The warehouse was massive—old, dark, and full of echoing corners. Sam had seen dozens like it, and they always gave him a bad feeling. He and Callen moved in a slow sweep, keeping to the shadows, scanning every aisle and stack of forgotten crates as they hunted for the two suspects they were tracking. Deeks and Nell had taken the other side of the building, splitting up to close the distance.
Sam was mid-step when Deeks's voice crackled through comms, sharp and urgent.
"We've got movement—both suspects! Need backup, now!"
Sam didn't wait. "Go," he barked, and both he and Callen broke into a run, boots echoing off the concrete as they made their way toward the far side.
The comms flared again, this time more chaotic—grunts, scuffling, the distinct thud of someone hitting the ground.
"Nell? You good?" Deeks's voice came again, breathless.
Sam didn't miss the way Callen twitched beside him, his stride faltering just slightly at the sound of Deeks calling to Nell. His jaw clenched, and he picked up speed, taking a corner hard and fast. Sam pushed close behind him.
When they reached the open section of the warehouse, Sam took everything in at once.
Deeks was straddling one suspect, cuffing him quickly, breathing hard but unhurt.
A few feet away, Nell was just getting to her feet, a hand rising to touch her jaw. Beside her, the second suspect—by far the larger of the two—was sprawled out cold on the floor.
Sam's eyebrows lifted. "Well, damn."
Callen moved immediately to her side, not rushing, but with purpose. He gave the downed guy a quick glance, toeing his boot against the suspect's side to make sure he was out cold, then turned to Nell.
She had a split lip and a bruise already blooming along her jaw, but she looked steady—more than steady, she looked proud.
Deeks grinned, brushing dust off his knees. "Callen, you're not gonna believe it. She dropped the big guy. I mean, full-on took him down. Flipped him over and everything. I was still wrestling string bean over here when I heard a bang and looked up—bam! Nellasaurus for the win."
Callen's gaze was steady on Nell, his blue eyes sweeping over her face. He reached out, one hand gentle as he tilted her chin slightly to the side, inspecting the bruising with a furrowed brow.
Nell didn't flinch. If anything, she smirked, her chest rising with short, post-fight breaths, pride clear on her face.
Callen let out a breath, low and half a laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing. "That's my girl," he said, soft but not quiet enough for Sam to miss.
Sam had to fight to keep the grin off his face. He folded his arms, watching the whole thing from a few steps back.
Nell didn't say anything in response, but the way she beamed said enough.
Callen finally pulled his hand back, looking between the two suspects now subdued on the ground. "Not bad, Jones."
"Not bad?" Deeks said, mock-offended. "I'm never going to hear the end of this from her."
"Absolutely not," Nell quipped, brushing herself off with a wince.
Sam finally chimed in, his voice casual but with a glint in his eye. "Remind me to never underestimate her."
Callen just chuckled, the sound more relaxed than Sam had heard all day.
Yeah. They were definitely something. And whatever it was… it worked.