Chapter Eight: Enchanted

The hours dragged on, Walter was sure he had finally found some sort of space time warp, because every time he checked the clock, it hadn't moved. He was saddened, for the first time ever, that Paige and he worked so efficiently together, as they easily worked through her stack of paperwork within a half hour. Everything neat and orderly, perfectly filed, and copies of their case reports at the ready for Cabe to send off to Director Melina. Without their paperwork facade, Walter had little reason to be that close to Paige, at her desk, and reluctantly had returned to his own, but not before Paige snuck a few caresses of his thigh under the desk, making his mind wander to anything but work.

The team were all busy working on their own projects. Sylvester, under duress from Toby's prodding, had revealed that he was building and coding a virtual reality system for Megan. He explained that she had been complaining of being extremely frustrated and hopeless with being confined to the hospital lately, and how her disease was stealing so much living from her. So, he had decided to create a world full of adventures, from going to the Louvre, to Niagara Falls, to Vegas, even traveling to space - giving her the adventures she felt were being stolen from her, while also maintaining her health and wellbeing. Toby had changed his tone of teasing to a deep pride in Sylvester. Happy had immediately offered her mechanical assistance for the headset he was attempting to perfect, even offering to take it a step further by adding a misting machine that would spray water while at the falls, or blow air while skydiving. As much as Happy kept up her armor, she had a soft spot for Megan. They all did. Cabe had told Sylvester that he was proud of him, and that it was the most thoughtful gift he'd ever seen, and assured him Megan would love it. Paige had gotten up from her seat to see close up the images that would be displayed, and voiced a string of ooo's and awww's, and many times spoke of how spectacular it was, and how it was going to bring Megan so much joy that he had been so thoughtful.

Sylvester had smiled solemnly and said "I just hope it will bring a smile to her face." She had given him a hug of assurance, and Walter realized for a moment what a good friend she had become to Sylvester as well. How special she made him feel, how comforted.

She was special like that.

He watched and listened to Paige talk to Sylvester intently, absorbing the meaning of Sly's gesture for Megan. Before last night, he wouldn't have understood it. He would have argued that it's simply simulated images, and that he would ensure that she was able to see the real thing when he cured her. He would have chastised Sylvester's efforts as useless, and a waste of his time and his intellect. But today, he understood, he really understood it. It wasn't about the actual gift, the device, it was about loving someone so much you would do anything within your power to bring them joy, comfort, give them back something they felt they had lost. Anything. Sylvester was, in his own unique way, doing that for Megan.

For his sister. For Megan.

He didn't hold back as he blatantly stared at Paige as she reclaimed her seat, seemingly unaware of his gaze upon her. He watched as she scrawled something on a document, took a sip of her coffee and laughed at a joke Toby made. He thought of the way he had observed Sly looking at Megan, and how he himself looked at Paige, and he felt a pang in his chest thinking of how Sylvester had to watch the woman he loves struggle with so much pain. Walter had been so close to it for so long, that it was just part of who Megan was - his sister with MS. She would often tell him that she was more than her disease, but he could only view it analytically. MS affected her entire body, and therefore she was her disease. But, now, as he stared across at Paige, he thought about everything that made her her. Paige. Her smile, her laugh, her brilliance, her tenacity, her kindness, her generosity, her fierce loyalty, her motherly instincts, her humor, her zest for life, her sense of adventure. She was more than any one thing. And Megan was too. If Paige were in a position like Megan, feeling helpless and hopeless, trapped in a body that had betrayed her, he would stop a moving train with his bare hands in order to give her even a glimmer of her smile back without hesitation. Sylvester loved Megan, just as Walter loved Paige, and he had no doubt listening to them converse that he had been wrong in his analysis of Megan's disease defining her, and he was so thankful that someone, that Sylvester, saw everything she was beyond the disease.

He got up, nervously, and approached Sylvester's desk. He could feel Paige's inquisitive eyes on the back of his neck and like last night felt the need to anxiously rub at it.

