The One Job Left Unfinished
Disclaimer: I own no part of Leverage, it all belongs to… whoever the hell it belongs to. Not making any money off this, blah, blah, blah, yackity shmackity.
Author's Note: So, how's everyone doing? For those of you who've read my other stories, I'm back! And those of you who've read my last fanfic, Do You Believe In Fate, I owe you huge, enormous amounts of apologies. I know I haven't updated in… six months. But the muse simply hasn't been there for me on that one. And I've had a lot of computer issues, first with losing part of the next chapter that I'm writing for it, then I got a new laptop and I didn't have Word for a while, and well, it was just a mess. But I swear, I've started working on it again, and I don't know when the next chapter will be up, but it will be soon.
Anyways, I've started a new fanfic, for the T.V show Leverage. I'm absolutely in love with this show, and Eliot is my favorite character, so I've decided to write a fanfic for him. : ) This is going to be in third person, which is a new one for me, so try and bear with me on that. It's also probably going to be super long, because I have lots planned out for it. I might break it up into a couple different ones, but I'm not sure yet. In the show, Eliot is the only one without an actual relationship, and he's a bit of a man whore, so I've decided to give him a little romance here. ; ) I've already written the first four chapters, because I've been dreaming about writing this fanfic for like, two years, since I first started watching the show, so I basically already know everything that's gonna happen. Yay! And I've written all 44 pages in like, a week. Go me! So, to start, it's going to be purely based off my imagination, and then after that, I'm gonna base the plot off of my favorite episodes, and all the important ones. So like I said, this is probably gonna be long. :D Anyways, I hope you enjoy this! And sorry for the hella long note. Peace!
P.S Warning for language and LEMONS! Rated M for a reason peeps. :)
The Job
"What?" Eliot snapped into his cell. It was four A.M, and he'd just gotten to sleep an hour ago. He wasn't precisely in the mood for a phone call.
"Eliot, it's Nate." Came the dry reply. Eliot sighed, and laid back down on his bed. Damn. Nate only called if it was a job. And taking into account the hour, it was probably an important job. Fuck.
"Yeah Nate, what is it?" he asked resignedly.
"I've got a job. Can you come to the office?" He asked. Shit, just as he'd thought.
"It's important?"
"Yeah."
"Be there in twenty." Eliot sighed. He threw the sheet back, and ran his hands through his hair and decided that was just as good as a brush. After tying the length of it back, he tugged on his favorite pair of jeans and a shirt, put on some scarred work boots, and grabbed his leather jacket on the way out the door.
After slamming his prized midnight black mustang into gear, he hauled ass out of the empty lot just for the hell of it. Eliot was just that kind of guy. He liked good music, good whiskey, a fast car, and warm smile from a pretty girl. He also loved his job more than anything. Working with Nate was probably one of the best decisions he'd ever made in his life. It had started out as just a onetime gig, because normally he worked alone, which allowed for precision and accuracy. But then being the good guy had gotten under his skin, and he'd realized that he was sick of just being hired muscle. He liked someone thinking of him as the knight in shining armor, even that was the exact opposite of what he actually was.
Eliot was a complicated man, with a dark and complicated past. He didn't say much, but his team, who he was quickly discovering was more like a very dysfunctional family, knew he had a good sense of humor, a great smile, and one hell of a way of fighting. But they also knew, even if he didn't, that deep down, he had a good heart, and a strong one as well, even though he guarded it better than Fort Knox. But if they ever told him so, he probably would've accused them of losing their mind.
It had only been a couple months since Eliot had started working with Parker, Hardison, Sophie, and Nate, but he could already tell that it was going to be good. He got to do what he loved, fight, but instead of doing it for the highest bidder, he did it for a cause, for a good reason. And still managed to get paid very well. How much better could life get. The drive to the office was a decent distance, so Eliot let his mind wander a bit, and thought about each member of the team.
