Disclaimer: I tried to steal Leverage from John Rogers & Dean Devlin, but I'm nowhere near as good as our lovable thieves. =)

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Chapter 1

Afflicted by love's madness all are blind.

-Sextus Propertius

"Damn it Hardison, you had one job," Eliot growled, glaring at the hacker.

"Don't get snippy with me man, I already told you, it's not my fault they were blinded by my skills," the man in question retorted with a wide grin.

"I don't know why you guys are upset. I didn't get to find the safe," Parker pouted.

"There was no safe Parker!" both men snapped, yet again.

"Where else would he be hiding the diamonds?"

"Sweetie, we explained this," Sophie began in a calm voice.

Eliot released an irritated sigh. "For the last time Parker, they weren't diamonds, they were drugs."

"Then why not just call them that?" she retorted in a disappointed voice.

Eliot looked as if he was ready to strangle her. It was only two in the afternoon, but it had already been a long day, and they still had a lot of work to do if they were going to get their client's reputation back. In an attempt to circumvent yet another argument, Nate cleared his throat.

"Hardison, I need you to search the documents Parker pulled from Castucci's computer. Sophie, you'll meet with him as planned. Parker, while she's meeting with him in the morning, you'll go to his house and search for that report. Eliot, go with…"

The apartment phone rang and interrupted his train of thought, so he paused to answer it; albeit with a perturbed expression. "Yes? She didn't give a name?" At this, the team's curiosity peaked, except for Eliot who was too busy being entertained by Sophie's expression. "What does she look like? Tell her I'll be there in a minute." Four pairs of curious eyes met him as he glanced up from hanging up the phone. "I'll be back. Hardison, get to work on those files," he ordered as he made his way out of the apartment.

Silence reigned momentarily as the remaining teammates tried to make sense out of what had just happened.

"Well that wasn't suspicious at all," Hardison commented dryly.

Eliot silently chuckled at the jealousy written on Sophie's face. She and Nate could say there was nothing between them, but he knew better.

"Wait…he kept sayin' 'her'. Think its Maggie?" Hardison asked.

"Course not," Eliot answered irritably. "She'd leave her name."

"What do you think Parker? Parker? Where the hell did she…"

Sophie face was blank as she silently got up and walked out the door.

"Well hell, if everyone else is goin'," Hardison commented before following.

Eliot contemplated for a moment if he should even bother, but curiosity won out and he found himself closing the apartment door to follow. "Dammit, you're just as bad as they are," he mumbled to himself as he entered the elevator.

The mystery of where Parker had gone was answered when he spotted her perched quietly at a table in the corner, watching the scene play out with a grin on her face like it was movie night. Sophie and Hardison were standing right in front of him, the former with a look of disbelieving hurt on her face, the latter looking confused as hell.

Eliot quickly found that the subject of their varied reactions was the wide smile on Nate's face as he hugged and then affectionately held the shoulders of a young woman. "Didn't figure Nate to be the type to go for the young ones," he muttered, earning a glare from Sophie.

Standing just inches under his 5'10 frame, Eliot figured with her petite figure and youthful face, the woman couldn't be any older than nineteen or twenty. He wouldn't call her appearance plain, her features were pleasant enough, but she didn't have any remarkable characteristics and didn't seem to wear makeup to enhance her looks. But with her peachy complexion and bright red hair that tumbled past her shoulders in messy waves, he mentally conceded that she was in fact, pretty.

He shook his head as he watched Sophie all but stalk over to the table, her body language screaming possessiveness, and wrap her arm around Nate, all while glaring at the mystery woman. "Won't you introduce me to your friend Nate?"

Surprised not only by her arrival but by the nasty tone of her voice, the mastermind glanced at her and immediately raised a brow in amused confusion at the territorial expression she wore.

By this time, Parker's patience had worn off and she had moved silently to the table, and perched herself on a chair as she inspected the newcomer. Hardison, whether out of his own curiosity, to watch after Parker, or both, moved over to stand behind her. Taking a moment to nod and smile at an attractive brunette across the bar, Eliot joined what he had mentally labeled as the lynch mob.

