Night was winding down at Scorpion HQ. Cabe was gone for the night, as was Happy and Toby. Sylvester hadn't been in all day - he'd been with Megan at her new clinical trial which Walter had talked her into. And little Ralph had finally agreed to a full weekend with Drew. Paige had taken the opportunity to do some homework in the mentally constructive space - which seemed so much more conducive for her when it was nearly empty. She stretched, reading over her paper until her eyes glazed over, and glancing at Walter. He had been in the back room, cleaning small pieces for the rocket project. And as he began to walk toward the front room she spoke up.

"Walter - um - would you mind going over my work for a second." The chemistry class had been kicking her butt, she had to admit. But she had thus far been too stubborn to ask for help. She knew it was silly - that they would think it silly - but she didn't always like being so hopelessly outclassed. Walter responded immediately, however, looking over from where he was pouring a tepid cup of coffee.

"Of course. What subject?"

"Chemistry. Just... make sure it makes sense? And if it's wrong don't tell me how to fix it," she continued. "Just maybe give me a clue to the general area, and..." He was behind her desk now, leaning down from behind her left shoulder, his hand braced on the desk, in a loose fist as his eyes scanned the page. "What?" she asked. "It's wrong isn't it. What did I miss?" But Walter didn't move, he was thrice-checking her work to be sure the teacher wouldn't take issue with any formatting or arrangement errors. He had always hated those arbitrary rules. And then he moved quickly, brushing a kiss to her temple as he began to draw away.

He couldn't have said whether it was her small intake of breath or his own realization that had him freezing, now bent awkwardly. His hand still grazing the desk, but neither fully standing or comfortably stooped. He was crooked, his eyes moving to focus on her as his mind attempted to understand the action, and all its potential perceived meanings. She smiled at him. Her softest welcoming smile and then she moved slowly, bringing her right hand over to caress and then settle on his. He glanced down and after a moment he smiled too, a small glimpse of Walter's tight smile, and then he was moving away.

She watched his back as he retreated with a small grin on her lips and then leaned forward onto her forearms, as he started up the stairs. He glanced back, but didn't stop moving, and for one electrical second she felt the thrill - that innate knowledge - of what it might be to truly have him.