A/N - This has been a rather tough work in progress especially with the way the world has gone mad right now. I hope everyone is safe and taking care of themselves. Things are changing so quickly before our very eyes and it's hard not to be swept away in the darkness.

So right now I've edited til my eyes feel like they are spinning in my head so I've decided to just put it out instead of trying to do anything more. I hope I've got it right. I wasn't easy with the wedding speeches trying to get into various heads and I hope I've somehow managed.

It's long, actually after a quick check it's the second longest chapter so far, but given current world circumstances perhaps that will not be a problem.

I hope this gives you a little some to escape from, that you enjoy and, as always love to hear your thoughts.


Chapter 184 - Wedding Part 7

Sam spun Jessie across the dance floor in time to a soft classical piece of music, not as smoothly as Callen could but pretty impressive for such a large man. When Arkady had actually finished his karaoke song Jessie wasn't sure since she'd been a touch distracted just before.

"You know Sam," Jessie said, "You've never done the 'hurt my friend' talk with me." She'd been expecting from him well before Hetty had done hers.

"Didn't think I needed to with you. Did it with him though."

Jessie glanced up in surprise. "What?"

Sam grinned. "Come on Jessie. I know my partner. I know you. You were the one most likely to get hurt because," Sam glanced over at Callen and Michelle, Jessie's gaze followed to see them sitting at the bar, "And I dearly love the man," Sam continued, "but he can be so damn stubborn sometimes that he can't see what's staring him in the face, even if it's sitting on his lap. And to make it more difficult, even when he does see it, he'll find a million ways to hold back."

Jessie laughed softly. Oh yes, Sam knew Callen incredibly well, not that she'd ever doubted it. "Yes that may be, but," she tilted her head and studied him carefully as he continued to move them around the dance floor. "He's still your family." Because Callen was Sam & Michelle's family, even if it took Callen a long time to accept it.

"And you were too by then."

Jessie felt the wave of emotion roll over her at that statement that was said so simply, calmly and factually. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and asked, "So when did you give him the speech?"

"If I recall correctly it was your birthday last year."

Jessie thought for a moment. "So after you knew how I felt." Sam had seen it so easily after the submarine incident but then she hadn't been capable of hiding anything at that point which was why she'd avoided, or tried to avoid, Callen.

"Would've been sooner except that would've given away your secret and I figured you had your reasons for not telling him."

"I did, mostly I was scared so maybe you should've."

Sam grinned and shook his head. "Nah. You two got there in your own time and I know G. If you push him somewhere he doesn't want to go there's every chance it will backfire. Then there was the time after you stayed the night with him after Reinhardt."

"Oh."

"He's stubborn. Figured he needed to be told a few times."

Jessie raised an eyebrow. "A few?" That was only two.

Sam chuckled. "Figure Michelle warned him too. He's just too…. Stubborn really is the only polite word for him. I threatened to matchmake if he didn't get his act together and actually tell you."

"Matchmake?" Jessie wasn't sure she wanted to know what Sam's version of matchmake would be like. She had an inkling it might have been only a touch less drastic than Trevor and Alex's plans.

"I didn't thankfully. Things with Nate blew up and he finally got brave."

Nate. Jessie hadn't thought about him in a long time. Unfortunately that was still a rather tender spot she was still working through. She pushed thoughts of him out of her head.

"It wasn't easy for him," Jessie said softly. For Callen to open up the way he had that night after everything that had happened was more than brave. He'd opened himself up to hurt, pain and rejection. There had most definitely been no walls that time from him. It hadn't been easy for either of them but it had been necessary. That conversation had been the start of some serious reinforcing of their relationship, as well as the catalyst to move toward more. That reinforcing, as difficult as it had been, had given them an exceptionally solid foundation to continue building on.

Sam smiled. "Usually the things that are truly worth it aren't easy. You know that."

"I know." Gaining the team's trust, as a whole and as individuals, hadn't been easy, but it had certainly been well and truly worth it. Jessie rose on her toes and kissed Sam on the cheek. "Thank you. For looking out for me. For both of us."

"Always will." Sam stepped back as the music came to an end and bowed very formally. Jessie curtsied in return and before she'd even finished rising back up she felt hands at her waist.

"My turn," a familiar voice said softly before she felt herself being turned around into equally familiar arms.


