A/N - Thanks again for the positive reviews on the big revelations. Glad I didn't disappoint, at least not that anyone has said! ;-) All the support for this story has been amazing, encouraging and inspiring.

Part of this chapter is dedicated to angelprincesslilac, who has put up with a lot beta'ing for me, in particular the last chapter of this story but also few other stories. As well as encouraging me and helping me improve my writing. I know how much she likes Callen/Sam hurt/comfort/interaction. So, after some after some suggestions from her on how to have Callen deal with everything, here it is. I haven't done a lot of the hurt/comfort Sam/Callen in the past, but I hope I've managed to pull it off here.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1

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Chapter 35

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Sam was the last person to leave, looking back concerned at his partner and Annabel. Callen nodded at him, indicating that he would be okay, though Sam wasn't entirely sure about that. Sam could see the concern in Annabel's eyes and instinctively felt that she would perhaps be more help to Callen right now than he could be, having recently been through startling revelations in her own life. So, he stepped out of the conference room and closed the door.

Annabel turned to Callen. She stood up from her seat and moved to stand in front of him. Bending down, she cupped his face in her hand, feeling the rough growth of his whiskers under her fingers, as she looked into his eyes. She could see the confusion, the anguish, the lost look. She felt her heart breaking for him and she sent up a silent 'Thank You' to Tom, for showing her and teaching her how to be whatever Callen needed right now. Slowly, she moved her head closer and placed a gentle kiss on his lips as she breathed in the scent that was so uniquely him.

"I'm here, Callen. If you want me to stay, I will. If you want me to go, I will. But ... I'm not running away. I'll be here whenever you need me," Annabel assured him.

Callen pulled her onto his lap, rested his forehead against her cheek as she held him. He took some deep steadying breaths, felt himself relax slightly in the comfort of her embrace.

"Callen." She said his name so softly and he lifted his head to look at her. "You've seen me at close to my worst with what happened with Mitch about Zoe." She stroked his face gently. "You didn't run from me then. I won't run from you either."

Callen felt the tears push again at the backs of his eyes. He fought against them. It was instinct, fighting against signs of weakness.

Annabel lent closer, resting her head against his again. "I'll be what you need ... just need you to tell me," she encouraged, her voice not much more than a whisper.

The tears forced their way to the front of his eyes at the gentleness and concern she was showing him. Something he'd missed most of his life. Sure, there was the concern from his friends, his team mates/surrogate family. But he'd rarely had anyone brave enough to push past his defences, get close to him, both emotionally and physically. Just that once. He didn't know what to tell her, he didn't really know what he needed right now, except to sort out this mess inside his head and he had no idea how he was going to do that.

After a few moments of no response, Annabel pulled back. She smiled and kissed his cheek tenderly. "I'll be outside."

Annabel moved off his lap and Callen watched her walk away. He knew her slow pace was more than just tiredness. She was giving him space, but at the same time giving him some time to decide if he wanted to call her back, before she stepped out the door. And he did. And he didn't. Everything was so confusing, painful, unbelievable even. His emotions were raw, his mind a mess, but he couldn't open his mouth, couldn't find his voice to stop her. He wasn't used to sharing his pain. Hell, most of the time his emotions were off limits even to him. He'd just lock them away, deal with them later, though later rarely came, even when Nate prodded during a session. Sharing his pain - it was almost a foreign concept. Except whether he said anything to Annabel or not, she was sharing this with him. Her pain and his were mixed together, not by their choice but by someone out there, whose reasons for doing what he had done were unknown; unfathomable at the moment. The closer Annabel got to the door the more he hurt, the tightening in his chest increased with each step she took and the harder it was to stop more tears forcing their way to the front of his eyes.

When Callen saw Annabel's hand reach for the door handle and he felt the tears fall from his eyes, he found his voice. And, even though it went against everything he knew about himself, the word that slipped past his lips felt so right.

"Stay," he said, his voice just as low as hers had been, but in the quiet of the conference room it made its way to her. Callen saw her stop. Annabel turned to face him, but waited at the door. Waited for him to confirm his request, just incase she'd been hearing what she wanted to.

