A clink of the shot glasses resounded as Callen, Deeks, Sam, and Nate cheered. With ease, both Deeks and Callen threw back their shots. Sam smirked before taking his before turning his gaze back to Nate. The boys knew that Nate rarely drank. They all watched as the psychologist finally decided to try and take the shot. To the three's surprise, he did alright...until he coughed.

"Oh that's strong," he huffed.

Callen patted him on the back with a smirk.

"You got it buddy," he encouraged.

Sam chuckled. "You really don't drink, huh?"

"I do. Just beer and wine," he paused to wipe his mouth, "I was never a wild college kid."

Deeks chuckled. "Never would've guessed."

Sam smirked before offering, "I'll get us some beer."

Nate nodded as the agent called the bartender, Shannon, over. The psychologist glanced over his shoulder, surveying the small bar. It wasn't too lively given that it was a Wednesday evening. It didn't help that the bar was in a relatively low trafficked area. Regardless, Nate watched the strangers around him. It was something he always enjoyed doing: observing.

He glanced back toward his friends as a beer was placed in front of him. Nate held back a laugh as he saw Deeks chatting up the bartender. He was doing pretty well given the smile she was sporting. It seemed she had a thing for cops. At least, that's what he got from her staring at the badge he had pulled out.

"Honestly Nate," Callen started, "We're glad you're back."

"Yeah," Sam chimed in, "You may be annoying at times, but what family isn't?"

Nate smirked. "I appreciate that. I missed you guys too."

He took a sip of his beer. Deeks turned back toward them while tucking away a small piece of paper. Nate arched a brow as the bartender walked to the other side. The blond was grinning ear to ear.

"I missed what was happening. Could you repeat that?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "We were telling Nate how much we missed him."

"Ah!"

The three waited as Deeks went silent before sipping his own beer. After an awkward beat, the blond raised a brow.

"What?"

"Not going to say anything?" Callen teased. "It's not like he had a long trip home or anything."

Nate chuckled. "No, no. I get it. Deeks only needs me for girl-reading advice."

"Oh?" Sam queried.

"Hey!" Deeks shot back, "You said you wouldn't say anything!"

"I've said nothing," Nate replied with a low chuckle.

For a moment, it felt like he was being watched. Nate waited a moment, letting Sam and Callen tease Deeks without a word. Casually, he glanced back up at the rest of the area. From what he could tell, nobody was looking at him. Strange. He continued to scan the room until his eyes halted.

In a hardly-lit booth near the back corner there was a girl. Her hair was copper with tight curls. She was holding a book in her hands while the table in front of her had a basket on mozzarella sticks and a glass of water. Curious, Nate cocked his head to the side. Unbeknownst to him, Callen noticed the staring. He glanced over his own shoulder before smirking.

"Not bad," he muttered.

Nate clenched his jaw. "Hmm?"

"The girl," Callen elaborated.

The brunet swallowed. "She's reading a book...in a bar."

The agent chuckled. "Just your type."

Nate rolled his eyes before turning back toward the bar. Had he stared any longer, he might've been caught staring. Besides, if she was sitting alone, there had to be a reason...right?

The rest of the night went on with some fun. Nate kept glancing back toward the table. Each time he did, she had made a noticeable way through her book. For the most part, he tried to focus on his friends. At one point, the four were thumb wrestling to figure out who would buy the next round. It ended up being Deeks. He aptly used that time to flirt with the bartender some more, causing Nate to chuckle.

Eventually, the evening wound down prompting Callen to look at the clock.

"Well boys, I think I've hit my quota."

"I could go for some dinner," Sam commented.

Callen considered it for a moment before nodding. "That sounds good. Deeks?"

The blond gave another signature grin. Nate noticed that the waitress was clocking out.

"Don't wait up," he told them while keeping his eyes on her.

Sam shook his head. "You're lucky she's into you."

"Hey!"

The bald man just ruffled the blond's hair with a smirk. Callen threw on his jacket.

"How about you Nate? You hungry?"

Nate sent a quick glance toward the booth again. He glanced back at his friends.

"No thanks, actually. I should probably head home. Unpack."

The three nodded in understanding.

"I'll see you guys at work."

The four hugged before departing. Nate watched the three, and Shannon, leave the building before he settled onto the barstool. He ordered a water from the bartended before glancing toward the back. He blushed as he saw her glance up. He snapped his gaze back at the bar, rubbing the back of his head.

He attempted to mentally prep himself. He had been wanting to talk to her the whole night, but now...well he needed to shape up. What would he say? Maybe comment on the book she's reading? It would be weird if he just walked over, wouldn't it? But what if she liked the bold type? Was he bold? He didn't feel all too bold. He's a psychologist, he should be able to talk to a girl...a really pretty girl.

"Is this seat taken?" a smooth, new voice queried.

Nate had to force himself to not jump from his seat. He turned his torso to see the girl he had been glancing at all night. She held the book in her hands, her index finger keeping the page bookmarked. He could tell she was nearly done. Nate forced himself to swallow.

"No. Feel free."

Feel free? he thought, What an idiot.

"Thanks," she replied with a grin.

It was then that he saw her strikingly purple eyes. Every thought of easy conversation left his mind, causing it to be as blank as a padded room.

"As much as I like books, I prefer to read comics," he blurted out.

He immediately felt his face burn as he realized what he had said. It didn't help that she had tilted her head in bemusement. She scrunched her nose, holding back a chuckle.

"Any in particular?" she queried.

His jaw slacked a little. She was actually wanting to know. He could see it plain as day.

"Uh...Time Slayers. At-At least recently."

She grinned. "Those are good ones. My brother was obsessed with those last year. He kind of explained the whole thing to me. Which one are you reading?"

Nate felt himself relax a little. "The first one. I was feeling a bit nostalgic."

"Mmmm." She smiled. "That is a good one. So much tension and terror."

Nate openly grinned, taking a moment to briefly glance down.

"I couldn't agree more," he replied, "I suppose you can read comics faster than you read books?"

"Hmm?" She glanced down at her book before giggling. "Yeah. I guess it's easier to notice when a huge chunk has been moved."

"That good huh?"

"I couldn't put it down," she replied before blushing, "Though I suppose that was obvious."

He grinned at her, feeling the cliche butterflies. "I'm Nate."

"Jordyn," she offered easily, "Though Jay is fine too."

"Jay," he repeated. He waited a beat before looking for the bartender. "I also noticed those mozzarella sticks you were eating. Did you want to share another one?"

The red head beamed at the psychologist. "Absolutely."

The two chuckled at the simplistic agreement. It wasn't long before the two were laughing loudly and acting like old friends. The brushed against each other, sometimes longer than necessary. She giggled while he nearly split his face from smiling so much. Before either knew what happened, it was last call. The two turned toward each other, beaming.

"Easily, this was the most fun I've ever had at a bar," Nate commented.

She grinned. "I'd have to agree."

Nate rubbed the back of his neck. "I'd-I would really like to see-to see you again...if that was-is something you're interested in?"

Jordyn leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek. She looked right in his eyes. "I would love nothing more."