Thanks to all my reviewers and the great support. It is very much appreciated! Thanks again for all the support and please keep the comments coming they help fuel the muse! J

Thanks to Paula for the read through and being such a supportive sis! All remaining mistakes belong to me… so on with the story…

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Eliot woke slowly glancing at Parker and Angel to check on them before he pushed himself up into a sitting position. He had never really need much sleep but when it came to emotional roller coasters he tended to need an extra hour. Injuries tend to be a whole other situation. He took stock of the aches and pains before pushing himself up completely. Okay not a concussion but his head was pounding. Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed he was careful not to touch Angel he really wasn't ready for the mother henning right now. Stepping around Angel he pulled a blue long sleeve Henley on. The door was whisper quiet as he opened and closed it. That was when he noticed the sounds coming from the kitchen.

Eliot pulled a hidden knife out of the heavy wood frame on a picture that he had in his hallway. Every picture he owned had hidden weapons in the frames. He was positive he'd have a place on the most wanted list if law enforcement ever took stock of his weapon cache, even if there wasn't any guns in the lot. He hugged the wall until he noticed the blanket and pillows on his couch and he picked up the scent of fresh coffee brewing. That meant family was here and only Vinny would sleep on the couch when he had guest bedrooms available. Eliot leaned against the door frame of the kitchen watching his friend for a moment.

He grinned at the detective. "I thought y'all weren't supposed to have caffeine? I believe coffee has a big amount of the substance."

Vinny jerked slightly before turning and glaring at his friend. He wasn't surprised to see Eliot lay a dagger down on the counter. He was always amused at his friend's unending supply of blades.

"They're not here and if tell them no one will find your body."

Eliot held his hands up in supplication before walking over to the cabinet to get the aspirin. Popping a couple into his mouth, he dry swallowed them before opening the fridge, pulling out things to fix for breakfast. He hadn't eaten since yesterday morning and he was starving.

"Like I'd tell them. If I did that they'd be over getting rid of my caffeine stash. Love your family man but my lips are sealed for my own protection."

Vinny snorted as kept his eyes on the coffee pot as he waited for there to be enough for a cup.

"Try that line on someone who doesn't know you. You'd do anything for the family even allowing them to take your coffee supply. Though knowing you, you'd have hidden a stash somewhere the minute I told you about it."

Eliot just shrugged. Vinny was right he did have a hidden stash. He had put the coffee in his weapons room that was behind the book case in his bedroom.

"You already tell the family they could come back?"

"Yeah, called them shortly after I sent Angel back to bed. They'll be back tomorrow night." At Eliot's raised eyebrow he explained. "Used the key you gave me to come in and found myself pinned against the wall before I got past the hallway. Guess he was still edgy and couldn't sleep.

Must have heard the key in the lock to be that prepared."

Vinny hadn't missed the tension in his friend when he had mentioned that Angel had pinned him to the wall. He wanted to tell his friend that he was glad that the kid had been right when he said he could help look after Eliot but he'd wait till later. "Angel said you handcuffed him to the bed so he couldn't be there to watch your back? Want to tell me why you left someone that could actually help you behind?"

Eliot swore under his breath at that last question. He sure as hell hoped the damn vamp hadn't told Vinny the whole story. "He had no business being there that's why. I don't want him to get hurt. It's hard enough protecting an innocent but add someone I care about into the mix just makes harder when they get hurt. I can't always protect them and one of them always gets hurt." On some level Eliot knew this reason didn't apply to Angel but it was still hard to separate the emotions from the rational train of thought.

The detective just sighed as he watched Eliot chopping vegetables up for whatever he was making. "If you're not going to let him help you, be there for you in every way possible, then why in god's name are you even wanting to try and have relationship with him?"

Eliot mentally sighed to himself as he concentrated on what he was doing. "I'm trying okay, I'm really trying but there's only so many habits I can break at one time. Next time I'll try to let him go."