"Please," Callen added. He didn't want to be alone in his head, didn't think he could handle trying to sort through it on his own and her being there ... He needed her.

Annabel moved back to him, relief filling her that he was willing to ask, that he wanted her to stay. She sat down quietly, not speaking, just waiting; being there for him.

Callen moved his chair closer to hers and reached out for her hand. Their fingers threaded through each others comfortably, just as they had earlier when she'd reached out to him when so much unsettling information had been raining down on him. And just like before, it helped. He felt just that little bit stronger, little bit less likely to break. They sat silently, whilst Callen's mind tumbled over everything that had been said, trying to make sense of it in some way. But he had so many questions; more than he had ever had. The more he thought over the new information, the more he didn't understand and the more he wanted to know. He wondered if he was stupid trying to solve all of this. To try and find out a past that someone seemed to not want him to remember. To try and find a mother who had managed to hide from everyone for so long. The doubt crept back in; did she really care or had it just been an act? Another 'job' to her? Was it crazy to try and hunt down someone who was after him when they had no clue as to who it was or why; to hunt down someone who seemed to be able to clean up after himself and leave nothing behind.

Annabel's hand jerked in his and Callen turned his gaze to her. She was blinking rapidly and looked at him.

"Sorry. I dropped off for a minute." Annabel said softly, straightening up in her chair.

Callen could see the dark circles under her eyes. He probably had some similar under his. He stood up and pulled her gently to her feet and into his arms. He stroked her cheek, just under her eyes, with his thumb.

"Think I need to get you to bed," Callen said. "We all need some sleep. I can't think straight at the moment. Maybe it will help clear things up."

Annabel reached out and placed a hand on his cheek. "Do you want me to stay with you?" she asked. She knew about nightmares, knew that sometimes you didn't want someone to know you had them, yet sometimes you couldn't face them on your own. If there was a time for them to come out of the blue, it was when you were too tired and had too much going on in your head; when your defenses were shattered and you couldn't fight them off. Like now. Those were the times when you needed someone to help you fight them. Something that in their line of work was difficult to find; someone who could handle the potentially frightening and devastating involuntary responses that could occur when your mind and your body weren't inhabiting the same scenario. She'd been there, she knew what could happen, she knew how much it helped to have someone who could understand there with you.

Callen placed his hand over hers and looked into her eyes, wondering again, how she did it? How, with everything that had happened to her, could she put it aside to be there for him? Part of him didn't want her with him. He didn't want her to be a part of this. He wanted to protect her and he didn't know what else was going to happen before this whole mystery was solved, or if it ever would be. Yet, as much as he wanted that, he knew it wasn't an option. She was involved, someone else had tied her to his life, played with their strings and this was the result. He was sure this wasn't the intention, but he wanted her with him. Didn't want to let her out of his sight. If she could be there for him, he would be there for her too.

"Please," Callen said. Annabel nodded and they moved to the door together, taking a moment for him to get his mask back in place.

"Ready?" Annabel asked.

"Ready," he nodded and opened the door.

They walked down the stairs to the bullpen, knowing all eyes were on them, even the ones that were trying not to look. Callen felt Sam's eyes boring into him, trying to see behind the mask. If anyone could it would probably be Sam.

"Hetty," Callen said as they stepped up to his boss, "we need to sleep."

Hetty nodded. "Already arranged. The hotel rooms are being secured right now. We'll be going shortly." Hetty turned and picked up two bags, handing them both to Callen. At the confused look on his face, Hetty smiled.

"Some fresh clothes for both of you."

"Thank you, Hetty," Annabel said, noticing Callen's well placed mask slip slightly at Hetty's actions and concern. She knew how much Hetty meant to Callen, had picked it up from the looks and interaction between them. She was more than a boss. He'd said as much earlier. They were family. Yet he had learned so much about what she had kept from him, that he must be confused.

