It turned out that Hetty wanted all of them there so they could have a practice dancing session. That lasted three hours, not counting the break for lunch. Finally Hetty said that they had enough of dancing before they moved on to other details of the mission. That lasted another hour, after which there was more dancing before Hetty sent everyone home to prep for the mission.

That was four hours ago. Rachael had just enough time to feed the horses, shower, get dressed, and get ready for Callen to pick her up. And that was only because Melinda and a mutual friend, McCall, helped her with hair, make up, and accessories.

Rachael smiled at the memory. She had skyped Melinda to ease the process, not knowing that McCall was visiting. Once the connection had been established, Melinda had smiled and called McCall over. Rachael laughed as she heard again McCall yelling, "Hi Honey Boo Boo Child!"

"What are you laughing at?" Callen's voice broke into her memory.

"Just a memory," Rachael said as she turned so she could look out the windshield.

"Ah," Callen said. "I was wondering what you were seeing out that window. Especially since its dark."

She laughed. "It served as a screen to the movie of my memories." She smiled. "I was talking to my friends as I was getting ready. They helped me with the details."

"Well, they did a wonderful job," he said. "You look beautiful tonight."

She blushed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Callen smiled at her. "Well, we're here," he said a few seconds later as he parked the car.

"Alrighty then. Let's go," she said as she prepared to get out of the car.

"Hey, wait a sec," Callen said before she could open the door. He got out and came around to her side. He opened her door. "A gentleman will always open the door for the lady."

Rachael laughed as she took Callen's hand and stepped out of the car. "That assumes that I'm a lady."

He laughed with her. "And it assumed that I'm a gentleman." They started walking towards the door of the club, her hand resting in the crook of his arm.

"Well, in my eyes you are certainly a gentleman," she said.

He stopped and faced her. "And in my eyes, you are certainly a lady." Rachael blushed and looked down. Callen's fingers then came and gently pushed her chin up until she was looking him in the eye. When she did, he nodded. "I'm serious, Rachael."

She smiled and blushed even more. "Thank you, Callen," she said softly.

"You're welcome," he said just as softly. He cleared his throat. "So, you ready to do this thing?"

Rachael smiled. "As ready as I'll ever be. How about everybody else?"

"I don't know," Callen said. "Eric?" he asked. He paused for a moment, waiting for a response from his ear wig. Rachael wasn't issued one. After a few moments, Callen looked down at Rachael. "They're all ready."

"Aright. Let's start this rodeo," Rachael said, making Callen chuckle as they walked through the door. Somehow Hetty had pulled some strings to guarantee their admission, so they didn't have to wait in line.

The first area that greeted them was a small collection of tables and chairs. All of them were empty except for a few chairs that were holding coats. Beyond that was the dance floor. It was packed. Thousands of couples were on the floor dancing the Lindy Hop, and hundreds of singles hung around the edge waiting for a dance.

"Wow," Rachael said as she and Callen stopped at the top of the stairs that led down to the dance floor.

"Yup," Callen said. "And this is one of the smaller clubs."

Rachael shook her head. "Remind me to not go into one of the larger clubs."

He laughed. "I will. But right now, we have a suspect to catch." He turned to Rachael. "May I have this dance?" He offered his hand.

"Yes you may." She rested her hand in his as he smiled and led her out onto the dance floor.

For the next couple hours, nothing happened. Rachael followed Callen as they danced the triple-Lindy swing, the waltz, the merengue, the 8 count, and East Coast Swing. They were in the middle of another 8 count when Callen's hand suddenly tightened on her shoulder.

"What?" Rachael whispered.

"Nothing," Callen whispered back. "Just follow my lead."

Rachael bit back a reply as they continued to dance. On the next 8 count, Callen swung around so that they were facing each other instead of side-by-side. Rachael shot Callen a worried glance. He hadn't done that the entire evening. He had always swung Rachael around.

"Okay, what's going on?" she hissed.

"Eric, I see him. He's on the edge of the dance floor with a tall brunette in a silver dress and blue high heels," Callen reported. He looked at Rachael. "That."

"Oh," Rachael said. "So what happens now?"

"We keep watching him from afar, but get steadily closer," Callen said, sounding preoccupied.

"Well, you might want to multi-task because it's the waltz now."

"I know," he said as he dipped her. Surprised, Rachael kept her mouth shut as she followed him through the waltz. She knew he was watching the suspect as they travelled around the dance floor. Half way through the song, Callen leaned in close. "Smile. Act like you're having a good time," he whispered.

Rachael smiled at him. "Okay. Though for the record, there's no need to pretend."

