A/N My muse wandered off for awhile but she's returned for now! Sorry about the lack of updates but hopefully she's here for awhile :)
They made it onto the jet before the news of the explosion hit the airwaves. By the time the police figured out there were other parties involved, they'd be well on their way to Boston. Hardison and Tara were talking to the pilot as Eliot reassured himself that Parker was okay. He was worried about a concussion.
Katie worked to make a makeshift split for Quinn while the others prepared for takeoff. He seemed exhausted and dazed; watching her work like his mind was elsewhere. "Did you know I was an FBI agent?" he said.
Katie studied him for a moment then shook her head. She wondered why he brought that up out of the blue. He'd be drinking heavily since they got on the plane, probably to mask his pain, and it appeared to have loosened him up at least.
"I was pretty young, new to the job, and we guarding this man, this sick twisted fuck who had kidnapped a 10 year old girl and taken her across state lines. But I'm protecting him because he's going to testify against some kiddie porn ring, before he goes into witness protection. I'm there to make sure that no one kills him, right? It made me sick. And I catch him with child pornography…I mean, I literally catch him watching it and you know, something snapped. I mean, I lost it. I beat him so bad another agent had to pull me off him." Quinn rubbed his face and tilted the small airplane bottle of whiskey up, downing it. "They were going to suspend me but I quit. I just packed my shit and went because I couldn't do it anymore. The FBI teaches you how to handle every situation, but no one teaches you how to face yourself in the mirror after protecting scum like that."
"That'd be kind of hard," Katie admitted, still wondering what this was about. "So how'd you end up doing this?"
"I killed him," Quinn said bluntly. "I tracked him down after he testified and shot him in cold blood. I knew enough to not get caught, to cover my tracks, you know? I had to because he'd do it again. 'Course they questioned me but I made sure I had an alibi. Afterwards, I reinvented myself. Hired a crack of a hacker to make sure that all of my records were off the books, created a new identity, and started doing jobs for whoever was willing to pay me." He looked at her, his eyes intense. "But I never went after an innocent man and I never hurt a woman or kid."
Silently, she propped his leg on the seat beside him before sitting on the armrest. "Why are you telling me this Quinn? And it's not exactly true is it? You came after me, you came after Sophie…"
"I came after Eliot," he insisted, in a loud whisper. "I didn't actually hurt you. Do you know why I threatened you so much?" Katie shook her head. "With a man, I don't threaten, I do. If I threaten, it's because I'm not willing to act. I never would have done anything to you or Sophie, no matter how much Blackpoole paid me. I came after Eliot because his past. Katie, you have no idea what he's done."
"Don't start this again," she warned and started to rise. "Every time I start thinking you might not be a total ass…"
"Listen to me Katie," Quinn said, taking her arm gently tugging until she sat back down. "I'm telling you that I came after Eliot because of his past. Because of the man he was, when he worked for…" His voice trailed off, unwilling to say who Eliot had worked for before. Maybe he assumed Katie knew. Or, most likely, he didn't want to be the one to tell her. She could sense that he had a healthy amount of fear for whoever it was. "I went into that warehouse to get the painting and I could have left him there but I didn't. And when he had a chance to leave me, he didn't." He glanced away for a minute taking a deep breath. "I don't like admitting I'm wrong…"
Finally, Katie realized what he was trying to explain. He came after Eliot thinking he was one person and realized along the way he wasn't. She put her hand on his broken leg lightly and he raised his eyes to meet hers. "Thank you for going in after him," she said sincerely. "And for being there during the…you know, with the nurse." She lowered her voice, just in case.
"That's what I'm talking about, Katie." He leaned forward and said quietly, "You and Eliot need to be smart because there are men he used to work with that would do things I'm not willing to do. To you…to Eliot's child…Just don't think that I'm the worst one. And they won't be swayed into changing their mind about him. They won't care. They won't care if you or your child is innocent in all this. It'll be money or revenge."
