Re: Derek/Eliot
Eliot was concerned when Derek said they needed to talk about Nick. Nick hadn't done anything out-of-line or caused an explosive reaction from others of late, that Eliot knew. Eliot followed Derek upstairs - stairs he could see now - and into the room.
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask what was wrong, when Derek went into a strongly worded dressing down. First Eliot had a flash of anger, then confusion, then it was back to anger again. He folded his arms to keep his violence in check.
"I wouldn't do anything to harm Nick in any fashion," Eliot said, clipped. "I did not fondle April, and I especially wouldn't do that sort of thing with anyone in front of a kid." The incrimination burned. "It's a misunderstanding, one I would have cleared up immediately if Nick had said something."
Eliot dug his fingers into his arm. As angry as he was at being accused for abusing a child like that, he was triply angry with himself for causing the whole situation.