Disclaimer - I do not own Leverage, any of its characters or plot line. I only own my original characters and anything that isn't familiar with the show's storyline.

I started writing this after watching the series. I absolutely adore Christian Kane and truly believe that Eliot deserves to find love just as his teammates have.

The title is based on Daughtry's "I'll Fight" which I consider Eliot Spencer's theme song.

Reviews and comments are appreciated.

So without further adieu, here we go. Enjoy!

3 days later

Alexa groaned as she slowly opened her eyes, wincing against the harsh light that was flooding the room through the large windows to her left. Raising her arm she flopped it over her eyes in an attempt to block out the pain.

"Hey, hey, hey. Easy." Came Eliot's gravely southern drawl as he gently grabbed her arm. "You'll pull out your IV."

"Bright lights." Alexa moaned in response. She heard his deep chuckle followed by the obnoxious light extinguishing.

"Better?"

She opened her eyes again and was met by Eliot's smiling face. "Much better. Thank you."

He knew she wasn't just thanking him for blocking out the light and he nodded. "You're welcome." But the smile faded from his lips replaced with a frown as he stood beside her bed. "I'm sorry, Lex."

"What for?" She asked softly.

"I should've been there, for you. If I hadn't of left—"

"Eli, stop." She said reaching out and taking hold of his hand. "Don't do that to yourself. You did what you had to do. We both know this town was never gonna hold you. Just look at the things you've done. Look at the man you've become."

"Yeah, look at things I've done, the people I've hurt."

"Stop it!" Alexa said forcefully. "We've all done things we regret, things we can never wash away. All that matters is what you do now. You help people. You find people on their worst day, and you help them get through it. You are a good man, Eliot Spencer. You always have been, no matter what dark things you've done. You have spent every day of your life trying to redeem yourself, and you have. You are not that man anymore. But the only person you have to convince, is the one staring back at you in the mirror, and you won't let yourself see it. Why can't you see yourself like I do?"

"I don't know how you can look at me at all. The others can look at me like I'm a good guy, because they don't know what I've done. You know everything. Every dark, hateful thing I've ever had to do. I don't understand how you can still look at me and see a good man."

Alexa smiled as she tugged Eliot closer to her, he gave in to her, leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers. "Because I know you. I know the real you. You are my best friend, and you are a good man. And you're never gonna convince me otherwise."

Eliot opened his eyes staring down into the aqua pools that haunted his dreams at night. Her lips were less than an inch from his own, their breath intermingling between them. Suddenly all Eliot wanted to do was kiss her, to feel her softness against him. He needed her more than air, needed to feel that connection with the only person who truly knew who he was.

Throwing caution and his apprehension to the wind, Eliot closed the distance between them; his eyes slid shut and he smiled against her lips as he felt her pressing back against him. Pulling back gently he gazed lovingly down at her, "I missed you, Lex."

"I missed you too, Eli." She whispered in reply.

The two had been visited shortly after by Katie, who smirked as she noticed the obvious reconnection between her sister and Eliot; that and the fact that Eliot would not let go of Alexa's hand. She had introduced Eliot to her boyfriend Trent, who also happened to be the local vet and had been taking care of Kohana since he'd been brought home. He assured Alexa that the Mustang was going to be fine and even with the wounds would still be strong enough to compete on Saturday.

After the two had gone home Eliot turned a skeptical eye towards Alexa. "So, Trent Larson? When did that happen?"

"About two years ago." She answered. "Boy was so tongue-tied he couldn't string two words together. He's been real good to her."

"Good. I'd hate to have to hurt him."

"Oh dear, big brother mode." Alexa teased.

Eliot rolled his eyes, his attention moving to her hand which he was holding; his thumb swiped over the fading tan line on her ring finger. "Katie said you kept it."

"Mm hmm." She answered knowing he was meaning her engagement ring.

"When'd you finally take it off?"

"I didn't take it off, Eli, at least not by choice. About a year ago I got rolled by a horse I was training and my hand got caught underneath the saddle. The stone snapped right off."

Eliot didn't know whether to feel pissed at himself that she had worn it every day for ten years, or upset at the fact that she couldn't wear it now.

"But technically I'm still wearing it." She said untucking a rose gold necklace from her hospital gown.

Eliot smiled as his eyes landed on the fire opal in the center of the chain. He felt a rush a pride that something he'd given to her, even after they'd broken up, meant enough for her to keep.

"So what do you tell the guys you date about where you got it?" He asked.

"There hasn't been anyone since you." She answered honestly, and instantly Eliot felt like a total dick knowing all the women he'd bedded since her.

