"I will not revert back to installing routers." Walter tossed the cloth over his shoulder after cleaning some oil from his hands. He'd been spending the greatest remainder of the week working on his latest project.

Jobs had decreased since the arrival of team centipede and scorpion 2.0 despite being 'improved' was lacking assignments. Especially now Homeland preferred team Centipede due to its variety of specialisations.

That's why the genius latest occupation had been the improvement of a satellite he'd been working on with Ralph, before Paige decided to leave. After the successful launch of the rocket, they'd decided to give a satellite a try, considering contacting 'Cassie' to measure up solar storms didn't meet their demands.

"Son, this is a job. Scorpion needs the money, without the extra Homeland income we won't be able to make ends meet this month." Cabes eyes dropped to the pile of unpaid bills that kept growing. It wasn't his biggest forte but Cabe had insisted to help Walter out, taking on some of the administrative tasks from Paige. Which was a better option than to hire Ray, it had taken Paige long enough to get a decent order back in the paperwork. Splitting the work was the most efficient option.

Walter headed over to Cabe, placing his hands beside Cabe's laptop taking a glance at whatever assignment he was trying to arrange. Apparently a nearby venue was facing great financial loss due to the wifi signal he strengthened at Nemos diner. The consultant hired to fix the problem had contacted Scorpion to deal with the matter. To Cabes great joy. He'd been staring at that computer screen, waiting for anything other than junk mail to pop in the mailbox.

"Can't they just hire a tech company?" Walt stated as he pulled away from the table, his hand resting upon his hip. In the back of the garage Florence hid her head safely behind the fridge having heard the sharp tone in Walters voice, a clear sign of the bickering that was about to take place.

"We sort of are a tech company Walt." Cabe could see the frustration rise in the genius' eyes.

"We're Scorpion! A team of g..." Walter quit abruptly as he realised that Scorpion was no longer a team of geniuses, he was the only one left.

"Don't call it a tech company." Cabe rolled his eyes in annoyance at Walters comment. "Walt, not the point here. We need the money, son." Cabe raised a few of the unpaid bills.

"You're a genius do the math." Walter folded his arms across his chest sending Cabe a stern look.

"Scorpion survived without the big money before." The radars in Walters head started spinning, Scorpion had survived but on exactly this kind of jobs. And his former friends that made it more bearable. Happy hacking the power supply, providing them with electricity. The thought of his former friends and Scorpion members made something stir inside.

A gentle sting pierced through the genius' chest, absentmindedly Walter ran his hand across his chest a few times trying to soothe it. Cabes irritation grew with the second, Walters stubbornness was really testing his boundaries. If it were anyone else he'd already told them to stick it up their asses. The two ended up engaging in a staring contest. A soft groan escaped Walters lips in agony as he caved in.

"Fine, I'm on it." Walter tossed the cloth on his desk before he started to pack up his things. Why he had to do such a rookie job remained a riddle to him. It wasn't as if updating that router was going to change the world. Within two weeks there was a huge job he would be bidding on. He'd finished preparing his pitch last night. That was going to make a change, he was certain.

Walter refused to admit that he only took the bidding on the job because he knew Paige was going to be there. That would have been an emotional decision and emotional decisions aren't rational, therefore not good.

"Hey Walter!" Flo called out as she noticed Walter had decided to take on the job anyway and was heading out. She wanted to know if they were still on for tonight's lecture. Walter stopped dead in his tracks halfway through the door, casting a look over his shoulder. "Can't it wait till I get back?"

Florence was now standing in the middle of the garage, having two pairs of eyes resting upon her. The amount of direct attention from the two men making her shift in her spot uncomfortably. Pulling out of her initial question.

"I just wanted to check if I shouldn't join?" Walter let out a chuckle, finding it rather amusing how she thought she could have any added value to changing a router.

"That's nothing even remotely within your skillset, I can do this while being asleep. You're only going to hold me up. Exactly like you are doing now." With that Walter closed the door behind him leaving Florence with Cabe.

"Don't take it personal." Cabe ensured Florence as he saw the half-pained look on her face. "Oh, no I don't. He's probably right." Florence faux smiled as she headed over to the door. "I'll just leave, I have some more things to work on. I still pay rent anyway so I should be there too."

