Chapter Seventy
"Mmm" Sarah barely mumbled as she did her best not to lose the bagel from her mouth, her hands busy juggling two coffee mugs and a glass of juice. "C'ud you get that babe?"
"Sure?" Pete stared at her odd balancing act a moment longer before turning back from the doorway he'd yet to walk through and toward the sound of a newly ringing phone. "Hello" As soon as he answered the phone he was on his way back to the kitchen.
"Hello Peter, may I speak with Sarah please?"
"Um…" He was in slight disbelief. "Yeah… I… I mean yes! Sure thing ma'am." Why on earth was she calling? "Hey Babe?"
The puzzled look on his face as he re-entered the room had her asking, "Who is it?"
"It's your mother." He half whispered half questioned as he passed the phone over to her.
She shrugged to let him know that she hadn't any more of a clue than him before she walked out the backdoor and away from any unnecessary noise. "Hey Ma," She sat on the bench with bated breath. "What's up?"
"Can't I call you without something being wrong?"
"Yeah… yeah of course you can. You usually just…" She found herself picking at the armrest's peeling paint. "don't."
"Well dear, I just thought I'd call and see how everyone was doing."
"Well we're doing fine ma. Things are lookin' real good for Pete at work and the kids have got me just about as busy as ever. They've been counting down the days 'til Halloween for about a month now."
"And your brothers?"
"Well you know Aaron and Ashlee got engaged a while back. They've been planning the wedding for a couple of months now." A crash from behind followed by Pete's, "BRIAN!" had her holding her breath as she hoped nothing too irreplaceable had been broken.
"How's that going for them?"
"A ten minute drive could get you that answer first hand ma." There was seriously all of six stoplights between them.
"Sarah"
"Yeah ma" She blew out an exasperated breath as she rolled her eyes. She could already hear the excuses that would come if she pressed further.
"Ho… how's Eliot?"
Bingo! Sarah's mind shouted at her as the true reason of this call came to light. "He's doing real good ma. He's awake an…"
"Yes, I know that. Wh…"
"Wait a minute" Sarah interrupted as she sat straight up. "How do you know that?"
"He was awake when I visited with him."
"Yo-, wait a minute! You went and visited him?" How had she not known this? "When?"
"A few days after you phoned. He wasn't very aware of my presence though and I'd appreciate it if you kept it that way."
"Why?"
"I don't want to cause any trouble Sarah."
"Ma, the last thing it would cause is trouble. After everything he's been through he should know that you cared enough to come see how he was doing. It's important ma."
"I went so that I could see for myself that my son would be alright Sarah. Not because I may or may not have something to prove."
"Ma, no one's even thinking anything like that. Especially not Eliot."
"How is he really?"
"Stubborn" She sighed as she mentally added, 'just like his mother'. "It's been a rough road for him but he's still fighting just as mean as ever."
"He'll get there."
"Yeah he will," Sarah agreed "but he needs to know he's got support ma. That we're here for him."
"Sarah please don't"
"Why don't you call him up and see how he feels today. I'm sure he's got plenty to say." Like how he'd nearly bit the bullet half a dozen times.
"That's what makes me nervous."
"Oh, come on now! He won't bite. Just give me a second and I'll get you his…" It didn't surprise her that a dial tone was suddenly blaring in her ear. "Number" She sighed out as she started to the house.
One part of her was tempted to call her mother back while another told her to call Eliot, but the majority said it wasn't her problem, to leave it be.
With another sigh she opened the screen door and couldn't help the, "Brian!" that came out as she entered and saw Pete on the floor with a bottle of wood glue, her good silverware all around him. She turned her gaze above as she asked a very simple yet complicated question. "Why me?"
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"Hey Parker, you want some eggs!"
"I could go for some eggs."
Holy…" Hardison swore as he did his best to keep his grip on eggs and milk. "Don't sneak up on somebody like that man!"
"I wouldn't exactly call it sneaking Hardison." Nate denied as he reached into the fridge for some orange juice. His steps had been just a tad shy of stomping.
"Seeing as you weren't even here a few minutes ago; I would!" Hardison continued as he bent down to grab a pan from the cabinet.
"Would what?"
"God…" He barely got his feet out of the way as his newly retrieved frying pan went clattering to the floor. "Damn Eliot!"
"What's got you so jittery?" Nate wondered as he filled a glass and passed it to Eliot.
