AN: Thank you all for you kind reviews and patience with the finale of this story.
I cannot begin to thank you all enough for the very kind well wishes that you've posted in response to this story. Thank you ALL so very much, those well wishes are powerful stuff and your kind thoughts and prayers are very gratefully received. I only hope that this chapter can go some small way towards showing you how grateful I really am.
Just a quick recap for those a little rusty on the story line so far… I hope it was worth the wait :
During The Future Job, Parker's painful past is revealed and out of his worry for her Eliot calls Sophie who promptly returns from England. Rejoining the team, Sophie eventually reveals her true feelings for Nate and finally they get their act together. Tara and Alec have been dating too and are getting along very well, thus keeping Tara with the team a while longer. Meanwhile Parker finds herself falling for Eliot and much to his surprise he finds himself also falling for the quirky thief. However before they even get to discuss their feelings for each other Eliot is gunned down during Dalton Rand's kidnapping. After a plethora of first kisses from most of the team, they rally around Parker while she pines for the seriously wounded Eliot. Nightmares from past and present are revealed and a mansion is rented to allow the team to lay low while Eliot recovers. Alongside all the smooching the team are determined to finish their one job before taking some well-earned rest.
The sun shone brightly in Boston for what seemed like an age according to Parker, as she carefully manoeuvred her leased Prius from the hospital back towards the newly dubbed Leverage Mansion. Despite her need for speed in all other aspects of her life, she drove particularly slowly in order to protect her precious cargo. Eliot was stretched out on the front seat attempting to get comfortable, eventually sighing to signal his aim was achieved. Listening to Parker sing along with the radio the hitter couldn't help but smile, as beautiful and talented as she was it was apparent she couldn't add singing to that list and he couldn't be sure what song she was humming along with but it certainly wasn't anything like the one currently playing on the radio! Stealing a quick glance towards the attractive blond, Eliot found himself thinking back to their first kiss, he was still surprised he had found himself with such feelings for Parker of all people. He still wasn't used to the x-rated thoughts that had assailed his brain more and more these days, settling back down with a content smirk on his face he closed his eyes and listened to Parker while she serenaded him. Finally he signalled his comfort with a contented sigh. Parker noticed that his eyes were now closed and he had a small smile on his handsome face. She could look at him all day and was incredibly grateful that he was healing well after the shooting.
Arriving at Leverage Mansion they found an oak adorned entrance hall. Eliot busily took in the impressive polished floors, high ceilings with crystal chandeliers, he also noticed all the artwork, most of which had clearly been acquired by either Sophie or Parker on their days off or in their previous lives. The place was well decorated and nicely furnished clearly Sophie and Hardison had worked very hard on the place.
Eventually upon reaching the kitchen they found the others ensconced around a large family table. Sophie stood up and pulled the hitter into a gentle hug, "Welcome home Eliot," kissing both sides of his face as only she would get away with, "Its so nice to see you out of that dreadful gown and you've finally got some colour in your cheeks."
"Hey man, good to have you back," Hardison reached across the counter to grasp the hitter's hand, squeezing it before patting him on the shoulder with his other hand.
"Its damn good to be outta that hospital," grumbled Eliot as he shook his head "don't get me wrong, they did a fine job fixin' me up but how you're s'posed to get better eatin' that food I'll never know."
"Well, we can't promise anything as our chef is on light duties, though I'm sure we can order in for now." Nate appeared through yet another entrance to the kitchen, as he spoke. He was carrying a box of muffins and pastries for the impromptu reunion, which Sophie planned to serve with Eliot's favourite herbal tea. He proffered his hand to Eliot as he spoke, "So, do you want to eat first or check the place out?"
"Man what I'd do for one of those." Eliot pointed towards the blueberry muffins and pulling out a chair at the table he was quickly joined by the others. Sophie took the role of mum filling the mugs with either coffee or tea while Tara passed out plates for pastries and muffins.
"Here you go Eliot," Tara glanced across at the cowboy, while passing him a plate she smiled and when he raised a corner of his mouth she felt immediately more relaxed around the injured hitter. "It's nice to have you back, how are you feeling?"
