It was an unconventional relationship but it works. It evolved slowly. Nobody really noticed at first. Sophie started throwing out more and more moldy leftovers. Eliot's water bill went down. Ropes and random climbing gear could be found scattered around Hardison's apartment. They never left together but they always seemed to head in the same direction.
Sophie knew the pieces were there and it was only a matter of time before they fell into place. So, when she saw the little signs she said nothing. The team would find out eventually and they would all have to deal with it, but she wasn't going to be the one to out the couple.
On a flight back from Paris after a job, Eliot couldn't ignore it any longer. Nate and Sophie were on a different flight but he sat across the aisle from the remaining two members of the team. Parker was curled up with her head on Hardison's shoulder. Her arms encircled one of his, causing his hand to rest on her thigh. He looked very comfortable and so did she.
Eliot considers sending a threat Hardison's way, but it wouldn't do much good. They are both sleeping peacefully. When he really thinks about it, he has to admit that Parker has seemed happy in the last few months. Not that she seemed unhappy before, but something was different lately. He decides to save the threats until Hardison actually screws up.
Nate finally had to open his eyes six months later. They had just finished a job and the team was starving. Parker heads for the bathroom right before the server arrives to take their order.
"Did Parker say what she wanted?" Sophie asks, clearly hoping that they don't have to wait.
"She always gets the orange chicken," Hardison says without looking up from the menu. They are usually pretty careful, but the innocent comment just slipped out. Sophie looks to Nate wondering if he suspects anything.
"Have we been here before?" asks Eliot, checking out the waitress.
"Haven't we?" Hardison squeaks, finally realizing what his statement might imply. "Didn't we order from here after that con with the money and the bad dudes?" He shrinks a bit behind his menu.
"Yeah, I think so," Sophie comes to the rescue.
"No, we've never been here. I would have remembered a smile like this," Eliot winks at the waitress.
"Do you need another minute?" she asks blushing furiously.
"Yep, thanks." Nate closes his menu to give Eliot a warning look. He then notices that Sophie is trying to read his mind and Hardison is hiding. 'What the hell is going on here?'
When Parker returns they fall back into easy conversation and the waitress soon reappears. Everyone orders without incident until it comes to Parker.
"I'll have the orange chicken."
It takes her a moment to realize that the entire team is staring at her. Hardison looks panicked, while Eliot is about to laugh. Sophie looks fearful and her eyes keep darting back to Nate. The brains of their operation wears a peculiar expression. It's almost as if you can see the wheels turning.
"What? It's good," Parker exclaims. "I get it here all the time-ow!" She scowls toward Hardison before realization dawns. "At a different restaurant…that I go to alone."
Eliot can't hold it in anymore. He chuckles ignoring Hardison's glare. Sophie immediately jumps in, changing the subject but the damage was done.
Sophie is very good at what she does. She's a world class grifter. She knows how to steer a conversation. Even though she can make sure no one talks about the possible relationship between two of their teammates, it doesn't mean Nate will forget about it.
Hardison made it to the fortune cookie. He thought he was home free. Parker left before him as usual. He knew she would be somewhere in his apartment when he got home.
His apartment? No, it was her place too. It had been for a long time. Before she brought over her plant or took half the closet. Before he had installed the extra shelves and hooks for her harnesses and ropes. Before he had an entire cabinet dedicated to cereal or gave her a key (which she still had yet to use).
It was hers the moment she crawled into his arms that very first night. She had looked into his eyes daring him to push her away. He didn't and he never would. Hardison hoped she knew that now.
Lost in thought, Hardison doesn't notice Eliot leave. He snaps out of it when Sophie is saying goodbye.
"Alec Hardison, I promise I will always speak well of you." She kisses his cheek and glides away.
"Hold on, Sophie! Can I hitch a ride-"
"Sit down," Nate says shortly.
"-or I could stay here with Nate for a while."
"Let's talk!" he says, his voice mockingly cheerful.
"What about?"
"Oh, I think you know."
"I could probably guess," Hardison says cautiously.
"Your apartment is just around the corner from here, isn't it Alec?"
When Sophie uses his first name it is to show her sincerity. When Parker does it, it's just plain sexy. Eliot doesn't ever do it. 'Damn it, Alec!' doesn't have the same ring to it. Hearing 'Alec' from Nate is frightening, and the older man knows it.
"Yes, sir"
"And, you've been to this restaurant before? A few times at least." Hardison nods. "With Parker?"
"Yes, sir," he says swallowing hard. He curls his hands into fists, not out of animosity, but out of a strange fear that Nate might break his fingers.
"Parker is a very special women. Very odd, but very special."
"I know that, Nate."
"She is also very fragile." Hardison nods again. "If it were just a matter of business, I would have to say that both of you are integral pieces of this team. Without the two of you this group would not function." The younger man is about to thank him for the compliment but Nate cuts him off. "But there are other hackers in the world."
Hardison wants to make a smart remark but he holds back. "Just remember that," Nate continues, "if you ever even consider letting your personal relationship interfere with a job.
"But you and I both know that this isn't just business." The mastermind's tone is still menacingly calm. "Parker is like a daughter to me. And, you? You're like…" he pauses to glance at the check.
"A son?" Hardison supplies hopefully.
"No," he says flatly. "No, Alec. You're like a punk, who might very well hurt my daughter." Hardison opens his mouth to dispute this, but nothing comes out. "If you make her cry, I will make you cry," he says in a sinister whisper. "And then I will call Eliot and he will break both of your legs. Very creatively, I suspect."
"Understood," Hardison croaks.
"Excellent." Nate hops up and tosses down a few bills. "You have a good night!" He strolls out leaving behind a very shell shocked young man.
"I think you enjoyed that a little too much," Sophie says falling into step on the sidewalk.
"Somebody had to do it. I would have let Eliot do the honors, but we need Hardison's fingers unbroken. All ten of them." Sophie rolls her eyes and links his arm.
"For a con artist, you really need to learn to lie better." Nate actually looks hurt by her statement. "Come on, Hardison isn't like a son to you?"
"No, he is," he admits. "But he's also a punk who could break her heart."
"You boys are absolutely adorable," Sophie mutters.
"So how long has this been going on?"
"Ages, love. I can't believe it took you this long to see it."
"I knew something was up."
"Sure you did." They squabble like an old married couple all the way back to Nate's apartment.