Disclaimer: Characters, quotes, and anything else familiar is property of the creators of NCIS:LA.

Authors note: Inspired by this quote from when Callen goes to check up on a kid who has just gone into foster care. If you sleep well the first night, it means you're in a good place. - G. Callen, 4x20 (Purity)

Callen can't remember the last time he slept through the night. Still, some nights he slept better than others. Back when he used to crash at Sam's place, he didn't sleep through the night, but he usually got about 20 minutes every hour or so until morning. Which was pretty good for him. When he slept on the sofa at work, it was similar. Though after a particularly grueling case he'd once slept for two hours straight there.

Once he had his own home, those two hour increments became more and more common, occasionally even sleeping a bit longer, but never more than a few hours at a time.

So this morning when he woke to see the soft glow of early sunlight peaking though the curtains, he was surprised, confused even. He lifted his arm a bit, twisting his wrist to look at his watch. Seven hours. Callen wasn't sure if he'd ever slept for seven hours straight, let alone in a new place.

It wasn't as though he was in a particularly comfortable bed. After years of sleeping on a bedroll, he'd favored a firm mattress when he finally bought one, and the sofa beneath him was too plush by comparison. The throw pillow he'd fallen asleep on had shifted away in his sleep and now his neck was bent at an awkward angle propped against the armrest.

He hadn't been especially tired last night either. Their last case has been relatively mild by OSP standards, and they'd wrapped up early enough yesterday that even the debrief and reports were finished by mid-afternoon.

No, Callen knew there could only be one reason for his good night's sleep. And it had everything to do with the petite redhead draped across his chest.

They'd been spending more time together lately, and a few weeks ago they'd admitted there was something more between them. There was a lot at stake, so they'd agreed to take things slow. Their first attempt at a date was interrupted when they were called in for an urgent case before they'd ordered an appetizer. Their second attempt had accidentally turned into an after-work group outing when Eric had overheard their plans. So when yesterday's case had wrapped up early, he'd waited until they'd shut the doors to their respective cars in the parking lot before he sent her a text. Pick you up at 6? He'd waited to see her reaction and was relieved when she smiled and nodded at him before driving off.

The date went well.

Nell hadn't dated much since joining NCIS. Sure, there'd been a few dates, but never anything serious, and she was always a little on edge. She hadn't quite figured out how to balance trying to be herself and get to know someone with the lies and secrets about her job. Callen hadn't been on a date as himself since he was a teenager. And even then, he'd often adapted his personality to adapt to a given foster home or a particular high school. He'd come close, in many ways, with Kristin Donnelly, and with Tracy. But in both cases he'd held part of himself back and the relationships were filled with lies and deception.

On the one hand, they'd both found it a little weird at first, to be on a date where they didn't have to worry about any of that. On the other hand, they'd both realized quickly the source of the other's discomfort. They'd laughed, teasing each other about the cover stories they'd be giving each other if this were a date with anyone else. From there, the conversation had flowed freely and comfortably throughout dinner and neither seemed to want the evening to end. They'd dragged out their last glass of wine at the restaurant, then followed with a leisurely walk by the pier. When they finally started the drive back to her apartment, she'd mentioned a nearby cupcake shop and invited him back to her place for dessert. They'd laughed at the innuendo and got cupcakes to-go anyway.

Back at her apartment, conversation had turned to soft sweet kissed which had turned into quieter conversation as she rested against him. When she fell asleep on him he couldn't help but smile despite his dilemma. He knew he couldn't leave without saying goodbye, but he also couldn't bear to wake her when she looked so peaceful. And so he figured he'd shift them into a more comfortable position and made a deal with himself. If the movement woke her, he'd kiss her good night and go home. If not, he'd stay and risk the possibility of an awkward morning.

Which brought him to his current situation. He noticed Nell began to stir and was suddenly nervous, hoping he hadn't overstepped by shifting them to lay on the couch together last night.

He could see the exact moment when she became fully aware of her surroundings. She'd started to further snuggle herself into him, lightly clutching at his shirt. And then she stopped quite suddenly, opening her hand flat against his chest.

He gave her a moment, and then, "Morning."

She turned her head upward, opening one eye to peek up at him before closing it again and resting her head back on his chest. "G'morning."

She rubbed a hand over her face. "I can't believe I fell asleep," she said, sounding embarrassed.

"It's fine. It was pretty late." He lightly brushed his fingertips over her forearm.

"Still. You didn't have to stay."

"I didn't want to wake you." He paused. "Was that... Is this okay?"

"Hmm?? Oh." He felt her nod against his chest before scooting up and propping herself on her elbow, finally looking at him directly. "Of course. It's just, you could've turned the TV on or something."

He looked at her, confused for a moment before remembering she knows about his usual sleep habits, or lack thereof.

"Oh. No, it's fine, Nell. I... I slept." They'd talked about a lot of things last night, and she knew more about him than most, but he was still a bit nervous at this admission.

Now she looked confused, tilting her head to the side. "You slept?"

He nodded.

"Like, slept slept?"

He nodded again, taking the hand on his chest in his own. He shrugged slightly, "I guess I'm in a good place."

She gave him a confused sort of smile. "A good place?"

He smiled back, pulling her in close. "A very good place," he whispered against her lips before capturing them with his own.

Author's note: thanks for reading! I do have at least one more chapter in mind for this, which will be more Callen-centric but still with some Nallen fluff. TBD if I'll add other chapters first before that one or if I'll just make this a two-shot. Reviews are always appreciated!