NCIS Christmas party. Crossover, NCIS:LA and NCIS. NCIS characters include Director Vance, Gibbs, Tony Dinozzo, Timothy McGee, Abby Scuito and Ducky. December 22nd. Callen's point of view.

I arrive at the party and quickly notice Sam at the bar. Kensi and Deeks are dancing . Kensi is in a dress again? A long green dress and Deeks is rocking a power suit. Nell and Eric are talking to Agent McGee and Abby by the bar. Abby is in black as usual and Nell is in a blue mid length dress. I search the room for the other woman in our team, my partner, but I can't spot her. She isn't here yet. I spot Jethro a way off and walk towards him all the while wondering what has made Melissa late. She is late which is unlike her. I hate the NCIS parties there's always way too much talk. At least everyone else enjoys them…. I look around the room and I realise that Melissa is still not here. I've been here over an hour and Gibbs has now joined Hetty, Granger and the Director at their table. I stand by the bar drinking my scotch as I attempt to figure out why Melissa isn't here yet. She has no reason to think she wasn't invited. The Director invited the team himself via Hetty. Hetty then of course took it upon herself to teach us all to dance for the occasion. Melissa being Melissa then decided to make a joke of it and ended up singing a duet of baby it's cold outside with Nate. Melissa was the one who persuaded me to come. I hate these things and would have found any excuse and I took it out on Melissa. I was harsh in saying she had no right to comment on any possible plans I had tonight but that wouldn't keep her from coming would it? She wouldn't stay away because of me? I admit I was a dick earlier but I didn't mean it, not really. Melissa is different, she ties herself down with us and never takes any time for herself and I guess that why I trust her. She's reliable and damn I must have really hurt her feelings earlier. I know she's one tough cookie (Aiden's words only a few days ago) but I could kick myself right now…. Why did I have to snap at her? She's been helping me a lot recently. She helped when Sam and Hetty couldn't get through to me she stepped up and when I came to I found her asleep in my hospital bed with me because for some reason I'm told I asked her too. I wasn't myself but as soon as she did stay Sam told me I started to remember things that I'd been forgetting and that it had been the most rested I had been in a while. I remember waking up and noticing her there, my arm on her waist, simply lying there. I wouldn't have let many people in but I'm glad I let her in. Hospitals scare me, like really terrify me, and her staying with me really helped. She's always there when I need her most even when I try to push her away. She must have a sixth sense as it never makes any sense how she could possibly know.

My mind is wandering when Sam joins me at the bar. Sam is in his suit and looking good and Eric and Nell quickly follow. Eric shuffles awkwardly beside Nell before he offers us drinks and then wanders down the bar to order their drinks as Sam and Nell bombard me with questions.

'Do you know where Mel and Nate are? We've not seen them….'

'Has Mel phoned you? Me and Sam have not heard anything….'

'You think they're alright?' Sam asks concerned.

There's me thinking they knew why Melissa was late….. So Melissa is car sharing with Nate tonight? I hope Nate is being designated driver then. I put my hands up and the questions immediately stop. Sam takes a step back almost bumping into Eric who has bought our drinks down to us including a double scotch that I didn't ask for. Eric does that sometimes. He doesn't even ask just gets one in.

'I'm not sure guys….' I answer looking down guiltily.

'What did you say to her?' Sam asks noticing the change. 'G what did you do?!'

'He didn't say anything. We got caught up in traffic as you do in LA.' Mel cuts in as she appears behind Eric and quickly moves to sit behind Sam on a stool. I quickly breathe a quiet sigh of relief. That could have become a mob… She pulls her black dress back down to her knee as she does. Is that glitter on it too? She's in heels too which is a rarity even when she's undercover. I think I've seen her in heels 3 times in the few months I've known her.

'Well now that's cleared up, night guys. I want to go dancing.' Nell answers pulling Eric away who simply nods in our general direction. Sam turns to lean against the bar between us as I continue to take in the clothes Melissa is wearing. Her hair is down showing up against the blue cardigan she is wearing over her arms. He's staying within striking distance of me and close enough to Melissa to convey interest.

'What did he say?' Sam looks at her. He's suspicious although she's covering it up well. She automatically sits up and I take a sip of my drink.

'He didn't say anything Sam do you think he'd still be standing if he had?' She answers with a smile and motioning to the bartender who immediately comes to serve her. 'He'd have a black eye for one.'

'He's sat down. Hetty would have killed you if you had given him a black eye and you're on the lemonade?' Sam asks surprised taking in what Mel is drinking and she shrugs. I don't know why he's surprised she is always on the lemonades.

'No knight in shining armour to take me home, well there's Nate but I'm pretty sure it will be a taxi home for us.' She jokes as she punches Sam in the arm playfully. I half smile. I'm glad she chose to come, I was starting to worry that I had upset her.

