Sis is a pickpocket?

Leverage- power or ability to act or influence people, events, descisions, etc.

This was the dictionary's definition of leverage, and in my eyes not an unsuitable term for the somewhat shady organization currently employing Eliot Spencer. Eliot Spencer, (Or so he was called now and it was as good a name as any), a retrieval specialist, a deadly force, not a man to be messed with. My big brother. I hadn't seen him or heard anything once he started working overseas. He used to come back, but then he up and left, leaving me to work at his 'girlfriends' ranch.

I'm not the type who would get angry because fate is cruel and he always has to work so much, but I'm not the type to sit around and wait for things to get better either. After about a month or so after he left I ran away. I could take care of myself, and I have been for years now. A top notch fighter and deft thief I rose up quickly in rank around the shadier neighborhoods. I'm the youngest hired mercenary to grace the Irish, Italian, and Romanian mafias, to name a few. It isn't the prettiest life style, but it suits me well enough.

I had moved on to New York, I never stayed still for to long, when I first caught scent of what could only be Eliot's doing. After lots of research and 'interrogations' if you will, I was finally led to an organization known as Leverage. It was said to have been around for ages, a family company, but something felt off. Now it was time for recon, things were about to get interesting.

"Nate, why do I have to baby-sit Hardison and Parker again?" Eliot's complaining laced with venom as his voice carried over the coms. "Baby-sit? You know I can hear you right man, and I do not appreciate being spoken about like that, just cause you can hold a car above your head or somethin' don't make you better than me." Hardison's ramblings were studiously ignored as Eliot waited for Nate's reasoning behind the torture he was being forced to endure. "Well, Eliot, Hardison needed to get some new parts for his improvements on our com system and because he can't buy what he needs all that legally, I figured you were the best man to go with him."

Eliot turned to look away from the still muttering geek. "Fine, I get Hardison, but why did Parker need to come?" The hitter's shoulders were squared as he surveyed his surroundings. The area of town Hardison needed to go to for his parts was far from welcoming, the whole place seemed grim and practically screamed,

'BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. LEAVE IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE.'

Eliot had been to enough places like this before to know that you don't bring a complete geek like Hardison in his multi colored glory and Parker who was definitely not all right in the head with only one hitter to keep them in check.

"Ahh, well, actually, Parker was supposed to have gone with you. She just kind of tagged along cause she was bored." As soon as the words had left Nate's mouth Parker had run of ahead of them to play on some long forgotten hopscotch drawing. "You have got to be kidding me! You didn't make her come back why?" Eliot's eyes were narrowed dangerously at the back of the perky blonde who was making his job much harder than it had to be.

"Well, no. I didn't see any real reason to call her back. Besides you can handle it, we've dealt with these people before. They're just a bunch of thieves who have their hands on some nice equipment. They aren't the type for organized fighting, not a problem." Nate answered nonchalantly, only a hint of doubt letting Eliot know he wasn't nearly as sure of himself as he let on. "You better be right, or I am going to be one unhappy camper when I get back."

Back at HQ, Eliot couldn't see Nathan pause momentarily in his work, the mental images of what Eliot was capable of causing him to cringe. "Don't worry about, we have you guys under surveillance and nothing's shown up odd yet. Hardison, move your bag a little to the left, it's blocking your button cam." Hardison silently (for once) moved the duffel bag he had been carrying so that it was slung over his shoulder and out of the line of sight of the button cam.

Parker stopped at the end of the hopscotch board and tilted her head to the side. "Eliot, you have a twin!" The two men who had finally caught up with her stopped, startled by the random exclamation. "What are you talking about Parker? I don't have a twin." He spoke angrily, exhausted after having spent a whole hour walking with her and Hardison's random outburst and arguments.

"Yes you do, the girl over there looked just like you, right down to the hat and angry face." The entire team was silent, waiting for Eliot's response. "Shut up Parker."

Eliot plowed a head of the other two members of his trio, not bothering to attempt to correct Parker or coment on the pure lunacy she must have been spouting.

"Well, that was odd." A smooth European voice announced over the coms. Parker and Hardison watched as Eliot removed his earpiece and pocketed it so as to not to have to listen to Sophie's comments on his behavior.

"Yeah, very odd indeed." Nate leaned back in his chair, and fist held to his chin thought fully.

After a quick walk around the Leverage headquaters I had decided to retire for the day. Heading back to my current place of employment, down several alleys and through lots of less than pleasant streets I heard a voice that sounded vaguely familiar. Ducking into a doorway I waited for the owner of it to pass so I could see who it was. Around the corner came a group of three, a tall black man wearing a scarf and carrying a duffel bag, a blonde who was running around like some little kid, and a medium height strong looking fellow in a toboggan. Eliot, my eyes widened and I sunk further back into the doorway.

Aww crap! I can't let him find me until I know me showing up won't interfere with his work. I need to get back to the base before he spots me. Trying to time it so I ran when he wasn't looking I darted silently out of my hidey-hole. The blonde saw me, but she did try to chase after me either. That was close.

