Author's Note: Don't worry folks, this is still a Nallen fic. But as I was writing the next chapter, this little plot bunny wouldn't leave me alone and insisted I add this chapter. I just couldn't help myself.

Nell let out a huff of annoyance when she heard her doorbell ring 15 minutes after she got home. He wasn't supposed to be here. If whatever Sam had planned was important enough that Hetty had loaned him an outfit from wardrobe, he really shouldn't be blowing it off.

So it was with a mixture of relief and disappointment that she opened the door after seeing the mop of shaggy blonde hair through the peephole.

"Deeks?"

"Hey there Velma," Deeks said, holding up a pizza box and a reusable grocery bag. "Thought you could use a victory dinner to celebrate your total badass knife moves today."

Nell rolled her eyes and stepped aside to let him in. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm fine, Deeks."

Nell pulled out her phone and subtly sent a quick text while Deeks made himself at home, checking three cabinets before finding plates, and pulling a six pack out of the grocery bag. "I know. That's why I brought pizza. It's a celebratory food!" Nell gave him a look, but he continued. "Come on! What you never had a pizza party in elementary school? Key word being party. And you can't tell me Chuck E. Cheese isn't made for a celebration."

"All right, all right. So what else did you bring for this celebration?" Nell started to lean across the counter to peer into the bag but stopped suddenly, wincing as her bruised hip bumped against the edge of the counter.

"Ah ah ah! No." Deeks snatched the bag awake clutching it to his chest. "No peeking! You're the guest of honor. Go! Sit!" Deeks waved a hand toward the couch.

"You do realize this is my house, so technically you're the guest?" Nell said, shaking her head lightly as she made her way to the couch.

"Details, details." Deeks followed her into the room balancing the plates precariously, carrying two beers and the grocery bag slung over his arm. He handed her a plate and set a beer on the end table next to her. He perched himself on the edge of the ottoman across from her and sit his own plate and beer to the side.

"Okay," Deeks started reaching into the bag pulling things out, starting with a pack of oreos. "So we've got dessert - I know they're not fancy but you can't go wrong with an American classic."

"Of course," Nell agreed.

"And we've got the very best of the corner grocery store book selection as a congratulatory gift... A cheap paperback romance, a cheap paperback mystery, and some classic nursery rhymes in case you're secretly hiding a concussion and need to avoid the big words." Nell laughed, taking the books from him and setting them to the side. "And of course, we've got -"

"Frozen peas?" Nell interrupted. "I have ice in the freezer you know."

"Ice is for amateurs Nell Bell. Frozen peas are the superior ice pack option for any and all injuries -"

"But-"

"And don't say you're not injured. I saw you wincing earlier; bruises count."

"Okay, but that's a lot of frozen peas."

Deeks paused, holding several bags of peas cradled in his arms. "Okay, maybe I went a little overboard."

"You think?" Nell asked, taking two of the bags from him, settling one on the curve of her neck and shoulder and pressing the other against her hip. "I think just two is plenty."

"See," Deeks said as he took the other bags to the freezer, "total badass. You took on a former military security contractor turned psycho murderer and you only need two ice packs."

Nell didn't respond at first, and Deeks finally started in on his own pizza, settling into the opposite end of the couch. After a beat of silence, Nell spoke up.

"I shouldn't have let him get my gun in the first place."

"It happens to the best of us." Deeks ate a few more bites of his pizza, then continued, "Look, one of the hardest parts of our job is knowing who's a threat. And sometimes we get it wrong. The first time I thought I was about to be killed on the job, it was a freaking junkie with my own gun. No special skills or training, not super strong, not even mentally all there. He was just a junkie I underestimated. And hey, you remember the case from that first Christmas we were both at NCIS?"

"The fake PTSD guy?"

"Yeah. We made the wrong call with him and he took Kensi's gun and knocked her unconscious. And that guy was built like Eric."

Nell cracked a smile, imagining Eric trying to take down Kensi in a fight.

"Today we all got it wrong, you just happened to be the one there when he actually did something." Deeks set his plate down, brushing the pizza crumbs off his fingers into the empty plate. "Besides, he took your gun and you still managed to hold him off until we got there."

"I don't think I've ever been more happy to see Sam," Nell admitted.

"And we were all happy to see you too. Although one particular knight in shining armor was especially relieved."

Nell laughed. "No offense Deeks, but you're not exactly typical knight material."

"What? No, not me! I'm more the devilishly handsome rogue. I'm talking about Callen literally catching you and leaving you breathless."

"Deeks!" Nell said, still laughing, "I was breathless because I just fought off a psycho and escaped a choke hold!"

"You keep telling yourself that Nell Bell. But Callen's watched the rest of us get blown up and shot at and he's never fussed over any of us like that.

Nell waved a hand dismissively. "That's just because you get blown up and shot at several times a month. The novelty's worn off is all. I, on the other hand, save life or death situations for special occasions. You said yourself we had to celebrate."

"You've got me there," Deeks said, picking up the remote and turning toward the tv. "So what'll it be? Kensi likes Top Model after a tough case but somehow I don't think that's your thing."

"As much as I appreciate all this, I'd really just like to take a shower and go to bed."

"All right, I can tell when I'm not wanted," Deeks joked, taking their empty plates to the kitchen before making his way to the door.

"Hey Deeks?"

He turned, halfway out the door, hand still on the doorknob.

"Thanks."

"Any time Velma. You did good today."

Nell smiled. "I know."

Author's note: I know this is a bit different in terms of style and mood from the first chapter, but I just couldn't help myself. As the show progressed, I always liked seeing Nell and Deeks partnered up in the field and sort of got a big brother/mentor type vibe. We also see in this episode for some reason Nell is wearing Deeks' hoodie when she goes back to OSP. So I think, while very different from Callen's reaction in the moment, Deeks would fuss over her in his own goofy way. And I also kind of wanted to address the balance between accomplishment and insecurity Nell might be feeling. So this is what I ended up with. Don't worry - Callen will be back in the next chapter!