Ryannah shifted in her seat on her flight to Savannah, Georgia. Now was her time to relax before her life became monotonous. But that's what she'd asked for. She was tired of travelling the world over because work required her to. She was tired of getting her hands dirty and living under aliases. Now she could be herself, after a vacation. And the white sand on the Atlantic coast was calling her name.
Ryannah popped her purple SkullCandy's into her ears and hit the play button on her iTouch. Having money meant flying first class. No snotty kids kicking your seat or the guy next to you having to get up eight times in the three hour flight to pee. In a few short hours, she'd be knee deep in the ocean and working on her tan, simply relaxing. Nothing could ruin this transition for her—nothing.
Eliot huffed in his seat at the bar, beer in hand. Finally some time off, and the only thing on his mind is unattainable. The only thing on his mind: her. He called her cell phone—it was disconnected. He drove past her house in DC; the lights were all off and there was no sign that anyone was home. Eliot didn't notice his grip tightening until the bottle in his hand smashed into a million pieces. He shook his hand clear of the beer before apologizing to the bartender as she cleaned up the broken glass and foam all over the counter.
"Dude, Eliot, what's eating ya?" Hardison called as he climbed on to the stool beside his friend and coworker. "It's gotta be awful if you're breaking bottles over it." Eliot shook his head, trying to get the computer nerd to leave him alone. Starting tomorrow, they were all on vacation for about two weeks. Two weeks to himself. Two weeks Eliot wanted to spend with her, but she was no where to be found. All of a sudden, an evil smirk appeared on his lips as he remembered what Hardison was good at.
"Say, Hardison, what's your security clearance again?" Eliot asked, the smirk never leaving his lips. Hardison saw the look on his face, and grimaced.
"Whatever you're thinking, man, I don't wanna be a part of it." Hardison retorted. "I want my two weeks to be filled with peace." Eliot smacked Hardison across the chest.
"I want you to find someone, idiot," Eliot retorted. "What's your goddamned security clearance?" Hardison smirked, finishing off his beer.
"Whatever you need hacked, I'm your man." He stood up, motioning for Eliot to join him. "Come, let's step into my office." As the two made their way to the apartment upstairs, Nate called out to them.
"Actually, it's my apartment!" Neither man paid attention as they headed up the stairs to the super computer Hardison often referred to as his 'baby'. The glint of hope Eliot had tried to extinguish begun lighting up once again. Maybe, just maybe, he'd be able to see her once more. And this time, he promised himself, things are gonna be different. I'm not letting her get away again.