The bullpen was unusually quiet for a morning, the hum of computers and occasional ring of a desk phone the only real noise. Sam, Kensi, and Deeks stood near Callen's desk, coffees in hand, as Callen leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly as he recounted the events of the night before.

"So let me get this straight," Deeks said, pointing at Callen with his coffee cup. "You were running a Dexter Hughes op at some underground lounge, and who just so happens to walk in?"

"Nell," Callen confirmed, shaking his head.

Kensi's eyebrows shot up. "That's some serious coincidence."

"Right?" Deeks grinned. "Like, what are the odds the one person in this city who knows you better than you probably know yourself just waltzes in while you're mid-grift?"

"She wasn't waltzing," Callen corrected, though his lips twitched. "She was out with friends, just there for drinks. Didn't even realize I was working at first."

Sam gave him a knowing look. "And I'm guessing once she did realize, she didn't just sit back and enjoy the show."

Callen huffed a small laugh. "Not exactly. She caught on fast, played along, and then—" He paused, shaking his head. "I figured she could help."

Kensi narrowed her eyes. "Help how, exactly?"

Callen leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk. "The owner had encrypted files on a private server in the back. I was looking for a way to get to it, but security was tight. Nell, however… well, let's just say she has a talent for getting in and out of places unnoticed."

Deeks let out a low whistle. "Oh man. You actually roped Nell into your undercover op? She's definitely gonna hold that over your head forever."

"She didn't exactly need convincing," Callen admitted. "Once she knew what I was after, she was all in. Slipped past security, cracked the system, downloaded the files—saved me hours of work."

Sam arched an eyebrow. "And no trouble?"

Callen exhaled. "Not exactly. The owner almost caught her, but I managed to stall him long enough for her to finish the job."

Kensi smirked. "Let me guess—dramatic distraction?"

Callen gave a half-shrug. "I may have feigned drunken admiration for his liquor collection."

Deeks burst out laughing. "Oh my God, please tell me there's security footage of you slurring compliments at some mobster's whiskey stash."

Callen shot him a look. "It worked."

"Oh, I don't doubt it," Kensi grinned. "I just really want to see it."

"Well, well, well. Look who's already spreading his version of events."

Nell strolled into the bullpen, arms crossed, giving Callen a look that was equal parts amusement and mild suspicion.

Deeks grinned. "Oh, perfect timing! We were just hearing about your secret life of crime."

Nell arched an eyebrow. "Is that how he told it?"

Callen sighed, but instead of answering, he reached down, grabbed a coffee cup from his desk, and held it out to her.

Coffee from the expensive place.

Nell's gaze flicked down to it, then back up at him.

He smirked. "You said you wanted repayment in good coffee. I pay my debts."

She took the cup, turning it slightly to inspect the logo, then took a slow, deliberate sip. A tiny, satisfied hum escaped her, but she quickly masked it with an unimpressed expression. "Hmm. It's a start."

Kensi and Deeks exchanged a knowing look.

Sam just shook his head. "You're gonna be buying her coffee for months, Callen."

Callen leaned back in his chair, watching as Nell took another sip, the faintest smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, well," he said, smirking, "she's worth it."

Nell gave him a look over the rim of her cup. "Damn right."

With that, she turned and strolled off toward Ops, leaving the team watching her go.

Deeks leaned in toward Callen with a smirk. "Oh boy you're so in trouble."

Callen just exhaled. But the way he was still watching Nell walk away?

Yeah. He really didn't mind.