"None?"

Alexa smiled, she knew exactly what he was thinking and it made her giggle. "What can I say, no man compares to the great Eliot Spencer."

She laughed as he groaned, dropping his head down onto their intertwined hands. "How is it you can make me feel like a complete asshole without even trying?"

Alexa chuckled lifting up his chin so that he was looking at her. "You have no reason to feel like an asshole. Eli, we both understood why we couldn't be together. Sometimes things just don't work out, that's the way life goes. First and foremost you are my best friend, and if that's the only way that I could have you, it was better than not having you in my life at all. I meant what I said the day you left, if you ever decide to settle down I'll be here. And if it's not with me, then that's okay too. All I've ever wanted was for you to be happy, Eli."

"I don't deserve to have you in my life, Alexa. But I thank God that you are."

Friday morning Alexa was released from the hospital, Eliot helped her dress in a pair of black sweats and a loose button-up shirt of his. Her arms, legs, chest and stomach had sporadically placed welts over them, with her back sustaining the deepest of the whip lashes. None of them required stitching and the doctor assured her they would fade with time and only minimal scarring on some of them.

Alexa frowned as she looked at her back in the mirror, the lesions that would most likely scar were unfortunately located in the center of her back; right over her prized blue, aqua and teal dreamcatcher tattoo. Through the red scabs she could just make out the Mustang and Wolf heads that were centered in the dreamcatcher. But there wasn't much she could do about it now, she just had to have faith that it wouldn't need to be redone when she healed.

The biggest worry she had at the moment wasn't her multiple tattoos that had been damaged, but the large white piece of gauze covering the left side of her face. Eliot watched her with concern as she stood just staring into the bathroom mirror, then slowly with shaking hands she pulled the gauze away from her face. Her eyes teared up as she saw her face for the first time since the kidnapping, her aqua eyes analyzing the carnage that had been done to her. Gavin had taken the scalpel and cut a deep line into her skin that started at the middle of her left temple, curved under her cheekbone and went down towards the corner of her mouth. The black stitches stood out dramatically from her pale skin, the edges of the wound still raised up and angry red.

Alexa could feel Eliot watching her, she turned to him finding sympathy for her and resentment towards himself in his eyes. "Well, guess I won't be winning any beauty contests." She said with a humorless chuckle as she moved to place the gauze back over the wound.

Eliot stepped into the bathroom and caught her hands before she placed it back on, smiling as he looked into her eyes. "You're no less beautiful than you were before, Lex."

She ducked her head, more to hide the blush on her cheeks from Eliot than to conceal the deformed flesh. She composed herself before she looked back up at him, "Thanks Eli."

Placing the gauze back over the wound to keep it clean rather than to hide it, she turned to Eliot with a sigh. "Okay, I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

He smiled taking her hand in his and lacing their fingers. "Let's get you home."

As Eliot drove them back to the ranch, Alexa was busy in the passenger seat typing away on her phone. Wondering what she was up to, he asked her and was floored when she answered him.

"I'm finalizing details for the competition tomorrow, I don't want to forget anything."

"You're gonna ride? In your condition?" He asked concerned.

"Yeah. Of course I am." She replied.

Eliot sighed dragging his left hand down over his face in frustration, why did she have to be so damn stubborn. "Do you really think that's a good idea, Lex?"

"I'll be fine, Eli. Not the first time I've rode injured. Just have to grin and bear it."

"No, Lex, you don't have to do anything. You should be taking it easy, not causing yourself more pain just for some rodeo."

Alexa sighed as she turned her head to look out the window, she wanted to be pissed off at him for thinking he had a say in her life after ten years of being gone. But she knew this was his way of protecting her and showing her that he cared. "It's not about the rodeo, it's about the herd and Kohana."

"Lex, you don't have to do this. We can go get the herd today, I've got enough money to buy you every Mustang in the world." He knew there had to be more to all of this then just the herd. "I gave you access to all of my accounts so that you could take whatever you needed out. What's this really about?"

Alexa sighed as she turned her head to look at him. "Kohana. For the last two years I have had everyone I've met tell me that he can't win. He's too big, he's not fast enough. You can't race a stallion. A Mustang can't be trained. Blah, blah, blah. Every time he races he changes someone's mind about Mustang's, he changes their perception of them. They're not just wild horses, they're beautiful, intelligent creatures and they deserve to live. If we can change the way Mustang's are seen, then maybe we can save some. I know you're worried about me, but I need you to understand that this is something I have to do."

