Sorry for the long delay - I knew it needed just a weeee bit more, but for some reason, the motivation just abandoned me (left with Vance?). So here's the final epilogue. Not much, short but sweet, but I can say it's done. Thanks for tagging along!
It wasn't long after Vance left that Eliot tried to get out of bed.
"What?! What are you doing?!" Hardison shouted, moving to shove Eliot back under the covers. "You think we fell for that all agreeable mushy crap between you and Gravers and Vance? Hell no!"
"Oh, come on!" Eliot shouted back, slapping at Hardison with his left hand. He only stopped when he found Parker carefully straddling him, avoiding his injuries, but holding onto a pair of zip ties.
"Don't think I won't use these, Sparky," she told him. "Remember. We know you."
Eliot looked back and forth between his two friends, saw the seriousness in their eyes; saw the love, too. He nodded his head and eased back down onto the bed. "All right," he said. Deep down, he knew he wasn't ready to move yet, either. He was just so used to having to keep moving, even when he was hurt. He had to remind himself that he did have help this time. He did have people he called friends. Family, even.. Vance and Graves had been there before for him, in times past. He had to give Parker and Hardison the same chance and respect. "All right," he repeated. "One more day."
…..
One more day turned into three. At that point, it wasn't even so much that Eliot was feeling that much better – he still needed help walking around and getting things done – it was a matter of sanity. The three of them were way past feeling stir crazy in the motel room and were starting to grate on each other's nerves even more than usual.
"I dropped off the key and gave Frank an extra bonus for his help," Hardison told them as he got into Lucille's driver seat.
"You sure you're up for this drive, Eliot?" Parker asked, leaning forward from the back of the van.
"We're only going to the airport, Parker," he replied. "I think I can handle an hour's drive."
"Got you a first class ticket, man. First one on for boarding. Should keep you nice and comfy for the flight," Hardison reminded him.
"I got it. And before you mother hen me anymore, yes, I remember, Nate and Sophie will be there when I land," Eliot said, slightly irritated. Yes, the three of them in the motel room got a little crowded, especially when they wouldn't let him do anything for himself. He was more than willing to give himself over to Nate and Sophie's care when he got home, if it meant they put him on the plane today. Or, at least that's what he told Parker and Hardison…
"We'll be back in a few days," Parker said.
"You two take as long as you want," Eliot told them. "Go sightseeing. Stop at Graceland. Visit the Grand Canyon. Hit Vegas. Take a vacation," he suggested. "You both deserve it."
…..
When the trio parted at the airport gate, Hardison put his arm around Parker's shoulder.
"He'll be fine," Parker told him.
"Oh, I can see that," he said. "Take a look – he's already got two very fine flight attendants attending his needs!"
Parker laughed and poked his ribs.