A Dangerous Man

Summary: (Before Leverage) Nathan Ford, up and coming insurance cop for IYS meets Eliot Spencer, hard edged retrieval specialist. The chase is on for Nathan to recover the stolen items and for Eliot to avoid getting himself into deeper trouble. Can they work together or will they end up tearing each other apart?

Rating: T (swears, blood, wound description)

Author Note: Newest story from me, thought about this while I was finishing up Decisions that I Make and decided to play with it. I love Eliot and had two story ideas but chose to actually post this one. Keep in mind this is between Nathan and Eliot (as enemies or friends, cohorts) before Nathan's son dies and Eliot is hired for the Nigerian Job.

Thought it'd be fun. Please sit back and enjoy the first chapter and if you deem the fic worthy leave a review!

Chapter One: Heist!

(Nate)

Thomas Kincade, my senior partner plops down at his desk beside me, his hands roaming over a manila file he had been carrying. An older man, Thomas was a veteran Insurance cop and a decent guy. Short cropped graying hair and piercing green eyes make Thomas look like he belongs in the CIA, not working for IYS.

"Here ya go kid." I frown at the nickname, being thirty nine I am at least seven years his junior, which automatically gave me the name 'kid'. I'm okay with it though, since Kincade took me under his wing three years ago the man has become like a second father, teaching me everything there is to know about profiling and catching thieves that threaten the items insured through IYS. Flipping open the file I scan through it, eyes widening at the details of the heist.

"The Golden Maharaja was stolen from Sotheby's jewel sale while it was in transport from the holding vault to the show room floor. That's a large jewel, thing is worth what, around one-point-three million dollars?" I ask, glancing over at Kincade who only laughs and sips his coffee.

"Nate, the Golden Maharaja was originally sold for that much, it's insured through IYS for double that, if not triple. Also, it's not the only rock to be stolen during the show. Keep reading." I scan further down and can't help but widen my eyes in shock

"The Spirit of de Grisogono, pride of a private collector was also stolen when the guarded courier was 'rolled' by a mysterious attacker who proceeded to take down the three hired muscle before taking off with the stone." I look over at Kincade and narrow my eyes, knowing that not everything was placed in the report but probably passed along the side to be present before Kincade.

"Both stones were stolen by the same person. One of the guards who was present for both thefts accounted to the fact that a 'long haired individual' was the thief at both heists. Thing that gets me is that there isn't any fancy rigs or showy moves to his thefts, he just simply swoops in, beats down some guys and skips out with the merchandise and to be able to hit the same show twice, he's either really stupid or has balls of steel." He states with admiration lining his voice and I groan. Anyone that gains my partner's respect this early on in a case is bound to be a lot of trouble.

"Have that at least profiled the guy yet?" I ask, flipping further into the file, finding nothing else known about the thief that a composite sketch conducted by the local police. I stare at the drawing of the youthful man, obviously much younger than myself. It's unusual for a person that young to already be pulling big heists like this one, most of the time thieves are taken under the wing of an older person, often pulling small heists to make a name for themselves, however, this man seems to be pulling the large jobs without a name.

Highly unusual.

The thing that strikes me about the man in the drawing is his eyes, even presented with a drawing I can almost feel the danger lurking in the drawn grey orbs. His face isn't round like a very young man but nor is it wrinkled with age of an older man. Stubborn mouth and stubble add to the 'outlaw' look along with the shoulder length hair and slender eyebrows.

"So, what do you think?" Kincade asks and I look up from the picture and shrug, unsure of truly what to make of the man.

"I'm interested in meeting the man with no name, finding out who he is and maybe getting a profile going. Where do you want to start?" I ask and Kincade stands, pulling his blazer on

"Let's take a ride down to Sotheby's and speak with that guard." I nod and stand, putting my own blazer on and grabbing the file before following after my older partner.

(Eliot)

"Listen, I went through a lot of trouble to get both those diamonds within the time span you set; now you're cutting my price?" I snarl into the phone, my head swimming with the new information. On the other end my employer, the man who requested my skills to retrieve the two diamonds speaks slowly and deliberately

"Mr. Spencer, you drew far too much attention to the fact that you stole the diamonds. How will it look when those diamonds show up in my collection after you made such a commotion?" His accent cuts sharply over the phone and I growl softly, annoyance twisting at my stomach.

