A/N: I would like to start by saying that I would NEVER abandon my stories. Real life has gotten really complicated since my last update. My grandmother had gotten sick, and we have been constantly going back and forth to the doctor. During which, we had to rush her to the emergency room, three times. Long days and nights sitting in the hospital was both physically and emotionally draining. Thankfully, the doctors figured out what was wrong and she is recovering at home.

Any who my lovelies, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that this is a new chapter...the bad news is that this is the last chapter. I wanted to give you all an ending you deserve.


Parker felt cold, unbelievably so. She felt as if her heart was trying to pound its way out of her chest. 'So this what frozen in fear feels like'. Even if she did manage to stand on her own, she couldn't move as fast as she wanted to. Her neck was really tender, her head was throbbing, and her entire body felt like it was on fire. She was bound to pass out at any moment.

Swallowing a large lump in her throat, she closed her eyes and waited for the end that she knew was coming. She let her mind drift to her daughter, Eliot, and the rest of her family. She pictured all of them, for that was the last thing that she wanted on her mind when she takes her last breath. She thought about the last time she held her daughter and told her she loved her. She thought about her last encounter with Eliot. Before her mind could go any further, she heard a grunt and a sound of something hitting the floor.

Opening her eyes, she looked up to find Eliot glaring down at Vladimir before turning his attention to her. The look in his eyes went from rage to relief as he rushed to her side.

Kneeling down to her level, he gently cups her face and presses his forehead against hers. Parker took in the moment, and thanked whatever being that was looking out for them. The moment was quickly ruined however, when she saw movement out the corner of her eye.

Before she could alert Eliot, he quickly aimed and fired three times killing Vladimir. He was breathing heavy and his knuckles turned white with the tight grip he had on the gun. He cursed Vladimir for forcing him to make her witness him take a life. He felt sick.

Parker, noticing his inner struggle, immediately reached up and hugged him. She used one of her hands to cover his hand that held the gun and helped him lower it. She knew this is what he used to do, and she accepted it. The two of them out of the team always did what needed to be done.

Giving him another reassuring squeeze, she whispered the words 'it's okay', before passing out.

"Parker?" Eliot gently cradles her in his arms and pats her cheek. "Parker, can you hear me?" She opens her eyes and mutters his name before losing consciousness again.

Quinn quickly enters the room and notices Vladimir's lifeless body, and Parker's motionless form.

"Is she?..."

"No...just unconscious." Eliot replied. Putting away his gun, he moved to lift Parker properly in his arms while he stood.

Quinn quickly removed the gun out of Vladimir's hand and tucked it in the back of his pants, knowing her finger prints were on it.

"Spencer, we gotta get the hell out of here. I can hear sirens and a chopper. I found another exit on my way in here and it will get us to the car faster. The feds are going to be coming in hot from the front, east, and west entrances." Quinn informed him, getting more antsy by the second. They had wounded henchmen, a dead body, an injured thief and the feds were a good two minutes away.

Not wasting anymore time, the two quickly made their way to the hidden exit and made a quick dash for the vehicle. Eliot climbed in the back with Parker and used his jacket to support her head in his lap.

"We have to stay out of the chopper's sight, and this back road is going to be bumpy. Keep her steady as much as you can, so it doesn't jostle her too much." Quinn advised. The only acknowledgment he got from the other hitter was a small grunt. Looking out of the rearview mirror at his rival, he watched as Eliot pushed the thief's hair out of her face.

"Seeing you show a soft side is just awkward." He remarked.

"Shut up and drive Quinn!" Eliot snapped. Not phased at all by his outburst, Quinn smirked as he put a little more pressure on the gas as they sped off to the hospital.


Nate and Hardison already had their information ready for them when they had arrived. Their cover was solid, with Eliot being her husband and Quinn her brother, much to Eliot's annoyance. They had been sitting in the waiting area for three hours with no word from anyone. Despite him being trained to be patient, he hated waiting. Even worst, he hated waiting in hospitals. In hospitals, things only went one or two ways; the patient either lived or died. There is no in-between.

From what he could tell, Parker took a major blow to the head. She had a nasty bump and a concussion; that he was certain. She also had maybe one or two cracked ribs and some bruising. His main concern though, was her head injury.

The doctor comes in and informs them that they ran a few tests including a CT scan and found no serious injuries, and that Parker will recover in no time. She guided them to her room and in an instant, his mood went from relief to small annoyance. They were met with the sight of Parker flicking the IV that was injected into her vein.

"Parker, stop that." Eliot growled. Honestly, she could go from being a mature adult, to acting like a child in a manner of seconds.

"Eliot, this thing is pumping drugs into my system...I. Don't. Do. Drugs." She replied glaring at the IV, and Eliot had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.

"They're not illegal, it's just pain medication." He reassured her.

"But I'm not in any pain." She responded a little confused.

"That's because of the drugs!" He snapped.

"You said they weren't drugs..." She fired back.

"I said they weren't illegal drugs!" He retorted.

Quinn turned his attention away from the bickering couple, and on to their leader.

"Is this normal?" he asked with a bemused expression.