Callen moved Jessie away from Sam and Michelle quickly, not trusting or perhaps trusting that Michelle would do as she had suggested. He pulled her in close and lowered his voice. "You have a wicked mouth on you Doc."

Callen saw a flash of mischief in her eyes and suspected he was in trouble. He recognised the flash easily, always had with her. Jessie shifted her lips closer to his ear and whispered, "Was hoping it would be on you."

Oh yeah. He was in trouble … and very happy to be there. The desire that had been firing through his blood ramped back up as if it hadn't eased at all during his conversation with Michelle. He slowed down the movements of their dance so they settled into a slow sway.

"Would you really want to do that?" he asked, careful to pitch his voice just for her ears.

"What?"

Callen grinned at the slight confusion on her face. "What you were suggesting before?"

He saw understanding and a hint of interest in her eyes, but there was also a battle, war really. The interested side battled with the very private Jessie he knew. Sure flirting, touching and teasing were a part of who they were with their friends… family but when it got right down to very personal between them, that was just them.

"Maybe." Jessie shrugged. "It's tempting to get my … hands on you now rather than wait."

Callen ran his fingers up her back and shifted her a little closer so she couldn't miss his reaction. And so that he could feel hers when he added quietly, "You weren't talking hands."

He pulled his head back in time to watch the blush go from her cheeks all the way down her neck. "I -" Jessie sighed and closed her eyes. "It's your fault," she murmured

"Mine?" He was very curious to see where she was going to take this.

Her eyes opened, complete with that mischievous sparkle back in them. "Absolutely. You deprived me earlier. Now I'm…" Her lips twitched. "Impatient."

"If you're that impatient," Callen trailed his fingers down her neck slowly, "Why don't you take me out-"

Hetty interrupted the little bubble they'd slipped into, apparently a common occurrence today, with a tap on her glass that pulled their attention.

"Saved by the bell," Jessie whispered.

Callen heard the need and desire in her voice and it fanned his own flames. Soon. Just as soon as he could whisk them somewhere private he'd see just what he could do to make her as hot and bothered as he was.

"A wedding would not be a wedding without speeches now would it?" Hetty said. "Please take your seats." And because this was Hetty that was all it took to have everyone moving. "Champagne is already in your glasses."

Callen slipped his arm around Jessie's waist and steered them toward their seats.

"Nobody told me about speeches," she whispered.

"Do you want to do one? I think Trevor was trying to do things as traditional as possible."

Jessie almost snorted. "Traditionally? Really? This is more untraditional than traditional."

"If you want to do one just say so."

"With no prep?"

Callen smiled. "You'd do great Doc." He brushed a kiss on her shoulder when she sat down and whispered in her ear. "Floors yours if you want it. Just say the word."

When Hetty was the only one left standing she started to speak. "Traditionally."

Jessie tried to cover a laugh with a cough. Callen was more successful and kept it to a grin. Hetty looked at them over her glasses and waited.

"Sorry Hetty," Jessie said. "Please go on."

"Traditionally," Hetty restarted, "the father of the bride goes first. As I am sure you are all aware that is not possible. However we do have someone in our midst who has known the bride almost as long." Hetty focused on Jessie. "But before I let him speak I am going to take this opportunity to say something. I am utterly certain Jessie dear, that your father and mother would be incredibly proud of the woman you have become. You are exceptionally kind and caring. Your commitment to your jobs, to those you care about, in both a professional and personal capacity, is a credit to the love they showed you and each other, in your tender years. Those seeds planted in that short time you had them have grown and blossomed and I for one am incredibly privileged to call you family."

Callen didn't need to look, though he did anyway, to know there were tears shining in Jessie's eyes. He shifted a little closer and slipped his hand behind her to rest on the skin there at the back of her shoulder, to give him a connection to her and her to him.

"For years," Hetty continued, "I have watched Callen move through this life, holding onto very few things. Even fewer people. And keeping his heart safe from breaking, perhaps even deceiving himself into thinking he did not have one. For years I have hoped he would not follow my path to live his life alone." Hetty smiled. "The day you came into his life I started to hope that maybe he'd finally met his match."

"Like you didn't already know that," Callen said, "before that day."

