A/N: Hey guys. Here is the latest chapter in Rachael and Callen's adventure. Please make sure to review it too so I know how I can make it better. I hope you enjoy it!

Rachael set down her glass and threw her head back laughing. It was the 4th of July and the whole team was there to celebrate. Sam's family was also there, and Rachael had gotten to meet his wife Michelle and their daughter Kamran. Eric and Nell were also there. When they first arrived, it had taken her a few minutes to realize they were together. It was obvious from the start that Eric doted on Nell, but it wasn't until they kissed that she figured out it was returned. The only person that was missing from the gathering was Hetty, but she supposedly had other plans for the day.

She took a deep breath to try and slow her breathing. She took a sip of her water to calm herself down even more. Beside her, Callen was still doubled over, somehow keeping his beer from spilling. Kensi, who was next to Deeks, looked only mildly amused.

"Oh, come on Kens!" Deeks complained. "You know that's a good one."

"Yeah, if I hadn't heard it 15 times already," she replied. She stood up. "I'm going to go get a beer. You guys want any?"

Callen, who was now recovered, lifted his. "I'm good."

"Yes please!" Deeks called after her.

"You can get your own!" she threw over her shoulder.

"Aw, come on Kens! Kensilina?" he called as he got up and followed her up the stairs to the apartment. Their table was on the grass at the foot of the stairs. When Deeks was out of sight, Callen sat down his beer and turned to Rachael.

"Alone at last," he murmured, cupping her cheek with the hand that hadn't been holding the beer.

She closed her eyes and leaned into the caress. "They haven't been here that long," she murmured. "And they're not going to be gone long."

"Long enough for me to do this," he said. He leaned forward and kissed her. She kissed him back. After a few seconds, they ended it. Sam, and consequently Michelle, was the only one who knew they were dating. Well, Sam and Hetty. Kensi knew about the one date, and Deeks still hadn't figured out that it was Rachael that Callen went on a date with. Sam had intervened there. As she pulled away, Rachael saw amusement flash in Callen's eyes.

"What?" she asked.

"If Deeks had seen that. . . " he let the sentence hang and shook his head.

She laughed quietly. "His eyes would've popped out of his head and he would make a loud fuss for a week straight." Callen had filled her in on the team's reactions that first day.

He chuckled. "A week? Try a month before he would begin to think of letting it drop. Another six for him to fully forget."

"You know we're going to have to tell them eventually." She started down a well-worn path.

"It's only been a week." Callen said his well-practiced return. "Let' give it a little more time. Besides," he smiled. "I want to see how long it will take them to pick up on it."

"We could make it obvious," Rachael suggested, feeling a smile play on her lips.

"How?" Callen asked, grinning. "Making out in front of them?" His eyes were gleaming at the thought.

"No," Rachael objected, a look of horror on her face. "I was thinking a little subtler like holding hands. You know I hate to draw attention to myself."

"Then why announce it at all?" he asked distractedly. He was focused on her lips again. Apparently his idea of making out had gone to his head.

She sighed. "Because I feel like they need to know." She paused and he met her gaze, scattering her thoughts with the intensity in his blue eyes. She searched for coherency as he leaned closer. What was I going to say? Rachael scrambled as he smirked and moved his chair closer. She finally remembered as he set her on his lap. Oh! She put her hands gently on his chest. "I don't want to hurt them, and I bet Sam's probably going around with a gloating smile on his face, leaving Kensi and Deeks in the dark, wondering what they're missing."

Callen gave her a distracted half-smile. "You got that right, but I still don't understand why we have to tell them." He was focused on her lips again.

"Remind me why we have to keep it a secret again?" Rachael asked, her brain scattered.

"You don't," a third voice said from behind Rachael. They turned.

"Hetty!" Rachael exclaimed, getting off of Callen's lap. "You came!" She gave the shorter woman a hug.

The operations manager chuckled as they broke apart. "Only for a minute dear. I came to drop off something that will make Mr. Callen very happy." She removed a bottle from the paper bag that was in her hand. She offered it to G, who was now standing behind Rachael.

A smile broke out on his face as he read the label. "Tequila?"

Hetty nodded.

He chuckled and took the bottle with both hands. "Come to Papa." He turned and went up the stairs.

Rachael smiled and shook her head as she turned back to the operations manager. "Let us walk," Hetty said. They walked down towards the ring, past Sam who was cooking on the grill and the rest of his family. When they were out of ear short, Hetty turned to Rachael. "How are you doing, my dear?"

