Tony met them at the door of the apartment, "So how'd it go?"

Callie and Gibbs shared a smile as Harris answered, "Exactly like I thought it would."

"So it's over? You're done with this?" Tony asked.

Callie nodded, "Yep, it's over. I'm completely done." And the relief in her tone and body language spoke volumes to the other agent.

"So, when do we leave?" Tony continued to question.

"The jet takes us back to D.C. tomorrow. We need to be on the tarmac at the airstrip by 2pm." Gibbs answered, removing his tie and suit jacket.

Callie was unbuttoning the jacket of the suit she was wearing when she had a thought. Turning back to the two men who had been her backbone, she said, "Look, you guys have had absolutely no fun since arriving here in Houston Wednesday night. There are some really great five star restaurants around here along with top of the line entertainment. I want you both to think about this and let me know. There's no limit. Whatever – wherever. Understand?"

Gibbs smiled and looked over to Tony. DiNozzo nodded as if reading the boss' mind.

"Shawnessy's." Gibbs answered.

"I second," Tony answered.

Callie was stunned. "You both realize that there are major steak and seafood restaurants around here. Some of the best in the state and you want…"

Gibbs interrupted, "Shawnessy's."

"Only this time, we dress right: boots, jeans, t-shirts and it's okay to drink on a school night." Tony added. And then quickly deferred, "Right, Boss?"

Gibbs smiled and nodded. "Yep."

Callie shook her head in disbelief, "Alright, Shawnessy's it is. Just let me make a phone call."

They walked into the bar and restaurant around 5pm. Amy nearly knocked them over at the door.

"I was so thrilled when you called!" She hollered, again hugging her friend tightly, "Bar's all reserved. Come on back."

Gibbs and DiNozzo smiled at the petite brunette's enthusiasm as she led the three back to what Callie had supposed would be an empty bar. She was surprised to see several faces she knew. Wheeling on her friend, she accused, "Amy Shawnessy! What have you done?"

The girl smiled, "Couldn't let the opportunity pass. Just called a couple of the old gang and told them to bring their spouses or not for one last 'Fried Night'."

Harris shook her head as she was quickly grabbed by several people who had been standing by, not so patiently, waiting for Amy to finish. Daniel walked around the bar, beers in hand for Gibbs and DiNozzo.

"The girls called it 'Fried Night' because nearly everything they ate was fried. Got baskets of waffle fries, cheese sticks, fried pickles and calf fries on the bar. You guys dig in and when you're ready to order or for a refill, you let me know."

The two agents smiled and nodded and made their way to the bar. Gibbs took a seat on the end and motioned for Karl to join when he saw the driver enter the back. Tony ventured to the bar where Callie stood, eyeing the assortment of foods.

"So, Red?" Tony began, "What are calf fries?"

She looked at her friends who had gathered around the good looking agent like flies around honey. Smiling mischievously, she answered, "Well, you have French fries."

And Amy added, "And you have waffle fries which you tried the other night."

And back to Callie, sliding the basket and dressing across to the man, "And you have calf fries."

And taking one and dipping it in the dressing, Tony popped it in his mouth just as Callie added, "Or bull testicles as their better known."

The girls laughed as Tony quickly grabbed his beer to wash down the morsel he had just unwittingly consumed.

"So that's how this is going to be, huh?" Tony teased, pulling Callie into a hug.

For the next seven hours the food and drinks flowed. It was a steady stream of people in and out that came to see Callie and meet the men in her life. Danny cranked up the music in the bar around 10:00 pm. Although not completely drunk but certainly feeling looser than she had in a week, Callie approached Gibbs.

"Dance with me."

"Harris, what makes you think I can dance?" Gibbs turned on the bar stool to stare at her.

She leaned in, "I saw you with Jenny."

Gibbs gave her a sideways glance. Putting his beer on the bar, he stood up and walked her to the small floor off the bar. Turning her around and pulling her in close, they fell into step with the slow country two-step blaring from the juke box.

"You gonna marry him?" Gibbs asked into her ear.

"Don't know. He hasn't asked." Callie answered, knowing who the 'him' in question was.

"You should, you know. You two are good for each other."

Callie looked up into unfathomable blue eyes and replied seriously, "Thank you for your blessing. It means a lot." She paused before adding, "And, thank you again for ignoring everything I said in D.C. and coming to Houston. I couldn't have made it without you."

Gibbs smiled knowingly and nodded. He then pulled her in close while they finished the dance. Once it was over, Jethro gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and led her back to the bar.

Amy and Danny locked the front door at 1 am. Gibbs, DiNozzo and Harris left the bar around 2 with Karl driving. Callie smiled the entire way back to the apartment.

Gibbs banged on the bedroom door at 10:00 am Tuesday morning. To make their departure, Karl was picking them up from the apartment at noon. This gave them two hours to dress and pack. When he still got no answer or could here no movement, he banged on the door again.

Callie threw it open, "What!"

Gibbs suppressed a smile as he saw DiNozzo sitting on the edge of the bed, head in hands.

"Karl will be here at noon."

"Thanks, Dad," Callie answered sarcastically, "I'm packed. All I have to do is shower and dress."

"DiNozzo?" Gibbs growled.

Tony looked up through bleary eyes, "Same." Was the one word answer.

Gibbs nodded, leaving the two very hung-over agents to get ready. The two hours passed quickly and Karl was soon ringing the bell, signaling his arrival. The three took their luggage down, Callie and Tony both hiding behind sunglasses as they crawled in the back seat of the limo. It seemed no time had expired and they were pulling onto the tarmac next to the waiting jet.

Tony piled out of the limo first, a slight groan escaping as he came face to face with the Texas sun. Turning to the driver before going for his bag, he said, "Thanks for everything, Karl. If you're ever in D.C., call me."

The driver shook the young man's hand and watched him walk away. Gibbs followed Tony out of the limo.

Karl and Gibbs shared a knowing smile, "You gonna have a quiet flight home, aren't you?"

Gibbs nodded, "Yep. It will be the most peace I've had since I got to Houston."

Karl just grinned, "It was a real pleasure to meet you, Leroy. You take care of my Callie."

"Will do, Karl," And he shook the driver's hand and went to get his bag and make his way to the plane.

Callie was out last, lingering near the car. "What's your problem, Miss Priss?"

Callie smiled at the endearment, "Gonna miss you, Karl."

"You can come see me again, you know." He answered.

Harris shook her head, "No. Pretty sure once I get on that jet, this is the last time I'll be back here."

Karl nodded, knowing she spoke the truth, "Then you take care of yourself, Callie." And he pulled her into a crushing hug.

Shedding tears, Callie replied, "You, too, Karl. Thank you for everything."

He broke the hug and turned her toward the plane, Tony having already grabbed her suitcase. She didn't look back but climbed the ladder into the jet and took her seat. As the pilot prepared for takeoff, Callie glanced outside. Karl would wait until the jet taxied out. He always did. He waved one last time.

Callie watched the tarmac speed by and then the aircraft lift off and gain altitude over the city that had been her home for the first eighteen years of her life. Tony watched her closely until she returned her gaze to him.

"Regrets?" He asked.

Callie smiled, "None. That back there?" She pointed the direction they had just left, "That's my past. This?" She continued, pointing at Tony, "this is my future."

Tony smiled. "That's good?"

Callie nodded, "That's very good."

And she moved across to snuggle up close to DiNozzo for the flight home – to pursue the future.