Hetty nodded in acknowledgment. "I will admit," she said, "to feeling that you had met your match with her in a professional sense. That I had found someone you could truly talk to, or at least would eventually trust enough to talk to. However as for the personal side, that was something I did not dare dream for quite a while. I have watched you Callen for long before we met, and much closer than you could imagine when you were under my protection in those early years of our actual physical acquaintance. Simple things showed me just how perfect Jessie was for you. You reached out to her, protected her, were there for her in a much more personal way than professional courtesy and teammate relationships demanded, even in as close knit a team as yours. As much as I do not want to see fear in you, I saw it at times when it came to her safety. That is something you rarely let on that you feel. But the biggest sign of all was when I discovered that with her you slept. Not just the napping that I know is your normal."

Callen narrowed his gaze at Hetty. "Just how exactly did you know I slept?" And how much more did she know about what they got up to when they were alone. He shook that thought of quickly because he really didn't want it in his head at all.

"I have my ways," Hetty replied. Somehow with her tone Callen relaxed because Hetty wouldn't get into his personal life quite as deeply as he had briefly feared. That kind of personal space, as long as it wasn't a danger, was a line she wouldn't cross in that respect.

However he leaned closer to Jessie and murmured, "Remind me to double check the house when we get home."

"No need," Hetty said, because of course she'd heard. "It was well before you moved in that I knew." Callen waited but Hetty refused to divulge any further details.

"Suffice it to say," she continued, "that was a telling revelation because for you to actually sleep meant you must have felt incredibly safe with her and that thrilled me to my very soul. My boy had found, in your own words too, his home. Yet at the same time it worried me all the more because if something happened to her, I suspected that would destroy you and I wanted to protect you from that. But like all parents eventually discover, you cannot protect your child forever, no matter how much you wish it so. Wings must be spread and tested. Sometimes to fall. Sometimes to soar. With this I could not protect you because to do so meant doing exactly what would destroy you. So for once I had to step back and let nature take its course, which it did beautifully. With only a few minor hiccups along the way." Hetty raised her glass. "To Callen and Jessie. To the family they have become."

Callen caught a glimpse of the shine in Hetty's eyes and smiled. He knew exactly what she was saying even if the rest of the room didn't. The family she was referring to wasn't the obvious one - him and Jessie becoming their own. It was the family they were to her.

Hetty cleared her throat. "Now without further ado, Trevor. The floor is yours."

"Oh boy," Jessie wiped away the tears on one of her cheeks. "I'm in trouble."

"No you're not," Callen replaced her fingers with his on the other cheek. "Not yet."

Jessie chuckled. "I'd welcome that kind of trouble." She glanced at Trevor and back to Callen. "You, Trevor and Alex in the same room." She shrugged. "I guess you are right. Trouble is much too tame a word for it."

"Shh," Callen hushed her. "Listen." She leaned in and kissed him quickly on the lips, sitting back just in time for Trevor to start and Callen to not be able to steal one back.

"I never met Jessie's father. I didn't need to to know what kind of man he was. Because I got to know him through Jessie. We spoke at length, under cover of darkness and blankets on nights when her memories were strong. When tears would fill both our eyes and pain was comforted with stories and cuddles. He was an amazing man. Strong, forgiving, protective and loving. Just to name a few. Traits he has passed onto his daughter and which I will be forever grateful for because over this life, over these many … many years that I have had her in my life, I have been on the receiving end of every one of them. She's made me smile and laugh, protected me, sacrificed for me - though she'd never think of it that way. Loved me. Even married me." Trevor smiled. "Now that was an interesting experience."

Jessie groaned. Trevor chuckled and grinned. "I think everyone here Jessie knows not in that way. And if you don't, let me know and I'm sure Alex and I can give you a demonstration of some kind to ensure you know it's true."

"Anytime," Alex piped up.

"Anywhere too," Deeks muttered.

Hetty cleared her throat in an obvious attempt to bring order back to the room that was getting a little rowdy. Callen saw the twinkle in Trevor's eyes and put two and two together to realise that Deeks had been the one, or at least one of, those who had interrupted them yesterday.

"Anyway," Trevor took back control to some degree, "Marriage to Jessie was the best thing I'd ever done in my life to that point. She gave me peace, gave me time to heal from the painful reality that our world had disintegrated around us. She protected me and gave me much needed time to get strong again. Gave me the strength to fly and reach for those dreams I wasn't even sure I had the energy to grasp though I desperately wanted to."

Callen wondered if Jessie realised that as Trevor had been speaking her finger had drifted to the tattoo that she shared with Trevor.

