I DO NOT OWN LEVERAGE.

So this is chapter 25, you guys! Thank you for reading, for putting my story as your fave, for following my story and for the AWESOME reviews! It really means A LOT to me. :) Love you loads, you guys.I hope you like this chap. :)

To Saides: Thank you for the review! Yes, hot! :)

To guest: Thank you for the review and for the compliment! :) I am glad u enjoy reading my stories. :)

PLEASE review! The MORE reviews, the faster I update. Reviews inspire me and make my day!

Eliot. Parker. The hitter. The thief.

Parker woke up and felt an arm around her waist. A very, very warm arm. She opened one eye first and then the other. She shifted a bit, making that warm arm around her tighten around her.

She smiled lazily and turned to look at the man who was possessively holding her. Eliot. His eyes were closed, so she took the opportunity to observe him. Her eyes lingered on his lips for a long time, thinking about what those could do to her body and mind. And heart. She took in the rest of the features of his handsome face. He was indeed very, very handsome. Not the model type, but the manly and ruggedly type that could make women's heart skip a beat with just one single look.

Parker shifted again, lying on her stomach with her eyes closed and rested her head on his chest. He let go of her, but after a couple of moments he held her again.

"Mornin', darlin'." He whispered.

"Good morning, Eliot." She answered.

She opened her eyes and looked at him again. There was a dark lock of hair covering his face, so she brushed it off of his forehead.

"Why are you so quiet? What are you doing, baby?" he asked, with his eyes still closed.

She smiled and said."Admiring you."

He opened his eyes and lifted an eyebrow. "What is there to admire?"

She sighed contently and stated."A lot!"

"Like…?" he asked.

"For example, that scar on your lip." She said and kissed it.

He chuckled, but she cut off his laugh by pressing her lips onto his. First softly, but then hard.

At one point, Parker's hands began to wonder. Touching every part of his skin that she could reach.

Eliot just flipped her over, making Parker yelp and giggle. And just as he was about to kiss her again, Eliot's phone rang. He groaned and Parker said.

"Don't pick up."

Eliot smirked wickedly and leaned into her, ignoring the call. His phone stopped ringing, but then Parker's phone began to ring.

"Damn it. I bet its Nate or Sophie." He muttered.

Parker rolled her eyes and knew that she had to pick it up, because their teammates will continue calling till she or Eliot picked up.

She grabbed her phone and took the call, while Eliot got out of bed and went to the bathroom. After a couple of minutes, Parker also went to the bathroom. Eliot was busy showering, so she decided to join him. She stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, while he washed his hair.

Pulling him closer, she brought her lips to his right ear and whispered." Hmmm, you smell so good."

He chuckled and asked."What does Nate want?"

She closed her eyes and nibbled on his earlobe." He wants the info that we retrieved last evening." She whispered.

Eliot had a hard time to think clearly, because of all the nibbling Parker was doing. But he miraculously managed to answer her. "Okay, then we better hurry. You know how he gets." He stated, while a current went through his spine.

"No. Not yet." she said and kissed the back of his neck.

Eliot growled and closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her warm tongue on his skin.

"Parker, please don't. We don't have the time, honey." He pleaded, breathing hard.

"Yes, I will continue this. Even if I have to force you." She said seductively.

Eliot was slowly losing control, but he tried once more."Baby, please don't." he begged. His mind was slowly going to dirty and lustful places.

"Okay, I will make you a deal." She said self assured.

"I am listening." He breathed.

"I won't force you to make love to me here and now, but only if…" she teased.

"Uhum? Only if I…?" he impatiently asked.

"If you promise to take me on a date. But I want a real date with flowers and all the other stuff." She demanded.

With one swift move, he lightly grabbed her and pushed her softly against the shower wall. While placing both her hands on the wall and above her head, he pressed his wet body hard against hers and brought his lips to her ear.

"Okay, it's a deal then. I will take you on a real date." He whispered, making her knees turn into jelly. He was turning her on, but one second later he let go of her.

She was breathing hard and leaned on the wall.

"You don't play fair, Eliot." She accused, while admiring his wet, naked body.

Eliot smiled wickedly and said." Neither do you, darlin'." He answered, making Parker roll her eyes.

