Notes:Thanks for taking the time to look over my story.
This is the latest of my stories based in my "Sacrifice" series.
This story is a bit 'darker' than my previous fics, and shows Callen losing control of his anger in a way that we haven't seen. Writing his anger, and what happened to Nell have probably been the hardest things I have ever had to write as part of this "series".
I would also like to thank everyone who has left comments, reviews, comments or favourite any of my stories/chapters, they have been greatly appreciated, as has that fact that you have chosen to read any of my fics.
I hope you enjoy it.
I do NOT own NCIS:Los Angeles or any of its Characters. I'm just borrowing them
#######
"Yes. Okay… Of course I still love you" he replied, quicker than he would have preferred
"Then don't go… don't leave me, not again" she pleaded
….
Actually speaking the words, admitting that he still loved her, hit Callen hard.
It was one thing to have had the thoughts or still have the feelings… but being able to actually say them out loud, after so long… was both liberating, and terrifying.
He had been gone for 2 years, done more damage to her and his friends, than he could ever make up for. What was he meant to do now… for the longest time he had wished he could be at home, with Nell. But he didn't fully know what she had done, how it had affected her. And that was before he considered the things that he had done, the things done to him and if there was still enough of the man he used to be, left.
All those things were quickly forgotten once he turned to face the young woman and found that smile on her face looking at him. She could have been a cannibal ready to eat him, and that smile would have probably put him at ease.
"I have to go though. I don't have a job here anymore."
"So!. Quit, and stay here. At least until there's an opening here"
"I can't do that. After everything, I'm lucky that NCIS will still take me. Even if I did… what am I supposed to do? Sleep on Sam's couch till a position becomes available"
"You don't need to sleep on anyone's couch. You could … You can come home, with me" She offered
….
"So that's what you needed Marty for. You could have told me" Kensi told her young friend
"I don't know if it was a mistake. But I had to at least try"
"So he still left, I take it"
"He did. But he wants to stay in touch" Nell answered, in a quieter than usual voice
"How about we go grab some dinner, and maybe a few drinks?"
"Thanks, but I think I just want to go home and watch a Blu-ray. Have a quiet night, you know"
"Okay. But I'm just a phone call away if you change your mind"
….
When Nell got back home, she just wanted to get into bed and curl up in a ball. 'You should never let any man make you want to curl up in a ball' she thought to herself as she got out of her car.
It wasn't till she got to her door that she realised that something was amiss. She dropped her door key back in her pocket, and reached for her SIG. It was times like this that she wished she had taken Sams advice about replacing her door and window locks, with something more secure.
Looking into the house through the gap, she could see the silhouette of someone seated on her couch.
"Federal agent" she said as she opened the door and took aim at the intruder with her Service weapon
"I thought you would have at least replaced the locks."
"G? What're you doing here?. More importantly, how did you get in?" Nell asked, switching the light on
"The spare key was still under the flower pot."
"What are you doing here? I thought you were going to Naples"
"… an Alarm would have been a good idea too"
"What the hell are you doing in my house" She demanded, as he stood and turned to face her
When he didn't answer, Nell Tucked her Glock back in her holster, and closed the door.
"No matter what's happened, you should be able to talk to me freely, about anything" she urged
"I don't want to be thousands of miles away from you" Callen said, so quietly that Nell almost didn't hear it.
When she was sure of what she had heard, she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. Pulling him in for the hug that she had wanted since he had admitted that he still loved her
….
"…So I ended up moving in with Kens for a few weeks. It was thanks to her that I moved back in here. We just moved anything that was yours into the spare bedroom"
"Why not just bin everything and start fresh. Especially once I was considered dead."
"They weren't my things, and it wasn't my place to decide whether or not to keep them"
"…What about after they declared me dead?. You could have done anything you wanted with them. Hell, you could have sold this place and moved somewhere else"
"I didn't sell the house because I have good memories here, and as for your stuff, maybe I wasn't ready to get rid of it just yet. Look, when you took off… I didn't feel that I belonged here. But I moved back, and things started to come back to me, and I remembered that I feel safer and more at home here, that I did in the house I grew up in" She watched him, looking for any reaction, no matter how small
"I don't know all of what you've been told. But did you think that your absence wouldn't affect anyone?. Sometimes it was good like me finally be able to take on a role in the field, Marty finally leaving the LAPD to become an Agent. Sometimes it was bad, like the dozen analysts that replaced me, that Hetty scared off or Hetty retiring after you were reported dead" She added
"That's just it Nell. I caused so much harm through my actions. Things that I can't even begin to imagine how I could make up for what I caused"
"We're just glad to have you back. The past can stay there, in the past. If Sam and I can forgive you, then maybe you can start to forgive yourself. I'm not saying forget, just telling you to try and forgive yourself"
Callen looked like he was seriously considering what she was suggesting he do. But she knew it would never be that easy with him.
