Callen and Zoë lounged around the airport, hoping their flight would come some. Finally after two and a half hours they could board their flight.

"Hopefully the flight is faster than estimated, otherwise we're gonna be late," Callen said.

"Yeah hopefully."

Before they went up in the air Callen sent a quick text to Sam saying that he and Zoë might be later. After sending that text he knew he would get some questions from his partner about why he and Zoë both were later. Once they were up in the air Zoë managed to get some sleep. Their flight was a little bit faster than anticipated but they were still back in LA too late for work. It was just pas 10am when they landed in LA. They quickly grabbed their bags and went to get the car. They had driven to the airport in Callen's car so Callen drove them back to the office. They were at the office just after 10.30am. Before getting out Zoë turned to Callen.

"Thank you for this weekend, I really had a great time," Zoë told Callen.

"You're welcome. Yeah me too. It was really fun to do. I had a lot of fun. But I'm glad to be back in LA to be honest, the weather in Indianapolis is way colder than here."

"Yeah, I prefer this weather."

"Me too."

"But thank you again, I had a lot of fun."

"You're welcome."

They exited the car and went inside. Zoë took the back stairs up as Callen went to the bullpen.

"Morning," Callen spoke as he walked into the bullpen. The other agents were there as well, they hadn't gotten a case yet.

"Morning," Sam replied. "You're late."

"Yeah, got some traffic on the way back."

"On the way back from where?" Kensi asked.

"Had a weekend training at Pendleton," Callen lied.

"Ah okay."

Not long after Callen arrived Eric whistled them up for a new case. Eric and Nell briefed them on the case and the agents went to work.

"So where were you really?" Sam asked once they were driving in the car. "And what did it have to do with Zoë?"

Callen sighed, he knew he would get these questions from his partner. "It's nothing, just a weekend trip."

"Together with Zoë? I didn't realize you two were a thing."

"We're not a thing. It was just as friends."

"So you took Zoë away on a weekend, just as friends?"

Callen sighed. He never liked it when Sam asked about his personal life. "Okay if you must know, Zoë and I went to Indianapolis to see the Super Bowl."

"Oh so you're taking Zoë to football matches now, I thought that was our thing," Sam spoke, mildly annoyed.

"It's not like that. We got to talking a while back and it turns out she likes soccer and she had never seen a real football match so I told her I would take her to a football match."

"Oh so it was a date huh?" Sam teased Callen.

Callen looked at Sam with an annoyed face and Sam smirked back at Callen. He knew Callen didn't like it when he asked questions like this, but Sam always thought it would be good for Callen to have some sort of relationship.

"It wasn't a date date, we just went as friends. Just like you and me do, but this time it was with Zoë. It's like if I would take Kensi out."

"Okay, if you say so," Sam spoke with a smirk.

"That's all that it was, just two friends enjoying a sports game," Callen spoke, slightly irritated.

"Okay," Sam replied and continued driving.

….

The agents walked up into OPS after Eric had whistled them up for a new case. Hetty was in OPS as well and looked at Nell and Eric once everyone was there.

"Go," Hetty spoke to Nell and Eric.

"Uh, the FBI just released this to all the major new outlets," Eric started and put the video on the big screen.

"Earlier this morning, the FBI apprehended Gavin Knowles, a man, we suspect planned to detonate an explosive device in the city of Los Angeles," the woman on screen spoke. "With his arrest, I'm proud to announce the FBI thwarted an act of terrorism against our great nation.

"The FBI moved in after a bomb detonated in Knowles truck," Eric said.

"And he lived to tell the tale?" Deeks questioned and Eric nodded.

"Apparently, the device started smoking after this car rear-ended him. And Knowles abandoned the vehicle before the explosions," Nell added.

"Well, if it was smoking, it was probably a chemical bomb," Sam said. " And if a fender-bender triggered it, means it was highly unstable."

"Okay, two questions," Callen spoke. "Who is Gavin Knowles, and how does he know how to make third rate chemical bombs?"

"That, I don't know. But what I do know, is that he was a former marine. A medical discharge under honorable conditions after an IED took out most of his squad in Afghanistan," Eric replied.

"And no formal training with explosives?

"Could've taught himself," Kensi stated.

"Give folks a tastes of what life is like across the Afghan border," Deeks added.

"What kind of trouble has Knowles been in since he's been state side?" Sam wanted to know.

"Few scraped with the LAPD, but nothing that would have predicted this," Nell answered.

"If you can predict this! Initial thoughts?" Hetty asked.

"How do we not know about a terrorist plot, right here in LA?" Sam wondered.

"Something about this just doesn't feel right," Callen said.

"Because you smell foul play, Mr. Callen, or because you didn't find Gavin Knowles first?" Hetty said.

"Oooh… and that's why they call her Henrietta the Hammer," Deeks joked.

"Straight up, Mr. Deeks. I just got off the phone with Assistant Director Granger. The man's apoplectic that the FBI got this collar, and not us. After all, Gavin Knowles is a former Marine."

"Granger's apoplectic?" Sam questioned.

"Oh, I heard a vein pop, Mr. Hanna. No joke, I've witnessed this two or three times in the field. I know what to listen for."

