Walter was awake just before 6.00am. the next morning , for the first time in just over four weeks , he woke up feeling a weight on his chest and a smell of lavender invading his sense of smell and a slow purr causing his chest hair to move like corn heads on a summers day . He closed his eyes and his memory went back to the previous night . Paige had turned into an animal , she was more agile and energetic than he had ever known , it was as if she needed to prove to him she was his and no one else's and he was hers . In the past Walter had always been more dominate , but last night Paige turned out to be the more dominate one , not that it displeased him , in fact he enjoyed this side of Paige . However once she had put her mark on him a bite mark just above his left breast .
She began to calm down and enjoy the pleasure he and he alone could give her . He took her to places she enjoyed so much four times , before she was satisfied , the words she told Walter bought an even bigger smile to his face .
" I now know you have forgiven me and you really do love me as much as I love you . "
She had kissed him one more time , a kiss full of both love and passion , to which he responded with as much passion and love . She had then gently snuggled up to him and placed her head on his chest and within minutes that low purring began .
He had laid there for another fifteen minutes , not moving , just enjoying the contentment of the situation . Paige began to move and the purring stopped , she slowly rolled over off Walter and in a sleepy , husky , yet sexy voice . " Is it time to get up , or all that happened last night was a dream and I am on my own again ? "
Walter reached across and gently stroked her face ,causing her eyes to open , then blink as sunlight had started to come through were the curtains meet when drawn .
" Good morning my princess . " Walter said as he leaned over towards her mouth were he planted a kiss on his lips .
Paige's face broke out into a smile and in a sleepy husky voice , which Walter found so sexy answered . " Good morning to you my handsome prince . " Her face changed to one wearing a cute smile , but also with a little bit of mischief on it .
Her voice was still husky but the shine in her deep brown eyes was back , as she asked . " Would you like to share a shower with me ? "
Walter's mind immediately went back to the last time they had shared a shower , it had been over eight weeks , Ralph had been having a sleepover at Daniel's and it was at the garage in Walter's shower . The noise Paige had made during that shower had shattered all decibels . " Yes very much but are you sure you can keep the noise down . Do not forget Ralph is only a few yards away . Because if I remember correctly the last time we shared a shower , your voice could have been heard in downtown L.A. "
The cute smile disappeared from Paige's face as she broke out into loud laugh . " I will just have to control my vocal chords . But maybe before you leave the garage for good . we could share at least share one hot shower . " A rather smug look on her face .
" Lets enjoy a quiet shower today and maybe over the next few days we can use my shower a few times . " Walter replied with an equally smug look on his face .
Once they had dropped Ralph off at school they made their way back to the garage . They were both surprised to see Happy's truck parked in front of the garage .
Paige turned turn Walter . " I guess that they have made a decision . "
Walter looked at her . " Lets just wait and see . "
Paige pulled up in her old parking spot , both got out of the car and walked across to Happy's truck .
" Morning Happy do you want to come into the garage ? "
Happy just nodded her head , got out of the truck and followed them into the garage .
" Do you want coffee ? " Paige asked .
" No thank you , I can't stay , when I got home yesterday there was a message to ask us to call them back for a bid for a job . Sly and Toby have started working on it , but there is some mechanical and engineering work involved , which means I need to be involved . I have come to give you an answer with regard to you helping us with our presentation ,the answer is yes . Sly as prepared a simple contract between Paige and C. P. . " Happy told them as she handed an envelope to Paige . " Please read it and if you are happy with everything , sign it and get it back to us . I need to go now , hope to hear from you soon . " At that Happy turned and left .
Paige looked at Walter and burst out laughing . " Well it would appear they are trying to be professional at least . "
Walter smiled . " Maybe you should check the contract , before you draw any conclusions . "
Paige sat down at her old desk , opened the top drawer and was surprised it looked the same as it did the night she had walked out on Walter . She removed her letter opener and slit the envelope open , removed the single sheet of paper . She unfolded the letter , on a computer created letter headed sheet , showing , Centipede Partners and Toby and Happy's address and telephone number . The heading underneath that stated . Contract of Employment .
