Chapter 16

"It never comes at the right time, instead, it comes like a thief."

It had been almost a month since the break in, and while Ally kept assuring everyone she was fine…she was not in fact, fine.

Eliot began noticing the day after the visit at Marisol's. While she seemed the same as she always was, bright, cheerful, and playful; it was...duller. There were also the instances when a sudden noise made her tense up, and her breathing would speed up. She would quickly cover it with a smile though, a smile that no longer reached her eyes, and an assurance that she was fine.

Hardison had updated her security, as well as added specialized door reinforcement locks to the front door and her bedroom, and Eliot had changed out the screws around the deadbolt from the standard one inch, to three inches, making it a bit sturdier. But despite all they had done, it didn't change anything. And while she did her best with cover up, he still saw the circles under her eyes.

Eliot was not a stranger to sleep deprivation.

"He was still working there?" Parker asked in confusion.

Kieran scoffed. "We knew firefly had broken it off with him, but she wasn't exactly…forthcoming, with the details.

Everyone was gathered at Patrick's for an impromptu dinner celebration for Nate's birthday. They had dined on lamb chops, and a truly decadent chocolate cake, that Ally had made with Felicia's assistance, before adjourning to the den for drinks and conversation.

"Please tell me you didn't fire Josh because he cheated on me," Ally asked in exasperation.

"No, I fired him because he laid his hands on you," Patrick corrected.

The red head sighed.

"And after Dad fired him, I escorted out of the building, where I punched him," her brother added with a grin.

"KIERAN!"

The younger man shook his head. "Nope. No regrets." Hardison reached over and fist bumped him with a grin of him own.

"I can take care of myself. In fact, I did just fine with the taser Parker gave me and the training Eliot has been giving me."

"You were lucky Firefly."

"The break in last month was proof of that," Patrick added, taking a drink of his scotch.

Ally tensed up.

The red head had been right, the conversation between her and her father had not gone over well. And it was obvious to all by the tension between the two for the last few weeks. She hadn't given details, but she had told Eliot that they had had more than a few…'disagreements' about the situation.

Patrick continued. "This is what I was worried about from the beginning. I know you're independent and capable sweetheart, but things like that break in could have gone a lot worse for you, if Eliot hadn't been close by."

"Daddy…"

"Firefly…"

"No Kieran. Just….no. I'm not moving back in with you Daddy."

"I'm not saying you have to move in completely, but maybe you could just come and stay with me for a while."

"Patrick…"

The tension in the room was building quickly, Eliot saw it coming; even Nate could see it.

"Have you thought about a small vacation instead?" Sophie suggested, ever the mediator. "Just a few days to relax and clear your head. I've found that to be tremendously helpful on occasion."

The smile Ally directed at the older woman was strained, but heartfelt. "That sounds…I might do that. I do have some things I have to take care of first. I'll think on it."

Patrick huffed in frustration. "You've obviously been affected by the whole ordeal. You're not sleeping, and you're jumpy." Eliot watched as Ally closed her eyes, and tried to slow her breathing, which had picked up. "I know you're trying to play it off, but anyone would be stressed by such an experience."

"I SAID I'M FINE!"

Everyone froze, and just stared at the red head who was now standing, breathing hard, and wound up tighter than Eliot had ever seen her.

Without another word, she rushed to the door, bumping into a side table in her haste, grabbed her purse and her cane, and quickly excited the apartment.

Patrick and Kieran were staring at the door in wide eyed silence, while Nate gave Eliot a pointed look. The hitter hadn't even realized he was already standing to go after her.

He found her in the lobby, sitting on a couch, in the middle of a very obvious panic attack. Making his way over to her, he knelt before her, took her hand, and placed it on his chest. "Match my breathing."

It took a few moments, but eventually, her breathing slowed.

"Name five things you can hear."

She took a deep breath. "The elevator doors, cars outside, the desk attendant talking to someone, music over the speakers, and your voice."

"Three things you can smell."

"Cleaning solution, perfume, and your shampoo."

