Walter squirms uncomfortably in the office of Cecil Rizzuto. "The Rivaroxaban must be messing with my head. Why did I even make this appointment?" Walter ponders aloud to himself.
He gets up to leave when Cecil walks in. "Afternoon Mr. O'Brien. Most people bring a partner to couple's counseling."
"This was a mistake. Sorry." Walter mumbles trying to exit.
Blocking his path, Cecil responds, "You've already paid for the session. Besides, don't you have to actually try something to know whether or not it is a mistake?"
Walter accepts his rationale and takes a seat.
"Now what would you like to talk about?" Cecil inquires.
Walter sits quietly so Cecil tries a more direct approach, "Why did you make this appointment?"
"I have a girlfriend. She's funny, beautiful, and kind, but..." Walter trails off.
"But…" Cecil prompts. When Walter doesn't respond, Cecil ventures a guess, "but you're afraid… concerned…"
"I'm having fantasies about someone else. Even when we're… involved." Walter blurts out.
"I see. How does that make you feel?"
Walter reflects on that a moment. "Guilty and worried. I think I may be in love with someone else."
"The subject of these fantasies?" Cecil asks.
"Yes, but I have strong feelings for Mallory too."
"Strong feelings, but not love?" Cecil clarifies.
"Oh, I love Mallory, but I don't know if I'm in love with her." Walter answers.
"I see. That is an important distinction. Why do you think you're with Mallory then instead of this other person? Are they married...involved?" Cecil continues.
"No, but it's complicated. We're co-workers and close friends. We don't want to jeopardize that or upset the team dynamics." Walter states factually.
"You said 'we.' You two have discussed these feelings? There is a mutual attraction?" Cecil probes.
"Yes, we have. She says the feelings are shared, but…." Walter hesitates.
"She says? You have doubts?" Cecil prompts.
"Well, yes. She said she didn't want to jeopardize the team with interpersonal relations, but her actions are inconsistent with her words" Walter responds.
"How so?" Cecil asks.
"Well, she did exactly that when she dated another team member." Walter states.
"Tell me about that." Cecil inquires.
"I have doubts about her sincerity. Why was Tim worth the risk, but I wasn't? Could she have been trying to spare my feelings?" Walter asks.
"Have you asked her that?" Cecil questions.
"No, I… I'm not sure I want to know the answer," Walter admits, "Besides things with Mallory are less complicated and she has all the qualities of an excellent mate."
"But you're not in love with her?" Cecil asks.
"I don't think so. Not yet, but I could be." Walter rambles.
"You know, most people do take the path of least resistance, but many always wonder about what would have happened if they took a risk. Perhaps, you will be more settled if you have that conversation with your dream girl." Cecil suggests.
Walter reflects on that, "Maybe. There are a lot of variables to consider. Thanks for… your time. I should go." Walter getting up.
"We still have some time if there is more you want to discuss." Cecil offers.
Walter hesitates a moment then asks, "The people that take the path of least resistance, do they regret it? Are they happy?"
Standing to face Walter, Cecil responds, "Some do, some don't. Some are and some aren't."
"But the people that take the chance, they are happy and without regrets?" Walter inquires.
"Some are and some aren't. It's like any gamble, sometimes it pays off and other times it doesn't. The only guarantee is that they don't wonder what would have happened." Cecil clarifies.
"The outcome is not calculable. How do you make such a choice?" Walter asks.
"Well, on the most basic level, it's a game of roulette. You have to decide if what what you have now is worth losing if you spin the wheel. You might end up with the other girl, but you could also lose both." Cecil explains.
"Yeah, thanks." Walter says and heads toward the exit.
"Walter, I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you to consider Mallory's feelings too. Is she in love with you? If so, ask yourself if it's fair to her to string her along?" Cecil adds.
"Anything else?" Walter asks sincerely.
