Hey guys! How are we all doing? I'm currently sweltering after the mini heatwave the UK has had these past few weeks, I cannot wait for September. I hope you're all still enjoying this fic as well by the way. I cannot believe we're on Chapter 10 already. Seems like yesterday I decided to write down this idea, bit emosh really.

Disclaimer: I don't own either of these two beautiful shows. That honour goes to RTD for TW and Shane Brennan for L.A

"Well?" Sam started leaning back on his chair feeling the tension.

"I got to think about how to say this without sounding terrified and sane"

All of them straightened out their backs focusing on the man, clearly it was something serious. Not just serious but clearly tragic along with causing a lot more stress than he'd let on lately.

"We're listening. We're here for you Eric" Kensi caught his eye then held it until he dragged it away.

Torchwood sauntered in with Nate having all having informed him that they might need his expertise just in case they decided to lock Eric up inside or worse, convince what he saw was definitely in his head and that the organisation was unrealistic. Jack knew they could dish out some retcon if they needed if they freaked out anymore than needed. If Eric decided to tell them with this new information (which he was infuriatingly right about) and be able to trust them with not spilling their guts to everyone then it was fine with the captain.

Too long a silence reigned over, too many fidlings of things on tables -with hands - which prompted Kensi yet again to speak up, the boys could um and hah all they wanted but they in waiting for Eric to speak on his own terms had let extra time to slip. Earlier was fine but now they had information, good useful information with actual suspects, she had shifted her attentions to figuring out what Torchwood actually was and now to actually seeing if they could find their missing person alive. When she spoke, it was clear she spooked all of them. Plus she thought much like the others she was getting tired of Eric's BS.

"We want answers now Eric and not your usual half assed ones" So much for being subtle though. However it prompted the others to start joining in with their own burning questions ready for the truth.

"Eric, we just want to know who you are without having to research or resort to telepathy. We tried asking someone once and all we got was that you were trouble, told us they didn't want to know. You've been running, and guess what Beale? Time's up" It wouldn't have been scarier if Nell hadn't half smiled through her sentence. God he had hated lying to his partner.

"I just don't want to scare you guys off"

"Please Mr Beale, give us some credit. We work with you" Eric's mouth quirked up a bit at that but it went as quickly as it happened.

"I just don't want to cause a rift between us especially when an actual one already exists"

"Eric, uh, buddy? Hate to tell you this but you happen to not be making a lot of sense here" Callen tried to steer him towards an actual answer.

Afterwards a massive pause happened. A really dragged out one which made all uncomfortable. Another noise much like a notification went off to which Tosh rushed over. Jack glared at the offending item especially when he saw what had gone off.

"You looked us up, all our personnel files?"

"Well when you outright lie to us, sure. Eye for an eye y'know. Plus it involved an active member. On my team. Hence the checking up. You'll never guess what Nell found out though"

- "Wait what? Nell you did this? Like I knew you had to but?" Nell avoided his eyes as they tuned back into the arguement between both their bosses. Jack had just tried speaking when Callen had jumped right back in.

"None of your names are on any official documents. Torchwood? Doesn't exist, not on our systems anyway. So yeah I had you looked up, What'd you do to Eric anyway, tie him down and make him believe you were the best damn things around? Why have you made him think he'd done hideous, immoral, dehumanizing actions alongside you?"

"Maybe because he did? And they weren't immoral...not that much anyways. I told you, it's a necessity in our jobs to not be affected personally or keep people in the loop because otherwise they're in jeopardy. And I've already told you, it's wasn't for you to know. Now I believe we're owed an apology for snooping?"

"Not at all"

"Well then" Sensing a blast from the past and the fact he couldn't honestly deal with this much longer made the decision to intervene. They'd already chosen to say about Torchwood but Jack had just had to make it difficult for them all.

"Guys! Stop, go back to wherever you came from. No I didn't mean that, just go sit back with Ianto. Now. I need to speak with this band of misfits. Without any interruptions"

Jack glared before doing his usual nod walking towards said person. Before doing so, he pressed his hand onto Eric's shoulder meant as a comforting gesture which Eric had gratefully returned.

After this point they noted all the things they saw in their trusted colleague. Exhaustion, weary tone, spacial and constant looking of space. Being fearful of something new whenever something was brought in for inspection. Weary tones. Always wanting to stay late, getting attached to something. The sarcastic tones that had been brought out. Everything they had never bothered to notice before. Now they did and it was traumatic, too late to unlearn.