"Sophie, this is Allyson. Allyson, this is my…friend Sophie," he finished awkwardly.

Lifting a sculpted eyebrow at him briefly, she turned her stare back to Allyson. "And how do you know Nate?"

Allyson smiled and Eliot was momentarily stunned. While moments ago her face had been just pretty, now, it was exquisite, transformed by absolute joy. "Oh Uncle Nate and my dad have been friends since college," she answered, surprising them with a lovely Irish lilt. "Once we moved to Boston six months ago, daddy started looking for him."

Hardison looked over at Eliot and mouthed, 'Uncle Nate?'

"Your accent is lovely dear. What part of Ireland are you from?" Sophie inquired, visibly relaxing.

"I've lived in Dublin for the last eighteen years," she answered, confirming Eliot's guess of her age.

Just by looking at her, Eliot could tell she was from money. Not just by the diamonds in her ears and her expensive, well-made clothes, but also by the way she spoke and held herself. The watch on her wrist alone cost more than his first car.

"I'm Parker," the thief announced suddenly with a grin, once they had all sat down. Eliot noticed that Allyson seemed to search for her by voice, at the same moment Sophie's eyes momentarily widened before once again settling into a friendly expression.

"Oh, you're quiet," Allyson mildly exclaimed. "I didn't hear you."

"Hear? Couldn't you just…" but Hardison nudged her side and gestured at his eyes, giving her the answer, as he himself had just figured it out.

"Judging by the silence I'm guessing that ye just realized I'm blind," she stated with a small chuckle.

"You mean you can't see? But you look so normal," Parker spouted, earning a hard look from Nate. Eliot closed his eyes briefly in exasperation and shook his head.

"There's nothing wrong with her Parker. She just can't see," Sophie explained.

"Parker," Eliot growled out as the thief began waving her hand in front of Allyson's face.

"What? Her eyes look fine," Parker commented in confusion.

Parker was right. The red head's eyes weren't clouded over like some of the blind people Eliot had met; which was fortunate, as it allowed one to enjoy their beautiful shade. Cerulean in color, her irises had the slightest hint of green, brightening them and reminding him of the crystalline turquoise waters of the Bahamas. Her best feature he decided; aside from her smile. (AN: /AllyEyes)

"No matter how much you wave your hand in front of me, I still won't see it," she announced, surprising the thief.

"Are you psychic?" Parker asked in awe.

"No," Allyson chuckled, "but I could tell by the light changing rapidly in front of me. You're also not the first to do it."

"So you can see some then?" Hardison wanted to know.

"Not shapes or people…it's more like how you can tell between a lighted and darkened room behind your eyelids."

"Were you born blind?" Sophie inquired.

"No I wasn't. I had a fight with a car when I was nine," she joked, but Eliot thought he could hear an underlying sadness.

"Where is your father?" Nate asked, changing the subject.

"He should be here soon. He was finishing up at work."

And as if he knew they were talking about him, Patrick Hayes picked that moment to walk through the door.

"There you are, angel face," he exclaimed; his own thick, Irish accent deep and booming, as he leaned down to kiss Allyson on the head.

"Hi Daddy."

With his medium frame and standing at 6'4", Allyson's father towered over most in the bar. And whereas Allyson's features were light, his were the exact opposite, given his black hair, tanned skin and chocolate eyes. Eliot figured she must get her looks from her mother, which also made him wonder where Mrs. Hayes was.

"Nate! How've you been?" he greeted boisterously, turning to Nate, who had stood to greet him.

"As well as can be expected," Nate replied, pulling him into a quick, one armed hug. "It's good to see you again Patrick," he greeted before sitting back down. "Where's Kieran ?"

"At work, like always," Allyson mumbled sullenly.

"Who's Kieran?" Parker wanted to know.

"Allyson's older brother," Nate answered.

"Drinks!" Patrick declared, calling the waitress over. "My treat," he told them. "A bottle of Midleton and two glasses my dear."

