Callen stepped out of his car, shoving his hands into the pockets of his coat as he took in the scene before him. The outdoor rink was alive with movement—kids laughing as they wobbled on the ice, couples gliding hand in hand, and families bundled up in scarves and gloves enjoying the festive atmosphere. Twinkling lights were strung above the rink, casting a warm glow against the cool night air.
He exhaled, his breath visible in the crisp air, and made his way toward the skate rental booth. The attendant handed over a pair of skates, and Callen sat on a nearby bench, swapping out his boots. He wasn't a stranger to ice skating—it had been years, but it wasn't something you really forgot.
As he laced up, he spotted his team already out on the ice. Kensi and Deeks were laughing as Deeks nearly lost his balance, arms flailing before Kensi caught him. Sam moved with effortless ease, smoothly gliding past them. Eric, on the other hand, looked absolutely thrilled, even if his form was all over the place.
And then there was Nell.
Callen couldn't help the small smirk that tugged at his lips as he watched her cling to the side of the rink, her gloved hands gripping the barrier tightly as she attempted to find her balance. She looked completely out of her element, brow furrowed in concentration, her feet awkwardly positioned on the ice.
Pushing himself up, Callen made his way onto the rink with practiced ease, his skates cutting smoothly across the ice. He maneuvered through the crowd until he reached her side.
"Need some help?" he asked, amusement laced in his voice.
Nell turned her head sharply at the sound of his voice, a mixture of relief and embarrassment flashing across her face. "I'm fine," she said quickly, though her grip on the barrier didn't loosen.
Callen raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Because from here, it looks like you're planning to spend the whole night clinging to this wall."
She huffed. "I'm just… getting my bearings."
He chuckled, then held out his hand. "Come on. I won't let you fall."
Nell hesitated, glancing between his extended hand and the ice beneath her feet. It wasn't that she didn't trust him—it was that she didn't trust herself.
But then again, it was Callen.
With a deep breath, she slowly released her grip on the barrier and slipped her hand into his. Callen's fingers curled around hers, steady and warm.
"See?" he said, pulling her gently away from the wall. "Piece of cake."
Nell let out a nervous laugh as she wobbled, instinctively tightening her grip on his hand.
"Easy for you to say," she muttered.
Callen just smiled. "Stick with me, and you'll be skating like a pro in no time."
Nell let out a nervous laugh as she wobbled again, instinctively tightening her grip on Callen's hand.
"I thought this would be fun," she admitted, glancing down at her unsteady feet. "But now that I'm actually on the ice, I'm starting to second-guess that decision."
"Just take it one step at a time. You'll get the hang of it."
Nell let out a breath and nodded, trusting him to keep her steady as he slowly guided her away from the safety of the wall.