After the nurse had left Abigail realised Eliot's hand was still on hers. He picked it up and tapped on it, as if to get her to turn and look. Her knuckles were bruised.

"Looks like you throw a bit of a punch," he said proudly.

"Well, you were always on about me having to protect myself," she replied.

"Glad to see it stuck," he grinned.

"Why would someone attack me? They didn't even try to take my money or anything. It was purely as if they wanted to just.." she trailed off.

"Just what?"

"Hurt me." They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"I'm sorry," Eliot finally said.

"You already said," she said bitterly.

"And you're feeling okay?"

"Oh I'm just fine. This rib feels just great," she replied sarcastically.

"Ya know kid, you give me this attitude but last I checked you were in Australia; the other damn side of the world! And I don't think you made way here just to piss me off, or are you one of those teenagers?" The girl raised an eyebrow.

"You stopped writing!" she said angrily. "You used to send letters and emails and that was enough to let me know that you hadn't completely abandoned me or," she took a deep breath. "Or something hadn't gone wrong. Then eight months ago; nothing. I called, I emailed but you never sent me no messages, you never sent me no letters. You've got some kind nerve to do that to me!"

"Then why are you here?"

"I wanted my family back," she replied simply and Eliot sighed.

"You know that necklace?" he finally said as he gestured at her neck and pulled out a matching pair from beneath his shirt. "Do you remember when you gave me this?" He asked referring to the engraved heart/guitar pick shaped pendant, one hanging around both of their necks. She smiled in response and at that moment, Eliot knew he had broken down a barrier.

"I was six. I kept on asking ma to get me a pair of dog tags just like yours. I practically begged her. She finally let up." A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"And right before I left for work, must have been a few weeks after your ma's funeral, you switched one of my dog tags for this," Eliot said.

"I didn't want you to forget me."

"Why would I ever forget you? Everything I've done, the good and the bad, you were the one thing that kept me going."

The doctor and the police came in at the same time. The police asked her some standard questions and then finished by stating that it was unlikely they'd ever find the perpetrators. Eliot nodded in agreement. The doctor spoke up next, giving her advice and information on her broken rib and then stated she was being discharged, but to come in for a check-up.

"So what now Abs?" He asked.

"Actually, people usually call me AJ."

"Yeah, that's not happening but I do have a spare room." He stated simply. If their relationship was going to progress any more, Eliot realised, she would have to be the one make to a move, not him.

"Okay." She said simply. "But you have to tell me the truth."

"I will, I promise, just, after I finish working on something."

The team pulled up at the hospital; they had made the mistake of letting Parker drive and had gotten there in record time. They piled out of car and went to the trunk, pulling out a lab coat and doctor's ID for Sophie. Hardison handed the team their ear buds and they made for the entrance. Before they could reach it however, they saw Eliot exiting the building, pushing a teenager in a wheelchair. Parker began to run forward to greet him but Nate stopped her with his arm. "We never saw this." He simply stated.

"Why?" asked Hardison.

"Because this is his business. He'll come to us if he needs or has to. But do you think he'll ever trust us if he knew we were spying on him," said Nate.

"But we weren't spying, we just wanted to help." Parker stated.

"Do you think he'll see it that way?" Replied Sophie.

"Let's get back to the bar. And give Eliot a call. I'm meeting with the Italian later and hopefully we'll finally be able to make a move on Muroe."

AN- Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, new one up in a few days

Prize in the form of a virtual cupcake to the person who figure out the chapter names (for the ones with out The Past... You say something about that and you lose a virtual cupcake =) )

Keep reviewing 'cus I love to see your feedback