Once Florence pulled the door close behind her, Cabe glanced around at the big empty garage. What was he supposed to do now, Allie was spending the weekend at her sisters. He didn't have much options left.

-The diner -

Walter arrived at the diner, his eyes instantly scanning the environment he was going to work in. Something seemed off but he couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was. Was it the lack of people filling the booths or the way one of the menu screens was flickering in a steady routine. He tried analysing the pattern to see if there was any hidden morse code behind it but that gave him no more answers. The flashes seemed to voice 'abababa' which had absolutely no meaning.

"Here to fix the WiFi, where is the manager?" He asked the rather bored looking waitress that was inspecting her fingernails behind the counter. Blonde curls decorated her delicate features. Finding his question fairly uninteresting, she pointed a perfectly manicured nail toward the 'employee only entrance' without looking up.

The fact the only employee visible seemed to be the incarnation of an evil stepsister from the highly irrational fairytales he'd heard one to many times as a child gave him enough reasons to shudder. He thought to himself that he would never put his own child through that kind of absurdity, if he ever were to have one. Weaving his way through the place he pushed the door to the back room open.

"Anybody here?" He wasn't expecting a welcoming committee like on the usual assignments but at least someone that was going to snap at him to hurry up cause time means money. They were so predictive, you didn't need to be Toby to see that.

Scanning the area, not much was present here, some cleaning items and a minimum of stock on trivial things like napkins and toilet paper. The router lights were blinking right next to the door he'd just entered, which instantly ticked him off. It made sense their connection was crap, it was right beside a few aluminium bottles and on the back of the wall was a large cardboard. Basic knowledge, not to place routers near water, cardboards or aluminium. The fact the signal had to go through the wall wasn't doing it wonders either.

Walter dropped his bag on the only table that filled the room, all ready to go tell the manager to just remove and relocate it as a start.

Walter headed over to the open door in the back. "Hello?" Walter tried, he didn't want to waste his time over here but he didn't want to risk not being paid either.

Cabe was right, they needed the money. Walter glanced into the space seeing an empty what seemed like lunchroom, being left in the dark Walter retreated back to the front of the diner.

"You'll need to relocate it." The waitress from earlier was now flicking through a magazine. "Sure, whatever." she fired back at him.

Was anybody here doing anything?! Feeling fed up by the lack of cooperation Walt marched to the woman snatching the magazine from her view. His eyes landing upon her nametag. "Yasmin, you do know you get paid to work right. So work, where is your boss?" If looks could kill, Yasmin was shooting daggers at him this very moment.

"Listen, sir." She stated firmly as she folded her arms across her chest. "If you have a problem, leave." No wonder there were no customers here, Walter thought, it wasn't only due to the bad WiFi.

"Oh I will." Walter stormed outside of the diner holding a halt right outside the door. His temper was acting up again, something that seemed to happen a lot lately.

Bending double the genius rests his hands upon his knees taking a breath trying to calm the whirlwind in his mind. He would be going back to the garage, if this was what had to be done, tons of other places had jobs like this.

Suddenly his eyes fell on a man, rather nervously, pacing back and forth in front of Nemos diner. The man was wearing a cap and sunglasses which was odd since it was a cloudy day. The puzzle pieces in his mind connected soon enough, a robbery was about to go down, all signs were there. Was he supposed to run over and help?

He knew Cabe would. Cabe, yes, he wanted to call Cabe but that's when he noticed he left his cellphone and laptop inside. What was happening, he'd never forget something as important as his phone.

Turning around wanting to head back inside, he noticed the open sign had been swapped to closed. Why didn't he take the coms? Usually for a trivial job like this coms were unnecessary but the genius wished he'd taken them anyway.

Slamming his fists against the door, he hoped the waitress was still in hearing distance. Glancing over his shoulder Walter saw the man enter Nemos diner. Time was running out, he couldn't wait for the young blonde to return.

Walter could see how the bad guy was aiming a gun at one of the waitresses. The horror playing in her eyes clearly visible, even from across the street. The woman must have noticed someone was observing the entire scene from a safe distance, her eyes connecting with Walters for a brief moment she cast him a pleading look.

A cry for help, he couldn't just barge in unarmed.

He would have the element of surprise on his side, but within his calculations Walter knew that that alone wouldn't be enough. He pressed his finger against his lips and nodded, indicating her to keep quiet, yet still showing he would be helping out.

