Chapter 4.
It was the last day that Callen and Riley had to work together. For the most part they had managed to get thru the last week without any major problems. Callen kept calling her Malibu Barbie and after finding out about Callen's blood feud she started calling him gyspy boy.
Granger only shook his head at them and tried to stay out of the way. Hetty seemed more smug than usual thinking her plan was working.
"Well partner it's our last day together." Said Callen.
Riley looked up from her paperwork. "You sound like I'm going somewhere."
"Your not are you?"
"Other than home no I'll be back Monday. Told Hetty she had me for six months."
This was new to Callen.
"You're going back to LAPD after six wait now it would be five months?"
"I don't know haven't decided yet."
Callen looked at her for a good minuet. "You can't leave."
Riley finished her paperwork and leaned back in her chair. Kensi and Deeks had stopped working to watch the show.
"Yeah not really up to you."
"Guys a little help here?"
"Callen is right you need to stay here with us." Said Kensi.
"Hetty thinks that you will become an agent if you stick around long enough." Added Deeks.
"I know Deeks. She's been trying to get me to jump ship for years."
"So why don't you?" asked Deeks. "Your liked just a tiny bit more than I am at LAPD."
"True but then those asses at headquarters win."
"I bet we can change your mind before the six months are up." Said Deeks.
"I'm with Deeks." Said Callen.
"Oh you just don't want to lose out on your free meals." Said Riley.
"Not true." Callen smiled at her. "Ok only partly true."
Riley stood and got her things together. "Come on Gyspy boy I'll buy you dinner."
"Ok but I get to choose the place."
"Don't you always."
Kensi and Deeks smiled as they watched their friends leave.
"I give it a year and those two will be living together." Said Deeks.
"You only want that so you can talk Riley into letting you have the beach house."
"Now Fern do you think I'd do that?"
"Yes."
Deeks laughed. "Come one Princess lets go get dinner."
Riley followed Callen to his choice for dinner. It was a local fish place that looked like it was going to cost her a pretty penny. She got out and walked over to Callen.
"This is going to cost me isn't it?"
Callen only smiled and put his hand out to her. Riley looked at his hand and slowly slipped hers into it. She let Callen tug her up the walk and into the restaurant.
"Reservations for Callen."
"Yes sir we have your table ready."
Riley leaned into him as they walked.
"How long have you planned this?"
"About a week."
"This is not a date so don't get any ideas Gyspy boy."
They got to the table that was located out on the patio overlooking the water.
"You're holding my hand so I'd say it is a date."
Riley's eyes got huge and she tugged her hand out of Callen's. He simply smiled at her.
As Riley looked over the menu she decided to mess with Callen. "So if this is a date does that mean you're paying?"
Callen looked up at her and Riley had to laugh. "Don't worry Callen I wasn't expecting you to break into your wallet. When was the last time that thing saw daylight anyways?"
"Ha ha very funny."
They ordered then sat back to watch a sail boat make its way past the restaurant.
"So excited to have Sam back Monday?"
"I guess so."
"I asked Hetty if I was getting a partner."
Callen looked over at her.
"What did she say?"
"Apparently not." Riley shrugged. "She said I'm going to work either with you and Sam or Kensi and Deeks and maybe with Nell on occasion."
"You're not happy with that?"
"I don't know. This job is dangerous. It's hard enough to have your partners back but to toss in a third wheel, well it can make things dangerous."
"Yeah I know what you mean."
Their meals came and the dug in. Riley had to admit this place had great food. They talked about everyday things as they ate. Riley passed on dessert as did Callen. They were just about ready to leave when Callen's phone rang.
"It's Sam." He answered it. "Hey big guy what's up?"
"Just got home and wanted to check in with my partner is all."
"I'm good."
Riley looked over at Callen. He refused to look at her so she figured Sam was asking about her.
"Yeah Riley is fine too."
She could hear Sam laughing over the phone.
"Sam get a grip will you?"
Riley had to smile at him. Callen was caught and Sam was not going to let him live it down.
"Yes I know she's a cop. We're just friends Sam."
Riley snorted and Callen looked over at her. "Friends who are on a date according to you."
"What Sam? Yeah Riley was just saying hi. Ok I'll talk to you later."
"Oh you are so busted mister."
"Look Sam thinks I need a girlfriend he keeps trying to set me up with his wife's friends."
"But yet you still told him we're just friends." Riley was loving the way Callen was freaking out over this.
"He'll never let me live it down if I start dating a cop."
"Hey I never said I was willing to date you."
"Give it time."
