Once they had picked Ralph up from school , Walter gave Paige instructions to the address of the office , she put the address into her sat nav and pulled away from the school . Twenty minutes later she was pulling up outside the office they had come to look at .

First impressions were not good , it was a street facing office , with metal shutters in a row of ten similar looking stores , over half were boarded up . Next to the office was a pizza parlour on one side and what appeared to be a small grocery store with a display of fruit and vegetables on movable stands outside . At the far end of the block , a drug store and a Chinese Takeaway .

" Well at least we never go hungry . " A smiling Ralph told them with a laugh in his voice .

As the three of them got out of the car , a young man , dressed in a dark blue suit , white shirt and a light blue tie , got out of the car in front of Paige's .

" Mr O'Brian , my name is Steve Wallace the realtor for the property . " As he got closer Walter heard the noise of a speeding car coming towards them from behind were they were standing .

Suddenly the noise of an automatic weapon sounded , Walter pulled both Paige and Ralph down behind her car and then tried his best to cover them . As quick as it started it finished , Walter checked on Paige and Ralph , both were alright . He looked across at Steve who was still lying on the ground , he had not reacted as quickly as Walter and had taken a bullet to his right leg which was bleeding heavily .

" Paige can you go check on Steve and see if you can stem the bleeding in his leg . I am going to check the shops down the end to see if anyone else is hurt . Ralph stay with your mom. "

" Yes dad . " Ralph replied .

Paige just said . " Please be careful . "

The pizza store on the one side of the office , still had it's shutters down . Next , with care he went into the grocery store , bullets had ripped through the window and damaged a lot of stock . Crouched down behind the counter , Walter found an elderly Asian man , when Walter asked if he was alright , he managed to nod he was fine and shake his head when asked if anyone else was in the store .

The Chinese takeaway still had it's shutters down as well . The drug store had taken the brunt of the attack , it's windows and door glass had been blown away . Inside he found four customers and two members of staff . Three of the customers had cuts from the flying glass , but all the bullets had missed them .

" Have you called the police and an ambulance , we have one man outside who as taken a bullet to the leg . " Walter told them .

The older assistant took a first aid box off the floor and followed Walter . " Lets see how bad his leg is before phoning for an ambulance . "

By the time they got back to Paige , she had used Ralph's belt to form a tourniquet and used her sweater that was in the car , folded and used to apply pressure to the wound in an attempt to stop the flow of blood .

" This man is from the drug store , let him take a look . " Walter told Paige .

With some relief Paige got up off her knees and rushed over to Walter who pulled her into a hug . Ralph stayed at Steve's side quietly talking to him to try and keep him awake . The drug store man removed the make shift pressure bandage , blood spurted out , so he quickly replaced it and began to apply pressure .

" You had better phone for an ambulance . "

" How about the police ? " Walter asked

" You can try but they very rarely respond to calls from down in this area of L.A. "

Walter pulled out his mobile phone , Paige still clung to him , and dialled 911 . He requested an ambulance and police presence at the address . Ten minutes later the ambulance arrived , two paramedics got out and moved over to Steve , this time Ralph got up and ran over to his mom and dad .

" You done a great job sweetie . " Paige told him .

" Do you think he will be alright dad ? " Ralph asked .

" Well he is in the best possible hands and you and your mom have done a brilliant job . " Walter answered him .

The man from the drug store came over to them . " You were quick to do what you did , you could well have saved that young man's life . I was surprised how calm all of you have been while this as been going on , most people would just panic and wait for someone else to do something . "

" I am surprised there are no spectators with all that gun fire . " Walter said .

The man from the drug store looked despondent . " It is such a regular occurrence , people just stay behind closed doors . "

" Well that is one office off the list , I want somewhere more peaceful , we have seen enough action over the past four years , to last us a lifetime . " Walter told him .

" Armed forces ? " The man asked .

Walter said nothing for about thirty seconds as if to deciding to tell him the truth . " No , we were part of a quick response emergency team for Homeland . The police are taking their time .