"Hey Hardison! Were you calling me?" Parker was next to enter the kitchen, clad solely in a t-shirt. One that was easily recognized as Hardisons.
"Well" Nate looked to Eliot whose eyebrows were lifted comically over the glass of juice he still had pressed to his lips. "I think" Parker seemed to be oblivious to their current shock as she pulled the juice from Nate's hand and took a swig directly from the bottle. "We just got our answer." Nate turned to look at Hardison who was purposely avoiding looking at them.
"I uh" He kept his head mostly down as he tried to figure out who to explain to first. "Just wanted to know if you wanted me to make you some breakfast Parker."
"That'd be awesome." She spoke gratefully as she placed the juice on the table before announcing, "I'm going to go shower." And with that she left.
"I" Hardison couldn't manage much more as he got a glimpse of the glare coming his way.
"Better be lucky I don't whoop your ass." Eliot threatened, though it didn't hold as much knee buckling fear as it would've a few years back.
"Hey!" That seemed to shake him out of any awkwardness or embarrassment he might be feeling as he defended, "Now that ain't even fair."
"Ain't got nothing to do with fair or unfair, just let me find out. I hear one thing I don't like 'n I'm tannin' your ass." And with that Eliot left the kitchen as well. Hardison shouting behind that his ass couldn't be tanned since it was already blackened.
"Well," Nate cleared his throat with a hint of amusement as he retrieved the juice and grabbed a glass. "Good luck with that Hardison."
"You better not start on me too." Hardison grumbled as he moved back over to his task of cracking eggs.
"Come on now," Nate retrieved the butter for him as he continued, "No one has yet to start in on you."
"Then what do you call what just happened huh?" Brightest bulb and all aside people didn't threaten bodily harm if they weren't seriously pissed.
"I'd say surprise Hardison. After five years of googly eyes," He had to pause through Hardison's objections on that. "We didn't, hell I didn't expect you'd actually make a move. I figured you'd keep on drooling from afar." Every time the kid did move forward he'd side step and when he didn't he'd backtrack so fast that it nearly caused whiplash.
"Appreciate the vote of confidence there man," Hardison rolled his eyes in sarcasm. "It's nice to know I got people in my corner."
"You do." Nate agreed as he leaned against the counter.
"Not Eliot" Hardison denied as he poured his eggs into the, now greased, pan.
"Yes, Eliot too. Let's just say he's further in Parker's corner right now."
"Yeah, waiting to whoop my ass!" Hardison reminded.
"Only if you hurt her." Nate knew Eliot well enough to know his words were a dysfunctionally violent way of wishing them the best, but he didn't think it was necessary to lay that all out for Hardison. "I wouldn't let it bother me though because if you do," He clamped Hardison's shoulder tightly. "Eliot will be the least of your worries." With that he left Hardison staring into his eggs.
Had Nate just threatened him?
Easily those words could have formed a threat, but they didn't sound like a threat.
No, they were spoken lightly, almost the way you would give advice, but what kind of advice was that? Over and over he turned those words in his head, "Eliot will be the least of your worries," until it finally settled on him.
It was a warning.
Not a punch Eliot could throw would worry him as much as what a scornful thief was capable of. Especially one that liked to throw things (erhm people) off of buildings. He swallowed hard as he decided, if things did come to that he would indeed let Eliot find out. He'd take his ass whooping and then hide behind the man and beg for dear life.
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"Eliot" Nate called cautiously. As of lately Eliot's moods were quick changing and he always tried to do his best gauging which one Eliot was in. "Eliot, do you want me to bring you something in or…" He hated the silence because it left him in the dark.
"Naw, we'll go sit out with them in a minute." Eliot offered with a look of contemplation as he absently fingered the bridge Nate had gifted to him.
"So what's on your mind?" Nate sat beside him on the bed knowing it had to be something.
"I was just thinking how shitty of an example we've been for those two. I mean here I am threatening him not to fuck it up and how many times haven't I?"
"We take turns." Nate smirked with a shrug. There was no reason to list his fuck-ups specifically. "But Eliot all couples do and if anything they've learned a whole hell of a lot of what not to do's from us."
Eliot couldn't help a slight laugh at that, "Like not to strangle your boyfriend."
"Actually" Nate refused to go deeper on that subject but it didn't stop him from joking about it. "I see Parker doing that at least once daily."
"So can I." Eliot laughed as he imagined a cartoonish Hardison being strangled, both eyes and tongue popping out.
"But honestly El if all they take away from us is the one good thing we actually did learn then they'll be set for life."
