Hey everyone! I know it has been forever since I posted my last story, but I'm ready to get back at it. :) I hope you guys like this chapter. I've always found it interesting that we do not know much about Nell's past and this is why I wrote this. Please review :D

Kenzie.

When Nell had came to NCIS she was worried that her past would have to be revisited and that she would have to tell her new team all of the secrets that she had purposely kept locked in the closet. She was glad that her new team had their own secrets and they understood the importance of privacy. Hetty was right when she had said they would respect her privacy and would not even broach the subject of her past unless absolutely necessary or unless Nell herself brought it up. When Hetty sent her into the field twice and Nell was permitted to carry a gun, she had been anxious that someone would ask her how she had gained the knowledge to shoot a gun or other questions that would require her to answer. She knew that the agents were very good at their jobs and they would know how to get the information out of her. They were exceptional at asking open ended questions and manipulating a person to do what they wanted them to do. This had always intimidated Nell because she did not want to have to relive her past. They hadn't asked questions though and Nell had been grateful. She wanted the team to just think of her as someone who had grown up with her family intact and someone who was a genius. She didn't want to shatter her reputation by unlocking the closet and letting the monsters come out. Truth be told, she didn't know if she would ever be able to face the team again if they knew anything about her history. She had done her best to keep everything swept under the rug and had only accepted the position with Hetty's promise that she would never speak a word of it to anyone. Not even Nate had known the whole story. Every night she revisited that dreadful day…blood had been everywhere, Anthony had laid there begging her for help, screams had come from the other room and she had heard the shots. She had grabbed Anthony's gun which he had dropped to the floor and walked into the living room. The gunman had stood holding the gun to Jeff's head and Nell stood knowing she would only have one shot to take him out. She aimed as best as she could and she missed the intended target instead hitting Jeff. The gunman shot at Nell who landed in a heap on the floor.

Nell had woken up at the hospital and been told that both Anthony and Jeff had died before paramedics had arrived and that she was lucky to be alive. She hadn't thought of herself as lucky though, she had taken someone else's life. After this incident Nell had vowed to go through extensive training to learn how to shoot a gun at the shooting range and this is where she had first encountered Hetty. Eventually Hetty had offered her a job and Nell had been able to somewhat put the past behind her.

Nell had just started feeling comfortable at NCIS and had grown to like her team members. She had been able to stop losing sleep at night worrying that the next day would be the day that Callen and everyone else would learn that she had taken an innocent man's life. She grew more optimistic as the days passed that no one would ever find out…until now as she stood in OPS reading the note that had been sent to her via mail.

Nell,

It's been a long time. I still remember that day like it was yesterday, my only regret is making sure you were not dead before I left. If I had it would have saved me years of searching for you. But all of the effort I have spent was worth it as I sit here knowing your exact location. My dear Nell your time is almost up.

Sincerely,

Jason

Nell's heart hammered in her chest, she knew they had never caught him and she had spent months picking up and moving hoping to keep off his grid. But Hetty had known everything and by the second time they met at the shooting range Hetty had persuaded her to stop running and stand strong. Thus began her training with Hetty as they worked to perfect shooting a gun in hopes that if he ever did come back that she would be capable of taking him out. Hetty had told her to let the team know if she ever needed assistance that the team was close and would do everything in their power to keep her safe. The time she had spent working with them she realized it was true…they were willing to do anything to prove Kensi's innocence and they searched for Hetty until they found her. She knew that if she went to them they would have her back. But she didn't want them to know that she had blood on her hands and that she had killed someone. She didn't want them to think of her as weak because she asked for help. And she didn't want them to think differently of her. She had arrived earlier than everyone else and knew she would be able to make a quick escape without being noticed. She could call in sick and have at least twenty-four hours on them before they would ever know something was wrong. She grabbed her purse and turned. She walked down the stairs and was surprised to see Callen sitting at his desk.

Callen noted that beads of sweat were on the woman's face and that she looked awfully pale, "You okay?" he asked approaching her.

Nell looked up at the senior agent and wanted more than anything to tell him everything. She opened her mouth, closed it again, and then replied, "I'm just not feeling well today. I'm gonna go home and sleep it off. Be sure to tell Hetty for me?"

"Yeah…okay." Callen knew something was off as she talked. He felt like she was hiding something but knew that the sweating and pale skin could be caused by being sick as well as nervous. There was only one way to find out. As Nell turned away to leave he grabbed her arm to spin her around. "Make sure to take something for your fever, okay?" He told her as he felt her forehead. He knew right away she wasn't running a fever.

"Yeah, okay." Nell gave a small smile before leaving.

Callen watched her retreating figure as he contemplated what could be going on with their newest member.