Title: I Only State Facts

Warning: Contains spoilers from Season 2.

Author's Note: I just needed some Waige fluff. Let's be honest, they're perfection and if the show doesn't address their kiss in 2.01 soon then I'm probably going to die of anticipation.

But like can we talk about the ocean scene in 2.02? That was HILARIOUS and so totally Walter. It made me so happy

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Scorpion characters or the plot line.

Summary: (Waige!) Paige comes into the office early the morning after her "experimental" kiss with Walter. Will they work things out or stay in denial?

Word Count: 1,267

"I didn't mean it," Walter's voice floated towards her from the other side of the garage.

Paige stilled, her hand still resting on the back of her chair that she had been about to pull out and sit on in order to start working. She had come in a little early, Ralph having wanted to help his teacher prepare a science experiment before school started, and thus starting their day a half hour early. She figured she'd just get started on some paperwork before the others came into the garage, taking advantage of the silence that preceded their chaotic projects.

She was not, however, expecting Walter to be downstairs already. Or for him to be speaking to her.

She thought that after last night's experiment, he'd withdraw from her. She couldn't blame him if he did; their situation was already awkward as it is without the disadvantage of Walter's low EQ that made processing an emotional interaction, like their kiss, such a difficulty.

Paige turned slowly, half of her afraid of what was to come and the other half afraid of frightening him off if he was about to open up. She leaned backwards slightly, letting the desk support her weight since she didn't trust her shaky knees. She looked at him, giving him the opportunity and the space to say what he needed to say without being pushed.

"I didn't mean it," Walter repeatedly more quietly, taking a few quick steps towards her and then jerking to a stop a few feet away, just out of arm's distance. His eyes bore into hers for a few more seconds before he took in a deep breath and stared pointedly at the desk she was leaning on.

She couldn't tell if it was a defense mechanism or not. Toby would probably know, but seeing as she was not Toby, that didn't help her. His eyes flickered to hers briefly and then landed back on the desk, but in that slight second of contact she could see the internal struggle in his eyes.

Not a defense mechanism then, just a way for him to try to sort through his thoughts. That was her job, though. Helping him figure out what he was trying to say.

"What didn't you mean, Walter?" She asked softly after a few moments of silence between them. He glanced back up at her as she spoke and she tried her best not to let her nerves show.

His eyes flickered back and forth between the two of hers, trying to get a read on her. She smiled at him encouragingly, hoping he'd see the love in her eyes without her having to say it. If he could just see what he meant to her, then maybe he wouldn't pull away so much.

After all, it was him pulling away that caused her to say those dumb words.

Honestly, I felt nothing.

She mentally kicked herself, for the umpteenth time over the lie. Of course she felt something! She felt everything in that one small kiss. It meant the world to her.

But then he pulled away.

"I only state facts," he stated, his eyebrows narrowing in concentration. He scratched the side of his face, something she'd noticed he did in times of anxiety or uncertainty, before continuing, "Last night I, uh, I broke that."

Paige couldn't help the small gasp she let slip. He couldn't be saying what she hoped he was saying, could he? That he was lying when he agreed with her lie. That he did feel something, just like she did.

She didn't know how long they stood in silence, her trying to process his words; him glaring at her desk with an intensity that only grew the longer she stayed quiet. She wanted to say something, but she didn't know what to say, which was very unusual for her. Walter still hadn't told her what he lied about last night.

She slowly lifted herself from her perch on her desk and took two small steps towards him. His eyes shot up and met with hers, his usually stoic face softening when their gazes met. She stopped herself a foot away, knowing how uncomfortable the genius could be with proximity and touch.

"Walter," Paige urged quietly, begging him with her eyes to continue, to say the words she wanted to hear.

He let out a breath she hadn't realized he'd been holding. His hand ran violently through his curls and she could tell he was struggling to process his emotions. Which was a good thing, it meant he had emotions when it came to her.

"Paige, I-" he cut himself off, straightening his perfectly straight tie impatiently. "I only state facts. Last night, we talked about our theory. You- I mean, we kissed. You said you didn't feel anything. I said I didn't either."

Paige didn't want it to be this way, him literally only stating the facts of last night. Not only was it painful to hear him reaffirm the fact that he didn't care, it was unnerving for him to talk about such an emotional moment like it was literally only an experiment. Sure, she had called it that, but that was only to help him understand what she meant. She couldn't tell Walter O'Brien that she wanted to try kissing him because she wanted to see it they would connect. She had to use smart-talk to get it through that genius brain of his.

"Walter, I remember," she stops him, breaking eye contact to stare at her shoes. "I was there."

"That's not- this isn't how-" he stumbled through his words. She had yet to look back up at him, so she didn't know what his face looked like right now, but she could hear the frustration in his voice. Suddenly two large hands wrapped around her upper arms and dragged her into a firm, warm body.

She gasped, glancing up to see Walter's wild eyes inches away from hers. He had stepped forward and pulled her close to him. His head was ducked down slightly to put him at her eye level and she couldn't breathe from the close proximity, soaking in the way her body fit perfectly with his.

"I don't know how to say the words, Paige," his voice was quiet and the sadness in it stirred something inside of her; she felt the need to comfort him.

"It's okay, Walter," she said soothingly, letting one hand drift up to cup his face comfortingly. "It's just me."

"That's exactly it," he said roughly, but she could tell his anger was directed at himself. She starred into his eyes, trying to be as encouraging as possibly. She could see the doubt and the inner struggle, but most dominant was the disappointment. She didn't want him to be disappointed with himself; he had already come so far from the man who commandeered that diner.

"Walter, you've already improved so much," she whispered, unconsciously glancing down at his lips for a moment.

"I don't know how to say the words, Paige," he repeated, before capturing her lips in a heated kiss.

This kiss was even more passionate than the one they shared last night, if that was at all possible. Paige felt her world tilt and she had to wrap her arms around his neck to keep herself from falling. His strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her even closer and anchoring her mouth to his. She didn't even care that his metal brace was digging into her side, all she could think, feel and breathe was Walter.