I am sorry for posting a repeated chapter instead of this one, there was a mistake with the titles.
Hope you will enjoy it.
This one is a bit longer, but has some sweetness to it…
They found her in Germany indeed; she was on the same fancy Hotel they were in, two floors up. The con had been a piece of work where Parker nearly broke her ancle and he ended up with a twisted wrist and a sore body, happily they managed to frame the mark and they would be catching a plane to Boston the next morning.
Nathan had been cranky the entire time and they all knew why, Sophie was the closest she had ever been in months yet, it was still too far...
He decided he had had enough; he ran up the stairs and finally knocked on her door.
Sophie was wearing a long black night gown and her dark hair was loose, running across her shoulders and upper side of her back, smiling eyes when she saw him.
-Eliot, I am so glad you're here! - She said and moved to squeeze him on tight hug.
They spent hours talking. They spoke about the team's later jobs and about her marriage and divorce, he told him news about the team and she told him news about the underground world, that's how he found out she was back to conning, only this time she was playing by different rules.
-So, you steal whatever you're paid to and when you got the money you give half of it to charity?
-Yes, that's right... I just couldn't go back to being entirely bad again and this... This feels right...
He was going to tell her how much he admired her when Parker opened the door. The blond limping, carrying a blue blanket on her shoulders as well as with pillow.
-Hi... - she said and he could see she was stunned by seeing him. - I...hu... came to sleep.
-I know you did, darling. - Sophie said. - What happened to you?
-A security guard almost catched me... It's okay, Eliot rubbed some ointment on my leg, he says it should be better by morning.
-I said it would if you would hold still, walking across the hallways to come here was not included. - Eliot said half mad with her, when was she starting to take care of herself?
-I had to come here, this is where I sleep! - She spat out, Sophie was holding her, helping her getting in bed.
-Parker honey, we've talked about this! - She said in a sweet motherly tone. - You don't need to bring your own blanket and pillow anymore. You're sleeping in bed with me remember...
The girl shrugged and suddenly, grabbed the brunette by her shoulders and hold her tight as if she wouldn't ever want to let go. The grifter hugged her back, sensing the girl's vulnerability and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Sophie pulled Parker blankets up so she'd be more comfortable and got back to her chair.
-So... Hu... since when is she sleeping with you? - He asked on a low tone. She bit her lip.
-Since I left; since Paris... - Eliot move uncomfortably on his chair, there were a few pieces missing from the puzzle.
-What about James? You were married to him back in Paris, where did he sleep? - Sophie giggled in response, only Eliot would make such a question.
-James got used to her, he actually sympathised with her besides, she used to sleep on the couch. She only started sleeping with me after my divorce...
After that night, she would contact Eliot a lot more and he liked it, he liked the fact she'd call just to check on them, sending kisses to Alec and Parker before hanging up.
Nate kept following her, finding jobs wherever she was so Eliot kept going to her room just to chat. Watching Parker crawling inside Sophie's bed was now regular which amused him and pissed him off at the same time because if he was happy with the fact Sophie still had Parker's back, he still wanted some alone time with her which was impossible with Parker walking on them every night.
One of those nights was different though. He was sitting on the long couch next to Sophie, they were laughing and drinking wine, Parker wasn't there because Hardison had challenged her to play one of his computer games and she never backed off of a challenge. This was it, this was his opportunity, he got closer to Sophie and took her hands in his, he tried to read her face, tried to find out if there was any chance she was starting to share his feelings for her... That was the moment the door opened again.
Eliot practically jumped from where he was, breaking eye contact with Sophie, Parker was at the door alongside with Hardison. The hacker must have seen something because he gasped and grabbed Parker's hand, trying to take her out of the room.
-Come on, mama. Grown-ups are talking, let them be... - She pulled him inside the room with all her strength.
-Don't be silly Hardison, they do this every time, plus you were the one that said was missing Sophie.
Eliot clenched on the couch so there would be enough room for everyone to sit. The night didn't go was he wanted it to, but it was still nice watching the three of them... They were still a family, he could see it on the way Sophie looked at Hardison, on the way she'd brush the tip of her fingers on his cheek while telling him not to go down, about how he was an essential element of the team, he always had been... He and Parker giggled when she asked him if he was having proper sleep hours and eating soup or something with veggies...
Hardison and Eliot left the room feeling warm inside. Alec had his hands shoved inside his pockets.
-I am sorry man...
-Sorry for what?
-Ya know... Had I known you liked her and I would have kept Parker as far away from that room as possible... - Eliot playfully punched his bro's arm.
-It's okay dude, now, come on. Let's go and see if I can make you that soup I promised Soph I would...
I promise next chapter will be a lot more emotional. Are you liking it so far?