Joelle watched as Callen drove, her suspicions were confirmed when Callen got off the highway at Malibu road. Callen had rented them a house on the beach here with private beach access. Callen parked the car near the building and they got out. They grabbed their luggage from the trunk. A man was waiting by the entrance.
"Hello you must be Greg Walinsky," the man spoke as he approached them.
"Yes that's me," Callen replied and shook his hand. "This is my girlfriend Joelle."
"Nice to meet you, if you please follow me I'll show you the apartment."
They followed the man inside. There were a few more apartments in this building. Callen and Joelle had one on the second floor. The went up via the outside stairs on the right side of the building. They walked into the house. On the right of the front door hung the TV in the corner, behind the TV was the back wall of the house with sliding doors leading up to the balcony. The balcony overlooked the beach and the ocean. On the balcony stood two lounge chairs with a small table in between and there was an outdoor barbeque. On the other side against the back wall stood a four seats diner table and in the corner a floor lamp. On the left side of the door stood a white sofa with some white and blue cushions in it. In front of the sofa stood a wooden table on a blue rug and left of the sofa stood a wooden side table with a plant on it. On the ceiling hung a ceiling fan with light. Right of the sofa was the door leading into a hallway where the bedroom and bathroom were. Right of this door was the small u-shaped kitchen with microwave, oven, coffee maker, stove and refrigerator. In the bedroom stood a queen-sized bed with two night stands next to it. On the ceiling hung a ceiling fan with light and there was a closet with mirror doors and some cabinets above it. The bathroom had a toilet, vanity and a combination tub/shower. It looked really beautiful.
"Here are the keys to the house. There's a folder on the kitchen counter with some information about the environment here and the rules of the house. I'll be back Sunday around 8pm to pick up the keys, feel free to call me if you need anything. I hope you enjoy your stay here."
"Thank you, I'm sure we will."
Callen showed the man out.
"This is just perfect G," Joelle spoke as she stood on the balcony overlooking the ocean.
"Yeah it looks beautiful. Come on let's go eat. I've made reservations for us."
Callen and Joelle freshened up a little bit before going to the car. Callen drove them to Geoffrey's Malibu. It was a cute little place. They had a table for two on the balcony overlooking the ocean. A waiter came by the table and gave them both a menu card. Callen ordered a glass of red wine and so did Joelle. Callen did drive here but he could have one or two glasses of wine. Callen ordered the ahi tuna tarter as appetizer and the Kobe wagyu New York steak as main course. Joelle picked out the golden quinoa salad as appetizer and as main course she picked the oven roasted chicken roulade. The dinner was really delicious.
Both Callen and Joelle were having a good time. It was nice to go out to dinner. Joelle really liked going away this weekend with Callen. She was glad that she had decided to go back to him. She really loved him. So his job put him at risk, Callen had promised her that he would be very careful and that he would always come home to her. After what had happened she was sure that she could deal with it, she loved Callen and she wanted to be with him no matter what.
They decided to have some dessert too. Callen picked the warm crisp apple tart and Joelle had Geoffrey's crème Brûlée. Once they had finished their desserts Callen paid the bill. They got back in the car and Callen drove them back to the house. It was a beautiful day outside so they opted to spend the rest of the evening outside on the balcony. Callen grabbed them a bottle of pinot noir he had brought from home and poured them both a glass. Callen put the glasses on the small table in between them and they both sat down on one lounge chair. The sun was setting over the ocean. It was a beautiful view.
"Thank you for taking me here G, it's perfect," Joelle spoke.
"You're welcome Jo. I thought it would be nice for us, just to get out."
"Yeah it is. We've never done this before."
"No we haven't. I like it."
"Me too."
They chatted for a while outside before going inside just after 11pm. Joelle took their glasses inside as Callen closed the door and the curtains. Just before Joelle walked into the hallway to the bedroom Callen pulled her close to him and kissed her deeply. Joelle immediately kissed him back as Callen led her backwards to the bedroom. Callen kept walking her backwards until she hit the bed with her legs and tumbled over, taking him with her. Callen moved her so she was lying in the middle of the bed. He kept kissing her as he proceeded in undressing her and Joelle did the same with his clothes. Once they had finished they lay curled up in each other's arms.
