Author's Notes – Still not mine...will never be mine.
Here we go again! This one is a bit longer which makes me happy! Please enjoy! Once again, I am enjoying the perspectives of the readers and would like to encourage all of you to add comments. Thanks to everyone who is reading this story!
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Nell wakes up the next morning to the smell of bacon and is momentarily confused. It only takes a second before she remembers Eric had spent the night. She should have expected he would make sure she ate before he left for work. Coming out of her bedroom, Nell doesn't even attempt to stifle the laugh that falls easily out of her mouth at the sight of her friend.
"Really, Eric!? How many times have I told you my aprons don't look good on you?" She watches as he turns around and gives her a huge grin.
"Probably as many times as you have told me you were going to break down and buy me an apron so I won't grab yours!" He sticks his tongue out at Nell before turning his attention back to the food cooking in front of him. "And no, I'm not interested in the customary you-know-I-don't-eat-much-for-breakfast speech."
He hears her laugh again and is happy to see her mind seems to have cleared overnight. He knows today is going to be tricky. Callen is likely still pissed, or whatever it is, at him. The team can't afford to be off in any way; their job is dangerous enough without a distraction. And then there is Nell. She has a big decision to make.
"Are you sure you don't want me to take today off, Nell? I'm sure Hetty won't mind at all; especially in light of what is happening." He already knows what her answer is going to be, but he is sure as hell is going to try.
"No, Eric. It's fine." Nell's busy setting the table for breakfast and misses her friend mimicking the next set of words that come out of her mouth. "The team needs you more than me."
"I would argue that point, but I'm sure it won't do me any good." He turns and grabs the platter containing the eggs and bacon before joining her at the table.
Nell gives him the look and he returns one of his own. "Eric, you know there isn't anything you can do today anyway." Seeing him starting to interrupt, she beats him to the punch. "Besides be there for me. Honestly, it will stress me out less if I know you are there for the team. Making sure they stay out of as much danger as possible."
Getting no response from him, Nell speaks up again. "Look, I know you want to be here for me Eric. But there really isn't anything you can do. It's just a matter of waiting and figuring out what I'm going to do. You can't help me with that." Reaching out and placing a hand on his arm, she smiles softly. "I promise I will call if I need you."
Eric nods his head and tries to hide the pout he is sure she can see, "You better." They eat the meal in silence as each of them contemplate just how much things are going to change after today. Even though Nell is the one facing the major life change, he can't help but wonder what effects will be felt by those around her. He quickly pushes the thoughts aside determined to keep the focus solely on her.
Looking at his watch, Eric gets up from the table and starts moving the dishes from the table to the sink. Turning on water, he hears Nell's voice interrupt the process. "I'll get them Eric. You better get going to work; get there early to make sure you have to time to get everything set."
Hearing the teasing remark, he laughs. "Yea, cause we all know the ops center can't get woke up nearly as smoothly without you there!" Shaking his head, he moves to the back of the house as he finishes his morning routine before re-appearing ready to walk out the door. "Call me as soon as you hear?"
Nell nods her head before ushering him out the door. Pushing the door shut, she leans her small frame against it before pushing off and going to the kitchen to clean up Eric's mess. It isn't long before she has run out of things to do and realizes just how long this day is going to end up being. Checking her watch, she sees the time is slowly creeping closer to nine and readies herself for the next step. Gathering her purse, keys, and phone, Nell heads out the door.
It only takes Eric about forty-five minutes longer to get the ops center up and running for the day. Now it's just a matter of waiting to see if a case comes in. He passes the bullpen on his way to get something to drink and mentally logs that none of the agents have made their way in as of yet. Looking at his watch, Eric knows it won't be long.
Kensi and Deeks come in bantering as usual within fifteen minutes while Sam follows quietly another five minutes after them. All of them have a seat at their desks and continue the friendly morning routine. The voices quiet when Hetty makes an appearance in their workspace. "I trust the afternoon off yesterday gave all of you a chance to catch up on whatever it is you have been neglecting in recent days?" None of them respond to what is clearly a rhetorical question. "It seems there are no pending cases which gives all of you the perfect opportunity to catch up on your reports." She looks around at their desks before adding, "Which have clearly been neglected." With that said, Hetty turns on her heels and makes her way back to her desk.
The team all look at one another with matching expressions. Slow days are a double-edged sword really. On one hand, it ensures they will live another day. On the other hand, it means no more excuses to avoid reports. One of the things about the job pretty everyone dislikes. Deeks is the first to speak, "Hey, where's Callen? How come he gets out of doing reports?"
Kensi looks over at Sam as well piggybacking her partner's sentiments without speaking a word. "Don't look at me. I have no idea where he is. Haven't talked to him since yesterday before we all left."
As if on cue, Hetty steps back into the bullpen area. "Mr. Callen has taken the day off." Pointing to each of their desks, she adds. "I'm sure he will be impressed by the amount of work you complete in his absence." She turns and leaves before any of them can say anything in response.
Nell arrives at the doctor's office and signs in on the slip of paper at the window before taking a seat in the waiting area. She attempts to distract herself with her phone while she waits for her name to be called. Today is the day. Confirmation of what she already knows in her heart to be true. The other tests had already been pretty conclusive. This is just the final step. The one test that can't be wrong.