"Guys I appreciate you wanting to look out for me but here's the thing; at some point you're going to have to stop because you won't be able too. You'll just end up getting yourselves into trouble, you'll end up getting me into the worst trouble. I can't protect you as well I can protect myself when it comes down to it. Despite what you all think I can. I don't need any of your deaths hanging over me. I kinda have enough on my plate here already"

All the agents weren't prepared for the small rare outburst that just didn't come from Eric. Where was their bright technician? Who was this man standing in front of them?

"Then give us some answers. Fast" Sam responded trying to maintain some head space for the real explanation.

"Not as easy as you might think, can't just click my fingers and then my life story is ultimately revealed"

"Well then give us something at least" Deeks pleaded.

"Deeks, Kensi. Why can't this be easy? Why does everything wish to screw with me lately? What'd I do, I haven't pissed anyone off lately surely? That aside, surely you get this by now that even if I'd wanted to, I couldn't. Even though we're about to tell you, I feel like I'm being forced too, and it's not by my own admission which is why I feel like I can't. You actually weren't even meant to have heard of us or me being part of this. All because of a quick phone call leading to this case. But maybe I can make sure that everything is okay...Jack?"

"What? Can't decide by yourself?"

"This is serious. I'm not messing about. Not this time"

Jack had witnessed the conversation happening before his eyes ready to have another talk with Eric about these little freak outs. The call he had gotten when Dom (who the hell was he?) died had made him worse for wear wanting to tell them then but he had held off asking as he listened through Jack's tone of voice which meant alarm bells and a swift retcon session, Jack was glad he hadn't, Eric was someone who had flitted into their lives and proved every damn time why he'd cemented himself firmly into their individual lives and Torchwood's heart or lack of one. He knew at this point in time he'd let Eric be given the okay however he wanted to have a little fun first, why not? Eric had reached the immortal by now with both hands in a surrender position.

"No"

"Jack you don't know what I'm about to ask? What am I even saying of course you do. Jack there's no time to be doing this to them. Please? Otherwise Hetty is just going to get angrier and I do not need that especially after the surfboard incident..again. I need something to shield myself, we all know it's most likely not going to work but hey-"

"Eric. Take a breather or two, it might help you out here. That's it, deep breaths in and slowly out. Don't get yourself so worked up here, you'll only hurt yourself. Good man. Jack I don't know about the others but we did say we would. Might be useful in the long run to have some organisations in the know. If they're able to handle that, it is. Think about it, could be good to have someone trust in us and the secrets we're inevitably keeping. Now if you don't mind, I need to go back to being an actual M.E"

As he left he patted Eric's shoulder then a nod to his captain before leaving the room leaving both men stunned but a very happy smile on Eric's. He knew Owen wasn't as bad as he could be sometimes. Emphasis on the sometimes. Eric had quickly just to make sure held the medic's hand squeezing it with him squeezing back. Eric let out another small breath watching a wisp of his hair go up onto his head and down his face again.

All of OSP had resorted to watching the interactions between the other special OPS because of such a big change when Eric was around them not to mention they were a very..interesting bunch. Deeks had been lurking a bit behind to watch trying to pretend he wasn't mad at the closeness portrayed between the medic and the tech. It was fair to say he was very much failing. Seeing the grabby hands has flared up something up in him again. Dear God why was this happening? He needed to sit next to him, talk this out somehow. Sooner the better. Hang on if he thought this process through..was...was he...jealous?

Eric managed to catch his eye again with a bigger smile than before letting his eyes rest before leaving them. God he was so screwed.

"So we're agreed? Ianto, Gwen? I don't want to do this without anyone's permission, doesn't seem right"

"We're all in agreement pet" Gwen smiled at the small semi-circle to the side that they had been pulled across to with softer eyes than before.

"I hope no one minds me saying so but I do believe we're being watched quite inadvertently" May I suggest we don't delay this any longer"

"Quite right tea-boy"

The protectors of the Rift waltzed back to stand behind Eric to now protect him especially if a fight were to happen. It was all up to him to deliver now. His team, his words, his choice. Speaking of the kid, it looked like a deer in the headlights right now as they just all had agreed to speak through stares and glares. Torchwood joined in, Eric finally now realising how ridiculous it looked. One of them needed to back down, neither determined to do so. Tough crowd.

