Dress for Success

Disclaimer; I don't own NCIS Los Angeles, nor do I profit from anything. I just like to play with their nice shiny toys.

This idea popped into my head yesterday at work and wouldn't leave til I put it on paper. Its mostly centered around Nell but you never know who might show up.

Nell studied her reflection in the mirror trying to see what others saw when they looked at her. She had on a plaid sundress over a dark green long sleeved tee shirt with her customary dark tights and brown boots. There was nothing wrong with what she was wearing but the image it portrayed was wrong. Her clothes made her look like a young girl barely out of high school when in reality she was a woman working in highly stressful position with the government.

That was about to change.

"Kensi would you like to go shopping with me on Saturday?" Nell had stopped by the brunette agent's desk after grabbing a cup of coffee before going back upstairs.

"Sure that would be fun, are we looking for something in particular or just shopping in general? Maybe we can get a mani/pedi while we're out."

Nell bit her lip as she looked to see who was around before answering her friend's question. "Well I need to update my wardrobe maybe change my look a bit."

"Ok I can help with that. But I think the way you dress is cute why do you want to change your look?" Kensi wondered what was going on with Nell, she seemed a little unsure of herself. This was very unusual since the little redhead had never lacked for self-confidence before."

"Look I'll tell you about it on Saturday, I don't want to talk about it here. What time do you want to start, should I pick you up?"

"You're kidding right Nell; Kensi never rides with anyone she has to drive. So where are we going on Saturday?" Deeks had walked up in time to hear the end of the girl's conversation.

"You are not going anywhere Deeks; we girls however are doing girly stuff on Saturday. Nell & I are going for mani/pedi's and stuff like that. Nothing you would be interested in." Kensi had sensed that Nell didn't want anyone else to know about the shopping they were going to do and was trying to distract Deeks while she made a clean getaway.

"Come on Kensi I'm a hip kind of guy, I could definitely do a manicure, plus I've heard those pedi things are real relaxing. Let me go with you guys please."

"Really Deeks really? If you want a manicure I'll give you one, I have some lovely purple polish we can use."

"Now you're just being mean, why can't I go? I don't have anything to do this weekend. Maybe we could all watch a movie afterwards.

"Drop it Deeks, it's a girl day no guys allowed. Go do something with Callen and Sam if you need company because you are not going with us."

Before he could say anything else Eric whistled them up to the ops center. The case they were working on lasted thru out the week and by Friday the entire team was ready for a break. As everyone gathered their belongings and started to leave Kensi held back and waited for Nell to come downstairs.

"Are we still on for tomorrow?" Getting an affirmative nod from Nell she started to the door. "I'll pick you up about 9:30 and we'll head towards the mall. See you then."

Nell had almost called Kensi to cancel the shopping trip and gone by herself, but she really needed another opinion. She trusted Kensi to give her honest feedback on the clothes but knew she was going to have to tell her why she was doing this. Sure enough as soon as she got in the car Kensi had taken one look and began to ask questions.

"So tell me why do you want to change your look? If someone has said something about the way you dress tell me and I will speak to them."

"No its nothing like that, I don't quite know how to explain it. See everyone treats me like a young girl and I'm tired of it. I'm adult and I want to be treated as one." Nell just stared out the window while she spoke.

"Nobody thinks you're a young girl, we all know how valuable you are. Did one of the guys do something to hurt your feelings, was it Deeks?"

"Look Kensi it's different for you; you're a field agent and you look like one so it doesn't really matter how you dress. All anyone has to do is take one look at you and they can see how capable you are." She took a deep breathe and continued.

"It's not the same for me; I am a little younger than you guys plus there's the height thing and I just look young. I know you guys trust me and depend on me to help you in the field but I want to look the part too."

"This is the way I've dressed for years and its time to change. My mom's told me for before that if I want to be treated like a woman than I need to start dressing like one, not like a little girl still in high school." She paused and rubbed the material of her plaid sundress between her fingers.

"Ok I can understand what you are saying did you have a particular look in mind that you are going for?" Kensi had pulled into a parking spot and they both got out of the car.

"How about the way Julia Roberts dressed in Erin Brokovich, people took her seriously in that movie." Nell shot an innocent look at Kensi taking note of the horror on the brunettes face.

"Ha gotcha on that one." She giggled as relief flooded over the other woman's face. "I'm not looking for anything quite so drastic; maybe some straight skirts and pants in subdued colors with a couple of blazers."

"That sounds like a good place to start with maybe some better fitting jeans for the days you want to go casual but still look good. Of course you will have to get some shoes to go with everything." Kensi was really getting into it now.

"I just love to shop for shoes, hey lets get you some new boots too."

I hope you guys liked it, please give me some feedback. I have the second chapter already done but I need to know if anyone is interested in reading more.