'I'd drive you….' He counters

'It's all good… So you done giving G a hard time now?'

'Nope,' Sam smirks 'Never. Come on G would worry if we didn't.'

'Good I think we make quite a double team.' I would laugh if she wasn't right between her and Sam I have no chance. No-one except Hetty who I would listen to and would let look out for me and I'm thankful that my brashness and stubbornness hasn't affected us one bit. Melissa is still my friend and my partner. I'll be sure to thank her for not dropping me in it with Sam and Nell and apologise for losing it earlier. She was only looking out for me… Nate appears behind us a drink in his hand.

'Hey guys.' He greets the three of us. We all turn to face him at the same time.

'You got a drink?' Melissa notes taking in the double scotch in his hand.

'Yeah.'

'There goes the designated driver.' Sam observes.

'Taxi on speed dial.' Melissa shakes her head. Abby and Dinozzo rush over and Abby grabs Melissa's wrist as Melissa puts her drink down on the bar.

'Can we borrow Mels?' She looks at me as she pulls Melissa to stand. I motion for her to feel free. Nate laughs.

'I see Melissa is in demand.' Nate comments.

'Why wouldn't she be?' Abby remarks looking to Nate with a smile. 'Gibbs needs a dance partner and seen as your team isn't dancing I figured we could borrow her.'

'Melissa please,' Dinozzo begs. 'Dance with him. He's grumpy.'

'We'll need her back. I haven't had my promised dance.' I explain with a wink. I feel cheeky for not clearing it with Melissa first but sometimes you need to bite a bullet.

'Gee thanks Abs, feel like a chess piece now.' Melissa jokes as she follows Abby over to Gibbs. 'I didn't promise you a dance… G.'

'Come on probie Junior.' Dinozzo puts a hand on her shoulder pushing her towards Gibbs.

'You call me that one more time Tony I dare you,' Melissa warns him. Probie Junior?

'Offer's there.' I wink at her. Dinozzo smiles as he pushes Melissa into Jethro. They both quickly fall into a slow rhythm. They both look so comfortable and that surprises me. Jethro doesn't like dancing but here he is dancing with Melissa. Abby and Agent McGee join the dance next to them, then so does Nell and Eric and Deeks and Kensi. McGee watches them interested I notice. He's watching Melissa I realise. That's strange. I spot Hetty, Granger and Director Vance watching from their table further back. I watch for a few moments as they chat while they dance and then as someone cuts in. An older gentleman they both seem to know. Jethro passes whoever it is Melissa's hand then steps towards me and Sam at the bar. McGee looks away. Nate walks over towards Hetty's table.

'Melissa really is in demand.'

'Ducky wanted a dance with his British counterpart. Who was I to deny him that pleasure?' Gibbs explains. So that is Ducky, Dr Donald Mallard… Now I can put a face to the name. Melissa has mentioned the name a few times.

'Why was agent McGee watching you and Melissa like a hawk?' Sam brings it up.

'Probie Junior.' Dinozzo appears behind him.

'Probie Junior?' I query.

'McGee is probie. Melissa being his daughter is probie Junior.' Tony explains.

My mind zones out at the revelation. McGee is Melissa's father?

'Wait, that's her father?' Sam clarifies surprised pointing at McGee.

'Yeah, Agent McGee is Melissa's father.' Gibbs confirms.

'Explains a lot,'

Agent McGee is Melissa's father. Yes she mentioned her father was an NCIS agent but him really? That must be really tough, they were on the same team. Did they know? Do they know? Well Melissa must by the way she reacted to Dinozzo's teasing. That must have been so hard. I look at my partner. She's looking over in our direction. She steps away from Ducky and starts towards us. She seems a little worried. She moves around people dancing and finally reaches us concern etched on her face. We all look away. I can't look her in the eye. I know there'll be pity in my eyes and I don't want her to have to see that. She hates pity just like I do.

'What you guys talking about?' She takes a sip of her drink. 'What's got you so serious?'

'Why haven't you danced with your father?' Sam asks finally looking at her. She automatically takes a step back. She visibly wasn't expected a question in response. She knows that we now know.

'What did you say?'

'Why haven't you danced with your father?' Sam asks again.

'You know. How? Who?' Her eyes flash with anger.

'Me sorry,' Dinozzo looks down.

'Sorry? Sorry! What were you thinking?' She shouts venomously and he simply walks away.

'He thought they knew.' Jethro offers.

'He had no right. No-one has that right!' Melissa takes another step back as Jethro tries to reach out to her and then spins on her heels and leaves as quickly as she can. I watch as she avoids turning around. She wipes her eyes. She must be crying…