A/N: Before you go, "No, I refuse to read paragraphs," please note: I am trying to learn how to write them in an engaging and poetic way that is enjoyable for everybody so please give it a try. On another note: this will be my next story after I finish the Perkins Job. Now, the only reason the Perkins Job is taking so long to complete is that I had a play to direct for school and I'm at the boring part of the chapter which is mainly leading up to the big, "Bang!" There's a hint for those of you patiently waiting. I promise you that I will try to get that sucker posted as quickly as possible but I won't promise you this month because I'm taking a three month course in four weeks. I'm guranteeing an update by February. For fans of The Chase, I am still writing it I am just having problems with figuring out how I'm going to get Eliot and Nate into a semi-friendly manner. That is ongoing and is supposed to take a while but my goal is to finish it before the start of Season 5 or at least have one or two chapters left. If you just want an update and cannot wait please review either of these stories and I will do my best to give you an update within the week.

A/N II: I accept all kinds of reviews except profanity and I do not own Leverage. Please help learn how to write paragraphs! Thanks and enjoy.

Eliot Spencer walked through a forest of tropical trees and high growing ferns. His hair was matted down from sweat and humidity. His clothes were khaki styled and refused to go against the norm. Signs of the desert surrounding the Oasis of the Congo were slowly disappearing from the horizon as the former hitter clambered his way into his little hut of solitude.

The hut had a single room with a fire stove at one end and a hammock at the other. Books, maps, and photos were strewn throughout the place showing the habits of the man who inhabited perfectly. Eliot quietly sat down at the section of the hut that belonged to his pictures. He grabbed a cool bottle of beer from his fridge and picked up the stack.

Alec Hardison was the first photograph in the pile for tonight's showing. The hacker had been wearing a freshly pressed tux and a red bow tie with a matching handkerchief. Eliot smiled as the memory of getting the hacker into that tux fluttered across his vision. It took their grifter three days to finally cut a deal with their youngest member before he would wear that outfit for the sake of the con. Sophie had to agree to watch a whole season of Doctor Who and purchase a bow tie as the winning bargaining chip. A gulp of beer followed the bitter taste of the haunting memory.

Parker; the crazy, blonde thief of wonder was only naturally meant to follow after the hacker even in photographic form. The smiling thief was posing with her prized bunny and a glob of cotton candy that they all had agreed to take her to. She had literally refused to sit still for even a moment until everybody had agreed to do one family event that weekend. The fact that they were going to a fair was not divulged until the group of thieves met up directly in front of the address they were given. The rest of the day was spent with everybody trying to keep Parker as happy as a clam. It was the only time they ever actually had family time when it was called family time. Two gulps of beer were taken after that irregular memory.

Nathan Ford was wearing one of his awful hats in the third picture of the evening. It was for their grifter's amusement because it was the one time the mastermind had decided to actually be just a mastermind. It was also the only time everybody else had a part because the scam they were pulling was during an interesting affair. Their grifter had to almost marry the mark in order for them to pull it off and the mastermind was looking for ways to take that disgusted look she had off of her face. Apparently the mark had decided waiting until the wedding night wasn't working. There had been so many wonderful laughs that night. The rest of the bottle went down in one smooth movement as the laughing started to register to the former hitter's ears.

The last image of Sophie Devereaux in the hut gazed upon the hitter with a bright, white smile and intoxicating eyes. The thief had taken it while they were planning their last con. Nobody knew it was their last, but that didn't matter. Their thief had complained that she had absolutely no pictures of their family at work and she was determined to get them. Their mastermind had only agreed because their hacker decided to bring in a camera against his protests. Their grifter merely laughed at the mastermind's failure to say no and Eliot had kindly contributed to the playful banter of his father duties. The picture was taken on one of the last days they would ever be together. It was the only reminder that would never be destroyed and another bottle of beer was swallowed in celebration.

It was a picture of the team all together in a tiny huddle that finally sent the former hitter to the absolute edge. Parker had insisted upon a group photo simply because she wanted one. Hardison agreed immediately because he wanted one too and figured he'd give their thief her every whim. Sophie and Nate tried to explain the dangers of having a group picture but their thief refused to hear it. Eliot had only agreed because he was sick of being poked to death and it was fun to torture the oldest members of the team with their lack of team spirit. Their mastermind and grifter gave up and indulged their thief under the pretense that everybody would have one photo. It had been decided promptly after the picture was taken that only five copies would ever exist and if any member was caught by police-like forces; the image would burn to keep the others safe. A bottle and a half of beer was consumed because the others were never safe.

"Ahh!" Eliot screamed as he tossed his remaining bottle across the hut to save what was left of his mind.

The former hitter had failed in his duty and it had cost them everything! He didn't deserve to live. That was the only thought that had occurred to the hitter for the past year. He had failed his job and they had all lost because of it. It was time to settle the matter once and for all.

Eliot staggered his drunken legs towards his kitchen counter and the hidden revolver within it. He drunkenly pulled out the gun and found the special bullet beside it. The gun was loaded promptly and the barrel pointed towards the drunken man's temple in preparation.

"No!" Eliot shouted at himself in sudden realization of what he was about to do.

The drunken, broken man hobbled himself towards his picture show and held up his watch.

"Not today," Eliot promised himself with bitterness in his every tone, "I can't do it today."

Today was the anniversary of their doom. It was the day that ended their team forever and broke it far beyond any repair. Today was the day he had failed. It had been a year ago exactly when…

It was at midnight exactly when Eliot Spencer pulled the trigger.