Number 06 │ A Leverage Fanfiction

The Miracle Job │ Part 1

Leverage Kitchen

The familiar hum of activity in the kitchen was interrupted by Eliot's nervous pacing. "Man, Sophie's here. What do I tell her?" he muttered, his tone bordering on panic.

Hardison leaned against the counter, arms crossed "Anything but the truth," he answered easily.

My mind flashed back to Sophie's unique performance the night before. Memories of exaggerated gestures and an accent that wavered between six different regions danced in my mind. I nodded in agreement, suppressing a grin.

"Yeah, definitely not the truth."

As if on cue, Sophie walked into the kitchen, her radiant energy filling the room.

"Hey!" she greeted cheerfully.

Eliot's nervous laugh escaped before he could stop it. "Hey!"

"Thank you so much for coming to my play last night," Sophie said, her eyes alight with hope and appreciation.

Eliot froze. "Oh..."

Before he could finish, Parker appeared at the doorway, her movements as light and quiet as always.

"Last night was awesome," she declared with a wide grin.

Sophie's face lit up. "Aww, thanks, Parker!"

"Yeah," Parker continued, "It was like a horror movie. 'Attention must be paid!'" she exclaimed, mimicking Sophie's dramatic delivery from the play.

From my spot at the counter, I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stifle my laugh. Parker's enthusiasm was infectious. Composing myself, I adopted my best poker face and added, "I think you did excellent."

Sophie blinked, before a small, pleased smile curled her lips. "Oh."

Hardison chimed in, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, I mean, you're not the first person I would think of to play Willy Loman, but you—you worked it out."

"Yeah," Eliot added with a weak nod.

Sophie clapped her hands together, beaming. "Oh!"

With that, she exited the kitchen, Parker trailing behind her.

The moment they were gone, Eliot's shoulders slumped. His hands found his hips as he muttered, "That was the worst night of my life."

"Come on, man," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "You've been in worse situations."

Eliot's gaze turned distant, his eyes unfocused, as though reliving some unspoken horror. Then, with a shake of his head, he snapped back to reality.

"No. No, that was the worst," he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Hardison and I shared an amused glance, then, silently, we followed him out.

Leverage Conference Room

Nate clapped when Sophie entered the conference room. "Mm! How great were you? I mean, they ought to call it, uh, 'Death of a Saleswoman.' What a great commentary on the glass ceiling for women in corporate America."

Sophie tilted her head. "Nate, I—I played the part as a man."

"Yes, and brilliantly," Nate replied without missing a beat.

Eliot and Hardison walked in just as Sophie said, "Thanks."

"Yeah, I mean, you were... huh?" Nate's words trailed off as his phone rang. He held up a hand. "Hold on. I have to, uh... Oh." He answered the call. "Hi. Maggie? Is everything okay?"