"Did you two have a nice trip?" Sophie asked, looking between Parker and Ale.
They had just returned from their two week vacation in Italy, taking time to check up on all of the kids who had gotten adopted as well as help the kids at the orphanage celebrate an early Christmas.
After the dance job there hadn't been any work, the holidays seeming to keep away conmen. Eliot decided to take the time off to see his family, Sophie went to France to shop, making a pit stop in Italy to see Ale and Parker, Nate went sailing on a boat somewhere, and Hardison went to see his Nana.
Quinn had offered to go with Ale and Parker, but then his family asked him to come visit for a while, and Ale felt so guilty that he was going to skip seeing them just to go with her that she insisted Quinn go home.
After Quinn couldn't go, Ale and Parker almost weren't allowed to go on the trip, but Hardison promised Eliot and Quinn that he would keep tabs on Ale and Parker the whole time, and that there was a very, very, very small chance that Ale's stalkers were international.
Now the team was back together to celebrate Christmas and everyone seemed refreshed.
"We had a wonderful trip. The kids are doing great. So are the boys. The orphanage is running so smoothly, and the people there are wonderful. We might have gone a little overboard on the gifts, but we just couldn't help ourselves," Ale shrugged, looking at her phone. She had been checking it religiously since she and Parker walked in the door, as if she was waiting for something.
"When is Nate supposed to be here?" Ale asked, looking at Sophie.
"He just ran out to get something for the dinner Eliot is making," Sophie said, looking at Ale with squinted eyes. "Why?"
"Nothing. I just need to talk to you guys. Preferably before Quinn gets back."
"Why?" Parker asked, wondering why she didn't know what Ale was talking about when she had just spent two weeks with her.
"Speaking of Eliot, where is he? And Hardison?" Ale asked, ignoring Parker's question.
"The kitchen downstairs. It's bigger," Sophie shrugged. Nate came through the door, Ale jumping up from her spot on the couch and giving him a hug.
"Glad to see ya, Nate. Can I talk to you and Sophie?" she said quickly, not waiting for an answer before she took Nate's hand, dragging him up the stairs while calling for Sophie to follow.
Parker suddenly had a slight idea that she knew what Ale was doing so she flew down the stairs to the kitchen of the bar, Hardison and Eliot looking at her with wide eyes.
"We got her," Parker smiled, both of the boys smiling as well.
Back upstairs Ale sat Sophie and Nate down on Nate's bed, both of them looking at her as she paced slowly in front of them.
"Ale, dear, you are worrying us. What is going on?" Sophie said gently, Ale taking a deep breath to talk then shutting her mouth.
"It's best if you just let it out," Nate said, Ale nodding.
"Do you guys remember what you talked to me about during the dancer job?" Ale said, both Nate and Sophie nodding. "Well I have thought about it. A lot. And I didn't handle it well at first. In all honesty, I was scared. You said that we were like a family, and I was afraid to be in another one after losing the one I already had. Then I talked to Eliot and actually finished the con and did something amazing all thanks to you guys and I realized that unless I jumped in with two feet I would be losing you guys anyway. So I kept thinking about it and I went on the trip with Parker and while we were there we might have done a small, simple con on our own to help out one of Parker's friends and I loved it just like I loved doing the dancer con. Yes, lieing to people isn't ideal, but they deserve it and helping people is what I'm good at and it's all I have ever known and you guys…I don't feel broken when I'm with you, and even if I do, I know you are going to pick up the pieces because we are all a little broken. So I guess what I am trying to say is that, if you will still have me, I would like to be a part of the team. Permently. I know I might not always have a job and will have to sit in the truck with Hardison or be a scout for Parker, but I don't care. I need this. And I'm ready for it—that is, if you are ready for me," Ale said, her pacing only increasing as she spoke, her words getting faster and faster until Nate and Sophie thought she would run out of breath.
"Of course you can be a part of the team," Sophie laughed, taking in Ale's surprised expression.
