Author's note: I'm going back to school this week so I won't be able to update as often as I would like. I will try to update every week, at the latest two weeks.

Disclaimer: I dont own anything but Leola. :)

Thanks TotalFanGirl! I'm glad you liked the ending of Ch 6 :D

Enjoy and Dont forget to review! ;)

Leverage Ch 7

Leola opened her eyes to the sun blinding her. She groaned and threw the blanket over her head. She was warm and she snuggled in. it was funny that her bed was moving up and down. Maybe it was like those dreams where you're in a fast moving vehicle and it seems so real...

"morning." Eliot's gruff voice came from beneath her.

Her eyes opened wide. "Huh?" She shot straight up, the blanket flying off and landing on the floor.

"I said morning." He smiled.

She looked down to see they were still clothed. "Oh thank god." She mumbled, fearing that she had done something premature.

"Excuse me?" Eliot said, propping himself up on his elbows. "I've never had a girl thank god for using me as a pillow before."

"Well you are really comfy." She giggled, feeling her cheeks heat up.

"Oh yeah? Comfy enough for a morning kiss you think?" he teased; his hair mussed up and slightly tangled.

She pretended to think about it, making Eliot smile. "Most definitely." She said, leaning in and pushing her lips on his gently.

He deepened the kiss, taking a hand and ran it through her hair. "mmm." She smiled, getting onto Eliot's lap.

She pulled back, smiling and looked happily into his eyes. "Morning."

"I think we went through this already." He brushed a tangled strand of hair out of her face. She sighed and kissed his on the forehead and then his lips.

Hopping off, she headed to the bathroom, leaving Eliot on the couch. "You said morning. I didn't say anything."

He gave a small disbelieving laugh. He was surprised; though he really should expect it from her. A few moments later, she came back out, stretching as she made her way to the kitchen. His eyes trailed up and down her body and landed on the big black bruise on her knee. Suddenly he remembered. Walking over, he turned her around gently as she protested, trying to get milk out of the fridge. Examining it, he saw the swelling had indeed gone down and all that was left was a bruise.

Looking down, she rolled her eyes and grumbled. "I told you its fine. I'm a nurse remember? Jeez."

He just mumbled grumpily to himself, trying to grab some coffee instead. She laughed at his expression and had to give him a hug. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close, kissing him. She let go after a minute, seeing that he was in a better mood.

"I should go get dress" she laughed stretching up and pushing her lips in to his one last time before heading off to get dressed.

Eliot watched her leave and shook his head. After she got dressed and Eliot cleaned himself up, they decided to head over to Nate's to see what was happening with the team. Leola's mind floated back to Parker and she knew she needed to deal with today.

She walked out of her apartment and nearly ran into someone. "Oh sorry."

The man laughed, carrying two boxes, precariously placed on top of one another.

"Here let me help with this." She took one of the boxes before he had a chance to object. She stood there, waiting for him to lead the way. Surprising her, he led her to the apartment directly across from hers. Eliot stepped out and closed the door before settling his eyes on the man. Immediately he didn't like him. It astonished him how sure he felt that he didn't like this man. Leola paid no attention, carrying the box in for him. He set is down and stuck out his hand. "Ned. I just moved in here."

She shook his hand. "I'm Leola. I live across the hall." He had dark brown hair with equally dark brown eyes. His handshake was firm and he was about a half a head taller than Eliot.

Ned looked at Eliot who seemed to shooting daggers at him with his eyes. "And who's this?"

Leola looked back and made a face at Eliot who continued to shoot the stink eye at him. "That's Eliot. He's...a friend of mine."

She found herself wondering if Eliot and her were a couple yet or not. She brushed the thought back and Eliot came to stand protectively behind her, crossing his arms.

Ned nodded his head slowly, feeling uncomfortable under Eliot's glare. Leola sighed, and said nice to meet you before going, Eliot following. As soon as they were outside, Eliot spoke. "I don't like him."

She huffed. "Come on. Everyone deserves at least one chance. And besides he's a neighbour. If he crosses a line, he will definitely hear it from me."

