Wow! So many of you would actually like to see more from this story. Thank you! I will do what I can. I really saw it as just a lead in for Season 2, so I wasn't planning on venturing much further than what I wrote initially. I can probably give you ONE more chapter that will likely get us closer to the first epi of S2 and then I'll leave it at that.

PS…anyone see the Twitter updates from Robert Patrick from day one of shooting S2? He was wearing a black t-shirt, LIKE I WROTE! Crazy! Who knows if that was really his costume, but it made me smile nonetheless. Anyway, on with the show. (Also...see if you catch the FOREVER reference I snuck in there).

DISCLAIMER: I don't own nuffin' but my dog.

Walter kept scanning the news for any information about a change in leadership at Homeland, but nothing was popping up on the usual channels. He didn't figure it would, but it never hurt to keep looking. Without Cabe as the inside man, he didn't want to risk going back to hack the system just to find out if there had been a personnel shift. So, he kept sitting on his hands so that it didn't come back to bite him, Cabe or the team in the butt.

It had been another week since he'd returned to Scorpion and thus, a week since he committed the crime. Things didn't happen overnight, but he had hoped that in seven nights something would have changed. Then again, it was the US Government…he shouldn't have had that much faith in the system.

He was getting much better at moving around on his own, but the stitches still pulled. He was waiting for Paige to come into work so she could take him to the hospital for his checkup. She refused to let him drive and while he did argue with her about it, he gave in and was grateful that she wanted to help. He wasn't nervous of getting behind the wheel of a car but he wasn't exactly excited about it either. He looked forward to driving again when he had regained full mobility. That was the more efficient solution, thus avoiding another hospital trip.

But he had to admit that having Paige take care of him this week had been enjoyable, more so than he thought it would be.

He had Toby help him change his bandages. His reasoning was that Toby was an actual doctor, but he knew it was because he didn't know how he would handle Paige's hands on his torso and back. He was getting better with her touch, much better in fact, but being half naked in her presence was both something he wanted and didn't want all at the same time.

"WALTER!"

That was not the voice he was expecting.

Cabe had entered the garage with a loud bang of the door closing behind him. He had been expecting Paige, not the former agent.

"What's going on, Cabe?"

"Nothing. Just checking to see that you were here."

"Uh, where else would I be? I'm practically under house arrest here thanks to you, Toby and Paige."

"You know it's for your own good, right?"

"Yeah. I know." Walter turned around, sulking slightly, and went back to his desk.

Cabe smirked at the genius and headed to the kitchen to get some coffee. His new job had him up half the night due to the schedule so he was dragging a bit. As he got closer, he could smell cinnamon…again. Damnit, he thought to himself.

"Hey there, Super Gallo."

"Toby." He reached for a mug and proceeded to brace himself for the spiced coffee when Toby stopped him.

"Oh, you don't want that."

"I don't seem to have much of a choice, now do I?"

"Oh contraire. Follow me."

Toby led Cabe back to Happy's workstation where he smelt the aroma of uninfected coffee. There, on Happy's table, was another coffee maker.

"A second pot?"

"Did something useful with my last paycheck. I figured with what I was spending at Kavelsky's on a daily basis, this bad boy would more than pay for itself. Plus, I figured the rest of the pleebs would appreciate it."

He looked over at Happy who simply raised her mug in the air and went back to work.

"Not a bad idea, kid," Cabe said as he poured the black liquid into his own mug.

"Why, thank you Cabe. I'm touched. Just don't tell…"

"What is that?" Walter had come to the back to see where everyone had gone.

"…Walter." Toby was a little disheartened for being caught. He had gotten the machine three days ago and had been able to keep it hidden from the boss.

"Coffee. What's it look like?" Cabe laughed heartily at the dumbfounded look on 197's face.

"Why do we have two coffee pots? There is perfectly good coffee in the kitchen. This is inefficient."

"That is your pot to share with Paige," Toby stated quickly.

"Why?"

"Because you are the only two that can stand that cinnamon stuff. Paige drinks it because she likes it, and you drink it because you like Paige." Toby watched as Walter's eyes grew wider for a split second before he recovered.

"Toby, we've been through this…"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don't know."

Walter started to open his mouth.

"On second thought, don't. Anyway, I bought this contraption with my money, so it stays." And with that, Toby walked away leaving a scowling Walter and grinning Cabe.

Cabe continued drinking, or in his case, practically chugging, his coffee as he headed back into the main room of the garage. He stopped briefly in the kitchen to rinse out his mug and set it on a paper towel.

"Alright son, you ready to go?" Cabe asked as he headed for the door.

"Go where?" Walter was confused.

"Your appointment. I'm taking you because Paige can't make it."

"What? Why? Is she ok?"

"Hold your horses, Romeo. She's fine. She's stuck at her apartment because the plumber is still there and she's not able to leave yet."

"Why didn't she call me? I don't have to go to the hospital today."

"She said you'd say that. And before you say anything about changing your appointment, she actually tried for you, but couldn't reschedule before the weekend. You got a keeper there, pal."

