"Come on. The ambulance should be here by now!" Toby worries.
"Uh guys, we have a problem. There is a wreck a few blocks from here and traffic is gridlocked." Sly announces.
"Not good." Happy states.
"Can't they just take another road?" Paige asks concerned.
"They will, but so will everyone else." Toby replies.
"And the construction to our west won't help matters." Cabe adds.
"Well, we have to do something. We can't just let him die." Ralph demands.
"What does he need? Can't we just make it?" Paige questions.
"He needs TPA, but we don't have the lab equipment…"
"You didn't have equipment in the desert when you performed heart surgery on Cabe. Or when we saved Happy, Cabe, and Sly from fatal ergot exposure. There must be something. Think!" Paige interrupts.
"Even if we could make it, it would be illegal to give it to him. The FDA only approved it to be given in hospital after the clot is confirmed with imaging. The EMTs would give him magnesium in route. The problem is he needs to be in route now for the TPA to be administered in time." Toby clarifies.
"They're here! They're here!" Ralph yells.
There is a bustle of activity as Walter is examined, loaded into the ambulance, and whisked off to the hospital. Everyone seems relieved except Toby, as he knows the odds of survival if TPA isn't given in the first hour.
Ninety minutes later the Scorpion crew is camped out in the emergency room waiting area. The doctor walks out and approaches them. They all crowd around the doctor.
"How is he?" Cabe asks.
"Very lucky. Thanks to his broken ribs, even with the delay in treatment, he is going to be just fine. We'll still keep him overnight for observation though." the doctor responds.
"What broken ribs?!" Cabe, Toby, Sly, Happy, Paige, and Ralph ask in unison.
"Yes, about two weeks ago he was treated here for broken ribs. It's my belief that the NSAIDs he's been taking for the pain, kept his blood thinned enough that the clot was controlled." the doctor replies.
"Well, that explains how 197 didn't figure it out sooner. The symptoms had probably been masked." Toby states more to himself than anyone else.
"When was he treated for broken ribs?" Paige asks.
"I'm sorry. I may have already said too much. If Mr. O'Brien didn't discuss this with you then I need to assume that he didn't want you to know and I have to respect his privacy." The doctor replies.
"HIPAA, yeah, I get it." Toby concedes knowing full well that they'd hack his records and find out soon enough.
The doctor nods, grateful that Toby understood.
"Can we at least see him?" Paige asks frustrated.
"Yes, as soon as we get him settled in a room. I will have someone let you know." the doctor answers.
"Thanks, doc." Cabe responds.
As soon as the doctor leaves, Toby turns to Sly and asks, "How long until you're in?"
Pulling out his phone, Sly responds, "Just a few minutes, I don't have my tablet so…"
"No need, I've got them." Ralph replies turning his laptop around.
The date registered immediately with the group as they pieced things together. Toby remembered Walter looking ill at Monster Jam and then elbowing Walter in the ribs at the wedding. Cabe recalled Walter's favoring one side as Cabe helped Walter up after Jenkins charged him with the steel pipe. Sly pictured a flash of pain that crossed Walter's face in the back of the monster truck. Happy recollected how pale and weak Walter looked as he and Mallory approached at the reception. Paige remembered how Mallory supported Walter as they said their goodbyes before leaving the reception. The mood became very sullen as each recalled signs they'd dismissed and regretted not being more attentive. They didn't even see Mallory come out or approach them.
"Why wouldn't he tell us? Why would he keep this a secret?" Paige asks herself.
Immediately recognizing the screen they had pulled up and picking up on their guilt ridden demeanor, Mallory answers, "Because he didn't want to distract focus from Toby and Happy. He wanted all your memories to be joyful and light. He never intended to have ye find out."
Sly immediately shuts the laptop as Paige responds, "That doesn't sound like Walter."
"Well, those weren't his exact words. I think he said that it was futile information since it would serve as a diversion. But the sentiment is still the same." Mallory clarifies.
"That sounds more like Walter." Toby confirms.
"I'm so sorry, we should have called you. We just…" Paige begins suddenly realizing that they had not let her know what was happening.
"It's alright. A friend called when he was brought in and let me know what was going on. Actually, I've been back there with him for about half an hour. I just came out to let ye know that he's being moved to a room now and ye should be able to see him in about fifteen minutes. I can show ye the way." Mallory offers.
"Who are you and why could you see him but not us?" Ralph interjects.
Mallory smiles and bends down to his level, "Ye must be Ralph. Walter talks a lot about ye. He thinks you're very special. I'm Mallory, Walter's girlfriend. As far being able to see him, well I guess that's one of the perks of being an employee of the hospital."
Toby recognizes the inner-turmoil in Ralph and interjects, "Please, lead the way."
As the group follows Mallory through the hospital corridors, Toby whispers aside to them, "She seems genuine and grounded; not at all what I expected considering the prestige and limelight she must have been raised in."
"I like her. I think she may be good for Walter." Cabe declares.
"You said that at the wedding, but you still don't know her any better than you did then. What are you basing this on?" Paige asks.
