Fic: Interlude (Leverage/Highlander) Adult
This isn’t a proper update, it’s mostly an interlude, and then I’m considering adding Sophie. These are basically extended scenes for season 2 with a Methos/Eliot spin. Some are necessarily AU. Also, there is surprisingly a lot of role play…
2x02
Eliot is surprised when Adam shows up at his place the day after he takes the dive. There hadn’t been any plan to meet up and Adam hadn’t called beforehand, which is a little unusual but not entirely unprecedented. Eliot lowers the icepack he’d been holding to his (shoulder) and they stare at one another.
“I saw the fight,” Adam says, giving Eliot a now-familiar cursory look over.
“Wasn’t a big deal.”
“I know that,” Adam says. “I know that, but…”
Adam’s difficult to read at the best of times, but now Eliot can’t even begin to imagine what’s bothering him.
“But?”
“I know you took a dive for one of your cons. That’s not the problem. At least that’s not the whole problem.” Adam runs a hand through his already ruffled hair and Eliot wonders if he’s had any sleep. “I saw you give up.”
“It wasn’t real,” Eliot is quick to assure him.
“I know that,” Adam says. He’s frustrated and maybe a little confused and Eliot doesn’t know where to begin to help him.
“I saw you give up,” Adam repeats helplessly. His eyes are shadowed with old grief and uncertainty. Eliot wonders who it was that did give up, that left Adam to clean up the mess. He moves to grip Adam’s chin and waits until he knows Adam’s entire focus is on him.
“I didn’t give up. I don’t give up, not ever. Not even in a Russian prison when I didn’t think anyone was coming for me. Especially not when I know you will be.”
Adam lets out a shaky breath and moves into Eliot’s space, skimming lightly across his injuries.
“I’m fine,” Eliot says, slightly aggrieved.
“Of course you are,” Adam replies with a smile.
“So, you want to tell me why Parker’s taken to calling Nate ‘Raffles’ and referencing kids’ shows?”
“We had a sleepover,” Adam says, without looking up.
Eliot tries to hide his smile.
“You throwing me over for her?”
Adam does look up then, expression blanked but his eyes glittering mischievously.
“Well, you aren’t getting any younger and she’s quite spry.”
“I think Hardison would kill you. Or at least, he’d do his technological magic and make you wish you were dead.”
“Guess I’m stuck with you then,” Adam says, rising to meet him. Eliot pulls Adam to him and slides an arm around his waist, ignoring the way his injuries twinge. It surprises him how easy it is to become used to this and how much he misses it when he’s away.
2x03
As Eliot watches the Marshal drive away with Randy in the front seat, he can’t help but feel a little guilty. When it comes to children, he always feels like there’s something more he should have done. His past weighs on his mind and settles in his chest, making it difficult to breathe. After a moment he manages to ease his fingers, knuckles white with tension, from the steering wheel and he pulls out his phone and calls the first number on his speed dial.
“Adam Pierson, will work for beer,” the jovial voice greets him and something like relief uncoils inside him.
“Adam,” he says before he cuts off, unsure what he wants to say or even what he needs from Adam.
“Eliot.”
Eliot sighs, a release of breath that eases all the way through him. He drops his head back against the headrest.
“Tell me something,” Eliot says. “Anything.”
“I finally tracked down that book I was looking for. The dealer in Istanbul pointed me to a collector in Athens,” Adam tells him.
Eliot closes his eyes and lets the smooth, strangely accented voice wash over him until he can’t even distinguish the individual words. It makes him almost think it’s worth it.
2x05
Methos has stopped being surprised when Parker drops in unannounced, but it still makes him a little antsy. Although, it’s a toss-up whether Parker showing up in his living room without warning or Amanda pounding on his door, yelling out his name, is more nerve-wracking.
“Eliot won’t tell me if he’s a member of the Council or not,” Parker says without preamble.
“The Council?” Methos asks, because he’s never heard of such a thing and Eliot hasn’t mentioned it. Although, there are plenty of things they haven’t told each other about what they’ve done.
“The secret council that runs the world.”
“If it’s secret, are you sure you should be looking into it or telling me about it?” Methos asks before he can stop himself. Parker’s eyes go wide.
