A/N: A new Jallen story. It's a sequel to A Christmas to remember and it continues after Cancel Christmas. Hope you like it.

I don't own any of the characters of NCISLA or the show.

Callen loved his life with Joelle. It was hard for her in the beginning when she found out who he really was. That was almost a year ago now. Callen could tell that Joelle was struggling with it lately. Couldn't she deal with his work after all? Callen felt like that they were going downhill and either she would break up with him or he would break up with her. He really liked spending time with her. After Callen had gotten the furniture for his house, Callen and Joelle spend a lot of time at Callen's place. Callen had even thought about asking her to move in with him, but lately he wasn't sure if that would be a good move.

Christmas was coming up soon, Callen liked the idea of spending it with Joelle but he didn't know if that would be fair to either one of them, considering the state their relationship was in, both of them felt it was coming to an end.

"So I was thinking," Joelle spoke as they were having breakfast. "Christmas is in a week. I don't have any plans for the holidays. Do you?"

"No I don't. I'm off from work so now cases."

"Well I was thinking, since we're both alone maybe we could spend Christmas together. Just so we're not alone."

"Sounds fine by me. You can come by here and I'll cook us something."

"Well, do you have to work on Christmas Eve?"

"I think so yeah."

"Why don't I come over here then and cook us up something?"

"Sure that sounds good too."

"What about gifts?"

"I don't necessarily need a gift, how about we give to our favorite charities instead? They can always use the money maybe give the less fortunate a nice Christmas."

"That's actually a good idea."

….

It was the day before Christmas Eve. After Callen was finished with work he went to his house. Joelle was already waiting for him there.

"Hey Jo," Callen greeted her as he walked into the house.

"Hey Callen, I'm in the kitchen."

Callen walked towards the kitchen. "Hmm it smells good in here." Callen gave Joelle a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"It's almost finished, can you set the table?"

"Of course."

Callen grabbed some plates and cutlery and set the table.

"So how was your day?" Joelle asked as they sat down to eat.

"It was good. Just got a small case and the rest of the day I worked on some paperwork."

"Ah yes paperwork, it needs to be done too."

"Yeah and considering I'm the team leader I have more paperwork than the others, I don't like it but it's part of the job. How was your day?"

"Good, quiet. Went to buy groceries and just relaxed around the house before I came over here."

Once they had finished dinner they cleaned up and sat down on the couch together. While they were watching a movie Joelle crawled closer to him, lay down her head on his shoulder and Callen wrapped his arms around her. It was nice lying like this, Callen had to admit. He would miss this. He would miss Joelle, but it was not fair to her to keep her in this relationship. It clearly wasn't working for them. Once the movie had finished Joelle cleaned up their glasses and snacks as Callen locked up. Joelle was already in bed when Callen joined her. Callen moved closer to her and kissed her. Joelle wrapped her arms around him and Callen kissed her deeply. Callen would totally miss this. Callen deepened the kiss even more and move on top of her. If they were going to break up he would at least have one last time with her. Joelle didn't complain when Callen moved his hands underneath her pajama top so he figured she wanted this too. Callen stopped kissing her momentarily so he could take her pajama top off. Callen kissed down her neck and down her body as he disappeared underneath the covers.

Joelle was in heaven as Callen worked her body. He was just amazing whenever they made love. She really cared about him and liked spending time with him, but his work…. She didn't think she would ever get used to it. But this man, he was so sweet and gorgeous and kind. And those blue eyes of his, they were so gorgeous. Joelle really liked him, no loved him. But she couldn't live like this, waiting for him to come home, wondering if he might not come home at all. The thoughts were pushed out of her mind as she found herself getting closer.

When Joelle had finished Callen crawled back up and positioned himself in between her legs. Joelle held onto Callen for dear live as he started moving. He was just so good and passionate whenever they made love. Callen buried his face in her neck and memorized everything about her. He would so miss her, miss kissing her, miss making love to her, miss talking to her, but it just wasn't fair to either one of them.

Callen and Joelle were woken up the next morning when Callen's alarm went off at 8am.

"Good morning Jo," Callen greeted her and gave her a kiss.

"Good morning Callen."

"I have to go get ready for work. Sam's coming to pick me up in a half an hour."

Callen slipped out of bed and got in the shower.

Just before 8.30am Callen heard the front door open, he knew it was Sam. Fully dressed Callen came out of the kitchen.

"Seriously, G? No wreath, no Christmas tree, no menorah? So sad, so sad," Sam remarked as he looked around Callen's place.

"Why? Cus I don't get sucked into the commercialism of the holidays?"

Last year Callen did decorate his house, but this year Callen just didn't feel like it. Last year he did it for Joelle and because he invited her over to his place for the first time but this year he just feel like it.

"Cus you're too lazy to decorate."

Callen pointed to the fireplace mantel where a Christmas card stood. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, yeah, you're a regular Martha Stewart."

"Thank you. Can we go now?"

