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The Christmas Job
Nate turned his collar up against the chill. Hunched his shoulders partly against the wind and partly against the Christmas music. Christmas was around the corner and time was running out for gift buying.
An insanely expensive bauble from the collection of a rich mark for Sophie. A tech toy he had no hope of understanding for Hardison. The thief was easiest. Non sequential bills for Parker.
The hitter. That was a different story.
Eliot never needed anything. He traveled light, so no collections. Enjoyed reading but they were always secondhand paperbacks that he donated after he finished them. He had a well-stocked kitchen and didn’t need any new gadgets.
He didn’t buy into all the fancy stuff anyway. Eliot was a simple man that liked the traditional way of doing things. Not a bad thing, until it came to buying presents.
Sophie had gotten him into this mess of buying Christmas gifts. He would be content to spend some time away from the job. Maybe have dinner with the team. But this, the endless running and buying...the holiday was too commercialized.
Eliot walked up beside Nate. Hands in his pockets, shoulders hunched. “You ready to go? Or you gonna gloat some more?”
All the time with this teasing about gloating. “I don’t gloat, Eliot.”
The hitter smiled. “Sure you do. Gotta do a touchdown dance.” He winked and walked ahead.
Eliot really could be a smug bastard sometimes. Nate fell in step with him, nonetheless. “So, almost Christmas.”
Eliot blew out a breath and watched the vapor dissipate. “Yeah. Comes faster every year.”
The hitter fell into an easy silence. Content to let the conversation languish.
He can’t make anything easy. “Did you buy gifts?” Nate asked. He tried to keep the hopeful tone out of his voice. But knew he failed when Eliot shrugged as he climbed into the back of Lucille.
“Some small ones. Figured I’d cook everyone a nice meal.” He stuck his head back out the door. “How are you doing since Sophie decided gifts were necessary?” A smile and raised eyebrow mocked Nate.
“Oh, shut up.”
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.
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Sophie watched Nate sulk and drink his coffee the next morning. “Why so glum? Job is done. We won. You got your victory lap.”
He sighed. Stared into his mug. “It’s almost Christmas. I didn’t want to exchange gifts this year. Just wanted to keep it simple.” Belatedly, he added, “I don’t do victory laps.”
She leaned her elbows on the counter across from him. Met his eyes. “Now, darling. Don’t be an Ebenezer Scrooge. It’s good to make people feel loved and appreciated.”
“Don’t I do that without adding to the commercialism of corporate America?”
“Nate...come on. Where’s your Christmas spirit? Even Eliot bought gifts.” She leaned closer and whispered, “He’s wearing a Santa hat.”
Nate looked across the room where Eliot, Hardison, and Parker were decorating the Christmas tree.
Of course, Eliot was grumbling under his breath, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Parker batted the pom pom on the end of his hat and laughed.
“See? He’s having a good time.”
Nate smiled as he watched the trio work on the tree. “He is.” A frown crossed his face. “He’s incredibly hard to buy a gift for you know.”
Sophie giggled. “Why do you think I nominated you to pick out his gift? It’s a good bonding exercise for you.”
Nate’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Nominated? Is that what you call that? I thought it was more of an order. Besides, you’re the grifter. You probably already know what would be good and just won’t tell me.”
“How will you ever learn if I just tell you?”
Eliot interrupted on his way to get a cup of coffee. “Order? What kind of order? Hope you aren’t getting takeout. You know that stuff ain’t real food.”
Nate grimaced. “Not getting takeout, Eliot.”
Eliot grinned at Nate’s back over his coffee mug. “So different kind of order then? The mastermind takin’ orders instead of givin’ them?” He chuckled as he pushed away from the counter and sauntered back to join Parker and Hardison in the living area.
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.
.
Nate watched Sophie laugh at Eliot’s performance. “He’s been like this since we started Christmas shopping. I swear he knows I’m trying to come up with a gift for him. He’s being purposefully vague and annoying and...and...”
“Oh, Nate. He’s just teasing you.”
Laughter floated over to the kitchen from the living area. Parker, Hardison, and even Eliot were decorating the Christmas tree in the joint stolen loot of the trio.
Hardison’s eyes widened. “Is that...?”
