A/N

Guest Review Replies: Still have some to catch up on past chapters but going to focus on keeping up first with last chapter and will work on the others for next time.

Aussiered - Thank you. Doing okay, working through all the complications but thankfully we aren't where the fires were/are. A little too suburbia for that. Enjoying being back writing and getting into the swing of things and hearing from my readers.

Wedding Eve - Part 2. Enjoy and look forward to hearing from you.

Chapter 177 - Wedding Eve Part 2

"You're really going to do this aren't you?" Jessie asked Trevor later that night when they were dancing together.

"You did it to me."

"For a very good reason. One that doesn't apply to me." There were times when they were younger that Jessie hadn't enjoyed being the more responsible one of the pair of them. But she also knew that without Trevor's risk taking influence she'd be a very different person to who she was now. He'd given her the strength and encouragement to pursue her dreams even with the difficulties she'd faced. He'd been a major support when she'd decided to pursue the dual career of both ED Doctor and Psychiatrist.

"And I am doing this for a very good reason too."

Jessie rolled her eyes. "I know. Payback."

Trevor grinned. A cheeky one that always brought out a smile, along with the hint of trepidation about what he was actually up to. "For once my dear Jessie girl, you're wrong." Then he shrugged. "Mostly."

"Mostly?"

"Just a little bit of payback but mostly ..." This time the smile was soft and made her heart flip a little because she knew that whatever came next was going to reach deep inside straight to the very heart of her. "I like to think," Trevor continued, their movements suddenly not much more than a sway on the spot, "that I'm starting you off on the same path as Alex and I. That this night, the last one before you are married, is the same as mine and so will the rest of it. Alex and I are still going strong. I want that for you and Callen. To be just as strong, happy and passionate as we are after all this time."

Yep, straight to the heart. Jessie felt the tears push at her eyes. "You sure know how to make a girl cry don't you?"

Trevor pulled her closer. "Tears of happiness I will gladly cause you as frequently as possible. The other kind - never."

Jessie knew if he could whenever those other tears came he'd be there wiping them away, no matter how far he had to come to do so. The pure love between them was something she cherished, so similar to what her parents had given to her and each other. Also to what Callen gave her, yet at the same time, so very different. Not many people understood the connection between her and Trevor - how something so strong and deep couldn't be more than what it was. There'd been questions after they'd divorced from those who they were friends with, who couldn't understand how nothing had happened. She'd lost track of the number of looks that said she must be lying about it. Callen had initially doubted but she had made it clear and he'd believed her. Alex understood too. No one else really mattered but she was lucky in that this new family of hers that now surrounded and protected her, alongside the two men who had been her only family for so long, also understood.

Trevor's fingers brushed against her cheek, wiping away the tears that had escaped. "One more dance with your man before you're mine for the night." He spun her around straight into Callen's arms.

"Just one?" Callen asked Trevor, though his eyes were locked on hers, the slightest hint of worry in them suggested he'd seen the tears, or at least Trevor wiping them away. Unless of course he happened to have caught sight of the ones she was sure were still shimmering there now, waiting to fall.

"One," Trevor agreed, "but I'll make sure it's a long one."

"You okay?" Callen pulled her a little closer. Jessie dropped her head onto his shoulder and breathed in the familiar and comforting scent that was him.

"I'm fine. He's … he's got a way with words, not quite as good as you but still a dangerous talent."

Jessie settled further into his hold and they danced, slowly, almost in a world of their own, though she did note the gradual reduction of guests who were still in the room. Deeks and Kensi had already slipped away and she watched Michelle and Sam on what seemed like a good night run. Aiden and Kam had been sent up earlier to watch a movie, complete with popcorn and strict instructions from Sam that Kam was to be in bed at a reasonable hour. She smiled at the suspicion that that hadn't happened. Kam and Aiden, even with the age gap between them, adored each other. They were most likely making the most of this bonus time together, knowing that with just a look from Kam and a few choice words from Aiden about loving getting some precious time with his little sister, Sam wouldn't be able to do anything in regards to punishment. Sam and Michelle glanced at her and Callen. They sent a smile and wave in their direction before leaving the room. Arkady had retired earlier complaining about all this lovely dovey stuff in the room making him feel like the odd wheel out but the look that had passed between Callen and Arkady had been easy to read. He'd been thinking of his Katerina. It wasn't an easy time for Arkady as he'd received word from the nursing home a couple of weeks ago that Tatyana had taken a bad turn and fallen. Unfortunately she'd also slipped into a coma. Being the next of kin, or at least they thought he was, Arkady had had to make the choice to switch off the life support. They'd attended a small private funeral with him a couple of days before they'd headed out here. Callen had told Arkady that they would understand if he didn't want to come but he'd refused to take the out. "No," he'd said firmly. "I can do this. Be there for my friend … and for her. Knowing you are happy and with woman you love would've made her so happy." They hadn't argued anymore but they knew it would be hard on him so hadn't tried to stop him from slipping away as early as he had.

