The episode referenced in this one-shot is Season 2, Episode 10: The Runway 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: "You're one insult away from starting a war."

Pru furrowed her brow as she heard the door of Nate's apartment slam shut. She knew that Nate has left Tara outside of the Pans' factory and was picking up Alec and Parker. Looking up, she saw said grifter storming up to the desk where she was sitting. "How the hell do you deal with him?"

The manager scoffed. "I don't try to one up him, for one. For two, he was worse when he was drinking, though sober Nate is a bit creepier. Also, you're one insult away from starting a war. So, I would suggest that maybe you call Sophie for some ideas."

"I think I will." A few minutes later, Pru (who'd run to the other room for something) came back into the room to hear Tara complaining to Sophie. "No, I'm quitting. I don't need this crap."

"You're not quitting, Tara."

"That's what I told her. As well as to stop the insults."

Sophie smiled from the phone screen. "Hello, Pru. And you're right, Tara has a tendency to throw out insults all the time."

"Very funny, Sophie. But at least Eliot and Pru are professionals. Hardison's, you know, warming up. Even Parker seems okay with me."

"Parker showed feelings?"

Pru scoffed. "Parker usually shows feelings. You all just don't pay attention."

Tara pursed her lips. "Yeah, well, the feeling seemed like a human one, but it's hard to tell. Soph, where are you?"

The manager rolled her eyes as she sat down with her legs crossed under her on the couch. Grabbing her tablet, she immersed herself in a deeper dive on the Pans, especially of Russell. There was something about him that made her uneasy, like they were missing something big.

A few minutes later, Pru found herself refocusing on Tara's conversation as she heard Sophie exclaim. "I know, right? Wait, what?"

At that moment, the apartment door swung open to reveal Nate, Alec, and Parker returning. This signaled Tara to say, "I gotta go." And she hung up on Sophie sputtering.

Nate just kept walking as he acknowledged Tara's presence. "Oh, there you are."

"Yeah, just where you left me, since I couldn't join in any reindeer games."

Pru sighed and put her head in her hand. It would seem that Tara was not going to actually take her suggestion to heart. The manager was definitely going to have her hands full for as long as Tara was with the team.