Nell stood outside the bar, arms wrapped around herself against the cool night air. The adrenaline from her little excursion with Callen/Dexter had finally worn off, leaving only the quiet hum of exhaustion—and the undeniable thrill—that always came with getting away with something she probably shouldn't have been doing.
She checked her phone.
Driver still 10 minutes away.
She groaned under her breath. Figures.
As if the universe had a sense of humor, a sleek, dark sedan pulled up to the curb, headlights sweeping over her. The tinted passenger window slid down, and a familiar voice—smooth, knowing, and infuriatingly smug—drifted out.
"You really trust some random Uber driver at this hour, Claire?"
She turned, already smirking. Callen lounged in the driver's seat, one arm resting casually on the wheel, looking far too pleased with himself. He was back in his usual clothes—Dexter Hughes shed like an old costume—but the mischief still danced in his eyes.
"I take it Dexter doesn't approve of my transportation choices?" she teased, stepping closer.
Callen tilted his head toward the empty seat. "Dexter couldn't care less. I, however, think you deserve a ride that doesn't end with you fighting off a kidnapper or making small talk with someone who calls himself a 'crypto entrepreneur.'"
She arched a brow. "So this is concern?"
He smirked. "This is me saving you from a truly awful car ride."
Nell hesitated for the briefest moment. But then she rolled her eyes, pulled open the door, and slid into the seat.
"Well, since you put it like that."
Callen pulled away from the curb smoothly, guiding the car through the quiet city streets with an ease that was so typically him.
For a moment, silence stretched between them—comfortable, but charged. The kind of silence that was waiting for something.
"You did good back there," Callen said, his voice lower than usual.
Nell shot him a sideways look. "You sound surprised."
He smirked. "Not surprised...impressed."
She narrowed her eyes, suspicion laced with amusement. "That almost sounded like a genuine compliment, Callen. You feeling okay?"
"I do give compliments."
"Rarely."
His smirk deepened, but there was something behind it—something almost thoughtful. "You saved me a hell of a lot of time and effort. That file is gonna be very useful."
Nell arched a brow. "So I'm basically your best asset now?"
Callen let out a low chuckle. "I wouldn't go that far." He paused. "But you are my favorite accomplice."
She grinned, leaning back in her seat. "Now we're getting somewhere."
His fingers tapped idly against the wheel, eyes flicking toward her in a way that made her feel like she was under some sort of quiet evaluation. Not in a bad way. Just… Callen's way.
"So." He glanced at her. "What's the going rate for a favor like this?"
Her lips twitched. "That depends."
"On?"
"Whether I just want coffee or the good coffee in the morning."
He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you keep calling me for help."
"Maybe I like a challenge."
Her stomach did an annoying little flip at that, but she covered it with an eye roll. "You definitely like being a pain in my ass."
"Oh, without a doubt."
When they finally pulled up in front of her apartment, Callen shifted slightly, draping one arm over the steering wheel as he turned to her.
"You sure you're good?"
Nell smirked. "Why, Callen, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're worried about me."
His lips parted slightly, amusement flickering over his face, but something else was there too. Something unreadable.
"You didn't have to help me tonight," he said instead.
Nell unbuckled her seatbelt and turned toward him, propping an elbow against the center console. "And yet, I did."
Their eyes met—just for a second too long.
Callen's gaze flickered to her mouth before he caught himself, and the corner of his lips curled. "You really expect me to believe you didn't enjoy it just a little?"
She smirked. "Oh, I had fun."
Callen chuckled. "Thought so."
Nell reached for the door handle but hesitated. Then—because she couldn't help herself—she leaned in slightly. "I do expect payback, though. I think I want the good coffee."
She pushed open the door and stepped out, but before she shut it, she leaned down, meeting his gaze through the open window. "Try not to miss me too much."
Callen grinned. "No promises."
As she walked toward her building, she could feel his gaze on her. She didn't look back, but she heard the soft purr of the engine idling for just a few extra seconds before he finally pulled away into the night.