A/N: Inspired by the song "Thought I Had Seen Everything", by Bryan Adams

Chapter 14 – Thought I Had Seen Everything

Friday Evening, Callen's Home

"Hey," come on in Callen said as he gestured for Katie to enter his home. A desire to hug and kiss her was overshadowed by determination to ensure dinner was just right – and that they ate before midnight. So a chaste kiss on the corner of her mouth had to suffice. A quick glance at the mini-suitcase she pulled behind her caused him to cock his head and give her a half-curved smile.

"You did say the weekend," she replied as she set the case against the wall.

"Yes I did. I just put the pasta on, dinner will be ready in ten minutes," he said over his shoulder as he made his way to the kitchen.

Her feet felt instant relief when they were let out of the confinement of her shoes and landed on the cool hardwood floor. Upon noticing there were two chairs in the living room, a warm, fuzzy feeling rushed through her body before settling in the vicinity of her heart. She could envision her and Callen sitting, talking, and enjoying a night in front of the fire before heading off to bed.

Bed.

"I'll be there in a minute, I have to use the washroom," she called out with no intention of doing so. As she rounded the corner she stopped at the largest of the three bedrooms.

"Beautiful," she whispered at the sight of the sleigh bed adorned by blue linens, plump pillows and a small lamp on the bedside table.

"You've been busy," Katie stated as she entered the kitchen.

He just nodded as he drained the pasta then removed the chicken from the oven where it had been kept warm. If he was to achieve success with the meal, his complete concentration was required.

"Please, sit," he directed as the plates were filled with penne pasta and Chicken Parmesan.

Being late and both parties hungry, dinner was consumed mostly in silence. Questions with one-word answers were dealt with relatively quickly. Callen was a bit worried his first meal he cooked for her would be a disaster but he had muddled through the process with desirable results. Katie's positive comment reassured him that other people found his cooking edible.

Katie's often wandering eyes to the bouquet of flowers on the counter didn't go undetected by Callen. "Not enough room on the table," he offered as he took the last bite of his chicken and then washed it down with the white wine in his glass. Katie finished her dinner and emptied her glass of wine as well. He poured more wine in their glasses before placing the flowers in front of her.

The small white envelope with "Kates" written in black marker, stood out amid the ten baby yellow roses that encased two long stemmed red roses.

She smiled at the name he had only used once –in the bed store -and pulled the card from the envelope only to find it was blank.

"I didn't know what to write," he said with a shrug of his shoulders after seeing the expression on her face.

"They're beautiful, thank you."

Katie took a moment to smell the fragrance of the fresh cut flowers before giving Callen a short but sensual kiss.

"What was that for?"

"For being you," she replied cupping his face with her right hand.

He leaned into her touch, missing it incredibly so the past week, and flicked his tongue out to capture the tip of her thumb. When she slid it into his mouth, he sucked on it then bit it gently. She let out a small gasp and pulled it out not wanting things to get serious yet.

"Let's clean up," she said as she stood and started to put the dishes in the dishwasher. "Callen, this is brand new," she remarked upon opening the door to the dishwasher that still had the shipping packaging in it along with the manual."

He blushed slightly, knowing that he really hadn't taken any time or initiative to work on making his house a home… until after he met Katie and even now he was finding it overwhelming when noticing all of the things his house would need if Katie were to be an ongoing part of his life. It wasn't new knowledge to her that Callen lived in an unfurnished home and always ate out but at that particular moment he felt uncomfortable with the situation. The perplexed look on her face had Callen internally cringing at what she might say next about his lack of domestication.

"When and where, did you get all of this stuff?" She glared at the pots and dishes.

"Sam's wife. She said that a way to woman's heart is by cooking for her. Gotta love a kitchen with lots of cupboards and drawers -out of sight, out of mind."