“Oh, I didn’t think about that.”
Methos winces and tries to backpedal.
“I’m sure he was just teasing you, Parker. Making a joke of it, you know.”
Parker stares at him blankly for a moment before she winks elaborately at him.
“I get it. Your secret, and his, is safe with me.” She punches his arm in what he imagines is supposed to be an affectionate gesture, but it’s a little too hard.
“No, Parker, really. Neither Eliot nor I are members of this Council.”
“Of course.”
“Parker.”
She grins at him and Methos considers, for a moment, killing Eliot when he next sees him. It’d only be temporary.
2x07
“Honey, I’m home,” Eliot calls out jokingly.
“How was your day, sweetie?” Adam calls back cloyingly. Eliot chuckles and hangs up his jacket. He sprawls on the couch next to Adam and drops his feet into his lap.
“We had a funeral for Sophie and I spent more time that I cared to cuffed to another hitter.”
Adam unlaces Eliot’s boots, then removes them and his socks. Eliot sighs and rests his head against the armrest as Adam begins to massage his feet.
“I suppose Sophie enjoyed that,” Adam says, to which Eliot snorts.
“Insisted no one would recognise her when she showed up because she was acting.”
“And the hitter?” Adam asks when he stops laughing.
“She was good. Almost as good as me.”
“She, huh?” Adam asks teasingly. It has just enough of a mocking undertone, even though Adam knows not to underestimate women, that Eliot kicks him with his loose foot. Not too hard because he doesn’t want to dissuade Adam from continuing the massage.
“She was hot, too,” he adds, just to be disagreeable.
“So you got down and dirty with a hot female hitter that can kick your arse and you still came home to me?” Methos asks with a raised eyebrow. Eliot shrugs.
“She was straightforward. It’s not nearly half as interesting without the mystery.”
“I’m not sure how mysterious I can be while rubbing your feet after a long day at work,” Adam says and Eliot groans when he hits a particularly sore spot.
“You could be reading the phonebook and still be mysterious. Case in point, what the hell accent is that?”
“Well travelled.”
“Exactly.”
They’re silent a moment before Eliot shifts so he can remove the handcuffs which are growing uncomfortable at his back. He doesn’t need to look to know Adam is smirking. Eliot dangles the handcuffs and smirks in return.
“What say I go put on that cop uniform and put these handcuffs to good use?”
“I say I’m invoking my right to remain silent, officer. You can rough me up all you want, I won’t talk.”
2x12
“What are you doing here?” Eliot asks when he steps out of his hotel room and sees Adam. It would be bad enough if the entire team knew about Adam, the less he was involved in that side of Eliot’s life, the less of a target he was, but if Sterling caught wind of Adam and his relationship to Eliot there’d be no going back.
“You’re in Kiev, as in ‘The Butcher of’,” Adam says as though it explains everything.
“I can look after myself.” Eliot has, after all, beaten the Butcher twice.
“You’ve got whatever case you’re working on to focus on, I’m just here to make sure there aren’t any distractions.” Adam’s grin is completely unrepentant.
“Adam.”
“Eliot,” Adam says in exactly the same tone of voice. He sighs. “Just because you can do it yourself, doesn’t mean you should have to.”
“Adam,” Eliot says again, his tone softer.
“Eliot,” Adam replies with an exasperated eye-roll. Eliot finally nods even though he knows Adam would go ahead without his consent. Besides, there’s a part of Eliot that really wants to see Sterling and Adam go head-to-head.
2x14
“Twice in two weeks now. You stalking me?”
“You’re Roy Chappell,” Adam says, looking coyly at Eliot. “I watched your game. You were very… impressive.”
“You did, huh?” Eliot says, but he’s more than a little pleased because he surprised himself with how much he enjoyed the game and good he was at it. It’s nice to have some kind of validation.
“Can I get your autograph?” Adam continues. Eliot raises an eyebrow when Adam actually hands him a permanent marker and he can’t help but wonder how far Adam’s going to take this little act.
“Sure,” he murmurs and uncaps the pen. Adam sends him a filthy smirk and begins to unbutton his jeans. He slides the denim off his hip and the look he sends Eliot is pure challenge. Eliot’s never been one to back down, so he kneels down and presses the nib to skin. The name he writes isn’t Roy Chapman but Eliot Spencer. Adam grins.
