Title: A Tough Job …

Genre: Friendship, humor, pointless fluff

Rating: PG

Word count: 396

Summary: Parker corners Eliot. E/P friendship, pre-E/P if you're inclined.

Spoilers: 3-3, "The Inside Job"

Note: I've only seen a few of the season 3 eps so far, but "The Inside Job" is maybe my fave episode ever.

Parker waited two days, lulling him into a false sense of security, before popping the question again.

"Seriously, Eliot," she said, sliding into the booth across from him. "What is sexting?"

He sighed. "I told you, Parker, I'm not going there with you."

"But I feel so … dumb when I don't know things like that," she whispered. She bit her lip and leaned forward, resting her arms on the table, staring at him from under long lashes.

If it were anyone else, Eliot would have thought he was being played. Parker surely wouldn't … even though Sophie had been working with her a lot lately. … Could she be practicing on him?

He hated to admit it, but the big eyes were kind of working.

He growled a little, then glanced around McRory's to make sure nobody was close enough to hear. "It's sorta like phone sex …" he paused to make sure she knew what that was. At her nod, he continued, "Except you … you know, text it. On your cell phone."

"Ohhhh." She let out a small gasp, wrinkling her nose. "Eeewww! No wonder he was looking at me like that!"

He laughed. "Cubicle 27 was a very naughty girl."

She sat back in the booth with a huff. "I should have let my boyfriend beat him up."

It took him a moment to follow her. "Parker," he said. "I am not your boyfriend."

"Hmmm. But he thought you were," she said, as if that explained everything. "Besides …" and now the big-eyed look made its return. He swore she was actually batting her eyes at him. "You would have beaten him up for me, wouldn't you, Eliot?"

He mentally went through a variety of responses, then finally settled on the truth. "Yeah, Parker. I'd beat him up for you."

He was rewarded with a mile-wide smile. She nodded at the bar, "Want a beer? On me?"

She didn't wait for an answer but hopped up with another brilliant smile. He was not at all surprised to see her shoot a thumbs-up to Sophie, who he now saw was skulking in the booth in the corner.

He was surprised when Parker leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Yeah, he was definitely being played, he thought with a small laugh, but taking the hits was just part of his job.

End