" They have sent me a Contract of Employment . " Paige told Walter with a certain amount of disgust In her voice .
Walter looked a little annoyed . " Do not even bother to read it , just give it back to them unsigned and tell them you are not going to be an employee , you are a self employed contractor , if they cannot accept that you are going to withdraw your offer . "
Paige smiled . " Do you think I might go back to them if they consider me as an employee ? "
" Not at all , but I do think they are being disrespectful to you , the offer was made just to help them out until they find a replacement , if you sign that they can just keep using you . " Walter told her .
Well out of curtsey , I think I will read it , then provide them with a contract of my own . " A smiling Paige told him .
" Ok , I trust your judgement . " Walter told her , then went to make coffee .
Paige began to read the contract . Ten minutes later Walter came back with two cups of coffee . Paige was sitting at her desk a big smile on her face . Walter put a cup in front of her . " Why the smile on your face ?
Paige reached for the coffee cup , took a sip . " Well you are correct , the contract is written in such a way I will become an employee of C.P. on a zero hours contract and must be available when or were they require me to advise and make the presentation of all their bids they are bidding on . The 5% only to be paid for successful bids , would be paid one month after they had been paid and all overheads and costs , like materials , late fees have been deducted . The $100 , for unsuccessful bids would again be made one month after the bid . Also I cannot discuss anything about their bids with Walter Patrick O'Brian . "
As she finished speaking , Walter broke out into a loud laugh . " Well at least they got my name correct . I have a feeling that Toby as had a big influence on the wording of this contract . .
Paige smiled at him . " I think you are correct , I may have quit C.P. but I still have a $10,000 investment in it so if they think I would go back to them as an employee , especially under these terms . Give me a hour and I will prepare my own contract , if they do not like it they can sink or swim on their own . "
Walter looked at her . " You invested $10,000 , did you sign a contract ? "
Paige looked a little confused . " No I never got round to it , somehow I knew I did not belong there and I hoped but did not really expect to be with you again someday . " As she finished speaking a tear began to run down her cheek .
Walter went closer to her and knelt down and pulled her into a side hug . Paige rested her head on Walter's shoulder and was content to just stay there for a few moments .
After a while Walter began speaking again . " if you did sign a contract , I am sure you could just withdraw your $10,000 if they don't want to play fair with you over a genuine offer . I am sure that certainly bring them back to their senses .
Paige gave a small smile , her head still on his shoulder , she began speaking . " I will tell them I am not signing any contract that makes me an employee of C.P. zero contract or other . In fact , I may have quit working there , I suppose I am still a 25% partner , as they still have my share of the start up money . "
Walter interrupted her . " Did Happy and Toby put $10,000 in each ? "
Paige thought for a moment . " No they put $10,000 in as a couple . Why would you ask ? "
" Then you and Sly own two thirds of the company , Happy and Toby own one third between them . It was called a partnership for a reason , I suppose . Did that not occur to you , so actually Toby only owns one sixth of the business , maybe you could point that out to him . " Walter told her .
Paige gave a quiet laugh . " Oh that would really upset him , I am surprised Sly as never bought that up . "
Walter gave her another kiss on the cheek . " Well I will leave all that up to you , I am sure you can work out a good deal for yourself . "
Walter walked away to allow Paige to work on a contract of her own .
Thirty minutes later she called Walter over .
" Have you sorted yourself out ? " Walter asked .
Paige a big smile on her face . " Yes , I have also decided to sell my shares in C.P. , I want no connection or ties to C.P. I don't mind working with them , but that will be only as an independent contractor . "
She showed Walter the independent contractor contract she had prepared ,that was on her computer screen . Walter began to read it a big smile on his face which got bigger as he read further down the contract .
" This is some contract , maybe you should have been the attorney and not Sly ."
Paige smiled reached across and pulled Walter's face towards and planted a kiss on his lips " Let me print a copy of our contract out and I will take it over to them , do you want to come ?"