Eliot looks up at Adam through his lashes and blows softly on the lettering. He feels muscle shift and twitch under his skin as Adam fights not to react.
“So, you ever had sex with a groupie?” Adam asks brazenly.
“Reckon I’m about to,” Eliot replies as he rises to push Adam against the wall.
2x15
Eliot eyes the agents surrounding them and his eyes widen when he spots Adam in full FBI gear with a gun pointed at him. Adam winks at him and jerks his head in Sterling’s direction. Eliot raises his eyebrows and nods briefly. Adam returns the gesture.
“You don’t have a case on anybody, unless you arrest me. And only me,” Nate says and Eliot tenses, ready for a fight, because Nate’s an idiot and he’s not letting him go down for this. Not when he’s already injured. Nate may be trying to hide it, but Eliot knows just about every kind of injury intimately, and he knows what trying to hide it because you need to look strong looks like, too. Eliot glances in Adam’s direction again and Adam shifts his stance, angling himself to better make a move on the agents.
“Nate,” Eliot says, “I can take these guys.” They wouldn’t go for Nate, who’s their only chance of making a case. He can trust Sophie to grab Hardison and get out of there and Parker’s getting good at defending herself. He also has Adam for backup. It’s not the greatest option, but it’s a doable plan. Maybe about an M, only Hardison doesn’t die.
“It’s just ten more yards to the chopper,” Hardison says.
“Listen guys,” Nate tells them, “I got you into this mess, this is the only way to get you out.” There are some days Eliot wants to punch Nate, even if the man is injured. But Nate’s determined to martyr himself and there’s not much Eliot can do for the moment. They’ll have time to regroup and come up with a plan later though, as long as Nate isn’t injured too badly.
As he’s turning to go, Eliot makes eye contact with Adam again. His eyes cut briefly to Nate and Adam nods grimly. He’ll make sure the man’s alright. Eliot’s been a hitter for a long time, and anyway in his line of business anyone that doesn’t know when to cut their losses doesn’t last long, so he nudges Parker, makes sure they’re all going, and trusts Adam to deal with things.
2x02
Eliot is surprised when Adam shows up at his place the day after he takes the dive. There hadn’t been any plan to meet up and Adam hadn’t called beforehand, which is a little unusual but not entirely unprecedented. Eliot lowers the icepack he’d been holding to his (shoulder) and they stare at one another.
“I saw the fight,” Adam says, giving Eliot a now-familiar cursory look over.
“Wasn’t a big deal.”
“I know that,” Adam says. “I know that, but…”
Adam’s difficult to read at the best of times, but now Eliot can’t even begin to imagine what’s bothering him.
“But?”
“I know you took a dive for one of your cons. That’s not the problem. At least that’s not the whole problem.” Adam runs a hand through his already ruffled hair and Eliot wonders if he’s had any sleep. “I saw you give up.”
“It wasn’t real,” Eliot is quick to assure him.
“I know that,” Adam says. He’s frustrated and maybe a little confused and Eliot doesn’t know where to begin to help him.
“I saw you give up,” Adam repeats helplessly. His eyes are shadowed with old grief and uncertainty. Eliot wonders who it was that did give up, that left Adam to clean up the mess. He moves to grip Adam’s chin and waits until he knows Adam’s entire focus is on him.
“I didn’t give up. I don’t give up, not ever. Not even in a Russian prison when I didn’t think anyone was coming for me. Especially not when I know you will be.”
Adam lets out a shaky breath and moves into Eliot’s space, skimming lightly across his injuries.
“I’m fine,” Eliot says, slightly aggrieved.
“Of course you are,” Adam replies with a smile.
“So, you want to tell me why Parker’s taken to calling Nate ‘Raffles’ and referencing kids’ shows?”
“We had a sleepover,” Adam says, without looking up.
Eliot tries to hide his smile.
“You throwing me over for her?”
Adam does look up then, expression blanked but his eyes glittering mischievously.
“Well, you aren’t getting any younger and she’s quite spry.”
