I'm sorry for leaving you guys hanging, but this chapter got me hung up, and I'm still not entirely sure about the way I ended it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT! I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

Please remember to review at the end! :)


"Get dressed, Parker." Eliot whispered in the blonde's ear.

She muttered in her sleep, and slowly opened her eyes. She smiled as she looked into the eyes of her hitter.

"Good morning, darlin'." He whispered with a smile.

She stretched and groaned. "Morning." She muttered, smiling.

He chuckled, and stood up. "Get dressed, Parker." He stated, watching her bend her back, showing off her aerobic body.

She smiled, as she finally sat up, and looked up at him. "I thought we had a day off. You know, to sleep in." She replied, moving her hands around in a circle.

Eliot shook his head, and bent down, placing his arms beside her, so he could look into her eyes. "If I get a day with you to myself, then I'm not going to waste it." He whispered, watching her light up. "Besides, we have a long journey today, and we need to get a head start." He replied, with a wink.

Parker brightened considerably. "Ooo, where are we going?" She asked, as she jumped out of bed, causing Eliot to step back.

"It's a surprise, Parker." He replied, placing his hands on her upper arms.

Parker frowned, and tilted her head to the right. "Don't I even get a little hint?" She asked, pushing slightly.

Eliot chuckled, and shook his head. "No, but I will tell you, that you will enjoy it." He replied, touching her face with his right pointer finger.

Parker pouted long enough for him to leave the room to allow her some privacy to change, not that she really cared about that, but he seemed to. With a smile forming on her lips, she pulled Eliot's shirt off, and his borrowed pants, and quickly changed into jeans and a button down shirt.

Walking out of the bedroom, she found a bowl of cereal sitting on the island in the kitchen, ready for her. She smiled at Eliot who was finishing up his coffee, and began to eat her cereal.

After she swallowed her first bite, she narrowed her eyes at him, and cocked her head to the side. "How far are we going today?" She asked, attempting to weigh him down.

He chuckled, as he placed his mug in the sink, and walked over to her. "It's a good ways, Parker, don't worry." He replied, walking towards the bathroom.

She frowned as the door closed. She needed to think of a different tactic to get the information. She knew she should let it be a surprise, but she loved nagging Eliot at times, and somehow he knew it.

Finishing up her cereal, she rinsed out her bowl, and placed it in the sink. With a sly smile, she turned, and made her ways to the bathroom. Listening carefully, she heard him rinsing out his mouth, and she smiled, as she opened the door, widely.

Eliot jumped slightly, and wheeled around with his toothbrush in his right hand, holding it like a dagger, ready to stab an intruder.

He relaxed when he saw Parker holding the doorknob with a smile on her face.

"Careful with that." She replied, with a giggle, pointing to the toothbrush. "You could brush someone's teeth." She added with a small laugh.

He sighed, as he placed the brush in the holder, and turned back to her, as he wiped his mouth with a towel.

"Damn it, Parker." He muttered, shaking his head.

"Where are we going?" She asked, with a smile.

Eliot narrowed his eyes. "That's why you barged in here." He stated, sighing. "Parker, do you realize that I could have hurt you or killed you?" He asked, pointing the toothbrush.

Parker tilted her head. "Eliot, that's a toothbrush. What would you have killed? A cavity?" She asked, with a smile.

Eliot shook his head. "Parker, there are at least five ways to kill or injury a person with a toothbrush." He stated, with a tense tone.

Parker's eyes widened as his words sunk in. "I'm sorry." She whispered, in a low childlike voice.

Eliot sighed, and stepped towards her. "Awe, honey, I'm sorry." He whispered, pulling her into his embrace. "I should've known it would be you." He added, relaxing as she wound her arms around his waist. "I'm just not used to someone here." He replied, softly.

Parker nodded. "I promise not to barge in on you when you're brushing your teeth." She said in a firm tone.

He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "And I promise not to surprise you anymore." He replied, thinking of the reason this happened.

She jerked in his arms, and looked up into his eyes. "NO!" She shouted, causing him to jerk his head back. She bit her bottom lip nervously. "I love surprises. I just love trying to figure out what they are." She added, a bit calmer.