"Sly?" Sylvester stopped his work and looked up at the muted, anxious, unsteady tone in Walter's voice. "I wanted to say that of all the incredible things you have done with that brain of yours…" Sylvester was bracing himself, expecting what anyone would expect from Walter, discouragement and disapproval. It hurt Walter, and brought him great shame, to see that look upon his friend's face. "...nothing even remotely comes close to this…formidable use of it." Sylvester swallowed, stunned in silence, processing his words. "I, uh, have taken for granted your being in Megan's life, and I owe you a great apology for not recognizing and acknowledging just how extraordinary you have been for and to her. For so long, it's just been her and I, looking out for each other, taking care of each other, it's hard sometimes to see that things can be more, can expand, can grow." He flashed a quick look in Paige's direction, but not long enough to note her expression, other than she was watching him and listening intently. "With her illness, I have always been so focused on the science, the medicine, finding a cure. But, I uh…" He swallowed hard, feeling himself becoming very emotional. "Well, I h-have failed her in ways like this. I failed my sister in seeing her pain beyond what medicine can help with, and in finding ways to save her life beyond a cure for her disease. I didn't really see, nor comprehend that bigger picture until recently." He hesitated a glance in Paige's direction once more, who immediately looked away, fear she had been caught eavesdropping he supposed, before turning back to a very bewildered Sylvester.

"Oh, Walter…I…" Sylvester was nearing tears. He was not accustomed to emotional talks from Walter beyond a brief one liner, just enough to get his point across, and then an abrupt end and change of subject. The classic Walter O'Brien. Emotional bomb dropped, followed by an 'okay, then' and a hasty retreat. This, this was new.

Walter was choking back his own emotions, and while he could see in his peripheral vision that Paige had averted her eyes from staring at him, he could also see her wiping a few stray tears from her eyes, trying to be stealthy about it, but he saw. It was not helping his own tears wanting to come.

"I guess I'm just trying to say thank you for taking care of her in the ways that I can't, for being what I couldn't be for her, for uh, loving her in all the ways that a brother could only hope his sister to be loved, and I'm just really grateful that she has you. I never thought anyone would be good enough to be with her, but, I uh… I am happy to have been proven wrong, Sly." Sylvester's fight to keep back a tear failed, and one dropped to his cheek and rolled down, no attempts to stop or hide it, as he swallowed hard, overwhelming emotions bubbling to the surface as he listened to Walter's words. Walter envied him in that way, so unashamed to be vulnerable and emotional. But Sylvester also understood Walter like the back of his very clean hand, and knew that when he did speak on an emotional level to him, he was simply looking to be heard, to state his facts. He didn't need nor want a response nor validation. Knowing this, Sylvester simply rose from his chair and put out his fist to bump with Walter's as he gave him a knowing nod, his lips pursed, and tear stained cheeks, their unspoken communication of comrades heard throughout the deafeningly silent room.

Without another word, Walter walked off, quickly, past Paige's desk, not even glancing her way, afraid of what he'd see, or what she would see, all but running toward the kitchen, needing a moment to gather his thoughts. He didn't like to acknowledge his feelings, let alone his failings, especially when it came to Megan. It had a profound effect on him. One that he did not like.

He knew, deep down, that Megan's time was numbered, that he would lose her. He had high hopes for his research, for saving her, but even he, though unable to admit it aloud, knew the likelihood of success was infinitesimal. He put on a show like the best of them, but he knew he was not infallible. He could, and likely would, fail. She would die. Likely an unpleasant, painful death. He knew the science. He knew the medicine. He knew the math. It wouldn't be long. He garnered a likely prognosis would be at most two years, and that was assuming she didn't catch a cold, or develop any new lesions in that time. And though he kept those thoughts locked away and out of reach, in a vast sea of denial, every now and then they would surface, like a dead fish, just being moved along by the waves, and this was one of those moments. Though, in this moment, somehow that surfacing felt larger, stronger, like it took a more vigorous grip on him, a tidal wave pulling him out to sea. He had felt an aching in his chest as he spoke to Sly, and coupled with the welling of tears in his eyes, he found himself desperate to be away from prying eyes to collect himself. He couldn't allow his team, who depended on him for their lives, to see him in such a weakened state of mind.

