"Hey Happy." Paige said as her and Walter walked into her bedroom since the door was open.
"Hey, decide to give your furniture a break?" Happy grinned at the young couple.
Walter blushed instantly as Paige chuckled.
"You'll find out one day." Paige grinned. "Are we still on for dinner tonight with Toby? Mom said Dad is going to be late."
"Should be. I hadn't heard anything different yet. He's really looking forward to meeting both of you." Happy told her as she continued drafting her latest armature for Megan's next brace design.
"Everything still going well with MIT?" Paige asked as she sat on the side of Happy's bed.
"Yeah, pretty good. My professor of robotics wants me to join a team of his. Help design a potentially new rover for Mars." Happy told her absently.
"Happy!" Paige exclaimed. "How can you be so disinterested in that? It sounds like something you would be excited about."
Happy shrugged.
"It isn't as good of a deal as it sounds. If I join I'd be a very junior member. The other students on it want me to keep my mouth shut and let them do the work." Happy told her.
Walter looked up at that.
"That would be monumentally stupid. You should be the lead on it." Walter told her.
Happy shrugged.
"What say you and I work on a project for a new rover? We could pitch it to Richard. Even if he himself isn't interested in it, Dad or Richard would know the people at NASA and other industries who would be." Walter told her.
Happy's head came up and looked at him.
"You mean that?" Happy asked excitedly.
"Of course. We're Scorpion, we stand with each other. This is something you want, I want it for you." Walter told her.
Happy grinned as she jumped up and hugged Walter.
Paige just grinned as she reached out and took Walter's hand even as he hugged Happy back with just one arm.
"I've actually started putting down some ideas for it. With your genius with computers we can help explode our understanding of Mars." Happy said excitedly as she pulled back.
Walter stepped closer to her desk as Happy sat down and saved her current work and then opened the file she'd been working on. Walter bent over at her desk as he began looking at what she had.
Paige smiled as he had kept her hand in his. Walter hadn't forgotten what she'd told him her biggest fear was and he was bound and determined to never let her think he wasn't aware of her.
"Kids." Veronica called up the stairs. "Your Dad called, he wants us to go on and he'd meet us at the restaurant."
As they walked into the restaurant Happy's phone buzzed and she pulled it out. Happy sighed as she read the message from Toby.
"Sorry, I ran into a snafu at the hospital. I'll be here for a while. Raincheck?" -Toby.
"I swear it is like someone doesn't want you guys meeting Toby." Happy complained as they were shown to their table.
"What's wrong?" Paige asked even as she scooted into the booth.
"He's stuck at the hospital. He isn't sure when he will get away." Happy sighed as she got into the booth on the other side.
"I thought he wasn't doing much at the hospital anymore?" Walter asked as he settled next to Paige.
"He gets called in from time to time." Happy told him even as she took the menu from the waiter.
"That's the life of a doctor." Veronica smiled as she rubbed Happy's back. "And sometimes diplomats." Veronica laughed. "Your Father nearly missed your birth because of his job." Veronica smiled at Paige.
"What? How did that happen?" Paige asked surprised as they'd never told her that.
"He was on the team negotiating with the Russians for a future meeting between Presidents Reagan and Gorbachev." Veronica smiled.
"Of course then the day after you were born the US bombed Libya. And almost two weeks later Chernobyl happened." Veronica told her as she thought back to those days.
"Wow sis, you really rocked the world being born." Happy grinned.
"I'm a star, what can I say?" Paige laughed.
"You're certainly my star." Walter told her.
Happy and Veronica laughed even as Ralph stepped up to the table.
"Well, at least someone is having a good time." Ralph said as he sat down in the booth next to Veronica.
"Oh Mom was just telling us about what was going on in the world when I was born." Paige grinned.
"You had to tell her I almost missed her being born didn't you?" Ralph asked as he kissed Veronica's cheek.
Veronica laughed.
"It seemed appropriate since Toby was called away at the hospital." Veronica told him.
Ralph bristled at the name but tried to act normal.
Walter's phone rang and Walter looked and saw Cabe's name.
"Oh, it's Cabe, give me a moment guys." Walter said as he stood and moved off.
"Hey Cabe, thanks for calling me back." Walter said as he answered the phone. "Are you available for a little bit tomorrow?"
Walter nodded as he looked around and began explaining what he needed.
"Thanks Cabe, I really appreciate it." Walter said before he hung up. He walked over and slid back into the booth. "He's doing well, he's going to come by for a bit tomorrow and spend a little time with me." Walter smiled at everyone.
September 6, 2003, Saturday:
Walter stepped into Willie's bar with Cabe right behind him.
"Well would you look at that. Looks like Thomas has already scored the dough." The small man that had made the deal with Walter in the alley said to the men with him.
Walter's eyes scanned the interior and then saw the man in a back corner. He walked slow but confidently towards the table the man was sitting at.
"Well Thomas, this is a surprise. Didn't figure I'd see you before Wednesday." The man smiled. "Brought your pops along for the ride?"