"Mr. Anderson, I will be paid the set price we agreed on at our first meeting or your precious merchandise ends up in the river and you will never see them again." I respond allowing the icy edge to develop on my words, allowing the man to know my anger. The other end is paused for a moment before his words cut sharply through the line

"Should you not deliver those diamonds tonight at the agreed place, you will be a dead man Mr. Spencer. Mark my words boy, I do not make my threats lightly." The line goes dead, leaving me holding the small phone in one hand and clenching my other fist in anger. Sitting down on the couch provided in the hotel room and sigh, running a hand over my face before staring up at the ceiling, it's not the first time I've been screwed out of money after the job is already been done, nor will it be last I figure. My stomach growls and I am reminded of the fact that I haven't eaten since last night and give in. Gathering up my hair and tying it back I stand, grabbing my wallet and keycard from the dresser. Stepping out I close the door tightly and place a toothpick in the jam, a habit I picked up while traveling with my unit.

Saved my life a few times.

Heading down the hallway to the lift I wait patiently and readjust my cap, making sure the brim hide my eyes, knowing that one of the guardsmen I took out last night most likely recognized me. The elevator dings and the doors open as I step inside, pressing the ground floor button I cross my arms, waiting for the lift to move.

(Nate)

"Mr. Francis, my partner and I were wondering if we could ask you some questions." Kincade calls to the man moving through the foyer of the grand hotel the show took place in, his dark blue blazer marked with the insignia of his employer. The man turns and smiles slightly, a large bruise marring his face.

"Questions about what Mr..?" Kincade smiles and produces the passport type identification card as I pull my own out. I am investigator Kincade and this is my partner Investigator Ford, we work for the insurance company that insured both The Golden Maharaja and The Spirit of de Grisogono. We want to ask you some questions about the man who attacked you." Francis looks at the cards and nods, leading us over to a hallway out of the way of the clean up.

"I told the police all I could, sat with a sketch artist too." He says, licking his lips nervously

"Yes, but we wanted to get your personal thoughts on the man. See we're trying to profile him so we can match his style with any other heists." I explain and pull out a pad of paper and a pen from my breast pocket, clicking the pen smartly.

"All I can say is that he's a skilled fighter, probably professionally trained. I was a Navy SEAL for little over nine years before retiring and I've only met a handful of other men who could fight like this guy." He remarks, shaking his head. Intrigued I press the man for more information

"What types of men were these people Mr. Francis?" Kincade looks at me crossly but I ignore it, you never know what type of information might be useful.

"The group I met were a rowdy bunch, very paranoid and quick to anger. They never stayed in one place very long, always traveling. This man reminded me of that group, all business and ruthless as he took out my friends. The one thing I do remember very distinctly was his size and his eyes. A bright almost icy blue, don't think I've ever seen eyes like that on a man." He says before adding quietly

"Like the eyes of a dead man." A shiver seems to run through the security officer and I cast Kincade a look. My partner shifts and puts his hands in his blazer pocket

"You mentioned his size? What does that have to do with anything?" he presses and Mr. Francis seems to snap and he nods

"Small guy, only about five foot eight, maybe ten." He says, making a hand motion roughly the man's height. I mark that down as well and replace the pen and paper.

"Well thank you for your help Mr. Francis." I smile and Kincade shakes his hand before allowing the man to tend to his duties. Turning I glance at my older partner and smile

"What? I want to be thorough." He snorts as we head back to the car. Pulling my door open I glance at Kincade

"Are you hungry?" the older man smiles and starts up the car.

"Yeah, I know just the place kid, get in." I sit and slam the door as Kincade pulls back out into traffic.

Kincade knows the best places to eat and also the best places to pick up informants.

Author Note: Next chapter up soon, sorry about the many OC's but I needed other people to work around Nate and stuff. If they start getting unbelievable tell me and I will try to change it, sometimes I get carried away and I hate mary-sue type characters so please tell me.

Thanks for reading!