Eliot felt the small hand slip into his pocket and grab his wallet. Along with many of the identities that he kept with him.
"Nate, gotta problem. Someone just pick pocketed me." Eliot saw a flash of brown curly hair slid around the corner and into the alley.
"Damnit Kid! Gimme my things back," Eliot exclaimed loudly. Eliot noticed the boy stuff the things into his pocket and climb up the emergency chute of the building next to them. Something about how the way the boy moved caught Eliot's attention. Something familiar, the thief he once knew; Parker, she left the team in the middle of the night nine years ago. Eliot's been in love with her for years and never stopped looking for her. When Eliot looked back up towards the chute, he growled and stomped away. Eliot went to the corner diner and sat down.
"Can I get you anything?" Eliot shook his head.
"No thanks. Just thinkin' bout somethin'," The waitress left and Eliot stared out the window. A few block away a little boy ran up to the older woman proudly.
"Look Mama, I did it!" Parker grinned and flipped open the wallet. She gasped.
"Somethin' wrong Momma?" Parker sat frozen as she stared at the picture. She opened the wallet more and looked through the old identities.
"Who did you get this from EJ?"
"There was this tough looking man. He had a suit and stuff, glasses too and I thought I get him. And I did Mama! See," EJ pointed to the wallet and phone in his mother's hands. Parker sighed and held the wallet fondly.
"Did he see you?" EJ shrugged.
"I don't think. He saw me run up the escape and yelled something," EJ explained. Parker nodded her head and took EJ by his hand. Parker led him to the diner and saw Eliot sitting in the corner of the diner by himself. EJ gasped and froze, not moving.
"That's him!" EJ pointed mortified.
"I know. You're comin' with me Bud. We're going to go talk to him." Parker arrived in the front of the diner and walked in. Eliot sat dazed out as he stared into space. Parker slid into the seat, still oblivious to Eliot. EJ began sniffling and set the wallet and phone onto the table.
"I'm sorry for takin' your wallet Mister." EJ said shyly. Eliot looked up and froze. Two people sitting in front of him, one he recently say only a few minutes ago, and the other, Parker.
"Parker?" Eliot whispered in disbelief. Names were being yelled over the con and Eliot tried to concentrate.
"What are you doing here Eliot?" Eliot sat gaping at the site in front of him.
"Parker!" Eliot stood up and walked to the other side of the booth and pulled Parker into a bear-hug crushing her tightly.
"Sparky, can't breathe," Parker wheezed, smiling at him as she hugged him back as tightly. Eliot let go of her and looked her in the eyes.
"Parker, why d-" A small hand grabbed Eliot by his sleeve and he turned to the boy.
"Who are you?" The boy narrowed his blue eyes and crossed his arms in a very distinctive way and scowled.
"Eliot, this is EJ. EJ, this is an old friend of mine." Parker motioned to Eliot who stared at the boy.
"Parker, who is he?" Parker paled and grabbed EJ by his hand. Eliot stood as he watched her walk away. Parker turned back with an arched eyebrow.
"Sparky, you comin' or you just gonna stand there and gawk at me the whole time?" Eliot shook his head and jogged up to Parker. Eliot heard yelling in his com and he growled.
"Damnit, you guys! Will you shut up already?" Eliot took out his com and switched it offline, and then stuffed it into his pocket.
"Bickering?" Eliot nodded his head silently and followed Parker as she led him into an apartment building. It was a lavish looking apartment, unlike what he would expect from Parker. It has a large kitchen and living room from what he could see.
"Nice place Parker," Eliot smiled and walked into the kitchen. A small smile appeared on Parkers face before she spoke.
"When I first came here I noticed the kitchen and all the space here. It made me think of you instantly." Eliot frowned before walking towards Parker.
"Parker, why?" Parker sighed, and then frowned and looked towards the ground, a bit nervous.
"Look at EJ and tell me why. Tell me," Parker frowned and crossed her arms as she stared at Eliot. Eliot looked at the boy. The boy looked familiar. Eliot took a deep breath and groaned.
"You left because you we're going to have him," It was a statement, not a question. Parker nodded her head.
"I couldn't have him have a horrible life. I didn't want him turning out like me," Parker started, and a cross look appeared on Eliot's face.
"Why didn't you tell me for? Why Parker?" Eliot yelled, throwing his hands up in the air. Parker stood her ground and narrowed her eyes.
"Tell me Parker, why you never told me that I have a son! Yea, I get keepin' it away from the whole team, but why didn't you tell me for?!" Eliot yelled out angrily. Tears began forming in Parker's eyes and Eliot knew she was ready to bolt.
"Because I was scared," Parker whispered before breaking down. Eliot froze as he watched Parker cry.
"Damnit Parker….. Parker, I didn't mean to make you cry…" Eliot wrapped Parker in a tight hug and rubbed soothing circles into her back as she sobbed. She began hiccupping and then pulled away from Eliot.
