A/N: I just love Callen and I think, especially after that lone wolf thing, he should have someone to run to. I mean it can't be easy being someone else everyday, especially if you don't know who you are in the first place. I want Callen to find that someone. You know, and I wouldn't object if it were me...lol. This is a bit different than how I usually write, but I hope you enjoy it anyway -pj
She doesn't believe in soul mates. He's not sure he believes in anything anymore. They aren't really sure how they came to be what they are.
They don't try to label it.
Their words are few and far between, actions are louder anyway. Usually, when he comes to her, she is not expecting him and it's long since dark out.
She never minds.
There is nothing he wouldn't do to be a part of her fairy tale world of gray light and warm skin. No one he wouldn't fight, or kill, or rise against for the chance to be in her arms when the rainy dawn comes.
She never minds that either.
He doesn't know her story, doesn't know her past though it would be easy to find out. Only knows a scent and a smile and that she is a safe place to hide when the day has been too much, too deep and too far gone.
She knows what he does, but not why he does it. She asked him one night, in that whisper quiet voice of hers and he'd answered truthfully because he couldn't be any other way with her. He was almost worried she would ask for clarification, wanting more details.
But she didn't.
It wasn't her style.
Instead she held his gaze for several long moments and readjusted her head on her pillow. She asked if sometimes it was hard to tell his real life from the one he'd put on that day. He answered 'yes', though a lie was more appealing. And what did he do then?
He reached over, laid a hand on her cheek and softly answered, "I run to you."
She kissed his wrist.
She doesn't need him the way he needs her but she needs him just as much. Even so, they will never marry. They both know that.
He will never ask. There are too many risks for her. For him.
She will never say 'yes'. She isn't the marrying kind.
But he helped her fix a leaky pipe once and got rid of those gang bangers who kept coming around and breaking her windows and she loved him for that.
She gave him a key to her apartment and no matter how long he's been gone this time she will always be there when he gets back. And he loves her for that.
His friends would never meet her, hers would never know he existed. Because their worlds when apart are the same as everyone else's. But their world when together is the size of her apartment and it's all they need.
Because sometimes a soul mate is just someone who heals your broken soul.
And they both believe in that.
END