Are They Or Aren't They: The Quintessential Eric And Nell Moments

We'll start this off with a big one, when Eric said to Nell: "I love you." Sure, the phrase just slipped out after Nell helped him with a technical issue while up in Ops, but is that really all it was?

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

When Eric got a female friend (with higher government clearance) to help NCIS out with an issue, it seemed like Nell got a little jealous. And this wasn't the last time either would feel that way.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

Beware if you try to flirt with Nell while she's on assignment in the field. Eric might come after you, like when he told told this suitor: "All I need to kill you is this pen."

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

When the city of Los Angeles (and everyone in it) was at risk, Eric and Nell decided to tell each other how they really feel. They exchanged notes and agreed to never talk about it again.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

What could make Eric and Nell react like this? What was on those notes? Maybe one day we'll find out.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

When Eric saw that Nell had received flowers at NCIS, it was all he could think about. After enough pestering Eric found out that Nell actually sent the flowers to herself, and then exclaimed: "That's great!" He was obviously happy to find out that the flowers were not sent from somebody else competing for Nell's heart.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

Eric's first guesses at Nell's tattoo were a butterfly, a kitty cat, a puppy, and a bunny rabbit. Nell then asked, "Why do you think my tattoo is something cute and sweet?" Eric simply replied: "Because you are."

How sweet is that? Adorable level 10.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

NCIS' newest intern, Blaze, captured Eric's attention as soon as she got there. He took a big interest in her professional development, but is that all it was?

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

After Blaze completed her mission and left NCIS, Eric stopped by to touch base with Nell and explain what happened. Did he feel guilty about giving her all that attention? Guilty or not, Nell ended up giving Eric some hands on instruction on flying the drone she had just retrofitted with an infrared camera.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

On Season 6's Christmas episode, Nell and Eric had plans to go to a Christmas horror movie festival. First of all, that sounds a little cozier than "work friends." Second, he was very disappointed when she had to cancel their plans. But just wait, it gets better.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

After Nell cancelled her Christmas horror movie festival plans with Eric, she invited him to join her family for the holidays. Her specific words were: "Maybe you want to come home with me?"

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

Nell was trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for why Eric would be joining for the holidays to her parent's house. She suggested the cover of Eric being her boyfriend. Yup, that happened.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

After the holiday break, the tension kept rising between Eric and Nell. When a certain store's undergarments came up in conversation, Eric asked how Nell would know their prices. She replied: "How do you think I know, Mr. Beale?" What do you think that means? Should Eric have had some insider knowledge?

But as most hardcore NCIS: Los Angeles fans know, that wasn't the biggest thing to happen with Eric and Nell around the holidays.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.

This is the quintessential Eric and Nell moment. No doubt about it. There was mistletoe, and then there was a kiss. And, yes, that's Nell in an adorable Elf costume.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.
 

Nothing slips by Hetty—certainly not the lipstick that was smeared on Eric's lips after a long day in the office with Nell. Hetty even pointed it out in the final scene of Season 7.

Watch NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS.