Author's Note - I do not own NCIS: LA or any of its characters.
Chapter ten up and running! I hope you all enjoy!
Please, as always, read and review. Thanks to everyone who has this story on alert and favorite. It really does boggle the mind to think that you guys are enjoying reading this story as much as I am enjoying writing it. It's fun to write a more relaxed version of Nell and Callen!
Well, there it is. Nell Jones is definitely interested in him. No doubt left. He was pretty sure that was the case anyway, but the text she just sent confirmed it without a shadow of a doubt. Question is, why is he so nervous now? Shaking his head to clear the nagging emotion, he sends another text before returning to his task of finding a snack.
Hoping he understands the not-so-subtle meaning behind her text, Nell cleans up her workspace and prepares to leave the library. After ensuring everything is how it was when she arrived, Nell walks out the front doors and finds her car in the parking lot. Placing her bag on the passenger seat, she walks around to the driver's side and get into her car. Just as she is about to put the car in gear, she hears her phone indicate an incoming text. Looking at the screen, she reads the words from Callen and lets out a sigh of relief. Glad to hear. At least, she knows they are definitely on the same page.
Nell returns to her apartment and drops her bag by the door. She goes straight for the kitchen and prepares an early lunch in the hopes she can distract herself. The knowledge that G. Callen is interested in her intrigues her greatly. She doesn't really see herself as his 'type.' It never really occurred to her that he would be interested in a woman like her; the geeky, intellectual type.
Nell has always been more involved in academics than guys. It seemed pointless to try to connect with guys in high school because they were so focused on hanging out at sports games and partying. That just wasn't her idea of a good time. The guys that were like her didn't really have any interest in dating, even if any of them had caught her eye.
College was a whole different story. She found herself so immersed in completing her degree that she never really carved out time for a relationship. This flirting back and forth with Callen seems to have come to her completely naturally, which is impressive considering her lack of experience with situations like these. Nell really hopes this natural flow continues because she isn't exactly ready to tell Callen she's never had a relationship before. While she is certain it will come up at some point, she feels no need to draw attention to the fact right away.
Settling down on her couch after having finished her lunch, Nell grabs her book and starts to read. Her mind wanders occasionally to a certain blue-eyed man, but she is determined to just relax for a little bit without any kind of distractions. Feeling a little cold, Nell covers herself with a blanket and snuggles under it as she continues reading.
Callen is at a loss as to how to pass the time. The clues for the scavenger hunt are placed and ready for discovery. He went to the grocery store already. The usual distractions just don't seem to be working and for once he simply isn't interested in practicing any of his many languages. Glancing at his watch, he realizes it's just past noon and he lets out a heavy sigh. There are still several hours left in the day.
Lacking anything better to do, he pulls out his computer to search for this little outdoor market he had heard about from Sam. They sell a lot of organic food, which admittedly isn't really up his alley, but he figures he could always stop and see if anything else catches his eye. It's better than hanging out at home driving himself crazy.
Nell stretches lazily under her blanket and realizes just how close to falling asleep she is getting. Knowing an early afternoon nap really isn't a good idea, she sets her book aside and stands up returning the blanket to its location on the back of her couch.
Looking around her apartment, she comes to the conclusion there is nothing to do and opts to go for a drive. As she gets into her car, she finds her mind wandering to the clue she decrypted. The next package is in her locker. Except she really can't recall ever having a locker. As she drives down the road, Nell comes to the conclusion the only place she would have a locker is work. Trying to think back to when she was hired, Nell vaguely recalls Hetty talking about available lockers off the gym area. For the life of her though, she can't recall if Hetty actually assigned her one.
Coming across what appears to be an outdoor market, Nell shrugs thinking maybe it could be a nice way to waste some time. As she moves through the side street, she notices one thing that catches her eye. A familiar car parked along the same street she is currently driving on; his car to be precise. Smiling widely, Nell pulls into an empty parking spot down the road from Callen's car. Leaving her sunglasses on, she gets out of her car and starts towards the booths. It's a calculated risk considering she is just about to try and spy on the super-spy himself, but she figures it will be a nice way to pass the time if nothing else.
Walking closer to the center of the area, Nell decides it would be better to stick along one of the edges. Her goal is to avoid detection if at all possible and she figures hanging back would avoid setting off Callen's radar. The man seems to have a sixth sense when he is being tailed. Looking out amongst the crowd, she waits patiently until she spots the object of her quest. He is several booths away looking quite intently at a book.
Smiling to herself, Nell decides to remain where she is and watch his interaction with the clerk from a safe distance. He appears to be discussing the book or maybe determining its cost. Man, she really wish Kensi was here right now or that she could at least have Kensi's ability to read lips. Honing in on body language while she lets her mind relax and read the non-verbal cues, she realizes he is trying to get the merchant to lower the cost of the book.
Callen's interest in old books is well known, though his collection pales in comparison to Hetty's. Still, this book is definitely one he wouldn't mind having for his collection. He is also pretty certain that the price is much more negotiable than the merchant is willing to admit. After trying a couple times to get a lower price, Callen banks on the oldest trick in the book. He feigns disinterest and hands the book back walking away from the booth.
The plan is simple; come back to the booth towards the end of the day and get it then. He highly doubts anyone else will be interested and he figures the merchant will be more willing to take a lower amount at the end of the day rather than hoping he can sell it another day. Walking towards his car, he gets in and drives out of the parking area. He is thinking about the book and fails to see the familiar car parked just down the street.
Having watched Callen walk towards his car, Nell comes out of hiding and approaches the merchant. She asks about the book Callen was just looking at and smiles as the merchant hands it to her. Nell looks at the title and is certain she would have no interest, but she knows Callen does so that seals the deal for her. She manages to talk the man down in price a bit before removing the money from her purse and exchanging it for the book.
Feeling very proud of herself, Nell makes her way to her own car while watching intently just in case Callen is still around. Reaching the parking lot, she sees his car gone from its previous location and gives herself a mental pat on the back for having gone unnoticed. Heading to a local gift shop, Nell purchases some brown paper for wrapping books and a few pieces of twine to secure the wrapping paper.
Pulling into the driveway of his house, Callen figures he has just enough time to eat something before returning for the book. Looking at his watch, he notices that his timetable isn't exactly typical considering he is just getting around to eating lunch and it is after two o'clock. Knowing the work week keeps his schedule so jumbled that he eats whenever he has a couple minutes, he shrugs at what he sees as just another normalcy in his world.
After fixing himself something to eat, he heads back out to the market in order to purchase the book. He is prepared to pay whatever price the merchant asks at this point, but hopes it is at least lower than when he was there earlier. Pulling into an empty space on along the street, he takes note that there are considerably fewer cars than before. Approaching the man, he inquires about the book and is disappointed to hear that it was purchased not long after he left.
Kicking himself for losing his chance to buy the book and knowing it was just so he could save a few dollars, Callen walks away frustrated. Walking in no direction in particular, he finds himself standing in front of a small pond surrounded by beautiful landscaping. As he looks around, Callen makes a mental note of the location for future reference.
Settling down in a bench surrounded by flowers, Callen leans back enjoying the mild heat of the day. After sitting like this for a few minutes, he takes a few cleansing breaths and then moves to stand up. Smiling slightly to himself, he pulls out his phone to take a few pictures. Satisfied with the final shot, Callen sends the picture to Nell. He is pretty sure she will find it just as amazing as he does.
Nell has been in her apartment for quite sometime and is busy cleaning her bathroom when she hears her cell. Finishing up what has to be the worst job on the planet, she removes her gloves and deposits them in the trashcan she passes as she goes to get her phone. Swiping it to reveal the incoming message, she smiles at the picture and its description. Found a little slice of heaven right here in LA. Found myself wishing you were here with me and thought this was the closest I was going to get to that wish...for now.
Looking at the picture, Nell and agrees with his wish that she was there with him. Especially in light of the fact that she is stuck in her apartment cleaning at the present time. The view is amazing and she can almost imagine herself walking along the pond with him.
Thinking about her words before she replies, Nell is still unsure why he doesn't just ask her out. It's quite obvious, she won't say no. Figuring there is no need to start censoring her thoughts at this point, she types out a reply. After hitting send and returning her phone to its location on the counter, she turns to get dinner prepared.
Callen hears the reply come through just as he is walking away from the pond. Anytime you want to take me, I'm game. Looks like another instance where reality is likely much better than fantasy. Drawing a deep breath, Callen pushes away the now familiar urge to just show up on her doorstep. He is determined to make their first date one to remember and he just needs a little more time to get everything in place.
Knowing he needs to say something in response, Callen contemplates the reply as he drives home. Once he reaches his house, he moves into the living room and sits on the couch after grabbing his laptop. Looking over the list of things he needs to accomplish, he pulls out his phone. Satisfied with what he wrote, Callen hits send and then settles back onto his couch. He plays on the fact that Nell does not like to lose at a challenge and is beginning to seriously wonder if he will be able to pull off what he is hoping to accomplish. The longer this goes on, the harder it is getting.
Having cleared the items off the the small table just off her kitchen, Nell makes her way into the kitchen to clean up after her meal. She starts the water for dishes and moves to get started as her phone emits a familiar tone. Slightly anxious to see his response, Nell immediately dries her hands before retrieving the device and seeing what Callen has to say.
I didn't think Nell Jones gave up that easily on a challenge! Rolling her eyes at his words, not having missed the fact that he didn't even come close to answering what she really wanted to know, she replies quickly and straight to the point. Hitting send, Nell holds onto her phone as she waits for what she expects to be a quick reply.
Hearing the phone, he picks it up and laughs when he reads the text Nell sent. Don't flatter yourself, Callen. I'm in no way giving up on any challenge. I just want you to know I am definitely interested in exploring...whatever you want to explore!
It's things like that which get Callen the most. The whole innocent facade gets cracked just a little more every time she throws out little innuendos like that one. Of course, it also causes Callen's mind to spin into overdrive as he realizes she is completely on board with the idea of a relationship with him. The idea of exploring things with her causes a plethora of reactions and emotions; both physically and psychologically. In an attempt to keep his mind out of places that he shouldn't be going right now, he tells himself that she is only referring to the emotional part of their impending relationship; not the inevitable physical part. And for about a second, he actually believes what he keeps repeating in his head.
He sends one final reply before moving to the bathroom and getting in the shower. Hopefully, that will squelch any thoughts of the exploration of one Nell Jones.
One step at a time...trust me when I say it will all be worth it in the end.