A/N: Here's Chapter 11. I hope you enjoy. Thanks to all of you who have been reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing. Reviews make my day, so please read and review. I don't own Leverage or any of the characters in these stories, except those of my own creation. I write for fun and not for profit. Enjoy

Chapter 11

Hardison stood in Vance's living room, taking deep breaths and trying to force himself back under control. He was ashamed at himself for not being able to handle seeing Parker while she was sick, and worried about Eliot's reaction. As he finally got his breathing under control, he saw a flutter of movement out of the corner of his eye. Looking up, he saw a large man whom he didn't recognize in the front yard near the road. Watching him for a moment, Hardison slipped back into the treatment room and moved over next to Eliot.

Eliot looked like he wanted to say something, but Vance squeezed his shoulder and he growled and remained silent. Without thinking too much about what he was doing, Hardison took Parker's hand, and looked at Vance. "Were you expecting someone else?"

"No. Why?"

"I saw a strange man standing in the front yard."

"What?" Vance slipped quietly out of the room and down the hallway. He peered around the corner, and out of the picture window in the living room. The man was just visible in the opening from the curtains. Vance didn't know him, but he knew the type. He was somebody's henchman. Ducking back around the corner, Vance took out his phone and made a call. Speaking in a very low voice, he asked the men he had watching the place how they had let someone walk all the way up into the yard without noticing. He was assured that they were on top of the issue, and would be detaining the man for questioning momentarily.

When Vance walked back into the treatment room, Eliot speared him with an icy blue gaze, and asked, "Trouble?"

"I'm not sure yet. My men are on it. They'll detain him and find out what he's up to, and then we'll have an idea."

"In the meantime, I think we'd better all stay in here. Is the place secure?"

Vance shot Eliot a look that plainly asked if he was serious, but he knew Eliot had to ask. Vance nodded. Eliot nodded once in acknowledgement.

Sully looked from Hardison and Parker to Vance and Eliot and then back again, and made a quick decision. Slapping Eliot on the shoulder, he said, "Time for a walk. Vance can come too."

"Where?" We can't really leave the room."

"The hallway has no windows. We can walk up and down a few times." Glancing at Hardison and Parker, he leaned forward and whispered to Eliot, "You need to walk. They need to talk."

Eliot couldn't argue with that, so without another word, he said, "Parker, Hardison, we'll be back. Stay in here, and keep the blinds closed." He looked at Parker now. "I'm serious. Don't get curious." She nodded, and smiled weakly at him. He gently tweaked her hair, and then hoisted himself to his feet, and wobbled precariously for a moment until he got his balance, before hobbling over to the door. Vance and Sully followed him.

As he walked out the door, Hardison stared after him, not really wanting to be left alone. He wasn't looking forward to the discussion he would have to have with Parker. He looked back down at her to find her watching him.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm scared. This is the sickest I've ever been. I need you, Alec, in the same way you needed me when you were in that coffin. I thought you didn't care about me anymore."

"No, babe. I-I love you. Don't ever doubt that. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you. I just hate to see you this way." Hardison's words degenerated into a barely coherent babbling, fueled by nerves and a genuine insecurity. Smiling slightly to herself, she patted his shoulder and closed her eyes.

(0o0)

Eliot walked up and down the hall, hating the feelings of helplessness that came with him having to be followed and supported. When they reached the door to the living room, they all stopped, and Vance peered around the doorway. The man in the yard was surrounded by his men. He looked back at the other two, and then slowly reached over and closed the door all but a crack. They turned around, and walked back the other direction. Eliot knew he'd be better tomorrow, but his leg was in danger of giving out on him now, as he hobbled into the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, he pulled out a bottle of water, and sank down into a chair at the table.

"Are you hungry?"

"Not really."

"Well, then, let's get you back to bed."

"I'd rather sit up a while."

"We can arrange that as well, but not in here. "

"Yeah-yeah."

Eliot finished his water, and then rose and started moving back toward the treatment room where Parker and Hardison waited. He sat down in one of the chairs by Parker's bed, instead of on the cot where he had spent most of the past two days. He glanced at Hardison, who nodded to let him know all was well. Eliot nodded back.

At about that time, Vance's phone beeped. He picked it up and touched the screen, and then scrolled through until he found the contact he wanted. He read silently for a moment, and then said, "Eliot, how much do you know about this Riley character?"

"All I need to know. He acts as a middle-man for those who need certain things done. He's careful to keep his own hands clean, and most of what he does, he does for money. He's a coward. Why?"

"That man in the yard—my men ran his prints. They belong to a man named Marco. He's one of Riley's henchmen. He's not talking, but I think it's pretty obvious why he's here."

"Do we need to move?"

"I don't think so. We'll keep an eye on things, and if we do need to move, we can, but with my men watching the house 24/7, I think we'll be all right. I may have to find another safe house after this is over, though."

"You have at least two others that I know of, Vance." Vance flashed a smile. That was true.

Spearing his friend with an indecipherable glare, Vance asked, "How bad is this likely to get, Eliot?"

"Shouldn't be too bad, Vance. He's not overly creative in these things, and as I said, he's a coward. I can handle him."

Vance nodded. Good to know.