"Are you sure?" the man in a suit asked.
"Yes," his head of security replied, "our facial recognition software is specifically hardwired to detect such renown thieves like her."
"If it's specifically hardwired how come it took two days to recognize her?" the man demanded.
"I don't know, I think someone gained access to our security and-"
"You think?"
"Well-well," the security guard cleared his throat," one thing's for sure, she's not working alone."
"Well then, grab her the next time she gets here, I want to find out who she's working with."
"I'm in position," Eliot grunted into his earbud, "ready when you are Parker."
"Got it," Parker chirped as she entered the museum, "I'll be out in a jiffy."
"Yo, Parker," Hardison grinned from inside Lucille, "when we're done with this job I got something special planned for tonight."
"Oh, really," Parker's flirty voice wormed into Eliot's ear, "well, what is it?"
"Come on, gurl it's a secret," Hardison teased.
Eliot, knowing full well they were going to be like this for the next few minutes, took his comm. out. He was so sick of putting up with their gushy banter. The hitter couldn't wait until Parker switched the legit painting with their forgery so they could take down the mark and he could get a weekend of peace. After a few minutes Eliot figured they had to have been done by now so he stuck his earbud back in.
"Where are you?" Hardison was panicking.
"I-I-what?" Eliot asked, confused.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Parker sounded nervous from her end of the comm. "Please, call Mr. Starke, he'll tell you I work for him. I'm here to secure this painting."
"Hang on Parker," Eliot said, running towards the front of the building, "I'm coming for you."
"I-I don't work for any-" she stopped suddenly, "how'd you know my name? Hardison, how do they know my name."
"P-Parker, listen," Hardison said quickly, "don't let them know about your earbud!"
"Get away from-" Parker was cut off.
"We have your little thief, who are you?" a cold voice demanded.
"No!" Eliot shouted, "you will let her go or I will end you."
"I don't think so," the man mused, "no, I think I'll keep her and you will come to Mr. Starke's office where you will give yourselves up or I'll kill her."
"Listen," the hitter's growl was one to make a grown man scared, "if you let her go now, I promise I'll give you twenty-four hours to run as far away as you can, but if you don't I will hunt you down and make you wish you were dead."
Silence, "Well," the man coughed, "you have twenty-four hours to give yourself up and in the meantime, I'll hold onto Parker for safe keeping."
Static came from Parker's comm. undoubtedly meaning it'd been destroyed. Alarms went off in the museum and a wave of tourists began evacuating.
"Eliot," Hardison said, "Eliot, get out of there, you can't take on their entire security. There's like thirty guys in there, meet back here so we can figure out a way to save Parker."
Begrudgingly, Eliot allowed himself to be carried away from the entrance by the crowd and began to sprint towards the van.
"Alright," Hardison trembled when Eliot entered the vehicle, "we-we gotta call Nate, he-he always knows what to do. He-he'll come up with a plan and we'll save Parker-"
"There's no time Hardison!"
"What are we gonna do man? Huh? You don't think I wanna storm in there, kick some ass and save Parker myself? Huh? She's my girlfriend Eliot!"
"Yeah, I know," the hitter retorted coldly, "but we can't-"
"Wait," Hardison interrupted darkly, "what was that?"
"What was what?"
"In your voice? You sound really upset."
"Of course I'm upset Hardison," Eliot yelled, "it's my job to take of her and-"
"Take care of her," Hardison cut his friend off and leaned back in his seat, "I should've known."
"Know what?"
"What's been goin' on, huh? Between you and Parker?"
"Dammit Hardison!"
"Dammit Eliot! I know something's up, you bein' all dark about huntin' that guy down if he hurt her!"
"That's 'cause she's my family Hardison! You idiot, you're my family! When I started this job it was my job to take care of the team and I promised Sophie that I'd protect you guys!"
"Yeah, but you weren't like this when Nate was kidnapped, you was all cool and collected. Even when I was in a damn coffin you seemed pretty calm when you found me. Now Parker's gone and you freak out!"
"Damnit Hardison, what do you want to hear, huh? What do you want me to say?"
"The truth Eliot!"
Eliot paused.
"Can't we do this after we save Parker?"
"I knew it you son of a-" Hardison dove at the man, fists flying.
Eliot easily threw him on the floor of the van. Hardison sat up, looking like he was about to cry.
"Tell me Eliot, tell me the truth."
Eliot sighed, "Alright man," he said softly, here's what happened."