I have been thinking about writing a Nate/OC story for a while now;
Just never really gotten around to it. =P
So let's give it a shot.

And I'm only going to say this once; I DO NOT own anything you recognise!
Please read and review and tell me if I should continue this.
xxxxxxx

Still harder gettin up, gettin dressed, living with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart that I left unspoken- Cascada- What Hurts The Most.

Special Agent Hallie McKenzie walked through the doors of the OSP office in Los Angeles.
Her short light brown hair straightened to just below her ears; a white singlet, denim jacket, jeans and torn pink converse all-stars.
"Ahh, Miss McKenzie. You're late" Henrietta 'Hetty' Lange said to the younger agent.

Hallie pulled her phone out of her black 'Guess' handbag and slid it open "Am I?" She looked at the time; 9:07 "I am" She finished dryly.
Hetty smiled at the taller woman as they began to walk side by side over to the large oak table "Yes you are. And you need to make up for the seven minutes you are late for. Unless, that it, you can give me a reasonable explination to why you are late"

"Um...Because I....." Hallie tried to come up with an reasonable excuse "...Yeah I have nothing" She mumbled as she placed her hands on her hips.
Hetty smiled "Well then; I'm sure Mr Getz would love your company tonight then" And she walked off.
Hallie let out a small groan and threw her head back in frustration before walking over to the rest of the team who were sitting around the table.

She threw her bag on the table and threw herself down into the seat "Why do I always get picked on?" Hallie winged; crossing her arms over her chest.
Sam Hanna; Ex Navy SEAL; shrugged "Because you're the youngest"

"Because you're female" Kensi Blye said from where she was sitting next to Hallie.

"Because you're always late" Team Psychologist Nate 'Doc' Getz called from where he was reading a comic on a comfy chair.

"Because you're immiture" Team Leader G Callen smirked at her.
Hallie rolled her eyes and threw up her arms "Sure; let's all jump on the Hal abuse cart" She called out, earning a laugh from her team mates.

Nate raised his hand from where he was sitting "Hallie; you missed out on the briefing this morning. Hetty wants me to re-evaluate you all. 'Specially you" He looked at her intensly.

Hallie snorted "I can say; right now; I'm fine. Perfectly sane" She placed her hands on the back of her head and leaned back.
"Yeah, That's why you were talking to yourself in the change rooms last night" Sam called to her.

"I was on the phone" She said in a high pitched voice.

The dark skinned man laughed "You stick to that story Hal and you'll be fine" He joked.
Sometimes Hallie got sick of being the one everyone picks on. The girl who should stay behind on some misions because they were too dangerous.

She grew close to Nate because he was the only one who would teat her like she was part of the team.
He would treat her like the 23 year old adult she was.

The said man suddenly stood up; placing his comic to one side and looking at Hallie "C'mon. May as well get this over and done with now" He gave her a reassuring smile as she stood up and followed him towards his office.

After closing his door; Nate smiled as he saw Hallie was sitting in his chair "Other side" He pointed to the wooden chair on the other side of his desk.
Hallie groaned and moved around to the other chair.

"So how are you Hallie? Really; how are you?" Nate started. He saw the look of sadness cross Hallie's face.
He swallowed deep as he saw a smile suddenly light up her face; although, he knew it wasn't a genuine smile "I'm better. You know, I still have nightmares and such. Haven't been in a relationship since. But I'm good. Ya' know. Like, really good" She Explained.

Nate smiled at her courage; thinking about how far they've come. Just three months earlier; they were sitting in this exact same room in the same positions. Except last time, Hallie had numerous bruises on her body and tears pouring down her cheeks as she told him about her abusive boyfriend.

"What's these nightmares been about?" Nate asked, not letting his hope get up too much about her.
They were friends, teammates, colleagues. And hell; at least she trusted him. As far as he knew, he was the only male she trusted.

"Just....I don't remember them. I know I don't want to be there. And I always feel out of breath when I wake up" Hallie drifted off and stared into the distance.
Nate leaned forward on his elbows "Hallie?" He asked cautiously.
"How was your date last night with that chick from the mourgue?....Rose. I think" Hallie let a smile cross her apricot coloured lips.

Nate laughed and leaned back in his chair "Hallie. Are you really interested in my life? Or are you trying to avoid the subject?"
"If I say both, will you stop talking about it?" Hallie grinned as she also leaned back; brushing her hair behind her ear, revealing a pair of white diamond and blue diamond earings.

"It was fun" Nate concluded after a moment.
Hallie raised an eyebrow "Just fun? Not, 'brilliant' or 'extravigant'?" She made a funny voice which made Nate laugh again.
It was what she was good at. Making people laugh. And she'll continue to hide her true feelings away behind the mask that she's perfactly happy and content.

"Why do you care?" Nate smiled teasingly at the younger woman.
Hallie shrugged "Because you're dating a mortician Nate. That's kinda worrying. Actually, I think it's you who should be here and me bouncing around in your head" She joked as she stood up and stretched "Done?" She asked as her shirt rode up and showed her pink bellybutton ring.

Nate nodded and allowed to leave.
His mind going to the young woman who was in his office just moments ealier. He couldn't help but wonder what she was hiding from him and why she was.