Callen gave her a look. "Could've fooled me with all the frowning you've been doing the past few minutes."

Rachael laughed softly. "Sorry. I was concentrating. The waltz isn't my best dance. So when I don't concentrate - "

"Ow, by the way," Callen winced.

Rachael grimaced. "I step on feet," she finished. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I do the same sometimes too."

Rachael laughed. "You haven't done that all night."

Callen smiled at her. "I'll tell you another time. Right now I need you to keep laughing. Pretend like I just said something really funny."

Rachael threw her head back and laughed softly. Callen pulled her a little closer as she finished. Her smile widened as the finished the dance. As the music faded, Callen leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Follow my lead. Giggle a little and hug me tight."

Rachael pasted a hopelessly-in-love smile on her face and obeyed. Not that I mind, she thought. All of a sudden, Callen grabbed her hand and practically dragged her off the floor.

What….? Rachael was confused as the followed. When they were off, Callen turned to face her and pulled her close. His eyes burned into hers with clear desire. Oh. Callen turned and led her to the back of the building and out the back door into an alley. Callen pulled her to the side of the door and put her against the wall.

"Do you trust me?" Callen asked. Rachael nodded, unable to speak. Next thing she knew, Callen's lips were on hers.

What the…? Rachael thought as she stood still in shock. Then she relaxed. She wrapped her arms around Callen's neck and kissed him back as he came in closer. She kissed back harder, enjoying the kiss and the moment. She felt more than heard Callen groan as he pushed her into the wall with his body and deepened the kiss.

The door next to them opened. Rachael was startled, but instead of letting her go, Callen kept pushing her into the wall and kissing her.

"Stay with me," he murmured against her lips. Rachael relaxed again and enjoyed the moment. After a little bit, the door closed again and Callen stepped away. He grabbed her hand. "Come on," he said as he pulled her towards the parking lot.

They didn't speak as they went to the car. Once they got in, Callen spoke.

"Eric. We were made and had to bail. We're safe now. He paused as he listened to the blonde tech's response. "Okay. Keep me posted." He took out his ear wig, put it in the cup holder, and started the car. "Kensi and Deeks are tailing him now, so we can go home," he said to Rachael as they pulled out of the parking lot.

Rachael nodded. So that's why he kissed me, she thought sadly. Still, the memory of the kiss made her heart beat faster. She recalled Callen's groan as he pushed her up against the wall. Maybe there was more to it though…

"So," Callen's voice startled her out of her thoughts. "What did you think? Did you have fun?"

Rachael nodded. "I did." She smiled at him. "You know, for someone who doesn't dance, you sure danced pretty well tonight."

He laughed. "Even though you had to remind me to waltz?"

She laughed with him. "Even though I had to remind you to waltz," she agreed. "though you did pick up on it before I reminded you. So it's not like I did anything."

"Be that as it may," he said smiling, "you were still wonderful undercover partner."

"Thank you," she said, blushing.

"You're welcome. So would you want to do it again?"

"Yes. I really enjoyed it." Though only because I was with you, she thought.

"Good! Hopefully you'll be able to do it again."

"Hopefully." Her smile faded as her thoughts turned inward again. Then again, maybe not. Maybe it was just a cover kiss.

They turned onto Rachael's driveway. As they got closer to the barn, Rachael saw lights on in the apartment.

"Well, Kristina's home," Rachael muttered.

"I'll leave you at the stairs then," Callen said as he parked the car next to Rachael's truck. "Wait," he said as he got out of the car. Rachael smiled as he came around and opened her door. "here you go," Callen said as he offered his hand.

"Why, thank you," Rachael said as she took his hand and stepped out of the car.

"You're welcome." Callen smiled at her. They walked to the foot of the stairs and faced each other.

"Thank you so much Callen for making my first, and probably my last, undercover op so much fun," Rachael said.

"You're welcome," Callen said. He pulled her in for a hug. Rachael closed her eyes as she rested her head on his shoulder. She breathed in his scent before they broke apart. Callen turned and walked towards his car.

"Callen?" Rachael called out hesitantly.

He turned. "Yeah?"

Rachael stared down as she stammered, "The… the kiss…" She looked up. "Did… did you mean it?"

Callen sighed. "Rachael. It was a cover kiss."

Rachael nodded and looked down, blinking back tears. "So there was nothing more?" she asked.

"No," Callen said.

She drew in a shaky breath and forced a laughed. "Alright then," she said. "Glad I wasn't reading into anything. I'll see you later." She turned and walked up the stairs. She held the tears in as she walked to her room. Once the door was closed, she flung herself on the bed and cried herself to sleep.