"You mean you haven't changed your mind?" Ale asked, looking at Nate and Sophie.
"No, Ale. We haven't," Nate said, rolling his eyes a bit.
"Well okay then," Ale nodded.
"One more thing, Ale," Sophie said, Ale deflating a bit. "Well, two, actually. One—don't keep your feelings in. We have all learned how to be honest with each other. And two—why did you want to do this before Quinn got here?" Sophie asked, Ale nodding at the first half and freezing at the second.
"I haven't exactly told him yet. Any time I am with him I think that I don't want to be a part of the team, but I know that that's not true. And so I wanted to tell you before I had a chance to change my mind. And now I just have to tell him," Ale said, a bit guiltily.
"Well, good luck with that," Nate said, laughing a bit.
Ale's phone started ringing, Quinn's name popping up on the screen.
"Hey," Ale smiled, answering the phone while looking apologetically at Nate and Sophie.
"Hey. Why am I standing alone in Nate's apartment?" Quinn laughed, Ale widening her eyes.
"Sophie was just showing me some of the new clothes she got on her trip and Nate was unpacking in his room. I'll be right down," Ale smiled, the lie rolling off her tongue easily.
Sophie and Nate shared a knowing look, Ale hanging up and looking at them.
"What?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"Is everything alright with you two?" Sophie asked, Ale looking a bit guilty.
"It's fine," Ale sighed. "Just…different."
Ale left the room, Nate and Sophie being able to hear her laughter as Quinn was no doubt spinning her around the room in his arms as they greeted each other.
"I give them two more weeks," Sophie said, nudging Nate with her shoulder.
"I say one. Eliot has to share where was with someone, and I have a feeling Ale is the only one who really knows. The more those two talk, the less Ale feels for Quinn. The heart wants what the heart wants. Ale doesn't know it yet, but she is in love with Eliot," Nate said, standing and holding out his hand for Sophie.
Sophie put her hand in his, letting Nate pull her up from the bed, accepting his quick kiss on the lips.
"I missed you," Nate whispered, Sophie smiling.
"I missed you, too," Sophie smiled.
"What was so important that we couldn't wait to talk about it until tonight?" Quinn asked, laughing as Ale tied her scarf tighter around her neck. She had pulled Quinn on to the balcony, wanting to tell him about her decision as soon as possible.
"I decided that I wanted to be a part of the team," Ale sighed, looking at Quinn guiltily.
He was silent for a few minutes, finally looking down at Ale.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked, his eyes a little hurt.
"I'm sure," Ale nodded. "I just…I need to help people and when I help people with them…I don't know. It doesn't make me remember bad things. When I am at the studio or the hospital, I can't help but remember my family. And yeah, it is good to remember them, but I can't do it all of the time, or else I feel like I'm drowning. Does that make sense?" Ale asked, Quinn nodding.
"I'm happy for you. And I'm going to miss you while you're gone and I'm going to worry like crazy, but I am happy that you are happy when you are with them," Quinn smiled, giving Ale a soft kiss.
Although the words were nice, Ale could tell Quinn didn't completely mean it. There was something he wasn't telling her, and she was worried it wouldn't be anything good. For now, though, it was Christmas (kind of) and everything was perfect.
"I would like to make a toast," Nate said, raising his glass. "A while ago a girl and her brother came to me to help them bring justice to their father. I didn't listen, and I have regretted it ever since. That girl has been invaluable to our team ever since she first walked in the door. I am proud to say that Alessandra is officially becoming a part of this team, and that I am so, so happy she didn't give up on me all of the months ago," Nate said, the team cheering.
"Welcome to the team, Ale!" Parker yelled, the rest of the team nodding in agreement.
"Thanks for having me," she smiled.
Sophie could tell that Quinn was a little uncomfortable, and she was sure that her and Nate's prediction of their break up would be spot on.
The team ended up having a nice dinner, everyone exchanging gifts and watching Christmas movies on TV. Although Christmas had already passed, it felt like the real thing.
