Baseball

"Ten bucks says she either hits Callen, or hits it out of the park."

"You're on."

It was on one of those rare occasions when Hetty had announced a team bonding session, that the team learnt something new about their Intelligence Analyst.

"What?!"

Nell blushed furiously as all eyes turned to her in the bull pen.

" I've never played baseball before," she shrugged, "What's the big deal?"

Nell wished at that moment she had just stuck her foot in her mouth, but when the subject of baseball had risen amongst the four agents and two techies, the words, 'I've never played baseball before' had tumbled out before she could stop them. Now, sitting on a chair in the bullpen after hours, surrounded by five other individuals, she wished she could have just sunk into the floor, never to be seen again.

"How have you lived?" Was Deeks' reply, the shocked look on his face matching the genuine surprise in his voice.

Nell just shrugged. She had never really been a sporty person, unless you counted playing netball in seventh grade. Sports just weren't her thing.

"Well then," Everyone visibly jumped ( and Nell thought she heard Eric let out a small squeal) as the voice Henrietta Lange filled the room. The petite woman moved into sight, a cup of tea in one hand, and 7 glossy passes in the other. "We will just have to fix that."

It wasn't till the next day that Nell realized that the tickets her boss had held were passes to the local baseball stadium. Now she stood, a helmet that was two sizes to big for her resting on her small head and a bat that was almost as tall as her in hand.

"I'm not sure about this Callen…" She breathed, trying to calm the nerves that were threating to bubble over. Sitting and watching baseball was one thing. But to actually stand as a ball is hurdled towards you was another thing completely.

" Don't worry Nell," Sam called from where he stood next to Deeks off to the side, "He'll go easy." He glared at Callen to make his point, to which the man nodded with a smile.

"Besides," Piped up Deeks, "We have a first aid kit anyway."

The only reply Nell heard was a 'smack', and a (rather girlish) scream.

She took another deep breath in. The only real comfort she had was that Callen was pitching the ball to her, so if anything, it would be controlled.

"Ready?"

Callen pitched the ball underarm, honestly a softer throw would have never made it to her. Something between a squeal and a cry came from the Intelligence Analyst as the ball glided to her, followed by a shriek.

She swung like a mad man with the silver bat, her only intention to deflect the oncoming baseball away from her tiny body.

WHACK!

The ball soured through the sky. All eyes were on the orb as it made its return to earth, thudding softly on the grass, and rolling to hit the barriers on the edge of the turf.

Nell was dazed, still standing there with the bat in hand.

"Nell run!"

Without thinking, she took off, running in what she prayed was the right direction. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Eric fumbling to grab the ball off the ground.

She was almost at first base, the helmet on her head knocking painful on the sides.

"Eric pass it here!" Kensi yelled. She was vaguely aware of the ball sailing over her head and landing nowhere near the agent.

Her feet pounded against the ground as she passed through second base, now becoming alert of the cheering coming from Sam and Deeks on the sidelines.

"Callen grab the ball!"

She quickly glided over third base, the home stop coming into clear view. Almost there.

Then she heard the pounding of feet behind her, the sound of Sam and Deeks' shouts growing more urgent.

"Come on Callen! You've almost got her!"

It was Callen who was behind her, of all people. Her heart thudded in her chest, yet she never stopped running. This was her chance to prove something. What she was going to prove, she had no idea. She knew she wasn't faster than Callen, or stronger of fitter. Maybe that she could keep up with him. So that he knew he could trust her.

"Come on Nell! You can do it!"

She was 5 meters away now, yet she could almost feel Callen's hot breath on her skin as he chased after her, drawing goose bumps to the back of her neck. In one final press, she launched herself towards the base, feeling him tackle her body onto the ground at the same time. They skidded, dust rising up all above them.

She felt his body press into hers as they tumbled to a stop, and she lay there, dazed as he pulled himself off her.

"Crap, Nell I'm sorry." She heard him say. She couldn't respond, even if she had wanted to. Her whole body was still tingling from the intimacy she had shared, granted, for two seconds, with the agent.

Her foot dragged across the home base as Callen helped her up from the ground.

Any worry for the intelligence analyst washed out of him as she asked in his arms with genuine curiosity, "Did we win?"

He laughed. She was a lot tougher than she looked.

Sorry if I got anything wrong! We don't really have baseball where I live so I had to google everything :D Review!