In the Leverage team suite, Hardison began his orientation with Parker and Sophie. "Meet Kayla Logan, possibly, Spencer." He put up a picture on the room's flat screen television that he had wired to his laptop. The woman was blonde, hair styled in pixie shag cut that framed a round, serious face. Green eyes all but glowed from the picture. This was definitely the person Dominguez had been involved with earlier, Sophie thought to herself. Alec commented, "The only dossier I've ever seen with more redacted information than this one is Eliot's."
Eliot's voice came over the coms, "How would you know about my file, Hardison?"
"So, black ops," Sophie interjected, as Spencer kept calling the hacker's name.
"Yeah but not military," Hardison replied, instead of answering Eliot's question.
"CIA," Parker qualified.
"Yeah," he punched up a couple more pictures. "Several highly classified missions, some of the hottest spots all over the country. Her contacts read like a who's who of International military and government leaders. She has moved in extremely influential circles." Spencer wasn't surprised as he listened in. Kayla had been a favorite of the agency wonks, capable of delivering in any situation. However, Hardison's last comment was what Eliot feared most, "But, since leaving the agency, it looks like she's become a mechanic of some repute."
"So Eliot met her working on his cars?" Parker asked innocently.
Once again, Spencer growled, "Parker."
Sophie gave the girl a disbelieving look as Hardison continued, "No, Parker, not that kind of mechanic. She's a hit man or hit woman. Very effective…very high-profile…very prolific…very expensive…and very, very good. Not someone you would want to cross."
Nate stopped outside Kayla's hotel room, having listened to Hardison's background information. He looked at the door, knocking quickly. Eliot opened it immediately, letting in his boss. The next few minutes Ford would have to step lightly. Not only because he was dealing with Eliot but because he was dealing with Eliot's personal life and past. And, if there was one thing Eliot Spencer hated it was discussing his personal life and past.
Ford, however, changed his mind midstream. Taking a cue from his chess playing, he decided, instead, to open aggressively, "So, your wife, huh?"
The former soldier jerked his head toward the couch, indicating his prisoner wasn't as unconscious as she would like them to believe. Eliot crossed to the seating area and dropped into a chair across from Nate, next to the couch where Kayla was supposedly out. But, Eliot had seen her flinch slightly when Nate entered the room. One thing he knew was how to push her buttons and that would, in turn, get her to show her hand. "Well, partner, first. Then, wife, maybe. I'm not sure. It was a long time ago, we were in a foreign country and we were kind of drunk. There were extenuating circumstances. And, you know, sometimes, marriage was a cover. But, it's a possibility given…"
"Oh, for Pete's sake, Eliot, get to it. Either tell him or don't but quit hum-hawing around," the woman's voice was disgusted as she pushed herself up from the couch, glaring at his smiling face. She realized she'd been baited when he asked, "You out of those cuffs yet?"
She frowned at him, "You know damn good and well I'm not." If possible, his smile got wider. He explained to Ford, "Kayla's quite the accomplished agent except for one thing. She sucks at escaping restraints. Can't do it quickly. Needs time to plan…to execute." Nate cleared his throat bringing Eliot back to the present. The former soldier looked sheepish as he responded, "Uh, yeah, introductions. So, Kayla, this is my boss, Nathan Ford. Nate, this is Kayla Spence…"
"Don't you dare," she growled from the couch.
"Logan," Eliot corrected with a sly grin.
"Nice to meet you. I'd shake hands but I'm a little indisposed," she pointed out, holding her still handcuffed wrists away from her body for Nate to see.
Nate smiled, "So besides the apparently unappealing idea of your being husband and wife, how do you know each other?"
She smirked at the clever question but explained, "As he said, we were partners. My boss found him and assigned us to work together. I was being sent on a couple of missions where my alias was more believable if it involved being a couple." She jerked her head towards Spencer. "As he said, marriage was our cover several times over the almost three years we worked together."
"Successfully. When we're not arguing with each other, we're actually a good team." Spencer, for some reason, felt the need to explain their relationship. In his mind, it hadn't all been bad.
"And how is it that you came to be married?" Nate once again steered the conversation.
Spencer knew the others were listening in on the coms but there was nothing he could do. He really didn't want Kayla knowing there was more than just him and Nate until he knew her game. So he explained, "We had been together almost a year and a half when we got sent to Bogotá."
"Eight of us working drug interdiction – three women, five guys." Kayla added.
"It was obvious there were uh, a few sparks between us," Eliot added sheepishly.
She shifted uncomfortably on the couch and added under her breath, "More than just a few." But Spencer gave her a heated look that said he'd heard the comment. Logan's tone softened, "We completed the mission successfully. No losses so we celebrated."
"We worked hard. We played hard. We drank harder," Eliot explained.
"Lots of tequila."
Eliot corrected, "Mescal."
She made a face as if she were going to be sick, "Ugh, yeah. Mescal."
"Anyway," Nate got them back on track.
"Others in the team thought it would be funny if there was a ceremony, given our obvious attraction," Kayla couldn't believe she was still embarrassed after all this time.
Spencer continued as he watched Kayla turn beet red, "Anyway, I remember there was a chapel."
"I remember saying vows." Kayla spoke.
"There was definitely a priest."
"And a piece of paper," she nodded.
And Eliot couldn't quite hide the grin, "And a honeymoon."
And, for the first time since Nate had seen them together, Kayla smiled, "Definitely a honeymoon."
Nate gestured, "So you are married."
The rest of the team was listening in with bated breath. Kayla and Eliot exchanged a glance and they answered in unison, "Maybe." In their suite, Parker, Hardison and Sophie expressed their frustration.
Eliot defended once again, "We don't know. We were really drunk."