"Just a feeling, kid." Cabe replies.
The group enters Walter's room. Walter is hooked up to an IV drip and monitor. Hearing the group's footsteps and quiet chatter, he opens his eyes.
"Didn't I tell you next time you hide a medical condition from me, we'd have a problem?" Cabe question lightly.
Walter just looks down, so Cabe continues, "We'll talk about this when you're feeling better. Right now, I'm just glad that you'll be around to have that conversation."
Walter nods and starts to drift off but fights it and rasps, "Mallory."
"I'm here, love." She responds.
"Go home. Rest. Early shift." Walter whispers.
"Now, don't ye worry about…" Mallory begins but stops when Walter lays his hand atop hers.
"Please." Walter begs while maintaining eye contact.
Sighing, "Alright, if it'll put ye at ease." Mallory concedes.
Walter smiles sleepily, "Love you."
Those two words ricochet through the room as the group each responded differently to them. Paige felt like her heart had just been ripped out. Angry annoyance overtook Ralph. Happy found the declaration slightly shocking while Toby was intrigued by it. Both Cabe and Sly were happy for the couple though, Cabe feeling pride for Walter and Sly finding the sentiment endearing.
Pleasantly surprised, Mallory responds, "I love ye too," She bends down and gently kisses him before whispering, "Sleep well, love."
He watches her intently as she leaves, then he addresses the team, "Sorry, I didn't intend for you to find out this way."
"According to Mallory, you didn't intend for us to ever know." Cabe corrects.
"That's accurate, but I was only trying to…" Walter begins.
"Save it. I know what your reason was and appreciate the gesture, but you should have been honest with us." Happy interrupts.
"I never lied to you all…" Walter tries.
"Perhaps not, but you weren't truthful either. By hiding your broken ribs, you ending up further injuring yourself and needing emergency surgery. In fact, had it not been for your secret girlfriend, you probably would have had to miss the wedding." Paige interjects.
"Mallory was never a secret." Walter states.
"Really, then how come you never mentioned her during our late night wedding planning sessions? Or any other time between meeting her and bringing her to the wedding?" Paige questions, a little annoyed.
At that moment, Walter realized they hadn't pieced everything together. "Because the wedding was our first date. I met her that day."
There was silence as the group processed that snippet of information and Walter drifted off to sleep.
"Don't you think he's moving a little fast? To travel to another country and meet the family of a girl he's only known a couple of weeks, that's strange even for Walter." Paige asks Toby, noticing that Walter has fallen asleep.
"Actually, I was wondering how stable this Mallory is. She violated a lot of professional and ethically boundaries in dating a patient. She risked her employment for someone she'd know what a few hours." Toby marvels.
"Well, I think it's great that he's found someone. Sometimes you just know; that's how it was with Megan." Sly interjects.
"His personal life is not really our business anyway." Happy states.
"Happy's right. We all heard how they feel about each other. We owe it to Walter to keep an open mind and give her a chance." Cabe concludes.
"Besides, it'll probably just be for another month or so." Ralph adds.
"Why do you say that, Ralph?" Paige asks, secretly hopeful.
"I ran the probabilities in my head using the baseline of their two-week relationship and Walter's history with previous girlfriends." Ralph clarifies.
"Ralph buddy, love is not a calculation. There is no model that can predict whether or not two people stay together." Sly gently advises.
"We'll see." Ralph responds, confident in his belief.
"I think Walter is down for the count. There is no sense in all of us hanging around. I'll stay with him tonight. The rest of you all should go home and get some rest. I'll call if anything changes." Cabe changes the subject.
"Yeah, we should be going. It's been a long day." Toby says to Happy.
"I should get you home; you have school in the morning." Paige tells Ralph.
"Yes, you all should go." Sly tells Toby, Happy, Paige, and Ralph. Then to Cabe he adds, "I know Walt's like a son to you, but he is my brother. I'm going to stay too."
"You hate hospitals. The bacteria and…" Cabe begins.
"I know, but we all do things we don't like for family." Sly interrupts pulling up a chair.
At 5:45 the next morning, Mallory walks into the room to see Sly and Cabe stationed protectively on each side of Walter's bed. Cabe stirs instinctively knowing someone else had entered the room.
"I didn't mean to wake ye. I just wanted to check on Walter before me shift." Mallory whispers.
"It's ok. We need to go and get ready for work ourselves soon." Cabe responds, "He slept like a rock."
"I won't be long, I have to clock in at 6:00" Mallory tells him while leaning over to kiss Walter.
Much to her surprise, Walter kisses her back, "Good morning, I thought I heard the voice of an angel."
"Oh, what am I going to do with ye." Mallory teases.
"Whatever ye want." Walter whispers in her ear.
"Later," she whispers back, "right now, I have to start me shift. I'll be back to check on you on me break." she finishes aloud before leaving the room.
Cabe senses the subtle sexual tension between the two, but doesn't comment. Once she leaves, he asks, "So you two are close?"
"Yes, she's great." Walter responds.
"Well, if you're happy then I'm happy for you. How are you feeling?" Cabe inquires.