His eyebrow raised at that. "One thing you can feel."

The barest of smiles tilted the corner of her mouth. "Your hand in mine."

"There ya go. Wanna take a walk?" She nodded silently, and stood up after him, and took his elbow.

They had been walking a few minutes when she spoke. "I'm so tired of him treating me like a little girl. I know I will be until I'm ninety, as he says, but at the same time, would it be so hard for him to treat me like an adult when the situation calls for it?" He led her across the street as she continued. "I've worked so hard to be independent. I'm doing things I want to do, that make me happy." He could tell she was starting to work herself up again, as her voice raised a bit. "Do you know he has yet to comment on my jewelry business? He still calls it my little 'hobby'. I've had to turn down orders to keep up with the ones I already have." He led her around the next right, as her voice sped up in its irritation. "And he keeps trying to get me back into the office using the most inane excuses, even though Scott has been fully trained for months. I had to put out a search for a translator for him, so he would stop guilting me into joining him for his business meetings with his overseas clients. Did you know that?" He didn't bother answering, he knew that wasn't what she was looking for. "I thought maybe he just wanted to spend time with me, since I don't live with anymore, so I set up an ongoing dinner date with him once a week. I thought things were getting better, and then…"

"The break in happened," he supplied, leading her through the gates.

"The break in happened," she confirmed. "And now we're back to the beginning, like the last few months haven't happened, and now he's renewed his objective to get me back into his apartment. Every time I've seen him since it happened, he's mentioned it, no matter how many times I've told him no!" Her voice raised now. "Now he's found out about how it really ended with Josh, and he's become insufferable. I love him dearly, but his stubbornness and overprotectiveness is ag tiomáint as mo mheabhair go dtí an pointe gur mhaith liom é a tholg, agus níl a fhios agam cad atá le déanamh!"(1) she finished loudly, breathing hard, as he sat her in the seat.

Which was what finally made her aware of her surroundings.

"You brought me to my park." It was more a statement, than a question.

He didn't answer as he walked behind her and began pushing the swing gently to get it in motion.

"You brought me to my park, and you're pushing me on the swing."

He remained silent.

It continued like that for the next ten minutes. He continued to push her at a gentle, casual pace, as she visibly relaxed, and her breathing slowed. He took the time to do something she had taught him, and relaxed his body as well, opening his senses to listen to Mother Nature. He had found himself doing it a lot more lately, as he came to realize more and more that it relaxed him more than he thought it would, and helped to center him to a calmer baseline.

"I'm not fine," she admitted needlessly in a quiet voice. "I'm trying, I really am. I've even been speaking to my therapist about it. But I can't stop the nightmares."

"That'll come in time," he told her, speaking for the first time since leaving Patrick's.

"I know he worries about me. I do. But I wish he would listen to me. Just because I'm still working through it all, doesn't mean I want to move out of my apartment."

"Continue telling him that. Some people take longer than others. Parents longer than that."

The corner of her mouth lifted as she released a quiet chuff. He'd take it.

Another fifteen minutes went by before she spoke again. "Thank you for this Eliot. I needed it. I… I'm so lucky to have you," she finished quietly.

It was something she had said multiple times over the course of their friendship. A simple phrase she used to constantly vocalize how much their friendship meant to her. But this time it was…. different.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The next two weeks were hell. Nate had them work two different jobs at the same time, and by the time they were both successfully finished, the team was fried.

A hot shower and one cold beer later, the hitter was on his way to his large, very comfortable bed, with every intention of trading in his usual ninety minutes of sleep for at least eight hours, but decided he wanted to check in with Ally. They had been gone longer than expected, but Olivia had promised to keep an eye on her while he was gone. Even so, he would sleep better knowing she was okay.

But her phone went to voicemail after ten rings.

He decided to try Olivia. "We were supposed to meet up for lunch, but she never showed. I tried her cell, but it went to voicemail. I'm at work now, but I was going to check on her when I got off at eight."

An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach, as he ended the call, assuring Olivia that he would go by her place.

