The History Job

*This story is a sequel to The Family Job as well as The Low, Low Price Job Expanded Ending. Events and characters from both works are mentioned or reappear. Knowledge of both is recommended before reading this work. Story takes place after Season 5 finale.

Eliot placed the top bun on his latest creation. The burger stood tall on the plate next to the seasoned hand sliced wedges of potato- the last in a line of plates running the length of the Bridgeport Brew Pub bar.

"Done," he breathed in pride.

Parker and Hardison continued arguing at a table- Hardison's laptop open and whirring between them. The hitter's row of art sat ignored.

"Hey!" Eliot yelled. "You insisted on sampling the new menu before signing off on the gastro pub- it's going to get cold."

Hardison glanced at the bar and swallowed, "ALL that? Did you redo the entire menu?"

Eliot frowned, "Yeah."

"Yummy," Parker grinned.

"Taste it first, Parker," Hardison warned.

"What's the last thing you cooked, Hardison?" Eliot sniped. Parker giggled.

"Just because you cook, don't make it good…" Hardison chided.

Parker hopped up to the first dish and scooped up the fork. Before Eliot could give the dish an explanation, his phone rang out. He reached down to check the number while preparing to hit the silence button. The familiar number on the screen gave him pause. Eliot blinked and answered the phone as Parker and Hardison tilted their heads in curiosity.

"Hello, Mom," Eliot chirped with a smile.

The voice on the other end was scared, filled with emotion and nerves as it blubbered incoherently. "Eliot… I can't… youottacomeomeow.."

Eliot's face twisted with concern, "Mom… Mom, slow down. I can't understand you. What happened?"

Mom was crying and continued to blur her speech too fast to comprehend. He was about to plead with her again when he heard another familiar voice in the background.

"Mom, let me… I know…" the female voice soothed.

"Jesse?" Eliot queried. "What's going on?"

She sighed heavily before she responded. "Eliot… it's Dad… he had a stroke. The paramedics just took him. Mom isn't taking it well. Hell, none of us are…" He heard her voice crack.

"Jesse, I'm on my way- first flight."

"Okay…" she swallowed.

Eliot hung up the phone and stared at the floor a moment.

"You better hurry, plane leaves in an hour," Hardison blurted.

Slowly nodding, Eliot began to wander toward the door.

"Is it Dillon?" Parker breathed.

Eliot shook his head. "No, he's fine."

"I'll drive you…" Parker offered as Eliot continued absently toward the door. He nodded- still heading out.

"That can't be good," Hardison locked eyes with Parker. She shook her head.

Parker re-entered the Brew Pub forty minutes later. Hardison had cleaned up the plates and was returning to his laptop.

"Guess he caught the flight," he joked half-heartedly as he sat.

"Yeah," she replied as she plopped down across from him.

"He was pretty rattled."

Parker nodded, "His father had a stroke. I didn't think they were that close."

"They're not," Hardison replied. "I think that's the problem. They talk now but they never hashed out whatever happened to make Eliot leave in the first place. If his Dad doesn't make it – he'll never have that chance."

The sadness in Parker's eyes said it all as she sighed.

"I feel the same way," Hardison comforted.

The laptop began squawking and flashing.

Parker sniffed. "What is it?"

"I don't…" Hardison began to shrug and froze. "Somebody accessed Eliot's rap sheet…" he hit a couple buttons on the keyboard, "AND his military record."

"That seems like odd timing," Parker pursed her face.

"I have a really bad feeling about this." They stared at each other a moment.

"I'll drive." Parker stood up.

"Finding a flight now," Hardison agreed.

"Are you alright, sir?" the bubbly young flight attendant asked Eliot.

He looked at her in surprise. She rolled her eyes to his hands. The magazine he'd been holding the last hour was upside down. His eyes closed as he sighed and shut the pages.

"Nerves… sorry," he apologized.

"Where are you headed, sweetheart?" she asked.

"Home…" He surprised himself with the ease of the word.

"Parent?" she inferred.

He nodded, "Yeah, and I don't know if I'm too late."

"We'll get you there as fast as we can. Let me get you some water." She headed for the galley.

Eliot turned and stared across the two empty seats and out the window. Between the clouds, he could see tiny hamlets-sprawling cities that looked like tiny Christmas lights. Everything was so small, and he wished the crushing feeling in his chest could be shrunk so easily.