"Actually, as an agent of Homeland my Dad came along to ensure this meeting had no problems." Walter told him.
A couple of the guys got a bit anxious.
"Just relax." Cabe told them as he flashed his credentials. "You keep your word and we're golden. Along with an extra stipulation."
The man eyed them for a moment and then flipped his hands over gesturing to the table.
"Do tell." The man told Walter.
"I've got the money, it's yours, I want you to sign this acknowledging the debt is paid and that neither myself or Toby owes you anything else. I'll need you to write in his name on it. Toby forgot to give it to me. The stipulation is, Toby is cut off from you. Spread the word among the others who accept bets like this. He can't place another bet with you or anyone else." Walter told him as he placed a letter and pen on the table. He pulled a small sack out of his jacket pocket and sat it on the table.
The man looked at Walter for a minute before he exhaled the smoke he was holding in his lungs. His tongue swept around the inside of his cheeks pushing the flesh out a bit for a moment before he pulled the paper over and looked at it.
"Personal loan repayment." The man laughed. "I like it. Okay, I got no problem with your stipulation, as long as you got the money." The man wrote Toby's name in the blank spot by Thomas O'Sullivan on the paper. "But I have to see the cash first."
Walter unfolded the bag and pulled out three stacks of one hundred dollar bills and sat them on the table.
The man pulled one over and spot checked ten bills with a special marker. He pulled over the other two stacks one at a time and checked them too. He blew out more smoke and grabbed the pen Walter put down again and scribbled his name.
"It has been a pleasure doing business with you Thomas. If you ever want to get into sport or horse betting let me know." The man grinned.
Cabe wagged his finger at the man before they turned and left.
Walter looked down at the sheet of paper declaring the debt paid and saw the man had written "Dr Tobias 'Toby' Curtis." Walter sighed as he climbed into the car.
"Thank you Cabe. I know you probably weren't comfortable doing that." Walter told him once they were back on the road.
"I told you kid, I'm here for you if you need me." Cabe smiled. "Now, why did you do this for this guy?"
"They were going to kill him. I couldn't let that happen. As much as I need money to start Scorpion I couldn't let someone die." Walter sighed as he looked out the passenger window. "And although I didn't know it at the time, he is also Happy's friend."
"Are you kidding me?" Cabe looked over as he drove.
Walter shook his head.
"I don't know how we'll tell Happy." Walter sighed. "But I got to. She wasn't too happy with me when I found out about all the trouble he got into while in college for drinking and gambling."
"Well, why don't I take you kids to lunch and we can tell her together?" Cabe asked as he glanced over.
Walter nodded.
"That's really kind of you Cabe. Thank you. I know Paige would enjoy having lunch together with you. I've also got to figure out how to tell Mom and Dad. Dad's really going to freak." Walter told him.
"Well he'll probably be more upset that you didn't tell him before going to pay this debt off." Cabe told him.
Walter nodded and then they both grew quiet as they traveled back to the Dineen home.
"Looks like someone important is visiting." Cabe said as he turned on the street.
Walter looked at the large super stretched limousine and frowned.
"I guess it must be a diplomatic car." Walter said and then shook his head as they drew closer. "No, that isn't a diplomatic plate. It's Richard Elia." Walter nodded as he noticed the vanity plate.
"Do you want to reschedule lunch then?" Cabe asked gently.
Walter shook his head.
"He should have called ahead of time." Walter smiled. "We've already got plans. I just hope Paige isn't upset he's here."
Cabe grinned in gratitude.
"She has a problem with him?" Cabe asked as he pulled into the drive.
"Well, he unsettled her the first time we met. First thing he asked me was if it was true that I hacked NASA." Walter told him as Cabe put the car in park.
"I can understand that." Cabe nodded as they both got out of the car.
"Cabe!" Paige said as she moved out of the house and hugged the man and then moved quickly into Walter's arms. "Is it Happy's Toby?" Paige asked quietly.
Walter nodded even as Paige sighed seeing the letter.
"Richard is desperate to talk with you." Paige rolled her eyes.
Walter smiled.
"Cabe wants to take us and Happy to lunch. So whatever he wants it better be quick." Walter told her.
"Walter." Richard grinned as he walked out of the house with Ralph behind him.
"Richard, I wish you had called. I'm sorry but we have lunch plans with Cabe." Walter told him as they shook hands.
"No problem, at most five minutes." Richard asked.
Walter looked at Cabe and he nodded to Walter.
"Okay, five minutes." Walter told him.
"This isn't about you coming back to work for me, but that door is always open too. I just need you to take on this one project and get them back on track. Name your price." Richard told him.
"What's the project?" Walter asked even as Paige felt the intrigue Walter was experiencing.
"They'd only started on it back in May, but they are already behind. Self driving cars." Richard grinned.
Walter's head twisted a bit as his excitement went down.
"I don't know Richard, that carries far too many complications for errors. People can be hurt or even killed." Walter said weakly.
"More than what we see on the road now? Walter, this could really help a lot of people." Richard tried to push.
