Hello everybody.
My first Leverage-focused story and second time using the fandom altogether.
Pretty much a sort of missing canon scene branching off of 1x05, The Mile High Job.
Causeway in Florida
Watching Parker sightly stumble Eliot frowning glances over seeing Nate and Sophie working on breaking into a car discreetly for a getaway. Alongside a conversation they are having with Hardison on acquiring hotel rooms, Eliot quietly removes his earbud for a moment before heading over to the blonde-haired thief. Reaching up Eliot opens his palm to reveal the device as Parker after a moment removes hers's, looking on in question.
"I know you are injured from getting bounced around the cabin," Eliot says.
"No, I'm fine" Parker replies through gritted teeth.
"Bull, you are not. I get not wanting to let the others know, but at least let me help" Eliot says.
"Coming from you?" Parker asks.
"It's been a long time since I've had anybody I could rely on. But you, we are not so alone. Even I have a medical contact or two" Eliot says.
"Like having sex with a flight attendant or neurologist" Parker replies.
"No," Eliot says.
"You really want to help me?" Parker inquires after a moment.
"Yes," Eliot says.
"Why?" Parker asks.
"It's my job to keep this team safe, even from itself," Eliot says.
"Okay," Parker says.
"You sure?" Eliot asks.
Rolling her eyes she winces "You want to help so help, and you are keeping this from the rest" Parker says.
"I'm going to have to physically inspect the damage," Eliot says.
"I trust you," Parker says.
"You do?" Eliot asks.
"It's your job" Parker replies, light smiling.
Nodding Eliot slips the com back into his ear while Parker does the same on returning to listening to the ongoing chatter for having found a hotel.
"Change the hotel rooms, have Nate and Sophie together, Parker's with me," Eliot says.
"What? No way man, I just made the reservations and why does she need to stay with you?" Hardison protests.
"Because if something goes wrong at least Sophie is with Nate, and Parker's with me. We can get out quicker" Eliot says.
"Nothing's going to go wrong, I picked one of the safest hotels" Hardison begins yet gets cut off.
"You hacked in didn't you?" Parker points out.
"Just change the rooms, Hardison, what Eliot's saying is not out of possibility" Nate says.
"Touching darling. Still can't believe you've got Paris and Tuscany mixed up" Sophie says.
Eliot merely exhales in aggravation at this tired argument while Parker agrees. Both the hitter and thief head for the car, where if Parker stays closer to Eliot's reach in case she stumbles again, neither they nor the Mastermind and Grifter say a word. Out loud at least.
Later in a hallway
Gently closing the door behind Eliot holding a small bag walks forward a bit until seeing Nate exit out of a room holding a bucket of ice. Both men stop for a moment looking at the other until walking over.
"That for Parker?" Nate asks.
"Yes, some ice and hot packs. Bandages to" Eliot replies.
"I figured she was more injured than being let on. You know if you need" Nate says uneasily.
Nodding "I know," Eliot says.
"And yourself," Nate says gesturing to his forehead.
"Just a scratch, I've had worse" Eliot replies.
"Sophie already tried conning some rich guy into giving up a penthouse," Nate says.
"I had to keep Parker from lifting watches and wallets four times. Pretty sure has a few I don't know about" Eliot says.
"And I'm not completely positive either didn't grab Stradivarius or the diamonds," Nate says.
Eliot merely nods.
"Can't find any alcohol in this place. You wouldn't happen to?" Nate asks.
"The only hotel for miles that is liquor-free besides cleaning wounds. One of the owner's kids died in a drunk driving accident" Eliot explains.
"Damn it Hardison" Nate mutters.
As Ford walks off Eliot has a small smirk on his borrowed catchphrase before heading to his room.
Hotel room
Walking in to see Parker wearing a T-shirt and pants lying on the bed Eliot briefly stops in surprise figuring she would be more active regardless.
"I've been injured before you know. Not always a bunny on crack" Parker says.
"Right," Eliot says somewhat guilty. Once more reminded of how the thief's craziness can be an act. No different than his dumb muscle persona.
Walking over Eliot sits as Parker sits up wincing and Eliot helps remove her shirt revealing her naked chest. For all of two seconds, Eliot lets his thoughts wander before closing them down, and allowing his professional mask to slide in place. Actually, wouldn't have occurred if it was just a client, but given it's Parker who he works with daily leads to a different connection. Different thoughts.
Of course, Parker privately has stolen a glance, two or more at the hitter over the months being partnered together. Regardless is not blind, unaware of sexual interest, or a virgin either, not that she cared to remember that rather forgettable experience. Nate is too much like Archie or well if Archie cared about making her feel like belonging.
Parker's brought out of her thoughts when feeling Eliot applying cream on the bruises, with carefully wrapping her chest and repeating the process on her arms. Once that is done Eliot starts putting supplies on a nearby table. Only momentarily stopping upon hearing the thief's voice.
