Chapter 2

Callen drove with Lexi and showed her the way to OPS. He pointed out some good places to eat along the way. Once they walked thru the doors Lexi looked around and let out a low whistle. "Wow, Abby was right this place is way cool." She looked at Callen and smiled.

"Lexi." Came a call from above. Eric made his way down with a huge smile on his face. He gave Lexi a hug before stepping back.

"Eric nice to finally meet you face to face."

"I just talked to Abby, I didn't tell her you were moving here just that you were ok. You know how she gets."

"Yes I do. That girl is like a mother hen sometimes."

"You have to come check out OPS." Eric said leading the way up the stairs talking non- stop about all the tech he had to work with. Callen followed behind a big miffed that Eric seemed to know Lexi so well. Once at the top of the steps Callen shook his head. Wow where did that come from. Callen had to remind himself he just met this woman he had no claim to her. Hell he didn't even know if she could be interested in him.

"You ok G?" asked Sam as he made his way over to his partner.

"Yeah I'm fine."

"She got to you already huh?" Sam said with a knowing smile.

"No idea what you're talking about Sam."

"The hell you don't. You like her G."

"Not my type Sam."

"What because she's a cop?" Sam crossed his arms and looked at his partner. "G if you don't find a woman soon you're gonna spend the rest of your life alone." Sam followed the look Callen was giving the doors to OPS. "Take a chance G." Sam left Callen standing there and headed to his desk to get started on his paperwork.

Callen made his way into OPS and watched as Eric jumped from one thing to the next showing Lexi how everything worked and all the cool things he and Nell could do from the room. At one point Lexi looked up and saw him watching her. She tilted her head to the side and gave him a look. All Callen could do was smile, admitting that he had gotten caught. Lexi simply rolled her eyes at him then went back to talking with Eric.

"So do you have a place to stay yet?" asked Eric.

"Well I have a cover apartment but I'll need to get out of there tonight."

"You can stay with me if you want till you find a place." Said Nell.

"Thanks Nell I'd appreciate that."

"I'll text you directions to my place." As the two women made plans Callen wished he had manned up and asked her to crash at his place. But then the lack of a bed would most likely have her running for the hills. With tomorrow Saturday Callen decided it was time he grew up and bought some things for the house.

By Monday morning Callen had purchased a couch and a bed for his house. Sam thought this was hilarious and couldn't stop teasing him about it. When Lexi came in that morning she had a smile on her face.

"Enjoying LA Lexi?" asked Sam.

"You could say that. I talked to Abby last night and she told me DC had a foot of snow. I will not miss that or the cold."

"Any luck finding an apartment?" asked Callen.

"I found one about 15 minutes from here. I now have to talk to Jethro and explain to him that I'm not coming home. He's not going to be too happy having me across the country."

Lexi dropped her stuff at her new desk and went to get some coffee. As if on cue her phone rang. Looking at the screen Lexi groaned. "Hello Jethro." She made a face. "Yes I realize I said that but…" Lexi sat down in her chair and looked up to see Callen watching her yet again. "Well they offered I accepted." After a few moments Lexi groaned. "Look Jethro you had an issue with me working on my own on long term undercover ops, I will not be doing that now." Lexi gave Callen a look like mind your own business and got up to walk somewhere she could have a conversation in private.

"Looks like Gibbs wants her back in DC." Said Sam.

Callen ignored him. He didn't like the look she had given him. Maybe it was just she didn't want him listening in on the call. He hoped it was that and he would have a chance to get to know her better. Callen tried to concentrate on his paperwork only his mind was on Lexi more. He had never been this strongly attracted to anyone this quickly. Sam was right he needed to try and see if he had a chance. Hell if she said no at least he'd know for sure.

Lexi ended up pacing in the hall way listing to her brother yell and complain about her decision. When Hetty noticed this she stepped up to the young woman and held out her hand for the phone. Lexi knew Hetty's reputation and knew her brother was about to get a surprise. "Jethro hold on a sec someone wants to speak to you." Lexi handed over the phone.

"Now Jethro you listen up and listen up good. I made Lexi the job offer, she will have a place here and someone to have her back. I don't really care if you want her back in DC. This job is a better one than what you had planned for her so deal with it." Hetty handed the phone back and simply walked away.

"Look can you simply just send me my stuff." Said Lexi. "Jethro it's like 4 boxes they are already packed you just need to slap some postage on them." Lexi noticed Callen standing there watching her yet again. Boy he really has some issues she thought. "Fine I'll ask Abby to do it." With that Lexi hung up.