Vinny snorted. "You mean you won't be such a control freak and let the man help you? Believe that when I see it." The detective walked up behind putting his arms around Eliot, laying his chin on the mercenary's shoulder. "Give him a chance he's tougher than he looks. Just talk to him next time. Let him know what you're thinking. And before you say it I know that's not easy for you but try. The kid looked for you a long time and found you. He obviously can handle himself from the bruises I have on my shoulder this morning. So, for the whole family's peace of mind, I'm asking you to take him as back up from now on." Vinny tightened his hold a minute and pressing a kiss to the mercenary's neck before letting Eliot go. "If you don't I'm going to sic Nona on you."

"Alright, I'll try. It's the best I can do for now. What brought you back before I gave the all clear?"

Eliot started sautéing the vegetables hoping Vinny got the point and let him change the subject. He'd need to go to the store soon and maybe if he had time he'd pick up the materials for the greenhouse he was planning to put on the roof. He missed having his own garden.

"Parker slipped away, thought I better come find her to make sure she was alright. I know how you feel about her and the rest of the team. It was my watch, had to make sure nothing happened to her." Vinny just shrugged. He knew what Eliot expected even if he didn't voice the thoughts.

"Thanks. You hungry?" Eliot went to get the eggs out of the fridge while the vegetables finished.

"Starved actually but coffee was my first priority. How bad were you hurt? Cause you look like you went a couple rounds with the Hulk." Vinny didn't miss his friends wince. He'd noticed all the colorful bruises, how slow and careful Eliot was moving.

Eliot ignored the flare of pain his movements were causing, just as he ignored the question, even though he knew Vinny would keep on until answered. Didn't mean he wasn't going to hold out as long as possible on answering. He started plating the food just as Angel slipped quietly as Parker into the room looking a little worse for wear.

"Morning sunshine," Eliot grinned at the flinch at the mention of sunshine. "You hungry?" Eliot had to ask for appearances sake but at some point Angel was going to have to bite the bullet and eat in front of the Team and Vinny or there would be questions they couldn't answer.

"Uh, no thanks." Angel understood why Eliot was asking. He sat down at the opposite end of the table from where Vinny had just sat down. "You need to go check on Parker I think she's having a nightmare or something."

Eliot nodded as he put Vinny's plate down in front of him on his way out of the room. It wasn't unusual for any of them to have nightmares but they had learned enough about each other's past demons to know who to worry about and when. Parker and Hardison were the exceptions to that. So, if Parker was having nightmares it was because she was scared and unsure of what was going on with the Team at the time. This was most likely due to Angel being here and being a big reminder of her past.

"You two play nice." Eliot he laid his hand on Angel's shoulder giving it a squeeze as he went past. He hoped his two friends would get along 'cause playing mediator between those two would drive him more insane than Parker did when she was wired after a job.

As Vinny ate his breakfast he glanced up occasionally through his eyelashes at the young man that faced him from across the table. He seemed so young and vulnerable to the detective. He had a hard time believing that this man was only a few years younger than Eliot. "You mind answering a question for me?"

Angel could feel the cold dread creeping up his spine at that request. "You can ask me anything but I reserve the right to tell you it's none of your business." Angel gave the detective his best impression of a lawyer about eat his opponent.

Vinny could understand that. "What does your family and friends think of you spending all your time looking for Eliot? Now that you found him what are they going to say?"

Angel chuckled. "That's two questions and don't think I don't know there are many more you want to ask me. I don't have any family or friends left." Angel paused a moment. "They were all killed in LA. Well except one but he really doesn't count since we can barely tolerate each other." Angel got up, pushing his chair back under the table. He did need to 'eat' before the sun started to rise. "Would you tell Eliot I went for a walk please?"

"Sure, just don't be gone too long or he'll worry." Vinny saw the sadness and loss on Angel's face as he spoke of his family being murdered. He felt bad for bring it up but he wanted to be sure Eliot wouldn't have any nasty surprises from the kid's side of the family. Maybe he should have saved that question for later and just asked how old the young man was. It was going to drive him nuts.

