Disclaimer: I do not own Leverage.
A/N: Thanks for everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter. I was going to wait a couple of days before posting this chapter but I figured you guys have suffered enough with all the sadness so I thought I should give you guys a little happiness sooner than I had planned. Also I want to say sorry to Jojobevco because I won't be performing any miracles but if you continue to read, it will all be worth it in the end mostly due to ClaudiaRain for demanding a happy-ish ending in nearly every review so far and because of everyone else who has as well, lol.
A few days later found the remaining Leverage crew members, and a few others who knew Nathan Ford, standing in a quiet and peaceful little cemetery by his coffin listening to the same priest who married Parker and Nate only four days ago.
"Nathan Ford was an honorable man who only had the well being of others on his mind and in his heart. He was a man you could count on for anything, someone who would drop what he was doing to help his friends and family. A man, who like many of us, had his problems and his own demons to face yet still found the strength and courage to keep living to fight for justice and for what he thought was the right thing to do. He was a man that if you met just even once knew he was intelligent and always thinking and could talk his way out of almost anything without you even realizing it until it was too late. You were a dear friend who was loved by many and you will be missed dearly. Rest in peace, Nathan, because you deserve it. If there is anyone who wants to come up and say a few words you are more than welcome," Father Collins ended looking around to see if anyone was going to speak.
Eliot didn't plan on speaking that day but had a feeling that just compelled him to and before he realized it he was at the podium looking out at everyone who showed up to pay their respects to the great Nate Ford, "Nate Ford was a great man, who didn't deserve what happened to him. He did more than help people, he gave them back hope when they thought it was lost, he returned to them their lives when they didn't know how they could go on after the injustice that was performed on them. Honorable is the word to describe Nathan Ford because I've never in my entire life met a man more honorable than him. He was like a father to me and took me in and like fathers do, he taught me a lot and I promise to him I will never forget what he taught me. I love you Nate and will miss you." He stepped down slowly making his way back to Parker's side who knew she wouldn't be able to get anything coherent out so she just reached over to grab Eliot's hand giving it a little squeeze of comfort knowing his speech was hard for him to get out.
Hardison quietly asked Sophie if she was going to say something, but she just shook her head 'no' being in the same state as Parker, before walking up to the podium to say his goodbyes to him, "You know it's funny, I always thought that man would live forever; I mean it was just the kind of persona he gave off. After everything we've been through these past years and all the miraculous stunts that man could pull, I thought for sure he was invincible and would live way past all of us, but I guess this is just a rude awakening to show that no matter who you are death will find you. Like Eliot, he was like a father to me and although I taught him a lot about technology because if you knew him you knew he struggled sometimes with it, he taught me a lot about life and people, about how they all aren't bad and you should fight to help those who aren't. Man I sure am gonna miss you because you knew how to push me to get the best out of me. I love ya Nate, peace." He stepped down a few tears falling down his cheeks as he headed back to stand by Sophie who whispered, "That was nice Alec, I'm sure he loved every word."
Hardison nodded as he gave her hug, "Thanks Soph."
"Alright anyone else?" Father Collins asked waiting a few minutes before continuing, "Okay well we'll start with the first row, if you will grab a rose and lay it on the coffin as you walk by paying your last respects."
Parker led the way grabbing her rose laying it on Nate's coffin, "Bye Nate. I love you so much." Eliot, Sophie, and Hardison followed after her, each one saying goodbye one last time to their great friend. They stood off to the side watching everyone else saying goodbye wanting to be the last ones there when they began to actually bury him.
Maggie, Nate's ex-wife, walked up to Parker giving her a hug, "I'm truly sorry for your loss Parker. I can only imagine what you're going through."
"Thanks Maggie and thank you for coming."
"Of course. Trust me that the pain becomes easier to deal with, with time," Maggie told her before she went on to give the rest of the team a hug.
About thirty minutes later they were the only three left until he was completely buried. Eliot gave a heavy sigh as the last shovel full of dirt was put on his grave, "You guys ready?"
"Yeah," Hardison replied still not believing this was happening.
"I suppose," Sophie said.
Parker just nodded turning to head back to Eliot's SUV not caring where they were going or what they were going to do.