Hetty nodded and turned to Gibbs. "Well, Agent Gibbs. It has been an interesting day so far but, I think we've all had enough for a little while. Have you arranged the necessary transportation?"

Gibbs nodded. "DiNozzo, you take Grey, Olivia and Kensi. Callen, you're with me as well as Annabel and Sam. Let's go. Beds are ready and waiting," Gibbs ordered as he grabbed his jacket and keys. Hetty was walking off with Graham and Callen assumed that Graham had a car.

They all managed to squeeze into the lift. Callen moved to the back and pulled Annabel close to him, his arms slipping around her waist and kept her out of the way of anyone bumping into her. She lent back against him, rested her head against his cheek.

The trip to the hotel was in silence, everyone too tired to talk. Callen had guided Annabel into the more comfortable seat in the front with Gibbs, rather than the back. When they arrived at the hotel, Gibbs got out and walked them to the floor.

"You'll be safe," Gibbs assured them. "We've cleared this floor. It's just for you. Two agents at every entrance onto it, as well as to the building itself. Get some rest. No offense," Gibbs glanced around at all of them, "but you all look like hell."

Callen didn't doubt that they all looked pretty rough, four days on the run, barely any sleep, would easily do that to someone.

Hetty handed out the keys. "Sam, Kensi. Room 204. Grey and Olivia, 206. Callen. You and Annabel are in the middle, 205. Graham and I will be across the hall from you. Aside from the agents on the floor, you are well and truly covered. Know that you are safe and get some sleep," she gently directed her team.

Callen would have thought that he would have been paired with Sam, but he was pleased that Hetty had sensed what he needed, glad that he hadn't had to voice it. She might have held things back from him, but he knew that she cared, perhaps more than she would ever admit to him. He was still confused about his feelings for Hetty at the moment, still trying to work out how he felt about what she had kept from him. Though, even with that confusion, he knew that she hadn't done it to intentionally hurt him.

"Thanks Hetty," Callen said as he started to move with Annabel to their room, as did the rest.

Callen had just opened the door when Grey called out.

"Bel." Grey waited for her come back to him. This was private. Annabel smiled gently at Callen and walked back to Grey, who was standing by his hotel room door, alone; Olivia having already gone inside.

"What is it?"

Grey reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. He had some advice for his little sister, some he wanted to give her, even though he knew she wouldn't do anything about it right now. But he wanted to get it into her head, give her time to believe it, so that whenever the time was right, she'd be ready. He hoped desperately that she would take it when it came.

"Trust him," Grey said seriously. "He's not like Daniel. And ... you can tell him what you can't tell me." Whilst Grey hadn't taken his eyes off her whilst she had been in that interrogation room, he hadn't missed Callen's reactions to her being in there or what he had heard. He was pretty good at reading people, a necessary job requirement, and liked what he saw between the two of them.

Annabel looked up into her brother's eyes; those green ones that matched her own. The only real physical sign of the two of them being connected unless you saw them with their parents. She looked like their mother; he looked like their father. Except for the eyes, which they both inherited from their father. She reached up and placed a finger gently on his scar, closing her eyes briefly as she remembered how much he was willing to sacrifice when he had come back for her. Olivia had already been in his life, yet he had returned and he hadn't waited for backup; had risked his life to save hers. He'd come back alone to get them, and if he hadn't, she'd have died. She'd never told him what they had done to her. Only ever told the psychologist. She'd had to do that or she wouldn't have been allowed to return to work. It was the only thing she could do to protect Grey. She knew he had felt some degree of the pain she had endured, knew he'd felt it when she had died. She couldn't bear the thought that he would know exactly what had happened. Didn't want him to know the details of the nightmares that had taken years to stop.

Annabel reached up and placed a gentle kiss on the scar, pulling back and looking him in those eyes again.

"I know," she whispered. "He's like you and Tom all rolled into one. And more."

Annabel stepped back and turned to walk away.

"Bel," Grey called out again. Annabel turned her head back to him as her pace slowed. "I love you."

Annabel smiled. "I love you, too."