"You are fortunate to have good friends who look out for you when you…"

He cut her off, "When I what? Don't give in to what other people think I should or shouldn't be doing with my life?" Although his friends had backed off somewhat in meddling with his personal affairs, he still harboured resentment for the times he was treated like a kid who still needed guidance on choices he made. And conversations like the one he was having with Katie made him defensive.

Katie was taken back by his response.

"I think I have done quite well on my own."

"Yes you have," she replied before gently placing her hand in his both knowing that he hadn't done well in the domestication aspect of life.

He knew she wasn't judging but only observing the obvious about him. "I'm sorry. It has been a long week and this," he waved his hand in the air, "is new for me."

"Old habits are hard to break," she affirmed as their other hands met in an undemanding embrace.

"Yeah, but for you, for us, I'm trying."

Their eyes met with an intensity that had it lasted another five seconds, would have had his knees buckling.

"Everyone should have a G. Callen in their lives."

He literally laughed at her attempt to compliment him, "The world would be more fucked up than it already is." He really didn't give himself enough credit when it came to his personal or professional life and how much he meant to the people around him and how much they valued his friendship.

They washed the dishes and chatted about Katie's upcoming job interview. She was excited and nervous but he reassured her (again) that she would make an excellent Social Worker.

"Would you like dessert?" he asked as he folded the dishtowel over the handle of the oven door. "Chocolate Mousse with strawberries."

"Sure, but I would really like to change my clothes first."

"Okay, I'll take it into the living room."

He carefully scooped the chocolate mousse into two small bowls, and then placed a few strawberries around the edge as Katie left to change. As he carried the desserts to the living room another mental note popped into his head. Larger end table or a second one would be useful. He waited several minutes before walking towards the bedroom to make sure everything was okay. Noticing only her suitcase was there he turned when he heard water running in the bathroom. When Katie reassured him and she was just washing up and would be out in a few minutes he went back to the living room and sat in his chair. Relaxed and enjoying Katie's company in his house was a feeling he could easily get accustomed to.

"Ready for dessert," she announced as she crossed the room to the chair beside him.

Callen looked up to see Katie in lingerie: a light pink butterfly style baby-doll with matching panties (more like a small patch of fabric held in place with strings). The plunging neckline all but exposed her beautiful, round breasts that would definitely get special attention. The slit that began under the small, satin bow that was placed strategically between her breasts, parted slightly as she walked towards him. If seeing her lace panties peek through the sheer material wasn't enough to make his eyes widen, they certainly did when she turned slightly to position herself for sitting and he was given a glimpse of her sweet ass that said panties failed (albeit, pleasingly so) to cover.

He shifted his position to accommodate for the growing desire between his legs.

"This is good," Katie said as she mixed the mousse and strawberries.

Her hair was swept up in a bun at the crown of her head, strands loosely pulled out to soften the look. The lightly tanned, round curves of her shoulders were exposed, begging for his touch. Her belly button was peeking out from where the slit separated after she sat down. Soft, small circles with his tongue in the indentation would have her arousal climbing as he made his way down….

She gestured to his bowl, "If you're not going to eat that, I will."

As he shifted again it was apparent to Katie that he was now fully aroused.

"You've seen me naked, and wet." Her nonchalant attitude was both frustrating and alluring.

When he didn't respond and she reached over to take his untouched bowl, he stayed her hand. He had tried to remain in control of his hormones as he watched Katie sit there in the tantalizing outfit that plagued his hormones and licked her lips of chocolate that strayed from the spoon. After unbuttoning his jeans and pulling the zipper down slightly, he got out of his chair, bent down over Katie, the tip of his erection, now very prominent in his boxer-briefs, practically in her face, and with her head tilted back, locked eyes with her. He removed the bowl, which she had somehow obtained despite the earlier motion with his hand, from her hands and placed it soundly on the table.

After she stood with the help of his arms, he cupped her (bare) ass and hoisted her up. She locked her legs behind his back and her hands around his neck. For a moment Katie thought he was replaying the scene from the Saturday morning when she brought him tea and muffins.