"I'm raring to go thanks Tara." Eliot drawled as he dug into the pastry box for his next muffin, showing his hunger to the others who had just started their first. Noticing that he'd been spotted the hitter put on his best Southern charm and said, "C'mon, I gotta get my strength back Sophie." Looking at Eliot Nate shook his head and carried on with his pastry, content in the knowledge he'd bought the shop out of the hitter's favourite blueberry muffins and that Sophie wouldn't decry the hitter anything he wanted while he was recovering.
The team sat relaxed for the better part of the next hour or so, banter flying all round the table while Nate sat back satisfied that the team were all back together, healthy and happy after a nasty scare. The next few weeks might be fun after all he thought to himself with a wry smile on his face.
Sophie affectionately watched Eliot concerned that he looked a little tired after his first few hours home. She was sure he would push himself and the mere thought of him sustaining a Zen like atmosphere was going to be difficult. Gratefully Sophie knew that they were all equally as worried over Eliot and they would be able to help him in relays. With Eliot's health in mind, Sophie spotted the hitter stifling a yawn and deciding that a little lie down would be needed she realised that she was going to need some help with this, a plan sprung to mind.
"Parker, do you want to show Eliot where his room is?"
"Are you ready to explore the place Eliot?" Parker turned to her handsome boyfriend, smiling at the idea that she might get him all alone for the first time in weeks.
"Thanks darlin' that'd be nice. I need to wash off the hospital smell and maybe get an early night folks." Eliot let out the yawn as if to confirm the fact.
Before Eliot could move from his chair Parker had bounced out of hers, "You'll love it, I helped with the colour schemes and Sophie arranged all the furniture and of course Hardison, well Hardison took care of the whole place." She was in her element, not only was Eliot back with them but she was excited about showing him his room and of course by pure coincidence her room was just down the hall.
Despite remonstration to the contrary, Eliot was exhausted by his activities thus far, much more than he was prepared to admit. It turned out that being upright was the most tiring task he had undertaken since he'd been shot. He was looking forward to beginning physiotherapy, which of course he would top up with his own training afterwards. A little Tai Chi and he could practise some Katas to keep him in shape until he could add a little boxing training too. Though presently just thinking about all that was wearing him out.
Nate was going to have to keep an eye on Eliot, he worried for the younger man and he didn't want the hitter to start overdoing. He knew he was going to have his hands full with him, after revealing his upbringing Nate was sure that Eliot would worry about showing any sign of weakness in front of the mastermind. The younger man was incredibly proud, not to mention obstinate and now that Nate was mindful of Eliot's ghastly childhood he wasn't about to ignite any fears in the younger man regarding alcohol or undue violence and he wanted to ensure Eliot understood that Nate wasn't about to dive headfirst back into a whiskey bottle. Nate could understand Eliot's fears about their earlier jobs while he had been chucking it back and he was no longer going to risk unravelling the trust that Eliot had displayed in him by opening up and there was no way Nate was about to fail another son.
Watching the others slowly traipse up the stairs after Eliot and Parker, Nate grabbed Sophie around the waist gently moving her shoulder length hair back behind her ear and shoulder so that he could kiss her bare neck, whispering his intent for their early night into the attractive brunettes ear. By the time they caught up with the others who were following Eliot with his bag as Parker bounced from room to room explaining where everyone lived.
"He's looking pale don't you think Nate?" Sophie looked at the hands that wound around her stomach and grasped her own manicured hands. "He's lost some of his muscle structure too from the looks of it, his tee shirt is hanging off him."
"Try not to worry Soph, we'll soon have him back on track soon. A combination of home cooking with his food and light physiotherapy, oh and there'll be no doubt he's planning his own training regime on top of all that. I spoke with the hospital about his physiotherapy and I've arranged for a private therapist to stop by each morning to get him moving." Nate spoke softly into her ear. "Just wait til he sees the swimming pool and Jacuzzi in the basement." He laughed with Sophie.
