Each had a gaping hole in their soul, slowly but surely they started to be filled

VOIDS

He was a 32-year-old man, unimposing, timid, not physically strong. But what he lacked in physical talents he made up in mental ones. Few people who were involved in anything related to Cyber Crimes in NCIS or any other sister organizations did not know the name Eric Beale. Even from those that did know his name few understood is reasoning why he wasn't a part of Cyber. Many people thought he was just happy where he was but deep down that was only half true. He never would admit it but he never felt comfortable outside of OSP. Sure, he traveled to help out other places when they asked him to but never on a long term assignment. He liked where he worked. He got away with a lax dress code, got to goof off when he could, and at time got to feel important when he did something that blew the team away. But deep down Eric hid a dark secret. While part of him enjoyed it he also felt empty. He felt like this was the best he could do and he never would go past just being a Tech. It didn't really help matters that he blamed himself for the disappearance, reappearance, and later death of Dominic Vail. Dom had become good friends with Eric when he served as his part time partner in Ops. He could have done more to find him, been faster to get backup to the site before Dom was shot, faster to get paramedics there to try to save him. For months Eric couldn't look Sam in the eyes for fear of seeing the disgust he was sure would be there. Eric withdrew into a shell and broke away from the team. He rarely talked to Callen outside of work reasons, winced when Kensi tried to talk to him, and nearly had heart attacks every time Hetty called his name. Every time he heard the words "Mr. Beale" he was sure that it would be followed by "leave the premises immediately. You are terminated". It only made things worse when one time his name was followed by "Meet our new intelligence analyst, Nell Jones." Eric was sure he was being replaced. So much so that he started updating his resume and putting feelers out to find employment elsewhere. But as the weeks turned to months that never came. In fact he found himself enjoying having a partner. She made the day go by quicker because he had someone to talk to again. Someone who challenged him, someone who cared about him. As time went on he realized that she wasn't just his partner anymore, she was his friend. And deep down he wanted her to be more. A string of horrible, humiliating breakups left a bad taste in his mouth and a shattered self-confidence when it came to women but her little smiles and gestures of innocent friendly affection started opening himself up to the possibility. He found himself day dreaming about her. And not in purely physical ways either, although he would be lying if the images hadn't crossed his mine multiple times. But he also imagined them raising a family together, growing old together, having children. Finally he had to admit a very simple truth to himself…

She was a 29 year old woman, short, attractive, determined. Her intelligence was her greatest strength but also her greatest weakness. Being the youngest in a large family she was generally forgotten. While her brothers were making big sports plays and getting scholarships Nell was achieving straight A's all throughout school. While her older sister was named Prom Queen, Nell was the one left without a date. So it was no shock that when college rolled around she wanted to get away from her family. It wasn't that she didn't love them, she just wanted to be out on her own. It was at Stanford that she first got the eye of one Henrietta Lange. She was recruited right out of school and promptly made a total idiot out of herself to her new coworkers. She ran headlong into the job before really learning her place which caused annoyance from some, coldness from others. But over time she learned the nuances of her coworkers and got to know them better. Defying all the odds she found herself fitting in, something she always struggled with when she was young. She came to see her coworkers as part of her family since she was so far from hers. But the one person she really wanted to warm up to her still kept her at arm's length. Every attempt she made to get to know him better was met with aloofness. She was about to give up when the answers to her questions came from Hetty. When she was told about Dominic Vail and how close Eric was the pieces seemed to fall into place. That night before they left she walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a hug. She told him in a low voice that she was not there to replace anyone and that she was sorry if she stepped on his toes. She pulled away long enough to look him in the eyes and ask his forgiveness. He accepted her apology and she vowed there that she was going to make this partnership work. They had their disagreements over time but she loved watching him work and she was the first to show pride in his accomplishments. As time went on and they started spending more time together it dawned on her in the back of her mind that he wasn't her partner anymore, he was her friend. And she would be lying if she didn't admit that some part of her wanted to go beyond that. That is why she let her guard down so he could meet her family, first over Skype and then in person when she took him back to Minnesota for Christmas. She even brought up the cover story of boyfriend, which in her mind was the truth, not a cover. Finally she forced herself to admit…

Eric's Apartment

The credits started to roll as Eric struggled to keep his eyes open. Looking at the clock on his cable box it was almost 2 am. He grabbed the remote and turned the movie off, the room being illuminated by a solitary kitchen light. He looked down at the form of a red head curled up on her side. Her eyes were shut and she had a content look on her face. Eric knew then they had succeeded. Usually after long, hard cases they would watch movies until they could stay away anymore. Gently touching her shoulder with his left hand he shook her.

"Wake up, sleepy head." He whispered to her

She let out a moan that sounded like a 5-year-old being told she had to get ready for school.

"Warm blankets and pillows are not supposed to talk" She mumbled, cracking one eye to look up at him.

"Well this blanket and pillow would be more comfortable in a bed then on the couch and I'm sure you would to." He said.

She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "You win this round." She said as she pushed the blanket she was curled up in off them and swung up into a sitting position. Eric maneuvered out from behind her and held his hands out to her. She took them and he pulled her into a standing position, which she promptly shifted into a leaning on Eric position.

"Come on" He said, softly running a hand on her back. He led her into his room while he turned the lights off in his apartment. He pulled the sheets back and they climbed into bed together, taking a few moments to adjust and get comfortable before she promptly curled up against his body.

"Good night, Rockstar" He whispered to her.

She lifted her head to place a gently kiss on his jaw.

"Good night, Wolfram"

They both each had a gaping hole in their soul. It took time but it dawned on them that their holes were in the exact shape of the other. They finally had to admit to themselves and to each other

They were in love.

This one was in the works for awhile but I caught an inspiration and was able to get idea to paper (or electronic considering the medium). I hope you all enjoy it.

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