Cabe watched Walter's eyes roll back in his head.

"So, you get me instead. Sorry I'm not as easy on the eyes for you."

Walter just glared at him.

"I still don't understand why she didn't call me."

"Because she knew you'd try to get out of going and she was putting you first. Like I said...she's a keeper, just make sure to pay her back one day. Women like that."

"I wouldn't know," Walter said, mumbling to himself.

"I know. Now move it, buster. If I get you to your appointment late, Paige will have my head."

Walter walked over to his desk, picked up his phone, made sure he had his wallet and followed Cabe out the door.

Paige would always make sure that Walter was in the car ok before walking around to the driver's side and getting in herself. Unlike with Paige, Cabe left Walter to fend for himself. Walter was fully capable of ensuring he was in the vehicle securely, but it was nice that she paid that much attention to him. She was a mother after all. Comforting and nurturing were wired into her DNA. However, not having that attention on him this morning was a bit of a relief. He missed Paige, but it felt good to do things himself again.

The two men started their drive without chatter. Cabe had a local rock station playing on the radio and it kept the ride from being totally silent. Walter decided he would try to implement one of Paige's social experiments and engage with Cabe. If it was a failure, they could go back to just listening to music.

"How's the new job?"

"Not bad. Definitely different than government work, but being a Technical Advisor isn't awful. The hours are crap because sometimes their work calls are at odd times, but then again they aren't too bad since I have a bit more flexibility when it comes to you guys."

"Speaking of, thanks…for the ride. I, uh, appreciate it."

"No problem, kid."

And that was all Walter really had, so they spent the rest of the ride in silence, both men nodding in beat with the music even now and then. When they pulled up to the hospital, Cabe parked close to the entrance and they made their way into the building.

Walter had to remind himself that he wasn't going in to see Megan, so he had to mentally veer himself away from the automatic route he would have normally taken. That would be tomorrow, as long as Paige was still available to take him. Though the more efficient thing to do would be to see his sister today, he knew Sylvester was there and he didn't want to interrupt their visit.

They made it to the waiting room for the doctor he was supposed to see and after checking Walter in, they sat in two chairs next to each other. Cabe immediately reached for a magazine while Walter looked around and took in the room.

"Walt, you nervous about something?"

"No, why?" Walter was a bit anxious, but not nervous. Paige usually was here with him and calmed him before interactions with medical personnel.

"Then stop bouncing your leg up and down. It's shaking my chair too."

"Sorry." Walter looked back at Cabe, who never looked up from his magazine. "I'm going to make a phone call. Come get me if they call my name."

"Will do."

Walter stepped away and dialed his phone.

"Hey Walter." Paige's voice over the phone instantly helped him change his demeanor.

"Hi."

"Did Cabe get you to the doctor ok? I'm sorry I couldn't make it. This took way longer than they estimated."

"Yes, we're here now, waiting to go in."

"Good." There was a pause and neither of them spoke. "You ok?"

"Yeah."

"Walter?"

"Paige, why didn't you call or message me about not being able to make it? We could have rescheduled."

"Walter, you needed to go today. It's better to stay on track with recoveries like yours. You should know that. Anyway, Cabe was already on his way to see you. I figured he would get to you before I would be able to call. I'm sorry for not letting you know. I just really needed to be here."

"No, I understand. I just don't want you to think that you can't talk me or that you're life isn't more important than things happening at the garage…" Walter was prepared to continue his rambling when Paige cut him off.

"You know I don't think that, Walter." Paige's comment was met with silence, so she continued, having a fairly good idea why Walter was really calling.

"Hey, I know you are anxious about this appointment. It will be fine and you'll be as good as new soon! Deep breath, ok?"

Walter unconsciously inhaled deeply. He heard Paige giggle through the phone.

"Now, I'll be at the garage when you and Cabe get back. I'll see you then, ok?"

"Ok."

"Bye Walter." He could hear the smile in her voice, which made him smile.

"Bye." He hung up the phone and did feel a little more relaxed.

Walking back into the waiting room, Walter spotted Cabe, who didn't look like he shifted at all while he had been gone, and sat back down next to him.

"How's Paige?" Again, he never looked up from his magazine.

"What? I didn't call her." Walter was unsure how Cabe knew he called Paige. He checked his phone and made sure the screen wasn't on. It wasn't.

"Walter, didn't we say there would be no more secrets between us?"

Walter paused for a moment before letting go on the ruse and admitting the truth.

"She's fine. She'll be at the garage by the time we get back."

"Good."

"Cabe, how did you know I called Paige?"

"You're leg stopped bouncing."

Walter looked down at his leg, which had indeed stopped moving.

"Walter O'Brien?" The nurse from the door called out to the small group in the waiting room.

"Looks like you're up, son. Let's go." Dropping his magazine on the side table, Cabe stood up gesturing to Walter.

"You don't need to come with me."

"Does Paige?"

"Yes?"

"Then so am I. Knowing you, you'd conveniently leave out important information from the doctor and then she'd kill both of us. I'm coming, so deal with it."