"And what's that?" Nate had him honestly curious.
"How to overcome." He voiced it though he knew deep down Eliot already knew. "Not a thing has crossed our paths yet that we haven't been able to handle and after everything we've been through I doubt one ever will."
Eliot couldn't bring himself to do much more than nod as he lost himself in Nate's vulnerability.
"I know, I know," Nate slapped a hand to his knee as he turned away from Eliot's blank stare. "I'm a sap."
"Not exactly what I was thinking." Eliot could tell Nate was embarrassed by his lack of words, but he'd try to ease his mind without making a big deal of things. "I mean I have seen sappier asses."
"Thanks" Nate smirked, though it soon disappeared as he got a glance of the bridge still in Eliot's hands. "Eliot" He honestly didn't know how this would affect Eliot but he knew he had to tell him. "Eliot I've got some news for you."
"What kind?" One glance at Nate said it wouldn't be filled with excitement.
"When Parker and Hardison got this from your place," He fingered the small piece of bridge that wasn't enclosed in Eliot's newly clenched fist. "They ran into Maribeth's daughter."
"Maribeth Stillmoore" Eliot announced her name with something close to acceptance.
Nate merely nodded.
"She's dead isn't she?" Words weren't needed.
He felt as much as he saw the sympathy etched in Nate's features.
"Passed in June." Nate confirmed as he placed his hand over Eliot's.
"I…" With a loud sniff to keep himself contained he signed the cross and sent a kiss to the heavens. "I'll meet her on that beautiful shore."
Hearing Eliot speak of the river of life, of standing beside it, moved something deep within. Not only was he not condemning himself but he was speaking of entering the heavenly city. It gave Nate an unnamable hope and he showed gratitude for it. "Amen"
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"So you're supposed to fill that thing out after every meal?" Hardison wondered as he refilled coffee mugs.
"He's supposed to." Nate spoke in feigned annoyance as he pulled a pen over the blue notebook's pages.
"Can I help it that I'm not trustworthy?"
"YES!" Nate near stretched across the table as he snatched the cup of coffee Eliot had nearly gotten his grasp on.
"Was worth the shot." Eliot shrugged at Nate's glare and Hardison's questioning gaze. He hadn't had any coffee in months and he was sure he'd forgotten the taste.
"No it wasn't." Parker of all people voiced her disapproval. "Not unless you think trashing you liver is worth it."
"Parker I…" She was honestly upset and it was throwing him a curve. "I was just teasin'."
Well it ain't funny!" And just like that she was gone from the kitchen.
"What's wrong with her?" He had turned the question on Hardison so it was startling to hear Parker, who apparently hadn't gone too far, answer it. "Nothing!"
She had Steve tightly clenched in one hand, the other ready to illustrate. "And that's another thing around here! It can never just be nothing. Always! Always it has to be something!" She was furiously pacing around the table but no one dared to try and make her stop. "Someone disappears for a few hours and does anyone think, oh hey they took some me time? No, they start hunting and tracking and chipping! You want to sleep in or take a nap? Forget about it unless you want to get checked for a pulse and fever." Nate did his best to look properly ashamed as she hit a little too close. "That is if it wasn't already assumed you were murdered."
"He…" Hardison let the word fade, a sharp look from Parker telling him it was best to not even try pleading his case.
"It's getting to the point where you can't even jump off your own roof anymore!"
"Now Darlin',"
"Don't you Darling me! I'm trying to be mad right now!"
"And you're doin' a damn good job of it." Eliot oddly complimented. "But you're scaring that cat half to death with all this hollering." The poor thing looked ready to bolt. "So why don't you just set her on down and you'll have both hands free to make your point."
"I don't need any hands to make my point." She voiced stubbornly.
"Come on now Parker," He was already deeper than need be, there was no need to add emotional abuse of a feline to that never ending list. "Give me Steph"
"And that's another thing!" She allowed the cat to leap away as she pounced all over Eliot. "Her name's Steve! Not Steph, not Stephanie, not Steffy! It's STEVE! S.T.E.V.E... Steve, thank-you very much!"
"Parker" but once more she was out the door. Only this time they heard each step she took up the stairs and the slamming of a door on surely quivering hinges.
"You really did it this time." With his tone you really couldn't tell if he was joking or mocking.
"Oh I did it?" Eliot couldn't help but be on defense. He didn't want to be the reason Parker was upset.