"So, what you mean to say is that you still have my chair!?"
"Yes G. I still have that tatty old chair of yours" she replied, with a chuckle
….
Nell had been lying in bed for several hours, unable to get to sleep. She had tried counting sheep or playing other games in her head. She had even considered getting up and washing the dishes, or at least she would have if Callen hadn't insisted on washing them. And there it was, the thing keeping her awake wasn't work or insomnia, it was that he was in the next room. After so long, they were both under the same roof once again. She had wanted him to sleep with her in their bed, but he had insisted on baby steps, at least for a while, after all they hadn't really been together in a long time.
At some point after 3am Nell swore she could hear someone talking. After it continued for some time, she climbed out of bed and left the bedroom, following the speech. Although she only had to follow it next door, where she found Callen rolling about the bed, speaking in multiple languages. She tried gently shaking him awake, but no luck, It was only when Nell turned on the bedside lamp, that Callen opened his eyes and sat upright.
Callen looked about the room, almost in fear, before he turned back to face Nell.
"What's wrong" he asked, when he saw the distress in her eyes
"You sounded like you were having a nightmare. I tried waking you, but… you seemed to be pretty stuck in whatever it was"
"I'm sorry Nell. I didn't mean to wake you"
"You didn't wake me. Do you want to talk about it?. Could help" Nell offered, as she sat down on the end of his bed
"I think I just need some coffee" He replied, getting up from the bed "D'you want some?"
"I'm okay G. but if you change your mind…"
"I promise, I'll come to you"
Nell knew that she couldn't make him talk to her unless he wanted to. All she could do was make sure that he knew she was there for him.
….
"Yeah, I think that's why Granger is even more pissed than usual"
"Honestly… I don't really care Kens. I've got him back home"
"So… things are okay?"
"Well… yeah. He says he wants to take things slow, that a lot of time passed, and that he doesn't want to rush us back into a situation that could end up hurting either of us"
"Does that mean you've spoken about what happened while he was gone?"
"Some of it, yeah. Why?"
"Nell. Have you told him about what happened with Andy?"
Kensi watched as Nells face suddenly got very pale
….
"What are you gonna do, G. Seriously, What sort of job can you expect to have… Work for a PMC or Security company?"
"I don't know. I've not thought that far ahead. Right now, I have the opportunity to have a second chance at something that I thought I had ruined. If that means I have to flip burgers for a living, then so be it."
"You know, if Michelle heard you right now, she'd say you were an old romantic"
Callen looked right at his friend, ready to analyse the response to his next question
"What about you Sam? What's your opinion of me?"
"Easy. Whether you work along side me or not. You're still my 'brother', and It'll be good to still have you around"
"Admit it, you preferred beating me in the gym, than beating Deeks. That's why you're glad I'll be sticking about" Callen joked, with a wide grin plastered on his face
….
Hearing the door open, Callen turned off the TV and got up, heading towards the kitchen
"Long Day?" he called through
"Yeah." Nell replied as she walked into the kitchen a few steps behind him "Glad to be home" she added, before reaching up and placing a tender kiss on his cheek
"What d'you fancy? Still got some of the Spanish Chicken left from last night, or I could make you an omelette" He offered
"an Omelette would be great"
Hearing this, Callen started cooking her an omelette.
"So what've you been up to today, anything exciting?" She added
"Had to write a CV, and applied for a couple of jobs online. Other than that, just cleaning and mowed the lawn"
"Must be hard for you, I mean starting fresh after so many years doing jobs that no one was to know about. So what sort of job's did you apply for?"