"How about we head over to my house Eliot? That way we can just talk and relax," Sophie suggested knowing heading back to headquarters would be like a slap to the face knowing Nate wouldn't be there to greet them.
"Sounds great to me," Eliot answered starting the vehicle up to head over to Sophie's place.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Sophie placed a bowl of chips on the coffee table, before sitting down next to Parker on the sofa. She looked over towards Eliot, who was looking at her, and tilted her head silently asking if they should tell Parker about their plan now or later; Eliot gave a small shrug telling her it was up to her. She gave a small sigh before turning towards the small thief, "Um Parker there's something we want to tell you, but just know if you don't feel comfortable with it that you don't have to participate."
Parker lifted her eyebrow quizzically wondering what in the world Sophie was going on about, "Are you guys like staging an intervention or something?"
"Haha no nothing like that. When we were downstairs in the bar the other day we were talking about how we'd like to get Blackpool, that bastard, back for what he did to Nate. We wanted to know if you wanted to help," she said hoping she would want to.
"Pfft. Yeah of course, that's all I've been thinking about these past few days but couldn't come up with anything. So do you guys have a plan?"
"Oh we have a plan baby. A foolproof one, and I don't want to toot my own horn but, I was the brilliant master mind behind the whole thing, I'm just throwing that out there, if you like, want to thank me or somethin'," Hardison stated quite proud that he came up with idea of the con.
"Shut up Hardison, you may have the basic idea but Sophie and I tuned it up a bit otherwise it would have went down in flames," Eliot informed him grabbing a few chips.
"Yeah well….so. You just can't let me have my glory."
"Haha, nope."
"You two are absolutely ridiculous. It's like you have to argue with each other or nothing gets through," Sophie rolled her eyes before continuing to explain the plan, "Alright so here's what we have so far, since Blackpool knows all of our faces we obviously can't just waltz in like we normally do."
"Right. So we just go in and tase him unsuspectingly right?" Parker asked with a slight gleam in her eyes as she pictured Ian Blackpool being tased.
"Um well I suppose you could tase him at the end but first we give him everything he wants," Sophie explained.
"Huh?"
"Well I'll suddenly flood his bank account with a lot of money but not so much as so he can go receive his much needed treatment but just enough to make the man ecstatic again," Hardison said with a smile.
Parker looked at them skeptically waiting for them to begin making sense.
"Then I call him up pretending to be from IYS declaring the company can't possibly survive another year without his brilliant guidance asking him to take up his old position," Eliot boasted.
"Okay why exactly are we going to give that man everything back?" Parker asked still confused.
"You didn't let us get to the good part," Sophie told her, "After he believes he's getting his position back, we'll have him come down to the building to have us," Sophie gestured to all of them, "place him under arrest for the murder of Nathan Ford with a tape to prove it. And by giving him back all he's wanted for so many years, he'll be so happy and on such a high that it will only hurt that much more when we're there to snatch it all away again."
"Okay but how exactly are we just going to put him under arrest?" Parker asked.
"By pretending to be police of course, and with my magical computer skills I'll make sure we're all listed as local police at the station that just transferred from another department so we don't get caught," Hardison included, "See what did I tell ya, foolproof baby."
"I guess that'll work, but I'm tasing him for resisting arrest," Parker grinned replaying her earlier scene in her mind, "So when do we put this plan into action?"
"In a few of months so we can make sure everything's perfect so there is absolutely no way he'll get away with anything and so we can complete a few jobs that desperately need our attention," Sophie informed her.
"A few months? Huh that's like forever from now."
"I know it seems a long ways away but we made promises to a few clients and we can't just leave them suffering while we get our revenge; Nate wouldn't want that. So we'll help them as promised and while doing so we'll perfect our con for Blackpool," Sophie reassured her.
"Trust me it'll fly by soon enough being as busy as I'm sure we'll be," Eliot said hoping it would because he was ready to get this man back.
"Now that we know what we're doing, I'm going to go start making our uniforms and slowly begin transferring money into the man's bank account," Hardison said standing up getting ready to leave.
"Alright but be careful on your way home, it's raining like crazy out there," Sophie told him giving him a hug before he left.
