A/N:I'm not sure I'm happy with how this turned out. I wanted parker to go see Sophie. I think it is something she would do if they were in the same city, but I'm undecided whether she would really need a push to have sex with Hardison. She's not stupid, but I sort of can't decide in my head if they were having sex when season 5 starts. I find it hard to believe that 2 adults travel the world together for a few months and don't have sex, but they were like the slowest burning couple on TV. Thoughts?.
I walked up to the cafe where I am meeting Sophie and saw her standing in front of it waiting for me. I called out to her as I got close and she turned around wrapping her arms around me in a big hug. I felt myself grinning as I hugged her back. Sophie had never just hugged me without warning or letting me initiate it. She really was my family, not afraid to touch me or show how she felt because she knew I could finally handle it. That I wouldn't tense up or run away just because I wasn't ready for it.
"I'm so glad to see you, Sophie" I say to her. "I've missed you and Nate and Eliot.
Sophie loops her arm through mine and leads me over to a table. We sit down and she orders us some tea and dessert. "What have you been doing Sophie?"
"Oh, you know a little of this and a little of that. Mostly shopping, but I've done a few small things with Tara. It's mostly been good" Sophie says.
"Where's Nate?" I ask, puzzled. I thought she would spend at least some of her time with him. I should see Tara. I've missed her too. I forget that you can just visit people with no reason, that people like that.
"Off on his boat somewhere, working out some stuff." Sophie replies. "I'm supposed to pick him up in a few more weeks. I imagine we're getting back together sometime after that."
"Good, I've been having fun with Hardison, but I miss working." I tell her.
"You've been with him this whole time? I didn't think you would spend all your time off with him." Sophie sounds surprised. "How's that going? Anything you want to share?"
I think about it for a few minutes. I have been having a great time with Hardison. Taking off on my own hasn't even crossed my mind. Surprisingly, we're working out. I've had fun with him in Tokyo and Turkey. Paris is our last stop before we head to set up new offices, though Hardison told me I didn't have to do that if I wanted to travel some more, but I had already decided to go back with him. I liked being with him. It was comfortable and I thought I was getting better at this girlfriend thing. Hardison had told me that if we were dating and not seeing other people then I was his girlfriend. I was definitely not dating someone else.
"I was right different is better. This is the most fun I've ever had traveling. I have someone to talk to over dinner and watch movies with. Hardison makes me do things I wouldn't do on my own like actually visit the museums instead of just stealing from them. He's also been teaching me more technical stuff. He says I'm good at some of it. Sometimes, I convince him to jump with me and that's fun too even though I know he only does it because I want him to do it. I still do my stuff. I just have him around to do other stuff with." I answer.
"That's good Parker. I'm happy for you." Sophie smiles at me. "How is Hardison? You could have brought him along."
"I told him it was a girl thing" I respond grinning because I learned that from Sophie. "I just wanted to see you without him. He seems good. I can tell he likes having me around, likes what we're doing, but sometimes I think he is….frustrated. I think that's the right word."
"Why do you think that? Hardison's always been patient with you. Actually, I've always thought it was rather impressive how patient he's been waiting for you."
"It's hard to sleep with me, but not have sex." I say bluntly "And he's been sleeping with me every night for almost 6 weeks."
"That's even more patient that I thought he was. Is there some reason?"
"I...it was an accident at first. We fell asleep during a movie and it was the best sleep I ever remembered so I asked him to sleep with me a few days later when I was tired and he told me I could sleep with him all the time if I wanted to. So I have been. I didn't realize it was a problem at first, but now I don't know what to do. I don't want to mess anything up. what we have now is good and it's working for us." It's true, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to sleep with him because it felt good, but I didn't know if I was ready to have sex with him and I didn't know how to know if I was ready and he wouldn't push it. If I freaked out about it, it might mess us up.
"Parker, you're a grown woman. You're not being fair to Hardison. Whatever happens, the two of you together will work it out. You need to talk to him or at least take some action."
It's not the first time Sophie has said those words to me. I agree with it. I already knew it. I just sometimes need a push and I can always count on my family to give it to invites me to shopping with her, but I just laugh and tell her I'll see her soon.