"there's a sorting job with USPS, a Delivery job with a florists and a security job at a local bar"
Nell didn't know how to respond... Be serious, or make a joke out of it
"well… that's something. I mean it's a good first step"
"It's okay, you can joke about it…" he started, almost reading her mind "...I never really saw myself as a mail man, but at least I'd have an excuse to carry a gun, and wear shorts" he added
Looking over at Nell, he was glad to see that she had been amused by his comment.
….
After Nell had eaten, they had both sat down on the couch to watch some film that Nell had insisted he had to see. By the time the credits started rolling, Nell was fast asleep, resting her head on his shoulder.
He didn't want to wake her, but she needed a proper sleep in a bed, not awkwardly curled up against him on the couch. Grabbing hold of her, he lifted her from the couch, making sure to support her, and carried her through to her bedroom.
He debated trying to change her into something more comfortable than a pair of jeans and a hoody. But he knew that he didn't want the first time he would have seen her in anything less than a towel, to be while she was unconscious. Instead, he laid her on the bed, and started to pull a throw up over her.
Retreating back to the hall, he pulled her bedroom door shut.
They had been back living together for over a week, they were still not sharing a bed, and nothing had happened between them beyond the odd kiss and the frequent hugs. He knew that she wouldn't have minded sharing a bed again, she had said as much to him. But he was afraid that after so long, her memory of him, would not be the same as the man himself.
Granger was probably right to have insisted that he needed to receive counselling, The fact that he was no longer with NCIS didn't change the fact that it was what he probably needed. The nightmares from the last few nights had been difficult to shake off. He didn't relish the idea of seeing a doctor, especially a shrink. However he needed to find a way to start to process what he had been through. Especially if he had any intention of staying with Nell, and really making it work.
That night he managed to get to sleep quite quickly, and hadn't been plagued by memories or nightmares. At some point during the night he woke up, someone creeping into his room.
"Psst. G. Can I get in with you. Please?" he heard Nell ask quietly
He didn't say a single word, instead, he lifted the quilt to let her slide in. He may not have been in a rush to sleep in the same bed as her, but having her there and now, delighted Callen in a way he couldn't have expected.
She slid right in, snuggled up against him. Protectively, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her closer.
That was the last thing he remembered from that night, before he too drifted off into sleep.
….
Next thing he knew, it was morning and Nell was in a panic. Not sleeping in her own bed meant that she didn't have her alarm clock to wake her, Only being woken by someone thumping on the front door.
"That's Kensi, I've got to go." Nell said, ash she pulled on some clothes
"Car keys are in the kitchen. See you later, Love you" she called out before she slammed the door closed behind her.
….
The next few nights played out the same way. They each went to bed in their own room, then at some point during the night Nell could appear and ask to sleep with him. After the first few nights, Nell stopped asking and instead just slid into bed with him. Although by this point she started bringing her phone with her, so that she had an alarm to wake her up in plenty of time. Callen ended up not going to sleep at night, instead waiting till Nell joined him. Not that he would admit it, though.
….
"I've got an interview for one of the jobs I applied for" he confessed as they were finishing dinner
"Which job?" she asked, genuinely curious
"The one with the Post Office"
"I realise I never said anything, But, you don't have to rush out and take the first job you can find"
"I know. But I've been living here again for a few weeks, and I actually need to start contributing. Just because I accept a job, doesn't mean that I have to do that job till the day I die. Now, how'd you fancy going out for a drink?"
"That'd be nice" she replied
When they returned home Callen mentioned about going to bed. Nell however, had had enough. They had been sleeping together anyway, and she just wanted them to both go to the same bed together, at the same time rather than going to separate beds and having her join him several hours later
"Come on. We're sleeping in the same bed anyway. So why not go to bed together for the whole night" she pleaded
"Okay… But just because I'm going to sleep with you, doesn't mean you're getting in my boxers" he replied in jest
"Is that right?" She replied in a very seductive voice
….
"You didn't!" Kensi stated
Nell responded with a cheeky wink
"… and…?"
"If I said it was better than I remembered. That still wouldn't do it justice"
….
"You let her seduce you!?. Come on G. I thought you had self restraint man"
"Is this the 'little sister' talk?"
