Man in the Mirror
By Shaz1
None of the recognised characters belong to me (as much as I would desperately love to have Callen if only for a few hours….)
I thrive on reviews and genuinely write quicker and update more often if you leave comments so please don't be shy!
This takes place sometime during late season one early season two, so slight spoilers for various episodes!
Man in the Mirror
"Two beers over here" the young man half shouted over the pulsating music of the bar. The place was thriving, popular with tourists and residents alike the Friday night trade was putting a fortune behind the bar. Wordlessly the tender placed the two bottles on the bar in front of the lone male and took the notes handed to him. "Keep the change man" he commented with a grin. Wiggling his hips in time with the music he made his way back across to his date. He handed her the beer with a wink.
"Thanks" she replied, her eyelashes fluttering and her lips pursed.
"No problem, so why did you choose this place?" he asked her, taking in the view of the young woman in front of him. She was way out of his league, but somehow he had managed a date with her, which had led to a second and then tonight the third.
"I like the music, plus its cool" she replied with a nonchalant flick of the hair. He nodded in response, he was new to Los Angeles but so far he was liking it a lot. "Want to dance?" she asked him with a flirtatious smile, without hesitation he got to his feet and held his hand out to her. The two made it to the dance floor, his eyes locked on the beautiful woman in front of him throughout, his heart pounding in his chest as he took in her looks, unable to believe his luck.
She looked at him with part interest, intent on keeping his attention on her, she knew various things about the man in front of her- some of it from him and some she had found out herself. She grinned as she momentarily enjoyed the sense of freedom the music gave her, she was almost regretful to end the evening. She had to play her part- it was for her country. With one last fond gaze at her date she took a step back, making it look like part of her energetic dancing, with barely a flicker her well practiced mask was firmly in place and a crack so loud it was heard over the music rang out, a look of surprise crossing her date's face as suddenly he slumped forward and her scream filled the air.
LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA
"Seriously G you need to take better care of yourself" Sam told his partner with a concerned smile as the two partners walked into the headquarters.
"I already told you, I don't need a mother" Callen replied with a long suffering sigh.
"Not while you have me" the big man responded, as he poured himself a cup of coffee, and handed a second to the younger man.
"Thanks" Callen responded gratefully as he took a sip from the scalding liquid. "I'm fine Sam, so quite worrying", he smiled lightly to take the sting out of his words. The day before the younger man had happened across a robbery in progress, and Callen being Callen had not only intercepted and taken down the robber but received a nice crack to the head and slash to the right forearm in the process.
"Mr Callen, a moment of your time please" the authoritative voice of the Ops Manager Hetty Lang rang out across the conversation. Callen supressed the shudder that ran through him involuntarily before he followed the petit lady into her office area. He reluctantly accepted the cup of tea that the woman handed him, before sitting down in his usual seat. "Have you had your injuries sufficiently treated?" she asked him, peering at him over the rim of her ever present glasses. Callen resisted the urge to roll his eyes in response.
"Yes Hetty- I am fine" he replied with a sigh- he hated enquiries as to his health, he was fully aware that his friends only asked as they cared about him, but he still found it infuriating. He had never had a family of his own and he struggled to deal with being accepted into this loving, caring family that made up the LA team. "Is that all that you wanted to see me for?" he asked, being his usual brave self against the manager who seemed to know everything. Her quirked eyebrow registered the tone that he had used to her.
"No it isn't Mr Callen" she told him, her own tone firm, but allowing him more slack than she would any other member of the team. Wordlessly she handed him a photograph, a picture of a dead man- a bullet wound evident in the man's abdomen. "Do you know this gentleman Mr Callen?" she asked. He hesitated as he looked at the photograph, certain that Hetty was going to shed some light on what the dead person had to do with him.
"No he doesn't look familiar" he replied, not recognising the man in the picture. "Should he?" he questioned, keen to get to the reason for their interest.
"I was not certain whether you would know him or not. This is why I have briefed you separately Mr Callen- you see that young man in the photograph is Mr Gregory Callen".
End Chapter One
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