Christmas shopping. The women of OSP go Christmas shopping bumping into Callen, Sam and the kids while there. December 8th. Nell's point of view.

Eric and I leave Ops together as usual. He motions for me to start down the stairs first ever the gentleman and I start walking down the stairs using the banister for support. I smile as I look over at the team. They are all doing paperwork at their desks as the sunlight streams in.

'Done!' Melissa throws her pen down triumphantly with a smile. Callen checks his watch. Deeks, Kensi and Sam all look up in surprise. Callen doesn't seem surprised.

'23 minutes!' Callen calls it. 'I warned you not to take the bet Deeks. Her average is 27 minutes.'

'No way!' Deeks objects. 'Unfair official. Kens check it.'

Melissa passes the folder to Kensi. Kensi checks over it and shrugs before giving it back to Mels. Deeks looks ashamed for not believing her. Eric and I approach the bullpen and wait in the entrance watching the exchange. Callen and Sam look suitably impressed. Kensi looks down.

'Face it Deeks you owe me $17.'

'$17 why?' Eric asks, trying to get up to speed with events.

'We had a bet I couldn't get my report finished in half an hour for $10 plus $1 per minute under if I did it. It took me 23 minutes. That's $10 for completing and $7 for the minutes I had spare.'

'Pay up Deeks,' Kensi laughs.

'You're taking her side?' Deeks zones in on his partner.

'Her side?' Melissa pouts jokingly and Callen shakes his head.

'Yes you owe Mels, she beat you fair and square.'

'You can pay it tomorrow Deeks.' Melissa offers

'Come on Kens we gotta hit the mall.' I interrupt before Deeks can respond.

'Do we have to?' Melissa complains as I pull her up from her chair. She grabs her bag reluctantly. 'Help' she mouths to Sam who laughs and simply motions for her to go with me. Kensi is quick to grab her bag and follow us out.

'See you guys tomorrow!' I bid my goodbyes as I drag Melissa out of the bullpen.

'Have fun!' Callen calls. I can feel Melissa turn and make gestures towards him but I don't look to see what she's doing. The guy's laughing in the bullpen is enough. Callen's laugh tells me that tomorrow he's for it for not helping her. She resigns herself to the fact we are all going dress shopping.

Two hours later and Kensi has nagged until we've all sat down at a café for a coffee. Mines a cappuccino and Kensi is a latte. Melissa has got a hot chocolate. There's bags under our feet mostly under the table. None of them are Melissa's and most of them are mine. Kensi has 2 or 3 bags with contents including her dress for the NCIS Christmas party. The rest of them are mine. I've kind of gone crazy. I have ended up buying a load of presents including Deeks secret Santa. We're sat chatting when I notice Melissa smile. I look around and spot Callen and Sam approaching. The kids are with them. Jacob rushes over as soon as he spots her. Callen smiles as he waves.

'Jacob!' Sam shouts as Jacob reaches our table. He's quick to give Melissa a hug. Anyone would swear he hadn't seen her in a while but I'm sure Callen was teasing her about babysitting him only yesterday something about eating all the popcorn?

'Oh hey bud! You shouldn't run off from your uncle.'

'Sorry Aunt Melissa.'

'Aunt Melissa?' Kensi mouths to me. I shrug.

'Where's my hug then little man?' Kensi asks him as Tegan, Sam and Callen reach our table. Jacob reluctantly gives Kensi a hug and then looks to me questioningly. I open my arms and he gives me one too before rushing back to Melissa and sitting on her knee. Melissa seems surprised but doesn't complain. Callen stands behind her and places his hands on her shoulders. Sam stands between me and Kensi looking at the others.

'Hey Tigger. Why the long face?' Melissa asks Tegan as she joins her and Jacob.

'Dad won't take me shopping for an outfit for the carol service.'

'Oh. Well I've still got to get a dress,' Melissa makes a face as she says dress. I try not to laugh. 'Why don't you come with me, Nell and Kensi clothes shopping and then I can have your opinion too? I'm sure Jacob, your dad and Uncle G can find some guy stuff to do?'

'Can I Dad?' Tegan begs. 'Please, pretty please?'

Sam looks down as we all look at him. I smile. I can tell the offer is tempting him. Sam isn't one for shopping and he knows we'll look out for her. If she had her way Melissa would trade places I know. She's inviting Tegan in attempt to get it over with quicker. Sam nods quickly.

'Ok but you listen to them ok princess? I'm trusting you.'

'She'll be fine.' I reassure Sam.