In the seven months he had known Allyson, one of the things that he learned about her was that she never stayed out of touch with her loved ones. Hell, by this point, he talked to her at least once a day. Why had he not realized that until now? She very rarely cancelled any appointments she made, and she sure as hell made sure to contact the right person if something happened and she couldn't make it. Something was not right.

Sleep all but forgotten, he had Hardison on the phone before he reached his motorcycle. "I thought you were gonna put yourself into a coma or somethin'," the hacker greeted upon answering.

"Somethin' came up," Eliot replied gruffly. "Can you get me the location of Ally's cell phone?"

"Have you tried maybe…you know…calling her? Or have you resulted to stalking now?" the hacker quipped.

"I don't have time for this Hardison, can you do it or not," he snapped.

"Can I…man, who you think you're talkin' to. Don't get no attitude with me…you're the one that called me. Can I do it," Eliot heard the hacker mumble, amongst clicking on a keyboard. "She's at her house," he finally answered. "You ever think to check there before you called me up with an attitude?"

Eliot started his bike. "Now why didn't I think of that," the hitter growled sarcastically.

Finally catching on that something was wrong, Hardison's voice turned serious. "Is she okay? Did something happen?"

"I don't know yet," Eliot replied honestly, "but I'm fixin' to find out," he finished before hanging up and speeding off.

Jim greeted him and tried to ring her apartment, but frowned when there was no answer. "I rang Mr. Hayes up a few hours ago, so I know she's home. Maybe I should call security?"

"Do it. I'm headin' up."

He immediately used his key card, not bothering to knock. This was ringing all too familiar to six weeks ago, but the living room was undisturbed, and he found her phone on the kitchen island.

Reaching her office first, he found the door open, as well as a scene that would join the many horrible memories that already haunted his troubled mind.

Sitting against the far wall, arms wrapped tightly around her knees that were pulled against her chest, was Ally. And there, lying on the floor in front of her, not breathing, eyes open but unseeing, was her father. It took only a second for Eliot to cross the room, drop to his knees and confirm what he already knew…Patrick Hayes was in fact, dead.

Turning his attention to the red head, he reached out for her hand, only to receive no reaction. "It's me sweetheart, it's Eliot," he tried to assure her. She, however, continued to be non-responsive.

He began to ask her what happened, only to hear someone knock on her door. When he answered, he found Samson, the building's security guard. He immediately told him what was going on.

"Are you sure? Does he have a pulse? Is he breathing?"

"No to both…I checked.

"Are there any signs of trauma? Such as wounds or blood?"

"None that I could see, I only touched him to check his pulse."

"I'll contact the police as well as an ambulance. Please stay there until they arrive," he informed him.

"I'm not goin' anywhere."

He returned to Ally, and gently lifted the non-responsive woman into his arms and carried her to the couch, gently sitting her down. When he returned from covering her father's body in respect with a sheet he had gotten from the hall closet, he found her in the exact same position he had left her. Hoping that a cup of tea would help in even the slightest, he headed to the kitchen to make some, only to have his phone ring.

"Did you find Allyson? Is she okay?" Nate asked as soon as he answered.

Eliot sighed as he put the tea pot on the burner. "Yeah, I found her. But I think it's gonna be a while before she's okay."

"What do you mean? What happened?"

"I don't know what happened, but Patrick's dead, Nate."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The next few days were chaotic to say the least.

The police and ambulance had shown up, confirmed that Patrick was, in fact dead, then placed him in a bag and left. The police meanwhile, had tried to get Ally to answer some questions, but she remained the same as Eliot had found her, silent and unmoving.

Kieran was informed, and immediately came home from his business trip in Chicago, only to find Ally at home, circles under her eyes, sitting on the couch, staring at nothing, as Eliot read aloud to her on the couch. It was as easy for him to see, as it had been for all the others; Ally was going through the motions, but it was like watching a puppet moving on invisible strings. Assured by Eliot that they would keep an eye on her, Kieran began making plans for his father's wake, and calling the cemetery in Dublin that Patrick had wanted to be buried next to Ally's mom in.

