Author's Note: I liked this request a lot! This is from mfaerie32, who asked for "The one where Parker and Eliot babysit a client's toddler." I hope you enjoy! Also, tomorrow will mark the one year anniversary of this fic! I can't tell you how pleased I am will the overwhelming response this fic has generated. Thank you all! Also, last year I did Christmas as part of the story's main storyline. Would anyone like to have a random side chapter dealing with Christmas? Or better yet, does someone want to request something to do with Christmas for me to write about? Let me know! And once again, thank you!

It was supposed to be simple.

How hard could it be to watch a client's toddler while Nate discusses how he's going to help the couple? True, Eliot didn't really like kids but he could handle watching over them if he was forced to—which, in this case, he was because he lost rock-paper-scissors with Hardison—but being forced to watch a toddler with Parker . . .

Now, that was a different story entirely.

The last time Parker had been with a kid, she had taught said kid how to break open a lock in about 30 seconds. Needless to say, the parents were not pleased. Which is way, Eliot thinks, she needs a partner. Why that partner has to be him, he doesn't know, but a partner nonetheless.

"Awwww!" Parker coos, playing a clapping game with the two-year old girl. "So cute!" Eliot has to agree. The young girl—Mari—has blonde, curly hair and is dressed in a ruby red dress and white tights. In Eliot's eyes, she looks a little like a princess.

"So, Parker, what are we not going to do?" Eliot asks, which earns him a glare from Parker. "No thief related activities." She nods her head in agreement, but seems to be more focused on the toddler.

"Let's play dress up!" Parker exclaims which elicits a cheer from Mari. Eliot is about to protest, but Parker has already scooped the girl up in her arms and is running down the hall. Eliot sighs and follows. The sight that greets him makes him speechless. Parker had decked Mari out in a complete Sleeping Beauty gown and is now hurriedly applying a little make-up and some jewelry. Mari looks thrilled and even though Eliot has no clue how Parker got a princess costume, he can't help but smile.

Parker looks so happy and so motherly. For a second, he imagines her holding his child and dressing her up. But instantly, the moment is shattered when Parker asks him his opinion of Mari's outfit. He smiles and nods his approval and Parker picks up Mari and spins her around. Both of the girls are laughing and it's a perfect sight to see.

He never knew Parker could be so motherly and so . . . so normal. Keeping Mari in her arms, Parker holds her and strokes her head. Mari smiles and shuts her eyes and is soon asleep. This causes Parker to panic and Eliot swiftly takes the child from her and holds her in his big arms.

"Wow," Parker mutters as Eliot puts the girl down on his bed. They exit the room and slowly close the door.

"What?" Eliot questions.

"It's just . . . you seemed so different when you held her,"

"Meaning?" Eliot asks. Parker grins and twirls around in a little circle.

"You seemed so fatherly," She stops spinning and meets his gaze. "And protective, but mostly, you seemed kind of happy." She grins and then skips down the hall without giving Eliot time to reply.

No, Eliot wants to tell her, you seemed so happy.

Next time there's a babysitting job available, no one needs to draw straws because Eliot and Parker got it covered.

Author's Note: Please review!