"And I've got a surprise (pulls up graphic on the screen) Bam! Code names for us to use on the comms during the mission. Uh, Parker, you're Gold, Sophie, your Silver, Nate, Mercury, and Eliot, Mr. Punchy."

"You kidding me with that one?"

(Hardison animates the graphics, making Eliot's punch out)

"Alright that's pretty good."

Eliot couldn't help but grin at Hardison's little gadget animation. But that wasn't the only thing that made him smile. That name, Mr. Punchy. It remind him of her. The one that he protected. The one he left in California. The one he couldn't have.

As Hardison was explaining his "never-before-done 21st-century con", he thought about her, something that he hasn't done in eight years.

Eight Years Ago, Knoxville, TN 9:33 pm

Eliot was sitting on his couch and surfing through the channels, not really looking for anything to watch. He stopped when he heard a bump in the kitchen. He stood still until he heard another bump. Instantly, he jumped off the couch and went searching for the brave idiot that's breaking into his house. Stopping at the kitchen door, he mentally counted to three before busting through the door. He ducked the guy's punch and returned it with a few to guy's solar plexus. That'll keep him down for a while. He was caught off guard by the guy's partner, who punched him on the right side of his face. Eliot blocked his two punches and head butts the guy while holding both of his arms. The head butt made the guy dazed. Just as Eliot was about to finish the guy, he heard the doorbell. With a hard push, the guy went flying into the pots and pans. Seeing that the other goon was getting up, Eliot knocked him down with a quick punch. Opening the door, he was surprised (but not really) to see who was on the other side.

"Cassio.", he answered casually

"Spencer. Its been too long." he replied with the same tone as he walked in and made himself comfortable.

"If you say so." Eliot closed the door and stood in a spot where he could see everything. He glanced at the goon on his living room floor, lying unconscious. "You know, next time you wanna say hi, try a phone call. Or, I don't know, get better goons."

Cassio laughed ever so quietly and looked at the hitter, "Oh Spencer, you still amuse me. I'll admit that this wasn't my best approach, but it did the job."

"And the job was?"

"To get your attention. Now that I have it, I'll say my business and leave."

Eliot finally decided to sit on a couch nearby Cassio and nodded for him to continue.

"I have a job for you. It's here in the states and this one should be easy."

"Alright. What's the details"

"It's the Blue Moon Diamond and it's in California with…"

'Are you kidding me?! Easy my ass, Cassio! It's the rarest diamond in world!"

"If you let me finish…." The hitter kept quiet to let him finish, "It's in California with Matt Kelly."

"Matt Kelly? I know a Matt Kelly. His father use to run one of the most deadliest Irish mobs back in the day. I thought he was a baker."

Cassio laughed again, "He still is. But my resources tell me that he makes his cakes with a special flour that's white and ordered in kilos."

"Funny. So how did he get the diamond?"

"The details are cloudy but that part doesn't matter. All that matters is that he has it and I want it. So, you have 60 days to get it to me." he takes a phone out his jacket and tosses it to Eliot, "call me on this phone if there's an emergency and when you've retrieved it."

Cassio was getting up to leave when Eliot rose up.

"Hey, whoa! Who said I was taking the job? I didn't hear you say anything about paying me?"

"Spencer. I know you too well. That diamond is worth a fortune to me. I'm a very wealthy man so any price that head of yours can think of, it will be given."

"And if I say no?"

"If my memory does me right, you stole the L'Homme qui marche from my private vault two years ago. And I left you unbothered, something I never do to a thief. What I'm saying is…if you don't do this job, you will regret it."

Eliot remained quiet as he saw Cassio go to the door and call some of his men to get the two brave idiots from earlier.

"Cassio" He looked from the door, "if all your goons were like those two, then maybe I wouldn't be so cautious to your threat."

Cassio looked outside and chuckled, "Yes, but even fools carries a lucky rabbit's foot." And with that, he was out the door.

Eliot return to his spot on the couch and thought about everything that just happened. Now he had to prepare for this easy job that he was just given.

"Easy my ass."