"No, not that. I just thought you were the one in 'no rush'"
"Sam, I .. If this was because of … 'all that time without', it would have happened a lot sooner, believe me. This… What can I say. I thought that maybe she just saw me for who I used to be" he started explaining
"But she see's who i am today. She accepts these" Indicating his scars "the nightmares… the things that I've done. She accepts them, and accepts me. You know, I once told Kensi that I would give up the job for Nell. Now I have, and I don't regret it"
Looking on the face of his best friend, all he could see was understanding
….
"Welcome back to Government work G." Sam said, indicating everyone should raise their glass
Everyone took their turn at congratulating Callen, on his new job.
Despite what Nell had told him, He knew that she still felt that she had forced him into the job, despite him telling her many times that it had been his choice, and that she had not forced him into anything.
Apart from that, they had settled back into old habits, with him cooking for her almost every night, watching films together and once again sleeping together in the same bed, all night. It was almost as if they had never been apart, with the sole difference being that they were no longer working together.
….
A few weeks later
Walking round the Grocery store, in-between picking items from the shelving, the pair started talking about their work day"
"…so Chris lifts Frazer's prosthetic when his back's turned, when Frazer realised, it was gone, he started running round the place looking for it, shouting 'Who's got my arm'. So Chris gets up behind him, and smacks Frazer on the ass with his own arm. No bad feelings, everyone just erupted into laughter, even Frazer"
Nell had to admit, it was good seeing Callen enjoying the job that she was certain he would have hated. The fact that he was getting on with the people he was working with was a bonus.
"So what dya think?, beer or wine?" Callen asked, waking Nell from her thoughts
"I think I some wine, just for a change" she said, lifting down a couple of bottles into the cart.
As they reached the end of the aisle, someone bumped their cart onto Callen and Nell's
"Oh, sorry. I didn't see you.." the stranger started, before stopping when he recognised Nell "Nell?. Nice to see you" he continued, glancing at Callen "This your Dad?"
Callen looked to Nell, looked quite shaken up
"No. This is my boyfriend Greg" Nell eventually replied, in a much quieter voice than Callen had been used to hearing her speak in.
"Well. You know where to find me if you want to drop the crypt keeper over her" the man added, before he rushed off towards the registers.
Callen started moving the cart again, heading round to the next aisle. He wasn't going to ask who that guy had been or how Nell knew him, even if he had his suspicions. If she wanted to tell him, that would be okay. That didn't stop him wondering though.
"You're probably wondering who that was back there" She said as they started loading the groceries into the car
"Yeah, I suppose I am. I wasn't around for a long time, so don't feel like you have to explain anything" he replied
"His name's Andy, I dated him for a few weeks not long after you left. Things… didn't work out, so we broke up. Nothing more to it"
Callen knew that there was more to it than Nell was saying. The fact that she had got very quiet, and had started fidgeting was enough to convince him.
….
Several days had passed, and Nell still had said no more to him about the mysterious ex. She was more withdrawn than normal, nervous and was purposely avoiding any physical contact.
He had promised himself that he wasn't going to ask anything, but every day, seeing her a shadow of her normal vibrant self, was worrying him.
So either he either had to actually ask her, or he had to ask people who would know. The question was whether he asked Kensi first, or he asked Eric. He knew he would get answers quicker if he asked Eric, but something told him that Nell may not have shared whatever had happened with the tech. So that meant Kensi.
*Knock Knock*
"Callen. Nice to see ya. You here to see Kens?"
"Yeah. I just need a quick chat, if that's okay"
Sitting down at table, He could see that Kensi's marriage had done wonders for them both. Here was an apartment that she lived in, that didn't have every surface covered with dirty clothes or empty take away containers. Where as Deeks looked tidy, shaved and a hair style that didn't look like it had been stolen from his dog.
"Hey Callen" Kensi said as she sat down in the next chair. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I need some help, to do with Nell."
Kensi agreed to help if she could. She sat and listened to Callen's concerns and curiosity.
Watching Kensi's reaction when he mentioned the guys Name, told him that whatever it was that Nell had kept to herself, it was bad, and Kensi knew what it was.
"Why'd you flinch when I said his name?. Come on Kens, There's a reason for how she's been acting, and it's all since he ran into us"
Callen was starting to get worked up, that his friend was hide whatever had happened to Nell in his absence.