Katie nodded and Quinn leaned back into his seat. After a moment, she smiled at him and rose. He closed his eyes as he leaned his head against the window. She tried to push his warning out of her mind for now but Eliot watched her closely when she sat down beside him.
"What's wrong? Did Quinn say something…"
"Yeah, he admitted he was wrong about you. Well, he didn't actually say it but he implied it. I don't think he wanted to admit it completely but the alcohol was doing some of the talking for him," she grinned, putting her hand on his leg after she fastened her seatbelt. The pilot announced they were taking off, saving her further explanation.
x0x0x0x
"Take this," Katie said, pushing some Tylenol into Eliot's hand after a few hours of him trying to pretend he wasn't in pain. Reluctantly, he did as she asked. She had been playing nursemaid to him most of the way home so far and he knew as soon as they landed he'd be taken to the hospital whether he wanted to or not. Especially since Parker and Quinn were injured as well. Hardison had already worked up aliases for them.
"Stop worrying. It's not like it's the first time I've broken my arm," he replied, without opening his eyes. He was tired, due to lack of sleep, in addition to the exertion of the last few hours.
"Well…you could have died," she reminded him. "Seriously what were you guys thinking with those explosions? It's bad enough to think the bad guys did that but when I remember you set them, I really want to smack you all. How did you even find explosives?"
"They were inside the warehouse already. We were supposed to be long gone when they went off, obviously," Eliot murmured, dismissively. She had already yelled at Hardison for the whole thing going badly and he really wasn't in the mood to argue with her. With his good arm, he pulled her close. "Shh. Just take a nap with me." Katie sighed and rested her head on his chest.
"I was just scared. I can't lose you."
"I'm not going anywhere," he assured her with a kiss to her forehead. He felt the tension in her body relax and she wrapped her arm around his waist. It had been close, he had to admit. The whole job had gone to hell really quickly but then again, when didn't it? Their plans always seemed to fall apart and they were short a couple of members of the team, including the one who usually made the plans. Luckily their skills allowed them to think on their feet but this time, as much as he was loath to admit it, if Quinn hadn't come in after him, he would have died of smoke inhalation or burned alive.
The other hitter sat across from them, his injured leg propped up in the other seat as he slept. Hardison kept Parker awake until they could have her checked for a concussion and Tara flipped through a magazine. Eliot wondered when they'd get the call about Sophie. They needed to get her back soon. He hoped that she was safe and Blackpoole treated her well. As it was, Eliot wanted to break every bone in the man's body.
"When are you and I going to talk about yesterday? When you and Quinn left?" Eliot asked casually. He wasn't really mad but he didn't like not knowing.
Katie tensed again and was quiet for a few moments. "I have to tell you something," she finally whispered, raising her head to look at him. "But I'm not sure when I should. I want to tell you when this is all over because it's something important. But I don't want the shadow of all this bullshit hanging over it. Still, I feel guilty not telling you now."
Eliot studied her face before saying, "Does it affect the immediate situation?" She shook her head. "And am I going to be mad knowing you didn't tell me sooner?" She hesitated then shrugged.
"I really want to wait for the right moment but I need to know that you'll be understanding as to why I waited. It's nothing bad…at least I don't think so and it has nothing to do with this job or the situation with Quinn, Blackpoole or Sophie…it's about us," she replied and he saw how important it was to her that he let her wait so he nodded. He worried though, despite her reassurance it wasn't anything bad. He wondered if she was going to leave him. She must have noticed the concern in his eyes and smiled gently. "Don't worry. I think you'll be happy."
Eliot nodded and she put her head back down. Of course, he started running through the scenarios in his head. He couldn't stop himself, that's what he did. And he could only come up with one possible solution. "Are you pregnant?" he asked, holding his breath just a little bit.
Katie didn't answer for a moment but he knew she heard him. Finally she raised her head again, tears glistening in her eyes and nodded. "I think so. The nurse at the hotel said I was…I wanted to tell you but you were so stressed and everything and I didn't want to add to that. And I don't even know if you want a baby…"
Eliot stared at her for a long time before he finally remembered to breathe. "But I thought it was impossible."
