Gunfire cracked through the still air of the open air parking lot, bullets tearing into the metal carcasses of abandoned cars. Callen ducked lower behind a half-crumpled sedan, glancing at Sam across from him. Their magazines were nearly empty, and the shooters showed no signs of letting up.

"We're almost out," Sam muttered, eyes scanning for an opening.

"Yeah," Callen said, checking his weapon. "Any brilliant ideas?"

Sam was about to answer when the distant roar of an engine cut through the chaos, growing louder by the second. Both men tensed, unsure whether this was about to get worse—or way better.

An SUV came flying around the corner—their SUV—and for a second, both Callen and Sam just stared. The vehicle rocketed across the lot, tires screaming, before it pulled a flawless 180 handbrake turn and skidded to a stop right in front of them, shielding them from the incoming fire.

The driver's window rolled down, and there, perched behind the wheel, was Nell Jones— jaw tight, eyes locked forward with laser focus.

"Get in!" she yelled.

They didn't hesitate. Doors yanked open, they scrambled inside just as another round of bullets tore through where they'd been. Nell slammed the accelerator, sending the SUV fishtailing out of the kill zone.

Callen twisted in his seat to look at her, his expression a mix of relief and surprise. Then be noticed it. "You're sitting on the first aid kit."

"Visibility matters," she said without missing a beat, eyes still on the road.

Callen shook his head, almost smiling. "Deeks said you did that. I thought he was messing with me."

Finally, she glanced sideways at him—just long enough for their eyes to meet. There was a flicker of something there. Humor. Challenge. A spark that hadn't quite had the space to show itself before.

"Do you really wanna make fun of my driving right now—after I just saved your asses?"

Callen smirked, exchanging a glance with Sam, who was trying very hard not to laugh. "Fair point," Callen said, leaning back into his seat. "Remind me to let you drive more often."

She gave the smallest grin, hands steady as the SUV rocketed through the parking lot and out onto the street. Callen leaned back, stealing another look at her, a little breathless for reasons that had nothing to do with the firefight.

xxxxxxx

Back at HQ, the bullpen buzzed with easy energy as the team gathered, the adrenaline from earlier still hanging in the air.

Sam leaned back against Kensi's desk, animated as he recounted the story.

"I'm telling you," he said, shaking his head. "It was like something out of Fast & Furious. Tires squealing, handbrake turn, perfect cover—bam. I thought Dom Toretto himself was behind the wheel."

Kensi raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Sounds like someone's coming for your crown, Sam."

Sam chuckled. "After today, Nell can take it."

Kensi laughed, just as Nell walked into the bullpen, still in her field gear, hair a little mussed, cheeks flushed. Her entrance pulled everyone's attention.

Deeks was the first to move, throwing her a high five. "Jones. Legend."

Kensi followed, giving Nell a playful punch to the shoulder. "Seriously—amazing work."

Nell shrugged, trying to hide the pleased look in her eyes. "Figured someone had to pull the big dramatic rescue."

Behind them, Callen stood by his desk, watching. He hadn't said much since the ride back—still processing, maybe. Or maybe just watching her in a way that felt different now. There was something about the way she handled herself, the way she'd thrown herself into the chaos without hesitation. She hadn't just shown up. She commanded the moment.

He stepped forward, his gaze steady. "I definitely owe you a drink."

Nell turned toward him slowly, eyes locking with his. The corner of her mouth curved in a slow, teasing smile. "You owe me more than one for that rescue."

Callen held her gaze, a small smile playing at his lips and a flicker of something behind his eyes. "I can manage that."

She arched a brow, but her smile lingered longer than necessary before she turned back to her desk.

Sam, watching from his corner, said nothing—just glanced over at Deeks, who gave the subtlest lift of his brows in return. No words needed. They saw it.

And Callen? He watched her go, that smile of hers still stuck in his mind.