A/N: Guys, you are AMAZING. Thank you SO MUCH for all the follows, favs, and reviews! My smile got wider and wider every time I saw them! I'm very glad you liked it!
Here is the second and final chapter.
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I am the extremely proud owner of the awesome Nathan Cressler, but I'm not the proud owner of Scorpion…or Walt. :(
Note: Hey, does anyone know what the garage's address is in the show? I had to make something up 'cause I couldn't find it.
*~Line Break~*
*Walter's POV*
I stared at the almost lifeless form lying on the hospital bed. He was a sickly ashen, and hooked up to so many tubes and wires he looked like a robot. From the disgusted looks my team was giving me, I knew my face and eyes were completely expressionless.
If only they could see the chaos within me.
I've never felt remorse to acutely; there's always been some degree of it, but this…this was pain. It was torture. I found myself replaying the sight of Nathan's bloody form being loaded into the ambulance over and over and my pain only increased. Lucky me, with my memory I won't ever forget it.
I didn't want to.
I wanted it to eat me up inside so I could really feel for once in my life. I wanted to make myself suffer, to punish myself for what I did to this boy. Because this was my fault. It was all my fault. I deserved any abuse that came my way. And there had been plenty of it.
A split second after the door slammed behind Nathan, my entire team erupted into shouts of pure anger, yelling abuses at me left and right. Even Paige had lost it. The only one who hadn't was Sylvester. He was staring at me with eyes so sad and disappointment that it hurt more than any insult ever could.
I seemed to snap back into myself and I ran outside at full speed; I had a feeling that something terrible had happened. When I saw the bloody form ahead of me, my cold heart thawed and jumped into my throat. I skidded to a stop, praying to whatever deity that existed that it wasn't Nathan, and turned the form around.
It was Nathan.
I immediately dialed 911. "Help! 221 Baker Avenue; there's been an accident!" I nearly shouted and hung up. I wished I had a blanket or something; hell, I would've taken my shirt off if I hadn't needed it!
To my utter relief, Nathan coughed – he was still breathing. "Come on, stay with me," I murmured to him. "Don't leave. You can't. I still have to apologize! I have to fix this. Don't leave. You aren't allowed to." I kept on, saying whatever popped into my head; I'm pretty sure there was an apology or a declaration of love or something in there, but I really couldn't be bothered to remember when Nathan was dying in front of me.
My relief increased when I heard the wail of sirens. I went out into the middle of the road, waving my arms and shouting; the ambulance came to a stop and three paramedics rushed out. I stayed out of their way as they started to stabilize Nathan. I realized my fists were clenched and covered in blood. Nathan's blood. Nathan's blood is on my hands. This is my fault.
*~Line Break~*
*Sylvester's POV*
I was standing at the back of the room, holding my fingers tightly. I watched as Walter didn't take his eyes off of Nathan, not even to eat. He ate blindly; I don't think he even registered what he was eating. I've never seen him like this. It was a little scary to be honest.
I knew that Walter regretted what he said to Nathan more than anything. I also knew that he loved Nathan. Everyone knew that, except for Walter it seemed. I hoped he realized it soon, so he could be happy.
Nathan had helped everyone in our team, and Walter had let his jealousy control him for a split second. It was a split second everyone regretted, but it was also a chance to see how protective (my mind refused to register the word possessive) Walter was of us. He did care about us, and he showed it in his own special way. I hoped Nathan would be better soon, so he could finish fixing Walter.
So he could finish fixing all of us.
*~Line Break~*
*Walter's POV*
I jumped a foot in the air at least when a quiet groan came from the prone figure on the bed. I rubbed my sleep-filled eyes and looked around – there was no one else in the room but me. They all must have left during the course of the day. And evening, my mind added as I took in the time. It was late, very late. I stood, feeling every inch of the soreness from sitting in a crappy hospital chair for several hours.
"Nathan?" I said very softly, careful not to startle him. He blinked open his eyes and looked around, finally focusing on me. His calm expression didn't change, and I was relieved to see no hint of hatred in his eyes.