" Well I am impressed , but as i said before most times the police don't even turn up , because no one will speak to them . " The man from the drug store said .

Walter looked at him a confused look on his face . " Does this sort of thing happen often ? "

" About once a month , they seem to take pleasure in just causing damage , today is the worst injury I have seen in a year . Actually they normally like to come when the few stores were all closed and see what damage they can do to the shutters . "

While they had been talking , Ralph and Paige were checking the car , several bullets had gone though the bodywork , two which had gone through the front wing and entered the engine block and one had hit the oil filter , causing a big pool of oil to begin to form on the road .

" Dad the car is not going anywhere today . " Ralph shouted to Walter .

Walter excused himself from the man from the drug store and went to look . " It looks like we are going to need get a taxi . " Walter told Paige .

" You 'll be lucky . " The man from the drug store told her .

Paige was quick to ask . " Why not ? "

" Because they are afraid of being attacked . "

" Well we certainly won't be renting here . " Walter said .

Paige walked up to him and put her arms around him. " What can we do ? We cannot walk from here . "

Water went silent for a minute . " I will ring Cabe , I hope he will help I have not spoken to him since the Gentleman bid . But here goes. " Walter took his phone out and hit the contact button for Cabe , who answered on the second ring .

" Hello Walter , it is good to hear from you , I have missed you son , are you alright ? "

" Not really we have just been involved in a drive by shooting and the car is now not drivable , is there any chance you could pick us up ? "

Cabe asked for the address they were at , told them he would be about twenty minutes , as he was on his way home , so he would phone Allie to tell her he would be a little late .

" Cabe's on his way . " Walter told Paige and Ralph .

The man from the drug store said . " He is a brave man to come into this area . "

Walter smiled . " He is a Homeland Agent and as been involved in a lot worse situations with us . "

" Well I suggest you come and wait in the drug store . It will be safer than out here . "

The three of them followed the man into the store , the assistant had dealt with all the minor injuries on the three customers who had received a few cuts , then had made coffee for those in the shop .

That coffee smells good any chance of some ? " He turned to his three guests . " Would you like some ? "

Both Walter and Paige said yes , Ralph asked if he could have a soda , the man told him to help himself .

Just as they were finishing their drinks , they heard a siren and saw blue lights approaching . Ralph ran to the door , but Walter called for him to stop , before he went outside .

Cabe pulled his SUV up outside the drug store and was surprised to see Ralph standing by the door . He got out of the car and walked towards the drug store .

" What are you doing here Ralph ? " He asked , his voice sounding a little confused .

" I am with mom and dad , they are inside . " Ralph replied a large smile on his face .

Cabe increased his pace , as soon as he reached Ralph he pulled him into a hug . Paige watched , a tear running down her cheek but managed to say .

" Is there one of them for me ? "

Cabe looked up from Ralph and saw Walter and Paige standing towards the back of the store , their arms around each other . He released Ralph who moved to one side , and then began walking down the store , Paige released Walter and ran towards him , Cabe was only about a quarter of the way down the store before Paige reached him and threw her arms around him in a tight hug , her head pushed hard into his chest .

" I am sorry Cabe , I have been such an idiot . But thankfully Walter as seen how sorry I am . "

Cabe kissed the top of her head . " Then I hope no more drama . "

He released Paige as she released him and both walked to the back of the store , were Walter was still standing a big smile on his face . Cabe pulled Walter into a hug which Walter returned .

