Chapter 17

"What did you get yourself into El?" Aaron had come back to the room to find it empty. He had walked around it a bit to extract some nervous energy but now he found himself sitting in this horribly uncomfortable plastic piece of half rate chair facing the window. "Sarah's beyond pissed and your boyfriend just disappeared on me and I don't even know what's going on with you." Aaron sighed out feeling beyond overwhelmed. "What am I supposed to be doing right now?"

"You have ten seconds to tell me who you are and what you want before I break your neck." And suddenly there was an extreme pressure around his neck that had his eyes beginning to water. "8" He was trying to loosen her grip but she obviously knew what she was doing. "6" He couldn't even reach around from his current position let alone get up. "4" His chest was beginning to burn and if there was actually enough air in his lungs to do so he was sure he'd be wheezing. "2"

"Parker!" Hardison yelled shocked by the sight that met him. "Let him go!"

"Not until I find out why he's here." Her eyes were dark and her arm didn't loosen.

"Well dead men don't tend to speak." He started trying to pull her back, he doubted this was the situation Eliot had in mind when he taught her the hold he clearly recognized her using.

"Fine," She let go glad to see him doubled over and gasping. "but one wrong word and I'll slit your throat."

Quickly pouring a glass of water Hardison offered it to the man. He waited for him to take a few sips before asking, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah but I think the psych ward lost a patient." Aaron answered gruphly as he rubbed his throat. The woman was eyeing him dangerously and even though he hadn't seen any weapons he was sure she'd make good on her threat.

"So Aaron A. Spencer from 1213 Lime St. who sent you?" Parker rolled her eyes at the clearly bogus information.

"Is that my drivers license?" Aaron quickly padded his pockets only to find his wallet missing.

"I'm the one who's asking the questions now answer me!" The shriek that left her lips had him complying.

"No one sent me."

"Lies!"

"I don't even know you people! Why would I be lieing? I'm not lookin' for any problems I just came to see my brother." These two were clearly insane and as soon as he was sure the blonde wouldn't attack again he fully intended on turning them in.

"Brother?" That caught Hardisons attention.

"Yes. I'm his brother and you'd be?"

"What's your brothers name?" Parker asked instead.

"Eliot."

"Hah! No it isn't!" That earned her two sets of confused eyes.

"Yeah it is. Maybe you've got the wrong room yourself but the man in that bed is Eliot Spencer." Aaron found himself standing as she moved closer, he didn't trust her.

"Then what's his middle name?" Parker stepped right into his personal space without hesitation.

"Ethan"

"Double E?" Hardison was skeptical with that, though he had to admit that there were similarities even if they were vague.

"Yes double E. The same reason I'm Aaron Andrew and our sister is Sarah Stephanie."

"Eliot Ethan Spencer?" Parker huffed.

"YES"

"That is the stupidist thing I've ever heard!"

"Well that would be my mother. If you don't like it go take it up with her." Aaron took a step back as he kept his eyes locked with the petite womans.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Hardison knew Nate had called Eliots family. He had given him the number for one A. Spencer but how was he supposed to know if this guy was the real deal. How did he know that he wasn't an impersonator who had gotten information the same way he had. Albeit his searches on Eliot had come up empty until Nate provided him with some details but still.

"I say we take blood." Parker interrupted whatever Aaron was going to say as she moved closer. She didn't know where Nate had gotten off to but she planned on getting rid of this man before he tried something. After that she'd have to stay with Eliot since it was obvious everyone else seemed to disappear.

"Who are you?" He had been raised better but right now he was very tempted to hit this woman, if for nothing more than self defence. First she chokes him and now she was looking way too excited with the thought of making him bleed.

"Friends" Hardisons tone was near dismissive as he watched Parker carefully.

"It's nice to see that Eliot has friends that are so protective but as much as I'd love to stay and chat I think I'll just be going." He was saying whatever he thought would please the woman long enough to make his exit.

"Yeah.. No, I don't think so." Parker shook her head as she blocked his path.

"You can't keep me here." He fully intended on moving past the girl but suddenly he was blocked by two.

"Hey man, calm down. Let me have a quick look, confirm what you've been sayin'. If you're really who you say you are then you wont mind sittin' there with your bro a little longer." Hardison had already pulled his phone out wondering what kind of counter measures Eliot would have taken with his family.

"He's not what I'll mind." Aaron grumbled as he crossed his arms. He had no idea what the other man was talking about but if it got him out the door he'd comply. After that he planned on finding Nate and getting answers to the freak show he was currently part of.

"What's going on here?" Nate had been asked to go down and fill out some papers, he had been hesitant to leave but in his short absence he hadn't expected to come back to this.

"He was trying to kill Eliot." Parker pointed like a toddler tattling.

"I... What? These two are crazy! I don't know what the hell's going on here Nate but I'd like an explanation!" Aaron yelled feeling more comfortable now that someone he knew was present.

"Aaron just..."

"She just accused me of trying to kill my brother!"

"Hardison go find Sophie." At least he had the decency to look apologetic.

"Parker just... just go." He was sure she had thought she was helping but now he was left with alot of dirt to sweep up. Explaining their relationship now seemed like cake compared to how he'd rationalize Parker believing someone would want to kill Eliot.

"Is he really Eliots brother?" Parker hadn't moved dispite Hardisons pulling on her arm, now that Nate was there she found herself experiencing a cautious curiousity.

"Why is that so hard to believe!" Aaron was looking extremely confused.

"Aaron calm down." Nate was looking at Eliot. How could he not have woken with all this yelling?

"Calm down? That woman just tried to strangle me!"

The look on Parkers face showed no denial and Hardison was mearly scrolling on his phone leaving Nate to wonder if he had been there for that part or if he had just temporarily lost all judgement and sanity.

Three sets of questioning eyes finally pulled Nate from his thoughts. "Lets... Come on. We're going to go find Sophie and then we'll sit and... no that doesn't work... you know what we'll find Soph and then I'll explain since it seems like I'm the only one who has the complete story."

Even in his current situation having a plan was still calming.

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His head was pounding and clouded and he found himself biting back a pain filled groan. The achingly numb feeling that seemed to be everywhere had him near panicking but none of this had been the cause of his awakening.

No, it had been the harsh voices. The shouts that kept getting louder and that was why even through his fog filled mind he stayed completely still not wanting to bring himself any unwanted attention.

He couldn't make out what was being said but it sounded strangely familiar, like Parker and Hardisons banter, but then why would they be yelling? And wait, was that his brother? No, that couldn't be right. There was no way those three could have gotten together, this was some kind of a head game.

That would explain the sluggish feeling but he didn't remember being drugged let alone taken. The last thing he remembered was yelling at Nate in his truck or so he thought. Had that really happened?

Nate? It was kind of a guarantee he was hallucinating when he suddenly heard the very man he had been thinking of. Right now he should probably be on alert, be calculating injuries but he found himself drifting instead.

Even if the sense of security he was feeling was hallucinatory he allowed himself to succumb to sleep once more, never opening his eyes. Nate would keep him safe for the moment even if it be safety from his own mind which seemed to be the only real threat at the moment.