Chapter 1

"Crap crap crap crap crap crap." She mumbled the word under her breath repeatedly. Stumbling into an alley she couldn't help but remember that Oliver had told her not to come alone. That he had told her she would need backup. Alone in the dark, dank alley she could admit to herself what she would never say to him. He had been right.

Grabbing her cell phone she dialed a familiar number smiling when she heard the line connect.

"I thought you were busy until tomorrow?" Parker sounded slightly winded and there was an echo on the line. Chloe could only imagine where the girl was.

"Yeah well things got complicated." Chloe whispered hoping the goons that were following her weren't close enough to hear. "Any chance you are free to offer a little back up? And by you I mean you and Hardison. Possibly Sophie. Maybe Nate?"

"Big trouble?"

"Yeah. I kind of overestimated my charm."

"Hold on a sec." Parker pulled the phone away from the her ear and used her com. "Got a problem."

"I thought you were already in the vault." Nate sounded confused.

"Oh that's done. I don't need help. Chloe does."

"I thought she wasn't supposed to be in town till tomorrow." Hardison started typing fast.

"What does she need?" Nate was already moving on to the next plan. His mind spinning.

"I've got her on my cell." Parker exited the building at a brisk jog. Ready to do whatever it took to help her friend.

"Patching her into the coms now." Hardison finished the patch and started locating her.

"Chloe?" Nate motioned for Sophie to put her earpiece back in.

"I'm on coms?" She wanted to curse. It was bad enough she was calling in her friend for help but now the whole team knew she was stuck. The part that bothered her the most was he was going to hear her. He was going to know she couldn't handle herself.

She hated how much time she spent worrying about what he was thinking. After their night together she hadn't been surprised to find him gone when she awoke. She was surprised at how much it bothered her. It was ridiculous really. She had known it was going to be a one time thing. Her stupid subconscious wouldn't let her forget him. Every silly fantasy her sex deprived brain conjured up featured his dark blue eyes. It was so easy to remember his touch. The way it made her feel.

"I have a lock on your location. Try the door at the end. It's the courthouse." Chloe smiled as she took a few steps and easily turned the handle.

"Thanks Hardison." She had forgotten how good they worked together. How easily they were able to change on a dime.

"So are we still on for dinner tomorrow?" Chloe smiled at Parkers question. The idea of a dinner with her and Hardison, maybe even Sophie and Nate, sounded like a nice way to end this nightmare of a trip.

"Yes." She made her way to the front of the building. An exit should be easy enough. She wasn't even sure if her pursuers had followed her down the alley. They certainly didn't know she was in the county courthouse. Turning the corner she cursed.

Why did she tempt fate?

Standing in main lobby she saw them through the glass. Moving slowly towards the front entrance. They were going to see her. "Crap Crap Crap." She turned and headed back up the stairs. Aware that she was now trapped in a building protected by cops being chased by rogue FBI agents. "Slight problem."

"I'm on my way." At the sound of his gruff voice over the com she stilled. She had been hoping to avoid him. Thought he hadn't been listening. She should have known better.

"Eliot, what's your ETA?" Nate worried she didn't have time. The rest of them were at least 20 minutes away.

"5 minutes." He didn't tell them that he had already been on his way to her. Didn't tell them that the moment Hardison had located her that he had started driving. Didn't tell them that the thought of her in danger sent a chill up his spine. As far as they were concerned Eliot considered her a one night stand. Nothing more. He avoided seeing her when she visited the rest of the team. Sophie had teased him once. Mentioning his crush but the look Eliot had offered had left her silent.

"No rush. They look like reasonable homicidal thugs. I'm sure they just want to talk about the mountain of evidence against them I stole." She found the first courtroom in session and went in. Opening her bag and pulling out her laptop she quickly pulled her hair into a pony tail. Slipping on a pair of glasses and pulling off her coat she began typing. As far as disguises went it wasn't very convincing but no one expects someone being chased to hide in plain sight. "I'm in courtroom 3 on the second floor."

"Eliot use the badge from our last job. I'm entering you name into the system right now. You'll be able to bypass security." Hardison continued typing furiously as Parker opened the door to the van and joined him. A worried look darkened her normally sunny face. When she sat next to him he stopped for a moment and smiled at her. Reassuring her without words. She smiled back. Eliot would save her. A few thugs were no match for their hitter.

"Pulling up now." Eliot leapt from the cab of his truck. Running towards the front entrance. Only slowing as he opened the doors. Slipping the badge out of his pocket he flashed it at the security.

"Agent Roy Chapel, Homeland Security." They glanced at the badge and the computer screen before waving him through.

Walking fast he headed up the stairs. Quickly location the courtroom Chloe had hid in. Walking in he scanned the room and felt the noose that had tightened around his neck loosen a bit when he saw her. Getting up she made her way to his side. There was no time for happy or any other kid of reunion. Quickly falling in step she followed him out of the building.

"Hardison, options."

"Turn left, There is another set of stairs that lead to a loading dock. It's heavily guarded but with your badge you should be fine."

"Should be?" Eliot growled.

"Best I can do. Chlo you have any ID on you?"

"I have an Interpol badge, Paige Holiday."

"Seriously?" Chloe could hear the humor in Sophie voice. She knew it was a ridiculous name but she hadn't picked it. Yet another reason she was annoyed at Oliver. The name made her sound like a hooker. He said it was very James Bond but she didn't think that made it any better.

"You'll be cleared at the door."

Chloe stayed on his heels. Following closely, weaving in an out of people intent on their path. The panic had eased at the first sight of him. She could have called in any one of her boys and they would have been at her side in a moment but none of them would have eased her fear as quickly as the sight of him did. Even with the uncomfortable tension between them he made her feel safe. She knew he would never let anything happen to her.

She pushed that thought away. It was foolish. A one night stand didn't make him her protector. Right now she needed to focus on getting out. Following him to safety. Then she could worry about why she seemed so fixated on him.

"we're at the door." Eliot grumbled the words and Chloe couldn't stop the shiver that went up her spine. After not seeing him for almost a year he still had the same effect on her. Nothing was dampened.

"Lucile and I are in the alley waiting."

"10 seconds."

"Better hurry. Goons are making their way down the alley."

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