DISCLAIMER: Just so you aren't wondering, NO, I do not own any of the characters that call NCIS LA and Leverage... home. I wish I did... but I don't.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi there! Welcome back to ANOTHER episode of "THE G. CALLEN JOB" I hope you are enjoying it! I really love the idea of these two teams together. I may have to revisit again for a true team mash up... anyway, back to the matter at hand.
Thank you to everyone who has been so kind as to read, favorite, follow, and review! I am so tickled when I hear from one of you. It makes my day! So here we are. I believe there is actually only one more chapter left. Remember, it has it's purpose but is not the actual sequel to "On the Other Side of Fear Lies Freedom". It's coming but I have to finish writing it yet. Till then... a little filler on what he's up to in the mean time. Stay tuned for the brief Christmas story to follow as well. That said, here we go! Catch you at the end. Let me know what you think. As always, be kindly constructive. Thanks!
Eliot, like Callen, taking no chances, took twice as long to reach their destination which by all accounts was relatively close to the bar.
Callen looked at the old building before him. He said nothing, just took it in. It was more an old factory or business rather than a house. The surprise came as you entered. It reminded him of the old Spanish style mission which housed the OSP. Old and dilapidated on the outside but inside… inside it came to life. It offered plenty of light and space. Knowing how Spencer chose cooking as a form of stress relief, he was not surprised by the expansive gourmet kitchen nor was he surprised by the size of his personal gym. Eliot was their "hitter". He had to stay in shape if he was going to make sure they all came home safely from their ventures. Seeing as he was no real fan of guns… he needed to be prepared to do battle every other way.
"Just drop your stuff over there. You still hauling around that bedroll?"
"What, if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Callen stated dropping that and his duffel to the floor.
"Well, tonight you have a room with a bed." Eliot threw back as he headed into the kitchen and grabbed them a beer.
"Let me show you around," he offered, leading Callen off.
"Gotta hand it to you Spencer, you've really fixed the place up," Callen stated at the tours conclusion.
"Thanks, you haven't even been up to the roof to check out my garden." Eliot grinned.
"Garden… on the roof." Callen stated.
"Yup. Year-round gardening. Completely glassed in. Very relaxing. You know where your food comes from that way." Eliot stated.
Callen flashed back to a conversation he had with Sam once… all about slow food… he didn't have time for that, "I know where my food comes from… McDonalds.
"That's not even real food, man… I don't even know how you do what you do on the junk you eat." Eliot growled, shaking his head, "You need to start eating better. A few salads wouldn't hurt you every once in a while."
"You're not the first person to say that to me…" Callen replied as he thought again how Sam would get after him for all the bacon he consumed for breakfast and the less than healthy fast food lunches he chose over Sam's preferred organic fruits and vegetables. Michelle had always made sure he had good food available to him… now that she was gone and he'd been on his own, he simply didn't think too much about his food. He ate what he liked and let it go at that. "My ex-partner used to nag at me all the time, I didn't listen to him either. Now, you ready for some sparring in that fancy gym of yours?" Callen challenged.
"Better question is… are you?" Eliot grinned.
Callen just rolled his eyes. I'll get changed and we'll find out."
After a fierce workout that consisted of a variety of fighting styles including Krav Maga, kick boxing, aikido, as well as stick fighting, they were about to attempt swords when an alert sounded warning of someone on premise.
"I'll be back," Eliot called, grabbing a towel from the rack.
He was more than annoyed when the Camera showed Parker and Hardison at the door, "What are you doing here?" he growled as he opened the door.
"Hi Eliot! Is your Ghost still here? You making dinner? It's your turn you know." Parker stated, letting herself in.
Hardison put his hands up in surrender, "Hey, in my defense, I tried to stop her but she's like a kid with a new toy."
"Not you too! What part of I'll see you tomorrow did you not understand?" Eliot growled as Nate and Sofie approached the door.
"We came bearing food. Sofie figured Parker would end up here eventually." Nate offered and Hardison motioned inside to confirm her arrival.
"Bull, you're nosing in to find out more about Callen." Eliot hissed.
"We're just concerned…" Sofie added.
"Why? I've known the guy for years. He's saved my life more than once."
"All the same. We …" Nate started when Sofie spoke up, "We're here now and truth be told I sensed your friend is struggling with something."
"Yeah, and the last thing he needs is a crowd. He doesn't tend to socialize and he certainly doesn't take to people nosing into his business."
"He's running from something… We don't need any more trouble." Nate stated.
"Well, I doubt I'll get it out of him with you here Nate. In case you hadn't noticed he's not your biggest fan either." Eliot responded as they walked through.
"What's that sound?" Sofie asked stopping short as they noticed their visitor busy giving the wooden Wing Chun Dummy a beating. If he was aware of their presence, he didn't show it. Eliot, however, knew better. Callen was always aware of his surroundings.
