A/N – Only one chapter left after this. Thanks for all the support.

Thanks to Pixie Queen Mesa for her review that sparked Sam and his text messages. Maybe not quite what you were thinking but that's what the bunnies came up with.

Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o

Chapter 8

Callen drifted away slowly, enjoying the feel of Jo curled up against him. He checked the clock. It was only 5.30am, still quite early. He stayed where he was, enjoyed the comfort and rightness of being where he was and slid back into a light sleep. He woke again when she slipped away to the bathroom. After a few minutes of reliving the previous night – with a definite smile on his face – he joined her and they tested out just how good the hot water supply was in the hotel.

Callen opened the bathroom door and stepped out quietly. He watched her for a few moments, standing there wrapped in the hotel bathrobe towelling her hair dry. He wondered if there really was a chance with her. Second chances didn't come along often in his life, but was it too much to ask that she deal with the dangers in his considering everything she'd been through already. He didn't want to lose her again, but he didn't know how to be in her life and keep her safe. He was about to move toward her when Jo's phone rang. She answered it on speaker and he unashamedly listened in, trying to learn just a little more about this woman who had never left his heart.

"Hi Mum," a cheerful voice said.

"Tamara. Is everything okay?" Jo asked.

"Everything's fine. Just wanted to see how you are doing. Did you have fun last night?" Tamara asked.

"Yes," Jo answered.

"Did you see him? Was he cute?"

"Yes I saw him," Jo replied.

"And?" Tamara prompted. Jo laughed.

"You know looks aren't important." There was laughter still in her voice and Callen couldn't help the smile that formed on his face. This was the Jo he remember – happy and cheerful, slightly teasing but completely honest.

Tamara giggled, a sound so like her mother's. "So that would mean definitely." "So what are you to up to with Grandpa?" Jo asked.

"Don't change the subject Mum. Was he like you remembered him?"

"Better," Jo said. Callen continued to hear the smile and happiness in her voice.

"You sound happy Mum. Happier than you have been in a long time … Since Dad," Tamara told her.

Jo was silent.

"Mum?" Tamara asked.

"I'm still here," Jo replied. This time Callen thought he could hear tears in her voice.

"Mum, you know Dad would have wanted you to be happy right?"

"I know," Jo said softly.

"Then let me give you some advice someone gave me some time ago," Tamara added.

"What's that?"

"How much you love someone isn't measured by how much you miss them when they are gone, or what we give up to hold onto their memory and keep it just for them, it's what you do with them whilst you have them. Dad's not around anymore Mum. Don't miss out on being happy again," Tamara said.

"Who told you that?" Jo asked.

Callen walked over to her, hearing the pain in her voice and he couldn't leave her alone anymore.

"You," Tamara stated simply.

Callen put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. He saw the tears and reached up to gently wipe them away.

"I have to go Sweet," Jo said. Callen shook his head to indicate that she didn't have to. Jo smiled at him.

"Oh," they heard Tamara gasp. "Is he there?"

"I'll see you soon, okay. Be good for Grandpa." Jo reached down and ended the call before she looked back at him.

"I have an extremely perceptive almost fifteen year old," Jo said as she reached up to brush another tear away.

"Sounds pretty smart to me too. Just like her mother," Callen replied. "You okay?"

Jo took a deep breath before spoke again.

"Cards all on the table. Last night, this morning, was wonderful. I have no regrets. But it was a moment out of time. I got to be me, just me, and do what I wanted for me. But that's so rare. I have two girls. And no matter how great it is between us, I will not be like her."

Callen knew instantly who her was.

"I won't do it to them," Jo continued. "They deserve better and I've been fighting so hard to make sure I'm worthy of them and their love and keep as far away from being like her as I can. Not even for you will I risk that. The girls have to come first. They are a part of me. I'm a package deal G," she said. He wanted to reassure her that he wouldn't expect anything less but he waited because he felt like she wasn't finished.

