Double Standards

Chapter 15

"Hetty? Are you going to say something?" Nell asked, after about five minutes of silence.

Hetty nodded, raising her flinger to cover her bottom lip, as she thought of what to say.

"How long?" Hetty asked.

Nell and Callen looked between each other, before Callen spoke up, "Just since last night. We wanted to see if you were okay with us being together, before it got too serious." He explained.

"And how serious are you, about this relationship between the two of you?" Hetty asked.

"I love her, Hetty. How much more serious can I be?" Callen stated.

Hetty cleared her throat, "Love? Mr Callen, I can assure you right now, the two of you, are not in love. You may think you are, but there is no way that the two of you can be in love, after being together for less than a day!"

"Hetty! How can you say that?" Callen asked, clearly shocked by the words that were coming out of her mouth.

"I am sorry, Mr Callen, but it's the truth! The two of you had never even talked before a couple of days ago. Yes, you work together, but you only talk when you have to for the case. And I know for a fact, that you didn't talk to her, because you thought she was with Eric! Even if she wasn't, you still made no effort to talk to her! You know nothing about each other, and you are wrong, if you thought that I would approve of such a relationship!" Hetty spoke.

"Hetty, that's not fair. Over the past few days, we've come to know each other really well, and that was all partly your doing, as you were the one that put us together for the scavenger hunt that brought us to DC." Nell explained.

"That may be the case, Miss Jones. I'll tell you what, if you can tell me what Mr Callen's favourite food is, I will give this relationship, the green light." Hetty stated.

Nell smiled, going to speak up, before realising she didn't know the answer to that question.

"And Mr Callen, do you know Miss Jones' favourite colour?" Hetty asked, leaving Callen standing there, not knowing what to say.

"I think I have made my point."

"You can say that again. Thanks for nothing, Hetty." Callen stated, rather annoyed.

Callen turned around, pushing the button on the elevator that allowed it to move and open up, before walking out and motioning for Nell to follow.

Nell sighed sadly, glancing at Hetty, before following Callen outside.

Nell was almost in tears. She had hoped so much, that Hetty would approve and the fact that she didn't, broke her heart. Because now? Now her and Callen's relationship would be non-existent. They would go back to being, 'just friends', and that is not something that either of them wanted, but it was their only option, because neither of them were willing to have a secret relationship. It wouldn't be fair on either of them.

"Callen." Nell spoke sadly.

Callen stopped and turned to Nell, a glum expression washing over his face, "Yeah?"

"You know what this means now, don't you?" Nell asked, wanting to know if Callen was aware that they couldn't and wouldn't go behind Hetty's back, and that their relationship just ended.

Callen nodded, "I know, Nell. We can't be together any more. I get that. I don't like it. But I get it. There is nothing we can do to change Hetty's mind. We're over." He confirmed.

"Yeah. Yeah, we are. I should go." Nell stated, starting to walk away.

"Nell. Nell, wait! Are we okay? I mean, are we still friends?" Callen asked curiously.