Author's Notes – Obviously not mine...
This story is writing itself rather quickly! Thank you for all the reviews. Also, thanks to everyone who has favorited this story and/or followed it. I appreciate all the encouragement; it really does help to know people are at least giving it a shot! This chapter is also a bit smaller, but it fit with the natural break as well.
I will say the reactions of those giving reviews have been pretty varied, which I suppose is to be expected. I have found it interesting to see how some are placing the fault with Nell and some with Callen. Personally, I think the reactions of the characters are not unexpected. Callen is reacting out of anger and hurt because Nell won't open up to him. Nell is reacting as someone who tends to be very organized and logical; which is why I am writing her as needing that time to figure everything out before she brings others in the mix. Eric, being the best friend and confidante, is that one person Nell knows she can talk to and he won't push her one way or the other.
All the above is just one of the many reasons why it is so important to hear your ideas and thoughts as readers. I do know the job is made more difficult since none of you have confirmation as to what is happening with Nell, but I encourage you all to keep giving feedback!
I hope you enjoy this mini-chapter!
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Eric comes back into Nell's apartment and watches as she pretends to not be as upset as she clearly is. Walking up and taking her in his arms, "Come here." He rubs his hands over her hair as she lets herself feel the emotions. "Shh. It's alright. Everything will work out. You'll see." He knew tonight had been a bad idea. Knew he should have found some way to change her mind.
This is the last thing she needs right now. With everything else going on, she needs to be stress-free. She needs to be able to relax. All this extra emotion is just making an already difficult decision even more difficult. And honestly, he didn't think this situation could get any harder. When he is confident her tears have subsided, Eric pulls her away from his chest. "Let me fix you something to eat."
She shakes her head, "I don't want anything." Nell had known tonight was going to be hard. She had prayed Callen would just accept her lame excuse. At least for the moment. Just be happy she was home and safe. Let that be enough. She had convinced herself that just seeing her would be enough for him. "You were right, Eric. I just made things worse. He's never going to forgive me."
Leaning down in an attempt to lock eyes with the woman in front of him, he speaks softly, "That's not true." Having had no luck in getting her to pick her face up to match his, "Hey, look at me." He waits for her to respond before continuing, "He will forgive you. It's just gonna take a little time, that's all. We are talking about Callen here. The lone wolf himself."
He gets the desired response when she laughs softly at his remark, "C'mon. Let's eat something." He pulls her into the kitchen with him and gets a few items from the fridge. After making a couple sandwiches, they sit in silence in the dining room. It breaks his heart to see her like this. So unlike herself. She has so many things going through her head he can practically see the wheels turning.
Seeing she has barely touched her food, "You really need to eat something. Even if it's just half the sandwich, Nell." He catches sight of the tears threatening to spill over again and watches as she gets up. As she disappears down the hallway towards her bedroom, he sighs heavily knowing he can't do anything else to get her through this. The man she really needs. The one she really wants to walk this path with walked out the door.
He turns on a movie for them to watch hoping that it will be enough to distract her for a short time. After putting together a small tray of snacks, Eric sits down on the couch to wait. He is fairly confident if she gets interested in the movie, then she will at least get a little more food in her system. After several minutes pass Eric hears the door to her room open and she appears in the living room wearing loose sweats and an oversized shirt.
He knows the clothes likely belong to Callen, but doesn't say anything about the fact. "Feel any better?" Her offers her a blanket as she moves sit on the edge of the couch. She shrugs her shoulder in response and pushes her body againt the couch as she covers up. "Thought a movie might be a good distraction."
She offers another shrug in response as the beginning credits start. He sits back and hopes she will focus on the movie; at least a little. After about fifteen minutes, Eric gives up and pauses the frame. Nell looks over at him, "Sorry, Eric. I know you are just trying to get my mind off everything. I guess I suck at being distracted tonight."
He offers her a sad smile as he reaches out to pull her close to his chest. "It's fine, Nell. No apologies needed." After letting her rest for a few minutes in his arms, he shifts so he can see her face. "I can try talking to him again. If you want." One look from her has Eric covering his tracks slightly. "I know it hasn't exactly gone well up to this point, but..."
Her voice interrupts his, "Thanks, Eric. But I think he just needs time. I understand why he is mad. I really do. I'm not sure anything you say is going to get through to him anyway." She sighs as she pushes her small frame against the couch and pulls her feet just to her side. "I knew he was going to ask. And I also knew my answer was going to hurt him." She turns her face to focus on an unknown object across the room. "I just need a little more time. Then I can talk to him."
Eric reaches out to pat her foot. "You don't have to justify anything to me Nell. I am behind you one hundred percent." He smiles at her, "Always." He really does wish she would have just stayed away until she had originally planned. Give herself the time she needs to be ready to talk about everything. Standing up, he goes over to his bag and pulls out something he knows will cheer her up.
She watches him curiously as he retrieves the items from his bag and laughs as he turns around holding the possessions in his hands. "Oh, you're on! Hand it over." Giving her the handheld game system, Eric reclaims his seat on the couch beside as they sync the devices. The distraction works. It only takes a few rounds before she is acting more like herself than she has for the last week.
They play for a good hour before Nell decides to call it a night. She sets the device on the coffee table by the now empty tray of food Eric had made earlier. "You staying?" Nell already knows Eric was planning on bringing some things with him, but she want to confirm her assumption that he was indeed spending the night.
Grabbing the tray on his way to the kitchen, Eric waits to answer until he comes back around the corner. "I was planning on it. Figured I could just crash in the extra bedroom." He smiles as she walks behind the couch towards her room. It was good to see her a little more relaxed. At least for now. "Goodnight Nell."
She waves her hand in response to her friend before disappearing through the door. Eric goes into the spare room and prepares himself for bed. He hopes, for his sake, that sleep comes easy because he has a feeling tomorrow is gonna be a rough day. He shutters to think about how his interactions with Callen are going to go. Maybe the bad guys will just take tomorrow off, he thinks to himself as he closes his eyes.
Nell gets in bed, but knows sleep will not come. She knows she needs to rest, especially considering the circumstances, but her mind is in over-drive. There are so many things to consider. So many directions everything could go. Tomorrow she thinks to herself. Tommorow she will figure it all out. And then she can talk to Callen. Try to get him to understand. She just hopes it isn't too late.