"A little tired, but other than that, I'm fine." Walter answers.
"Good, I'm glad you're alright. We're still going to talk about those broken ribs later though." Cabe responds.
At that moment their attention is diverted to Sly who snores suddenly. Walter tilts his head toward sly with a questioning expression aimed at Cabe.
"He insisted on staying, being your brother and all." Cabe smiles.
"He fears hospitals…" Walt begins.
"I guess his concern for you was greater." Cabe interrupts, "Besides, if it had been any of us, you wouldn't have left either."
Walter nods as his eyelids start to droop.
"Well, I need to wake him so we can run home and shower before going into work." Cabe states noticing Walter's fatigue.
Walter begins to get up, but Cabe puts a hand out to stop him, "Where do you think you're going?"
"Work, I'm perfectly capable…" Walter begins.
"No, you're going to take it easy and heal. You've pushed yourself too much recently." Cabe interrupts.
"Ok, but you will call if you need me." Walter concedes.
"Sure." Cabe answers, knowing that the situation would have to be absolutely dire before such a call would be made.
"Shower at garage…" Walter mumbles drifting off.
"What?" Cabe doesn't understand.
"He said we can shower at the garage. He keeps a change of clothes for everyone there." Sly responds having awoke to catch the end of their conversation.
"Of course he does. That's the efficient thing to do." Cabe chuckles to himself.
"I love you too, Walter. We can be together, but first you have to come back to the garage." Paige's voice seemed so real. Dancing and enjoying baked Alaska on Elliot's rocket, that was a little farfetched. Walter knew he was dreaming, but her voice was so realistic. "I love you too, Walter. I love you too, Walter. I love you too, Walter." Walter rewound his dream several times to hear those five words, then he replayed the dancing on loop until the feel of cool water on his skin brought him out of his dream.
"Hello, sleepy head." Mallory greets as she continues his sponge bath.
"Hmm, I'd say we should stop meeting like this, but it's such a pleasurable way to wake up." Walter mumbles.
"If you like this, I'll return after shift for a little physical therapy." Mallory teases.
"After shift, how many hours is that?" Walter questions.
"About 6" Mallory responds.
"Too long." Walter replies, caressing Mallory's shoulder.
"Well, there is 20 minutes left on me lunch," Mallory hints, getting up to close his door, " I suppose there is time for a sneak preview."
"Lunch will be a nice surprise." Paige says as the team walks down the hall.
"Yeah, I'm sure Walt will appreciate the break from hospital food." Toby adds opening the door he sees Mallory climbing on top of Walter and quickly backs out, "Actually, I think lunch will have to wait a bit."
"Why, what's going on?" Cabe asks concerned and Toby's abrupt retreat.
"Uh, he's being examined right now." Toby states.
Realizing what Toby meant, "Alright, we'll hang out in the waiting lounge for a few," Cabe agrees while ushering the team the other way.
"Actually, I have some questions for the doctor regarding any restrictions Walter may have that we should be aware of." Paige says changing course.
"Uh, Paige, I don't think…" Toby tries, but she's not listening.
As Mallory straddles him, Walter flashes back to his dream of Paige in the black teddy. Mallory blows warmly in his ear.
"Hmm" then looking toward the door, "Paige."
"Paige?" Mallory is taken aback and quickly gets up "Do you have feelings for Paige?"
Walter doesn't respond instead staring at the door. Mallory looks that direction to see the door quickly close. "Paige was just at the door?" she asks.
Walter nods.
"I suppose I should go talk to her." Mallory states.
"Not yet." Walter replies pulling Mallory back to him.
"Walter, your friends came all the way here to have lunch with ye. I won't let ye alienate them. I'd never want to come between ye. I know how important they are." She replies gathering herself for an awkward conversation.
"Change your mind?" Sly asks as Paige rejoins the group.
"Uh, yeah, you could say that." Paige replies.
"Hi guys." Mallory greets approaching them. "I see you brought lunch for Walter."
"Yeah, is the doc finished with his exam?" Happy asks oblivious to what was really going on.
"Huh… oh, yes, ye can see Walter now." Mallory replies appreciating the discretion.
"Join us for lunch?" Sly invites.
"No, thanks though. I must get back to work. Me lunch break is about over." Mallory responds.
"Oh well, hope you enjoyed dessert at least." Toby snickers to Cabe, who promptly elbows him in the gut, but the interchange isn't caught by Mallory as she's pulled Paige aside to thank her for the discretion.
Mallory starts to leave but turns back when Happy asks, "We'll Walter be going home today?"
"Yes, I…"
"You'll handle the discharge?" Toby asks straight faced.
"Huh?" Mallory asks, caught of guard.
"You know, the discharge. Making sure he gets off alright. Taking him to bed." Toby clarifies, enjoying his double entendres.
Catching on, Mallory smiles and replies, " Don't worry doctor. I'll make sure all the patient's needs are met."
She winks at Toby before turning and walking off. After she has left, Toby says, "I'm with Cabe. She's good for Walt."