AN: So when Nate was talking to Nell about her feelings for Eric, I was imagining him talking to her about Callen. And I had to write it... so this is my first stab at a Nell/Callen story.

Disclaimer: don't own NCIS or NCIS LA

"I'm pretty sure you were flirting with me, this morning," Nate studies Nell and asks the question that has been on his mind since Nell had given him a huge hug earlier.

"What? No! That's my welcome back, buddy hug. Standard issue," Nell defends herself. Nate and Nell went way back, to when Nell was a graduate student at Georgetown. She looks at Nate. "And why are you giving me that look?"

Nate gives Nell another look. "Because you're definitely not flirting with me now, now that we're alone."

Nell raises her eyebrow. "You think that had to do something with Eric?" She glances over at Nate, who's just smiling like a smug cat. "That's hilarious, actually."

"Nell, I get paid to read people. But it's not Eric. It's Callen."

Nell's jaw dropped open. Sure a twelve year old could see the flirting between her and Eric, but she more had feelings for Callen. Besides, she'd never date Eric. "What?"

"I saw the way you looked at him earlier. And the way he looked at you. Is there something going on between you two?"

"I think you've been gone a little too long, my friend," Nell stands up. "Callen? Really? Callen. Nope, no way." She makes exaggerated hand gestures, to try and get the point across to Nate.

"You can run, but I'm already inside your little head Nell."

Later that day, as Eric and Nell are making their way down the stairs, she's telling Eric she has no plans, ever, or for the foreseeable future. Except for monster truck rally's. However, it's not for Eric she's telling it to, it's for Callen's sake, because he's within hearing distance. She gives him a look over to Callen.

"Monster truck rally?" Callen asks Hetty. He can see Kensi at one, but Nell? No way. Nope. Nada. But there was something to Nell Jones that piqued his interest.

Nell's having car troubles the next morning. She's no mechanic but she thinks it's the starter. Just my luck, she thinks. She decides to give Kensi a call and see if she can give her a ride. But no dice. Kensi was already at the office, having picked up Deeks. However, Kensi did point out the fact that Callen wasn't in, but Sam was, so her told Nell to call Callen, and they lived in the same part of the city.

"Callen, it's Nell," she says nervously when he picks up. "I'm having car troubles, do you think you can swing by and pick me up?"

"Absolutely. Give me ten," Callen replies. Nell hangs up and sighs. She's greatful for the team being so close, but she's nervous about being in the same car as Callen all the way to work. She hopes her feelings don't show.

After Callen picks her up, he's trying to think of how to ask her a question. He's not even sure she's interested in him, because it seems like she really likes Eric. But he sees the glances she gives him, and the glance she gave him last night.

"So, no plans for the foreseeable future?" Callen finally asks.

Nell laughs nervously. "Well… besides work and maybe a mani/pedi with Kensi next week, no."

"So do you have time do go for dinner with me on Friday?" Callen gets it out. He finally did it. He looked over at Nell, and she's pretty shocked.

Actually, Nell is speechless. "Um…yeah. I mean… sure! I'd love to."

Callen flashes her a smile and she does the same and relaxes a little. "Good. I'll pick you up at eight." Nell just couldn't believe Callen asked her to go for dinner. She thought she did a good job at hiding her feelings for the senior agent, by flirting with Eric, but obviously not. Not that she minded. She was going on a date with Callen!