Author's Note: Don't worry, these are not the ending chapters. By popular demand, there will be reaction chapters. I hope you guys enjoy this update! :)
Why I am thankful for my team.
This team is the most efficient, organized team I have ever served on. And that is clearly because of the people.
Our computer tech –and wizard- Eric is our eye in the sky. He makes sure we get where we are going and has saved our skins multiple times by knowing where everyone is at once. I have no idea how he does what he does, but as long as it keeps us safe, I want him to do it. And I hate to admit it, but his whistling isn't as annoying as it used to be. The other bonus is with him around; I know I will never be the worst dressed person in the building.
Eric looked insulted. "What is wrong with my clothes?"
Sam nodded pointedly at Eric Hawaiian shirt decorated with turkeys.
"Touché." Eric admitted.
But even Eric couldn't accomplish half of what he does without the assistance of our cheerful analyst. Nell, I admit, had to grow on me a little bit. I don't like people talking over me, but I know she doesn't mean to. I often wonder where she gets her energy, but as long as she is alert enough to catch a detail everyone else missed, I couldn't care less. She is a valuable addition to our unit and she makes me smile every once in a while. When she and Eric team up, they are unbeatable.
Nell grinned at Sam and he nodded slowly back with a friendly smile.
Kensi has been with us a long time, from the beginning. I feel safer around her than around some SEALs I used to know; she is strong, observant, and always on her toes. She may be a fun target to tease, but she can give it back as fast as I can dish it out. I may feel protective of her sometimes, but I know she can handle herself. She doesn't like talking about herself, and I think that is why she respects my own personal space so mush. I am grateful she is a part of my unit, and not just because she can keep a muzzle on Deeks. Sometimes, I think she is what keeps us human.
Kensi had a small smile as Hetty paused to sip some tea.
Deeks is…Deeks. He works hard-too hard-to be a part of this team. He pushes the envelope, has no tact, says exactly what he thinks, and lacks refinement. And that is what makes him such a great addition to the team. Sometimes the envelope has to be pushed, sometimes tactlessness is necessary, and none of us are exactly refined ourselves. For all his faults-and there are a lot of them-he genuinely cares about people and puts his own safety somewhere behind everyone else. He is the kind of guy you can imagine rescuing kittens from trees on his days off…even if it is only to impress a girl. I know he has my back, and the guy has grown on me. To be honest, I can't imagine the team without his stupid jokes.
Deeks was openly staring at Sam, jaw dropped. "I thought you didn't like me?"
"Like I said, you grew on me. Like mold." Sam said, giving a half grin.
I am so thankful that Hetty is the way she is. I wouldn't ever want to make her mad myself, but I have seen her turn into a wildcat to protect this team. She may be small, and she may be quiet, but I would rather face an entire terrorist cell then Hetty when she is angry. She doesn't hesitate to chew us a new one if needed, but she defends us with the same ferocity. She can be tricky to convince when it comes to some of our plans, and that has probably saved our lives a couple times. We may run the race, but she holds the reins. I don't think we could function without her.
Hetty glanced at Sam with a small smile. "I appreciate the sentiments, Mr. Hanna, but I have no doubt you could operate without me." Nonetheless she seemed pleased.
And that brings me to G; the most infuriating person I have ever met. He is walled off, refuses to let people in, hides his pain behind snappy one-liners and fake smiles and thinks I don't notice. He pushes himself too hard and neglects his personal health and wellbeing. He is always trying to do things on his own, but he gets all hurt when I try to avoid painful conversations or leave him out of something. He can flip the tables on me in a second and get me to spill my guts over my most vulnerable topics, then mock me. ( I know he doesn't mean it.) He can read me better than a book and can sucker me into any plan in less than a minute. He has the biggest heart of anyone I know, but he buries it so deep you wouldn't know. It is in his blood to be a lone wolf and that makes him a frustrating person to work with. So why am I thankful for G? I am thankful for G because I would probably be dead without him. I am thankful for G because he has never let me down. I am thankful for G because he has become the brother I always wanted. I am glad he is my partner because of the little things. The way he can drag me back from any guilt I feel, his way of understanding things I tell him; the fact he thinks he can save the world before lunchtime. Who knows…maybe he can. His techniques, quick thinking, and ability to lead are the best I have seen. He would never put an agent in unnecessary danger-although he does it to himself frequently-and loses sleep to make sure they are safe. Although he doesn't get enough sleep to start with. His banter, his ability to listen, his saving my butt on a regular basis, and his readiness to say he is sorry makes him the best partner I have ever worked with. I trust him completely, and have no doubt that he would back my play on anything. There is no other man out there that I would want to be partners with.
Hetty stopped reading and cleared her throat. "Sam, were you, by any chance, doing your partner evaluation at the same time as this assignment?"
Sam looked sheepish. "Yeah…I was running out of time before both deadlines."
"I can tell." Hetty smiled.
Callen looked a proper mix of pleased, offended, and downright confused. "I am the most infuriating person you know? Even more than Deeks?"
Sam didn't miss a beat. "Ten times more than Deeks."
"I'm still sitting right here, guys." Deeks mumbled.
"We can smell that, Deeks. What is that...it smells really...fruity." Callen sniffed. "Are you wearing perfume?"
"It's pineapple shampoo, if you must know. Brad Pitt uses it." Deeks said defensively.
"I doubt Brad Pitt uses pineapple shampoo, Deeks." Callen said teasingly.
"Mr. Callen, your clever stalling does not fool me, and it will do nothing to this letter in my hand. It is your turn." Hetty broke in.
"Eh…Hetty, I think I'd like to-" Callen tried to stand.
"Sit, Mr. Callen." Hetty said reprovingly.
Callen paused. "I was just going to ask if I could read the letter myself. Please."
Hetty stared at him in surprise. "Very well, but you must read every word."
"Every word?"Callen asked, taking the paper and standing in front of the group.
"Every. Word." Hetty accented her statement by tapping her finger against her desk.
"Alright than. Every word." Callen cleared his throat and began.