Eliot had soothed Parker back into a deep sleep. He stood beside the bed just watching the blond thief. She looked like an angel when she was sleeping. She was still so innocent even after all that had happened to her. He sighed as he made his way back into the kitchen. Eliot threw a questioning glance at Vinny when he didn't see Angel.

"He went for a walk." The detective hadn't missed his friend tensing when he told Eliot that Angel went for a walk. "Said he wouldn't be gone long."

Eliot nodded knowing that Angel probably went to get blood but he was still worried the vampire would just up and disappear on him. He hated this feeling of wanting something so bad and waiting for it to just dissolve into nothing leaving him feeling empty and alone again.

"So, now that all the excitement is over you finally going to get your man to put out?" Vinny had timed the question with Eliot's first sip of coffee. The detective didn't even try to hide his laughter as his friend spewed coffee all over the counter.

"Damn it Dragon!" Eliot glared at his still chuckling friend as he grabbed a dish towel, cleaning up the liquid.

"What?" Vinny shrugged carelessly, still smirking. "Don't think I didn't notice your passionate kiss at the office that day. You were flushed, no shirt on and in the middle of what looked to be the beginnings of a hot and heavy make out session. So?"

Eliot sighed, pulling out the chair closest to his friend. "Look, after this can we not discuss this? Like ever?" Vinny nodded. Eliot didn't really believe Vinny, since the detective was a bigger busybody then Sophie and Hardison put together. "Angel says he wants to take things slow and get to know the real me."

Vinny frowned. His friend didn't sound convinced that this was the real reason. He reached over, squeezing the arm closest to him in a comforting gesture. "Hey, it's a good thing that he wants to learn all about you before he makes love to you. It's a sign of how serious he is taking this. He wants all of you not just your body." Vinny let Eliot's arm go as he leaned back against his chair chuckling.

Eliot raised his gaze to meet Vinny's. "What?"

"I was just going to say that if you were really that determined you could always seduce him. Takes a lot of will power for someone to resist that good ole cowboy charm ya got going if you really want something." He had been on the receiving end enough to know just how hard Eliot was to resist when he put his mind to it. The detective grinned as he saw the insecurity slip away as the mercenary made up his mind to persuade his man to change his mind.

Eliot shook his head, smirking at his friend. "You're right and that's exactly what I'll do. Want to help me?"

Vinny frowned. "You want me to help you seduce your boyfriend? I'm not sure whether to smack you one or take you up on that and kiss you senseless."

"No, that's not what I meant and ya damn well know it." Eliot cuffed the Italian on the back of his head as he passed him taking his coffee cup to the sink. He turned back after putting cup in the drainer. "I was thinking more along the lines of your brother's cabin."

"I think that could be arranged. What about the Team? Not sure Parker will let you go without her. Your Team was practically sitting on her before she gave them the slip. Instead of the cabin…how about the family estate by the sea? The Team could go, Parker would be able to keep an eye you two and they'd be on hand so you wouldn't worry. Though it would be interesting to see you try to seduce Angel under their watchful eyes."

Eliot groaned at just the thought of the Team watching their every move. Eliot glared at his friend for even putting that image in his head. Then there was the whole sun turning the vampire into ashes thing to consider. "No way in hell, the cabin will be fine. Parker will just have to deal for a week or so as long as I check in several times a day to let her know I'm okay."

Vinny ignored the heat of the glare with the ease of a long time friend. "Tell you what-I'll get the cabin arrangement set up AND… just remember that this 'and' is going to cost you… And I will set the Team up with a few security upgrades and security testing to keep them busy."

Eliot raised his eyebrow at Vinny with clear skepticism in his eyes even as his mind was making all kinds of plans in the seduction of one stubborn vampire.

"The Chief has wanted to update the security in several key places within the department." Vinny just shrugged as he watched for the mercenary's reaction. He didn't have long to wait as the hitter started laughing. That was the reaction he had wanted. Just to see his best friend and former lover laughing like he didn't have a care in the world.