"When our world blew apart," Trevor continued with more than a hint of emotion colouring his voice, "she was all that was left standing beside me. And I beside her. She's always said I was her rock, that I gave her strength to keep going but I would never have been able to give her what she needed without her giving me what I needed. Eventually I met someone else." He glanced at Alex. "Someone who accepted me for who I was, Jessie for who she was. But more importantly accepted Jessie and I for who we were together. He was patient, kind," Trevor's lips twitched a little, "incredibly sexy and understood more than I could possibly imagine especially given that he'd had the opposite of my family life. And that was when the marriage ended. Because we'd always known it was never going to be forever. We'd agreed. When one of us met 'The One', it would end. Not badly though. It was something to be celebrated. No sadness or regrets. Except there was one."

Callen watched Jessie carefully. There was confusion in her expression.

Trevor smiled. "I regretted it had been me to find that first. Because I wanted her to have that kind of love. She deserved it. Deserved to have someone love her for who she was, inside and out like I did and in all the ways that I couldn't. Her heart is so damn precious. A gift that I will cherish forever. She's my soulmate. Yes, I have more than one. She's been mine since that first day when we were eight. Always will be. Years went by. Idiots came and went, though there was at least one who wasn't an idiot that got my hopes up but … He wasn't quite right. The rest, well let's just say that some of them were lucky they weren't in the country when they hurt her. And then," Trevor looked at Callen. "She finally met someone. The One. Someone she could trust. Someone she finally told about her parents. The real story, not just that they died. Someone who had the strength that I didn't to get her through the issues that still haunted her. As much as I wished I could've been that for her, that job was never meant for me. I just held her hand, comforted her and made sure she made it to him like she made sure I made it to Alex. I do have to say they were incredibly close to being locked in a room for a week until they finally admitted to each other what they felt. Boy were they stubborn." Trevor turned his attention to Jessie. "I would've done it you know."

"I know," Jessie said, her voice thick with emotion that Callen was sure everyone in the room heard.

"But it was better that I didn't. Because you two needed to find your way to each other in your own time. Even if both Alex and I knew you two were meant for each other a heck of a long time before you finally got there."

"You and me both," Sam piped up.

Trevor grinned. "I could tell you so many stories about her. Have already in the past but today I just want to say."

Callen watched as Trevor took a moment and a breath. So in tune with Jessie he felt the slight shudder of emotion that rushed through her too. Plus the tears on her cheek spoke volumes.

"I love you Jessie," Trevor finally said. "And I couldn't be more thrilled than I am to see and know you have The One by your side. That he's finally found you and you him and -" Trevor wiped away tears at the same time Jessie did. "That you were brave enough to let him in and see all of you because I know how hard that was. I know how few have seen so deep into you and can count them on one hand." Trevor glanced around. "Though maybe not anymore."

The implication was clear to Callen in Trevor's words that he felt Jessie was surrounded by so many more who she could truly trust.

Trevor raised his glass. "To Jessie. My first love, innocent as it was. My soul mate. The best friend a boy could ever have."

They all sipped and then Trevor turned to Callen with a wicked grin. "And to Callen." He raised his glass again. "I am so going to enjoy having you as part of her Trio of Trouble. Welcome to the family… officially."

"Trio of Trouble?" Callen murmured to Jessie, his lips brushed against the skin of her shoulder as he spoke, giving him just a bit more of a connection to feel how she was doing. "I like that."

"I can think of something more appropriate."

Callen waited.

"Trio of Terror for a start," she added.

"Oh Doc," He kissed her shoulder again. "You know we'd never do anything to you that you truly wouldn't like."

"Why do you think the idea of you three plotting something to do with me is so terrifying?" she said. If it wasn't for the twitch of her lips and the twinkle in her eyes Callen would've been concerned that she was truly worried.

"So you don't like your comfort zone being stretched?" A wicked sparkle took over the twinkle in her eyes and she leaned in closer.

"G you can stretch my comfort zone anytime."

Callen really should've thought that through a little more as memories surfaced of times he'd done exactly that. Memories that weren't exactly comfortable to have in company but set off ideas for later when they would be alone.

"I'll take you up on that."

"Hmm Hmm." Sam cleared his throat and pulled their attention from each other. Callen wasn't quite sure when the baton had been passed to Sam from Trevor.

"I'll keep it short."

