Mission 101

Chapter 15- We Don't Remember Days, We Remember Moments

Nell's POV

When I landed in Puerto Rico, I was devastated to find that I was too late. My mother hadn't made it. When I walked into my parents house, I was greeted by my father, sister, aunt and grandmother. But sadly not my mother. "Where's mom?" They all looked at me with a great deal of pity making its way across all of their faces. "I'm sorry, honey. There was nothing we could do." I broke down and fell to the floor. My mother is gone. My whole life is over. I started crying and was quickly comforted by my sister and aunt. "I know baby girl, we will get through this." My aunt tried, not being very successful. But I wouldn't expect her to be, considering I don't think anyone would be able to make me feel any better right now. Unless Eric was here.

They were going to arrange a funeral for her for early next week. I can't stay here, without Eric. Eric is my rock.I feel like I need him to be able to get through this. "Dad, do you think It would be okay if I went back home, until the funeral. I know I should be with family, but I just think that will make me feel worse." I asked. My dad nodded. "Of course sweetheart, if you want, bring a friend with you when you come back." My dad offered. I ran up to him, thanked him and gave him a big hug. "It's okay sweetheart, come on. I'll drive you to the airport." He offered, walking me out of the door with my suitcase, after I said goodbye to the rest of my family.The car drive was pretty quiet. My dad tried to make conversation, but I wasn't in the mood to talk. I just want to see Eric.

When we finally got to the airport, my dad walked me to the first terminal, gave me a hug and watched as I boarded the plane, after showing my passport and tickets. I walked in and found my seat, instantly putting on my safety belt and leaning my head against the window. I wonder what the team was doing. Did they solve the case? I wish I was there.

I pulled out my phone and started to type.

"Hey Hetty, bad news. I'm coming back to LA. I'm on a flight now. I didn't make it in time. I'll see you in about eight hours. Please don't tell anyone.I don't want them worrying about me. -Nell" She replied almost immediately. "I'm so sorry Miss Jones. Okay. I will see you soon. I'm here if you need to talk or if you would prefer Mr Getz? -Hetty" What? She wants me to see Nate? I don't need a psychologist! "Thanks for the offer. I should be okay. I just want to be around my friends. Even if they don't know what's wrong. I'll talk to you later. -Nell" I replied, plugging my earphones in and turning my screen off.

I leant against the window, listening to the song my mom used to sing to me when I was young and thinking of all of the good memories my mom and I shared. I miss her so much. I just really need to see Eric. He is the only one that will be able to make me feel better right now.

I was hoping to get some sleep on the way back to LA, but I couldn't stop thinking.Sso I just looked at some pictures, read and tried to write a speech for my moms funeral. This was going to be tough. I am hoping that Eric will say yes to coming with me back to Puerto Rico for the funeral. I don't think I would be able to say goodbye to her without his support. The flight was long, but we finally made it back to LA.

I walked off the plane, went to baggage claim and got my suitcase. I called a taxi on the way to baggage claim, so it was there when I got outside of the airport. It would only take about twenty minutes to get from the airport to ops, where I would assume the rest of the team are, considering it's four o'clock and the team usually don't leave the office until six.

The car ride felt like it took forever! But we made it to ops at about four-twenty. I paid the taxi driver, got my suitcase out of the back seat and walked into ops. I saw Eric walking down the stairs and my eyes lit up and a slight smile spread across my face full of dry tears.

"Eric! Eric! Eric!" I yelled, ignoring the fact that the rest of the team were staring at me in confusion. Eric looked up and saw me running towards him. He held out his arms and I ran into them, feeling his arms tightly wrap around me. "Nell! Are you okay? What happened?" I dug my head further into his shirt and hugged him tighter. "It was too late! I was too late!" I yelled. He slowly pulled me off him, still holding my shoulders tightly. He looked into my eyes. "Aww, Nell. I'm so sorry. We will get through this. I am going to be there to help you." He informed. I nodded and he pulled me back into him, hugging me again.

I didn't even realise Deeks, Kensi, Callen and Sam staring at me, still trying to figure out what was going on. "Um, are one of you going to tell us what's going on? Or are we gonna have to go ask Hetty?" Deeks asked. Wait Deeks? Deeks is back? "Nell? You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. It's okay. Hetty won't tell them if you don't want them to know yet. I know this is going to be hard for you, but it's going to be okay." Eric told me, looking into my eyes once again. I feel like I am an ice block. Melting away and the sound of Eric's voice. I shook my head. "It's okay, it won't mean anything to them though. You guys are getting worked up over nothing." I stated, turning towards the rest of the team.

"Nell, it looks like you haven't slept in two days, obviously this is not nothing." Sam stated. Hah! Thanks Sam. I looked at Eric, and gave him the 'can you tell them, I don't think I can get it out' look. He nodded in response. "Guys, Nell had to go back to Puetro Rico to see her family. Her mom had cancer." I didn't even notice the tears pouring down my face until Eric leant down and wiped them away with his thumb. "Although, when I got there....it was too late." I finished. Everyone just looked at me, their faces full of pity. "Aww, Nell. I'm so sorry." Kensi stated, walking up to me and pulling me into a hug. Callen, Sam and Deeks didn't really know what to say, so they just joined in on the hug and we just stood there, in each other's arms. "It's going to be okay Nell. We are all here for you. I know how you feel." Callen comforted. Deeks looked at him. "Hey! I know how you feel too! I lost my mom less than four days ago." Deeks argued, trying to make me smile. "I know you had a close bond with your mom, but I just want you to know that we are all here for you, where ever and when ever you need us. We love you Nell." Kensi stated. "I love you guys too. And thank you." I replied, stepping out of the hug.

"Eric? Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, turning to Eric. He nodded. "Of course!" He took my hand and led me to the bottom of the stairs, leaving the rest of the team in the bullpen. "Eric, you know how you said that you would be here to help me?" I asked. He sounded worried now. "Yeah..."

"I was wondering....if you would maybe..... want to...." I started. "Nell, spit it out."

"I was wondering if you would maybe want to come back to Puerto Rico with me, for the funeral. I could really use a friend." I asked. He nodded and a smile spread across his face. "Ohh Nell, of course I will! Come here!" He stated, pulling me into a hug once again.