"For them? Yeah it is." Nate answered, with a small smile on his face. Deciding that the two needed to settle down, he shook his head in amusement and cleared his throat. "Eliot, Parker, can we please not get thrown out of the hospital?"

"Yeah Ike and Tina, settle down." Hardison chimed in.

"Shut up Hardison." Eliot replied with a mock-glare.

"Who's Ike and Tina?" Everyone turned their heads in her direction with similar looks on their faces 'seriously'?

Shrugging her shoulders and brushing off their stares, her face turned serious. "Where's Lizzie and Sophie?"

"They are on their way." Nate replied.

"So what happened after I passed out?"

"Eliot and Quinn got you out of there just in time before the feds swarmed the place. They concluded that it was a shootout gone wrong. After treating the wounded, the cops made their arrests and charges were filed. After an anonymous tip, they were able to pinpoint Archie's murder on a couple of the goons." Hardison answered.

"So sometime today an official statement will be made about not only Vladimir's body being found at the scene, but also his involvement in Archie's death. The ruling will be changed from a suicide to homicide. Also, there is an on-going investigation in the black market. The CIA, FBI, as well as the Secret Service is involved." Nate added.

No one in the room spoke for a moment, giving Parker time to let the information sink in.

"That's good. At least Archie's family has some closure..." She stated softly. Eliot gave her arm a gentle squeeze for support.

"What about you?" Nate asked. Although he didn't particularly like the guy, he knew what it felt like to lose someone, and this is her second loss. She looked up at him for a moment before answering.

"I'm okay." She pauses before shaking her head. "No I'm not. But, I will be okay. I just cant believe he's gone." She responded and was glad that they didn't push further. "What's taking Sophie so long to get here?" She really wanted to see her baby.

Before he could answer, Nate's phone rang. He quickly answered and hung up. "That was Sophie. She and Lizzie are in the Lobby." He said after pocketing his phone.

"I will come with you." Hardison said as he followed Nate out the door, leaving the two hitters and the thief alone.


"So how are you feeling doll face?" Quinn asked as he stood on the other side of the bed.

"I'll be sore for a few days, and the bruises will heal. Other than that, I'm fine. More importantly, I am relieved that Vladimir's gone, and he can't hurt anymore people." She answered.

"Glad to hear it. I wanted to make sure that you were okay, before I took off." Quinn said.

"She said she's fine." Eliot growled.

"So you're leaving?" Parker asked.

"I'm flattered you sound disappointed." He smirked at Eliot's glare. "But as you can see, two hitters can't stay in one room together for too long, we'll kill each other."

"No, say the two of you can't stay in one room together for too long." Parker retorted.

"Plus, you know a guy like me can't stay in one place for a long periods of time. I don't know how the hell you and Spencer are doing it." He shook his head.

"We found something here...that's how." Eliot cut in.

"Yeah" she agreed. "It's like being on a plane and flying through turbulence, and yeah you are being jostled around, but you are strapped in...so you won't completely fall over." She frowned and looked up at him "Did that make sense?"

"None whatsoever." Quinn answered.

"Well it's complicated, but it works." She said sparing a glance at Eliot. Turning her attention back to him, she placed a hand on his arm and gave a soft smile. "Quinn...thank you, for everything. I owe you so much."

Quinn shook his head, and gently squeezed the hand that was holding his arm.

"You don't owe me anything doll face." Giving her one of his charming smiles, he continued. "If you need anything, you know how to find me." Nodding, she pulled him in for a hug and he reciprocated.

Just to get a rise out of his rival, he made eye contact with Eliot, and gently pulled her in a little closer. He heard Eliot make a noise and he smirked. Once he released her, he walked up to Eliot and held out his hand as a peace offering, which he firmly took it.

"Spencer, don't make me have to come back here, and kick your ass..." Quinn said.

"Quinn, you come back here, and I will kick your ass." The two hitters shared a knowing smirk and firmly shook hands. With that, Quinn left leaving Eliot and Parker alone.

"So, how are you feeling?" Parker asked.

"How am I feeling?" Eliot made a face.

"You know what I mean. After you...you know." She clarified, and Eliot shook his head.

"I did what I had to. I gave that bastard a warning and he blew it. They can only hang you once, right?"

"That's not funny Eliot." Parker said seriously.

"I'm not laughing." He replied. Parker grabbed and squeezed his hand; the same one that pulled the trigger.

"This isn't gonna... haunt you or anything will it?" She asked. She saw the way he was in that warehouse, and for him to be pushed like that, did not sit well with her.

"Babe, with all of the things I've done, I'm haunted everyday. But rest assured, this will not be one of them. If it meant keeping you, Lizzie and the rest of this team safe, I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

"About what I said earlier, you know about feeling relieved? I...I don't want to be happy that someone's dead, but..."

"Parker, you're not a bad person." He assured her.

"I know...and neither are you." He gave her a look. "What? You're not! Not to me, or Lizzie or the team. Even though we know who..." He cut her off.

"Do not finish that sentence." He said with a small amount of anger and regret in his voice. "Parker, you all don't know who I used to be, and you never will."

"And you will never know the person I used to be. So we are both new people, and we have a clean slate. Whatever happened back then, and whoever we were? They are gone. Forever." She retorted.