It was late, almost eleven and the only ones left in the room dancing, aside from Callen and Jessie, were Eric, Nell, Trevor and Alex. Hetty was sitting talking with Garrison and Gibbs, who had oddly enough actually danced a little with Jessie, Michelle and most surprisingly Hetty which had been a rather odd sight. However, most of the night Gibbs had spent 'people watching' and Jessie suspected he'd learned a lot about this team of Callen's that was now most definitely family to him.

"Not sure I like the idea of not sleeping with you." Callen's quiet murmur pulled her thoughts from those around her back to him.

Jessie lifted her head and smiled. "Like we'd be sleeping much." Given his abilities in the shower early Jessie suspected there were some things he hadn't revealed to her about his recovery because he'd been much more capable than she thought.

"We'd sleep," Callen grinned. "In between."

She laughed softly before she settled her head back on his shoulder. "It's just one night."

"Means a lot to him doesn't it?"

"More than I thought." Jessie sighed, the feel of Callen's hand tracing her back was comforting and reassuring. Nothing more because she knew he wouldn't start something now that they couldn't finish anytime soon. She relaxed further into his arms and enjoyed the final moments of being there, swaying softly with him. He still wore the boot when he was on his feet for extended periods but he moved in it so well you could barely notice. Jessie hoped his progress meant that he would be out of it permanently soon. She knew it frustrated him but he didn't complain, just worked harder with the physiotherapist to get better. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent and let the rest of the time slip away as if the two of them were the only ones in the room. At least until the gentle tap on her shoulder broke the spell. She lifted her head and looked at Trevor.

"Time's up," Trevor said gently. "You're mine now until morning."

Callen cupped her cheek, brushed a soft kiss across her lips. "See you in the morning Doc."

"I'll be there," she whispered and stepped back.

Jessie laid on the bed facing Trevor who was next to her. She smiled. "Any words of wisdom from the old married man?"

The serious expression that crossed Trevor's face surprised her.

"Just one," he said, "but I'm pretty sure you know it already. Trust him. Don't hide anything from him. I've seen the way you are with him and I would hate for anything to come between the two of you. And I think that is the only place it could."

"I do. I know how important trust is." Jessie knew first hand how both trust that was strong and true, and trust that was broken, felt. She cherished the trust she'd built with Callen over these years more than anything, especially knowing how hard it was for him to trust someone the way he trusted her. The things he'd shared with her, some things she was sure he hadn't shared with anyone else, had been a huge leap for him and she would never do anything to destroy that trust. It was more precious than anything.

"Good." Trevor smiled. "Now get some sleep. I don't want to be in trouble for you not looking good tomorrow."

Jessie rolled her eyes. "You're doing my makeup so I don't think the amount of sleep truly matters with your skills." Trevor had made the most of every opportunity to learn all areas of his craft during their time in Boston - that had included volunteering with makeup artists whenever he could. He'd absorbed every tip and skill that they had taught him and made sure he mastered each and every one of them, more often than not using her as a guinea pig. It had been one of his ways of getting her to stop studying when he knew she needed a break but wouldn't take one.

"I work with what I've got and I don't have to work much with you."

"You've always been skilled at flattery."

"I don't flatter you. Tease yes. Flatter no. You are more beautiful now than you were before you met him. The love shines right through everywhere."

Jessie reached for his hand across the bed and smiled. "I do think you are biased but I know better than to argue with you … too much."

"I'm glad you found him," Trevor said. "Been waiting for this day for so long."

"Really? You knew I'd marry him?"

Trevor grinned. "As soon as I met him I knew there was no way he'd let you go, at least once he got over the idea that he wasn't for you."

Jessie's eyes drooped. Trevor lifted her hand to his lips. "Sleep Jessie girl," he ordered gently. "Tomorrow is a big day."

Jessie gave up the fight and let her eyes close. "You know nothing changes right?" she said softly. "With you and me?"

"I know." Trevor squeezed her hand. "He never would've made it this far if that was going to happen. Never letting you go."

Their lives might change, their location shift and the physical distance between the two of them might grow but never would what was between them change. It was too strong. They were too much a part of one another.

"Never," Jessie murmured. "He's just like Alex." Alex had always known that she would always be a part of Trevor. He'd accepted it so completely from the first moment.

"Yep," Trevor agreed. "He knows we're a pair." There was a slight pause before he added, in a singsong voice. "Can't have one without the other."

"Oh stop," she said, though she couldn't help the smile that lifted both corners of her mouth.

"It is appropriate." Even though her eyes were still closed Jessie could easily picture the grin on Trevor's face, along with the twinkle that would be in his eyes that suggested a plan was being formed.

"You wanted me to sleep," she said.

"I'll sing it tomorrow then," he said. "I'm sure it will be on the karaoke machine."

"I'm sure it will too." Along with a few others that Jessie was sure Callen had made certain to tell Trevor about.

"Good night Jessie girl," he said softly.

"Good night Trevor."

Jessie let out a breath and felt sleep tug her under, Trevor's hand still holding hers. Comforting, familiar even after all this time. Family. Love - in the purest sense of the word. She knew without him she'd wouldn't have made it to Callen, to the rest of her family. To this happy, most wanted place in her life.