Someone There? 2/2

[paulacas]

Title: Someone There?
Fandom: Leverage/Justified
Artist: Phantisma
Author: YanzaDracan
Characters: Eliot Spencer/Raylan Givens; Eliot/Parker/Hardison; Leverage Team
Word Count: 10,213
Summary: See Masterpost for warnings, notes, and summaries

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

When Raylan woke, it was morning. The hammock was more comfortable than his bed at Arlo's. His cheek rested against soft brown curls as warm breath wafted over his bare chest. He really didn't want to move. If not for his bladder insisting that he get up he'd lay right here all day and savor the Randall's body against his…Brown eyes snapped open. Sleepy, all too knowing eyes watched him.

"Waiting for the morning after redneck freak out?" Raylan asked.

"That little bitta makin' out we did last night wasn't near enough to warrant a freak out."

Raylan blushed deeply. Though he was the older, it was Randall who seemed more comfortable. As though he could read his mind, Rand answered his question before he thought it.

"I figured it all out not too long after I started noticin' girls and boys." Randall's voice was quiet and sure.

"What about later? Dontcha want a family…a wife and kids?"

Randall chuckled, but it sent a chill down Raylan's spine.

"I ain't gonna live long enough to worry 'bout havin' a family."

"Randall!?" Raylan sat up so fast he set the hammock to rocking.

Randall rolled gracefully out of the swinging hammock.

"I'll git us some breakfast." Randall left Raylan sitting in the hammock.

Since Randall quit the mine, Raylan didn't see as much of him. The younger man's absence seemed to keep him in the front of Raylan's thoughts.

When Randall graduated, Henry and Sharon sold their houses and began the move to Lexington. The couple begged him to move with them, but Randall moved into a small apartment in the top of Willie's barn.

Once everything settled, Raylan quietly and shyly began pursuing Randall, his feelings and curiosity pushing him closer to the younger man.

On Randall's 18^{th birthday, he and Raylan drove to Williamsburg leaving behind the wagging tongues of Harlan. An excellent dinner, a few hours at a bar with a pretty good country band and they were soon in a cab heading for the motel where they'd book a room for the night.}

Raylan barely had time to throw the deadbolt when he found himself pinned to the door, a whiskey flavored tongue exploring the nooks and crannies of his mouth. The snaps on his shirt parted as clever fingers walked up his chest then stopped. The sensual haze that had settled over his brain lifted when the stimulus stopped.

"Rand?"

Raylan opened his eyes to see the bright blue eyes watching him with the most serious expression he'd ever seen on Randall's face.

"I need to know you're absolutely sure about this. We do this and we can never go back."

Raylan's answer was to capture the full lips in a breath stealing kiss while pushing Randall toward the bed.

Any doubts or second thoughts were soon forgotten as lips and teeth followed hands and hands followed lips and teeth. Possessed-possessor-around they went until both bodies came to rest in the center of the wrecked bed.

Raylan felt the bed shift as Randall rolled off the bed and headed to the bathroom. Wiping both of them down the men moved to the undisturbed bed. Randall pulled Raylan against his chest and pressed his nose against the nape of the taller man's neck. He felt Raylan draw a breath.

"Later, Raylan. We'll talk later." Strong arms tightened around the chest muscled from years of digging coal.

With an indignant huff, Rayland complied.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

Eliot watched the body on the bed. He should wake Raylan before he went into a full blown nightmare, but he was short on sleep and didn't have the patience to deal with the Marshall until it couldn't be avoided. He'd called Hardison after Raylan went to sleep anxious to get this done so Raylan could go back to being Deputy US Marshall Quick Draw Givens. It was dangerous for him to be around the too observant Raylan for more than a day or two.

Unable to stop the action, though he mentally chastised himself, Eliot ran his hand through Raylan's hair, nonsense whispered soothingly. After a few minutes the body on the bed returned to its rest. If Eliot was lucky the bad guys would get here and be tied up with a bow for the cops before Raylan woke.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

Always anxious to avoid Arlo and his cons, Raylan spent more time in Randall's bed than his own. Things probably would have continued that way if he hadn't been cornered by Boyd in the parking lot one day after shift.