"Sir, the Midleton is one hundred and forty dollars a bottle," she informed him quietly.

"You're right," he replied charmingly with a thoughtful expression, "make it two bottles," he concluded, sliding his gold card onto her tray. "And anything else these folks want," he added.

"Bailey's please," Allyson murmured with a smile.

"I'll need to see your ID miss," the waitress requested, surprised to see her already holding it out.

Eliot watched silently as what was probably a familiar scene for Allyson played out. His guess of her age was obviously wrong as proven moments later when her ID was handed back to her.

"Ally, you know I don't like you drinking," her dad admonished.

"I'm twenty four daddy. And I don't see you drinking coke," she retorted with a sweet smile as the waitress took everyone else's order and walked away.

Nate smirked. "It seems she has Gwen's personality as well as her looks."

"You have no idea," Patrick replied dryly.

"I will take that as a compliment," she added.

"Who's Gwen?" Hardison asked.

"My mom," Ally answered.

"Where is she?" Parker wanted to know.

She did a very good job of hiding it, but Eliot could still see the grief stricken expression that flitted briefly across her face before a happy mask covered it back up.

"Gwen died when Ally was young," Patrick explained, not offering any further details.

"So I've been introduced to Nate, Sophie and Parker. I believe there are two more I haven't met yet," Allyson stated, obviously trying to change the subject.

"Alec Hardison at your service," the hacker greeted from her left.

"Pleasure to meet you Alec," she replied before turning in Eliot's direction. "You don't speak much, do you?"

"When somethin' needs to be said," he replied.

"I love your accent. Texas?"

"Among other places," Eliot answered curtly.

"So should I call you broody cowboy or…"

"Allyson, apologize," her father told her sternly.

"I'm just teasing him daddy," she defended.

"Eliot."

"Hello Eliot," she replied, smiling warmly at him, causing him to force back the reflex to suck in a breath as that damn smile focused directly on him.

The drinks arrived and Patrick immediately poured a glass of whiskey for both him and Nate.

"What brings you back to Boston?" the mastermind asked.

"Expanding the business," he explained. "I'll be traveling back to Dublin on occasion, but we've already bought a place in Beacon Hill."

'Of course they have,' Eliot thought. Beacon Hill was the richest neighborhood in Boston. He looked over to observe Allyson reaching out in search of her drink. "It's at your two 'o clock," he murmured, earning a surprised but grateful expression as she glanced toward him.

"Thank you Eliot," she replied with a tilt of her lips, as she found her glass easily and took a drink.

"You don't have your own place?" Parker asked Allyson in confusion.

"Ally enjoys keeping her old man company, is that not right Angel?"

"Of course Daddy," she replied with a smile and another emotion that Eliot couldn't quite place.

'More like living off daddy's money,' Eliot thought to himself.

"What is your business," Sophie inquired.

"Hotels and luxury apartments…I took over the business from my father when I was thirty three. It's the reason we moved to Ireland."

"Oh, so you weren't born there," Sophie commented.

"Well I was. I moved to Boston to go to college and met Nate in my sophomore year. Reunited with Ally's mom eight years after graduating and moved back home three years later," he explained.

"And now you're back," Nate finished for him with a smirk.

"That I am," he replied with a large grin. "Imagine all the trouble we can get into," he chuckled, to which Nate actually smiled. "Remember in junior year when we got the Dean's…"

"What do you mean reunited with her?" Parker wanted to know, interrupting him.

Patrick chuckled. "I was friends with her in college, but she already had a boyfriend," he answered, throwing an amused smile at Nate.

"You Nate?" Sophie voiced.

"The three of us were good friends through most of college," he confirmed.

"Well that had to be awkward," Hardison snickered.

"No. At the time she was just a dear friend. When we reunited after college, she and Nate had been apart for a few years and he had already married Maggie. That's when things changed." A wistful smile appeared on his face, transforming his rugged features into something softer.

Sensing that the mood was in danger of becoming maudlin due to sad memories, Nate switched topics. "The New England Boat Show is coming up in February. You interested?"