"Parker is positively beaming." Sophie turned to look into Nate's eyes, still holding his hands she moved closer to his lips and began to run her own raspberry lips across his. "I don't think I've ever seen her smile so much without a tall building or some explosives in her hand." She was smiling herself just watching Parker with Eliot.
"We're all smiling a little more than normal these days," Nate moved his hands to her face, pulling her close he began to kiss her passionately.
Meanwhile across the mansion Parker's final stop was Eliot's room, he had the larger of the rooms with an en-suite bathroom. They had no way of knowing what condition he might have been in when he finally got to be discharged from the hospital. "Do you like it Eliot?" Parker asked, looking up to the cowboys face once he'd checked out the entire room. "We didn't know where your place was, that's why there isn't any of your stuff here. If you like, I can help you get some things later?"
"No thanks Parker," he hadn't meant to sound so harsh and Parker immediately looked dejected wondering what she had done wrong. "I'm sorry darlin', I didn't mean to sound off I'm tired that's all, we can go tomorrow?" Eliot added.
"Yep sure. I'll leave you to sleep then." Parker turned to leave but an arm shot out to grab her hand. Unable to pull her towards him Eliot resorted to explaining his intentions outright "Parker, I meant for you to stay, maybe we could take a nap together?"
"I'm suddenly very tired Eliot," Parker smiled moving towards him capturing his eyes with her own, like a magnet drawing them closer together.
"Come here beautiful, I can't tell you how much I missed you." Eliot finally had Parker against his chest with his arms resting around her shoulders.
"But you saw me everyday silly." Parker replied, slightly confused by Eliot's comment.
"I know, but we were hardly on our own?" Smiling like he hadn't in weeks, Eliot looked into the blonds beautiful glistening eyes she was smiling right up to them with the most gorgeous and heartfelt smile he'd seen from Parker. He just couldn't seem to help himself he was falling madly and deeply in love with the crazy thief.
Parker placed a hand on Eliot's cheek and caressing the soft skin under his eye with her thumb she moved nearer to him, closer to his lips she trailed her own luscious lips across his and deposited a chaste kiss upon them. Instantly the kiss ignited a profound passion between the pair who pulled each other closer, if at all it were possible to get closer without becoming one, Eliot responded to her kiss by tangling his hands in her hair, eventually their mouths opened and his tongue found hers and a gentle battle began. Eliot moved his hands from her hair and face and roamed downwards until his they moved to her throat and elegant shoulder, softly caressing as they made their way across her body. Parker was responding to his ministrations with her own passionate kisses, her hands had moved from his cheek to his chest, one hand naturally navigating its way across the scars where his chest had been ripped open only a short time before. Using his entire body he moved the intertwined pair onto the bed and laying Parker down he brushed her hair back from her face with one hand while his other trailed across her breasts. Their eyes were transfixed and Eliot found it hard to close them as he moved in once again. It wasn't long before the pair had rolled all over the bed and Parker found herself on top of Eliot, too unable to pull away from the magnetic stare they were caught up in. Parker felt like she had never felt before, her body was tingling all over and her senses had gone into overdrive. Unable to stop herself, she was aware of feeling light headed, a floating sensation and weak at the knees all at the same time. Parker didn't want this feeling to ever stop and yet blissfully unaware of the best feeling, which was still to come.
"Parker, you're killin' me," Eliot sounded like he was purring under his breath, "why have you got to be so God damn beautiful?"
"What?" Parker sprang away from on top of Eliot across the bed rapidly while she voiced her obvious concern and confusion by his last statement. "I don't understand, I wasn't trying to hurt you."
"Parker, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant." Eliot pushed himself up and breathed heavily as he launched across the bed to catch the thief by her arm as she was getting off the bed. "Darlin' come back while I explain." He motioned for her to sit closer, "Sweetheart, please." Sitting back down on the edge of the bed determined to keep her distance forcing Eliot to move in order to sit next to her, "I'm sorry darlin' I got caught up in ….. well I ain't explainin' this very well. You weren't hurtin' me," taking her hand in his he carried on with his fumbled explanation. "What I mean is you were gettin' me excited and normally I'd be tearin' your clothes off, but I don't want to." Spotting an even more despondent Parker, Eliot continued, "God, I'm no good at this, what I mean sweetheart is that usually this'd be a good time to take things to the next stage," looking up at Parker, Eliot raised his hand to cup her cheek and said, "But I know things are different with you and I don't want to rush you, I love you Parker, you mean too much to me. Do you understand Parker?"
