Aaron Champan strode towards the hitter with a triumphant grin. During the night the guards had released the chains enough to allow Eliot to slump against the wall on bended knees. The position left him vulnerable, but was a mercy given the fact that he was no longer able to stand under his own steam.

"Rise and shine, princess." The man greeted him.

Eliot lifted his eyelid long enough to assure the rival that he was still lucid.

"Bad news, Spencer. It seems the boss man is putting an end to this little experiment." He stated pulling out his hand gun. Eliot watched as he loaded it with a single bullet. "So instead we're going to play a little game. You pride yourself on being the protector, right?"

The hitter simply glared back waiting for the catch.

"I'll give you the opportunity to save that little family of yours, one name at a time. Any one of them not identified before this bullet discharges into your skull will meet the same fate. So, who do you care about the most?" Chapman asked as he spun the barrel. "You only get one for free."

"You're not getting to any of them." Eliot choked out.

"You're not exactly in a position to stop me." Chapman bent down to eye level and positioned the gun into his temple. "Now you got one chance to save that team of yours; the offer expires in 5…4…3…2…"

"Hardison." Eliot called out before the trigger was pressed. He clenched every muscle in his body awaiting the impact that didn't come.

"The geek boy, huh? Didn't think you swung that way." Chapman chuckled. "Okay, who's your second pick?"

The process of choosing between teammates had nothing to do with whom he cared about more. He couldn't; there was no one he cared more about than any of the others, no one that he could stand sacrificing. However, realistically when placed in this exact same situation there were those that could survive longer than others, those that would have the better chance to get out of this situation with their life.

"Hey…" Chapman tapped his cheek. "No dozing off on me now. Who's it going to be? The perky little thief, enchantingly gorgeous grifter, or the big boss man himself?"

Eliot looked up, pretty sure that he was hallucinating as he saw that perky little thief straddling the pipes that his chains were hanging from. She was working the lock that held impeded his ability to bend his elbows over his head more than a couple inches.

"It's now or never." Chapman encouraged as his finger began to press down on the trigger.

"Sophie." He stated before the firearm unsuccessfully discharged.

"Nice, I had different plans for her, anyway." Chapman smiled. "Lucky you, 50% there."

As Chapman spoke Eliot felt the tension in his arms slack.

"Who's it going to be, next? Nate or Parker?" He asked, again, alerting Eliot of the time limit by pressing his finger over the trigger.

In an act of desperation Eliot swung his right elbow down and knocking Chapman's arm forward as the gun went off, the bullet flying past his face by mere inches. With the freedom of movement established Eliot elbowed the bastard on the bridge of his nose knocking him backwards and spilling blood down his front. There were three thugs in the room momentarily stunned by the act of aggression.

Parker flipped down from the pipes with her taser drawn. The first thug charged at her as two other lunged toward Eliot as he griped at his chains using them to help him to his feet. Once standing Eliot kicked the first goon in the stomach and quickly wrapped the chain around his neck as he bent over. Eliot guided the goon in front of him and used him as a shield for the assault he knew would be coming from Yosef.

As soon as the taser knocked down her attacker, Parker positioned herself behind the 6'4" monster that stood before the injured hitter intent on taking him out seemingly unphased by the fact that his associate was being choked out in front of him. She pressed the taser against his spine causing him to collapse to one knee as he continued his assault towards his target, who continued to defend himself with the make-shift shield. It took another jolt before he collapsed to the floor unconscious. Eliot realized the now unconscious shield and staggered forward, dropping into Parker's arms.

Unable to take on his full weight she lowered him onto the floor, resting his head on her leg, and took out her lock picks.

"Parker…?" He rasped out, barely conscious.

"Yeah, it's me." She ran her hand through his sweat filled and bloodied hair. "Just hang on, okay?"

"More guards… coming." Eliot warned. He knew that it was only a matter of seconds before the commotion would alert others to check out the situation.

"I know. It's okay." He assured him as she worked on the first wrist clasp. Moments later she heard three gun shots just as the entrance started to crack open. The weight of a guard falling against it caused the door to swing open and guards toppled into the room. She continued working, freeing the hitter from his chains as Booth stepped over the pile of guards. He took inventory of the room before making his way over.

Booth looked at his friend for the first time almost 20 years, and never before had he seen him this beaten and broken. Eliot's skin was pasty white and heat was radiating off him in waves. Yet somehow, through all of that, he was conscious, barely, but enough.

"Spencer?" He attempted to get his attention.

Eliot allowed his lids to open slightly seeing the outline of a familiar face.

"Long time, no see." Booth greeted his friend.

It didn't take the hitter long to place the voice. "Didn't imagine you'd be greetin' me at the pearly gates." He coughed out.

"You really presumptuous enough to think you made it into heaven?" Booth teased him.

"No; but you would, good ol' catholic boy."

Booth wasn't entirely sure about that either, especially after taking out three guards in the hallway without flinching. He knew they were running out of time as Eliot spluttered out blood as he coughed. "Hate to rush through the niceties of this reunion, but you really will be visiting those pearly gates if I don't get you out of here."

Eliot knew what Booth was asking, and as much as he despised the idea of being carried out he knew he wasn't making it out any other way. Eliot nodded his consent lifting his head enough for Booth to get an arm underneath before grasping under his knees. Parker grabbed Chapman's handgun and filled the barrel. She wasn't strong enough to carry the hitter, but the least she could do is cover the person that could.

"This way." She nodded towards the direction of the back entrance and lead the way out.