Note: This story isn't over; however, I will be taking a hiatus from it (and anything else beyond one-shot) until sometime in May because my life just got booked.
"Okay," Nate replied, "You got into a fight with yourself about Eric. Anything specific?"
"Why do I even care, why I can never anything right around him..." Nell's voice trailed off.
"Nell, I know I've told you this before, but if he's a real friend, he won't care, and if he isn't, you shouldn't."
"I know, Nate."
"Go ahead."
"Eric tried to get my attention, I yelled at him, he kept asking if I was okay-"
"Periods, Nell," Nate reminded gently. "They're important punctuation marks."
"None of the usual stuff helped, I felt like I was fixing to start crying, I told him I'd be back in a minute and ran out of Ops. Callen asked if I was okay and I said I was. Deeks told him I wasn't, I yelled at Deeks, and hid in the bathroom."
"I'm sorry, Nell. Really, I am...you had an awful day."
"Kensi came in and let me cry on her shoulder. I have no idea how long we were in there. When I was better, she said I should probably go see Eric, that he was worried about me.
I apologized for blowing up in his face and asked if we could talk privately. I didn't mean to tell him everything...I just meant to tell him about my ADD, but one thing lead to another...Nate, what have I done?"
Nate paused for a minute, trying to find words to get what he was trying to say across to Nell. "I'm proud of you, Nell. You swallowed you pride and let Eric see you weakness."
"What is he going to think of me now?" Nell sniffled.
"Breathe, Nell. I would guess, if anything, he would respect-admire-you more, knowing what you've been through."
"You really think so?"
"I do." Nate grinned to himself. "I also think a certain redhead needs a hot shower and some sleep."
"Yes, ma'am."
"That sounds like the Nell Jones I know. Hey, call me if you can't sleep. I'm free for a good two hours or so."
"Nate...? Thanks."
"'Night, Nell."
"Bye Nate."
Nell trudged towards her bedroom. She was seriously considering just going to bed and showering in the morning.
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