"Yes, I think so. Do you mean sex?" After he nodded Parker continued, "I want to…have sex…. but I don't know how, I'm sorry." Parker had never gotten over the abuse of her foster parent and had never made the commitment with anyone. Parker was certain of her love for Eliot and knew that he'd never let her down but she needed to be ready, and she still wasn't sure. Eliot had explained to her that the right man would understand that, she hoped that meant him too. "I want to be ready, but I'm not, I'm sorry."
"Parker, I ain't pushin' you and I never would. I understand your reasons and glad you were able to trust me by tellin' me about your past. You'll know when you're ready and until then I'll wait for you, okay?" Eliot held her cheek and looked deep into her pale blue eyes while he talked, this was too important to him to screw up, "There's no hurry darlin'?" brushing under her eyes with his thumb he caught a single tear that had balanced itself on the outer of Parker's eye, threatening others to follow. His words had silenced those other tears and in doing so had also silenced Parker's fears. There was no rush, he'd wait and he loved her - of that she was sure.
"Thank you Eliot," Parker leaned forward to kiss him and then stopped, "Is kissing still alright?"
"Hell yes Parker, now come here." Pulling her back onto the bed.
Downstairs Hardison waited on Tara for their date, he was taking her to his favourite restaurant in downtown Boston and he hoped that she would like it there too. They specialised in Thai cuisine and a little bird had told him that it was one of Tara's favourites, so hopefully he wouldn't go too wrong. It didn't hurt that he'd secured a private booth pre ordered a magnum of her favourite Bollinger and for a dozen yellow roses to be at the table, followed by a trip to the park for a play on the swings. Alec had seen this in a movie he'd watched with Parker while Eliot was in hospital and thought it was a lovely idea for a date. Tara was just putting the finishing touches to her make up before heading downstairs when Sophie knocked on the door. She knew it was Sophie because Parker was way too busy with Eliot to have come up for air by this time. Sophie had a pair of stunning diamond earrings in her hand that she wanted to give to Tara before her date, a little gift between friends and Sophie knew that Tara was still feeling bad after Eliot's shooting, so a little gift couldn't hurt. Sophie was intuitive like that, be it the grifter in her or simply her maternal instincts over the team. Either way, it had served her well in the past.
Nate walked into the sitting room and found Hardison channel hopping with the remote control, he couldn't settle on any channel and didn't appear to be looking for anything in particular either.
"Eh, are you looking for something in particular Alec?" asked Nate motioning for him to hand over the remote control.
"No man, just waitin' on Tara. Jees, how long do these gals take to get ready for dinner!" Alec stressed looking at his watch and making several hand gestures in forward motion.
"Ladies, and I wouldn't let Tara or Sophie catch you calling them 'gals'. Ladies like to look their best for any date, be it dinner or just catching the game. After you're married you'll soon wish each night was date night, so don't rush it okay?" Nate settled on a game and headed to the kitchen for a mug of coffee, taking the remote with him so Alec couldn't change over again. He looked a little paled by Nates suggestion of marriage, as usual it was a word that could silence or scare most males instantly.
"So where are you taking her?" Sophie asked as she breezed through the living room door.
"Thai place downtown, have you been there?"
"Yes, lovely Pad Thai, oh perhaps Nate and I can come with you?" Sophie teased - well in part because actually she could really go some Pad Thai tonight. Maybe she could ask Tara to bring some back for her.
Nate returned and was followed into the room by Tara, looking absolutely ravishing according to Alec, who was bold enough to tell her in front of the others.
"Come on then, where are you taking me?" Tara asked so as to divert attention from her dress, and the slight blush she felt creep over her face.
