Callen pulled up in front of Nell's apartment, shifting the car into park. The building was quiet, the windows dark except for the occasional glow of a television in the distance. It was late, too late for someone to be out wandering the streets alone.
Nell sat motionless in the passenger seat, still wrapped in his jacket, staring at the dashboard as if she were somewhere else entirely.
Callen turned off the engine. "I'll walk you up."
She immediately shook her head, her voice quiet but firm. "Callen, you don't have to."
"I know," he said simply, pushing open his door.
For a moment, she looked like she might argue. But then she just sighed, opening her own door and stepping out onto the pavement. Callen followed, walking beside her as she led the way to the entrance.
The air was colder now, the silence of the night pressing in around them. Nell didn't say anything as she unlocked the building's front door, and Callen didn't break the quiet. He just stayed close, keeping his steps in sync with hers as they climbed the stairs to her apartment.
When they reached her door, she hesitated. Her fingers hovered over the keyhole, but she didn't turn the key.
Then, finally, without looking at him, she asked softly, "Do you want some tea?"
Callen knew what this was. She didn't want to be alone.
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "Tea sounds good."
Nell exhaled, as if relieved, and pushed open the door.
The apartment was dark except for the faint glow from a lamp near the couch. Nell walked in, flipping on the light in the small kitchen, the soft hum of the refrigerator filling the quiet.
Callen followed, shutting the door behind him. He watched as she moved to the stove, filling a kettle with water. She still hadn't taken off his jacket.
He leaned against the counter, arms crossed, observing the way the oversized sleeves nearly swallowed her hands as she set the kettle on the burner.
For a few moments, the only sounds were the distant hum of traffic outside and the soft clinking of cups as she reached for them.
"You planning on keeping that?" he asked lightly, nodding toward his jacket.
Nell glanced down at herself, as if she had forgotten she was still wearing it. Her fingers curled around the fabric. "It's warm," she said simply.
Callen didn't argue. If it brought her even a fraction of comfort, she could keep it as long as she wanted.
He watched as she busied herself with the tea, her movements slow, methodical. He knew she was still lost in her thoughts, still carrying the weight of the night.
So was he.
But for now, at least, they weren't carrying it alone.