She took his arm and dragged him to his truck. Eliot climbed in inside and began the drive back over to leverage. He parked the truck and smiled at her for a moment, feeling happier than he had in a long time. She blushed, giving him a smile. "You're grinning like an idiot again."

He laughed and got out of the truck. "You are too."

She smiled, knowing it was the truth. She was happy.

They took the elevator up and walked in, to find Parker sitting crossed legged on the couch, Hardison sitting at the counter and Sophie was sitting in the chair.

"Hey guys. What's up" Hardison greeted them. She greeted them back and turned to Parker.

"Hey Parker. How are you?" she asked, walking over the couch and sitting down.

Parker crossed her arms; muttering "fine" then got up and walked into the meeting room.

Leola felt hurt by Parker's reaction, but for the life of her she couldn't figure what she had done to make Parker so upset. Eliot noticed and walked over with a cup of coffee in his hand. He held it out for her and she took it, nodding a thanks.

Leola said good morning to Sophie, relieved that it was only Parker who seemed to be upset with her. Then she thought of Nate and wondered if he was just as upset. She began to panic but her fears dissipated as Nate walked in, and mumbled a good morning, grabbing a coffee. She saw Sophie's worried face however, and Leola wondered how far Nate's drinking really went. She went to say something to Sophie when Parker walked back in, avoiding Leola, at all costs. When Leola went into the kitchen and sat down, Parker went out and sat on the couch. She sighed and leaned against the counter, not realizing that Nate was studying her. She surveyed the kitchen and finally saw Nate drinking his coffee, looking at her thoughtfully.

"Something wrong Nate?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. He shook his head no.

"Just thinking. I chased them down at one point or another in my career." He waved his coffee to the team before turning his attention back onto her. "But I cannot remember if I ever chased you."

She grinned and thought for a moment. Smiling she nodded. "Yes you have chased me before." She leaned in and counted with her fingers. "Janice blossom, Nadine Gale, Alexa Jordan and Jonathon Reesor.' He did a double take. He only focused on one name.

"Jonathon Reesor? He was a bigger guy, not slender." He eyed her figure to prove his point.

She laughed at Nate's expression. "Yes I know. That body suit was expensive but you were getting close on my trail so I had to throw you off." She shrugged.

"Yeah, I remember those names now. But really Jonathon Reesor?" he couldn't fathom it.

"Yes. It worked didn't it?" she whispered before Hardison came over to the fridge and pulled out his orange pop.

He saw Nate's eyebrows go up. "What?" Hardison asked.

"I need more coffee." Nate muttered, refilling his cup. Leola laughed and went back out to the living room.

Parker glanced at her before quickly glancing away. Leola slightly frowned, her thoughts racing through what had happened yesterday. Then it hit her; Parker moved away as soon as Leola gave them her old job occupation. She studied Parker and wondered if she grew up in the bad side of the child care system. Sophie walked out into her office and a few minutes later Parker followed her.

Perturbed, she looked around for Eliot and found him in his office. He smiled instantly when she walked in but then he saw that she was troubled. She tried to explain, but her brain was blank. Eliot took her hand and grabbed his jacket. He hollered he was going out and ignored Hardison's witty remark.

She followed him, smiling as he kept her hand in his. They began to walk down the block and it was silent before Eliot spoke. "What's the matter darling?" he asked, squeezing her hand gently. She took one glance at him and told him everything. About Parker avoiding her and why she thought it was and that she didn't know what to do. He listened attentively, nodding as she went through her problem. "Okay. Well then if you believe that is her problem, why not take her to your old job and show her that you are not what she thinks you are." He looked at her and smiled. "Knowing you, you probably still go back there every once in a while for a visit. Right?"

She had to think for a second. He was right; she did go back every once in a while to help out and visit. It was her job before nursing and she loved it, no matter how crazy the boys drove her. She smiled, looking up at Eliot. She cupped his face and kissed him. He wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her closer, and smiled when they broke apart.

He kissed her forehead. "Let's head back."


Parker followed Sophie into her office. She stood there, a weird look on her face. She wanted to ask Sophie what she would do in a situation like this. Sophie brought her out of her thoughts. "What's wrong Parker? I saw you avoiding Leola. I thought you guys were friends."

