Title: Boston
Summary: A different take on Eliot's Christmas. Sequel to Havana.
Disclaimer: I don't own Leverage or any of the characters associated with the show. I only claim ownership to the character that I created. Also, no profits are being made off of this story. It's only for your entertainment.
Author's Note: Super short update but I wanted to get it up anyway.
Chapter 11
December 26th
Eliot woke to a light push on his right bicep. He turned to face the digital clock, eyes coming to focus on the green glow of the numbers. 8:26. He had actually slept through the night.
"Eliot," Natalia whispered. He turned over to find her on her stomach facing him, eyes still heavy with sleep. "I think Parker's in the kitchen." He had barely begun to process what she had just said when she added, "Never mind. In the doorway." The hitter propped himself up on an elbow, finding the little thief leaning against the bedroom doorframe, a bowl of cereal cradled in her hands.
"You need more Captain Crunch," Parker shoveled another bite into her mouth. Eliot kept cereal he'd never eat around just for her. Apparently he was running low.
"Dammit Parker," he sat up.
"Morning to you too, Grumpy," she huffed. "Morning Natalia!"
"Morning Parker," Natalia purred, snuggling closer to Eliot in reaction to the cold created when he sat up in bed.
"I told you to quit breaking into my apartment."
"I thought you'd be awake. Are those bite marks?" Parker's eyes widened in wonder. Natalia grinned as Eliot's hand flew to his shoulder in a vain effort to rub the red marks out of his skin.
"What do you want Parker?" Eliot growled.
"I don't think Hardison likes me."
Natalia let out a soft laugh and Eliot slumped against the headboard.
"Apparently we've become a counseling service," Eliot looked down at Natalia who wrapped an arm around his waist and laced a leg through his. Parker furrowed her brow at the statement.
"That's not true Parker," Natalia assured her.
"But he…"
"We know. He was here last night," Eliot raked a hand through is hair.
"What did he say?" She looked like a child there in front of them. Eliot was suddenly very aware that he was in bed without a stitch of clothing on next to a woman he had fucked hours before, who also happened to be naked, in front of someone who might as well be his little sister.
"Just give us a minute Parker. We'll be right out."
The thief didn't budge.
"PARKER."
"Are you naked under there?" She made a move to grab at the comforter, which Eliot promptly flattened over his thighs. Natalia just laughed.
"GO," Eliot's voice rose half an octave as he pointed to the living room.
"Fine," she turned on her heel and headed off toward the living room.
Eliot looked down at Natalia who arched up to kiss him.
"Patience, Love," she whispered before shifting around to slip on some clothes.
Five minutes later Natalia padded into the living room, clad in jeans and a v-neck jersey t-shirt. She immediately headed to the coffee maker as Eliot made his way into the living room in jeans and a fitted dark grey Henley. Parker was perched on the sofa, a pensive look on her face.
"Did I do something wrong?" She trained her big blue eyes on the hitter's.
"No, Parker. Hardison just doesn't think the way you do," he flopped down on the sofa and ran a hand through his hair.
"Is that bad?"
"No, you guys just have to learn to meet each other halfway," Natalia handed Eliot a mug of coffee before snuggling up to his side.
"Did you and Eliot have to do that?"
"Of course. I had to learn that it was okay to trust someone again." Eliot wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I had to learn that touch could be comforting. Eliot had to take the time to figure me out. He put me back together."
"Hardison will come around, but don't rely entirely on him either," Eliot took a sip of coffee. "Pull your weight and you'll be just fine."
Parker set her bowl down on the coffee table and blinked hard a few times.
"It'll work itself out Parker. The fact that he was over here last night proves that he cares about you. He's afraid of doing something wrong. You're only afraid of that when you care," Natalia's fingers toyed with Eliot's hair.
The little thief nodded her head in slow understanding.
"Thanks," she whispered. "When are you leaving?" Parker looked up into Natalia's eyes.
"Tomorrow," she whispered the word like it was something forbidden. Eliot held her a bit tighter. He had known since the night she arrived, but that hadn't made it any easier.
"Will I see you before then?"
"Probably. We could do lunch or something. My flight's not until four."
"I'll tell Hardison then," Parker got up and headed for the door as Natalia and Eliot followed. Just before she stepped out, the thief spun on her heel and hugged her, much to the assassin's surprise. "Thanks again," she whispered.
"Anytime Parker," she smiled.
His phone rang just as Eliot shut the door behind the little blonde. He had left it on the kitchen counter and in two bounds he covered the distance and promptly answered.
"Momma, Sophie wants to know if you want to go shopping."
Natalia sat on the arm of the sofa, "I could use a new pair of shoes."
"She'll be at your place in half an hour."