The story of two, and the music that they shared

FRIENDSHIP IS A TRANCE

Don't Push Me Back – LTN Edit - LTN and Aranga w/ Katty Heath

Interstate 5 outside of Kettleman City, CA

Eric sat in the driver's seat of the car as the few lights flew by. It was almost 2 am and they still had another 3 hours to go to get back to LA. They had spent the last 3 days in San Franscisco helping out the FBI office with a major case they were working on. The case was closed and they were heading back home. He glanced over and saw Nell sleeping away. She had fallen asleep about an hour ago and he couldn't help by smile.

Seeing the car was getting low on gas he exited the Interstate in Kettleman City and pulled into a nearby Gas Station. Nell, feeling the change in speed and the lights from the gas station illuminating the car, woke up.

"Mmm, where are we?" She asked, sleeply as she stretched out.

"Kettleman City. Need to get some gas. Want some coffee?" He asked.

"Sure, Thanks." She said as she settled back in.

Eric got out and gassed up the car. Going inside he bought two cups of coffee before heading back to the car. He climbed in and set her coffee in the cup holder.

She sat up and took a drink. "Thanks" She said.

"No Problem. We still have about 3 hours until we get back to LA. You can get some sleep if you want." He said as he went to turn the car on.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive?" She asked.

Eric shook his head. "It's ok. I'm not tired." He said.

"Eric, you've been up since 5 yesterday morning. And I know we got to bed late the day before. You have gotten what, 4 hours in the last 36?" She said.

He eased the car back onto the interstate and sped back up.

"Mind if I put some music on? Now that you are awake?" Eric asked.

Nell bristled a bit at his obvious dodge of her question. "Fine." She said, staring out the window

Eric turned the stereo on to the Trance station.

(Begin Song)

They drove for awhile, the music the only thing in the car.

I need to know where this is heading
I hang on every word you say

"Do you trust me, Eric?" Nell finally broke the silence, finishing off her coffee.

But I'm waiting for that something
To prove that things will change

"Of course I do." Eric replied.

"Then why won't you tell me?" She said, the hurt in her voice evident.

I want to feel that we can share this
And know together we will grow

"It's not something I'm used to talking about." Eric replied. "I don't mean to hurt you."

So let me know that it will happen
Say it in the things you show

She gently placed her hand on his shoulder, not trying to startle him since he was driving.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push." She said.

It must get better than this x2
For time is running out, yeah it's running out
And you're getting further from me
It must get better than this

"No, it's ok." He said as he took her hand gently.

"I have these cycled of insomnia, especially when we have tough cases. And we have had a lot of them recently." Eric said.

"That we have." She said. They had finished assisting on a case of a serial killer and before that had multiple homicides that included children.

"I've learned to deal with it over the years. Best way is I go out driving in the middle of the night. It's so serene it allows me to work through all my emotions." He said.

Won't you let me in
Don't push me back again
Won't you save my faith
Don't make this heart break

The song dropped and then started to wind down as they both stared out into the darkness of the road.

"Maybe next time you decide to go driving you would like some company?" She asked in a low voice.

"I would love it." He said back.

Angel Fly – Original Edit - Kaimo K and Cold Rush w/ Sarah Russell

Eric's Apartment

Eric heard the knocking from his balcony. He ignored it for a bit before his phone beeped. He looked at it and chuckled.

I'm not going away until you open the door

The text from Nell read. He went back inside and unlocked the door for her. He walked back out to the balcony as she opened the door and came in.

She walked out to the balcony to see him drinking a scotch, a drink she recently discovered he enjoyed.

"Hey." She said as she leaned against the railing next to him.

"Hey." He said, finishing his drink.

(Begin Song)

All our dreams
How fast they die
What you could have been
We'll never understand why

"You know today wasn't your fault, right?" She said.

"Tell that to Callen." He said, setting the glass down on the end table where his speaker was.

(FlashBack)

"I can't believe we let him get away. " Deeks said in a defeated voice.

"You all did everything you could. Unfortuantely in our line of work sometimes the bad guy does win." Hetty said.

"I'm really sorry, guys. I screwed up." Eric said, the sorrow in his voice evident.

"Don't worry about it." Callen said, his body tense.

"He duped me. I never saw his virus" Eric said.

"Eric, I said don't worry about it!" Callen's voice elevated.

"G. It's ok. We will find him." Sam said, trying to calm his partner.

"How long? It took us 2 years to catch up to him this time! Two years down the drain because Eric was useless!" Callen said.

"Hey!" Eric said.

"What the hell, Callen?" Kensi said.

"Dude!" Deeks said.

"The way things have been going lately I wonder why we even keep you around." Callen said, going full bore with no holding back.

"Mr. Callen!" Hetty yelled out. The rest of the team was shocked by his outburst

"You know what? To Hell with you, Callen! You want me gone? I can go!" Eric said as he slung his bag over his shoulder and left quickly, Nell following after him, trying to get him to stop.

(End Flashback)

A seed not brought to life
A twinkle in our eyes
A love that never dies

"Oh, trust me, Wolfram. I did" Nell said, giving him a smile

(Begin Flashback)

"Eric, wait!" Nell yelled after him but Eric was already squealing out. She stood there for a few moments before her jaw clenched. She turned on her heel and went back inside.

