All characters and all rights at Navy CIS LA belong to CBS and Shane Brennan Productions. The following story does not serve any commercial purposes, but was written only for the pleasure of fans. An injury of Copyright is not intended. All further persons belong to the authoress.

I am not used to write in English, so if you find any mistakes in my story please send them back to me for correction.

I also would be very glad about any review so I could become a better writer and give you more fun while reading.

Chapter 2 - Confidence And Changes

The next morning Joann was allowed to leave the hospital, but she should spare herself.

"Are you staying with me?" Ask for help, it still costs her overcoming. But after she had expressed her wish, Joann felt good.

"Of course, I wasn't going to leave you alone." Callen smiled at her lovingly.

Joann sighed as she looked at G's blue eyes. One moment she allowed herself to sink in them.

While Joann was sitting on the sofa and G cared for her, she thought about a lot of things, especially about the conversation with Hetty. She knew that this small, often so inconspicuous-looking woman, had given her a wise counsel. Still, someone to confide in, was hard for her. Joann watched over to G, who just made tea. In the end she has trusted him.

"G?"

"The tea is on its way." He came out to her, smiling.

"Why have you never asked me what has happened in New York, why my file was sealed? I know that you have asked Eric to hack it."

Flashes of bewilderment were in his eyes, then his gaze got back to neutral. "It seemed no longer important. What I had to know, I knew."

Joann looked directly at him. "No, G, tell me the truth."

"Hetty asked me to trust you. I finally did."

Thoughtfully, she looked at him. "Hetty has given you the file."

Inwardly G groaned. She was really good. "Yes, a few days after you have awoken."

"Do the other know?"

"No."

In silence the two drank their tea.

...

"Do you stay overnight?" When the question was out, Joann went red. Callen's eyes opened wide with astonishment. "I meant I would like to fall asleep in your arms, because then I feel safe." Now it was out. Hopefully G wouldn't laugh at her.

"Yeah, Jo, no problem." She still trusted him, although he hadn't told her anything of the file. She shouldn't regret it.

It was a good feeling to be in his arms. She listened to his heartbeat, felt the warmth of his body, smelt the scent of his skin. Joann slowly relaxed and fell asleep. For G this nearness had rather the opposite effect. Her hair and her body smelled incredibly good. She had snuggled up close to him and entangled him with her legs. That would be a hard night...

Screaming, she sat up. She smelled the alcohol, felt the blows. She gasped and her heart raced. Then she heard the voice. As at the time in the hospital. His voice. "G?"

"I'm here, Joann. You had a nightmare." Carefully, he drew her to him. She immediately wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and laid her head against his chest. Her breathing calmed down, her heartbeat slowed. "Everything will be all right, dear, one day everything will be good again, I promise you." She fell asleep again.

...

As Joann woke up the next morning, she was alone in bed. Disappointment suffused her, but then she heard clatter in the kitchen and smelled the aroma of coffee. G was still there! Joann slowly walked into the kitchen. "

Good morning, lie-abed," Callen smiled at her and handed her a cup of coffee.

"Morning, G." Joann gave him a kiss and then sat at the kitchen table.

"What do you want for breakfast? We have bagels, fruit salad, yoghurt, eggs and a small selection of spread for the bagels."

It was a nice breakfast, but subliminal their conversation of the day before stood in space. There was a lot, she had to think about.

...

"Do you really want me to go?" G regarded Joann.

"Yes, it's better. I have to make some decisions that you can't help me with. If you stay, you'll distract me."

"Only on one condition: Call me if you need me. Please. Joann, let me help you."

She nodded. "I promise, G." But it was hard for her to break away from his embrace.

...

Joann was unsure how far she should tell her friends about New York. So she decided to do nothing, even though the evening in the club had shown her that she could trust them. Nevertheless, changes were overdue, that had become clear to Joann. She couldn't always withdraw and wait for the others to walk towards her. But the most important thing was, that she had to recover her lost self-confidence. At the unexpected assignment with Callen's team it had flared briefly again, but this was not enough for Joann. Suddenly she smiled to herself. She knew who could help her.

...

"You do what?" Callen was not sure whether he had understood Joann correctly.

"From now on I'm doing my fitness and combat training in a dojo."

"Don't you have the possibility to do this at the FBI?"

"Yes, but I don't feel comfortable there anymore. To be ignored in the fitness room, is already hard enough. But if I do my combat training, I always get the feeling that they will rather put me down than teaching me."

"I understand. And where are you going?"

"Oh, Sam has recommended it to me. It is headed by a former Navy Seal."

Callen could not suppress his grin. "So you wanna be a Seal?"

