After a few days had gone by, things around Nate's home had started to change. The tension between Skye and Eliot had began to fade in and out, sometimes rising up back to the normal tension. Yet, that wasn't the only tension in the air. Plans were falling into place and so there was need for Skye to be of any use, and she noticed it. During those few days, Skye had been excluding herself from their small meetings, bringing a book or whatever else to keep her occupied. For a few of the members, it was beginning to be distracting. Having a thief lounge in their office and not being of any use.
However, on this day, the team was discussing a situation that could wrap everything up, something similar to what they did to bring down Mitchell Kirkwood. However, for this plan to work, they needed Skye. Eliot had offered to ask her but all of them refused until each of them offered to ask to tempered thief. It wasn't until everyone agreed that Nate should ask Skye because of their past together. Each one fell silent as they watched him walk over casually towards Skye and prayed that the woman didn't tear their leader apart. Verbally, you could say since unless Skye was able to land a hit on Nate before Eliot got to his side.
"Skye, are you busy Saturday?" Nate walked over to Skye, rubbing the back of his neck. As he neared, he felt the tension that she was putting off as she sat alone in the kitchen. It wasn't the first time she excluded herself from the team and Nate didn't exactly like it.
"Why?" Skye looked up from her book, raising a brow at the older gentleman she considered a brother. She knew what was going down that Saturday and figured she wasn't needed. So when Eliot brought her over to Nate's, she would exclude herself from the group. She watched him hesitate and kicked open a chair for him. "Well we may need another hand on deck that night." Nate sat in the chair and rested his arms on the table.
Skye continued to read her book before giving him a shrug. "And what would you like me to do?"
Nate put a hand over her book, causing her to look at him. "I need you to make Lance Jordanson confess. That earbud is also a microphone and Hardison would be able to record what he says. If he confesses that he did hire someone to kill Lisa, then that's one charge. If he confesses that and that he's planning on releasing pneumonic plague, that's another felony." Nate watched her carefully before feeling the book being wrenched away.
Skye closed her book gently before pushing it away. "Why not have Eliot torture him until he confesses?" She inquired, glancing over at Eliot as he and the others spoke about the plan tomorrow night.
"Because Eliot will be with you to make sure no one interrupts you. There's a chance Lance may have some men with him since Marrero will be there as well." Nate pulled his hand back. "Hardison will be handling the camera's. So it would be better proof if we catch him on camera saying it also."
Skye looked away from Nate. "Any other charges that could be put against him besides being an accessory to a murder?" She looked down at her book, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Well accessory to a murder, attempting murder, and possibly dealing in a bribe." Nate shrugged but saw the faint interest in Skye's features. He knew what she wanted, he was previously in that position after all. She wanted revenge and he was planning on giving it to her.
"Hey guys. Don't mean to interrupt the little pep talk, but I found something you need to see." Hardison called over, looking over at Nate and Skye. "Alright, so I finished reading all those damn files and I found out what Marrero could be making for Jordanson. First of all, these files are all dealing with the fifteen mil and what it's being used for, not just the whole accounting-"
"Hardison." Skye made a hand motion to move forward. "Don't exactly have all day." She found everyone looking at her and saw Nate smirk. "What?"
"Look, I found something called Muerte Puerta." Hardison paused. "Death Gate."
"These guys aren't very original with the names." Sophie muttered as she leaned against the long table.
"Spanish, sounds fancier than just. Death Gate." Nate shrugged before letting Hardison continue.
"Anyways, I found these documents that mention what that fifteen mil is being used for." Hardison pulled up the plans on the six television screens. "It's some sort of machine, if I had the plans I could tell you what it is but Jordanson doesn't have them anywhere." He looked at them before looking at the documents on the screen. "And from what I can guess, it's here in Boston but it's not finished."
"Oh boy." Parker whispered before noticing Skye walking away and a phone up to her ear.
"What are you?" Nate asked freezing when Skye held up a hand even though her back was to him.
"Sources." Skye said simply before switching to her father's native tongue.
Hardison arched an eyebrow before looking over at Eliot who chuckled. "You telling me she has sources that are close to Marrero?"
"She was a thief, remember?" Eliot watched Skye, seeing her laugh and it warmed his heart to see her like that.