After a clean autopsy, and a request for his medical records, Patrick Hayes' death had been determined by a post mortem MRI. A ruptured brain aneurysm. Kieran's shocked tone of voice as he told them, expressed his surprise of the news. If Ally was surprised in turn, they couldn't tell.

They held the wake at the pub. Everyone from friends, to employees, to business partners were in attendance. Kieran and Ally accepted condolences dutifully, shaking hands occasionally, even nodding at the proper moments as everyone around them drank, and shared their favorite memories. But Ally remained silent, and the dead expression in Ally's eyes secretly scared him.

"I'm worried about Ally." Sophie announced softly.

Eliot fought the urge to snort. "You're not the only one."

"Alec and I tried her favorite Disney Movie and everything." Parker wasn't even trying to keep the worry out of her voice.

They all looked at Eliot.

"Olivia and I have been takin' turns at her house, and she has yet to speak to either of us."

"Everyone handles grief differently," Nate offered, taking a drink from his whiskey. "All we can do is be there for her."

"Any word on the funeral yet?"

Eliot shook his head at Sophie. "Kieran made the plans for a cremation in Dublin, but that's all I know."

Nate set his whiskey glass down on the table. "I know the timing isn't…ideal, but we have a job."

The speed at which everyone's head whipped around to stare at him in shocked disbelief would have been comical, if not for the serious atmosphere.

"Nate…"

"You've gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me," Eliot growled.

Parker even looked upset. "We can't leave her now. She needs us." She looked to Sophie for confirmation, relieved to get a small nod in return.

"An old friend of mine asked for help. It's a quick job, should only take us a day or two."

Hardison scoffed. "When has any of our jobs taken that little time?"

"Parker is right Nate. Now's not the proper time for another job."

For a brief second, Nate's expression was contrite. "I know. But I owe them."

If looks could injure, then the mastermind would have been hospitalized by the expression the hitter threw his way. After a brief, silent staring match, Eliot growled, then stalked off toward Ally.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Thankfully, the job had gone as smoothly and quickly as Nate had promised. He hadn't wanted to leave Ally, but he had trusted that her brother and her friends would keep an eye on her. And it wasn't like they had been gone for long, only forty eight hours.

Except when he went to check on Ally, he couldn't find her.

"What do you mean she went to Dublin on her own?" the hitter growled out.

He heard the man sigh over the phone. "I had planned to go with her, obviously. But the shareholders are in a panic, and I had to stay behind for an extra day to put out the fire."

"What the hell were you thinkin' Kieran!?"

"I was thinking that I needed to save the company my father built, Spencer. You're acting like I'm not grieving."

"But you're not the one that he fell dead in front of either," the hitter spit out, before hanging up.

In the back of his mind, he thought that he might need to apologize at a later date for the callous remark, but he pushed that thought aside as he unhesitatingly threw a quick duffle bag together, grabbed his passport, keys and wallet, and headed back out. He could sleep on the plane.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Twelve hours later, when he finally made it to the address Kieran had given him, it was to find a flurry of activity. At least a dozen cars were parked in front of the very large, two story, Tudor style house.

He entered a large foyer that opened up into a welcoming family room with high ceilings, where at least fifteen people bustling around. He searched the area, taking in the covered mirrors, before settling on an older woman with black hair, and a stern, but friendly face, that seemed to be ordering everyone else around. "I'm lookin' for Allyson," he announced.

"Well you're not from around here," a young girl commented, walking up to stand next to the older woman. "You're a handsome one too," she added with an appreciative look.

"Brigid, not now. Please go and see if the gardener is here yet."

"Fine mom. But I was only flirting a bit," she defended, giving Eliot one last, lust filled gaze, before walking away.

"You said you were here…"

"Did someone mention Allyson? Has she been found?" a man in his early thirties interrupted, literally skidding to a stop near them.

Eliot's eyes turned sharply to the young man at his words. "What do you mean 'been found'?"

"I'm Meara, an old friend of the family," the woman introduced. "What did you say your name was?

