Author's note: This chapter wasn't what I was expecting to write, but here it is. (This means the chapter I expected to write is still in my head and will get to you eventually.)

Disclaimer: I don't own Nell, Callen, or the world of NCIS. Obviously.

Nell's hand was resting on his chest, her thumb gently brushing back and forth against his skin. It was hard to believe sometimes, that this was all really happening. The fact that we was in any sort of real relationship, loosely defined as it may be, was bizarre. Not undercover, no lies about what he does for a living, just him. But the fact that it was with Nell felt right, easy, like it was the most normal thing in the world. So the two sort of cancelled each other out a bit and he was in constant disbelief that this was all actually happening.

Things were still pretty new. After their first date turned innocent sleepover, they'd continued seeing each other. It was hard to call it dating when they'd only technically had one other actual date in nearly two months. And dating just sounded so... casual. And calling it a relationship out loud, to each other or to other people, felt like too big of a step.

So when Sam had confronted him about his suspicions a few days ago, he'd cautiously replied with the most vague description in the history of relationships. But somehow it seemed to fit.

"You want to tell me what's going on between you and Nell?" Sam asked as they sat in the car on a stakeout.

"Something's going on with Nell?"

"Not Nell. YOU and Nell."

A moment passed before Sam pressed further. "G, I know you. And the fact that you're avoiding the question just confirmed there's something going on there. So, are going to fill me in or should I just make some assumptions."

"We're..." Callen hesitated. "We're seeing each other."

Sam turned in the driver's seat to face him completely. "You're seeing each other!? What the hell does that even mean, G? Messing around with a coworker's a dangerous game."

"We're not messing around!" Callen said firmly. "I said we're seeing each other."

"Which means what exactly? You're dating? You're sleeping with her?"

"No! Well, yes. Yes to both of those, but..." Callen let out an exasperated sigh. "We're seeing each other outside of work. Doing not work things together. And yes, I'm sleeping with her, but that's really not the point here."

"So you're in a relationship?"

"No. I dunno. Sort of? Maybe?" Callen shrugged. "I don't know if we're there yet. I'm not exactly an expert."

"Huh." Sam was smiling now. "This could be good for you, G."

Call looked at him in disbelief. "You're exhausting. You know that right?"

"Look, I'm just saying you've seemed happy lately. And now that I know what's going on, I'm happy for you. Just be careful."

"Great. So can we drop the subject?"

"For now."

So now Sam knew. And Callen was pretty sure he should tell Nell that Sam knew. He didn't want to keep secrets from her. And even though her breathing had evened out, her thumb was still lightly stroking his chest in that slow lazy way she did when she was half asleep. Which meant she was still probably half awake. Which meant he could tell her now.

"Nell? You asleep?"

"Not yet." Nell mumbled.

"So you're awake then?" He turned onto his side to face her, resting his hand on her hip.

"That's generally what it means when you're not asleep."

"Right." Callen said, pausing before continuing. "'Could you maybe be a little more awake for a minute?"

"Do you want to tell me why you're being weird?" Nell asked, finally opening her eyes and looking at him expectantly.

"Sam knows." He said plainly.

"Sam knows...what exactly?"

"Sam knows..." Callen gestured between them. "Sam knows about this."

"I see." Nell bit her lip nervously. "So... again I ask. Sam knows what exactly?"

"That we're seeing each other."

"Uh-huh. and how does he know this?"

"Because I told him. He..." Callen started. "Actually, I'm not sure how he figured it out. But he seemed to know the answer, or at least most of it, before he even asked me about it."

"And when was this?"

"Yesterday."

"So, he asked you about us. And you told him we're seeing each other."

"Yes."

"And he was upset?"

"No. Almost the opposite actually. Or at least I think so."

"And this is why you're being weird?"

"Am I being weird?"

"Very."

"Well, we haven't talked about telling anyone yet. I wasn't sure if you'd be okay with him knowing. With me telling him that. I thought you might be upset."