"Was there something you wanted, Boyd?" Raylan snapped.

"Just a moment of yer time, Raylan." Boyd answered calmly.

"Say yer piece, Boyd, but if it's about some stunt of Arlo's-I got nothin' in that."

"No Raylan, I'm well aware, you've been markin' time at Willie's." Boyd's tone turned sly.

Raylan frowned. "Yeah-so-Rand offered me his second room." He shrugged reaching for the door handle.

Boyd's hand on his arm halted the motion. A glare from Raylan caused him to drop his hand just as quickly.

"Quit dancin' and spit out whatever's stuck in yer craw." Raylan snarled.

"People seemed to think y'all been awful cozy lately…in an unbrotherly kind of way" Innuendo dripped from his words.

"Most people need ta mind their bizness and worry about what's not happenin' in their bedrooms instead of what's happenin' in mine." He jerked the door open knocking Boyd off balance.

"I'll pass that along, brother." Boyd's grin was unrepentant.

Raylan slammed the door leaving Boyd in the dust of the mine's parking lot.

Randall was at the broodmare barn with a mare having a difficult labor, which left Raylan to stew in his own thoughts while he dished up the stew Randall had put in the crockpot before he'd left for the barn that morning.

It was the wee hours of the morning before Rand slid into bed and pulled Raylan against his chest. When he felt Rand slide into a deep sleep, Raylan turned and watched the moonlight caress the boyishly pretty face. Lashes that were the envy of every girl in Harlan fanned across prominent cheekbones. His throat closed with his emotions as he thought about what the Crowders and probably half of Harlan would do to that beautiful face and body if their relationship became more than just speculation.

More importantly, how would he handle it if the gossipmongers decided to take matters in their own hands? Could he take the pressure…would he stand by Rand or let that pressure drive them apart? These thoughts ran like mice through his brain causing him to pull the younger hard against his chest and bury his face in his neck.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

Nate called from the nearby resort. They weren't close enough for the ear buds, but the resort offered Hardison the internet connection he needed to track all the players. Neither the Marshalls' service nor the state police were aware that their dirty cops had jumped bail and were staying at a Motel 6 about an hour from Eliot and Raylan's position.

The hacker was getting the good guys up to speed so they would arrive a half hour to forty-five minutes after the bad guys. If all went well, Raylan would present with a red ribbon, and Eliot would be in the wind.

Not trusting that Fate wouldn't try and make him her bitch, Eliot had fashioned several surprises around the cabin to help even the odds.

Eliot fell into a light doze a few minutes after sitting in the easy chair, a mug of tea sitting beside him.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

Randall never let on he was awake when Raylan pulled him close. He had a pretty good idea of what was going on inside Raylan's pretty head. He'd heard the whispers…the rumors. He loved Raylan with his whole being, had since the day they met. Raylan had lived his whole life as a typical son of Harlan, and a few short months of having sex with him didn't stand a chance against a lifetime. All he could do was wait for Raylan's nerve to break, and savor every moment he could before heartache became his new best friend.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

Raylan came awake with a jerk when he heard a scream of pain outside the cabin. He slipped into his pants and boots as quick as his stitches allowed then went in search of Eliot.

The pre-dawn sky turned everything grey. He was the only one in the cabin, but looking out the wind he saw the area to the edge of the woods was lit up bright enough that there were no shadows in which to hide. A loud thump and a shout brought Raylan to the front of the cabin. Taking a position to look out the window without exposing himself, he saw a man, his shirt tinged with red lying hogtied on the porch.

Hearing more shouts, Raylan moved carefully from window to window making sure to keep to the cover of the thick log walls. The urge to go outside was strong, but without knowing where Eliot was and how many people were in the woods, he forced himself to stay inside.

Soon Eliot came from the woods dragging a man behind him, which he added to the four others on the porch. He was bruised, bleeding his hair had been pulled from his ponytail and lay in ringlets over his shoulders. He gave Raylan an unrepentant grin.

"All yours, Marshall." He moved toward the bathroom.

Raylan checked that the men were secure and not too badly injured before following Eliot.

