Unexpected Connection

Kensi and Deeks secured the warehouse. As Sam ran over to Draeger and kicked is weapon out of the way.

"Clear" he yelled. Kensi and Deeks followed suit yelling "Clear!" not long after.

Meanwhile Callen was with Nell with whom he had pulled into his chest, while his other hand was caressing her face. He whispered to her "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Nell. You're safe. Ambulance is on the way"

"It's not your fault Callen. I should have been more careful. I knew they would want revenge."

"I broke a promise I made to you Nell. I promised you that I wouldn't let anyone hurt you again."

Nell withdrew from him and looked him straight in the eye. "Callen, none of this is your fault. This is on me. I shot his brother and he didn't hurt me you found me in time G. I'm alive because of you. Because of Sam. Because of Deeks and Kensi and Eric and Hetty. You saved me. If you hadn't found me I'd be dead. Understand?"

Called nodded and pulled her into him, not wanting to let her go as they waited for the ambulance.

Sam, Deeks and Kensi walked over to them smiling, confirming what they thought was going on between them.

Sam knelt down in front of Nell. "Are you okay?"

"I'm good." She replied.

"Alright, ambulance should be here soon okay."

"I'm fine Sam." She replied

Callen interrupted Sam as he was about to speak "Yeah, that's not an option Nell. You need to get checked out."

"Callen's right Nell. You could have internal injuries. You need to get checked out. Even if it's just by the paramedic."

"Alright." Said Nell.

A couple of minutes later the paramedic arrived and Nell hopped in the back of ambulance to get checked out. 20 minutes later Nell came back out of the ambulance and saw Callen waiting for her. She smiled.

"Is she okay?" he asked the paramedic.

"She'll be okay a few bumps and bruises, but nothing serious."

Callen nodded. He turned to look at Nell.

"You ready to go?"

"Yes. I am ready to go home and sleep." She said

"Not yet, we need to get back to OPS and debrief and then back to my house to get some clothes and then we (he emphasized) can then head back to your place."

"We, as in both of us?"

"Yes, we as in both of us. You can't blame me if I'm hesitant about letting you out of my sight."

Deeks, Sam and Kensi watched and listened as Callen and Nell talked and coupled with how protective they had seen Callen become with Nell during the case and just now. Kensi realized that there was more to their pairing then just friendship.

"So how long's that been going?" asked Kensi

"What makes you think I know?"

"Well, because Callen is your partner and we both know that you would have noticed something and you would keep pushing Callen until he told you."

Deeks suddenly interrupted. "What are you two talking about? Being all secretive?"

Sam ignored Deeks and replied to Kensi. "It's not my place to say Kensi."

"So there is something to say then?"

Sam didn't respond, he simply walked back to the Challenger where Callen and Nell were waiting for him.

"Oh! You mean something between Callen and Nell. I got it" Said Deeks.

Kensi and Deeks made their way back to Kensi's car.

Half an hour later they were all walking back in OPS. Hetty walked up to greet Nell with the team standing behind her. "Good to have you back in 1 piece Ms Jones." She said as she smiled.

"It's good to be back Hetty."

Hetty smiled.

"Go home, be with your partners, your loved ones."

Everyone started to pick up their gear. "Come on Kens."

"Where are we going? She asked

"Back to my place. Hetty said to go home and be with your partner. That's what I plan to do." He said with typical Goofy smile."

Kensi punched Deeks in the arm.

"Oww" he said as he walked out of the mission with Kensi following up behind him.

"Come on Deeks. I didn't even hit you hard."

Sam and Eric had left, leaving Callen, Nell and Hetty in the office.

"Mr Callen, Ms Jones. I know that you have both been through a lot in the past 24 hours. However I would like to speak to you about the relationship that you currently in.

"Hetty..." Callen started to say.

Hetty put her hand up to stop him. "Mr Callen, whilst I don't generally approve of inter office relationships. However I can how much you care about Ms Jones and vice versa and lord knows Mr Callen it would be a miracle to see in a relationship, a partnership. So for time being I will allow this relationship to continue while you are both in the same office. However if your relationship affects the day to day operation of this unit or impacts on your decision making either in the field on here in OPS I will have no choice but to re-assign one of you. Understand?"

"Yes" they both replied quickly.

"That being said, congratulations Mr Callen, Ms Jones."

Callen and Nell smiled. "Thank you Hetty." She said as she hugged her.

Hetty chuckled. "Of course, my dear. Look after him Ms Jones."

"Don't worry Hetty I will." She said with a smile as she withdrew from the hug.

"Mr Callen.." Hetty began to say

"I know Hetty. I will." He said as they smiled at each other.

"Good night Mr Callen, Ms Jones." Said Hetty

"Night Hetty" they both said as they left hand in hand.

So your place, then my place." Said Callen

"Sounds like a plan." She said as they hopped in separate cars and headed to her flat.

Cut to Callen's

They arrived at Callen's place soon after. They went into Callen's house and in matter of minutes he had packed up practically everything he owned. All that was left was his roll that was left out on the floor.

"That's all you're taking?" she asked.

"Yep, that's all I've got." He replied.

"Alright."

"Let's go." He said as he put his spare hand protectively on her lower back.

Cut to Nell's

They arrived at Nell's shortly after leaving Callen's stopping to get dinner on the way. Callen dropped his bag near the door as he helped Nell unpack dinner.

They finished eating dinner and relaxed back into the couch with Nell leaning back into Callen with his hands wrapped around her.

"I thought I'd lost you today." He said in a whisper into Nell's ear. "And that scared me Nell."

Nell turned around to face him. "I'm so used to doing everything alone, not relying on anyone for anything, well except Sam and our team when we're in the field, but in my personal life. I've always been alone."

Nell looked him square in his piercing blue eyes. "You're not alone anymore Callen. I'm not going anywhere." He said as she kissed him as she snuggled into him.

I think I'm falling in love with you Nell Jones. He thought to himself as they lay next to each other.