Walter rolled his eyes again and proceeded to follow the nurse with Cabe behind him. They were led into a white room and Walter had his vitals taken. He was able to calculate faster than the nurse, but after what Paige said before he was released from the hospital, something along the lines of normals don't necessarily appreciate being shown up at their job by someone who doesn't do it, he kept his mouth shut. At least she calculated correctly, just slowly.

When the doctor entered the room, he helped Walter lift his tshirt to remove the current bandage and check the wound.

"You really were lucky, Mr. O'Brien."

Walter was about to say his theory on luck and how it doesn't exist, but a warning look from Cabe stopped him.

"Yes, I know."

"Well, it's looking good. One more week and you'll be able to get the stitches removed. The wound looks clean, so well done on that. Any unusual pain not associated with the injury?"

"No. Just the pull of the stitches now and then. It's manageable." Cabe smirked a bit at the genius' statement. He could see the grimace on Walter's face and could see he was uncomfortable with the poking and prodding.

"And you are good on pain pills?"

"Yes. I have 22 left."

Both Cabe and Walter watched the doctor stop and reread his clipboard.

"At this point in your treatment, you shouldn't have that many. Have you been taken them as prescribed?"

"No. I don't take them often. They mess with my head a bit." Walter glanced over at Cabe. "I'm…not a fan."

Cabe felt for the younger man. He knew Walter's brain was his life and if the medicine he was given made him feel off, he wouldn't like it.

"Ok, that's fine, but if you are in pain, you should take them. Your body is still recovering. They are non-habit-forming." The doctor returned to making more notes on Walter's charts.

"Mmmm." Walter was now at the point where he just wanted to get out of the room.

"Well, just keep doing what you are doing, stay to restrictive duty until we get the stitches out and I'll see you next week."

"Ok," Walter said, pulling his tshirt back down over the new bandage and getting off of the examination table, never making eye contact with the doctor.

"Thank you, Doctor." Cabe reached over and shook the man's hand when Walter wouldn't.

"Of course."

They followed the doctor out the door and headed to check out to make Walter's next appointment. He didn't like not having Paige with him for this. He still wasn't great with interacting with people and since he would still be relying on her next week for a ride, he didn't know what would work best for her. He figured he would aim for the same time of day and hope for the best. Before he had the chance to speak up, the nurse at the reception desk spoke.

"Oh, Mr. O'Brien. You're appointment has already been set up for next week, so we'll see you then."

"Um, excuse me…I haven't made my appointment yet, so how can it have been set already?"

"A Ms. Dineen called and scheduled it. Would you like to change it?"

"No!" He looked back at Cabe, who had a grin that stretched from ear to ear. "No, whatever she set should be fine. Thank you."

Walter turned and headed out of the waiting room, Cabe on his heels.

"What did I tell you?"

Walter couldn't help the smile that creeped onto his face.

"She's a keeper. I know."

"That she is, son. Don't forget it." Cabe said, clasping his hand on Walter's shoulder quickly before dropping so the he didn't become uncomfortable.

The car ride back to the garage was quiet again but more relaxed. Walter was happy that he was healing appropriately, which meant he should be able to become more active at the garage soon. There were a number of projects that needed his attention but had been put on the back burner since his accident.

Cabe pulled up to the garage and he and Walter got out of the car. Before they could get too far, Cabe's phone rang.

"Gallo. I'm sorry, say again? Of course. I'll get right on it. Thank you."

"Cabe?" Walter could see a look of slight astonishment on the older man's face.

"What did you do, Walter?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"That was the Director of Homeland." Cabe statement had the genius freezing a bit. Was he not as careful as he thought? Did they trace his hack back to him?

"What did Merrick want?" Walter asked carefully.

"Not Merrick. A new Director, Adriana Martinez, and she wants me and Scorpion back with Homeland."

"What?" That was news.

"You had something to do with this, didn't you?" Stepping closer to Walter, Cabe gauged his eyes.

"Of course not."

"Don't lie to me, Walter. We don't want to go down that road again."

"Fine. Yes, I may have had something to do with it, but he had it coming. And I don't regret it. Ok? Happy?"

"Thank you, Walter." Cabe's sincerity caught Walter offguard.

"For what?"

"For having my back. I appreciate it."

"You aren't mad?" Walter still didn't get normals.

"I'm frustrated that you did something we both know to be illegal, but I'm proud of you for having the guts to stick up for me. Just don't tell me what you did, ok? Best to keep me in the dark about this one."

"Deal."

They headed back into the garage and Cabe yelled out something the team didn't think they would hear for a long time.

"Hey geniuses! We got a case!"

I hope you liked this chapter. I pulled information about Cabe's new gig from an interview about Alana joining the cast. I'm assuming when they say he's a Hollywood Technical Advisory that he's some kind of advisor on movie/tv sets that need to know what government agents do, etc, to make the actors more authentic. Who knows. And I'm sorry about having another coffee discussion. I just think it's funny!

PS…I might try to update this story as Season 2 progresses. I'm sure the ideas will be flowing.