"Here you go, hun," the flight attendant set the water down with her right hand as she squeezed his shoulder with her left. She smiled warmly and continued down the aisle.

He took a sip and leaned back. Over the last three years Eliot had reconnected with his family. While they weren't tightly knit yet- not like the team- they were a family. So much had yet to be said and explained. They had put it off for so long- now the chance could have been lost forever. "Dammit," he thought. "You better make It, Dad. I've got something to say."

"I hate flying… the Wi-Fi is a joke and there's almost no signal strength. I feel naked," Hardison whined as he glanced around the cabin. He and Parker sat in the center of the plane, one empty seat sat on his right.

Parker turned her orange juice cup slowly.

"Eliot had good tailwinds for his flight, we won't so we're supposed to land two hours after he does. He should still be at the hospital, so hopefully he'll stay safe 'til we get there," he rambled.

"Mm hmmm," Parker mumbled without removing her eyes from her glass. Hardison finally diverted his gaze toward the abnormally quiet thief.

"Okay, what's eating you?" he asked.

She looked up at the seat in front of him and twitched her lips.

"Come on, girl. Talk to me." He put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

Parker sighed before looking at him. "This whole thing with Eliot… I mean. If you somehow had the chance to talk to your parents…" Hardison pulled back into his seat, "would you do it? Have you ever wondered what would happen?"

"I would, I think. Curiosity, I think. I didn't really know them, so I don't know what it would be like. It would be nice to know a few things," Hardison answered.

"I've been trying to picture it," Parker frowned, "but I can't. What's wrong with me?"

Hardison put his arm on the back of her seat. "Nothing is wrong with you, Parker. You're very realistic in your thoughts and grasp of concepts. Having a heart to heart with a bunch of dead people is hard for a lot of people to imagine. Maybe one day you'll be able to picture it. Until then, there isn't anything wrong with you. You know, Eliot might be lucky in that he can have a chance to talk to his family- sort stuff out. But I know we're lucky in a way too. We may not get our answers, but we'll never have to worry about acceptance or rejection."

She blinked at him a moment. "I guess. Which one do you think Eliot will get?"

He pulled his arm back. "I'm not sure yet but they've been talking- that's positive."

"Positive is good." Parker took a deep breath and released slowly.

It felt like a week had passed since he left Portland by the time Eliot pulled his rented pickup into the hospital parking lot. He had not even taken the time to wonder at the Nevada plates on it. That feeling in his stomach had gotten worse. Coming to terms with his feelings on the yet unfinished history between his father and himself was tearing him up. The hospital restrictions had kept him from being able to call and receive updates. He hoped he was not too late as he passed through the doors, making his way to the Emergency Room reception desk.

"May I help you?" the haggard attendant asked. The man had been there longer than most people could handle and it showed on his face.

Eliot placed his fingertips on the desktop. "I need the room number…"

"Eliot?!" Jesse's voice carried through the clamor of the waiting room. She approached, grabbing his arm into a half hug.

"Nevermind…" Eliot told the attendant before turning fully into Jesse's hug. He embraced her back, the contact easing the knotted feeling in his gut.

"Glad you're here. He's stable, but still waiting for test results. I came to check on you," Jesse explained as she released her grip.

"That's good," he sighed.

She exhaled loudly, "Yes, it is. He had us all pretty worried there. Mom is doing better as well. For a while, I thought she was going to join him." Jesse's hands shook slightly as the reality of her words hit.

Eliot grabbed her hands and locked eyes with her. "They're okay- it's going to be okay."

"You can't manipulate this, Eliot. No bag of cons will change anything if this were to take a turn for the worst. We could have lost him- both of them. I'm not ready for that."

"I know, believe me. I'm not ready either."

Jesse sniffed and rolled her eyes away until she could stop the tears threatening to fall. Once she was certain she had control, she swallowed and looked at him. "I suppose we should get in there before Mom sends security looking for me."

Eliot laughed. He waved her ahead and followed her to a room down the hall.

She disappeared through the doorway a step ahead. As Eliot rounded the doorway, he heard a shout.

"UNCLE ELIOT!" Dillon's near five foot, 12 year old frame burst through the door, colliding with Eliot's chest. Eliot played along, staggering back, almost leveling a male nurse coming through the hall. The nurse grumbled crossly. Eliot pulled himself upright, forcing Dillon to fall back on his own feet before apologizing to the nurse already well down the hall.