I opened my mouth to speak again, but he held up a hand.
"No. Go home, eat, sleep, and shower. Then we will talk," he said firmly. I nodded mutely, inwardly amazed at how much power this boy had over me.
But he's not a boy, I realized. He is most certainly not a boy. He's a man. With that revelation, something shifted inside me. I suppressed the sudden tightening in my chest and my gut; what the heck was this?! What was going on? I'd never felt this way before!
"Are you ok?" Nathan asked cautiously, actually seeming concerned about me.
"Um, yeah," I said as casually as I could. "Just realized something that I should've seen before. No biggie." Nathan's raised eyebrow told me he wasn't fooled, but I was grateful when he nodded slowly and kept his silence.
"Can you, uh, call the nurse? I'm starting to feel the bruises," he said and I immediately pressed the call button. A female nurse came bustling in and started asking Nathan questions while she checked his vitals. I moved well out of the way to give her room to work, but I was still reluctant to leave him alone.
"Go," Nathan told me. "Go so we can talk." That made me nod and I gave him a very small, very brief smile before walking out.
*~Time skip~*
*Nathan's POV*
"Ouch!" I hissed under my breath. "Dammit, come on." I jiggled the key in my annoyingly loose lock and breathed a sigh of relief when it finally clicked. I was tired, achy, and I smelled like hospital disinfectant. I wanted to take a shower, eat a decent meal for once, and sleep for two weeks. With the amount of painkillers I was prescribed, that wouldn't be a difficult feat.
The last few days had been insane – I was released from the hospital, only to discover that my dad had sent the motorist to kill me. When that didn't work, the insane man sent a team of armed gunman after to me, and they tried to ambush me when I was walking out of the hospital. Thank God for Agent Gallo and his team of agents, because I would be Swiss cheese by now if it weren't for him. Luckily, Gallo had promised that these two murder attempts, plus the fraud charges, would be enough to put my dad away for a long time. I could rest easy now.
I stepped inside and cursed again, loudly, when I almost tripped over Cicero, my black kitten. My grumpy expression melted into a smile when the tiny creature attempted to climb up my pant leg. Joy flew through my heart as I (very carefully) bent to scoop him up. He nuzzled my palm harshly, mewing all the while.
"Hi baby!" I whispered happily as I shut the door with my foot (it was encouraging to note that even banged up as I was, I could still manage that). "How's my handsome boy, huh? Oh I missed you so much!" I held him under my chin as I stood there for a moment and just cuddled him. He purred so hard his little body vibrated and I laughed at the tickling sensation. He clawed at my button up and I smiled indulgently, opening the top so he could climb in and snuggle over my heart.
I had rescued him from the back alley a few months before, a tiny black fluff ball no bigger than the center of my palm. Through many trips to the veterinarian's office, meticulous following of instructions, and lots of love, he pulled through. He was small, but he had the heart of a lion and the audacity to match. Little tyke knew he was cute and he used that to his full advantage. I loved him dearly though; he was my best friend and my snuggle buddy on lonely, rainy nights.
"Did Aunt Paige take good care of you?" I cooed softly to him as I went about tidying up my slightly-messy apartment. Cicero purred in response and kneaded my chest with his tiny paws. I smiled and curled a hand around him protectively as I sat on the couch slowly and carefully. The shower could wait, I thought as I leaned my head back to sleep. Just five minutes.
Five minutes…
An hour later, according to my grandfather clock, a knocking on my door jerked me awake. I felt around for Cicero, only to discover him sitting patiently in front of the door. I shook my head. Weird cat. The knocking persisted. "Alright, alright," I grumbled. "I'm coming!" I stood and crossed over to the doorway, opening it to reveal...Sylvester.
"Sylvester," I said like I was expecting him. I totally wasn't. "Come in." I stood back to let the man in. He came in hesitantly and Cicero followed him until I scooped the troublemaker up by his scruff. He didn't even meow at me for the slightly rough treatment; he just dangled from my hand and looked at me.