It wasn't long before I had made it back to the base. It wasn't really a base, it could barely be considered a building, with three and a half walls and a surprisingly sturdy roof it was more of a shack than an actual sturdy construct. But it was where the business took place and I wasn't here to complain about architecture. The 'shack' was home to a decent (and I use that term loosely) thief ring. They specialized in electronics and other kinds off hardware. Currently I was a guard of sorts and a pickpocket, getting cellphones and mp3 players from pedestrians.

Slipping in relatively undetected I took my place sitting behind the boss-man. He turned his head to the side so as to look at me, I stared back, my eyes apathetic with no respect for his rank. "You brought your share for today I assume?" He sounded doubtful, but reserved. He knew better than to challenge me. Even if among his group of street rats he was king, among the rest of the underworld they were nothing but lowlifes, myself a member of the true kings' courts'. "If I didn't?" My tone wasn't harsh, simply questioning. The smirk on my face however showed my true colors. I watched his adams -apple tremble as he swallowed. "Then there would be no problem of course." He was trying to keep his cool, but his eyes were a little too wide and he was sweating a little too much. "You're in luck, I did." Emptying my messenger bag ipods, cellphones, and a few digital GPS fell into a neat pile on the floor. Boss-man couldn't help but grin, and neither could I. I loved to scare these guys, there is nothing better than having a 35 year old look down at you in complete fear for his life, especially when you yourself are only 16.

"You are one cruel chica, but you're the best we've had in ages. We'll be sad when you decide to leave." His statement was genuine, and that surprised me. My smirk got a little bit wider and ever so slightly softer. "I know."

He chuckled and I settled back for a nap, resting my back against the wall. I only got a few minutes of restful shut eye before a commotion was heard outside. With a skill that could only be achieved after years of practice and devotion I detached the blade I had hidden under my shirt attached to my back and retrieved the smaller one I kept hidden in my boots. In less than a minute I was fully armed and standing protectively in front of the boss-man as I like to call my current employer. The room was quite, the thieves who had earlier been gambling and conversing jovially now dead silent. I pulled my hat lower over my eyes and the high collar of my jacket higher. All that could be seen of my face was the hazel color of my eyes and the bridge of my nose.

The guards outside led in three tall figures, most likely the cause of the commotion. I held my knives the way I had been taught, fairly loose at my sides until I deemed it necessary to use them. The blades themselves were tucked away in my long sleeves, which had been specifically modified to be much longer than my own arms with long slits on the sides so I could attack with my blades with ease while still maintaining an apparently passive stance. I glanced back at boss-man for orders. He studied the men coming in his shoulders held square, his chin held high. After a minute he relaxed and motioned for me to resume my place at his side. I conceded and then turned to face the fresh meat. It was probably best I had my face hidden; otherwise my shock would have been evident. The figures were the ones from before; the tall black man, the perky blonde, and Eliot, who looked angrier than when I last saw him. Crap, crap, crappity-crap! What happens if he recognizes me? I am so screwed.

"Hardison! You've come for more of my fine merchandise, si?" By his tone, boss-man must either realy like this Hardison fellow, or he pays really well, possibly both. "Miguel, nice to see you again. Yes, actually I am here for a part or two. You want to show me what you got?" It was the black man speaking, so that must be Hardison. The blonde had zeroed in on the pile of merchandise that was neatly topped with my recent additions. By the look in her eye I was going to have to have her checked before she left. Boss-man would be quite upset if his little group was robbed blind by one girl.

Boss-man and Hardison were inspecting our stocks. I glanced and Eliot, to see what role he was playing, only to catch him staring me down. Out of pure instinct I adjusted my stance. He raised an eyebrow and slowly approached until there was only three or four feet between us. Uncomfortable with the lack of personal space I stepped back so that I had one foot propped against the wall.

Our eyes locked and an unintentional starring contest commenced. After years of being alone and on my own I could stare down grown men twice my size and three times my age with grace and ease. One game with my long lost brother and I was fighting not to blink. Then he spoke.

"You're pretty young to be running with this crowd, what would you're parents think?" His voice was quite, kind even, I rembered he had a soft spot for kids living in bad conditions. I didn't reply, answering him with silence and a slow blink.

"Do you talk? What do the have you doing here anyways?" I nodded in answer to his first question, and then leaned back against the wall, my eyes conveying that I was more than a mere grunt for this rat pack.

Before he could comment again I was alerted to a shock of blonde hair getting much to close to our wares to be considered idle curiosity. Before Eliot could stop me I was firmly in place between the girl and the hoard of electronics, my blades now easily seen and gleaming in the dimly lit room. The girl started, she stepped back quickly and nearly fell over.

Miguel looked up and saw my stance, he raised an eyebrow at the Hardison fellow. "Were you planning on leaving with more than you planned on paying for?"

"Of course not! My friend here is just, is just a little to curious for her own good. Come over here Parker and stay out of trouble." The last part was spoken as a harsh whisper. The blonde girl, Parker, pouted slightly and then walked over to stand next to Hardison looking extremely bored. I hadn't moved, watching her closely. Miguel whistled and my eyes met his. "No need to be so worried Con, these are friends." Personal experience told me that nobody should be careless when it was just friends when money was involved.

