Okay, so here is the final instalment of this story - finally. I'm sorry it has taken so long to post but I was suffering terrible writers block. I can honestly say I could not have done this without the help of MioneAlterEgo - I am in your debt for your help and ideas!

Hope you Enjoy. Zoe.

Nell couldn't sleep. She normally slept like a baby but tonight she was wide awake, lying in her bed staring at the ceiling. Special Agent G Callen had kissed her, and kissed like she had never been kissed before. There was no ambiguity and no maybes. He liked her. She liked him. And now as she tried to go to sleep, she couldn't switch her thoughts off. She replayed the night in her head over and over; the romantic dinner, the walk on the beach, that kiss, sitting together in the sand just being with each other. They had stayed a while and Nell had never felt so safe and comfortable as when she was encased in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder.

When they had finally headed back to the boardwalk Callen had found her cab and with a gentle kiss goodnight, he promised to call the next day. Nell was hoping they would talk because she had a lot going through her head, but Callen wasn't exactly an open book and she was a little worried that she may not get the answers she needed. Being together, if that's what they both wanted, wasn't going to be as easy as it would be for any other couple. Their work brought complications that others didn't have to worry about. And there was the team to think about. While Nell was sure there were no actual fraternization regulations which would prevent them seeing each other, she wasn't sure Hetty or the others would think it a good idea. And of course there was Eric. She knew he had a crush on her and although she had never done anything to encourage him, she was sure he would be hurt that she had chosen Callen. He was the quintessential bad boy who needed saving, and it wasn't that Nell thought for a moment she could 'save' him – his past and his demons were something she could never truly understand. But she knew she could make him happy now, just like he made her happy.

It was a little after twelve when Callen arrived at a small anonymous beachfront café to meet Nell. She was waiting for him at a table in the corner, large black sunglasses shielding her eyes from the bright midday sun. As he navigated his way through the tables, he saw her lips curl into a tentative smile.

"Hey." She greeted him, taking off her sunglasses and setting them on top of her head.

"Hi Nell." He replied as she sat down next to her.

"So, I guess we have a few things to work out." She leaned forward in her seat, taking a sip of water from the glass in front of her.

"First things first." Callen smiled, then slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her to him for a kiss, his lips gently brushing hers for just a second, before he pulled back and settled into his chair. That one simple act reassured Nell that overnight he hadn't changed his mind about what had happened and she instantly relaxed.

"So, us." Nell began.

"Us." Callen nodded, processing the wider meaning of those two little letters.

"Are we an 'us'?" Nell asked. Callen regarded her for a moment, then reached over and took her hand.

"I know that I like you, and I like being with you." He replied, but it was a little non-committal for Nell's liking.

"And I like you, but…"

"But what?" he asked, his eyes narrowing a little as he wondered if Nell was going to come up with some reason they should keep their distance.

"What if they don't understand?"

"You mean the team?" he stared at her, trying to read her face but she was keeping it neutral and it was hard for him to gauge what was going through her mind. "They're our friends Nell, and I would hope that they would accept us for what we are."

"What we are…" she glanced down at their intertwined hands. "What are we?" she asked, this time her eyes seeming to plead with him for a definitive answer.

"Nell, what is it you're really worried about?" Callen probed, noticing the slight frown crossing her face. Nell sighed, wondering if she could really admit what she was thinking. He stared at her and she knew if this was going to work she had to be honest.

"I guess I'm worried that they'll wonder 'why me'." She glanced away. "I mean, I'm the office geek, I'm not…"

"Nell." Callen reached over and with a finger under her chin, he turned her to face him. "Do you not think you're good enough for me or something? Because if anything, it should be me who thinks I'm not good enough for you. I'm damaged goods. I have a messy history, a confusing present and an uncertain future. I'm terrible in relationships and if you and I become an 'us', I can't make any promises."

"Callen, you're not damaged goods. And I don't expect you to make me any promises. I just need to know that you're in this with me." She squeezed his hand tightly.

"I am." He smiled and gently ran his thumb over the back of her hand. "And Sam, Kensi, Deeks and Eric, they're our friends. If they really care about both of us, they'll understand."

"Okay." Nell nodded. "But how do you suggest we tell them? I don't really think 'Hey morning everyone, oh and by the way Callen and I are together' is quite the way to go about it." As she spoke, a mischievous smile crossed Callen's face. He knew exactly when the right time would be.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Over the next few weeks, Callen and Nell kept their new status to themselves as they figured out just what they were and waited for the right time to let their friends know about it. It was surprisingly easy to pretend like nothing had changed between them. Around the office they were completely professional. For Callen it was a breeze. He could pretend to be anyone, so he was simply playing a man who wasn't head over heels for a beautiful intelligence analyst. For Nell it wasn't quite so effortless and she had to consciously think about every move she made and every word she said when he was around. She must have been convincing though, because neither she nor Callen noticed anything in their friends' behaviours that suggested they knew there something more going on.