By the end of the night everyone was stuffed with food and festive feelings and their bags were packed with gifts. It had been a wonderful night, and they had a wonderful thing to celebrate—a complete team.
That was something they could celebrate forever.
"Sophie, can I talk to you?" Ale asked softly, her voice hard to hear over the phone.
"Of course dear. It's kind of late. Is everything alright?"
It was a week after the Christmas celebration and Ale hadn't known who else to call. Parker wouldn't have had any good advice, and Nate and Hardison were out of the question, as was Eliot.
"Yes. Well, no, but I'm fine in the fact that I don't need a hospital or rescuing," Ale rambled.
Sophie laughed on the other end of the phone, Ale sighing as she pulled her knees to her chest, flipping on the light on the table beside her.
"Well then what is it? Out with it, Alessandra," Sophie said.
"I had a nightmare. And when I woke up, the first thing I looked for was Eliot," Ale explained, sounding guilty.
Sophie was silent for a few moments, Ale being able to hear her sigh on the other end of the line.
"And I know it was a knee jerk reaction, and I was just confused and old habits die hard, but once I realized that Quinn was with me I felt…disappointed."
"And did Quinn help you through your nightmare?" Sophie asked hesitantly.
"He didn't even wake up," Ale sighed. "I'm a horrible person, right? For being disappointed that a great guy was sleeping right next to me and I wanted a different one to sit on the couch with me and watch chick flicks until I wasn't afraid anymore?"
"Ale, you are not a terrible person. Sometimes we don't know what we want until it's gone," Sophie said softly.
"But I don't know if I want Eliot. I just…"
"Don't want Quinn? Ale, Eliot helped you through a lot of your nightmares. It's natural to want him around when you have one. It's familiar. But, the disappointment with Quinn, and the fact that you felt guilty for wanting to be a part of the team because you were worried that if you didn't spend every minute with Quinn you wouldn't like him anymore—"
"I never said that," Ale interrupted.
"You didn't have to, Ale. Those things…they show that you don't want to be with Quinn anymore. And it's okay to not want to be with him."
"But what am I supposed to do?" Ale asked.
"You tell him. Quinn is a good guy. He will understand. And you move in with Nate, or me, or with Hardison, or back with Eliot. I'm sure Parker has a sleep harness for you to hook up somewhere at her place. We are a team and we are here for you."
"Thank you, Sophie. I didn't know who else to call. And I searched through all of the letters my parents wrote me, and none of them had a description of this situation on the front."
Sophie laughed, clearing her throat.
"So, are you going to talk to Quinn?" Sophie asked, Ale sighing.
"Yes. Tomorrow morning."
"You are more than welcome to come over afterwards."
"Thank you, Soph," Ale whispered.
"Don't mention it," Sophie smiled back, hanging up.
"So, what do I get for guessing correctly?" Nate asked, kissing Ale's shoulder as she hung up with Ale.
"You get to see what I bought while I was in Italy," Sophie smiled.
"Is it a big bag? Nate asked, Sophie laughing.
"It's very, very little," she answered, Nate laughing as well.
"Glad to hear it."
"I'm sorry," Ale sighed.
"Stop apologizing. I was feeling the same way, actually. We just weren't clicking anymore. I get it," Quinn said taking Ale's hands.
"But I want us to work," Ale whispered, a couple of tears falling from her eyes.
"So do I. But we can't force it. So, we stay friends and know that we are there for each other and if, sometime down the road we are missing what we had, we can come back. If not, at least we had what we did for a while and we came out of it with a good friendship," Quinn said softly, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Why are you so nice?" Ale laughed, Quinn kissing her forehead.
"Because I'm perfect in every way. Remember that when you're missing me," he joked, Ale laughing again.
"I will," Ale nodded, sighing when her phone rang. "I'm sorry," she apologized, answering immediately.
"You tricked me," a voice hissed, Ale freezing in her place, the smile vanishing from her lips. "I will find you, my love," the voice said again, Ale trying to remind herself to breathe.