As she got close to the door to the room she was staying in with Callen, she heard voices. Recognising Sam's voice, she realised he must be in there with Callen. She moved to the other side of the hall, just across from their door but far enough to give them privacy. She knew they were close and Callen needed all the support he could get right now. So she stood there, leaning against the wall, and waited patiently for them to finish.

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Sam saw Annabel head back to Grey. Not wanting to leave G alone, he followed him into the room.

"G?" Sam queried when his partner didn't seem to notice he had company.

Callen turned around. He hadn't even heard Sam follow him in. He was that lost in the murky waters of his mind.

"Sam."

"You okay?" It had been a long time since Sam had seen his friend and partner this tired, this readable. The confusion, the pain, the weariness. G was usually better at hiding those emotions.

"I don't know, Sam. When Hetty said it was personal, I swear I thought she was just going to tell me about some old enemy of mine who was out to get me." Callen sat down on the edge of the bed. Sam moved closer, though remained standing.

"Which would you have preferred?" Sam asked.

Callen looked up at Sam as he answered. "Old enemy would have been less confusing, less painful," he admitted. "Least I would have had some idea what we're up against."

Callen rubbed his face and tried to focus. "I know more about my parents, but there is so much more I still don't know. More questions than ever."

"Was a bit shocking. But guess you were right. You are a born operator," Sam said in an attempt to relieve the tension he could see weighing his partner down.

"Always said I was." Callen appreciated Sam's attempts and whilst the effect didn't last long, it reinforced the fact that Sam was there for him, would always have his back, no matter what they uncovered about his past.

Sam waited patiently. G looked like he wanted to say something more.

"She didn't come back, Sam. She left and never came back for me." Was he really that hard to love? Had he been a rotten kid? He had no memories of it so he couldn't even work that much out.

"G." Sam's voice pulled him back from that spiral of depressing thoughts. "She had a reason. From what Graham said, she wanted to protect you. She checks in every year, reminds them to watch you; to protect you."

"I'm not a kid anymore, Sam. Surely she could have come back. Together we could have kept both of us safe. What if she's..." Callen trailed off, not wanting to voice that thought, almost afraid that if he spoke it, it might end up being true.

"Someone gave Vance a note, probably her. So it's highly likely she's still out there," Sam reassured him, understanding where he was going with the unspoken question. G had wanted answers for so long, too long. He was so close. Sam could understand that the thought that he would never get them if something had happened to her, would be painful.

"What if he went after her too? Not just me." Callen asked, as various scenarios ran through his mind, none of them ending on the positive side. "She's not young anymore, Sam. She probably couldn't get away from his men if they went after her."

It had been hard enough for him and Annabel to get away from those men at the apartment. He couldn't imagine someone in their sixties being able to do that. He had assumed her age. Amy had been a few years older than him and if she'd had Amy when she was twenty, that would put her at sixty four at least.

"If she's anything like you though, she sure as hell won't go down without a fight. Even if she is old. I mean look at Hetty," Sam glanced to the door, half expecting Hetty to walk in. When she didn't he continued. "She's pretty confident around weapons. You should have seen her holding that gun on the way to the apartment last night. She looked as dangerous as you."

Callen actually smiled at Sam's statement.

"If something has happened to her," Callen said, "I'll never get answers to these questions I've got." Questions that had been eating away at him, that were consuming him.

"G, for now, just believe that she wanted to protect you, that she still does. Don't let it get you down." Sam was getting worried that G wouldn't be able to move on from this. He knew G had been obsessing over Amy's file, pouring over every piece of paper, so many times, whenever he had any free moments. He suspected that G knew exactly what was on every piece without having to look at them anymore.

"Bit late, Sam." Callen knew Sam meant well, that he was just trying to keep him going, but it didn't stop the abandonment, the betrayal, the pain of feeling left, lost and unloved by his parents, at least one of them. It wasn't rational. Graham had given him a reasonable explanation, at least theoretically. Emotionally was an entirely different scenario. "What do I do if I can't get answers? Just forget about it? How?" Callen asked his partner, the person who knew him better than anyone, maybe even better than Gibbs, and probably Hetty too.