"Actually, yes. If Mallory is as great as you say, ask yourself why aren't you in love with her? That could provide you clarity and her closure, should you decide this other girl is worth the risk." Cecil suggests.
"And if I don't, how do I stop the fantasies… the feelings?" Walter asks.
"Simple, fall out of love with the other girl." Cecil advises.
"How?" Walter questions.
"Brother, if the world knew that, I'd be out of business," Cecil responds, "Tell me do you dream of the other girl often?"
"Nightly, why?" Walter asks.
"You might try having the conversation with her there first?" Cecil suggests.
"I don't understand. It wouldn't be real so what purpose would that serve?" Walter retorts.
"Well, it could provide you revelation. The dream will likely end one of two ways. Either she'll reciprocate your feelings or she'll reject you."
"But there is no telling that's how she'd actually respond…" Walter begins.
"Of course not, but your unconscious will tell you if your love is greater than your fear…" Cecil continues.
"Helping me decide whether or not to risk it." Walter concludes.
"Something like that. Good luck."
"Yeah, thanks." Walter leaves.
"Mom, where's Walter? He promised he'd help me with this project this afternoon?" Ralph asks.
"I don't know sweetheart. He left a couple of hours ago, but he promised so I'm sure he'll be back soon." Paige reassures.
"Hey Ralph! You ready to hit those calculations buddy?" Walter says entering.
"I'll just catch up on some paperwork." Paige excuses herself so her boys can concentrate.
"Well, we're going to take off." Toby announces, speaking for himself and Happy.
"Yeah, I have plans with Allie. Sly do you need a ride home?" Cabe prepares to leave too.
"That would be great, thanks." Sly accepts.
"Bye guys, see you all tomorrow." Walter acknowledges their departure without looking up from computer screen he and Ralph are engrossed in.
"I think we've got it." Ralph announces a couple hours later.
"Yeah, I believe you're right." Walter confirms.
Paige overhears her fellows finishing up and decides to ask Walter to dinner. As she enters the room though, there is a knock at the door and she reroutes to answer it.
"Oh hi, I didn't know you all would still be working." Mallory announces seeing Paige.
"We're not. Walter was helping Ralph with some equation. I believe they're finishing up though. Come on in." Paige invites.
Seeing Mallory out of his peripheral vision, Ralph asks, "Hey Walter. You want to get dinner with me and my Mom?"
Walter is about to accept as his back is to Mallory, but Paige interrupts, "Ralph sweetie, Walter has company. You should gather your things so we can get home."
Walter turns to see Mallory, "Oh, this is a pleasant surprise," he gets up and greets her with a kiss on the cheek.
"Sorry to just drop by. I didn't know you had plans with Ralph. We just had a tough day at work and I didn't want to be alone." Mallory apologizes.
"Actually, we just finished. Besides, you know that you are welcome any time." Walter reassures.
"Ralph do you have everything? We should let them be alone to talk." Paige rushes.
Annoyed, Ralph responds, "Yeah, I think so," while deliberating leaving a notebook on the desk.
"Ok, we'll grab something to eat on the way home. What sounds good?" Paige asks ushering Ralph out the garage.
An hour later, Mallory and Walter are just getting back from Cavelsky's diner.
"Thanks for listening, Walter. I feel much better. I just don't like to be alone after losing a patient. The thought of the life cut short haunts me." Mallory says.
"I understand," Walter says sincerely, "Would you like to stay the night?"
"I would, but I'm really not up for anything besides sleep." Mallory states.
"Of course, I'm looking forward to getting some sleep myself." Walter responds, then, indicating the stairs, continues, "after you."
"I'm so lucky to have ye. I appreciate ye so much, love." Mallory responds.
Mallory and Walter, quickly fall asleep once in bed. Meanwhile, at the Dineen residence, Paige is cleaning up after dinner as Ralph unpacks his backpack to finish up his homework. Paige hears Ralph shuffling through his things and then mutter, "Oh no."
