A/N – So, this came into my head out of nowhere, lol. I had intended it to be Parker/Hardison fluff.. but it turned out to be a Parker and Eliot bonding thing. More friendship than romance, but read it however you like, :D
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Parker frowned at the little potted plant in her hands. She didn't know too much about plants, but she was pretty sure they weren't supposed to be brown and droopy. She was still poking at the leaves when Eliot walked into the kitchen, mug in hand. She looked up at him with a furrowed brow and made a noise of frustration. Eliot rolled his eyes and took the plant from her hands, placing it safely on the counter, before placing his mug in the sink.
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"Your plant died," he stated in a neutral voice.
Parker growled in frustration, which Eliot found extremely amusing. Perhaps he was rubbing off on her.
"I don't know what went wrong! I gave it water and sunlight and even read to it! But it still died."
"Well, Parker, sometimes… wait," Eliot paused, fighting to keep from laughing, "Did you say you read to the plant?"
Parker nodded emphatically, "Yes! Hardison said plants responded to people talking to them, said they grew faster and better. Maybe I read the wrong book." She frowned.
Eliot couldn't help himself, "What did you read to it?"
"She," Parker corrected. "Her name is Andie. And I read her Alice in Wonderland. The real one, not the Disney version." She met Eliot's gaze with sad eyes, "Was it a bad book?"
Eliot found himself reacting automatically, reaching out and patting her shoulder consolably, if a little awkwardly.
"It's a good book. You did nothing wrong, Parker. Sometimes... " He dropped his hand but remained next to her, leaning slightly into the counter.
Parker sighed, "I know. Sometimes things just die. I still don't like it."
"Me either. I'm sorry about Andie." He offered her a small smile.
"Me too." She nodded at him, her form of thanks.
Sighing in acceptance, Parker picked up Andie and walked past Eliot to the back door. "Gonna bury her in the garden," she explained.
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It took him thirty seconds to process what she'd said. Once he did, he ran out after her, grabbing a shovel off the side of the shed. Parker looked up from where she knelt in surprise, Andie still in her hands, question in her eyes.
Eliot smiled, "I'll dig."
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The ceremony was short. Eliot dug and Parker placed Andie carefully in the tiny plot, then stood solemnly while Eliot filled in the space. Shovel still in hand, Eliot stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do next. Parker clasped his hand and bowed her head, beckoning him to do the same.
"Andie was a good plant. Until she died. Rest in Peace, Andie."
"Amen," Eliot murmured when she finished, old habits dying hard even as he realized he was praying for a plant.
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Parker squeezed his hand quickly before letting go and disappearing into the office. Smiling after her, he wondered when he'd stopped thinking she was crazy. But he knew it was true. She was odd, but he was sure that there wasn't a damn thing wrong with her after all.