OPS Shenanigans

Tess Part 1

Nell's phone rang shrilly and loudly through OPS. Nell and Eric were in the middle of briefing so she tried to ignore it. But when it went to answer phone a high pitched female voice interrupted them again.

"Hey Nell, its Cassie. I know you said never to call you at work but it's an emergency. Tess..." Nell picked up the phone and threw the tablet on the table with a loud crash and sped out the door before anyone could hear anymore.

All they did hear was a muffled yell of "I'll be there as soon as I can". From Nell as they heard her speed down the mission stairs.

"What was that all about" Eric asked checking Nell's tablet over to see if she had smashed anything.

"And who's Tess" Deeks asked chiming in.

"None of your business Deeks" Kensi said elbowing him.

"That is for Miss Jones to decide to tell you" Hetty said a knowing look on her face. "Now on with the briefing".

"Oh uh yeah" Eric said pulling up a picture of a happy family.

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Hetty waited patiently watching the monitors to see Nell's car arrive back at OPS and went out to meet her. As Nell got out of her scarlet red mini she looked obviously flustered.

"What seems to have been the problem Miss Jones" Hetty asked.

"Oh Hetty" Nell said turning rapidly. "The babysitter she broke her arm. A tree at the park nearly fell on Tess but Cassie saved her but her arm got caught." Nell said breathing rapidly.

"Calm down Nell, where is Tess now" Hetty asked.

"In the back" Nell said pointing and opening the door to reveal a red haired toddler clenching and unclenching her fists, while laughing hysterically.

She noticed the two women watching her and she immediately reached her hands towards them. "Hetty, Hetty, Hetty" she squealed.

"Hello Tess, would you like to see my office" Hetty asked leaning over towards her and undoing her car seat. Tess nodded her head furiously. Hetty picked up Tess and placed her on the ground holding her hand securely and turned to Nell.

"I will take Tess into mission, while you go get yourself sorted Miss Jones, you are in a right state." Hetty commanded sternly walking off. Tess walking very fast and stumbling to keep up with her.

Sam was the first to meet Tess. She saw him and squealed hiding behind Hetty. "big scary monster" she wailed pulling at Hetty's arm.

"Hey there, I'm not scary I promise" Sam said kneeling to get on Tess' level. "my name is Sam, what's your name"

Before she could answer a certain brunette and a shaggy haired surfer rounded the corner that made the 3 year old burst into hysterics.

"Tessy bear, what are you doing here." Kensi said swinging her into the air and tickling her mercilessly.

"Dop it, Dop it" She screamed.

"Not until I hear the magic words" Kensi said.

"What are you doing" Sam asked eyebrow raised.

"Having fun" Kensi said releasing Tess from the tickles of death.

"So this is the famous Tess" Deeks remarked earning a punch in the arm from Kensi and a light punch in the shoulder from Tess.

"Don't teach her that" Deeks whined.

"Me, famous" Tess questioned remembering Deeks' earlier question.

"Round here you are" Deeks said smiling and running a hand through her soft red curls.

Tess now squirmed to get out of Kensi's grip. As Kensi put her down on the floor she ran off at full speed.

She ran off still facing Kensi and ran head first into a pair of knees.

"Well, who have we got here" Eric said looking down at her.

"This is Tess" Hetty explained.

"Oh right" Eric said. "I still don't follow"

"Dada, Dada" Tess said holding her hands out to him practically begging for him to pick her up.

"Not your dad, sorry kid" Eric said.

"Oh shit" Nell exclaimed seeing the scene unfolding before her.

"Mama, mama" Tess said running at her. "Where you go, so many people"

"I had to sort some things out baby girl" Nell replied her head resting against Tess' and gripping her tightly like she never wanted to let go.

Eric could not believe his eyes. "I'm sorry, I am still not getting it". he mumbled.

"A bit slow on the uptake aren't we Beale"

"Partner meet Daughter"
"Daughter meet partner"

"Partner" Tess said testing the word out.

"Not your partner." Eric said softly.

"Dada" Tess questioned.

"Not your dad either."

"But you are" Nell corrected.

"What" Eric stammered.

"Her dad"

"Not possible" Eric said shaking his head furiously. Tess copied giggling.

"Every bit possible, when was the first and only time we have ever slept together"

"3 years ago" The truth was slowly creeping up on him and he didn't think he could take it.

"Tess how old are you"

"Thwee"

"Oh this is all too much" Eric said waking round in circles holding his head he was thinking so much and so fast it was making his head throb. "I can't take it, it's not possible."

"Mama why is dada angry" Tess asked.

"I am not your dad" Eric shouted surprising everyone. Tess burst into tears. She was not used to being shouted at. Although Nell never used any kind of strict punishment, she never shouted always being stern instead.

"Now look what you've done" Nell said raising her voice just high enough to make Eric stop.

"Oh god what have I done" Eric said walking over to Nell and Tess. He held out his arms. "May I" Nell handed Tess to Eric but was scared how she would react when being held by new people Tess tended to squirm and try to escape their grip.

"Hey, hey. Don't cry. I'm sorry." Eric whispered into Tess' ear resting her head on his shoulder.

She wasn't wailing but crying silently. "Dada mad at Tess" she whispered barely audibly.

"No, of course not" at these words she snuggled in closer to his chest. Gripping the material of his shirt tightly.

"Dada never shout again"

"Of course" Eric said raising his head proudly.

"Pwomise" She said nuzzling into the crook of his neck sticking her thumb in her mouth.

Eric planted a delicate kiss on the toddlers forehead.

"I promise"

I am not sure whether to do another part for this one shot or not.
What do you think?
Comment below.