Chapter Text
Hardison pushed himself back from the table with a satisfied sigh.
"Eliot, my man, that was perfection."
Of course it was, Eliot thought. There were two things he was good at. Hurting people, and cooking. Usually those two activities were mutually exclusive, but fortunately for Eliot, or, rather, for those he considered friends, his talent for cooking was something he had developed to help him deal with his OTHER talent.
What he SAID, however, was a simple "thank you." as he picked up Hardison's dish and headed towards the sink. He then refreshed his own coffee and returned the table.
"So what do you want, man?"
"Can't I just cook for a friend without wanting something?"
"Yes. But garlic steak and potatoes, which you know is my favorite thing you make? "
Eliot took a sip of coffee, eyeing Hardison over the top of the mug. "I've got us a case."
Hardison raised an eyebrow. "So why you talking to me instead of Nate? You haven't talked to Nate yet, have you?"
"I will. I just want to lay the groundwork first."
"This is going to get us shot, isn't it? You're going to get us shot."
"I am NOT going to get us shot."
"You're going to get us shot."
"Who's getting shot? Does it pay? Ooh. Garlic steak and potatoes. Did you save some for me?"
Both men turned to the end of the table, startled, because neither had heard Parker walk in. Eliot tried not to show that she had surprised him, but the smirk on her face as she bounced over to Hardison and sat down told him she knew differently.
"Damn it, woman, HOW do you do that?" Hardison asked as Eliot plated up Parker's dinner.
Parker smiled innocently at Hardison and gave him a teasing peck on the cheek. "Awww. You know a magician never reveals her secrets. "
"Yeah, well, you might just get me to reveal my heart attack one of these days."
"Here you go, Parker," Eliot said as he set a plate in front of her. "So, will you help me, Alec?"
"Oh no. You cook for me AND call me by my first name. We are going to get shot."
"Actually, the person he wants you to do research on seems to prefer stabbing and drugging people. That's what she did to land her in custody, waiting a psych evaluation," Parker chimed in before stuffing a piece of steak into her mouth. "I kind of like her style," she continued with her mouth full.
"Oh, well that's different then. I feel so much more secure."
"Look, all I need you to do is research,” Eliot continued. “I'll give you the names, you track down everything you can on them."
Hardison looked from Parker to Eliot, and Eliot knew from his friend's expression that he was winning him over.
"OK, man. Despite my gut feeling telling me this is bad news, I'll do it. Give me the names."