They say the ocean has no past and no future, to them it represents so much more

THE WATERS EDGE

Private Beach Front

Eric walked along the sand, listening to the waves as they crashed. He felt truly at peace here. Yea, a part of him wishes he brought his board and was out on those waves but right now he wanted to enjoy the serenity.

As he walked he caught a glimpse of a figure walking down the path toward him. He knew instantly who it was and heart responded in kind. A smile came across his face as she walked in her sky blue dress and her fiery red hair both blowing in the ocean breeze. The image in his head played in slow motion as she walked toward him barefoot in the sand.

"I knew you would be here" She said as she stepped up to him.

"Am I that predictable?" He replied.

She shook her head gently. "Not all the time. You have your surprises." She said as she walked beside him.

"How's Kensi? Going Bridezilla yet?" Eric said.

Nell laughed. "Thank God, no. But she is nervous as hell. Hetty is talking some sense in to her. What about Deeks?"

"Bout the same but he is doing good. The guys are with him."

"Isn't it the Best Man's job to make sure the Groom doesn't get cold feet?" Nell elbowed him gently.

"Isn't it the Maid of Honor's job to do the same?" Eric poked her.

"Got me there, Wolfram." She said.

She slid under his arm and wrapped her arm around his waist.

"Any particular reason you are going recluse, walking on the beach alone?" She asked him.

"Just contemplating. Walking on the beach helps me think and when I can think I can relax." He said.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked him.

"Right now…you." He said, squeezing her against him.

"Good things or bad things?" She asked him. She already knew the answer but she wanted him to say it.

"Good, Great, Awesome, Very Awesome things." He said.

He turned to face her. She grabbed his hand and lifted it up, flattening her palm against his spreading her fingers.

"It's been 4 years now, hasn't it?" She said.

Eric nodded.

"Who would have thought you would have saved your biggest surprise for me?" She said.

"You started it at Christmas." He replied.

"Yea but you were the one who finally asked me." She retorted.

They walked in silence for a bit before she spoke again.

"Do you regret it?" She asked him

"Are you kidding me? Why would I regret anything? Has it been hard? Yes it has been. I don't like keeping secrets from them. They are our family. But there is danger everywhere and what they know could hurt them." He replied.

"I know. But I'm tired of the secrets. I want everyone to know, not just the team, not just Granger, but the whole world." She said.

He leaned his forehead against hers. "We will, soon. Let the dust settle from Kensi and Deeks finally tying the knot" He said.

"I love you, Eric Beale." She said as she cupped his cheek.

"I love you, Nell Beale" He replied as he pulled her into a kiss.

They finally broke the kiss, keeping their foreheads together as they caught their breath.

"I want to wear your ring, I want to bear your children, and I want everyone to know that you are my husband and that I am your wife." She said.

"I want the world to know you are my wife, too. Truth be told I'm sick of the secrets too. And I'll take any responsibility for keeping this from the team when we tell them." He said.

She shook her head. "No, we are in this together. Partners always." She said.

Eric couldn't help but smile. "Partners always" was a mantra of theirs ever since they got married.

"Come on, we'd better get back before the wedding party turns into a search party for the Best Man and Maid of Honor" She said as she intertwined her fingers in his before they turned and walked back toward the house

50 episodes! Honestly didn't think I could keep this going for this long.

This was inspired by a pair of Fics. First is the Moments in Time series by AliyahNCIS and the Second is A Different Love Story by starvingstudent. Both stories deal with couples (Tony and Ziva and Kensi and Deeks respectivly) being married before most events in the show and that its a secret to everyone else. I wanted to do that with Eric and Nell. I really, really doubt that this will evolve into a full fledged story like the others so this little scene will have to do.

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