All present customers were being forced to move toward the kitchen, this meant Walter only had a timeframe of several minutes to work out his plan. No shots were fired yet so the hostages had reasonable chance of survival. The genius needed a plan of the building to organise his entrance, another accomplice would be welcome.

With no coms or phones all he had was himself.

-The adoption agency -

"Toby can you sit down, all that pacing is making me nauseous" Sly glanced over at Toby while hitting the sanitizer another hit. Rubbing the alcoholic mixture open on his hands.

"You sure it isn't the excessive amount of sanitizer. A constant exposure to alcohol and chemicals can lead to headaches and nausea." Toby sat down beside Sylvester, his knee rhythmically bouncing.

"Guys, calm down. Happy has only been in that office for five minutes." Paige tried to blend in, being be her normal voice of reason in the waiting room.

"You do know those people are ruthless. I can tell I just spent the most horrifying hour in there. What if they bring up her past, you know my bride." Toby's knee kept bouncing at an unhealthy pace.

"Sure that's not because you tried to out shrink the shrink?" Paige stated.

"What I wonder is why we are here." Sylvester suddenly joined in.

"This place is full of bacteria from all over the world," His eyes fell on the dusty book cases in the corner. "and from what I can tell, hasn't been cleaned since 2003 according to the amount of dust en and dirt."

Toby shot Sylvester a meaningful glance.

"Guys!" Paige ended the staring contest before turning to Sly.

"We're here to support Happy and Toby, we're a team remember. It's just a first talk, suck it up."

-Back at the Diner -

Walter remembered some of the blueprints from when he had been working on the router back at the start. He had noticed the basements were connected through a tunnel system. He had to remove some of the wiring on his first job down there and remembered a safety door that would lead toward the system.

Back in the day it was common to connect all commercial buildings with an escape route. That way the present people could move quickly through the city during war and the prohibition days. That would be his way in.

Walter moved around between the buildings in search for an entrance. He managed to enter a closed off building through a left open window, it led him straight down to a basement. Walter dusted his jack off, removing the cobwebs from his hair. This could only take a few minutes, time was limited he reminded himself.

Walters eyes scanned the area, his eyes adjusting to the dim light in the room. Through the darkness he could make out some shapes. It seemed like this room was used for storage, the walls were covered with what seemed like cardboard boxes and in the end Walter distinguished a staircase. That wasn't really what he needed. The staircase would lead him up to the building, he needed to find the entrance to the tunnel system, an emergency door should be around.

Walter took a hit at the sudden buzzing sound of an insect flying around his head. The sound breaking through his cocoon of focus. He didn't need this now.

It might be a bee, or a wasp or even a bluebottle fly, it was too dark to see what the creature really was. The only thing that was certain was that the noise it made was annoying the genius. It must have entered with him through the small window.

The buzzing became louder beside Walters ears as he tried to make another swing at it.

He couldn't lose focus now, he was here to save the people of the diner from what seemed to be a hostage situation slash robbery.

A content sigh escaped as the loud noise of the insect moved away. Walters sight still adjusting to the darkness of the basement he made a few careful steps.

He had to get out here as soon as possible, the people next door needed his help.

-The adoption agency-

Toby's head shot up noticing some rummaging at the door. Happy strode passed him, Paige and Sly picking up her pace.

"Hey Hap? Wait up." Toby said, before running after his wife, leaving Paige and Sylvester behind. He knew the rest of the team would be following quickly behind him.

He placed his hand on her shoulder trying to get her to hold up.

"Drop it Doc." The pained look on her face was heartbreaking to Toby as she shoved his hand off of her shoulder heading toward Paige's red Chevrolet.

Something must've happened down there. He was determined to find out, support his wife but he had to drop his efforts quickly enough. There was no point in trying to get her to talk when she was like this. It was going to take a while.

Toby shook his head at Paige when she came on the scene, headed to the car. A sign she shouldn't be asking about it. Paige unlocked the car and decided to follow Toby's silent advice and not go down that road. She didn't need any more stress at the moment.

"We should get back. There is a pitch waiting that isn't going to prepare itself." The entire way back to the new headquarters of team Centipede ran in silence. Happy hadn't spoken again since she exited the door from her talk with the counselors. So nobody felt comfortable enough to speak up. The only noise that filled the car were the soft tunes on the radio.

