Sunday morning , Walter was on the sofa , together with Paige and Ralph , Megan again comfortable in Walter's arms .
As soon as Paige connected the call and Louise and Sean appeared on the screen , Megan shouted GPA, GMA much to the surprise but also pleasure of the proud grandparents .
Louise a big smile on her face . " Top of the morning to you little princess , good morning to the rest of you .
Paige answered first . " Good morning to the both of you . "
Walter and Ralph looked at each other , gave a little nod and then said in unison " Maidin Mhaith . " Which bought a smile to both Louise and Sean's faces .
Paige looked across at both them . " What did you two just say ? "
Ralph a big smile on his face . " Good morning in Gaelic , dad has been teaching me how to speak Gaelic over the past few weeks . "
" Well you might have included me . What do you think Louise , Sean ? " Paige asked with a bit of a laugh in her voice .
" I expect it of Walter , but i am surprised at Ralph . " Louise replied trying to be serious , but failing miserably .
" If you would like to learn , i can give you a few private lessons when Ralph goes to sleep . " Walter told her with a twinkle in his eyes .
Paige smiled at him . " Gaelic lessons as well ? "
Walter's face began to redden , Louise began to chuckle and Sean and Ralph just looked confused . But managed to say . " Of course . "
Paige still with a smile on her face . " I think we had better carry this conversation on a little later . "
A relieved Walter just nodded .
Ralph was very keen to tell them all about Owen , but as they knew nothing about the rescue he had to tell them all about it , before he could tell them about the previous day .
Paige told them how the decorating was going along . Walter spent most of the time talking quietly to Megan , occasionally joining in with the adult talk . At 9.45am he excused himself , telling them that he needed to be at the house by 11.00am to meet Sam .
He passed Megan gently to Paige , collected his coat and left for the house .
Paige and Ralph kept talking to Louise and Sean for another twenty minutes before disconnecting the call .
Walter was pulling up on the drive of his home at 10.30am . Sam had not yet arrived , so he went into the house to await Sam's arrival .
Just after 11.00am he heard a knock on the door , he got off the kitchen stool and went to open the door .
" Morning boss , i should have all i need now except for the wall lights for the nursery . I have found a rope light that should cover the two long and one short wall of the nursery , but as i said yesterday , i wil not be putting them up until the decorating is complete . Could you give me a hand with what i have bought today . "
" Of course shall we take it all up to the loft ? " Walter asked .
" Yes please . " Sam replied .
Once all had been put in the loft , Walter made his way down to the garage , he opened the garage , he prefered to work with it open to allow fresh air in . First he checked the popcorn machine to see if it was dry enough to plug into the mains . After a good inspection he decided it was worth the risk , he plugged it in and the machine lit up , he switched the heater button on and a red light came on . After about five minutes he checked inside the popping section and felt the heat .
A smile came on his face as he reached over and switched the heater off , then unplugged the whole machine .
He next decided to check out the Exit sign , although it should really be Sam who should check it out , but he felt he had enough knowledge to tackle the job . Before he had a chance to begin on checking it over , Paige pulled up on the drive . Ralph got out as soon as Paige stopped the car and ran into the garage .
" Have you checked the popcorn machine out ? " He asked in an excited voice .
Walter smiled . " Yes and it seems to work .So our next job on that will be to get some popping corn and try it out , but i think we will leave that to mom . "
" Leave what to mom? " Paige asked carrying Megan in her car seat .
" Popping corn . " Ralph told her .
" Why would i need popping corn ? " She asked .
" To check the popcorn machine . " Walter answered as he walked out the shadow of the garage . Megan began to shout DA , DA, as soon as she saw him .
Walter walked over to Paige and bent down to Megan and gently rubbed her cheek , which caused her to giggle .
Paige looked at him a smile on her face . " Does that mean it works ? "
" Well i know it heats up . " Walter told her .
" Well that's a start . " A smiling Paige told him .
Paige made sure Megan was safe again in the garage , before turning to Walter . " I will begin cleaning the fridge . "
" Ok , i am just going to check out the Exit sign , to see if it will light up . Ralph could you start cleaning the candy machine ? " Walter asked .
" Ok dad i will go and get some soapy water in a bucket and use the sponge again . " A happy Ralph answered as he took off for the house .
Walter moved the Exit sign closer to a wall socket and plugged the sign in . He flicked the switch , there was a bright blue flash and a bang , Walter was thrown across the garage , landed heavley on his back and his head striking hard on the concrete floor .
" WALTER ! " Paige screamed and ran over to him .
Walter was lying not moving on the garage floor , which seemed very dark , that was when Paige realized the lights had gone out , thirty seconds later , Ralph came running back into the garage and saw Walter lying on the floor "DAD ! " he shouted . Megan had begun to cry and uttering Da, Da, between sobs .