Eliot shook his head. "If you do, I want it taped so I could see the Chief's face at the suggestion of thieves tweaking security systems for law enforcement."

Eliot smirked knowing that his friend had more than likely really thought about the Team doing security for the station. After that thought flitted across his consciousness, the next one was of every possible scenario of it blowing up in his face.

"Yeah, well I considered it for all of two seconds before I regained my senses. Though I'd love to see the Chief's face, too. I might use that as an April Fool's joke after which he'll have me directing traffic for a week. It'd be worth it." Vinny's grin was almost sinister and mischief danced in his eyes at the thought of pulling something like that on the Chief. "But seriously, I was thinking of them doing that for all of our homes."

"That would actually be a good idea. Your family would be much safer and I'd know that you'd have the best security protecting your family giving us all a little peace of mind." Eliot nodded to himself, it would be good thing. One less thing for him to worry about when it came to Vinny's family and it would keep the Team out of his hair, at least long enough for him to claim his prize from Angel. He had no doubts that the vamp would make him work for it.

Even though Eliot's face remained passive he could see the wheels turning in the mercenary's mind. Angel wouldn't know what hit him when Eliot started to put his plans into action. "What do plan on telling Angel to get him to go out to the cabin?"

"Just that I need to do some surveillance on a group of militants and I need his help. The fact that I'm asking for his help should buy me enough time to get him out there before I start…"

"Ask who for help?" Parker slipped into the chair next to Vinny nearly causing the detective to fall out of his chair from surprise. Eliot gave Vinny a barely perceivably nod to go ahead with the plan.

Vinny just couldn't get use to how quiet Parker moved. Kinda made the hairs on the back of neck stand up when he didn't know where she was at any given time when they were in the same building. The fact he couldn't read her or even understand the way she operated just intensified the feelings of waiting for her to go even more off the rails then she already was. It was creepy how freaking silent she could be-almost like a ghost. He hoped that Eliot would make the suggestion of the Team doing security on the family's house but it would seem the turncoat was silently laughing at him.

"Uh, I… well my brothers and I would like the Team to run security checks, update the systems, make all our homes much safer for our families." Vinny waited for some kind of reaction from the little blonde.

"We'd have to make it 10 times better than Fort Knox is. Maybe up to the standards of the White House since Fort Knox is a cake walk to get in and out. So definitely White House secure." Parker got up to get a plate out of the cabinet, handing it to Eliot to dish her up some of the omelet but refused to take it. "HE didn't make this did he?"

"No, Parker I did." Putting the plate in her hands he gently pushed her towards the table as he got a glass and filled it with orange juice before setting it in front of her.

Vinny was stunned at Parker's comment on Fort Knox. "Parker what did you mean Fort Knox is a cake walk? You can't have broken in there...They have military, tanks, guns…you can't have meant you…you just can't have!"

Parker gave him her patent 'are you slow or just stupid' looks. "Of course not. I just haven't got around to it yet, I've been busy with Team stuff." Parker just kept eating noticing the looks Vinny was giving Eliot.

Vinny almost choked on his coffee he hadn't even realized he was drinking until it went up his nose. Grabbing napkins he cleaned up the mess pointing to Eliot. "Talk to her!" The detective walked out the room to clean up. His family joked about mainlining coffee but it seemed around Parker he preferred to snort it.

Eliot chuckled at his friend. "Parker it's not nice to mess with him since he could arrest a known thief for a claim like that."

"I wasn't messing with him I've got it all planned out." She never did see what the big deal was. Sure they were good guys now didn't mean she couldn't have some fun now and then. She would put it back-eventually.

"Parker damn it! You can't do that and you know it." Eliot growled at the blond thief.

Parker giggled. "Gotcha!"

Parker clapped her hands and smiled like a demented child. Eliot got a sinking feeling that she wasn't kidding. He'd tell everyone to keep track of her for a while. Lord help them all if she did go through with it.