Paige never realised how much work the building of a pitch was. It had been Walters job back at Scorpion but now the group needed a leader, someone to pull the strings now Walter wasn't. That's what she was providing.

The thought of Walter putting some extra pressure on the already heavy weight on her shoulders.

-A building near Nemos and the diner-

Walter inwardly cursed, he was losing precious time trying to find the door, scanning the area in search for light leeks or any other indications that could point out a door. Although finding light to a dark tunnel system that hadn't been used in years was an almost desperate way of thinking.

When the insect suddenly roamed around Walters head again with its annoying buzzing sound. He waved his hands around his body wanting to prevent the creature to possibly sting him. Which was an instinctive move that his brain told him to quit. Logic knew that wild movements would only attract the insect even more.

The buzzing faded, this time to his right and the genius turned around trying to see if he could distinguish the source. Something felt odd about the creature but he couldn't pinpoint it. Perhaps being alone in a closed off space while people were depending on him upstairs had triggered his paranoia.

The silence reverberated in space, indicating the insect had left. The type of creature didn't really matter, it was common sense that they would try to find a way out. In this case it hadn't left in the direction of where he spotted the staircase. So the bug must have found the other exit. Walter now almost wished for the insect and it's annoying sound to return. It would make his mission a lot easier.

As if the good lord had answered his prayers the sound of buzzing increased again. Walter was all ears to pick up where it came from. Cautiously not to trip over anything he tried to locate the source. Taking small steps in the direction of the sound he knew he was right, hearing it increase once more. The insect disappeared in between a row of boxes its sound fading again.

The door had to be hidden behind the stack of cardboard boxes. Walter started moving them around two at a time, they weren't that heavy. The genius wanted to scream victory when his hand bumped into what seemed like a lever. Squinting his eyes he could see the item appear in his sight.

Walter didn't bother to finish the last boxes and tried pulling and pushing to open the exit. Tripping over the boxes in the process as the door fell open. Opening the entrance to the tunnel system, he was greeted with an endless path of darkness.

What way was he supposed to go now?

A loud yell for help somewhere brought Walter back to the reality, it was quickly followed by a gunshot. If the bug was a bluebottle fly like he thought, it would lead him to where the wounded person was. Bluebottle flies were known to feed on wounds, decaying flesh or carcasses. As the creature hadn't tried to attack him like a wasp or a bee would have so he sticked to the assumption it was a bluebottle fly.

"Here fly, fly"

Walter tried hushing the creature when it's buzzing sound, to his great joy, increased again. With nothing but a buzz and the deafening silence now surrounding him. The noise did continue feel odd, yet seemed all too familiar. Walter couldn't quite put his finger on it yet.

It was as if the creature was waiting for him to join. The buzzing of the insect remained an inviting constant in the empty space. What was the worst that could happen following an insect through a dark space?

Walter's instinct was right the bug did seem to lead the way. It moved through the connection of pathways in a cautious motion. Swiftly leading him across the network of dark corridors to the the door that would grant him access to Nemos diner.

It felt strangely satisfying to have company on this mission. Walter wasn't used to being alone on a case. His new companion didn't speak but his guidance and buzzing sound soon became comforting.

He pulled the door to the cellar of diner open in hopes nothing would be positioned against it on the other side. Since opening the door could let whatever was behind it lose support and make the whole thing collapse.

He didn't need to draw attention to him, not now he had almost entered and was so close to giving everyone a way out through the tunnels. He was going to have to provide light though, as it would be unable for the crowd to find their way through the dark.

Opening the door Walter was glad the entrance was free. Boxes were moved showing the entrance had been cleared, that could indicate more people were inside by now, having used this entrance. He tried to listen if he could hear more voices or any other sign that multiple kidnappers were present.

He had to remind himself that he didn't have all the time of the world. There had been shot upstairs, he had no time to spare but he had to provide a safe exit. Rummaging through the storage boxes he found a few candles and matches. This would be an extra tricky factor but he would have to take it.

An average tealight candle only burns for approximately 3 hours, that was if there were no other factors at play. He had to be carefull and fast, the candles lit first closest to the diner would last less long than the ones he lit on the end. So his time started running the moment he lit the first one. He started lighting candle per candle as he went deeper into the darkness of the tunnels marking a pathway to where the hostages would be able to leave safely. Walter hoped that he would reach the people in time to let them out.