"I didn't, but it's Eliot. How long's she been missin'?"

"For the last hour at least," the man answered, giving Eliot a once over. "I'm Gavin," he introduced, holding out his hand. The hitter just stared at him.

"We'll find her Gavin," Meara assured him. "Why don't you go and see if the cleaners are done with the family room," she suggested.

"Okay, but let me know when Ally is found," he all but pleaded before walking off.

Meara sighed. "I swear, he can deny it all he wants, but everyone knows he's still in love with her," she muttered.

"With Ally?" The thought tugged something in his gut.

"Oh yes, they grew up together. He was devastated when her father moved them to Boston. Anyway, I imagine you're here for the funeral and the gathering afterwards?"

"I'm here to see Ally," he repeated. "Gavin said she was missin'?"

The older woman smiled. "She's always done this. She'll show up eventually. Used to drive her father mad with worry whenever she did. She had their driver wrapped around her little finger."

"Meara, we have a problem, the caterers have cancelled," a woman rushed out, looking frantic.

"Goodness, it's not the end of the world Katherine. I'm sorry Eliot, it was lovely to meet you, but as you can see, I have to go stop a 'catastrophe'. Maybe I'll see ye again later," she told him with a warm smile, before walking off with the other woman.

Walking back outside, he stopped to think. It had been years since he had been to Ireland, and it had not been to vacation. He had no idea where to start looking for her. When it began to mist, he pulled his beanie over his head and zipped up his jacket, as the weather had apparently dropped a few degrees in the span of a few short minutes. Making a decision, he pulled out his cell phone.

"Man, I've told you about callin' me before ten am when we're not workin'," Hardison complained groggily.

"Shut up, I need a favor," he barked irritably.

"Well that's hardly the type of tone to be usin' on someone you just…"

"I need you to get the gps on Ally's phone and tell me where she is," he interrupted.

"I already showed you how to do this man."

"It's not workin'," he grumbled. "Could you hurry up?"

"Damn man, give me a minute," the hacker snapped back.

As he waited, Eliot headed back to the truck he had rented and started up the heater..

"Okay man, I've got her moving…what the…Eliot? Are you in Ireland?! The hacker exclaimed, suddenly sounding much more awake.

"I don't have time for this Hardison, tell me where she is," he growled.

"Find, but later, you owe me an explanation…and that curry dish I like," he added.

"Alright," Eliot agreed, silently planning on ways to hurt him.

"She's heading west on the M7."

"Send it to my phone."

"Sure hold on…okay, there you go."

Pushing a couple of buttons on his cell, showed him the map that Hardison had just sent him with a red dot moving west. "Thanks" he said curtly.

"Wow, a thank you…it must be…" But the hacker realized that the line was dead. "Figures, ungrateful," he muttered, heading back to bed. "That curry better be awesome," he grumbled, pulling the blanket back over himself and drifting back to sleep.

The gps locator let Eliot away from the touristy areas of the cliffs, to an area that looked unfrequented by visitors. Parking the truck next to the waiting car, he got out and jogged to the edge of the cliffs where he could make out a lone figure standing. Even if he didn't have gps, her bright red hair fluttering in the breeze would have given her away. The mist had by this time become more insistent, and was now actually sprinkling, causing a chill to begin seeping into his bones.

He had barely made it to her side before she began talking, and he wasn't sure if he was more surprised that she knew it was him, which he shouldn't be by this point, or the fact that this was the first time he had heard her speak in days.

"I remember when I started preschool when I was four. I couldn't understand why I sounded different from everyone else. It made it hard to make friends." Her attention never wavered from the sea as she continued. "I remember coming home on my first day of school crying, because a boy had called me weird, because of my lack of an Irish accent. After calming me down, my father immediately packed us in the car, and drove three hours to get here. I was in awe; it was the first time I had ever seen the ocean. And to see it from this perspective…it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. He told me to watch how the ocean waves washed over the rocks. He told me, "Ally, place all the insults, and names they call you on those rocks, and just let the waves carry them away. Then he told me that if I ever had a really bad day again, that he would bring me to this spot and I could just let the ocean carry my troubles away." She paused for a moment, giving Eliot a chance to let the words sink in. "Even after the accident, he still brought me. I thought that this had been taken from me as well, until he explained that sight was not required to enjoy the ocean and let her do her job. I just learned to listen to her instead," she concluded.