"Well if he came right out and asked you about it, what else were you supposed to do? And you're telling me about it now. I can't say I'm thrilled he figured it out, but as long as he's not going to make an issue of it I don't see the big deal."

"So it's okay... That I told him we're seeing each other? It's just, nothing else really seemed to fit."

"Are you..." Nell suppressed a giggle. "Are you seriously the one trying to put a label on our relationship? Is that what this is about?"

"I'm glad you find this so amusing."

"I'm sorry." She kissed him lightly. "It's sweet. I'm just surprised. I thought for sure I'd be the one to initiate this conversation sooner or later."

"Well, technically Sam started it. I wasn't sure what to tell him."

She smiled softly at him. "We don't have to define our relationship just because Sam can't mind his own business."

"Is that what this is then? A relationship?"

"In its own way. But so is a friendship, or a coworker, or a neighbor."

"It feels weird to call it that."

"Then we won't call it that. We don't have to call it anything." Nell said, bringing her hand to his and intertwining their fingers.

Callen gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Well I would really like for whatever it is to be something."

"Me too." She squeezed back. "It is something. it's whatever we want it to be.

"So..."

"So, we're seeing each other. You said that seemed to fit."

"We're seeing each other." Callen replied with a nod and a tone of finality.

"Yes." Nell nodded back.

"And you're not seeing anyone else?"

Nell rolled her eyes. "We've literally discussed how little we both dated before. Do you really think I went from never going out with anyone to seeing multiple guys at once?"

"Fair point." Callen paused. "Well? Don't you want to ask if I'm seeing anyone?"

"Why would I ask when I already know you're not?"

"Well that's a bit presumptuous don't you think?"

"Fine. Callen, are you seeing anyone else?"

"Nope."

"Exactly."

"What do you mean 'exactly'? I could be."

"Okay, first of all. You were just freaking out a few minutes ago because you thought I'd be mad that you told Sam about us and put an almost-label on us."

Callen scoffed. "I was not freaking out."

"Hush. Yes you were. Second, same thing we just said about me. You barely date anyone. Third, you hypothetically could've been seeing someone else early on, but I don't think you'd have kept seeing both of us without telling me."

"You realize I'm literally a professional liar. A very good one. Unnaturally good."

"And you're so modest too." Another eye roll. "I know you can lie to me. But I don't think you will. Not by choice."

"But what if I have to?" His tone became more serious.

"Considering I'm usually the one backstopping your aliases, it's not likely to be too often," she started, bringing a hand up and brushing her fingers across his cheek. "You'll probably have to sometime, but I know you won't want to. And that matters. You might be a professional liar but you're also a good man, G. Callen."

He kissed her rather fiercely then, before pulling back and resting his forehead against hers. "And you, Nell Jones, just might be perfect." He kissed her forehead lightly before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest.

Nell sighed happily as she snuggled into him, intertwining their bare legs together. "I'm going to sleep now. Good night."

"Night."

A few moments passed before Nell spoke softly. "Hey, G?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm glad we're seeing each other."

"Me too."

Author's Note:

Thanks for reading folks! I have to say, this chapter didn't go at all where I was planning. I had something entirely different in mind, intended to be a conversation after they woke up. I wanted it to fit with this timeline of the relationship, but was supposed to be an entirely different conversation about a different topic. Within a few sentences, it took a different turn, but I still thought we'd get back to that. Somehow this is what I ended up with. I'm admittedly very uncomfortable writing dialogue, so once something started to flow I just went with it. And since I think Callen has probably never actually attempted to talk about his feelings, the dialogue is awkward because he doesn't know how to talk about these things.

I've always felt like Callen would be uncomfortable with most traditional relationship labels, partially not knowing what each one really means in terms of expectations, and partially because of commitment issues. and maybe even partially because he's used those labels so many times as part of a lie. And I think Nell would understand that about him and just sort of go with it. But I also think Nell and Callen are perfect for each other and Callen would want to make sure she knows she means something to him. Especially after Sam's "messing around" comment.