Chapter 6

I'm happy that so many people are enjoying the story. =)

Leverage does not belong to me. You know, in case anyone was wonderin'.

"We'll do our best to help you Sarah" Nate answered with a smile. Sophie patted her hand and smiled at her.

"Thank you so much," Sarah answered in a choked whisper. Then she looked up at them. "I'm still a little confused. Eliot said you all help people, but I still don't understand how," she said with a curious voice.

"We each have areas of expertise that when combined, have amazing results." Was all Nate would say.

She looked at them all in turn for a moment with a look that clearly stated she knew there was more to it. "Ok then. I'm goin' to check on Cam. I'll leave you all to talk."

After she left the room Eliot spoke up. "We have to get this bastard Nate."

Nate knew that Eliot was already emotionally involved, even if the hitter didn't realize it yet. 'It will be interesting to see how this unfolds,' he thought.

"Yes Eliot I realize that, but we need to know who we're dealing with. Hardison, I need you to see what you can find out on Rafael Ramirez. She said he had a few car dealerships seven years ago. Let's see how he's doing now and if it's all legal. "

"Eliot, the guys that you took down in the alley, were they amateurs or professionals?"

"They weren't much more than hired hands. Their fighting was sloppy, no technique" he replied.

"Ok, we need to find out if they're on his payroll or not. We should be finished with this second job in a few days, so this will have to be postponed till then."

Eliot started to interrupt but Nate stopped him. "We're going to help her Eliot, don't worry."

Eliot nodded but mumbled that they shouldn't have taken two jobs at once. He didn't care how small a job it was. She needed their help and soon. He was brought out of his thoughts by Nate's voice.

"Now, the next question is where are they going to stay. I think that Parker and Hardison's place will be a little too much of a give away to what we do. Sophie, what about your place?"

"Why not let her and the boy stay here?" Everyone looked at Eliot.

Nate began, "I don't think that would be – " but Eliot interrupted him.

"We're gonna be working on this second job for a few days. We'll be here most of the time. That way I can…I mean we can keep an eye out for her better." The team didn't miss the slip up.

" Yeah, but isn't that an obvious problem?" Hardison said. "I mean, how much of what's going on do we want her in on? We don't exactly follow the letter of the law guys."

Eliot glared at him. "They have nowhere else to go Hardison. She'll be safer here." Eliot growled at him. "When her and Cam are around, we just try not to be so obvious," he finished, looking at Parker.

"What?" She looked back confused. "I understand. No repelling off the side of buildings in front of her. I can blend."

Hardison smiled at her and patted her on the back. "You'll be fine."

"Well I do have the guest room they can use." Nate said uneasily. "But Eliot you – "

"I'll sleep on the couch, keep an eye on them" Eliot finished for him.

"Ok then, that's settled. Elliot if you would, could you go tell her. I need you to distract her while we finish this case." As Elliot walked away Nate turned back to Hardison, "Tell me what you found out on the bank manager."

Eliot found Sarah and Cameron dancing in front of the TV to a song that was playing. He smiled, it was the first time he had seen her happy since he met her.

"Havin' fun?" he asked with a smirk. She let out a cry of surprise as she spun around.

"Damn it Eliot, you scared me half to death."

Cameron started tugging on her pants and when she looked down, he was holding his hand out. She sighed and fished in her pocket bringing out a dollar and placing it in his hand. He smiled and went back to his show.

Eliot looked at her questionably. She laughed and walked over to him. "His father and I had a deal," she began. "Whenever we said a bad word around him, he would get a dollar." He nodded in understanding. "It's something we've continued to do. Little brat is makin' out like a bandit." Cameron looked over at her and stuck his tongue out. Eliot and Sarah laughed.

"So," Eliot began, "we're workin' on a case now that we took before you. But we're gonna start seeing what we can find out in the next few days. Till then, Nate has agreed to let you stay here until this ordeal is over."

"Oh, I don't know if we should – " she got no further before Eliot interrupted her.

"We'll be here more than our own places, we usually are. That way, you'll always have someone here. I'll be staying here anyway."

"Eliot you don't have to do that" she said and put her hand on his arm.

He looked in her eyes and said, "I want to."

Later that night after Sophie, Parker, and Hardison went home, Eliot went back to his place to get some clothes and her bags. When he got back all the lights were out except for a small lamp in the living room. He placed the bags down by the door and stood there staring. Sarah was sitting in the middle of the living room floor, legs crossed, hair up and barefoot. She had her eyes closed.

'Must be meditating,' he thought. He saw her look up and smile. "Hi there stranger" she whispered.

"Where's Nate?" Eliot asked. "Oh he went to his room half an hour ago and Cam's in bed. Did you get our bags?"

"Yeah, got 'em right here" he said holding them up.

"Wonderful, I wanted to do some tai chi, but I didn't have the right clothes on." She grabbed their bags from him and walked off. "I'll be right back."

'Hmm, tai chi as well? The more I find out, the more interesting she gets,' he thought.

When she came back out, she was dressed in yoga pants and a tank top. She looked surprised to see he had changed as well. He had put his hair back with a bandanna, changed into a pair of sweats and a tank top.

"Mind if I join you?' he asked her.

"No not at all, I'd love the company."

They moved through the motions fluidly and each could tell the other had been practicing for a while.

When they finished, she looked over at him. "I'm gonna fix a sandwich. You interested?" she asked walking towards the kitchen.

"Sure. Where did you learn tai chi?" Eliot asked as he followed her.

"A couple of friends of mine," she began. "She was Wiccan and he was a martial arts instructor. They had different answers to relieve stress. Hers was meditation and his was tai chi," she finished with a chuckle.

"It also helps with control and balance," he added.

She just nodded. "That's what he told me as well."

They ate silently, just enjoying each others company. When they finished, they started cleaning up. "Do you guys do this all the time?" she wondered aloud. He looked at her quizzically.

"Help people" she supplied.

"For the last two years" he answered.

"That's wonderful. It would be so nice if there were more people like you all out there."

She turned around to put away the knife she had used and lost her balance. Before she could hit the floor, two strong arms caught her and pulled her back up.

"Whew, that was close, thank you – " she trailed off. She noticed how close she was to him and how nice his hands felt on her arms.

He reached up to brush a strand of hair from her face. His hand then moved down to cup the side of her face as the other moved down to her waist. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand.

The moment was broken by the sound of Cameron crying out. Reluctantly she pulled away from him.

She gave him a small smile, then leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Good night Eliot."

AN: Hiya guys! Please don't be shy to review.

Doesn't have to be much…just a couple of words. Maybe tell me somethin' you would like to see happen. =)