But everything would change between them the moment they left the office for the night. Callen became the man who couldn't keep his hands off the petite brunette and Nell had no fear of letting herself get close to him.

Callen had forgotten just how good it felt to be with a woman he cared about where kisses weren't staged and lacked feeling. It was even easier to be with someone who knew who he was – well, someone who knew what he did and he didn't have to lie about his day at the office. She understood when he had a bad day because she had been right there with him and they celebrated the small wins together over dinner. They had been together for only a few short weeks but for Callen it so natural it was like he had known her all his life.

And although it had been a means to an end, Callen and Nell continued to train for the marathon, either going out before work or after. Their runs had taken on a whole new meaning to both of them but with the big marathon coming up at the end of the week, Callen realised he had been so caught up in Nell, that he had forgotten about the purpose of the marathon – raising money for charity. After a brief conversation with Nell on the way back from their run on the Monday morning, they realised they would have to let the team in on their running secret in order to squeeze them for donations.

Callen was sprawled out in his chair at his desk while Nell hovered by the lockers, both waiting for the others to arrive.

"Okay guys, get your wallets out." Callen announced as Sam, Kensi and Deeks filed in to their desks and Eric lurked by the partition.

"What?" Sam asked, shaking his head in confusion.

"Well, Agent Callen and I are both running in a charity marathon on Saturday, and we need your donations." Nell piped up.

"You're running in a marathon?" Sam asked Callen, his face a picture of total disbelief.

"Yes, is that so hard to believe?" Callen replied with mock defensiveness in his voice. Sam merely snorted in response and sat down behind his desk.

"I didn't know you were a runner Nell." Kensi said.

"I took it up a few months ago." Nell told her. "It's a good escape." She flashed a smile and glanced over at Callen for just a moment.

"And you're both running in this marathon?" Deeks asked suspiciously.

"Yes." They replied in unison.

"Nell and I have been training together for a few weeks." Callen explained, immediately seeing his partners eyebrows raise with curiosity.

"I wasn't sure I was actually going to go through with it so I didn't want to say anything to anyone until I decided. But Callen saw me out running one day and he told me he was entering..."

"And I offered to train with her." Callen finished. Both Callen and Nell watched their friends' faces and were relieved when they seemed to fully believe their little white lie.

"I'll pay good money to see you run 26 miles, partner." Sam laughed and pulled out his wallet.

"Me too." Deeks agreed.

"Nell, you can count on my donation." Kensi said with a smile.

"And mine." Eric nodded. Nell noticed he was glancing between her and Callen and she was sure he was thinking about them training together and if it meant something. She felt a little bad that they were hiding their budding relationship from everyone, but more so because she was close to Eric and knew he wanted to be more than just colleagues and friends.

"Thank you guys." Nell nodded appreciatively. "Will you come to the run? It's on Saturday." She asked.

"Uh, sure. I don't have plans." Kensi told her, seeing in Nell's eyes that it meant a lot to her.

"As long as I don't have to run, I'm there." Deeks replied as he flung himself into his chair.

"I'll be there to make sure you cross the line." Sam nodded.

"Well if everyone else is going." Eric shook his head. He didn't get running. Surfing yes, but running…he just didn't see the appeal.

The day of the marathon finally arrived and Nell found she was incredibly nervous. Despite knowing Callen would be running alongside her the whole way, she doubted her ability to complete the run and for a woman who prided herself on always getting the job done, the thought of failure terrified her. Callen didn't seem to be suffering the same nerves. He looked relaxed as they waited at the start line with hundreds of other runners, some professionals, some amateurs like them, and some not runners at all but people dressed in costumes and those who were planning to walk the course.

Nell stretched herself out and fidgeted on the spot as they waited for their turn to start, wondering for a moment if the cool, calm and collected image she saw in Callen was really how he was feeling, or if he was just putting it on – he was an expert at playing roles after all.

"Hey, don't wear yourself out before you even get started." Callen laughed. She thumped him playfully on the arm before adjusting her t-shirt. "Nervous?" Callen asked.

"No." she lied.

"Well, you don't have time to be nervous – we're about to go." Callen indicated to the marshal who was waving them over to the start line.

"I guess it's now or never then." Nell leaned up and kissed his cheek before taking her place at the start line.

The starter pistol was fired and like the surge of a wave, the mass of runners moved forward. It didn't take Nell long to fall into a rhythm. Callen kept pace beside her and as the runners stretched out giving them space, Nell felt a surge of confidence. All the training had paid off and as they passed each mile marker, Nell grinned. They were edging closer and closer to the finish and she couldn't wait to get there.

With just a few miles to go Nell was surprised she was even still moving. She had slowed almost to a walk though she wouldn't let herself stop. But it was the man running beside her who was really spurring her on. Callen called out encouraging words and made promises that had her blushing for all the wrong reasons to keep her putting one foot in front of the other. He really seemed to be enjoying himself even though he looked exhausted, and Nell realised it was the first time since they had started running together that she had seen him look this tired. His face was flushed and he was sweating profusely but he still had a smile on his face. She was sure he was picturing Sam's face at the finish line and the wad of cash he would get from the side bet they had made on Callen actually making it across the line.

