AN: I do NOT own any of these characters as they are property of CBS.
PLEASE review if you liked it or if you have any corrections. Don't worry the story will get better in the next few chapters I promise!
As Nell and Eric sat at their computers they started to notice a lot of unfamiliar faces around them. Hetty had said they were bringing in extra people to help with the case but, they had never expected this many people. The doors to OPS slid open, "Ms. Jones, Mr. Beale there is someone I would like to introduce you to." Hetty's voice echoed through the room. With her, stood a tall woman with light brown hair, folders in her arms held up against her chest. Neither Nell or Eric had ever seen her before, she was new.
"This is Natalie, she will be accompanying you, Mr. Beale, while Nell is away undercover. At this time it is hard to say how long she'll be here so play nice" Hetty directing that last comment to Eric. Nell and Eric had worked with each other so often that neither of them enjoyed working with other people. Although Nell could never fully admit, she was jealous. She was jealous that this new girl, Natalie, would get to spend time with Eric, Her Eric. That was supposed to be her job, working up in OPS helping her partner, not hidden away at some security company working undercover. All she could hope for was that this operation would be done with soon so she could continue to work with Eric.
"Hello, I would like you to understand that I am not here to take over your job, I'm just here to work the case and be done." Natalie directed to Nell
"Yes, I understand no need to worry. I'm Nell by the way, and this is Eric" Nell said pointing to Eric. Her voice was stern as she still didn't like the idea of Eric working with someone else. She never would.
"I'm Natalie, as you just heard." She smiled "Okay, now that the introductions are through I suggest we get Nell ready for her undercover job, so she can be on her way." Although Natalie was genuine, Nell still felt as if Natalie was trying to get rid of her. Eric could see the worried expression on Nell's face. He knew he could help to comfort her he just had to get her alone, but first they needed to find out some details.
"So, right now we know there is a murderer running crazy at Hammer Security" Eric starting the new topic. "And Nell needs to go undercover to be on the inside"
"And?" Natalie wanting to know more
"That's it, that's all we know" Nell said shyly, suddenly feeling intimidated by Natalie.
"Right now, we have Nell under the name Maria" Eric continued walking towards the large touch screen with an iPad in hand. Nell stayed working at her computer "She's going to be head of computer software, trying to get to know the employees to see if there is motive for the murders"
"Yes, I just made an ID for the alias, it's printing now. I should probably get down to the equipment room to grab what I need for the case. Talk to Deeks and Kensi, see if they know any new information." Nell began to feel confident again.
"Yes, I'll go with you" Eric blurted out a little too excited. This had Nell smiling like a child.
"Let's get to it then" She said as they headed for the door.
Natalie walked downstairs to see Kensi and Deeks laughing at their desks. "Shut up Deeks" Kensi said punching him lightly on the shoulder "it's not funny"
"Oh it's hilarious you just don't understand the joke" Deeks refuted.
"No it's-" Kensi started to speak but was cut off by the arrival of Natalie in the bullpen "You must be Natalie" Kensi assumed, now ignoring Deeks and looking at the unfamiliar face.
"Yes, I am. Any knew information?" She asked wanted to get right to work. Natalie wasn't one to joke; she liked to get her work done quickly.
"We know that the 7 murders all took place on the firewall and computer software floors of Hammer Security. The 2 missing people, both former navy, came from head of finance. Sam and Callen are talking with the local police to find out anything useful. Right now we assume this is inside job." Kensi explained the newly learned information to Natalie.
"Now we are just waiting for Nell to get undercover, and any information Sam and Callen can give us before we continue" Just as Deeks said this, the pair of male partners entered the building. They walked briskly over to the bullpen to not keep them waiting any longer. "Any news?" Deeks questioned Sam and Callen.
"According the head chief of police the building had been search, we assume by the killer. Head of firewalls, Rick Hanson, says many files were stolen, however, they don't know what was in those files for security purposes." Callen said, annoyed by this Rick Hanson character. "I would keep an eye on Hanson, he seems a little sketchy"
"Sounds like someone else we know" Sam laughed, glancing over at Deeks.
"What me? No, I'm not sketchy am I? Kensi?" Deeks seemingly worried, but Kensi just laughed a shook her head
Eric and Nell were quiet when they arrived in the equipment room. It was a few long minutes before anyone said anything; it was Eric who spoke first.
"So are you nervous?" He asked
"What?" Nell was confused
"Are you nervous about the case?" Eric explained more clearly
"Oh right, the case. If I'm being honest then yes I'm a little scared" Nell admitted shyly.
"Hey look at me" Eric walking closer to Nell, "You've got nothing to worry about" Eric secretly enjoyed making Nell feel better. They had become really close friends and even more recently he even developed a little bit of a crush on her, but he would never tell her out of fear of ruining their friendship.
"I know, it's just 7 people are dead and well I like working with you" Nell's voice got quieter near the end of her sentence.
"I like working with you too, so let's get this case done with so we can work together again." He smiled his bright smile.
"Sounds like a plan" Nell smiled back at him.
The two of them spent the next twenty minutes in silence, making sure Nell had everything she needed, including her ear piece, iPad, and gun. They had gotten everything packed up in an over the shoulder bag, Nell was just about to leave, when Eric stopped her. He put a hand on her shoulder turning her around and said, "No matter what happens with this case you will always be my partner, Natalie is only temporary. I promise." Eric smiled as he spoke honestly. Nell couldn't help but smile; she also started blushing since this comment from Eric had caught her off guard.
"Thanks Eric" Nell said staring into the dreamy eyes that looked back at her.
They left the equipment room together, but it was time for Nell to go, so she went to go find Hetty, and Eric went back up to OPS.
"Ah Ms. Jones I assume you have thoroughly prepared your alias and are now read to arrive at Hammer Security." Hetty sipped her tea the moment after she spoke.
"Yes, everything is set and ready" Nell articulated as Hetty handed her keys to the teams Toyota Camry, a common car to avoid detection while undercover. Nell grabbed the keys from Hetty and was on her way. As she was leaving she heard Eric through the virtually invisible ear piece she was wearing, "Good luck rock star" He whispered. Nell was happy no one could see her now, as she left, because she was sure he face was the brightest shade of red it has ever been. She got into the car throwing her bag on the passenger seat, pulled out of the parking lot and made her way to Hammer Security.
AN: If you liked it please leave a review. If you have any comments or suggestions to making this story better, again please just leave a review as it would really help me out a lot. If you follow the story I will love you forever :)