A/N: Ok it has been pointed out to me I've been spelling 'Eliot' wrong this entire story (what a douche!) Sorry! You'd think I'd have noticed, but no, so y'all should thank Meatball42 as I'm sure that was really annoying. (I'm not being sarcastic in case it came out that way.) Peace x
P.S. – Since my entire knowledge of America's geography and its various terrains and weather could fit on a post-it note you'll have to forgive any inaccuracy or unlikeliness (is that a word?) I've kept things vague so let your imagination run free in terms of where this is taking place ;)
The night sky outside was inky and the further away from the city they got the less cars that appeared until the roads became eerie and deserted.
They sat in silence. Both lost in thought; one in painful memories, the other contemplating how to help someone who was so distressed, so broken.
Sophie often found herself wondering what had happened to Eliot to make him the way he was. Something had damaged him so badly that he the only way he could expel all that rage was to make it a career, his life's work.
Still it wasn't her place to pry unless it was absolutely necessary. All of the team were damaged in their own way.
Eliot was completely tense; all his muscles taught. His eyes ever watchful were scanning the distance as if he were in the middle of a war zone searching for the danger that would get them killed. It occurred to Sophie that he always seemed to be on high alert. She wondered idly if she had ever truly seen his relax. Sure on any given day he could create a convincing facsimile, his carefully considered body posture would be fool most people but she saw through it. Saw the lie like he had stood up and announced it; can't kid a kidder and all that. So he would 'laze' with the rest of the team in Nate's apartment or the bar downstairs, playing the part, putting on the act.
She had spent her whole career fooling people so she guessed she couldn't begrudge him for it. She just hoped that one day he would be comfortable enough to let his guard down.
Where Eliot's guard was at 100% around the team, the teams' guards seemed to fall away around Eliot. She supposed there was some irony in there somewhere. They all, unconsciously or not, felt that bit safer with Eliot there. Protected. This was quite a weight to put on the southern man's shoulders, because this meant he had to be vigilant all time.
It was a little unfair she supposed. But then it was partially self-imposed. Eliot's fierce protective instincts were not something he could or would turn off. She wondered how many lives it had brought to an end.
She thought about the recording of Eliot on the answering machine. She felt an involuntary shiver. Then felt instantly guilty when Eliot looked over his face full of concern.
"You okay?" He asked softly, a look she couldn't decipher on his face. She smiled reassuringly.
"I'm fine. You know I should be asking you if you're okay." She said it with just a little exasperation in her voice at his perpetual habit of putting other peoples well being above his own.
"So... feel like letting me in on our destination. The control freak inside o' me is getting a little nutty over here darlin'."
A warmth spread through Sophie as she realised that Eliot had just admitted what he would consider a weakness. Maybe he trusted her a little more than she realise. A smile spread across her face involuntarily.
"What's so funny? Seriously Soph... "
"Nothing, don't worry about it, it's not a secret. Haven't you figured it out yet? You've been watching out the window like a hawk, I'd have thought it was obvious, you're up here all the time."
"No way... how did you know about this place."
"I have my ways."
"Stalker!" Eliot accused jokingly. "So you figured bringing me to horses would mellow me right out huh? Well apparently you know me too well. Thanks Sophie." He said the last words so softly she almost didn't catch them.
For a moment there she had thought bringing him to his favourite stables was a mistake. A hollow gesture that just proved how little she knew of the trouble man that sat beside her. But the quiet thanks had assuaged all her self-doubt.
The stables were small and remote. The kind that you wouldn't just stumble upon by accident. Well kept and private; perfect for Eliot. The horses were treated with something akin to veneration, lovingly cared by people who knew what they were doing. Eliot had made sure of that, when he had bought the place. Being the owner certainly had its perks; like being able to turn up at 3 o'clock in the morning and having full access.
The area in surrounding the stables was filled with infinite trails and a wealth of natural beauty. Galloping full tilt, the wind rushing through his hair, the air clean and fresh was one of the few places Eliot felt truly free. The crushing weight of responsibility and fear and rage all lifted. He could breath. He sometimes felt that if he didn't ride he would go crazy.
Of course the feeling was only temporary and he had to return to reality. Some days he just wanted to keep riding until he disappeared into the sunset. Of course underneath this he was a little afraid those feelings were something bordering on suicidal, that he secretly envisioned riding until he just died. But he pushed these thoughts out. Dismissing them; refusing to full commit to the belief that he really felt that way.
"Eliot?"
"Hmm? Oh sorry I was a million miles away again huh." He was so lost in thought he hadn't noticed the truck had stopped.
"It's okay Eliot, you don't have to apologise. This is quality Eliot Spencer time remember? Now, you go off and take a ride for a while. I'll wait for you here and when you're ready we can talk okay?"
