A/N – So apparently this is going to be longer than I thought, lol. I hope you all stick around for the ride. And bear in mind, a "long" story for me means maybe 3 more chapters at the most. I have no patience for more. And I update quick, so bear with me,  Hope you like this chapter! And yes, the title is shamelessly stolen from a Christian Kane song.

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CH 3 – Let's Take a Drive

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Hardison's car was exactly what Eliot had imagined, black and sleek and shiny and more technologically advanced than he was sure was necessary, but it fit the Hardison he remembered to a t, and he was glad to know at least one thing hadn't changed. Laughing to himself, Eliot settled into the passenger seat, admitting the car was as comfortable as it was flashy.

Parker hadn't minded staying home with Lainey, though she made Hardison promise to steal something from the prop supply, just for old time's sake. Hardison had agreed without hesitation and Eliot wondered if the man would ever stop loving her as much as he did. He hoped not.

"Drive's about an hour," Hardison explained as they got out onto the road, "Maybe forty-five minutes if we don't hit too much traffic."

Eliot snorted, "L.A."

"True," Hardison conceded. They were sure to hit traffic.

The first few minutes of the ride went by in peaceful silence, both men lost in thought. After a few minutes, Eliot switched on the radio, settling on a classic rock station. Hardison cast him a sideways glance, but said nothing, instead surprising Eliot by humming along to "More Than A Feeling" by Boston. The incredulous look Eliot gave him was reward enough for losing control of the radio.

Around minute 27, Hardison gave in and clicked the radio off before rambling out the thoughts that had been building since he'd seen Eliot again. "What happened, man? I mean, why are you here? What do you do now? Why'd the hell you come to California, of all places? What have you been doing for the past five years? When'd you cut your hair?" he took a deep breath before practically whispering the last question, "why didn't you call?"

Eliot smiled fleetingly, amused and annoyed that Hardison still had the habit of speaking in run on sentences. "I told you why I quit. And now, I don't really do anything, job wise. I have enough money, still. I've had enough since the first job."

"Well, I am damn good," Hardison couldn't help but interrupt.

Eliot cuffed him quickly upside the head before responding, "The best. And so humble, too." Hardison rubbed his head instinctively, though Eliot hadn't even hurt him.

"Anyway," Eliot continued with his story, "The past five years. I did what I used to, before the team. Sought. Found. Retrieved. Got Paid. The end. Over and over. Different places, different people, but it was all the same. Jerk offs backstabbing other jerk offs, and all the shit that goes with it. I got sick of it. And then like I told you, after Nate died, I stopped trying to be who I was before. "

Hardison nodded, silent. Eliot sensed the next question before Hardison could speak, "Cut the hair about a year ago, when I stopped moving so much."

"Stopped running," Hardison's comment held no question. Eliot just nodded before continuing.

"I ended up here by accident. There was this girl, I.."

"Ha! I knew it was a girl! I told Parker, "girl, I bet he followed some long legged blonde to L.A., and moved to the suburbs once she kicked him to the curb after she got her big acting break," Hardison interrupted again, gleefully.

Eliot scowled, "She wasn't an actress. She's a model."

"Bet she's blonde though."

"Shut up."

Hardison just laughed before waving Eliot on. Eliot rolled his eyes but went on, "Yeah, so after that went up in smoke... I ended up here. It wasn't going to be for more than a few weeks, but I don't know, I just ended up staying. Didn't think I'd run into you."

"Tell me about it," Hardison agreed, shaking his head with the still somewhat disbelief.

They rode again in silence, until Hardison pulled up to Sophie's apartment building. Eliot eyed the building warily, nerves bundling inside him, a fear he wouldn't admit to.

"I was afraid," he growled out the words, sounding as if it caused him physical pain to say them.

Hardison look over at him, confused, "What?"

Eliot sighed, "I was afraid," he repeated, slightly less growly, "That's why I didn't call."

Hardison nodded, understanding, "We all were."

Eliot gave a curt nod before ambling out of the car before he could change his mind. Sending a quick prayer for help to his Nana, Hardison locked the car and followed the former hitter into the building.

TBC