A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating. I had LASIK last week, and although I have 20/15 vision now (no glasses or contacts, yay!), I can't spend a lot of time online yet because my eyes are still really sensitive. Also, there have been a few other stories posted with very similar settings as this one, and it kind of made me lose my inspiration, so I had to think about the best way to proceed. Anyway, here it is- hope you enjoy!
As Jackie Vance walked back toward the party, Callen's head was left spinning. He realized with a start that he had spent the better portion of the evening following Nell's every move. Was the Director's wife right about his reasons for observing Nell? And what did she mean about the looks they were sending each other? He hadn't noticed Nell sending him looks, and he was a trained investigator, which said something about his level of distraction. Hmm. Jackie had certainly given him a lot of food for thought.
Nell herself was having one of the best nights of her life. She had danced, been flirted with, and mingled effortlessly with many high ranking Naval officials, and thanks to Hetty, she felt completely at ease. Hetty had shrugged off Nell's effusive praise, citing that "the clothes do not make the man (or woman, in this case)." Still, Nell would never have had the confidence to enjoy herself so much had it not been for the older woman's efforts.
The adrenaline rush that had started her evening was beginning to dwindle, and Nell suddenly felt the need to escape for a few moments to catch her breath. Wandering around the ballroom, she found a door which led to a balcony overlooking the ocean. She exited the noisy party, and inhaled the salt air deeply. She stepped further onto the balcony, rested against the railing, and let the wind ruffle her hair.
Callen had observed her going outside, and followed her to the balcony. After a moment's hesitation, he quietly opened the door. Nell stood facing the water, but she turned slightly when she heard his footsteps.
"Hey, Callen," she smiled at him nervously.
"Hey, party girl," he smiled back. "Having fun?" He sidled up next to her and leaned casually on the railing.
"Too much," the young analyst laughed. "I needed a breather."
"Yeah, you've been tearing up the dance floor. Work up a thirst?" He questioned, as he extended a glass of champagne in her direction.
She accepted it gratefully. "Mmm...yes, please."
"Hetty left a little earlier, but I told her I'd be happy to give you a ride home."
Nell's stomach flip-flopped. After her conversation with Mrs. Vance, she had noticed that the Senior Agent had been covertly monitoring her activities all evening, and she had harbored a secret wish that it was because he found her attractive. But now she felt certain that he was just playing the role of team leader, keeping an eye on her for Hetty.
Her hopes dashed, she turned to him and nodded. "Thanks, but I can catch a cab."
Callen felt confused and mildly annoyed. Now that the idea that there could be more between him and Nell had been planted in his mind, he wanted to test the waters, and do what he did best- investigate. "Do you really want either of us to face Hetty's wrath if I don't make sure you get home safely?" he asked cheekily.
Nell sighed. "No, I guess not." She stood with her eyes closed, listening to the waves crash against the shore, and trying to ignore her proximity to the agent. She had finally mastered the art of standing next to him in Ops without hyperventilating, but out here, with the breeze carrying the mixed scent of ocean waves and him, she was failing miserably.
Finally, she opened her eyes, only to find him gazing at her curiously, with the look on his face that he typically got when trying to solve a particularly difficult case.
"You okay?" he asked, concerned.
She blushed. "Yeah, just tired, I guess."
"Being a social butterfly will do that to you. Let's see," he began to tick off on his fingers, "the Admiral, the SecNav, the Director, half the officers in the Navy- I think you've danced with every man here tonight."
"Not every man," she murmured wistfully. Her eyes widened slightly in shock as she realized she had said it out loud. She nervously looked down and quickly sipped her champagne.
Callen seemed just as surprised at her admission as she did. Maybe this was the opening he hadn't even known he was waiting for. Before he ruined the moment by overthinking it, he plunged in, "Would you like to dance with me?", extending his hand.
Her head shot up quickly. She certainly didn't want him to ask her to dance out of pity or obligation. What she found in his eyes was something quite unexpected. Desire. Her heart began to pound, but she took a deep breath, smiled graciously, and took the proffered hand.
The couple walked into the ballroom together and out onto the dance floor. Callen mentally noted how well their bodies fit together as his right arm encircled her waist and his left hand held her right one. Her head fit neatly in the space between his neck and shoulder, and as he inhaled her scent, he couldn't help but think that his physical response to this woman was probably in major violation of some NCIS policy.
Across the dance floor, Jackie Vance smirked. "Mmmm hmmm."
Leon pulled back slightly and frowned. "What?" He followed her line of sight, and was shocked to see G. Callen and Nell Jones dancing much closer together than two co-workers normally should. He shifted his gaze back to his wife, who was now grinning openly. "Did you have anything to do with that?" His eyebrow rose in question.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that accusation."
"Oh, Lord," Vance shook his head. "Henrietta's gonna have my ass."
"Now, Leon, first, nothing has happened yet. Second, they would have eventually gotten there themselves. I just gave them a little nudge in the right direction."
The Director laughed. "You are such an old romantic." He kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Well, it worked on you, didn't it?" Her eyes twinkled as she snuggled into her husband, who was still chuckling softly. "And who are you calling old?"