" It is good to see you . Now would you like to tell me just what sort of trouble have you got yourselves into ? "

Walter released the hug and stepped back . " It is good to see you so well . We are innocent bystanders in all of this . We had an appointment with a realtor to view an office , but before we had chance to see anything a speeding car drove past , someone spraying bullets . There was only one real casualty that was the realtor who took a bullet In the leg , but between Paige and Ralph they managed to stem the bleeding while I checked down here , the drug store owner also helped. Unfortunately Paige's car has taken some damage , the worst a bullet through the engine block and one through the oil filter , so it is undriveable . "

By now the drug store owner had come over to them . " Excuse me , but as I have already explained , this is almost a no go area for Police , Taxies and probably Recovery Vehicles . I can assure you that if the car is left here for more than a few hours it will be picked clean . "

Cabe looked at him . " Would you have a tow rope by any chance ? "

" I think I may have something suitable , just give me a moment to check . " The store owner then left them to go and check .

A few minutes later he returned with a thick chain . " Do you think this will do ? " ,

" It should be alright to tow it away from the area , into one it can be collected from so a garage can look at it . " Cabe told him .

Between them Walter and Cabe managed to make up a suitable tow chain which they connected between Cabe's SUV and Paige's car . Walter got into the driver's seat of Paige's car , Paige and Ralph got into Cabe's SUV , Ralph sat in the back so he could keep an eye on his dad .

They all said their goodbyes , then set off after a couple of miles Cabe pulled over to check on the tow chain .

" All looks good , any idea what garage to take it to ? " He asked Walter .

" Happy always used to look after my car , so I don't really know. " Walter replied .

Cabe thought for a moment . " Well I know Allie uses a garage , when she needs her car servicing , how about I give her a ring ? "

" Sounds good to me . "

" Ok I will ring Allie to get the address . " At that Cabe walked back to the SUV and used his installed car phone to contact Allie . After explaining what had happened , Allie gave him the address and phone number , then told him to bring the new family of three back with him for a meal .

Paige and Ralph agreed and told him Walter would be happy with that decision . It took Cabe about forty minutes to reach the garage , as he kept his speed slow due to both the damage to the car and the rather uncertain tow chain .

Once they reached the garage , the person they saw was interested to know about the bullet holes , but Cabe showed him his Homeland I.D and told him that was all he needed to know . After a quick examination the mechanic told them the bodywork was not a problem , but it looked as if the engine would need replacing .

Paige looked at Walter who gently pulled her away from the others . " You should see what your insurance company thinks , you have full insurance and as the car is nearly four years old , let them decide if it worth repairing or scrapping . "

Page looked a little sad . " This was my first new car I have ever been able to afford , thanks to you , so I really would like to keep it . "

Walter walked over to the mechanic . " Do you have any idea how much it will it cost ? "

The mechanic stroked his chin . " Without checking how much damage the bullets have done as they hit two important parts of the engine , but at the worst it could be as much as $15,000 , at best somewhere in the region of $8,000 . But until we start stripping everything down , this is complete guess work . "

Paige looked at Walter . " What do you think ? "

Walter did not need to think before answering . " I would contact your insurance company , if they think it is worth repairing , then they will pay for it or they will write it off and give you back cash towards another car . "

Paige thought for a few seconds . " Ok I will contact my insurers . " She turned to the mechanic " can we leave the car here until the insurance assessor can check it out . "

" Of course , if they do write it off , we can offer to buy it off them if that is alright with you . "

Paige again looked at Walter , who just nodded . " Ok then , I will phone my insurance company tomorrow and let you know when the assessor will be in touch . "

After exchanging phone numbers they all got into Cabe's car .

Allie greeted the three of them with open arms , then got them all to sit down while she completed the meal . Cabe went to change out of his work clothes . It seemed since he had decided to move in with Allie , she had slowly managed to change some of his habits , including eating vegetarian food , although she knew once out of her sight he would still indulge in eating Beef Jerky and the occasional Kovelsky's special burger . But she never let on to him that she knew . The other main thing was she had persuaded him to change out of his work clothes , into more casual wear , once work was finished , however he still refused to wear jeans , even when Allie told him it would make him look more like a cowboy .

Cabe was back ten minutes later , dressed In more casual wear , he sat in his favourite chair and immediately started to question Paige and Walter on what was happening now .