The two sat in a somewhat comfortable silence for a few minutes, thinking about everything that happened today and the days before. The only sound that could be heard was the steady beep of her heart monitor. Tired of the silence, she decided to change subjects. This was something that needed to be discussed anyway.

"So..." She began, catching his attention.

"So...what?" He asked.

"Is this the part where we have that awkward morning after talk?" She inquired and he chuckled.

"Its not exactly morning, and why does it have to be awkward?" Parker thought about it for a split second, and then shook her head.

"It doesn't...but we still haven't discussed Moscow." She said.

"There is nothing to discuss as far as I'm concerned. You and I both know what that was...it was a fantasy...an escape." He shrugged.

"And a night of conception..." She added.

"Seriously?" He gave her a look.

"Yeah seriously. And you are watching that birthing video Sparky, don't think I forgot." She leaned back and crossed her arms with a smirk and he visibly paled. "There is one thing I want you to know though." He sat there giving her his full attention, encouraging her to continue. "In Moscow, I was intrigued by you. That's why I didn't snap your fingers when you touched me for the first time."

"Or you just really wanted to get laid." He stated with a smug grin.

"Seriously? Mr. 'I'm more of a hands on kind of guy." She stated quoting him, and trying but failing to imitate his voice. "Worst pick up line ever."

"Like you know anything about pick up lines." he snorted.

"I know you could have come up with something better than that." She said.

"You didn't have a problem with it..."

"That was the booze..." She shrugged.

"Yeah right...you were just as into it as I was." He stated smugly.

"Yeah well, last night you were off your game..." She remarked, and now it was her turn to gloat. Or so she thought.

'Whoa, now wait just a damn a minute.' He thought to himself before replying. "Excuse me? Parker, I will snatch those damn sheets off, and remind you just how 'on top of my game' I really am." He would do it too. He didn't give a damn if they got caught.

Parker shivered at the assertiveness in his tone. She actually blushed, and he grinned at her knowingly. Clearing her throat and gaining some type of control of herself, she spoke again.

"Speaking of which...what happens now? With us I mean." She asked.

Instead of verbally answering her he leaned in and kissed her softly. He pulled away after a few seconds and looked her in the eyes

"We'll just be us." He stated kind of referring to his conversation he had with her in the mountain crevasse.

"Okay we can be us. But no sleeping with other women. And unless we are on a job, and you have to, no flirting either." She smiled at him and he arched a brow.

"Fine, but no more making out with Hardison." She laughed and this time initiated another kiss. Before the two could get lost into the kiss, they where interrupted my Hardison's outraged cry.


"What do you mean you don't like orange soda! Everybody likes orange soda!" Hardison was horrified.

"I don't like it! It's nasty." Lizzie replied making a face.

"Now you listen to me my little protégé, I'm talking about real orange soda; not that carbonated crap they sale in stores. The orange soda I drink comes from real oranges! And..." He cut off his rambling when he noticed her facial expression; an exact replica of Eliot's when he's annoyed. 'okay now that's just freaky' the hacker thought to himself.

"I don't like oranges...and what's a pro-to-gay?" Not waiting for him to answer, she shrugged, and walked further into the room to join her parents; leaving a flabbergasted hacker in the doorway. Sophie walked passed him and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Cheer up Hardison. It's not the end of the world."

"Oh really? What if she told you that she didn't like shopping?" He asked.

"Don't be ridiculous. Every girl loves to shop, no matter what age." She replied confidently, before hugging Parker.

"Actually Sophie, she hates shopping...sorry." Parker informed her and Sophie recoiled back as if she had been slapped.

"HA! Say something now!" Hardison crossed his arms and grinned. And Sophie huffed. She glanced over at Nate and noticed he wore a calm smile.

"What are you standing over there smiling at Nate? I'm sure there is something of yours that she doesn't like." Sophie challenged.

"Oh no. Lizzie and I are fine." The mastermind looked over to the child and placed his index finger to his lips. Lizzie grinned at him and did the same. Both Hardison and Sophie looked at the mastermind suspiciously, while he just smirked and took a sip of his coffee. Eliot and Parker shared a knowing smile.

"She plays dress up sometimes..." Parker assured Sophie.

"Well, there may be hope for her yet..." Sophie replied with a satisfied smile.

"She likes to cook." Eliot added with a smug grin, hugging Lizzie closer to him.

"And climb things." Parker chimed in.

"...And jump!" Lizzie added her two cents. Making everyone in the room laugh.

Parker silently sat back noticing that her hand was still tightly clasped in Eliot's while his other hand was occupied with keeping Lizzie balanced on his knee. The nightmare was over, and they were all back together again along with their newest little addition.

She took comfort in knowing that her team...no...her family would always be there to back her up until the very end.

Fin


A/N: I would just like to take the time out to say thank you to everyone who has given me so much positive feedback and stuck with me through this entire process. I cannot believe its been a year! Its crazy. I am kind of sad that its over... (for this story anyway!)

Well as always, please leave a review and keep an eye out for my next project! You guys are AWESOME!

Sincerely,

krys2007