A/N: Thanks for all the positive reviews. I'm glad you're liking the new story. Please keep them coming! Oh, and let me know if you have any story suggestions.


Chapter 2

Hetty stopped him as he packed up his gear to head out of the Mission. Callen let her know that he would be back, but since he'd gotten in so early, he was going to meet up with Deeks and Eric and catch a few waves. Hetty wished him well, but reminded him not to make the others late, or at least too late. Things were quiet at the moment and the team could use some down time thought Callen. Callen suggested they start an hour later than normal. Hetty liked the idea and stated that she would contact Sam and Kensi. Kensi was already going to be a few minutes late this morning, because she was taking Andy to doctor and then on to NCIS/Naval daycare center. Callen nodded in agreement and headed out the door towards his car.

Callen stopped by his house before continuing on to the beach to meet up with Deeks. He changed into his Speedo Jammers and wet suit. As for his regular clothes, he put them in his gear bag. He would change at the beach before heading back to work with Deeks. Callen grabbed his surf board and loaded them into his car. He made sure to grab his surf board rack to put on his car. Today, he was driving the Mercedes and he knew that Hetty wouldn't take kindly to having it scratched up, nor would he like any of the boards damaged. The one that he was taking today was one of his favorites. He had had it since he was 19 years old. It was an oldie, but a goody; either way it was a keeper and a big part of his past. The past that he knew about, that is. He knew that Deeks and Eric felt the same about their boards. The boards were like life-long friends and all took special care of them. Kensi and Nell said the guys treated them better than girlfriends, almost like children, waxing and caring for them daily. The men couldn't have agreed more. Some would think this to be sad, but it was true in the minds of the men. It was a surfer thing and if you weren't one, you just wouldn't get it anyway.

It took Callen no time at all to reach the beach where Deeks and Eric were located. He pulled into the parking lot. For midweek, the parking lot was pretty full and there was plenty of action out on the water. As he unloaded the surf board, he watched one figure catch a wave and ride it down almost to the shoreline. That must have been Deeks. He had an unmistakable form. Deeks must have watched the parking lot for Callen. Callen searched the other surfers for signs of Eric, but he must have been with a cluster of other surfers sitting on the boards and waiting for the next wave.

Callen locked up the car and grabbed his board and headed towards the beach. Sure enough, Deeks was waiting for him at the water's edge. The two men shook hands and greeted one another.

"Hey man. How's it going?" Deeks asked as he stood holding his board.

"Fine. Fine. I guess. Want to head out?"

"Yeah. I thought we'd go down a bit so we could have some privacy. It's really crowded today."

"How about Eric?"

"Oh, he's fine. He's hanging out more with some mutual friends than solely with me. So, he'll be cool. Plus he's keeping an eye on the time. He doesn't want to us to be late. You know how he's scared of Hetty."

Callen chuckled. "Yeah, I know but no chance of that this morning."

Deeks raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Callen continued, "Since things are quiet, I suggested that we all start a little later this morning. Hetty thought it was a great idea. So, we've got an extra hour."

Deeks smiled. "Cool! Let me let Eric know and we'll be on our way."

Deeks called out to Eric who rode in a wave similar to Deeks. However, Eric's form was quite different from the ex-detective. It wasn't as fluid and smooth. This may be one of the things that Deeks and his friends had been helping Eric with, his form. Anyway, Eric was informed of the late morning start. He nodded thanks and returned to the water to rejoin his friends again.

Now, two men started to walk down the beach. They walked about to what appeared to be only about 100 yards, but it made all the difference. They still had the same wave action, but it wasn't crowded. A private conversation would be able to be achieved here thought Callen. Good going, Deeks!

Deeks and Callen paddled out to the surf with each man using his upper strength to get them closer to their goal. As they positioned themselves, each took a moment to glance behind them and see what was coming. Finally, they both saw the perfect wave. Getting in position, both men snapped upright into a slightly slanted position and began the journey towards the shoreline. This was a fantastic wave! Both Deeks and Callen yelled and hollered in glee. Then, it was over and both men turned around and headed back out again to catch another one.

As they sat waiting, Deeks looked over at Callen with a look of anticipation crossing over his face. Finally, he spoke, "What's up, Callen? What's bothering you?"

Callen stared at the shoreline and then glanced up at Deeks. "I need your opinion on something."

"Okay, shoot!"

Callen paused before answering. Both men hadn't noticed that another wave had come and gone as they sat straddling their boards. "I think it might be time for me to get back into the dating game."

"That's great, man. When did you decide to do this?"

Callen smiled nervously. "Just recently. Anyway, I've met someone who I think I'd like to ask out, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea."

Deeks smiled. "Who?" Deeks stared back at Callen. "It's Lilly, isn't it?"

Callen nodded and Deeks continued. "Kensi and I thought that you two had great chemistry from what we saw recently. So, is this why you wanted to talk to me and not Sam? Are you afraid that he might tease you or something?"

Callen said, "Yes."

"Aw. Well, I say, go for it although Kensi and I both thought it might be someone else that you would be seeing."

"Who?" Callen asked. "WHO?"

Deeks looked very uncomfortable and started to stare at the shore not making eye contact with Callen. His ocean blue eyes were so serious and they were lacking their usual luster.

"Look, I'd rather not say because I was sworn to secrecy. Just suffice it to say, you know the person and she's been waiting a long time for you to notice her. Now…I can't say anything more or my wife is going to kill me. She's going to do it anyway since I told you that much!"

Callen started to stare at the shore too. About this time, he noticed that Deeks had started to look behind him again. Before he knew it, Deeks was up and riding another wave. His friend rode the wave towards the shore and began to make his way to the beach. Callen looked behind him and followed suit with the next wave. He caught up to Deeks who was now sitting on the beach gazing back at the ocean with his board planted upright in the sand.

As Callen started to take a seat beside him, Deeks cleared this throat and began to speak softly. "Really wish I could tell you more Callen, but I know that you'll figure it out. As for Lilly, I say go for it. I mean, all she can say is 'no', but I think that she'll say yes. Any girl would be crazy not to want to go out with you. Kensi's been saying that all along to me; ever since we became close partners and even more since we got married. She's been worried about her big brother for quite some time. We both have been. As for Sam, I think you'll take some teasing, but he'll be supportive, just like he always has been and always will be."

Callen looked over at Deeks and nodded. He agreed at that moment that coming and talking to Deeks about this had been the right thing to do. Sam was his partner and Callen trusted him completely, but when it came to matters of the heart, Deeks was far wiser.

Both men rose up and gathered their boards. Calling over to Eric that it was time to leave, Callen made his way to his car with Deeks following behind him. Eric jogged up to the two men and they all began to load their surfboards onto their vehicles. Deeks, Callen and Eric grabbed their gear and headed to the men's restroom to rinse, dry off and change before heading into work. As Callen stood in the dressing room, he reflected on what Deeks had said to him. First, he would call Lilly today and see about a date, but second, he had to figure out who else was interested in him. Obviously, it was someone at work since Kensi and Deeks knew the person. Could it be? He thought. Could it be Nell? Um. Interesting. She had blushed in front of him this morning and that had been strange, a very strange reaction. Well, he would have to put on his detective hat and just see.