This is the third and last chapter of this part of Eliot's and Sophie's story. Tell me what you think about it. :)
He had expected her to be curled up in a ball, under the shower since it was a reaction he had often seen in others, sometimes, even in himself. It was a need to get cleaned up after a traumatic event; it happened a lot to rape victims and such, due to the healing symbolism of water. That was not what he met.
Sophie was in the exact spot where he'd left her. Standing still, looking through the mirror. He took a few minutes to look at her and to think of what to do. Her black skirt had been ripped apart and he could now see most of the skin of her beautiful legs. Her shirt was unrecoverable and tainted red. There were splashes of blood spread largely across her arms, especially on the hands; her face and neck had also been splattered with blood and her hair was all gluey and pasted up.
He grabbed a towel and moistened it, he then proceeded to wash away all the blood from her showing skin. He gently scrubbed her arms, hands, face, neck and her legs down the thighs.
He knew that wasn't enough so when he stopped her grabbed by her shoulders and squeezed friendly on a desperate attempt to make her feel safe enough to come back for him.
-Can you undress and bath yourself? - She didn't respond at all which, for itself was enough of an answer.
-Sohpie darlin', I'ma need to wash you properly and for that I will have to undress you. I need to know if you can do that. - She nodded, but the expression on her face was still the same, absent and cold. -Sophie, listen to me. -He was more serious now. - This is not what my momma taught me to. I do not take advantage of a vulnerable woman, if I'm going to undress you and give you bath... - He made a pause to deeply breath in and out, this was hard for him. Eliot really cared about her and yes, as I man he desired yet, this was not the way he wanted to see her naked for the very first time. - I need to know you are aware and that you understand what is happening... - She nodded again. -Sophie, no! This is wrong enough! I need your vocal approval...
-I understand... -She said on such a low tone it almost broke his heart.
Eliot proceeded to unbutton her shirt, he did it slowly; he had the feeling sudden movements might have scared and the last thing he wanted was her to have was a panic attack. He took is bra and grabbed the wet towel again, washing her torso the best he could, as respectful as he could... After that, he took her skirt, the only thing he left was her black lacy panties; that was his limit. Eliot swallowed hard as he tried not to cry in front of the woman she loved, he stroked her arms, soft skin under his fingers.
He tried to make her go inside the tub alone, she offered so much resistance to it he ended up sending his polite line to hell.
-Sophie do you want me to get inside the tub with ya? Does that make you feel better?
-Yes. -Her tone was higher now, even though it was still very vulnerable, it was like if the single of act of washing the blood away had made her feel better.
-Okay, I will have to undress myself. Are you okay with that?
-Yes.
He got out of his clothes as fast as he could, excepting his boxer. Eliot took her hand and got inside the tub, truth was he needed a bath too...
He washed her hair and then washed himself, she never left the tub, it seemed like it didn't matter anymore...
When they got out to the bedroom she looked around, quick eyes ball movements, as if searching for the horrid scenario he had made her leave hours ago; she started using long, deep, breaths and he thought for himself that was a good thing, a sign she knew she couldn't just panic and she couldn't possibly forget breathing as some people did.
He didn't need the first aid kit after all; all she had was couple of bruises on her back.
He opened her closet and took the first night gown he found, a dark blue one. He took a pair of panties too since hers were soaked, he actually grabbed for the first pair of cotton ones he found.
She watched him as he slid the night gown down her head and then handed the pair of black cotton knickers he had found.
-Take it, I'm not doin' that for you. - And he turned around as she undressed her previous piece of underwear and dressed the one he had given her.
He also found a man's hotel robe which was good because he had no clothes of his in there and his boxers were too soaked to wear; besides, there was no way he was leaving her alone tonight.
They both laid in her bed and as Sophie started to come back to her right-minded, conscious state she realised how tense he was, just for being next to her. She turned around and place her head on his chest, it should very uncomfortable to him: to be sleeping on that stupid robe.
-Thank you... -She whispered lightly, she then felt his left arm rounding the down of her back, she wouldn't ever feel as safe as she felt whe she was with him...
-Sophie... - He said softly and she knew the words were building up on his throat. - ... There are things I need to know... I know it's hard to talk about it, but I really need to know...
She caressed her chest, trought the robe fabric on a reassuring way.
-Did you mess up with the Serbians? Do you know why they were after you?
-I think... James used to gamble with him, I believe he might be connected to this... - She felt his muscles retract again from the tension, the anger he was feeling.
Eliot said nothing more, he placed a soft kiss on her head and led her to sleep, she needed to rest.
He remained awake and aware tough, he needed to be there for if she had nightmares...
It was almost morning when heard a noise coming from the window and Parker got in, she would never behave like normal people.
-She never let me inside the room - She said as if apologising.
-It's okay, darlin'... Did you get rid of it?
-Throw em' into the river... Don't worry; I made sure they wouldn't float...
-How's Hardison?
-A bit shaken up, but he's going to be fine...
-How's she?
-It'll take some time, but I believe she'll be fine too... - He had to, he wouldn't forgive himself if she didn't.
-Do you need something else? - Parker asked as she sat on the bed next to Sophie and starting stroking her hair on an unusual motherly gesture. Eliot thought for a while and then got up from bed.
-Yeah, I do. I need you to stay with her until morning... - Seconds later Parker was occupying his place on the bed and the hitter was gone.
With her eyes still closed she rolled up on bed, expecting to find Eliot's body sleeping next to her, instead she bumped into a much smaller person and freaked out.
It took her a while to slow down her breathing pace after she realised Parker was the one in her bed now. The blond opened her light blue eyes and sat up on her placing staring her, still unsure what to do.
-Parker - Sophie started on much heavier British accent than usual. - Where's Eliot?
-Hum... He... Hu... He said he was going to make sure you'd be safe...
It was a darkened room full of men, there was only one lamp above the poker table and also, only one woman, standing by the drinks table.
-Eliot Spencer! - The man said opening his arms on welcoming gesture. - What brings you back to me?
-The five men you sent out after Sophie Devereaux yesterday! - The woman approached with a scotch glass on her hand, he politely refused.
-What about them?
-They're dead and I want to know why you sent them after her.
-Well, you see... I also heard of her as Helena Carter and her ex-husband... He paid me a large amount of money to erase her from this planet... Nothing personal, just business. - The man had a smirk on his face that truly mad Eliot sick... The other men on the table were still, indifferently playing...
-That son of bitch! He paid you with the money she left him!
-Yeah I know, she was also the one paying for his gambling debts towards me when they got married... She seemed nice... Look, Eliot, I know you're pissed about it ,but business is business...
-Yeah, and if recall it, you still own me bog time! I saved your sister's life...
-You also disrespected her.
-I only said she had a nice smile... - The men stopped playing and stared at him for a few moments. - You still own me!
-Fine! What do you want?
-Nobody goes after her ever again and that James guy, take care of him...
-The way I always do?
-The way you always do... - They changed a few more compliments and he left knowing she was safe...
-Was that her on the phone? – Eliot asked Parker not caring about the fact Nate was right next to them, nobody did anymore.
-Yeah… - Parker said shoving a hand full of dry cereal in her mouth.
-How is she? Is she okay? Is she better?
-Why don't you call her if want to know that hard? – Hardison cut off on an accusation tone.
Eliot didn't reply. Three weeks had passed by since that horrible night and he still hadn't talked to her, he wanted to but he couldn't; he was just too ashamed he hadn't been there to protect her…