Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS: LA

Eric and Nell had become friends over the next few months; their hangouts consisting mostly of light conversations. They had learned the basics about each other, like birthdays and college experiences but they never had those trust building talks, where you really learn about someone. They started hanging out more frequently as time went by, until their hangouts were second nature.

"Hey are we hanging out tonight?" Nell asked Eric as they typed away on their computers.

"Of course! My place or yours?" He smiled

"I just stocked up on beer, and need someone to share it with, so my place?"

"Perfect!"

They weren't working on any cases for the time being, so they finished the day typing up old reports and adding them to the NCIS file database. They carried small talk throughout the rest of the day until Hetty let them have the night off early.

"Since we are not currently handling any cases, you are free to leave early for the night. Go home get some rest, because we don't know what tomorrow will bring." Hetty said to the two computer techs still typing away.

"Sweet!" Eric blurted enthusiastically.

"Don't sound too excited Mr. Beale; remember you love your job." Hetty rebutted carrying a smug expression. Eric sank back quietly in his chair as Nell laughed lightly to herself. Hetty exited the OPS center as they started to power down their electronics.

"So we get the night off early, how about an extra-long hang out tonight?" Nell questioned Eric already knowing he would be more than happy to spend the whole night with her.

"Yeah sounds good. I'll meet you at your house in 20 minutes, if that's alright?"

"Yup perfect"

The two agents collected their belongings and headed downstairs. They said goodbye to the rest of the team, sitting in the bullpen, and made their way out of the mission to their separate cars.

"See you soon" Eric smiled. Nell smiled back, as he opened his door throwing his messenger bag on the passenger seat, before sitting down behind the wheel. He turned his keys in the ignition and was on his way. Eric took the long route to Nell's house so she would have a few minutes to herself before he arrived. The drive seemed to fly by and before he knew it he was parked in Nell's driveway, exiting his car, and walking up to her front door.

Nell climbed into her car and turned the radio to a low murmur as she drove home. She was in no rush because she knew that Eric would take a longer route so she would be there when he arrived. She wasn't sure why exactly he did this, but she was happy because it gave her a few minutes to freshen up. In what seemed like record time, Nell was home unlocking her door and stepping inside. Instead of throwing her bag on the armchair in her TV area, she decided to actually put it away for once. She walked over to her bedroom flicking on the light switches as she walked by them. Nell put her bag in her closet and headed to the bathroom to brush out her now tangled hair. She made herself presentable, and walked through her house cleaning up any mess she had left from the previous days. She decided that her house was clean enough so she plopped down on the couch, and clicked on the TV, placing the remote beside her. Within seemingly no time at all she heard a knock on the door.

"You can come on in Eric, its open" Nell said to the figure behind the door. Eric opened up her door and stepped inside her home.

"It's a beautiful day outside the weather is perfect"

"You're right, it's wonderful. Want to sit on the porch and enjoy some fresh air?"

"Yeah sure. Beer?" Nell smiled indicating she indeed would like one. Eric grew more comfortable in her house, so he walked over to the fridge grabbing both of them a beer. He popped of the lids tossing them in the bin as he made his way over to Nell, handing her the cold beverage. They stepped outside as the fresh air rushed through the open door. They took a seat on the small wooden bench on Nell's front porch, their legs touching each other gently, due to the short length of the bench. They sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying each other's company.

Nell spotted a family going on a walk, using the nice weather to their advantage. Two small children were running ahead of their parents who were talking their time, the father holding a leash attached to a golden retriever. Nell glanced over at Eric who was also watching the happy family walk by.

"Do you ever thinking of having some?" Nell said breaking the silence.

"What sorry?" Eric was focused on the strangers walking by.

"I mean do you ever think of having kids? Starting a family?" She asked more clearly

"Well, I always wanted to. Growing up I didn't have a great relationship with my parents, I was thrown out of the house when I was 16. So I wanted to have kids to prove myself wrong, that not all parents are as bad as mine but…" Eric's voice trailed off as he realized he was revealing a lot about himself

"But what?"

"Well you know how it is, with this line of work. I would be more than lucky if I ever met a girl let along start a family" he sighed heavily

"I know what you mean"

"You do?"