The retrieval specialist stepped from the bathroom wiping the blood from his face. His curls had been restrained back into a ponytail, but he hadn't removed his jacket.

"You hurt?" Raylan watched Eliot's reaction carefully.

"Not so you'd notice." But he didn't make any unnecessary movements.

Raylan followed as Eliot moved to the kitchen, trying to decipher what the dark clothing was hiding.

"Why dontcha strip out of the jacket and shirt and let me take a look?" Raylan cajoled.

"No time. My ride'll be here in a minute."

He was about to insist when he heard a vehicle pull up to the cabin.

"Friends." Eliot grabbed his duffel off the floor and started for the door.

"Eliot?"

"Yer friends'll be here in about half an hour. Keep an eye on the bad guys." He shut the door before Raylan could ask questions.

Watching out the window he saw a slim blonde and a tall black man fussing over the hitter. Raylan's breath caught when the blonde yanked Eliot's jacket off allowing him to see the bloodstained shirt. The two shoved him in the SUV and slammed the door. Rocks and dirt were flying before Raylan garnered enough brain cells to get to the porch.

True to his word, the FBI and Marshalls' service arrived within twenty minutes of Eliot's departure. They gave Raylan a ride back to Boston, the Chief Deputy of the Boston office taking the time to get Raylan's statement on the way back to the city. He told a heavily censored story, careful to edit out any mention of his gunshot wound or Eliot and his friends."

"What happened to Riley?" Raylan asked about the witness that Eliot's friends had whisked away.

The Chief frowned. "The state police have him. A…Captain Bonanno…not sure how he got there…Anyway…we'll take you back to your hotel. We had them hold your room. Oh, there's a folder from the DC office waiting on you there."

Raylan sighed heavily. After what Eliot told him the contents of the envelope would be no surprise, but the stress of the situation, his wound, and the ongoing memories of Randall, had exhausted him physically and mentally.

Two hours from the time they left the cabin he was back at his hotel. A shower, room service, and resisting the call of the mini bar-he prayed Randall Elliott was back behind the locked door where he usually lived. Now that it was official that he was going back to Kentucky he had no doubt the movie of his memories would play out to the bitter end. He took one of the pain pills Eliot had left in his duffel, but he fought to stay awake, until the narcotic and his exhaustion pulled him down.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

He got ready for work when a hand on his arm stopped him before he picked up his lunch bucket.

"Raylan?" Rand's serious expression made Raylan pause. "Be extra careful today."

Raylan cocked his head. "I always am."

Rand still held his arm.

"It'll be okay. We're not doing anything out of the ordinary today."

Randall nodded then pulled Raylan in for a kiss so intense it had Raylan wanting to drag him back to bed rather go to work. The younger man reluctantly let go, sadness turning the changeable eyes a bleak grey.

The day was routine as he and Boyd worked close to the long wall machine. With a curse the operator shut down the machine as the foreman began shouting orders. As they ran for the mine cars they could hear the rumble. Knowing they would never make the cars, the miners headed for the rescue shelters.

Hearing a cry, Raylan turned back and saw Boyd trip over a chunk of the fallen ceiling. Without thought he reached out and snatched Boyd to his feet dragged them to the protection of the alcove.

When the rocks stopped falling and the dust began settling, the men started taking stock of injuries and their situation. Most of the buggies had been crushed under the rocks, but several were still operational. They had no radio…no way to communicate with the surface until they found an intercom that wasn't damaged. There were a few broken bones, a lot cuts, bruises and concussions, but nothing too serious. They loaded those with broken bones on the buggies that survived. Those that were mobile walked out ahead clearing enough of the tunnel for the buggies to pass through.

With no information from the surface, and only the most basic of equipment to check gas readings that were often high enough, that the men shut down everything and stayed as still as possible to lessen the chance of a spark igniting the gas. They used their breathing apparatus sparingly since they didn't know how far they would go before meeting an obstacle they couldn't move. There hadn't been a fire, but it was still a possibility, and tremors still moved the ground under their feet. They quietly speculated that maybe the long wall machine hit a large gas pocket. Luckily it had taken the brunt of the explosion, but the concussive force had brought down the roof, and caused rocks and an occasional timber to litter the tunnel to the surface.

