A/N: Hey guys. Here's the latest chapter for Rachael and Callen. Please review and let me know what you think. I loved writing this chapter here, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

A week later, Rachael had just finished giving Jet his breakfast when she heard a car pull into the driveway. She looked at her watch. It was shortly after 8. "They're here early," she muttered as she walked to the front of the barn to see who it was. The past week, the agents had been coming every other day in what seemed to be there partner pairs. So Kensi and Deeks would come one day and Callen and Sam would come the next. If the pattern held, it should be either Callen or Sam, but either way it was still early for them to be out. It was Callen getting out of the car.

"Good morning, Agent Callen!" she called out.

"Good morning, Rachael," Callen called as he closed his door and walked towards her. "And before you ask," he continued as he stopped in front of her, "no, I am not here for a lesson."

"Then why are you here."

"Hetty wants you at OPS. I'm here to take you there."

"Very well. Let me just go let Jet out and then I'll be ready."

Callen watched Rachael as they walked into OPS. He chuckled as her expression went from confused to dubious to awestruck. She turned and saw him watching her.

"What?" she demanded.

"Noting," Callen shook his head.

"Just because you're used to it doesn't mean everyone is." she turned back to admiring the craftsmanship that was everywhere in OPS.

My, isn't she a feisty one. Callen thought appreciably.

"Such a lovely place, isn't it Ms. Hughes?" Callen jumped at the sound of Hetty's voice coming suddenly from behind him. Even after all these years, he still wasn't used to her popping out of nowhere like that.

Rachael didn't seemed to be affected by it. "It certainly is, Hetty," she agreed.

"I'm glad you agree. I'm sure Mr. Callen would be delighted to give you a tour at a later time, but for right now I need you for something else. Come with me." Hetty turned and walked towards the wardrobe with Rachael following behind, still staring as much as she could.

Callen watched them go with a smile on his face. There's something special about that girl he thought, thinking of Rachael. He also had a feeling that Hetty was up to something, a feeling that started the moment she called him to pick up Rachael. The car ride here was surprisingly pleasant. He hadn't felt like talking, and Rachael didn't try to make conversation. For once, he found a female that didn't mind silence. Let's just hope I don't do anything to mess this up. He didn't want to lose Rachael…. Even though they weren't dating.

Callen was drawn out of his thoughts by the sound of Sam coming into the building.

"You staring in one particular place means one of two things," Sam began as he walked to the bull pen to set his stuff down. "Either you're thinking really hard, or Rachael is here." Sam sat down at his desk while Callen stood in front of it. "Now I know that you don't do a lot of thinking, so that leaves one thing." Callen shook his head as he turned to sit at his desk.

"I think you're confusing me with Deeks," he said.

"Nope. I don't think so G. I think that there is only one option left."

"And what would that be?"

"What would what be?" a familiar voice chimed in.

"Deeks, don't interrupt ofther people's conversations," Kensi said as she and Deeks walked into the bullpen. "I swear, sometimes you act as if you were raised by dogs… That would actually explain a lot." she said as they sat down at their respective desks.

"What? Like my natural ability to roll out of bed and look this good?" Deeks winked at her.

Callen rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come on Callen. You know you're jealous." Deeks joked with the senior agent.

"I am not." Callen retorted.

"You totally are, but that's beside the point. What were you guys talking about when Kens and I got here?" Deeks asked.

"Wow," Sam said, surprised. "He actually managed to not get distracted."

"That must be a first," Callen agreed.

"Hello-oo? Are you guys just ignoring my question? What were y'all talking about when we got here?"

"Noth-" Callen started, but Sam cut him off.

"Rachael's here." He smiled.

"Really? Where?" Kensi asked, looking surprised.

"With Hetty," Sam said, still grinning. He looked at Callen.

"Wait. Rachael. As in horses Rachael. As in whoops-belatedly-I'm-so-sorry-not-to-tell-you-to-mount-like-that Rachael?" Deeks asked.

"Give that boy a gold star," Callen muttered as he started on the day's paperwork. Might as well get some done before we catch a case. I wonder what Hetty has planned…

"Lady and gentlemen." Hetty's voice suddenly rang through the bull pen. "If you don't mind, please come over here. Gentleman, please go change into these suits and Kensi into this dress. Be in the gym in 10 minutes."

