Walter stood at the bottom of the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest as Tim glared at him with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. He thought Tim was an interloper before, but he was bringing it to a whole new level. He forced himself to remain calm, though every instinct told him that this situation was spiraling out of control already. He couldn't let Tim know Paige was upstairs, not when her only chance of survival was him. He needed to play it cool, to stall, and to protect her at all costs.

"Tim? What are you talking about?" Walter kept his voice steady, feigning deep confusion. "What are you doing here? I didn't even know you were back from Jordan. Is everything okay?"

Tim's eyes narrowed, his fists still clenched at his sides.

"Where is she?" He growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Walter blinked, keeping his expression neutral. "Paige? I haven't seen her since she left work yesterday. Everything seemed fine. Why? Did something happen?"

Tim took a step closer, his eyes scanning the garage as though Paige might materialize in front of him.

"You're really going to play dumb, O'Brien?" His tone was venomous. "Like you don't know exactly where she'd go when she needs help?"

Walter's pulse quickened, but he maintained his composure. Something about Tim's statement however, had accusatory implications that left him questioning.

"Look, if something's going on with Paige, I don't know about it. She didn't mention anything to me yesterday. Perhaps if you told me what's going on… Maybe I can help."

Tim's jaw clenched, his eyes blazing with suspicion as he looked around the garage, his gaze flicking toward the stairs leading up to the loft. Walter's stomach churned, but he kept his expression as calm as possible.

Tim's voice dropped lower, more dangerous and volatile.

"Oh, I bet you'd love to 'help,' wouldn't you? Just like you've always been there for her, right? Just a great friend to always be helping her… Helping her what, Walter? Take her clothes off?" Walter looked up stunned at the remark. "I may not be a genius like you, but I'm not stupid, Walter. I know she's here."

Walter's breath caught in his throat as the weight of Tim's accusation hit him. He thinks Paige came there because of him? To be with him? The implication was clear, and Walter felt a mix of shock and anger. But he couldn't let that get to him now. He needed to keep control of the situation.

"Wait, what?" Walter asked, genuinely caught off guard. "You think Paige and I--?" He shook his head, his voice firm but calm. "No, Tim. You've got it all wrong. Paige and I… we're just friends. I care about her, of course, but nothing like… that… is going on. She's with you. I respect that."

Tim's eyes narrowed further, the suspicion in them not easing.

"Yeah? Then why do you look so nervous?" His gaze darted to the stairs again. "Funny how you're the first person I thought to look for her at. No one else. Not her girlfriends… not Happy or Toby… not even Cabe. Nope. Just… you. Why is that?"

Walter forced a shrug, trying to stay casual despite the tension thrumming under his skin.

"Because we're friends, Tim. Paige knows she can count on me if she ever needs help. But I haven't seen her since yesterday. If you're worried, maybe we should call Cabe. He could help look for her."

Tim scoffed, his lip curling with disdain.

"Cabe? No, that's not necessary. I'm not here for some Scorpion search party." His voice dropped again, his words oozing with subtle malice. "I'm just here to talk to her. If you're telling the truth and she's not here, then you won't mind me looking around."

Walter's heart raced as Tim moved toward the stairs, his suspicion palpable. He wanted to stop him, wanted to keep him from going up there, but any resistance would just make Tim more suspicious, put Paige in greater danger. He had no choice but to let him look. Keep control of the game.

"Of course. Go ahead." Walter said, his voice steady, though his hands were clenched tightly at his sides. "But I'm telling you, she's not here."

Tim took the stairs two at a time, his heavy boots thudding against the wood as he ascended toward the loft. Walter followed closely, his mind racing, making a conscious effort not to look toward the kitchen, and just praying she would stay still and silent. Suddenly so thankful he had the sense to hide Paige's clothes and the first aid kit under the blankets, as he knew based on Tim's accusations, he'd surely be checking near the bed. He just prayed it was enough.

Tim's eyes swept over the loft as soon as he reached the top, his gaze hard and calculating. He checked the bed as expected, looking beneath, checked inside the closet, and peered into the small bathroom. Walter's pulse thundered in his ears as Tim's movements grew more agitated.

"What's going on, Tim?" Walter asked, his voice quiet but firm. "You're acting like something happened. Did you and Paige have a fight or something?"

Tim's eyes flicked toward him, his jaw stiff.

"A fight?" He let out a short, bitter laugh. "No, Walter. We didn't have a 'fight.'" His tone was mocking, as if the very idea was beneath him. "Paige and I don't fight. We just… had a disagreement, that's all."

Walter bit back a retort, recognizing the red flag in Tim's response. A disagreement? He knew better than to press the issue directly, but the way Tim was talking, so dismissive, so controlling, set off alarms in his mind.

Tim's eyes swept the room one last time, and when he didn't find anything, his expression shifted. He looked back at Walter, the suspicion still lingering, but there was nothing concrete he could pin on him.

"If you see her…" Tim said, his voice low and cold, "Tell her to call me. It's important I talk to her."

Walter forced a nod, his heart still hammering. "Of course. If I see her, I'll let her know."

Tim stared at him for a long, tense moment, as if trying to read his thoughts. Finally, without another word, he turned and descended the stairs, his footsteps heavy and deliberate. Walter followed him down, his body tense, every muscle on edge as he waited for Tim to leave. The door slammed shut behind Tim as he stormed out, and Walter stood frozen in place, listening to the fading sound of his footsteps, then the roar of his car engine as it sped off.

Only when the silence returned did Walter let out a long, shaky breath, his hands trembling from the intensity of the encounter. He rubbed his face, trying to calm himself, but his mind was still racing. Tim was dangerous. The way he had spoken, the way he had searched the loft… there was no doubt now that he had attacked Paige.

And there was no telling what he might do next.

Walter locked the deadbolt, turned and hurried back up the stairs, his heart pounding as he approached the cabinet where Paige was hidden. He knocked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Paige." He called gently. "It's safe now. He's gone."

The door creaked open, and Paige emerged, her face pale, her body still trembling from fear. Walter's chest tightened at the sight of her, the terror in her eyes still lingering, even though Tim was no longer there. She all but fell from the small space, and when Walter went to assist her, he was taken aback by her practically climbing into his lap, wrapping her arms around him, crying into his shoulder, gasping for air.

"Shhh. It's okay. It's okay. He didn't find anything." Walter assured her softly, placing a gentle hand on her back, rubbing lightly. "You're safe now, Paige. You're safe."

Paige nodded, but she didn't speak. The fear was still too fresh, too raw. Walter stayed close, his mind already working through the next steps, the ways he would keep her safe. No matter what it took. Several long minutes passed before she finally released him, and wiped at her still extremely swollen face, her good eye, now that he was this close in the light he realized had several burst blood vessels.

Grabbing her hands, he helped her to stand, guiding her to the stools at the kitchen counter, and making her a fresh cup of coffee.

"Paige… it was Tim? Tim did this to you?"