"If she's gone, then we answer them for you. We do what we do best. Make up a life, make up a reason that will satisfy you."

Sam had a point. They made things up all the time, believed them for the cover. But that just didn't work. Callen shook his head.

"Sam, I can't pretend they're superheroes or something."

Sam raised his eyebrows, a slight smile twitching on his lips at Callen's choice of words.

"Maybe they were. Given what they did. G, it sounds like she cared about you. And if she didn't..." Sam shrugged. "Her loss."

Callen looked at Sam, struggled with the emotions in him. Sam, his team. They were family, so why did he feel such a loss at the thought that he might never find his mother, never find out who he was.

"You need me, just knock on the wall," Sam told him, his head tilting toward the wall that separated this room and the one Sam would be in with Kensi.

"Thanks, Sam."

"Either of you," Sam added. Whilst G was his priority, he knew Annabel had been through a lot too. He'd watched her, learned to trust her and even like her. G cared about her a lot and that made it automatic for Sam. He would be there for both of them.

Callen frowned. "Tell me something, Sam. After everything they've done to her, what she's lost because of me, why is she still here? Why hasn't she run from me?" Callen stood up and paced the room, the frustration at not knowing who this was, the fury at what they had done to her, flaring and pushing everything else from his mind. He spun around to face Sam. "How can she look at me without hating me?"

Sam stood up and walked to his friend, placing his hand on G's shoulders, hoping the touch would help ground him. Sam knew where G was headed. He was getting riled up, ready to fight the bad guys single handedly. Not good because when G got protective, he usually got stubborn. "Annabel cares about you, G. She doesn't blame you, because it's not your fault. None of this is. Even if this enemy was one of yours, it's still not your fault." Sam didn't know how many times he would need to say it to get it through to G, but figured twice was a good start. "You know how bad it can get out there, G. The things that the ones with no morals, no conscience, who only care about themselves or the money, will do. Annabel understands that. She can tell the difference."

Callen pulled away roughly from Sam's hold, frustration and anger remaining in his tone. "They shot at Kensi. They could have killed her. We could have gone off that cliff, Sam. The plane. What were they going to do with rest of you once they got me? I don't want-"

"G!" Sam almost yelled. Callen stopped and looked stunned at the forcefulness in Sam's tone.

"Stop ...We're not going anywhere," Sam continued. "We're in this together. We all have your back. Don't make me drop you and get Hetty to bring that wushu stick thing in to keep you in line." Sam voice softened. "We'll find out who did this, we'll take care of it. Together. Cause whether you want to admit it or not, you're not alone, G. You have a family. They may not share your blood or your DNA, but family we are and always will be."

Sam's words took most of the wind out of his independent sails.

"You wouldn't," Callen said, his tone much calmer than before.

"Wouldn't what?" Sam asked warily.

"Set Hetty on me with that ... thing." Callen raised his eyebrows and waited for an answer.

"Push me and you'll find out." Sam relaxed a little at the change in G, knowing that, at least for now, things were back on a slightly more even and predictable keel with him.

They looked at each other for a few moments, before Callen finally smiled.

"Once was enough with Hetty. I'll be good," Callen agreed. Hetty with a sharp, pointy stick that was close to twice her height was almost a terrifying thought. Especially as he suspected she really did know how to use it.

"There's a first time for everything. Looking forward to it," Sam replied, as a yawn caught him unawares.

"Go, Sam. I'll be fine," Callen said, concern for his partner taking over the need to not be alone. Sam had probably had even less sleep than he had, even if that extra for him was drug induced.

Sam stepped toward the door, turning back with one last reminder. "Just knock." Callen nodded his agreement.

Sam walked out the door and saw Annabel standing against the wall opposite, her eyes closed. He wondered how long she had been waiting and was grateful that she had given him that time with G. Sam moved over to her.

"Annabel," he said softly, not wanting to startle her.

Her eyes flew open.

"Okay … don't think I've come that close to falling asleep standing up before." Annabel pushed herself off the wall.