Luckily during his mission, he found there was no wind in the tunnel system or any other factors he noticed on on first sight that could speed up the burning process of the candles. It wasn't much time but it would have to do. This time too the bug had followed Walter, guiding him back through the dark.

The way back, now the tunnels were illuminated by candlelight he noticed it was only slightly bigger than an average fly. That's when it all clicked, the insect wasn't real. Walter had been able to study it's movements in the light and seeing how it urged him away when he was about to run into a wall, leading him through a perfect path.

That could only mean one thing.

He waited till they almost entered the basement of Nemos again. Right in the door opening he waited till the bug was close enough and took another hit at his newfound friend. One the fly, or did he have to say, drone, didn't see coming. The creature tumbled to the ground with a soft metal thud proving his theory. Walter picked it up and shoved the mini device in his pocket.

He was alone again now but at least he was inside of the building and had secured a way out. He could deal with whatever that was later. Such a part of machinery could easily be from Happy. But he had picked up odd frequencies, making Collins a more logic choice.

How did he find him?

What was he up to now.

-On the street outside the diner-

Paige wondered if she hadn't been too strict on Walter. The heartbreak in his eyes had already kept her awake one too many nights. The fatigue was pouring through. So she decided to go for a walk, the fresh air might clear her thoughts.

She needed a break from the genius clan too, the brooding Happy wasn't doing wonders either. Which is why she was glad Drew called a few days ago asking to take Ralph to Portland for the weekend. It was going to be a welcoming distraction for him. She knew he missed Walter and the things they used to do together.

Neither she, Drew or the rest of the team could ever live up to building rockets, talking to satellites or working down complex equations. Paige knew he was putting up a big act and tried not to admit he missed Walter but she could see it in his eyes.

She couldn't tell him the truth or at least not yet. Ralph might be a genius but certain things still were too big for him. She knew he would understand but for now it was easier to let him in the dark.

The ring of her phone pulling her from her thoughts. Swiftly she answered the call.

"Hey honey. Did you arrive safely?"

Hearing Ralphs' voice on the other end made her heart swell, he was only gone for a few hours but Paige already missed him.

"Yes, mom all is fine. The plane just landed." Ralph stated.

"That's good, how is everything?" The motherly concern oozed out of her.

"It rains, why does Portland have this much rain." Ralph complained, that made her smile. Ralph never really liked the rain. In a bittersweet moment she was remembered to the remarks of Happy and Walter on Portland and it being too wet.

"But you are going to the science fair, your dad promised to take you, it's inside. Just try and enjoy it, for your dads sake. Is your dad there?" Her heart crumbled as she told him what to do, it wasn't fair but Drew did make an effort to stay in Ralphs life this time, even if it were only phone calls.

-Nemos diner-

Walter rushed up the stairs as silently as possible, turning off the thoughts of Happy and Collins. He couldn't have any distractions. The three hours would be up before he would realise it.

The door to the cellar ended in the hallway, not the kitchen. He remembered that from his visit before. Given nobody was taking position there Walter would have a free run to the diner. The odds seemed to be in his favor, the door was already open just a crack. He positioned himself right behind it and peered through, two armed men were running around.

More people had joined, which was obvious. Where had they come from? The tunnel system probably as the path was cleared. One of the men carried a bag the other was talking to a woman.

They were talking in Italian, their accent was thick and their voice compelling. He'd got a throwback to some one of the lectures he heard about some ancient astrology. The Italian man speaking had a deep voice with the exact same accent, Ligurian.

Walter did recognise one voice, despite the Italian it was clear, he'd heard it earlier today, it was the same one he heard in the diner across the street. The brooding waitress, Yasmin.

His radar instantly told him something had been off with her. Was Nemos engulfed in a maffia case?

'Not Good' is what Happy would be quoting this instant.

While he was sitting, awaiting the entrance to be clear time was ticking. The candles were burning up. The door rang, indicating someone had left. Which was a plus point, one less person to take on if it should come to it.

Footsteps faded in the hallway, this was it. Walter opened the door and took a beeline for the the dining room. He did his best to stay out of sight from the serving hatch. They would be able to see him through it.