"If you want me, if you want this to continue then you need to understand that," Jo closed her eyes. "Definitely a great way to chase a guy off," she said softly to herself before opening her eyes.

"I've missed you G and I would love to have you back in my life. As my best friend, even if it means just phone calls and keeping you separate from the rest of my life, if that's what you want or all you can give."

"You don't want?" Callen glanced toward the rumpled bed and left the question hanging between them.

Jo blushed and smiled. "I would love to continue on from here G, to see where this could go. But there are conditions. If you come back into my life like that, you come into my family, not just my bed."

Jo took another deep breath, as if she was gathering up the courage for what she had to say next. "G, there have only been two men in my life and my bed. Dan and you. There's been no one else. You, Dan and Billy are the most important men in my life."

Callen studied her carefully and a memory of something she said to him flashed through his mind from when they were younger.

"You don't think you are important?" she asked him, frowning.

"Not really," he said.

"I'll work on that later."

It hit Callen suddenly just how important he was to her. Aside from the fact that she still cared about him, even after him not contacting her for so many years, and that he'd influenced her life choices. She'd also shared with him something very special, not just allowing him into her bed, but also with not just being willing but wanting him in her life and giving him her love. Something she didn't just give away to anybody. Even just as a friend, she'd loved him, even though they had never said the words. They both had, even if he hadn't really known what love was at the time.

"I'm not going to give you my number. If you want me, and what I come with, I'm sure you are talented enough to find me," Jo finished.

"You've seen the scars," Callen started - his turn for the cards to be laid on the table. "You know my life isn't safe. It can be downright dangerous. I don't always know if I will come home or when, if I do," he said. "Is that really something you want to bring into yours and the girl's lives? A high risk that you all could lose someone else you care about?" Callen asked her. He wasn't entirely sure how he wanted her to answer that, or if he was actually trying to scare her off.

Jo smiled gently. "I would give just about anything for my girls to believe in happily ever after," she said, "but they've lost too much to still believe that. They both know to make the most of what you have because it might not be around for long."

"What would you do if someone took the girls to get to me?" Callen asked. There was always a chance anyone close to him would be a target. She needed to know that.

"That would depend on what you did to get them back," Jo answered. There was no hesitation in her words or her tone.

"Everything I could," Callen swore. It was a promise because if something happened to her girls, or her, nothing would stopped him doing whatever he could to get them back and safe. He knew, even if nothing more came of this relationship, he'd keep an eye on her and the girls, just to be sure.

"Then there wouldn't be a problem." Jo took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she continued. "I could lose the girls before I get home. They could get in the car with their grandfather and go down to the shops, five minutes away, get some milk and be hit by a truck on the way home. It's what happened to Dan," she said.

She'd avoided telling him exactly how Dan had died last night. She'd only said a car accident. Callen hadn't wanted to push for the memory obviously still hurt her. He saw the tears in her eyes and pulled her into his arms.

"If I worried about everything that could possibly hurt them, then life wouldn't be worth living and I wouldn't let them do anything," Jo continued. "Life is full of risks, some you know, some you don't. Some you can avoid; some you can't and some you just have to accept as part of actually living and being happy."

"Do you want this to continue?" Callen asked, now that he'd put managed to make it clear how dangerous things could be if he was a part of her life.

"Yes," Jo said, just as positive as she had been last night when they had taken the next step. She pulled away from him. "Now you need time to figure out whether you do or not."

"Jo," Callen started.

"Please G," she interrupted him. "Please, take your time. Neither of us came here expecting this to happen."

Jo paused, looked at him and tilted her head questioningly. "Did you?" she asked.

"Can't say the thought didn't cross my mind," Callen told her, "but it wasn't planned. I didn't come here to get you into bed. I just came to see you again," he added. "You booked the room though. Did it cross your mind?" he asked.

Jo blushed and her eyes darted away briefly.

"Maybe the thought crossed my mind too, but mostly I booked the room because I remember how you mostly dislike crowds. You're a private person G and I wanted to spend time with you and catch up. I made sure we had somewhere to go so you wouldn't feel a desperate need to run off too soon."

