Before they knew it their week of vacation was up. They packed up their stuff and checked out of the hotel. The valet came by with their car and Callen put their suitcases in the car before getting behind the wheel of the car. Callen took the nineteen up north. They went into the direction of La Paz and from there they took the one further up north. They followed the one along the east coast up north. They stopped for the night at Hotel Hacienda Mulegé. The next day after breakfast they continued their way home. Zoë drove this part. She kept on following the one north. They stopped at Hotel Mission Catavina for the night. The next day Callen drove them further up north after an early breakfast. Callen kept driving until he was in LA. He drove to Zoë's place and parked the car in front of her door. He helped Zoë carry her luggage inside.

"Thank you for this amazing trip, I really had a great time," Callen said once Zoë's luggage was inside.

"You're welcome. Yeah it was really nice to do. I had a great time too. But it's also nice to be home."

"Yes it is."

"Luckily we still have about a week off before we have to get back to work."

"Yes we do and why don't we take advantage of it, starting now," Callen spoke with a smirk.

"What did you have in mind?" Zoë asked in a cheeky tone, already knowing what he was hinting at.

"I think you know what I mean," Callen replied as he pulled Zoë to him.

"Hmmmm, I think I do. Why don't you follow me?"

Zoë pulled Callen with her to her bedroom where they had some fun before going to sleep.

…

A week later they had to go back to work.

"Morning," Callen spoke as he walked into the bullpen, only Kensi was there.

"Morning. Did you have nice holidays?"

"Yes I did. You?"

"Just quiet, nothing special."

"Have you talked to Deeks?"

"Not much. He doesn't answer my calls and he doesn't wanna see me."

"He probably just needs some time alone to process what happened with Sidarov."

"Yeah, I just wish he would talk to me. Have you talked to Sam?"

"I talked to him once and we texted. He says he's good. Spending some time with Michelle and the kids."

"That's good."

"It'll take some time to recover from this. All we can do is be there for them."

Luckily the agents had a quiet first day back to catch up on some paperwork. After work Zoë dropped by Callen's place for dinner.

"Have you heard anything more about Janvier?" Zoë asked.

"He's still awaiting trial. Could be awhile before they move him somewhere permanent, but he's locked up with eyes on him twenty four seven. He's not going anywhere."

"I can't believe he would betray you like that."

"We knew it was a risk when we involved him. I still feel like it's my fault. I still feel responsible for what happened with Sam and Deeks."

"G, you couldn't have known this was gonna happen. It's not your fault. Like you said you knew it was a risk involving Janvier but it was a risk that was necessary. If you hadn't involved him we probably would've never gotten Sidarov and the weapons. You are not to blame for his actions. What happened to Sam and Deeks was horrible but they are gonna be okay with time. They are still here, everyone is okay. We got both Sidarov and Janvier. Janvier will rot somewhere in prison. It's not on you. You can't blame yourself for the actions of another man."

"I still feel responsible. As team leader it was my call to involve Janvier. I brought him on and he betrayed Sam and Deeks right under our noses. I should've watched him better."

"I get that you feel responsible but it's not your fault G. It's not your fault. Everything is gonna be okay. Sam and Deeks are gonna be okay. They got family and friends around them who love them and that will get them through."

"I hope you're right. I hope they're back soon, the office feels empty without them."

"And quiet without Deeks," Zoë joked.

"Haha yeah that's true."

They enjoyed a nice day and Zoë spend the night at Callen's place.

…

Luckily the summer passed by quite calmly. Kensi and Callen managed to handle the cases without Sam and Deeks there. Callen had just stepped out of the plane and headed out to the cabs. The cab dropped him off at the prison and he walked inside. He walked up to the desk.

"Special Agent G. Callen, here to see Warden Phillips," Callen spoke to the officer behind the desk as he showed his badge.

"Yes sir, just a minute."

A little later the Warden showed up.

"Agent Callen," the Warden addressed Callen.

"Warden Phillips, thank you for letting me be here."

"Of course. Right this way."