Sam opened the card and saw that it was from Janvier. "Are you freaking kidding me?! Janvier sent you a Christmas card from prison?"

"Every year. What, you don't get one?"

"The only other card that you received is from a one-armed psychopath who wants to kill you?"

"Well, it's the thought that counts. My aliases get lots of cards."

"And why is it next to my family?"

"It's the spirit of the season. Plus, I mean, you know, it's a funny card. See? Snowman's melting in the Jacuzzi?"

Suddenly Joelle came out of the bedroom. "Morning Sam," Joelle spoke.

Sam looked behind him. He didn't expect Joelle to be here. "Morning Joelle."

Joelle walked off to the kitchen. Sam watched her since she was only wearing one of Callen's shirts. He thought his partner would break up with her.

"Christmas came early," Callen simply stated. Callen grabbed his bag and followed Sam out the door. "See you later Joelle."

"See you Callen," Joelle called from the kitchen."

"This is none of my business," Sam spoke as they walked to the car.

"Nope."

"But seeing as Joelle is a friend of Michelle and me."

"Mm, pretty sure I'm a friend of you and Michelle."

"You are, and I don't want to see either one of you get hurt. You said you were breaking up with her."

"I am. I did, but we're both gonna be alone for the holidays and….."

"You're coming to my place."

"That's not the same."

"Nothing says "peace on earth and goodwill toward men" like a booty call."

"Well, 'tis the season. Here, this'll cheer you up," Callen replied and tossed Sam a package. "Put the nose on the front, antlers on the windows. Makes your car look like Rudolph."

"The hell it does." Sam tossed the package back to Callen.

"Oh, I get it. You give me grief over how I decorate my house, but when I get you a gift to get you in the holiday spirit…"

"I'm not putting reindeer antlers and a Rudolph nose on my car!"

"It's Christmas."

"It's stupid." Callen opened the package and moved to the front of the car. "I'm warming you- don't do it. Seriously, don't put that on my car." Callen however didn't listen and put the nose on the hood of the car. "Come on, G. It's coming off as soon as we get to work."

Softly humming Callen moved back to the car and put the antler on his side of the car and got in the car.

"You play too much, man."

Callen handed the package with just one antler still in it to Sam who tossed it out of the window.

"All right, well, now it is gonna look stupid with just one antler." Sam started the car. "No." And drove off. "I should take you in for littering."

Despite that he and Joelle were breaking up Callen still was in a good mood today. He had liked spending time with Joelle last night and he would enjoy spending time with her today. Unfortunately the case ran a little longer than expected. Callen packed his bag and got ready to go home.

"Enjoy your holidays," Kensi and Deeks spoke as they walked off.

"Thanks you too," Callen and Sam replied.

"See you after the holidays G," Sam spoke as left as well.

Hetty handed Callen a little present, his back up gift for Joelle.

"Merry Christmas Hetty."

"Merry Christmas Mr. Callen."

Callen walked out and went home. He heard soft Christmas music playing in the background as he walked into the house.

"I'm sorry I'm late, took longer than I expected, I," Callen spoke and stopped as he looked around the house. There were some Christmas decorations. "Where did all this come from?"

"I brought it from home. I just thought we should have a nice dinner."

Callen noticed the gift lying on the table. "Uh, and what is that?"

"It's- it's just something little." Joelle stood up. "Now, I know we agreed, but I…" Callen pulled the gift out of his bag.

"Uh uh."

Joelle took the package and smiled at him. "I was so worried about you."

Callen put his bag down on the ground. "Oh, come one, I told you- you don't have to worry about me."

"But I will as long as you do this."

"I know."

"My New Year's resolution is gonna be no dating people who might not come at night."

Callen looked at her. She was now officially breaking up with him. She couldn't deal with his job after all. Callen was going to miss her but he felt the same thing, it just wasn't working anymore.

"So we have till New Year's? Yeah?"

"Yeah," Joelle replied with a smile.

Callen pulled her closer and kissed her. At least he still had till New Year's with her. They sat down at the table and had their dinner.

….

New Year's Eve came around. Callen and Joelle had agreed to spend it together, one last night together. They had a lovely dinner and enjoyed the evening together on the couch with some drinks and snacks. Callen grabbed the champagne just before midnight. They both counted down and wished each other happy New Year. They enjoyed the champagne and snacks and stood watching the fireworks. After the fireworks Callen pulled Joelle to him and kissed her deeply. All kissing they walked to the bedroom. They made love one last time. Even though they both knew it would be the last they still enjoyed it very much. It wasn't that they didn't care about each other, they did. Just the two of them together wasn't working.

Joelle fell asleep in Callen's arms. Callen just looked up to the ceiling. He was going to the miss her very much. He really liked Joelle, he loved Joelle. It just wasn't working. After everything Joelle couldn't deal with the fact that Callen was a special agent. Would it be fair to either one of them to keep this relationship going? Callen knew it and Joelle knew it too. It wasn't fair. Saying goodbye would be hard but this relationship just wasn't meant to be. Callen pulled Joelle even closer and eventually fell asleep as well.

