Derek laughed. "I always cook, and I'm sure there are safer options for a date. You know the kind that doesn't come with the partner who's a SEAL. I like breathing. That and you're way too high maintenance even for me." He put the plates down. "Emily will be fine and I find that it's easier to let Savannah loose at the beginning. It's so much worse if you postpone the inevitable."
He pushed the plate in Callen's direction. "Like that?" he said as he sat down. "No, it's real stew, with real lamb, done the Irish way." He opened the bottle and poured it into the two glasses he had set there. "Now, sit, eat, drink. It might just be a nicer way to discuss the insanity that goes around, and this way you can also tell Sam that you ate for the day." He stopped just a moment. "How are you coping?" He knew that Sam wouldn't be doing well, but Callen would be feeling this too, whether people noticed or not. "You know that offer is still open, even if you want to come over just for dinner, and just to have somewhere to vent for a few minutes."