Patrick's face brightened. "Have you gone senile since I saw you last? Of course I am. You'll have to come by the marina one day and take a look at…"

Drowning out the two men's conversation, Eliot's attention turned to the other one going on.

"What do you do Allyson?" Sophie asked politely.

"Ally, please," she replied warmly. "I volunteer at a school for the blind here in Boston and make jewelry on the side," the soft smile on her face giving away how much she enjoyed what she did.

"Of course the jewelry making is just a hobby," Patrick interrupted. "I keep trying to convince her to work with the company's accountants. She's a genius when it comes to numbers," he explained proudly.

"Just because I'm good with numbers doesn't mean I find accounting fun," she countered. "Besides, you know I don't want to work at the company."

'More like doesn't want to work at all,' Eliot thought snidely. In the back of his mind he wondered why he was thinking such nasty thoughts of her; she seemed outwardly like a nice girl…no, woman. But in his experience, young women that still lived at home with their rich parents and didn't work, volunteering their time at places that were considered charitable, were trouble and most often spoiled socialites. The fact that she was blind gave her no excuse in his eyes to not be independent.

A heart shaped face with deep brown eyes, full lips and blonde hair filled his mind briefly, before he shoved it away.

"Don't blind people usually have dogs?" Parker blurted out.

"Some do, but I'm allergic to them," she explained.

"Then how do you get around?" Parker asked.

"I have a driver that takes me where I need to go most of the time," Ally explained with a smile.

'Spencer, this is my daughter Elizabeth; you will be her driver and take her wherever she needs to go. Do not let her leave your sight.' The memory came to him unbidden, making him realize suddenly why this woman was rubbing him the wrong way.

Parker leaned on the table more, moving closer to Ally, obviously getting more into the conversation. "What about when you go shopping for food or clothes?"

"Sometimes I just have my groceries delivered, but usually I have a personal shopper that accompanies me to help," she finished with a chuckle as if it were an inside joke.

"Figures," Eliot mumbled snidely, earning not only a confused expression from Hardison, but a reproachful look from Sophie as well. If Allyson heard it, she didn't acknowledge it. 'Probably has people trippin' over themselves to help her while she spends her dad's money,' Eliot thought disgustedly.

"So how about when…"

"Parker, this isn't an inquisition," Sophie interrupted. "We've just met Ally and I'm sure she doesn't want to spend the entire day answering questions."

"But I…"

"I don't mind," Allyson assured them with a soft smile. "There's nothing wrong with curiosity. What do all of you do? If you don't mind my asking."

Five pairs of eyes flashed to each other for a brief second before Nate finally spoke. "We're a consulting group that investigates different….situations based on our clients' needs," he answered smoothly.

"Like private detectives?" Allyson replied happily, "How exciting."

Parker's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah, just a few months ago, I got trapped in an agricultural building and the rest of the…" Sophie's eyes and Hardison's nudge stopped her before she went any further.

"Not too far off from when you investigated insurance fraud," Patrick commented.

"A lot different than you'd think," Nate quipped.

Conversation flowed smoothly for the next hour; Nate and Patrick talking about everything from past exploits to current happenings, while Parker continued to pepper Ally with questions ranging from how she watched movies to how she shaved her legs. Hardison even threw in some questions, asking her if she had a computer, and when she admitted to having a laptop, began asking her how she used it, what programs she used for ease of access and so on. Sophie split her attention between Nate's conversation, and making sure Parker didn't ask Ally anything too personal.

Eliot sat there silently, listening to both discussions as he drank his beer. He had answered the occasional question from both Patrick and Ally, but for the most part, he was content to sit silently, wondering why he hadn't left yet.

Allyson's phone rang then, interrupting the flow of conversation. "Hello? Ok, I understand. No, go ahead, I'll make other arrangements. " Hanging up, she returned her attention to the others.

"Everything all right Ally? Her father asked.

"Of course. Roger had to leave, his little girl is sick. But I'll catch a ride home with…" But then she was interrupted by her father's cell phone ringing.

