SO, this is totally my favorite chapter so far. I loved writing angry Parker, and I loved Eliot's reaction. Let me know what you think, is it your favorite so far? I loved, loved, loved writing it.


The sunrise filtered through the window of Eliot's cabin, casting a beam of blinding light over his face. Parker didn't sleep at all, she spent the whole night watching him. He slept peacefully, his head tilted back slightly. She was fascinated with the way his mouth gaped open to some extent, and she loved listening the way he muttered. Her lips curled downward into a pouty frown, a lingering tinge of jealousy ran through her body. She wished she were able to sleep with such ease and comfort. But her nightmares tormented her too much, it was always the same thing. It was always based on the dark events of that night and what could have happened to her and the team. Her eyes clinched shut, hoping she could squeeze the memories away. A shiver ran down her spine, and she ran her hand over her forehead. Her eyes flickered back open, to once again study Eliot, his features contorted slightly.

Eliot groaned and rubbed his eyes, unbeknownst to what was facing him in the early morning sunlight. He ran his fingers though his hair, his eyes still closed. He didn't want to move. Suddenly a strange, eerie tingle ran down his spine. He felt as if he was being watched, little did he know he was. His fist clenched automatically in defense, he would fight if necessary. He opened one blue eye to see the little blonde thief before him. It had to be a dream, didn't it? He groaned once more and his eyes both shot open, a hint of rage jolted his body. "Damn it Parker!" He said in a gruff yet very groggy tone. Sleeping on the couch didn't do him any good. She glared at him, and then pouted, hurt danced over her face.

Eliot sat up straight, his eyes meeting hers. He could tell she wasn't none too happy with him, hell he wasn't even happy with himself. "Parker.." He growled anger seeping through. He shook his head, his neck was stiff, but it was still a feeble attempt to make his point. "You need to leave." His voice cracked, lord knew how much it killed him seeing her so hurt, he knew he was a big source of that hurt. He knew leaving the team was the best for her, but now she was here. By the look on her face, he knew she was shutting down and pushing him out. She was retreating into her shell, and it was always hell to pull her back out of it. Bluish purple streaks laid under her eyes, he had never seen her look so tired and frazzled. His words only wounded the child inside of her.

Parker's ears rang, her head muddled the words he spoke. "I can't leave, I can't let you go." She whispered over and over pulling her knees to her chest. Eliot saw Parker crumbling before his eyes. Her eyes blurred, her voice became stronger, heavier, and definitely angrier. The amount of anger rattled her body. "What did I ever do for you to just walk away and leave me?" Parker's face grew red, she knew she wasn't the only reason he left, but it felt like it. She knew it all became too much for Eliot, but it had been for her too. But she wasn't running away, she wanted to stay where they were and it made her livid. She was the one left on the cold hard ground after all. "You don't think it was hard on me?" She cried out, and tears poured from her eyes. Parker couldn't bear to fathom his reasoning anymore, her shell sucked her in.

Eliot had never seen the petite blonde so angry, so hurt. She was literally breaking with each word she spoke. "Shit." He cursed himself. "Parker." He spoke in a softer tone hoping it would sooth her anger. He cupped his hand on her cheek, but she squirmed away, swatting his hand, and tears flooded her eyes again. "Damn it, Parker." A gruffness returned to his tone, "Do you really think I just wanted to walk out on you guys?" His eyes shined, with pain and rage. He didn't know how to make her understand, it killed him too. He narrowed his eyes and his hand dropped to his side, his fingers curled into a fist. His anger was ready to boil over. Eliot was a hot head, and it always got the best of him. He wasn't even angry with her, he never could be. He was angry at the whole damn situation and what led them to this point.

Parker looked down at her hands they were shaking, it was like a total out of body experience. She didn't feel like herself anymore. The room was spinning. She rocked back and forth as the memories daunted her, everything bad in her life crashed down on her. She'd lost all control of her thoughts at that point. Her past was coming back to bite her in the ass, hard. One of the reasons she had a hard time letting go, was because she was let go of so many times before. She remembered how it felt to be jostled back in forth between foster families and the orphanage. They took her back time and time again, like she was a lost puppy that couldn't be trained. Every time she got even close to being comfortable she was either let go of, or she had to let them go. She was an unwanted mistake, it felt like someone knocked the wind out of her. Her chest heaved and her eyes widened.

Eliot wasn't much for touching, but he couldn't stand the pain wrote all over her face any longer. He slid down off of the couch, kneeling before her. He wrapped his arms around Parker pulling the tiny thief close. "Parker." He whispered once more and his voice cracked, He closed his eyes. "Please come back, please don't let the memories drown you." Much to his relief he felt her arms drape over his shoulders and her fingers curl through her hair. Parker elbowed him hard, she sniffled and sucked in a deep breath. "You prick," she whispered in his ear, and Eliot let out a slight chuckle. When Parker was angry, hurt, or a combination of both, she was like a tornado spinning out of control. With all her fury, she'd leave a path of destruction in her wake. He knew there would be hell to pay when he left. But he never expected that she'd be chasing his dust and they would end up in this moment now.

Parker sniffled again, she had no idea how Eliot pulled her from the darkness in that moment, but he did. He pulled her out of the storm, and into the shelter of his arms. She suffered from breaks before, but this one built harder and heavier than before. Her chest hurt, after that night she knew things had changed for her. She sighed and slipped out of his arms, looking deep into Eliot's eyes. She cupped his face with both of her hands. She knew he had done something he deeply regretted and that was a big part of why he left. She remembered a conversation they had a long time ago. Parker whispered, "What you did, doesn't make you a bad person." She dropped her hands, worried about getting too close. Her emotions were off the wall right now, and she didn't want to screw up. She didn't want Eliot to think she were crazier than he already did.

Eliot softened at the touch of Parker's hands, she looked into his eyes for a good minute before speaking. When she finally did speak, he remembered the words. He had told her the same thing. He knew she wouldn't judge him for his past, but he hated that part of himself. He hated that he wasn't able to look at his hands without picturing the blood that stained them over the years. He was a monster, and Parker didn't even know the half of it. But she still looked at him, eyes wide, "I've done bad things too Eliot." She paused and looked down trying not to sound too naïve, she knew all too well she often did. "We all have."