DISCLAIMER: None of the NCIS LA/ NCIS/ Leverage characters. Just remember that the story and Victor and Marie are alllllllll mine.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi. It's late… been writing… ok, so I'm going to get right to it… Here's the next chapter. It's short and sweet... sorry. Please, when you are done reading, take the time to leave a review and share your thoughts with me.
More than a month had passed since he'd left to begin working once more for Blackguard. His only concern was getting Eliot back to his team as he had promised Parker. It wouldn't be easy and it would take time. His first task was to get him back from wherever Victor had sent him. The man had stayed true to their bargain and within the second week he'd shown up. One look and Callen had suspicions as to who he had been with. Try though he might, Eliot refused to speak of it. Callen tended to his injuries without further questioning.
It was another two weeks before Eliot recovered enough to finally address the situation they found themselves in.
"So, you gave in and sold what was left of your soul?" Eliot growled through the pain.
"What are you talking about." Callen responded as he finished up redressing yet another of his many wounds.
"You gave up on everyone who has ever cared anything about you and went back to work for Blackguard." Eliot threw back.
"Not that simple and you know it. Your team wants you back. Sam's kids are on that infernal list now which puts not just them but Sam in danger. The entire team was on a hit list because I refused to come back… What if Deeks and Kensi decide to have kids one day… if this list is still around… I can't take a chance on anyone else being at risk."
Eliot turned around and looked at his friend. He saw the look of despair flash in his eyes. "I knew you cared about them. Why didn't you simply tell them?"
"Because… they have been through enough on account of me. Doesn't matter what I think or what I feel… Simply put, they are better off without me. Victor threatened everyone we care about… the only way to appease the lunatic was to agree to come back."
"Let me get this straight… you agreed to my return without even asking me?" Eliot roared.
"So, you would risk the safety of your entire team?" Callen challenged calmly.
Eliot looked at his friend with fire in his eyes before finally allowing his scowl to slip into a familiar smirk, "So what is your plan… I would assume you have one."
Callen laid the last of the medical supplies back in the box and walked to the window. "Honestly, Eliot? No. I do not have a plan. I'm done. Victor is right about some things… I will simply make sure I check everything he sends for me."
"You're justifying this idiot?" Eliot stated angrily.
"Justifying? Can you argue the fact that we have way too many bad guys getting away unpunished? They just come back stronger, with more back up… The ABC agencies have no power in most of these cases. Blackguard serves its purpose."
"Serves its… are you insane? What happened to 'no one should have that much power'?" Eliot shouted.
Callen slammed his hands down on the table and glared across the room at his friend, "What do you want from me? I'm not fit for anything else. All I do is cause trouble wherever I go. People around me die. At least this way, they are all safe."
"All but you… me." Eliot grumbled to himself.
"What's that?" Callen asked.
Eliot cast a glance in his direction, "nothing. Look, Callen, I get why you have chosen to do what you are doing, but this just seems wrong… You originally walked away from your team because you felt they had lied, turned their backs on you… What about Victor? The man saved your life simply to use you! Why have you agreed to work for him? Why aren't we taking this guy down? Why aren't we taking the power away from the guy. You know you have what you need to shut this group down… Why aren't we making plans to do just that! At least then you could go back." His voice rose with each word.
Callen looked at him and said nothing at first. His heart was broken… there was no going back. He had burned his bridges back to NCIS… to Sam's family… to Hetty. He had trusted the wrong people and this would be the consequence for that mistake. "Go back to your team, Eliot. I WILL deal with Victor… in time. This is not your battle. I have nothing to go back to, but you do… If I can reach Victor then maybe Blackguard can be what it was meant to be," he stated softly.
"Callen"
"Go home, Eliot. I promised Parker. Don't make me break a promise. I've done enough of that," Callen stated more adamantly, "In fact, do me a favor. Could you send this to Kamran? I broke a promise to her… maybe this will make it up to her just a little."
"Callen, no…" Eliot argued, "I'm not leaving you with that bastard… You have to know he sees you as a liability! I leave and he will be all over you. I know damn well you aren't in this to just be his whipping boy. He will catch on to whatever game you are playing and when he does… Iosif will be waiting! You KNOW THAT… wait, you know that… That's the end game for you, isn't it? You aren't after Victor, you're after Iosif. You have what you need to shut down Victor already… but not Iosif. Callen, that guy is evil. You can't take him on alone. He nearly killed you not once but twice! He's in your head. You need my help."
"You aren't who he wants. You have served your purpose. You are free to go. Callen picked up his stuff and headed for the door as Eliot stepped in front of him, "Don't. Don't do this."
He just smiled and put his hand out and waited, "You're a good friend, Eliot. I'm glad you found your place. Just do me a favor, don't forget to get that package to Kamran for me, Okay?"
Reluctantly, Eliot grabbed his friend's hand and shook it and with a nod of his head he let go and watched Callen walk away.
"This isn't over, Callen. It doesn't end this way." Eliot whispered to himself, "That team of yours is going to get their act together…"