"I love you G," Joelle told Callen in a passionate voice.
"I love you too Jo," Callen replied in the same voice.
Callen gave her a soft kiss on her head. Joelle lay her head down on Callen's chest and snuggled against him as Callen wrapped his arms around her. Callen noticed that Joelle had fallen asleep a little later. He lay awake for a while thinking about everything. He was so glad that Joelle was back in his life again. He had really missed her. He felt like she was the one for him. He vowed to himself to always come home to her. He really hoped she was here for good now and the she wasn't going to leave again. He didn't think he could handle it if she left him again but something inside of him told her she wouldn't. If she wasn't sure about it she wouldn't have come back to him, right? Callen pulled her closer and fell asleep a little later too.
The next morning Callen got out around 8.30am and went to make them breakfast. He had taken some things from home for this already. He pre-heated the oven and put some bread in it once it was warm. Just after the breads were done Joelle walked in the main room.
"Hmmm, it smells lovely here," Joelle stated.
"Breakfast is almost done so have a seat at the table."
Joelle sat down at the table and a little later Callen brought over the breads and two plates with scrambled eggs.
"Hmm it looks delicious G."
"Hope it tastes delicious too."
Callen had really improved his cooking skills, Joelle had been a good teacher. Breakfast was really nice. They cleaned up after breakfast and changed into some shorts and shirts. They grabbed some towels and Joelle grabbed a bag and they went down to the beach. It was a beautiful March day, but it was a little bit too cold to sit there in just their swimsuits. They found a nice spot just in front of their house and lay down on their towels. It wasn't really busy on the beach. They spend the entire day relaxing on the beach. Just before 6pm they went upstairs. Together they got in the tub/shower. They took turns standing underneath the beam to wash themselves. For tonight Callen had made reservations at Duke's Malibu. It was about a ten minute drive by car. Callen was already finished, he had dressed himself in a pair of dress jeans and a blue and white plaid shirt. He was waiting in the living room when he saw Joelle step out into the living room. She was wearing a green knee length dress with an elastic band in the waist, the dress was flowing at the bottom with a layer of silk over it. She finished the outfit with a black bolero and black pumps with skin colored panty hose.
"You look beautiful," Callen stated when he saw Joelle.
"Thank you, you look very handsome too."
"Thank you." Callen extended his arm out. "Ready to go?"
"Yes."
Joelle looped her arm around Callen's arm and together they left. They got in Callen's car and Callen drove them to the restaurant. It was a nice restaurant. Callen and Joelle had a table near the windows, right above the ocean. The were some rocks and then the ocean started. They saw the waves crash against the rocks. Callen held the seat out for Joelle and sat her down before he sat down himself. A little later the waiter came and gave them both a menu. Joelle and Callen both ordered a glass of cabernet sauvignon. As starter they both picked the Maui onion soup. Callen had the prime rib as main course while Joelle took the roasted jidori chicken. It was really delicious. They had some dessert too, Callen had the chef's special hula pie and Joelle had the key lime pie.
They went back to the house after paying for dinner and they decided to take a stroll down the beach with the sun setting over the ocean. Hand in hand they walked over the beach in the surf. It was nice to unwind for a while. Apart from the three weeks off he had in the summer Callen didn't have that much free time, it was nice just to get away from the city, even though it wasn't that far. He liked going away with Joelle. Maybe they would do this more often, Callen certainly hoped so. Callen was lost in thought when Joelle pushed him gently making him stumble into the water. Joelle couldn't help but laugh as she watched Callen.
"Oh you think that's funny," Callen teased.
"No," Joelle tried to speak sincerely but her giggling ruined it.
Callen put his hands in the water and splashed some water in Joelle's direction. Joelle screamed a little as she ran way a bit.