"A surprise, your chariot awaits sweet lady," Alec said as he took Tara's hand, kissing the back of it, he entwined her arm in his and bid the others goodnight before they left.
"Have a lovely time kids, we won't wait up," teased Nate.
"It would appear that we have the place to ourselves for the evening Mon Cherie," Sophie moved across to Nate's chair and sitting on the edge leaned across the mastermind seductively, "What do you have in mind?"
"I think you're forgetting about Eliot and Parker, who will surface for food at some point. How about I give you a tour of my room?" After a predatory smile from Sophie who got up from the chair Nate followed suit and pausing only to put his mug down he followed the grifter up the stairs towards his room.
It had been three days since Eliot had left the hospital and it was the second night he had woken in a cold sweat after suffering most horrific nightmares. He hadn't thought about Croatia in a very long time. After getting himself up and into the bathroom Eliot found he was drenched, the nightmares themselves weren't that unusual in his line of work and especially after his time in the military. As an Army Ranger he had served in the Balkans during the wars in the 90s he'd grown used to having complicated and somewhat disturbing dreams. However, these nightmares weren't war related, they stemmed from his childhood. He cursed himself for bringing up the subject with Nate in the hospital, but it was necessary especially as they were all sharing a house now and it would be impossible to hide the fact. Eliot had worried that if one of the others had tried to wake him during a nightmare he might hurt one of his friends, and he wasn't prepared to do that, hence him coming clean to Nate. However now it was on his mind and it was obvious that he wasn't going to be able to escape from it, even in his sleep.
Parker had snuck into his room both nights after everyone had turned in and the pair had lay kissing and holding hands, it was very romantic and although Eliot might have normally taken advantage of whatever young lady was occupying his bed, he respected Parker and would take things as slowly as the situation required. Now as he stood in the bathroom, he looked back towards his bed where the longhaired blonde was notably absent, she had clearly snuck back out again too. Parker was also plagued with nightmares, probably had been for most of her young life, but particularly since Dalton Rand had brought up the subject of her brother Tyler. Eliot couldn't help but think back to the evening when he'd found her sleeping in her wardrobe and was grateful that he'd been able to calm her somewhat. Of course, the shooting hadn't helped in the slightest, as now Parker was worried about him too. Turning the shower to cool he climbed in without taking off his bandages, he would worry about that afterwards.
The kettle came to the boil just as Parker finished preparing the pot for her tea, Eliot had disturbed her the second night running when he started thrashing around his bed, clearly having a nightmare. She had chosen not to wake him as she'd been told that you can actually do more damage waking a person from a violent dream, and knowing Eliot his dreams would be the violent type. Instead Parker had left his room and waited in the kitchen to listen for him moving around. Tonight she'd heard him and was preparing some of his favourite tea to soothe him, just in case he'd made it downstairs. Parker wasn't sure what she could do to help, she knew all about nightmares, being troubled with them also. Somehow though she was sure that his nightmares were much worse than anything she could dream of. She wanted to ask him about them but until Eliot was ready to talk about them, she would wait for the moment. Tonight had been different though, Eliot was shouting in his sleep, not talking clear shouting. Parker heard most of it and it was frightening her, she so wanted to wake him but feared his reaction. Tonight if he joined her for tea she might just have to mention it to him.
When Parker heard footsteps on the stairs she realised that Eliot had clearly woken himself up from his nightmares and had clearly showered she noted as he entered the kitchen still towelling his hair to catch every last drop of water. However, he clearly had seen her.
"Whoa, what are you tryin' to do to me Parker?" Eliot whispered harshly, acutely aware that he hadn't been paying enough attention around the house, Hell anyone could have sneaked up on him.
"I was making tea Eliot," smiled Parker, "would you like some?"
"Sorry sweetheart, yes please," moving closer to the thief Eliot placed his hand on her lower back and leaned around her for a kiss. "What are you doin' up?"
"I couldn't sleep, thought I'd try this tea you rave on about so much." Replied Parker, "What are you doing up?" she asked pointedly knowing the answer.
"Same as you, now lets try that tea."
"Why have you showered, did you get dirty again?" Parker enquired innocently.
