The episode referenced in this one-shot is Season 2, Episode 3: The Order 23 Job.

Just a note, there are direct word quotes from the episode. A big thanks to the Leverage, Seriously, website, who had posted the pretty accurate transcripts from the entire original series. You can find it at leverage.

The legalities. I do not own any of the Leverage franchise (characters, places, and objects especially) and this is mostly au. Rated M just to be on the safe side.

Also, please don't be afraid to write reviews. I would love to hear from you all!

Hope you enjoy!

Prompt: "This is the biggest decision of your lives and you're going to arm wrestle for it?"

"Why not?"

"Do I really need to be here for this, Nate?"

"Yes, Pru."

Prudence "Pru" Beck narrowed her eyes at the mastermind, who was now pointedly looking away from her and beckoning Parker over to the computers. Which was where Pru was currently sitting. "You ready, Parker?" "Yeah, so, how is this supposed to work? I barely dosed him with the Rohypnol. It must have worn off by now. Especially with the rash."

"Oh, yeah, look at him. He's, he's totally fine." Nate handed Parker a piece of paper while Pru attempted to keep the smirk off of her face. "This thing, I need you to read on the – "

"On what?"

Pru sighed. "He wants you to read it over the intercom system."

"You want me to make announcements?" Nate was rolling his eyes as Pru chuckled. The manager looked over at the thief. "We could always arm wrestle over who does the announcements."

As Parker's eyes lit up, Nate gave Pru a questioning look. "This is one of the most crucial parts of the job and you're going to arm wrestle for it?"

"Why not?"

Parker cut in now. "You really are selling the whole hospital experience. And Pru, you can just do the announcements."

Pru nodded as Nate began to stammer in response. Clearing her throat (and glaring at Nate to get him to stop making noise, which he did), she pulled the microphone closer to her, pressed the button, and spoke clearly. "Dr. Burns, please report to the cardiac ward. Dr. Burns to the cardiac ward. Infectious disease unit, please pick up line twenty-three. Infectious disease, pick up twenty-three."

By the time that she had finished, Nate had found his words. "See, you can tell someone they have a bunch of symptoms, and the information gets processed in the executive center of the brain, right? Its job is to question assumptions, start an argument. But if you suggest symptoms, you can bypass all that."

Parker still looked confused. "Like subliminal advertising."

Pru smiled. "It's actually neurolinguistic programming."

Nate took over. "Yeah, the gateway to the amygdala, which is the fear center of the brain. You asked what we're selling. That's what we're selling."

The thief still looked confused. "So, we're selling…"

"Fear."

"Oh, fear."

Pru scoffed. "Yeah, fear." In her mind, however, she was a little disturbed. Sober Nate was turning out to be rather creepy. She'd have to keep an eye on him.