He often gazed out into thin air as if he were entranced by something Eileen could not see. She wondered often what could be going through his mind, what kind of thoughts were going through his head. But she also knew it was pointless to try and wonder. There was no trying to think the way he thought-- that could probably drive her crazy.

Walter hadn't looked at her as they walked back to 302, but she let him lean his tall, tired body against her as they walked. It was like carrying home a drunken boyfriend almost, Eileen thought. She knew she should feel annoyance at that, but there was that maternal streak in her that she could not suppress. When there was someone in need of help or a shoulder to lean on, Eileen was always there. She never could understand why-- had it just been the way she was wired? Seeing someone smile and find peace after heartache was always the most beautiful thing in the world to her.

Maybe that was it. She just wanted to make people happy.

"You should really get some rest." Eileen advised. Walter didn't seem to listen as they approached the front door.

Finally, he responded quietly, "I'm not very tired."

"How could you not be tired? I would think shooting yourself in the head and being dead for a while is a bit tiring." Eileen half laughed. Walter smiled slightly.

Stepping into the dark, quiet apartment, Walter seemed to move straight for the hallway, disappearing into the shadows. Eileen paused before following, taking a moment to check on little Walter, who was sleeping soundly on the couch. Seeing his peaceful face as he snuggled the couch brought a much needed sense of peace after a chaotic night.

Even though he had denied being tired, she found Walter lying on the bed looking sound asleep as well. She couldn't tell, though. The room was dark and his back faced her. With a sigh she took her place beside him and moved close, bravely nestling her head against his back.

"Are you sleeping?"

"No."

"...are you mad at me?"

"No."

Eileen smiled, but knew something still wasn't right. What had suddenly put so much distance between them when she was finally willing to reach out to him? Just her luck.

"Why are you so close to me?" He asked.

"I don't want you to be cold."

He was quiet for a moment, before Eileen could faintly make out choked cries and feel his body shivering. She put an arm around him slowly and carefully. Never before had she moved to embrace him. Walter seemed to shudder under her touch, and clutched a handful of blanket tightly. A part of her wondered if moving so close to him was going to upset him.

Though there was that something inside of her that she had been trying too hard not to think about. That something made her throw caution to the wind and pull him to her. Quickly, she tugged him by the shoulder, pulling him on to his back and she leaned up, looking down at him. He averted his teary eyes and his expression held both fear and sorrow.

Eileen wrapped her arms around him and lay her head down on his chest, ignoring the flurry of emotions surging inside of her. Satisfaction, anger, fear, her own sorrow... she wasn't in the mood for it. She just wanted that moment.

Slowly and carefully, Walter moved his arms over her shoulders, holding her close. He had never imagined that a moment would come where he held such a fragile, beautiful thing so close to his body.

"I didn't think dead people had a heartbeat." Eileen said softly.

Walter took a shaky breath and replied, working to regain composure, "You have a heartbeat."

Eileen never liked remembering her own death. It was hard enough to accept that she was going to be there with the two Walters for a very, very long time. But she was working on that. One step at a time, she reasoned.

The rhythmic beating beneath her ear was steady, but fast. She could only imagine that he felt the same stirring butterflies within him that she felt, or the same electric tingling at her fingertips. She closed her eyes and listened.

After almost ages of silence, Walter finally spoke, "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Eileen asked.

"For killing you."

"It's alright."

Walter glanced down with slight confusion, "...what?"

"I was going to die anyway." Eileen sighed, sleepily.

Walter looked back up at the ceiling, taking in her words. She certainly had a strange sense of humor.