AN: This story came to me out of the blue today.

Things had been tense since Eliot and Hardison came from meeting Moreau at the hotel. Eliot held himself like a caged in lion. But then Parker's sweet soft voice asked what was so bad that he did. And though his body loosened some, the defeat was all in the man's face. Watery blue eyes met watery blues and his voice dropped to a hushed tone. He looked straight at her and it stole both their breaths away.

Nate and Sophie could see such shared pain pass between the hitter and thief. Different paths taken in the past but both knew what it took to protect yourself and what the pain felt like.

The next morning found the team awake early. Nate awoke to a thud at the door. Eliot who'd been dozing on the couch next to Parker was in front of him in less than a moment. The mastermind was dying for a drink to ease the tension but refrained. Though in the haziness of sleep it'd slipped his mind that their hitter was alert 24/7 right now. Hardison jolted awake from his computer chair as Eliot motioned for Nate to silently follow him. What they found was his Italian woman informant half beaten on the threshold.

While Eliot brought her in to check for severity of injuries, Nate carefully picked up the note that was dropped. In neat writing it said: "This is just the beginning, Ford. Eliot comes alone to me unless you wish to never see your grifter. By the way, she's a pretty thing."

"Hardison! It's from Moreau, check it for prints. Where's Sophie?" He then asked urgently.

"She went down the hall for more snacks," Parker answered. "Why?"

"He's got her."

A low growl escaped Eliot's mouth. Now this idiot was messing with family. "Nate, Parker, patch her up," he gestured to The Italian. "Hardison, keep track of Moreau's movements. I'm going to get Sophie."

"El, wait," Nate stopped him.

"Nate, it's what I do. I'll take him down and bring Soph back."

"I know you will but we stick to the plan."

The hitter didn't like it one bit, there was too many people now, too many to get out. But he knew their leader wouldn't back down so they both went to the warehouse as planned for the meeting.

There in the middle of the dark building was Sophie slumped over in a chair. Nate's heart stopped and he felt emotions that hadn't risen since his son died as they rushed to her side. She was awake but weak. The two men picked her up and with Eliot in the lead they snuck towards the door.

The team of three were faced with Moreau's men and Eliot Spencer knew what he was to do now. This would inevitably be his last job, his last chance to give Leverage. Steeling himself his eyes leveled on Nate's, the man he'd come to look at as a father.

"Get her out of here," he mumbled coldly. And that's when fire opened and he faced his greatest fear. Becoming what he swore he'd never be again.

The battle was coming to a close and all of Eliot's injuries were numbed as he skidded through the liquid that had spread along the ground. It must've been alcohol or something equally flamable because the flames were huge at his back... Coming to a stop by the door, he faced Chapman.

"You can't do it, I thought you said you didn't like guns," the punk egged as their weapons faced-off.

The Hitter drew back the hammer and slowly pulled the trigger. "Doesn't mean I can't use 'em," he spat as the man dropped dead.

AN: more will be added later. did ya'll like it?