Here is chapter two of my new story - Will Nell get any closer to finding out if Callen really is 'The Perfect Man'? Read on and find out! Zoe :)

The nightclub was buzzing and the music filled the atmosphere with a pulse. Strobe lighting and smoke added to the effect, creating a dark and mysterious place filled with possibilities.

Nell sat with Sam, Eric, Kensi, Deeks and Callen at some couches in the back. Countless empty glasses and bottles were strewn across the small table before them as the team made their way through the latest round of cocktails and beers. It wasn't often that the team went out together, and even less frequent that they ended up in a nightclub. But the last few weeks had been intense and everyone needed a release. Getting hammered and losing themselves in the anonymity of a club seemed like the perfect way to do that. Though Nell was pretty sure that both Callen and Deeks were pacing themselves so the others could enjoy themselves without having to worry.

"Come on Deeks, what do you say we go burn up the dance floor?" Kensi grinned as she rose to her feet and tugged down her short blue dress.

"I'm game." Deeks laughed as he put his drink down and followed Kensi through the throbbing crowd.

Nell picked up her drink and finished off the last of it before setting the empty glass down on the table in front of her.

"I'll be right back." She said as she got to her feet. Eric, Callen and Sam all turned to her. "Ladies room." She quickly explained her destination. As she squeezed past Callen she stumbled a little and he reached out and grabbed her arm to keep her steady.

"You okay?" he asked, his eyes showing a little concern.

"Maybe next round you get me a coke." She laughed, hoping the sudden flush in her cheeks from his touch would be explained by how tipsy she was getting.

xxx

Nell took a few minutes in the bathroom to splash some water on her face. She was having a great time out, despite the fact that clubs were not her usual scene. She knew it had everything to do with Callen. When he had suggested she and Eric join the rest of them on a night out she had jumped at the chance to spend more time with him. And all night he had been sitting next to her, giving her butterflies in her stomach when his arm would brush against hers as he reached for his drink, or when his breath would tease her skin when he leaned in close to say something so she could hear him over the noise of the music. She knew he had no idea how she felt and how the little things he did affected her, but since he would never be interested in her, she had resigned herself to living in a fantasy and just taking the moments for what they were.

Drying her face and hands with a towel, Nell fixed her hair, slicked on a layer of lipgloss and made her way out of the bathroom. But as she stepped into the hall, a large figure blocked her path.

"Excuse me." She said as she moved to step around the tall, heavily built man standing in her way.

"Where are you going sweetheart?" he asked as he stepped around her, forcing Nell to take a few steps away.

"Back to my friends." She replied as she glanced up at him, analysing how much of a threat he was. The man was tall, nearly six foot, with shaggy brown hair and a scruffy beard. He had clearly been drinking and seemed a little drunk.

"Why don't you spend a little time with me instead?" he said as he again stepped towards Nell. She took another few steps backwards, getting a little worried that he was backing her away from the entrance back to the main club and towards the end of the hallway. A quick glance behind her confirmed that no-one was around and her stomach flipped nervously.

"No thanks." She said as she took a forceful step forward to go around him. But as she moved she felt a hot sweaty hand grab her upper arm and before she could do anything he was pushing her backwards up the hall.

"I asked politely." He growled, "And you turn me down." He said as he pushed Nell around the corner into a darkened alcove out of sight of anyone heading into or out of the bathrooms.

Nell was panicking. The man before her was much larger than her and his vice like grip on her arm was hurting. She had taken self-defence courses but her mind was going blank and all she could think about was his hand on her arm and how close he was standing.

"Let me go." She said as she tried to wrestle herself free. But he simply grabbed her other arm and pushed her against the wall, pressing his body against hers.

"Only if you kiss me." He said, his voice sounding threatening. Nell turned her head as he leaned towards her, desperate to avoid any contact with him.

"Let me go." Nell shouted as she tried to wriggle free of his hold.

"Get your hands off her!"

Nell's head snapped around as she registered whose voice it was she just heard and she had never been so relieved.

"What did you say?" the man replied angrily, turning to look at the man who just called out.

"I said, get your hands off her." Callen repeated, maintaining his composure.

"Who's this? Your boyfriend?" the man sneered as he looked back at Nell and tightened his grip on her arms, causing her to cry out.