Callen followed the Warden into the prison and was led to a cell. He waited inside the cell. A little later he heard the footsteps of a man in chains approaching. A little later Janvier appeared in his sight and Janvier was surprised to see Callen there.

"Eight feet wide. Eleven feet long. Twenty-three hour-a-day lockdown. Triple life sentence. Priceless."

Janvier stepped up to him. "I didn't think I would see you again."

"I just had to see this with my own eyes."

"Two-hour plane flight just to see me step into a cell. Not much going on at home, I guess."

Callen stepped a little closer to Janvier and looked him dead in the eye before walking out of the cell.

"Did you ever read The count of Monte Cristo? It's the story of a man who spent twenty-one years in prison, only to escape exact his revenge."

Callen just looked at the cell door and he pulled it shut before walking away.

"Agent G. Callen!" Janvier called after him. "The game is not over."

Callen knew that. But at least Janvier was in prison and it would be hard for him to escape from here but he knew what Janvier was capable off. The guards would have to watch him carefully.

Callen walked out of the prison and got a cab towards the airport. He was flying straight back to LA again. He had to wait at the airport for a bit before he could board the plane. About four hours later he was back in LA. When he walked out of the airport he saw a familiar face waiting for him.

"Hey you," Zoë said as Callen approached.

"Hey you," Callen replied and greeted her with a kiss. "You didn't have to come and pick me up, I could've taken a cab."

"I know, but I figured you might need a friendly face after this."

"Thanks, but it's not necessary. I'm good." Zoë just looked at him. "I'm good, I promise."

"Alright."

They got into the car and Zoë drove them back to Callen's place. Zoë went inside with Callen for a bit.

"Sam and Deeks are coming back to work soon right," Zoë asked.

"Yeah, Sam's gonna start back tomorrow. Don't know about Deeks. Have you had any luck talking to them?"

"No not really. Deeks doesn't answer my calls and whenever I talk to Sam he always brushes me off, saying he's alright."

"Yeah, I've had just about the same luck with Sam."

"Maybe when he's back at work I can have a talk with him and I'm gonna keep trying Deeks."

"Yeah that's all we can do for them, let them know we are here for them."

Zoë stayed for a little while before going back home.

The next day they were at the office bright and earlier. Callen found Sam in the gym.

"How's he doing? Passed his evals, right?" Callen asked Hetty.

"Oh, with flying colors."

"So he's good to go." Callen could see that Hetty this had some reservations about this. "Have you talked to Deeks?"

"He appears to be screening my calls."

"That's brazen."

"Indeed…. I'm planning to drop by his apartment today, to see how he's doing."

A little later they were called up into OPS.

"Sam and I will check out the airport. Kensi…," Callen spoke after they were debriefed but Hetty cut him off.

"Uh, you'll be taking Kensi with you Mr. Callen."

"Oh, great, my third-wheel status made official," Kensi replied.

"Not today. Sam has an appointment."

"With who?" Sam questioned.

"With me," Zoë spoke after the doors opens.

"Oh great," Sam mumbled under his breath.

Kensi and Callen left and Sam followed Hetty down to her office.

"You want me to see another shrink?" Sam questioned.

"Uh, I don't think Ms. Moore is 'another shrink.' She knows you, your past."

"And she knows I bounce back fast."

"Still, I want you to see her, talk to her." Sam just looked at her. "Don't make me drag you there."

Sam smiled a little, he knew that Hetty would actually do that if he didn't go. So Sam dragged his feet up the stairs, up to Zoë's office. With a sigh he sat down on the couch. They sat there talking for a while but Sam wasn't really sharing. Callen was never good with opening up but Sam could be very stubborn in situations like this as well.

"Callen got us these amazing tickets at the Lakers game. Probably sold a kidney for 'em."

"Did you go?" Although Zoë already knew the answer, since Sam didn't want to go she went with Callen. It was a shame to let them go to waste.

"No, it didn't feel right."

"Because he's being too nice to you?"

"Everybody is. It's like they're trying to make me feel better when I'm fine. You know as well as I that I would never jeopardize Callen or the others if I didn't think I could handle it."