At the moment, they were on their way to Nate's apartment with the information he wanted. Eliot was driving, giving Parker the chance to admire him again.

He sighed deeply and said." I still owe you an explanation, darlin'. You know, about what I had been doing those 4 weeks."

Parker nodded and said."Yes, wanna tell me now?"

He shook his head and said." No, not now." Later, okay?"

"Okay." She said softly.

She was a bit scared to hear his explanation. What if it was something really, really bad? She shook that thought off and told herself that it didn't matter what he had done. She loves him and he loves her. He was back and that was the most important thing. But she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that crept on her.

'No, maybe it wasn't that bad. Maybe it was something good?' She thought.

But she was taken out of her thoughts by the car stopping. They arrived at Nate's and walked into the apartment. They all greeted Eliot and were so glad to see him. Parker gave Nate the info and sat next to Eliot on the couch. Eliot asked what they had been doing, while he was away. So Nate and the others told him. Parker quietly listened and instinctively grabbed his hand at one point. Eliot automatically intertwined their fingers without looking at her, making Sophie and Quinn smile internally.

Hardison also saw it and ignored the sweet gesture.

"Eliot, I missed your food. Will you cook lunch for us?" Sophie asked with a smile on her face.

Eliot rolled his eyes and answered." Okay, only because you asked nicely."

"I will help!" Parker said and jumped up, startling the others.

Parker grabbed Eliot by his hands and dragged him into the kitchen. They prepared lunch together, while the others waited patiently for them. Nate went to get a drink, while Hardison played a videogame on his computer. And Sophie had a conversation with Quinn.

They had a nice lunch; they talked about everything except about the time that Eliot was away. At the moment, the men were busy discussing their next job. Sophie and Parker were in the kitchen, drinking some tea.

Sophie was observing Parker, while she sipped on her tea. Parker looked up and asked." What's the matter? Something on my face, Soph?"

Sophie smiled and said." No, your face looks perfect."

"Then why are you eying me like that?" she asked.

"I am just curious, that's all. Did he tell you what he did, while he was away?" she asked.

"No, Soph. Not yet." She answered.

Parker was annoyed by Sophie being all in her business, so she decided to change the subject.

"I have something exciting to tell you. Wanna hear it?" she said.

"Okay. What is it?" Sophie asked. She knew that Parker purposely changed the subject, so she played along. Sophie was still curious, but decided to give Parker a break.

"I have a hot date, tonight." She answered.

Sophie smiled and teased." With who?"

"Duh, with Eliot of course!" she answered, while frowning. Parker didn't understand why Sophie asked her that question. But she didn't linger on it too long, because she had something else on her mind.

She looked at Sophie with pleading eyes and asked." Will you help me to get ready?"

At the moment, Eliot was talking to Quinn, Nate and Hardison. Nate couldn't hold it anymore, so he asked."Eliot, did you find Richardson?"

Eliot immediately tensed up and build a wall around him. Nate saw it and impatiently demanded." Tell me what happened, Eliot. What happened while you were away?"

Quinn looked at Eliot and said."Tell him."

But Eliot ignored him and had an expressionless look on his face."What I did when I was away, is none of your business." He growled.

Quinn had enough of his stubbornness and snapped."Eliot, they can help us okay? I will help you and I know we can pull it off, but with their help it will be a lot easier. You know that!"

Eliot gave Quinn a look, making Hardison almost pee in his pants. But Quinn was not afraid at all. He walked towards Eliot and dragged him away from the others. They both were whispering, but Nate nor Hardison could make out anything. They kept watching Quinn and Eliot, who were discussing something important. Quinn was all in Eliot's face.

And then it happened! One moment they were talking and the next they were fighting each other!

Nate and Hardison immediately ran towards them, trying to get them to stop but with no success. Parker and Sophie heard that something was wrong and also ran towards them.

Parker saw them and shouted." Eliot, Quinn. Stop it!"

They both looked at her and then stopped, but were glaring at each other.

"Have you two gone completely crazy? What the hell is going on here?" Parker asked, her voice trembling.

Eliot gave her one last look and stormed out of the apartment, leaving Parker clueless and speechless behind.

Please tell me what you think of the chapter in a review? :D

Ruby.