"You're getting too big," he teased as he rubbed the mop of hair on Dillon's head.

"I'm working on it," Dillon puffed with pride.

"I better see how Grandma and Grandpa are doing before we both get in trouble," Eliot replied. He smiled as he followed Dillon into the hospital room.

William Spencer looked peaceful sleeping in the bed, an IV running out of his arm. He looked healthy as Eliot had ever remembered despite the ride in the ambulance hours earlier.

"I am so glad you made it!" Mom squealed as she grabbed hold of Eliot in a vise grip hug.

"I hear it's good news," he replied, trying to find a polite way to pry her off.

"Yes," she sniffed, letting go of him. "Doctor said it wasn't a stroke. His something levels were out of whack but he should be just fine. A couple tests haven't finished yet, but expect we can take him home as soon as he wakes up."

"Glad to hear it."

"It is so wonderful to have both of you here! Both my babies… your father always did do things the hard way but I will take the blessing."

"She's right. It is kind of nice having us all together again," Jesse smiled.

Mom began herding everyone to the chairs and window ledge to take a seat. "We have to wait on your father to wake up so… tell me, what is going on with you?"

"Same old thing… I am working on changing the Brew Pub into a gastro pub but otherwise nothing new," Eliot answered.

"That's exciting. Your father and I will have to go to Portland one of these times to see it. We also have to go to Raleigh and meet Flynn…"

"Flynn?" Eliot raised an eyebrow.

"Jesse is seeing a man named Flynn Carter. He's a marketing researcher. Seems like a lovely boy," Eliot eyed Jesse, "and he is so good to Dillon."

"I never heard anything about him," Eliot frowned.

"I knew you would worry. I'm not stupid enough to walk right into another Chattum, Eliot," Jesse defended.

Eliot sighed, "That's not what I meant."

"That's exactly what you meant," she retorted. After a breath, she smiled. "And I appreciate my big brother feeling that way." He laughed.

"Now if we could just get you settled down with a nice girl…" Mom rambled.

"Mom… no. I'm happy with things the way they are. It took me a long time to get to this place. Besides, I wouldn't have time for a steady girl."

She pouted, "You're not getting any younger- and neither am I. I want to see my boy happy with a family before I go."

"You may have to settle for happy."

"I don't know," Jesse interrupted. "You're a great brother and I think Parker and Hardison are turning out fine." She laughed at him.

"You didn't…" Eliot narrowed his eyes at her in jest.

"And with that… I'm going to get a drink. Be back." Jesse stood with a quick bow and scampered away.

"Yes, will we get to meet these friends of yours?" Mom pried.

"Maybe someday…" he replied.

"Old man trying to sleep… too hard with all the jabbering," William's voice cracked. They all turned toward him in surprise.

"Honey, you're awake! I'm so happy! Let me get Jesse quick," Mom beamed. She poked her head down the hall and called for Jesse. There was no reply. She called again more sharply, again no response came.

"Guess she's in the bathroom," Mom offered, rejoining the group.

"How are you feeling, Grandpa?" Dillon grinned as he leaned on the foot of the bed.

"Ridiculous, laying here all lazy and useless in these hospital pajamas while you gawk. Haven't you got anything better to do?" William complained.

His wife pat his shoulder. "Doctor said the tests should be coming soon and they would discharge you right away. It wasn't a stroke, thankfully, and far as they can tell you're healthy as ever."

William eyed Eliot silently standing with his arms loosely crossed near the foot of the bed. "How long you been here, boy? Nothing productive to do?"

"About twenty minutes, Dad," he answered, not moving his arms. "Plane landed about an hour ago. And yeah," he uncrossed his arms, one finger rose to his lips momentarily. "I had lots of productive things to do – but this was a little more important."

"Must you two always antagonize each other? My boys- so alike you repel each other like magnets. Can you TRY and get along this time, for me?" Mom fussed.

Eliot rolled his head with an 'aw shucks' flair. "Sorry, Mom, you're right."

The doctor entered the room, ending the awkward cloud of silence that had enveloped them.

"Well, look who's awake? How are you feeling?" He checked William's pulse as he spoke.

"Fine, just give me the papers and send the bill I'll mistake for my mortgage, doc," William sassed.

"Are the tests back, doctor?" Mom inquired.

"Evelyn, the tests don't matter. I feel fine- I'm getting out of here."