"That would be nice," Callen uttered loud enough for Sam to hear. Not that he really minded how long Sam took, except for the fact that the longer he did the longer it would be before he got his newly acquired wife alone to make the most of the rest of their wedding day. He just enjoyed messing with Sam too much to let that comment pass.

"G. You're my best friend and partner. But more importantly you're family. My brother. For so long I've wanted you to find a nice girl. Tried to help even." Sam grinned. "But we know how those set ups ended."

"Very quickly," Callen whispered in Jessie's ear. "He has lousy taste."

Jessie turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow. "In women for me," Callen added quickly when he realised how that sounded and incredibly grateful that Michelle hadn't heard him.

Jessie smiled. "You never told me about all these other women."

"No point. They never went anywhere because they weren't you."

"You two done?" Sam asked. "Trying to make it short here."

"Sorry Sam," Jessie shot Callen a Behave look.

"Turns out," Sam continued, "he didn't need a nice girl."

"Hey!" Trevor protested.

Sam turned and shot Trevor a look. "Give me a minute before you lynch me."

"I'm counting," Alex warned - mostly good naturedly but there was a definite protective note in the tone that Callen was sure Sam didn't miss.

Sam focused back on Callen. "You didn't need some quiet, nice girl who was the opposite of you to balance you out. You needed someone who would stand toe to toe with you and fight for what was important. Fight for you just as much as you fight for everyone else, which is with everything you have. You needed someone brave to match your bravery … or foolishness depending on who's looking at the mission report. Someone compassionate to bring out that part of you that you kept so well hidden. Ever since I met you, even before really, given what you did for my family back then, you've been so determined to protect everyone else but never yourself. That's the only part of you that I hate."

"You mean you like me singing in the car?"

"I can put up with you singing in the car."

"Times ticking," Alex reminded them.

"You needed someone to make you see you were worth protecting. Someone to get beyond those walls you've only let a few behind, deeper even than anyone who's gone there before. The more I got to know Jessie the more I realised just how alike you two are." Sam grinned. "Except she's nice."

Jessie laughed out loud, so did Callen. Her soft one a sweet contrast to his deeper one.

"Very nice in fact," Alex added, which kept the light laughter going.

"And I know," Sam said, "she needed to find you just as much as you needed to find her. An amazing unique girl for an amazing, one of a kind - thank goodness - guy." Sam turned to Alex. "Am I still in trouble?"

"You've redeemed yourself … nicely," Alex said.

"Jessie," Sam turned his focus to Jessie. "You've been a part of the family for a long time so there's no need to welcome you to the family today." He turned back to Alex and Trevor, "But I am going to welcome you two." He looked back at Callen. "G I've waited so long to see you fall. It was spectacular, though in some ways not in a good way. The end result was everything I could've hoped for for you." Sam raised his glass and the rest followed. "To G, the best brother a guy could ask for."

Callen rose and glanced down at Jessie. He smiled. "Looks like I've gotten pretty lucky today with those speeches."

"Pretty sure you got lucky before," Deeks piped up cheekily, "and will be getting lucky again later too."

Callen raised any eyebrow and stared at Deeks just long enough to make him squirm.

"What?" Deeks said. "Seriously is there anyone in this room who doubts it's already happened?"

"You and Kensi were later than us," Callen added. A blush that spread on both Deeks and Kensi's cheeks.

"G," Jessie warned beside him though he heard the amusement in that one simple word - his name - which he still loved hearing from her lips.

"I looked up what a groom's speech is supposed to be about," Callen started. "Didn't help much. Most of it doesn't apply to this patchwork family of ours. The family of the bride is a little weird to say the least. I do thank them for everything they've done that led her to me and what they have done to make the day perfect. Especially the rain. That was a very … lucky addition to the day." Deeks groaned.

"One point is to compliment the bridesmaids and tell them how beautiful they look. I think," Callen grinned at Trevor, "I'll leave that one up to Alex to assure Trevor on how good his looks. Later please," he added quickly. "And speaking on behalf of my bride was never going to happen because we all know that Jessie's more than capable of speaking for herself. It's one of the reasons we all love her even if we occasionally wish she wasn't so good at finding the right words to make our own spill easily for her. But there is one part in particular that does fit." Callen turned to Jessie and held out his hand. When she put hers in it, he pulled her up out of her seat so she stood close enough that their bodies brushed slightly. He slid one hand into her hair, hair that not that long ago he'd had tangled in his hands in a very different way. It was out. He'd convinced her to leave it out as a silent message to everyone here even if they didn't know it and even if it did hide her shoulders and the marks he'd happily left there earlier.