He had to move fast but something, or rather someone on the other side of the large window in the diner captured his attention. Paige, was walking across the street engaged in a phone call.

He wanted to talk to her, ask her for an explanation on the one hand, on the other he refused to cave in. She left him, just like that when she promised him they could work anything out.

Walter could still remember the words she said to him when he was being buried underneath the sand. Her voice still sounded crystal clear, 'Whatever it is I promise we can work it out, because I love you.' was that all a lie?

Walter wanted to storm outside and stop her right there, demand an explanation.

Logic took the upperhand of his mixed emotions, he knew he couldn't just head out there people needed his help. He wanted to ask her for her help but his mind and heart were conflicted in a constant battle.

He needed help to save the people but he also needed assistance. He was unarmed, he couldn't make a bomb since certain supplies would be in the kitchen which he had no access to at the moment.

He took a glance at the big clock on the wall. Over an hour had passed, which gave him less than two hours to get people out here safe.

Glancing back to the street she was gone, like she vanished into thin air. He blinked a couple of times wondering if his mind was starting to play tricks on him.

-Headquarters of team Centipede-

"Hey Hap, what was all that?" Toby put a hand on his wife's shoulder making her jolt from her seat. She'd been involved in a very thorough piece of machinery. More difficult than she usually works at, something she'd only do when she was being frustrated. Another big red flag that something was off for the psychiatrist.

Sylvester had moved back to his own seat, participating in some online adoption chat rooms and fora. Trying to pass time till he would be able to go to the Warlocks Chest. Patty had tried calling him five times but after everything that happened at the adoption agency earlier he felt like his alderman duties were now moved toward the people wanting to adopt. Something had to make this process less nerve wracking.

He wouldn't admit it but he considered Happy family and seeing her hurt made his insides twitch. It was one of his jobs to see if he could make things better.

Even if it were just to give the center some extra subsidiary support so they could color up the walls, get some decent cleaning services and perhaps a little more comforting decorations. People would grow depressed for a lot less.

Sylvester knew he had the best example in front of him but on the other hand, that would give him just one side. That would be off on the statistical scale, so he had to hear more stories so he could find a median which would be far more accurate.

"Just leave me alone Doc." she was already calling him Doc to Toby's great joy. It was a small victory in the long way he probably still would have to take before she would speak up.

"I got you a little something."

He raised a box of chocolates.

"Chocolate is supposed to be a calming neurotransmitter serotonin, it contains small amounts of a compound that's called phenylethylamine."

The behaviorist stated opening the box, revealing a series of different chocolate flavours.

"Which acts like an amphetamine, stimulating your brain cells to release dopamine. It should make you feel better."

She smashed the box from his hands feeling completely unaffected by his gesture. Toby should know better by now than to bribe her with a box of chocolates.

Happy walked out of the new headquarters leaving a dumbfounded Toby behind.

"Not your best move was it."

Toby shot Sylvester a glare from across the room, finding it rather infuriating how Sly was finding this amusing.

Where was Paige when you needed her. She might be the only human that could be showing the slightest bit of compassion for his situation.

Little did he know what Sylvester was up to, all for him and Happy.

-Back at Nemos diner-

Walter leaped for the counter ducking behind it when he saw a figure approaching the diner. Hoping nobody had seen him through the hatch. Hostages would have, the kidnappers he wasn't sure. He'd been too occupied staring out of the window in search of Paige, in search of answers.

See that's why feelings never were a good thing, the genius had just found more proof.

Walter crawled as deeply in the gap below the counter as possible, tucking his knees to his chest. Sucking in his breath as he listened to the three bandits talking. Something about debt, if he were correct. His Italian hadn't been on point, that lecture dated from years ago.

Seems like Nemos had been in debt at the Italian mob and had been on the run, hence why he jumped seeing Cabe walk in.

Apparently the people were sent to either seal the deal or to get rid of Nemos.

I could hear them overtalk their last battleplan. Which was going to be very helpful if only he could only decipher the few words he still missed to make the puzzle whole. Either they were going to blow up the building or they were going to cook a sandwich.

He had to get to that kitchen soon, Walter crawled from under the counter moving on hand and feet back to the edge of the counter, the kitchen door inviting him. He'd only be two seconds in plain sight, he calculated.