"Improbable. Apparently they misjudged that." Worry furrowed her brow as she sat up a little bit more. They were both silent for a long time before Eliot finally cupped her chin in his hand, his eyes gentle and loving.
"You're having my baby," he whispered, unable to keep the awe out of his voice. Katie nodded, biting her lip. Eliot pulled her to him and kissed her until she was breathless. To be honest, he felt he could barely breathe himself. Saying he was stunned would be a complete understatement. But it was more than that. He felt so much joy, his chest swelled painfully. He'd never really thought much about having his own child. Things were never the right time, the right situation. Hell - now wasn't the right time. But he didn't care about that at the moment. Kissing her eyes, cheeks then her lips again, he couldn't stop touching her. Finally, caressing her face, he smiled in response to her grin. "I'm not sure the world is ready for a child that's the combination of the two of us. That's going to be one stubborn, hot-headed kid."
Wiping away the tears she laughed and nodded. "But you're happy? I mean, I know its horrible timing and obviously we didn't plan on this. I still don't know how the hell it happened…but it did. So I guess that means it was meant to."
Eliot forgot about everything else going on for a few moments and just held her. The thought of a child stirred something in him that he often forgot remained: the desire to have something solid and stable, to have someone who always came first to him. Being with Katie had awoken those feelings but she was so strong-willed that he often fought his desire to take care of her because he knew she hated it. With the team, he frequently took care of them in ways they never seemed to notice and there was a limit to that as well. But knowing that soon there would be that one person in the world who would need him, depend on him, overwhelmed him with both happiness and fear. Would his past come back to haunt him again and would his child suffer because of it the next time? Some of the men in his past wouldn't think twice about killing a child.
"Please don't do that," Katie whispered, studying him hard. As if she sensed his line of thinking, she pleaded with her eyes to not think of the worst. "I'm scared enough on my own about just having a child. I cannot handle you regretting this. This baby is practically a miracle. I don't want to second guess this."
Eliot nodded, his fingers intertwined in hers, he brought them to his mouth to kiss. "I don't regret anything. I never have with you. I don't know how this is going to work but we will make it work. You and I aren't supposed to work but somehow, we do. So we'll find some way to make this happen. And the thought of a baby, our baby, makes me…" His chest tight, his voice trailed off. Eliot wasn't one to spin his words poetically and know all the right things to say. Katie sensed his happiness and, pulling her fingers from his, put her arms around his neck.
"I love you," she whispered and he heard the happy tears in her voice. "I never thought I cared about kids but the thought of having your child makes me feel all those gushy, silly things that women always talk about with babies." She laughed and squeezed him tighter. Eliot rested his hand on her stomach with a smile.
"Let's not start planning trips to Disney World yet," he grinned but had to admit he felt better than he had in awhile.
x0x0x0x
Sophie's voice over the phone made Eliot breathe a sigh of relief. "You okay?" he asked quickly, cradling the phone to hear her over the jet's engines.
"I've been better. But I'm not hurt. Everyone alright?"
"Little banged up but we'll live. We're in the air now. I assume if you're calling me that Blackpoole wants to set up the exchange."
"Yes…" Her voice warned him that something was off but he had already expected a trap. "So you're headed back to Boston now?"
Eliot paused and thought, clearly aware that she was trying to warn him. "He has people waiting at the airport?"
"Yes, that should be fine," Sophie confirmed.
"We'll figure something out, don't worry," Eliot assured her, rubbing his temple. Of course, Blackpoole would make this more complicated.
Blackpoole had apparently taken the phone from Sophie and asked, "Meet us at your brownstone with the painting at noon tomorrow and we can settle this matter."
Eliot didn't get a chance to answer before the man hung up on him. "Hardison, we need to tell the pilot to land in Worcester Airport instead of Logan.
