"Just be careful okay," Zoë said.

"I will, I promise."

With a nod and a soft smile Zoë stood up from her chair and went back to the office, hoping that everything would be over soon.

Luckily the next day they had managed to solve the case but not after Callen had already been captured by Vasiri.

"Hey Callen, good to have you back," Zoë said as Callen walked back into the office.

"It's good to be back."

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just a few minor scrapes. I've had worse."

"It's a hell of a thing you did. I'm glad it all worked out in the end."

"Yeah me too. We got Janvier."

"Yeah we did."

"Good to have you back G," Sam joined the conversation.

"Good to be back." The others had gathered around as well. "Beer and burgers on me tonight. Who's in?"

"I'm in," came the response from Sam, Kensi and Deeks.

"You coming too Zoë?" Callen asked.

"Please come too Zoë, don't let me be the only woman with these guys," Kensi added.

"Sure, sounds like fun," Zoë replied.

They agreed on a place to meet.

"I'm gonna see you guys there, see if Nell and Eric want to join as well."

Callen went to grab Nell and Eric and everyone went to the diner for burgers and beer. It was good for the team to unwind after the couple of days they had. They had finished their burgers and beer but they were having a lot of fun. They weren't ready to call it a night just yet.

"I know a great karaoke place nearby, with private rooms," Zoë said.

"Sounds great. Lead the way," Deeks said.

The others agreed and they walked to the karaoke bar after paying for dinner. There was still a private room available so they went inside. A hostess showed them to the private room and took their drink order. They wrote each of their names down on a separate piece of paper and shuffled them to see who could go first. Zoë was up first. She looked through the playlist and picked the song Cindy Lauper: Time after time. Callen's turn was a little later and he picked Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen. They each took turns. They were having a lot of fun. As the night went on the songs and singing got worse but they didn't care. Kensi, Zoë and Nell did a song together as well. They picked We are family by Sister Sledge.

"Come on guys, you too," Kensi pleaded with the guys after they were done but they were a little reluctant.

"Come on, it's fun," Zoë said.

Eventually the guys gave in and they picked the song In the navy by Village People.

"Now who is who?" Kensi joked after the guys had finished.

"Hmmm, good question," Zoë replied.

"Sam's the SEAL obviously," Nell stated.

"Yeah, Callen's the cowboy, Deeks is the biker and Eric is the Indian," Kensi spoke.

"Seriously?" Deeks interjected. "I'm the biker?"

"Yeah, you ride a bike, don't you?"

"Yes I do, but…."

"No but, we've voted and you're the biker."

"Alright, now time for duets," Nell said.

"But who will go with who?" Zoë asked.

"We pick a piece of paper and that man or woman is your duet partner. A woman and man must be paired up together so we have one group of three or a woman goes twice."

"I've got a better idea," Sam said. "You six can form pairs and I'll be the judge."

"Sure, sounds fine by me."

"Zoë you're up first. Pick your card."

Zoë shuffled the cards and picked one. She picked Callen.

"Alright, Callen and Zoë you're up. Pick a song."

"You pick one," Callen told Zoë.

"Alright." Zoë looked through the playlist and picked the song from Grease, you're the one that I want.

They really got into the song after a few lines and started playing the scene from the movie a bit. It surprised Callen how much he was at ease singing this song together with Zoë. They stood there together like they had done this before. As they were singing they looked into each other's eyes every now and then and there was something in Zoë's eyes, something that Callen had never seen before. Callen didn't know if it was just Zoë being in character for her song or if it was something else. He felt something within himself as well but he didn't know what it was. Everyone cheered when the song was finished. Next came Kensi and Deeks and after that Nell and Eric.

"Alright, I've counted the scores and the winner is…." Sam spoke and paused for dramatic effect.

"Come on Sam, just tell us," Kensi begged.

"Callen and Zoë."

"Woohoo," Zoë shouted and victoriously threw her arms in the air and the gave Callen a friendly hug.