"He's like you ya know. Just like you." Parker gave Eliot a shy smile as she wiped the tears off her face.
"Parker, I really am sorry for yellin' at you. That wasn't right of me to do that, 'specially when I haven't seen you in nearly nine years. Nine years Darlin', I never stopped lookin' y'know." Parker smiled and hugged Eliot quickly.
"It's alright. I probably would have done the same thing." Eliot smiled and pecked her on the cheek, old habits breaking back out.
"I will ask one thing though," Parker said aloud to which Eliot hmmed to.
"What's that Darlin'?" Parker grinned manically at Eliot.
"I want Pancakes! With Chocolate Chips and Strawberries! I want Eliot food!" Eliot looked at her in disbelief before laughing out loud.
"Anything you want Darlin'," Eliot looked around the kitchen, and to his surprise, that she actually had it stocked with real food. Not fortune cookies and cereal, as he thought there would be.
"I learned how to cook. May have screwed up a couple times, and I'm no you, but I can do simple things," Parker explained as she saw the look of confusion cross his face. He nodded his head.
"Hey where's EJ at?" Eliot glanced around the living room, seeing no site of the boy anymore.
"Upstairs. Playing on his Wii. He's spoiled. That's for sure," Parker said. Eliot chuckled before grabbing the ingredients for pancakes. His phone vibrated and he groaned as he flipped his com back on.
"Damnit Hardison, why the hell you gotta keep buggin' me for?" Eliot growled into his com. Parker stifled a laugh and covered the grin on her mouth with her hand.
"Eliot, Where the hell are you at?" Parker heard from the com, Hardison angry at him suddenly offlining earlier. Eliot looked at Parker and she sighed and nodded her head.
"With Parker. Nah Man. I'm at her apartment jeeze dude." Can they come over? Eliot mouthed to Parker, who rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Man I don't know the address. Just track the damn com and get over with it," Eliot huffed.
"Alright Man, we'll be over in a few," Hardison said through the com. Parker walked over to the staircase.
"EJ! Come down here!" A few minutes later, he appeared and Eliot studied him more closely, seeing the resemblance of him and his twin brother when they were that age.
"Hun, some old friends of mine are coming over, I want you to be on your best behavior, you hear me?" EJ nodded his head quickly and looked between Eliot and Parker with large, blue, curious eyes.
"Are you my dad?" EJ tilted his head, so familiar, just the way Eliot remembers Parker doing so when she would be slightly confused. Parker snorted as she watched Eliot, who flushed and began stuttering.
"Uhh…" Eliot stood shocked at the question.
"Yup he is," Parker chirped as she appeared by Eliot.
"That's cool. You seem cool. You seem like you can play tons of games. Oooooh Mom can he come play games with me? Can he? Can he?" EJ began to get excited and Parker groaned.
"Now I know why you hated when I got like that," Parker exclaimed as she pushed a bewildered Eliot towards their son and who led Eliot upstairs into his room. His room was filled with many things that Eliot wouldn't expect an eight year old boy to have. He had a king-size bed; a couple of desks, one he assumed were for drawing, and the other for school work. He had a flat screen hanging on the wall and a couple video game systems.
"Hah, and Parker said spoiled. This is more than spoiled." Eliot chuckled to himself. He looked around the room and noticed two paintings and laughed out loudly.
"And she took Old Nate when she left. Shoulda noticed that," EJ looked at him confused.
"Who's Old Nate?"
"It's the name of that paintin' there," Eliot pointed to 'Old Nate' and EJ nodded his head.
"Hey son, is EJ short for something?" Eliot inquired, curious. EJ nodded his head.
"Yea, Eliot Jr. Well Eliot Spencer Jr. Why?" He tilted his head to the side and stared at Eliot.
"Just wonderin'. She named you after me y'know…" EJ nodded his head and grabbed a controller to his Xbox 360. He tossed the other to Eliot who grinned.
"Whaddya do for fun 'round here?"
"I got all these games that Momma bought me, but those get borin' after awhile. I normally draw things when I finished my class work or homework. In the afternoons, when I don't have too much homework I normally help Momma in the kitchen. She says I'm a natural, unlike her, but like my daddy, which is you."
"Parker!" a series of voices was heard in the living room, and a small squeak could be heard.
"Where's Eliot?" Sophie questioned. Eliot rolled his eyes and followed EJ downstairs.
"Hey Soph," Eliot said calmly. Sophie gasped and stared at Eliot and the boy.
"So you must be Nate, Sophie, and Hardison. Mom's talked a lot about you guys. Especially him," EJ pointed at Eliot and crossed his arms and put a scowl on his face. Hardison grinned.
