"Dude, I so just kicked your but" Nell yelled over phone as she celebrated beating Eric at yet another of his games.

"Oh please, I went easy on you," was the reply that Nell received only causing her to laugh more.

"Doesn't matter you still owe me dinner and a drink!" She affirmed causing a groan from Eric. "Tomorrow night, pick me up at 7 and DON'T be late!"

"Whatever champ, I'll see you at work tomorrow."

Eric groaned as he got off of the phone with Nell, she was never going to let him live this down. It had been months since he had finally let Nell get under his skin and she was changing his world without him even realising. He was falling. Falling in love with the gorgeous red headed analyst who worked by his side every single day.

It wasn't as if he was lonely, and by no means did he have no friends he just felt as if there was something missing from his life. He always had had this hole in his life and without him realising for the last 3 years is was getting filled by the one and only Nell Jones.

As Nell stared into the mirror, she flashed back to the first day she had met Eric Beale. He had been some sort of genius that she had heard rumours of but she had no idea that eventually she would be working side by side with him. And admittedly there was quite a rocky start between the two of the them. She couldn't help it, she was nervous, and when she gets nervous she blurts out things and finishes other people's sentences. It annoys the hell out of other people but it happens.

Her annoying habits had driven so many people out of her life and as much as she was glad, it surprised her when Beale didn't run away from her. She had had a tough few years and she had a massive chasm in her heart but with Eric and all his awkwardness and goofiness she had started to fill this chasm, without her even realising.

By the time 7 o'clock rolled around the next day both Eric and Nell were beyond excited for this unofficial date. During the day Nell had been continuously teasing Eric about their game last night and Eric had happily taken anything she threw at him.

"Knock knock," was the quiet sound that escaped Eric's mouth as he waited at the front door of Nell's place. Nell opened the door and his jaw dropped as she exited wearing a stunning low cut emerald green dress that fit all her curves at the right spot and hung to just above the knee.

"W-Wow y-you look st-stunning Nell," Eric stammered out as he struggled to close his mouth after staring for a solid 10 seconds.

"Why thankyou Beale, I think you have a little bit of drool coming out of your mouth there dude" Nell stated smirking at his reaction to her outfit. But if she was honest, she would have been exactly the same, as she had opened the door, the handsome Eric Beale had looked up and all she could focus on were his stunning eyes and magnificent green checked shirt that hung on his frame highlighting his beauty.

"So, where are we going?" Nell inquired as they headed out the door and into the frosty night air of Los Angeles.

"You're just going to wait to find out aren't you" Eric replied grinning at Nell who just simply looked gorgeous.

"Come on, not even one little hint. One tiny morsel of something… PLEASE Beale…Anything." She was getting frustrated by the mysteriousness of it all but all Eric could muster up was a smile, letting her know that there was no way she would find where they are going until they actually got there.

As they rounded the corner, Nell stopped short and gasped, there in front of her was a small looking Italian restaurant that had the most exquisite and romantic table settings. It was bathed in a warm yellow light that called to anyone who walked near the restaurant.

"How did you find this place?" Nell asked in wonder as they took a seat towards the back of the restaurant.

"I don't know I kind of always knew about it but it was like I was waiting for the right person to come along with me." Eric admitted quietly as he watched Nell's reaction.

Nell could feel the emotions crossing her face, love for all that he does for her and the sweetness of his words. Anger that he kept this side of him from her and cherishment for how much he cares for her.

Eric watched her intently as all of these emotions crossed her face, he couldn't tell her reaction though, after all these years of working together he knew her like clockwork, any action and he could tell how it affected her and he knew instantly if there was something wrong. But in this moment, it was like any sense of him knowing her left him, and they were two complete strangers having a blind date. He vowed to himself in that moment that he would do anything and give anything for her. She was his happily ever after.

As Eric walked her home after dinner they were utterly silent. Nell was quietly thinking of the night. It had been one of the best 'dates' she had ever been on. And Eric, how did he manage to hide this part of himself from her for so long. He was a completely different person from the guy she saw in OPS. Tonight he was romantic and sweet, granted he was still flustered but it was one of the things she loved so much about him.

It was in that moment that she realised that he had begun to fill that massive hole in her heart and that she would do absolutely anything for this man, who had been changing her life.

Of course she would have to consult Kensi first. What does someone in this situation do? She always pushed people away, but this time someone was close, to close?