Parker. Jesus Christ that chick was insane, but he'd learned so far not to take that as a bad thing. It let her do her job, and gave her an almost childlike quality that made him think of her a bit as a little sister. She was also the best damn thief he'd ever seen in his life. The girl had magic hands. Sophie was like everyone's mom, making sure everyone got along, and making sure Nate got them back in one piece. Hardison was a pain in the ass, and always seemed to be goofing off, but to be honest, he was the main comic relief of the group, and always knew how to lighten the mood. Even if sometimes Eliot wanted to punch in the face. And then there was Nate. Their fearless leader. The white knight turned black king. He was the one that brought them together, and the one that everyone felt a fierce loyalty to, even if they weren't always sure why. And Eliot of course was the guard. He protected everyone, and made sure the bad guys were 'out of the way' when they needed to do their jobs. Eliot pulled into the parking lot of the building that Parker sometimes called the 'Bat Cave', and smiled a bit. They were a family alright. A family that was every psychologist's dream.
Eliot climbed the stairs, and typed in the code on the locked door, and pulled it open. When he got upstairs, everyone was already in the conference room waiting, talking amongst themselves. "Jesus, do none of you sleep?" Eliot demanded.
"Nope." Parker replied cheerfully. Hardison rolled his eyes, and muttered something about crazy women.
"We all live nearby, Eliot. It's more convenient that way." Sophie said sleepily.
"I don't live that far away either, and I hauled ass to get here."
"You were the last to get the call, if that helps." Nate said.
"Why?"
"It's in alphabetical order on my phone by last name." Nate said. Eliot shrugged, accepting the reply.
Nate looked at Hardison, and nodded. "Hardison, run it." He said. Hardison did whatever it was he did on the little touch screen tablet he had, and images were pulled up on the screen. What looked to be hundreds of digital copies of files blinked into view, as well as a dozen mug shots. "We've got a big one this time, my friends. A really big one. Mob." He said. The team all took a deep breath, and felt a mixture of fear and excitement drum threw them.
"Which one?" Eliot asked.
"Irish." Nate replied. Eliot smiled slowly. His favorite kind. "This one's a nasty one. He runs the whole damn show up in New York, and he's as evil as they come. Our client's name is Lisa Porter. Her father, he was…" Nate trailed off for a breath, and took a moment to gather himself. "Her father was killed by the boss. His name is Bryan O'Conner. He likes to do things himself, doesn't mind getting a little dirt on his hands."
"Or a little blood." Eliot added quietly. Nate nodded somberly, then continued.
"He's been running the whole town for years, but it seems as though he prefers his privacy, and there for is not based there." Nate said. He sounded very disdainful, and the team was confused.
"Where's he based then?" Sophie asked.
"Where else do rich, wealthy, private people stay in New York?" Nate asked. The teams sighed.
"The Hamptons." They all replied. Hardison grinned.
"Excellent. They've got some great security up there. A challenge, for once." He said.
"Lots of jewels and cash." Parker said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. There was nothing Parker loved more than jewels and cash.
"Plenty of glamour and drama." Sophie said wistfully. Eliot was probably the only one who could care less about the Hamptons. There wasn't much appeal for a guy like him there. Though he did hear they had amazing stables, and horses were a privet passion of his.
"Focus, guys. Don't forget what's bringing us there." Nate said softly. He put a picture on table that was worn from what was likely being folded in someone's pocket or wallet for a very long time. It was a little girl of about seven, and a man standing arm in arm on what appeared to be Christmas morning, both with whipped cream and foolish grins on their faces. They all sobered at it, and became all the more determined. They all had a soft spot for kids, but Eliot especially. There was something about their innocence and defenselessness that really brought out the protector in Eliot.
"So, why exactly did our client's father get murdered?" Sophie asked, frowning.
"Well, apparently they ran a pub in New York City, and they wanted to run it clean. It was in a very optimal position for the mob to use for various reasons, and when they refused…"
"That was it?" Parker asked, horrified.
"People have killed for less." Eliot said. Parker shook her head, and crossed her arms.
"Humans are terrible." She said. Leave it to Parker to sum it all up in a single sentence.
"Yes. Now, our target, Bryan. He's one sick…"
"Puppy?" Parker supplied helpfully.
"Uh, yes. One sick puppy. He's originally from Galway, lived in Clare for a while, where his first weakness was created." He said.
"Which is?"
"I'll get to that in a moment. Hardison?" Nate asked. Hardison clicked a few things, and pulled up a picture. It was of a man, good looking and well built, and downright evil. His face was the picture of charm, with the raw bone structure of the ancient Celts, deep green eyes, and a shock of black hair. But there was something about those eyes, they were empty, cold, hard, and glittering as emeralds.