"Ah it's a mini-Spencer! Oh Man I gotta have a picture of this," Hardison pulled his phone out and took a picture of said persons. A mini-version of Eliot, and Eliot, both staring at them with narrowed eyes, scowls on their faces, and arms crossed. Parker chuckled as she watched Eliot and EJ.
"Mom!" EJ whined loudly, much to Parkers amusement.
"Make him stop! I hate pictures!" Eliot stepped forward and grabbed Hardisons phone and held it out of Hardisons reach.
"Delete the picture Hardison. And don't even think about posting it on the internet. If someone see's that, well let me remind you that I'm wanted in over eight countries! EIGHT Hardison! If you don't I'll break it," a horrified look crossed Hardisons face as Eliot spoke. Eliot gripped it tighter and Hardison swore he heard a small crack.
"Just hand it over man, jeeze," Eliot reluctantly handed Hardison the phone. He tapped the screen for a minute and frowned.
"Happy now?" Eliot eyed him.
"Delete it Hardison. Don't act like you did. I ain't that stupid after working with you for all these years." Hardison grinned, then frowned as he did as told.
"He looks just like you!" Sophie exclaimed, getting everyone's attention.
"Yea…Kinda supposed to. Y'know? Genetics? Ever heard of it. Course my kids gonna look like me."
"He looks and acts just like Eliot and his brother did when they were eight." Parker quipped.
"And you would know that how Parker?" Sophie questioned, crossing her arms.
"I grew up with him." Parker shrugged.
"You have a brother?" Hardison pulled out his tablet and began doing a search.
"You ain't gonna find him Hardison."
"Try searching McDonald." Eliot explained. EJ poked his head into the small group of people.
"Are you talking about Uncle Linny Momma?" Parker nodded her head and Eliot glanced at her.
"Linds knew?" Eliot exclaimed. Parker frowned and nodded her head.
"Yea, I told him not to tell. Told him if he did, he would regret it," Parker smirked and Eliot groaned.
"And exactly who else knows Parker?" Eliot crossed his arms and leaned back against the island.
"Ruby, Emma, Jake, Ben, Wick, and Lindsey."
"You told everyone 'cept me," Parker nodded her head.
"Yea. They've all met him too. He loves visiting."
After Parker finished explaining things to the crew, they gathered around the dining room table and watched as Eliot brought out a large stack of chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage. Parker grabbed a plate and grabbed as many pancakes as she could and covered them in syrup.
"Mhmmmmmmmmm," Parker moaned. She took a few more bites and swallowed.
"I missed Eliot food," Parker smiled and took another bite. Sophie and Hardison chuckled and Sophie took a few bites herself.
"So Parker, what have you been doing all this time? Knowing you, you couldn't have possibly been a stay at home Mom for this long," Parker shook her head.
"Nope. I teach gymnastics and self defense at night to girls."
"And who taught you self defense?" Hardison questioned, eyes narrowing. Eliot smiled widely, a rare sight to the rest of the team.
"I did. Taught her a lot of things when we were together,"
"Y'all were together!" Sophie exclaimed.
"You never noticed?" Nate pointed out. Sophie gasped.
"And you do Nate? I'm the grafter! I read people for a living." Sophie cried out frustrated.
"Yea, you never noticed all the little gestures they did. How comfortable they were with each other? Did you notice if someone touches one of them or something the flinch, but when the tap each other on the shoulder to get their attention they don't? It's small little things like that," Nate explained.
"Did you think he happened on a drunken one night stand Soph?" Sophie nodded her head.
"Well sorry to burst your bubble Darlin', but we were together before the team even came together so we knew how to hide it." Sophie's jaw dropped and Nate chuckled at her expression. Hardison shrugged.
"So how long are you all staying here?" A small voice asked. Eliot turned to EJ and then glanced at Parker.
"Well we're only staying a few days, I mean we have to finish the con," Sophie said softly. Eliot leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
"No. You guys are going in a few days. I'm staying," Parker turned towards Eliot shocked, mouth agape, staring at him.
"I missed the first years of his life Parker. I'll be damned If I miss this. I know someone who can help you guys, he's the best out there." Parker arched an eyebrow.
"You're seriously going to send him to help? They're not going to like it. He's the exact opposite of you," Parker crossed her arms as Eliot grinned.
"Which will be the amusing thing." Parker chuckled and shrugged. Eliot paused before looking at Parker.
"Unless you feel like moving to Portland…" Eliot trailed off. Parker paused for a moment, a thoughtful look on her face.
"Would you still hire him? I still wanna see how they would deal with them," Eliot grinned and kissed her quickly.
"You are the best Parker," Parker flushed, not familiar with his contact in public, especially in front of the team.
"Who are you talking about?" Nate questioned.
"Well after this, I'm retiring. I may help with little things here and there, but I know the best guy who can y'all. I trust him with my life," Eliot explained. The remaining three members of the team nodded their heads reluctantly and Eliot relaxed into the chair slightly.