"'They' is those in charge here. Callen, Hanna, Vance. This place is run with a chain of command like any agency. The motto since the ranch is 'Do as we say, or leave'," Eliot said. "Also, they really are a gun-happy group. Everyone carries but two of us. There is no belief that hand-to-hand trumps a gun. Since I can't use effectively, I'm not qualified in their eyes to be part of the team because I 'can't protect my partner'."
Eliot never was told directly this was the case, but he could fill in the blanks very easily. It'd been this way since he'd lost his sight at the base.
"I was already given the opportunity to teach at the ranch. I failed." Eliot really hated talking about it, about Alexis' and Callen's comments, and moved on immediately.
"I asked about the medical training from Vance, and he'd said no at the time. April was busy with more important things." Eliot hadn't brought it up again after that until now, mainly because he'd been imprisoned in the office. He squeezed her hand.
"I can see well enough to function almost normally," Eliot said. "I have a cane. I can run over terrain I know without problem. I can run with a partner - April and I did it at the last attack. I work around my limitations just fine. Doesn't mean that those in charge want me in a position that potentially endangers the others."