"You are so weird!" I told him, bringing him over to kiss his head. "Weirdo cat." He only mewed softly, like he knew that, and batted my nose lightly. I couldn't help but laugh, and I placed him on my shoulder so he could be high up. He loved riding up there and just lounged on my shoulder like he was the king.
"So what brings you here?" I asked Sylvester and the man in question jumped lightly, the wrung his fingers together. I could tell he was looking for the hand sanitizer so I went to grab it from my bedroom. He smiled at me gratefully as I squirted some into both our hands and I smiled back.
"I'm here so you can fix me," he said confidently and I raised my eyebrows slightly.
"Fix you?" I said lightly. He nodded, seeming a little confused.
"Yeah, you know," he said nervously. "Like you did with Happy, Toby, and Walter. Though you aren't finished with Walter yet, are you?" I didn't even bother to answer because we both knew what it would be.
"I don't need to fix you," I said instead, going to lean against the back of my couch. "You're already fixed." Sylvester seemed even more confused.
"But, but I'm not!" he said frantically. "I have more phobias than the Red Sea does salt and next to Walter I'm the most likely to slip down the rabbit hole!" I just looked at him, absently rubbing Cicero's ears.
"You're also the most compassionate and logical mind of them all, and everyone knows it," I added softly. "Yes, you've got phobias. But we all have a weakness. Mine is my smartass tendencies; Walter's is his lack of compassion. Happy's is her anger issues, and Toby's is his lack of self-trust. Paige even has one; her weakness is her tendency to forgive too easily." I shrugged. "You're the one person I didn't need to fix, Sylvester." I smiled as he slowly realized what I meant. He looked at me, nodded once, and smiled before shuffling out.
As the door closed behind him, my smile grew until my face hurt. That had been the best fix to date.
"I think that deserves some pasta, Cicero. Want to help me make it?" I asked my kitten. He mewed and wriggled his butt, jumping down from his perch on my shoulder and dashing into the kitchen.
I grinned as I followed him and did a small victory dance of happiness.
*~Line Break~*
*Nathan's POV*
I sauntered into the garage. "I am back, baby!" I announced, holding my arms out wide. Everyone just stared at me and I pouted, crossing my arms.
"Y'all suck," I said sullenly and that broke the tension. Everyone came over to give me hugs (in Paige's and Toby's case) and welcomes.
"I'm so glad you're ok!" Paige said sincerely as she hugged me gently. I was grateful for that – I was still pretty sore.
"Thanks," I said sincerely as I released her and clapped Toby on the back. "I am too. I was getting sick of staying in my apartment all day."
"Yeah, because practicing your sleight of hand tricks is so boring," Happy teased and I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. We all knew magic was my life.
"I've got a new one to show Ralph. He home from school yet?" I asked and Paige shook her head.
"I was literally just about to go get him," she said and I nodded. My stomach was doing flips of anticipation and I couldn't keep my smile at bay.
"What're you planning…?" Toby asked me cautiously but I only grinned.
"You'll see," I said mysteriously.
Paige went to go get Ralph and the other three updated me on the going ons of the team. I listened to Sylvester as he excitedly explained his new equation to me. I accidentally knocked over his jaw of chalk and spent the new few minutes helping him organize them again.
I laughed along with Toby as he attempted to fool me with a card trick and then exaggeratedly got mad when I called him out on it. I picked up his hat from where I had knocked it onto the floor and joked along with him about my clumsiness.
I helped Happy with tightening a stubborn screw on her motorcycle and handed her tools from her toolbox when she needed it. I went to wash my hands and noticed Walter standing at his place in the room. I moseyed over to him and pretended not to notice when he moved aside to let me see what he was working on.
I examined his code with interest, asking a few questions here and there about the parts I didn't understand. My hip just barely touched his, but I could feel the static in the air between us. We both jumped when Paige came in with Ralph and my hand just barely brushed it. I went over to Ralph to say hi and gave Paige another hug.
I knelt in front of Ralph. "Hey buddy," I said fondly. "I was gonna show you a magic trick, but I just remembered something I had to do. So I'm gonna give you something so you can remind me to show you next time, ok?" I took out a playing card from my pocket and handed it to him. On the back was his name scrawled in blue script. On the front showed the Three of Spades.