While Callen stood staring after them, Rachael followed Hetty deeper into OPS. She tried to keep herself from staring, but it was almost impossible. While not grand, the building had architecture that was elegant, tasteful, and beautiful. Thankfully, Hetty was moving slow, so it was easy to keep up. Suddenly, Hetty stopped. Rachael barely avoided running into her very short boss. When she finally recovered, she found Hetty smiling at her.

"Follow me dear," Hetty said as she resumed their trek. "Ah, here we are." Hetty stopped in the middle of several racks of clothing that were lined up in front of a small platform surrounded by mirrors on three sides. "Go stand on the platform, Ms. Hughes. I need to take some measurements." Hetty had a measuring tape draped around her neck.

"Okay." Rachael said. What is this all about? She stepped up.

"Oh, that will never do," Hetty said. "Step off and take off your boots."

"Yes ma'am." Rachael said as she obeyed and stepped back onto the platform.

"Much better. Now, arms out!" Hetty commanded. Rachael did as she was told and stood silently while Hetty took various measurements. "Ah, I have just the thing." Hetty said as she finished. "You can step down now, Ms. Hughes," she called over her shoulder as she weaved between the racks. She was back before long. "Here, try this on." Hetty handed Rachael a black dress with a flouncy skirt. The dress looked small.

Rachael cast a worried look at Hetty. "Oh, don't worry. It'll cover everything. Now shoo! When you are done, simply walk straight and make a right into the first hallway. The gym will be on your right." Hetty walked away.

"Okay, here goes nothing," Rachael said. She drew the curtain that was conveniently located at one edge of the outer mirrors and quickly changed. Thankfully, the dress did cover everything. It had a form-fitting body with a neckline that was just high enough to cover cleavage. The shimmering body hugged her form to about mid hip, and the skirt, which was nice and flowy, went down to mid-thigh.

Well… it's not my favorite dress, but it is cute. Rachael sighed as she turned around to get a good look at the dress. It's a good thing I lost that weight last semester too! She thought as she pulled back the curtain. Hetty didn't mention any shoes, so Rachael slipped into her boots (she still had her socks on), gathered up her clothes, and made her way to the gym.

Callen fidgeted as he stood in his suit. I hate these things. Don't know how Gibbs does this every day. He glanced over at Hetty who was doing something with the CD player. Uh oh… Callen thought. That can't be good. But where is Rachael? As if his thoughts had summoned her, Rachael walked through the doors of the gym. Wow. She was dressed in a simple shimmering black dress with a skirt that moved with every step. She was like a dream… except for her boots.

Callen laughed silently as Rachael walked in her dirty boots just as any model would wearing the latest designer shoes. Hetty looked up as she heard Rachael walk into the gym.

"Oh dear. Those boots do not go at all with that dress!" Hetty exclaimed. "Luckily, I have a solution." Hetty bent down and grabbed a pair of shoes from the ground. "Here. Put these on."

Rachael took the silver shoes and stared at them. Callen noticed that they matched the shine in the body of the dress. Rachael looked at Hetty and said, "You know that these are 3 inch heels, right?"

"Actually, they are 4." Hetty smiled. Rachael's eyes grew wider.

"I've only worn a one, maybe two inch heel in my life, Hetty. I'll be lucky to stand in these! Plus, they'll destroy my knees."

"Oh, pish posh. You and your knees will be fine. I have it on excellent authority that you regularly do strengthening exercises." Hetty turned back to her CD player, ending the conversation. Callen glanced over at Sam, who was smiling the same smile he had earlier. Oh boy. Callen rolled his eyes and turned back to Rachael. She had the heels on and was standing quite well.

"Hey, Rachael. Nice to actually see you!" Sam joked as he came to stand next to her. Rachael frowned and playfully swatted him on the shoulder.

"Just because you're a foot taller than me and happen to be on a horse while I'm on the ground every time we see each other-"

"Alright. If you children are done bickering, please come over here," Hetty called from next to the CD player. Rachael seemed to take the mid-tirade interruption mid-stride, though she still glared at Sam as she walked over to Hetty.