"You can't exactly change the flight plan while in the air unless there is an emergency." Hardison stood up and came to stand beside Eliot's seat.
"Make up an emergency," Eliot said with an exasperated look. "Otherwise we're going to be ambushed. Say someone needs to be taken to the hospital immediately upon landing. Then find a way to rent a van when we get there."
"You're the boss."
"What are you going to do?" Katie asked, sitting up.
"Quinn, Tara," Eliot called as the gears in his mind were clicking. "After we land, you need to book another private jet to take you to Boston. Or get this one to continue on but we'll need enough time to get there by car before you land. They're expecting us at the airport, but I don't know if Blackpoole knows about Tara and he might think Quinn is dead or bailed on us since he knew eventually Quinn would catch on to the fact he hired a hit man to take him out. If we get to the airport before them, I can come up with a strategy to get Sophie away safely."
"It would make more sense if I went with you," Quinn argued. "Two pronged attack."
"Your leg is broken." Eliot pointed out because he had thought of the same thing originally.
"Yeah, and your arm is broken. We're both less effective but we'd have a better chance of working together than you solo. Keep Katie and Parker here with Tara. Parker can 'negotiate' for the painting if we need them to, while Katie stays on the plane."
Eliot thought about the plan and as much as he hated admitting it, Quinn was right. And Katie would be safer on the jet with Tara than with them anyway.
"I could take the painting to Boston separately," Tara added. "That way if you need a way to delay Blackpoole or just keep him from taking the painting after you get Sophie, I'll keep it safe. But if there is no way to avoid trading the painting for Sophie, then I'll be close by to bring it."
"No offense gorgeous but I don't trust a grafter with a painting worth $250 million." Quinn replied, with a charming smile. "At least Katie's honest."
"Katie is also not a professional and you don't have to trust Tara. I do," Eliot declared in a way that allowed for no argument. "Tara has a good point. Everyone needs to stay in contact with me. Parker, you'll probably not have much radio contact when you're in the air."
"Hey! This is me we're talking about," Hardison snapped before opening his laptop. He typed a few dozen commands then smiled at the thief. "My tech does what it needs to do. Don't worry Mama. You'll just be a whisper away. Just don't go to sleep on the flight until we get your head checked for a concussion."
"I'll know more when we get to Logan airport. Until then, just everyone hangs tight," Eliot said. He sat down in his seat again and put his good arm around Katie. "Don't worry. This is the best situation. Finally, we'll have an upper-hand on Blackpoole."
"If nothing goes wrong…" Katie smirked, then rested her head on his shoulder. "Are you really going to sell the painting? I know it's a lot of money but it belongs to a museum."
"How else do you recommend we pay Quinn and Tara their fees? Besides, it's a lot of money for any of us to walk away from. As long as we get Sophie back safe, I'm fine with selling it. The museum has done fine without it for twelve years. Besides, it loses some of its mystery if it's recovered. And besides, it's an ugly painting."
"I guess you're right. It just seems wrong."
Eliot chuckled and kissed her forehead. "I think you've forgotten, we're all professional criminals except you. We help people but we're still criminals. And the museum already was reimbursed by their insurance. No one actually loses anything except the criminals we stole it from."
"So they'll come looking for it and us?"
"No, they'll come looking for Blackpoole. I 'accidentally' left behind some paperwork in our hotel room that will lead them to think that Ian hired us to acquire the painting. If they didn't end up in jail or die in the fire."
"How could I ever doubt you would leave any loose ends?" Her chuckle made him smile. Tipping her head back, she pulled him down to kiss her. Once again, Eliot was reminded that he now had a home with her, with the team, and now with their child. He had to make sure that Blackpoole didn't destroy his family like he had Nate's. Unlike Nate, Eliot wouldn't drink himself into an early grave. He'd put Blackpoole into the ground after he killed anyone Ian had ever loved. That would be the undoing of him; he'd revert back to a killer and make everyone suffer his wrath. Holding Katie tightly he mentally swore nothing would happen to her or their child.