Raylan checked his watch. It was two hours past end of shift. He could picture the scene topside as families waited anxiously for word about the condition of their loved ones. The mine rescue crew was probably already in the mine working to get to them.

*Mine Rescue Crew…shit, Randall would be with them.*

During his stint at the mine Rand took all the training he could. He always joked about having to save Raylan's ass someday since he was mostly above ground while Raylan and the others went deep into the mountain every day.

Those thoughts made Raylan want to rush ahead-hurry the others so Randall wouldn't be in the 'hole' any longer than was necessary. He forced himself to calm down. They were traveling as fast as the injured allowed and with the danger of an explosion still possible he couldn't get reckless.

Things had been quiet for a while. There'd been very little debris and the gas levels had fallen to nearly nothing. Checking the markings along the tunnel, the men's spirits raised as they realized they were only a mile from the surface.

They had paused to rest when the intercom behind them sparked to life. There had been a cave-in just ahead of their current position that had been cleared enough to pass through. The crew was putting up temporary roof supports to give the tunnel some stability until they got the men out.

Going past the crew working on a support, Raylan noticed Randall. Bright blue eyes looked up enough to give him a wink before turning back to his work.

The ambulances had taken away the injured and the rest were heading toward the locker room when smoke and gas belched from the entrance. People were yelling and running for the entrance.

Before he realized it, Raylan was running thinking only of finding Rand. Just as they got to the entrance, Rand appeared out of the smoke, one man draped across his shoulders…dragging another by his collar.

Hands reached to relief him of his burdens, words reassuring him that he could rest. They were safe. Raylan slid to a stop next to Randall as he started to crumple. Wrapping around him to keep the younger man from injuring himself, Raylan yelled for the medic.

They released Randall from the hospital the next day. The doctors told him to take it easy for a day or two to let his lungs recover from the smoke.

Raylan drove him home, got him settled then told him that he had to go to the mine to give his statement about the accident. He made a stop at Arlo's, talked to his Aunt Helen for a few minutes before going back to Martin's.

Randall was already in bed when Raylan got home so he stretched out on the bed and pulled the shorter man to his chest. With a sigh Randall settled deeper into sleep.

Raylan had done a lot of thinking as he watched Randall in the hospital bed hooked to machines, beautiful face hidden by an oxygen mask. He hadn't realized the depth of his feelings for Randall until he'd seen him fall.

He slid gently from behind Randall, lowering him to the bed. He dressed quietly and turning to look back when he got to the bottom of the stairs. Straightening his shoulders he climbed into his truck drove out of Harlan never looking back.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

Henry and Sharon were happy to give him a place to stay until he could figure out what he was going to do next. Delilah pestered him with questions about Rand. He answered as best he could, guilt eating at him for not telling them that he'd run-left Randall because he was afraid.

A week later he was on his way to Glynco, Georgia, the newest member of the US Marshalls' Service. He never went back to Lexington, though he did keep in touch with Delilah.

Raylan had called Delilah to congratulate her on making it through her second year of college. Before he could say anything beyond hello, she interrupted him.

"Rand's dead."

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

With a great gulp of air he sat up in the bed jerking out of his dream. He used the sheet to wipe the sweat from his face. *Fucking pain pills always dredged up all this old shit.* He was drawn out of his thoughts when the shadows flickered. He reached for his gun only to find it just out reach.

"Someone there?"

He turned on the light and recognized the blonde with the killer body that was part of Eliot's crew.

"How's Eliot? Raylan asked.

"Fine. Knife wound." She sat cross-legged on the dresser.

"If he's fine, why are you here?"

"Wanted to meet you…see who you are."

"What did Eliot say?" Raylan reached for his pants.

"You don't have to do that on my account." Parker leered.

Raylan blushed.

'Nothin', but then he never does." She jumped back to his question. Cocking her head Parker watched him closely. "He's known you a long time."

"A few years." He busied himself with the coffee maker.

"Got any cereal?" She rooted through the mini-bar, pulling out one of those little bowls of corn flakes.

