Chapter 10

This had not been part of the plan.

He had not expected for their team night out to end this way. Callen sighed and stared at the ceiling, not yet ready to fall asleep.

It had been simple enough in the beginning. Take Kensi home after they all had drinks at the bar and talk with her about everything that had taken place within the past week. He should have known better. Plans don't always work out the way we want or expect them to.

Now that he thought about it, he should have seen it coming. The hints had been there.

Kensi ordered the 6th drink of the night, but at least it looked like she was having fun. Everyone was talking and having a good time, not thinking about the events of the day or what they might face later. Suddenly, she had stood up, pushing Sam away and stretching her arms toward Callen. He understood immediately that she wanted to dance. She was drunk, and he knew that he should deny her request. She, however, was willing to allow him to touch her for the first time in over a week and that was too tempting to resist. He ignored the knowing smiles on his friend's and coworker's faces while her took her hand and led her to the dance floor, pulling her close while they danced.

Yes, that had been the first clue that his plan wouldn't work. His second clue should have been her mischievous smile while he drove them home. Yet, he had ignored that too.

Now, looking at the girl that was lying next to him on the bed with her head resting comfortably on his chest, he realized that maybe he shouldn't have ignored those clues all along.

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When she woke, Kensi noticed that she was in her bed, but that the only clothes she was wearing were her underwear. Her head was pounding and she couldn't remember what had happened the night before. The last thing she could remember was dragging Callen on to the dance floor in a drunken haze. The rest of the night was a blur.

Getting up, she pulled on a T-shirt and some shorts before making her way to the kitchen, desperate for a cup of coffee that would hopefully calm her head and stomach.

When she entered the kitchen, she noticed with some surprise that Callen was sitting in a chair next to the kitchen table with a mug in front of him and a newspaper in front of his face.

"Good morning" she greeted in a whisper, anything louder than that hurt her head. Callen lowered his newspaper and smiled, handing her a cup of coffee that he had arranged for her when he heard her moving around in the bedroom. She muttered a weak "thank you" and sat down on the countertop, sipping the coffee that she hoped would make quick work of her headache.

After Callen had finished the last of his coffee, he stood up and walked quietly over to the kitchen sink to wash it out. Now that he was standing right next to her, Kensi couldn't help but look over at him. As soon as she did, she regretted it. Memories from the night before flooded in, the feeling of his lips on hers while he backed her into a wall, his hands underneath her shirt and her hands underneath his, touching his well-defined muscles. Horrified at what she had done after a few too many drinks, Kensi shook her head to clear it.

Callen was now staring at her, looking slightly worried.

"What happened last night?" she finally brought herself to ask.

Callen sighed and turned to fully face her.

"I knew you wouldn't remember, not after the amount of alcohol you drank yesterday."

"Then why don't you tell me what happened? The last thing I can remember is dragging you to dance with me. After that it's just bits and pieces. What happened?"

"We danced for a while, and then I drove us both back here. As soon as we walked through the door you-" he paused for a moment, "you kissed me. I know I should have stopped you because you were so drunk and had no idea what you were doing, but I couldn't resist. Things got a little heated after that."

"And then we had sex again!" It wasn't meant as a question but Callen was quick to give her an answer.

"No, we didn't. Kensi, I would never take advantage of you. You were drunk. I just took you to your bedroom and made you lay down on the bed. Then, you wouldn't allow me to leave so I stayed there with you. That's all!"

"Then why did I wake up in my underwear?" she countered.

"Because you said that it was too hot in the room so you took your clothes off. And for the record, I had to cover you with a blanket in the middle of the night because you were freezing."

She paused for a few moments, deciding whether she was going to believe him or not. Finally, she made up her mind that he wouldn't lie to her about something like that.

"Thanks…that was sweet."

Callen stepped closer to her, standing between her legs. Kensi did not offer any resistance, willingly allowing him to do so.

"Kensi, I don't want things to change between us. You are the only person in this world who understands me and I can't lose that. I need you in my life. I still don't want a relationship but I need to make things right between us."

Kensi stared at him for a few seconds in silence. She needed him, but she couldn't pretend anymore that she only saw him as a friend. Maybe she would regret her decision, but if this was the only way she could have him she would go with it, at least for now.

And she needed him.

Callen touched her bare knee, bringing her back to reality, staring into her eyes.

"Say something, Kenz!" and she said the words that he wasn't expecting to hear but that he welcomed anyway.

"Kiss me!"