The next morning after breakfast Joelle packed up her stuff.

"Well I guess this is goodbye," Joelle spoke as she stood by the front door.

"Yeah I guess it is."

Joelle stepped forward and gave Callen a hug. Callen pulled her tighter into an embrace and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm gonna miss you Jo."

"I'm gonna miss you too Callen. I really liked the time we spent together."

"Me too. I guess it just wasn't meant to be."

"Yeah probably not."

Joelle and Callen released each other. Joelle gave Callen one last kiss. "Take care Callen."

"Thanks you too."

Callen watched as Joelle left. She got in her car and drove off, driving out of his life. Callen was going to miss her terribly but it wouldn't be fair to her or to him to keep this relationship going. Callen went back inside. The house felt empty without Joelle there. It would take some getting used to, that she wasn't here anymore. Callen loved coming home to her, loved waking up next to her. The bed would feel empty without her in it. This was the first real relationship Callen had had. He actually liked this side of him. He had come to trust Joelle and he had let her in, let her peak over his walls and now she was gone. Would he ever be able to do this with someone else?

Sam had always nagged at him that he should be in a relationship, but Callen never saw the interest in that. But now that he had been with Joelle he actually liked it. He was seeing things differently now, maybe it would be good for him to settle down. He thought he wanted to do that with Joelle and he thought she wanted that too. Sometimes he thought about giving up his job as a federal agent to be with Joelle, but this was who he was. If he wasn't a special agent he wouldn't know what else he would be. He liked his job and he was good at it. Sam was lucky to have Michelle, Michelle knew what it's like to be a federal. And Kensi and Deeks had each other, so they both knew what it's like. Maybe Callen was destined to be alone for the rest of his life.

…

When Monday came around the holidays were over and Callen had to go back to work.

"Morning G," Sam spoke as Callen got in the car.

"Morning Sam, did you have nice holidays?"

"Yes just spent them with my family. How about you? How did it go with you and Joelle?"

"It was fine, but it's over now."

"I'm sorry G."

"See said that her New Year's revolution was going to be no dating people who might not come home at night."

"I'm sorry G, I know how much you like her."

"Yeah I do and she cared a lot about me too but it just wasn't working. I miss her but it's no use to keep this relationship going if we're not both fully in it. It's just not fair."

"No it's not. Don't worry G. You'll find someone someday."

"Maybe I should just rethink my whole no dating cops rule. They are probably the only people who understand what it is that I do."

"Relationships are hard with the job that we do."

"You're lucky that you got Michelle. She knows what it's like."

"Yeah she does, but that doesn't mean she always likes it what I do. She does worry about me, that's what you do for people you love."

"I really miss Joelle."

"Of course you do G, that's normal. But cheer up G, you'll always have me," Sam spoke with a smile.

Callen smiled back to his partner before turning his head back to the window. Callen just looked out of the window for the rest of the drive.

After all the agents were at the office Eric appeared at the top of the stairs and whistled. "Holidays are over."

Eric went back to OPS, knowing the others would follow him.

"What have we got Eric?"

"A shooting in front of the federal building," Eric told them as he put footage of the shooting on the big screen.

"Anyone hurt?" Kensi asked.

"Just a few bystanders got hurt, but this man." Eric zoomed in on the footage. "We believe he was the target. He's in surgery right now."

"Who is he?" Callen asked.

"His name is Clint Miller, his job involves in relocating witnesses in the witness protection program."

"Why shoot him then?" Deeks remarked causing the other team members to look at him. "I mean, if he's helping the witness protection program it would makes sense that the person who shot him was looking for a witness, so why shoot him then?"

"Maybe the killer noticed Miller found out something he wasn't supposed to," Kensi added.

"Any ID on the shooter?" Sam asked.

"No nothing yet. We never get a clear shot of his face," Nell told them.

"Alright, Kensi, Deeks, you go to the hospital see when you can talk to Miller. Sam and I will head over to the crime scene."

Knowing what they needed to do the agents left and the two techs went to work. Sam drove him and Callen to the crime scene and they showed their badges to get onto the crime scene. They gloved up and looked at the crime scene. Some blood lay here and there and some spend shell casings.

"Looks like a nine mil," Callen spoke as he picked up one of the shell casings. "The casing seems clean, no finger prints."

Callen looked around to see if he maybe could find some bullets, maybe they could match it to a gun. From the footage Eric had showed them Callen knew where the shooter stood. From there Callen went to search for bullets. He found one lodged into the wall next to the steps. Callen took a picture of it and pulled the bullet out. There seemed to be a print on it. Callen put it in a bag and took it to a CSU cop. She dusted it for prints and one popped up. Callen took a picture of it and sent it to Nell and Eric. Callen wanted to go back to searching when he saw a suspicious motorbike driving by.

"GUN!" Callen yelled and everyone quickly took cover before the man started shooting.