"If I could tell you, I would. But I promised here I wouldn't discuss this with anyone, especially you"
"Kensi, You've known me a long time, you know sooner or later I'll find out what the deal is. I'd much rather you be honest with me, so I know why she's reacting the way she is" Callen stated, his voice being angrier than Kensi could remember
"Take it easy Callen" Deeks said, interrupting and grabbing hold of Callen's shoulder as he placed himself between the ex special agent and his wife.
"Take your hand off me" Callen practically growled
When Deeks didn't, Callen snapped, quickly getting up on his feet, grabbed a hold of Deeks and slammed him into the refrigerator
Adding in an equally loud and angry voice "Don't say one more fucking word Deeks, or I swear to god I'll smash you into this fridge so hard, that you'll be able to see the imprint of your face every time you want to grab a beer"
Kensi tried to unsuccessfully pull Callen off her husband
"He beat her, That's why they broke up. Now let him go!"
Hearing those words, hearing Kensi admit that someone had hurt Nell, physically and emotionally drained Callen. He let Deeks go and stumbled back a few steps till he collapsed back on the seat.
"They were ok for a while, then he started getting possessive until he just beat her. It was just so unexpected, if she hadn't of managed to get her gun, and scared him off, god only knows what he would have done to her" she continued
He wasn't the only one shocked by what Kensi had said. Deeks had looked at his wife, having an unspoken conversation as to whether what she said had been true.
"Did anyone do anything?, Did she report him to anyone" Callen asked, interrupting the couples 'conversation'
"No." Kensi started as she too returned to her seat. "She hadn't been an Agent for that long, she thought that if she reported it… she thought we wouldn't trust her to have our backs, that we wouldn't think she was strong enough or capable enough"
"So you just did nothing!. You let him get away with it" Callen stated, sounding weary
"She begged me not to tell anyone. She's my partner. I'm supposed to have her back!" She tried to explain
Callen stood up, before slowly moving toward the door
"The only reason I was able to leave her, was because I thought that you would all watch out for her, protect her… and you did the polar opposite. What's his name… surname?"
"McEwan" Kensi offered
Before leaving he apologised to Deeks then slammed the door behind him
Looking back to his wife for answers Deeks asked
"You didn't think you could trust me with this?. We could have done something, stopped him. There didn't have to be any reports, or anything."
….
[…]
"Sorry Nell. I've not seen him. If he calls me, I'll tell him to give you a call"
[…]
"Okay. Bye"
Putting his phone back in his pocket Sam turned to face Callen
"So what's this all about?" the ex SEAL asked
And Callen started to tell him everything that had happened, what Kensi had told him,
"I need you to get Eric to find this guy for me"
"G. I can't do that. You do anything to this guy, you'll end up in prison"
"That's a risk I'm willing to take. He can't get away with this, get away with doing this to anyone"
"You're not angry because of what this guy could do to someone else, you're angry at him for hurting Nell, and you're angry at yourself for not being here to stop it."
….
It was after 3am before Callen managed to drag himself back home. After leaving Sam, he went to a bar, and drank like there would be no tomorrow. When the bar had closed, he started walking home, and that took quite some time since he could barely walk in a straight line.
He hadn't managed to get inside without making much noise, not that it mattered since Nell was sitting on the couch waiting for him to get home.
"Kensi told you didn't she" he managed to slurr
Nell simply nodded
Looking at her face, it was obvious she had been awake for quite some time, and her eyes were puffy, suggesting she had been crying quite a lot that night.
He couldn't stop himself, he stumbled over to the couch, sat down beside her and slipped his arm round her, pulling her closer
"It'll all be ok" he once again slurred, before kissing the top of her head.
….
The following morning his head was pounding, the curtains being wide open letting lots of light in, did nothing to help the headaches
"Here" Nell said as she placed a glass of water and some paracetamol tablets, down in front of him.
"You okay?" he asked, after taking the pills
Nell sat down beside him, before responding
"I didn't know how to tell you. I know I should have told you when you came home.." she started before Callen interrupted her
"You didn't have to do anything . I was in the wrong for 'asking' Kens, instead of you"
"Uh huh. Kensi didn't say that you only asked her"
"Okay. So I asked, and may have gone a bit crazy" Callen explained
Nell stared at him, waiting for him to be more honest
"Okay, Okay. I went a BIG bit crazy. I did apologise though"
Once he admitted that, he could see a fraction of a smile creep onto the young agents face
"I was ashamed that didn't see the signs, that I let myself get caught off guard. That's honestly why I couldn't bring myself to tell you, tell anyone other Kensi"
"I should be honest with you, and admit that I tried to convince Sam to find out where 'Andy' lives."
