Alicia was at the brew pub waiting. Winnie made her tea and had an assortment of scones she had just baked on the counter.

Eliot and Hardison came in and escorted her to the conference room. Alicia's mother was improving her condition was upgraded to fair, although she would need some time in rehab. She heard about Parker and was distressed about this turn in events. They assured her she was fine and downplayed the seriousness of her injuries for her sake.

Hardison gave her the news, and presented her with a check for more than the amount Paul Harris had stolen. "It will help with her rehab." He smiled. Alicia hugged both men as she left, unable to thank them enough for their help.

"Just keep in touch, let us know how your mom is doing, ok?" Eliot instructed as he escorted her to her car.

Winnie offered them each a cup of tea. Eliot sampled her scones. "These are great I hope you will share your recipe." "Of course my dear." She replied. "How is Parker?"

"She's stabilized, she needs a lot of rest so we couldn't stay long." Hardison explained. "We'll stop by again later tonight, so you can come." He was thoroughly enjoying his third scone.

Eliot was about to leave when Chloe came in. "Hey babe just got off my shift," she kissed him on the lips.

"Hey." He replied. She proudly reported that Parker was doing much better and was more awake and asking about them. They gave a collective sigh of relief, thanking God and the stars for her improving condition.

"Are you going home, sweetie?" she addressed Eliot.

"Yeah, I thought I would try to get some sleep, before I go back to the hospital, it's been a long night and I am exhausted."

"Mind if I come with you? I promise I won't distract you," she said in a seductive voice. He looked at Winnie. She had an annoyed look on her face.

"What's wrong?" Chloe asked.

"Nothing, just tired that's all. He pulled her close to him as they walked out. She followed him back to his house, he sat on the sofa and closed his eyes, hoping that Chloe would not ask him any questions, but to no avail. "So are you going to tell me what happened last night?"

"It's complicated, I don't want to talk about it."

"Yeah, your damned right it's complicated, my boyfriend comes into the E.R. blood all over his shirt, his friend shot in the stomach for no reason?"

"Chloe, I can't go into detail, Winnie got involved with a bad guy, she called us saying she was in trouble and we went to her place to try to help her. He threatened her, we tried to protect her, his partner pulled a gun and aimed at me but shot Parker instead."

"I don't like that woman, in the short time she has been here she has caused too much trouble. You could have been killed, why did you risk your lives like that? You guys are not the police, you should have let the authorities know." She argued.

"I know babe, I'm sorry. Please let's not fight."

"Promise me that you will never pull another crazy stunt like that again." "I promise." He lied.

He headed for the shower the, hot water soothing his aching joints. The shower door opened. "What are you doing?" he turned to face her.

"Just trying to help you relax, Chloe pressed her body to his the water swirling around them. She kissed him slowly, he returned going deeper into her mouth, then released her kissing her neck. "Parker," he whispered. She suddenly pulled back.

"Parker!"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I just have her on my mind. That's all. Come here," he pulled her back and began caressing her body his lips trying to catch hers, but the moment was gone, she left him to finish his shower.

He toweled off, pulled on a pair of lounge pants. She had her clothes back on and her hair pulled back, he stretched out on the bed motioning her to join him "I'm sorry sweetheart" he said. "I guess I'm still in shock."

"Is that all it is?" she asked suspiciously.

"Come here." He grabbed her and held her close kissing her on the forehead, her nose and then her lips. She molded herself to his body wanting more, but he fell fast asleep.

She sighed, laid beside him watched as he slept, running her fingers over his bare, well-toned chest. She watched, as his breathing got deeper and more relaxed and wondered about this man she let into her life.