"I believe you Sam. In fact, I know you put your partner and the rest of the team above your own safety."

"Then you know pretty much all there is to know."

"I'm only here because Hetty worries about you."

"The only way to survive is to let go. I keep a little something behind in case there's a chance to escape or attack, but the rest of me is gone. I see 'em wailing on that guy in the chair. I can't help him. When it's over, I reconnect. And the only things left are some scars. I'm afraid one day I may drift off and never reconnect. Then what happens to the guy in the chair?"

"Only you can answer that Sam. I know what you do to operate, you have always done that ever since you were a SEAL."

"Then what is wrong with that?"

"Nothing is wrong with that. It's just that scars can have a long lasting effect on you. If you don't deal with them they could come back."

"I have dealt with them, I've passed all my evals, still Hetty wanted me to see you."

"She's just worried about you, as are we all."

"I appreciate that, but I'm good. Honestly. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. I've dealt with it and I've moved on."

"There can always be triggers Sam, I just want to make sure you're aware of that and can handle them."

"I know there will be, but I'm fine. Honestly. Can I get back to work now?"

"Yes, you can go. Just know that my door is always open if you want to talk."

"I know."

Zoë walked down to Hetty's office and briefed her on Sam's status before moving on to Deeks. Since Deeks probably didn't wanna come to the office just yet Zoë went to the boatshed since Hetty had asked Deeks to meet her there but he didn't show so Zoë tracked him down to the beach.

"I don't wanna talk," Deeks said when he noticed Zoë was standing behind him.

"Pretty sure you'd feel better if we talked," Zoë replied.

"Pretty sure I wouldn't."

"Look I'm here at Hetty's request but the only one who matters in all this is you. Seldom do we know what we need for ourselves.

"What I need… is sleep."

"Why do you think you can't sleep?" Zoë questioned as she sat down next to Deeks.

"Because every time I close my eyes, my mind just keeps running."

"With what?"

"All sort of stuff."

"The abduction? The torture?"

"Yes and so much more. It's like someone took all my memories and just put 'em into a blender."

"What you went through was a traumatic experience."

"Yeah, but this is not my first traumatic experience."

"No, but maybe something about this one had more impact. Your brain could be trying to make sense of what happened by comparing it to past experiences, but there's nothing that comes close, so it's working a little harder to resolve it."

"Okay, so how long's this supposed to last?"

"I don't think I have a definitive answer for that, but the more you talk about it, the less you're gonna have to work on it in here," Zoë spoke as she pointed to her head.

"So I'm not crazy?"

"Not yet, but if you don't start getting some sleep, you're gonna start to act and feel like it. I'd be more concerned if you didn't act this way after what you went through. You can come back whenever you want Deeks. Nobody is gonna hold anything against you. Everyone is worried about you and they want to help you, but you've gotta let me, you've gotta let them. Maybe talking to Kensi will help."

"Why Kensi?" Deeks questioned, afraid she knew something about their 'relationship'.

"Well, she is your partner right? She can help you get through this. Don't shut them out Deeks."

Zoë got up and started to leave.

"Thank you Zoë."

"You're welcome Deeks."

Zoë returned to the office and briefed Hetty on Deeks' stated before she went up to her office and wrote up some notes of what she had discussed today with Sam and Deeks. After the case was finished everyone went home. Callen dropped by Zoë's place after work and Zoë fixed them up some dinner.

"Are Sam and Deeks good to came back to work?" Callen asked as they were eating dinner.

"You know I can't talk specifics with you."

"I know, I just wanna know if they're good to came back to work."

"Sam is, he's good. With Deeks it's progress but I'm not sure if he's there quite yet. But he's getting there. I expect him back shortly."

"That's good. I'm glad this is all behind us. Sidarov is finally gone and Janvier is back where he belongs."

"Yeah I'm glad it's behind us too."

Callen spend the night at Zoë's place. The next day when he woke up Zoë was lying on his chest and he had his arm around her. He loved waking up like this. Normally he never slept much but whenever he and Zoë spend the night together he actually slept quite good. He wrapped his arm closer around Zoë and pulled her closer. He snuggled against her and just stayed in bed.