"I'm not going to tell you again." Callen said firmly as his hands curled into fists and he took up a defensive stance. He didn't really want to get into a fight because of the attention it could bring but he wouldn't hesitate to throw punches to defend Nell.

Laughing, the man shoved Nell aside and turned to face Callen. Caught off guard at the sudden release, Nell stumbled and fell to the floor. She saw Callen glance at her momentarily but he maintained his concentration of the man, knowing someone like him could be unpredictable.

"Why do you care so much, she's just another club slut." The man laughed.

Having seen the man toss Nell aside and now hearing him talk about her in such a derogatory manner, Callen was struggling not to just knock the man out.

"Why don't you move on." Callen said through gritted teeth.

"I don't get told what to do." The man growled before he stepped forward and threw a punch at Callen.

But Callen was ready for him and easily dodged the clumsy move. As the man went for a second shot, Callen retaliated and landed several punches to the man's face, sending him staggering back a few steps. As the man regained his balance, he went for Callen again. This time Callen aimed several punches to his ribs then finished off with a heavy punch to his jaw which sent the man tumbling to the ground.

Nell watched the scene unfold from her position on the floor. Her eyes were wide as she saw Callen not just fighting, but fighting for her. As the man who had grabbed her landed in a heap on the floor a few feet away from her Nell shifted her gaze to him, checking he wasn't going to get back up.

"Nell, you okay?" Callen's voice cut through the air and Nell flicked her eyes to his. He was moving towards her, stepping over the now unconscious man to get to her.

"I'm fine." She answered quickly.

"You sure?" he asked as he crouched down. "Looks like you fell pretty hard." He commented as he scanned her from head to toe, seeing red marks on her upper arms from where the man had grabbed her.

"I'm sure." Nell nodded. "What are you…I mean, how did…" Nell couldn't quite find the words, the shock of everything that had just happened catching up to her.

"You'd been gone a while, I was worried." Callen smiled. "Come on, let's get you up." He took her hands and helped her to her feet. As she found her balance, Callen could feel her trembling.

"What happened Nell?" Callen asked softly, his hand resting on her shoulder.

"He cornered me when I came out the bathroom." She shook her head. "Dragged me up the hall."

"Did he…"

"No." Nell cut him off. "I'm more offended by his club slut comment." She closed her eyes for a moment as thoughts of what could have happened flashed through her mind. "Though I might have a few bruises in the morning." She added as she rubbed at her arms. "Callen, your hand." Nell gasped, spotting blood on his knuckles as he pulled his hand back from her shoulder.

"Don't worry about it." He shook his hand, feeling a slight ache.

"You got hurt helping me." Nell said as took his hand and looked at the scratches, her fingers tracing over his skin.

"It's nothing." Callen said softly. "Are you sure you're okay? I can take you home if you want?" he asked.

"No." Nell replied, looking up to meet his gaze. "I don't want him to spoil the night."

"You sure?" Callen asked.

"I'm sure." She nodded. "Let's just go back and get a drink." Nell knew she couldn't let one drunk guy ruin what was a great night and she knew she would be safe with the others.

"Okay then." Callen turned and with a hand on her shoulder, led Nell back down the hall, leaving the man lying groaning on the floor.

Xxx

Nell and Callen returned to the spot the team occupied several minutes later. Nell noticed that Callen's hand hadn't left her shoulder and she wondered why. But her thoughts were interrupted when they joined the others.

"Hey, where have you been?" Sam asked. "And what happened to your hand G?" he looked between Callen and Nell then noticed the red marks on her arms. "Nell?"

"Uh, I ran into a little trouble with a guy outside the bathroom." Nell admitted.

"Are you okay Nell?" Kensi asked, knowing immediately what Nell was talking about having experienced it herself once or twice.

"I'm fine. Callen took care of it." Nell replied. "That's how he hurt his hand."

"Check you out Callen, defending a girl's honour." Kensi smiled.

"I'm going to go to the bar and get you some ice." Nell lightly touched his arm then turned to leave. As she crossed the crowded floor Kensi's words echoed in her head and she flashed back to the article she had read several weeks before;

He is kind and considerate to all but will defend your honour or life without a second thought.

A broad smile crossed her face as she realised she could check off another 'perfect man' trait.

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