"Gracias, gracias." Skye closed her phone shut before turning to look at them. "Hardison, can I borrow your computer really quick? A friend was able to send me some files regarding Muerte Puerta." She came up next to Hardison, going into her email, clicking on the file that she just received. She closed down her email before letting Hardison bring up the design plans and document.
Hardison's eyes widened, seeing the architect of the design. "It's a bomb. A dirty bomb." He muttered before looking at Skye. "How'd your friend get this information?"
Skye looked at him as she rested her hands on the table and leaned forward. "He makes bombs for a living. I figured Marrero hired him."
"Have any other sources we should know about?" Nate asked and heard her laugh.
"Nope." Skye looked over at Nate before looking back at the screen. "Go to that document right there." She began reading it when it came up, feeling a bit relaxed at what she read. "It will arrive in Boston tomorrow but it's not finished. They will have to attach the plague to the bomb before it's ready. It's stable though, remote controlled." Skye straightened as she crossed her arms. "Looks like the date for it to go off will be Monday."
"Ha and look who's signed it." Hardison enlarged part of the document. "Our mark and Alejandro Marrero as well."
"Alright, a copy of this document will do just fine since the hard copy is probably either in Spain or in Jordanson's office." Nate looked at the group. "Hardison, is the celebration a public or private party?"
"Private. Only close family and business partners are aloud. Why?"
Nate looked at Skye and smiled. "Cause Skye has agreed to come with. Skye, do you need anything?"
"I have a dress at home that I could use. The police are done there, I'm free to go home without any disturbances." Skye looked at Nate before looking at the screens. "So the original plan was to get him with a bribe. Him bribing you with the information he was going to give you about his company since you wanted to become business partners once he was able to branch out." She narrowed her eyes. "Now you want me to get him to confess a murder and bring down Marrero with an attempted mass murder, correct?" She looked over at Nate and watched him nod. "Fun."
"I still want you over at Eliot's before we finish this, then you can go back home." Nate placed a hand on her shoulder. "Just a safety precaution." He watched her nod reluctantly before letting his hand drop back to his side.
"Oh, and here." Hardison spoke up, nudging her arm lightly as he held out the earbud she returned to him.
Skye gingerly took the earbud. "So what now?"
"Now? We wait." Sophie looked over at Skye with a smile.
Skye let out an irritated sigh, she was tired of waiting but knew things couldn't be rushed. That's just how con's are, patience is needed. "Fine. Hey Eliot, can I get a ride back to my place? I need to pick up a few things from home."
"Can I come?" Parker jumped off her stool eagerly. She saw the irritability in Skye's posture and part of her wanted to be a part of what Skye had up her sleeve.
Skye looked between Eliot and Parker before focusing her attention on the thief. "I guess? I'm just grabbing a dress and maybe. Do. Stuff." Her voice began to falter when Eliot gave her an annoyed look. "Well if you hadn't demanded that I not bring my own vehicle, then maybe I wouldn't be asking you to drive me everywhere."
"You know, that's not a bad idea. Why don't we come over and help you clean up?" Hardison offered. "I got nothing else to do today. Any of you?" He looked from Skye to the rest of the team.
Sophie nodded and Parker jumped with her hand help in the air. Nate shrugged. "I'm fine with it, and it seems everyone else wants to." Nate looked at Skye and smiled. "If you'll let us, that is."
Skye looked over at each one. Eliot seemed to have given up without even putting up an argument. Parker with her eager, childish personality. Hardison being laid back in most cases but easily terrified when he's not behind his computer. Sophie with her kindness she noticed as a motherly way. Finally on Nate. Behind his calm state, he was the overly protective brother both she and Lisa portrayed him as. Within the past week, she's begun to know everything about them. How they act, talk, and even their odd personalities. Finding them all eager to help her with not just getting revenge for her sister, but to help build her life back up, it took her aback. She felt herself smile. "Alright."
Skye found herself laughing most of the time during the cleanup. Parker easily entertaining her just by finding things that fascinated her; Eliot and Hardison bickering and bantering over where things should be placed. She hadn't realized how trashed her house was since when she first walked through. After all, her first instinct was to find Lisa. Now, she had a good look around. Her couch was turned over and television screen was broken. Movies, c.d's, and books were strewn across the floor until she made it to the kitchen where it wasn't as cluttered except for a few broken appliances. It was mostly the living room and kitchen that had been trashed and with help, it was being cleaned.
