Sam went to track down is AWOL partner hoping he was still in the building; if not, he'd need Eric and Nell's assistance. He passed thru the firing range where he discovered the first sign of his partner's passing; taped to the target was the remains of the sexy photo of Callen. It had been obliterated by bullet holes. Interesting destruction method Sam thought, though using the shredder would have been more efficient. Moving on it didn't take him long before he found Callen in the weapons room studiously cleaning his gun. Sam studied his friend for a moment as he cleaned his weapon with a little too much force, a sure sign Callen was upset. "You planning on shooting anyone else?"

"Maybe," the blond agent retorted staying firmly focused on his task.

Sam casually leaned against the nearby work bench. "Ya know you're getting predictable in your hiding places."

"I'm not hiding," Callen stated factually even though they both knew it was a lie.

"Yeah you are. You're hiding from Hetty and that thing," Sam replied referring to the bathing suit.

Callen dropped the cleaning cloth on the table and put his hands on his thighs exasperated. "What was she thinking?"

Sam gave a non-committal grunt. "Hetty is one of the seven wonders of the world. If you figure her out you deserve the Nobel prize."

Callen clearly wasn't listening to his partner as he folded his arms across his chest. "You've seen me at the beach. What do I wear?" he challenged Sam.

Sam wasn't sure where this was going but after thinking for moment he replied. "Usually a black short wetsuit with a blue stripe, though I have occasionally seen you don board-shorts."

"And," Callen coached his friend obviously not happy with the answer yet.

"And what?" Sam had no idea what Callen wanted him to say. "Where are you going with this G?"

Callen was definitely frustrated by Sam's inability to follow his logic trail. "What do I wear with the board-shorts?" Callen prompted Sam again.

Irritated, Sam threw his hands in the air. "I don't know. Sunglasses? This is getting weird."

Callen slid off the stool and moved towards Sam stopping at the edge of his personal space. "In the last five years, how many times have you seen me without a shirt?"

Frowning at his partner, Sam shrugged. "I don't know. I really don't track your shirt usage." Callen gave him a frustrated glare, begging him to try harder. "Alright. Maybe a couple of times in the locker room, changing for an Op, when I had to shock your heart because you electrocuted yourself..."

Callen held up a hand to Sam's face. "Whoa there. You ripped my shirt off."

Sam snorted and rolled his eyes. "Sorry. I was saving your life at the time. Didn't think neatness counted."

Callen practically stamped his foot in aggravation. "Hetty made me pay for that shirt! Not only was it ugly, but it was also expensive!"

Sam waved his hands in exasperation. "Then next time don't lick your fingers and stick them in an electrical outlet."

Callen shook his head. "It wasn't like that and you know it. But back to the subject. When in the last five years have you seen me in PUBLIC without a shirt?"

Sam mulled that over for a second. "Never," he replied truthfully.

"And you know why that is?" Callen crossed his hands over his chest again and waited for his partner's answer.

Sam shrugged. "Can't say it has ever kept me up at night." Callen gave his partner a combination grimace-smirk. "Well it doesn't," Sam replied factually.

Sighing, Callen deflated, like someone let the air out of his sails. "You know what happens when I take my shirt off in public Sam?"

Sam's dimple appeared as he smiled. "I'm guessing the answer is not girls swoon."

Callen gave a laugh that was a touch bitter in nature. "People freak. Nipple piercings, tattoos, belly-button rings, they're ok. But my scars..."

"I'm guessing the answer isn't priceless," Sam filled in.

Callen unconsciously rubbed one of his scars on his chest through his shirt. "Nope. People point. They stare. Some even have the audacity to come up to me and ask how I got them. Complete strangers!"

"The nerve," Sam mock-scowled. They paused a beat. "So let me get this straight. Your problem is not that Hetty wants you to wear that glorified band-aid, but the fact you can't wear a shirt with it?"

Now it was Callen's turn to hesitate. "I didn't say that."

"So you would wear the suit," Sam pushed his partner almost daring him to say yes.

Callen gave Sam an haute look. "I'm comfortable with my sexuality."

Sam gave him a 'get real look' and Callen promptly backed down. "Ok, I don't want to wear that postage stamp."

"Come on G," Sam cajoled. "You're mostly in good shape, for a guy your age. Lay off the doughnuts and bacon and work out with me for a month and you'll rock that bathing suit."

Callen walked back behind the bench to put the tools away he had used to clean his gun. "What you said is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to begin."

"How about by going to Hetty's office with me," Sam cajoled though he wasn't really kidding.

Callen winced as he reached back and holstered his cleaned weapon. "Nah. I don't think so."

"Wrong answer," Sam said reaching out and grabbing Callen bicep. "She sent me to get you. I wouldn't want to disappoint her."

"You have in the past, disappointed her I mean." Callen pulled back a bit only to discover Sam's grip remained strong.

Sam was wise to his partner's antics. "With me now G. Or I pick you up and sling you over my shoulder."

"Is that a threat?" Callen asked his eyes bright with the anticipation of a challenge.

"If it has to be," Sam replied quietly but with a tone that said he would brook no foolishness and he would win.

Callen studied his partner and decided the man was serious, would follow through on his threat and Callen was pretty sure their boss would not appreciate them wrestling in the weapons room. With a sigh he acquiesced. "Fine. I'll come along quietly, Sheriff. Let's go."

Sam released Callen's arm but his scowl remained in place; he didn't trust his seemingly cooperative partner. "No tricks."

Callen walked slowly past Sam into the corridor. "This is me. Walking cooperatively to Hetty's office."

Sam trailed behind desperately trying to figure out his partner's plan. The only thing he was sure about was the game wasn't over yet.