He smiled, and nodded. "I see." He whispered, searching her eyes.

Parker smiled and shrugged. "When can we leave?" She asked, after a moment.

Eliot kissed her forehead gently, and dropped his arms. "As soon as you can be ready." He replied, with a smile.

Parker nodded, and wheeled around. "I'll be in five minutes." She stated, running into the bedroom.

He chuckled as she went.

She was ready in three.

~X~

She looked out of the window of his pickup truck, and smiled as the trees passed by. It seemed so peaceful out here. The trip had been very pleasant itself. They had laughed and sung along with the radio. Well, mainly Eliot sang. Parker had told him how much she loved his voice, and it ended up with him singing mostly, much to her delight.

"Are we almost there?" She asked, with a smile, turning her head to look at him.

Eliot smirked and glanced at her. "Yes, just a few more miles." He answered with a wink.

Parker giggled, and squirmed in her seat. "Will I like it?" She asked, clapping her hands together.

Eliot chuckled. "I think you will." He stated, as he turned the wheel.

Parker watched as they turned down on a dirt road. Her excitement was barely being contained, as she continued to move around on her seat.

He shook his head at her antics. "All right, Parker," He began, stopping in the middle of the dirt road. She turned her head curiously, and narrowed her eyes. "I want you to close your eyes, and promise me you won't peak." He stated, pointing his right pointer finger at her.

She frowned, and turned her mouth upwards. "Eliot…" She began, but stopped when he shook his head.

"Just do it, please, Parker, the sun's about to set." He stated, glancing towards the sky.

Parker sighed, and looked out the window. They had been having a good time just riding, she had lost track of the time. With a small sigh, she finally nodded at Eliot, and closed her eyes.

Eliot smiled at her compliant action, and continued to drive just a few more minutes down the road. Parker sighed in aggravation, for patience was never her strong suit.

She felt the truck stop, and head the engine switched off. "Now can I open my eyes?" She asked, with a slight frustrating tone.

Eliot smirked. "Not yet, Parker." He stated, opening his door.

"Where are you going?" She asked, panicking slightly.

"I'm not going anywhere, darlin'." He stated, softly. "I just opened my door, now I want you to slide across the seat to me." He added, lifting his arms towards her. "Keep them eyes closed, though." He added, sternly.

Parker sighed and nodded, as she began to slide across the seat towards him. She felt warm as she felt his hands touch her back and her left arm, and helped her get out of the truck.

"Now, can I open them?" She asked, anticipation getting the better of her.

Eliot chuckled as he led her to his destination. He stopped and smiled as he positioned her the way she needed to be, and slowly tilted her head upwards.

"Okay, now you can open them." He whispered, watched her eyes slowly opened and blinked a few times to get adjusted.

Her eyes widened as she took in the sight above her. One by one, the stars began to fill the night sky. That wasn't all. She could actually see tons of them! Her hands reached up to cover her mouth and she let out a small gasp as she began to turn around slowly, trying to drink in the sight.

"They are so beautiful, no much better than the ride at the carnival." She whispered, as she turned around and around.

Eliot smiled at her playful turns, with the light of the full moon shown on her face, bringing out her beauty even more.

"Not half as beautiful as you." He whispered, though he wasn't sure she had heard, until she stopped and looked at him.

"Why did you bring me out here?" She asked, stepping towards him.

He took a deep breathe, and shrugged. "You asked to see the stars in the country, and I always keep my promises." He stated, looking at her softly.

She smiled, and closed the distance between them. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, and solemnly searched his eyes. "Did you mean what you just said?" She asked in a whisper.

He nodded, and watched her eyes lit up.

"Well, you know what, cowboy?" She asked, tilting her head.

He chuckled at the reference. "What?" He asked, humoring her.

She smiled at his question and a mischievous gleam entered her eyes. "Do you know what would make this surprise really terrific?" She asked, continuing with her little game.

He rolled his eyes at her smile, but couldn't help the smile on his face. "What would that be?" He asked, gruffly.