Paige was kneeling by Walter , trying to find out if he was bleeding as well as breathing .
Sam came rushing through the garage door . " What the hell happened ? " But as she saw Walter on the floor , she immediatly ran over to him and knelt down on the other side of him to Paige .
" Have you phoned for an ambulance ? " Sam asked Paige .
Paige did not answer , she was to concerned with checking on Walter .
" I am a trained first aider , you phone for an ambulance , let me check Walter over . Tell them it is an electric shock and a head injury . "
Paige was frozen and did not seem able to move , tears were pouring down her cheeks .
Ralph immediatly took over and pulled his cell phone out and dialled 911 .
Sam began to check for all the vital signs , she could feel a faint thready pulse , she ripped open his shirt and put her head on to his now bare chest , to see if she could hear a heartbeat . There was a faint heartbeat .
Ralph had got through to 911 and in a calm voice was telling the operator what was happening , Megan did not understand what was going on and was constantly calling MO,MO,DA,DA, RAL, RAL , but at the moment she was being ignored by everyone .
Sam felt behind Walter' head and found blood , she quickly pulled off the sleeve of the shirt she was wearing ,made it into a pad and put it as best she could on the area were she could feel the blood . She did not want to move Walter just in case he had injured his neck or back .
She checked his pulse again , it appeared to be getting a little stronger . " Did they say how long the ambulance would be ? " She asked Ralph .
" No , but they did say it would be a priority call . "
" Ok , go calm Megan down please she is frightened . " Sam told him
Sam then turned round to Paige . " I know it is frighting , but do you think you could keep talking to Walter , he will react more to your voice than mine . "
Paige , tears still streaming down her face . " I can't loose him again . Where the hell is that ambulance ? "
" Please Paige try and stay calm , and talk to Walter it is importent he knows you are there for him . " Sam told her in a calm voice .
Ralph had gone over to Megan and picked her out of her car seat and was cuddelling her in his arms , walking into the house and quietly talking to her , which seemed to be calming her down . Although every few seconds she would utter Da, Da.
Paige had managed to pull herslf together a little and was kneeling next to Walter telling him that eveyone was there for him and they all loved him .
Ten minutes later they heard the ambulance and saw the blue lights . Sam got up from Walter's side and walked out to the sidewalk to wave the ambulance down . As the first medic got out of the ambulance , Sam approached him .
" Man in his mid thirtes , electrocuted , thrown backwards hit his head on the concrete floor , bleeding from a gash he sustained , have put a pad on it . His pulse was slow and thready , his heart beat was a little shallow , but over the last few minutes his pulse as increased . "
" Thank you we will put a twelve lead on him before we move him . Is he conscious ? "
" He wasn't when i came out to flag you down . " Sam Explained .
By now the other medic had joined them . " Lets get in there Joe . "
All three made their way to the garage . Paige was still kneeling at Walter's side , holding his hand and gently talking to him .
The first medic got down beside Paige . " Miss would you mind moving so i can check . " He stopped as he realized no one had told him the patient's name .
" Oh it is Walter , he is my fiancee , " Paige told him .
" So i can check Walter , i will be as quick as possible , so you can come back and comfort him again . "
Paige with reluctance let go of Walter's hand and slowly got up from her knees . Sam walked up to her and put her arm around Paige's shoulders , Paige turned to her head towards her , tears still running down her cheeks . " He will be alright won't he ? "
Sam managed to put a smile on her face . " He had better , he as not paid me yet . He should have known better than plug somethink that old into the mains , he knows you need to do a full check on all the electics . "
Paige managed a little smile . " I think he just wanted to surprise me with the Exit sign . That is just like him always putting someone first before himself . "
The first medic shouted across to the second medic . " His twelve lead reading does not seem to bad , but his pulse is still a little low , now the oxygen mask is on his reading as gone from 89 to 94 oxygen saturation . "
The second medic replied . " The head injury does not seem to much , but we need to get him to hospital as quick as possible , so they can give him a head scan . "
Paige had heard all this . " Which hospital are you going to take him to ? "
" Los Angeles Community Hospital . " The first medic answered .
" Can you make it the Cedars , that is were he normally would be treated . " Paige told them .
" If you are sure , it is a lot more expensive . "
" Don't worry about the cost , i am sure that the Richard Eli medical insurance he is covered by , will be more than sufficent . "
Sam came up to Paige . " Leave me your your house keys and car keys . I will get the power back on , then make sure everything is locked up , before bringing Ralph and Megan to the hospital . "
Paige smiled . " Thank you , but how will you get back ? "
" I can call an Uber , do not worry about me , go with Walter he will want you there when he wakes up . " Sam told her .
Paige hugged Sam . " Thank you again . "
By now the two medics had loaded Walter on to the trolly stretcher and was pushing it towards the ambulance .