Walter looked at him a small smile on his face , " A lot actually , but don't you think we should wait for Allie, I am sure she would like to hear as well . "

Cabe nodded . " I guess you are correct , but I need to know now . When did you get together again ?

Paige was first to answer . " Only a week ago , but I have to admit a lot as happened in that week. " She could not resist it any longer , so she held her left hand out towards Cabe and simply said . "Including this . "

Cabe's face broke out in a big smile , got out of his chair , walked over to Paige , put a hand on each of her shoulders , leaned in and placed a kiss on each of her cheeks . " Congratulations . "

He turned to Walter and extended his right hand , which Walter took and shook it . " Allie come out here now ? "

Allie came out of the kitchen , tea towel in hand . " Is something wrong . " She asked .

Cabe smiled at her and just pointed at Paige's left hand . Allie's eyes followed his hand , then let out a loud squeal . " When , how ? " Was all she could manage to say .

Paige proudly looked at her ring . " Well it is a little complex and all that Cabe wants to know is all combined , so we should maybe wait until we have eaten . "

" OH , the food . " Allie shouted as she rushed back into the kitchen .

Ten minutes later Allie called them all to the table as food was due to be served in five minutes . The four of them made their way to the table and settled down on their chairs . Allie came in with a bowl of side salad , then returned with a large vegetarian lasagna , a big smile appeared on Ralph's face .

Once the meal was finished , Paige insisted in helping Allie clear everything away and make coffee while Allie filled the dish washer .

They all settled down in the living room and Walter began the story from the day after the Gentleman pitch .

Cabe's face began to show more anger when Walter told him about what Tim had done .

" To think I was one of the group who took his side so many times , I never thought he would be capable of such a thing . Does Katherine know anything about this ? " He asked .

" I have not spoken to Katherine since I cancelled my contract , but even so Tim does not work for Homeland so there is nothing she could really do . But I should not worry about Tim or Florence . " Walter told Cabe a smile on his face .

Cabe smiled back understanding exactly what Walter was telling him in such a way as not to get Armstrong into any trouble with Katherine as he had dealt with him and Florence in his own way .

" I will still need to tell Katherine , because what they did was to interfere with two Government Assets . " Cabe replied .

Paige spoke up . " How can you say two Government Assets , it was only Walter and myself he was trying to split up . "

Cabe again smiled at Paige before answering . " Sweetheart , without you Walter is no good on cases , he may have been the foundation of Scorpion , but you were the glue that held it together . So never think you are not as important to the Government as Walter . "

Paige had tears running down her cheeks by the time Cabe had finished speaking , but managed to utter . " Thank you . "

Walter put his arm around Paige and pulled her towards him and in a quiet voice said . " I can certainly confirm that . "

Once Paige had managed to stop crying and wiped away her tears again , he still wanted answers .

" What as happened to C.P. now you have left ? "

Paige a small smile on her face as she began as she began to explain what Walter had suggested and that she had sold her share in C.P. for $300 . Cabe was a little shocked she was willing to lose $9700 on her investment , but liked the idea of their new company would be helping C.P. with their bids for a share of the bid price .

Allie was more interested in what had happened on the afternoon . Paige was not that keen to go over all of it again , but she forced a smile and gave Allie a condensed version which satisfied her .

Cabe phoned Katherine and filled her in on what had happened and she agreed to send some agents down the next day to check things out .

As it was a School night for Ralph , at 9.30pm Cabe took Walter , Paige and Ralph back to Paige's condo .

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Grykon Glad you enjoyed the fluff , Toby still going to be a pain .

Pearligirl Thank you , more cuteness to come and more head slapping to come .

DaToad I think Happy took the break up badly because of the way her childhood had been , Ralph as something on his mind a couple of chapters away . More head slapping to come .

LouBe96 The clean up is going well but still a surprise to come . Poor Toby . LOL Glad you enjoyed the new Buckle up nerd . No luck with a windfall , but who knows maybe Richard might buy it again . Does Toby turn up at the bid Mmmmmmm.