When they arrive at the restaurant Callen takes Nell's arm and bows her out of the door like an old world gentleman, escorting her through the door and towards one of the tables near the windows looking out onto the Santa Monica beach and the sunset beyond. He gently pushes her chair in for her and takes a seat across from her and he can't help but stare awestruck as the light strikes her cascading hair making it glisten like molten copper and the emerald pendant she wore against her neck sparkle
'G, you listening" Nell asks
"You're so beautiful' G mutters then askes "Sorry Nell what did you ask"
"I asked if you were ready to order" Nell says blushing slightly having heard what he said
'I'm not sure, I haven't had Thai in ages. what do you like?" Callen asks
"I like the Pad Thai" Nell says looking at Callen admiring how his cerulean eyes sparkle with a inner light
"Sounds lovely, I'll have one of those"
Several hours later after spending the night talking and drinking Nell and Callen decide to leave. While neither is drunk Nell is getting giggly and callen is buzzed, when they go outside G ever the gentleman takes Nells arm and starts walking to where the taxi stands are, as he does so he gently guides Nell to the opposite side of the road to walk on her right side.
Nell noticing this asks "Callen is something wrong?"
"Why, did you see someone following us or something" he asks coming on alert immediately scanning the environment for threats.
"No, its just you crossed the road rather suddenly" she says
"Oh that, its something Hetty taught me from her time in Britain" callen says relieved 'When a man is escorting a lady he always walks with her on the left side of the road, so he can shield her from the road and so his sword arm is free to defend her"
"Do you really think I need a man to protect me?" Nell asks giving callen a look
"N no, its just"
"Just what" nell asks getting slightly annoyed coming to a stop and looking at him
What happened next neither saw coming
Callen leans down and grabs Nell's face with both hands kissing her pulling back he says "Because I don't know what i'd do without you Nell"
"I don't know what I'd do without you either G" Nell says pulling him back in for another kiss.
The ride back to Nell's apartment is spent holding hands in the back of the cab neither being able to separate for a second. They manage to make it inside and walk into the lounge room without being interrupted.
As they sit Nell asks with a small smile "So what did you mean don't know what you'd do without me?"
"I meant that I don't know what I'd do, I know you probably don't feel the same way, but I really like you Nell I can't get you out of my head, every night I leave ops and I go home and you're all I can think of until I see you the next day" Callen says looking down shyly
"Callen, Callen look at me" Nell says drawing his face back up to look into his eyes, oh god those eyes blue like the deepest oceans "G, youre not the only one who feels that way"
"What?" he quietly asks astonished
"I like you too G I just never imagined you would feel the same way"
Unable to find words G kisses her again taking in the luscious feel of her lips and the scent of her shampoo like strawberries and moonlight. It's a few minutes later when Nell says "G, I don't want to give the wrong idea but I'm quite tired"
"Ok" G says slightly disappointed
"Why don't you join me, my bed is a lot comfier than the couch"
"Nell, you don't need to"
"I don't need to, I want to, I don't want to sleep alone tonight"
"Ok, if you're sure, but only if you're sure"
"I'm sure come on let's go" she says pulling him into her bedroom
It's 6:30 the next morning when Callen is awakened by the incessant buzzing of a phone carefully extracting his arm from where it lay nestled beneath Nell, he reaches over careful not to disturb her he answers the phone.
"Hello"
"Mr. Callen, why are you answering Ms. Jones' phone?"
"She offered me a place to stay last night and is still asleep"
"Well you both need to get in here the Director is coming in personally, he insists on speaking to all the senior staff and Ms. Jones and yourself made that list"
"What time do you need us there Hetty"
"Before 7:30, make sure you're not late" Hetty says hanging up
Callen leans over to lightly press a kiss to Nell's head causing her to stir and ask "G, what time is it"
"It's 6:30, Hetty called we need to be in OPS in an hour, and she might think something is going on."
"What? Why?, What did you do"
"I may have accidentally answered your phone"
"Oh well, it is Hetty, she probably knew anyway" Nell says "Do you ever wonder how she knows"
"It's Hetty she just knows" Callen says, then leaning over he kisses Nell and says "Come on we better get up, go have a shower and I'll make breakfast"