"Yeah I don't think so." Riley said as she brushed past Callen. He tried to snag her hand but she was too fast. She simply looked over her shoulder and smiled at him.
DENSI
"Oh Deeks don't stop." Kensi said as Deeks pushed into her from behind. The headboard kept hitting the wall and Kensi laughed. "Your neighbors are gonna be pissed at us for all the noise." Said Kensi as she pushed back against Deeks.
"Don't care. Anyways they are out of town for a week." Deeks moaned and sunk into Kensi again. "No one to hear."
"Good." Kensi said then let out a scream as she came. Deeks yell out a few swear words as he came filling her.
They lay there afterwards waiting for their breathing to slow. "I am so glad your mine." Said Kensi as she ran a finger down Deeks chest.
"Kensi I was yours from the moment we met."
Kensi laughed. "Yeah I remember the nice tent in your shorts that day at the gym.
"What can I say my body knew before my head did."
"Are you going surfing tomorrow?"
"Was thinking about it."
"Mind if I come with you?"
"Princess you can follow me anywhere."
The next morning Riley sat on her board waiting on the next wave. She started paddling into the shore as it approached and stood at just the right moment. It took only seconds to ride the wave into the shallows. Once she did Riley noticed she was being watched.
Picking up her board she made her way onto the beach and up to the steps that led to her deck.
"Little early isn't it Hetty?"
"Oh not that early."
Riley pulled her wet suit down and off then put it over the railing to dry.
"So what do I owe this visit?"
"Oh I was just wondering how your date with Mr. Callen went last night?"
"It wasn't a date."
Hetty chuckled.
"Hetty you know I don't date people I work with."
"We all change our rules at some points."
Riley looked at her current boss and rolled her eyes.
"The two of you are getting along these days?"
"Yes Hetty we are getting along."
"Well that's a start."
ACROSS TOWN.
Callen stopped running and bent over to catch his breath.
"Oh come on G we still have five miles to go."
"You are crazy."
"I can't help it you have no stamina."
"I do too. Just not for running a marathon at six a.m."
"So sorry to pull you out of Riley's bed this morning."
Callen stood up and looked at Sam.
"I wasn't in her bed."
"Ok she was in yours."
"Far from it Sam."
"G I leave you alone for three weeks with a smoking hot woman and you only got one real date out of her."
"She says it wasn't a date. I didn't actually ask her out."
Sam burst out laughing at his partner.
"Sad G very sad."
"Oh shut up and run."
MONDAY MORNING.
"Mom that is not happening." Riley said into her phone as she walked into the Mission.
"No Mom I'm serious not happening." Callen looked up at her a bit concerned. Sam simply sat back waiting to see what was going to happen. Callen had already told him about meeting her mom and getting invited to dinner.
"Mom I agreed to your dinner party that was all. No I will not ask him. Mom don't you dare."
Riley looked at Callen. "Ok fine I'll see you then."
"What am I roped into doing now?"
"Dinner Friday night with my parents."
"I thought the dinner party was next week?"
"It is but dad wants to meet you."
Sam burst out laughing. "G you should see your face. Meeting the old man way to go after only two months."
"I have to wear a suit don't I?"
"Well dinner is at the country club so yes."
This made Sam laugh even louder.
"Ok what's so funny?" asked Deeks.
"G is having dinner with the parents on Friday and he has to wear a suit."
"Oh poor Callen." Said Kensi.
"I will have a suit ready for you Friday Mr. Callen."
"Thanks Hetty."
"Now the Senator is on several boards that are aware of what we do so behave yourself."
Callen shook his head. This was not what he had planned.
Riley was about to scream. She had made it a point to never introduce any guy to her parents. Plus the fact that her parents didn't know she had gone to work for Hetty. Unless her dad already knew and this was all one of his tests. After all he was good friends with the SECNAV.
Oh he would just love the fact that someone like Callen was interested in her. Ex CIA just like her dad. The rest of the day Riley tried to avoid Callen. Thankfully she was working with Kensi and Deeks.
"So you and Callen huh?" asked Deeks as they rode back to the office.
"Don't start Deeks."
"Oh come on you two look good together."
"I don't date people I work with."
"Neither did I." said Kensi. "Things change."
"Hetty said the same thing to me."
"Ok look at it this way." Deeks said. "If I had introduced you to Callen say six months ago as a blind date would you have been attracted to him?"
Riley thought for a moment. "Maybe."
"So don't totally give up on the idea."
"I'm just not sure about him meeting my parents."
"Yeah your mom can be a little intense." Deeks said. "And your dad just scares me."
Kensi laughed at this then snorted.
"Just wait Kensi till you meet them."