Eliot got out the truck without another word and went to tack up one of the horses. He needed more than a gentle wander down one of the picturesque trails, he needed open space to gallop as fast as man and beast could travel. The full moon lighting their way.
It was hours before Eliot returned. Sweat evaporated off the horse, visible in the hazy morning light. It was still a little dark but the sun was rising creating a breathtaking display of colours that most of the population was not awake to enjoy.
Sophie was woken by a gentle tapping on the window just in time to catch nature wonderful exhibition, a reminder to appreciate Mother Nature in all her glory. She and Eliot walked out to a trail looking out on a lake and sat together on a patch of grass just watching for a while.
"So..." Sophie said
"So..." Came the mimicked response.
"Come on, you're not going to make me beg are you?"
"Nope, 'cause I could never do that to you Darlin', far too ungentlemanly." Eliot laughed. "I can stall for a little while longer though right?" Sophie tilted her head, giving his a look of sympathy.
"Yeah... I thought not." He said quietly. He eyes went upwards and she could see them moistening. "God... what a mess."
And then Eliot did something she never expected, he started to cry. Sophie way hit with a wave of sorrow. Her throat got tight and she felt tears prick at her own eyes. The pain was so clear on his face that she grabbed onto him, hugging him to her painfully tight as the silent tears turned into sobs.
He was in such agony and all she could do was hold him.
When he finally stopped and he breathing started to normalise she still clutched his body to hers like she was afraid he would shatter into a million pieces if she let go. Because people shouldn't look that fragile.
She thought when their eyes met he might be embarrassed but when they did she saw none. He was a man's man and he wouldn't cry over nothing, but he was wise enough to know that it didn't make him less of a man. It was a natural human response, and he was just like everyone else. He was strong enough to cry in front of her and not be ashamed. She felt a new found respect for the man growing in her chest.
And so they sat there entwined in the early morning light. Like they were the only people on the planet.
When Eliot finally spoke his voice was husky and calm.
"I knew something was off right from the briefing Nate gave us. I didn't know what but I... God, if I had just listened to my instincts..."
4 Days Ago
"Right, listen up guys, we have a new job." Nate announced. They all wandered over to the sofa's to look at the monitor's on the wall. Hardison was already seated clicker in hand, presentation ready.
"This is Brian Roskin. He's owner of Roskin Inc. They are a multi-million dollar company who have their finger in more than a few pies."
Eliot stared at the picture; there was something...familiar about Roskin. A sick feeling started to form in the pit of his stomach. Who was this guy? He was pretty sure he had never met the guy before but still...
He stared at the photo trying to figure out what set him so on edge but his brain refused to co-operate.
He was jerked out of his contemplations by a pillow flying towards his head which he caught out of reflex before sending it back hard with deadly accuracy, nailing Hardison in the face.
"WHAT!" He snapped causing the rest of the team to jump.
"Dude, calm down, I just... you zoned out there and I was just trying t' y'know, get your attention man." Hardison looked a little wide eyed as he defended his actions, his pitch a little higher than normal.
The only reply he got was a death glare and a growl.
"Geez, over react much?" He huffed under his breath before he motioned Nate to continue with the briefing.
Eliot put his bad feeling aside and concentrated on what was being said having already missed a chunk of the details he was supposed to be taking in.
"So what Roskin's doing is running a whole bunch of little scams through a number of corporation's that are owned by shell companies. He makes sure that it is damn near impossible to trace."
"Yeah the man's like some kind of evil genius..." Hardison put in.
"Oooooh like Nate but eviler!" Parker said.
"What... hey, did you just call me evil? Hey I'm not evil, I'm the good guy!"
"Right... yeah, course you are buddy." Parker tapped her nose, smiling at Nate knowingly like she was in on a secret and they had an understanding – which she clearly didn't.
"No... Parker seriously...I... you know what, never mind."
"Okay so there have been multiple attempts by law enforcement to take him down but the guy's just too slick and has too much money to throw around. He has plenty of people to clear any mistakes he makes.
"These," He indicated a picture of a young man and two small children, "Are our clients. Daniel Regent a 25 year old recently widowed father of Oscar and Emmeline."
Parker let out an inexplicable burst of laughter. "Emmeline!" She said as if that explained everything before letting out another cackle.
"Right..." Sophie interrupted looking amused but trying to move things along. "So, was he involved in the wife's death?"
"Oh no, she was killed when a police chase spilled onto the sidewalk. She got mowed down by the suspects as they took a wrong turn and drove into a store front. It was a freak accident. They weren't prepared for life without one of the family breadwinners either. They're struggling big time. To make matters worse the kids both saw their mother die and are severely traumatised. They need help but the husband just can't afford it."