He could see terror appear on her face, so he added
"He refused. Said I'd wind up in prison. And that it's me I'm really angry with"
"It's not your fault"
"If I hadn't of left you, you wouldn't have even met the bastard"
"G. When I met Andy I still didn't remember being involved with you, So even if you hadn't of left, I could've still met him, got involved with him and got hurt."
"You're the strongest person I've ever met Ms Jones" he said, vocalising his amazement at the young woman
….
[…]
"Yes Madam Secretary, I understand. But Mr Callen no longer works for NCIS, so I can't assign him the case"
[…]
"Yes"
[…]
"I will see to it, Yes."
[…]
"and thank you Madam Secretary"
"BEALE" Owen Granger screamed
Moments later the Tech rushed into Grangers office
"Find Callen, then send Hanna and Deeks to bring him in. Now"
….
"No way. I don't care what he wants. I don't fall under his purview any more"
"G, Just come with us. Saves him getting an arrest warrant for you"
"And what am I meant to say to my supervisor, Sam?. It's bad enough that you had to flash your badge when you asked for me, now I have to explain why you're taking me away in the middle of my shift"
"Give him the usual BS. Just say you're a witness for a federal investigation" Deeks suggested
"Fine. You want to go and get the blindfold ready, I'll be back in a minute"
….
"You have to be joking!?"
"I wouldn't have had you brought in if I had a choice in the matter" Granger explained, clearly displeased by the situation
"I don't work for you anymore, it's that simple"
"If you comply, I've been authorised to re-hire you to OSP in Los Angeles"
This got Callens attention
"Okay, on two conditions"
Granger glared at the former agent, waiting for his conditions
"First, I pick who accompanies me, and second, a favour to be specified later"
Callen leaned back in his chair, waiting for Granger to give in to his demands
"Done, Provided you want neither Beale or Hanna"
"I want Deeks, and I want Nell"
….
"Don't even pretend like you don't still have a Go-bag ready. I know where you hide it" Nell joked
"I'll be right back" Callen said, closing the car door.
"Why'd he pick you and me, instead of Kensi and Sam?" Deeks asked
"I don't know why he chose you, but G and I have a history with Captain Owens, so I think that's why me"
Deeks checked his mirrors, feeling awkward with the young agent after recent revelations.
"I'm sorry about Gs behaviour towards you last week. I should have told him when we ran into Andy. It would have saved you ending up with that bruise"
"Nell, Callen's already apologised. I'm just upset that you didn't feel that you could tell us at the time. We wouldn't have thought any less of you"
"Thanks Marty"
….
"Welcome aboard the Iwo Jima. The captain has requested you be brought to his cabin, if you'll just follow me" a Petty Officer instructed the agents
"Any more ideas why he would have specifically requested you" Deeks asked Callen in a whisper, as they followed the sailor
"Still no clue. Like I told you, we didn't part on the best of terms"
"So how d'you want to play this then?" Nell enquired
"Don't hide who we are, and don't take any shit. He tells us one lie… we walk. Agreed?"
"Agreed!" both Deeks and Nell replied
….
"Last time we saw you, you were captain of an Aircraft Carrier, now your captaining an amphibious assault ship. I wonder, is this a reward or a punishment for 'selling favours'?"
"Very funny Mr Callen"
"How about we get down to business, and you tell us why we're here"
"We have had a number of Firearms, and ammunition go missing over the last few weeks. The same thing happened during my last weeks on the Seahawk, In that case, I was advised by NCIS that it had been pinned on Crewman Smithe after he was found to have been in possession of several of the missing firearms, a few years ago"
Callen looked over to Nell, concerned about her potential reaction to the mention of Smithe.
"…I'm the only link between what happened on the Seahawk, and what's happening here. None of my crew made the move with me. I need you to clear my name"
Callen returned his focus to the Captain, confident that Nell was coping with everything
"Okay. We have orders from SECNAV for your ship to go dark for 48 hours. No communications in or out, no crew or aircraft to depart or be permitted to land without prior approval. Any personnel that have already left will be detained under the same conditions where they land"
….
