A/N: I am so sorry for the long delay. Now that I have a summer off I am hoping to get a lot of writing done! Let me know what you think!

Also, the new photo for the fic is what I would imagine Ale to look like, just with longer hair.

"You are sure that you want to get into this stuff?" Alex asked, looking at Ale. She was dressed in short shorts again, her cowgirl boots and tight flannel corset matching her hair, which was in voluptuous curls.

She looked irresistible, which is just what Sophie was going for.

"I am more than sure. This isn't my first rodeo, cowboy," Ale said seductively, taking the cowboy hat Alex was wearing and plopping it on her head. "And until we have that meeting with Bo, I am going to dance."

Eliot watched as Ale planted a kiss on Alex's cheek, popping off of the bar stool to join the line dancers. He had never found line dancing that fun, nor had he ever found it to be sexy. But the way Ale did it…well, it kept his attention. As well as every other guy's in the room. Especially Alex's.

"Damnit Sophie, why did you make her look so good?" Eliot growled. By this point, everyone knew how he felt about Ale. There was now use hiding it.

"She does most of that on her own," Sophie laughed, watching the feed from the bar over Hardison's shoulder.

Ale danced for a while longer, Alex eventually going and grabbing her arm and whispering in her ear when they had to go. Ale put his hat back on his head, saying out loud (mostly for the benefit of the team) that she was upset that they had to leave.

Eliot moved to be in position for their exit, trailing behind the car as Ale and Alex made their way to the warehouse.

Meanwhile, Parker was in Alex's room at his house, planting evidence. Nate was downstairs talking to Preacher Greenfield's mother, ensuring her that her son would be out of prison soon—he just neglected to mention that her grandson would be replacing his spot in the cell.

LEVERAGE

"I cannot be in these tinie tiny outfits anymore," Ale shivered, walking into the living room. Nate threw her a blanket, which she immediately wrapped around herself.

"But the plan is going so swimmingly," Sophie sighed, Ale scoffing.

Just then Eliot came in the front door, going into the living room.

"You have that boy wrapped around your finger," Eliot laughed, looking at Ale.

"I think it's mostly the small clothes," she shrugged, sitting next to Nate on the couch. "How did it go with Grandma Greenfield?"

Nate told her how the evening went, complete with the play by play from Parker about her breaking into Alex's room.

"Sounds like things went well," Ale nodded. "And tomorrow is when the police catch us? And I reveal my undercover detective work?"

"Yes. And then we head to Alabama for a wedding," Sophie smiled, Ale winking at Eliot as he rolled his eyes.

It was evident he was regretting inviting the team. Then again, they were making it pretty easy to regret, saying how they couldn't wait to find out all about Eliot as a kid. Ale was the only one who didn't seem to want to do it for blackmail. She seemed genuinely interested.

Eliot was actually excited to show Ale where he was from. At first he wasn't but then he figured that he knew so much about her that it was only fair. And he knew that his family would love Ale. It would help him to tell them the truth. If they could see the good in Ale, they could understand.

"Come on Eliot. It won't be that bad," Parker assured him. "I promise not to steal anything."

"Thanks, Parker," Eliot laughed, watching as Ale set the blanket down on the couch, answering her phone as she headed up the stairs.

"So," Sophie started, looking at Eliot. "What should we know about your family?"

"They are the typical Southern family. My mom will make you eat a lot and my sisters will smother you with questions and charm. My real dad isn't around but my mom's new husband is as good as they come. They don't know yet about all of this. But I think I'm going to tell them. Nothing can be as bad as my past, and they found out some of it when it came back to bite me in the ass. But they were there. And so were the brothers I've been telling you about. When I lost my way and when what I saw when I was serving my country pushed me farther and farther into the dark they pulled me out little by little. Just like you guys did."

Ale had been on the phone with Emilio but as soon as she heard Eliot start talking about his family she asked if she could call him back. Listening to Eliot be so open about his life was something Ale couldn't miss.

As Eliot spoke Ale smiled, leaning against the wall near the entry way to the living room, just listening. She couldn't wait to meet his family. She had a horrible feeling, however, that it would only make her like him more. Which could be dangerous.

All of the negative feelings she had towards him seemed to evaporate as soon as he helped her pick out her clothes for the trip. And possibly before then…but it was definitely clear when her suitcase was packed with her favorite sundresses.

After Eliot was done talking Ale headed upstairs to her room, calling Emilio back. She hadn't talked to him in a while and he deserved to know what was going on in her life. She had, after all, dated him. And she had already talked to a lot of the boys. And had been updating everyone except Emilio.

Sophie headed up to bed, stopping by Ale's room as she heard her talking on the phone. The conversation was semi-formal, with a bit of forced laughter and a familiarity that sparked an interest in Sophie's mind.

"Look, Emilio, I miss you too. But not like that. I love my life here. It's so much easier than back home. And I…" Ale stopped talking for a second, listening. "Yes. There is someone else. But I do know that no matter if there is someone else here or not we wouldn't be together. I'm sorry," Ale sighed.

Sophie smiled to herself, knowing exactly who the someone else was.