everyone got quiet with what she said next.

"Doctor Curtis… let me die."

"What! No, I can't! Not only is it against my code as a doctor but Paige will kill me if I kill you!" Toby shouted as Walter frowned.

"Veronica, you've had a terrible shock. We have never let anyone in our charge die, we will not start with you. Scorpion helps people. We save everyone. Normal people save everyone!" Walter shouted as he gripped the bandage Toby snipped off and wrapped it tightly as she shook her head.

"As much as I appreciate it, boys, my time is here. I want this. This needs to happen to protect my girls!" She coughed weakly as she groaned, and Walter ground his teeth together.

"Doctor Curtis, stop it for a moment and tell everyone but what you have already figured out. I've had too much blood loss. The bullet nicked my spleen. I'm getting dizzier, it's hard to talk, and it's hard to keep my thoughts together. My nails are pitted. I don't have a lot of time left and sooner or later Joshua is going send out his boys to track my body. I have time left but not enough to save my life but just enough to say goodbye." Veronica said quietly as Toby got tears in his eyes. He looked away and Sylvester came closer.

"Toby?" He said as Walter placed a hand on his shoulder and the mathematician looked at everyone's grim expressions. "There is less than one percent of her survival." He said sadly as Toby swallowed and Veronica only smiled.

"You've done a good job of fixing me up Doctor but I'm okay with this." She gasped out as her color became gray and her eyes glassy. "I – I just want to, I need to talk….to my girls" She gasped out, her words becoming softer and more drawn out as if the burden of talking was too much.

"Walter get the smelling salts in my bag. Happy, Walter hold them under their noses for 10 seconds." He commanded as both got to work the air becoming dense as Florence took a few steps back. She's never felt this before.

Her chest felt constricted while her stomach was a dead weight, the dessert heat dry but her entire body felt cold. Dry lips and wet eyes she looked around, hoping to see, well, hope. A surprise solution. An impossible feat. The last-ditch effort to save a life.

But she didn't.

She saw Paige and Tessa wake up, their drawn and weary faces crumbling as they both ran, clumsy and off-kilter, to their mothers' side and Veronica smiled….really smiled as Paige and Tessa both leaned in. They listened to their mother's last words before they both stepped back and Veronica just settled her head against the jeep, eyes glassy as Toby secured one more bandage as she smiled at them. All of them.

"Thank you…for being with them."

Silence.

A/N: Leave me some love and I'll see you all soon! If you want updates or teasers/ just general when I'm putting the chapter up find me on Facebook under the name Jules Bells!