"Hey." Toby said hugging Happy, he could feel her energy and she was definitely in distress. "What's going on? Is your Dad okay?" Toby asked worriedly.
Happy nodded but didn't say anything.
Agent Williams moved up next to Toby.
"We had a slight altercation at the shoe store with the sales lady. It unsettled Happy." Agent Williams whispered.
"Hey George." Toby looked up at the receptionist. "Would you tell Grace I need her for a few minutes."
The man nodded and picked up his phone as Toby made Happy turn and he opened his door. Toby gestured and agent Williams followed them into his office.
Toby pointed at a chair in front of the couch and agent Williams sat down as Toby and Happy sat on the couch. Happy hadn't really let go and still had her face buried in his shoulder.
"What exactly happened?" Toby asked.
Agent Williams waited a moment but Happy still didn't say anything.
"I believe the lady assumed Happy was an adult and was very forward with her while measuring her for the boots. From our angle, it was hard to tell, but it was bad enough that Happy mouthed her panic word to me. So I stepped in and backed the woman up." Agent Williams told him as Happy just nodded.
They looked at the open door as they heard a knock and saw a woman in a hospital coat standing there.
"You wanted me Toby?" She asked.
Toby nodded.
"Happy, this is Grace. She's a nurse practitioner with my group. Is it okay if I have her sit with us?" Toby asked.
Happy looked at her when he said the name again and slowly she nodded.
"Grace, this is Happy. A dear friend. She had an uncomfortable encounter with a sales lady earlier. I'd appreciate you sitting with us as we talk." Toby told her.
Grace nodded and sat down in another chair after shutting the door.
"Happy?" Paige said as she answered the phone. There was silence for several moments and Paige frowned. "Happy, are you there? Is something wrong?"
"I just needed to hear your voice." Happy finally said.
"Hey, that's fine but your voice is off. What's going on?" Paige asked concerned.
"It isn't a big deal." Happy tried to obfuscate.
"Happy. I'm your sister and I love you. I know your voice, so yes, whatever it is, it is a big deal." Paige told her softly.
Happy inhaled deeply.
"I had a bad encounter earlier that brought up something that happened before I met you." Happy said in a quiet voice.
"I'm so sorry you had a bad experience, both times. Do you want to tell me about them?" Paige asked.
"No, I just wanted to hear your voice. I didn't want to disturb your honeymoon." Happy told her.
"Hey, you aren't disturbing anything. I told you, I'm your sister and I love you. If you need me, I'm here for you. I can even catch a flight back home in about two hours." Paige told her.
"No. Please don't. I just got back from talking with Toby about it, but it wasn't the same as hearing your voice. How are you liking LA?" Happy said as she began to gain strength.
"It's okay. The haze is different even when you can't see it, I can taste and smell it when I breathe. Cabe seems to like being here. Walter really enjoyed JPL." Paige explained.
"Yeah, the haze was something, I never really realized it until I moved in with Aunt Jo." Happy nodded as she leaned on the workbench in the garage.
They talked for about twenty minutes before Happy said goodbye. She wanted to get started on her bike since her morning plans were ruined.
"So what exactly happened?" Ralph asked as he gestured for agent Williams to sit down.
"In the encounter with the sales lady, nothing really happened. She was a bit forward, probably assuming Happy was an adult because of the situation. She got closer to Happy then Happy was comfortable with and she mouthed her panic word so I moved in and backed the woman up away from her. She was quite embarrassed learning Happy was a minor and she quickly apologized and offered to get another sales person to finish the sale. But Happy said it was okay for her to finish it." Agent Williams explained.
"What happened when she talked to Toby?" Ralph asked.
"I'm sorry sir, I can't divulge that information. It was more or less a therapeutic session and therefore under doctor-patient confidentiality. My presence was mainly to ensure Happy felt safe and that no one could accuse either of them of anything inappropriate." Agent Williams explained.
"But she's okay?" Ralph asked.
"Yes sir. I'm quite sure she is. Doctor Curtis thinks it would be best if she talks to one of the other doctors in his group but Happy is pretty adamant that she isn't doing that." Agent Williams told him.
"Damn it. Alright, I guess I'll have to wait until dinner tonight and talk to them both. Thank you Williams." Ralph reached his hand out.
"That's what I'm here for sir. To do my best to keep your little girl safe." Agent Williams told him as he stood up shaking his hand.
Ralph walked out of his study and walked through the house to the kitchen. He smiled seeing Veronica staring out the side window towards the garage. He stepped up behind her and his hands touched her arms and slid up her arms to her shoulders.
"Oh." Veronica jumped slightly.
"Is she in the garage?" Ralph asked, not seeing her in the tire swing as he looked out the window.
"Something isn't right with her. I figured she would come home bubbling from her visit and lunch with Toby. But instead she went right into the garage. I wish she'd come talk to me." Veronica nodded.
"There was a problem at the shoe store." Ralph went on to explain what agent Williams told him.