"Find a seat. I'll be back." Eliot grumbled, heading over toward his friend.
"Sorry about this. They have a problem with boundaries."
"They appear to have a problem with me. No big surprise Eliot. Just give me 15 minutes and I'll clear out." Callen offered.
"Hell no! Look, they brought pizza. Humor them until we've eaten and then I'll kick them out. Don't take it personally. They're like that with anyone from my past." Eliot explained. "It's the price I pay for trying to keep my business my own."
"Yeah, I hear you. Okay, fine. However, my business is mine… make sure they mind their own." Callen warned, grabbing a towel and disappearing into the back hallway.
Once gone Eliot turned back to his company, "What is WRONG with you people?"
"Eliot, I know he's your friend but he's dangerous. He could cause all kinds of trouble for us if he wanted to." Nate stated calmly.
"If that were the case, he could have done it long ago. He knows all there is to know about us and our business. The guy isn't out to hurt any of you. Your paranoia is showing Nate."
"I like him." Parker offered reassuringly. "If Eliot thinks he's safe, then he is. Besides, how much trouble can a ghost really cause?"
Eliot gave her a skeptical look which Parker returned with a big bright smile of her own.
"Look, you don't have anything to worry about. He's had a rough time lately and needs to blow off steam. He's a good guy and if you're in trouble, he's who you want on your side. Now, I've invited him to stick around. If you don't like it then stay clear and I'll see you when he leaves." Eliot stated plainly but forcefully.
"Alright Eliot… If you say he's good then we believe you." Sofie replied.
"Nate?" Eliot queried.
"Look, he's your friend. You've obviously seen a lot of action together… okay…"
"You said there's pizza?" Callen called as he walked into the room.
"In the kitchen" Eliot answered.
"Got more beer?"
"Fridge"
The room remained relatively quiet as they ate until Parker finished, "So, you kill people for a living…" catching everyone off guard. At first Callen made no recognition of the statement but Eliot couldn't hide his frustration, "Seriously Parker!"
"It's a bit more complicated than that, but yeah, at times…" Callen replied, surprising everyone.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why what?" Callen rebounded.
"Why do you do it?"
"It's my job, it's what's required of me." He answered.
"Doesn't it bother you... the killing?" Sofie asked.
Callen dared to glance at the woman sitting across from him. In that moment, she could see the truth he would never admit… that a little of himself died with each kill. She'd seen that same look cross Eliot's features from time to time. They were soldiers… they played by a different set of rules. Rules that most often didn't predict they would survive the game but those that did found normal life impossible and fitting in difficult at best. They also knew how to live life as two people. The one who pretended the social norms, who protected those they cared about… and the other that could be cold and ruthless… calculating. Eliot and this G. Callen were definitely cut from the same cloth. She couldn't help but feel the familiar tug at her heart that she felt for Eliot when he allowed himself even a moment of vulnerability… and just like Eliot, the look that said one thing, the look that spoke the truth quickly disappeared and was replaced with a cold, flat toned answer, "What bothers me is when these individuals are allowed to continue threatening the safety of innocent people. So no, they deserve what they get."
"So you are okay with playing judge, jury, and executioner?" Nate spoke up for the first time.
Callen turned his icy gaze on him. "I'm merely the delivery man. I don't judge anyone. I simply do as I'm told." He replied, giving it no more attention but to raise a brow in warning when he glanced at Eliot.
Sofie calmly put a hand on Nates in an effort to thwart further conversation.
"I can see why you don't tell them things." Callen murmured, "I'll leave you to your company. I'm going to go check out this rooftop garden of yours."
Callen grabbed another beer and walked away.
"Eliot…" Nate started but never got the chance to finish.
"And you wonder why I keep secrets. That guy has seen more crap in his life than anyone should have to. He has had ample opportunity to cross the line but he hasn't. He's taken a beating for me, took a bullet that would have killed me. He's willing to die to make sure his team comes home. His last team of so called friends turned on him. He trusts very few people, so back off, Nate. You hear me? Back off!" Eliot growled dangerously. Even Parker grew quiet. She hated when things became tense within the group. Eliot seldom lost his cool. He believed in staying calm and controlled. It wasn't something she liked seeing.
Nate watched Eliot for a moment. He knew Eliot lived a rough life… that he'd seen a lot of action. He knew, growing up, that life had been no easier for the man… It wasn't very often that he allowed them a glimpse at the rest of his world. Whoever this G. Callen was, Eliot counted him a friend and that meant a lot coming from the solitary man.
"Okay, Eliot. I hear you. I will back off. If you can vouch that adamantly for him then I have no reason to doubt you… or him." Nate responded sincerely.