"So, what does Granger want us to do? FBI already made the arrest," Kensi spoke.

"Granger wants you to find what you missed. And what the FBI didn't."

"Well, that seem like a great use of our national security resources," Deeks remarked.

"No, guys Granger's right. We should have been all over this," Callen said.

The agents left OPS and went to work. They all drove to the police parking lot where Knowles' car was. The wanted to investigate the car but where stopped by a FBI agent who was not very cooperative. He wouldn't let them question Knowles. Reluctantly he let the agents look over the car. The agents gloved up and looked around.

"When do we get to sit down with Knowles?" Sam questioned as they went to work.

"According to the FBI handbook over there, we don't."

"Well, nobody was hurt, Knowles is behind bars, so that's good," Deeks said.

"Or very bad.. it there's more unstable bombs out there," Callen replied.

"Why do I always have to be the hopeless optimist on this team?"

"Probably because you're the only one that watches musicals," Kensi answered.

"Losing out on our own territory to 'that' guy, no wonder Granger's pissed."

"The evidence so far says Knowles is the guy."

"Well, that's what the evidence says," the heard a familiar voice behind them. They all looked up and to their surprise Nate was standing there.

"Nate?!" Kensi spoke surprised.

"Nate," Sam added.

"The FBI has got this one wrong," Nate spoke and the agents smirked a bit.

They all, including Nate, went back to the office. As they walked into the bullpen Zoë came walking down the stairs.

"Hey Nate," Zoë spoke surprised.

"Hey Zoë," Nate replied and gave Zoë a friendly hug.

"I didn't know you were gonna be in town."

"It was a last minute thing."

"Are you here for work?"

"Yeah, I'm working the case you guys are working right now, I'm part of the FBI task force."

"Ah okay."

"We'll catch up later?"

"Yeah sure, sounds great."

They all went back to work and managed to finish the case. Zoë was wrapping off in her office when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," Zoë said and Nate stepped in.

"Hey Zoë."

"Hey Nate. Thank you for your help today."

"Not a problem. From what I hear you have things under control here though," Nate spoke as he sat down across the desk from Zoë.

"Yeah, I like working here. This really is a great unit."

"That it is. How's Callen doing?"

"Hard to read at times, but I feel like I'm getting through to him and he's opening up to me more and more. I can tell it's still not everything but I think he has made some big steps."

"That's good to hear."

"Did Hetty tell you about the trip to Romania?"

"Yes she did but only from her part. What's Callen take on it?"

"It was hard getting through to him that time. He blamed Hetty for keeping this from him. But after a while he could see why she did that and he's glad he finally has some answers now. There's still a lot missing but he has some more answers now. I kinda pressured him to talk about it, he didn't want to talk to me at first."

"Yeah that's Callen," Nate replied with a smile.

"But I got through to him and he talked to me, I could tell that that was good for him. Slowly I'm getting through to him and he comes to talk to me more and more."

"That's good. It's good to hear that there's still someone he can talk to."

"My door is always open for him and for the other agents."

"How are the others doing? Anything special happen?"

"Not that much, but Kensi did find out what really happened to her father."

"Yeah Hetty told me, how was she with that?"

"She closed herself off a bit but she came to talk to me and that was good for her. She's given it a place now."

"That's good."

"How long are you in town for?"

"I was just in town for this case, on to my next assignment."

"And that will be where?"

"No idea yet. We'll see where I land."

"It was good to see you again Nate."

"Likewise."

Zoë and Nate stood up and gave each other a hug.

"Be safe out there," Zoë said.

"I will, you take care of the team."

"I will Nate, you have my word."

….

It was May now. Luckily for Callen Sam hadn't bothered him with more questions about him and Zoë spending some time together outside of work. Callen got more and more comfortable talking to Zoë about personal things. It was good for Callen to talk to Zoë and he really liked hanging out with her, outside of work too. They had become really great friends.

The agents were working in the bullpen when Eric whistled them up for a new case. There had been a murder and they had to get Renko out of the Point Black Gun Shop and Shooting Range. Kensi and Deeks went undercover pretending to be looking for shooting lessons and Callen and Sam would make contact with Renko. Zoë stayed in OPS with Nell and Eric trying to find out any information they could, if Renko's cover had been compromised. Sam walked up to the register and Callen walked around the shop, carefully making his way towards Renko.

"Time to break up with Martha," Callen spoke to Renko without looking him in the eye.

"That's too bad. It was just about to make a dishonest woman out of her."

Renko walked out of the shop and towards his car. Kensi and Deeks were watching him from a safe distance.

"He's clear," Deeks said.

But before Renko could reach his car, Rich, the owner of the shop, stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

"Where you going, Hal?" Rich questioned.

"Got a burst pipe, Rich. Just got a text. My kitchen's flooding. I should be back in an hour."

"Uh-huh. Pipe can wait. Need to have a word with you. Now."

In a flash Renko and Rich started fighting. The agents rushed to the scene and tried to get Renko out of it. Just as Rich was about to shoot Renko Sam fired a shot and shot Rich.