"Yes you" Alec stretched the word for all its worth. "She sure wasn't talking about my liver."
"She wouldn't ta-"
"Eliot" Nate warned. He hadn't meant for it to be so stern or reprimanding but he had an idea of what was about to be said and it was far from roses.
"Yes sir" The tone didn't surprise Eliot much; it just said that Nate was about to get bossy.
"Look" Nate purposely chose to ignore that Eliot had called him sir way too seriously to be serious, and if he wasn't being serious he was being playful and… and now was not the time to be over-analyzing that. "Either you two can keep going at it or you can try to be rational about it and figure out what'd be best for Parker."
"You're right man" Hardison agreed with Nate as he turned to Eliot and asked, "How are you gonna get yourself out of this one?"
"I" There were at least a dozen words of protest, and perhaps insult, sitting on his tongue but the problem sitting on his shoulders caused them all to drop in silence. Instead Eliot stood asking, "Did I ever tell you about the time I was chin deep in quicksand?"
"He didn't…" Hardison just couldn't wrap his mind around that. "Tell me he's not serious." Nate would like to say he knew for certain but the best he could offer Hardison was a shrug. Fact of the matter, when it came to Eliot you never could tell.
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"Parker" He tapped on the door as he slowly pushed it open. "Darlin' can we talk for a minute?" She was splayed on the bed purposely using the ceiling as a distraction not to answer him. "Parker?" Silence.
With a go for broke shrug he climbed up on the bed and stretched out beside her. For some time he simply gazed upward, gathering his thoughts in something close to comfort until finally he decided where to start. Only she stole the words from his mouth before he even got it fully opened.
"I'm sorry" He heard her say and it had him objecting immediately. "Naw sweetie, don't you dare be. You were just saying what you feel and there ain't nothin' wrong in that." He turned to look at her but she was still staring intently above. "We've had it rough lately and every single one of us is out of sorts because of it."
"I don't like it" she whispered after a while.
"Neither do I darlin', neither do I" she finally looked at him but it was only after he wrapped his fingers around hers. "But I do want to tell you something." Suddenly he stopped speaking and she couldn't help but ask, "What?"
"Thank-you" For a long moment he gazed into her eyes as he watched her take that in. It was as if the words were foreign. "There were times that what I was putting y'all through was nothing short of hell and…"
"It wasn't your fault Bubba." She couldn't help but interrupt.
"Maybe not," He conceded, "but that doesn't make anything any easier… and that's why I wanna thank ya." With those last few words his voice was just as soft as hers. "No one said ya had to, but you stuck around. You put up with me when I couldn't even put up with myself and more importantly you watched out for me… and for Nate." That meant more to him than she would ever know. "Hell, there were times there that I thought I was past help, and ain't nobody got enough fingers to count how many times Nate and I were on the wrong side of saving, but there you were giving it all you got." He squeezed her hand as he swore, "And for that Parker I thank you." Though his attention was still focused on Parker he decided to finally announce the presence that had stopped just outside the door. "And that goes for you too Hardison?"
"Aww" He heard Hardison gush and not much later was he popping his head through the door. "You know what this calls for don't ya?" Hardison half stated half asked.
"No" Parker was up almost immediately but she couldn't get off the bed quick enough to avoid Hardison's outstretched arms.
"Really Hardison?" Eliot complained though he didn't do much more than sit up.
"Nate!" Hardison shouted as he tried to keep Parker wrangled. "Nate get in here! You're missing the makings of a historic moment!"
Eliot couldn't help but smile at that.
In a way Hardison's words were very accurate because this would definitely be the start of a new future.
"Nate!" Though he looked ridiculous it was clear Hardison wasn't planning on giving anyone a hug until everyone was able to get one. "Man don't make me come find you!" and without a moments pause he was leaving to do just that.
"Hey Eliot" With his attention barely caught, not much more than eye contact was made before he had his arms full of Parker.
It wasn't as much surprising as it was unexpected, but he didn't let it throw him as he returned the embrace. Her barely whispered, "You're welcome" only serving to retrieve the smile that had briefly left his face, and as he held her tighter he couldn't help but agree with Hardison. This moment, at least for him, would indeed be historic.
E/N: It's wayyyy later than either of us expected BUT tigerlilyschild I didn't forget! LOL So I dedicate this one to Mr. Mandy! Because DAMN IT ELIOT her name is STEVE! Thanks to everyone else for reading and following along with my insanity, I appreciate each and every one of you!