"Nate, we got a problem," Alec Hardison spoke to the Leverage team leader. "Eliot missed his check in."
Ford had cased the dining room where the night's reception was to be held. He paused and while his voice didn't register his concern, anyone looking at him would have known instantly there was an issue. "How late?"
"Coming up on a half hour," the Hacker answered, "I gave him a few minutes, thinking he might be indisposed. But, he's not answering and I've tried both the room phone and his cell."
"Alright, Hardison, I'm on my way," Nate answered and left the hall in a mad dash.
Parker had been fascinated that Eliot might be married. She knew he liked women. Even Parker thought he was cute, although she preferred a certain geek. She just wanted to see the kind of person Spencer might spend his life with; a woman who could capture the heart of the stalwart soldier. So when Hardison's warning was broadcast, she was closer than Nate, prowling where she shouldn't have been - hoping to get a glimpse of Kayla. "I'm just a floor down. I'm headed to the room."
Sophie had joined Alec at the table. "Parker," she warned, "be careful. Kayla Logan is as dangerous as Eliot, if not more so. And, if Eliot has been incapacitated, well, he could come up swinging."
As she reached the door, Parker said, "Got it. And, I'm here, Hardison. Open it." With her trusty Taser in one hand, the thief cracked the door and peered in. She could very clearly see Spencer prone on the floor, the bathroom door and closet wide open and the room's other occupant missing. She barged in quickly going to their partner, "Logan's gone and Eliot's been drugged."
Squatting down next to him, she shook his shoulders. When he still didn't come around, Parker got up and grabbed a glass from the bathroom, filling it with cold water. She tossed it in his face and watched as he came straight up, spluttering.
It took Eliot a few seconds to gather his wits. He jumped up from the floor, looking for his prisoner but Parker supplied the answer, "She's long gone, Eliot. Used the same escape route I would have." He watched as the cat burglar crossed to the return grate and pointed, "It's only got two screws holding it on. She's really good."
Eliot rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the tingle from the injection site. In frustration, he muttered, "Yeah, too good." He headed towards the door, "I gotta find her."
But, his progress was halted as Nate Ford entered the room. Parker had picked up the hypo and held it where the boss could see it. He nodded and asked the younger man, "How'd you miss it?"
Spencer shook his head, "A new card in her deck. It wasn't something I'd expected her to use."
"Where was it?" Nate continued.
Eliot thought for a few minutes and then turned back towards the bed. He pointed, "The bureau; second drawer. She stood there for an extended time last night. I thought it was because we were arguing. Now, I think…"
Parker opened the chest and felt the edge, "It's sticky. She probably had them taped inside. It would have been easy to miss."
Spencer took on a new sense of urgency, "I'm wasting time."
Nate put a hand on Eliot's arm, holding him in place. He jerked his head toward the door, signaling Parker to leave. As she walked past, she patted Spencer on the shoulder. Ford removed his own earwig so that what he had to say couldn't be heard by the others. He knew that Eliot still hadn't replaced his own com, having heard only Parker's part of the conversation as he approached the room.
"Eliot, I need to be sure you're still focused on the job. You cannot let it become personal," Nate said firmly.
Spencer jerked his arm out of Nate's grasp and exploded, "Not personal? You of all people can tell me not to take a job personally?"
The Brains of the group remained firmly planted in Eliot's path. He was either going to get the former soldier to understand or he was going to wind up with a broken nose from the punch Eliot would throw. "I can because I have been in the position to do that very thing. And, when I let it get personal, I had someone there who called me out." And, like that, the wind was sucked out of Eliot's sails. His lips moved, trying to voice the right words but he didn't know what to say. Nate tacked on, "Fate has a way of bringing us full circle. So, now I get to return the favor."
Spencer dropped down on the foot of the bed, "Nate, man, we've got to stop her. I know Kayla and she won't quit until she completes the task at hand."
"Is the team at risk?" Ford asked.
"Possibly. She knows how to be stealthy and lethal and she's not above taking out anything or anyone in her path," Eliot confirmed.
Nate nodded, "You could have just said yes." He paused, "Suggestions?"
Spencer thought for a moment and then slapped his head in frustration, "Damn it." Nate watched him fidget until he bounced up and started pacing. He wheeled on the Mastermind, "I know her. I know how she thinks…what she prefers." He walked up close to Ford, "I know what she likes. I also know she's got to get out of here and fast after she takes out Dominguez." And, for the first time since Kayla Logan had invaded Eliot's world, he smiled genuinely, "And I know how she'll do every damn bit of it."