Emotional.

He had to wonder if opening his heart to Paige, allowing himself to feel emotions that he had for so long suppressed, had something to do with why this time, these thoughts of Megan were so damn overwhelming, bringing out an inner turmoil he wasn't even aware he had been carrying. He was musing over this, when he felt a soft, tentative hand stroke his shoulder. He didn't need to turn to know it was her. He didn't want to turn. Didn't want her to see him like this.

"Walter? Are you…okay?" Such a simple query, but loaded with so much more. Somehow, her asking, the gentle, knowing yet sympathetic tone she used, made the emotions feel even more intoxicating. He was losing control. She had cracked his heart open, and now with it, the floodgates, and he was in desperate need of a dam.

Just as he had sharply pulled away from her after their initial kiss, he did so again now like her hand and her words were burning a hole through him, forcing himself to place his mask of indifference back on, put his armor back on. She pulled back, startled, but didn't leave. Standing a mere foot from his back. He could still hear her breathing, feel the warmth radiating from her body, sense her intense gaze on the back of his neck.

"I, uh, I'm fine. Everything is fine. Is there something you need or is there work you can be doing?" He snapped at her, harshly, his words dripping with venom, far from the sweet nothings he had been whispering to her a few hours prior. Instantly he regretted his tone and his words. He could feel the tension rise between them as she stepped back, could hear the clicking of her shoes on the concrete floor. Could sense her tensing.

Idiot.

Even he shocked himself at how he had spent all day unable to maintain a professional colleague facade, and yet, just like that, it was up and in full swing, and more than that, it was cruel. He wiped his face briskly with his hands, as though he could physically erase the emotions from his body by doing so. He still wouldn't turn to look at her, instead steadying his shaky hands by making himself a cup of coffee, unwilling to face her. No, afraid to face her, to see the look on her face, to see the regret of letting him in.

For her part, she just stood there. Didn't speak. Didn't lash out at his words. Didn't slap him, which he felt he would probably deserve. Just there. Standing. Present in the moment, allowing him to be, but staying to know she was there. He didn't know what to make of that. He would otherwise be sure that his callous tone, and harsh words, would have her regretting their night together, and their decision to move forward with a relationship. Not even a day into their affair and he was messing things up, she'd be justified to reconsider. He would expect that. He'd be prepared for that. But yet, she was still there. Silent. He didn't dare risk a look at her face, not sure his already overloaded emotional state could handle what he saw there.

No matter what her face showed however, he knew he had been wrong, and though confused on why she was still there and he was not icing a black eye, he knew he had to make it right.

"I'm sorry, Paige. You did not deserve that. That was not an acceptable way to speak to you, ever. I was wrong, and I am truly sorry." He offered in a much softer, and sincere, tone, but still unable to look her way. He saw her shadow on the counter move, and at first thought she was moving away, until he felt her hand again, this time on his forearm that he was desperate to keep still.