Kensi and Deeks saw her as she came stomping down the hallway. Wisely they stepped out of the way as Nell walked up to Callen sitting in his chair. She grabbed the back of the chair and with a strength that surprised even her she spun him around to face her.

"What the hell is your problem? Do you have any idea the things he does for you out there, Callen? I have never, ever seen someone work so hard at what he does then Eric Beale. Did you know that he gets job offers from major tech companies almost every month, offering him more and more? He has the skills that he could be a millionaire if he wanted to. But he stays here. And do you know why? Because he cares about what you all think of him. When he fails to live up to the expectations he thinks you have of him it makes him physically ill. He has saved your life numerous times and you owe him an apology, Agent G Callen. And you will apologize to him because if you don't I will make you regret it. Eric Beale is my partner and I will always stand up to my partner. Do you understand me?" Nell said, her face inches from Callen's. Everyone stood with an amused wonder that the newest member of the team was reaming the team leader a new one 10 ways from Sunday.

Not even waiting for a response from him she straightened up, turned on her heels, and left

(End Flashback)

Don't leave me here
It feels so empty without you

"You really chewed him out?" Eric said, a bemused look on his face.

"Did you seriously think I was going to let him get away with that?" Nell said.

"That's my Rockstar." He said

My angel fly
You weren't meant to see the morning light
Held in my arms
[4x]

The song dropped as she took his hand in hers.

"I will always have my partner's back, Wolfram, always." She said as she squeezed it

My angel fly [3x]

There was another knock on the door. They went inside and Eric opened the door to see Callen standing there.

"Mind if I come in?" He said.

Eric nodded, stepping back, letting Callen in, closing the door behind him. Nell stood with her arms crossed, her face hardened toward him.

"Look Eric, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I was way out of line. The truth is we are lucky to have someone like you on our side." Callen said, his hand on the back of his neck.

"That means a lot, coming from you Callen." Eric said.

"Let me make it up to you. Let me take you out for a drink." Callen said.

"Deal" Eric said as they shook hands.

"You want in on this?" Callen said, looking toward Nell with an eyebrow raised.

She smiled and shook her head.

"No thanks. I'm going to go home and curl up on the couch with a book. You boys have your fun." She said as she gathered her things.

"You better take care of my partner, Callen." Nell said, throwing a look over her shoulder with a grin as she left.

Save Me - Ilya Soloviev Remix – Shogun w/ Emma Lock

LA Mercy General Hospital

Eric sat in a chair that he could have sworn was based on designs from the Inquisition because after days of sitting in one he felt like he was being torture.

He couldn't take his eyes off the young redhead; most of that red hair was under the bandages that covered her head. Her arm was in a cast and there were bandages wrapped all over her body. The first time he saw her after she got out of surgery Eric had to empty his stomach.

He had brought his speaker and was playing some trance music, hoping it would help her wake up

(Begin Song)

"Please wake up, Nell" He whispered as he softly stroked his fingers over hers

It all seems to disappear
Like it was never really here
This gets so emotional
Nothing left to fear

The pull of ocean tide
Teardrops hung out to dry
I don't want to let go
Not this time

"I need you to wake up. I need you." Eric said, lowering his head on to the bed

Bring back your loving
I'm in here now
Bring back your loving
Don't say our love
Is set in stone

Eric squeezed his eyes against the tears that were started to flow. No matter what he did he couldn't stop

"I should have tried harder. I should have worked harder to find you." He said.

Don't turn away from me
Our love is our energy
Baby

Don't leave me in silence still
Trapped in my own free will
Baby

"I love you, Nell. Please wake up"

You shine a light
That ignites in me
And you're the only one right now
Who can save me
So, come save me

"Mmm, Eric?" He heard her voice, groaning

"Nell?" He said as he looked up into her eye.

"You saved me." She said.

Come save me
Baby
Come save me
Save me

"No, I just found you." He said.

She gently shook her head, weakly reached up to stroke his cheek.

"No, you saved me." She said.

Eric slowly encircled her in his arm, burying his face in her pillow, muffled sobs coming out.

"Don't ever scare me like that." He said, voice muffled.

You shine a light
That ignites in me
And you're the only one right now
Who can save me
Baby

"I won't. I love you, too" She whispered into his ear. He pulled back, his face inches from her. He gently kissed her lips before parting.

"Go back to sleep. I'll call Hetty and the others." He whispered.

"Promise me you will be here when I wake up." She said,

"I promise." He replied, kissing her nose.

She closed her eyes, a smile on her face as Eric went toward the door. He pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Hetty? She is awake" Eric said, a smile on his face and a bigger smile in his heart. And she loves me.

Here is the final part of the Trance trilogy. I have two sub episodes in mind that are related to the Trance trilogy but are not a direct part of them.

The second part was inspired by Finding Solace in Another, a phenomenal work of fiction by JustThisOne that I highly recommend you read. Specifically Callen and Eric's exchange in the second chapter. I wanted to have a reason for Eric to lash back at the others

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