"Now, the three means new roads, new paths to take," I explained softly. "Sometimes the journey might seem a little scary, but you must always remember to have faith in your family and friends." I gave him a knuckle-bump and ruffled his hair, then stood and said my goodbyes to everyone.
As I walked out, I was smiling.
Mission accomplished.
*~Line Break~*
Sylvester reached into his jar for a new piece of chalk and jumped.
Toby picked up his hat and watched as something fell out of it.
Happy reached for her wrench and stared confusedly at what she picked up instead.
Paige pulled out an object from her purse that had definitely not been there before.
Walter pulled the card from his pocket…and smiled.
The Seven of Diamonds.
The Nine of Clubs.
The Six of Diamonds.
The Ace of Hearts.
Walter ran out after Nathan and stopped him just before he climbed onto the bus.
"Why the ten?" he asked, holding up the Ten of Hearts. "I get the hearts. But why the ten?"
Nathan smiled at him. "It's a promise. A promise that we aren't finished. That I'm not finished with you, Walter O'Brien." He saluted with a cheeky grin and climbed into the bus, leaving a very happy genius in his wake.
"And I'll be waiting," Walter murmured, before pocketing his card and heading back inside.
*~Line Break~*
A/N: The meaning of each of their cards:
Ralph: The Three shows us new ways open - new roads to take. The Three is a fork in the road and we must choose which path to take. Negatively speaking, the Three symbolizes uncertainty and confusion. Positively speaking, the Three symbolizes entertainment and "right choice". We must be optimistic and above all, have FAITH. The Spades symbolizes winter, environment, wisdom, health, acceptance, old age, transformation, scripture, and earth.
Sylvester: Sevens have a tendency to covet - 7's are known to bring us worry because of jealousy or stress or gossip as we search for ways to recover and move forward. In extreme cases, sevens can bring violence. We need to let go of our expectations and figure out how to get around the obstacles instead of trying to plow right through them. The positive 7 symbolizes VICTORY. The Diamonds mean fall, career, values, security, judgment, adult, responsibility, entertainment, and fire.
Toby: Ever wonder where that expression came from, "the 9th degree"? Well this number doesn't mess around! Nine's symbolize the need to LET GO, and if we don't let go, it's taken from us anyway. The number 9 brings loss, endings, dislikes, disagreements and finally, disappointment. When the number 9 appears in our yearly spread of Cards, we must think in Universal terms and embrace something much bigger than ourselves. Surrender to the 9! As one door closes, another will open. The positive 9 symbolizes NEW BEGINNINGS. The Clubs means summer, education, mind, intellect, musings, youth, irresponsibility, literature, and air.
Happy: Exhausted from all that change and restlessness, Sixes don't like to move forward. The past needs to be reevaluated and reflected upon. We need to stop, look and listen. Sixes bring us people from our past, feelings, thoughts and health issues we may need to deal with not later, but NOW. Debts repaid, or entered into. Sixes are karmic - the result of past actions or the sowing of seeds to come. For good or for worse, things remain the same. The Diamonds mean fall, career, values, security, judgment, adult, responsibility, entertainment, and fire.
Paige: The Beginning "I AM". The Ace ranks supreme importance as the ego and we call it the ACE. The Ace is the Card of DESIRE. It is the WISH Card - the HOPE and the I WANT. If we can turn our desire for self into a desire for ALL, the Ace may be called the Card of the ALTRUIST. The Hearts mean spring, home, heart, emotions, love, childhood, vulnerability, art, and water.
Walter: The last number - the biggest number - the sum total. This is the number of SUCCESS, the number of achievement and the number of fulfillment. 10's are usually a wonderful number to have in predictions and will strive to give their best and create success and fulfillment. On the other hand, the 10 is very capable of reducing itself to a 1 (1+0=1) and when this happens, the inflated ego creates a false sense of security, and we end up tripping over our own personal pride. The Hearts mean spring, home, heart, emotions, love, childhood, vulnerability, art, and water.