In the car it was quiet as Sam drove them all to the hospital. Melissa had jumped in the back as Callen was used to riding shotgun without needing to be asked. Callen glanced back in the mirror.
'So how long have you known him?'
'13 Years give or take,' came the response from the backseat.
'Right…' Callen responded non-committedly.
'So have you two ever….?' Sam started as Melissa sat upright.
'Sam…' Callen immediately tensed.
'No! Never.' Melissa shuddered. 'He's like a brother… Why would you ask that?'
'Yeah Sam why would you ask?' Callen asked enjoying the fact Sam was getting uncomfortable in his seat.
'Just because it seems to me like Melissa was hiding him and it seems like she has more of a lovelife than you G.' Sam replied with a smirk.
'I haven't hidden anybody Sam. It's just I've been single for a long time the job doesn't allow for personal entanglements and nor do I want any.'
Entanglements. Callen liked how Melissa worded it. Callen pretty much thought the same. His life was complicated enough without a relationship on top. Sam nodded in the driver's seat.
'So… Why would you never?'
'Because it's bad enough getting the respect of guys on army bases without getting romantically involved with one. Plus no guy could handle me I whooped their asses at least once each in a fair fight. Marco I think I beat him like twenty times over the years.'
'Nice…' Sam replied still smirking 'So G what's your excuse?'
Callen sat back in his seat considering his response as Melissa leaned against the armrest of his seat.
'Yeah what is the deal with you?' Melissa enquired.
'He's just strange…' Sam joked.
'I don't think he is now let him answer the question…' Melissa answered looking to Callen.
'Why thank you.' Callen nodded as Sam shook his head. 'Guess pretty much the same as you,'
'Afraid to get too close? Worried you'll mess someone else's head up or your own?'
'Yeah and that fact that my partner takes it upon himself to play matchmaker.' Callen retorted pointing to Sam.
'Don't you just hate it…. Marco does the same. Doesn't realise why fix something if it's not broken.' Melissa countered sitting back into her seat one arm folded over herself as Callen looked towards her in surprise. He had never realised how similarly they thought. Callen looked as she looked away the sunlight reflecting in her sky blue eyes.
'You know I never realised…'
'Never realised what?'
'Your eyes they are blue?' Callen queried
'Yes.' Melissa responded as Sam pulled the car into the car park. Callen dived out of the car and pulled his seat forward to let Melissa out. Sam casually stood leaning against the roof of the challenger.
'How do you wanna do this?' Sam asked.
'Take it as it comes.' Callen responded as Melissa got out of the car and immediately walked up to the hospital entrance.