January 20th Lyrics

Just coz he can't hear what you say

Doesn't mean that he's not listening

Listening to your words

And he might like what you say

- Better Off Dead, New Found Glory

Drabble 3 Part 3

Marty Deeks felt sorry for the woman crunched into a ball next to him. She was trying to hide the fact that she was crying. Until he joined NCIS as their LAPD Liaison Officer, he had never met a woman who could cry without making a scene. He had seen Kensi cry when he was in the hospital. He had seen Hetty shed subtle tears when Hunter had died during an overseas Op. As he stopped at each traffic light, he glanced over to his right to check on his friend.

"Nell Bell, I tried, but I can't anymore. Why are you crying? Don't give me, 'I'm a sad drunk.' I've seen you drunk. You're a happy to the point of annoying drunk."

"…"

"He's not worth your tears."

"What?"

"You heard me. If Callen can't realize what he's got, he's not worth your tears."

"I don't know-"

"Nell."

"How long have you known?"

He shrugged.

"Marty!"

"While."

"Does anyone else know?"

"That you've been crushing hard on him? Probably, hear me out; Sam knows Callen better than anyone. I know, Kensi knows. Hetty knows all. Eric was the one that pointed out to me. Hell, even Nate picked up on it the few times he's been back from his Op, then again, he is a Psychologist."

She was quiet for several minutes, before she whispered. "Does, does Callen know?"

"If I know, then he has to."

She groaned.

"Don't sweetheart; whatever he said tonight was in your best interest."

"Mortification is in my best interest?"

"I think that if something happened, there would have been far more than mortification in the morning."

"…"

"Have you considered talking to him when you're sober?

"I can't. He wouldn't listen to me tonight."

"I think he'd like to listen to Sober Nell."

"She's scared that he won't like what is said."

"No, he likes what she has to say, he doesn't want you to regret it."

"How do you know so much about me and Callen?"

"Because, I know what Kensi wants to say to me, but refuses to."

The rest of the drive to her apartment was silent. Once he guided her to then into her apartment, she broke the silence.

"I hope you two get it together."

He shrugged as he eased her unto a large armchair. "Maybe. Someday. Not right now."

"Yeah, I know the feeling."

"No, you and Callen are different. Both of you are ready for your relationship to change. Me and Kensi, not so much."

"Marty…"

"It's okay. We know we care, that's all that matters."

"I wish I knew how he felt."

"Sweetheart, he cares about and respects you. If he didn't, he would've taken what you offered."

"…"

As he left, he joked. "I'm appalled that you don't want me."

"Maybe before."

He smiled as he closed the door. "Yeah, maybe."

After Deeks left, her eyes widened in realization; Callen cared about her.

Knowing he cared did not make her decision any easier.

Coming Soon To Drabbles of Nallen

Drabble 3 Part 4, The morning after; will Callen receive the phone call he wants?