"Come on Nell, I can see the finish line." Callen placed his hand on her back and propelled her forward. "We're almost there." She wanted to respond but she was having a hard enough time breathing that forming words was not her top priority. So she settled for a pained smile at him as she forced her legs to keep moving. It reminded her so much of the first full run they had taken when she had collapsed on the grass at the end. It seemed like a lifetime ago, when being with Callen was a mere fantasy.

"Nell, look." Callen nudged her arm and pointed ahead where they could see the finish line and the noise from the cheering crowd grew louder. With the finish line in sight, Nell found a renewed energy and she picked up a little speed. Callen laughed at her determination and as they covered the last few hundred yards, they were practically sprinting.

On the far side of the finish line, Sam, Kensi, Eric and Deeks stood in the crowd, cheering and clapping as the runners crossed the line.

"Hey, there they are!" Deeks shouted above the crowd as he spotted Callen and Nell sprinting to the finish. With whoops and cheers, they watched the agent and analyst fly across the line.

Nell came to a stop and bent over, heaving in a few deep breaths. Her lungs felt like they were going to burst and her legs were like jelly but she had never felt so accomplished. With a grin on her face, she stood up and threw her arms around Callen hugging him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed back. To anyone around them they looked like two friends congratulating each other on their success.

"We did it!" she exclaimed as she pulled back.

With his arms still loosely around Nell and knowing the rest of the team were watching, Callen drew Nell to him and planted a possessive kiss on her lips. Taken off guard, Nell was motionless for a moment, her mind registering what he was doing and momentarily panicking because she knew they could be seen. But as Callen parted her lips and deepened the kiss, she forgot about everything and everyone, and slid her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her. Neither saw, not cared, about the reaction from the others. They were oblivious to the wide eyes, the dropped jaws and the confused look planted on each of their faces.

Callen and Nell finally pulled apart after a minute or so and she stared at him.

"What were you thinking?" Nell asked. "They're right there." She looked over to see Eric, Deeks, Kensi and Sam making their way towards them, the expressions on their faces clearly telling her they had witnessed Callen kissing her.

"It felt like the right time." He shrugged with a cheeky smile on his face. "And now they know."

Callen drew Nell around to stand in front of him, his arm settling loosely across the front of her chest in a slightly protective move, as he watched his partner approach. He could tell Sam was pissed because of the extra swagger in his step and Callen just hoped it was only because he hadn't told him what was really going on.

"G, you got something you want to tell me?" Sam asked when he reached the couple.

"I would have thought it were obvious Sam." Callen smirked.

"How long have you two..." Kensi began.

"Been knockin' boots?" Deeks interrupted.

"Deeks." She jabbed him with her elbow. "This is new right? We would have known?" Kensi looked to Eric and Sam.

"It's new." Nell confirmed.

"But a long time coming." Callen added.

Eric had been quiet during the whole thing, his mind rushing to catch up and process that Nell was apparently now with Callen and working out how he felt about it. He was shocked, not figuring Callen to be Nell's type. But then Eric had been flirting with her, or trying to, for a year and she had really shown no interest in him as anything other than a friend, so maybe a super bad-ass undercover agent was really what she was looking for.

"I guess congratulations are in order." He smiled.

"Thanks Eric." Callen nodded. He knew he didn't need Eric's approval but out of them all, Nell was closest to him and considered him a real friend and neither wanted him to be hurt.

"You always did say you attracted the 'intelligent type'." Sam joked, his genuine smile revealing that he was indeed pleased for his friend. "If he gives you any trouble, you let me know." He winked at Nell.

"Does Hetty know?" Deeks suddenly asked.

"Nah." Callen shook his head.

"I don't know, she does know everything." Kensi warned them.

"She'd have said something." Nell nodded.

"Would she?" Callen asked, looking down at Nell.

"Well, you're going to have to tell her." Sam told him. "Just wait til we're out the room. And check her for weapons first."

"Funny, Sam." Callen replied as he started walking with Nell across the park and towards the parking lot.

"So are you guys going to drag us to every marathon you decide to run in now?" Deeks asked as he jogged to catch up.

"I don't know. Nell, what do you think?" Callen asked.

"I think if we're going to run more of these, then maybe we should have more company."

"Oh god, you're not suggesting some OSP running team are you?" Eric asked, horrified at the thought of being dragged out and forced to jog anywhere.

"We could give ourselves a cool name like 'The Running Flames', or 'Greased Lightning', or what about 'Speed Dogs' and I could bring Monty." Deeks rambled on with Kensi groaning at his side, and Eric and Sam trailing behind them.

Callen looked down at Nell was they walked through the park with their friends, his arm slung loosely around her shoulders. She lifted her head to meet his gaze, giving him a warm smile, and he returned with a reassuring squeeze, drawing her close to him. No matter what lay in store, he was sure things were going to work out.

Done! Thanks for coming on this ride with me