They stayed there for a little while longer before going home. Zoë was the only one who hadn't drank so much so she brought everyone home. Zoë sat in the driver's seat with Sam in the passenger seat. In the back seat Callen sat behind Zoë with Nell next to him, who sat half on his lap and half on Eric's lap and behind Sam sat Deeks with Kensi half on his lap and half on Eric's lap. Zoë dropped them off one by one. Callen was the last one to be dropped off. He had moved to the front seat.

"Thanks for dropping us off. I really had a great time tonight," Callen spoke once they were in front of his house.

"No problem. Yeah, I was nice to just go out with everyone and not worry about bad guys."

"Yeah it is."

"Well, have a good night and I'll see you Monday."

"Yeah see you Monday."

Callen exited the car and Zoë wanted to pull away from the curb again but her car suddenly died. She tried to start it again but it didn't work.

"Car trouble?" Callen asked.

"Yeah, I don't know what's wrong."

Callen looked at his watch. It was just after 2am.

"Why don't you stay here? It's late now so we'll figure it out in the morning."

"You sure you don't mind?"

"No absolutely not."

"Alright then."

Zoë got out of the car and locked it before walking in with Callen.

"I've got a bed in here, you can sleep there," Callen said as he took Zoë to one of the rooms.

"Where are you gonna sleep then?"

"I have a bed roll in the other room."

"A bed roll? Seriously? You don't sleep in a real bed?"

"Nope, don't need it. Anyway," Callen continued, changing the subject. "The bathroom is the first door to the right and my room is one door further should you need me."

"Thanks for letting me crash here."

"No problem. Goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight."

Zoë closed the door to the room and stripped down to her t-shirt and got in the bed. She fell asleep within minutes. The next morning when she woke up she got out of bed and went to the bathroom to use the toilet. When she opened the door to the bathroom her eyes were briefly blinded by the bright light. When her eyes had adjusted she saw Callen standing there in front of the sink with nothing but a pair of jeans on. Callen looked at her stunned as she walked in, wearing nothing but her t-shirt and a pair of panties.

"Oh whoops sorry Callen, didn't realize you were in here. I should have knocked first."

"It's okay. Do you need the use the bathroom?"

It was a few seconds before Zoë responded, she was staring at Callen a bit.

"Yeah but it can wait, I'll wait till you're done," Zoë said and with that she walked out of the bathroom back to her room.

She couldn't get the image of Callen out of her head. She just saw him standing there shirtless. He wasn't obviously muscular like Sam but he still looked damn fine. She shook her head, trying to get the image out of her head. Why was she so effected by this? It was not like she felt something for Callen. They were just friends, right? She had felt something during the karaoke night and now seeing him shirtless she couldn't help but think back to last night when they sung their duet. Was she starting to feel more for Callen than just friendship? She shook off the thoughts and got dressed. She heard the bathroom door open and close so she knew that Callen was done. After using the bathroom she went to the kitchen where Callen was making coffee.

"You want some coffee too?" Callen asked.

"Yeah sure thanks." Callen poured her a cup and handed it to her. "Thanks for letting me crash here last night."

"It's not a problem at all. I hope you slept fine."

"Yeah I slept fine, thank you."

"I already took a look at your car. I jump started it with mine and now it works again."

"Ah great, thank you."

Zoë finished her cup of coffee and went back home.

"I'll see you Monday. Have a good weekend," Zoë spoke.

"Thanks. You too."

Callen watched as Zoë walked to her car and drove off. He didn't know exactly what it was but there was something about her that he liked. He just couldn't put his finger on it. She was part of the team but it was different than with Nell and Kensi, how he felt about Zoë. Did he like her as more than just a friend? He shook his head. Even if there was something more it could never work. They worked together and she was a shrink. It could never work between them. He closed the door and went back inside.

…

It was the middle of November and almost time for Thanksgiving. Callen wanted to do something with Thanksgiving, he wanted to ask Zoë over for Thanksgiving. Callen still wasn't sure about what it was that he felt about her but he really liked spending time with her, she was a really good friend, always a listening ear when he needed one. She knew exactly what to say to him whenever he went to her with a problem.

Zoë was up in her office so Callen walked upstairs and knocked on her door, which was open.