Moments later, Ralph runs into the kitchen, "Mom, I think I left a notebook at the garage."
"Ok, we'll swing by and get it on the way to school tomorrow." Paige promises.
"But, I need it tonight. It has all my notes. I'll call Walter and see if he'll look for it. Maybe, he'd run it over here if…" Ralph rambles.
"No, Walter is with his girlfriend. We will not interrupt him." Paige interrupts.
"But Mom…" Ralph starts.
"Look, I have a key. I'll go over there and see if I can find it. You will stay here and finish up your other work. Understand?" Paige states.
"Yes ma'am." Ralph confirms.
Walter awakes about an hour later to see Mallory dressing at his bedside.
"Is everything alright?" Walter asks.
"No, I have to go into work. There is major pile-up on the I-10 and they need all hands on deck." Mallory answers, "Go back to sleep, love."
Mallory kisses him goodnight and rushes out. Walter lays there a moment pondering their relationship, but soon falls back asleep. He is awoken by a noise downstairs. Getting out of bed, he stumbles to the stairs and flips the light, "Mallory, did you forget something?"
"Walter, did I wake you?" Paige asks.
This was it, the beginning of one of his regular fantasies. He decides to try out Cecil's advice.
"That's ok. I'm glad you're here. I want to talk to you." Walter responds descending the stairs.
"Now? Can it wait until morning, Ralph…" Paige begins.
"No, the conversation is long overdue." Walter interrupts, gently putting his index finger to her lips and guiding her to the sofa, "I want to talk about us."
"Us?" Paige asks.
"Yes, us. Our chemistry is undeniable. Paige, I am hopelessly in love with you. I need to know if you will ever love me back? I can't fully move on with Mallory or anyone else until I know." Walter declares.
"Wow... Walter… I… this is unexpected." Paige stalls.
"You can be honest with me, even if it hurts. I've long suspected that don't share those affections. That you were trying not to hurt my feelings when you suggested you did. Right now, I just need the truth." Walter continues.
"Wait, why would you think…" Paige begins.
Anticipating her questions, Walter responds, "When you started dating Tim, I began thinking your concern about upsetting the team dynamic was just an excuse…"
"No, Walter. When I started spending time with Tim, it was to get my mind off of you and Linda. Walter, I love you too. I just was afraid…" Paige tears up.
"Afraid?" Walter asks.
"I realized early on that I was attracted to you, but you mean so much to Ralph and if we went south… I didn't want to be responsible for him losing the first person he's ever been able to relate to. Toby once told me that you protect your most valuable thing. For me, that's Ralph. I never meant to hurt you, I just…"
"I would never hurt Ralph, either. Even if we didn't work out, I wouldn't pull away from him. I've experienced that too often…" Walter explains but is interrupted when Paige passionately kisses him as his body instantly reacts.
"Walter, I want you. I want to be with you," Paige declares breathlessly, "it's clear you want to be with me too."
"I do." Walter confirms unfastening her blouse buttons per the usual course of his dream, but she pulls back.
"Walter, I want this too, but not like this. You know what you have to do." Paige states.
"I'll talk to Mallory tomorrow." Walter resolves, disappointed at the change in course, but grateful that the counselor's advice worked.
Ralph has just finished brushing his teeth when the doorbell rings. He walks to the door and looks through the peephole to see two police officers. His stomach knots as he opens the door.
"Hey there. Is your dad home?" one of the officers greets.
"No, it's just me and my mom, but she ran to her office to get a notebook I left there." Walter responds.
"Son, I'm sorry but you'll have to come with me." The officer responds.
"No, look I know that she shouldn't have left me alone, but she'll be right back, really." Ralph insists.
The officer kneels to Ralph's level, "No son, she won't. There was a bad accident on I-10 tonight. I can't leave you here alone." the officer advises, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Tearing up, "Is she ok? How bad was she hurt?" Ralph asks.