Nell and Eric arrived at the club moments after Kensi and Deeks. A flash of Deeks charming smile, and they avoided the line outside. The four of them went up to the bar and ordered drinks - beer for the guys and cocktails for the girls, before Kensi and Nell hit the dance floor. Eric stood back with Deeks, still feeling unsure.
"So... nice shirt." Deeks finally said with a wink. Eric blushed as he looked down then looked back at Deeks, and tried not to laugh as he realized they were both wearing the same one, Eric's in mint green and Deeks' in sky blue. "Couldn't have done that better if we'd planned it" Deeks continued, laughing. "Maybe it'll help us get some cute twins." Eric just blushed and took another gulp of his beer.
"So... uh... how do we do this?" He finally asked. "I don't think I've ever actually been out like this before." He admitted.
"It's easy." Deeks reassured him. "Have a drink or two, then just let go. Move to the beat. And don't get too self conscious - everyone is drunk, they don't care." The two stood in comfortable silence as they watched the girls dance, flowing naturally. As the tempo changed, they returned to the bar where Deeks and Eric stood.
"Time for shots!" Kensi teased. "Who's in?" She ordered four shots of vodka and handed them to her friends. Eric coughed after his, but no one gave him a hard time. "It gets easier." Kensi promised him, before grabbing Nell's hand and heading back for the dance floor. Eric couldn't help but be a bit mesmerized by Nell's dancing, and wondering what it would be confident enough to dance with her. He turned to Deeks, but realized that Deeks was staring at Kensi with the same intensity he had just been watching Nell.
"Damn women. Can't live with them, can't live without them." Deeks finally said. All Eric could do was nod.
When Kensi and Nell returned, they were both a bit giggly. Deeks gave Kensi a teasing poke to the side.
"Looks like someone's glass is empty. Maybe we should fix that." He said.
"Yours is too. Better fix that first" She smiled. "Or better yet, let's fix all of them. Drinking challenge?" She asked, raising one eyebrow seductively.
"Easy Kens." He said. "You're not fun when you're competitive." He joked. "Why don't we do it as teams. Me and Nell, against you and Beale."
She opened her mouth to argue that Eric wasn't going to be much help, but shut it quickly. She knew that was the point - Deeks knew that he and Nell could easily win. But Kensi Blye wasn't one to back down from a challenge, so she stood up tall and said "You're on!" Nell beamed, and Eric just groaned. "It's ok Eric, I've got you covered." She whispered into his ear. "Just leave it up to me. I can drink those two under the table any day."
As the first tray of shots came to their table, Kensi lined up 8 on each side.
"OK, we've got rum, vodka, whiskey, gin and tequila" Deeks said with a grin. He knew that tequila was one of Kensi's biggest downfalls but there was no way she'd ask Eric to take that one. She silently passed Eric the rum, knowing it was the easiest, and watched as Nell and Deeks divied up their drinks between the two of them.
"On the count of 3" Nell said. "1... 2... 3..." And they each downed their first. Then Nell, Deeks and Kensi took their second. Nell started giggling and looking a bit woozy, so Deeks quickly sat her down on a stool.
"Guess it's just you and me, princess" he teased Kensi as they each took their 3rd and 4th. They stood toe to toe, their boundaries slowly melting. Kensi winked at Deeks as she grabbed her tequila. She shot him a look, daring him to say something before she shook the salt onto his neck, licked it, downed the shot and snatched the lemon out of his hand using only her mouth. All he could do was stand there, stunned, before returning the favour. They continued bantering playfully as they downed the remaining shots, calling a draw.
Eric and Nell were sitting together, oblivious to the display going on in front of them. Neither were big drinkers, although Nell could hold her own. Suddenly, she grabbed his hand and said "Come on, let's dance, Wolfram." as she dragged him towards the dance floor.
He was nevous as hell and moved stiffly at first, but Nell's encouragement helped him relax and try to allow himself to move fluidly to the music. He had a million thoughts racing through his head - watching as Nell moved her body near his, and being grateful that if anyone looked their direction they'd be too busy staring at her to notice him making a fool of himself. He was so caught up in her that he didn't notice Kensi and Deeks had come over to join them. They danced as a group, noticing othere dancers come and go from their makeshift circle. At one point, he felt unfamiliar hands on him and nearly jumped out of his skin, but the drunk blonde quickly moved on to another man. He tried not to show any sign of irritation as men occasionally flirted and danced with Nell, and more than one offered to buy her a drink, which she declined. Kensi, on the other hand, accepted a few offers before cutting herself off.
Eric watched as yet another man came up to dance with Nell, but he was being a lot more insistent than the others had. He moved in closer and closer as Nell pulled away, and didn't hesitate to grab her hips and pull him into her, as he leaned down and tried to shove his tongue in her mouth. Nell landed a well placed stomp on his foot before lifting her knee into his groin, and then stomped off for the bar with Kensi, Eric and Deeks close behind.
