Would you believe me if I told you I had this written out but couldn't find the time to type it up? Cuz it's true :p Anyways, this is the last chapter! Hope you enjoy! Oh, and to those who celebrate it, Merry Belated Christmas! :p

Leverage Quote of the Day: "You need lessons on how to act dead. This is the second time in two years you've showed up at your own funeral." ~ Nate

-O-

Chapter Eleven

To Change the World

Eliot was getting sick of the stiff muscles and fiery aches that came with the damn sedation drug. He could've easily broken or untied the ropes, but instead he was stuck staring at the desolate gray of the room, cursing himself and hoping Nate didn't give into Hughes' demands.

Hughes, that son of a bitch. He was the reason so many families had lost everything. He was the reason Kylie had seen him for what he was. He was the reason that Eliot was stuck down here.

It was the team's first loss, Eliot realized. They'd always bounced back in the end, even when Sterling was involved. Especially when Sterling was involved. But this time there was nothing they could do. The mark knew their faces. But Eliot knew that Nate wouldn't give up, wouldn't accept that he had lost. He'd keep gong until he won, or he would die trying.

Which was why Eliot needed to get out of here, to warn Nate to back of, that there was nothing more that they could do. Hughes hadn't paid him a visit in a while, and the drug was beginning to wear off. One more hour and he'd be able to break out of his bonds.

A scraping at the door broke into his thoughts. The hair on the back of his neck rose, every joint in his body itching to jump up and investigate. All he could do was sit, and wait.

The door swung open, revealing…

Parker.

The thief ran forward, black harness jangling around her waist.

"Nate, I got him." She knelt by Eliot, examining the ropes. "Really?" She asked incredulously. "These ropes wouldn't hold fifty pounds on a bungee system. You couldn't break out of them?"

"I was drugged, Parker!" Eliot snapped.

" 'I was drugged, Parker!'" she made a face. "Get over it!"

Eliot glared daggers at her.

In under a minute, he was flexing his muscles, wincing as they tried to shake off the stiffness. Parker handed him a comm, which he slipped into his ear.

"Nate," his voice was hoarse and gravelly.

"How're you feeling, Eliot?"

"I've been worse," he stood up, and his leg nearly collapsed underneath him as pain shot through it.

Parker lifted a hesitant arm to support him, but he shrugged it away. He didn't need any damn help to walk.

"Nate, tell me you have a plan."

What he heard next threw him completely off guard.

"This is the address," Kylie's voice sounded over the comms.

Eliot stumbled to a halt. "Kylie?"

-O-

Kylie paused on the steps to the house, allowing Hughes to go ahead. A small smile crept onto her lips. "Good to hear your voice, soldier."

His reply was interrupted by Hughes. "Aren't you coming, Mrs. Trent?"

Kylie sprinted the last few steps to join him by the door. The doorbell rang, and she had to suppress a was wispy over his round scalp, and his brown jacket looked like it had seen better days.

"What're you doing here?" The man was immediately on the defensive, nervous. "I have nearly all the money!"

"Mr. Raleigh," Hughes stepped in the house, chuckling. "I'm tired of waiting."

"I told you, I need more time!"

Hughes shrugged indifferently. "That's why I'm going to give you 12 hours. Oh, and I've upped your fee. You owe me 100,000 dollars."

"But that's twice as much!"

"Interest," Hughes explained, shrugging. "Now, Mr. Raleigh, you should know that I've been known to take hostages, should I not get what I want. How are you daughters? Still doing well in school? Their soccer team is number one in the division, I hear."

Kylie had to suppress the urge to slap the loan shark then and there.

"Well, in that case," Mr. Raleigh fished for something in his pocket. That something turned out to be a police badge. "Erik Hughes, you are under arrest for threatening an officer of the law, kidnapping of innocent citizens, and I'm just getting started."

"What-what? How?" Hughes was livid even as the cuffs were slapped onto his wrists.

"Now, I've hacked into his client list," Hardison gestured to the monitors.

"Good, now Hughes –and any other smart loan shark, would automatically go after the client who owes him the most money. Hardison?" Nate looked at the hacker.

"That would be a Mr. Trevor Raleigh. Construction worker. He owes our mark over 50,000 dollars. Looks like his payment's due pretty soon, too."

"Good, that's just what we need," Nate paused. He opened his mouth as if to elaborate, but started to walk away.

"Hey, where're you going?" Hardison asked incredulously.

"Detective Bennano owes me a favor."

-O-

The wail of police sirens met Kylie, Hughes, and Bennano as they exited the house. Three police cats appeared around the corner, screeching to a halt in front of the driveway. No one but Kylie noticed the dark van pulling up across the street.

Doors slammed, and uniformed officers stepped out, escorting a confused-looking man who she assumed was the real Mr. Raleigh past them up the steps.

Kylie hung back, watching Hughes as he was forced into the police car. She was amazed, completely amazed. She had just helped put away one of the most notorious loan sharks for a very long time, and saved dozens of families in the process.

Enraged shouts caught her attention. She looked over to see Hughes pointing animatedly at something across the street, livid.

Bennano looked over at the team of thieves, grinned, and shoved Hughes back into the cruiser.

Kylie smiled, all doubts about the team completely gone. They really were the good guys.

-O-

Eliot watched with apprehension as Kylie approached the can, wondering how she would react to his presence. The last time he had seen her, she had caught him in the middle of a fight, and had been completely moritified.

So he was completely thrown when her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, pulling him into a warm hug. The words "I'm sorry," kept tumbling out of her mouth, whispered and raw with emotion.

As they broke apart, Eliot realized gratefully that the rest of the team had disappeared. It would make what he was about to say somewhat easier.

Kylie noticed his solemn expression and frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Kylie…" Eliot's voice caught in his throat. "I can't… I can't be with you."

"What?"

"It's be too dangerous. I wouldn't always be there to protect you from my enemies, I'd be on jobs. You'd be better off without me. I'm sorry," he turned away, but not before the hurt expression entered her eyes. His feet propelled him forward mindlessly, away from her.

"So I'll stay!" Kylie called out. Her words were enough to make Eliot stop, and turn.

"What?"

"I'll stay. I'll work with you. I've already lost you once, granted it was my own fault. Don't make me lose you again," she had begun to walk forward as she spoke, and was now standing in front the retrieval specialist.

"Kylie, I can't-"

"Eliot, please. I've already thought about the consequences. That I'll probably have to quit my job. But I liked what I did here today, I felt good about it. I know I don't have much to bring to the team, but you saw me grift today. Sure, it wasn't the best performance, but Sophie could teach me-"

"Kylie."

She gave a nervous laughed. "Sorry, I'm a nervous talker."

"You realize we've only had two dates?"

She smiled, nodding. "We can change that."

Eliot hesitated, glancing over at the van. This wasn't really his call to make, but Nate would understand, wouldn't he?

He tore his gaze from the van, defiantly wrapping his hand around Kylie's. "Welcome to the team."

She broke out into a wide grin, and leaned in to kiss the hitter.

-O-

So, what'd you think? Reviews are always welcome. :)