But nevertheless I went back to my wall. Eliot was looked like he was lost in some kind of memory when I returned. It wasn't until I was propped up again and I began tossing my blades did he come back earth.

When he came to he looked at me as if in a new light. Crap, I mentally face palmed. I forgot he recognized fighting styles faster than faces and names. He always said my style was 'disticnitive' and that he would know it any where.

"He said your name was Con? That short for something?" He spoke with a sudden urgency and I knew my charade was done for. I would either have to give up now or move before first light. I had had a long day and the latter seemed far from appealing, so I decided to risk letting the cat out of the bag.

I reached up and pulled my collar forward so that my face could be seen, and pulled my hat off so that my messy short cut hair and my hazel eyes were more easily examined.

"It's short for Contessa, brother; you of all people should know that."

His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. The whole room had already been quite, but when I had spoken aloud it was more silent than a grave. Eliot's companions were starring dumbfounded, and Miguel's eyes were open wide in surprise.

"Tessa, wha…what-"

I cut him off, walking past him towards Miguel. Boss-man's eyes followed me as I came to a stop in front of him.

"Will my cut cover the cost of the parts our friends need?" I inquired calmly in a the business like act I always used when money was involved. He was brought out of his thoughts as soon as I began speaking the universal language of payment. His cheerful personality once again present on his battle scarred face.

"Of course it would chica, your cut could pay for three times what the fellow needs." I smiled at him, well smirked actually, but when doing business they were one and the same.

"If that is so Miguel dear, then I'll cover their costs. I think I'll be leaving you sooner than I had originally anticipated. I do hope you weren't lying when you said you'd be sad to see me leave."

He chuckled, he had always found my more talkative side amusing. I liked Miguel, and would definitely be sad to leave his crew. Even if I could make twice what they make in a month in less than a week on my own. By far he was my favorite boss.

"Of course Con. Eh! You three get Hardison his merchandise." He gestured towards the group of lowlifes that had been playing cards in the corner. Without a word they began the search for the required electronic gadgets and what not.

"I leaned against the table that displayed Miguel's collection, where Hardison and Miguel had previously been bartering. "Because you're my favorite Rat King, you can keep half of my payment for this week." His grin grew and stretched from one pierced ear to the other.

"I always liked you chica, you are the best!" When the three had retrieved the parts and my due's had been properly doled out I turned to kiss both of Miguel's scarred cheeks. He returned the gesture happily, giving me a warm hug. Out of the corner of my eye I could see my brother's crew all staring befuddled and bewildered. My own smirk grew and I turned away from my latest crew. Leaving behind Miguel and his little family.

I sauntered over to my brother tapped his shoulder to show it was time to leave and headed for the door. Just as my form was silhouetted in the doorway, the gray evening light casting my face in shadows, I said my final farewell. The same thing I said anytime I left, or someone leaves me.

"Miss me." My piece said I left, Eliot, Hardison, and Parker trailing behind me, the newest victims of Contessa 'Spencer'.

The trip back to Leverage HQ was silent, Eliot hadn't said a word. He had apparently decided that walking practically on top of me and glancing at me every few seconds would make me spill my guts. He was wrong. The air around our little group was tense, practically choking with questions. They didn't even bother to ask where we were going. It wasn't until we were at their home-base did they realize where I was headed.

"Hold up. How did you know this is where we worked?" Hardison was the first to brave the silence, his paranoia getting the best of him. Because I was a mean little girl I turned my head towards him and smirked.

"I didn't, but thanks for the update Hardison." He bristled at my comment. Still feeling some what playful I looked at Eliot, a mask of indifference of my face.

"So, you do you want to just walk on up there or do you want to ring your boss, what was his name, Nate, before we go?" I had been doubting the intel I had spent weeks gathering, but by the looks on their faces I was spot on. Go Tessa!

He blinked and then slipped past me, indicating we were to follow. Odd as it was I had missed his gruff behavior, and I slipped into routine easily. We all piled into an elevator, cheery set still lame music floating above our heads. Aparently all of this excitement has me feeling more chipper and hyperactive than normal. I swayed side to side getting into the song. Without meaning to Parker joined in and the two of us danced like a couple of idiots until we made it to our floor.

Without waiting for an invitation I slipped out and meandered my way down the hallway until I found what looked like an office door that just screamed *Meeting place for all members*. All right it kind of said conference room on the door but you could atleast give me credit for trying to feign perceptiveness.

Without any proper announcement, no knocking or softly asking for entry I let myself in rather obnoxiously.

"Honey I'm home!" Scanning the room with an eyebrow raised and smirk twisting the corners of my mouth awry my eyes came to light upon two figures staring at a wall practically covered with screens. Donning my charade of professional arrogance, the character known as Kitten, my thieving alternate identity I promenaded to the conference table, pulling out a chair and unceremoniously propping my feet on the table. The room was well lit, better than most of the places I've worked in the years past. The light however cast shadows on my face as a tilted my head forward and grinned devilishly at the two occupying the seats across from me.

"I'm Con, and I must say I am looking forward to making your lives a living hell."