The Rewind Job, Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Leverage, any of the characters, or an SUV.
Recap:
Eliot contemplated for a few long seconds before fixing Nate with a glare. Despite his lack of trust in the agent, he knew his only other option was to try to get away on his own and lay low until he could recover. Disdain evident in his voice, he ground out, "If I go with you it's on my terms. You're not taking me in…and I'm free to go whenever I want. You double cross me, it'll be the last thing you every do."
"Fair enough," Nate replied with obvious relief. "You need some help?" He asked as the hitter stumbled forward a step. "Okay…okay…" he answered, backing away with his hands up as Eliot stiffened.
Chapter 3
Nate let the hitter lead the way, following closely behind him with Parker at his side. Eliot was still bracing his ribs on the right side, was noticeably limping on his left leg, and staggered every few feet. Somehow he managed to weave a path back to front of the warehouse. Nate was alarmed to see the man who had looked to be waking up when they entered now standing trying to help one of his two comrades to his feet.
The man, hearing their approached, dropped his buddy on his butt with a thud and turned menacingly toward the three, only to be stopped mid-stride as the pipe Eliot threw hit him directly between the eyes. The man staggered, then went down in a heap when Spencer's right cross landed on the corner of his jaw. Eliot nearly went down himself but managed somehow to stay upright and stumble to the entrance to the warehouse. He leaned heavily against the doorframe, his face ashen, eyes closed, fighting the bile rising in his throat.
Parker hovered nearby looking like she wanted to help but was afraid Eliot might break if she touched him.
"Parker," Nate warned, more afraid that Eliot might actually break Parker if she touched him in his current condition.
Parker looked between the two, then took a step back.
"The van's right outside," Nate commented once Eliot seemed to regain some composure.
The hitter gave a faint nod, being cautious not to jar his splitting head, and started moving again. He stopped abruptly, a few feet from the van, when the door swung open to reveal a worried Sophie.
"ELIOT!" She shouted. "Oh dear," she started toward him, but stopped at the growl coming from her injured friend.
"What's going on, Ford?" Eliot demanded.
Nate, knowing this Eliot wouldn't recognize Sophie, was about to fudge an answer when Alec shouted from the driver's seat, "Nate, get a move on man. We got company."
Nate glanced at the black SUV that was screeching into the parking lot, then turned toward his hitter wondering if he could wrestle the man into Lucille. He was more than relieved when Parker simply grabbed Eliot by the wrist pulling him into the van with an "Ok…time to go now."
Nate jumped in behind them, slamming the doors. "Step on it, Hardison."
"Gladly," the hacker replied, nearly throwing Nate into the floor when he gunned the engine.