Eliot sighed as he reached over and took her hand in his. "You're a stubborn, pain in my ass… but I understand. And I will always support you."

Alexa smiled as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it, sending tiny tremors through her body. "Are you gonna stay for the competition?" She asked quietly, the thought of Eliot leaving again so soon was causing her throat to tighten up.

"Course I am darlin', wild horses couldn't keep me away." He told her with a wink.

Alexa shook her head with a light laugh, "I'd forgotten how much I missed your corny references."

"What have you missed the most?" He asked curiously.

There was a pregnant pause as Alexa thought about her answer carefully. She wanted to be honest with him like she had always been; but she also knew that her answer would make him feel like a dick. With a deep breath she answered and hoped for the best. "How safe you make me feel."

Just as Alexa expected, Eliot's face fell and instantly she felt as if a sledgehammer had driven all of the air from her lungs. Her eyes quickly welled up with tears as she tried to find the right words to say, but when she opened her mouth nothing came out. She realized that there was nothing she could say that would take the sting away; so she opted for the most overused two words in the English language that people always diverted to.

"I'm sorry."

She gave a light sob as she tried to pull her hand away from his touch, not feeling as though she was worthy of being close to him. But Eliot quickly tightened his grip preventing her from running, as he jerked the truck to the side of the road and put it in park. Twisting in his seat he faced her, holding her hand hostage and lifting his free one up to cup her cheek.

"Don't you ever be sorry for speaking your mind, Lex. I'm the only one who should be sorry. I was always the one who protected you, who kept you safe; and then I just up and left you. Yeah hearing that from you is like a punch to the gut, but that's on me. It's my own damn fault. You have always been honest with me Lex and I need that. You know me. I need that kick to the balls every now and again."

Lex chuckled at his choice of words which made Eliot smile, before his face grew serious once more. "I promise you, no one will ever hurt you again."

"I know." She stated staring into his eyes and she meant it.

Eliot pulled the truck to a stop in the driveway and got out opening the passenger door for Alexa. The two headed into the house where Alexa was surprised by her sister and the team. "Welcome home!"

Alexa smiled hugging her little sister and Trent, who had been there caring for Kohana. Eliot then introduced her to the rest of his team, whom she already knew of, but could now put faces to the names. She gave an extra tight hug to Nate, who smiled like a father would to a daughter.

"Thank you all so much." She told them as they sat in the living room. "I can't put into words how much I appreciate all of you coming to our aide."

"Eliot is family. You're important to him, which makes you important to us." Nate stated.

"How are you feeling?" Sophie asked concerned.

"Surprisingly… I feel okay. I've had plenty of broken bones, lacerations and bruises growing up around horses… and Eliot." She finished with a laugh bumping his shoulder. "So I'm not too sore."

Hardison's computer pinged while they were chatting prompting the others to look at him in question. With his laptop hooked up to the TV he pulled up the information he had found out so they could all see it. "So the cops have arrested all of Gavin's associates here and shut down the slaughterhouse. However a shipment left bound for Mexico 4 days ago."

"Wish there was a way we could shut Martinez down." Parker suggests.

"There isn't. Martinez practically owns the entire country, and he has the police in his back pocket. Even with all of the information we have at hand, it'll take months for the FBI to investigate and build a case. There's no guarantee that Martinez won't be in the wind by that time." Hardison states.

"Then maybe we should give the authorities a little help." Alexa offers with a grin causing the others to look at her curiously. "Alec, may I?" She asks nodding to his laptop.

"Oh sure." He says handing it over to her.

Alexa pulls up an overhead satellite image of Mexico, zooming it in on a rather large estate. The others watch the TV screen which mirrors the computers screen, allowing them to see what she is doing. Hardison meanwhile is watching Alexa like a hawk, memorizing every little thing she does.

"Did you just tap an NSA satellite?" Eliot asks with a smirk.

"I plead the fifth." She replies grinning as she zooms in on an 18 wheeler being loaded by a warehouse. Focusing on the license plate she snaps a screenshot of it, then proceeds to hack the FBI and create an alert for all borders to be on the lookout for the plate. She then copies all of their information including the police report from her abduction, the vet's name and connection to the Mustang's; every piece of intel they had discovered on Martinez was now attached to the alert.

She then copies everything and proceeds to email it to someone. "Two years ago I assisted on a missing person's case near the Texas/Mexico border, we were on horseback searching the desert; I became good friends with the Federals' Captain Julio Consuela who now works for border patrol." With a final click she sent the new FBI file to the man. "And now he has all of our Intel." She smiles as the others look at her with amazed faces. "Sometimes the police just need a little nudge."