Taking another glance at the clock the genius only had an hour left, he could do this. Walter braced himself and rolled over to the door, crawling through. The door moved open and close, waving.

Walter placed his finger on his lips indicating everyone to keep quiet.

To his great relief there were no injured from the gunshot he heard earlier, only a hole through the metal of one of work areas. When suddenly one of the bandits returned, Walter could duck behind a few stacked boxes just in time to be out of sight.

"What's happening here?"

The man looked at the group of scared hostages.

"You try escape, we kill." His European accent was thick and his English ragged.

"The door is broken," Nemos tried.

One of the waitresses nodded in agreement trying to provide cover for him.

"Shut up. I see one more, you dead" He glared at the group trying to mark his point.

Options were limited, Walter had less than an hour to get the people out through the tunnel system. In their earlier plans, it became obvious to the genius that they'd attached a bomb to the door. If anyone ran in to help them he or she would kill them all in the process. I had to get them out and warn Cabe.

"Look, I'm going to get you out. I have a way out, we just need to reach the basement. Without passing the diner."

Walter looked around the area in search of any other way to leave without having to open the door.

Through the serving window he could see the three bandits were now occupied on a laptop urgently tapping away.

"There is an old service lift in the back." Nemos whispered and pointed to a rack that decorated the kitchen.

"Not sure if it still works, it's old."

Walter suddenly wished Happy were here, she'd know how to get it back to work.

He headed over to the rack, careful not to get in the frame of the serving hatch. Walter moved the items on the rack as silently as possible. With the help of a few bystanders they moved the rack opening the lift.

"I'd test but I need to make sure everyone gets out."

"I'll go." the waitress who had signaled him before bravely crept in the hatch.

Walter closed the door and pushed the button, the hatch was just big enough to fit in two people if you squeezed them well enough.

There was no time to lose. In only 5 minutes the candles would go out so he wanted to stay back just in case he had to help anyone navigate through the tunnels. His photographic memory would help him.

Two by two the people started running down. He told the first pair that was going down, to give on a message to the waitress, telling them to follow the path of light. How it would lead them to another building where they would be able to leave safely.

-Back at the Centipede Headquarters-

Paige entered the centipede headquarters looking at what seemed like a playground. Sylvester was still with his nose behind the laptop and Toby in a sad attempt to make Happy talk was continuously following her around. To her great irritation.

"Guys what's happening here?"

Toby moved over to Paige "Ignorant," he pointed over at his wife "and no help whatsoever." the behaviorist now moved his attention to Sylvester.

Paige shook her head, feeling bothered at this new developments.

"We're supposed to be preparing that presentation, not ignoring each other or," She glanced from Toby to Happy and ended at Sylvester. "whatever you're doing. I bet it isn't working on the job."

Sylvester guiltily closed his laptop.

"Alderman duties."

"I thought you weren't running for the next edition?" Paige questioned.

She knew Sylvester loved helping others but his duties as an alderman made him less available for the Centipede. He had it hard to combine the two which had been draining him mentally, causing him to even have a few calculations off. Only for a thousandth, an ignorable coefficient but he blamed himself dearly.

"Changed my mind." Paige shrugged it off, Sylvester was an adult, it wasn't up to her to say if he should or shouldn't run for alderman.

"And what's up with you two?"

Happy glared at Toby. "He doesn't back off."

The behaviorist smiled sheepishly, knowing he had been following her around to an annoying level after she returned but at least he knew his intentions were pure. All he wanted to do was help his wife.

"Toby?" Paige turned to the behaviorist who seemed lost in thoughts.

"I'm sorry," Toby turned to his wife "but you've been moody and grumpy ever since you left that office. This is supposed to be our child. I don't want things to kick off on the wrong foot before it's even beginning. We need to talk about this."

Paige nodded. "He does have a point Happy, we're all worried about you."

Happy felt cornered not only by her husband but also by the ones that claimed to be her friends. The pressure becoming too much she took a beeline to the door. Toby got in gear, ready to go after her when Paige stopped him.

"Let her be. You'll have to give her some time on this, Toby."

A saddened expression washed over his face as he slumped in the sofa.

"You're right."

-Back at Nemos diner-

Walter reached out for the kitchen phone as the people continued to go down two by two. He dialed Cabe's number instantly getting greeted.

"Gallo, Homeland security."

