4.

At the Christmas party, Callen and Deeks took bets to see who would get drunk first – Kensi or Nell. Sam's vote for Eric didn't count, because every year the blond tech got blitzed before seven pm. And just like every year, he was currently fast asleep, curled up beneath Nell's desk with a stocking clutched in his grasp.

"There they are," Deeks said, elbowing Callen and pointing to the punch bowl, where the two women stood laughing at something. Both seemed a little tipsy already, and this brought much joy to Deeks' blue eyes. "Oh, this is gonna be some easy money."

"Cool it, Shaggy," Callen replied with a snort. "The way your partner is taking down shots, she'll be passed out in an hour."

Deeks just grinned.

Sam joined them then, a cup of punch in his large hand. He followed Callen's gaze to the two women and chuckled, shaking his head.

"What's so funny?" Callen asked, downing the last of his second eggnog and licking the nutmeg from his top lip.

"That right there?" Sam replied with a nod toward the women. "That's trouble waiting to happen."

Deeks smiled. "Yeah, we're kind of counting on that."

"Not for them. For you."

Callen tilted his head as he realized Sam was looking at him. "Me?" As Sam nodded, Callen frowned. "Nah."

Sam just sighed. "You'll see."

That was two hours ago, and so far except for Eric Beale, everyone was awake and relatively upright.

Well, some more than others.

At that very moment, Callen's lips were pressed tightly against those of a certain tiny redhead, and though they tasted of alcohol and fruit, he couldn't say he wasn't enjoying it. Nell's arms were looped around his neck, her hands in his short hair and her eyes closed. He could see the sparkle of glittery eyeshadow on her lids, and her lashes were long and dark. She definitely hit a high number on the G. Callen Attractiveness Scale.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see the same shocked expression on every one of their friends' faces. It might have been the numerous cups of eggnogg and spiked punch or the intoxicating scent of her lilac perfume, but either way an idea suddenly hit him.

Just as Nell was about to pull away, he trapped her face between his hands and kissed her back, harder and with more heat than she had every felt. Nell's eyes flew open in surprise, but to her credit she did not pull away.

When they finally broke apart, gasping, he looked down at her and smiled. "How was that for a mistletoe kiss?"

She nodded vigorously, still too shocked and embarrassed to speak, and quickly made her retreat into the computer lab. Callen watched her go, still smirking, and then glanced upward at the sprig of mistletoe tacked above the doorway.

Silently amused at Deeks' fish impression, he said, "Hey, Sam...care to make a bet?"