Skye laughed when Eliot threw his hands up in the air, desperately forcing himself not to throw himself at Hardison and beat him. She looked over at Nate, seeing him place the unbroken movies and c.d's back on the shelves with Parker commenting on each one. Then found Sophie gazing admirably at her art collection from Spain. She looked around, standing up fully when she finished placing her books back on the shelf. Her eyes wandered over to the hallway that lead to a couple of rooms that included hers and Lisa's. She hesitated before walking down that hallway, memories filled the walls with photographs of their childhood and family. She stopped in front of her door, gazing at it as if a monster was on the other side.
"Hey."
Skye jumped at the sound of Eliot's voice. "Jesus!" She snapped as she spun on her heel to look at him, hitting his arm out of aggravation. "Don't scare me like that." She glared at him even as he smiled but saw it fade.
"Is this?" Eliot motioned towards the door she stood in front of.
Skye turned to look at the pale white door and nodded. "My room." She whispered, closing her eyes. Silence hung around her but she knew that if she listened closely, she could hear the laughter and talking in the other room. On the other end of the dark hallway. She looked up at Eliot, feeling his hand gently brush against hers.
"I'm right here." Eliot whispered, looking at Skye as she turned away from him and saw her hand move towards the door handle shakily. He felt her grip tighten when she took ahold of door handle. Hating to see her nervous, he reached passed her and placed a hand on hers, helping her turn the door handle. He listened to her take a deep breath and together they pushed the door open.
Skye closed her eyes, her mind refusing to let her look in the room where her sister was murdered ruthlessly.
"It's okay. No monster, nothing there." Eliot whispered and helped her move into her room, taking a moment to turn on the light. "Nothing here but you and me."
Skye took a breath, slowly opening her eyes and let them adjust to the lighting as she stared blankly at Eliot's chest. She then looked away and around her room. Her bed being the center piece of the room with the dark oak wood headboard pressed up against the wall. Two shelves on either side were covered in nothing but books. Her closet to the left of the room where the bathroom was as well. Across from the bed was a desk with a laptop. Her room looked undisturbed but she knew very well that it was. Her sister wasn't able to make it to where her knives were at. Skye closed her eyes again, feeling the strength Eliot gave her just to do what she thought she wouldn't be able to do. Finally, she opened her eyes again, looking over on the right side of the bed and the image of her sister laying on the floor exploded into her brain.
Eliot felt Skye tense up immediately, following her gaze to the floor on the right side of the bed. He saw a stain in the carpet but it was faint. He lout out a quiet breath, letting an arm wrap around her while he still held her hand. The urge to apologize was strong with him, but she had always brushed it aside like it didn't matter. He heard her sniff and he closed his eyes, holding back the urge to curse to the world before he looked down at her. Gently, he cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. "I'm so sorry." He let his forehead touch hers.
Skye felt new tears but tried her might to hold them back as she stared up into Eliot's bright blue eyes. She placed her hands on his before letting them slide onto his forearms. She saw the earnest apology in his eyes. She saw no pity and she was grateful. "It's alright. Not your fault." She whispered before biting on her lower lip and closed her eyes. She listened intently and heard the rustle of movement as he wrapped his arms around her and wrapped her arms around her neck before she rested her head on his chest.
"Everything will be alright. I promise." Eliot whispered, gently placing a kiss on her temple as he rubbed her back. He listened to the sound of breathing as it finally evened out but his grip on her did not loosen and took comfort that Skye didn't pull away. He found himself able to hold a promise, whereas he wasn't able to with Aimee since he had made a promise to the U.S government. This time, he felt like could hold a promise to Skye. He was pulled out of this thoughts at the sound of Skye's mournful tone.
"I'm holding you to that, Cowboy."
Author's note: Okay Okay, I know there's a lot of conversation content going on, but I promise/swear that there will be an even amount of action and conversation in the next one. Also, there will be two chapters left. Plus I'm deciding to making a knew story that continues after this that does include Skye. ALSO, I just started my new job, so updates will be slow but I have not forgotten!