"Jesus…" Eliot murmured.
"Yeah. Like I said, sick." Nate said.
"I don't like him." Parker said. They all stared at her, and then moved on. That was just Parker.
"The nice thing about this guy is that he's a crime snob. He only deals in family and family friends, and only deals with guns and money. No drugs, no…"
"Kinky stuff." Hardison finished. Well there was something.
"That's going to make him hard to con though." Eliot said. Everyone turned and face him. "If he only deals with family and family friends, it's going to be hell to infiltrate his ring." He explained. Everyone nodded.
"Well, that's where his weakness comes in." Nate said. He nodded to Hardison, and another family photo was pulled up. It was similar to the one that our client had given to us, but this time it was a mother and daughter, smiling happily into the camera on Christmas, and standing to the other side of the girl was O'Conner, his hand resting possessively on her shoulder, staring into the camera, as if daring someone to try and take her. The girl was cute, with shoulder length strawberry blonde hair, and deep green eyes. The mother's hair was a deep red, with soft brown eyes.
"He's got a kid?" Parker asked. Nate nodded. "Poor girl." She said sympathetically. Parker, well, most of them knew what it was like to have a dead beat as a dad.
"Yeah. Bryan met her mother in County Clare, and one thing led to another. Being as Irish as he is, he promptly married her, and brought her with him to America after the child was born. According to my in tell, he never cared much for the mother, but the girl…" Nate paused again. Kids were a rough spot for Nate. "The girl is his weakness. He keeps her out of his business, because he knows that she would leave him in a heartbeat. She barely stands him as it is. She's grown now, about twenty eight, but she still lives with him. She stays for her mother, whose ill, and refuses to leave her husband. The girl worships her mother, and barely tolerates her father. His one pride and joy. He gives her everything she wants. That is, everything except for one thing. If she were ever to find out about what he really did, she'd turn him over to the cops in a heartbeat. She hates violence, and is involved in several of the charities in New York. Or at least she was before her mother got sick.
"She's an innocent." Nate said. "I think that's why she appeals to him so much. She's the mirror opposite of him. And she's got an attitude the size of Texas from what I hear." Nate said, and we all smiled. "She's his pride and joy. He'll do anything to protect her." He said. He gave us a meaningful look.
"I'm confused, how is she our in?" Sophie asked. Suddenly it clicked in Eliot's mind.
"That's it isn't it? That's the only place he'll go outside the family for. Her protection." He said. Nate nodded, and grinned.
"Precisely! Her personal body guard is the only person he'd ever even consider going outside his personal team for. It seems that no one on his personal staff will deal with her anymore, and she runs through a new guard every other week." Nate said.
"Why?" Parker asked.
"She hates it. She can't stand being confined to the house, which is what her father's orders were if she was going to stay there. He knows that she's his weakness, and he won't stand for someone trying to use her to get to him. Unfortunately for him, she doesn't take orders very well, and she sneaks out every other day." Eliot smiled. Sounded like his kind of girl. Nate looked at him suddenly, and he shifted uncomfortably. Knowing Nate, Eliot wouldn't put it past him to be psychic.
But fortunately he was wrong. "Eliot, you're going to have to be the main player on this one. A least in the beginning. The main problem with this guy is that he's so private, that hardly anyone knows anything about him and his operation. It's taken us two weeks just to get this. That was why I called you all in so early. We're doing a long con on this, so the sooner we get started, the better." Nate said.
"Why am I the main player?" Eliot asked.
"Because you're going to be there on your own for a month." Nate said.
"You wanna run that by me again?" Eliot asked, his brows raised.
"I need you to do recon. And since security is the only thing that O'Conner will go outside the family for, I can't send anyone else but you. You're the best, so it shouldn't be hard for him to hire you." Eliot smiled slightly at the praise, but didn't comment on it.
"How do we know she's run through her last body guard or not?" he asked instead.
"That's another reason I called. The man she just run off went to Lisa Porter's pub and complained about her. I'm gonna warn you Eliot, the things he said she did to him…" Nate shuddered. Hardison turned to me.