"Thank you," Parker says carefully pulling her shirt back on.
"You're welcome darlin" Eliot replies.
"We should get some sleep," Parker says laying back down on the bed.
"Yeah," Eliot says.
After a moment Parker looks over sees Eliot getting ready to go to sleep on the floor and frowns.
"What are you doing?" Parker asks.
"What's it look like? Going to sleep, or at least trying to" Eliot replies grumbling.
"That's ridiculous. A perfectly good bed right here and for sure easier on your body than the floor. I'm not the only one who has been injured" Parker says.
"This floor is one of the nicer ones I've slept on," Eliot says.
"Yes, it feels fuzzy, you could peel a pineapple," Parker says.
"You're crazy, and I'm too tired figuring that out," Eliot says.
"Then climb into bed," Parker says.
"No," Eliot says.
"Fine," Parker says after a moment "I was trying to be nice."
"Go to sleep" Eliot grumbles yet lacks any heat.
Parker debates saying something but decides not to close her eyes letting sleep overtake her. Eliot does the same.
Only it doesn't last long, thirty minutes at most, given Parker awakes gasping for breath having been back on that plane, yet it went down with everybody on board. And she died inside the cargo hold, trapped at the bottom of the ocean in the wreckage. Visions mixed in with Nate, Eliot and her getting killed by Genogrow security. Looked like something out of a horror film for Genogrow's guards spraying out a toxic mist from their hands.
Blinking to slowly bring herself back to reality Parker hears groans turns seeing Eliot muttering out out names in a nightmare, and recognizing the very same people who she had watched die. Only pushing emotions to the side, and having always been a person of action Parker knows has to get Eliot out of his nightmare.
Reaching over for a tissue box on the closet end table Parker throws it towards Eliot's head which startles him awake, and up on his feet breathing heavily. Eventually, the hitter seems to gain better control for coming back to reality.
"Damnit Parker, what the hell?" Eliot snaps picking up the fallen tissue box.
"You were in a nightmare. I needed a way to wake you up" Parker explains not even phased at his tone.
"Oh... smart" Eliot replies setting the box on the table.
"I know it personally sucks. One kid in juvie lost some teeth when he tried waking me up. Of course, he was stealing bunny too" Parker says.
"Bunny?" Eliot asks curiously.
"A stuffed rabbit I've had since a foster home. That I stole" Parker replies. Not bringing up how it belonged to her younger brother Nick, the abusive parents, or any of that at the moment.
Eliot merely nods intending to head for the door yet stops upon hearing the blonde's voice.
"Where are you going?" Parker asks.
"The gym" Eliot replies.
"Stay," Parker says.
"What?" Eliot asks.
"Stay, I won't sleep, and you need it to," Parker says.
"The floor has lost being comfy," Eliot says.
"Oh, for goodness sake, you are crazy, it's a bed. The one room Hardison could find, not sure why cause I know" Parker says rambling but gets gently cut off.
"Because Hardison wanted to be petty given, I had him change rooms," Eliot says.
Frowning "Why? Did he want you to sleep on the floor? Or me?" Parker asks.
"Complain and get us another room, apologize, or some dumb crap. How should I know" Eliot says.
Nodding "Just... share with me, please? I don't want you to leave" Parker replies.
Eliot glances off like debating for a moment before finally walking over and climbing in beside Parker who merely lays there. After a few minutes, both let the sheer exhaustion of the case overtake them, and sleep follows.
Both realize in the morning they slept for a full nine hours yet quietly agreed to never speak of it to anyone ever. Had a story about slipping out to rob something if needed, but neither Nate nor Sophie cared. If anything, all four merely understood having come far closer to death than expected.
Later that day in Leverage HQ Offices
Hardison walks into the kitchen somewhat rattled after a gruff yet quiet, the only way Eliot can, disagree for how he was on a video game instead of being focused on the job. And how coming through saving their backsides was not the same thing as being an apology. Looking over to see Parker sitting on the counter eating from a chip bag.
"You sleep well last night?" Hardison asks.
Looking over "I slept with Eliot last night so I was fine" Parker replies causally hopping down.
"Yeah... wait, what did you just say?" Hardison exclaims.
"We shared the same bed cause there was only one. Eliot makes a nice pillow" Parker says.
"That's not the same thing at all" Hardison replies.
"Yes, it is" Parker answers. Completely hates touching entirely, and sex is about trust so it's the same thing as letting Eliot be that close when they were both asleep.
Hardison goes to protest how it's not only the thief has exited.
Hope you all enjoyed this and let me know what you think.
Yeah, this story spiraled into something longer than originally planned.
I've seen other fics of Eliot taking care of Parker at the end of 1x05 and decided on my spin here. I hinted towards Eliot and Parker having a possible attraction.
Personally don't mind Eliot/Parker romantic wise. Hardison/Parker is handled okay in the show and not toxic unlike far too many other pairings to list.
Until next time