"Today," Hetty began. "You all will learn the waltz. Now the waltz is - yes, Mr. Deeks?" Hetty sounded surprised. Deeks looked at his hand which was still raised. He quickly lowered it and scratched the back of his head.

"I, uh," Deeks cleared his throat. "I was just wondering. Don't we already know the waltz?"

"Oh, yes. You all do. But it has been a long time and I wanted to refresh you on how to dance. And one must never forget that dancing assists in building a relationship where the partners work together harmoniously." Hetty smiled.

Ah, so this is what it's all about. Callen thought. Hetty hadn't given him any information when he cornered her earlier.

"But, since Mr. Deeks, you pointed out that you all already know how to waltz, then why don't he and Ms. Blye demonstrate?" Hetty finished.

"Nice going, Deeks," Kensi wacked her partner and boyfriend before allowing him to lead her to the center of the gym. They got into position just as Hetty started the music.

"And one-two-three!" she called out in time to their steps.

Callen glanced at Rachael, who looked like she was concentrating hard as she watched Kensi and Deeks. He turned to look at Sam. What's going to happen next? He thought. His question must have showed on is face because Sam shrugged in return.

"One-two-three and done!" Hetty called out as the music ended. "Mr. Deeks, bow and Ms. Blye, curtsy. Wonderful," she said when they were done. "Now, for the next pair. Mr. Callen, please escort Ms. Hughes to the dance floor."

Rachael looked at her boss. Did I just hear her correctly? She must have, for here came Callen. She swallowed past the rising panic and allowed Callen to lead her out onto the floor.

"Hey," he whispered once they were in position. "It'll be okay. Just follow my lead." Rachael flashed back to the last time someone told her that. She shook away the memory and looked at Callen.

"Okay, but I apologize now for the sore toes you'll have," she whispered back as Hetty started the music. As if on cue, their feet began to move in synch with each other and the music.

Must. Not. Step. On. Toes. Rachael thought. She stared down at her feet to make sure she didn't step on Callen's feet.

"Eyes up, Rachael! Look your partner in the eye!" Hetty yelled over the music. Rachael gulped before obeying.

"That's it! Now, stand straighter. Yes! Exactly. Now relax. Your shoulders are as hard as rocks. Try to at least pretend you're having a good time." Rachael took a deep breath as she and Callen continued to dance and tried to release the tension from her shoulders. She kept looking Callen in the eyes as she did that, knowing that he was reading her every expression.

He's actually a good dancer. Rachael thought after she relaxed. I wonder if he does this other then when Hetty tells him to.

"And done!" Hetty' voice shocked Rachael out of her thoughts. "Very well done, Ms. Hughes and Mr. Callen." Hetty continued. "Now we are going to switch things up. Mr. Callen and Ms. Hughes and Mr. Deeks and Ms. Blye, please head out to the floor and begin dancing when the music starts. Mr. Hanna, come here if you don't mind. I have a special job for you."

Callen offered Rachael his arm and led her back out onto the floor. I think I know what's going to happen, he thought. Hetty started the music, and he led Rachael in the simple steps of the waltz. She was much more relaxed now, and was actually smiling as they danced. Let's see how much she knows. Callen smiled. He led Rachael into a dip and then into a quarter spin. As they resumed after their spin, Callen saw Sam tap Deeks out and start dancing with Kensi. Yup. Just as I thought. He gave Rachael up to Deeks when he tapped him out, and then stole Kensi from Sam.

For the next half hour, they all danced. Partners changed and songs changed. Callen was able to dance with Rachael more than Kensi, and the other two seemed to allow him to. Callen had just managed to get Rachael back again when the song ended, and he heard a sharp whistle.

"We've got a case!" Eric's voice echoed into the gym. Rachael shook her head as if just waking up from a dream. She smiled at Callen and curtsied as he bowed.

"Oh, bugger. It looks like that will be the end of our dancing lesson today," Hetty said as she turned off the CD player. "Now, hurry up and change. Report to OPS ASAP."

"Oh, Hetty," Callen heard Rachael say as he walked out of the gym. "I wanted to ask you something…"