Callen, however, had different thoughts. He did make his way, Katie still latched on to him, to the very spot where he had been pleasured with mind-blowing oral sex. Still fighting to keep in control of his original intentions, Katie's back pressed into the wall and keeping his right hand firmly on her ass, he used his left hand to slide his jeans and underwear down further to allow his cock to spring forward and press against her thigh. He gently rolled his hips causing Katie to let out a few gasps of breath and if he wasn't mistaken, a growl.

Using the wall for support and his upper body strength, he lowered her down slightly on the wall to press his erection into her most sensitive spot, now the very small, thin piece of material on Katie the only barrier between them, intense arousal was imminent -for both of them.

When he lurched his hips forward with a sudden surge of force, he watched her face as pleasure washed over it. And he continued to grind against her until, despite being pressed against the wall; she threw her head back at the almost heightened arousal inside her. The impact also caused her grip around his neck to tighten.

"Have you learned your lesson?" he asked as she was lowered to the ground with his support.

She nodded, "Never ask a man if you can eat his dessert."

Once her feet touched the ground and her hands free she adjusted the panties that had shifted position from the recent friction.

His fingers grazed up from her hips over the sheer fabric, past the outer curve of her breast, to the bare skin, under her arm, the heat almost electrifying her. "I am a man of great patience, but this," his hand travelled back down her side, this time a little firmer, "was too much. Or should I say too little." Although he would never take things further than Katie consented to, he wasn't enjoying being taunted with that outfit.

"It wasn't my intention to tease you."

Callen heard the sincerity in her voice and saw the virtuousness in her eyes. His body still in front of hers, he set the palms of both hands on the wall on either side of her shoulders. His thoughts went quickly from being enamoured and frustrated with her and how he would guide her quickly to the bedroom, bend her over the edge of the bed, rip off her panties and take her hard and fast, to thinking how fortunate he was to have her in his life. She was right. He had seen her naked –and wet. But she was just to inviting with the way the sheer, pink fabric revealed so much and had erotic visions filling his head about what would be revealed once removed.

"Give me a minute to lock up and turn off the lights." He checked the locks on the doors, turned off the lights and grabbed two bottled waters from the fridge. When he entered the living room to turn off the lamp, Katie wasn't to be seen. Flicking the switch, he made his way to the bedroom where he found her, back to him, sitting on the edge of the bed. He placed the bottles of water on the nightstand and climbed up on the bed. He crawled towards her and placed his hands around her waist as he kissed the exposed nape of her neck before making his way to her mouth.

Oh how he loved kissing Katie. The serenity that filled him was more powerful than anything he had ever experienced. He had expected her to return the gesture once his tongue lightly licked the corner of her mouth, and kiss him until he struggled between breathing and keeping that unmatched feeling alive.

But she didn't. He had been so caught up in thoughts of her mouth on his that it hadn't registered that she had been crying.

"Katie what's wrong?" he asked as he moved to sit beside her. "Is it about what happened in the living room?"

"No." She stood and walked to the bathroom to get some tissues leaving Callen alone and confused.

When she returned two pillows propped up Callen's upper body. Patting the bed, he offered the spot beside him before pulling the duvet over them as he noticed a slight shake to her body, unsure if it was due to her being upset or being cold given the little attire she had on.

"Thanks," she whispered before leaning her head on his chest.

His arms wrapped around her, gently soothing her back and feeling her body relax into him was a reassuring comfort (along with her answer of no) that it wasn't something he did or said that had upset her.

"Something obviously upset you. Do you want to talk about it?"

Keeping her head snuggled on his chest, and her body in the strong arms yet gentle embrace of G. Callen, Katie didn't move as she brought forth the reason for her sadness.

"I miss them."

It took him a few seconds to register them and for a fleeting moment was puzzled why, at this point in time, had the losses affected her.

She explained that when she saw him in the chair, waiting for her, a flood of thoughts engulfed her, thoughts that really shouldn't have been prominent given what she had planned to have happen between them.