"Cabe, it's me." Walter whispered.

"Walt?" Cabe sounded surprised.

"I didn't recognise the ID, could be this new smartphone."

"I'm calling from Nemos, we got a hostage..." Walter knew he didn't need to say more when Cabe stopped him mid sentence.

"I'll make some calls."

"Everyone almost out safe, bomb on the door." With that he ended the call seeing the last people just got down via the lift and he heard loud Italian cursing.

Apparently they must've noticed their amount of hostages had dropped to zero or overheard his call. The biggest one just arrived in the kitchen, only to see Walter enter the lift.

The Italian fired a shot but Walter had closed the doors just in time to leave for the basement. When he arrived footsteps were already rushing down the stairs making Walter urge everyone to the tunnels.

He had to force the door, locking them in that was the only way to secure a safe exit. Cabe and the cops would be here soon. Walter rushed to the door the candles were already going out, only the ones in the end were still faintly burning.

He pulled the door back making it safe for everyone to leave. He had to find another solution soon he wouldn't be holding this much longer. Walter could faintly hear sirens wailing, Cabe was here, glass shattered indicating they had just broken the window to get in. They'd be in safety soon.

Walter used his belt to barricade the closure system and started running, following his scent through the tunnels as it had now become pitch black again.

The scent of recently killed candles giving him an indication of where he should be going.

-Back at the garage-

Walter took the time to take a better look at the device. The mini drone in fly form was craftsmanship.

Did Happy try to help him?

Was the centipede spying on him?

Walter took a closer look through the magnifying glass at the table Happy used to sit on. Half of her stuff was still here, which came in handy for him.

The finishing wasn't as delicate as he was used to from Happy's inventions. Making his best bet on Collins being the one behind this.

"Hey Walter."

Walter draped a cloth over the mini insect hearing Florence' voice, looking up caught like a boy with his hand in the cookie jar. He didn't know why but his instincts told him not to let anyone in on his findings of the day.

"Rough day huh?" Florence smiled awkwardly.

"Bet this will make you feel better."

She lifted up the two tickets for tonight's lecture. It would start in just a few hours so they had to keep moving.

"Oh crap." Walter gave her an apologetic half-smile. "I still have a ton of work to do."

He refrained from looking at the small drone hidden right in front of him.

"Having to save the day, not fixing routers isn't really good for business. Need to do some accounting." With that he waved Florence off getting up after having placed the drone still wrapped in the cloth in a box.

"Need to get these things back to Happy too, she might need them." He tried to provide a logical explanation of why he was suddenly passing his time here.

Paige once told him a little white lie couldn't hurt.

When she left Walter had moved upstairs, ready to start his second mission of the day. Armed with a marker he stared at the whiteboard, letting his brain work up anything that could be of use.

He combed his hands through his hair while now taking another halt after continuously pacing back and forth in the apartment. His whiteboard was whiter than it ever had been after a brainstorm session. Despite that sad fact, he was still glad he didn't join Flo to the lecture.

On top of the whiteboard he wrote down "WDPL" short for 'Why Did Paige Leave'.

No matter how hard he tried to pain his brain he couldn't figure out why she left. This was most certainly one of his depth points, talking about being non efficiënt. He'd almost blew up the job today by seeing her.

At this point even a session with Toby would be better than whatever was happening now. Walter hated it when was Toby pulling the shrink card on him but right now there was nothing he wanted more, than to have his former team member point out his mistakes.

The genius had thought about writing down 'No EQ' but wiped that thought out soon enough. He figured he'd gained a fair emotional facade over time, especially when he was around her. She eased his thoughts and made it a little easier to push them aside letting this strange puddle of emotions surface.

She couldn't really be mad because he took Florence to a reading. Paige didn't want to go, so he did her a favor. Well she could be mad but it was certainly no reason to leave him hanging like that.

Then there was Florence' revelation, she'd claimed to love him. Which was the oddest he'd come across, he was pretty certain he'd never given her a reason to ever assume he'd had any romantic feelings toward her. Let alone give her a reason to fall for him, he was fairly sure his love for Paige was clearly noticeable.

His eyes were now burning from staring at the deep white of the board.

If only he could read Paige's mind, know what she was thinking.

He could find a way to solve this, there was nothing that couldn't be solved with a little logic.