"Walter, thank you for the apology, but it isn't necessary. I was taken aback, sure. But I understand. You were taking a moment to process and weren't ready to be met with human interaction. I'm sorry that I disturbed you. I'm proud of you for recognizing your own tone and apologizing. That was very EQ of you." She squeezed his arm in a means of reassurance, and with her other hand delicately ran her fingers through the hair at his temples. His eyes closed at the touch, leaning into her hand. It brought him immense comfort. "I came over to check on you, but also to tell you that I was also very proud of you for what you said to Sylvester. I know it couldn't have been easy for you, but you gave him a very special gift with your words, being so open with him, and I just wanted to make sure you knew that. You're a good man, Walter O'Brien. And a great brother. And an amazing friend." She leaned into him, resting her head against his upper arm, an act of love and understanding, comfort and praise. But just as soon as he felt her, he felt her pulling away. "I'm here for you, Walter. You can talk to me about anything, including those big feelings you like to think you don't have. Judgment free. You told me how you would protect me, well, I'm also going to protect you - even when it means from yourself. I'm here for you. As your humanity coach, as your friend, as your… girlfriend." That last word had him turning his head to finally meet her gaze. Girlfriend. She wasn't leaving him. She was genuine in her offer, and he could see the love, and the worry, that she carried for him. He knew she could see the wetness he carried in his eyes, the pain on his face. But that was the deal right? Dropping the walls for each other? He had promised her to protect her, so he couldn't argue with her logic that the same would hold true for her in return. "Whichever and whatever you need. You're not in this alone. Okay?" With a solemn, but appreciative expression, he nodded.

"Okay." He wanted to talk to her, tell her everything he was feeling, thinking, fearing. But this wasn't the place, it wasn't the time, and he didn't feel comfortable in this setting. Normally he would reject her offer entirely, and she'd either accept that and let it lie, or would beat it out of him until he caved, but for the first time, he wasn't reluctant to share with her. He felt safe. She had shown him that he didn't need to keep his walls up with her, and he wanted her to know that he was willing to drop them for her. He trusted her, with his thoughts, his feelings, his everything. "I'm not dismissing you, but… I, uh…perhaps… I… Can we, just maybe… preserve this conversation for later? Perhaps when we're alone? I do want to talk to you, Paige, to explain. I owe you that much. I think if there's anyone who can help me navigate these big feelings as you put it, it's you, but I just don't think now would be appropriate." He gestured around the garage to their audience, who were doing their best to pretend like they weren't eavesdropping. He was sure they were all suspecting something, particularly with the way Paige was touching and holding him. They'd find out eventually, but she was definitely making it easy. He didn't care for right now. He was just happy she was here.

"Whenever you're ready. I'll be there." She gave one last lingering feel through his hair, and another squeeze of his arm, before she broke their contact, walking back to her desk, flashing him a bright smile over her shoulder as she did. He wanted to kiss her, hug her, wrap himself in her calmness and let her will him free of his pain and worries.

As she sat she turned back again, giving him a look that told him that though she physically couldn't hold in, mentally, she was. He could let go.

Instantly, he felt better. Just knowing he could talk to her, he had her. She was his safe place. Megan was always a safe place for him, but he didn't feel safe to discuss Megan with Megan. And even when it came to life and love and everything else that Megan tried so painfully to get him to talk about, he lived in his denial cocoon with her. In his mind, she had enough to worry about, real problems. He didn't want her burdened by his superficial issues with being unable to connect to humanity. It was his job to ease her struggles, not add more. Perhaps this was the difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. With Megan, he was safe, and he knew he was accepted, quirks and all. But with Paige, he felt safe, accepted, seen, brave, and equipped to handle anything. He could be vulnerable. He could put his worries to rest, because she was there to help carry that burden, just like he would help to carry hers.

He finished making his coffee and noted how his hands had stilled. His mind was quiet. His chest relieved.

How did she have such a calming effect on him?

That sorcery, of course.

