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Prompt #49: Cat - It was not fair, seeing her in an all-black ensemble skintight jeans, shirt, boots, and cat ears at work on Halloween. The innocent smile she gave him didn't help either.

Words: 657


Eric had a bad feeling when he walked into the Mission on All Hallow's Eve.

For one, the team was smirking at him. Deeks, Kensi, Sam, Callen, even Hetty. They were exchanging grins like Christmas had come early on this fine October day, and it was frankly beginning to scare Eric. The last time those five conspired together, Nate ended up with one hell of a going-away party involving shaving cream, a parrot, and five liters of quality hard liquor.

For another, Nell was not among them. That could only mean one thing - she was actually going to be the one springing the surprise on him. Eric cast a glance up to the door of Ops, swallowing hard and trying not to show his nervousness. Whatever the team was grinning about, Nell was at the heart of it. And she was already here; he knew that, because she'd left before him and her car was parked in the lot outside.

Mischief Night was last night, so I don't think she'll prank me too badly, Eric reassured himself as he climbed the steps. Then again, she's got a wicked sense of humor. He was dreading April Fool's Day this year; Deeks had been bad before, but if Nell decided to join forces with him, nobody in the Mission would be safe from the duo.

"Morning Eric," Sam said cheerily as the Tech Operator passed through the bullpen to reach coffee.

Eric looked at him warily. "Um, hi Sam."

"Happy Halloween, Eric," Kensi piped up from her desk, a giant grin on her face.

Deeks looked like the Cheshire Cat, his grin was so smugly huge. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

Okay, they're definitely waiting for me to go into Ops. Eric kept his poker face on as he poured himself coffee and poured a cup for Nell again. I'm almost scared to check on her. Steeling himself, he picked up the coffee and started up the steps to his tech hub of knowledge.

The doors sensed his presence and swished open. Eric entered carefully, eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary.

What he saw at Nell's workstation was the very definition of "out of the ordinary."

She was in all black. Black skinny jeans, black boots, black v-neck shirt, all tight and revealing very curve of her body. Her hair was hanging loose, stark against the black palette, and she wore a headband that sported perky black ears. From the back of her jeans hung a slim, fluffy appendage.

Eric whistled. "Wow. What's new, pussycat?"

She glanced over at him, then smiled at him. Surprise was his first reaction - there was not a trace of jokes in her grin. She had no ulterior motive. That did not help him in the least.

"Is that coffee? Awesome," she said, reaching for it gratefully. "I left so early that I couldn't grab one before getting here."

He handed it over. "Um, Nell? You're wearing, uh - "

"Like my costume?" she asked. She brought one hand up to mimic a cat licking its paw. "I just threw it together this morning. Isn't it classic? Black cat for Halloween. If Kensi decided to dress up as a witch we'd be a matching set." Then she seemed to consider her own words. "But then again, it wouldn't really work."

"Why not?" Eric asked. "I think it's a cute idea."

In response, Nell pointed to her neck. Around her neck was belted a red collar; hanging from it was a shiny name tag. When Eric read it, he felt heat pool in his abdomen.

Property of Eric Beale. Please return if found.


SOOOOOOO cute! Review please, this one has been one of the squee-est I've written in a while.

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