Disclaimer: Still not mine.
"Really, G.?" asked Sam incredulously, as he emerged from the Mercedes in front of a very tony steakhouse. "Would it kill you to eat a chicken breast once in a while?"
G. Callen shot his partner a look. "Why would I want to eat chicken when I can have grass fed, free range, all Angus, red meat? Especially," his eyes twinkled, "when you' re buying."
The ex-SEAL shook his head and smirked. "When it's your turn to buy, I'm taking you to this little vegan place I know. Your arteries will thank me, someday." He winked at the senior agent as the valet took the keys to the car.
"My arteries may get shot again tomorrow," Callen grinned. "So, tonight, they eat steak."
The two men made their way inside the restaurant, where they were greeted at the hostess stand by a very attractive blonde.
"Hello, Mr. Cooper," she addressed Callen with a flirtatious smile. "Your table is ready. Right this way." She eyed Sam up and down before gracing him with a smile, then turned with hips swinging and led them to a quiet corner table. "Let me know if you need anything," she emphasized.
The agents watched the hostess walk away, then Sam turned to Callen with a raised eyebrow. "Come here often, Mr. Cooper?"
"Previous op, long story," Callen shot back with a smirk. "Now put your eyes back in your head and prepare for the beef experience of a lifetime."
As they perused their menus, a loud, male voice could be heard across the restaurant. The man appeared to be boasting about himself, and his personal exploits.
"I didn't think they let guys like that in places like this," Callen shook his head as he took a long sip of beer.
Sam gaped. "They let you in, didn't they?"
His partner glared for a moment. "Point taken."
The waiter returned for their orders, and the two relaxed into their seats, enjoying their drinks and chatting amiably. Once again, the quiet ambiance of the restaurant was broken by boisterous laughter from the same man as before. The agents visually searched the dining room for the offender, and spotted a handsome young man that Sam recognized as an up-and-coming hotshot he had seen featured recently in a local magazine. But more surprising than the recognition of the loud man was the identity of his dining companion. Because there, across from him, wearing a little black dress and sipping $100 Cabernet, sat Nell Jones.
"Is that our Nell?" Sam asked, stunned at the sight before them. "Doesn't seem like her type."
Callen remained silent and observed the couple. The first thing that struck him was that he had never seen the intelligence analyst wearing anything quite so dressy. Or revealing. The second thing was the incongruity of the quiet young woman with a such a boorish man. And she looked none too happy about her predicament.
"Date?" Sam speculated.
"Blind date," Callen guessed. "Look at her body language. She's screaming to get away from him."
"Wouldn't you?" A smile played at the corners of Sam's mouth.
Their dinners arrived, and for the moment, the conversation was abandoned. But Callen kept a surreptitious eye on the couple. He couldn't quite stem the disquiet that stirred in his gut over the situation. Nell didn't appear to be in any danger, although she did seem to be annoyed by her date's behavior. The man had spent more time on his cell than he had with Nell, but Callen conceded that while rude, it was no crime. But Callen's feelings ran deeper than just worrying that she was dating a jerk. If he dug deeper, he was bothered more by the fact that she was dating someone at all.
His thought process was interrupted by his partner waving a hand in front of Callen's face and calling his name repeatedly. It took a moment to realize that Sam had been talking to him. Before he could recall what they were discussing when he zoned out, Sam fixed him with a knowing look and interrupted his reverie.
"When?"
Now, Callen was truly confused. "When what?"
"Nell. When did it happen, G?"
The blue eyed agent shook his head. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Hanna quirked an eyebrow. "You've been distracted since we saw Nell and her date. What gives?"
"I'm just concerned about her," Callen responded, unconvincingly. "I mean, we know nothing about this guy."
"Do you do background checks on all the guys Kensi dates?" the big guy questioned, crossing his arms over his chest. At his partner's slightly sheepish look, Sam continued. "G, she's a grown woman. She can date whoever she wants, and she can take care of herself. Is the guy an ass? Probably. Is he a threat? Probably not. So, what's really bugging you? You have a thing for Nell, don't you?"
Callen's head jerked around in surprise. "I'm just looking after my teammates. You, Kensi, Deeks...you can all take care of yourselves. But Nell and Eric, I worry about."
"You didn't deny that you have a thing for her," Sam replied smugly. "I thought so. I've seen the way you ask her to do all your 'special projects'," he put in air quotes, "instead of Eric. And you always stand next to her during briefings. You follow her every move when she's walking around the building. You thought nobody would notice, huh? So, why haven't you asked her out?"
Sighing, Callen leaned back in his seat, eyes never leaving Nell's table. "It's complicated, Sam."
"Then make it uncomplicated. Do something good for yourself, G. And for her."
Before Callen could respond, they both noticed a slight skirmish from Nell's table. The guy she was with was holding his phone to one ear, and was motioning for Nell to wait a moment with the other hand. Nell, looking more irritated than ever, stood to walk away, but her date had taken hold of her arm. Callen immediately began to rise from his seat, but Sam held him back.
"Hang on, give her a chance to handle it."
Callen fumed, but remained seated. Nell's date actually appeared to be apologizing, and although she still seemed unconvinced, she sat back down. They continued to watch as the man returned to his phone call.
"We've gotta get her out of there," Callen stated matter-of-factly.
Sam had to concede. "How should we play it?"
After thinking for a moment, the Senior Agent came to a decision. Pulling out his own cell phone, he quickly sent Nell a text.
Looks like fun. Want some company?
Nell heard the ping of her phone, and noting that her date was embroiled in conversation on his own cell, she removed hers from her purse. Seeing the text from Callen, she opened and read it, brow furrowed. Recognition suddenly dawned on her, and she quickly scanned the room. When she spotted the two agents sitting in the corner, her eyes widened slightly. She was met with a two fingered wave from Sam and a smirk from Callen.
It was only a moment before Callen's phone vibrated.
Help me, Obi Wan. You're my only hope.