"Dude, I had a wire tap in there, and I heard every word. I thought the man was gonna burst into tears. Then I nearly started crying." He said. Eliot cocked a brow.
"How bad could one chick be?" he asked. Hardison paled, and stammered.
"One, one, chick?" He demanded. He grabbed Eliot by the shirt. "She's like a tiger! A vicious, hungry tiger!" he said. Eliot shoved Hardison's hands off, and looked at Nate, who was nodded.
"Hardison's right. She's a tiger alright. And you're going to go in there and poke the tiger with its least favorite stick." He said. Eliot rolled his eyes.
"Great. Why do I always get stuck with the fun jobs?" he asked sarcastically.
"On the up side, from everything I've heard, she's downright stunning." Nate said. Eliot stared at him.
"How is that an upside?" he asked. Nate shrugged.
"So, are we in?" he asked. They all nodded. "Eliot?" He sighed.
"Yeah."
"Okay. So, you're going to get in there, and gather in tell for a month. By the end of the month we should have enough information to start a con. Tomorrow, Eliot will have a meeting with O'Conner." Nate said.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes, the sooner the better. We need to get you in there so that no one else gets the job. Sophie and I will walk you through what you should say. Hardison has already created an identity for you, and I assure you, its fool proof." He said, handing a file over to him. Eliot looked it over, and everything seemed to be fine. The name wasn't hideous either, as Hardison was prone to do. "Okay?"
"Yeah. It seems fine." He said.
"Good. We're flying up for this one, so be ready in an hour. Meet at the privet airstrip." He said. Nate had a privet plane and airstrip for jobs where we had to travel, which he bought with the money from our second job. The money from the first had gone into the office.
Everyone parted ways, and went home to pack. Normally Eliot didn't like to travel with luggage, but since this was a long con, he figured he'd have no choice. So he went into the closet he reserved for 'work clothes', or clothes that he didn't mind having to leave behind, in case they couldn't escape with their bags. He selective some casual clothes for off the job, and some of his best suits for when he'd been on the job. After selecting a few other things, he was ready to go.
He put his mustang in the storage unit he rented, and rented a car to the airport. He was the first to arrive since he had the lightest luggage. He waited inside the private office next to the warehouse and airstrip that served as the airport, and smiled at the pretty receptionist, who got all fluttery. He smiled to himself, and waited patiently for Nate and the team to show up. After wheels went up, everyone settled into their own seats, and was lost in their own thoughts. Nate was busy coming up with possible cons to play after their information was gathered, Hardison was thinking about all the wonderful security systems he'd be hacking into, Parker fantasized of jewels, Sophie off all the shopping, and Eliot of the girl he'd be guarding for the next month.
As they began to descend, they saw out the window the lights of New York. Even though Eliot was more of a countryside person, he couldn't deny that the city lights were stunning from above. They landed in the Hamptons privet airstrip at seven A.M. The privet airport both ways was beyond convenient since there was no security they had to deal with. They headed to the house they were renting, and started getting things set up. Hardison was gleefully plugging things in, booting things up, and god knows what else. Parker was in her room, looking at all her favorite loot, which she apparently traveled with. Nate and Sophie were planning, or something, out on the balcony.
The house was beautiful, very spacious and graceful, and would let in a lot of light when the sun was fully up. As it was, the sky was just beginning to lighten. The sea was a constant music in the background, the air was soft, cool, and salty, and the team thought that it wouldn't be so bad to stay here for a while. Eliot had an ocean view room, and though he'd never really lived on the coast, he already loved it. The sand looked soft as silk, and the waves were deep blue skirt trimmed in silvery white lace. Eliot thought he'd have a fine time here. A really fine time.
Two hours later, everything was settled, and the meeting was set. Apparently one of the men on O'Conner's team, who happened to be retiring, and therefore wouldn't be staying, owed Nate a favor, and recommended Eliot for the job. The interview would be in thirty minutes, and Eliot was itching to get started. He was already in his best black suit, and his hair was tied back. Nate was chattering to him through the com, and Eliot listened carefully to all the tips. This job was important, and he wasn't going to let his impatient distract him from important device.
