Sophie was the first one through the ER doors followed closely by Nate and Hardison. She wasn't hardly dressed but in jeans, Nate's sweatshirt, and a pair of boots. She wasn't expecting any troubles with the two lovebirds but when Hardison came screaming into the apartment yelling for them to get dressed she knew something was very wrong. They made it to the hospital in record time and found Eliot slumped forward in his chair with his elbows on his knees and hands in his hair. Sophie's heart stopped and she stopped walking making Nate slam into her back. He had been scanning the waiting room and didn't realize that Sophie had stopped. Making an "oof" noise when he ran into her made Eliot look up at them. Nate had seen that face before. It was when he looked in the mirror just before Sam died. Hardison stepped around the pair and walked straight over to Eliot, crouching down in front of him.
"Man, what happened? How is she? Where is she? I mean she seemed fine-," Hardison was cut off by Nate who joined them with Sophie by his side.
"Eliot, where is Parker?" Nate looked his hitter in the eyes. Nate's stomach dropped when Eliot couldn't look him in the eye. Sophie tried another approach, kneeling down next to Hardison and placed a gentle hand on his arm.
"Eliot, darling, what happened?" Eliot finally connected the dots and was able to form words.
"I attacked her." he whispered.
"You WHAT?!" All three shouted at the same time and began yelling at him at the same time.
"Parker's family. I'm looking for Mr. Wolfe." a voice came from behind them. It was the same doctor from earlier in the day. Eliot jumped out of his chair and strode over to the doctor with the other three in tow. "Follow me please." The doctor led them to a room where the door was open but the curtain was pulled across. He turned to look the four familiar strangers and spoke. "Parker is resting comfortably now. We got the swelling down but now I'm going to have to insist that she remain here. At least over night. Now, what happened?"
Eliot looked down at the floor. "I startled her and she started having trouble breathing again."
"So how do you explain the bruises on her neck?" the doctor eyed Eliot suspiciously.
"She grabbed her neck really hard before I could stop her from doing any damage. She's a rock climber so strong hands." Eliot lied smoothly to the doctor. She didn't seem to believe it but accepted the explanation. "Is she awake?"
"Yes, but only one at a time to see her for now. We're about to move her upstairs. Just one more question, I thought your last name was Spencer, not Wolfe?"
"Oh it's Spencer-Wolfe." Eliot lied again turning and going into Parker's room. Eliot could hear the other three chatting with the doctor but didn't care. All he wanted was to see his Parker. Screw everyone else, she had stolen his guarded heart and now he knew. There was no doubt that there was something there even though he's nearly killed her twice in a matter of a few hours.
Parker could hear Eliot's voice from the other side of the curtain. Her heartbeat accelerated on the monitor and her tummy did flippity-flops. It was weird but Eliot held her hand and made her smile in a way she never has before. She didn't mind when Eliot touched her and had his arm around her. She wasn't even mad at what had happened but knew he'd never forgive himself. She could feel the bruises from his strong hands starting to form on her neck. When she heard the stomp of his boots, she pulled the sheet up around her neck so that he wouldn't see them.
Eliot stepped around the curtain and saw Parker shift, trying to cover the bruises he left on her neck. The sight of her petite frame shifting under his gaze trying to hide what he had done damn near broke his heart. He wanted to reach out to her and fix the damage he had done but didn't know how or where to start. They both stared at each other for a few minutes, Parker finally relenting and putting her head back on the bed letting out an exhausted sigh. She just wanted to go home and for Eliot to say something.
"Parker, I,…" he whispered. He ran his hand through his hair, a tormented look on his face. "Parker, I don't, I, I don't know what to say except I'm so sorry."
"No Eliot," she croaked taking a deep breath, "it's not your fault, again. It's mine. I shouldn't have snuck up behind you. Whoa," her head lolled to the side, "too many words." The machine above her head started dinging. Her pulse ox was falling. Eliot reached behind her and turned the oxygen up on the tubing connected to her nose. After a few breaths, it went back up. Relieved, Eliot sat down beside her on the bed. She had taken his hand while he was adjusting her oxygen and pulled him into her. "Eliot, this is not your fault." He wouldn't even look at her. She squeezed his hand trying to get his attention and when he finally did look at her, she saw why. His gorgeous ocean blues where glassed over with tears threatening to fall.
"I could have killed you. I almost did." he clenched his jaw. "Parker, I never would have forgiven myself. The monster in me took over and I couldn't myself in time. I've never had anyone at my place before. Well never in the kitchen anyway. Darlin'-" she was reaching towards his face to smooth his expression of sorrow when he heard footsteps and the curtain move.
Sophie, Nate, and Hardison couldn't wait anymore and barged into the room and saw something unexpected. Parker was comforting Eliot. Immediately Parker squirmed all embarrassed and Eliot turned to face the team. He noticed them all staring at her neck and the purpling bruises and then death grip she had on his hand. Hardison and Nate clenched their jaws and puffing out their chests while Sophie looked horrified and tears swam in her vision.
"Oh Parker darling, are you alright?" Sophie walked over to Parker resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm ok." Parker smiled but looked absolutely exhausted. Sophie looked to Eliot and back at Parker then at their linked hands. Sophie was going to say more but a man built like Eliot knocked on the door. "Hi Dyson." Parker smiled.
"Ma'am," he tipped his head towards Parker, "Mr. Wolfe, you left your phone behind, I thought you might need it." Eliot took the phone from his doorman and thanked him. "Is there anything else I can do for you Mr. Wolfe?"
"Yes Dyson, they will be moving her shortly to her room. Stay and be another set of eyes. Like before." Eliot asked cryptically. Dyson nodded once and left the room, taking up position outside her room. Everyone watched Dyson leave and then to Eliot and back again. Eliot just shrugged his shoulders and stiffened as the doctor walked in.
"Alright Parker, time to go upstairs. Everyone, please follow us." Eliot went to let go of Parker's hand but she refused to let it go. He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles soothing her and walked along side the stretcher and out the door. They trooped upstairs with Dyson following behind them seemingly standing guard over the crew. In his mind, he went back to the time before his job as a doorman for a secure building. The time he really never wanted to visit again but did daily when Mr. Wolfe was in his presence. He never intended on meeting another hitter ever again, choosing to fade into the background permanently but then it all came screaming back at him. This odd team. Mr. Wolfe and Miss Parker's whatever was going on between them brought out that protective side in him he though he had lost. He had no idea how Mr. Wolfe knew or even when he figured out but that didn't matter anymore. He had been asked to watch over the thing Mr. Wolfe held dearest and that's what Dyson intended on doing.