"Ha ha." Eliot glared and pointed at her plate. "Finish your breakfast."

Eliot grinned as Vinny came back in and winked at him. He decided to let the detective squirm a bit as he watched Parker tearing her toast apart before she started eating it. Eliot let her eat a few more bites before dropping his news on her. He knew she wouldn't be happy, but he needed time alone with Angel to find out if this was going anywhere.

"Parker," When he was sure he had her attention he took a deep breath fortifying himself for any argument she could have. "I'm taking a solo job while you guys are taking care of Vinny's family." Eliot held up hand as he saw the thief gearing up to protest. "It's just a surveillance job and Angel will be going along to watch my back. I promise I'll call several times a day so you know I'm okay."

"No, you can't go with just him." Parker glanced at the detective knowing she had to be careful not to let anything slip. Crossing her arms over her chest in agitation she was prepared to fight the mercenary on this. "He goes, I go."

Eliot saw the stubborn tilt of her chin and the outright hostility at even suggesting that he would be alone with a VAMPIRE. The mercenary knew he couldn't play fair if he was going to get Parker to cooperate. "Not this time Parker. I need to take care of this and I need you to look out for Vinny and his family. You know they'll be much safer if you and the Team set up their security. I need you to do this for me, please?"

"Fine, I'll help the family, but I don't like it." Parker huffed and got up from the table to get her stuff.

"Well, that could have gone better." Eliot saw the questioning look on his friend's face. "She gave in way too easily."

"We'll keep an eye on her. I'll make sure everyone in the family knows to try and keep her busy. Hell, my nieces and nephews already love to play with her. My sister and sister-in-laws love her for keeping the kids out of their hair." Vinny shook his head in amazement. Who would have thought a family of thieves and a family cops could work so well together all for the sake of the one man they had in common. He was just happy they did get along so well with Eliot's family cause it would have broken his heart to hurt his best friend. The Team had been a great addition to their family each person bringing a unique outlook on things. Not mention the debates between them all during dinner that was something he had to get Eliot to see. When Alec and his dad had started debating about the new Star Trek versus the original one he thought for sure there was going to blood spilled but it had been hilarious to watch though. Took spectator fighting to a whole new level when his brothers had added their two cents, egging the two men on. Hopefully after Eliot and Angel got on even keel then both families could get together several times a week, jobs permitting of course.

Vinny jumped at the fingers snapping in his face. "What?"

"Where did you go just now? I asked if you were sure it was really okay with the family to let Parker play with them?" Eliot gave his friend a curious look, not really sure he wanted to know what the other man was thinking.

"She's great with them. Keeps them busy with all kinds of activities, unusual things but everyone's happy." Vinny scrubbed his hand over his face. "I need to get some sleep. Mind if I crash for a few hours?"

"Of course not, man. You should have gone to bed when you got in last night instead of staying up." Eliot watched his friend yawn for the third time in a span of seconds. The detective was as bad as he was when it came to people he cared about to the point he forgot to take care of himself.

Vinny started down the hall, stopped, turned back around. "Michael said the cabin's yours for as long as you need it. He'll have the caretaker stock everything up so help yourself. Don't leave until till I get up please." At Eliot's nod he turned back around starting for the bedroom. "Night Cowboy."

"Night Dragon." Eliot got up to start cleaning the kitchen up and getting it read to close it up for the next few weeks. He heard the front door open and close, waiting for Angel to come to him.

Might as well start the games now, he just barely contained the devilish smirk as Angel came into the room.

"Hey, sorry I didn't mean to stay gone so long." He really hadn't but he had gotten a little distracted trying to figure out how to deal with future questions from Eliot's very perceptive detective friend. He had a feeling the man was a bigger threat than Kate had ever been.

"No problem." Eliot was watching the vampire trying to figure out if this was a normal brooding or if there was more to it. After all he had left Angel and Vinny unsupervised for a bit, resulting with Angel going for a walk. "You find something to eat?"