The change in Ale had been immediate, her face becoming pale and her hand squeezing Quinn's. Quinn got out his phone, calling Hardison.
"What's up, my man?" Hardison asked, video games blasting in the background.
"Hardison, track Ale's phone. Now. She's on the phone and we need to know with who," Quinn whispered, keeping his eyes on Ale.
"Forget it," Ale whispered, putting her phone down. "He's gone."
"What is going on?" Hardison asked, his side of the phone much quieter than it was.
"Call a meeting at Nate's," Quinn said, giving Ale's hand a reassuring squeeze. "With everyone."
"Yes sir," Hardison said, his heart beating in his chest. He had a bad feeling about whatever had just happened, and he almost didn't want to know why Quinn sounded so worried. If he was worried, it must be bad.
By the time Ale and Quinn arrived at Nate's the entire team had heard Hardison's side of the story five times, all of them trying to figure out what was going on.
When Ale and Quinn came into the apartment they had luggage with them, Sophie immediately recognizing it at Ale's stuff.
"What is going on?" Nate asked, taking in Ale's shaken appearance. Ale handed her phone to Hardison, sitting down on the couch without looking at any of the team members.
"Ale and I were talking this morning," Quinn started, Ale tucking her knees into her chest. The team could see that Ale was upset and they were confused at why Quinn wasn't comforting her. Well, Nate and Sophie knew, but the rest of them didn't. When Parker realized that Quinn wasn't going to help Ale she shot him the death glare, going to sit next to Ale on the couch, putting a supportive arm around her shoulders.
"And she answered her phone without looking at the caller ID," Quinn continued, Ale nodding. "We think the people watching her were the ones that called."
"What did they say?" Sophie asked, the worry evident in her voice.
"He said that I tricked him. And that he would find me," Ale said, her voice shaking. "'I will find you my love'" Ale sighed. "That's exactly what he said."
The team all looked at one another, anger and worry running through them.
"How did he figure it out?" Parker asked softly, everyone looking at Hardison.
"I don't know," he mumbled, guilt overtaking him.
The team was quiet for a few minutes, Ale suddenly standing and walking over to Hardison.
"There was a power outage last night," Ale said simply. "I woke up last night with a nightmare, and the clock on the stove was wrong. I know you backed up the computer and everything so that the video stream would be right, but maybe he was watching and there wasn't a power outage in the film when there should have been. If, for any reason, the video showed me still being awake, the lights should have flickered," Ale said, Hardison looking at her with wide eyes.
"You are right," Hardison sighed. "I can't believe I didn't think of this ahead of time."
"It's not your fault," Ale smiled weakly.
"So what do we do?" Sophie asked, looking at Quinn, Eliot, and Nate.
"I think Ale should move back in with Eliot," Quinn said, Eliot looking surprised. "We…"
"We broke up this morning and I was going to ask to stay with Hardison, but with this happening-"
"Absolutely," Eliot nodded, interrupting Ale, his heart still pounding in his chest. He was furious that someone had called Ale and upset her as much as they did. It wasn't right.
"And I need a new phone to keep with me. We can forward all calls to the new one, but keep the tracker in the old one and plant it somewhere. If whoever is watching me hasn't tried to find me yet, we obviously know that he is basically a creep and likes watching me. We need to give him more of that power or he's going to be angry. I don't know how to do that, but it needs to happen. Maybe I need to start going back to the house, I don't know. I just…I never want to hear that voice again," Ale shuddered, the team nodding.
"I'm going to go. Let me know if you need anything, okay?" Quinn said, moving towards the door. Ale walked over to him, giving him a hug.
"Thank you. I'll talk to you soon okay? I'll let you know what we decide and if anything else comes up."
"Or if you just need to talk," Quinn whispered, Ale nodded.
"I know," she smiled. Quinn left, Ale locking the door behind him.
Ale looked back at the team, all of them starting to plan what they should do. With them around, Ale had nothing to worry about.
Her new family would take care of her—she just knew it.