Eliot smiles proudly from his position standing behind the couch. "Told y'all she knew her stuff."

Hardison was staring at Alexa flabbergasted for a good five minutes before he shook himself out of it. "Show me how you did that!"

Within the next hour the group was celebrating as they watched the truck being intercepted at the Texas border. Thirty minutes later Alexa was sent an email containing a live video link which showed Captain Consuela escorting a handcuffed Martinez out of his estate; along with a personal note thanking her for the assistance.

After that Katie excitedly took her sister out back to check on Kohana. Expecting the worst Alexa was shocked to see Kohana prancing around the corral wearing the new tack she had purchased for the rodeo. While his coat was covered in scabs and welts, he looked better than he had 3 days prior; Trent had done a great job cleaning the wounds and keeping medicine on them.

Katie had braided his mane into sections and woven teal ribbons through them; she had also done the same with his tail weaving in two large teal and blue ribbons into the single braid.

"How does he look sis?" Katie asked with a bright smile.

"Like a survivor." Alexa said softly, tears filling her eyes.

The group stood silent watching as Alexa gingerly approached the gate and swung it open; the Mustang eagerly pacing the ground awaiting his owner. Kohana moved quickly up to her, sniffing at the bandage on her face before bumping his nose against her chest.

"I know boy. I know. I'm okay." She soothed scratching his head. "We're okay. We're safe now." She leaned in hugging the horse around his neck, Kohana wrapping his long neck over her shoulder and placing his head against her back returning the hug.

"You know sometimes I swear that horse is human." Trent commented watching the girl and horse hug.

"They share a true bond." Eliot said watching his best friend.

The group approached the corral as the girl and horse parted, Trent advising Alexa on the Mustang's condition. "His wounds are pretty much scabbed over. A few small ones may open up again from the saddles weight, but he should be fine."

"No, between me and the saddle, I don't wanna put that much weight on him. We're gonna race bareback." She stated confidently. "It's time to show everybody what he can really do."

So the following morning Eliot loaded Kohana up into the trailer, while the others assisted Alexa and Katie in gathering their tack and gear.

Word had traveled fast about the horrific ordeal the rider and horse had endured; so all eyes were on them as they pulled into the rodeo backlot and unloaded the Mustang. Friends and competitors alike made their way over to express their sympathy and well wishes to Alexa.

Instead of leaving her hair down to conceal the bandage on her face, Alexa opted to pull her hair back into a ponytail; Katie had then braided it with teal ribbons so that rider and horse matched. Today would not be just another barrel race, today would be a statement. Alexa and Kohana had faced a horrific occurrence and survived, so they would not hide, rather show their healing wounds with pride.

Alexa would be competing last, so as she always did, she sat in the stands with her friends cheering on the other ladies. When it neared her time she went back to the trailer with Eliot and Katie accompanying her. With only a thin teal/black blanket separating rider from horse, Eliot gave Alexa a leg up onto the stallions back.

"No matter what happens, I'm so proud of you Lex." Eliot said with a smile as he squeezed her thigh.

Alexa smiled down at him. "Thanks Eli."

"You got this sis." Katie said confidently, staring at her older sibling with admiration.

Alexa nodded before heading Kohana to the arena, while Eliot and Katie went back to their seats in the grandstands. Kohana paced in a circle as he awaited his rider's cue turning him loose. Alexa sat straight on his back taking deep breaths to calm her thumping heart. This race had become about so much more than just winning; this was a rebirth, a chance for the entire world to witness what true survival looked like.

"We got this boy." Alexa cooed as she stroked Kohana's neck. "Let's show 'em what we can do." Kohana neighed pawing at the ground as he nodded his head.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our final competitor of the day is a hometown girl from right here in Oklahoma. Many of you know the horrific events that happened to both her and her prized Mustang that nearly took both of their lives not more than four days ago. They are the epitome of true survivors. Riding bareback on her Mustang stallion Kohana, get on your feet for Alexa Talon!"

"Yah!" Alexa hollered setting Kohana loose. As they entered the arena it was as if time slowed to a crawl, everything passing in slow motion as they rounded the first barrel. Everything faded to white noise, all Alexa could hear was the beating of her heart perfectly in sync with the Mustang beneath her. They were no longer a rider and her horse, but two souls connected by near tragedy; there was a bond between them that would follow well after they were gone from this mortal world.

As they rounded the last barrel dashing to the finish, Alexa could see every single person on their feet watching with rapt attention as they exited the arena.

"Whoa! 14.34! Ladies and gentlemen your barrel racing champion, Alexa Talon!"

