They missed the arrival of the FBI, ATF and Flagstaff Police by less than three minutes. The photos Parker had taken had proven more than enough to justify a raid and with Stone and his two most loyal acolytes still suffering the effects of their run in Eliot (The Feds had been in the compound for over two hours before the first of them stirred), no one put up any fuss. Without anyone to instruct them to attempt to repel outsiders, the over-medicated cult members had welcomed the LEO's with bland smiles and offers of tea.

After dropping Rachel off with her parents and the deprogrammers the Lewis's had hired, Hardison began making noises about getting them on a flight back to Maine.

Sophie, however, had alternate plans. "Make those tickets to LaGuardia, Hardison," she ordered with a broad grin that made Nate, Eliot and even Parker a little nervous. "After this job, I think a little R and R is in order. Spas, shopping Five Star Hotels…just what we need."

Hardison shrugged, having no real objection to a few days in New York City. Nate agreed because he liked making Sophie happy, or at least not mad at him. Eliot and Parker were in agreement about wanting to return to Maine, but the specialist didn't really have a problem with spending time in proximity to so many great restaurants. Maybe he could pick up a few new recipes.

Turning to Parker, Eliot said, "Hey, aren't they putting in a new security system at MOMA?"

The thief's eyes widened with glee and she bounced on her toes. "That's right!" she gasped, slapping a hand to her brow. "The installation was scheduled to be finished last week! I forgot cause we were busy being all cult-baity."

With that, she hopped off to ensure that all her equipment was in her go-bag, Sophie trailing after her extolling the virtues of spas, specifically the Ohm Spa.

"So that's five for New York," Hardison confirmed, tapping a few keys then grinning. "First class all the way, Baby!"

Nate made a pleased noise, knowing this bit of news would go over will with Sophie, but admitted to himself that he enjoyed the luxury of the larger seats. Hardison and his computer always seemed to take up a lot of room on flights and when he inevitably nodded off, he sprawled.

Eliot and Parker did not sleep on planes. Being stuck in a small space with a lot of people and no exit did not appeal to them. They did, however, seem to find entertainment in comparing commercial flights to some of their less conventional methods of travel. Nate and Alec had once listened with great interest as the pair compared traveling in badly pressurized military transport planes (Eliot) to shipping oneself in a big packing crate (Parker).

It was things like that which made Alec appreciated working with the team. Where else could one hear that sort of story as a first hand account? Not in some IT office, that's for sure!

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Rising over Manhattan's premier shopping and business district, the I.M. Pei designed Four Seasons was a study of stunning views and tasteful style. The rooms were opulent without being garish and the Hotel offered nearly any amenity one could think of.

Spas, fine dining, gym facilities, just about anything you could need, available at the end of a phone call.

Hardison booked them five City-View Tower Rooms, on floors 33, 39, 40, 47 and 50 for himself, Nate, Sophie, Eliot and Parker respectively. The rooms all had spectacular views of the city to the Northeast and featured a combined living and bedroom area and full marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. All in all, a beautiful environment.

When they entered the lobby, the variety of high powered business people and various wealthy individuals gave them the once over, as, with the exception of the always stylish Sophie, they didn't quite seem the type to frequent five star establishments. Nate, in his rumpled suit and scuffed shoes, with hair that could stand to be washed more often, seemed more the sort to stay at a Sheraton Hotel. Parker, Eliot and Hardison, with their assortment of jeans, t-shirts and the specialist's flannel just plain stood out among the opulent décor.

The bellhop took Sophie, Nate and Hardison's bag's, but kept his distance from the other two, who scowled at him and refused to relinquish possession of their luggage. While the hotel employee scurried off to the service elevator, the team entered an empty lift and Hardison snickered, "Nice you two. A little paranoid about your stuff, are ya?"

Parker hugged her bag and glared, while Eliot pointed out, "You didn't give him your laptop."

The look the hacker shot Eliot could only be described as appalled. "This is delicate equipment that I use to do my job! No way anyone's touching this but me! But you two don't have tools of your trades in your bags, so what's the big deal?"

Exchanging a quick look, the thief and the hitter both stared at Hardison for a moment before he groaned, "Oh, what do you have in there? No, wait. I really don't want to know. I'm just gonna go see my room, e-mail Katie, then hit FAO Schwarz. Anyone want to come with?"

Silence followed his question, causing him to grumble, "Well, fine, be that way."

TBC

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