Katie and Michelle talked about everything and although Katie wouldn't have shared the intimate details of her weekend with Callen, she would share all the wonderful things she loved about him. They way his mouth formed a half smile when he was being sassy. The way his entrancing blue eyes peered into hers, an almost eerie feeling rushing through her body at times wondering if he really could see through to her soul. The way he could take her body to places of intense sexual madness with just his hands or mouth.

Talks with her mom would have been less descriptive but more invasive. "What does he do for a living?" The predicted, "He's how old?" and last but not least, "You sure he's not married?" After the mini interrogation and once she saw him with her daughter, she would have known he was genuinely attracted to her (and her to him) and that Katie had found someone who not only added (more) happiness to life but also respected her.

"They would have liked you." Her voice cracked from the dryness caused by the tears.

He reached for one of the water bottles and handed it to her, "And I would have liked them," he replied, returning his embrace on her, listening and comforting her through the onset of unsettling feelings. He was more than aware of what that was like but instead of commiserating with her, he just held her, allowing things to move at the pace she set.

After downing half the bottle she screwed the cap on, reached over him and set it on the nightstand. She hovered over him a moment in a straddling position, eyes closed, feeling the warmth of him, the faint smell of his cologne and his strong but smooth hands drawing small circles on her bare thighs.

"I felt guilty." His eyes had been closed, heightening his other senses until those words escaped her lips.

"Guilty?"

She sat back on his upper thighs, hands on his stomach, "For being happy."

He sat up, wrapped his arms around her back and moved so that Katie's arms were on his shoulders, her ass (still) on his upper thighs, legs bent on either side of him and his legs stretched out behind her.

Callen sort of understood where she was coming from. His thoughts had drifted to Deeks and Sam over the course of the week. They were on a journey of recovering from psychological trauma (due to his oversight), while he was on the path to falling in love. Not always one to practice what he preached, he still offered some compelling advice, "Enjoy it. You never know when it can be taken away."

"You're taking about us, aren't you?"

He nodded his head slightly.

"I've treasured every moment with you, even when things were a bit bumpy."

"I know you have." He pulled them back down to the mattress to meet her lips with his. He needed to feel the static touch of her mouth on his. Just for a moment. "So have I."

"I don't want to lose you the way I lost them." A lump in her throat made the next words painful to say, but she knew it wouldn't do any good to keep them unsaid. "Too soon."

"Hey," he pulled her to his chest, arms holding her tight, her cheek pressed firmly on his chest. "I have the most important reason in my arms right now, to be extra diligent in apprehending the bad guys." Even before he said them, Callen knew his words were of little comfort for the person on the receiving end of them. Leaving Law Enforcement, leaving NCIS, wasn't an option so he had to do the best he could to reassure Katie that he was worth the risk. Just as he felt she was worth the risk when choosing not to use an alias.

"I can't go through that …again." Katie's words pierced his heart. That was the second time she had said profound words that before he met her, were taken in stride by the Special Agent.

Callen knew he had to think fast as this conversation, the night and most likely the weekend was well on the way to going to "hell in a hand basket".

"Katie Mitchell, when you're in my arms, you make me feel so much. I love what we are, what we will become."

Well didn't he just have to be the sexiest man she had ever laid eyes on and the most romantic too?

"Callen?" She raised her head so their eyes could meet.

"Yes?"

"What did you want to write on the card?"

She had seen right through him when he said he didn't know what to write on the card, and given the emotional and physical intimacy they were currently sharing, he knew this wasn't the time for a partial truth answer.

"Love, among friends."

She narrowed her eyes quizzically.

"Red roses represent love and yellow roses, friends or friendship."

Katie needn't hear the traditional proclamation of love. She could feel it through his hands on her body. The beating of his heart through his chest as her hand lay gently over it. She could see it (now) in the two red roses. And because she is a very good listener, she did hear it.

And I love you G. Callen.