Chapter 4

When they finally made it to Nate's apartment Elliot carried Hardison, with a lot of grumbling and mumbling, and put him on the couch. Taking a deep breath, Hardison closed his eyes and started to fall asleep.

"Oh no you don't," Nate said while shaking Hardisons arm, "You guys still have to explain to me what the hell's going on."

His eyes shot open with the pain that began to shoot up his arms.

"Nate!" Parker said quickly, "Hardison is still injured don't shake him like that!" Quickly Nate pulled his hands off of Hardison who immediately relaxed. Just, tell me what happened Nate said quietly. Talking with immense speed, Parker and Elliot began reliving the various events that had led them here. After they had finished, silence filled the room.

"Well," Nate finally said, "I guess someone's going to have to be with Hardison 24/7."

The room nodded in agreement, and before anyone could volunteer to take first shift, Parker spoke up.

"Well, I could take first shift since I'm already pretty awake. Besides, You Elliot and Sophie have been worried sick all week, you need rest."

They all nodded in agreement, and Elliot offered to help get Hardison back to his apartment. So with some weak hugs (To not hurt Hardison) and goodbyes, the three drove over to Alec's apartment. Elliot picked up Hardison and dumped him on his bed. Before leaving he asked Parker, "Are you sure you're going to be okay by yourself Parker?" Nodding, Parker smiled and watched him walk down the stairs. Turning around, she walked into Hardisons room and stopped at the foot of the bed.

"Hey Mama, what's up?"

"Nothing, I'm just glad you're alive." Parker said with a half-smile.

"You can't get rid of me that easily!"

"Don't be so sure, Alec. You almost died hell I saw the lights die out in your eyes. Don't you dare tell me that you can't die easily don't you dare! I…I…I don't know what to do with you Hardison! First you tell me you love me and that nothing will happen to you, and then you go and do that! Why do you have to be so stupid! I….I…..I…." she tried to say love put it felt as if it were choking her. "I…I LOVE YOU GOD DAMMIT!"

He looked at her shockingly, no words forming in his brain. Finally, he took a deep breath, and waved her to him. Hesitantly, she walked over to the side of the bed where Elliot placed him. With a shaky arm, he grabbed her hand. It felt rough and cold, nothing like Hardisons hands. Using all the energy he could muster up, he gently pulled her down beside him. She carefully laid her head on his chest, and with the tips of his fingers, he slowly combed her hair. These small gestures caused Parker to break down. She wept and wept and Hardison just laid there putting his fingers through her hair.

She woke up cold. Turning her head, she didn't feel or notice Hardison anywhere in the room. She jumped up quickly and ran to the living room, then the dining room, finally she entered the spare bedroom. She gasped, and all she saw was red. Red covered the sheets, the walls, the floor, and in the back corner was Hardison. Running over to him, she thought he was dead but then she realized he was shaking vigorously.

"Hardison!" She yelled, "Hardison wake up!"

He shook awake, and backed up against the wall.

"Get away from me! Don't come any closer! Get the hell away from me!"

Parker gasped and backed away, before coming closer and slowly calming him down.

"Hardison what happened?"

He looked up, and started crying and explaining everything. He said that in the middle of the night two more of Henderson's men showed up with guns. They pulled him out of the bed and dragged him to the other bedroom so not to wake her up. He explained how that something snapped inside him and that the last thing he remembers is blood all over the room. After he was done nothing was said, and finally Parker leaned in and hugged him. Hardison relaxed into the embrace, and cried more until everything inside him was out. After a while Parker picked up Hardison and brought him to the bathroom, there he cleaned off the blood and stripped him of his clothes. Going into his room she grabbed his polar bear pajamas and dressed him properly. Once done, she brought him to the couch and laid him down; putting on some Doctor Who she sat beside him and rubbed his arm, letting him completely relax.

It had been two months since that accident, and Hardison had made a full recovery. Parker and Hardison kept seeing each other, and all though the team had their suspicions, they never really knew if it was official. Parker had pretty much moved into his apartment, most of her things were scattered around the floor and she had stopped sneaking around everyone else's houses to get other things.

Today was Saturday, which meant that today was their lazy day. Lying on the couch, Parker was half on the couch, half on Hardisons chest, she liked the way her head bobbled up and down as his chest took in air. She had almost fallen asleep when Hardison got up to get another orange soda.

"Mmmmmnnnn," Parker let out like a moan, "Now why'd you go and do that Alec?"

Laughing, he shook his head before kissing her on the head and quickly going to the kitchen. She smiled to herself, and closed her eyes and sighed contently. Her head suddenly lifted up, and she laughed as Hardison tried to gracefully slide back into the couch.

"You suck at getting onto a couch smoothly."

"Now woman, I'd like to see you try and get on this couch without bumping my head a few times!"

"Is that a challenge Mr. Alec sir?"

"Why yes, a matter of fact it is Ms. Uhm, Ms. Whatever your first name is."

She smiled and got off the couch.

"Lay where I just was, and prepare to be amazed."

Gracefully obliging, Hardison quickly moved into her spot and closed her eyes. After a few minutes he still didn't feel anything,

"I win Parker! You didn't do it at….." He turned his head and saw Parker lying there, smiling.

"So sweetie, what do I get for winning this very lame challenge?"

Smiling, Hardison pulled himself onto Parker and kissed her soundly. Her hands came up around his neck and his arms slowly went under her shirt. She pulled him closer and dragged her fingers through his hair, while Hardison brought his hands up to her shoulder blades. He started nibbling at her ear, then her neck, and slowly made his way down her stomach. Once he had started kissing her stomach, Parker grabbed Hardison and pulled him back up to her lips. With one swift movement Parker took off Hardisons shirt and started working on his belt.

"Parker," Hardison said against Parkers lips, "Parker shouldn't we take this to the bedroom?"

"No," Parker said breathlessly, "I've never on the couch before, this should be fun!"

Hardison started laughing, his broad shoulders shaking up and down, "I love you Mama."

She smiled against his lips, "I love you too, pretzels."

The End.