"Yeah, in the meat district. Parker okay?" Angel really didn't want to talk about anything right now. Vinny's question had bothered him more than he would have thought. As old as he was, and as many people he had lost the thing that scared him the most was the fact he would lose Eliot one day. It wouldn't matter what he did, what he said, what deal he made with TPTB, he was going to end up alone when he had just found the one person he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. It was sobering at how much time he had wasted but he was determined to make every moment count.

Angel glanced up when Eliot gripped his shoulder tightly. "Huh?"

"You okay? You seem to be out of it." Eliot frowned at Angel, moving his hand from the vampire's shoulder to his neck. His thumb rubbing circles into the cool exposed column of white skin.

"I'm fine just thinking." Angel shook his head trying dislodge the gloom that was settling over him. "Sorry did you answer about Parker?" A shiver ran through him as Eliot's thumb caressed his throat.

"She suffers from nightmares more than most people would think and with.." Eliot nodded at Angel. "With you being something she's afraid of, it's to be expected."

Angel nodded his head as he leaned back against the counter trying not to be obvious in his need to break Eliot's touch. Which backfired on him as it brought Eliot's body even closer to his. He bit back a groan at the sensations the mercenary was causing. He glanced down into hazel eyes seeing the heat in them, bending down a fraction to brush his lips across the mercenary's. Pulling back, placing his hands on Eliot's hip with the intention to push him away but good intentions be damned! He pulled his boy tighter against his body, arms going around the firm body, his mouth slanted against Eliot's, his tongue running along the seam before pushing in. Angel had only meant for it to be a swift mating of tongues. That was before Eliot took control of the kiss dominating the kiss as the mercenary's calloused hands pushed under his shirt. His skin felt on fire, he pulled back abruptly, panting heavily even though he needed no air.

"I...I'm going to take a shower and a nap." Angel was trying set Eliot away from him but the stubborn tilt of the mercenary's chin, the arms bracketed his body, keeping him pinned in place. He swallowed hard cause this wasn't a good idea. He wanted to take things slow. Wanted to get to know who Eliot really is. There wasn't anything he didn't want to know. Angel couldn't let this happen yet. He needed Eliot to know that he was in this forever.

Eliot knew Angel wouldn't use his vampire strength against him so he pressed the advantage. Pinning the vampire in place with an arm on each side of the cool body. Eliot pressed his body hard against Angel's when he saw the vampire's nervous gulp. He leaned forward, his lips a hairbreadth's from Angel's ear, his hot breath fanning across the cool skin. Feeling Angel tremble against him, Eliot ran a hand up under Angel's shirt. Loving the feel of rippling muscles as his hand skimmed up to a flat male nipple, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. Angel's head dropped back, exposing his neck to Eliot who took advantaged. He nibbled and sucked on the smooth column of skin before moving back up grabbing the earlobe between his teeth pulling until Angel moaned. Eliot grinned as he let go of the tortured earlobe. "I have a job to get ready for." Eliot paused pulling back just far enough to rest his forehead against Angel's cheek. "I'd like for you to come with me."

Angel was having a hard time keeping up between the feelings Eliot was causing and how they made him feel. He moaned at the sharp teeth biting his earlobe. Angel hadn't reacted this way to anyone in many decades. He wasn't sure what to think of the emotions coming from his boy. Lust was coming through loud and clear but there was determination and hesitation. All he could feel was elation at his boy coming to him for help. Angel cleared his throat as he held on to Eliot.

"Of course I'll help you-whatever you need from me."

The heat and intensity with which Eliot could make him feel in a glance was nothing compared to being on the receiving end of it physically. It made him feel the sharp loss as Eliot withdrew from him.

Eliot pulled back out of reach. "Good. We'll leave after dark." Eliot made to turn around before he pushed himself back into Angel's space swooping in for a hard demanding kiss. He didn't want the vampire to forget his touch between now and when they got to the cabin. Eliot turned and went to get packed. Leaving a slightly confused and shell-shocked vampire in his wake.

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TBC