Disclaimer: All characters and the universe they inhabit belong to CBS and other people who aren't me. I'm just playing around with them for a while.

It takes a year and somewhere around eight months before Callen is ready for that reply. Strangely enough, it doesn't turn out to be a momentous occasion, even though that year and eight-ish months gives him plenty to work with.

For instance, it doesn't happen when Sam is lost in the bad guy's den for a little over an hour because his microphone and camera go haywire. He comes through the experience unscathed, although Callen ends up owing Eric an apology because no amount of proper preparation will anticipate state of the art, black market scramblers and one to Hetty because she's right about not rushing in half cocked.

It also doesn't happen when Callen stays over while a particularly nasty strain of stomach flu coincides with a period of having no particular home. Sam doesn't take off any work himself, but does make sure his partner always has fluids nearby and doesn't bitch too much when Callen gets sick on the borrowed blanket he's wrapped himself up in.

It very nearly happens, but still doesn't, when Sam gets shot. He's wearing a bullet proof vest, but the impact and the fact that he's trying to dodge send him to his knees. Callen almost forgets to breath until he reaches Sam's side and realizes the other man isn't bleeding. Sam turns that megawatt smile on him and squeezes his hand, probably aware that Callen is having flashbacks to his own shooting.

No, it happens around 5 a.m. on some idle Saturday, when he untangles himself from Sam (he swears he never used to be a cuddler before) and lays there counting the days he's been there this time. When the number totals around a month he realizes it's probably time he found someplace else to crash for a while. And that's when that little voice inside his head says don't wanna (apparently his inner voice is a small child, which Nate would probably have a field day with if he ever found out). He reminds the voice he has to, and it asks him why. And that shuts him up for a bit because he realizes he really doesn't have a reason. He knows that even if he packs up right this second it'll only be for a week or so before he's right back here again. And he also knows that Sam's never going to kick him out. And really, that's the bottom line right there.

The way Sam jolts up when Callen shakes him awake would probably be funny if Callen wasn't so nervous.

So I was thinking I'd like to move in, and I'm thinking I better ask your opinion.

There's a couple of seconds of silence as he watches the statement kick Sam's half-asleep brain into gear, so he adds also, I'm in love with you because he figures Sam has a right to know that as well. There's another few seconds pause, then Sam reaches over and flicks on the light.

You're in love with me he repeats slowly, as if he's tasting the words, and you want to move in with me.

Callen nods, because that's the gist of it. Sam grabs the collar of his t-shirt and pulls him close and says at least you woke me up for something worthwhile against his partner's lips.