AN: sorry this took so long, there was a mini-freakout going on and life got hetic. but here ya'll go, Through Cold Glass is finally finished!

As dawn approached the following day, the nurses and Leverage team hadn't been surprised Parker was still there. Eliot had yet to wake from his head injury but he had been restless and twitchy in his sleep. Nate had arrived at 9am and was now sitting in a chair, opposite the corner which held the thief. Her eyes flickered as he said good morning but she'd been so distant, he wasn't sure how much sunk in.

So now he sat reading a book as his foot tapped against the floor. He hated hospitals and it was taking all of his willpower to stay here. The only reason he didn't have alcohol was Sophie had threatened him. And he didn't doubt she'd follow through this time...

A rough groan startled him and he sat forward. Eliot's head rolled to the side and he mumbled something. "Eliot, can you hear me?" Nate questioned.

It took a few moments for his blue eyes to open slightly. "Mghm..." he murmed, mouth feeling like cotton.

"Ok, hangon." The mastermind brought a cup of water and straw to the hitter's lips and let him cool his throat. He looked at Parker as Eliot took a few breaths and tried to orient himself; but other than a tilt of her head, the thief hadn't noticed. At least not outright. "Parker," he called, still gaining no response.

"Wha's wrong with 'er?" the man in the hospital bed asked. He could sense the worry around their teammate.

"She's uh - just a bit rattled. We were all worried for you."

"'m fine," he mumbled trying to shift. He didn't get far as his headache reawakened.

"Easy, El. You have a nasty concussion."

He ignored Nate for the moment. "Can we..." vaguely gesturing to the corner of the room.

"Oh, yeah, she may feel better if you talk to her. I'll go find a doctor or someone." And with that he was gone.

Very carefully Eliot moved so he was looking in the thief's direction. He was faintly aware that she had found him passed out in his apartment. "Parker," he tried softly.

All she did was look up but not quite at him.

"Parker!" he said more firmly. He'd only seen her like this one other time. Back when they were teens and she had seen him shoot - no! No thinking of that right now. Parker was scared and not like his usual crazy thief. He could kick himself for letting her see him so beat up.

With the order, she jumped to her feet, now looking at him with wide eyes. She tried to say something, yell at him, call him stupid, anything! But couldn't make the words.

Eliot clicked his tongue softly, like he'd done to get her on the helicopter when Sterling arrested Nate. Reaching out for her hand. "C'mon, come here," voice still groggy from medication but he had to ensure she was ok.

Parker shuffled her feet and found the noise of them odd. She was usually so quiet. She knew he was injured and it was because of her. He could've drowned because of her; wouldn't have woken up......

Grabbing for her hand, he frowned when she flinched and whimpered. She rarely ever pulled away from him, much less cowered. What was wrong with his girl? More wrong than usual, that is.

"What's the matter?" he asked again.

It took a few moments and she stayed looking down but his sensitive hearing picked up her words. "It's my fault, I'm sorry."

"It what? Parker. Look. At Me," he stated.

This time she did with watery eyes. Her brain screaming at her not to show weakness but she was tired and needed to know he was going to stay alive."It's my fault! I told her what the con was and you got hit by a car and I told you to get over it! We're the good guys, I'm not a good guy!"

Slightly stronger now, Eliot again reached for Parker's hand and pulled her onto the bed. He bit back a groan as he held her but he had to do this. She needed to know he'd be there; and if he was honest with himself, he needed to feel she was alive.

I finally know just what it means to let someone in
To see the side of me that no one does or ever will
So if your ever lost and find yourself all alone
I'd search forever just to bring you home

Both hitter and thief had abandonment issues. Maybe her moreso. But that's why they distanced themselves. But when we started this thing I knew I could never leave her. In between Parker's mumblings, she looked up at him. "I was - scared. You growled but instead of yelling, you just...you fell. You're Eliot, you don't fall. You don't give up. I knew something was wrong so I called 911...Maybe there's something wrong with me, I always get you hurt."

"STOP right there, darlin'. Now listen to me," he told her. "I should've took off long ago, kept you all from getting mixed up with me. But we're a team now and I can't just back out on that." Eliot tugged the tiny blonde better into his arms. "I don' know what you and me got goin' here, but it's solid. I won't leave you, Parker."

She gasped, sitting up to look in his eyes. The blue eyes of the man who always stood by her - the hitter with a heart - were a little hazy but for once unguarded. Neither person was good with feelings but this felt right. "...But you called me a menace. I almost got you killed!"

"But you didn't. Look, Parker, I was in pain and didn't mean what I said." Yeah, she annoyed him sometimes but most of the time, growling is just a default. He never meant to hurt her."Accidents happen, it was that driver's fault, not yours. You hear me?"

And after a moment of searching each other's faces, Parker nodded slowly and lay her head carefully on his shoulder. He inhaled her scent, the nightmare finally starting to abate. His head was drumming and he was stiff; but he had his thief and they were both alive.

The peace only was slightly broken when a nurse came in followed by the rest of the Leverage team. The hitter growled protectively but that was a good sign. Parker sighed, finally relaxing.

No more cold glass surrounded them, whether it be water, hospital windows, or the walls they'd built around their hearts.

A small smile grace her lips as her Bunny lay tucked between her and Eliot. Hey, it helped her so why not him right?

"Is that my shirt you're wearing?" Eliot mumbled.

THE END!

AN: not sure if I like that ending but I hope it's not too ooc. I hope you all enjoyed this small story.
Thank you.