Eliot drove down a long winding road, green hills on either side, and the faint sound of the sea not far away. As he continued driving, it got steadily louder. He finally pulled up to driveway. "Nate, I've reached the entrance. What'll be waiting for me?" he asked.
"It's not gated, but there will be a guard post. Just give them your false name, and they'll let you in. You're on the visitor list." He said. Eliot drove forward, the sun shining brightly in an impossibly blue sky.
When he pulled up the last hill, his mouth nearly dropped open. It wasn't a house. It was a god damn mansion. An elegantly sprawling estate with a hint of Victorian architecture, lots of windows, rolling gardens, a pathway to the beach, stables to the right, and what Eliot knew was a training court yard to the left. He wondered what they hell the Irish mob was doing with a training court yard.
He pulled up to the guard station. "Name?" asked the man there. He was surly, and clearly bored.
"Eliot Wolf." Thank you Hardison for the badass name. The guard flipped through some papers, then waved him through. He pulled the car up front, and then handed the keys over to the valet. He was walked through the doors by yet another employee, this time a butler. Yes, an honest to god butler. He shook his head, and went with the flow. An older man Eliot guessed to be in his fifties, dressed in a black suit met him in front of a grand staircase.
"You must be Mr. Wolf. Mr. O'Conner is expecting you." He said. He motioned him forward to the staircase, and walked with him through the house. Eliot had seen many nice houses, and had lived in just as many, but this was one of the most beautiful houses he'd ever seen. It was luxurious without being ridiculously lavish, beautiful yet understated, and most of all comfortable. Unlike most houses like this, it didn't feel like a museum, or that you'd be beaten for touching anything.
"So, you're the one that's going to be guarding the princess?" the man asked. Eliot glanced at him.
"Excuse me?"
"The princess, the boss's daughter?" he asked.
"Yeah, I guess so." He replied, shrugging. The man grinned, and laughed.
"Well, good luck to you then." He said.
"I assume you're talking about the girl's unwillingness to be guarded?" he asked.
"Yep. But I'm afraid you have no idea what you're getting into. Most every man whose tried to guard her has been put into therapy." He said. Eliot was starting to get a tad nervous. What the hell had this women done to these men? "It used to be the core team that guarded her, because we're the only ones she liked a trusted, seeing as how she grew up around us. But we won't guard her anymore on principle." He said.
"Principle?"
"I love that girl as if she was my own daughter. I refuse to do something that makes her so unhappy." He said gruffly, giving Eliot a meaningful look.
"If you hate seeing her so unhappy, why not convince her father to stop giving her guards?" Eliot asked.
"Because, while she may not know the dangers that wait out there because of her father, I do. And so I know why her father wants so badly to protect her." He said his eyes hard. "Just to warn you, that man is… well, he's not the most... legal boss in the world. Obviously you know something of that, or you wouldn't be here. But whatever you've heard about him, it's worse. And if it weren't for the girl, I would've left him years ago. But like I said, she's like my daughter. All the men here feel that way, and the young ones either think of her as a sister, or are in love with her." He looked at Eliot again, and he raised his brow.
"Is that another warning?" he asked.
"You bet your ass it is. Trust me son, falling for Ava would be the biggest mistake of your life. Not only would her father, and the core security team, kill you, but she'd probably kick your ass before we even got to you." He said, grinning. So her name was Ava. They hadn't been able to find that information anywhere. That was how paranoid the man was. His guards, including the one that was in Lisa Porter's pub were under contract not to speak of her, even after they'd been released from the job. It had been hell just trying to find the one old picture.
"I think I can handle myself." Eliot said. The man grinned.
"Sure you can." He said, shaking his head.
"I didn't catch your name." Eliot said, just as they reached a door.
"Just call me Cal." He said.
"Well Cal, thanks for the heads up." Eliot said. He smiled, and nodded, then motioned him to enter the doorway.
Eliot knocked, and when he was told to enter, he opened the door and walked inside. The man sitting behind the desk was everything that Eliot had seen in his picture, and worse. He was tall, and well built as well as charmingly handsome. He looked up, and Eliot fought the urge to just take him out then and there. Someone with that much evil in their eyes shouldn't be allowed to exist. But he forced his muscles to relax, and heard Nate mutter "Relax. The time will come." Eliot sighed. Maybe Nate really was psychic.
