I haven't written fanfiction in a couple years, but I was watching The Girl's Night Out Job and I really wanted to delve deeper into Tara and Sophie's relationship. As usual, I do not own Leverage or the characters.

I hope you guys enjoy!

6 months before Chicago

Sophie Devereaux woke up to her phone ringing. She looked at the number before sighing and answering.

"Sophie"

"What now?"

"You know how you said I could crash at your place if I ever needed to?"

"Yeah"

"Open your door"

Sophie Devereaux rose out of bed and went to open the door of her Paris flat to the younger grifter. How Tara knew that Sophie was in Paris, she didn't feel like asking.

"What was it this time?"

"Drug sting gone wrong in Baghdad."

Sophie ushered Tara inside, taking her coat from her and hanging it up.

"What, no luggage full of diamonds this time?"

"That was one time, and no. I didn't have time to grab my stuff with this one"

Tara trailed through the flat before settling on the couch.

"So, what's Ms. Devereaux been up to these days."

"Oh you know, steal art, grift rich people, stay away from the police. The usual."

Sophie busied herself with pouring two cups of tea for herself and her visitor. "What, no tales of how Sophie Devereaux once again reinvented the art of grifting? No awful accents that you learned and are dying to teach me?"

"Hey, you never know when you're going to need to con a North Korean soldier."

Sophie gestured her hand.

"Now tell me why exactly you have shown up at my door?"

"Hold on. You are deflecting. And not your usual 'I'm deflecting your questions to show off my brilliant con woman skills'."

"You are the one that just showed up on my doorstep with nothing but the clothes on your back at..."

Sophie glanced at the clock and sank into her chair.

"...At 4:30 in the morning. Now tell me what has you on the run or I will throw you out"

"Fine, a heist from a couple of terrorists camping out somewhere-"

Tara hesitated.

"-classified. My hacker forgot to duplicate the RFID signal in my ID to pass inspection by the company guarding the compound."

"Pathetic, only you would let a rookie hacker do a bloody awful job on something as basic as an ID."

"Fuck you."

Sophie rolled her eyes.

"Now, tell me why you are in Paris when you just told me that you were going to be in Sweden on a job"

Sophie looked out the window to her right and paused while examining the lights of the city surrounding her.

"I've lost it, Tara"

"Lost what?"

"The drive to con. I don't know what's been happening. I was halfway through the Swedish job when I just..."

Sophie searched for the words.

"...I just stopped caring."

"You. Stopped. Caring."

Tara taunted from where she sat. Sophie chose to ignore the woman.

"I was talking my way into an invitation for a gala to get me in with the museum curator when I found myself not giving two bushels about whether or not the mark was buying it. I just could not find the thrill in stealing from a man who so thoroughly enjoyed being stolen from. It's just stale and I, I just..."

"You just what?"

"I don't know. I just don't know what has happened to the con."

"The con hasn't changed."

"Maybe so."

Sophie retrieved the now empty cups and carried them into the kitchen. Tara slowly followed her.

"I heard Nathan Ford is practically out of the game."

Sophie glanced at her.

"I heard that."

"Wasn't he chasing you for awhile?"

"For a bit."

"I wonder what could make a man like that fall out of it. He's chased most of the greats. Hell, I didn't even reach close to the top of his list that he chased after. That company saved millions off of his recoveries I'm sure. Nathan Ford, the world's greatest con investigator out of the game. Who'd have thou-"

"His kid died and his wife divorced him."

Tara stared at the back of the older woman's head blankly.

"Oh. Shame."

"Yes. Shame."

Tara did not respond. Sophie wiped her hands over her face and turned around. Tara knew better than to ask.

"Well, I'll go ahead and retire for the night or morning I suppose."

Tara said glancing at the clock again. Sophie just turned to retreat to her bed.

"It's made up for you as usual. Breakfast at 9 and don't be late."

Sophie brushed past Tara. Tara turned, grabbing at Sophie's wrist.

"Hey."

"What?"

"Goodnight."

Sophie smiled.

"Goodnight. I'm glad you got out of there in one piece."