"Yes? What do you mean there's a problem with the chef? The grand opening is this Saturday! And why is that? Fine, tell him I'll be there in fifteen minutes, and he had better not leave," he finished in a seriously irritated voice. "I'm sorry Nate, but work calls. How about you and your partners come to the opening on Saturday?" he suggested, already standing and putting on his coat. "Angel face, I'm sorry I have to hurry, I see you tonight at home. Give them the details for Saturday would you?" And with a quick kiss to her temple he rushed out the door.

"I'm guessing your dad was going to be your ride home?" Nate asked, catching on to what she was saying before.

"Yes, but that's fine. I'll call a friend to give me a ride," she assured him with a smile.

"What's this about an opening on Saturday?" Sophie inquired; her eyes alight at the idea of a party.

"Well since he has officially invited you," she chuckled. "It's a party for the opening of Angel Heights Luxury Apartments. Mostly it's to draw more customers in, but there will be drinks, music, and Daddy's hired a 4 star chef for the event. I'll have to remind his assistant Regina to send invitations over here for you since its invite only."

"That sounds lovely," Sophie answered excitedly. "Nate and I will definitely be there," she answered, ignoring the questioning look she received from the mastermind.

"Did you say there'd be food?" Hardison asked with a toothy grin. "I've never been one to pass up on good food. Count me in."

"Does that mean I have to go?" Parker whispered.

"It would be the polite thing to do," Hardison explained in a whisper. "Plus she's practically Nate's family."

Eliot sighed. There was no way he was going to some stuck up affair and dressing in a monkey suit, just to listen to rich people talk to each other about how much money they had.

"Well I do hope that all of you can be there. I would love the chance to get to know you all better, especially since you seem to be such good friends with Uncle Nate," Ally commented, pulling her cell phone out of her purse, pushing a button and listening as it told her the time. "Oh, it's later than I thought. The party is formal dress and begins at eight. I apologize, but I have to go. I have several things to do today and I still have to call my ride," she informed them apologetically as she stood up and allowed Nate to help her with her coat before leaning in to hug him. "Maybe we can do lunch on Thursday?" she asked him hopefully as she pulled back to extend her cane, smiling widely when he agreed.

"It was lovely to meet you dear," Sophie gushed, stepping forward to embrace her warmly. "I look forward to getting to know you better as well."

Ally was about to reply, but let out a surprised sound as Parker lurched forward with an awkward hug of her own. "Oh…it was nice to meet you as well Parker," she chuckled.

Eliot closed his eyes in irritation at the thief's antics as Hardison shook his head with a smile.

"What?" Parker exclaimed. "Everyone else was doing it?" she defended.

"Hardison, Eliot, it was a pleasure to meet you both. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday," she told them, before making her last goodbyes and turning to make her way out of the bar.

Sophie smiled at the mastermind. "She's lovely Nate."

"Why didn't you tell us you had a niece?" Hardison wanted to know. "And a cute one at that," he added with a wide grin.

Nate's frown and raised eyebrow shut the hacker up. "She's not my niece by blood. It's more of an…honorary thing. And I haven't talked to her or Patrick since Sam…" The sad expression on his face told the team the rest.

"I can't wait to see how she watches a movie. You think she can come over on Thursday after you have lunch?" Parker asked excitedly with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"She's not an experiment Parker," Eliot commented gruffly.

"But I just thought…" she replied with a downtrodden expression.

"It's okay momma. We'll ask her later," Hardison reassured her, glaring at the hitter who just rolled his eyes.

"Okay guys, we have a job to finish," Nate reminded them. "Hardison, get to work on the files. Sophie, you have a meeting to prepare for. Eliot, Parker, you have the rest of the night off," he concluded, heading back to his apartment, Sophie following.

"Hey girl, I heard there's a new chocolate shop on Washington. Wanna check it out with me?"

Her brows furrowed. "Don't you have to go through computer files?"

"I've got them runnin' through my decryption program at the moment. It's gonna take a while."