"Don't know." He wished the coffee would hurry. He didn't think he could deal with this woman without caffeine.

"You don't have to lie." She said bluntly.

"What?!"

"If you don't want to answer my questions about Eliot just say so, you don't have to lie."

"I didn't lie. What questions?" Raylan was getting confused, which was leading to irritation.

Irritation always led to him losing his temper, and when he lost his temper, his tongue starting running out ahead of his brain. He took a deep breath and let it out.

"Can we start over in plain English this country boy can understand?" Raylan gave her a flirty grin.

Parker studied him like a security system she'd never seen. She grinned. The Marshall thought he was being clever…smooth.

"Eliot and Sophie taught me about people like you." She licked her finger to get the last of the cornflake crumbs.

"People like what?" He looked at the coffee pot…just enough for a cup.

He took a gulp that was just short of scalding.

"All pretty face and pretty smiles that just want your secrets." Parker jumped down to rummage through the mini-bar again.

Raylan nearly choked on his coffee.

"Hardison! Be quiet! I know Eliot will be awake soon. Deputy Dog won't cooperate!" She hissed.

*Who were these people and why didn't they just ask Eliot these questions.*

"'Cause he won't tell." The blonde's voice made him jump. "We only have a couple rules, but for some reason Eliot made you an exception. Hardison and I want to know why."

I honestly don't know. We met in a bar when I was havin' a really bad day. He seems to show up when I'm at real low points in my life." Raylan answered honestly.

"Do you have sex?" She narrowed her eyes at the Marshall.

Coffee sprayed across the room.

"WHAT!?"

"Eliot uses sex to make people feel better." She frowned. "Sometimes he uses food."

"That's none of yer business, darlin'." Raylan wiped coffee off his chin.

"It is our business 'cause we have sex with Eliot all the time." She bobbed her head. "Darlin's one of Eliot's words, you have to pick something else."

"I have to…what?" Raylan was starting to get a headache.

Raylan sat down at the small table, giving himself time to regroup. He tried to remember what Eliot called the blonde. *Parker.*

"I haven't seen Eliot in almost two years." Raylan defended.

Parker squinted her eyes. "When Eliot talks about you his face goes way far away." She tilted her head in a listening posture. "Gotta go." She paused at the door. "When Hardison said you were from Kentucky I thought he was kidding. What are the odds we keep running into people from Kentucky?" She said more to herself than to Raylan.

"Parker?" Raylan asked quietly.

"Yeah." She stopped, but didn't turn back.

"Where?"

"Lexington and where Eliot's friend, Willie lives."

Raylan's breath caught, thoughts raced through his mind, all churning chaotically. He looked up to ask Parker another question, but the blonde was gone.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

A week later, Raylan was standing outside John McRory's Place, Bar and Grill.

Never in his career had he had so much trouble trying to find one man. Randall Elliott didn't exist anywhere except on a grave marker in Arlington National Cemetery. Information about Delilah dried up after her divorce was finalized. Henry and Sharon McCoy's paper trail ended when they sold their house in Lexington. As a last resort he called Willie Martin, praying the man didn't hang up on him.

"In case you forgot, Randall's dead." Willie sneered. "I lay the blame for that at your door, Raylan Givens."

"But he's not dead, Willie." Raylan voice held a pleading note. "I think he's livin' under the alias Eliot Spencer."

"A word to the wise, Raylan…never make the mistake of thinkin' Eliot is Randall. Randall loved you heart and soul. I'm sure Eliot has those things, but not in any form recognizable to you and me."

"But…"

"You called me, Raylan. Least ya can do is have the courtesy to listen to what I'm tellin' ya." Willie paused as though debating whether to continue. "I hear ya got a certain reputation, Marshall Givens…but I'm telling ya this is one place ya don't wanna be stickin' yer nose."

Raylan heard a click.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

Now he stood with his hand on the door getting ready to do what Willie Martin warned him against. Stiffening his spine, Raylan pulled open the door and settled on the end stool where he could watch the room while leaning against the wall. Ordering a draft beer, he let his eyes scan the room.

It was a typical neighborhood bar and nothing about it suggested Boston's version of the A-Team used it as their headquarters. Raylan was loath to ask the bartender about a man fitting Eliot's description.