"You having any more luck with the interrogations?" Nell asked as Callen and Deeks collapsed on the chairs in the compartment. All of them being more than aware that they were running out of time.
"Nothing. If anyone knows something, they're doing a good job of hiding it" Deeks offered
"The only thing that I can find that seems a bit out of the ordinary, is requisitions for eight replacement missiles, to replace faulty ones"
"Why's that odd?" Deeks asked
"It's because all missiles are tested before being sent to Naval stations to be loaded on ships. For more than a couple to be reported as faulty so soon after leaving port, seems highly suspicious." Callen explained "Let's go take a look at these faulty missiles"
….
[…]
"Yeah, they were hiding in a hidden compartment in one of the crates. But we still don't know who put them there"
[…]
"Right, Will do!"
….
"What do you have for me, Mr Callen"
"We're taking you into custody, Captain. We have orders to escort you to DC for questioning"
"Can I inform my XO what's happening?"
"No, I'm afraid not. He'll be contacted shortly, with orders to take the ship back to Mayport"
"You're enjoying this aren't you Callen!"
"After our previous encounter, I think I'd be entitled to take a little pleasure from this. But I'm not, because there are more important things to me, than some grudge from years ago. Now, are you going to cooperate, or should I let my agents get the cuffs?"
….
"Are you going to accept Grangers offer?, come back?"
Callen looked at Nell, seeing how tired she had become on this assignment, but knowing that she wouldn't even try to get some sleep without an answer
"Honestly, I don't know. I want to… but things would be different"
"Think about it. We'd all be glad to have you back 'home' with us, me especially" Nell suggested, before she leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder.
Callen stayed awake for the rest of the flight, cautious to move in case he woke Nell.
Shortly before they landed at Andrews, Callen pulled the badge off from his belt. Looking at it in his hand, thinking about the good and bad, if he returned to work at OSP.
….
"I need you to find someone for me Eric" Callen asked, after making sure no one else was in OPS
"Who am I looking for?"
"Andrew McEwan"
….
Callen had been waiting patiently in the car park for over an hour. But now 'he' was home, Callen could do what he had come to do.
Getting out of the car and Quietly walking up the stairs, he asked himself once again if this was a good idea"
Quickly picking the door lock, he let himself into the apartment, closing the door behind him. Slowly he moved further into the apartment, ready to react. Seeing the light shining from under one of the doors, Callen pulled his gun out ready.
Certain that there was only one person in the room, he stepped back then kicked the door open, revealing his target.
McEwan moved to attack Callen, once he recognised Callen, and recognised him as a threat. Despite be punched in the gut, Callen willed himself forward, quickly grabbing McEwan by the neck, before slamming him into the bedroom wall, and pressing the barrel of the gun to his temple.
"I wouldn't make a noise if I were you" he actively suggested.
McEwan responded only by trying to nod his head
"I take it that you remember me. See I'm not normally a bad person, I don't let a lot of things bother me. But when I find out that someone very important to me has been beaten, that sort of thing really bothers me"
McEwan didn't struggle, He had no idea what was going to happen to him. He just hoped that if he complied, that he could maybe be left unharmed, even if he was starting to doubt that possibility.
"You beat a young woman, you did so thinking that nothing could or would happen to you. And for a while, you got lucky… because I didn't know about what you did until recently. Now, personally, I really want to kill you. But she's a good person, and wouldn't want me to. So what I'm going to do, is let you walk away with a warning. You try and contact her again, go near her home… I'll find out, and come back and finish the job. You see her on the sidewalk, you cross the street. You tell anyone about our 'little chat', I come back and shoot you. Hell, you'd probably be better off leaving LA, if you know what's good for you. You understand me?"
All McEwan did was nod his head rapidly, desperate to survive without being beaten or shot
"Good"
Callen let go of McEwan, turned round and left the apartment.
….
"You done?" Callen was asked as he slid back into the car
"Yes sir. All done"
"Good. Then I'll see you in the office at 0900" Granger responded, before getting out of Callen's car
….
"You were out late" Callen could hear Nell ask in a very tired voice, as he slipped into bed
"Sorry I woke you, I had something to sort with Granger, that couldn't wait" he said, as he pulled her closer to him. "Everything's gonna be okay now" he added before placing a soft kiss on her forehead