"You two could always come to the dinner party. I'm sure mom would love it."
"Sweet." Said Deeks.
"Deeks you were freaking out about dinner with my mom but you want to go to a fancy dinner party?"
"Kens I'm telling you the food is to die for. I've been to one before her mom goes all out and she sends everyone home with a bottle of very expensive wine and usually something sweet."
"Ok I'm in."
"I'll let my mom know on Friday. She always had a soft spot for Deeks."
"Yeah I remember the first time I went over their house to pick something up. Your mom fed me and offered to have a suit made for me because my pants looked too worn to her."
"Her mom had a suit made for you?"
"I said she offered." Deeks said. "I did end up with two pairs of very nice slacks and a few shirts."
"Wow. Maybe I should wear old shoes and your mom will give me some new ones." Laughed Kensi.
"Knowing my mom she would."
"I can't believe your mom is so generous."
"My grandfather was born in Belfast and was dirt poor. He came to America when he was 16 and built his business from the ground up. He taught my mom that no matter how much you had there were others who had nothing. He did what he could to help those who needed it." Riley said as they pulled into the garage. "That's why my mom is on so many charity boards."
"Also explains why you keep buying Callen food." Joked Deeks.
"No I just hate to see a grown man pout." This had them all laughing.
When they walked into the bullpen Callen was arguing with Sam over dinner.
"Yeah I'm not really in the mood for Indian Sam."
"Well I am."
"So pick up some take out then."
"Oh come on G you're not going to buy your partner dinner on his first day back?"
"No I'm not."
"G I think your girl has you spoiled."
"I'm not his girl."
Callen smirked at her.
"Ok G how about Korean?"
"I was thinking about Pizza."
"G Pizza is not healthy."
"Don't care."
"Fine go to dinner with your girl then." Sam said trying not to laugh.
"Oh thanks Sam." Said Riley.
By the end of the day Riley managed to leave without Callen seeing. She headed home and got changed. On her way down the steps she heard something. She backed up and grabbed a gun she kept in a dresser at the top of the stairs and crept downstairs.
She moved to where the sound was and stopped dead. Callen stood at her table with two pizza boxes.
"Damn it Callen I could have shot you."
"Your door was unlocked."
"No it wasn't."
"Ok I picked the lock."
"Next time let me know you're here."
"Ok." Callen took the beer she handed him. "I got a meat lovers and extra pepperoni and bacon."
"You and your bacon."
"Hey I've seen you put away a good bit yourself."
"That was one time and I was hungry."
"So inside or out on the deck?"
"It's nice out let's eat on the deck."
They carried everything out and dug in.
"Deeks and Kensi want to come to the dinner party with us so you'll have someone to talk to."
"Really?"
"My mom loves Deeks."
Callen laughed.
Once most to the pizza was eaten Callen stretched out his legs and watched the water.
"I have to admit I like your house."
"You know one of these days you need to show me yours."
"Ok." Callen looked over at Riley. She had her bare legs pulled up and her arms wrapped around them. Her hair was pulled back and the slight wind was blowing a few strands around. It took his breath away.
Riley turned to look at him. "What?"
"Just thinking."
"More like staring."
Callen shrugged.
He stuck around another hour before heading home. Once he walked into his house he looked around. Maybe Sam was right. He needed to buy some stuff for the house. Callen walked into his bedroom. First off a bed. He looked down at the air mattress and sighed. Yes a bed was going to be a good idea. Maybe a couch too.
DENSI
"So Riley's mom really bought you pants?"
"Yep."
Deeks handed her a beer and sat down. "I was having money problems at the time. Most of my clothing came from a thrift store."
"That was so nice of her."
"Yeah. Do you know that Riley never asked me to pay that money back? She told me to pay it forward when I could."
"I'm glad you two met."
"So am I. Neither of us are well liked at LAPD. We used to get together for a few beers and bitch about the other cops."
"Don't you still do that?"
"Well yeah just not as often. A lot of the guys are real sexist pigs. The fact that Riley does twice the work as them doesn't help."
"I almost forgot I got you something." Kensi pulled out a small bag from behind a pillow on the couch.
Deeks looked at her and smiled. He opened up the bag and burst out laughing. Inside was a pair of superman boxers.
"I thought they would match my Wonder Woman bra."
"Kens I don't know what to say."
"Go try them on."
Deeks did as he was told. He came out a few moments later.
"Oh yeah that's my man."
Deeks felt a little funny. He really hoped that the guys never found out about this.
"Oh very Sexy there Deeks."
"Glad you're enjoying yourself there Kens."
