Three hours and forty six minutes. That's how long they had sat in the close confines of the car together… alone.

And they laughed. And joked. And discussed everything from pop culture references that Walter didn't understand, to scientific theory that Paige didn't understand, to memories of their childhood. Paige had prepared a playlist of sonds that Walter had never heard. Walter enjoyed listening to her sing along to each one, trying to discern if the song selections held some intrinsic meaning to her. Though, he ascertained that a song of which she bopped around to singing "drop it like it's hot" was probably not one that was very meaningful.

Despite their initial nerves, the entire drive had been oddly comfortable.

Paige would rationalize their comfort was due to them having done so much traveling together, trying to calm the hope rising in her chest. She kept her sunglasses on so he wouldn't see her watching him, fantasizing about him, studying his every feature. Covertly catching his gaze each time that he would try to discretely look her way. The way he looked at her made her feel weak.

Walter would rationalize that this comfort was simply how friends were, and Paige was his friend. It only makes sense that they would be so comfortable in each other's exclusive company. He would ignore the knot in his stomach, wanting this to be more than friends. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel to keep from reaching for her hand. The drive was so long that he had lost his ability to control his need to look her way every few minutes. She had her glasses on, not looking his way, so he calculated that he was able to sneak in a few longing stares her way without being caught. Repeatedly, he had to remind himself that she was his friend and to knock away the thoughts of more consuming him. They were friends.

Friends.

Just friends.

The fact that they were both having mirrored thoughts about what the weekend ahead could bring, fighting back the urge to hold the other's hand, and questioning the ease in which they found themselves in, minus a few nervous jitters, was completely lost on them both. Like most of their relationship, always thinking the same thing while being completely oblivious to it.

Finally, Walter put on his turn signal and turned down a long dirt road.

"Oh wow. Walter... It's so beautiful!" Paige, for the first time the entire ride, lowered her sunglasses and peered out the window at their surroundings.

Acres of rolling green fields of grape vines, perfectly rowed. Cascading greens in stark contrast to the soil grounds beneath. Treelines surrounding the property, and separating each field, trails running along side of them. Multiple building tuscan styled structures strategically placed throughout the vast rolling landscape, each one nestled neatly, complimenting the surround, distinctive without being obtrusive.

Walter, however, looked at her, eagerly looking out the front window, her face in a state of joy and appreciation of the grand view. The sun's steady decent casting a warm radiance on her features, making her eyes sparkle, and her skin glow angelically.

"It is certainly beautiful." He made no attempt to hide his face or look away, and when she turned and discovered he was not admiring the landscape, she blushed, pursed her grin and looked away, feeling the warmth rise from her stomach up to her cheeks. He continued the drive down the long dirt road. "That appears to be the Inn up there."

Up ahead was an oversized tuscan looking building, it's colors blending in beautifully, granting great acclaim to it's earthy surroundings, the stone and stucco, the barrel tile roofing, the collosal wood doors and black wrought iron features. Despite its massive size, it appeared quaint and welcoming.

"Oh wow. That's, that's... wow!" Paige was mesmerized, scanning their home-away-from-home for the weekend. "It's absolutely huge. Can you imagine how much this must cost to rent out for the entire weekend?"

He chuckled. Definitely more than either of them could afford combined.

"You said they like their money." He pulled into a parking spot by the main entrance and shifted the car into park.

"I think they like flaunting their money." Paige sniggered, turning in her seat to see Walter. The first time that he'd truly been able to appreciate the sight of her incredible eyes in hours. The way the sunset was making the brown of her eyes look golden was doing something to him he didn't quite understand. "Thank you, Walter. For doing this. I uh, probably would have turned around two hours ago if it weren't for you."

She took his hand in appreciation, and he smiled, feeling a warmth creeping up the back of his neck at both the contact with her hand he'd been yearning for for hours, and the intensity with which she was looking at him.

"I'm elated to be here with you. Whatever happens, it's sure to be an interesting time." The blush that crept up her cheeks made his stomach flip, and he squeezed her hand, not wanting to let go. Again, he had made no attempts to hide his meaning, and judging by the way she bit her lip, he was sure she understood. "You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess. If it gets to be too much, just tell me, and we can leave any time. Okay?"

"Understood. Same goes for you."

"Okay. Let's uh, do this. We're already a little late." She briefed a quick glance at her watch, and he noticed her flinch as if she was preparing for the verbal attack she would receive. It bothered him in ways he didn't comprehend that Paige seemed to have such weariness about being around her family. He understood that concept from his own family dynamic, but he also understood that his dynamic was a result of him being so different. Paige was so... normal. Caring, kind-hearted, hardworking, smart person. He simply could not grasp why she would be treated in such a way.

"Why don't you head to the meet and greet, and I'll get us checked in and meet you there? It's more efficient."

She was helpless when he cited efficiency. He always looked so astute.

"Yeah, um, okay." But she didn't want to be alone, feared he would leave. "You're not just saying that, and then you're going to drive home and leave me here, are you?" She quipped, mostly joking.

Mostly.

He chuckled, opening his door and popping the trunk open. She rushed out of the car to race after him around the back.

"Walter. Walter. You didn't answer! Are you?! Walter O'Brien! Walter!"

He laughed again. She was so nervous. It was adorable. He couldn't help but mess with her, she was making it far too easy and he spent entirely too much time with Toby.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I promise, Paige. I won't leave you." With courage he wasn't sure was in him, he took her by her upper arms and pulled her close for an, albeit immensely awkward, embrace. Paige was so caught off guard, she was lost on how to respond, freezing, but recovering quickly enough to also awkwardly placing her arms around Walter with a bemused smile, resting her head lightly against his shoulder.

"Thank you." She whispered, to which he pulled away, in his typical Walter weirdness. Walter was overcome with emotion being that close to her, terrified and excited, and wanting more. So much more. It was too much to process.

"Right, okay. So."

She giggled, Walter would never not be the most fascinating mystery to explore.

"Right, let's go, date." Both hiding their grins, Walter took their bags from the trunk, closed and locked the car, and led them to the entrance. Paige attempted to take her bag from him, but he pulled it away, trying his best to be a gentleman.

She grinned.

Whatever happened, it sure was to be interesting.