Eliot looked out at the ocean, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty, before turning back to the subject of his concern. This was the first she had spoken since he found her next to her father's body, so he took that as a step forward. But she still seemed to be running on auto pilot. The fact that she was standing outside in rainy, cold weather without proper outerwear only strengthened his worry.

"She's not doing her job today Eliot," she admitted quietly.

Reaching out, he gently touched her elbow. "Let's get you warm."

He led her to his car, pausing near where her driver was waiting, long enough to tell him he was a friend, and would take her back. The man immediately got Eliot's silent approval when he spoke Ally's name softly, who gave him a quiet nod, before getting back in the car and driving away. The chill he felt on her skin worried him, so he quickly got her to the car and got the heater going, hoping to warm up her.

The drive back to her house was silent. He had hoped that her speech at the cliffs had been a turning point, but obviously, he was wrong. They encountered Meara quickly upon their return, who smiled, and simply patted Ally's hand, saying she had everything under control, and that Ally didn't have to worry about anything. Gavin must have been told about her return, because he showed up less than five minutes after they arrived, eyes bright with happiness and relief.

"Oh thank God," he breathed out, taking Ally's hand in his. "I..we were so worried. Meara said not to be, but…"

Eliot couldn't take his eyes off her hands in Gavin's. Ally hadn't even acknowledged the younger man, or met his gaze the entire time he talked to her. Placing a hand at her waist, he gently started to steer her away. "I thought I would take her to her room. Let her have some quiet, before the funeral."

The younger man's eyes widened, as he quickly let go of her hands. "Oh…of course. It's understandable that you would…I mean…with everyone around getting everything prepared for…if you need anything, just let me…I mean, you could ask anyone really…I'll…I'll see you later…alright?"

His bumbling, mixed with the flushing of his cheeks, and adoration in his eyes, confirmed what Meara had said…the boy was clearly in love with Ally. She still hadn't acknowledged either of them as Eliot pulled her a little closer, and led her up the stairs.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The funeral was held at St Mary of the Angels. Ally sat next to him in a black sheath dress with a small black veil covering her face. Kieran had shown up an hour before, having had to change in the car on the ride from the airport. There were at least a hundred and fifty people in attendance, proof that Patrick Hayes had been well loved and liked.

The priest had said his words on how death wasn't the ending, and how Patrick Hayes would be welcomed through heaven's gates, before Kieran stepped up to take the priest's place, and spoke a few good words about his father, before telling an amusing story Patrick had told him about his first attempt at building his business, that received multiple chuckles from the people present.

And then it was Ally's turn. He truly expected her not to get up, but she surprised him by slowly rising and approaching the pulpit.

"My mother…she had a favorite poem that was read at her funeral," she began softly, seemingly taking a deep breath before continuing. "After she…died, it became a balm to my father. He read it so often, I though the book it was in would have to be replaced." People in the audience chuckled, but when her face remained unchanged, they quickly quieted. "I would like to read it now… I think he would like that." Eliot watched as she took a deep breath, and closed her eyes.

"Do not stand by my grave, and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning's hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand by my grave, and cry—
I am not there, I did not die."

And with that, she walked back over to her place next to Eliot and sat back down.

The funeral had concluded shortly after, and then the procession proceeded to the cemetery, where a few more words were spoken, before he was laid in the ground next to Ally's mom. Currently, about half of the funeral guests were milling around Ally's childhood home, talking in soft voices, drinking finely aged whiskey, while eating from plates of Shepherd's Pie and cake. Ally remained in a chair in the corning of the den, a glass of her father's favorite whiskey in her hand, neutrally watching her surroundings.

