A/N: This is a rewrite of a fic I published, and deleted, years ago. Takes place after The Big Bang Job.
"Eliot's afraid, Parker," Sophie explained.
"But… But he's Eliot. He's not afraid of anything."
"Everyone's afraid of something. You're afraid of horses, and Eliot is afraid of how we'll react if we find out everything he did for Moreau. He thinks we'll be as hard on him as he is on himself, even though I doubt that's possible."
"Oh…"
A short time later Eliot answered the knock on his door. "Parker," he greeted. She noticed his eyes and expression were guarded, and his tone carefully neutral.
"Can I come in?"
He nodded, and stepped back. Once the door was closed, their eyes met.
"Don't worry. I'm not here to ask that question you don't want to answer. I promise I will never ask. I promise on Bunny."
Eliot could help a slight grin. Swearing on her treasured stuffed animal was such a Parker thing to do. "Then why are you here, Darlin'?"
"Lunch."
"Lunch?"
"Yes. Cooking makes you feel better, and I want you to feel better. I also want some of your enchiladas. So… lunch."
Eliot shook his head as he led her to the kitchen. He also considered that while she seemed happy with anything he cooked, enchiladas weren't her favorite – but they were one of his favorites; and she knew it.
Once they were sitting at the table enjoying lunch, Parker got to the real reason for her visit. "Sophie says it can help to talk about things. Eliot, I meant my promise, and will never ask. But if you ever want to talk about… anything in your past, I'll listen. And it won't change the way I think of you."
"You don't know that, Parker."
"Yes, I do know that. I think of you as the guy who keeps me safe. The guy who will be there to get me out if the job goes bad. The guy who's taught me some moves I can use to protect myself in case it takes a few minutes for you to get to me… And the guy who cooks the best food I've ever had. That's how I think of you, Eliot. Can anything in your past – no matter how dark or bad – change any of those things I just said?"
"No," he said, and both knew it was not just a statement of fact, but a promise. He would always protect her – and cook for her.
"So nothing you tell me about your past can change the way I think of you," Parker made a promise of her own.