Mince pies. Callen and Melissa make mince pies. December 15th.

Monday night and I arrive home from work after hitting the gym. I don't usually go to mainstream gyms but I fancied a change. I walk straight into the kitchen and grab out the open carton of milk from my fridge door and drink from it. It's cool and refreshing after my workout. My thirst quenched I put the lid back on and put it back in the fridge door. I shut the door with a flick of my wrist. I watch as it shuts taking in the photos and handwritten notes that I have left myself. My eyes rest on my baking list.

Christmas Cookies

Gingerbread men

Mince pies

Peppermint Creams

Yule log

The first two have been ticked off. Kensi and Nell helped me out with those. Mince pies sound lovely right now but I don't think I have enough time. G is supposed to be coming over. Nell and Kensi would tease me if they knew. He mentioned a gift wrapping mission which is basically code for 'I need help. I'm out of my depth.' but he doesn't want to admit it. G never likes to admit when he needs help. I decide to text him to see if he's still coming over and whether I would have time to make mince pies.

'What time you coming over?'

'Say 7?' Comes the response.

'Cool. See you then.' I reply back before I place my phone on the kitchen counter. Its 5:30 now so I should be able to finish making them before G is due. I'm really fancying them now. I dive in to my cupboards and dig out the ingredients I need and set to work…

Before I know it I've managed to make 3 batches with the premade pastry and mincemeat. I'm putting the 4th batch into the oven when G saunters into my house. I look at the last tray. I'll need to cut some more stars for the tops. I'm going to need more mincemeat too. I've been good so far, I've only eaten 2.

'What you doing?' G asks as he places his bags of presents and a roll of paper on my living room table. I'm rolling pastry as he does.

'Making mince pies. I thought I had another half hour before you got here.'

'Can I help?'

'You want to help me make mince pies?' I look at him in disbelief as I ask.

'Yeah, looks kinda fun.'.

'Ok, can you grab the mincemeat and start filling those up?' I point to the tray with the premade bottoms. 'Mincemeat is on the second shelf right hand side of the cupboard behind me.'

'Got it boss,' Callen nods as he moves around me smiling. His hand rests on my shoulder for a minute as he does. 'It smells really nice in her. Very festive.'

'They taste gorgeous too but I'm biased.'

'Nothing wrong with taking pride.' G answers as I pull the tray a little closer to me and he places the jar of mincemeat on the counter. I start to cut out some stars happy that the pastry is the right thickness. He's watching me closely with a smile.

'What?' I enquire after a minute still cutting out stars.

'You're smiling.'

'Am I? So?' He's made me aware that I am.

'It's good. It's catching.'

'Fill those up.' I point at the bases nudging him gently with my shoulder. He does as I ask. We finish the mince pies one by one until G speaks again.

'So why you baking so many?'

'Treat for the team. Do you know Deeks has never eaten a mince pie?'

'Really?' G laughs looking at me as I place another star on a filled pie.

'Yeah. Crazy I know. I was going to put them in gift boxes and take them in tomorrow but you can always have an extra one for helping.'

'Thanks.' He laughs as I put more stars on top of the filled bases.

'So how bad is this wrapping mission?' I ask motioning over to G's supplies.

'Sam, the kids, Michelle, Deeks, Kensi… that's it.'

'No present for me?' I look shocked for effect and shake my head.

'Well….' He laughs. He knows I'm joking. He dives for the bag of flour and I'm not quick enough to stop him. He's got some in his hands before I wrestle the bag of flour away from him. I face away from him and put the flour further away before I turn back.

'G no!' I attempt predicting his next move.

Too late he's blown the flour into the air and its falling all around us. He's laughing. It's falling everywhere. All over me, my hair, my face, my arms. It's falling on his arms too.

'Great.' I moan. 'You're a messy cook. More for me to clean up.'

'Oh I'm sorry…' He gives me his best sorry look. 'But you do look cute with flour in your hair…'

'G Callen using the word cute it must be Christmas! Help me tidy up this mess will you?' I nudge him and motion to the freshly made mess as I place the finished tray in the oven.

'Ok… Am I forgiven if I do?'

'We'll see…' I answer trying to sound unsure. He smirks as he realises that I'm not even mad at him anymore. I don't think I ever was…