The vibration of his phone against the nightstand jolted Callen awake. 2:37 AM. Frowning, he grabbed it, already expecting bad news. But when he saw the name on the screen—Nell—his stomach clenched.

"Nell?" he answered, immediately alert.

There was a pause. Then her voice, quiet and shaky.

"Callen… I'm at the hospital."

He was already on his feet.

"What happened?"

"A car accident," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I...I'm okay. Just a few bruises, maybe a mild concussion."

Callen was already grabbing his keys.

"Which hospital?"

She hesitated. "Callen, you don't have to—"

"Nell," he cut her off. "Where are you?"

A quiet sigh then almost a whisper "St. John's."

"I'm on my way."

And he was out the door. As he drove, fast, he replayed her words, recalling the fear in her voice. And then he realised it was him she'd called when she was scared. Not Eric, or Sam or Kensi or Deeks, but him. He wasn't sure what that meant but he was just glad she had called.

xxxxx

Callen hated hospitals. The fluorescent lighting, the sterile air, the quiet hum of machines—it all felt so impersonal and too cold. But none of that mattered as he spotted Nell sitting alone on the edge of a hospital bed, arms wrapped around herself, looking small and vulnerable.

She looked up when he entered the cubicle area, her eyes widening. "You came." She whispered.

"Of course I did." Callen's voice was firm as he crossed to the bed. "You really think I wouldn't?"

She gave a small, tired shrug. "I didn't want to bother you...but I was..." she trailed off.

"You were in a car accident, Nell," he said, "I don't care what time it is, you call me."

Something in her softened and he saw her shoulders relax a little. He took in her appearance—a few scratches on her face, a bandage on her forehead, bruises forming along her arms. She was in hospital-issued scrubs, her own clothes presumably ruined.

"How bad?" he asked, his voice gentler now.

She shook her head. "Not too bad. A driver ran a red light, hit me on the passenger side. My car spun out and hit a guardrail."

Callen exhaled sharply, picturing it.

"I hit my head," she admitted. "Blacked out for a few seconds. When I woke up, the paramedics were there."

Callen didn't even realize his hands had clenched into fists. She must've noticed because she touched his arm. "Hey. I'm okay."

He looked down at her, taking in the faint exhaustion behind her words, the way her hands still trembled slightly.

Callen ran a hand over his face, exhaling slowly. "Do you have to stay overnight?"

She shook her head. "No, they've been observing me for a while, I think I can go soon."

"Good." His jaw tightened. "My car's not far but I can always go pull it round front."

"Callen..." she started but she didn't finish, realising this was exactly why she'd called him.

A nurse came in just then to go over her discharge paperwork, and Callen made sure to listen to every word. Nell pretended to be fine, brushing off any concern, but Callen saw the way she was hunched over, it was clear she was exhausted and likely in a lot of pain.

So when the nurse finally cleared her to leave, Callen was at her side instantly, slipping an arm around her when she swayed slightly on her feet as she stood up.

"You good?" He asked.

She let out a tired sigh. "Yeah, I'm good."

He nodded. "Let's get you home."

xxxxx

By the time they reached her place, Nell was half-asleep, her eyes barely able to stay open.

"You didn't have to walk me in." She insisted.

"Yeah, I did," Callen said, guiding her inside.

"I...I should shower," she murmured, glancing down at the hospital scrubs. "And change."

Callen saw the exhaustion in her eyes. "Shower if you need to, but then you're getting some sleep."

She gave a small, tired smile. "You're bossy when you're worried."

"Yeah, well, you gave me something to worry about tonight." His voice was low and husky, filled with concern.

"Sorry." She replied quietly.

"Hey, it's not your fault." He told her, reaching out and cupping her cheek, gently brushing his thumb over her skin. He felt her lean into his hand just a little before she backed up and moved towards the bathroom.

"I won't be long." She said before she disappeared behind the door.

After a few minutes, Callen heard the water running, so he took it upon himself to make sure she had everything she needed.

He found a glass and filled it with water, setting it on her nightstand. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he grabbed the extra blanket folded at the end of her bed and placed it within reach.

When Nell emerged, wearing soft sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt, she looked slightly more like herself but she still looked tired and pale. And for once, she didn't argue when Callen steered her toward the bed.

She sat down, hesitating slightly. "You don't have to stay, you know."

Callen just crossed his arms. "I'm not going anywhere until I know you're okay."

Something in her face softened. "Thank you."

"Anytime," he said, meaning it.

As she slid under the covers, Callen pulled the blanket up over her shoulders.

"Get some sleep, Nell."

She blinked up at him, hesitating.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, "Will you stay in here… just until I fall asleep?"

Callen's chest tightened at the vulnerability she was showing. He simply nodded in response, grabbing a chair from the corner of the room and pulling it up beside her bed.

"I'm right here." He said as he settled into the chair.

Nell exhaled softly, eyes finally slipping shut. And Callen stayed, watching her sleep, grateful this was how the night was ending and she was still here, with him.