"I think maybe we should talk. All of us. A common thing unites and separates us and that one thing is me"

"Sounds like you're going up for election, should I start calling you Mr President soon then?"

"What like Major Tom to ground control? Nell you know exactly what I want to speak about, all of you do"

"We just don't want to see you hurt" Callen added to the fold both as a team leader and as his friend. In response Eric tried hard not to roll his eyes like a teen and blush at the big concerns they all had. It was moments like this which had made his decision to move easier. Now how to phrase this without making them worry too much? There didn't seem much choice.

"I've already been. And if you listen, you'll be able to begin to understand why or at leas try too" He'd felt someone's presence coming towards him which he didn't think he'd be ready for, one thing at a time. Thankfully Nate had intervened pushing them back a little letting Eric carry on. How did Nate just know?

"Eric, this won't make us love you any less. This won't mean much but we are all here for you and we will listen to you, respect you and your decisions. It's going to be okay" Kensi soothed. Ianto had somehow between the awkward pauses made coffee passing it round leaving Eric out.

"Yan, where's mine?"

"Well I do believe that you once said you could make your own, you do have arms you know? Besides you know the rule, Torchwood employees only"

"Hang on, you've served the others, is this your idea of petty justice?"

"I do believe so"

"I'm onto you "

"I'm hurt" came the deadpan voice as they both laughed giving each other pretend snorts of derision. The distractions by the others had been possibly been the best thing at this moment in time right now. Deeks had hopped off his seat instantly as if on autopilot making coffee handing it to Eric with a shrug as he took a sip.

"Um, thanks. Better than yours Ianto, by far" Beneath the gentle teasing there was genuine affection and warmth lying there. The warmth in both their chests as they faced each other didn't go amiss between teams or them. Eric also looked to Nate as if he'd just had another shock to the system, looks like he didn't have any unsure doubts in his head now. Still shyly smiling at each other they had stopped getting ready to get this over with. Much as Hetty enjoyed being able to see her team start to see each other, she had to remind yet again that there was a time ticking.

"Mr Beale, I hate to be the one to remind you this once again but we are on a very tight clock, it's getting faster every minute" Hetty's word had stilled the frustration in him now giving an idea as to how to start himself off. He ran quickly up to his home away from home up in OPS then pelting down the stairs to face them properly now a little flushed plus a little pleased with himself.

Hang on, was that a gun in one of his hands? Eric hated guns, sure they might have mentioned he used them once or twice but for the most part he never went near them. Claimed they had a rippling effect on him. All attention rushed back towards him as he stepped towards them.

"Hi, sorry to meet under such unfortunate circumstances. Eric Beale. Torchwood" So that's what he was planning to do. Setting the scene, reintroducing himself. Sam decided it would be in their best interests to play along.

"Sam Hanna, G Callen, NCIS"

"Never heard of your lot before, what do you deal with?"

"Depends on what you want to know. How do you think you'd feel about the..supernatural?"

Silence came over them. No one had any idea how to respond. No he'd gone insane. What about laughing? None of them thought he could be serious, those things were fairytales, they didn't exist.

"I'm not kidding around"

Eric's change of voice settled the mood differently. The old agent was being utterly, completely serious. Almost all of their mouths slightly opened with hands starting to shake a little. An extra jarring into their already imperfect world. Hetty and Nate couldn't even bring themselves to look up to face him. A lot of what Nate had been told a while back made a lot more sense now.

"We're a secret, discreet organisation ordered in the 1800's founded by Queen Victoria. It was originally set up to protect her but then to protect her from a man called the Doctor - something to with Rose and Werewolves, I forget the details. Then something happened. More specifically a person. Jack here took over to find and then admittedly save that man from harm. To help focus on the real threats Earth faces. In 2000, an old team went and a new one had to be brought in. This included the people you see before you now. Except one. Suzie Costello, killed in action. Gwen replaced her for us to keep a human and moral side, I think however for the most part we keep our end up just as well. There's always the real threat of being captured by evils galore or going y'know dead. Jack came to me in 2003 before I chose to leave 3, 4 years later. I had only joined because of the aftermath of Canary Wharf happening, not just through a hacking of a phone line. Back then Torchwood was viewed as something worse to be involved in, we wanted to change perceptions"

"So you've said but what is Torchwood exactly, you've said the supernatural but supernatural what? There's so much of it that you can't really pick one surely?"