He'd gotten Eliot back on track. Nate returned the smile, slipping his communicator back in his ear, "What do you need from us?"
Eliot looked around for his own earwig. Finding it on the nightstand where he'd left it this morning, he put it in and spoke, "Hardison, I need you to search the hotel records. Kayla's got another room here. You've got her dossier so match up all her aliases and don't forget to use them in combination with either Eliot or Spencer. And, give me the address of the nearest private airfield."
"Consider it done," Hardison responded.
Nate walked toward the door and held it open for Eliot. Spencer joined him as he instructed, "Continue to check in every two hours, Eliot." The Hitter nodded and went to hunt down his wife.
Eliot had been successful in tracking how his former boss would escape from the country. The pilot, Pete Petralli, was a previous acquaintance and didn't question the former soldier's veracity when he explained his involvement with Kayla. Pete had seen the couple work together, knew they were unorthodox in their methods but the outcome was reliable. He'd be ready when Kayla, Eliot and this new team hit the flight line.
A few hours later, Eliot Spencer and Parker were standing outside another room in the hotel. Hardison had, indeed, found the second set of accommodations, just as Eliot said he would. "Alright, Alec, pop the door," Parker said.
"No," Eliot stopped him. "The Do Not Disturb sign is there for a reason. Knowing Kayla, I'd bet a motion sensor. We need to go in another way." He smiled at the Thief, "A Parker way."
She smiled back, "Oh, okay, then why didn't you say so." And she led him to nearest vent and, like that, they were inside the room.
The two began to search. "Check the nightstand," Spencer ordered while he went into the bathroom. He found Kayla's spare weapon secured under the vanity. Eliot removed it, stripping the firing mechanism and emptying the chamber. He then tossed it into the small bag Parker carried.
From the bedroom, Parker said, "Found the syringe." She pulled it up from the drawer where it was secured by tape like the ones in the other room had been.
"Good," he responded, "replace it."
Parker nodded and then exchanged the lethal hypo for one filled with a saline solution. This was Nate's Plan I or maybe Plan J, Eliot wasn't sure. A simple alternative that would have Kayla administer the lethal dose and the team retrieve Dominguez after she left. Problem with that plan? Logan was still in play. And that was something Eliot couldn't allow. He searched the bureau drawers while Parker checked the other bedside table.
Eliot had one more precaution then he would be satisfied. He removed a small-caliber weapon and knelt to hide it against the dark bed frame. As he stood back up he came face to face with a doe-eyed Parker and he suddenly felt guilty.
"What was that, Eliot?" She asked.
He looked down, unable to stand her scrutiny, "You know what it was, Parker."
"A gun, Eliot?" And when he didn't answer, she quizzed, "But, why?"
The Leverage team had been prepping for the rest of the con when they heard Parker's question. Nate and Sophie were getting dressed in the bedroom but froze in mid-motion when Parker identified the fact that their Hitter had a weapon. They exchanged a concerned look and continued to listen in. Hardison, from his spot in the living area suddenly sat up straighter. He knew how much Eliot hated being questioned; especially about his past or his methods. But, Alec also knew that the tough guy had a soft spot for the little thief. He'd handle her gently…for a while.
Eliot's response was simple, "Why? Because Parker, that's what I do."
She shook her head, "Not like that, Eliot. You're not that man."
"But you're wrong, Parker. I am that man." Spencer's tone was bitter, "How do you think I knew Moreau? How do you think I know Kayla?"
Parker corrected him, "I understand that, Eliot. And I know when you joined us, you were that man. But not anymore. Not in a long time. You've changed." She pointed towards the gun's hiding spot, "You can't do that."
And suddenly he was right in front of her, "I can do that, Parker. I will do that if it's what it takes to keep you safe…to protect you, Sophie, Nate…hell, even Hardison." He paused for effect, "If it means I have to be that person, I won't hesitate."
"Eliot," she began only to be stopped. "Parker," it was Hardison. He had taken the sound out of Eliot's com to speak, "this is hard enough on him. Don't make it harder."
Spencer was waiting for her to say something else but he could see the emotion playing across her face instead. So, when Parker suddenly threw her arms around Eliot's neck and gave him a brotherly peck, he was unprepared. He gave her a quick squeeze.
Eliot was saved any further conversation as Nate's voice filled their heads, "Alright, everyone, places in thirty minutes. We have a job to do." And, like that, they were on mission.