Occasionally, someone would pause next to her, offer their condolences, and try to strike up a conversation, only to get a polite nod in response, before they moved on. He saw Kieran look over at her a few times, checking on her in his own way, and Meara had fixed her a plate with small portions, which still sat on the table next to her untouched, almost an hour later. Eliot spent his time making small talk with the guests, sharing a couple of worried looks with Kieran, and keeping an eye on Ally.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The gathering had lasted until almost eleven in the evening, at which point, Ally quietly made her way back up to her room, and Kieran had shown him to a room a few doors down that he could use for his stay. As there had been nothing else to do, he had explored until he found the library, easily found a book, and took it back to his room, where he had stayed, until he woke up from a dead sleep around three am.

He pulled on his jeans and shirt, intending to make his way downstairs to make some tea, but a sudden need to check on Ally, pulled him down the hallway to her room instead.

Quietly, as not to wake her, he slowly opened the door, only to find her bed empty. Thinking she had had the same idea as him, he turned to leave, but stopped when he saw the light under the bathroom door. Not fully understanding why, he padded to the door to check on her, and heard the shower running…as well someone sobbing. Whether it was to make sure that she hadn't hurt herself, or because something in his chest tugged at him, he didn't know, but he was sure that later he would convince himself it was the former.

"Ally? You okay in there? He called out gently as he cracked the door open, having to take a step back as a cloud of steam escaped. "Ally?" he tried again, before opening the door fully.

He was met with a large, nicely decorated room in shades of cream and mint green, with marble counters and large tile flooring. As he made his way over to stand next to the shower that could have easily fit four people, he paused, unsure of what to do. He knew what to do in almost any given situation, but present him with a crying woman, and his mind went blank. Where was Sophie when he needed her? She was much better at this type of thing. The steam had built so thick, that he couldn't see a damn thing through the glass walls. "Ally? Could you answer me please? Let me know you're okay at least sweetheart," he pleaded, only to be met with quiet sobbing. Throwing good sense out the window, he opened the shower door and gave the steam a moment to escape, expecting to find her injured, only to find her on the floor, her arms around her knees, crying as the water sprayed over her reddened skin, plastering her hair to her face.

His heart twisted at the sight of this girl…no, woman, that brought sunshine and happiness where ever she went, in such a state. The gut wrenching grief poured off of her like a tidal wave, manifesting itself into something that Eliot could almost feel himself.

"I'm so cold Eliot," she hiccupped between her sobbing, lifting her head up to look toward him. "I thought the shower would help, but I can't get warm," she sobbed, rocking herself the tiniest bit.

Anyone else might have worried for her mental health, but the sigh that escaped him was one of relief over the fact that she was finally grieving. He reached in and turned the water off, then grabbed a towel from the shelf on the wall next to the shower, before stepping in, unhesitatingly to help her stand so he could wrap it around her small frame. She allowed him to lead her to the bed, where he sat her down, before going to her dresser, and finding a long t-shirt before returning to her. Wordlessly, he made quick work of drying her off as best he could, and pulled the t-shirt over her head. Her crying calmed as he laid her back in the bed, and covered her with the comforter.

"Eliot? Why are you here?" she murmured.

He paused at the doorway and turned. "I couldn't sleep, and I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"No…I meant, why are you here in Ireland?"

And there it was, the question that he had been asking himself since getting on the plane. He looked down at her, trying to formulate the words that usually came out, but they didn't feel right. She laid there, bundled up in a comforter three times her size, her hair spread around her like fire, eyes puffy from crying, and all he could think to himself was that she…

"I just thought someone should be here for you," he answered finally.

She reached out, and realizing she was searching for his hand, he offered it. "Thank you for supporting me today. I don't know…I hope you know…" she sighed softly. "I'm so very lucky to have you."

A warmth spread through him at her words. He realized he liked the feeling of being appreciated and needed not for his skills, but for just being himself. But those words…Her hand slackened in his, and he realized that she was finally falling asleep. Deciding it was time for him to leave and get more sleep himself, he went to let go of her hand, only to have her grip it tighter.