"Yeah I think I'll head home too before the storm decides to get worse, if you guys don't mind," Eliot said looking over at Parker.
"No and thanks for everything Eliot," Parker smiled.
"No problem and if you need me just call and I'll be there," he said seriously giving her then Sophie a hug, "Bye you two."
"Bye."
"See ya."
Sophie sat back down on the sofa, "Do you want to stay here tonight? You can sleep in the guest room."
"Yeah I'd like that thanks," Parker accepted not wanting to go home, at least by herself.
"Of course, you're welcome to stay here as long as you want Parker."
Parker nodded letting out a huge yawn, "Wow I'm more tired than I thought. I guess I'll head off to bed unless you want some company?"
"No I'll be alright, I may watch some TV then go to bed myself," she said standing up, "Come on I'll show you your room."
Parker got up following Sophie just wanting to be able to lie down to go to sleep, which had been eluding her these past few days. She entered her room finding a big comfortable bed awaiting her. "Thanks Sophie for everything," she said giving the older woman a hug.
"Of course, I'll be upstairs first room to your left if you need anything and I mean anything Parker. Don't be scared or embarrassed about asking me for anything," Sophie told her before closing the door behind her leaving Parker alone for the first time all day.
She slowly walked towards the bed dreading the night but hoping sleep would find her quick enough so she didn't torture herself with thoughts of Nate. She climbed into bed pulling the covers up and turning onto her side closing her eyes so she could try to fall asleep. "Goodnight Nate, I miss you so much. Love you."
Nate stood there watching Parker wishing he was beside her in bed holding her. He walked towards the bed reaching out to brush his hand against her cheek wishing he could comfort her.
Parker's eyes shot open expecting to find someone in front of her but there wasn't anyone, but she could have swore she felt someone's hand on her cheek, 'Not just anyone's hand, but Nate's.' She put her hand in front of her to see if she could feel anything but didn't. "Nate is that you?"
"I wish I could tell you everything will be okay Parker," he said knowing she couldn't hear him and deciding to give her a kiss on her forehead. Parker closed her eyes knowing it had to be him, that she just wasn't imagining this.
"Dad it's time to go," Sam said walking up behind Nate.
"Okay son."
He stepped closer willing her to hear him, "I love you Parker," and gave her one last kiss and the way she sat up looking around he knew she must have heard him.
"Nate it is you. Don't go please."
"I have to, but I love you," Nate said hating he had to leave but it wasn't his decision otherwise he'd stay by her side every day until the day came when they could be together again.
She began to cry but knew Nate was safe and no longer in pain, "Bye Nate, I love you too." She felt the atmosphere in the room change and knew he wasn't there any longer but also felt a certain peace over come her by knowing that he came to see her to prove he did still love and care for her and somehow she knew everything was going to be okay. She laid back down with a small smile on her face falling into a peaceful sleep that she hasn't had in days.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Three long agonizing months later (at least that's how Parker would describe them) they were finally ready to take Blackpool down.
"Alright Eliot make the call," Sophie gave the command feeling nervous but confident that this was going to work.
Eliot nodded dialing his number using his best business man voice so Blackpool would have no way of knowing who it was, "Mr. Blackpool? Oh my God I'm glad I got a hold of you sir. I'm from IYS and we're crashing sir, hard. They thought they could run this company without you sir, but they can't. We want you back. You'll get your old position and of course a considerable raise to say sorry. When? Can you come today? Great we'll be waiting and thank you so much sir because I know with you back the company will begin to rise in the ranks again. See you soon." He hung up with a huge smile planted on his face, "We got him."
"Woo! Foolproof," Hardison yelled.
"Don't start celebrating just yet; not until he's in the back of our car," Sophie warned not wanting anything to go wrong, "All right everyone you know what to do."
They all stood off to the side ready for the next part of the con.
"There he is," Parker spotted wanting to run up to him punching him in the face but somehow found the strength to contain herself…..for now.
"Places," Sophie demanded following the others as they stepped in front of Blackpool cutting him off.
"What's the meaning of this?" he asked not recognizing them in the uniforms, "I've done nothing wrong so if you'll excuse me I have a meeting I have to get to."