"My baby." Veronica looked at Ralph and he saw the tears in her eyes.
"I thought about going out and seeing how she's doing. I don't really want to wait for Toby to be here." Ralph said as he kissed the top of Veronica's head.
"Emmett's probably down for another half hour for his nap. Maybe I'll go with you, if you go now." Veronica told him looking at her watch.
Ralph nodded before they walked to the back door.
"Hey pumpkin." Ralph said as they walked into the garage.
"Hey." Happy looked back with a half smile.
"I know I told you if you wanted to be a racecar driver, we'd support that. But looking at this thing getting closer to looking like a motorcycle is really giving me the Heebie-jeebies." Veronica said.
Happy grinned.
"Do you need any help?" Ralph asked.
"Sure, if you want to help put these mounting bolts on the front fork to the frame." Happy smiled.
"Sounds simple enough." Ralph chuckled as Veronica
stepped up right behind Happy and put her hands on her shoulders.
"Did agent Williams tell you what happened?" Happy swallowed as they began lining the fork up to put the bolts through the holes.
"He told me about what happened at the shoe store. He wouldn't say anything about what you said to Toby at the hospital." Ralph told her. "And if you don't want to tell us, that's fine sweetheart."
"Yes, it is okay if you don't. But we're here for you." Veronica told her.
"She just reminded me of one of the foster home Mothers." Happy shrugged.
"Did that woman from the foster home touch you inappropriately?" Ralph asked gently.
"I don't know if I would say inappropriate, but it was definitely unwelcomed." Happy said as she grabbed her wrench and began tightening one of the bolts.
"Happy, you don't have to protect this person. So don't downplay what they did. You are our daughter and we only care that you are safe. If she did do something wrong then we will need to contact the authorities to have her investigated." Veronica explained.
Happy sighed.
"They never believe the kids." Happy shrugged. "And I got away from there quickly, so I never worried about it. The woman at the store, she felt a lot like that woman. You've been with me when I've been measured for clothes before Mom. I'm not overly worried about the people who've measured me for them. But there was something about how she looked at me and did it. It made me feel like I was 7 again. But agent Williams responded instantly to protect me." Happy said as a tear ran down her cheek.
"Well, if you ever feel up to telling us who this person was, I'll make sure an investigation of them happens." Ralph told her.
"You're not going to try and guilt me to protect others?" Happy seemed surprised.
"As much as we want to see that this person isn't a threat to any other children, you are our daughter and you come first." Veronica said as she kissed the back of her head.
Happy took in a deep breath and told them about the woman.
"Thanks for being there for Happy and helping her over what happened this morning." Ralph told Toby as the four of them walked into his study.
"Thanks aren't needed, but you are welcome." Toby told him as they were all sitting down.
"I'm going to spend some time tomorrow trying to make sure the authorities investigate the woman Happy told us about. The one from the foster home." Ralph told them. "Agent Williams said you thought maybe Happy should have some sessions with one of the other doctors in your group?"
"I think Happy's fine as she is. But if she met with the doctor and felt comfortable enough to talk to them I think she'd find it helpful. But as long as she is resistant to the idea, like Walter was back after the Baghdad bombing, I wouldn't recommend it." Toby explained.
"Okay then, it will be up to Happy to decide then. We also want to talk about what Happy told you yesterday afternoon. If the only reason you haven't included Happy into more of your life, like riding in your car. Or going to your apartment is because of the age issue we understand but as long as her agents are with her, there is no concern on our part." Ralph told him.
Toby nodded.
"To be honest, I never even thought of that being an issue but I can see why it is. As she astutely pointed out, I've been part of her life for nearly two years. But she's felt like a stranger as far as my life goes. And while I did it to give both of you peace of mind, I didn't stop to consider the power differential in the relationship with Happy." Toby told them.
"And no Happy, there is nothing or anyone else in my life, you honestly know it all. My apartment is just a place to crash, clean up and eat. Well also I do my write ups and theories on people there as well. So if you want, we can go over tonight and you can see it. See what a slob I am. You can even ride in my car with me." Toby smiled at her.
"I'd like that." Happy smiled.
"Alright, clear it with your detail first." Ralph told her. "Be careful…driving." Ralph added.
Everyone laughed.
"Happy!" Paige called out the moment she came through the front door.
"Paige?" Everyone said even as Happy tore out of the study and through the house. The two of them met just before Paige got to the dining room and Happy flew into her arms and hugged her fiercely.
"It's going to be okay sis. I got you." Paige whispered even as she rubbed Happy's back.
Veronica moved through the doorway next and pulled both girls into her arms. As Ralph and Toby came through the dining room door Happy pulled on Paige and Veronica and they went to the family room and pulled the folding door closed behind them.
Ralph and Toby saw the front door open and Walter came in carrying their suitcases.
"Is everything okay?" Ralph asked as he moved towards the front room. "Why didn't you call to say you were coming home?"
"Paige was worried about Happy and I knew she wouldn't enjoy the rest of the trip so I canceled the rest of it and we had Richard's plane bring us home." Walter told him as they hugged for a moment.