"Well, we were...or are..." she trailed off, frowning as she tried to think. She felt betrayed or hurt by Leola's old job. Leola working as a manager for a boy's home was almost the same thing as foster care except it's a group home and for boys only but sti—

"What is it Parker?" Sophie asked, worried since Parker seemed to get more confused.

Parker hesitated, not sure how to go forward with it. "I feel betrayed." She blurted out.

Sophie walked over concerned. "What do you mean? Who betrayed you?" She became protective and felt angry.

"Well...I guess she didn't betray me but it feels like It." Parker frowned, confused. "I don't know. Maybe that's not right." Sophie took a moment to process this. She had no idea what Parker could be thinking and she didn't want to push her. Waiting, Parker start to speak. "You see, its Leola. She, well...didn't grow up like me. She was on the other side of the foster care system sort of thing. It's just bugging me." She looked down at her hands and avoided Sophie's eyes.

Sophie breathed relieved. She thought it was something worse. She had seen Parker's reaction when Leola told them her old job. She sat down beside Parker and gave her a soft nudge. "Many people come from many lives and can end up the same way." she spoke softly. "But you see her as one of the bad guys who hurt you." Parker nodded, taking in a shaky breath. Sophie thought about it. Leola definitely wasn't a bad guy here. She was very kind and helping, even making friends easily with Parker; which wasn't always so easy. "Well, you became quick friends and you offered a fortune cookie to her the first night we met her. You didn't do that to us; your team so she must be good somehow right?" Parker thought and agreed. "And even though you threw her off a building, she still wants to be friends and on top of that, she said you and her can go steal some artefacts together right?" Parker agreed again. "She's understanding, kind and well, has your type of thinking sometimes." Parker smiled at the last part. "You only have a problem with her job. So why don't you ask her about it? Maybe she can prove she isn't the bad you think her to be."

Parker looked at her finally and nodded. "You're right. You always know what to do." Parker patted her on the head. Hopping up, she smiled, the confusion disappearing from her eyes. "Thanks."

Sophie gave her a smile back. "No problem Parker. I'm glad you trust me with this problem. With that Parker walked out of her office.


Eliot and Leola reached the office again and he stole a kiss from her, lighting her senses on fire. Then her phone rang and she grumbled. "Always in the middle of something good."

Eliot laughed. "you might as well answer it." he kissed her once more. "I will meet you inside Nate's." She nodded, watching him leave, appreciating the view. She flipped open her phone to check caller ID but it was private. Sighing she answered.

"Hey is this Leola? It's Gregory from Russia." A man with a thick heavy accent spoke.

She searched her brain and remembered him. "Yes I remember you. You hired me for the ambassador job. How can I help you?"

"I have another job offer for you. It's in three days but you will need to fly over to Germany."

She paused, thinking. She would be gone for at least a week, and depending on the job; if anything likes the last one, should be a breeze, if not fun. She smiled. "I'm in."

She talked to him for another five minutes as he described the job, the risks and the target. Afterwards, she said goodbye and hung up the phone. She smiled, beginning to feel excited as she always loved pulling jobs.

She started thinking of the materials and gadgets she needed and felt her excitement dampen. It would be a lot of work. She opened the door, thinking maybe Hardison could help her with some things she needed for the job.

She walked in and Hardison startled her, arguing with Eliot. "Just because I know technology doesn't mean I cannot get the ladies! Ladies love the smart dudes" he argued.

Eliot rolled his eyes.

"This is the geek age baby. The geeks are hot. Not fighter muscle I-hit-when-somebody-makes-me-mad guy." He saw Leola. "Isn't that right Leola? Come on give me a hand here."

Eliot burst out laughing, and Hardison eyes pleaded with her. She couldn't say no.

"Well technically, yes geeks are hot, especially with all your gadgets and stuff but the men who are more rugged and charming takes the cake too." She shrugged. "I'm thinking it's tied."