"Talking about my bride. My wife."

Jessie lifted a hand and brushed a tear of her cheek with a finger. He smiled and caught her hand, kissed the tear off her finger before he continued.

"Doc, you are beautiful, in so many ways. I can't believe you're mine and I think I'm going to have to pinch myself everyday to make sure this is real, not just a dream. Though you are everything I was never game to dream could be mine so maybe I won't need to after all. It's already been said but it's worth repeating. You are brave and strong and courageous. You are loving, caring and compassionate. All the things I never thought I deserved but deep, deep down, desperately wanted for my own. You saw things in me even I couldn't see. You gave me my family. You gave me your heart and I will never let you regret it. I love you." He lowered his head, brushed a gentle kiss over her lips. "Always will."

Jessie rose on her toes slightly and pressed a firmer kiss back to his lips. A throat was cleared, this time not Sam. Callen glanced at Arkady who grinned. "Are children present," the old man said.

Callen shifted his gaze to Kam and then to Aiden who grinned. "I'm good. Go for it Uncle Callen."

Callen chuckled, remembering that conversation long ago in a hospital room about Jessie being cute. Aiden had grown so much since then. No longer a boy, yet Callen couldn't quite think of him as a man yet. He pressed a quick kiss to Jessie lips, murmured "Later" before he turned back to the guests.

"I do want to thank you all for being here. Though I guess none of you were going to be anywhere else once Hetty got involved with the organisation. We do particularly appreciate you not complaining too much."

"Wouldn't be anywhere else," Kensi called out. "Even without Hetty's orders."

Hetty rose to her feet and the murmur and giggles stopped. "We are almost done. Garrison has a few words."

Callen already knew this. Hetty had spoken to him a while ago to pass on Garrison's request to speak today. There was still a degree of uncertainty between the two of them but they were getting closer. Garrison slowly rose from his seat.

"Grisha. Jessie. Today I do not wish to speak as your father beyond saying Congratulations and a thank you to Jessie for her patience and guidance for Grisha and I. Without that I doubt I would be here today to share your happiness. Instead I wish to say something from your mother. She loved you so much. The joy you and Amy brought her was so clear on her face and in her eyes. I once asked her what she wanted for you when you grew up." Garrison smiled. "She wanted you to be a farmer." There was a chuckle from multiple places around the room. "She didn't want you to have the unsettled and dangerous life we did. She said a farmer would have something to do during the day that was satisfying and the freedom to relax at night with your family. But I could read between the lines even before she told me what she wanted most. Love. She wanted you to have the joy of family, of someone to love you and for you to love. She worried about you most. She worried that the little loving boy you were would be hurt by the world and hide from it. I sometimes wonder if she knew what was coming. But I know that she would be so happy to see you now, even if you aren't a farmer. To see you love and accept love. Being happy. It is all she truly ever wanted for you."

Garrison sat down, the emotion was incredibly clear and strong in his last words. It left Callen with an equally strong reinforcement of the fact that his father had loved, and still did love, his mother very much even after all these years. And in that moment he found yet another similarity he shared with his father, that he didn't mind at all and one that he had no doubt would always be there. They would love their wife strongly, deeply and without end.

"Well," Hetty rose again, "If that is all -"


Jessie stood beside him. "Not quite Hetty. Turns out I have something to say after all."

Her hand reached for Callen's. Not because she was nervous but simply because she wanted to have that connection with him. She smiled and took a breath before she let it out slowly.

"There is not one person in this room that is my family … by blood that is. Not one. There are two who are now legally family." She smiled down at Callen. "My husband and my father-in-law." She smiled at Garrison too before she continued. "But the rest of you. Nope. Nothing official. Nothing blood. Yet in this room," she took a quick steadying breath, "in this room I have brothers and sisters. Both of the more mature and cheeky variety. One in particular a twin because Trevor darling, you know me so much better, and get me into so much more trouble, than a standard brother possibly could. And yes Deeks," she added before Deeks could say whatever it was that his mouth had opened to say, "I know you are most definitely not standard. None of you are."

Another breath and swallow past the lump of emotion that was tightening her throat with every word.