"Eh, no. When did you sneak out?" Eliot deflected.
"When you started thrashing around the bed and screaming in your sleep." Parker replied calmly as she sipped her tea.
"Ah, I see. Listen I have some things I want to tell you, I promised before I got….. well before the accident that I'd tell you my secret too." Eliot hesitated, then took Parker's hand in his and began to caress it gently with his thumb. "You know 'bout nightmares don't you Parker, I mean that's partly why you sleep inside the wardrobe or stay up all night?"
"I know, well at least I thought that was what was happening." Parker replied honestly. "I didn't know what to do last night so I checked online and it said it was sometimes better to let the person wake up naturally."
"I'm real sorry you had to see this sweetheart, it hasn't happened for years, well I suppose 'cause I usually don't sleep much longer than 90 minutes. Since the shootin' I've been so tired and I'm needin' lots more sleep than usual."
"Eliot, you don't have to tell me." Parker spoke quietly as she turned to face the hitter, hoping she was doing this right. Taking his strong hand into both of hers she squeezed tightly. "I know its hard for you and like me you aren't used to having people who want to help, but after I talked to you I found it easier to sleep without having bad dreams and now when I stay in your room at night, I feel safe. I know that no one is going to hurt me."
"No one is ever going to lay a hand on you again so help me God." Eliot swore to the thief, "You don't ever have to be frightened again, I'll always be here to look after you."
"I know and I feel safe, but the shooting made me think about how dangerous your job is and that scared me all over again. Even if we weren't…. erm… kissing then I'd still be worried. You are more than just my friend Eliot; you guys are all I have, you're my family." Parker was beginning to feel anxious like the night in the hospital when they didn't know if Eliot was going to make it. It was suddenly hard to breath and she needed to run, get out of there.
"It's okay darlin', you don't need to worry. I ain't goin' anywhere anytime soon," Eliot promised the petite blond, "Now, how about we take this tea upstairs with us and we can finish this conversation in private."
The pair made their way back upstairs, hand in hand, through the darkness of the house, while the others slept blissfully unaware of the two young lovers dilemma in the kitchen.
Parker helped Eliot replace his bandages and tried not to look too obviously at all the other scars that marred his otherwise phenomenal torso. Back in bed they cuddled together in a warm embrace, laying behind Parker and holding her as close as possible Eliot decided that this was the most direct way to express his love and affection to Parker, as well as rest comfortable against his injuries. It also gave him easy access to Parker's neck, which he loved to kiss and tickle with his breath. Eliot wanted to tell Parker about his past, he had made a promise and it might as well be tonight so they could start to move forward with their new life soon.
"Parker, I have some things to tell you. It's about my nightmares, they started again in the hospital because I don't like being in there. I don't like them because I spent a lot of time in them when I was a child."
"Oh, were you sick?"
"No, not sick, I had a lot of accidents. Well not so much accidents. It all started when my pa lost his job…..
Late into the night the pair talked and listened to each other. Parker wept as Eliot told her of his childhood and the terrible death of his brother. He wanted her to understand that he knew of her pain, the pain of losing a sibling in a terrible way. Life wasn't the same for either of them after they lost their brothers, everything changed. Parker told Eliot more stories from her time in the foster care system and in turn Eliot told her stories from his time with his Uncle and Aunt in Texas. Some of their stories were of good times too, but the bad far outweighed the good for both youngsters and before they knew it the pair had fallen asleep, bodies still entwined. A new alliance forged on horrific childhoods, haunted pasts and new beginnings.
The next morning when Nate awoke, he went to make Sophie breakfast in bed. In the kitchen he found herbal tea on the table and a cold pot of tea left out. He glanced up towards the bedrooms in the house and fervently hoped the pair would be able to help each other through this and secretly wished that they would get past their horrific childhoods and move on together. They made an exciting and practically invincible couple and Nate was sure there'd be more tales to tell, all in good time.
AN Thank you for joining me on my first attempt at writing on Fanfiction. If you enjoyed this, or even if you didn't, please let me know as I'd like to write more stories and constructive advice, criticism is welcomed.