Tell me Why?

Summary: Eric works hard to be useful, he also works hard to keep his past a secret. But now due to things out of his control, everything is changing even though he desperately wishes it wouldn't. No romance as of yet.

Character(s): Eric Beale, Linda Beale (maiden name Martin), Conrad Beale, Ruth Beale (Eric's younger sister), NECESSARY OC's, Callen, Sam, Deeks, Kensi, Nate?, Hetty, Mike Renko, Vance, Abby Scuito (maybe), and other random people might show up from time to time.

Warning(s): Suicidal minor Character, Mentions of deaths, a toddler dies, drinking, mental and emotional abuse, brief physical abuse, depression, suicidal thoughts, secrets, Eric's not so happy childhood, deaf, sign language, speaking in other languages, yelling, offensive comments, DO NOT READ IF TRIGGERED EASILY, lying, trust issues, panic attacks, running away from issues, more tags will be added as the story progresses.

I do not own NCIS LA

For the sake of this story, Eric Beale was born September 18, 1984.

Takes place after G, Callen but before season 2 begins. In this story Deeks never went missing and returned from his undercover OP a while ago. THIS IS NOT CANON IT IS A AU STORY

He was running late.

In all the years he's worked for N.C.I.S he's never been late before. Usually he'd come into work early just to get everything set up before the team came in. But today he was late.

Three hours late.

And it was all because of one phone call. Eric knew he should probably call Hetty or even leave a message to one of the others cells to let them know he was running late but if he were being honest he wasn't sure he could get on the phone without possibly crying.

His long time friend, his brother; Tyler was missing.

Kaitlin, Tyler's wife of five years now had called him and told him what was going on. Tyler never came home two days ago, and after 24 hours had passed she filed a missing persons report but when the police still hadn't found anything she called him. Eric couldn't help but think of Dom in moments like this. He was a bit upset that Kaitlin didn't call him the moment she noticed Tyler was missing but then again finding out your husband was missing and being left home with your two year old daughter was enough to make anybody a bit forgetful.

Shaking Eric pushed himself to get off the floor, where he had fallen halfway through Kaitlin's call, and walk towards the bedroom closet. He needed to get ready for work, Hetty would kill him if he just decided not to show up. Opening his closet Eric reached out to grab the first thing he saw; a dark green sweatshirt with "I can't hear you", written across the front in white. It was Tyler's...he had bought it as a joke years ago and gave it to Eric when it got to small for him.

Standing there staring at the sweatshirt, Eric was tempted just to crawl into the comforting space of his closet but he knew if he did then he wouldn't be getting out anytime soon.

The sudden loud ringing of his cell phone jolted Eric away front the closet, stumbling back a few feet he turned and snatched his cell phone of the covers of his bed.

"H-Hello?"

"Mr. Beale! I know how tempting it must be for you to continue surfing but let's not forget you do have a job!"

"Uh, Yes I know." Eric swallowed and decided not to bother correcting where he was, "S-Sorry Hetty. I'll be there soon." Hanging up before she could say another word, Eric grabbed a beige part of cargo shorts and quickly changed into them along with Tyler's sweatshirt. Putting on a pair of flip flops Eric ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame it before running out the front door and just barely remembering to lock his apartment door behind him.

Usually he'd walk to work since he always surfed every morning at the closest beach, but since he didn't get the chance to this morning, Eric drove to work instead.

Hitting the four hour mark of being late, Eric parked haphazardly and ran inside only pausing to show his ID to security. When he didn't see anyone downstairs he took the stairs two at a time up to the Ops room. The doors opened and he ran into the room, only sliding briefly due to his flip flops losing traction. Panting slightly Eric looked up and saw the whole team staring at him.

"How nice of you to join us Mr. Beale! Now as I was saying," Hetty gestured towards the big screen, "Petty Officer's O'Neil and Johnson were both seen outside of Tiki Ti. O'Neil's body was found out back in the parking lot at 3:15AM this morning when the last of the bar's workers were heading home."

"Tiki Ti?" Eric repeated his eyebrows widening slightly.

"You know it?" Sam asked staring at him oddly.

"Uhh yeah?" Eric rubbed the back of his neck grinning, "It's on 4427 Sunset Blvd. They sell these amazing tropical drinks, how strong depends on which one you order. Oh! And they have the best food I've ever eaten!" Eric thought back to how the last time he had been to Tiki Ti was about a month or two ago and that was with Tyler...

"Really? I have got to try one." Deeks grinned but at the looks Sam and Hetty were shooting him he quickly added, "When the case is over I mean. I wouldn't try to drink any now."

Hetty nodded slightly, "Even so, Mr. Hana and Mr. Callen will be going over there while you Mr. Deeks are going to go with Ms. Blye to speak to O'Neil's parents. Mr. Beale if you would send the addresses to the team?"

"Oh uh, right." Eric forced himself to concentrate and walked around everyone, well aware of their eyes on him, and sit down at the computers. Without even realizing the rest of the team leaving the room Eric was startled when he finally turned back around and saw just Hetty and Nate standing behind him. "Was there something you guys needed?"

"Is everything alright Mr. Beale?" Hetty asked after a moment.

"Huh?" Eric tilted his head slightly, "Yeah everything's fine."

Hetty and Nate both looked at each other before looking back at Eric.

"You've been playing with the loose strings on your sleeve ever since you walked in here." Nate stated staring at Eric's hands causing Eric to look down himself.

"Oh." Eric held his hand up away from his sleeve and stared at it wondering what to do with it before settling on just dropping it limply onto his lap. Looking back over at his friends Eric forced a wide smile and said, "Seriously, I'm fine. Just a bit anxious about this new board I wanna try out."

"I see," Hetty said simply, "Well do be careful. Your may enjoy surfing Mr. Beale but it isn't the safest hobby to have."

"Right." Eric muttered before turning back towards the computer and ignoring Hetty and Nate all together. After all, he had work to do.