He questioned if this was all too soon. They had only just agreed last night to see each other romantically, and they were already exposing every bit of themselves to each other, the good, the bad, the naked, and all the broken pieces. Was this normal in a relationship? He wouldn't know. The longest relationship he had had was with Janice, and as she so kindly pointed out, despite his best efforts, he was a million miles away from normal. Would Paige feel the same way after the new and shiny feeling wore off, and she realized he was still just him? Or was it because he had never loved any of the other women he had dated? Looking back, with his newfound perspective, he realized just how callous he had been with Janice and his lack of effort he had given to any real connection. With Paige, he was willing to be open, and perhaps that made all the difference. He didn't know. This was all very confusing. He wondered if she felt this was moving too fast, if he should slow things down between them. But then again, nothing between them had ever been normal. They had always walked this tightrope of intensity and exhilaration when it came to each other, always teetering on the edge. So perhaps their intensity was just their normal. He should probably broach the subject with Paige, to make sure they were on the same page in terms of their relationship speed and dynamics, but he also would need to be mindful of how he approached it. It was fast. It was undeniably fast. It was intense. It was powerful. It was overwhelming. But, for him, it also felt so right. He didn't want to slow things down. He wasn't ready to walk down the aisle, but he was ready for a full life with her.

He could so easily see his days filled with her presence, with adventure and domesticity, and family memories being made with her and Ralph. Maybe it was because they had been friends for so long leading up to this, it made it different. She already knew him. Knew his quirks. Knew how difficult he could be. Knew how impulsive he could be. She just knew him.

And he knew her.

Knew how she hid her pain behind a smile. Knew how much she missed her dad, even though she never spoke of him - he could see it in her eyes whenever the conversation of fathers came up. He knew how she would switch to tea when she was anxious about something, usually Ralph. He knew how she appreciated touch as a means of comfort. He knew how she laughed, how it was different if she was laughing at him, or someone else. He knew how incredibly smart she was, but how she didn't believe in her own intellect, feeling inferior to the genius minds around her. He knew how she worried, all the time, about everyone. He knew how she would feign having paperwork to do on nights that Ralph was gone at school events, or Forrestry Braves, just so she wouldn't be alone. How she put her own wellbeing last to everyone else. How she would never admit it, but that she always had a tub of Ben Jerry's Phish Food ice cream hidden in the back of the freezer, and she would eat it in secret after particularly rough days. He made sure that it was always stocked, and he wondered if she knew it was him. He knew every observable thing there was to know about her, because he couldn't help but constantly observe her. Though, he pondered if that also made him a bit of a stalker. He dismissed that notion on the premise of not wanting to feel... creepy.

"You doing okay, kid?" Cabe's concerned voice, and pat to his back, broke him from his deep train of thought.

He smiled. They had had their difficulties, and still had a lot to work through, but he owed Cabe his life. He was glad he was back with the team.

"Hmm? Yeah, just lost in thought."

"Isn't that standard for your geniuses?" He quipped, and Walter smiled as Cabe began to make his own coffee, Walter realizing his own had already gone lukewarm. How long had he been standing there thinking?

"Unfortunate side effect, I'm afraid." Watching Cabe, he was again, like earlier, overcome with emotion. He glanced a look in Paige's direction. She was definitely cracking his heart open, and he doubted she even realized it. "Uh Cabe?"

"Yeah son?" Cabe stopped his movements and turned to give Walter his full attention. Paige had used Cabe doing so as an example to Walter several months ago to stress the importance of not just listening to your counterpart but showing them that you're listening. He had locked that info away for later, but at this moment, he understood her. Cabe was ensuring he knew that he was listening, and hearing whatever Walter may say. Cabe was a much better man than he.

"I, uh… it's just that, I… I never properly thanked you… not really, for what you did for me out on that cliff… I've run the odds, and well, the odds of you perishing during the rescue were maximal. Happy informed me that you didn't even hesitate when she couldn't prepare the harness in time. You saved my life, Cabe. Thank you."

Why was that hand constantly at his neck? This emotional stuff was harder than he thought. Had Cabe not saved his life that day, Paige would never have been at the hospital, would never have kissed him, would never have told him, he would never have hacked the hospital security footage, would never have been caught with the footage, they never would have confessed their feelings, he never would have kissed her, she never would have dropped her purse and they never would have gotten together. He would just…be dead. At the bottom of a cliffside. Rotting away. Early stages of decomposition. Dead. Never once feeling Paige's lips. A wasted life.

