It's a couple weeks, busy with jobs, before Hardison and I end up hanging out together again. It's a Sunday afternoon, we've planned to spend watching football again. Somehow Nate has agreed to go shopping with Sophie instead of watching the games with us and I know that we won't see Parker until later in the evening when she comes looking for something to eat because she doesn't really like football for some reason.
I drink a few beers as we watch the first set of games. Hardison, annoyingly, continues to type away at his keyboard while watching the games and drinking his orange soda. I don't know how he has any idea what is going on, but somehow he always manages to cheer or comment whenever something important happens in the games and we both know that I mostly prefer the silence. It's one of the few times that Hardison isn't jabbering away when we're doing something together. I assume that he doesn't have any focus left to talk to me.
As the second batch of games begins, I realize I better get to it already or someone is going to show up at the office before we finish this discussion.
"Hardison, I just can't believe that you took Parker to see robots fighting" I comment.
"What?! She had a good time. She was totally into it after the first few minutes and she got to eat plenty of junk food." Hardison says looking puzzled. "Why are we talking about this? Parker & I do things together all the time."
"Because, clearly you need help. You're not just hanging out with Parker, you're trying to date her. Everyone knows it except maybe Parker" I state. "Seriously, the only woman Parker has ever spent any real amount of time with is Sophie. Do you think that she would let Parker consider that a date? I can only imagine what Sophie has told her about dating. And, you need to admit it, you wanted to go see the robots fighting and you wanted Parker to go with you - which is cool if you just want to hang out as friends, but Parker deserves better from you on a first date. What the hell are you thinking?" I frown at Hardison for good measure. He needs to do better. If I must have this conversation with him, then he's damn sure going to know he better treat her better.
"I know. She even met me there and left as soon as it was over. I keep thinking that she's ready to try us out, but I don't want to do something that makes her run away" Hardison answers frowning slightly. "I don't even know how to get her to go on an actual date with me. I know I can't just take her to the movies or out for coffee or anything I might normally do on a first or second date. She won't like it or she'll be bored and we'll be finished before we even get started."
"Parker's not going to give you some sign or probably do anything that a regular woman would do. She doesn't know how. She never learned that kind of stuff until she met Sophie. You're going to have to show her what to do and take your time and explain anything she doesn't understand. She never dated anyone before. Hell, she probably never even thought about the idea before we became a team and she's getting all her information about guys from Sophie for the most part. The only relationship she's ever really seen is Sophie and Nate's and I don't think that's what you want her to base your relationship off of so you're going to have to be crystal clear about what it is the 2 of you are doing. Use actual words, Hardison. You're not wrong about her being ready. She just doesn't know what to do."
"How do you know she's ready" Hardison questions, looking confused.
"She told me. Actually, she told me to tell you to man up, already" I answer snickering. "She basically said that you need to make a move already and it needs to be something distinct that she can't confuse with the friendship you guys already have."
"I can't believe she would come to you and not Sophie." Hardison says.
"I knew something was bothering her and made her tell me. Probably she would have gone to Sophie eventually." I reply "One more thing and then we are never talking about your relationship problems again. You better not hurt her. She's never done this before, never even considered doing it before. You better not make her regret it or else you're going to have to deal with me."
Hardison just sighs, but I can see the wheels turning already in the giant brain of his. I'm sure he'll figure it out.