"Maybe we give Walter some time to think it over." Ralph said. "Surely you don't need an answer right this minute."
"The difference between the two Richard, is that any errors that happen as a result of the self-driving vehicle would be my fault. And therefore any pain and suffering would be my cross to bear. I'm still dealing with something that was supposed to be a good thing and then it was turned into a weapon behind my back. I bear the pain, suffering and scars of more than two thousand people who died." Walter said quietly.
"I'm with Walter on this Richard, I do see the potential for what you want to do, but I don't think Walter is the right person for this." Paige said as she stepped up and put her arm around Walter's waist and hugged him to her.
"I totally understand that. Will you just give this a fair view? I think if you do you will see just how much good you can do with it. I'll even sweeten the deal, you read the full report and I'll give you ten thousand dollars just for that, even if your answer is no." Richard told Walter as he held out the folder.
Paige gasped at the offer even as she looked at Walter. She could see he was tempted.
"Ten grand just to read the report?" Ralph asked skeptically.
Richard nodded to Ralph.
"That is a tempting offer Richard." Walter said as he considered the thirty thousand dollar loss.
Richard could see he was losing Walter on it.
"Walter I'm desperate, I'll raise it to fifty thousand, if you read it within the week." Richard promised.
Walter looked surprised as he considered that.
"As my partner, what do you think?" Walter asked Paige.
"Well, if you agree, you got to give it a fair reading Walter and that can't hurt anything. You just have to be ready to say yes, potentially. But I can't see how you or we rather can pass it up." Paige smiled.
Walter nodded as he thought about it.
"Okay Richard, I'll give it a fair reading for the fifty grand, but no promises." Walter told him as he reached out his hand.
Richard grinned as he nodded.
"That isn't a problem, I really believe in this project." Richard told him as he put the folder in his hand and let go. "I doubt it will take you more than three hours to read it and I'm going to guess about fifteen hours to decide. But take the week to decide. Same non-disclosure conditions apply to this information."
Walter nodded as he reached his other hand out and Richard shook it.
"I'll give it an honest read Richard, you have my word on it." Walter promised.
Richard nodded.
"I'll see you guys later then." Richard smiled as he walked out to his car and climbed into the back as the driver opened the door for him.
Everyone waved as the car drove off.
"So, what were you two up to?" Ralph asked.
"Just catching up for the most part. I've missed so much in Walter's life. I told him I'd like to take Paige, Happy and him to lunch if you are okay with that." Cabe told him so Walter wouldn't have to try and lie.
"It is good seeing you again Cabe. I'm still sorry for asking them to take you off of Paige's detail." Ralph nodded with a smile.
"You were completely in the right for doing that Mr Dineen. I missed that they were lying to me, and that caused Walter a lot of pain. I'm just glad he could find it in himself to forgive me." Cabe smiled.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well!
LouBe - hehe Well...it is technically a grey area on confidentiality...as I understand it. As long as he doesn't give anything out that can identify someone. And if not, well it's just fiction. lol Definitely not a great way to introduce yourself! lol No such chance of that...but don't worry, they'll see him on the 7th, he'll still be very raccoonie! lol Would definitely be awkward if the proposal was turned down! I couldn't imagine...we saw what happened when Happy turned it down and that was a small gathering...Could you imagine at Disneyland or some other large crowd venue with hundreds and even thousands of people watching excitedly! Just hope they were more excited for it to be accepted than rejected. lol
Railman - I can honestly say, Ralph's going to be suspicious of Toby for a very, very, very long time! lol Yeah...Toby and Happy's relationship is a struggle at this point. Definitely got to be careful with it. lol Looks like Walter's luck at the cruise ship extended to the Dineen home...his good deed brought fortune home! lol Certainly hope to keep them coming. lol
2LawDog - LOL Lady Luck might enjoy kicking Toby to the curb but Fortune certainly smiled on Toby that day! Definitely, Cabe has some reservations about it, but he would never let Walter face something like that alone. I'd be surprised if Cabe didn't have several friends nearby just in case...*wink* Glad you enjoyed it!
Pearliegirl - Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! lol Nothing to forgive, you never know when I'll throw a wrench into the story...I might have left a big on in chapter 55...*mwhahahahaaha*
Marie Mac - I'm so glad you are enjoying it and the Knights stories! If things progress as they are, after this story is finished, I'll be posting (hopefully) my last ever fix-it! lol It's been sitting on a back burner for over 2 years now and all 8 chapters are finally finished. But, thanks to my innate desire of story telling and a little encouragement from a couple of readers, there will be a new side story to the Knight's Tale storyline. Chapter 1 of the story of Elizabeth of Caranth is done! Maybe another 2 or 3 chapters will be involved, will have to wait and see how it goes. LOL Oh Lordy...that is America wrapped up in a nice little package right there! lol He thought you were Australians after thinking you were Americans and upon hearing where you are from...I swear! lolololololol What is it comedians like to say..."You can't make this shit up!" lol
To the Adventure! -Tim