Cabe gave him an odd look, especially after he caught him staring at Paige as he spoke.

"Son… I would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm glad to see you have some living left in you." These were moments he needed Paige to decipher. He was unsure if Cabe had just alluded to Paige and him starting a romance in the way he inflected the word living. He was fairly certain he had, but he was also paranoid that everyone knew while trying to hide their new courtship, so he could be wrong.

"I am very, very thankful to be alive right now, yes." He was blushing, he tried his best to hide it, freshening up his coffee as he fought hard against the temptation to look at Paige again.

"I can see that. I'm glad you're living, Walt. Enjoy every minute of it." Cabe's smile matched his own, as the older man once again patted Walter's upper back, giving a little chuckle as he took his coffee and walked off. Walter paused as he watched Cabe give a gentle squeeze to Paige's shoulder as he passed her desk. She looked up instantly as he said "it's about damn time."

Walter coughed on his coffee mid-sip, and Paige's eyes urgently spun to meet his own in a questioning, and slightly panicked, glare, her lips parted as if she were preparing to scold him, hands up as if they were asking the questions. It was an adorable sight to behold. He simply shrugged innocently, as she jumped up and approached him. Less adorable. She looked like she may attack. He instinctively backed up until his waist met the countertop.

Oh boy.

He was in trouble.

His hands raised, as if to say I'm innocent, before he rushed out "I did not tell him!"

"Well, clearly you said something Walter O'Brien!" She was trying so hard to be angry, but he could see the smile threatening beneath the surface. She was very close again. He wanted so badly to pull her closer.

"I was doing what you taught me, opening up. I thanked him for saving my life on the cliff." He knew he was playing at her achievement in unlocking his EQ, and playing dumb, and by the look she was giving him, she knew it too.

"Don't you dare try and pull the EQ maturity card on me! While I think it's wonderful that you opened up and thanked Cabe for what he did, how did that somehow end with 'it's about damn time?'" He just stood there, a wrinkled look on his face, bewilderment, fear, confusion, excitement. How had he never noticed how sexy her angry face was before? "Walter O'Brien. Spill!"

"I don't know! He said he was glad to see I was living. I told him I was very…" he paused to blatantly check her out, looking her up and down, enjoying the lengths of her legs exposed with the black mini skirt. "...very, glad to be alive."

"Walter!" She was whispering, yet yelling all at the same time. "And were you looking at me like THAT while you told him?" She was flabbergasted, rosey red rising up from her chest again. She was feigning mad, but he could tell she was equally amused.

"Like what?" For someone so smart, he was not always the smartest at understanding his own behavior.

"Like you have seen me naked!!" There was that smile. She couldn't hold it back. Her mouth was agape, as she stared at him in shock and mock anger, hands on her hips. Oh, those hips…he was letting his eyes roam again. The joys of a photographic memory, even though she was clothed, he could still see everything underneath. "You're doing it again!!! Walter! Eyes! Up here! Now!" She snapped in his face, openly laughing at his incredulous behavior.

"Oh." 197 IQ. Fourth smartest in the world.

"I think it's probably safe to say that Cabe knows, and how he knows." Her eyebrow was rising to unfathomable heights as she stared him down. He stood there sheepishly, apologetically.

"I'm so sorry Paige. I didn't intend… I've really messed this up. I'm so sorry. I'll talk to Cabe… I'll do whatever you want. Please, just give me another chance." He was pleading. Her features immediately softened as she stepped toward him, taking his hand in hers. No attempt to hide her feelings from the audience lingering in the next room.

"Oh Walter, I'm just teasing you. I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you." Her fingers were rubbing circles into his hand, and he longed for more. "We knew people would find out, right?" He nodded hesitantly. "I'll be honest, keeping up this ruse has been challenging, more than I anticipated." He smiled at the crunched up face she made, like a child being forced to eat their vegetables. He was certain he had never seen that face on her before. She loved vegetables. "I want us to have this to ourselves, but I don't like having to hide how happy I am."