"Good morning," Callen said when he noticed Zoë waking up a while later.

"Good morning," Zoë replied as she stretched herself in Callen's arm.

Zoë lifted her head up and gave Callen a kiss. Callen held her in his arms as he kissed her back. Callen turned her around on her back and he was about to go further when they were interrupted by his phone ringing. With a sigh Callen released her lips and moved over to the nightstand where his phone was.

"Yeah Eric," Callen answered the phone.

"Hetty needs everyone in OPS," Eric replied.

"Alright, I'm on my way," Callen said and he hung up the phone.

"New case?" Zoë asked.

"Yeah." Callen moved over to Zoë and kissed her. "To be continued later."

"Definitely."

They got dressed and went to the office separately. Luckily they managed to wrap up the case quite fast. Just before going home Callen dropped by Zoë's office.

"Hey Zoë," Callen spoke as he walked into her office and closed the door.

"Hey Callen, what can I do for you?"

"Nothing, I just came to see what you're up to," Callen said as he approached her. "And seeing if you'd maybe wanna go out to dinner tonight, my treat."

"Hmm, yeah sounds nice. Do you have a place in mind?"

"Yes I have. Shall I come pick you up at six?"

"Sure that's fine." Callen leaned closer to her to give her a kiss but Zoë stopped him. "I thought we agreed not to do that at work."

"Nobody's here now," Callen replied and gave Zoë a soft kiss. "I'll see you at six."

"Yes see you."

Callen left the office and went to grab his stuff before going home. Zoë finished up her rapport and went home too. She freshened up and got ready for dinner. She looked through her closet, deciding what to wear. She had bought a new dress recently and tonight was the perfect night to wear it. She was just finished when Callen knocked on her door.

"Hey G," Zoë said as she opened the door.

Callen was memorized by how she looked. She was wearing a knee-length, off the shoulder dark red dress with a layer of floral lace over it. "Hey Zoë," spoke after a few seconds. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," Zoë replied. "You look very handsome too."

Callen was dressed in a pair of dress jeans with a blue and white plaid shirt on it and a dark blue jacket.

"Thank you, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, let me just get my purse."

Zoë grabbed her purse and got into Callen's car.

"Where are we going to eat?"

"It's a surprise."

Callen drove them downtown and drove up to the Ritz-Carlton. A valet came out to great them and Callen handed him the keys.

"We're gonna eat here?" Zoë asked surprised.

"Yes we are."

Callen and Zoë walked in and took the elevator up several floors. The walked out of the elevator and came to Wolfgang Puck's restaurant.

"Oh my god! We're gonna eat here?" Zoë asked astonished.

"Yes we are."

"Isn't that a bit expensive?"

"Nah, for once we can do this."

"But isn't this place super hard to get into?"

"Yes, but luckily for us there was a last minute cancelation so they had a table for two left."

Callen and Zoë walked in and were greeted by a hostess.

"Good evening, can I have your name please?"

"Walinsky," Callen answered.

"Ah yes, Michael will show you to your table."

Callen and Zoë followed Michael to their table, their table was next to the window.

"Would you like something to drink?" Michael asked.

"Can we have a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon?"

"Of course."

"Are you sure this is not too expensive G?"

"No, not at all. I don't spend that much so had some money saved."

"At least let me pay for half of it."

"No, that's not necessary. It's something in want to do for you."

"Alright," Zoë said, knowing Callen wasn't going to let her pay.

Callen and Zoë looked through the menu. Callen decided on lobster spring rolls and Zoë took the Asian pear salad as started.

"Hmm this is really delicious," Zoë stated after she had taken a bite from her salad.

"Yes it really is."

As main course Zoë ordered crispy chicken and Callen had the prime NY sirloin. Dinner was absolutely delicious and they had an amazing view over the Hollywood hills from the restaurant. As dessert Callen and Zoë both ordered a chocolate soufflé. When they were done with their dessert Callen pulled out a present and put in on the table in front of Zoë. Zoë looked at the rectangular box in front of her.

"What's this?"

"A present for you, open it up."