"This is the meeting sir," Eliot said in the same voice he used on the phone.
Blackpool looked confused wondering what was going on, but realized who they were, "You! What are you doing here?"
"Why we're here to arrest you Ian for the murder of Nathan Ford," Sophie said with satisfaction.
"You can't arrest me. You aren't real cops."
"Like that's going to stop us plus as of today we are in fact real cops," Hardison told him laughing.
"You have no proof," he said slightly scared but knew they couldn't convict him without proof.
"Oh we don't? Parker play the tape," Eliot smiled.
Parker hit play on the recorder, "But you see Nathan I've already done something and without you even realizing what hit you. I've had you injected with something that will….how do you say it? Oh yes. Kill you," Blackpool laughed.
"Right? And I'm supposed to just believe you and pay you for the cure?" Nate asked with a hint of laughter coming through, "I'm not stupid Ian."
"Fine don't believe me, but the young man who ran into you earlier today, the one whose wife was in labor, injected you with something called Veleno. It's a poison Nate and one that works rather quickly yet is also rather painful," Blackpool informed him rather smugly.
Blackpool's face fell not believing Ford taped the whole conversation; he couldn't go to jail, there were too many people he helped convict in there who would surely make him pay. He turned around and made a break for his car.
"Not so fast," Parker yelled pulling out her taser and pulling the trigger, "Gotcha!"
Blackpool fell to the ground shaking and yelling in pain; she kept the trigger held down until Sophie told her to stop but did so rather reluctantly.
"That was rather satisfying," Parker grinned.
Eliot went over and yanked the barbs out putting the handcuffs on him. "Get up," he demanded yanking the man to his feet and dragging him over to the car. He shoved him in the back successfully knocking the man's head against it, "Oh yeah watch your head."
"Oh this is so sweet. Who has the last laugh now huh?" Hardison bragged getting in the driver's seat with Eliot joining him.
"We'll meet you two at the station," Sophie told them, "And excellent work guys."
Parker smiled as she watched Hardison and Eliot drive away with that bastard in the back seat, "Finally he got what he deserves. This was for you Nate."
Sophie nodded in agreement as they got in their car heading to the police station to see Blackpool locked up and putting the tape in evidence so it could be used against him.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
"Today Ian Blackpool was convicted of premeditated murder against his former employee, Nathan Ford. Blackpool received life in prison with no chance of parole…"
"That's how we do baby! I love my job," Hardison yelled raising his beer up in celebration after hearing the verdict on the local news.
"Now Nate can truly rest in peace," Eliot said taking a swig of his beer noticing Parker wasn't drinking with them, "Hey Parker is there any reason you aren't drinking with us? Usually you have two or three down by now, what's the deal?"
"Uh….haha..I was going to wait to tell you guys but….I'm pregnant," she replied a little uneasily.
"Whoa. What now? I thought I just heard you say you were pregnant," Hardison asked stunned.
"AHHHHHHHH! Parker congratulations and why in the hell did you wait to tell us?" Sophie demanded.
Eliot really didn't know how to respond but felt happy for her.
"You heard right Alec, and Sophie I wanted to make sure but I am; I'm just a little over three months."
"Oh this is absolutely amazing; I've always wanted to be an Aunt," Sophie stated dazing off thinking of all the ways she was going to spoil her niece or nephew.
"You okay Eliot?"
"Yeah I guess I just wasn't expecting that."
"Um do you want to be the Godfather? I know you're who Nate would have chosen."
He looked at her surprised but also extremely happy, "Uh yeah, I'd be honored."
"Great," she replied smiling how great the day was beginning to turn out.
"Hey wait a second now. What about Hardison? I want to be a Godparent."
"Haha….hell no Hardison. You're not allowed near my baby until they are like fifteen that way you can't convert them into some techy. Nope they are definitely going to be a thief in training," Parker informed him.
"That just hurts, but I'm going to sway them. No one can resist the power I offer," he replied knowing she was joking or at least he hoped so, "But I suppose I'll settle for Uncle."
"I don't know what you guys are talking about but the baby is going to be a grifter all the way," Sophie smirked.