Walter smiled . " Don't you think that could be a little antagonistic ? "
" Well you could sit in the car outside , I would feel better if I knew you were close by . I also intend to ask them to buy me out . Don't get mad , I am only going to ask for $100 off each of them , I just want to remove myself as a member in any way from them , I am sure if I ask the whole $10,000 , I know from doing the accounts , they could not afford it . So I am prepared to accept the loss as long as I can make them pay a token amount for it . "
Walter said nothing for a minute . " Well it is your money , if you are willing to take the loss then do it . If you want me to come with you and sit outside , then yes I would be willing to do that . "
" Ok let me print a copy off the computer , then we will go over to the C.P. office . "
Thirty minutes later Paige pulled up out side Toby and Happy's condo . After giving Walter a quick kiss she got out of the car , walked up to the door and rang the bell and waited . Happy opened the door and invited her in , Happy looked over Paige's shoulder and saw her car with Walter sitting in the passenger seat . " Is Walter not coming in ?" She asked Paige
" No I, we , explained yesterday any work you need doing will go through me . Walter wants nothing to do with it , despite the fact that it was Walter's idea . " Paige told her with no emotion in her voice ." Ok , come on in . " Happy told her .
Paige walked past her and into the apartment .
" Please have a seat ,I will call the other two out . " Happy told Paige before walking back to one of the bedroom's .
Paige heard a raised Toby's voice . " Why is big brain here ? "
Paige could not exactly hear what Happy told him . But still with a raised voice she heard Toby say again . " That's alright then . "
A few moments later Happy came out followed by Toby looking his usual arrogant and bolshie self , Sly , looking worried . Toby pushed past Happy and walked over to Paige and without any preamble and in a snarky voice . " Bought our contract back , signed . ? "
Paige made no attempt to move or show any fear , instead she gave him a cute smile and simply said "No . "
Toby looked shocked . " Then why are you here ? "
Paige still did not move , the cute little smile still on her face . " I came to give you a contract that I would be issuing to C.P. . There is no way I am going to agree to sign a zero hours contract as an employee of a company I have a one third share of the business . "
Toby's jaw dropped . " What the hell are you talking about , you phoned up and quit . Even if you had not quit the most you could be is a partner holding a one quarter share of the business . "
Paige had still not moved and the smile had never lost it's smile . " I beg to differ , I put $10,000 in , Sly put $10,000 in , you and Happy between you put in how much , oh yes $10,000 . That means we put one third each in , except you and Happy only put in $10,000 between you , giving you a one sixth share each . "
For the first time since she had walked in , Sly spoke up . " Paige is correct , I don't know why I did not speak up before , it may have stopped you from being such a bully . "
" Shut up , you do not know what you are talking about . " Toby yelled at Sly .
" Who as got the law degree ? " Sly answered back .
Happy stood between them . " Walter was correct when he said he doubted we would last six months , we won't last a month if we cannot discuss things properly . "
Both of them shut up and looked a little sheepish .
" You said you would not sign an employee contract , which Toby said you would not . What are you suggesting ? " Happy asked Paige .
" Well I suggest first , we all sit down , I am getting a little crick in my neck looking up at all of you . " Paige told them .
All three sat down and Paige continued . " First I want you three to buy me out of C. P. "
Toby immediately cut in . " We cannot afford to do that . " His voice getting louder .
This time Paige gave him one of her steely looks that immediately shut him up .
" I am aware of that , I am prepared to write it off as a loss but I do want $100 of each of you , and Sly I want you to make sure my name is removed from any paperwork , including any partnership paperwork you have prepared . "
" I will certainly do that Paige and also give you my $100 . " Sly told her his eyes looking at his hands and not at Paige .
Toby was quick to jump in . " Well if we only have a one sixth share in the company , I think we should just pay you $50 each .
