Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, locations, storylines, or anything else from the show Broadchurch. If I did, I would not be sitting around writing fanfiction, and I certainly wouldn't have such a strong desire to meet David Tennant, because I already would have.

Summary: A collection of one-shots about Alec and Ellie simply being there for each other. Chapter 3, "I'm Always Here, Alec" is an AU about the scene from the end of season 2 where Alec Hardy is looking over the Sandbrook file after they solve it and starts crying. Instead of being alone, Ellie sees him and comforts him. Rated T for mild language and mentions of murder/rape and suicide throughout the collection.

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I'm Always Here, Alec

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He couldn't believe it. He simply could not believe it. After so many years of feeling like a failure, DI Alec Hardy, with the help of Ellie Miller, of course, finally solved the Sandbrook murders.

As Hardy sat looking over the case file, he felt a huge sense of relief wash over him. This case had nearly killed him on multiple accounts. He lost his reputation, he lost his family, his heart failed, and he even nearly offed himself a time or two over the last few years. Nothing had ever affected Alec Hardy quite as much as the Sandbrook case did.

As he idly flipped through the file, Hardy thought about the confession he got out of Lee Ashworth. He had known that the man was guilty from the beginning, but he never suspected that Ricky Gillespie had been involved. And all this time he had thought that it was Ricky that he was failing.

Hardy felt a wave of emotions overcome him. His hands started to shake and he started to cry, relief and anger welling inside him at the same time.

He didn't want the people in the station to see him cry, but he had already started and there was no stopping him.

Hardy flipped the file shut and pushed it away from him, planting his elbows on the table and burying his head in his hands. He was being as quiet as possible, holding back as much as he could since he was in public. At his job, no less.

Just then, he heard someone enter the room, and he quickly wiped his face and stopped his tears out of pure willpower. When he looked up, he saw DS Ellie Miller looking at him.

"Sir, are you alright?" she asked quietly.

"Oh, not this again. I'm fine, Miller. I promise this isn't a repeat of the hotel room in Sandbrook." Hardy's voice hitched on the last word.

"Sir, what did you mean when you told Ricky Gillespie that you nearly killed yourself over this investigation? Were you referring to your heart, or…" Ellie questioned, sitting in the seat next to Hardy and facing him.

"Truthfully? A little of both. I was mostly referring to my heart, but I did consider… that, a few times." Hardy replied with a sigh, rubbing his hands down his face.

"Really?" Ellie asked breathlessly.

"This case… Miller it was brutal. Two child murders, and everything was blown apart because my wife had to stop and cheat on me instead of bringing the evidence to the station. I couldn't… you know I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I couldn't even live properly because of this case. It literally destroyed my heart. Are you really surprised?" Hardy explained.

"I just never thought… but you're so strong…" Ellie stammered.

"So are you, Miller. But let me ask you this: if it wasn't for your boys, would you have considered suicide after everything with Joe?" Hardy asked.

"Honestly, sir… I considered it even with my boys. I never would have gone through with it, but after everything…"

"Exactly. I'm just so, so glad that this case is over. I'm so glad that those girls can finally rest in peace, knowing that their killers are behind bars." Hardy turned fully toward Ellie, tears welling in his eyes again.

"I cannot thank you enough for what you've done for me, Miller. You stuck by my side through everything. You had never worked on the Sandbrook case before, and yet you still helped me solve the damn thing." Hardy paused. "You're an amazing person. Truly. Even after everything with Joe, you still came back to Broadchurch and came back to the station and worked with me. You helped me resolve the biggest regret of my life. Thank you."

Now it was Ellie's turn to have tears well in her eyes.

"Sir… I can't imagine having a case like this on my conscience for two years. I'm not surprised that you heart gave out. But…" she paused. "Despite always having Sandbrook on your mind, you still set everything aside to solve Danny's death. I don't know how you could handle another child murder after what happened at Sandbrook."

"Honesty, I don't know how I handled it either." Hardy felt a tear drip from his eye. "I can't believe that it's finally over." Hardy laid his arms on the table and bent forward to rest his head on them, renewed tears pooling on his shirt sleeves.

Ellie placed a hand between his shoulder blades. "I'm glad I could help with this one. I'm glad I could get closure for those girls. And for you." She muttered.

Hardy couldn't take it. He abruptly stood from where he had been sitting and yanked Ellie up with him, pulling her into his chest and hugging her tightly. He rested his cheek against her temple and held on while he cried.

Ellie was startled by the action, but she quickly adjusted and wrapped her arms around Hardy's waist, letting her head rest against his shoulder. She never thought she would even hug Hardy, let alone comfort him after he finally got closure for the case that literally broke his heart.

"Thank you for everything, Ellie. I couldn't have done this without you."

Ellie smiled against Hardy's chest. "I'll always be here, Alec. For whatever you need."