So, here I am. Finally posting another long awaited chapter.

Chapter 18.

Alec Hardison was an emotional being. He had accepted that long ago. Nana had said it wasn't a bad thing and he believed her. This however, was bordering on ridiculous. He was a grown ass man, he should not be huddled over a desk weeping like a child. Reading the reports had been bad enough, but when he stumbled on the pictures, his stomach lurched and sank all at the same time. Some images were unforgettable. He would never get the image of tiny Eliot, battered and bruised out of his head. Those God damn eyes! So bright with fear and who the hell knew what else. Why had no one intervened?

Fuck, he'd seen pictures and video of Eliot being tortured but nothing compared to this! What could a child so tiny possibly have done to warrant such violence? Sure, he understood discipline. Nana had put him over her knees several times, but this just made him sick. Getting your ass whooped for endangering yourself or causing trouble was one thing. The bruises and broken bones Eliot sustained over a ten year period couldn't, in any way, shape, or form be considered discipline, though. No wonder Eliot had been so on edge lately.

Steeling himself, Alec slowed his tears and wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt. It wouldn't do for Eliot to see him like this. Eliot, who protected everyone, but allowed no one to do the same for him. Eliot who entertained Parker's particular brand of crazy with a good natured laugh. Eliot, who picked on him to no end, but would fight anyone else for doing the same. Wrapping his arms around himself, Alec went in search of Eliot.

"Stubborn ass. I'm hugging the shit outta you when I see you. And I'm letting Parker do the same! I'ma let her hug me too, cause I need it right now."

Spotting Eliot on the sofa with a book, Hardison plopped down beside him, leaning into the hitter's space, jarring the book as he did so. Why did the man insist on physical copies when anything he wanted could be downloaded onto his tablet?

"I found a lot of interesting things when I searched those names you gave me."

"Did you now? That why your eyes are swollen and blood shot?"

"Would you at least put the book down and look at me for a minute?"

Placing his bookmark in the book, Eliot glanced at the hacker. He looked rough. Guilt spiked in him at the thought that he had somehow caused the younger man to look so forlorn. He should never have had Hardison do any of this. What was he thinking?

"I'm sorry. I should have done the research myself. You should never have had to see any of that. My job is to protect y'all and I didn't."

Without thinking, Alec launched himself at the Hitter, long arms wrapping around hard muscle.

"Maybe, just for a while, you can let us protect you. Can you honestly say that seeing those pictures and reading the reports wouldn't have affected you?"

Eliot sighed and gave up trying to get out of Hardison's octopus like hold.

"No. But now you're upset, and that's my fault."

"Eliot, if you ever try to take the blame for the shit that was done to you again, I'ma git Parker on you."

"Please don't let her see any of this stuff. It would break her heart."

"See, there you go, looking out for everybody but you. Just chill and let me handle this, alright? I know that isn't how you operate, but it's gonna have to be for a while. Besides, Parker already knows some stuff. She's knows you've been hurt too many times to count."

"O.k., I think this little heart to heart is over. Can you not…do that?"

"Do what? Hug you?"

Letting Eliot slide out of his hold, Alec sat up, looking out the window.

"What do want me to do with the info I found?"

Eliot took a shaky breath and released it.

"Call everybody together. Show it to them. They deserve to know. If they have any questions, ask John."

"Where will you be?"

"Out."

Alec watched his friend head toward the front the door before he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He did not look forward to this meeting. Maybe Nate could take point on this now. Alec had seen enough of abused Eliot to last several life times.

I know it's short, but at least it's something. More to come in the next few weeks on all of my stories. Thanks for sticking with me. Sometimes I get busy.