The doctor laughed, "The important ones are. I don't see any indication that you are at any further risk. Far as I'm concerned, you take it easy for a couple days and you can go."

"Thank you so much, doctor." Evelyn shook his hand.

William slapped his hand on the blanket. "Get me my clothes and let's get out of this sick asylum."

"I'll get your paperwork together," the doctor replied as he helped remove the IV.

"That's it?" Eliot frowned.

"I can't force him to stay- and I don't believe he needs to- so why argue it? I've got a stubborn old goat of a father like him myself. What I've learned is you pick your fights," the doctor explained.

"He is one of the most stubborn," Evelyn interjected with a smile. The doctor winked as he left the room.

"Dillon, boy, fetch my bag there," William barked and pointed at a small bag of clothes on the table behind his grandson.

"Got it," he replied as he bounded back to retrieve the bag. He dropped it on the bed with a grin.

"Do you want me to help you?" Evelyn asked as William crawled out of the blankets.

"I've got it. I'm not feeble yet." He grabbed the bag and closed himself in the bathroom.

Eliot pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Don't start," Evelyn ordered. "He's tense… it'll pass."

"I didn't say anything," Eliot threw his hands up.

"Eliot, I'm your mother. You don't have to say anything for me to hear it."

He leaned and pointed at Dillon as he whispered, "THIS is why you better be good to your momma. They KNOW." Dillon laughed.

"Speaking of which, where IS your momma?" Evelyn glanced at the door.

"I'll go get her," Eliot offered. As he turned to exit the room, the doorway filled with the haggard male attendant, hospital security and two police officers.

"Eliot Spencer?" one of the officers asked as they cautiously entered the room, followed by the security, hands hovering over their weapons.

"Yeah… what is this about?" Eliot answered slowly.

"Do you have a black Ford F250 with Nevada plate 11991L6?" the officer continued.

"Why does this sound like an interrogation?"

"We don't want to make a scene, especially not in front of the kid."

"ELIOT?" Evelyn cried. Dillon breathed heavily as he stared back and forth across the faces before him.

"Eliot Spencer- I hereby place you under arrest on suspicion of assault, false imprisonment and kidnapping," the officer announced.

"What?" Eliot was dumbfounded but refused to resist in front of his family, allowing the officers to cuff him.

"You have the right to remain silent…"

"I know 'em," Eliot hissed.

"You are waving the reading of your Miranda rights?" the officer confirmed.

"Yes," Eliot muttered. He knew the rights and didn't want to subject Dillon to the upsetting scene longer than necessary.

"What is going on?" Evelyn cried.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the second officer replied as he grabbed Eliot's elbow.

"Mind telling me who I supposedly assaulted and confined?" Eliot demanded.

"We responded to a call about a body. We found a woman bound and beaten in the back of your rental," the first officer explained.

"That's crazy. He just got into town- he's been here with us. It's a mistake! My boy would never do anything like that!" Evelyn pleaded.

William threw open the bathroom door. He finished pulling on his shirt as he faced the officers.

"What the hell is going on? My boy ain't perfect but he'd never lay hand on a woman in that manner. I'd bust him myself if he even thought it."

"This the guy?" one of the hospital security officers asked the attendant still standing in the doorway.

"Yeah, that's him. He met her in the lobby," the attendant replied.

"The lobby?" Eliot's jaw dropped.

"They met up an' she called him Eliot," the attendant attested.

"Jesse?! You found Jesse out there?" Eliot choked.

"My girl? You found my daughter like that?" Evelyn cupped her hand to her lips as William embraced her.

"Ask her- she'll tell you the truth. Her brother wouldn't lay a hand on her, and he'd break any man that did," William insisted.

The first officer sighed and looked them all in the eyes. "We would, but she wasn't conscious."

"I wanna see her…" Eliot huffed, his face red.

"She's already been taken into the ER. No one will be seeing her right now. I'm sorry."

Evelyn buried her face in William's chest.

"I'm very sorry, ma'am. We have to take him in for questioning," the second officer added. "I'm sure it'll be cleared up."

"He wouldn't…" Dillon blurted. He had sat forgotten near the corner of the room. His face streamed with tears as he watched in shock.

"It's okay," Eliot reassured them. The second officer ushered him out, flanked by the hospital security.

"I'm gonna need to ask you some questions as well," the remaining officer stated.

"Anything to speed this up and get my boy out…" William replied.