"That put a bit of a damper on the honeymoon." Toby teased.
"Not really." Walter smiled. "As long as I'm with Paige, I'm content."
After finding out Happy had plans to go with Toby to his apartment Paige insisted she go after dinner. As long as she was okay, they could talk more later.
Happy sat in Toby's car as they drove across town shaking her head, listening to every noise the car was complaining with.
"When was the last time you took your car in for a tune up?" Happy asked with a disgusted expression.
"Oh, well…it's been a while actually." Toby admitted.
"I'm willing to bet it's been at least six months since you had the oil changed." Happy told him.
Toby didn't need to but he looked up at the sticker in the corner of the windshield.
"Yup, seven months tomorrow actually." Toby smiled. He saw the look on her face. "What? Not good?"
"Very, very, not good." She told him. "Do you not know what is going on under the hood of the car at this moment?" She pointed. "A fuel-air mixture is being burned at around 400 degrees celsius, continuously, almost two thousand times a minute for each of the eight cylinders at this speed. While the engine is cooled by the radiator system, oil is used to help keep the parts from creating too much friction and seizing up. If the oil isn't replaced on a proper schedule, it can get too thick, making it hard to pump through the system. At least tell me you check your oil and water once a week."
"Umm…do you want me to tell you that or be honest?" Toby asked carefully.
Happy slapped her forehead.
"Agent Evans, we're riding home in the SUV." Happy told her.
"Yes Ma'am." Agent Evans told her with a grin.
"Come on Happy, it's purring like a kitten." Toby grinned.
"No, it sounds more like a hyena. You got two lifters that need to be checked out, your fan belt has maybe a month left on it. Your water pump sounds like it needs to be replaced and I'm almost positive you are more than a liter low on power steering fluid from the level of difficulty you are having turning the wheel and sounds it is making." Happy shook her head. "Why do you take such great care of the body but the part that really matters you don't pay attention to?"
"I like to be flashy?" Toby offered.
Happy shook her head as Toby pulled over and parked in a parking lot. Happy looked at the building and then back at Toby.
"You live in this dump?" Happy asked.
"Hey!" Toby complained. "Ease up on the negativity. Trying to make it on a hospital salary isn't glamorous."
"Dad must not know where you live. There is no way he'd have approved of me coming over here if he did." Happy told him as agent Evans laughed. Happy smiled at her. "Sorry." She said to Toby who sat staring at her.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well! Well, this is weird. I got 3 more chapters left, 96 isn't a cliffhanger but it isn't resolved yet so...Not sure what I'm going to do.
Chipbass - Glad you enjoyed it brother. Not sure when their talk over the kiss will come up...The Muse has been so quiet the last 2 weeks...even the new story has stalled.
Railman - Yes, she was very upset finally. They need to talk more often about things that bother them and stop letting it build up so long. lol Seems like that is the real Scorpion curse. And he definitely was trying to keep things where Ralph would be okay with it. Totally was what happened at the shoe store.
LouBe - Glad you liked it. Yes, when I was writing it I was shocked, I too had not thought of that point that the Muse was so clear on. Made sense after reading it. lol Happy was definitely hinting at wanting Ralph TO hit him...lol Sarcastically speaking. Well, it would be difficult to ride it on public property without a license, which she can't get until 16. And then you have to go through motorcycle classes. It was interesting to read up on some of that stuff for this story. Most if not all course works are done in a large parking lot type place with orange cones representing different things. The Muse wasn't too happy with that idea. So anyway, Happy's just glad she'll be able to ride it fairly soon. Definitely hoping they keep the relationship low key! lol
Pearliegirl - Glad you loved it! She does understand, but the difference between what you understand and what you want can sometimes be a real PITA! lol I'll try, of course since the Muse isn't really talking...what can I do? Waiting is over!
Marie Mac - AO3 is the acronym they use for Archive Of Our Own "dot" org. To me the site is so much better in almost all ways but one. Metrics. FFN beats AO3 hands down on metrics. AO3 you get "hits" but if it is a multi-chapter story, you have no clue what chapter the hits are for. People can also click a button to give kudos on a story 1 time, regardless to how many chapters there are. With FFN I can see how a story is doing over all on views, I can see each chapter, I can see how much a day, each month. I can go back in time and see how a story did when it first was posted more than a year later. And at least for Scorpion Fandom, you guys are much more likely to comment to a chapter. And you are far from a has been. lol We all struggle with things getting older. From my late teens when computers came out to my 30s I was always on top of the tech, but as the 40s arrived new tech didn't interest me at first. I hated networking and wifi...especially wifi. And yet I was a tech expert and had to know it to help people. lol But no more. 2003 I started buying already put together computers rather than doing all the assembling and installing of software myself. Of course today putting them together isn't as bad as back in the day when you had to know what an IRQ was and had to make sure you set your cards to the right IRQ so the computer to talk to everything properly. lol
To the Adventure! -Tim