Chapter 6

This chapter is entirely carried out in Callen's mind. No dialog just thoughts.

Living a lye was no big deal for Callen. That's how he had survived as long as he had in the life he had chosen to lead. He could don an alias anytime it was needed and had never been revealed in any operation. On any number of occasions he had switched from one alias to another in a matter of minutes without even a stumble. This ability was part of the Callen legend.

However he didn't usually employ his talents towards the people at NCIS. Not that he was an open book to his teammates; Callen just didn't open up to them. He gotten quite good at the vague answers to questions people asked about his personal life. These people were his team, the closest thing to a family he had ever had. So he tried not to spin a web of deceit and trickery that would harm his relationship with them.

But that was exactly what was happening with Nell. Of course he had not pulled out an alias that would have been ridiculous in the circumstances; she did work at NCIS so she knew who he was and what he did. His decision to ignore the night they spent together was hurting her. She had never spoken to him about it, but he could see the hurt in her eyes. It wouldn't be long before someone else noticed the way she acted around him, not looking him in the eye, not speaking to him unless absolutely necessary, making sure to stay as far away from him physically as possible. Callen had already seen a questioning look from Sam at the last briefing in the ops center when he had walked up behind Nell to better see the computer screen she held. Her jumping away like she had touched an electrical current had drawn the big guy's attention.

The only thing he could think to do was to have a talk with Nell, the one thing he had been trying to avoid. He had really enjoyed being with her. It wasn't just the sex; she was funny, intelligent and very entertaining. Under other circumstances he would have gotten in touch with her again. Not for a relationship, Callen didn't do relationships, just a few days of laughter and good times.

Despite his co-workers opinions he did not spend all his time alone. Just because he spent most of his life as a ghost didn't mean he lived like a hermit. Callen enjoyed woman, he had never found it a problem to find someone to spend time with. The women knew what they were getting into; he was upfront about his intentions that he was just looking for short term fling with no strings attached.

He had made a mistake with Nell, she wasn't his usual type. Callen could see how she would have been hurt no matter how he handled it. He wished he had just walked away after the phone call from Hetty that morning. But no, in anticipation of seeing the small redhead again, Callen had walked back to her apartment and left her a note stuck to the bag of treats he had picked up at the bagel store. In the note he had apologized for having to leave for a work emergency, but said he would try to get in touch when he was back in town. Now he could see where that had been a big mistake, she was the type to be encouraged by the gesture, seeing more than he meant.

Yep, he thought I am going to have talk to her. She needs to know I didn't just forget her and what had happened. Maybe we will be able to figure out a way to get past the awkwardness of the situation so she can continue to work here. Callen knew how valuable he was to NCIS and that Hetty would never let him transfer to another unit. While Nell was becoming an asset to the team, she would be the one that had to leave if she couldn't control her emotions and deal with him in a professional manner. She didn't have to like him but she would have to respect him.

With these thoughts running thru his mind as he set at his desk and pretended to do paperwork, Callen was distracted by the sight of the object of his thoughts walking by. Nell was laughing at something Kensi was saying to her, the sight of her smiling face caused his eyes to darken as he remembered the last time he saw her laughing. She had been sitting in her bed wrapped up in his shirt; he shook his head and pushed the thought away, it was too dangerous.

Callen had decided, he would speak to her and make her understand—they had to forget what had happened. It was the only way.

The next chapter will be a peek in to Nells thouhts.