"Hey you started it."
Callen ran up Joelle as she ran away from him. He picked her up from behind and took her into the ocean with him. Callen and Joelle were laughing as they had their little water fight. Drenched they walked back to the house. They took a few steps into the house and walked onto the balcony. They took their drenched clothes off and hung them to dry over the balcony railing. With their underwear on they walked to the bathroom. Joelle filled the tub and put some soap in it. They both took their underwear off and got in the tub. Joelle sat in between Callen's leg with her back against his chest.
"I'm really liking this weekend with you," Callen admitted.
"Me too. It's really nice. We should do this more often."
"We should. Maybe we can go away more often and then a little longer."
"I have spring break coming up shortly, maybe we can get away then."
"Uhm, I don't think I can get the time off from work."
"Oh yeah right. When do you have time off from work?"
"I get a couple weeks in the summer and two weeks with Christmas."
"Nothing more?"
"Nope, the occasional off day here and there when it are national holidays but other than that no. Someone has to protect our country."
"Right, well maybe we can go away then in the summer."
"I'd like that."
They enjoyed some time in the tub. Without getting themselves dressed they walked to the bedroom. They made love before falling asleep. They slept in the next day and had some breakfast. After breakfast Joelle went to put their bed sheets in the washing machine, there was one downstairs for the entire building, as Callen cleaned the place up a bit already. They still had today here but they wanted to make sure the place was clean before they left. They sat down on the balcony and enjoyed the nice spring sun. Joelle grabbed the scrabble game and they played some scrabbled outside.
After lunch they went down to the beach. Joelle went back a little later to take their bed sheets out of the dryer, she had put them in the dryer before they left for the beach. They stayed at the beach till just past 6pm. They ordered some pizza and enjoyed it on the balcony. Around 8pm the owner of the house came by.
"Hello, how was your stay here?"
"Very nice. It was perfect."
"That's good to hear. I'll just take a look around and then you can go."
The owner took a look around. When he saw that everything was in order Callen handed the keys back to him and they loaded their luggage back into the car. Callen drove them back to his place.
"Thank you for this weekend G," Joelle spoke once they were inside. "It was just perfect."
"Yes it was."
…..
Monday they went back to work.
"Morning," Callen spoke as he walked into the bullpen, only Sam was there.
"Morning G, how was your weekend?"
"It was just fine." Callen noticed that Sam was looking at him with this look on his face. "What?"
"When were you planning on telling me that you and Joelle got back together?"
"What? What makes you think we're back together?"
"Don't play dumb with me G. I saw you two together Thursday. When Kam's thing had ended I decided to come by your place anyway. When I knocked on your door you weren't there. I was in my car and was about to leave when I saw the cab pull up and you and Joelle stepped out and she walked back inside with you, you two seemed to have a good time. Are you two back together? Is this what you were hiding from me?"
"Yes, we're back together. I didn't tell you…"
"That's great G. I get it G, okay. I get why you didn't tell me at first. How long have you been back together?"
"Just after we got that case where that man was after Joelle to get to me."
"I'm happy for you G. She's back for good? She can handle your job now?"
"She said that after what happened she started to see it differently and she said she can handle it better now. She will still worry about me but she can handle it now."
"Michelle is an agent herself and she still worries about me G. That's what you do for people you love. I'm happy for you. I know how much you liked her."
"Yeah I do. It's nice to have her back in my life again, I just hope she doesn't leave again. I don't think I can handle that."
"I'm sure she won't G. if she wasn't sure she could handle it she wouldn't have come back to you."
Callen and Sam looked up as Eric came walking down in a kilt.
"Hey guys, I got something you'll want to see," Eric spoke as Callen and Sam looked at him in a weird way.
"Oh, boy. Well, I'll tell you what I don't want to see. It's you wearing a skirt," Sam replied.
"This is a tactical work kilt."
"Yeah, well, your work kilt ain't working. Has Hetty seen that?" Callen said.