As there were wrapping up the scene Renko stood there speaking with Kensi.

"Well, I guess I should be thankful to somebody for saving my bacon.

"Oh, yeah? Who might that be, Renko?"

"Hmm, let me see. Callen, Deeks, Sam. Definitely Sam. Think that's about it."

"Really?" Kensi replied with a smile.

"Yeah."

"There's no one else you could possibly think of?"

"There might be somebody, but I can't seem to put my finger…."

Suddenly a shot rang out. Kensi looked up frightened to see where the shooter was coming from and then she looked down on the floor. Renko had been shot in his neck.

They quickly went to the hospital where the team was waiting for an update on Renko. Hetty had joined them too.

"What happened out there?" Hetty asked kinda angrily.

"We're not sure," Callen replied.

"What do you mean, you're not sure? You were there, weren't you, Mr. Callen? Did you secure the facility?"

"We cleared the shop and the range," Deeks said.

"Renko confirmed we had everyone covered," Sam added.

"But you didn't. I mean, obviously there were areas of vulnerability other than the shop and the range," Hetty said.

"Hetty," Callen tried to warn Hetty, this was not their fault.

"I expect to see you all back at OPS, ASAP."

"Not me. Someone should stay with Renko," Kensi spoke.

"Yes, Ms. Blye of course you're right."

They all went back to the office, except for Kensi. The went up to OPS to try and figure this out. Eric, Nell and Zoë were all working hand on identifying what was going on and who shot Renko and what else they could find on the employees of the gun range. They were all up in OPS when Eric got a call. It was a call for Hetty. The others quietly kept discussing the case. When Hetty hung up the phone Callen saw that there was something wrong.

"Hetty?" Callen asked concerned.

"Agent Renko…. Had a cardiac arrest right after surgery. There was nothing they could do for him."

Feeling the tears well up she walked out of OPS. Everyone in OPS couldn't believe what they had just heard. Renko was dead. They put their feelings aside for now and focused on the case. They needed to catch Renko's killer. They continued to work the case and tracked some guys they thought were responsible for Renko's dead to a parking lot. It was a mislead. They were tricked there. Nell managed to track the driver. Suddenly something dawned on Callen as Nell spoke.

"Nell, where was Earl Mayfield shot? Where specifically on his body?" Callen asked.

"Coroner's report states the right mandible."

"The jaw. What about Henderson?"

"Same."

"And Renko?"

"Upper jaw.

"All three shot in the mouth."

This seemed way too familiar to Callen. He remembered this from a past case.

"Guys, our buyer just turned the GPS on his phone back on," Eric suddenly spoke.

"Lucky break," Granger said.

"No. No, he did it on purpose. He wants us to find him," Callen said.

"Who?"

"The Chameleon. It's been him all along," Hetty spoke, putting two and two together as well.

"Where is he, Eric?" Callen asked angrily.

Eric directed them to were the Chameleon was.

"Why would he go through so much trouble? Just to hurt Callen?" Nell questioned.

"He and Callen have history. He promised Callen he would get back at him and hurt the people that he cares about the most," Zoë answered.

"But how did he find out about Renko?"

"That's a good question, Ms. Jones," Hetty spoke.

They watched on the big screen as the agents pulled up to the parking lot. Janvier was standing in the middle of the parking lot with his hands up and a cell phone in his hand. The agents had their guns pointed at him. Suddenly the cell phone started ringing.

"I need to take this," Janvier said.

"Put the phone down now!" Callen yelled.

"You need me to take this, agent Callen."

"Callen! Help me!" Callen heard a woman's voice over the phone.

Janvier turned his head towards the other end of the lot and the agents followed his gaze.

"What is it?" Granger wanted to now.

Eric pulled up the footage and zoomed in on it.

"It can't be," Hetty stated.

"Dear god," Granger added.

"That's Hunter!" Zoë remarked.

Suddenly Janvier disconnected the call and a bomb went off, exploded the car with Hunter in it.

"Oh my god!" Zoë remarked as they saw what happened from OPS.

Janvier had killed Hunter and Renko! After the shooting the agents took Janvier in and took him to the boatshed. Callen was beyond pissed at him. Preferably he would've just put a bullet in Janvier's head after he killed Hunter, but that would be exactly what Janvier would've wanted.

It was part of Janvier's plan all along to get captured. He had a plan of his own set up. But the team made a plan of their own. After they had gotten their asset back and they were about to hand Janvier over Callen pulled his gun out and shot Janvier out of nothing. Callen was arrested and brought to jail. The next morning he was released. Their plan worked as they had anticipated. Callen and Zoë met up at a café.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Zoë asked, as she sat down across from Callen

"As well as can be expected. Did you guys found out anything more?"

"Well, our plan has worked so far, hopefully it continues to do so."

"Are you sure you're okay with all off this?"

"No, but this was the only way. It will work."

"It has to, you're betting a lot on this."

"It's gonna work Zoë, don't worry about me. I can handle myself."

"But I do worry about you. It's not nothing you did. If this doesn't work, you could be in serious trouble."

"I've got this Zoë, I've been in worse spots than this. Don't worry."