The team had gathered in the parking lot, the adrenaline of the mission finally fading into a quiet hum. Everyone was heading toward their cars, but Nell sat perched on the trunk of Callen's car, taking a moment to breathe and regroup. She glanced around at the others, catching snippets of conversation, but her attention quickly shifted to Callen when he opened the passenger side door and pulled out the first aid kit.
He closed the door with a soft click and made his way back to her, his gaze immediately falling on the cut on her temple. He was all business, but there was unmistakable concern in his eyes.
"You good?" he asked, his voice soft yet filled with concern.
Nell nodded, still trying to downplay the injury. "Just a scratch. No big deal."
Callen didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he stood in front of her, opening the first aid kit with practiced efficiency. He gently dabbed the antiseptic wipe against her temple, and Nell couldn't suppress the slight wince that came with the sting.
Callen's eyes immediately caught the wince, and for a moment, his face tightened in concern. His hand paused for a brief second. "Did I hurt you?" His voice dropped, quieter now, almost apologetic.
Nell quickly shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips despite the sting. "No, just caught me off guard. It's fine, just stings."
Callen's expression softened, but his attention remained on the task at hand as he continued cleaning the wound. His movements were slower, more careful now, as though trying to ensure she wasn't in any more discomfort.
"You sure?" he asked again, almost reluctant to continue if it was causing her any more pain.
"I'm sure," Nell replied, her tone steady and reassuring. "You're doing fine."
Once the wound was cleaned, Callen expertly applied a small bandage and closed the first aid kit. He glanced at Nell with a slight nod. "There. All patched up."
"Thanks, Callen," Nell said quietly, touching the bandage on her temple. It was a bit stingy, but nothing major. She was fine.
Callen stood up, closing the kit and tucking it back in the car, his focus never straying far from her. He gave her a quick once-over before he reached for something from the backseat—his leather jacket.
He handed it to her with a slight smile. "I did say I'd give you this as a 'trauma blanket' if we got shot at and survived."
Nell raised an eyebrow, amused. "Guess you're holding up to your end of the bargain, huh?"
Callen just shrugged, a casual but confident expression on his face. "Wouldn't let you down."
Nell slipped the jacket on, adjusting it around her shoulders. It was too big, but it felt warm and comforting, especially after everything that had just happened. She gave a soft laugh, tugging the sleeves up. "It's a little roomy, but I think I can make it work."
"You'll grow into it," Callen replied with a smirk, glancing at her for a moment before turning to the team, who were starting to head to their cars.
As Nell made to slide off the trunk, she felt the cool evening air against her skin, the weight of the jacket giving her a quiet sense of security. And just as she moved, she felt Callen's hand at her elbow, steadying her. It was a subtle gesture, she didn't really require his help, but it felt protective in a way that caught her off guard.
She looked up at him, surprised by the gesture. "I'm fine, Callen," she said with a small smile, but she didn't pull away from his touch. It was strange, but it felt... comfortable.
Callen met her gaze with a quiet look of understanding. "I know."
Nell nodded, her smile softening as she carefully hopped down from the trunk, her feet meeting solid ground. She didn't pull away from him immediately but allowed him to help her steady herself for a brief second before she stepped away.
"Thanks," she said again, her voice quiet but sincere. "I've got it from here."
Callen gave a slight nod, stepping back as she moved toward the passenger side of his car. The rest of the team was getting ready to head out, and Deeks, who had been observing from a distance, looked at Nell with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Nice jacket," he said, his tone casual but with a hint of amusement.
Nell shot him a knowing look. "Thanks, Deeks."
Callen didn't acknowledge Deeks' comment, simply getting into the driver's side of the car and starting the engine. "Let's go," he said, his tone professional again, but there was a subtle hint of something else there.
As they drove off, Nell settled into the leather jacket, feeling its warmth wrap around her like a second skin. The mission was over. The danger had passed. Yet, she found herself thinking about Callen.
She had always admired his strength, his focus. But tonight, something had shifted. His care for her, the subtle ways he looked out for her, had shown a side of him she didn't always get to see—one that was soft, attentive, protective in the quietest of ways.
Nell knew that Callen wasn't one for emotional displays. He had his walls, like they all did. But in moments like this, with a simple gesture of helping her down from the trunk, or giving her his jacket, she couldn't ignore the fact that he cared.
And maybe, just maybe, that was more than enough.
The warmth of his jacket around her shoulders felt like a promise, and as they drove into the night, Nell found herself quietly wondering if there was more between them than she had ever allowed herself to see.