Chapter 10. Wow. Ten chapters and I still don't know exactly what I'm doing. Ah well…it seems to be doing okay for itself. There is one swear word in this chapter at the very end and I know some might find it offensive but it was really the only way to create the scene I wanted there. Right so enjoy.

Disclaimer: Smiles widely… no

Spoilers: The Maltese Falcon Job

Sophie walked across the lobby of the hospital and into the elevator. This was her part of the con. She needed to get the guards out of the way of the door and keep them distracted. She walked into the elevator door and waited for them to close. Then she pulled her blouse and skirt off. It revealed a very small very tight dress that did not leave a lot to the imagination. She pulled out her hair bands and exited at the appropriate floor. As she walked down the hall she considered her options. There were several different cons she could go for. The guards came into view before she had made a decision.

"What are you doing down here ma'am?" one of the guards asked. They looked her up and down and both had a look in their eye that meant they were intrigued. They wanted to know more. They also, Sophie knew with slight disgust, wanted to see more.

"I was waiting for my boyfriend," Sophie said using a flawless French accent, "we were going to have some fun. If you know what I mean." Sophie batter her eyelashes in a way that she liked to use on male marks because for some reason it held them captivated.

"I know what you mean," one of the guards said knowingly. The other guard raised his eyebrows and nodded. Sophie knew she had them hooked.

"Yes?" Sophie asked, "well then…"

Tara had been watching the conversation from inside the room and listening to it over the ear piece. As a grifter she thought it both good work and playing with fire. One wrong step with those two and Sophie would find herself a place she did not want to be. That was all the more reason to work quickly so they could all get out.

Tara tapped Nate on the shoulder to she if he was awake. He turned to look at her. Tara mouth for him to be quiet and carefully checked to make sure he wasn't still on any IV's. He wasn't. She looked up towards the air vent and signaled Parker that it was safe to come down.

The thief clambered down from her hiding spot and replaced the cover. She walked over to the bed and poked Nate's shoulder. He looked up at her. Parker didn't say anything she just smiled. Then she looked at Tara for instructions.

"Nate we are going to help you walked to the elevator," Tara explained quietly, "Parker you take one side and I'll take the other okay."

Parker nodded in agreement and came to stand next to Tara. Nate sat up and swung his feet over the side of the bed and reached out an arm to each of the blondes. He really wanted to see a certain brunette but that would have to wait until he was out.

As stood up he started to sway but did not fall because of the two women helping him. He resent needing help to be able to walk, but knew that he did even if he denied it. He also knew that denying it and trying to walk on his own would put all the others in danger because the longer they were in the longer they were at risk.

Slowly they walked to the door and then they paused. Tara poked her head around the doorframe and looked both ways. "Coast is clear," Tara whispered to the other two, "go as quickly and as quietly as possible."

Together they walked towards the elevator and were almost there when they heard a soft voice floating towards them. "No No," Sophie said in her French accent, "you do not want to go this way."

"Why not?" a gruff guard voice asked slightly out of breath.

"Because there is nothing down there either," Sophie explained, "we are completely alone."

"Except of the thief in there," the guard gestured to the room where Nate should be.

"We should check on the idiot," the other guard pointed out.

"Sterling said that he has friends who he went down protecting," the first guard said, "wonder where they are."

"They all split once he was caught," the second guard said, "they don't care what happens to him as long as they get off scot-free. Don't you think?" He looked at Sophie as he asked the question.

"I haven't met very many thieves," Sophie said slowly willing the other three into the elevator. She had to stall the guards.

"You only ever have to meet one to know they are all the same," the guard said, "They don't care if they take another human life. It is all just a game to them."

"Is it really?" Sophie asked feeling anger rise up in her chest. She could not blow their cover, but hearing this moron talk about a group of people he had never met was getting on the end of Sophie's very frayed nerves.

"There barely even human," the guard continued as if he had not heard Sophie's question. "Any half decent person would come to visit the person that gave his freedom to protect them, but these animals don't care."

Sophie said nothing but out of the corner of her eye she saw the elevator doors close. They were clear of this floor and she could bail now if she wanted to but if she bail now there was a chance the guards would catch up to them before they cleared the building. She considered Eliot's request to be careful. If she wanted to safe she would leave now, but if she wanted the others to be safe she would stay.

"He's gone," the first guard yelled.

"Who?" the second guarded asked looking around wildly.

"The prisoner," the first replied, "he must have gotten out while we were talking to her."

"He couldn't have gotten out on his own," the second guard continued, "she was distraction so he could get out."

"He could be long gone by now," the first guard said angrily, "that could cost us our jobs."

"You bitch," the second guard yelled tuning to Sophie with and uncontrollable rage roaring in his eyes. "You're going to pay for this."

Right so there it was. I thought it was a pretty good chapter with a little cliff hanger at the end. What do you think? Please tell me. Review.