She smiled wider. "A kiss under these beautiful stars." She whispered, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Eliot couldn't help the chuckle in his throat, as he nodded. "Well, then, little darlin'," He whispered, lowering his head slightly to meet hers.

Parker giggled lightly as his lips closed the distance, and finally landed on hers, softly. She sighed as his arms encircled her waist, and pulled her to his body, as his mouth gently caressed hers, though slightly tempting her to go further.

Her hands moved up into his long hair, and clung tightly to him.

Slowly they pulled apart, and Parker smiled as her forehead touched his.

"Thank you." She whispered, as she took small breathes.

He smiled. "Anytime." He whispered, pulling back slightly.

Parker smiled. "How long can we stay here?" She asked, looking around her.

He pulled completely back, and smiled. "How long do you want to stay?" He asked, watching her lift her face to the sky.

She opened her arms wide, and began to turn. She stopped after a few turns, and looked at him. "All night." She answered, biting her bottom lip.

Eliot nodded, and glanced up at the blanket of stars. "Well, then, I'll go and get the blankets." He replied, turning on his heel.

Parker tilted her head. "You knew?" She asked, as he opened the truck door.

He smiled and nodded. "I figured you would want to stay at least for a few hours." He replied, pulling out a few bags, and a case.

She smiled as she recognized the guitar case. He brought his guitar. "Why did you bring it?" She asked, motioning to the case.

He glanced down at his right hand, and shrugged. "We couldn't camp without music." He answered with a wink.

She nodded emphatically, and waited until he pulled a blanket out of one of the bags, and laid it on the ground.

"Ladies first." He whispered, motioning to the blanket.

She lifted her shoulders, and plopped down on the ground in an unladylike manner. "Did you bring food?" She asked, as he settled down beside her.

He shook his head at her question, and lifted the second bag. "I brought some sandwiches I made before we left and a few bottles of water, and a few chocolate bars, which you will get later." He stated pointing his finger at her.

She pouted slightly, but knew his assertion was for the best. She smiled as she moved towards him as he settled down. She laid her head on his shoulder, and sighed as he grasped her hands in his.

They didn't make a sound as they listened to the crickets begin to chirp, and a soft cry of a night bird chirped in the distance.

"It's so quiet out here." She whispered after a moment, lifting her head from his shoulder.

He nodded. "That's why it's the country." He whispered, softly.

Parker nodded. "I like it." She stated, firmly.

He chuckled. "I didn't think you would like it too much." He said, glancing at her.

She tilted her head. "Why?" She asked, watching him.

He shrugged at her question. "You are mostly a city girl. I mean…" He began, pausing when he caught the look on her face. "What?" He asked when she began to look down at her hands.

"I used to live in the country when I was younger." She whispered, in a broken tone.

Eliot tilted his head. "Oh," He whispered, moving his eyes up and down.

She nodded. "I didn't live there long, but I remember I loved it." She answered lowly.

Eliot smiled at her answer. "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl." He whispered, with a nod.

She narrowed her eyes curiously. "What does that mean?" She asked, watching him.

"It means that no matter where you go in life, the country never leaves you, if you want it." He answered, leaning towards her.

She smiled and leaned forward. "I want it." She whispered, looking into his eyes. "I love the silence, the peace." She began with a shrug of her shoulders. "And I also love the freedom." She added with a smile. "In the city, there are so many rules to follow, but out here there are hardly any rules." She concluded, looking around her.

Eliot nodded in understanding, and lifted his right hand to her face, to softly caress her cheek. "You always continue to surprise me, Parker." He whispered, searching her eyes.

She smiled, and tilted her head. "How do I do that?" She asked, watching him.

"Just by being you." He whispered, leaning forward, and softly kissed her lips.

She sighed when he pulled back, and felt her body heat up at the soft gaze she found when she opened her eyes. She smiled at the gaze, and lowered her gaze.

"Will you play?" She asked, in a childlike voice.

Eliot smiled, and turned to the guitar sitting on top of its case next to him. Picking it up, he turned to her, and began to tune it. He played a few strings, and adjusted the tune.

Parker watched his fingers play over the strings with such elegance and tenderness, she became entranced. His fingers ran over the strings like she imagined they could run over her. He made her come alive with a single touch, more alive than she had ever been, and just as he brought her alive, he made her feel beautiful, just like he was doing to the guitar.

