Heya, here it is, the penultimate chapter (which sounds absolutely crazy to say) and to be honest I'm relieved - my poor Eric demands attention and hugs - yet at the same time I'm sad I've only got a little time left to keep this world and these characters in my pocket.
Disclaimer: I do not own either show however how great would it be if I did? (Not very, I'd get stuck halfway and make plot holes everywhere) All rights towards RTD for TW and Shane Brennan for LA.
Oh and Miguel Ferrer? This one's for you. Rest In Peace to you and the character of Owen Granger.
No one had decided to face Eric after his outburst or when he wandered over towards Linda and comforted her knowing full well he was keeping down a whole shed-load of emotions. When he came back - leaving Linda in her own pace to recuperate quietly and without the rest of them all staring at her or at least the illusion of it - he braced himself for the sleuth of words he was going to hear.
"Okay, you wanted to cuss me out? Well now we know that Linda's safe and that we can make a plan to get out of here shortly then I guess you better do it now. Make it quick"
"Eric. Of course we're mad at you. You jeopardized not only our victim's safety but yours. You could have died. I don't know who any of us would have been able to cope. Torchwood may be used to saying goodbye easily and thinking them better than everyone else but not us" Kensi summed up for him looking to Callen and Sam for backup. Jack had however scoffed and ready to fight his case as quietly as he could so as not to alert the kidnappers outside but Eric had stepped up again scoffing with him.
"I don't think you're in any position to criticise do you Eric? You just said yourself we could say whatever we wanted about you because you compromised a mission" Sam continued on. To which Eric scoffed gently rolling his eyes at the same time.
"Yeah I did but where in the brief did I say you could do the same to these guys? It may have been a throw-away comment but it still matters to me. I told you to not get mad at them and here you are again ignoring me. And you're wrong. Just because you don't like what they've done or are going to do, this organisation has saved countless lives and will continue to save countless more. It's got a great leader at the front who actually does care more than he could ever let on because then it hurts more. Ianto has the best organisational skills I've ever seen...he's also one of the most empathetic. I would wager anything that he keeps the office in line and he knows everything. Gwen was thrusted into this world on almost a whim and here she is. Sure she can be a little overbearing but then according to you guys so I can I right? Tosh is one of the biggest genius I've ever had the privilege to know and her gadgets are what led us to this area. And Owen...Owen has come back from the dead. These guys are some of the best and I've had enough of you lot judging them. We're so close to taking this whole op down and I'd quite like it if you could get along for that remaining amount of time"
Silence reigned over the tent.
"If you're fighting our case, don't see why we shouldn't fight yours - "
"No. Thank you. Seriously I'm grateful but we need to keep clearing the air. Hetty can hang, draw and quarter me when we get back but for now you can say whatever while I think up a way to get out of here"
"Sure. So why do Torchwood risk lives, why did Jack say you did this sort of thing again?" Callen asked calmer, calmer than he had been anyway.
"We don't risk lives. And if we do than it's only in the worst of situations. I always preferred leaping into the fold when I could and especially at the start because I still felt as if I was trapped and trying to prove myself. I know now that it was wrong, I learnt how to make sure I stayed on the sidelines until I knew I could into the fray and not be emotionally pulled towards them. I kept learning this and when I came to you guys I let my vulnerable side slip because I could now. I didn't have to worry about carrying myself everyday"
"Wait, I know that the 30 deal would come into this thinking but I don't know what you meant about being vulnerable" Deeks asked letting his own shoulders drop from the spat earlier.
"I...i...it's hard to explain. Torchwood is so closed off to the world and when you're dealing with the dark underbelly then it's worse. You see the worst in humanity. And the best. Yeah there are some that come to bring peace but other times it's not that and you have your orders. Shoot to kill. Unless you build up a defense, this job'll break you in more ways than one. I'm not defenseless like you all seem to think I am still. I might work in tech and able to work in the field - this notwithstanding - but you still me as something to protect. And you were right Sam. I was more interested in saving myself because I have nothing else to save. If it means I stay alive. Yeah I get you're finally seeing me for what I am. A skilled agent who just wants the world and others to be safe no matter the cost and if it means I make a few mistakes along the way then that's what you guys are here for right? Didn't I also tell you I can be heartless at the start of all this? Now I can't turn back the clock and make you forgive me but would you take an extremely heartfelt apology and next time you just don't talk about this?"