He pulled his Stetson low to hide the fact he was checking out the patrons. Small talk with the bartender let it be known he was from out of town exploring the city in search of cold beer and a decent steak. With a grin the bartender slapped a menu on the bar.

Topping off an excellent meal with a glass of top shelf Kentucky bourbon, Raylan felt a presence behind him. Sliding onto the stool next to him, Eliot nodded to the bartender. A draft of dark beer appeared before the retrieval specialist. A look was exchanged. Eliot gave a small shake of his head and the bartender found things to do at the other end of the bar.

"Something you wanted, Marshall?" Eliot's voice was low and dark.

Raylan's prepared speech died in his throat. The blue/grey eyes reminded him of a bored predator. He might stay stretched out in the shade or chase you down just because. He threw back the contents of his glass and signaled the bartender for another. When he left, Raylan turned to face Eliot.

"I wanna know about Randall Elliott."

Eliot gave no indication the name meant anything.

"Don't know 'im." He sipped his beer.

Raylan tried again.

"He worked for a horse trainer in Harlan, Kentucky, Willie Martin."

"Spit out what yer fishin' for, Raylan." Eliot growled.

Raylan shivered. Eliot's voice always distracted him. He'd get lost in the tones and vibrations and forget the world outside that voice. He shook off the effects and turned his attention back to the enforcer.

"I think yer Randall." Raylan leaned against the wall waiting for a reaction.

He frowned when Eliot continued to calmly drink his beer. The dark head turned toward him.

"Was that great revelation supposed to shake me up so much it caused a spontaneous confession?" Eliot asked sarcastically. He swiveled his stool to face Raylan full on. "I'm sayin' this once so listen like I'm yer mama." Pale eyes locked on brown. "Randall Elliott is dead." He ran his hands through his hair showing his frustration. "If yer lookin' for some kinda absolution yer lookin' in the wrong place. Ain't no priests here."

"I can go get Nate." Parker popped up behind Raylan. "He was almost a priest."

Eliot steadied Raylan as he startled badly at Parker's voice.

"This ain't Nate's business." Eliot glared at the blonde as she jumped up to sit cross-legged on the bar between the men. "Parker, go pester Hardison. He's got some new stuff on the Steranko."

Indigo eyes lit up then narrowed. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Yes." Eliot ground out. He looked at the thundercloud crossing the thief's face. His tone softened. "Just 'til I git rid of Marshall Givens."

"Oh. Okay then." She jumped down and headed for the back room.

"Rand…Eliot…" Raylan started. "Why did you come to me all those times?"

"To see if I could still feel…anything." Eliot slid off the stool. "You can go home, Raylan. Don't throw that away."

Eliot growled at the people between him and the door causing them to scatter like pigeons. By the time Raylan collected his wits enough to follow he came face to face with Parker and a young black man he assumed was Hardison.

It was Raylan's turn to growl. "Move."

The couple exchanged grins.

"Isn't he cute?" Parker's grin became a baring of teeth.

"The cutest." Hardison agreed.

Before Raylan could maneuver around them, they had pressed in close.

"I think you should heading to airport to catch your flight to Lexington, Marshall." Hardison tucked a ticket and boarding pass in Raylan's coat pocket. "If you leave now, you'll have just enough time to make your flight."

"My stuff?"

Parker dropped his duffel and briefcase at his feet.

He looked longingly toward the door then back at the two people who seemed to be protecting someone that didn't need anyone protection.

LEVERAGE/JUSTIFIED

Raylan lowered himself tiredly to sit on the edge of the motel bed. He had several days before he had to report in at the Lexington office. He figured to be rested and have collected his scattered wits by that time.

Before they had shoved him in a cab, Raylan blurted out one last question to Parker and Hardison.

"Has he told you about the scars?"

They both frowned at him.

"Eliot has lots of scars, man." Hardison quipped.

"The oldest ones…the first ones."

They looked at him with a mixture of pity and indulgence.

"Naw, man, those are Randall's…" Hardison started.

"And Randall's dead." Parker's tone was final as she shoved him in the cab.

FIN