Keeping Secrets was just part of the job, lying to their friends, on the other hand, was not

TIME TO TELL THEM

Mission, Ops

"Security Camera's picked up this truck leaving the house 2 hours before the Lieutenant's body was found. Her neighbor had stopped by to return a blender she had borrowed." Eric explained, playing traffic camera footage from the crime scene.

"Anything in her history screams motive?" Deeks asked.

"I haven't had a chance to start digging in to Conner's record or financials. I was going to call her CO here shortly. It's been a busy morning" Eric said.

"Speaking of, where is Nell? It's not like her to be late." Kensi asked. Sam, Callen, Deeks, and her all looked at Eric.

"I haven't heard from her yet. I texted her about an hour ago" Eric said.

Right as he finished saying it the doors slid open and Nell ran into the room.

"Sorry…late…...overslept….sick to stomach" She heaved, trying to catch her breath.

"Woah, woah. Chill out." Deeks said.

Sam slid a chair over. "Sit down before you pass out, Nell" He said. She wisely complied. Everyone knew Sam had a protective streak when it came to the team and you did not want to poke that bear.

"I'm really sorry guys. I can't seem to shake this cold I have so I completely slept through my alarm." She said.

"It's alright, Miss Jones. Your health is important." Hetty said calmly walking in.

"Deeks, Kensi, check in with LAPD and canvas the neighborhood. Sam and I will go talk to Lt Conner's CO. You two check out any possible angles for motive." Callen said, doling out orders.

As soon as everyone left Nell turned to Eric and gave him a big nod. Eric's smile grew as he cupped her face in his hands.

Kensi's SRX

Kensi pulled up to a stop light and turned her music down, much to Deeks' relief.

"Finally. Thought my ears were going to bleed there for a second." He said.

"Oh, shut it. What do you think is going on with Nell?" Kensi asked, worry in her voice was obvious.

"Beats me. Something is definitely up though. She has been wearing baggier clothes, even in this heat. And this is the third day this week she has been late. When was the last time you ever saw her late?" Deeks said.

"I hope it's nothing bad. She is not dating anyone right? So she couldn't be in an abusive relationship?" Kensi asked.

Deeks shook his head. "I've seen my fair share of battered girlfriends and Nell is not one of them. As far as I know she isn't seeing anyone."

"What about Eric?"

"Not even him. They hang out a lot but as far as they both say it's strictly a friendship basis. I doubt it but I've never known either of them to lie to us" Deeks said as Kensi started to drive through the green light.

Sam's Challenger

Sam eased the Challenger onto the Interstate heading toward Pendleton. They drove in silence until Callen decided to break it.

"What's on your mind, big guy?" Callen said.

"Something is going on with Nell." Sam said.

"I agree with you. Question is what?" Callen said.

"It's something major or she wouldn't lie to us like that. I know for a fact she isn't sick." Sam said.

"Think Eric knows?" Callen said.

"Maybe." Sam said.

"Turn on some of that Hannah charm and he might just spill the beans." Callen said.

Mission, Ops, Early Afternoon

Callen and Sam had returned from interrogating their suspect. They got him to confess thanks to a maneuver Callen had borrowed from Gibbs during their time working together. The man crumbled under The Stare and confessed to targeting the Lt because he was trying to get information on a satellite she was working on for a private contractor. The information was secured and the man was handed over to LAPD for processing. Everyone was finishing up their work, thankful that there was still daylight out.

"Ok. I can't stand this anymore." Sam said, standing up and moving toward the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Kensi asked him.

"To get to the bottom of what is going on with Nell." Sam said.

Callen got up to follow. "It was bugging him all day." He explained.

"Yea, us too." Kensi replied as she stood up to follow, Deeks bringing up the rear.

They made their way to the doors but before getting into rage of the sensor they over heard voices.

We have to tell them.

I'm scared about what they will think.

They will be fine with it. I promise you. If they don't they will have to answer for me.