"He's giving you more than enough, trust me. Not many people would get the real deal, you'd be wise to take it. Eric I'm not angry with you. I knew what you had and wanted to do. Actually I'm pretty proud of you for standing ground long enough knowing that the rest of us would come to your aid. Owen, let's go over to Linda and make sure she's just sleeping and not like you were assuming earlier 'incapacitated' "
Tosh was nothing if not lovely Eric had decided a while ago. He would not get on her bad side ever though as he had seen that once and never again. And with that she practically dragged Owen over.
Jack and Ianto also decided it was wise to follow a few seconds over to give them space.
Another silence came over them. It wasn't exactly a nice one.
"Deeks, not that it matters...but would you mind not also going to check on Linda? I think the others have it handled"
"Give me one good reason as to why not Eric. I'm like the others right now but not in the angry way"
"In what way then? Just tell me even if you don't think i'll like it. I'd like the truth"
"Oh isn't that fantastic. You should have told us from the beginning y'know. I'm hurt Eric, okay?! I'm hurt you felt like this was the best way for you to exist. I'm hurt that you had a sort of difficult life, tried to bury it so you could move forward, and yet somehow you're still here. Most of all if we're being honest, i'm more mad at myself. I'm mad that I couldn't tell you were close to breaking. I'm mad I didn't even bother asking you about your past and who you are. Yeah I hated the fact you so easily ran into the fray and that I almost didn't get to you in time. God Eric you make my hairs stand on end more than anyone. I wouldn't have you any other way"
Eric had been hanging his head in shame a little but it almost clicked at how fast he rose it at the ending of his speech. He didn't want to get his hopes up especially not while still in capture and really was here really the place for a love confession?
"Eric c'mon. Um, don't leave me hanging with false hope here, it's just -"
"Stop. It's becoming real very fast. At the start I'd probably have jumped you and snogged you on the spot regardless of who was in the room but now...you know most things about me including the not so good ones and I guess what I'm asking for is a bit of space before I drag you into my world. I don't want to go into it here either, it's not especially the best place. Just know I feel the same"
"I gotta admit I also woulda made a move a while ago but I was curious about your situation with Nell"
"We kissed once and I definitely fancied her at one time"
"So..you're..?"
"Deeks if you're asking if I'm bi then that was the worst way to go about it. I am but that doesn't mean I don't run around after everyone or that I won't like you any less and besides does it really matter, I'm more than that"
"Eric. So long as we're on the same wavelength, I'm happy. And you can use my first name by the way not that I don't not mind whatever you call m because I don't but uh it's not cursed. I just wanted to know because I wanted to know more about you, I know and I get angry when that's all people focus on too but I meant it when I said I wanted to know more about you, if only up to 30 is all you have then I'm going to learn as much about you as I can and if you escape that 'deal' then I've got even longer. But enough about all this, how are you faring?"
"As fine as I can be cooped up in a tent with daggers being drawn at me and feeling like the walls could close in"
"Okay so distractions are good?"
"Yeah probably"
"So...Torchwood?"
"Yeah, Torchwood"
"Eric, I-"
"It's fine"
"No. No it's not and it's not that you think you should be the one giving the apology out here. It should by all accounts...be me. I messed up. We - I should have listened especially when we saw how you reacted when you first spoke of this. We shouldn't have kept digging, I shouldn't have made you feel as bad as I did even if you said the shock would hit us, shouldn't have forced you to speak about anything you weren't ready to, that's what separates us from the others and it sucks we didn't stick to that ideal. We preyed your past out leaving you in the dust. That hurts more than anything. And I am fed up, so fed up that you think so little of yourself, that you still think you should hide yourself. I care about you but that's nothing you don't know already and heyy everyone heard all of that, great"
"I am never letting you live this down. Ever" Kensi giggled trying to cover her mouth at both the boys clear embarrassment or Deeks rather.
"I caught it on camera! Hetty and Nate are going to love me more than they do already" Callen interjected.
"He's right though. Now we've had some time to calm down and come to proper terms and address our concerns with you, I think we're cool. I can't believe I'm agreeing with you, I need to go wash my brain out"
"Okay. Thanks I guess. We're all sorted. So I can't believe i'm in this sort of situation again. I'm thinking maybe we goad one of the people in here and then we can grab one of the guns off of them aka get our guns back. I'm sure Jack has an extra stun gun or two hidden in your coat pockets. Pass me one Jack"
The man in question had stared at Eric waveringly before seeing the fact he wouldn't be stupid this time and bring in everyone as much as he could, and Linda looked like she was fully restored but they needed to get her back to make sure she got the right support and counselling she would most likely be needing. Actually considering this place, she was probably getting more nervy each moment passing.
Jack tossed the gun over before starting to yell loudly at everyone creating as much of a racket he could until 10 minutes later...the captors arrived guns held at their sides.