"Hey Callen," Zoë spoke as she looked up when Callen knocked on her door. "What can I do for you?"

"I was just wondering. I don't know if you have plans already or not. But I was thinking about doing something for Thanksgiving and I was wondering if you'd like to come."

"You're asking me to Thanksgiving dinner?" Zoë answered with a smile.

"Yes, if you don't have plans already and if you'd like to."

"Well actually I was gonna go to my dad's house for Thanksgiving."

"Oh, okay," Callen replied a bit disappointed. "It's okay. I was just wondering," Callen spoke backing out of the room a bit.

"You could come with me, I'm sure my dad doesn't mind if I would bring a friend."

Callen looked at her as Zoë said that. Going with Zoë to Thanksgiving at her dad's house? Meeting her dad and other family?

"If you want," Zoë added after she saw Callen thinking about it.

Callen thought about it. It was just one dinner right? He should be able to do that.

"Sure, sounds like fun."

"Great."

"I'll come pick you up then. Say around six?"

"Yeah sounds fine."

"Great."

"It's a date then….. Well not a date, date…. You know what I mean," Zoë said.

"Yeah, I'll see you around."

Zoë watched as Callen left her office. Was it okay for her to ask Callen to Thanksgiving dinner with her dad? It was just one dinner right, just a friends.

…

On November 22nd Callen came to pick up Zoë just before six. Zoë opened the door. Callen looked at her as she opened the door. She looked beautiful in her dark blue dress with a layer of lace on it with a flower pattern.

"Hey Callen," Zoë greeted him. He looked very handsome in his dress jeans with a dark blue shirt on it.

"Hey Zoë, you ready?"

"Yeah let me just grab my purse."

Zoë grabbed her purse and followed Callen to the car. Zoë gave Callen the directions on how to drive to her dad's house. It was only about a ten minute drive.

"Just a question," Callen said as they were driving. "What does your dad think you do? Does he know you're with NCIS?"

"He's knows I'm a psychologist within the Navy, he just doesn't know within which part and he doesn't ask. He knows I can't tell him much about my work."

"Ah okay. Does he know what I do?"

"No, I just told him I'm bringing a friend from work. He knows not to ask too many questions about what I do."

"Ah okay, good."

A few minutes later Callen pulled up to the house. Callen and Zoë got out of the car and walked up to the door. Zoë knocked on the door and a little later Zoë's dad, Ben, opened the door.

"Hey Zoë, come on in."

"Hey dad." Callen and Zoë stepped inside. "Dad, this is my friend from work…," Zoë wasn't sure how she should call Callen.

"Greg, nice to meet you," Callen said and shook Ben's hand.

"Nice to meet you Greg. Come on, let's go eat."

Zoë introduced Callen to her sister Fay as well and they sat down to eat. It was a really lovely evening. Callen was having a lot of fun. It was nice to spend Thanksgiving with a family. Sure he had spent some with Sam as well but it was nice. Zoë had a very loving family. Callen felt quite at ease with Zoë's family. Zoë and Fay cleared the table after they were done and put everything away in the kitchen.

"So Greg huh? He's kinda cute," Fay teased her sister.

"We're just friends. That's all."

"You sure? I could see the way he looks at you and you have that same look."

"I do not. We're just friends that all."

"Alright, whatever you say sis," Fay teased.

Zoë teasingly hit her with the towel to get her to stop. They stayed in the living room for a while just chatting before going home. Callen dropped Zoë off at her place.

"Thank you for inviting me. I had a really great time," Callen spoke.

"Thank you for coming with me. I had a great time too."

"You're welcome. I'll see you Monday at work."

"Yeah see you then." Zoë wanted to exit the car put turned back. "Oh yeah, before I forget. We already went to an American football match together. I was wondering if you'd like to come see a real football match with me. I was thinking about doing that over the Christmas break."

"Is not everything down for Christmas and New Year's then?" Callen questioned.

"Nope, not England. A friend of mine has tickets but he can't go this match. So he was wondering if I wanted to go. I was planning to go to Holland anyways for New Year's."

"A football match in England?"

"Yeah and if you want New Year's eve in Holland.