“I think Hardison would kill you. Or at least, he’d do his technological magic and make you wish you were dead.”
“Guess I’m stuck with you then,” Adam says, rising to meet him. Eliot pulls Adam to him and slides an arm around his waist, ignoring the way his injuries twinge. It surprises him how easy it is to become used to this and how much he misses it when he’s away.
2x03
As Eliot watches the Marshal drive away with Randy in the front seat, he can’t help but feel a little guilty. When it comes to children, he always feels like there’s something more he should have done. His past weighs on his mind and settles in his chest, making it difficult to breathe. After a moment he manages to ease his fingers, knuckles white with tension, from the steering wheel and he pulls out his phone and calls the first number on his speed dial.
“Adam Pierson, will work for beer,” the jovial voice greets him and something like relief uncoils inside him.
“Adam,” he says before he cuts off, unsure what he wants to say or even what he needs from Adam.
“Eliot.”
Eliot sighs, a release of breath that eases all the way through him. He drops his head back against the headrest.
“Tell me something,” Eliot says. “Anything.”
“I finally tracked down that book I was looking for. The dealer in Istanbul pointed me to a collector in Athens,” Adam tells him.
Eliot closes his eyes and lets the smooth, strangely accented voice wash over him until he can’t even distinguish the individual words. It makes him almost think it’s worth it.
2x05
Methos has stopped being surprised when Parker drops in unannounced, but it still makes him a little antsy. Although, it’s a toss-up whether Parker showing up in his living room without warning or Amanda pounding on his door, yelling out his name, is more nerve-wracking.
“Eliot won’t tell me if he’s a member of the Council or not,” Parker says without preamble.
“The Council?” Methos asks, because he’s never heard of such a thing and Eliot hasn’t mentioned it. Although, there are plenty of things they haven’t told each other about what they’ve done.
“The secret council that runs the world.”
“If it’s secret, are you sure you should be looking into it or telling me about it?” Methos asks before he can stop himself. Parker’s eyes go wide.
“Oh, I didn’t think about that.”
Methos winces and tries to backpedal.
“I’m sure he was just teasing you, Parker. Making a joke of it, you know.”
Parker stares at him blankly for a moment before she winks elaborately at him.
“I get it. Your secret, and his, is safe with me.” She punches his arm in what he imagines is supposed to be an affectionate gesture, but it’s a little too hard.
“No, Parker, really. Neither Eliot nor I are members of this Council.”
“Of course.”
“Parker.”
She grins at him and Methos considers, for a moment, killing Eliot when he next sees him. It’d only be temporary.
2x07
“Honey, I’m home,” Eliot calls out jokingly.
“How was your day, sweetie?” Adam calls back cloyingly. Eliot chuckles and hangs up his jacket. He sprawls on the couch next to Adam and drops his feet into his lap.
“We had a funeral for Sophie and I spent more time that I cared to cuffed to another hitter.”
Adam unlaces Eliot’s boots, then removes them and his socks. Eliot sighs and rests his head against the armrest as Adam begins to massage his feet.
“I suppose Sophie enjoyed that,” Adam says, to which Eliot snorts.
“Insisted no one would recognise her when she showed up because she was acting.”
“And the hitter?” Adam asks when he stops laughing.
“She was good. Almost as good as me.”
“She, huh?” Adam asks teasingly. It has just enough of a mocking undertone, even though Adam knows not to underestimate women, that Eliot kicks him with his loose foot. Not too hard because he doesn’t want to dissuade Adam from continuing the massage.
“She was hot, too,” he adds, just to be disagreeable.
“So you got down and dirty with a hot female hitter that can kick your arse and you still came home to me?” Methos asks with a raised eyebrow. Eliot shrugs.
“She was straightforward. It’s not nearly half as interesting without the mystery.”
“I’m not sure how mysterious I can be while rubbing your feet after a long day at work,” Adam says and Eliot groans when he hits a particularly sore spot.
“You could be reading the phonebook and still be mysterious. Case in point, what the hell accent is that?”
“Well travelled.”
“Exactly.”
They’re silent a moment before Eliot shifts so he can remove the handcuffs which are growing uncomfortable at his back. He doesn’t need to look to know Adam is smirking. Eliot dangles the handcuffs and smirks in return.
