AN: A short chapter to gauge readers response, I would appreciate any comments but please only constructive criticism …. Thank you

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination.

'Nell, are you ready to go' Kensi called through the glass doors to the OPS centre, it was Tuesday night which was girls night, this week they were off to see the latest blockbuster followed by some serious gossiping over a nice meal and a glass or two of wine.

Instead of finding Nell wrapping up for the day, she found her kneeling on the floor in front of Eric, who held his head in his hands.

'Nell? Eric?' Kensi softly asked, wondering wildly what on earth had happened, she was used to downstairs being manic but upstairs was usually cool and calm, she quickly looked over Eric and saw no obvious reasons for his distress and took 2 tentative steps towards them, Nell looked up and shrugged, not knowing herself what had upset Eric this badly, he had been quiet and withdrawn all day, citing a headache when Nell had called him on it, but 15 minutes ago, when Nell had tried to tell him she was leaving, he'd looked at her blankly, not answering, which had led to Nell playfully smacking his arm for ignoring her, then turning his chair so he faced her, she had even tried pulling his face up to look her in the eye, they had worked together long enough that Nell thought she would be able to read what was wrong but he gave no eye contact and his head slumped back down into his hands as soon as Nell had let him go, finally she had got down on to her knees to his level, her small hands in her lap trying and failing to get through to him.

'Should I get Hetty?' Kensi asked

'NO!' Eric almost shouted, the threat of Hetty playing shrink to him in Nates absence was something he didn't want to even think about right now, he stood up, stepped over Nell and started pacing up and down, frowning and rubbing his hand over his head every now and again, whatever was playing on his mind was troubling him deeply.

Kensi sent a questioning look over at Nell, who nodded slightly and got up off the floor, Kensi went right, Nell went left until they had Eric cornered by the big screen, they held an elbow each and held him until he looked directly at them, his eyes bright with unshed tears

'Talk to me Eric' Nell pleaded with him; he shook his head trying to clear it

'Can we get out of here please, not here, I'll talk to you both but not here, I, I think I need a drink'

All thoughts of girls night forgotten, they took an arm each and flanked him, it would look like Eric was being a gentleman escorting the ladies from the building if any of the boys were in the bullpen, in reality the girls were worried Erics legs would go from under him and they were the ones giving him both emotional and physical support as they left.

'Let's go, I know just theplace' said Kensi ….