"Vodka. Double." She said to the bartender. A moment later, the bartender handed it to her.
"On the house. I saw how you took him down." He winked at her. She said nothing as she took half the shot and rinsed her mouth with it before spitting it out into an empty water glass. The second half she downed, shaking as if to rid herself of his hands on her. She and Kensi ordered another cocktail.
"I think we've had about enough of that." Kensi finally said. "Time for plan B?" She asked. Deeks nodded. The girls went to use the restroom, leaving a puzzled Eric staring at Deeks.
"Plan B?" He asked.
"When Kensi is sick of getting hit on, we move to plan B." He shrugged. "We pretend to be a couple. Keeps the creepy guys off her for the most part. Callen or Nate have done the same for Nell, so tonight it's your turn." He explained. He saw how uneasy Eric looked.
"Hey, it's ok man. If you want, you can dance with Kensi and I'll dance with Nell?" He suggested, but Eric shook his head.
"I'm just not sure... Are you sure Nell would be ok with that?" He asked, uncertain. "I mean, we aren't like that. We're not like you and Kensi..." He continued, not knowing how to explain.
"She trusts you. And I'm sure she'd rather dance with you than any of the other creeps who might want to hit on her tonight." Deeks reassured him, handing him a beer. "Have another drink, and just relax. And let Nell take the lead if you're nervous."
When Kensi and Nell returned, he wasn't surprised to see Kensi grab Deeks and lead him back to the dance floor, or when Nell reached for him and followed. He took a deep breath, and tried not to let his nerves show when she guided his hands to the small of her back and reached to put her hands on his shoulders. He glanced over at Kensi and Deeks, who were already moving together as naturally as any practiced couple. He didn't let himself think as he moved to the music, and quickly realized he was enjoying himself - and it was easier than expected with Nell leading him.
He focused on the petite redhead in front of him and watched as she looked up at him, totally relaxed. He smiled at her, realizing she was enjoying being here with him.
"It's ok, Beale." She told him. "You've got my back, I've got yours. We're a good team." She continued, slowly pulling him closer until their bodies were almost touching. "I trust you. And we work well together." She shrugged. "Just relax, we can enjoy tonight" She reassured him.
He glanced over to see Kensi and Deeks still dancing, but their bodies were now flush against each other and the way they were dancing was well beyond what would be considered "acceptable" for coworkers. He felt a bit of relief that he and Nell weren't the ones pushing the boundaries. But as she stepped closer and continued to dance he realized that even with the space, the effect she was having on him was anything but professional. He started to blush and step back, but Nell pulled him closer.
"Pretend you're selling a cover. You're playing the part of my boyfriend." She told him. "Pretend you like me." She winked.
He tried to force himself to relax into her. She caught his eyes, and the look she gave him nearly made him melt. His body relaxed and he began to move fluidly with her. He was here, with Nell in his arms. Why on earth was he fighting it? He pulled her closer as she turned around with his arms wrapped around her, and he found himself no longer caring what others thought or if this was appropriate coworker behaviour. He just wanted to enjoy this moment.
He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the atmosphere or Nell's proximity to him, but he found himself playing the role of Nell's boyfriend effortlessly, no longer twitching when she touched him, and stepping in to her instead of pulling away. It felt like the most natural thing in the world and he was beginning to dread the evening's end. He stared at Nell as she drew him closer and stretched up on her toes to whisper in his ear.
"You know, you may not think you know what you're doing, but you're doing a great job. And I'm lucky to have such an attractive man to dance with." She told him, her breath warm on his face. He was stunned for a moment before he spoke.
"Thanks, but it was all your doing. And you look stunning. If anyone's lucky, it's me." He replied, feeling lightheaded. He swears he saw Nell blush at his words, but he just said the truth. He pulled her closer to give her a hug. He's sure that was his intention - but when he saw her stretch up on her toes again, her eyes locked on his, he realizes it's going to be more than a hug as her lips gently touch his. He can't bring himself to look away, wanting to memorize everything about that moment. As she slides back down to her normal height, she looks back up at him shyly, and says,
"I think it's time to go." For a moment he's crushed, thinking she's trying to escape him, but as their bodies seperate she grabs his hand tightly. They wave at Kensi and Deeks, who are fully absorbed in each other and no longer paying them any attention, before slipping out the door. Once outside, he's sure she's going to let go, but she only holds on tighter as she walks toward a cab. Finally, he manages to stutter out a few words.
"I, um, I guess I'll see you Monday?" He asks. When her face falls, he's unsure. "I mean, unless you want me to see you home? I can get a cab from your place..." He continues, confused as she still looks let down.
"Or you could come back to my place for a bit?" She says quietly. He nods quickly and she smiles again, as does he, at the realization she's not trying to get rid of him.,
"Yeah, that'd be nice" He whispers. She gives his arm a tug as they find a taxi and get in. She wastes no time giving the driver the address next to her place (even drunk and crazy, safety comes first), before snuggling in next to Eric in the backseat.