Everyone is waiting for Celine and Ryan to get to the break room. Delko, Speedle, and DiNozzo can't help but check Christi out.

Christi, Alexx and Calleigh are all talking. Christi knew what the guys were up to and just ignored them.

"So Christi, what do you think of CSI?" Calleigh asked.

"I think both NCIS and CSI are very similar. Only difference is that our cases involve only Navy men and women." Christi said.

"Interesting." Alexx said.

"Can I ask you something, on a personal level Christi?" Calleigh asked.

"Shoot." Christi said. A wave of worry washed across Christi's body. "Not literately."

"You seem so even tempered. What I mean is, it takes a lot to piss you off. How do you do it?"

Christi giggles and says, "I was raised by an ex-Marine. My dad, I guess it rubbed off on me. He's mine and DiNozzo's boss, as well."

LOCKER ROOM (CELINE)

Celine waited in the locker room for Ryan. When he finally showed up, teased her about her what she was wearing. She steered him to the break room, telling him that she needed to have a cup of coffee to keep her focused on work. The lights were off which got Ryan to question Celine. She just made up some wacky story and opened the door for him. He took one step and all her heard was.

"SURPRISE!"

Ryan went from shock to a wide, teeth showing, and a glowing smile. They all had cake, opened presents and then Ryan, Celine, Eric, Christi and Tony all hit the club scene.

They all went to Sweet Palms Club. DiNozzo had Christi pinned to him in his arms. She had her back against his chest. And she was laughing and giggling the whole time they were dancing. She saw some couple playing tonsil hockey. She rolled her eyes as DiNozzo turned her around and caught her lips with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against her and he smiled at her.

"Tony…." She started but got cut off by him kissing her again. They just continued dancing.

TABLE IN THE BACK OF THE CLUB (CELINE&ERIC&RYAN)

Celine was sipping a blue sky martini, Eric was sipping a beer and so was Ryan. Celine smiled and just stared at Ryan. A minute later, Ryan gave up.

"What?" He asked her.

"Nothing, I just have a special someone's gift in my pocket!"

"Well, handed it over, DeGarmo!" Ryan said, reaching over the table. She slapped his hand. "Alright, alright."

Celine reached her hand out, told Ryan to close his eyes and placed his gift in his hand. Ryan opened his eyes.

"Wow, Celine, it looks very expensive."

"For you I would spend anything, you know that." Ryan looked at the gold pocket watch up and down, inside out. Then he found: FRIENDS FOR LIFE, CELINE3
Ryan looked down and smiled. He was thinking about the one word; friends. They were just friends, and she made it clear. He got rid of his disappointment and walked over to Celine and hugged her. He then took her hand and asked her to dance. She gladly accepted and they went off into the dance floor.

Eric just sat there, sipped his beer every once and a while. After two songs, Celine and Ryan sat back down laughing about a couple and the way they were dancing. A few minutes later, Christi and Tony joined them.

"Could I steel Celine for a sec?" Christi asked.

"Yeah, go ahead." Ryan answered.

Christi dragged Celine out on the dance floor.

"What?" Celine asker her.

"Me and DiNozzo! OH MY GOD, he is a great kisser!"

"Good, it's about time. He's been drooling over you ever since you two got off the plane and you've been lying through your teeth terribly."

"Whatever." She smiled and dance some. "Now, tell me, who is the one you're falling for?"

"I'm falling for Eric." Celine looked down to her shoes. Christi just shrieked.

"I knew it!"

Just as Celine said those words, Eric stood a few feet away. Far enough that the two chicklets couldn't see him but close enough to hear Celine yell over the music. He stood there steadily, leaving his attendance unknown. He took a deep breath and started walking over to Celine. That's when he saw a guy smack her butt.

"Nice ass beautiful!" The guy said to Celine.

"Jerk!" Celine shoved him away but he resisted and grabbed her arms.

"That is no way to talk to a man, you can get yourself real hurt."