Both Hardison and Eliot frowned. It was silent so she quickly slipped in the kitchen before they could bombard her with another take-a-side question. She hated those and she always tried to make it even. Suddenly Parker hopped in front of her and Leola skidded to a stop, almost running her over. "Hello Parker." She was flustered and tried to get her thinking straight. "I've been meaning to ask something-"

"I disagree with what you did or do." Parker interrupted.

Leola frowned. "Okay um, is this about the child care thing?" Parker nodded. Leola smiled at her now. "Well, since you didn't exactly grow up in good foster homes during your childhood, I can see why you think I am on the wrong side." Again, Parker nodded. "I'm going there in a couple days for the day and I would like you to come with me and see what I do for them." She held her breath hoping.

Parker paused and nodded suspiciously. "Sounds good." She waved at her and walked away, leaving Leola standing there confused.

She shook her head to think about the whole conversation and finally made it to the kitchen. Then she remembered that she needed Hardison to help her out. She sighed and braced herself as she headed back out into the living room where Eliot and Hardison were still arguing. This time however, it was about who could break into the white house faster.

"Hey, I could hack them in about ten minutes right now. You would have to charm some ladies, grift and on top of that find passports and ID's and a way in- without my help. I would win right off the bat."

"Ah but I would still get the ladies." Eliot smiled triumphly while Hardison got more frustrated. Leola frowned, not liking the fact that Eliot was talking about ladies and she raised an eyebrow at him. He shrugged. "Just proving a point."

She nodded sarcastically and turned to Hardison. "Right now, the geek wins ok? I need your help."

Hardison cackled and clapped his hands. "What'd I tell ya? The geek wins Eliot. Not the punch happy bully."Eliot scowled, clearly not happy. She hesitated; laughing thinking she should kiss him but thought better of it. She would do that later. Instead she winked at him and followed Hardison to the meeting room and he flipped his six panel computer screen on. "What's up?"

"I need a new passport, ID and I need to be able to get into the country without raising any flags and on top of that, I was wondering if you had a device that could disband the frequencies of radios as well at the wireless cameras set in a museum. Also, it would have to take the frequencies and convert it into my own so that I can keep an eye and loop the cameras."

Hardison looked at her and scoffed. "That's easy."

Leola winced; she still didn't give the worse part. "Ah but it needs to be undetectable, not to be traced or be on a computer even. Maybe a phone which can give or take phone calls but have a site with no IP address."

Hardison stopped scoffing and looked her like she had ten heads. "Ok, well I'm gonna need to build something but why on earth you need something like that?"

She shrugged. "I got a job and I need to steal the zadonshchina- which is a poem explaining the Mongols' defeat in 1380. My client feels that it needs to be stolen to prove their security sucks."

Hardison frowned, shaking his head wondering how he knew it was for a job. "And where is this?"

"Right now, it's in Germany but I need to get it back to Russia."

Hardison whistled. "That's going to be hard."

She disagreed, "not really if you could whip up what I need." She said sweetly.

Hardison sighed as if it would be a lot of work but rubbed his hands together. "I'm on it."

She thanked him and went over to Nate and told him about the job she was going to take. Nate nodded. "That's fine. I think we might have a new client soon anyways so." She smiled, and waved goodbye to everyone. Eliot caught her eyes and she blushed, her heart fluttering. she turned and rested her hand on the doorknob, hesitating. She wanted to say something to Eliot badly but wasn't sure where their relationship status was.

Eliot immediately got up; thinking now was the time and walked over nonchantly. He could feel his team's eyes on him. He turned her around and kissed her, his arms around her. He felt her smile and knew it was the right move.

"whoa!, wasn't really expect that." Hardison stood shocked. "Aw come on, Leola you were supposed to be on my side not his." He sat down disappointed.

Nate looked at Sophie who looked at him, a small smile on her lips.

Leola opened her eyes to see Eliot's eyes twinkle. He looked over to Hardison as she opened the door, her hand slipping in his. "I still get the ladies."

Leola laughed and Hardison's arguing could be heard down the hall. She leaned into Eliot as they walked to the elevator. Now, she knew exactly where they stood.

Not my best chapter but it will get better, I promise :)

Please Review! I would love to hear from you. :)