A/N- Thanks again to my Beta Angela - who overlooks my unatural affection for the Hypen.... and many other grammer slips I'm sure!!! Also thank you to everyone for your kind reviews. I know I am less than swift when it comes to updating but it really keeps me plugging away when I read that you'll are reading along! Cheers Abi

WAR GAMES
Chapter 2
By: cdewinter78
Edited By: angelprincesslilac

Sam Hanna was not used to doubting his own senses. He was a long way from a Middle Eastern desert, so witnessing his partner of three years breaking down in tears, couldn't have been a mirage. G Callen didn't just play his cards close to his chest; he gave the impression of playing his whole hand Blind and bluffed his way through every uncomfortable emotional situation that arose with his infamous "I'm always alright" defense. G did not share easily, and he never let things slip… not while sober, anyway. Sam had witnessed those rare occasions when G had given in to the anger that he held in check so tightly. He always made sure Callen was in no imminent danger, then he would let the boy sleep it off. It was a running joke that if Callen woke up on Sam's couch, it had been one rowdy night.

Callen's cavalier approach to personal risks in his job bothered a number of people. None of whom had ever had their lives saved by G. Hanna knew what it was like. And more than that, Sam knew that whatever spark of brilliance or touch of madness within G made him who he was; it also made G a natural, born operator and the best Agent Sam had ever seen. It also made Callen family, and, right now, something was deeply wrong with his family… And that was not something Sam could stand to witness.

Making his way across the wooded terrain marked by searchlights, headlights, and police lights, he sought out the dark corner G had fled to. Part of him was more than a little uncomfortable at the thought of caring and sharing – even with G. It's not like the Navy Seals ever trained you to pass around the Kleenex. Aside from the other man's aversion to Emo moments, Sam had his own healthy appreciation for the 'don't ask – don't tell' lifestyle. But this was just not like G, to give himself away like that, to let that God-damned irritating smirk slip so publically… It made Sam quicken his step.

Reaching the place he had last tracked his partner to, he saw his shadowy form resting his head against a tree whilst appearing to be answering the call of nature. Sam proceeded lightly, attempting to survey the situation, and relieved he hadn't found Callen in his earlier state. Coughing slightly, he announced his presence.

"Go find your own eco-restroom, Sam." Callen called over his shoulder, affecting his usual smart-ass tone.

Sam frowned, the voice was passable—for anyone who hadn't had to put up with it over the last couple of years. There was tightness to it, and something else...

"How's the head?"

"Fine, considering it bears your boot print." Callen quipped.

There it was again, that small hitch of breath that gave away Callen's command performance. Sam was not buying. But for now, he was willing to play along as G did not appear to be in a sharing mood.

"Lucky for us, Malcolm chose to smack you in the only armor-plated part of your body." Hanna remarked dryly.

"I am touched by your concern, Sam … Now do you think you could move it fifty paces back so that I can finish business here?" G asked politely without moving.

"Just don't forget to swing past the Candy wagon – you know how Hetty gets if we "forget" about the Post Incident Medical Evaluation. Besides, you did take a pretty decent knock …" Sam left the obvious hanging. G was uncomfortable with open displays of emotion and probably thought his own had gone unnoticed.

To his surprise, Callen didn't pass his usual smart-ass response. As he moved away, Sam made a mental note to double-check that G took that trip to the ambulance station.

Once he'd heard Sam's footsteps move away, Callen clung to the bark for dear life as his body slipped sideways. The banging in his head was superseded by the rushing roar of blood in his ears, and, suddenly, he found himself doubled-over, spilling his last meager meal on the forest floor. Closing his eyes he desperately sought to slow his breathing and rein in the girly moment that seemed to have high-jacked him ever since he'd started crying like a twelve-year-old girl scout. As he felt the darkness creep in at the corners of his vision, he knew he'd forgotten one, very important lesson. One he had learned pat at the age of ten: never close your eyes. That's when the bad dreams came – whether in the real world, or just those that howled in his head.

He knew, as he glimpsed the God-awful burgundy carpet and the lime green wallpaper that had escaped the sixties, exactly which nightmare he was revisiting. This had been the ring side seat he'd taken all those years ago. This was the Cooper's living room. He felt his heart skip a beat as he heard an intelligible roar come from the kitchen followed by the unmistakable dull thud of the bottle of cheap whisky hitting the table. He shrank back into himself as he heard Mr. Cooper's steps move closer, rushing into the room like a storm raging against the two helpless ten-year-olds cowering there. He knew it was his turn this time – Cooper was nothing if not fair when dishing out the "lessons". But even as his mind seemed to careen towards the awful, gut-churning conclusion of that night, covered in Travis' blood and his shame, he managed to slip back into the present. Finding himself sore after he'd obviously face-planted on the ground, he groaned as he pulled himself up to slump against the helpful tree.

It was in this position that Kensi stumbled upon him. She let out an oath that any Marine would have been proud to tag, as she rushed towards him.

"Callen! Jesus, are you okay?"

"Just a little woozy, Kenz. I think Sam lied about how hard he kicked me." Callen said breathlessly, smiling crookedly at her.

"I think I should kick your skinny ass harder next time you feed me that "I'm fine" bull!" Sam growled marching towards the clearing alerted by Kensi's cry.

As the tall Marine reached him and got an arm under his shoulder, G stiffened at the contact and began to protest his case more loudly. "Come off it, Sam!" Callen objected exasperatedly. "I just got a little light-headed – I'm the bullet-proof one, remember?"

As Sam ignored him and firmed up his grip. He lifted the shorter man easily, only to be halted by the noise of G sucking in air as his legs seemed to fold under him. Sam instinctively threw his other arm round his partner's waist taking most of his weight. Callen had passed out. Kensi set off at a jog to flag some help, whilst Sam half-walked, half-dragged Callen along with him, angry at himself for ignoring the instincts that had served him well so far.

"Bullet-proof, huh?" Sam questioned the slumped man at his side who was slowly coming to.

Sam could make out the EMT's rushing towards them in the darkness. He felt Callen stir and blew out a relieved sigh.

"Looks like that medical evaluation is coming to you, G. Don't even think about ducking out, Callen – I will tie your ass to that damn tree."