"That's awful, it really is..." Sophie started her voice clouded with sympathy, "But, I'm not seeing how this relates to our friend Roskin here."
"Oh yeah, just wait, this one's a really doozy." Hardison said. "One of Roskin's businesses is a funeral home. I know... could the guy get any creepier? So anyway he has this scam going where he tells the family of the recently deceased, 'Here look, this is how much it cost you, oh and look how wonderfully low my prices are yada yada yada'. Then once he has the bodies, BOOM. He suddenly doubles the cost; he basically holds the body's ransom 'til the grieving families give up the dough. This man's a whole other kind of low-life scum. I'm a criminal and I'm shocked!"
"Yeah," Nate added, "And he target's a very specific market too. People who he knows won't go to the cops and can't afford to fight the company's lawyers. He bleeds them dry and as if that wasn't despicable enough, the guy's doing it for what amounts to pocket change for a man like him but is wiping out the families savings and sinking them in debts. And this isn't his only scheme he has going, he has a whole bunch of 'em throughout his dirty empire."
"Nate," Eliot cut in seriously, "I know this isn't normally how we do things but I think before we do anything we should just pay for Regent's wife funeral. And we should get those kids some help. Get that mess sorted. It ain't fair to have that family just hanging, waiting and hoping they'll get her back. We can get the money back, hell, what does it matter to us if we never see it again. If you guys don't wanna I'll pay for it myself..."
"No you're right. We'll all chip in, there are kids involved and the Dad's falling apart, this is no time for holding back."
"Okay so what's the angle here? How do we take this guy down?" Sophie was apparently the only one focussing today.
"We're gonna come to him with a dodgy idea, hook him and then get enough incriminating evidence to make an airtight case for the D.A. that even they can't screw up. Also, as a back-up I want you," he pointed at Parker, "to break into Roskin's home and office and see if you can find out where he keeps his money. Hardison you are gonna be technical support, go in with her if you can and prep Parker well if you can't. Sophie, Roskin has this antiquated objection to working with women as business associates..."
"Let me guess, women belong in the kitchen looking pretty?"
"Something like that Soph, so Eliot and I are gonna play brothers Mark and Wyatt Goodwin. Hardison I want you to set up some fake credentials for us, maybe a couple of shady businesses – oh and give Roskin something he thinks he can hold over our heads. I want him to feel confident he got us, it'll make us that much easier to hook him."
Nate clapped his hands. "Right off we go; time to ruin this guy's life."
They all left to prepare except Eliot who remain on the couch looking pensive. He stared at Roskin some more. Something was wrong and for the life of him he couldn't figure out what.
Present
"I knew something was wrong right from the beginning and I did nothing. I could have gotten you all killed. Nate was right there with me in the mansion. If Roskin had of wanted he could have just shot us both right there. Nate would be dead it would be my fault."
"Yeah but he didn't..."
"What and that makes it okay?" Eliot snapped. Sophie felt herself recoil involuntarily. "Oh Sophie I'm sorry... I didn't mean to yell at you. I know you're just tryin' to make me feel better. I just, I screwed everything up, I've blown Nate's cover and it's not like we can just send in Hardison with another business idea, he'll be way too paranoid to go for anything like that now. So basically he'll just carry on destroyin' people's lives and we can't even touch him."
"Okay Eliot first off, how many times has Nate pulled off a con even after the rest of us all thought we'd officially screwed the pooch huh?" She waited for Eliot to nod his head slightly in acceptance before she continued.
"And second off, you said it yourself; you didn't recognise the guy. How were you supposed to know who his father was? You're not the only one with a past. Trust me, I've run into people I conned in the middle of jobs and had to cut and run. At least now we will still be able to salvage something. There's always another angle with Nathan."
She looked into Eliot's eyes. He looked a little comforted by her words, but she had a feeling she was having a 'band-aid on the bullet wound' moment. There was something much worse going on that she could see Eliot wanted to avoid talking about. She needed to know but she was afraid if she pushed too hard he would just shut-down completely.
Eliot took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he visibly steeled himself.
"His father's name is Vyacheslav. I don't know his surname – I can guarantee it's not Roskin though. "No-one knows a whole lot about him except that he is Russian and he is a sadistic son-of-a-bitch. Or at least he was until I..." He trailed off to silence, his voice betraying him.
"Did you...did you kill him?" Sophie asked quietly.
"Oh no, what I did was much, much worse..."
The look in Eliot's eyes was so haunted Sophie felt little tremors go down her spine, goose bumps formed on her skin. For the first time she wondered if she really wanted to know what Eliot had done?
TBC