That was his gift. He could make anything feel or seem beautiful. She knew he brought out death or he used too, but bringing out beauty from something that could be destructive. She closed her eyes as she listened to him bring the instrument alive with chords and the melody, from which was a slow steady rhythm.

She opened her eyes and smiled as she caught his. He had been watching her as her face filled with such peace as he played.

As he played he began to sing about a girl who used to play with a light heart and had a carefree spirit. Parker began to lose herself in the lyrics. She found herself in the song. The woman he was singing about was her.

His eyes never left hers as he made it to the chorus. "I taught you lessons about freedom strapped the bucket of a 455. I lit your hair on fire raising ten miles flats where American metal cries. Oh, we were waitin' and wishin' on pink slips and kisses at the end of the line. When you rat-a-tat on the glass and you screamed. I'm alive." He sang in a deep voice, and with eyes that never left hers.

Her heart soaked up the rest of the song and she felt tears fill her eyes as his rich baritone filled with tenderness filled her being.

Eliot watched as Parker's eyes fill with tears and joy fill her face. He couldn't help, but feel a warm sensation run through his body at the sight. He ended the song, and with silent movements, he laid the guitar on the ground, without taking his eyes from her. Just as he laid the guitar on the ground, Parker leapt into his lap, and hugged him with all her might, sending them both to the ground from the impact of her jump.

Eliot's arms wrapped around her, and held her close to him. She lifted her face to look down at him, and the tears fell from her eyes from the emotion she felt. Leaning down, she kissed with all the passion she felt in her body, and he returned it with equal fervor.

Gently rolling them over, Eliot never pulled his mouth from hers. After a moment, he pulled up and gazed down at her face.

Parker bit her lip at his intense stare, and lowered her gaze as her hands rested on his chest, while he continued to stare down at her. "Is it too soon?" She whispered, with slight hesitation.

"Too soon for what?" He asked, watching her lift her gaze to his.

"To say, I love you." She whispered with soft urgency.

Eliot lifted his head higher as her words began to sink in. "Parker…" He trailed off, joy beginning to shine in his eyes.

Parker smiled and bit her lip. "Was it?" She asked, still a little unsure.

Eliot smiled as he shook his head. "No, because I love you too." He whispered, watching her carefully.

Parker let out a small laugh and wrapped her arms around him once more.

They held each other as the night became darker, and neither moved to take things further. On the contrary, they knew they needed time to get that far. Just admitting their feelings was a step in itself, and they were perfectly content with it.

Parker smiled as her head lay on Eliot's right shoulder as he pulled the other blanket up their bodies. She laid her left hand on his chest, and sighed as she looked up at the stars above them.

"Eliot" She whispered, as the silence dragged on.

He opened his eyes slightly, and smiled. "Hmm." He whispered in return.

"Will you promise me something?" She asked, softly.

"What, Parker?" He asked, gently.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "That no matter what happens; you'll always come back to me." She whispered in a quiet tone.

Eliot lifted his right hand, and tilted her face up as he shifted his head to look at her. "Parker, I can't promise that." He whispered his voice deep.

Parker nodded in understanding and bit her bottom lip. "Can you at least promise me that you will try?" She asked, vulnerability showing in her eyes.

Eliot sighed as his hand caressed her face, and he nodded. "I promise." He whispered, with a strong tone.

Parker smiled and nodded. Moving her head to his shoulder once more, she felt content.

As the silence dragged on once more, she sighed. "Thank you for the song." She whispered, not knowing if he was asleep.

"Anytime, darlin'." He whispered, holding her close.

She smiled as she finally drifted off to sleep. Her dreams filled with Eliot, stars, and songs.


What did you think? I hope you enjoyed it! PLEASE NO HARSH COMMENTS!

I'm currently working on finishing up this story, so I ask that you all be patient with me. It should be finished real soon.

The song mentioned in here is by Christian Kane, in case you didn't know, it's entitled Let's Take A Drive. You can find it on youtube if you don't know it.

Until Next Time...