Paige's face never altered . " And there I thought Scrooge only existed in books . I tell you what , although , I have quit C.P. until you have paid me for my shares , I still have the right to call for a vote for a decision . I therefore propose we vote if you and Happy should pay $100 each to buy me out of C.P. "
Sly put his hand up . " I second the motion . "
Toby turned to him , a look of hatred on his face . " Turncoat ! "
Happy stood up and slapped Toby on the back of the head , sending his fedora flying across the floor.
" What did you do that for ? " Toby yelled .
" To try and make you see sense , do you realize if we pay $50 each , we still will not have the same amount of shares as Sly . "
Paige smiled . " You do realize you will still not be equal partners with Sly . It just means you two will be buying a one third share each worth , $3,333 meaning both of your capital investment will be $8,3333 . Sly will be getting $3,333making his total investment $13,333 . "
Toby started to say something but Happy shut him up with a slapping him on the back of his head .Paige just smiled .
" Ok , $100 it is . " A disgruntled Toby said as he straighten his hat .
Happy sat down again and asked Paige to carry on .
" Ok then , Sly could you draw up the paperwork , but do it yourself , do not let Toby get involved . " As she said this she gave Toby a scathing look before she carried on speaking .
" Next I need to explain how this proposal to go to bids will work , if you are not satisfied with what I say , I will walk out and you can send me my $300 and a receipt , which I will sign and return to you .
Toby could not resist speaking again . " What gives you the right to tell us how you will be working for us ? "
Once again his hat was sent flying across the floor , as Happy slapped him across the back of the head . " Don't you ever listen to yourself . "
Toby got up , rubbing the back of his head and retrieved his hat , he sat back down with a scowl on his face .
" Please carry on Paige . " Happy told her .
Paige nodded her head to acknowledge Happy and began talking again . " First I will be working for you as an independent contractor working on behalf of Scorpion Computing Services . In much the same way as you work for the companies that accept your bids . All of you will need to sign a contract with me before each bid . All details of the contract are enclosed in this envelope
Once I have presented the bid for you , I will send you an invoice , from Scorpion computing Services . Payment details are made clear on the invoice , but I will explain them to you so you discuss them together once I have gone . For a successful bid it will show the total bid's value , no reductions for materials , overheads or if you are incapable of completing the job on time and you get a penalty payment .
50% will be due 30 days after the date of the invoice . The balance of 50% 30 days after your completion date agreed between you and your customer . When you do not win the bid , the invoice will be sent for $100 daily rate , these to be paid within 30 days of the date on the invoice .
That is all I have to say unless you have any questions for me to answer ? "
Nobody said anything , they felt a little shocked at the way Paige had presented her argument . After a few minutes Sly turned to Paige . " I think we understand , but I will read through everything and contact you tomorrow . "
" Ok , ring me tomorrow on my mobile as I am not quite sure were I will be . Now if you will excuse me I would like to go and spend some time with Walter . " At that she got up off the sofa and walked to the door , before leaving she turned . " One cheque for $300 will be alright , if you want to pay cash , ring before you come over to the garage , as we are moving items from the garage into storage . She turned on her heels and left the home .
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Marie France Merci J'espere que vous avez apprecie ce chaptre .
Grykon Toby seems only able to be one way , the wrong way , more to come .
Pearliegirl Thank you , hope this chapter keeps you going .
DaToad True Toby never really seemed to do that much in many of the episodes of the seasons on tv . Walter and Paige have certainly made up , although I never go into to much detail as I do not want the stories to go to M rating , I write just enough so the reader can use their own imagination . Yes I did , I read it you enjoyed the ½ chapter stories better , I understand it can be difficult if you have not started to read something like Callen , it starts to be a challenge like War and Peace , but if you can find time I can assure it is well worth your time . The writers certainly did leave the whole 90 plus episodes hanging by that one poor ending .
Masikka He certainly his , with more to come , maybe that could happen . I hope it as not put you off eating ice cream , or is it just going to make you eating ice cream a little more exciting LOL
LouBe 96 Thank you and as I have already said there is a lot more to come . Pleased you enjoyed the family date , and now you have an idea how much they enjoyed their own little date later on .