"Yeah I may not have had as rough of an up bringing but I did always want to have a family. But, like you said, the chances of me ever finding a guy are slim to none. Especially when we have to lie about what we do" Nell sat, looking down at her hands in her lap, feeling embarrassed as this wasn't something she often told people. Eric grabbed her hand from her lap holding it in his own. This wasn't something he had done before, but he knew in that moment he wanted to comfort her, they were friends after all. Nell looked up to meet Eric's beautiful eyes and smiled.

"So what exactly happened when you were a kid?" Nell had only ever heard him talk about it on the surface he never got into detail, so she plucked up the courage to ask.

Eric sighed heavily running his free hand through his hair.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" She smiled sweetly, a smile that Eric just could not resist.

"No it's alright. Growing up it was me and my two sisters." Eric started

"Was?"

"Yeah, Alexa and Isabelle. One night when I was 7 we were coming home from Alexa's dance recital, she was 9 at the time, and Isabelle was 3. We were driving through an intersection when a drunken truck driver failed to stop for the red light. The trunk hit us nearly rolling the car over." Eric paused taking a moment to collect his thoughts, this wasn't a story he told very often.

"Hey you can take your time telling the story it's alright" Nell said as she gave Eric's hand a gently squeeze. After a few seconds he continued

"The truck killed Isabelle on impact, since she was so young, and the truck hit her head on. It left me and Alexa in the hospital for a few days, nothing more than minor concussions, as we were farthest from the point of impact. It tore my family apart. My mom turned to alcohol, and my dad to drugs, to numb their pain. Their need for numbness eventual drove them to near insanity. Alexa left when she was 17, leaving me to get the full force of their screaming. One day they had enough of me so they kicked me out." Eric sat in silence for a few minutes, and Nell knew not to pry. If he wanted to continue he would do so at his own pace.

"So basically, I want a family where I do everything my parents didn't. I don't blame them for what happened, it was a tragedy. I just need to show that even when things get rough I can still raise a happy family where I won't let them down. It sounds silly now that I say it out loud" Eric laughed lightly

"It's not silly, I actually think that's quite fantastic" Nell smiled at him, and he smiled back.

"What about you, why do you want to start a family?" Eric questioned, taking a sip of his beer. He told his story now it was time to tell hers.

"Well I don't have any tragic stories, but I must say I love kids. I remember when I was around 16 I would play outside with the younger neighbourhood kids. I would take them on walks, to the park, anywhere really. One day it just occurred to mean that I love seeing children smile, and hearing their genuine laughs. I always thought that one day I would have a few of my own, and then I would be sure that I can see small beautiful smiles, and hear soft giggles every day." Although no deaths were involved with Nell's admissions, her chest still felt heavy as it was something she had never told anyone before.

"That's really great Nell. One day you will meet a wonderful man who will father your beautiful children" Eric said truthfully.

"And one day you will meet a beautiful woman who will mother your children with the upmost care" Nell smiled, looking down at their hands still intertwined.

They sat in silence for the rest the night sipping their now warm beers until they were dry. The sun began to lower and the temperature began to drop. The night sky slowly filled with stars as the two friends sat on the porch. Eventually the darkness overcame the natural light, and the streetlights switched on.

"I should probably go, it's getting late" Eric said as he stood up from the bench, with the now empty beer bottle in his hand. Nell also stood up grabbing the bottle from Eric and placing both hers and his on the small table next to where they had been sitting.

"I had a really nice time tonight. It's not often I trust someone with such personal things" Nell's voice laced with honest

"Yes, it was nice. You know you are the first person I've ever told that story to"

"Well, if you were going to tell someone I'm glad it was me" A soft smile graced Nell's lips.

"I wouldn't have it any other way" Eric pulled Nell in for a tight hug, something he had never done before, her head resting on his chest. "Thanks" He whispered quietly.

"Thanks for what?" she released from his grip looking up at him

"For letting me trust you" The partners smiled.

They said their goodbyes, as Eric was walking down the drive way to his car. Nell made sure he was safely on his way before grabbing the 2 beer bottles and going inside. She threw the bottles in the bin and felt a sudden rush of relief. She was glad that she was finally able to trust someone, more specifically Eric, enough to talk about personal things. She was sure Eric felt the same way, and she was right. Their friendship had grown stronger than it was earlier that same day, and it was wonderful. Eric and Nell had both had the best sleep they had in a long time, because just knowing you could trust someone with personal matters was a delightful feeling.

A/N should I keep writing? Leave a review let me know how you feel and what you think may happen in the future :) I really enjoy writing them and I've got loads of ideas for future chapters.