The Morning After:

Eliot groaned and winched as he opened his eyes covering his face against the harsh light. He couldn't remember a thing from the night before. He sat up gingerly noting in fact that he had on no clothes. He shifted slightly and fell out of his bed. He groaned and slowly sat up running hand through his hair.

He stood up and located his boxers and slipped them on along with a pair of pajama bottoms. He noted the woman's shoes on the floor and the condom wrapper as well. If he couldn't remember anything at least he used protection.

Eliot walked out in the hall were an assault of pancakes and sausage and bacon hit him full on. His stomach growled and he followed the scent into the kitchen. He opened the kitchen door and froze. Standing over the stove with her light brown hair pulled into a loose bun was Riley.

She looked up when she heard him approach.

"Good morning" she said turning her attention back to the stove.

"What are you doing?" he asked slowly.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she asked flipping a pancake.

He was silent.

"Look. We slept together it was an accident. Not meant to happen. Drunken mistake" she told him with a shrug. "And besides, you get a free breakfast out of it."

Eliot nodded mutely a strange thought forming in his head. He went straight for the coffee and poured some into a clean mug before drinking it straight. He blinked a couple times as the bitterness of the coffee made its way down his throat.

"We…we aren't telling anyone" he said.

"I agree. Besides Hardsion would kill me" Riley replied.

She handed him a plate containing a couple perfectly round pancakes, two sausage links and a few strips of bacon. She passed him a fork and went back to the stove.

"Hope you like it" she added while starting to clean up.

Eliot watched her out of the corner of his eye. She moved gracefully. She definitely could be a dancer, he thought.

She cleaned up the kitchen and he looked away when she looked at him.

"Well I'm gonna go. Enjoy your day off" she called over her shoulder.

Eliot heard the lock click in place and suddenly the thought in his head came to the surface and he nearly choked on his coffee.

She set well with him.

Riley ran a hand through her hair as she made her way back to Hardison's apartment. Her stomach was in knots and she was pretty sure Hardison was going to be pissed that she didn't get home last night. She braced herself for the oncoming interrogation as she unlocked the apartment door.

She poked her head into the room and saw no one. She breathed a sigh of relief and tiptoed into the room noting Parker's boots and various pieces of clothing on the floor.

It's a wonder they ever make it to the bedroom, she thought shaking her head.

She grabbed a change of clothes from her room and went to the spare bathroom to take a quick shower. She honestly couldn't remember anything that happened between her and Eliot last night. Not that she wanted to. She wanted to forget the whole thing entirely.

Riley finished her shower and wrapped a towel around her and wiped the steam off of the bathroom mirror. She frowned at her reflection. She had heavy dark circles under her eyes, her nearly flawless light brown skin looked duller and paler than ever.

She sighed and quickly dried off and changed clothes planning to head to the gym for a quick work out. She cleaned up after herself and nearly bumped into Parker. The perky blond grinned at her mischievously.

"You never came home last night" she teased.

"I did so" she replied.

"Na uh" Parker said. "But don't worry. I won't tell Hardison."

Riley looked around. "Where's Sparky?" she asked.

"Hardison's taking him for a walk" Parker answered.

Riley nodded. "I'm gonna go for a jog then. I'll be back a little later."

Eliot let out a sigh as he leaned back on the couch. The game was on TV, he had six pack of beer on the coffee table and a bowl of pretzels. Nothing could ruin this moment. He was asleep five minutes into the game.

Eliot breathed deeply as he kissed the jaw line of the girl he was with. She moaned softly weaving her fingers through his hair. She whispered his name his name and he nearly came undone. He came back up kissing her red swollen lips.

"Ohhh Riley" he whispered teasingly in her ear.

She shivered and kissed his neck biting it slightly. He growled in enjoyment squeezing her sides enticing a low moan from her.

Eliot practically fell off the couch as he woke up. He was breathing deeply and sweating. He scrubbed a hand down his face and picked up the bowl of fallen pretzels and got up. He needed a shower. A very long and very cold shower.