"Me either. It's been immensely difficult being near you today. I have found myself very, uh….distracted, and paranoid, and Sylvester level anxious, all of which I am not accustomed to experiencing." He was rambling, and rubbing his neck, and he could tell she was enjoying it. "Also, I am finding it rather challenging to fight this overwhelming urge to uh, kiss you…" He was blushing. She was blushing.

Silently, she looked back over her shoulder, scanning the room, seeing that Sylvester was still absorbed in his project for Megan, Toby at his side, with the virtual reality goggles pressed firmly over his eyes, hands outstretched in front of him attempting to grasp whatever he was seeing, Happy soldering what would be Walter's new hand cast, and Cabe reading through a file. Everyone distracted.

"Come on." She whispered as she quietly pulled him through the back of the kitchen, away from their peers, and pulled him toward a darkened, secluded corner at the back of the garage, away from prying eyes and ears. She gently pushed him against a crate that was stored there, so he was half standing, half seated, his hands instinctively reaching for her hips as she stood between his legs, letting her own hands caress his shoulders and neck, her fingers climbing up to tangle in the curls by his neck and temples. He closed his eyes at her touch, inhaling deeply. "Kiss me Walter."

He didn't need to be told twice. His good hand gripped the side of her face, pulling her in. His lips locked on hers in a soft, sensual, loving kiss. Both allowing themselves to relax in the embrace. He found wonderment in the feeling of her hair between his fingers again, and the way he could feel her jaw and muscles shift as she kissed him. Breaking the kiss after several long moments, Paige rested her forehead against his, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Better?" She smiled, and he forgot about everything else. Nothing else mattered.

"Much." He stroked the side of her face, loving how she turned into his touch. "But maybe, just to be sure…" He teased as he leaned back in and kissed her again.

She finally pulled back with a grin, taking his hands in hers and bringing him up to his feet. Without pause, he pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her back and shoulders, letting his hands rub her back and caress her hair, feeling her relax her head against his chest. She hugged him back, tightly, as though she were afraid he'd let go.

"Thank you." He whispered as he placed a kiss into her hair. She looked up to meet his gaze, pure contentment on her face.

"For what?"

"For…everything. For being you." He didn't need to elaborate. She knew. He was thankful she was taking the chance on him, thankful she had been there for him all day through his emotional struggles, thankful that she wasn't upset with him for unintentionally spilling the beans to Cabe, thankful for pulling him away to kiss him and let him feel her close. The way she held him tighter and kissed his chin told him she understood.

"Shall we head back before the cats start getting too curious?" He kissed her as she spoke, letting her continue her words against his lips. It tickled. She giggled as she finished and he shook his head no as he continued to place chaste kisses to her lips, her cheeks, her chin... "Why Walter O'Brien, I do believe you are smitten."

He pulled back, quizzically.

"I am not smitten. Smitten is for school boys." She smiled as she forced him away from their corner, walking, hand in hand, back toward the kitchen.

"Oh? Is that so? Then, do tell Romeo. What are you?"

In love.

No, no. He couldn't say that. But she had teed him up for it so beautifully.

"Enchanted." Synonym for in love, but could hold many meanings. The way she froze in her step, though only for a fleeting second, and then began toying with her hair, told him she understood the meaning he actually meant. But she wouldn't acknowledge it. Like him, she knew it was too soon.

As they reached the kitchen, she reluctantly released his hand, grabbing a pear from the fruit bowl, and started walking back to her desk. He was entranced watching her, per usual. She turned, walking backwards, and spoke just loud enough for him to hear.

"I'm enchanted with you too, Walter." Her devilish grin was his undoing. She turned on her heels and went back to work, leaving him standing there stunned and amazed by her.

Enchanted.

Synonym for in love.

Oh boy.