A/N - just a little chapter looking at things from Sam's side.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1

Chapter 4

"So what's the deal with the freeway and Callen's driving that Tash mentioned?" Kensi asked Sam, as they were driving along the freeway. Sam chuckled.

"You know G's excuse about the back streets being more scenic and interesting," Sam said.

"Yeah," Kensi said.

"It wasn't always that way. He used to claim they were faster," Sam replied.

"And?" prompted Kensi, when Sam didn't say anything more. Sam smiled and remembered the first day he had met Tash, having already met Callen.

"First day I arrived at OSP, walked in on a 'discussion' between those two. First of many. Saw that the two of them were crazy about each other then too," Sam said, indicating as he exited the freeway.

"They were together? Even with his don't date cops rule?" Kensi asked, surprised. Callen hadn't broken his rule anytime since she'd been on the team. Could at least explain Callen's protectiveness of Tash though.

"Yeah, for about six months before she lost her memory," Sam said. "Anyway, I agreed with Tash about the freeway being the fastest way to Santa Monica Pier. They made a bet and had a race."

X

Sam walked into the office and headed over to where his desk was. Leaning against it was Callen, facing a delicate looking, light brown haired woman he assumed to be Tash, who was sitting cross-legged on another desk. They were in the midst of a debate about traffic routes.

"Seriously G, you cannot still believe that it is quicker to get from here to the Santa Monica Pier by going the back streets," Tash said.

"Of course it is. You really think you can get to the pier quicker than me, especially in rush hour?" Callen replied, as Sam walked closer to them.

"Rush hour? I'm not stupid. I'd rather spend rush hour in bed, not on the road." Tash retorted.

"Alone?" Callen asked, raising his eyebrows at her. Sam chuckled. Sounded like these two could be trouble.

Tash didn't answer Callen, but she turned to face Sam, having heard his chuckle.

"Hi. You must be Sam. I'm Tash," she said, holding out her hand. Sam took it and was surprised at the softness of it.

"So Sam, freeway or back streets. Which is faster from here to the Santa Monica Pier?" Callen asked him.

"Easy. Freeway," Sam said.

Tash turned and smiled at Callen, with a quick little raise of her eyebrows. "Two to one," she said. Turning back to Sam she added, "I like you already." Sam felt the same. He had already met Callen, but Tash had been sick at the time. He'd been looking forward to meeting the woman that Hetty had described as a crazy, talented but sweet girl, who balanced out Callen's roughness.

"Let's race then," Callen said. Tash's eyes went wide as she looked around the office.

"You have death wish G? What if Hetty heard you?" Tash asked. Sam could see that it wasn't only him who had a healthy appreciation of the little woman who was now his boss. He had a feeling that most people who worked for Hetty were scared of her.

"I bet you I can beat you to the pier," Callen said confidently.

"And when I win?" Tash asked, just as confidently.

"If," Callen corrected. Sam had a feeling they did this often.

"Uh, Uh. When. What do I get?" Tash asked, with a smile on her face that Sam had a feeling came from having won a few bets against Callen before.

"What do you want?" Callen asked. Sam wondered just what was between the two of them given the tone to Callen's words.

"Dinner. That new place that has a waiting list a mile long. Friday," Tash said. "But if you don't think you can do it..." Tash trailed off with a grin at Callen.

"Oh I can do it, but I won't have to," Callen replied. "So what do I get when I win?"

"What do you want?" Tash asked. Callen raised his eyebrows. Tash gave a shrug. "What? You gave me a choice, only fair," she said.

"I'll need some time to think about that," Callen said.

"Fine. Not like I'll have to come through. So, when do we do it?" Tash asked.

"Now," Callen said.

"Fine. Sam, you want to come?" Tash asked as she turned to look at Sam.

"Sure." Sam replied, "as long as I get to go the freeway." It would give him a chance to get to know Tash a little more.

As they headed for the door, Hetty called down to them, "Where are you three off to?"

"Just taking Sam for a drive to get lunch. Want anything?" Tash called back over her shoulder. Sam was expecting to be called back since it was only ten in the morning.

"No speeding tickets would be appreciated," Hetty replied.

Tash smiled over at Callen, "Hear that G? Watch your speed."

"You were the last one to cop a speeding ticket, not me," Callen said as he walked over to his car.