"And not just us," Kayla added quickly, "the others with us were, too. No one could remember exactly what happened; where the chapel was; if the priest was legit." She slumped against the couch, "We can't find a record of the license being recorded but we do have something in Spanish that looks very much like one."
"It was one big blur of a hangover," Eliot said quietly. He glanced at Kayla and added matter-of-factly, "After that, we only worked together for another year and a half before we parted ways."
Kayla hated to admit it but she was hurt by Spencer's nonchalant dismissal of their relationship. So, her tone was sharp as she chastised the soldier for his word choice, "Parting ways? That's what you call trying to kill me? Parting ways?"
Eliot leaned forward, his tone as biting as Kayla's, "Well, what would you call it? And, as I remember, I tried to kill you because you put a bullet in my shoulder."
"Alright, kids, that's enough," Nate stepped in before the building argument could escalate, "What's your job here?"
"I have very powerful clients who expect me to take care of Senor Dominguez," she answered.
"We have people who want him alive," Nate answered.
She shook her head, "That's a problem, then."
"It doesn't have to be, Kayla. Given your association with Eliot, I would be willing for us to work together. I'm certain we could reach an amicable deal," Nate tried to negotiate.
"Sorry. I work alone." Nate and Eliot had heard that line before. It was the very same comment Spencer and, for that fact, all the others had made when first asked to be a part of Leverage, Inc. But, now, Eliot couldn't think of working any other way. He brought himself back to reality with a quick mental shake and just in time to hear Kayla finish, "And, you should know, this doesn't change anything. If I get the chance, Dominguez will die." Logan was firm in her reply.
Nate gave her a look and a rueful shake of his head, "Then, I'm sorry. I have no choice but to have Eliot hold you here until we're done. Once Dominguez is safely in our custody and out of the country, we'll let you go." Kayla didn't answer. There was no reason.
Nate stood up, nodded his farewell, and walked to the door. With Eliot following, they stepped outside, "You got this?"
He shook his head, "Yeah, Nate, I got this."
"What do you need?"
Eliot was decisive, "Hardison, disable all the electronics. I need her blind, deaf and locked inside. Also, everyone stays away. I want her thinking it's just me and Nate."
Alec's voice came inside Spencer's head, "Consider it done."
"Agreed. Everyone stays away. And, I want you checking in every two hours," Nate ordered, pointing a finger into Spencer's chest.
"Understood," Eliot acknowledged.
"And, you know she's going to be waiting on the other side of the door, right?" Nate crooked an eyebrow. Eliot didn't answer, giving him a cocky grin instead. "Alright, guys," Ford held his earpiece, "let's go steal the hit woman's target," Nate smiled and headed down the hall to return to the team.
As soon as Spencer and Ford left the room, Kayla slipped through the cuffs, getting them in front of her. She quickly found a safety-pin and picked the lock. Then, crossing to the door, she waited for Eliot to come back in. She tried to hear their conversation but was unable to do so. What she heard instead was the key in the electronic lock signaling her captor's return.
She had the cuffs in her hand like brass knuckles and swung at Spencer's head. But he was expecting her attack. He blocked the first punch as the door closed behind him but not the second which dropped him to his knees. Kayla lunged for the exit with Eliot temporarily incapacitated. She knew she wouldn't have long so she grabbed the handle and yanked only to have it not budge. Behind her, from his knees, Eliot had the nerve to laugh. She turned on him intending to strike at him again but he grabbed her by an ankle yanking her feet out from under her. Kayla hit the floor hard, her breath knocked out. He was on his feet and then behind her as she recovered and stood up quicker than Eliot was expecting. But, wrapping his arms around her chest, pinning her arms to her side, he began to squeeze tighter. Already gasping for breath, Spencer's steel-like grip cut into her air even more. He finally growled, "That's enough," and gave her a hard shake to emphasize the point. Panting, she knew she was beat. He bodily picked her up and walked her to the bed, dropping her unceremoniously on top. "Now, behave."
Kayla looked up at him mutinously, "How'd you do the thing with the door?"
Eliot smiled, "I've picked up a few skills since we last worked together."
"Obviously." But, Kayla's whole grumpy demeanor was ruined when, of all things, her stomach ratted her out. She put a hand flat on her belly and had the decency to look embarrassed.
Eliot was immediately solicitous. They might have been adversaries now but, bottom line, they had been friends. "When did you eat last?"
She frowned, "Before the reception."
He looked at his watch, "That was over eight hours ago, Kayla. Hell." Eliot continued, "You never did know how to take care of yourself." Spencer always saw himself as a protector.
"You're one to talk," she interjected with a frown, thinking of a few times when she was the one patching him up.
He ignored her comment, continuing to chastise her like a small child, "I'll go get you something. And, as you now know, you can't get out of the room. Also, I've just kicked your ass…"
"I wouldn't say that," she interrupted.
But Eliot continued, "I would. And I'll do it again if you cross me. Understood?"
She saluted, "Sir, yes, sir."
"Kayla," Eliot leaned in close and gave her one of his scariest glares, "cut the shit."
Logan started to talk back but she knew she had pushed Eliot as far as she could now. If she wanted out of this room to complete her assignment, she was going to have to try a different tack. Kayla was uncertain if she could take Spencer physically. She was going to have to try her best to outsmart him first; lull him into a false sense of security and even that would be difficult. He was waiting on her answer.
"Yes, Eliot." She finally acquiesced.
Satisfied for now, he grabbed the handcuffs on his way out of the room to get food. Once again, as soon as he left, Kayla tried the door, only to find it locked. She went to the phone next and got no signal. The television wouldn't turn on and her phone and iPad that were in the nightstand drawer also got no signal. Logan once again dropped back down on the bed totally frustrated. If she hadn't believed it before, she now had proof. Kayla Logan was a prisoner in her own hotel room.