Chapter I: The Past Stepped In
The New Leverage HQ: Three Months after the Wedding
The team sat in the conference room as they waited on Nate and Sophie. Nate had wanted the team together to go over some new clients that had come in. They were no longer doing one every three days, but two. Somehow they had managed to solve every clients problem.
"Alright, team," Nate said as he came into the room.
Sophie sat the coffee down on the table and like a flock of vultures they all grabbed a hot cup. Sophie looked at Nate and he gave a shrug.
"Eliot, I got some mail for you. I must have picked it up by accident," Nate said pulling the marble colored envelop out. "Pretty expensive stationary and pretty handwriting."
Nate slid the piece of mail and Eliot scooped it up. He glanced at the elegant handwriting on the front and turned it over to see the return name. He wrinkled his brow and slid his finger through the seal.
Eliot pulled the stationary out and stared at the crest at the top of paper. He ran his hand over the rough paper that he could only recall was used by one person. He stared at the greeting and skimmed through the four page letter from a person of his past.
"What's wrong, Eliot?" Sophie asked.
Eliot looked over at her and shook his head. "It's nothing, just an old friend writing to me."
"Doesn't seem like nothing, your breaths got shallow and I bet your palms got all clammy," Parker chimed in.
"Mind your own business, Parker. And that's not true." Eliot narrowed his eyes at her.
"Judging by the delicate handwriting, I'd say it's by a woman," Sophie said as she stared at the envelope. "And look how your name is written. She carefully thought this note through."
Eliot snatched the envelope from Sophie and she looked at him. Her lips pulled into a smile as he stuffed the letter into the envelope.
"An old friend."
"Whatever you say?" Sophie taunted him.
Nate looked at Eliot as he got upset over what the others said. He shook his head and took a seat.
Later that day Eliot called Hillary.
"Hey, El, what's up?" Hillary asked.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing in your cozy little home?" Eliot answered.
"I'm doing just fine. Grant and I are rearranging some things and he's fixing minor little cracks we're finding in the house."
Eliot chuckled and glanced down at the letter in his hand.
"Well, that's good," Eliot remarked. "If you two need an extra hand I could help out."
"Nah, I think Grant and I have it. With the two of us we can do anything. Plus, Jim and Coleen are dropping off the twins so we'll be baby-sitting for the weekend."
Eliot grimaced at the mention of the Interpol couple.
"How come Olivia can't watch them? How'd you two get roped into watching the two brats?"
"El, really? We talked about this. Anyway, Olivia is away doing at some summer school program in London. We're happy to watch the twins while their getting some time away from parenthood and work."
Eliot slightly rolled his eyes.
"So, how's the team?"
"We're working hard, could use you and Grant's help. And I got a letter from an old friend?"
"Oh? Who?" Hillary became curious.
"Someone I trained with back before I was a team player."
"Are they in town?"
"No, I'm actually going to fly out and see them. I figured I'd go to Griffin's funeral and pay my respects to the old man. Despite what he did he was my mentor. I learned plenty from the old man."
"Why is it you can forgive someone like Griffin, but you can't…"
"Don't say it, Hill. There's a difference between a legend and someone who wants to be one. Look, I need to head off and pack for a couple of days. I'll call you when I leave tomorrow."
"Alright, El, I love you."
"Love you too, Hill." Eliot smiled and hung up.
He lifted the letter and stared at the name and sighed. He didn't know what to expect after six years.
Author's Notes: Wanted to continue the story line, but trailing off on a side plot. Hope you enjoy it.