She really did know him well. He had been itching to get out of the room last night with everyone else in it.

"G think," Jo pleaded with him. "Choose carefully, figure out what you want from us and make sure you won't change your mind and walk away again." Jo caught her lip between her teeth briefly before she continued. "Because I don't know if I can let you go again. It was hard enough last time." She picked up some clothes and went to the bathroom to get dressed.

Callen got dressed and was ready to leave when she came out. He watched while she quietly packed her bags and then turned to him.

"Guess it's time to say goodbye," she said, a touch of sadness to her voice.

"I'll walk you to your car," he said. She smiled and shook her head.

"I'll walk you out. If I've got a car you'll memorise the number plate," she said. That hadn't changed either, she still knew him well. Guess he hadn't changed that much after all. After all, it did appear that she had gotten to know the real him all those years ago.

"You know," Callen said with a smile, "it would make it easier for me if you just gave me a number, so when I decide I can get in touch quicker."

"True, but this way, I won't be waiting for it to be you every time the phone rings. I won't wonder if you are just calling because you feel you should. When you do, I'll know it is because you want to," she told him gently.

"Thought this out haven't you?" he asked.

"Just a little," Jo agreed. "Time to check out." She reached out to pick up her overnight bag but he beat her to it. She smiled at him and picked up her handbag, glancing around the room for one last check. Callen took her hand and they left the room.

After Jo had paid the bill, she walked him to the front entrance and turned to him. She looked nervous. Callen pulled her into his arms for a last hug.

"Thank you for coming," she said.

"Wouldn't have missed it," Callen replied honestly. He made a mental note to thank Hetty for her prompting him to come.

Jo looked up at him. "If I'm really lucky, I'll see you again," she said. She kissed him on the cheek. "Bye G. Be good," she told him.

"Bye Jo." As much as Callen wanted to assure her that she would see him again, he didn't. She'd asked him to take his time so he would. He stepped into the waiting cab and watched her for as long as he could as it drove away, wondering once again, if he could do this - if he could still have her and keep her safe with this life. And hoping that he could find a way. He had a lot to think about.

Callen went into the office that afternoon, after going home and getting changed. He hadn't expected to see anyone in on a Sunday afternoon, but Sam and Hetty were both there catching up on some paperwork. Callen went to Hetty first and returned the clothes she had organised for last night.

"No blood?" Hetty asked.

"No blood," he replied.

"Was she worth it?" Hetty asked.

Callen smiled. "Yes," he said. "As I'm sure you already knew. Thanks for your advice Hetty."

"If you are interested in some more." Hetty paused and waited.

"What?" he asked.

"You may want to consider some concealer on that mark on your neck," Hetty told him, her eyes glancing at his neck, "unless you don't mind Mr Hanna making comments about it."

"What mark?" Callen asked, his hand going to his neck. Hetty pulled out a mirror and handed it to him.

"Oh." Callen smiled as he saw it and remembered just how it had gotten there. "I think I can handle Sam," he told Hetty and handed her back her mirror.

"If you say so. I am pleased you had a good time," Hetty said.

Callen grinned at her. "You knew I would, didn't you?" he asked.

"Yes." Hetty glanced back at his neck and then back to his face, a suspicious twinkle in her eyes. "Though," she continued, "I was not thinking about that particular way."

Callen's lips twitched as he tried not to laugh. "Of course you weren't," he said and he walked away. He sat down at his desk, knowing Sam would start asking questions soon. He contemplated messing with Sam's head with his answers but figured perhaps talking to Sam would help him with the decision he had to make.

"How did it go? Was she there?" Sam asked.

"It was good. And yes, she was there."

"You gonna tell me her name?" Sam asked.

"Jo," he replied.

"Jo as in Joanne?" Sam asked.

"Josephine, which she hates," Callen said.

"She changed much?" Sam asked.

"Not much though she's grown up. Expect that after more than twenty years," Callen said.