"Yes, but that was on the job. Your last one wasn't. In you hop Sam. Honestly, I'm not that bad a driver. He's worse," Tash said loudly, so Callen could hear, before she slipped behind the wheel and started the car. As soon as Sam was strapped in, she took off, following Callen out the drive and turning in the opposite direction. Sam stayed silent until they were on the freeway.

"So, what's with you and G?" Sam asked.

"What?" Tash asked, glancing over at him.

"You and he an item?" Sam asked, clearing up his question.

"G doesn't date cops," Tash said, focusing on the road. Sam didn't fail to notice she didn't actually say no.

"Particular reason for that?" Sam asked.

"Something about handcuffs. That was enough to stop me asking questions," Tash said with a little chuckle. Sam noticed she was going a little faster than she should be.

"So you aren't interested?" Sam asked.

"Why would you think I am?" Tash asked. Sam noticed the blush.

"Just an observation. You two seem to have some chemistry going," Sam said.

"Work. We've just spent a week pretending to be married. Probably left over from that," Tash replied as she exited the freeway. He didn't believe her.

When she pulled up at Santa Monica Pier, Tash pulled out her phone and dialed.

"You owe me dinner," she said and hung up. She smiled at him as she got out of the car and leaned against it, waiting for Callen to show up. Sam joined her. A few minutes later Callen pulled in and got out of his car. Tash burst out laughing.

"You got a ticket," Tash said. Sam noted it wasn't a question but a statement. Callen walked over to them.

"Maybe," Callen replied, holding back a smile.

"You know what, lunch is on me. You still owe me dinner and I don't want you ditching because you can't afford it. Usual?" Tash asked Callen. He nodded. "What about you Sam? You trust me to pick something?" she asked turning to face Sam.

"As long as it's got meat," Sam said. Tash smiled at him.

"Meat it is. Won't be long," Tash said as she walked away. Sam noted Callen watched her as she walked away.

"So," said Sam, "You and Tash?" Callen looked back at him.

"What?" Callen said. Sam almost chuckled at the similarity to Tash's reaction.

"You and she an item?" Sam asked, deciding to follow the same line of questioning he had with Tash.

"I don't date cops Sam," Callen said.

"So I heard. Something about handcuffs," Sam said. Callen looked at him.

"If you already knew, why did you ask?" Callen asked him.

"Just checking. You know she gave me exactly the same answer as you," Sam said.

"So?" Callen said, frowning at him.

"Yeah. Neither of you actually answered the question," Sam said, giving a little chuckle. "Does she have a boyfriend?"

"Nope," Callen answered with a small shake of his head.

"Why not?" Sam asked.

"They don't tend to stick around long, plus, she's too busy with work. You'll find that out soon enough," Callen said.

"You behind that?" Sam asked. Callen looked at him for a moment before answering.

"She has lousy taste in men Sam. Sometimes, it's for her own good if they don't stick around," Callen answered and Sam couldn't help but notice the protective tone and the tension in Callen's voice. He was about to ask more when he saw Tash heading their way.

"Here you go G, you can carry. Sam can drive," Tash said, handing Callen the box of food.

"It's my car," Callen said, looking at her.

"Yeah, but anymore speeding tickets this week and Hetty'll take away your keys and I'm sorry, but I like Sam and don't want you to chase him off," Tash said smiling at both of them. "Oh, and don't squash the cheesecake."

"Cheesecake? What kind?" Callen asked as he checked in the box.

"Caramel and passionfruit," Tash said as she walked around to the drivers side of her car.

"But I don't like... Oh Hetty," Callen said, nodding.

"Yep, you'll need all the brownie points you can get. See you at the office," Tash said, slipping behind the wheel.

"Hetty likes cheesecake?" Sam asked.

"In particular, this one," Callen said as he moved to the passengers side. They both got in and Sam started the car.

"You need directions?" Callen asked Sam.

"Nope. Know how to get to the freeway from here," Sam said, starting to pull out of the car park.

Callen groaned and said, "She'd pay for this if she hadn't already brought the cheesecake." Sam chuckled. He was sure he was right. These two were going to be trouble, fun, but trouble.

X

"So if he hadn't been caught?" Kensi asked, after Sam finished his story.

"He would have won," Sam answered, pulling the car into a parking space as they arrived at the place the were getting the food.