"Please, come in." Bryan O'Conner said.
"I'm glad you were able to meet with me today, Mr. O'Conner." Eliot said, just as he had practiced with Nate.
"Please, call me Bryan. After all, you may be guarding the thing that is most precious to me." He said. Eliot nodded. His accent was thick, but clear and concise, like he'd gone to finishing school. Eliot realized O'Conner hadn't just made money; he'd also been born with it. O'Conner pulled out a file, and began reading it. Eliot assumed that this was the resume that Hardison had faxed over. Bryan seemed impressed. Most of what was on there was true, just that the names and locations were changed. "This is quite the resume, Mr. Wolf. Do you mind if I call you Eliot?" he asked.
"No."
"Well, Eliot. Do you mind me asking why you're interested in this position?" he asked.
"I've seen you and your teams work. It's… impressive. I thought about asking to join your crew, but I know you don't go outside close family and friends, which I respect. Then I heard that you were looking for someone to guard your family, and I knew you'd want the best. I can say without arrogance that that's me, Bryan. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to work with a legend without interfering with the family business." He said. Bryan nodded, and smiled slightly.
"Excellent answer. So, what have you heard about my daughter, Ava?" he asked. Eliot didn't say anything, but his expression must have said something for him, because Bryan laughed, and made Eliot's skin crawl. "Yes, well, I assume that Cal has spoken to you?" Eliot nodded. "Then there's no need to warn you to that protecting my daughter is of the upmost importance to me." O'Conner said.
"No, I've been well informed." Eliot said.
"Good. And there's no need to warn you of anything else?" he asked, giving him a meaningful look. Eliot smiled.
"You don't have anything to worry about." He said. O'Conner smiled as well.
"Good, good. Well, I believe that we have an understanding. I would like you to join my team." He said. "I already have the terms and such here, if you'd like to look them over." He said, holding up a file. Eliot had to admit, this guy was a man with a plan.
Eliot took the file, and read things over. Another thing that was surprising was that he took excellent care of his employees. The pay was in the six figures, the benefits were stunning, and there were holiday bonuses involved. Part of the deal was he'd be staying in the guest house on the estate. Nate said the core team had a house of their own about a mile away, but O'Conner wanted the person guarding his daughter close by. "Everything seems good." Eliot said.
"Good. Now, there are some things I need you to understand about my daughter, and your job. Cal filled you in on the emotional part for you, but here's the problem. Ava needs to have someone with her all day. From when she wakes, to when she goes to sleep."
"Why?" Eliot asked after a moment.
"She's incredibly free spirited. She doesn't understand that the world out there is dangerous to her, and so she is constantly trying to leave. The more I tell her no, the more she wants to go. So I'm forced to apply more restrictions to her, and that just makes her even more agitated. So, she must be guarded from eight in the morning, to eleven at night. That's generally when she gets up and goes to sleep. But that's also when the alarms around the house are turned on and off. There's motion sensors around the perimeter of the house so that no one can get in or out without someone knowing. But that means that all the time in between is left for her to try and leave. That's where you come in. Do you understand?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think I understand."
"Excellent. Well, unless you have any objections, I'd like you to start, well, now." He said. Eliot blinked.
"Now?"
"No better time than the present." He said. Eliot nodded.
"That's fine by me. I'll need to have my things brought over." He said. O'Conner nodded.
"Of course. Is there someone that can bring them for you?" he asked.
"I'll have Parker drop them off." Nate said into the com.
"Yeah."
"Good. Would you like to meet her?" he asked. Eliot tensed, and felt a shot of adrenaline pump through his system. This ought to be interesting.
"Yes, sir."
"Follow me." He said.
He stood, and Eliot followed suit. "She's in the training courtyard right now, and there's no getting her to leave early, so I'm afraid we'll have to meet her there." He said.
"The training courtyard?" Eliot asked, surprised.
"Yes. I insisted on her learning how to defend herself, and she's, well, she's taken that suggestion to heart." He said darkly. Eliot's eyes gleamed. Hmm… this girl was turning out to be more and more interesting.
Ending Note: So, what do you guys think? Is it good so far? Let me know! Oh, and I'm not sure about the title yet. : / I might change it, but I don't know. Reviews make the world go round!