"Oh no they are going to be a hitter," Eliot informed them all in a way that said the conversation was over.
"I don't think so, too dangerous," Parker said as if he was crazy.
"Like flying off of 80 story buildings isn't?"
"They'll have a harness, duh," Parker said like it was no big deal.
Everyone laughed all excited for the baby's arrival confident that their skill would be the one the baby would end up learning.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Eighteen Years Later
Sophie, Hardison, Eliot, and Parker were standing beside each all looking down at an eighteen year old boy, who looked just like a younger Nate and also a bit terrified wondering why they called him into the living room.
"Um is there a reason why you're all glaring at me?" he asked confused.
"Well today's the day when you become an official member of the Leverage team James," Sophie informed him with her arms crossed.
"What really?" he asked looking at his mom completely overwhelmed with happiness; he's been waiting for this moment the day he turned eighteen.
"Yep but before you are there's one thing you have to do," Parker said still looking intently at her son.
"I don't like have to do some weird initiation ritual do I?"
"No. You have to decide what you're going to be," Eliot informed him willing him to be a hitter in his head.
"Going to be? What do you mean?"
"Grifter, Thief, Hitter, or the best one out of them all and the one I personally believe you should chose, Hacker because we get all the chicks," Hardison explained.
"Says the man who is still single," Eliot commented, "Just so you know women go for a tough guy, like me, but don't let me try to sway you."
"He doesn't have to pound people into pulp to get women; he has Nate's charm which is plenty. He clearly should be a thief because it has the biggest adrenaline rush ever. Picture a rollercoaster's thrill but like a thousand times better," Parker said with a gleam in her eye, "Plus I can still punish you since you are still living at home, but chose which one you truly want to do."
"But wouldn't you rather be a grifter? You can control people and make them do what you want with almost no effort at all," Sophie stepped in pleading her case.
"Who wants that when you can have almost anything at the tip of your fingers," Hardison said to Sophie, "The boy clearly wants to be hacker."
"No he wants to be a hitter. Who doesn't want to beat people up and relieve some stress?"
"Ha! You want to relieve stress? Try jumping off of a building or breaking into a high security area. Now that relieves stress my friend, plus it rocks."
"You three are delusional. Grifting is the way to go. It's so exhilarating to have people do what you want plus you can be anybody and all the clothes and shoes you get to wear is so amazing. I mean look at the boy, he's obviously fashionable."
"Only because you take him shopping every week. You spoil him way too much," Parker told Sophie.
"I do not plus he enjoys it."
James stood up holding his arms out in front him trying to calm everyone down before a full blown argument started, "Okay enough. I know which one I want to be."
They all stopped talking looking at him in anticipation. "Well?" Hardison asked.
"I want to be a hacker-"
"Woo! Age of the geek baby! It's here to stay. You raised a smart and brilliant son Parker, but I'll take some of the credit because I did buy him his first little netbook when he was only four," Hardison stated, "Oh and Eliot that will be a hundred dollars because I told you no one can resist what I offer."
"Whatever Hardison," Eliot grumbled handing over the money.
"Wait you didn't let me finish. I want to be a hacker, a hitter, a grifter, and a thief."
"You can't do that. That's cheating," Hardison said looking over at Sophie hoping she would agree.
"Well I suppose so; I mean you do know how to do all our jobs," Sophie thought aloud finally coming to a conclusion, "Alright then James, I now declare you a full time Leverage team member."
"Yes! This is so awesome," he said ready to start.
Eliot shrugged snatching his hundred back from Hardison as he walked by him heading to the kitchen.
"Hey that ain't fair man. I get at least fifty cause he said mine first," Hardison yelled after Eliot.
"That wasn't the deal."
James shook his head, they argued more than anyone else he's ever met but looked towards his mom, who had a huge smile on her face, "Do you think Dad would be proud?"
"I know he is honey," Parker answered giving her son a hug thinking about Nate knowing in her heart he was looking down on all of them waiting for the day they would be reunited.
A/N: Well that's the last actual chapter but I will have an Epilogue following it. Hope the end wasn't too corny and hopefully some of it makes up for the last chapter but I believe that the next one is what will make everyone happy again. Please review.
