DISCLAIMER:::: I do not, nor have I ever owned any of the characters you read here. Bummer. However, it is a joy to get to meddle in their lives just a wee bit here...for that I say thank you.
A/N: SO, Chapter 3. Who came first? I guess that would be Callen...but as you recall, he hasn't agreed yet... I hope you enjoy the read and will be kind enough to leave me a note...a review, if you will. I am always accepting of constructive notes of improvement. Otherwise, just nice to hear from you. So why are you still reading this...the story is down there...go on, now...grab your cup of tea (I prefer coffee...sorry Hetty) and read.
"Who indeed…Eric, the little devil." She took a deep breath and settled in. It was rare that she allowed herself the time to take a retrospective view of things and Nate was glad for further insight into this team. Sure, he had access to their files, not that they were much help. Callen's were so redacted it barely offered more than his name and his birthday. He had long been a member of the LA family…but Hetty knew things that no one else did. She had insights that were invaluable in his work with the team. Hetty cleared her throat and began, "Eric had just graduated from college. He hadn't chosen a path for himself yet. He wasn't outgoing….and very few friends that weren't on the other end of a computer game."
"So how did he ever find his way onto your radar?"
"Patience Nate…..patience. How did Eric find his way here…..well, to be honest? I had only a little to do with that. In a roundabout way, it was Callen. He and Gibbs and been working a case together. Eric was somehow indirectly involved. He hadn't realized he was doing anything wrong. He had been challenged by some 'friends' as to just how good of a hacker he was. One such challenge was whether he could hack the government….in particular, the Pentagon. I would dare say there might have been a bit of ego involved in his decision to attempt it. Needless to say, it turned out that, yes, he actually was that good. Unfortunately, for Eric, it wasn't just a challenge and his 'friends' were not quite so well intentioned in their use of the information. Callen knew he wasn't purposely to blame and he refused to allow his future to be destroyed by an unfortunate circumstance. It was really too dangerous to just let him go…. he had managed to do what no one else had. Gibbs called me and suggested Eric for the team. After checking into his background and his activity….I agreed to meet with him. It was, after all, fortunate for me that this should have occurred when it did. As it turned out, he was exactly what our team would need when they were in the field. It was an easy choice on his part, albeit an unexpected one… work with us or against us… he really didn't have any other choice. He was scared to death, poor boy. He trusted Callen, who had stayed by his side throughout and told him it sounded like a good place for him to be and it allowed him to stay near the water…. Prison didn't offer the same luxuries." Hetty chuckled as she remembered the look on Eric's face when Callen spoke with him about the position.
"Wow, prison?" Nate asked skeptically.
"What part of, he hacked into the Pentagon do you NOT understand, Mr. Getz? We are also talking about the same individual who later 'broke the internet'….his words."
Nate leaned back in his chair…thinking.
Hetty tilted her head thoughtfully, "I was looking to create a familial connection within the walls of the OSP. I have been around this block more than a few times. It is a rough life we choose for ourselves, lonely at best…. I wanted to create something more... some place that felt like home for our field agents. And every home needs… a soul. a conscience. That was Eric… still is. He has such a tender heart. He sits there watching his friends dive headlong into danger and for the most part he is limited in what he can do to help them…yet that screen seems to protect him from the harsh reality the agents in the field face daily. However, upon coming 'home' they are met with that innocence…a reminder of why they do what they do and that not everything is as cruel as the world they deal with. Eric and now Nell offers them that anchor. Despite everything they see on those screens…they are still able to hold onto the sensitive nature that is so much needed here. " Hetty chuckled as a memory cropped up on her, "I will never forget Owen Granger sitting here with me one day as we discussed the current case…. Eric and Nell were overly…energetic that day. HA, Owen never did quite know what to do with those two. He admired their abilities, their genius, if you will. Beyond that, however, he was at a loss. That day he sat right here and told me, "Those two meerkats you have working up in OPS are getting worse." I believe he encouraged me to buy them a hamster wheel or some such thing. Their ability to so innocently keep things light around here is priceless."
Nate chuckled as he nodded in understanding. "I have often worried that perhaps Eric wasn't quite cut out for this line of work. The dangers that surround us every day that the normal person is completely unaware of. It can be hard to separate the work we do here from the life we must live the rest of the time. Still, Eric has coped quite well. I think his games are a great stress reliever, if you can believe it. He and Nell could actually teach the rest of them a lesson in relaxing. They have their cosplay and video games. Eric has his surfing….which made a connection for him and Deeks actually. I never cease to be amazed by this team's ability to cope….I am beginning to understand why on a whole new level…..please go on…. Nate urged.
Hetty cleared her throat, "Sadly, I don't think Eric realizes just how valuable he has become to this team. What he does up in that room is critical to their success out there. I really must consider having a chat with the boy. Did you ever think that our Eric would one day go out into the field as a confident agent? There was a time when we weren't sure we would ever see letting you have a gun, let alone Eric Beale….and yet… here you both are. They are forever surprising me with what they are able to do. To what lengths they will go to in order to support their team." She shook her head.
"Hetty, a lot of that has to do with their leader. You believe in them. You trust them. You encourage them. I think, they have such faith in your opinion of them, of your belief in them that they in turn are convinced they can do anything. There is no limit….because in the end….they know you will have their back." Nate said earnestly.
Hetty swallowed, trying to clear the lump in her throat and raised a brow as she looked at Nate appreciatively, "You are very kind, Nate, thank you. You are right, though, I will ALWAYS have their backs….always."
"I know you will, Hetty, of that I have no doubt. That being said… who's next?" Nate asked.