Secret Santa. It's secret Santa time for the team! Team fanfic. December 2nd. Nell's point of view.

I had an idea last night! What if the team did a secret santa this year? I want to run the idea past Hetty but I figure she'll be ok with the team doing that. I mean she always seems to like ideas to strengthen the teams bond and that would. I know Sam, Deeks and Melissa will be up for it too. It'll be Callen, Eric and Kensi I would have to convince. I'm trying to think of what to say as I approach her office. I look into the bullpen as Melissa and Kensi laugh at something Deeks is doing. Eric smiles as he notices me. He was late in this morning and he hasn't been into Ops yet.

'Hetty…' I stammer at the doorway.

'Good morning Miss Jones.'

'Morning Hetty, I had a thought last night…'

'How intriguing, do tell me more. Sit down Miss Jones.' Hetty motions for me to sit down opposite her.

'Thank you. I was wondering would the team be able to do a secret santa this year? If I could get the team to agree to it. I think it would be a great team building exercise and would boost morale…' I splutter and Hetty smiles.

'You would like to organise a secret santa? With the team.'

'Yes.'

'I would ask the other members of your team if they are interested but I will not block your suggestion.' Hetty nods.

'Great!' I answer her with enthusiasm and getting up out of the chair. 'I'll go ask them.'

'I'll join you.'

The bullpen falls silent as Hetty and I approach. The team all look up as Hetty clears her throat to the side of me. I feel nervous now.

'Miss Jones has a suggestion to spread some Christmas cheer that she would like to get your opinion on.'

'Cool.' Eric enthuses. 'What is it?'

'I was thinking…. Maybe…'

'Maybe what Nell?' Callen entices as Melissa and Kensi smile.

'Maybe we could do a team secret santa? It could be fun… A laugh. Good team building exercise.' I blurt out in a rush. I'm not sure if even I understood that.

'I'm in.' Melissa nods looking to her partners who both nod.

'We're in.' Callen responds with a smile.

'I'm up for that superstar.'

'I'm so in.' Deeks adds.

'Why not sister?' Kensi finishes the feedback with a smile. They're up for this!

'I would like to join in. If I may?' Hetty looks to me.

'Of course, the more the merrier and you are a major part of the team.' I answer her as I sit on the edge of Melissa's desk.

'Hear hear.' Melissa nods. 'How are we going to do this? Pick a name from a hat? What are the rules?' Melissa ever the organised person asks. I hadn't thought it through like that. I only had the idea.

'How would you do it?' I ask for input looking around the room at my friends.

'Hat seems good to me.' Callen adds.

'Ok hat it is. Name you pick out unless it's yours then you put it back until you get who you are buying for.' I dive for a piece of paper , Melissa passes me a pen and I write down everyone's name neatly. Melissa dives in her drawer and grabs out her NCIS cap to put them into. I fold them over a few times to ensure there is no cheating and mix them up.

'Rules?' Melissa enquires.

'Usual ones are no telling anyone else who you've picked out of the hat and setting a limit to spend. Any ideas?' Hetty questions.

'I agree. What is the limit?'

'I'd say $10.' Deeks puts in there.

'$10?' Callen scoffs.

'I'd say $20?' Sam joins in.

'What if we said $15 in the middle?' Melissa offers, ever the mediator.

Kensi and the others all nod as Granger appears in the bullpen entrance.

'Ah. Granger could you mix up those names for us ensure no cheating?'

'Sure.' Granger answers taking the cap full of names and mixing them up before passing them back to me.

'Who's first?'

'Your idea you go first Nell.' Melissa suggests. I take the first name then Hetty does and then I pass the hat to Melissa who takes a name before passing it to Kensi who passes it on to Callen. Deeks picks next leaving Sam with the final name. We all look at the names at the same time. I look down to see who I got.

Deeks. What can I get Deeks for secret santa for $15 dollars? I try to read everyone else's expression. Sam is smiling, so is Eric and Hetty. Deeks is looking confused as is Kensi and Callen. Melissa's expression is unreadable. She's using her poker face. We all have our names and now we need to get some work done… I wonder who got who?

'All right guys let's get some work done.' I smile as I step out and head up for Ops.

'Hold up! Wait for me…' Eric calls.