Sequel to: Parker's Family Ties: (A/U) as it follows events from this story but not crossover, it's still Leverage universe just less team more Eliot.
I, the idiot known as Nneave, being a muppet of the first order, completely lost track of time in finishing/uploading 'Parker's Family Ties' and the story is now locked so I cannot add to it or update it. Instead I've completed it in part of the memories in an already planned sequel. It means it's covered in a clumsier than it should be way, and a little less detailed than it is in my head, but hopefully it works.
Originally I'd planned for Hardison to be the one killed by the Russian's, and the information lost that way. Although it would have made for a cleaner story, I couldn't bring myself to do that to Parker – love her; she'd suffered enough.
Please read and review – constructive criticism absolutely encouraged.
Thank you, Nneave xx
...
Chapter 1:Jamie rarely had any grown up time. Oh there was a snatched hour here and there, a rare sleepover when Jamie had been poorly; but when she stopped to think about it, a whole day? An evening out? Overnight in a hotel? The last time was... well... before. Before Elle, before she'd moved here, before her world had changed. 6 years she'd been here. 6 years into her new life and this was the first night out she'd had since...
Putting that thought out of her mind she carefully carried her overnight bag and the extortionately priced, but jaw dropping dress she'd bought for the occasion, down the stairs as she waited for her ride. Not tonight; tonight was about futures: beautiful, bright and promising futures. Tonight she would not think of that: she would not think of him.
Jamie had waved her daughter off only an hour before, all excitement and energy; full of life and the idea of adventure. It scared Jamie to let her out of her sight for so long. Terrified her that she couldn't be there every minute of every day to protect her but she worked hard to make sure her daughter didn't know she was in danger, and that meant letting her have some freedom. It had been six years but still she worried that one day someone would find them.
Forcing the thoughts and memories out of her mind she watched as Katie's car approached, smiling as the friends she'd made over the last few years, friends that had slowly become her family spilled out, with squeals of excitement at their impending trip. Jamie found herself grinning as their excitement and enthusiasm echoed that of her daughter a short while ago, but couldn't help get be caught along with it, like a teenager sneaking out for their first beer. Tonight was a celebration, a joint celebration really but she was the only one that knew that. Officially they were off to enjoy a bachelorette weekend for Amy, but secretly she intended to raise a glass for her other family; the one she'd left behind 6 years ago today. She didn't know if they were living or dead, but every year she would raise a quiet glass in quiet tribute to them; wherever they were.
The plan as far as it went, was to start off with a relaxing spa day, followed by a meal at a top restaurant before an evening of music, and dancing. The next day would involve shopping, and laughing in equal measures, before taking a slow ride home to meet her daughter as she came home from their sleep over with Amy's Parents, Rose and Mike Duvell.
Jamie was so grateful to Amy's parents, both retired, they had greeted their new, heavily pregnant neighbour warmly, Rose bringing over welcoming meals, noticing but not commenting on the lack of furniture and baggage she had arrived with. Offering her key bits and pieces from their spare rooms, and Mike helping her clean and sand furniture, paint walls and then when she thought she could accept no more they presented her with a cot. A cot that had been lovingly handmade by Michael, many, many years ago and used for each of their four, now fully grown children. Jamie had sat and cried on the stairs when she first saw it. She knew it was a loan, and that eventually it would rightly go to Amy or her siblings but she didn't care; the kindness and intimate generosity of that act broke her natural caution and fear. She knew it was dangerous to let people in, but she couldn't help it; sometimes you just needed to lean on someone – and there was no-one else.
That was nearly 6 years ago and her life was much more together now. She worked part time as an English and foreign language tutor and freelance translator; her years of travelling, picking up new languages and dialects, came in useful. It didn't always pay well, work could be sporadic, but it was enough for her and her daughter and once she was at school full time she could up her hours or find something more formal. They had a simple but happy life, small town with good people. Initially Jamie had tried keeping herself to herself, but her new community was having none of it. Within a few days her neighbours had introduced her to their daughter's, Kate and Amy who offered friendship as well as willing manpower for decorating. Jamie wasn't sure she had the strength to argue when they'd insist on helping with getting the new house sorted; but deep down she was grateful: exhausted, but grateful.
Once the baby had arrived the local Women's group seemed to see her as a kind of project. A part of her was ashamed that she needed charity to provide for her child, but the bigger part was just grateful. If it had been just her, she'd have gone without but for her baby; for her; she would take their kindness for what it was. However despite the offers of babysitting, she rarely accepted; control was the only way she managed the fear.
Within a few minutes her bags were loaded and they were heading into Berrytown, giggling with excitement. They arrived at the spar around 10am, and began the day with face masks and massages, a steam and a Jacuzzi. Jamie knew Amy and Kate well, Maria and Jenny a little but the other ladies were an unknown. She'd wondered if this was something she should be wary of, and had to remind herself that these were women Amy and Kate had known for a long time. Besides, sitting around in a bikini soon broke the ice, and the champagne provided by the spa certainly didn't hurt either. Amy had followed her mum into teaching, she taught first graders in the local school where her mum had worked for over 40 years, Maria and Jenny were also teachers there and Jamie had seen them at various school fundraisers but never really got to know them. Today she learned the other ladies: Claire, Lynda and Fiona went to college with Amy in the next State. They were all her closest friends, as much of a family to her as Kate; and Jamie felt honoured to be included.
After lunch, hair and make-up, nails and pedicures, before putting on their best dresses and heels for an evening on the town. They had reservations for 8 people, at JM's, a Fashionable French restaurant that had recently opened to fantastic reviews and already had a six months waiting list for a table; they had only got a table through a contact of Amy's fiancée who worked in the building trade and had helped refit the restaurant.
...