Eliot smiled as he tried to balance the sword on the tree. “The Honjo Masamune? The one and only.”
Parker almost did a spit take of her drink. “The Honjo Masamune? The one that was lost after WWII and never seen again?”
Eliot sighed in the way only he could. “What do you think the one and only means, Parker?”
“No way!” she whisper-shouted. “You weren’t there? You couldn’t have been! Could you? Are you one of those government super soldiers like the Winter Soldier?”
“What? Hardison, I told you not to let her watch that! She’s too impressionable, man.”
Hardison shrugged.
Nate sipped his coffee as he watched his team enjoying each other’s company.
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “There’s that mastermind smile. What’s going on in that sexy brain of yours?”
Parker tried to roll Eliot’s sleeve up. “But you have skin. Did they cover the metal with skin? That is so cool!”
“Parker! What the hell are you...I don’t have a metal arm. That’s crazy.”
“Well?” Sophie asked, a hint of impatience in her voice. “What are you smiling about? Do tell.” She leaned her elbows on the counter and batted her dark eyes at him.
“Bolognese. I think Bolognese will do nicely.” He stood and grabbed his jacket.
“What? Where are you going?”
“To the market. I have things to buy.”
Before the door closed behind him, he heard Sophie call, “Of course! Why should Christmas stop you from being all cryptic and mysterious?”
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Christmas Eve came with cold wind and snow flurries. Nate stirred the sauce, awaiting the arrival of the team.
Sophie swooped through the door in a swish of fabric and swirl of color. “It’s a madhouse out there! Last minute shoppers, carolers, vendors.” She perched on a barstool. Propped her chin in her hand. “I love this time of year.”
“You’re the first to arrive.”
Sophie dipped her manicured hand into the dish of candies on the counter. “About that. What is this all about? Eliot is going to be angry. You know he always makes a big Christmas Eve dinner for everybody. And you’ve called us here early. He hasn’t had time to prepare, I’m sure.”
Nate dipped a spoon in the sauce and brought it to Sophie. “Got that covered.” He offered her a bite of the Bolognese.
Her eyes drifted closed as she took a bite and licked her lip. “Mmm. Nate, this is amazing!”
The door burst open before he could respond.
Parker and Hardison crashed into the room. “I can’t believe it’s snowing! Hardison, maybe we can have a snowball fight. That would be so much fun. But Eliot can’t play too. Wouldn’t be fair with his Winter Soldier arm.”
Eliot pushed his way into the apartment toting groceries in both arms. “Dammit, I told you I don’t have a metal arm. I’m not a Winter Soldier.”
Nate chuckled despite himself. “Everyone sit down at the table.”
“Ohh! It’s decorated for a meal. Dang, man. Eliot is so good he’s already got things going. What’re we having?”
“I haven’t cooked anything yet. I’ve got the ingredients here.” Eliot turned a confused gaze to Nate.
“Give me those bags. Go have a seat with Parker and Hardison.” Nate put the bags on the counter and turned back around to hand Eliot a beer. “Go. Sit.” He hid his smile as he made a shooing motion and Eliot was so confused, he obeyed.
Sophie stood and took the hitter’s arm. “Come sit by me. Nate has something up his sleeve, I’m sure.”
Eliot allowed himself to be led to the table with a glance at Nate over his shoulder. “Uh, yeah. Sure.”
Nate clapped his hands. “I’m going to put away the groceries Eliot brought and get everyone a plate.”
After putting the food away, Nate plated everyone’s pasta and served them one by one. Saving Eliot’s for last, he brought the plate and set it in front of him. The steaming aroma of the spaghetti and Bolognese sauce made Nate’s stomach rumble.
Eliot inspected the sauce. No doubt checking color, texture, and size of the vegetables therein. He raised an eyebrow at Nate as he took a bite. “Mmm,” he hummed appreciatively. “Pretty damned good, Nate.”
“Learned from the best.” He winked as he took a bite.
He placed a hand on Eliot’s shoulder and squeezed with affection. “Merry Christmas, Eliot,” he murmured.
Blue eyes surveyed his family at the table, and he smiled. “Merry Christmas,” he whispered, voice made gruffer by emotion.