'I know.'

'What sort of outfit do you have to wear?' Kensi asks Tegan.

'Something red.'

'Dress, jumper?' Melissa tries, emphasising the word jumper.

'Dress!' Tegan smiles. Melissa looks down. Tegan's enthusiasm seems to be intimidating her.

'Ok let's get this over with.' Melissa stands up and Kensi and I move to stand up also. We pick up all the bags between us.

'Have fun!' Callen once again teases her. This time he earns a punch in the arm. He was stood too close and almost seems to expect it. I can tell she's not putting much effort into the punch. He rubs his arm in the aftermath.

'Uncle G. It's not nice to tease Aunt Melissa.' Jacob reprimands his 'uncle'.

'Uncle G play nice.' Tegan adds. 'Aunt Melissa could beat you up.'

'She'd try…'

'We both know I could.' Melissa answers him with a smirk.

'Maybe when the kids aren't around.' Callen winks. Melissa looks down. Sam coughs.

'I'm not a kid!' Tegan states offended.

'Come on Tigger… Red dress.' Melissa ushers Tegan away heading towards the nearest clothes shop. She waves to the guys. We enter the store and Melissa leaves Tegan lead her to the dresses. Minutes later and Tegan is trying on a dress. Melissa is stood outside the changing rooms waiting to see. Kensi and I pretty much sat down as soon as we arrived. The bags are all in a heap at our feet.

'She'll be a good mum one day.' I comment as I watch Melissa fix Tegan's dress brushing out a crease. Tegan is pouting. Melissa is styling her hair in attempt to convince her that the dress looks perfect on her. It's working I notice as Tegan hugs Melissa.

'Yeah she will.'

'She's a natural. What do you think's going on with her and Callen?'

'Don't know but if I didn't know any better I would say they were flirting earlier.'

We both get distracted as Tegan bounds over still in her dress. It's a bright red with flowers on it.

'What do you think?' She asks twirling. 'Aunt Melissa picked it.'

'I think it looks gorgeous,' I answer truthfully.

'Belle of the ball.' Kensi compliments.

'There is no ball… Silly.' Tegan states as she re-joins Melissa by the changing rooms nodding as she goes back into the changing room. Minutes later and we've moved to the women's section and Melissa and Tegan are looking at dresses. Tegan pulls one off the rack. It's vintage style, white lace and pale blue with a pretty bow on the waist, pleated skirt. Melissa looks at it for a second.

'That looks nice. Try it on.' I call over to them.

'Really? It's a bit girly…' Melissa answers as she and Tegan bring it over. I look over it again. It is kind of girly but nothing Melissa couldn't pull off…

'I agree with Nell. Try it.' Kensi agrees

'Ok…' Melissa takes the dress from Tegan and heads for the changing room. Tegan sits between me and Kensi texting on her phone. Minutes later and Melissa hasn't come out.

'You ok in there?' I call into the changing room worried.

'It's too girly,' comes Melissa's response.

'Get out here!' Kensi orders and the curtain moves but Melissa doesn't come out. 'We'll send Tegan in!'

'Ok…' Melissa appears seconds later in the dress. She looks lovely. I don't know why she's worried. I think we found the dress, put Melissa's hair up and a bit of make-up and the job's a good one.

'I think we've found the one.' I smile as I glance to Kensi who winks.

'Definitely.'

'Ok this one it is.' Melissa nods.

'Dad, Uncle G and Jacob are on their way why don't we ask them?' Tegan offers. Melissa darts back into the changing room quickly. There's no way she wants Callen and Sam to see her in a dress unnecessarily. I get a feeling Tegan also thinks Callen and Melissa like each other.

'Hey guys. Where's Melissa?' Callen asks greeting us with Sam and Jacob in tow. Kensi and I attempt not to laugh.

'Changing room.' I explain.

'You picked a dress princess?' Sam asks Tegan who proudly shows Sam the dress Melissa helped her pick. 'Very nice.'

Melissa appears seconds later from the changing room pulling her jacket over her shoulder. She's got the dress folded over her arm so we can only see the blue part. She grabs Tegan's dress and then goes to leave to pay.

'I'll just go pay. My present to you Tegan.' She explains when Sam goes to speak.

'You managed to find a dress to then? Let's have a look.' Sam teases as he spotting the dress in Melissa's arm and reaches out. She's quick to realise his game and turns away. We all laugh.

'Spoil sport!' Callen remarks as she walks away.

'Don't start…!' Melissa warns him.