Rachael smiled. "I'm doing great. I love it here. Well," she amended after a pause. "I'm not a big fan of the 110 degree days."

Hetty chuckled. "No one is." They walked in silence for a moment. "And the nightmares?" she asked.

"Gone," Rachael said confidently. The past couple nights, Callen had slept in the guest room to see if they nightmares would return when she was on her own. They hadn't.

"Wonderful." Hetty smiled. "And how are you and Mr. Callen doing?"

Rachael shrugged. "Honeymoon phase, just like any new couple. Wait until we have our first argument and ask me again."

"A very insightful answer, Rachael," the old spy replied. They stopped by Hetty's car. Rachael hadn't noticed when they turned around. Hetty opened the door of her Jaguar. "Well, I must be going. Enjoy the party!"

"Wait, Hetty. What did you mean that Callen and I don't have to keep us a secret?" Rachael asked. It had been bugging her during their walk.

"Exactly that my dear. What else would I mean? Now, enjoy the party!"

"I will. Thank you for stopping by, and thank you from Callen for the tequila."

Hetty chuckled as she got in the car. "You may not thank me later, but in the meantime, you are welcome." She closed the door and drove away, leaving Rachael wondering what she meant. Above, the sun was starting to set, and the smells coming from the grill made Rachael hope it would soon be dinner time.

"Dinner!" Sam yelled, as if on cue. Rachael smiled and headed that way. Kensi, Deeks, and G came down the stairs from the apartment, and Michelle and Kamran came over from the fence where they had been petting Jet. Eric and Nell showed up at the back of the group seemingly out of nowhere. Everyone grabbed a plate and lined up for food. In addition to the hamburgers, they also had baked beans and macaroni and cheese. Once they had food, they all sat down at the table that was set up at the foot of the stairs. Callen sat down at one end with Rachael on his right and Eric and Nell on his left. Kensi and Deeks were on the other side of Eric, and Michelle and Kamran were next to Rachael. Sam was at the other end of the table. Everyone dug in, but Rachael bowed her head. She felt a hand on hers.

"Mind praying for the both of us?" Callen asked softly. Rachael smiled back and quickly said a blessing. When she had finished, Callen leaned over and gave her his customary quick kiss before they started to eat. Silence reigned over the table. Rachael looked up and saw four sets of eyes staring at her and Callen. Sam was grinning as he prepared his burger. Michelle and Kamran were eating as if nothing had happened. Rachael blushed a deep red.

Kensi was the first to move. Her astonished look turned into a genuine smile. "It's about time Callen got a girlfriend. Congrats!"

The rest of them shook off their astonishment and followed Kensi's lead, Deeks being the last. Rachael stared down at her plate, blushing and muttering thank-yous. Finally, everyone started eating, but the conversation didn't resume. Finally Kensi spoke up again.

"So how long have you two been dating?"

"About a week." Callen answered before Rachael could.

"And how long have you guys been living together?" Deeks asked.

Rachael shot Callen a look of pure panic. He laughed and gave her a one armed hug. "It's okay honey," he whispered in her ear before he let go. He looked at Deeks. "It's a little more complicated than that, but about two weeks."

"How - " Kensi started to ask, but a look from Sam stopped her. After that, the conversation thankfully moved on. The rest of dinner flowed smoothly, and Rachael found she was able to join in the conversation after a bit. When everyone was done eating, Rachael took all of the dishes, with Callen's help, up to the apartment to wash them. The others stayed down below to set up for watching the fireworks.

Rachael felt Callen's eyes watching her as she did the dishes. Thankfully he didn't try to help. He just let he work out her embarrassment and ensuing anger as she scrubbed.

I can't believe I forgot where we were when we said the blessing! She thought as she scrubbed a plate. I should've kept my wits about me. Can't believe that he embarrassed me like that! She dumped the silverware into the sink. Especially after I told him not to draw attention to us! 'Something subtle' I said. 'Subtle but obvious.' And what does he do but kiss me! Of all the obvious things to do! At least it wasn't making out but still!

She reached for another dish, but there were none left. She braced against the sides of the sink and bowed her head, her thoughts in turmoil. She felt Callen take the brush out of her hand and gently grab her hands. He pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Rachael took a deep breath. "It's okay. I forgive you." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm going to miss having you here," she murmured against his chest.

"I don't have to leave." she felt his voice rumble in his chest as he spoke.

She sighed and leaned back to look him in his deep blue eyes. "Yes you do. We've talked about this."

"Let me rephrase that," Callen responded. "I don't want to leave." Her brown eyes beckoned him to loose himself in them. He resisted their pull and focused on her words.