"I have a niece and a nephew," she smiled at Kam and Aiden, "who I truly cannot wait to get my hands on in the mischievous Aunt kind of way." She shifted her gaze to Michelle. "A sister who sometimes masquerades as a mother. Uncles, including the kind we don't necessarily want to claim." She knew Callen would know she was referring to Arkady. The smile on Arkady's face meant he also knew she was referring to him. "And we would trust all of you with our lives and the lives of all those we love. And let's not forget the all knowing grandmother."

She blew out a quick breath and continued talking because she knew if she stopped for too long she wouldn't be able to start again. As it was, tears were hovering ready to fall from her eyes.

"Here in this room I have more family than I ever dreamed I would." Yes she had Alex's family. Yet as large as it was, it wasn't the same as this. "My beautiful, fun, crazy chosen family." She smiled. "If there is only one thing you take from today I want it to be this. Family is not defined by blood. It is defined by actions. It is defined by being there, in whatever way you can, near or far, however they need. It is defined by," she grinned at Trevor, "Sacrifice that isn't a sacrifice at all. It isn't defined by the word but the action of the word. It is defined by love."

Jessie turned to Callen and stopped fighting the tears. She lifted her glass to his. "To family."

Family. The word ran around the room as glasses clinked together.

Callen sipped his and put it down before he stood and pulled her into his arms. "See Doc," he said softly. "No prep needed. It was perfect."

Jessie rested her head on his shoulders and took a deep breath to gather control of her emotions just a little.

"So, let the Karaoke continue," Trevor piped up, no doubt to pull the attention from Jessie and give her the quiet space with Callen that she needed.

There was a collective groan followed by a sharp "No" and a slightly thump and scraping of a chair on the floor. There was no mistaking the deep Russian accent of the protest that followed.

Both Callen and Jessie laughed and she whispered to Callen, "Remind me to thank Mac later for saving our ears."


"So," Callen said later when they were dancing, "how much longer before I get you alone?" The cake had been cut, all the food eaten and he was, as much as he loved those around them, more than ready to get them alone and celebrate in private.

Jessie lifted her head from his shoulder and smiled. "Just waiting for you to ask. Tossing the bouquet is all that's left."

Callen's lips twitched. "You know there's only Nell, Hetty and Kam who are unmarried right? There's really only one that we want to have to catch it." Sam would flip if Kam caught it and as much as Callen didn't want to think about Nell as a grown up, it was the lesser of two evils between her and Hetty in connection to a wedding of their own.

Jessie smiled, a wicked one that meant someone was in trouble. Just not the one that meant he was in trouble. "Actually," she said, "I have very specific plans on who is going to get it."

"Gonna fill me in?"

Jessie winked. "Keep an eye on your partner's reaction." That gave him his answer of who she had planned but not the what she had planned.

Jessie stepped back out of his arms, though her hand didn't leave his and guided them off the dance floor. On the table where they had been seated was both her bouquet and a smaller exact replica that she'd asked for for this moment.

A glance at Hetty from Jessie was all it took for Hetty to start the very quick process of gathering everyone's attention. It didn't take long with only three of them to line up. Sam was already protesting from the sidelines but Michelle was doing a great job of stopping him physically walking over to Kam and pulling her from the line up. The grip she had on Sam's arm was subtle but obvious to Callen because he knew them well.

"I'm not going to throw this," Jessie told them all. "Not because it wouldn't be fun to see who ended up with it but because I have a very special someone in mind." Jessie left Callen's side and walked straight up to Kam, as expected. "Kam I want you to have this."

"Jessie." There was a warning in Sam's tone. Jessie glanced at Sam and Callen spotted the wicked gleam in her eyes even from this distance.

"Consider it my first mischievous Aunt adventure." Jessie leaned in close and whispered in Kam's ear. They shared a giggle and a hug before Jessie moved back to Callen's side.

"Doc," Callen murmured, "I think I'm going to have to protect you."

Jessie turned in his arms. "Wouldn't the best way be to get me out of here?"

The wickedness was still there but this time it was directed at him, very different to when she was with Kam. Callen took advantage of the invitation and scooped her up in his arms.

"G!"

"You wanted me to get you out of here." He walked them through the crowd and across the dance floor to the sound of whistles and comments that he blocked out and focused on enjoying the feel of her in his arms and the building anticipation of what was coming. At the door he called back to them. "Enjoy the party. Sleep in. Breakfast will be very late if you want us to join you."