"Things beyond our imagination, ghosts, aliens, vampires, devices. Everything that you were ever scared of - especially when you were a kid. The monsters underneath your bed? They're real"

LINE BREAK

They'd all settled down, now looking like they'd recovered a little more.

"Well this has been a revelation of sorts. But I must be allowed a question or two if I may?"

"Sure Hetty"

"Why did you associate yourself with this? You said you were brought in, something tells me you had a choice. How exactly did you join? You seem to have turned out a very apt young man"

"Torchwood and OSP's doing. Maybe we could discuss me later? Two big things of truth are probably a bit too much to handle right now. This is going to hit you like a truck once the shock wears off and I should stay far away from you guys when it does"

"Very well. But Torchwood handles aliens, uh how?"

"We have a base in Wales, Cardiff. A crack in space and time opened up there. Things and people are able to slip through it. Some bad, some good. We research and discover which before tooling up and taking them out or looking after them, setting them back to their own timeline's. There's a big Weevil population near us which sometimes we have to sort out. We call that crack the Rift.

"The rift you mentioned earlier" Nell remembered thinking carefully out loud.

"Anything else we should be aware of, I know you were worried about saying all of this when we first started and I can understand how you came to be"

"Gee thanks Nate. Yeah, don't tell anyone. Big number one. Tell anyone even someone in this building, I will not hesitate to wipe this discussion from your minds. I will retcon your memory, no matter what you say or what the circumstances happened to be or just because you thought you could get away with it to prove me wrong. We've trusted you, we might need you for future help in cases. You can hopefully help us out. Deceive me, I'll take you out"

"Eric listen to what you're saying right now. You don't sound human, you sound heartless!" Callen yelled finally losing it. Eric stood stonily, he had had that from Gwen a lot when he was working full time, sometimes from even Jack. Wasn't that a fun thought to have. Thankfully he knew how to answer this now in a way that wouldn't offend the asker or Torchwood.

"Maybe but with this job I have to be. Doesn't mean I like or enjoy it all the time. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows you know that but get too happy, too settled, you'll get burned. If you let anything get to you, you'll get burned. I chose...I still choose heartless"

"Eric, this has the highest security clearance I've ever seen. Go you. Just please tell us what's happened to you. Secrets aren't you"

"I keep to myself a lot, I don't like being the main focus of attention. Guess you didn't bother to know me at all"

"Why couldn't you just tell us" Deeks's voice wavered as they resettled back onto Eric's softening a little, the hardness going a little bit.

"Didn't you just hear? Wouldn't exactly been easy unless you meant me telling you something else?" Callen peaked at them both wondering what on Earth had gotten into them checking back in to hear Deeks's answer.

"I just don't get why" Okay no solid answer to the question asked.

"Well, can we also save that for another time? This, er would not be the best place. And the full story about me, myself and I would take a lot longer than any of us have time for right now so let's get moving again"

"You mean you don't want to talk about it" Sam mentioned ignoring the hopeful, pained look in his eyes instead rising to the challenge set. He never challenged anyone, a bit meek to do so.

"Why do you think I'd want to?"

"Answer the question Eric" Callen almost yelled again in annoyance.

"Right now I'm focused on saving that person's life, sorry if that bugs you"

Deeks had left it for a little calming his heart rate down getting mad that it kept fluttering everytime he looked up into cool eyes. Eyes which gripped so much emotion. None to be seen here. Where had the fun loving, shy, quip, awkwardness galore and helpful man gone. Why had he been replaced by someone made of stone, an empty shell. Without even thinking he had started muttering to himself not daring to stare into those eyes or let the others hear worried they'd be on his case for days.

"Who are you, I don't recognise you. At least not anymore. You're worrying and scaring us all at the same time. Worrying and scaring me" Nate and Hetty had heard however letting their hearts break a little.

"I can't go back to five seconds ago and change your ideal of who I was, least of all those years I spent in Torchwood and all the years I will spend. So you all need to drop this and for now let it go. For my sake. Please"

"Eric, I'm going to try and understand where you're coming from but I speak for all of us again when I ask this with all this new information presented to us especially when we now know we can properly joint on this case. Are we going to be safe? More importantly, will you?" Sam glanced up with the others at Nate's voice joining the fold now all turning to Eric.

Eric didn't think he'd have the heart to tell them despite his coldness and old Torchwood habits he had hung onto that he knew he wouldn't be.