I'll Stand By You (Leverage)

Parker is crying. She just sat there, curled up into a ball and cried. Everyone just looks at her, they seriously have no idea what to do. I mean it's Parker, what can they do. They never saw her like this. They all thought that she was strong, strong as a rock.

Parker ignored Hardison when he put his arms around her. After a few minutes of silence, he finally gave up and walked away. A little pissed at Parker, a little pissed at himself, a little pissed at whatever Parker's upset about. Everyone walks away in the end.

Parker ignored Sophie when she tried to coax her out of the closet. She gently said that her tears are ruining her clothes, but Parker knew that she was just trying get her to stop crying.

Parker ignored Nate's comforting words. He was telling her how it would all be better, that she had family now and she didn't need to cry in a closet. But Parker knows that nothing, NOTHING will make this better. Nothing! She nearly screamed out loud.

She just sat there crying. Then Elliot sat next to her. He didn't say anything. Like Parker, he doesn't like to say anything. She looked up, only a little bit because out of everyone in the team, Elliot knows her the best. He was like a great big brother to her. "Brother" she mumbled and started to cry again. He gently dropped a fortune cookie on her lap. She opened it. Not because she felt better, but because she can't really turn down a good old fortune cookie. She cracked it open and stared at the little strip of paper. "Why you look so sad? Tears are in your eyes. Common and come to me now." Elliot gently hummed the tune, while she read it.

Elliot gently jumped up, pushed everyone out the door and closed it. "I'm always here sweetheart. Won't let anyone hurt you. You know that right?" he started to say. Parker lets out a sob and rushed to him. He nearly lost his balance as Parker gave him a huge hug. She didn't let go, she just cried. Elliot's t-shirt got wet in just about a second. He smiled at the crying thief and sang "Don't be ashamed to cry. Let me see you through, cause I've seen the dark side too. When the night falls on you, you don't know what to do. Nothing you confess can make me love you less. I'll stand by you."

Hardison leaned towards the door, trying to listen to their conversation, but failed. He sighs as after about 30 minutes, Parker ran out and gave him a reassuring hug and whispers "Thanks for everything Alec." into his ear. Hardison smiled and wiped her tears away.

To this day, only Elliot knows why Parker cries like a baby on July 14th. Why she locks herself in a closet and only comes out when Elliot gives her a specific fortune cookie and softly sings I'll Stand By You by The Pretenders.