"You okay?" Sam asked.

Annabel smiled at little at his concern for her. It wasn't just his size that had Sam reminding her of Shawn. "I have a feeling I'm a little better than Callen right now."

"You've both been through a lot," Sam agreed.

"Yeah, but I've only had a few revelations. He's just..." Annabel didn't really know how to describe what she felt about everything.

"Had his world change, learned a lot, but nothing at the same time," Sam filled in.

"So much, Sam. I can't imagine what he's going through." Annabel's gaze went to the door. Sam could tell she was anxious to get back to G, wanting to be there for him.

"Can't imagine what you're going through either," Sam said sincerely. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to know that some of your team had betrayed you, that they'd been responsible for your child dying. He couldn't imagine what G was going through either; to be bombarded with so much information after everything else that had happened.

"Sleep well," Sam continued, not wanting to keep her from G any longer, nor leave G alone with his thoughts. "I've told G this and I'll tell you the same. Either of you need us tonight, just knock on the wall. We'll be right there."

"Thanks Sam." Annabel smiled gratefully at him. "Hopefully we won't," she added before stepping over and through the door.

Sam watched her go. "Yeah, hopefully you won't," he repeated under his breath and mentally crossed his fingers that she was right.

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Annabel stepped through the door that Sam had left open, closed it and made sure it was locked. Callen was sitting on the edge of the bed, elbows on his thighs, head resting in his hands. She moved over to him and gently tilted his head up to look at her.

"Go have a shower, get changed. Then we'll get some sleep," she ordered gently. It didn't matter that it was mid-afternoon. It had been so long since any of them had decent sleep and around thirty six hours since they had any that wasn't drug induced or a nap in the car.

"What about you?" Callen asked as he stood up from the bed, the weariness heavy in his voice.

"Had a shower at the office, after getting checked over by Ducky. Just need to get changed," Annabel answered.

"You can do that with your arm?" Callen asked.

Annabel smiled. "I'll manage. If you need me, call."

There it was again. She was there for him, in the midst of her pain, she still wanted to take care of him, comfort him. He knew she would have made an amazing mum to Zoe. Mentally he corrected himself, she was an amazing mum to Zoe, everything she had done for her and the love that she obviously still felt. She was a mum, whether Zoe was alive or not. He wondered if his mother felt the same about him. Shaking off the thoughts, he focused on what he had to do.

"Thanks," Callen said as he grabbed the bag Hetty had given him and went to the bathroom.

Annabel got changed, grateful that Olivia had chosen her pjyamas she knew she could get into easily, and slipped into the bed, finding the most comfortable position she could. Her body ached, her shoulder hurt, as did her head; the pain killers Ducky had made her take earlier had worn off. She had more, tucked away in the bag with her clothes for tomorrow. She knew from experience given how tired she was, if she took the tablets, once sleep claimed her she'd be out of it for a long time, and that wasn't what she wanted. Not tonight. Tonight she needed to be able to respond if Callen needed her. Normal sleep would have to be enough. Her head resting on the pillow and her eyes focused on the bathroom door she waited, but her eyes were closed well before it opened again.

Callen stood under the steaming shower, washing away the grim and the tension, at least some of it, from the last few days. The water stung slightly at the injuries on his wrists and arms from the handcuffs and the fall in the chair at the hands of Mitch. He turned to let the spray pound away on his back, his head resting against the cool tiles in contrast to the heat of the water. Even in here he could feel sleep pulling at him, his mind so weary that it wasn't even trying anymore to make sense of everything. Turning off the shower, he stepped out, got dried and dressed in the pjyama pants that Hetty had supplied him with. Cleaning his teeth, he looked at himself in the mirror and shook his head. Gibbs was right. He looked like hell. When he was finished, he stepped back into the main room and looked for her. She was asleep, her head resting on the pillow, turned toward the bathroom, her features more relaxed than he'd seen them since meeting her. With the light from the bathroom shining softly on the bed, he could see the bruise on her face and the one on her shoulder that the straps of the pyjama top she was wearing didn't cover, and he felt a small, familiar flare of anger in him that someone had hurt her. Callen slipped into the bed carefully, not wanting to disturb her. Not carefully enough though, as she jumped a little as he did and her eyes opened.