"She has, indeed. And for your information, I have received a plethora of compliments this morning on my chosen attire."
"Trust me, they were just being nice," Sam told him.
"Hmm, unlike you two."
"Ooooh, McBeale counter punches," Callen teased him.
"Boys, don't poke the bear, unless you want a bear that's angry," Eric replied as he walked upstairs to OPS and Callen and Sam followed him.
"An angry bear in a dress," Sam said.
"Now that would make any bear angry," Callen added.
"It's a kilt!" They walked in OPS. "Kensi and Deeks are on their way in, but I thought you should see."
Callen and Sam walked into OPS and saw Kirkin's pictures on the big screen. Sam sighed.
"I'm hating this already," Sam spoke.
"Something happen to Kirkin?" Callen asked.
"Lucky us."
They started working the case and they found Kirkin locked in a shipping container. Just after they had found him they heard a motorbike on the scene. They tried to stop the motorbike, Callen managed to get a shot off. The person on the motor bike tried to run but Kensi stopped her and put her out cold. Callen removed the helmet and saw it was Anna. Anna had taken Kirkin and put him in that container since some people who wanted him might had information on where her father Arkady was. Even though they had found Kirkin they still proceeded with Anna's plan. They received a video file of Arkady being held in a Russian prison. Callen decided to help her. Arkady was maybe the only link he had left to finding out more about his family.
Callen walked outside and overlooked the marina. A little later Sam joined him.
"Thank you," Callen sincerely spoke to him.
"For what?"
"For not coming out here and telling me that I shouldn't be helping Anna rescue Arkady."
"I got to be honest, G. What I'm saying and what I'm feeling, they're at odds. But I get it. Arkady's a link to you finding out what kind of man your father was. Your history."
"Look, I have to do this. You don't."
"I know, but that's what we do."
They released Kirkin with an agent and Hetty joined them in the boatshed. She brought them some attire. They were going undercover at a charity gala at the Russian consul general's. It was the only way to find out exactly where Arkady was being held. Before leaving Callen pulled Anna aside.
"Are you good to do this?" Callen asked.
"I'm fine Callen, don't worry about me. It's not my first rodeo."
"Okay good. Just to be clear, I know I have to pretend to be your boyfriend but I do have a girlfriend in real life."
"It's just an undercover job Callen, nothing more."
"Okay good."
Callen, Sam and Anna dressed up in some formal wear and took a limo to the gala. Callen was pretending to be Anna's boyfriend. She was a nice woman but he was with Joelle, it wasn't the first time he had to pretend to be someone's boyfriend. It was just like any other job to him. They managed to get in and they got the information they wanted.
"Are we being sanctioned to go to Russia and rescue them?" Callen wondered once Hetty told them the true identity of the other prisoner.
"No, not them. Just Sharov."
"The Russian could be baiting us with Sharov, forcing Arkady to work with them," Sam stated.
"Well that may very well be the case."
"Hetty, we're not gonna just leave Arkady to rot," Callen reasoned with her.
"You asked me if you were being sanctioned to rescue Arkady. I already answered that question."
Callen got the message to read between the lines.
"The agency will help you with some of their contacts, but they cannot guarantee your safety."
"And if FSB intervenes?"
"You're there as rogue agents on an unsanctioned mission."
Callen knew it was dangerous but this was their job and he wasn't about to let Arkady rot in there.
"We'll leave tomorrow morning."
"I'll inform the team," Sam spoke.
"No, only the two of you are going," Hetty told them.
"What do you want to do about Anna?" Sam asked.
"Sharov is your objective. Anna's knowledge of Russia will be useful, but the moment she or Arkady compromise your mission, you get them loose."
"Understood," Callen said.
He and Sam left. The went home for the night and then tomorrow they would leave for Russia. Callen wondered how Joelle would handle this. Since they had gotten serious Callen really hadn't been on many long business trips. Joelle knew he sometimes could be called away for business for more than a day but this was the first time since they had gotten back together. Callen hoped Joelle would be able to handle it.