"I can do as I please, you have no right to tell me what to do you... you... you... Jackassed moronic idiot who thinks girls are sex toys and maids that do your dirty laundry while you sleep with the bitch next door!" Eric was baffled by her telling the guy off, but when he noticed he guy had gotten even rougher with her, he immediately came to her rescue. He punched the guy right in the cheek, pushed Celine back.

"Leave her alone!" Eric told the guy. The crowd had shifted into a circle around both Eric and the Ass that was hitting on Celine.

"She yours? Best better keep this bitch on a shorter leash."

"That's it!" Eric took another swing and got him square in the jaw. He was going for another one when he felt someone ripping him away from the jerk. Celine was thankful Ryan was there, she had no idea how she would have separated Eric from that guy if he weren't there.

"ERIC!" Celine yelled. Eric was panting, fists at hips height and glaring at the guy.

"You dare come near her and I will arrest your ass! Years in lock up buddy."

"You're a cop?! I'm outta here!" The guy was walking away with a bunch of guys following.

"Eric! Thanks you!" Celine hugged him hard. Everyone went back to their dancing and drinking. Christi whispered into Ryan and Tony ears to give Celine and Eric some space.

"You are very welcome. I'm just glad he didn't do anything worse." Eric replied.

"Me too." She rolled her eyes. "What ever happened to gentlemen who bring you to dinner then a movie? At least wait till the second date, you know?" Eric just laughed.

"Wanna dance?" He asked.

"That sounds great."

The next song to come one was T-Shirt by Shontelle. They danced as one, Celine in Eric's arms.
Her hands were against his muscular chest and her head under his chin; he rested his chin softly on top of her head.
After a couple of songs in each other's arms, Celine finally spoke.

"Eric, I want to go home. I'm tired of the clubbing scene."

"Alright, I'll bring you home. I'll call Ryan to let him know we're gone." He led her out the door. Guys in line whistled and Eric told them off. They finally reached Eric truck.

"Big and bad. Just like you." Celine commented.

"It's also comfy and fits more than one person." That made Celine smile. He opened the door for her and she got in. He then opened his own door and they drove off.

They finally arrived at Celine's small bungalow. Eric walked her to the door. She unlocked it and stepped in, Eric followed her in. She placed her purse on a side table and her jacket on the coat rack.

"I had a nice time tonight. I guess I'll, see you at work." Eric said, turning towards the door.

"Eric, wait! Would you mind if umm... if you stayed?"

"I wouldn't mind at all." Eric turned around and wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked her to the couch, except she didn't sit.

"I'm going to get some comfy clothes on. You don't have any extra clothes, do you?"

"I've got a pair of track pants in the truck. I'll be right back." Eric ran out the front door then back in. Since Celine was changing in her room he quickly took of his pants and put on his track. He took off his dress shirt and sat on the couch shirtless. After about ten minutes, Celine finally came out wearing only a pair of yellow cotton shorts, a baggy navy blue baseball jersey and slippers. Her hair was in a bun and her bangs were held up using a yellow headband.

"You look fairly comfy." Eric said

"You look fairly bare." She giggled and sat next to him.

"I don't have an extra shirt."

"I've got plenty." As Celine said so, one of Eric's eyebrows went up and the other down, then a smile crept on his face.

"You don't really expect me to wear a little pink T-Shirt that says 'Girls Rule'?" Celine smiled at that.

"I have plenty of over sized T-shirts, and none are pink."

She came back into the living room with a white T-Shirt with COP written on the front in black.

"Remember, I am not here as a COP." She giggled.

"Just put it on. Personally, I prefer you without the shirt. But you might-"

"Then off it is." He smiled and took off the shirt. He then placed his arm around her shoulders then pulled her into his bare chest, which she thought looked and felt so great.

They spent the evening on the couch but they ended it laying the length of the couch, Celine in front of Eric, his arm around her body and her leg around his leg. She was sound asleep and he was just watching her. Then eventually fell asleep.

While watching her though, he was debating whether he should tell her that he had overheard her conversation in the club with Christi, or if he should just leave things as they are and unfold as they would...