Well technically this is your fault.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I really appreciate it.

Are you sure everything will be ok?

I promise you.

Callen finally moved in range of the sensor and the door opened. The 4 piled in as Eric and Nell separated, the closeness not gone unnoticed by the team.

"Ok. Something is going on and we want to know, right now." Sam said.

"What makes you think something is going on?" Nell said, a slight tone of panic in her voice.

"You have been acting really weird the past few days." Deeks said.

"Your style of dress has changed." Kensi said.

"You rarely get sick" Callen said,

"And you are never late" Sam finished.

"Guys, its fine. I told you it's just a cold that won't go away." She repeated.

"You aren't being hurt by anyone, are you?" Sam's voice stiffened.

Nell shook her head. "No, he isn't hurting me." She said.

"Ah. So there is someone." Deeks said.

Nell looked at Eric. "Jig is up" he said.

Nell sighed. "I was so not ready for this." She turned to the team. "Yes, there is someone. No, he is not hurting me. Quite the opposite. I've never felt happier in my life." She said.

"Ok. So who is the man of mystery. Anyone we know?" Callen asked.

"Yes, it is someone you know." Nell said, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater.

"Oh, come on. Don't leave us hanging" Deeks exclaimed.

Eric stepped out from behind her. "It's me." He said. Nell looked at him in surprise.

"How long has this been going on?" Callen said.

"6 months." Eric said, his face stern. Nell nodded in agreement.

"Well it's about time, you two." Deeks said, a big grin on his face.

"But this still doesn't explain how you have been acting lately." Sam said, pulling back to the subject at hand.

Nell moaned slightly. Eric turned face her and put his head close to hers.

We have to tell them He whispered to her

She closed her eyes and nodded. Turning her head slightly to kiss him before taking a deep breath and letting it out. Eric stepped away and stood next to her, taking her hand and squeezing it.

"Ok. I was sick but not in the way I told you. I was late because I had to go see my doctor. I had to confirm something that we discovered over the weekend." Nell said. She squeezed her eyes shut to avoid looking at them when she finally blurted out the words.

"I'm pregnant"

The silence lasted for what seemed like an eternity so Nell forced one eye to open just in time to see Kensi rush toward her and throw her arms around her, making excited noises as the men lined up to offer their congrats.

"Oh my God I am so excited for you!" Kensi said. Nell, finally seeing that the team was excited, threw her arms around Kensi, sobbing in happiness.

"Told you." Eric said.

Nell smacked his arm with the back of her hand as she accepted hugs from Sam, Callen, and Deeks. Kensi gave Eric a hug as well as the guys gave him atta-boys, pats on the back, and veiled threats of bodily harm should anything happen to her.

"You know what? Uncle Deeks is feeling generous. Dinner is on me tonight. Who's with me?"" Deeks said. Words of agreement rang out as they all left Ops. Eric lightly tugged on Nell's hand to stop before fully leaving.

"We will be ok. Our family is here to help" he said.

"I love you." She said, standing on her toes to kiss him.

"I love you too. Does this mean you can stop wearing such baggy clothes?" He asked.

"Yes, Wolfram. I don't have to hide anymore" She said, rolling her eyes.

"You never had to hide in the first place." Eric reminded her.

"Come on or we are going to miss out" Nell said, pulling him along out the door

This one came out of an recap I read from a Season 9 episode where Nell goes into the field with Sam and Callen to get a satellite. It explained that Nell was dressed in layers because Renee Felice Smith is pregnant. I couldn't really confirm it nor find the article again but it still planted the seed that brought this episode about. Plus I was sick of leaving the last episode on a downer.

Thank you for Reading, Reviewing, Favoriteing, and Following.

I have a few other episodes I am working on but School and Work are taking up a lot of my time. Plus I don't have as much computer time at home now since I don't have a place to set it up at the moment. Hopefully soon we can get a bigger place and I can set up an Office/Game Room