A/N: There are so many other fics I really should be writing, but I finally saw The Maltese Falcon Job yesterday and this idea wouldn't leave me alone so I had to scribble it down last night, then type it up and post it today!
Disclaimer: Characters from Leverage belong to John Rogers, Chris Downey, and other important people that aren't me.
Leave No Man Behind
When he got inside the helicopter she was looking out the window, but Eliot didn't need to see Parker's face to know she was upset.
"You okay?" he asked pointlessly, but what else was there to say?
Sophie sobbed softly in the background and Hardison tried his best to comfort her.
"It's over" said Parker, turning to face Eliot then, tears spilling down her cheeks, "All over"
"No" he shook his head, hating to see a woman cry, to see her cry, "We're still here, still surviving"
"It's not the same. The family's broken" she said sniffing and wiping one cheek with her hand, "Just when I'd got used to you all" she smiled painfully.
"Hey" Eliot put a hand to her face making her look at him, "I'm still here. I'll always be here" he promised faithfully.
Parker nodded her understanding then let her head fall onto his shoulder as the chopper lifted off.
His arm around her back held her close and safe, bringing much needed comfort right now.
"It's gonna be okay, darlin'" he assured her, though somewhere deep inside he was crying too, as a particularly poignant phrase rang in his mind;
'Leave no man behind'