Paige called Ralph over . " Sam is going to stay here with you until she fixes the electrics on the house . Then bring you and Megan to the hospital , make sure you have got Megans blue bag . "
She pulled him into a light hug so as not to hurt Megan , who was holding onto Ralph's neck while still sobbing . " Don't worry pricess daddy will be fine . " She kissed her on the cheek , before walking over to the ambulance and climbing in to sit next to Walter .
The three of them stood watching until the ambulance was out of site .
" I need to check the fuse board so i can get the electric back on in the house . Do you think you could shine a light on the board for me . " Sam asked Ralph .
" Of course just let me put Megan back into her car seat . " Ralph replied , who began to walk towards Megan's car seat .
As he tried to put Megan back in her seat , she clung tighter to him and uttered Ral , Ral , and every time he tried to put her in her seat , she would pull her legs up by bending her knees and refusing to straighten her legs .
" Please Megan , i need to help Sam so we can go and see Da, Da . " Ralph told here .
She still kept her knees bent for a couple of minutes , it was almost as if she was considering what to do .
She suddenly straighten her legs and muttered DA, Da .
Ralph gently placed her into the car seat and buckled her in . Then removed his cell phone and went over to Sam , switched the phone to torch mode and held it so Sam could see the fuse board .
" Well this is a new fuse board , so lets just flip the switch and it should put the electrics back on in the house . " She flipped the switch and the lights came on in the garage . " Well that went better than i thought .
She then walked over to the exit sign and gave it a quick look over . " Well the whole system as been burnt out , not sure if i can make it work again . I will put it in the back of my car and take it home , so as not delay taking you two to the hospital to your mom and dad . "
She picked it up and carried it to her car she managed to fit it in the back of her car . Ralph picked Megan up and bought her out of the garage . Sam came back and shut the garage door and locked it . The three of them went back into the house .
" You can stay in the kitchen with Megan if you like .I just need to go switch the lights off in the loft and lock the rooms off . I will leave my tools there for now . " Sam told Ralph .
" Ok Sam . " Ralph replied .
Twenty minutes later she was pulling off the drive .
Sixty minutes later she was pulling up in the carpark of Cedars Hospital . Ralph took Megan's car seat out of the car and followed Sam into the reception area of the hospital . Sam went to the reception desk and inquired about Walter , she was told that Miss Dineen was in a waiting area on the third floor . Sam , Ralph and Megan took the elevator to the third floor , a new experiance for Megan , but she was to upset to realize what was going on . They soon found the waiting area were Paige was , sitting alone , looking totally forlorn , her face and eyes puffy from all the crying .
So lost in her thoughts , she did not hear them come in . Ralph rushed , as fast as he could , as he was carrying Megan in her car seat , over to her , put Megan on the floor and hugged his mom . The sudden embrace bought Paige out of her little world she had regressed into .
Her face was stained by the tears she had shed over the last ninty minutes or so . She tried to smile but it was so forced it turned into almost a grimace . " Hello Sweetie . " She managed to say .
" How's dad doing ? "
Paige shrugged and looked down at her hands . " I don't know . Since they bought Walter in from the ambulance i was shown into this room . No one as been to see me . "
Megan was becoming restless , putting her arms out and shouting MO,Mo.
" Mom i think Megan needs you . " Ralph told her .
Paige looked down at her , with a little bit more of a smile on her face . " Hello little princess , i am sorry i know you are missing daddy , we all are . "
Megan tried to push up from her chair , but the strap were keeping her down , so once again she put her arms out and uttered Mo, Mo. This time Paige leaned over and unfastened the staps and gently lifted her up out of the chair and put her safely in her arms . Megan's face showed a small smile as she uttered Mo,Mo.
Ralph sat down next to his mom . " Have you phoned granddad , i bet he could get answers .
Sam in the meantime had taken the seat on the other side of Paige .
Paige turned to Sam . " Thank you for bringing Ralph and Megan to the hospital . You do not have to stop if you have better things to do
Sam loooked at Paige . " Walter is not just my boss , he as been a good friend to me since he came to work for Richard . So if you don't mind i would like to stay until we at least have some news .
" You are more than welcome to stay for as long as you like . " Paige told her before turning to Ralph . " No i have not phoned Cabe , to be honest i have been to worried to do anything . Could you phone him for me ? "
" Of course mom , i bet he will be here on blue lights and probably bring Allie with him . "
Paige smiled at him as he walked away to make the phone call .