It's been a long week of testing, waiting, and wondering. Nell almost wishes she had just done this step first. Then, she would have known for sure. The whole ordeal could have been shortened by several days. But, this is apparently the preferred order. And who is she is to argue with 'the experts.' This isn't exactly a road she has gone down before, so she deferred to those who have the inside knowledge. Hearing her name called, she stands up and takes a deep breath before disappearing down the hallway.
Coming out of the office, Nell tries to steady her emotions. She knew what was he was going to say, but it still is hitting her pretty hard. She briefly wishes she had someone with her. But this was how she wanted it; to be alone. She needs to know that whatever decision she makes will be her own; not influenced by anyone. She needs to give herself at least an hour or so to process the news before talking about it.
Walking out the door, she finds a nearby bench and sits down. She leans back against the hard formation and lets the heat of the sun permeate her skin. Everything has changed. There is no going back now. No wishing she didn't know. Wishing things were different. The idea of going through this journey scares the hell out of her and the one person she wants with her in this moment may not even be willing to hear her out.
It's official. Eric is going stir-crazy. There is literally nothing else left to do and it's only eleven in the morning. He moves out of the ops center and down the stairs hoping to find some sort of conversation. Walking into the bullpen area, he notices three of the team working diligently and eerily quietly on their reports. "Where's Callen?"
"Apparently he is skipping school today." Deeks does nothing to hide his disdain for the task he is currently working to complete. Eric looks over at Kensi only to receive a shrug of her shoulders before her eyes return to her own paperwork. Sam gives him much the same response.
Eric moves out of the bullpen and towards Hetty's desk intent on seeing if their all-knowing boss is willing to fill in the blanks. "Callen isn't coming in today?" He waits for her to look up before he speaks again, "Deeks told me."
"It appears Mr. Callen needed a day off. The form was on my desk when I came in this morning." She locks her gaze on the technical operator before continuing, "Do you have any idea what may have preceded this decision?"
Eric, trying to appear non-chalant, speaks carefully. "Well, there could be lots of reason." He tries to avoid registering the eyes of his boss boring through his head as he continues, "I guess maybe he just wanted a day to relax." And that is what happens when she makes him nervous. His brain shuts down and the most absurd things come out of his mouth. Knowing there is no way to recover and not wanting to divulge the events of last night, he turns and quickly goes up the stairs to ops.
After arriving in the safety of his domain, Eric pulls out his phone and dials Nell's number. He groans when her voicemail picks up. He knows she has to be done with her appointment by now. Hanging up, he looks around trying to figure out what else to do when his phone dings alerting him of an incoming text. Seeing Nell's name pop up, he swipes the screen and reads the message.
He quickly leaves the ops center and stops by Hetty's office. After a hushed conversation, he passes the team on his way out the door. Deeks catches sight of the tall man leaving the building and leans back in his chair, "Hey! How's that fair!? Callen skips. Eric leaves. It's not even lunchtime yet!" His whining is silenced when he looks over and sees the irritation across Sam's face. He mutters one last thing for good measure before going back to the stack of papers on his desk.
Pulling into the parking lot, Eric moves through the crowd of people and finds Nell sitting at a small table off by itself. "Hey, Eric." He can already tell she has been crying, but knows better than to draw attention to the fact.
Reaching up and giving her a quick hug before sitting down, "Hey. What did the doctor say?"
"Nothing I wasn't already expecting. The test came back positive." He takes a deep breath and listens intently as she explains a few more details from the appointment. The waitress arrives with two orders of food, "I hope you don't mind, I went ahead and ordered for you." Eric shakes his head; Nell already knows what he usually orders from the cafe. They talk about the appointment a little more in between the moments of silence.
Eric knows there is something Nell isn't telling him. He can tell by looking at her. "Nell." He waits for her to look at him and makes a mental note of her disinterest in actually doing so. "What else aren't you telling me?" Knowing her first response is going to be denial. "And don't pretend you don't know what I mean."
She takes a breath before breaking eye contact and looking at her plate. Watching as she pushes her remaining salad around the plate, Eric waits for her answer. "The procedure is scheduled for today. Four o'clock." He feels his back make contact with his chair as he takes in what she says. She looks up at him, "Can you be there?"
He watches as she tries not to cry again, "Of course I can." He takes a moment as he watches her nod in response to his answer. "What about Callen, Nell? Have you talked to him yet?" Nell looks away from him as she shakes her head. "Nell." There is the slightest bit of warning in his voice.
She reaches up and wipes her eyes before speaking, "He doesn't want to talk to me, Eric. I already texted him and told him I wanted to talk to him. He isn't responding." Saying the words to Eric makes it impossible for her to deny the reality and the tears return in full force. "I can't blame him for not wanting to hear me out." Seeing the look on his face, she quickly adds, "I can't make him listen to me, Eric."
Even with all the misgivings he has about Callen's intentions, he knows Nell has already fallen for the man. And he is pretty sure Callen has strong feelings for her as well. Now that Nell has confirmation, Eric knows he is going to have to salvage this mess and find a way to get Callen to listen. He starts with his best friend in the hopes that something he says will delay the appointment today. "You can always schedule the procedure for tomorrow or the next day. It doesn't have to happen today, Nell. You have a little bit of time. Think about it more. Give Callen some time to calm himself down. It hasn't been that long since you two talked."
Nell stands up before Eric can say another word. Moving over to where he is sitting, she leans down and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I need to clear my head. I will talk to you this afternoon." She walks away before he can stop her and he knows it won't do him any good to follow her.