The thief's eyes widened in delight as she grabbed his hand and pulled him eagerly out of the bar, barely giving him enough time to zip up his coat.

Pulling a blue beanie over his head, Eliot quickly made his way out soon after, with the full intention of going home, kicking back with a beer, and watching the football game he had recorded. It was rare that they got a break in the middle of a con, so he planned to take full advantage of the respite. He was thinking that it wouldn't take much to whip up his special artichoke dip to go with the new artisan whole wheat chips he had picked up at that organic market the other day, when he recognized a very familiar voice.

"Josh? Are you home? If you're screening your calls again, I could really use a lift right now. My driver 'inconveniently' left me stranded and I can't get a hold of Chris or Olivia either," she pleaded with a bit of irritation.

'Her driver's daughter getting sick was inconvenient?' he thought, feeling justified at his initial assessment of her.

"Great," she exclaimed. "I am not taking a taxi. Maybe Uncle Nate can give me a lift," she murmured, turning to make her way back into the bar.

Eliot sighed and lowered his head, briefly cursing his mama's lessons on helping a woman in need. "I can give you a lift," he offered reluctantly as she began to pass by him.

She sucked in a startled breath but quickly recovered as an expression of recognition crossed her face. "Eliot?"

"Yeah," he confirmed. "I heard you on the phone tryin' to find a ride. Where you need to go?"

"Are you sure? I'd be very grateful, but I don't want to…"

"It's no problem."

"Thank you," she said with an appreciative smile. "Uhm…where is…"

Realizing she was waiting for him to guide her to his truck, and mentally hitting himself for not realizing it sooner, he hesitantly reached out for back, only to have her run her hand run down his arm to his elbow and grasp it gently.

"So how long have you worked with Uncle Nate?" Ally asked, trying to make friendly banter.

"Three years," he replied shortly, helping her into the passenger seat before heading to the driver's side.

"Where am I goin'?" he asked her once he was behind the wheel.

"The corner of Stuart and Arlington." A few moments of silence passed before she tried yet again. "All of you seem like a very…..eclectic group. How did you meet?"

Eliot did not feel like making conversation with her. All he wanted to do was drive her wherever she needed to go and then go home and drink a beer.

"Why didn't you just call a cab?" he asked, changing the subject, confusing her by the slight sharpness of his tone.

"Well…I don't really care for them. I'd rather not….I just don't use them," she answered.

"Okay," he replied, thinking yet again how right he had been about her. Even he took a cab when he needed to.

"I have to make a few calls, please excuse me for a moment," she told him, pulling out her cell.

He absently paid attention as she tapped her phone and listened to it read out what he assumed to be her contacts, until it spoke the one she needed and she shook the phone. He had to admit, the app was ingenious. Navigating the roads, he tried to ignore her as she made calls, ; cancelling appointments and apologizing for not coming in to volunteer. At one point she spoke very harshly to one girl, stating that she was not at their beck and call; which yet again, proved his theory that she only volunteered at the places she did for her own benefit.

The rest of the car ride went by in silence, despite Allyson's attempts at conversation. Eliot had no desire to get to know her, because he knew her type. The fact that she was pseudo related to Nate made no difference.

He pulled in front a three story, light brick building with a stone entry reading 'The Cassidy School for the Blind' and cut the engine.

"We're here," he announced. "Do you need…help?"

"No thank you. The ride was more than enough," she assured him. "Thank you again Eliot," she told him, getting out of the truck and unfolding her cane. "I look forward to seeing you again," she concluded, flashing him a hopeful smile.

"Yeah...maybe," he answered, watching as a confused expression crossed her face before shutting the door and walking off toward the building.

As he finally headed home, he thought that while she might be Nate's niece and the others might grow to love her, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was going to be nothing but trouble.

Okay, let me clear up some things.

I don't know any blind people, I did research, so if I offend, trust me, it's not my intention.

My grandpa's entire line was Irish, but he had been here so long, he didn't have an accent, if I write any slang wrong, I apologize for not gettin' it right.

I would really love to hear what you guys think.

Jen