Alexa collapsed forward onto Kohana's neck hugging him for all she was worth. "You did it boy! You did it!" She then turned Kohana back into the arena and took an emotional victory lap around. Seeing every person in the arena, spectators and competitors alike cheering, brought tears to Alexa's eyes. This wasn't just a victory for her and Kohana, this was a triumph for Mustang's everywhere; if they had changed just one person's mind about owning a wild horse, then they had accomplished a feat that stretched far beyond just their lives.

Alexa moved to the center of the arena where she was presented with her championship belt buckle, trophy and the $10,000 check. The announcer then handed her the microphone, Alexa pausing to collect herself before she spoke.

"Thank you so much. Four days ago I never thought I'd be standing here in this arena with this amazing horse by my side. We are only here because of my best friend and a group of special individuals, who risked their own lives to save ours."

Alexa looked up into the stands matching gazes with Eli and the team. "This victory is as much theirs as it is ours and we owe you our lives. But this day wasn't about showing that we are survivors; it's not about a trophy or a buckle. Today was about changing the narrative about Mustang's, to show what these beautiful creatures are capable of given the chance. Mustangs are not just wild horses, they are an intelligent, soulful breed…"

Kohana nodded his massive head as if he knew exactly what Alexa was saying, before laying his head on her shoulder in a hug. "With massive personalities as you can see." She laughed hearing the crowd chatter excitedly. "They require a lot of time and patience, but when you have earned their trust, I promise you they will be the finest horses you have ever owned. Mustangs are being driven off of their land. Some are fortunate enough to be adopted and given a good home; but for many they are either slaughtered, or purchased by men like Jacob Gavin to be used as drug mules. With the money won here today we are going to purchase Kohana's herd and give them a permanent home."

The crowd cheers loudly making Alexa smile knowing there was at least a few out there that understood what she was saying. "So I invite all of you to join us at the Second Chance Ranch in Stillwater on Monday as we welcome the herd to their forever home. Thank you."

Alexa had no idea the impact that her words had on the people that day; but Monday morning she was dumbfounded as nearly 200 people crowded around the corral as the semi backed up the trailer containing the Mustangs.

"Alright, is everybody ready!?" She hollered as she and Eliot stood at the back of the trailer. The crowd cheered as she and Eliot each grabbed a door and hauled them open. It was a beautiful sight to behold as 33 Mustangs made up of mares, fillies, geldings and foals bolted from the trailer into the corral.

Once they had closed up the trailer and secured the gate, came the moment Alexa had been waiting over 2 years for. As she made her way into the barn she could hear Kohana whinnying, dancing around his stall in excitement. Opening up the stall door she smiled up at him as she looped the lead rope around his neck. "You ready to see your family boy?" A loud resounding neigh was her answer.

Laughing she lead him out of the barn to the corral, Eliot opened the gate and she released Kohana inside. Alexa sat up on the railing beside Eliot, Katie, Trent and the team, as Kohana bolted to the far side of the corral. Minutes later the herd was bucking and kicking, whinnies and neighs filling the air as they all got reacquainted.

"You ever seen anything more beautiful in your life?" Alexa asked Eliot as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Eliot glanced down at her taking in the serene smile on her face and the sparkle lighting up her eyes. "Yeah. She's right here beside me."

Alexa smiled as he kissed her forehead. "Thank you Eli. None of this would have been possible without you."

"I'd do anything to see you smile." He confessed. And with those words Eliot made a subconscious decision, one he needed to speak with Nate about.

The hitter pulled Nate aside later that night after dinner, trying to find the words that would convince the mastermind to agree. "I need her Nate. I nearly lost her forever and the thought of being apart from her again terrifies me."

Nate nodded in understanding, although he was surprised that Eliot was actually confessing his feelings, the hitter was usually stoic and emotionless.

"She's got the skills and I think she would be an asset to the team. She's my compass. My confidant. The only thing that keeps me from being swallowed by the darkness. Alexa is my Sophie." He stated knowing Nate would understand.

And the mastermind understood completely and so gave his blessing to have Alexa join them.

It was hard for Alexa to imagine leaving her childhood home as well as her animal soulmate; but with the reuniting with his herd she felt that Kohana would be well without her, at least for a while. Katie believed it was a great idea, assuring her sister that the ranch would be in good hands with her and Trent.

The only thing that gave Alexa pause was the thought of being with Eliot all the time. After 10 years apart she wondered if the move would bring them closer together or if it would tear them apart. Alas there was only one way to find out and she knew that she had to try.