Time for the off.
"I think you'd be wise to keep it down. We'd hate to have to...eliminate you"
"Nah I think I'm good. I want to talk to you. That's all. Just you and me. Let the others go. Leave me"
Kensi's strangled gasps coincided with the others having thought they'd be going up against up the man and alien together. They wouldn't let it end, not like this.
Jack and Ianto had exchanged looks while the undercover started to list their fears and the man with the gun poised started to grin. And then started to speak hoarsely.
"Very well, if that is your wish. However I think maybe I keep two back...in case you turn against me. I could let you choose though I don't think you'd choose wisely...so why don't we come to a compromise? I want the bulky man to stay and the one you apparently have been talking to most, the one most like shaggy from that TV show people claim to watch. The rest have 30 seconds to clear out otherwise I shoot your beloved American in the face right here, right now"
Callen knew from the tone of his voice he would not be joking. He couldn't believe he'd be involved in more hostage situations in his life time though. He wanted to know Eric was faring - the fact he was still standing in light of this was nothing short of incredible - and worried he'd be leaving his partner behind...and Deeks was someone he was counting as a friend now. He'd been thinking that for ages.
Jack saw the stop-start motion of the team leader. He could see the pros and cons weighing on him. Like Jack had said, he had countless faith in Eric moreover putting himself on the line was scary and shocking to the core because he knew, he knew Eric could be lost to them tonight if he wasn't the most careful he could be. Human lives and the burning families he created in the room would be destroying to the tech if he didn't get them out now. Jack grabbed Ianto's hand then Gwen's before pushing them to their feet with Owen grabbing Tosh and dragging them towards the others.
Ianto then titled his head towards Callen grabbing his arm to lift him and Kensi up to walk out calmly and slowly. On his way out he touched Eric's arm making sure to leave his earpiece there. Thankfully it blended into the jacket he was wearing otherwise it would've been even worse. With that earpiece if worst came to worse Ianto assumed then at least they could have time to say goodbye.
Callen had very quickly mouthed into Sam's ear that he'd better not up and die on him unless he wanted to come back and have him die twice and clasped Deek's hand. The look he received was worth it. Kensi had hugged both not wanting to let go until Tosh told her softly it was time to go.
Eric could handle this. If he didn't look at the tears forming in the girl's eyes or at the men still in the tent as payment.
"Well that was boring. I rather hoped they'd stay so I could shoot you. You're a pain in the neck. You just want to talk? I think you're a liar. The worst of them. You just wanted to get everyone out safely and if that meant endangering your own life than you would. However I now have the upper hand because I didn't let these two escape. I would have kept back that irritating other American with his smug face but...this oh this ahhaha this is gold dust. Look at you. The man who helped protect you..and the man you prove yourself that you're all innocent and that your hands are clean too. I have a revelation for you. He's not.
A man like you sacrificing himself has nothing to lose. Except the people he has. Did you expect to care? To fall so hard? Did you mean to murder me? The eyes narrowed and then Eric knew. This was the alien. Desir was the alien.
"Okay first I don't know who you are or what I did though I imagine you're talking about in the next few minutes but if you're being like this, I don't think I can apologise. You hurt a good man, a wounded solider and you decided to keep a woman under her will for a month because she thought it was wise to search for him herself. I don't like you. I don't think I like aliens like you, you give the others bad credit. I hate hurting your kind, and the fact you're using my friends against me? Well that's not been something that's been done before, right? I'm Torchwood. I've got enemies. All of this is proof you're not a nice person. Though I guess we're about to prove that I'm also not a nice person. Yeah maybe they don't know how much blood I have on my hand - innocent or not - they do know I have some though, it doesn't matter because they know who I am now. I may go on a Weevil hunt from time to time but I've never gone back into this world til now. Tell me what's so bad about protecting the world? I've got ears. I'm listening"
"Why not of course? But what's better than drawing life out of others purely for the power it creates? To feel something awaken in you. That man knew he nothing going for him, death welcomed him"
"No it didn't. Something tells me he tried to tackle you to make sure of it, you got a little bruise on your eye" Sam chimed in.
"You say you hate hurting my kind yet you do it. You say your hands are not clean and that these people know about some of it. I believe this is a lie to help them. They want to believe and see you as a technician safely hidden away not as a trained killer"
"I can either arrest you now or arrest you later. Your choice. Come quietly back to Cardiff with Torchwood and we can help you. Either way you will be locked up, doesn't matter where"
Deeks watched as the two sparred back and forth worrying for the younger man in front of him wishing for the best result. He didn't think he could carry on watching to be honest. Something was wrong though and having been a defense lawyer he could feel it, he hoped Sam could to with his SEAL training.