"She recognise you?" Sam asked.

"Yes," Callen said.

"Do I have to pull this information out of you one strand at a time or could you just tell me about it?" Sam asked.

Callen chuckled. Play time seemed to be over except for one last comment. "Should I just print off your text messages from last night and write a report?"

"Would have been nice if you'd answered them. I was worried," Sam said in a put-on, whiny voice.

"There was nothing to worry about Sam. I was perfectly safe with her."

"What if we needed you?"

Callen shook his head. "Sam, Eric can remotely turn on my phone. Hetty knew I was going to turn it off last night and I told her if they needed me, she could have him turn it back on. Now getting back to last night to quiet the mama bear's nerves." Callen grinned before he continued, earning a Sam scowl in the process. "We had good time, we danced, we talked, we..." Callen stopped there, not quite sure if he wanted to share everything with Sam. Too late though, Sam already knew where he had been going.

"I'll take it she isn't married then," Sam said.

"Why do you say that?"

"Cause you don't have sex with married woman. Too much risk of the husband coming after you," Sam said.

"How do you know that I had-" Callen said. Sam cut him off with the answer before he'd finished the question.

"The mark on your neck G. Maybe you should have taken Hetty's advice," Sam told him.

"Does Hetty know you've got her office bugged? Walking a fine line there, Sam. You know she won't like that," Callen teased.

"No, I do not have Hetty's office bugged."

"That is good to know Mr Hanna," Hetty piped up as she walked past them, from who knows where because neither of them had even known she'd left her desk. "Voices carry in an almost empty office," Sam added by way of explanation.

"She's not married," Callen confirmed. "Her husband died."

"Are you going to see her again?" Sam asked seriously.

"Still have to work that out."

"What's to work out? You like her," Sam stated obviously.

"Yes, but she has kids – two girls," he told Sam.

Sam looked at him and Callen wasn't quite sure but somehow he felt he was bordering on being in Sam's bad books.

"So she's good enough to sleep with, but not good enough for you to meet her kids?" Sam asked.

"Settle down Tiger," Callen said, holding up his hands. "It's not what you think. Of course she is, she's more than good enough. Too good, if you want the truth but never tell her that. You'll need an ice pack," he said. He continued before Sam could. "She has two girls who have already lost their father and others in their lives. Jo's lost so much too. You know what this life is like Sam. I don't want to hurt any of them. I don't know what I'm going to do yet," he admitted reluctantly. Even if he knew what he wanted to do, he still had to weigh up all the consequences of his choice.

"Did she give you her number?" Sam asked.

"No." Callen smiled at the memory. "She told me I was smart enough to find her if I wanted to."

"Do you want to?" Sam asked.

'"Sam," he said.

"Come on G. I'm just trying to help. So far we know that you like her - a lot." Sam glanced at Callen's neck briefly with a grin to confirm his statement. "Do you want to find her?"

"Yes," Callen admitted. "I've missed her Sam. But I wouldn't admit it until last night."

"Then you just have to figure out how you can be in her life, without too much risk," Sam said.

"There lies the problem."

"Only if you want it to be. Does she want you?" Sam asked.

"Yes. However she can."

"Does she know what that includes?" Sam asked.

"Basically, yes," Callen admitted.

Sam raised his eyebrows at the implication of Callen's comment and wondered just how much Callen had told her. "And she still wants you to find her?"

"Yes."

"Well then," Sam smiled. "What are you waiting for? Go get your girl."

"She told me to take my time. Make sure I wouldn't change my mind," Callen replied. He remembered the look on her face when she had told him she didn't think she could let him go again. He knew walking away when they were seventeen had been hard on them both. He wasn't sure he wanted to know just how hard it had been on her but her comment certainly told him it had hurt her – a lot.

"Fair enough." Sam turned back to his paperwork and left him to his thoughts. Callen turned to his but couldn't quite get into it. She was on his mind too much. All the possibilities of being in her life flitting around in his mind. The good, the great, the bad and the ugly. This could take a while.