"Would you…stay with me?" she asked almost timidly. "It's just…I sleep better…when you're around."

The damn nightmares.

"Just until I fall asleep?" She must have mistaken his silence for rejection as she started to pull her hand away. "You don't have to Eliot, that's okay."

He squeezed her hand before releasing it and walking around the bed. When he settled behind her, she let out a sigh of relief and relaxed. Cautiously, she reached back and grabbed his arm wrapping it around her waist. "Thank you," she whispered, wrapping her hand around his.

And with that one act, he knew without a doubt, how dear to him she actually was. The rest of the team were his friends, yes, but they had been thrown together by unusual circumstances, working their way from colleagues to acquaintances, and then finally friends. But this woman, she had voluntarily decided to befriend him, bringing with her a sunny outlook to almost any given situation, being a sounding board when he needed someone to listen, and a distraction when the job became too much, even putting smiles on his face, and filling him with a calm he hadn't felt in a long time.

That's why there was no hesitation when he decided to come to Ireland. He wanted to be here for her, like she always was for him. That was all.

His plan had been to slip out after she fell asleep, only to fall asleep himself. Which he realized he had done, when her screams woke him up two hours later. He tried to soothe her in her sleep, but she still jerked up to a sitting position moments later, a cry for her father on her lips. His arms were around her immediately, and after a moment of startled struggling, she realized it was him and melted into his embrace, crying against his chest. She didn't seem to need words, which was fine with him, since he found words at moments like these to be meaningless and unhelpful; all she seemed to require was his silent comfort as she grieved.

"I was arguing with him," she whispered in a choking sob, minutes later. "I was trying to show him my online business, and he was trying to convince me to move back home again. I told him what I told you, that I have worked hard for my independence, and bad things are going to happen, but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up. I tried to show him the new security you and Alec had installed. I explained that I was talking to my therapist about it, and working through what happened. But he wouldn't listen. I left the office in the middle of him…raising his voice, to go to the kitchen to makes some tea. When he still hadn't followed me after a couple of minutes…I…I went to check…check on him, and found…I found him…."

She didn't have to finish, he knew the rest of the story.

"I was arguing with both my mom, and my dad when they died. If it's not my fault, why does it feel that way?" And with those words, she went silent and buried herself into his chest as much as she could and just cried.

"Ally…your parent's deaths were not your fault. One was an accident, and the other was an unpreventable event. The fact that you were arguing with them was just a horrible coincidence." Unconsciously, he pressed a kiss in her hair. "I know nothin' I can say is gonna convince you right now, but one day, you'll realize that."

After what must have been another ten minutes, her crying began to subside until the room was met with silence. "You should go to bed Eliot. You need rest as well. I can't expect you to stay here all night because I'm having nightmares."

Without a word, he laid back down, taking her with him until she was curled up against his side with her arm across his waist. "Nothin' you haven't done for me," he told her.

"They're really gone Eliot," she whimpered in a voice full of such agony that he wished it was something physical that he could hit, as long as it meant she wouldn't hurt anymore.

He knew there were no words to make things better. "Get some sleep, I ain't goin' anywhere," he promised, pulling her closer.

"You take such good care of me Eliot," she murmured through a yawn. "Why is that?" she asked drowsily.

"Because you're important to me," he answered easily, surprising himself at the admission.

Of course she didn't hear, as she was already asleep. Instead, it gave the hitter a moment to grasp that this was the second time he had slept with a woman that didn't include sex. The same woman to be exact. More so was the important epiphany that he was perfectly comfortable with what their relationship had evolved into, and decided that he would do whatever was needed to help her through this.

driving me crazy to the point that I want to kill him, and I don't know what to do!

AN: Hi everyone, I'm so sorry I kept you guys waiting…yet again. Life has been very messy. Finishing my Cancer Treatment (YAY Cancer Free!), AND having to find a new place to live.

I know a lot happened in this chapter, and I hope it didn't feel rushed, but I'm trying to move things along a bit. I hope you all enjoyed.

A big thank you to all the new followers. =)