These are song fics. After hearing songs by Bitter:Sweet I just couldn't resist writing something. This first one takes place some time after The Top Hat Job…I don't own leverage!

The Mating Game

Dance with me across the ocean floor

Sail away to heaven's open door

Step right up you're the next contestant

In this sweet charade

Take a number, wait while I twist your fate

On the mating game

Mating game

Maybe it wasn't his usual...thing to do but he was outrageously bored. Plus, Sophie said he should try and have someone in his life or go out on a date. At least if he went out on a date with one woman she'd get a little jealous. He adjusted his mask on his face and stepped into the room of unknown men and women. Plain dressed men with plain masks danced with the elaborately dressed women and their elaborate masks. He was wearing a black suit with a blue tie and a matte black mask with blue around the eyes. Off in the distance he spotted a women in a green dress and red hair standing alone. She had a glittering purple mask on and pale skin. he started walking over towards her but suddenly someone crossed his path. He would know that person anywhere.

"Sophie?"

The lady in the flowing black dress and pinned up dark hair turned around. She had a red and gold jeweled mask covering her beautiful face, but letting her dark brown eyes shine through. Her blood red lips twitched up into a smile at the sight of him.

"Nate, what're you doing here? Going to a masquerade ball by yourself hardly seems like you."

"I was bored," He replied bluntly.

"That's a petty excuse."

"Not an excuse, Sophie."

She rolled her eyes and smiled. "Care to dance?"

"Dance? Sure." He smiled and gently placed his hand on her hip, taking her hand in his. She rested her hand on his arm and they started dancing. It wasn't anything spectacular but it was special.

"We should do this more often."

Sophie forced a smile and tried to keep the sadness out of her eyes. "That would be nice."

The danced and danced and even though Nate knew Sophie was a little off he felt like he was in Heaven.

Hold me close enough to drink my rose

The devil in my pocket turned to gold

Sorry to warn you, you're in a daze

Tonight I'll love you, but tomorrow go away

He was so close to her he could smell her. If you knew Sophie long enough you knew she only wore perfume for a con or a grift. She in truth hated it. That's one thing Nate always loved about her. Her smell was purely her own and he loved it. She also had the most beautiful eyes, which he was lucky enough to stare into for most of the night. Sometimes he thought that she was an angel sent to him by God. But sometimes he thought she was the Devil; there to keep him on his toes and be the advocate to his opinions. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear her say his name.

"Nate! Nate! Are you in there? Earth to Nathan!" She snapped her fingers in his face. Finally he realized what was going on and shook his head.

"Sorry, I was just...entranced."

She smiled just the slightest and kissed him on the cheek. "That's alright. I was just wondering if we could go outside for a bit."

He blushed when she kissed him on the cheek. "Yeah, sure we can go outside."

She had been feeling horribly lost lately but tonight it was just her and Nate. Tomorrow she would pretend like nothing had happened. If he really really wanted it he would come get it. So holding Nates hand in hers she let a genuine smile spill onto her face and all the inhibitions leave her body.

Step right up who's the next contestant

In this sweet charade?

Take a number, wait while I tease you sane

On the mating game

Mating game

They sat in the pagoda outside on the side where the shadows cast over them. Sophie was still holding Nates hand as they looked out into the distance. She couldn't bring herself to let go of it. Somehow knowing that he was there with her - for her - gave her a sense of security.

"It's a nice night out."

"Quiet. Peaceful." Sophie agreed.

"I love the darkness. Anger and hatred too. They're emotions that show more then love ever could."

Sophie looked up at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"It's hard to show love. You know? People are afraid or too cowardly to show it. It's always easier to show anger or hate. Yell and bicker about stuff that doesn't matter."

"Oh, so that's why they used to say a boy likes you if he picks on you when I was younger!"

"But...but after all the yelling and the anger one of them will finally get up the courage and say it," Nate said softly as he turned to look at her. Her eyes...they made him want to melt. They slipped shut as she leaned in to kiss him. She brushed her lips against his and then opened her eyes. A second later he was boring holes straight into her with his unnerving blue eyes. He could feel her smirk even though he wasn't touching her.

"Maybe after a glass of wine or two," She whispered seductively. Her hands traveled over the lapels of his jacket before she stood up. No, she wasn't grifting him. No, she wasn't conning him. She was actually trying to get somewhere before she completely threw herself over the edge into being completely lost. At this moment in the back of her head she knew two things. One, he was her anchor. Two, this was her mating game and in her games she always won.