The alien clearly wasn't budging with his word or his gun. He knew it wouldn't end well when he fired a shot at the roof of the tent creating a hole in it.
"We're finished TALKING. I killed Danny because human blood is worth a lot on our planet and we had finished off our resources a year ago and I wasn't lying when I said I enjoyed seeing the life come out of those eyes. It was fun. Now I don't want to say goodbye to you just yet, I'm having too much fun playing with you so pick one of these two instead"
Both men's eyes widened at the thought. Eric remembered at that point the comms Ianto had planted on him.
"Sure I can choose, just stand outside and give me a minute to say goodbye maybe?"
Thankfully despite some of Desir's claims, he was fairly dim as he snarled and stepped out; he commed Jack.
"Jack, I haven't got long but I'm going to try and disable Desir. If anything goes wrong"
- "I know. Letter to your mum in the old drawer, letter to NCIS is in your OPS next to Nell right now and your other one to the blond haired beauty is in Hetty's tea cabinet. Eric...please be careful. I don't want you to die here. You're a good man Beale, I..I'll see you on the other side"
Jack switched off and Eric breathed heavily to the two people still with him.
"Don't do anything when he gets back in here. Let me sort this out, do not interfere with me. I'm gonna get you out of here"
Both nodded their agreement despite not liking it.
"Now where were we?" Eric tackled him to the ground grabbing the gun in his hands and knocked him out effortlessly with the butt of it before grabbing the rope that had been left behind from Linda's capture and tied it round as tightly as he could before half carrying him over to one side and dropping him there. The cry the alien had made had alerted the other man towards them.
He entered in his own gun brandished when Eric came out and stood in front of him with his glock back in hand as well.
"Who are you? One of NCIS's little crewman? Don't tell me, Henrietta Lange sent you? Whatcha going to do. I have you and your friends behind you there completely trapped. Tell me tech operator"
"Eric Beale, I'm surprised you've never heard of me. My advice? Run. Run before I catch you"
"You haven't answered my first question"
"I'm Torchwood, bitch"
With that he walked back towards one end of the tent, dismantles one of the tent poles before running back over to whack Issacs over the head, punching him once in the stomach to make sure he toppled over towards the ground.
All 3 had just been about to make a move when both awoke and somehow Desir had gotten free from his restraints.
"What an inconvenience"
"Are you kidding me? Did you not see what you just did?"
The alien snarled again as Eric spoke towards the more human of the two.
"Why do this?"
"He granted me power beyond this world, also money. Do you know who would kill to know things like this, weapons like this? I could be a billionaire tomorrow and I could get all the people who thought I never lucked out watch me luck out"
Eric seemed to think about this then drew his weapon back out when they lifted theirs.
"Do you know what Mr Issacs? I think maybe we kill the fiery one after all"
"I don't think so. I tried reasoning with you and you've left me with the only choice. And Sam, Deeks...I'm sorry. I've always been sorry, I should have told you. I'm not the man I was but I can't be the man you see before you now all bright and blue-eyed to you. Not ever again"
"Told us what?"
"What I'm about to do" Sam stared wordlessly at Eric and then Eric turned to Deeks eyes blazing with fear.
"You were never meant to be in my life. I never meant to let this happen. You're...what I always felt I needed. You're fantastic. I'm sorry. God I'm so sorry"
"Wait, wait, sorry for what, start making sense"
"Forgive me"
And with that he fired the gun into the other man's rib-cage. He watched as the man fell to the ground, saw Desir almost try to run away when Eric fired another shot watching the alien also fall down. Both dead but him still going. So close to having his name on a tombstone and gee he couldn't wait to have those nightmares added to the growing pile. Nate was going to have a field day with him when he got back. Hopefully Deeks and Nate would be able to go to him as well - after all the tall man had suggested speaking to them about this - moreover the fact that this was a Torchwood dilemma just helpfully added to it all. Stunning and bringing them back just wouldn't have worked in this situation, thinking like this was just going to give him a headache. He had tried to reach an agreement, it hadn't worked and his friends had seen him kill for the first time yet they were in the same law enforcement area so hopefully the repercussions wouldn't be too bad , Eric commed Jack instantly afterward as promised alerting them to their presence;
"Eric? You okay?"
"I'm okay but they aren't. I knocked both out then they woke up, Issacs and tried to shoot me. I got to them before they got to me. We need a clean up and a cover story"
"Good. Trust me, you did the right thing, we'll get right on it. We're all on our way to you now. How are your friends?"
"Alive"