"I'd be enjoying myself more in the bedroom."
Deeks laughed and walked over to her. He bent down and picked her up.
"Sounds like a plan to me."
FRIDAY NIGHT.
Callen was a wreck. In less than two hours two hours he would be having dinner with Rebecca and Richard O'Neill. He had never actually met any of his girlfriend parents before. Ok there hadn't been that many but still this was a bit moment.
"Mr. Callen your suit is waiting on you."
"Right Hetty coming."
As Callen finished getting dressed Hetty talked to him. "Now Richard was with the CIA for years. I believe you both know and have worked with some of the same people."
"I hope this is a good idea Hetty."
"Oh you will be fine." Hetty looked Callen over. "Rebecca already likes you."
"And you know this how?"
"Oh I had lunch with her the other day. She is very impressed with you."
"Riley is going to kill me."
Hetty chuckled. "Give the girl time. She's spent so much time hiding who she really is it's hard for her to open up to anyone."
"Hetty this dress is perfect thank you."
Callen turned to find Riley standing there in an off the shoulder blue dress that came to just below her knees.
"Wow."
Riley blushed and tried to ignore Callen.
"You look lovely my dear. I think we'll go with the grey dress for the dinner party and put Miss Blye in the other blue dress to match Mr. Deeks suit."
"Sounds good Hetty." Riled turned to Callen who was still staring at her. "Callen close your mouth and remember to breath."
"Sorry but you look amazing."
Kensi had helped Riley with her hair and had done some fancy up do that she had seen in a magazine.
"Thank Kensi she did my hair and makeup."
"I'll buy her lunch next week."
Callen never took his eyes off her.
Callen let Riley drive as she knew where they were going. It took forty five minutes in traffic to reach the restaurant. It sat at a high cliff that looked out over the ocean.
"Nice place."
"Thanks. This was one of the last places my grandfather bought before he died. Mom totally renovated it about five years ago."
"Wait your family owns this place."
"Yep. Oh and Hetty has a few shares in it too."
Callen shook his head.
They pulled up to the front door. The valet smiled at Riley. "Miss O'Neill good to see you. Your parents are in the private dining room."
"Thanks Tommy."
Callen put his arm out to her and Riley took it. She led the way thru the packed restaurant to the back where the private dining room waited. They walked in and Rebecca hurried over.
"Oh Riley look at you." She hugged her daughter. "And Callen so handsome."
"Agent Callen nice to finally meet you." Richard said putting his hand out to the younger man. "I've heard a lot of stories about you."
"Nice to meet you sir."
"None of that sir stuff. Richard will do just fine." He looked at Riley. "Or dad your choice."
"Dad seriously."
"What pumpkin?"
"Pumpkin?" Callen said looking at Riley.
"Don't start with me Callen."
"Now let's have a seat dinner will be served soon." Said Richard.
"I hope you don't mind Callen I had the chef prepare some of his best dishes."
"That's fine."
"As long as there is bacon somewhere Callen will be happy." Said Riley.
Callen wasn't disappointed. The appetizer was bacon wrapped shrimp.
Riley talked to her mom while Callen talked to her dad about their time in the CIA.
After an hour Callen had decided he really liked her parents.
"So Callen how do you like working for Hetty?"
"Well it's interesting that's for sure."
Richard laughed. "Hetty pulled off some unbelievable things when we were at the CIA. The woman is a force to be reckoned with."
"That she is."
"Oh mom Deeks would love to bring his girlfriend to the dinner party to meet you."
"Oh how wonderful. It's been a while since I've seen Marty."
"Kensi can't wait to meet you. Deeks has been telling her stories."
Rebecca laughed. "Is there anything I need to know about Kensi?"
"Well she loves sweets." Said Callen. "Her dad was a Marine and she is an agent too."
"Oh good a strong woman. Marty needed a woman to take charge of him."
"Kensi does just that." Said Riley laughing.
"Our parties can run pretty late Callen so feel free to bring an overnight bag. Riley has space out in the pool house that everyone can stay at for the night."
"I'll let Deeks and Kensi know." Said Riley. She looked at Callen. "The beach house has two bedroom."
"Ok good because I don't want to watch those two go at it."
Dessert was served and coffee was brought out. Callen was stuffed but still managed to eat some of the chocolate cake put in front of him.
"This was a wonderful idea." said Rebecca. "It's so nice to see my little girl with such a wonderful man."
"Mom…"
"Oh come on my dear, it's not like I'm planning your wedding."
"You've had it planned since I was five."
Rebecca smiled at Callen and Callen almost choked. Yep in over his head for sure.