Sam leaned into Paige . " Who is this guy Cabe ? A cop . "
Paige looked down at Megan who had begun to purr , all that had been going on had tired her out . " No he his a Homeland Agent , who used to be our liason with Scorpion and Homeland . He became like a father to everyone on the team . He had known Walter since , Walter was nine years old , when he hacked into NASA's computer for a blue print of a space shuttle to put on his wall . Cabe bought Walter over to the States and he and his wife looked after Walter until he was sixteen when they had a falling out . They did not speak again until about five years ago , when Cabe sort him out to help with a Homeland case , the same time i first met Walter . Walter's own father never really had much to do with him , although things have changed a lot over the past few weeks . Cabe over time sort of became like a grandfather to Ralph . "
Sam looked a little shocked . " That man of yours , he continues to surprise me everyday and Ralph is certainly following in his footsteps . "
Ralph came back . " Granddad and grandma will be here as soon as they can . "
" Thank you Ralph , did Cabe have any thing to say ? " Paige asked .
" Well granddad did say , why was he messing with electrics , when he could have asked Sam . He also said he will put his foot you know were , once he his fit again, for being so stupid . " Paige could not resist a small laugh at the remark .
The room went silent , the only noise that could be heard was that of the gentle purring coming from Megan .
After about twenty minutes there was a knock on the door . Sam called them in , a man wearing scrubs entered .
" The O'Brian family ? "
" Yes . " Said Paige as she stood up , careful not to wake Megan .
" I am Doctor Thomas , i have been looking after Mr O'Brian since he came in . Do you know how long Mr O'Brian was unconscious before the ambulance arrived ? "
Ralph immediatly answered . " Fourteen minutes thirty six seconds , the ambulance from arrival until they left ten minutes twenty seven seconds .
The doctor looked a little surprised . " That seems a very accurate estimation . "
Ralph looked at him . " That is not an estimation it is an accurate account of the time . "
Paige looked at Dr Thomas . " He as an I. Q. of over 200 , it is just one of the things he his capable of . "
Doctor Thomas still looked surprised . " Ok then , based on what we have estimated the time it took to get him here and how long he as been here . It would seem he as been unconscious for just over two and a half hours . The gash on the back of his head as been dealt with , it was not that bad most scalp wounds tend to bleed freely . He as been for a scan on his head and back , which show no damage , his breathing is normal and his heart and pulse are both acceptable . So at the moment all we can do for now is to wait for him to wake up . "
A somewhat relieved Paige asked . " Can we see him ? "
Doctor Thomas replied . " At the moment they are dressing his hand , which received a nasty burn from the electricty that hit him . In fact i would say he is one lucky guy . I can allow you to go back once they have finished . I will arrange for a nurse to come and fetch you once they have finished . "
" What about his children ? " Paige asked . "
" I am sorry but no children are allowed in the area were Mr O'Brian is being kept . " Doctor Thomas replied .
" Thats alright mom ,Sam and i can look after Megan , when you go to see dad . Beside Grandad and Grandma will be here soon . " Ralph told her .
Sam looked at Paige . " I will not be leaving until i know Walter is ok . "
Paige a weak smile on her face said . " Thank you both . "
Paige sat down again , slowly so as not to disturb Megan , closed her eyes and whispered a short prayer . Sam and Ralph sat down either side of her again .
Fifteen minutes later there was a knock on the door and a young nurse stepped into the room . " Ms Dineen ? " She asked .
Paige indicated it was her .
" Please follow me . "
Paige stood up and gently handed the still sleeping Megan to Ralph , who adjusted his position on the chair , so he could hold Megan safely in his arms .
Once Paige was satisfied Megan was safe , she gave Ralph a peck on the cheek and then followed the nurse .
Before they allowed Paige in to see Walter the nurse explained that Walter was on a drip due to his blood loss and an antiboticate in case any dirt had got into the wound from the garage floor . Although he was breathing on his own he was wearing an oxygen mask . Also both his hand and head were heaverly bandage there was nothing to worry about .
Paige was then led into the private ward , the nurse told her to ring the buzzer if she need anything and left Paige alone with Walter . Paige walked over to the bed leaned over and gave Walter a kiss on the cheek , then pulled up a chair as close to the bed as possible , once seated she took hold of Walter's unbandaged hand .
" Ralph and Megan are in the waiting room with Sam . Ralph as phoned Cabe and Allie and they should be here soon , but he as already sent you a message . His boot is going to connect to you know what , for messing with electrics , before checking the item out properly first . "
She just kept talking to him , most of what was a ramble , but the nurse had told her it might help bring him oit of his coma .
Back in the waiting room , Sam and Ralph were discussing the work still required to be done on the computer room . Megan was still asleep ,most likely exhausted by all her crying .
Fourty five minutes after Ralph had phoned Cabe . Cabe and Allie walked into the waiting area .
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Grykon I blame this chapter on you LOL
LouBe96 Maybe , I hope the decorating goes well . I am sure it will but i think it will be Sam who will complete all the electric work now , i am sure Paige will not allow Walter anywere near electrics again , except of course computers .
Pearligirl Thank you . Cyclone is coming along well . Another little tease a story called Deportation , is a couple of chapters done .