And then they were out the door.

"G you don't have to -"

Callen caught her mouth with his, stopped her words and took the kind of kiss he'd been wanting to for most of the reception. Long enough to fire things right up but not too long that he ended up forgetting where they were. It was a very fine line he walked.

"G," Jessie said softly when the kiss came to an end. "Let me walk up the stairs at least."

Callen put her down. It was a good idea, even though he was strong enough to carry her, today had been the most he'd pushed things and he had more he wanted to do that he didn't want to put off. Hand in hand they walked up the stairs but once they reached the top he swept her up again. At their door, he stopped and lowered her to her feet. He took her hands in his, linked their fingers and brushed his thumb over that spot inside her wrist. Jessie smiled.

"Thought - Ah!" the gasp slipped from her lips as he raised her hands above her head and pinned the rest of her body between the wall and his body. He shifted his head and brushed very light kisses up and down her neck.

"G please," she moaned. Her head tilted more to give him access in that subtle way she had of asking for more.

He lifted his head and waited until she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Not until you tell me what you said to Kam."

"Girl talk."

Callen shook his head. "Not good enough. You were messing with Sam's head and I really want to know how." He shifted so that only one of his hands was occupied holding hers above her head and slowly trailed his fingers down the sensitive skin of her arm.

"You really … want to wait … to get me inside?" When Jessie tried to shift he held firm, though the slight movement she managed to make still managed to rev up the heat.

"I can wait." At least Callen hoped he could otherwise he was sure she'd never let him forget the win. "Can you?" His fingers slowly slid over her bare shoulder, across her collarbone and then started to move even slower down following the neckline of her dress. Yes, if he was to win he had to make sure she couldn't wait. He shifted enough so that his lips hovered just above hers and their eyes locked. "Come now wife of mine, no secrets."

"No secrets?" Her head dropped back against the wall and Callen took advantage to shift his lips to her neck for some more light kisses. "But," she added, "that will spoil the surprise of things I've planned for later."

Callen groaned and sucked on a particular spot on her neck in payback. The thoughts that flashed through his mind about what she might've packed, and how soon later might be, pushing him closer to not being able to wait.

"G." Her name fell from her lips in a soft moan and a strong shiver of need went through her.

Callen lifted his head and caught her gaze with his once again. "I've been waiting so long," his voice low, knowing exactly what the deeper tone did to her, "to experience that wicked mouth of yours like you promised." He didn't miss the flare of heat or the subtle shift of her body as she tried, not to get away, but get closer.

"Then let's go inside."

Even though he knew he was pushing her closer to the edge, closer to telling him what he wanted to know, he suddenly realised she was enjoying this temptation and build up, this battle of who could make the other lose it first. He could also see the determination in her eyes that she wouldn't be the one to give in. That was a challenge that Callen had every intention of winning and he knew exactly how to do it. He smiled and watched her reaction as his fingers shifted from the neckline down to her waist and lower to the top of the split in her dress. He didn't go under though he knew where her thoughts went given what had happened in the bathroom before they'd gone down stairs earlier. Her eyes darkened further and he played his final card. He moved his mouth to her ear and proceeded to tempt the hell out of her until she was trembling against him, right on the edge and her breathing was very unsettled.

"I told her to make sure she found someone like you."

Callen lifted his head back to look at her. "Now why would you do that?"

Jessie smiled. "You're one of a kind." She tugged her hand a little in request and he let them go. She brought hers down to his cheek and brushed her fingers gently over it. "And if she looks for someone like you, he's going to be hard to find. But oh so worth it. Should keep her from dating for a while don't you think?"

Callen grinned. "Sam would like that."

"But," her arms came up around his neck and she shifted her body against his. "We aren't going to tell, are we?"

Damn he adored this woman's wicked mind, in all the ways it could be. "Your secret is safe with me." Though his favourite was definite when it came to things between them.

Callen reached around and opened the door then walked her backward, still bodies against each other but now she played her lips over his neck. The door closed, he flicked the lock and had her back against the door a moment later.

"Now," Callen's fingers tangled in her hair and tilted her head back just enough. He lowered his head. "Just what were you intending to do with this wicked mouth of yours?"

Desire flared in her eyes, wickedness too but before she could do anything, he lowered his mouth and reaquainted himself with hers. After all it had been too long since he'd kissed her.

And then the night proceeded to get very … hot.