Hi, this is only my second piece of writing, so I would welcome ALL feedback, especially anything that allows me to improve and grow. WARNING: Please be aware that this will touch on child abuse (violence not sexual) so if you are likely to be upset by this please don't read, although it is only referred to I would hate to cause anyone any heartache.

Chapter 1 – Parker's Family Ties

Eliot got the call half way home. He heard the quite calm as she spoke the words, and he heard the fear behind them; he knew what it took for Parker to call for help and he knew for her to make that call, the threat was real.

'Eliot, someone's here, they're after me".

Eliot drove through every red light between him and Parker's home, screeching the truck to a stop outside Parker's place, door open before the wheels even stopped, and he was running, barely pausing to pull the keys from the ignition. He burst through the door of her warehouse home and immediately noticed three things: 1) no Parker; 2) a small, beautiful woman with long dark hair being attacked by three guys; and 3) she was handing them their asses! Yet 3 guys attacking one woman and well she was kind of small, so he didn't question who was on whose side but ran to attack the guys, but by the time he got to them all three were laid out and the brunette was turning to face him, tiny fists up, watching, waiting.

Calculating in his head, wanting answers he decided to play it cool, hanging back a little trying to seem less threatening, he watched as the woman circled so she had the sleeping guys between her and Eliot. Mentally he acknowledged the strategy but he knew this woman was no threat to him, sure she'd taken out three untrained thugs, but she was no match for his years of training.

"Who are you?" he calmly asked the woman before him, who was trying to face him down.

"Me? You break into my home, and you wanna know who I am? Who the hell are you?" She snapped back looking him up and down like he was crazy.

He narrowed his eyes but ignoring the comment he carried on, "Who are these guys?"

"You tell me. Maybe they work for you." He smiled inside at the idea he would ever use such amateurs.

"Where's Parker?" He asked politely but letting the smile show, the one Parker said scared people.

"What?" She frowned at him.

"Parker. Where. Is. Parker?" His voice getting an edge.

"Who are you?" She shot back.

Quietly; dangerously; this time, he told her, "I'm only going to ask you once more..."

"Who are you first, and what do you want with Parker?"

He growled at her and started to circle around towards her,

"I'm Parker" She snapped, back sounding slightly panicked.

He stared back at her for a moment, mentally off balance.

"I'm Parker, now what the hell do you guys want?"

He stopped and raised his eyebrows at her for a moment. "You're Parker? You're Parker" He repeated as she started to nod, "Well, that's real funny 'cause the Parker I've been working with for the last year and a half is blonde."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "Well I don't know who that was, but I'm Parker and this is my place. Take your friends and go."

He screwed up his face like he was talking to an idiot, shaking his head he told her they are not my friends and you will tell me where Parker is. "The real Parker" he told her angrily as she started to interrupt.

"Or what? You going to hurt me Cowboy?" She challenged him. "I heard the famous Eliot Spencer doesn't do that kind of thing anymore".

"You know you are really starting to get under my skin lady, but you're right I don't do that kind of thing anymore: unless someone threatens my family: and Parker," he paused for that to sink in, "she's family."

The brunette looked at him as though weighing him up and finally nodded.

"Right answer cowboy; now tell me something only a friend of Parker's would know".

"What?" he asked, thrown by the sudden switch of tactics.

"So that I know you definitely are Eliot Spencer, tell me something Parker would only tell a friend" she repeated patiently like he was an idiot – Eliot started to wonder if he was...

Eliot frowned as he thought; he still didn't know who this woman was but he decided to go along at least for now; after all she must know something. He watched as one of the goons stirred and the woman kicked him hard across the face, knocking him clean out again.

"Now prove you're really Eliot Spencer; tell me the name of Parker's horse." Eliot really felt like he'd really lost control of the situation now.

Eliot screwed up his face again and shook his head, "Parker doesn't have a horse, she's terrified of horses."

"Why?"

"She thinks they kill people!"

The woman looked at him and nodded, "Right answer again" she told him as she relaxed and put out her hand formally, "Hi, I'm Parker's sister Jayney, I..."

"Parker doesn't have a sister, or any family!" He told her firmly.

"Huh" Jane replied as she dropped her hand "she doesn't talk about us then? Can't say I'm surprised, but she talks about you guys all the time. Hardison, you, Hardison, Sophie, Hardison, ..."

Nate's voice came over the comms:

"It's okay Eliot, I know who she is. She's telling the truth or close enough, bring her in if you can, but don't mention my name yet though..."

Eliot frowned at that but said nothing.

Hi, I hope you enjoyed the first part of this story, I have almost finished it but I'm still ironing out the kinks, if anyone is interested in being a beta for me please pm me x