"G, I'll be fine," she reassured him. "I've gone the past week without nightmares, and the past two nights I've slept by myself. I'll be fine without you."

"I know that," he said, pulling her back into the hug. "I still don't want to leave." He breathed in her scent. Please understand what I'm getting at, he silently begged.

"G," she said slowly against his chest. "I don't understand. We've talked about this. We agreed that I would be fine."

He took a deep breath and pulled back a little. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "I know you will be fine. And I'm happy that you don't have nightmares anymore. I'm not hesitating to leave because I'm worried that they'll come back when I do."

"Then why are you hesitating to leave?" Her confusion showed in her eyes.

Callen sighed and leaned down to kiss her. She kissed him back, her confusion still very evident. Slowly, so as to not frighten her, he deepened the kiss and let his passion and his need show. He put his hand around the back of her head, keeping her where she was. He felt her arms go around his neck and wind around. When they broke apart, he was breathing heavy. She was out of breath as well. He leaned her forehead against hers. "Oh," was all she had to say.

When he caught his breath he asked, "Do you understand now?"

"Yes," she whispered, still obviously processing what he'd meant.

"And now you think I'm no better than Brett," he said. He started to pull away.

She held onto him. "Not true," she said softly, her voice clear. "You have the decency to ask. He didn't. He demanded."

He felt a small bit of hope spring up. "So does that mean. . ."

She shook her head. "No. My answer is the same to you as it was to him."

G nodded and looked away. He felt her hands on his face, turning him back to her. He refused to meet her gaze, shielding her from the disappointment that was coursing through him.

"G," she said softly. "Look at me. Please." When he still refused to look at her, she sighed and continued. "Just because I give you the same answer doesn't mean I think of you the same way I thought of Brett. I think of you a thousand times better than I thought of Brett. If I was to say yes to anyone, it'd be you." Startled, he looked her in the eyes. She simply nodded. "But I made the decision and promised a long time ago to wait. And so I'm going to wait."

"Are you sure it's not just because you don't feel the same way?" he asked, giving a voice to his disappointment. He saw hurt and disbelief flash across her face before she brought his head down and kissed him with as much passion as he had kissed her. He groaned as he crushed her to him, reveling in her responses. He weaved his fingers through her hair, knotting it as his hand kept her face to his. His other hand roamed down her back, finding bare skin at her lower back and trapping her against him. She pulled herself up to him, pressing herself even closer to him along the length of his body. She felt soft, despite the desire that was raging through her. He lifted her up and set her on the counter, never breaking the kiss, to make it easier for her. Instead of the timidity and the end that he expected, she kissed him back even harder, wrapping her legs around his waist and holding herself close to him. He felt his control slipping as he broke it off. Heaving, he leaned his forehead against hers.

"Wow," was all he had to say as he gasped for breath. "There's a little devil in the angel after all."

"Huh?" was her confused reply.

"Nothing," he panted back. "If we don't stop now," he continued, his voice husky. "You're not going to be able to wait."

She was breathing just as heavily. "I want to do it," she whispered roughly. "So help me God, I want to."

"But?" he asked, picking up on her hesitation.

"But I can't. And I know I will if you stay."

Then why can't I stay? Callen thought. He didn't ask it though.

She picked up on it anyway. "I know. I want you to stay. I want to give in. More than you know. But I can't. I made a promise and a choice, and I'm not going to go back on it."

"And there's nothing I can do to convince you otherwise?" he asked, his breathing finally normal.

She laughed. "Logically, no." She laughed again as she sat up to look him in the eyes. "But you are a wonderful kisser."

His heart leaped at that, and he leaned in to give her another. It was supposed to be a gentle kiss, but it didn't stay that way. His hands knotted in her hair and her legs pulled him closer. He was about to take her to the bedroom when she pulled away. "We should go join the others if we want to see the fireworks."

"But we have fireworks of our own," he joked as he backed away and helped her down.

She laughed as they walked to the door. "Come on." She pulled him out the door and down the stairs. Callen laughed with her and allowed himself to be dragged. As they walked down the stairs, she turned to him. "What did you mean by 'there's a little devil in the angel after all'?"

He laughed. "Of all the things to bug you, that's it?" She glared at him. He laughed again and then explained, "I've just seen you as heaven's angel for the past couple weeks. The strength and devotion you had, it made me wonder if you were at all human sometimes. It surprised me that you felt that way about me and that you responded like that."

She nodded and turned to face him. "Never doubt how much I feel about you ever again."

He smiled and nodded. "I won't."