"Did you need something Callen?"

"Just wanted to make sure you're ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine, my brother is being an ass but that's nothing new."

Lexi pushed past Callen trying to ignore him and headed for her desk. She still had paperwork to finish for the OP on Friday plus her paperwork for starting the new job here.

The rest of the day was spent on paperwork and some training for the guys. Lexi finished her paperwork by three and asked Hetty if she could leave early to order some stuff for her apartment. Considering nothing else needed to be done Hetty told her to go. On the way out the door she one again ran into Callen.

"Leaving already?"

"Yeah I need to go order furniture for the apartment. Right now all I have is a sleeping bag."

"Do you want any help?"

Lexi looked at him and shook her head. "I'm good I already know what I want. Nell and I looked up stuff this weekend. I just need to go pay for it and arrange for it to be delivered."

"Ok call me if you need anything." Said Callen watching her leave.

Callen was still watching her walk away when Granger walked by. "You know it would be easier if you just asked her out. I think the constant staring is starting to creep her out."

*Great, does everyone know how I feel.*

Callen went back to his desk. Sam laughed at him and made some comment Callen just ignored. He finished his paperwork in record time and headed out himself. He had some thinking to do. Once home Callen ate and crashed in his chair. He closed his eyes and pictured Lexi. Only in his mind she was smiling at him and laughing as he pulled her close. Callen groaned as he imagined kissing her and what it would feel like to run his hands over her skin. Callen shifted in the chair as his jeans started to get a bit too tight. With frustration he stood up and decided to go for a run to burn off some energy.

Lexi was happy that the store she choose to buy from had same day delivery. By 8 pm she had her couch, coffee table, bed, dressers and kitchen table all in her apartment. She had her bed made and what clothing she had put away. After talking to Abby she knew the rest of her belonging would be shipped out to her by the end of the week.

When there was a knock at the door Lexi figured it was Nell coming over to see if she needed help moving the stuff around. Opening the door she was surprised to see Callen standing there with a six pack of beer. "Figured you may need one of these."

Lexi stood there looking at him like he was crazy.

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah sure." Lexi moved so Callen can come in the apartment.

"Nice couch." Said Callen moving to sit down on the soft leather.

"Thanks." Lexi sat down too and grabbed a beer. "So how did you find out where I live?"

"Nell told me." Callen started to peal the label off his beer and for the first time sense they met wouldn't look at her.

Lexi leaned back against the arm of the couch and studied Callen. Ok she had to admit he was good looking. Those eyes were ones she could easily get lost in. Abby had shown her several photos of Callen last year after her trip to LA. Her friend had gushed about how Callen would be perfect for her. Callen still wouldn't look at her so Lexi poked him in the arm.

"You ok there Callen?"

"Yeah I'm good, just thinking."

"About what?"

"Asking you to have dinner with me Friday night."

Ok this wasn't what she was expecting. Callen finally turned his head to look at her. Lexi was taken aback by the uncertainty in his eyes. Callen looked back to his beer before taking a long drink of it then standing up.

"Just forget I asked." Callen went to leave and Lexi jumped up to stop him.

"Dinner would be nice." Lexi put her hand on his arm. "You're welcome to stay and have another beer if you want."

Callen smiled for the first time sense he walked in the door. "Ok another beer would be good."

"So did you get everything you need for this place?"

"The big stuff is done. I still need kitchen stuff and to shop for food. Abby is shipping my stuff here this week. Oh and I still need a tv and a dvd player but I can get that when I get some free time."

Callen asked her about her last assignment knowing that it was a long time to be under cover. He also told her about the team and some of the stuff they got into after hours. It was almost 11 when Callen decided he better head home.

Lexi walked him to the door and thanked him for the beer again. Callen stopped in the open door way and decided to take a chance. He leaned in and kissed her. Lexi gasped against his lips. Callen reached up and held her face as he deepened the kiss. After a minuet he pulled back. Lexi looked at him with wide eyes.

"Sleep well." With that Callen walked down the walk to his car. Lexi just stood there watching him walk away. Her fingers lifted to touch her mouth still in shock. She finally closed the door when Callen pulled away. Grabbing her phone she sent Nell a text.

*Hey thanks for giving Callen my address.*

*I didn't think you'd mind.*

*I don't. We have a date set for Friday.*

*OMG!*

*And he kissed me.*

*OMG! OMG! OMG!*

Lexi had to laugh at her friend. Nell was way too excited over this.

*See you tomorrow Nell.*

Lexi headed to her bedroom knowing there was no way she would sleep now.