Hey everybody! It's nice to be back to writing. Most of you probably have no clue who I am, as this is my first Leverage fic, but I haven't been posting stuff since summer:( Glad to be back writing for a new show, especially one that I love so much.
This story takes place after the season finale. Warning for violence (whump) and language.
Enjoy!

Hardison sat alone in the back room. He was typing at the speed of light, attempting to hack into some records. Nearly there, he thought, typing faster.

He paused for a moment, thinking that he had heard a floorboard creak, but then continued, realizing that it was probably just a waiter in the kitchen. He realized something that made him pause his typing. The restaurant wouldn't be opening for a few more hours. Nobody was there but Hardison. He whirled around, eyes widening in surprise as he saw a man standing right behind him.

The man was tall, with tan skin. He had extremely short black hair to match his completely black outfit. There was a jagged scar just underneath his right eye. Ignoring how creepy this guy was, Hardison said, "We're closed right now. Come back in a few hours"

The man stood there, staring at Hardison. He didn't seem like he had even heard a word Hardison had just said.

"We're not open! How did you even get back here," Hardison said, raising his voice.

The man finally spoke in a deep voice, with just a hint of a Mexican accent. "Where is Nate?"

"I don't know," replied Hardison in confusion. "Will you please come back later, I'm trying to work."

"What's going on, Hardison?" Eliot's growl came over the comm.

"I know you know where he is. Tell me where Nathan Ford is, or I will be forced to hurt you," said the man.

Hardison still wasn't taking him seriously, though. "Look, I don't know. I really need to get back to work, can you please leave?"

In one fluid motion, the man pulled a shotgun from his jacket and shot Hardison in the shoulder.

Shocked, Hardison stared at his shoulder, where blood already was bubbling out from a hole in his T-shirt.

"Hardison, tell me that wasn't what I thought that was." said Eliot.

But Hardison was unable to speak. He just stared at his shoulder.

"Now, I said, where the hell is Nate Ford?"

"I still don't know!" Hardison found his voice. "And if I did, I don't think I would tell you!"

He winced as these words escaped his mouth. He could almost see Eliot and Parker wincing, too. That was an extremely bad move.

The man's mouth turned upward in a small smile. He leaned his head back and laughed. Abruptly, his head snapped back to a normal position. "Come with me, funny boy."

"Hardison, do not do it! I'm on my way back, stall." Eliot said.

"Don't worry, Hardison. I know you'll be fine," Parker chirped. If only Hardison didn't know her so well, he might not have known that she didn't believe a word she had just said. He might not have heard the genuine fear hidden in her voice.

"Okay," Hardison replied before addressing the man. "I don't see that I owe you a favor. You just shot me!" He could already feel the adrenaline abandoning him, slowly allowing his mind to feel the pain in his shoulder. Right now it was just a dull ache, but Hardison was sure that it would get a lot worse.

"I do like a challenge," said the man. "Now come with me." When Hardison didn't move, he pointed the gun at Hardison's face. "Unless you rather I have a look at the inside of your head."

Reading his expression, Hardison realized that he was dead serious. This man would kill him without a second thought. "Okay, okay," he slowly rose to his feet, keeping one hand firmly on his wound.

Keeping the gun pointed at Hardison's face, the man said, "Alright, we're going for a drive. Come."

"Hurry up, Eliot," Hardison muttered.

"What's that?" asked the man.

"What?"

"What did you just say?"

"I didn't say anything."

The man eyed Hardison suspiciously, then shoved Hardison toward the door, laughing as he stumbled with the unexpected pressure. "White van. Right outside the door."

Hardison paused outside of the car.

"What?" asked the man.

"Well, I'll get blood on your car. And neither of us want that."

"Stall, Hardison! I'm almost there." said Eliot.

"You'll be just fine." Parker attempted to reassure to Hardison. "You have to be."

"Are you sure it's alright? I mean, I'd hate to ruin your rapist van." Hardison asked cheekily.

"Get in the goddamn car before I make you." the man growled.

"Hey, I'm just considering your property," Hardison said replied, trying to be as light-hearted as possible.

The man pulled the trigger again, this time hitting Hardison a little lower. "Ahh!" Hardison yelled, collapsing backward against the van.

"Hardison!" Parker screamed in his ear.

"In." said the man dangerously. Hardison slowly moved toward the door, then was shoved in. "Get in the back."

Shit, thought Hardison, laying on the floor in the back of the van. I didn't make it. He hadn't stalled for long enough, and now he was just another face on a milk carton.

"Don't worry, Hardison. I will find you and I will murder the man doing this with my bare hands. That son of a bitch will wish he was never born when I'm done with him."

"So much blood man," said Hardison quietly. "I think he got an artery."

"We'll find you!" said Parker. "It'll work out."

Hardison blinked hard, trying to stay conscious. The blood loss was making him feel light-headed "I trust you," he managed to murmur, before passing out.

I hope that wasn't too terrible of a start. Let me know if you liked it (or the opposite) and the next chapter should be up soon-ish.