“What say I go put on that cop uniform and put these handcuffs to good use?”
“I say I’m invoking my right to remain silent, officer. You can rough me up all you want, I won’t talk.”
2x12
“What are you doing here?” Eliot asks when he steps out of his hotel room and sees Adam. It would be bad enough if the entire team knew about Adam, the less he was involved in that side of Eliot’s life, the less of a target he was, but if Sterling caught wind of Adam and his relationship to Eliot there’d be no going back.
“You’re in Kiev, as in ‘The Butcher of’,” Adam says as though it explains everything.
“I can look after myself.” Eliot has, after all, beaten the Butcher twice.
“You’ve got whatever case you’re working on to focus on, I’m just here to make sure there aren’t any distractions.” Adam’s grin is completely unrepentant.
“Adam.”
“Eliot,” Adam says in exactly the same tone of voice. He sighs. “Just because you can do it yourself, doesn’t mean you should have to.”
“Adam,” Eliot says again, his tone softer.
“Eliot,” Adam replies with an exasperated eye-roll. Eliot finally nods even though he knows Adam would go ahead without his consent. Besides, there’s a part of Eliot that really wants to see Sterling and Adam go head-to-head.
2x14
“Twice in two weeks now. You stalking me?”
“You’re Roy Chappell,” Adam says, looking coyly at Eliot. “I watched your game. You were very… impressive.”
“You did, huh?” Eliot says, but he’s more than a little pleased because he surprised himself with how much he enjoyed the game and good he was at it. It’s nice to have some kind of validation.
“Can I get your autograph?” Adam continues. Eliot raises an eyebrow when Adam actually hands him a permanent marker and he can’t help but wonder how far Adam’s going to take this little act.
“Sure,” he murmurs and uncaps the pen. Adam sends him a filthy smirk and begins to unbutton his jeans. He slides the denim off his hip and the look he sends Eliot is pure challenge. Eliot’s never been one to back down, so he kneels down and presses the nib to skin. The name he writes isn’t Roy Chapman but Eliot Spencer. Adam grins.
Eliot looks up at Adam through his lashes and blows softly on the lettering. He feels muscle shift and twitch under his skin as Adam fights not to react.
“So, you ever had sex with a groupie?” Adam asks brazenly.
“Reckon I’m about to,” Eliot replies as he rises to push Adam against the wall.
2x15
Eliot eyes the agents surrounding them and his eyes widen when he spots Adam in full FBI gear with a gun pointed at him. Adam winks at him and jerks his head in Sterling’s direction. Eliot raises his eyebrows and nods briefly. Adam returns the gesture.
“You don’t have a case on anybody, unless you arrest me. And only me,” Nate says and Eliot tenses, ready for a fight, because Nate’s an idiot and he’s not letting him go down for this. Not when he’s already injured. Nate may be trying to hide it, but Eliot knows just about every kind of injury intimately, and he knows what trying to hide it because you need to look strong looks like, too. Eliot glances in Adam’s direction again and Adam shifts his stance, angling himself to better make a move on the agents.
“Nate,” Eliot says, “I can take these guys.” They wouldn’t go for Nate, who’s their only chance of making a case. He can trust Sophie to grab Hardison and get out of there and Parker’s getting good at defending herself. He also has Adam for backup. It’s not the greatest option, but it’s a doable plan. Maybe about an M, only Hardison doesn’t die.
“It’s just ten more yards to the chopper,” Hardison says.
“Listen guys,” Nate tells them, “I got you into this mess, this is the only way to get you out.” There are some days Eliot wants to punch Nate, even if the man is injured. But Nate’s determined to martyr himself and there’s not much Eliot can do for the moment. They’ll have time to regroup and come up with a plan later though, as long as Nate isn’t injured too badly.
As he’s turning to go, Eliot makes eye contact with Adam again. His eyes cut briefly to Nate and Adam nods grimly. He’ll make sure the man’s alright. Eliot’s been a hitter for a long time, and anyway in his line of business anyone that doesn’t know when to cut their losses doesn’t last long, so he nudges Parker, makes sure they’re all going, and trusts Adam to deal with things.