"Sorry," Annabel said. "Shouldn't have got into bed." If he'd needed her, she might have missed it. She couldn't believe she had fallen asleep so quickly.

Callen lent over and softly kissed her, just near the bruise, wishing it was enough to make it better. "You comfortable?" he asked before he moved away. Focusing on taking care of her seemed to take his mind off all his own issues, at least briefly.

"No," Annabel admitted. "But that doesn't seem to be affecting my ability to go to sleep."

"If you need me, let me know," Callen said, offering her the same comfort and support that she had offered him. "Now go back to sleep," he ordered her.

Annabel smiled and, as her eyes closed and the sleep started to settle over her again, she moved her hand across the bed and found his, linking their fingers as she drifted off. Callen followed within minutes.

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Annabel woke up with a hiss of pain. She was lying on her side facing Callen and his arm had crashed against hers. She sat up and in the dim light from the hall that filtered in through the crack around the doorway, she could see Callen moving around on the bed; hear his ragged breathing, like he was running fast.

"Callen," she called out softly, hoping it would be enough to wake him. She didn't want to frighten him and she didn't know what kind of nightmare he was having. Callen's arm came flying in her direction again and she narrowly avoided it, but she felt the shaking of the bed at impact and quickly moved off. Her own breathing heavy as she wondered what she could do to help him.

Sam.

Annabel moved to the wall and knocked loudly. She couldn't help Callen, she knew that. She only had one working arm, even with two she wasn't sure she'd be strong enough to fight him if she needed to. Nightmares tended to bring out strength that you didn't know you had. But Sam, she was sure he could handle it. Quickly she moved to the door, turning the small lamp on as she did. She heard the footsteps outside and opened the door, just as Sam was about to knock on it.

Sam looked at Annabel, saw the helpless, concerned look in her eyes and then, hearing a groan from the bed he turned. He saw G thrashing around. He moved quickly to his partner as Kensi stayed with Annabel and slipped an arm around her in a reassuring way. They stood there watching Sam try to wake Callen.

"Why don't you come next door with me?" Kensi suggested quietly. She could feel the tension in Annabel.

Annabel shook her head sharply. "No, I can't leave him."

Kensi moved so she could look at Annabel's face. "Not talking about leaving him," Kensi assured her. "Just to give him some time to come out of this." She didn't have any experience with Callen's nightmares, but she knew her own. And she knew Callen had been through so much more than she had and she wasn't sure if Annabel was up to seeing what might happen.

Annabel shook her head again and finally tore her gaze off Callen to look at Kensi. "I can't."

Kensi heard the desperation and pain come through in Annabel's voice and frowned. She waited patiently for Annabel to continue.

"Someone left me when I was like this; worse than this. I won't do that to him."

Kensi saw the determination in her eyes and knew she wouldn't be moved. The pain she had seen in Annabel's eyes made her wonder what had happened to her. "Okay," Kensi agreed as she moved back and put her arm around Annabel again, as they both watched and waited.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o

Sam moved to the bed quickly, watching every movement his partner made, listened to every sound as he tried to work out how to help him. G was definitely having a nightmare. Sam waited for a moment when G was somewhat still and then moved in. He put his hands firmly on G and spoke his name loudly.

"G, wake up." Sam's hand gave him a gentle shake to add emphasis to his words but G didn't respond.

"Come on, G. Wake up. Just a nightmare. Come on, G." Sam almost yelled the last part, trying to get through to G before he hurt himself. G was fighting hard against his hold.

Sam was about to try again when G's hands flew to Sam's neck and he got a really good hold around it. The next thing Sam knew he was flat on his back on the bed with G seemingly trying to strangle him.

"G, it's me, Sam," Sam choked out as his hands pulled on G's, managing to keep the pressure to extremely uncomfortable instead of lethal.