Joann threw something to his head. Unfortunately, he was quick enough and was able to back out.

...

Joann changed, even her colleagues found out. She was relaxed, beaming no longer as much detachment and coldness. She had no fear before a night out, was able to rebuffed flirtatious men politely, instead of running away from them. Even her posture and her movements had changed. Joann had done it, she beamed back from self-consciousness. In a shopping spree with Kensi she even bought a whole collection of clothes that could only be described by the term 'sexy'.

Also her relationship with Callen changed because she had found her passion again.

...

For the first time Callen had invited guests in his house. They were his friends from the NCIS and, of course, Joann. Actually, he did it for her. She should feel comfortable with him. Reluctantly, he had begun to set up his house. It was still Spartan, but slowly one could see a home in it. He hoped that Joann would like it.

It became a full success. He couldn't remember when he had laughed so much the last time. But the best was to see a completely relaxed, happy Joann. He couldn't see enough of her smile. Finally, all were gone, and together with Joann he cleared up.

"What a day!" She laughed at him. "Tomorrow I will have sore muscles from laughing! Who would have thought that a bunch of hard Special Agents could be so silly." She suddenly grinned broadly. "Did Nate really sing anything by the Backstreet Boys? I can't imagine it!"

G had to laugh at the memory as well. It had been too funny.

Humming softly to herself Joann placed the remains of food in the refrigerator. "Has your fridge ever been filled so well?"

"Wasn't necessary so far."

She laughed quietly to herself. Then Joann paused. "G?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think about relationships between colleagues?"

Carefully Callen scrutinized her. He was not sure whether he wanted to hear what was coming. "In which regard?"

"Kensi and Marty."

Immediate his gaze was expressionless. But Joann didn't give up.

"The two fit together well and Marty is aware of his feelings. Kensi on the other hand...I think she's afraid of her feelings and that's why she ignores them."

"Jo, that's none of our business. Of course, they like each other. We are much more than a team, and you know that. And if there is even more...as long as it doesn't concern our work, it's fine for me."

"The work? G, it's about your friends!"

His blue eyes were tough as nails. "Exactly, and therefore I keep my nose out of it. And you better, too."

She held his gaze. "They also are my friends and I make my own decisions."

Silently they continued working.

"Okay, that's it." Joann hung up the dry cloth. "We're done."

"Then I'll drive you home now." G grabbed the car keys.

"Oh!" Joann kept silent in surprise. "I thought I could stay here tonight, but if you don't want...I just get my bag." Her disappointment was obvious.

"You want to stay here? I thought you're mad at me?"

Joann was irritated. "We had a disagreement, nothing more. Believe me when I'm mad at you, you will know that for sure."

Callen didn't say another word, but just took Joann in his arms and kissed her.

...

Joann opened her eyes and then gleefully lolled under the blanket.

"Good morning, sunshine." G stood in the door, a tray with breakfast in his hands.

The smile on her face turned into a beam. "Morning!"

"That should actually be a breakfast in bed, but because I only have a mattress..."

A lascivious look appeared in her eyes. "Well, you clearly don't need a bed, you obviously have shown that to me tonight."

He actually became red! Now her eyes were gentle. It has been an incredible night. As always, Joann had initially been very reserved, but Callen remained patient and let her set the pace. As a reward for his patience, Joann had turned into pure passion. She was so much more than he could ever have imagined.

...

Unfortunately they couldn't enjoy their new togetherness for long. Soon after this weekend Sam and G got an assignment that made them disappear from the scene for a long time. Callen appeared unannounced in the evening to Joann, to say goodbye.

"I'll miss you..." Callen held her in his arms, didn't want to release her.

"No, you mustn't, G. You have to concentrate on your job." Joann freed herself from his arms, looking firmly into his eyes. "I want you and Sam come back healthy. That will only work if you are not distracted by anything."

"Jo!" Callen caught her back in his arms. "Don't worry, I won't be distracted by anything. Nevertheless, I'll miss you."

She sighed. "Sometimes you forget that I didn't always have had a desk job, G. I've seen what happened to agents who forget their part or aren't attentive enough. Besides, I know how hard it is to be separated from the people who are important to you." She clung to him and closed her eyes for a moment. "Be careful, G, please. And tell it to Sam, too, will you?"

"I'll do that, Jo." He kissed her. "And you're going to Kensi and Deeks, if you have any problems, yes?"

She nodded. "Promise."

"I'll better go now." Callen released her. Joann leaned in the doorway and followed him with her eyes. At the end of the hallway he turned around and grinned at her. "Don't do any stupid, while I'm gone, Little One."

"Don't call me 'Little One'!"